Needed: African-American Think Tank

[Blue_Tires]

Our children are suffering because of our disorganization. Black economic power and potential are waning. Chronic diseases, risky health behaviors, and systems required health issues are shortening our lives. We are generally unprepared to participate in technological advances and opportunities. The disparities in education between our children and that of the world are becoming increasingly apparent.

This community like so many others around the country has gotten skillful at demonizing children, scapegoating schools, and excusing content-less policymakers. The reality is, as Minister (Louis) Farrakhan suggested in his address during the World Day of Atonement, that we have offered up our children in the pursuit of prosperity prophecy. Our failure to think through a plan to insure them a future better than our present should be considered the greatest act of national sui-genocide.

Several will argue that the city’s history of racism, economic exploitation, and cultural oppression are responsible for the condition of black communities in Memphis. While we cannot fully dismiss these explanations, we must move beyond them and develop strategies to address these challenges. I dare suggest that there is benefit to a privileged few, regardless of the ethnic hue, in “suffering as usual” practices of this county.

While many will shout amen or nod in agreement, not many are willing to engage in the collective work. This work is a process that requires coalition-building, thinking together, collective planning, and mobilizing for the future of our children and this city. Our paralysis based in sectarian self interests, greed, turfism, individualism, and insecurity must end. Blood, wasted lives, and untapped potential of thousands of young people has happened on our shift. Without investing in a “serious” comprehensive strategic plan developed by the community we will continue to sacrifice our most precious resource for the future – our children.

Here is my solution by way of an invitation: join the Think Tank for African American Progress. This is not a new organization but a collection of the organizations that are already doing great individual work but want to change the paradigm for working together. The Think Tank is a national convening of community activists, practitioners, policy makers, researchers, and scholars dedicated to developing solutions and strategic plans to implement them to address specific issues on education/youth development, health, economic and community development, and technology.

http://tri-statedefenderonline.com/articlelive/articles/4275/1/Needed-African-American-Think-Tank/Page1.html

simple dedication and want-to isn't enough, imo...think tanks need a lot of influence and a whole lot of money...

[Number23]

1. I've always liked the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies

Just checked out the web site for the Think Tank for African American Progress. Scores of typos and outdated info on a home page of a web site in 2009 make me a bit nervous.