Posts tagged with "epluribusamerica"

The Audacity of Claudette Colvin and the Story of Civil Rights in America

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The passing of civil rights pioneer Claudette Colvin this week at the age of 86 calls us to a moment of reflection—not just on a life well-lived, but on the full, complex, and often-overlooked tapestry of American history. 

Colvin’s defiant courage, born of a fierce belief in her own dignity, is a powerful and necessary part of the American narrative that we must bring out of the shadows. Her life reminds us that the struggle for a more perfect union is waged by countless individuals, many of whom remain unsung.

Need-to-Knows: The Facts Behind the Courage

  • The First Refusal: On March 2, 1955, nine months before Rosa Parks’ celebrated act, 15-year-old Claudette Colvin refused to give up her seat to a white passenger on a segregated Montgomery bus. She was arrested and charged, famously recalling that “history had me glued to my seat.”
  • The Legal Victory: Despite her arrest not sparking the Montgomery Bus Boycott, Colvin became a critical figure in the legal fight to end bus segregation. She was one of four plaintiffs in the 1956 landmark Supreme Court case, Browder v. Gayle, which successfully declared segregation on public transportation unconstitutional.
  • The Oversight: Colvin’s actions were initially overshadowed. Civil rights leaders were reportedly seeking a figure who would be “more acceptable to the white community,” and her background as a dark-complexioned teenager who became pregnant shortly after her arrest was deemed problematic for the public face of the movement.
  • A Final Act of Justice: Even in her 80s, Colvin fought to clear her record, successfully having the decades-old assault charge expunged in 2021. She did this to ensure her grandchildren and great-grandchildren would know that their grandmother “stood up for something” and to affirm the ongoing struggle for equal rights.

Take-Aways: Implications for American Culture

Claudette Colvin’s life is a profound testament to the nature of American progress. Her story holds three critical implications for our culture today:

  1. The Full Truth of History: As Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed noted, Colvin’s bravery was “too often overlooked.” Her legacy challenges us to honor every voice that helped bend the arc toward justice, recognizing that movements are built not only by those whose names are most familiar but also by those whose courage comes early, quietly, and at great personal cost.
  2. The Persistence of the Struggle: Her decision to seek expungement in 2021 was a personal fight, but also a generational message. It underscores that the fight for dignity, equality, and a clear record continues across decades, demonstrating the sheer resilience required of those who challenge unequal laws.
  3. The Heart of American Ideals: Colvin’s actions—the spontaneous refusal to move—were a raw, uncompromising expression of human dignity, demanding that the nation live up to its founding principles. She embodies the profound truth that the push for American ideals often starts not in a boardroom, but in a quiet, individual act of resistance.

Claudette Colvin’s defiance, rooted in a moment on a crowded bus, helped lay the moral and legal foundation for a movement that reshaped our country. The struggle she participated in—the quest for civil rights—is a constant, demanding chapter in the story of the American Dream. It is a dream that has always been contested, a promise for many that was long denied.

Yet, it is a dream that endures, driven by the unwavering belief in justice and human dignity. Her courage, and the courage of all the pioneers who were overlooked, inspires us to work steadfastly toward the “America yet to be,” as Langston Hughes wrote—an America where liberty and opportunity truly ring true for every citizen, and where the full truth of our past lights the path to a more just and equitable future. May her legacy continue to inspire us all to stand for what is right, even when the world is not yet ready to listen.

Climate, Culture, and Cash: The True Cost of America’s International Breakup

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Reclaiming the Republic: The Cultural Implications of America’s Global Recalibration

The Need to Know

In a decisive move that underscores a fundamental reevaluation of American foreign policy, the Trump administration has announced the withdrawal of the United States from 66 international organizations, agencies, and commissions. This sweeping action targets bodies affiliated with the United Nations and other multilateral forums, including the U.N.’s population agency (UNFPA) and the foundational climate agreement, the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated the decision was based on a review finding these institutions to be “redundant,” “mismanaged,” “unnecessary,” “wasteful,” or “captured by the interests of actors advancing their own agendas contrary to our own, or a threat to our nation’s sovereignty, freedoms, and general prosperity.” Critically, many of the targets were categorized as catering to “woke” or “progressive ideology” initiatives, signaling a cultural, not just diplomatic, shift. This builds on a pattern of previous withdrawals from groups like the World Health Organization and the U.N. Human Rights Council, marking a clear ‘my way or the highway’ approach to multilateralism—a commitment to cooperation, but only on Washington’s own terms.

Key Take-Aways for American Culture

This diplomatic recalibration carries profound implications for the American cultural landscape:

  • The Reassertion of Sovereignty: This move reinforces a powerful cultural narrative that prioritizes national sovereignty over global consensus. For Trump’s MAGA supporters, it is a validation that the nation’s interests should not be compromised by international bodies perceived as bureaucratic, inefficient, or hostile to American values.
  • The Globalism vs. Nationalism Divide: The debate over withdrawal reflects and deepens the cultural chasm between globalist and nationalist viewpoints. It forces a national conversation: To what extent should American tax dollars and political capital support institutions whose missions are categorized as catering to foreign interests or progressive ideologies? And, is moving unilaterally—governing with executive orders without input from Congress or the American people—in the best interest of the nation?
  • Refocusing American Influence: Administration officials argue that by cutting funding to ineffective bodies, the U.S. can instead focus taxpayer money on expanding American influence in critical standard-setting organizations where competition with rising powers like China is paramount (e.g., International Telecommunications Union). This repositions American global engagement toward strategic competition and away from broad-based humanitarian cooperation.
  • The Cost of Isolation: Conversely, critics within the U.S. and globally have described the withdrawal as “shortsighted” and “embarrassing.” They argue that ceding influence in forums like the UNFCCC—a treaty every other country has agreed to—undermines America’s ability to shape global policies, costing the U.S. economy and security in the long run and forfeiting decades of U.S. climate leadership.

A Cautionary Tale

The withdrawal from these international forums may seem as a powerful declaration of independence and a necessary defense of American interests. However, the true measure of a world leader is not just in what it chooses to leave, but in what it commits to create. America’s role in the world is unique: a beacon of hope and a global leader that has, for generations, underwritten the international order that this current president and his rogue administration are unilaterally and systematically dismantling without input from Congress or the other branches of American government rooting the Constitution and We, the People. 

For every organization we exit, we must re-engage with the world on terms that are transparently and vigorously American. If we step back from the table, others—who do not share our values of freedom, democracy, and prosperity—will gladly take our seat. The defense of our sovereignty at home must be paired with the principled exercise of our unparalleled power and responsibilities abroad. Our obligation to future generations is to ensure that while we strengthen the Republic for ourselves, we do not surrender the field to those who would see the light of liberty dimmed across the world. The American experiment is still the world’s last, best hope, and we must never shirk the duties that come with that extraordinary distinction.

January 6th & Venezuela: The Global Threat to the Rule of Law

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On the anniversary of the January 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol, the nation once again confronts the fragility of its democratic institutions and the importance of the rule of law—both at home and abroad. This solemn day compels us to look beyond our borders and examine how the principles we fight to preserve domestically are reflected in our nation’s elected leaders’ conduct on the global stage. It is a moment to recognize that the health of our republic is intrinsically linked to the ethical consistency of their actions.

An Unsettling Report: The Rule of Law and American Power

A recent special report, headlined “Special Report on Venezuela: U.S. Kidnaps Maduro, Trump Says ‘We Are Going to Run’ Oil-Rich Nation,” presents a stark challenge to the American ideals of sovereignty, democracy, and international cooperation. While the domestic threat of January 6th revealed the dangers of political extremism undermining constitutional order, this report highlights the potential for unilateral executive action to subvert international law and the right of nations to self-determination. With a focus on the fabric of American culture, this is not merely a foreign policy story; it is a critical reflection of our values. What does it signal about our national character when we resort to illegal measures by kidnapping a sitting president and his wife, and openly declare intent to seize control of a sovereign, oil-rich nation?

Need to Knows

  • Extralegal Action: The U.S. government orchestrated the kidnapping of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Such an action constitutes a profound breach of international law and the sovereignty of another nation, fundamentally disregarding the international system the U.S. helped build.
  • The Motive of Control: The reported statement, “We Are Going to Run” the oil-rich nation, frames the action not as a humanitarian or democratic intervention, but as a resource-driven act of regime change and control. This interpretation undermines claims of promoting democracy and reinforces long-standing global critiques of American interventionism.
  • A Precedent for Power: Actions that bypass established legal and diplomatic channels set a dangerous precedent. When the U.S. acts outside the rule of law internationally, it weakens its moral authority and empowers other nations to similarly disregard legal norms, ultimately leading to a more volatile and less secure global environment.
  • The Erosion of Principle: The decision to utilize such aggressive tactics suggests a breakdown in the deliberative and legal checks on executive power. Just as January 6th was a failure of domestic political process, this type of foreign policy action represents a failure of international diplomacy and legal adherence.

Take-Aways for American Culture

  1. Vigilance is Global and Domestic: The cautionary tale of January 6th teaches us to be perpetually vigilant against threats to democracy at home. The Venezuela incident serves as a reminder that this vigilance must extend to holding our government accountable for its actions abroad. A nation that respects the rule of law internationally is better equipped to demand adherence to it domestically.
  2. Reclaiming American Values: The core of e pluribus unum is a shared commitment to principles. An American culture that truly values democracy must reject the notion that its economic or strategic goals justify violating the sovereignty and self-determination of others. The implications of the Trump administration’s actions in Venezuela, including its hostile foreign policy agenda and posturing call for a public discourse that centers integrity and legality in all foreign engagements.
  3. The Danger of Ends Justifying the Means: When a government adopts a mindset that any means are acceptable to achieve a desired end—be it political power at home or economic control abroad—the moral foundation of the republic is compromised. For American culture to heal and thrive, it must actively and unequivocally demand adherence to the Constitution and international law, rejecting the logic of expediency.

The anniversary of January 6th is more than a day of remembrance; it is an annual audit of the American soul. The recent actions in Venezuela—the kidnapping of a sitting president and first lady and an open desire to seize national resources—are not isolated foreign policy blunders, but corrosive forces that undermine our domestic integrity and our global standing. When the Executive branch operates without regard for domestic and international law, it sends a dangerous signal that power, not principle, is the ultimate authority. That signal, in turn, weakens our ability to enforce the rule of law within our own borders.

We must recognize that the two threats are one: a disregard for established legal and constitutional order.

Congress, the time for passive observation is over. The American people and the global community demand a government that is ethically consistent. We, the People implore you to rise to the occasion and assert your constitutional authority as a vital check and balance.

  • Demand Transparency and Accountability: Immediately launch a full and public investigation into the reported extralegal actions concerning Venezuela to establish the facts and hold any and all officials accountable for violations of international and domestic law.
  • Reassert Legislative Oversight: Pass and enforce legislation that clearly limits the Executive’s ability to engage in acts of war, regime change, or major foreign operations without explicit congressional approval, thereby guaranteeing that actions taken in the name of the American people are consistent with American values.
  • Protect the Rule of Law: Affirm and codify the nation’s commitment to international law and the sovereignty of nations, sending an unequivocal message to the world that the United States rejects the doctrine of “might makes right.”

A stable and prosperous America requires a predictable and lawful world. By acting decisively now, Congress can ensure that the lessons of January 6th are truly learned, proving that our commitment to the rule of law is not merely a domestic convenience, but a universal principle. The integrity of our Republic depends on it.

East Wing Falls: A Symbol Shattered

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President Donald J. Trump has begun an unprecedented demolition of a portion of the East Wing to construct a lavish, privately funded ballroom. This project, estimated to cost $300 million, has sparked significant controversy, with critics viewing it as an overhaul of a historic building for a personal project that undermines the “People’s House” and the principles of American democracy. Despite the president’s claims of private funding and historical precedent for renovations, the project has proceeded without full approval from the National Capital Planning Commission and has drawn criticism for its potential to grant wealthy donors undue access and influence.

Take-Aways:

  • Unprecedented Scale: Historians confirm that a construction project of this magnitude has never before occurred at the White House, distinguishing it from past presidential renovations.
  • Controversial Funding: While the White House asserts the ballroom is privately funded, the lack of transparency regarding donors and the hosting of donor dinners raise concerns about potential quid pro quo arrangements and access for wealthy individuals.
  • Erosion of Democratic Norms: Critics argue that the project, alongside other actions taken by the administration, signifies a broader attempt to consolidate power, sideline Congress, and remake national institutions in a singular image, challenging the foundations of the Constitution, checks and balances, and the rule of law.
  • Symbolic Significance: The demolition of a historic part of the White House for a personal vanity project is seen by many as an affront to the building’s symbolic value as a shared heritage and the “People’s House.”

Implications for American Culture, the Future of Democracy, and the Security of the Constitution:

The White House ballroom project is more than just a construction endeavor; it’s a potent symbol in a larger narrative about the state of American democracy and the security of its foundational principles.

For American Culture: The White House has long stood as a symbol of stability, tradition, and the collective heritage of the American people. Its transformation for a “gaudy” personal project risks eroding this shared cultural understanding and fostering a sense of alienation from national institutions. The images of an excavator tearing into the East Wing could become an enduring visual metaphor for a perceived disregard for history and public trust.

For the Future of Democracy: The controversy surrounding the ballroom highlights deeper concerns about the politicization of government institutions, the stifling of free speech, and the erosion of accountability. When a presidential administration appears to bypass established regulatory processes and leverage private donations for personal projects, it sets a dangerous precedent. This can undermine public confidence in the integrity of democratic processes and the impartiality of government, potentially leading to increased cynicism and disengagement.

For the Security of the Constitution: The Constitution, with its system of checks and balances and the rule of law, is designed to prevent the consolidation of power and protect against authoritarian tendencies. Actions that appear to disregard these cornerstones, whether through unilateral decision-making, the sidelining of oversight bodies, or the blurring of lines between public office and private interests, pose a direct threat to the security of the Constitution. The concern is that such actions, if unchecked, could gradually dismantle the very framework that guarantees a democratic republic.

In a time when the foundations of democracy are perceived to be under threat, the White House ballroom stands as a stark reminder of the ongoing struggle to uphold the values and principles upon which the United States was built. It calls for vigilance, informed engagement, and a renewed commitment to safeguarding the institutions that secure our collective future.

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An African American Guide Back To The Motherland

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As the world turns, communities from across our oceans are longing to connect with each other. This is especially true for many African Americans taking the leap to journey back to Africa. The back to Africa movement is not new. After emancipation Abraham Lincoln sought to relocate newly freed Black people back to Africa. Although the move was largely rejected by many Black leaders of that time, the honorable Marcus Mosiah Garvey was instrumental in the push to make this a reality for Black people in the western hemisphere.

“Marcus Garvey and his organization, the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA), represent the largest mass movement in African-American history. Proclaiming a black nationalist “Back to Africa” message, Garvey and the UNIA established 700 branches in thirty-eight states by the early 1920s.”

Today, the best way to make this dream for some a reality is with sincere preparation. And thanks to Professor Joseph Mbele of Olaf College in Minnesota, who has amassed decades worth of knowledge on the subject, including being an expert on culture and folklore, created a study guide to help those journeying back to the Motherland.

The link to the course: https://joseph-s-site-c20e.thinkific.com/courses/your-first-course

ePa had an opportunity to interview Professor Mbele on his new course study focused on preparing African Americans for their journey back to Africa.

Part I

Part II

Part III

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marcus garvey_quote-epa front page feature

POTUS, The Time Is NOW To Exonerate Marcus Garvey

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BY JEANETTE LENOIR

Dr. Julius Garvey made another plea for the exoneration of his father, The Honorable Marcus Mosiah Garvey. He says the push to clear his father’s name has been ignored during every administration since the exoneration movement started in the 1970s, including by the Obama administration when he thought they had a good chance to restore his father’s record and good name in Congress with help from the Congressional Black Caucus. Now, in his sunset years, the last living son of Marcus Garvey, a civil rights icon, staunch pan Africanist and Black freedom legend, is determined as ever to see this exoneration movement through.

“Can we do it? We can do it. We shall do it!” his father once exclaimed to galvanize Black people all over the world to work for their own freedom and self-determination. “Any leadership that teaches you to depend upon another race, is a leadership that will enslave you.” – Marcus Garvey 

This Black History Month, let us rededicate our efforts to request an official response from the White House and President Biden for a posthumous exoneration of the Rt. Honorable Marcus Garvey for his unjust persecution and imprisonment by the U.S. government in 1923.

As time goes by, will President Biden and his administration finally hear the call to exonerate Marcus Garvey?

Please join the movement and help exonerate Marcus Garvey: justice4garvey.org

“God and nature first made us what we are, and then out of our own created genius we make ourselves what we want to be. Follow always that great law. Let the sky and God be our limit and eternity our measurement.” Marcus Garvey

the con men games

Con Man Games: How Kevin McCarthy And George Santos Play In The Peoples House

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BY JEANETTE LENOIR

 

Today, Americans are being served a con man, #AsbestosSantos despite his blatant lies to steal an election in New York. Liar-elect George Santos, (If that’s truly his name) is slated to be seated as a bona-fide Member of Congress representing the 3rd Congressional District in New York, despite his blatant criminal acts and un-American behavior, including alleged money laundering and tampering with election spending and reporting. And anyone who thinks his half-assed apology during his Fox News interview where he claims his lies are “debatable” despite clear evidence of his incredible world-record lies, is remotely sincere… is more interested in stoking the fire that keep Americans divided on party lines.

And Kevin McCarthy, who only wants enough votes to secure power and the Speaker title in The Peoples House, has remained dead silent on the egregiousness of this dangerous scam and con man because he wants his ill-gotten vote for Speaker. Regardless of party affiliation, the American people should be outraged at this deliberate burning of our flag by Kevin McCarthy and the Republican Party. The old adage, united we stand, divided we fall, has never been clearer and more significant than what we are witnessing in our political arena today, and in the aftermath of Trumpism.

America is flaring up like a severe case of arthritis and some of our elected leaders only care about personal gains and power. We remain a country divided despite the manifestations of #45 that was the January 6th attack on the nation’s capital. A country divided on basic truths and principles rooted in a shared humanity is a country on the edge of a cliff. History is cyclical. And seating Liar-elect George Santos is no different than what the settlers did to the wild buffaloes to defeat Native Americans. The Republican Party is not working for We, The People. They’re working for themselves to construct an America that only serves the rich, corporations and special interest groups that only want to feed from the trough and the wealth generated by working class Americans and the immigrants they loath. Folks, we’re in big trouble. And seating George Santos despite the fact that he STOLE an election, amounts to awarding a con man for doing a fantastic job conning the people who elected him. And if that’s what Republicans call democracy, imagine what they consider humanity.

In the meantime, Kevin McCarthy is so egregious with his silence and complicity on George Santos, the man has already moved into the Speaker’s Chamber despite the challenge he’s facing within his own party, including not having the votes necessary to become the next Speaker of the House. Imagine that. One can’t be shameful if they’re shameless. And that’s a dangerous precedent that produced the scum con man, George Santos.

The cycle continues.

The Red Wave That Couldn’t Make A Splash

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BY JEANETTE LENOIR

Join us! My guests this Saturday are: Billy Buntin, Storyteller and former CNN Producer; Bradford Kane, Author, Pitchfork Populism and Ron Carter, NABJ Treasurer, The Carter Agency.

Our discussion will focus on the following hot topics: 2022 Midterm Elections, Elon’s Twitter,  Censoring Kyrie & Ye, Tiffany Cross Firing, and JLo Choosing JAff.