Greens,
In line with the issue of the racial problems that the New york Green Party suffers from there is another dimension that needs to be looked at. Whenever, i have brought suggestions for this party to implement here in new york, it's routinely ignored. However, - Karen Young - with the help of a few other people seem to think that they have the right to completely make the New York party into their own image. They hold meetings when they want, they invite who they want to those meetings and everybody stands for it. I try to make a point in a meeting and I am castigated as an arrogant black male, slightly obtuse and definitely unwelcome.
The fact that white men in the New York Green Party asked me to leave the party because of my opinion on certain issues really astounds me. For this to happen in the supposedly democratic Green Party is a tragedy. However, i have had to face up to lynch mobs, made up of my white American comrades in arms in Germany, so this incident will not hold me down one bit. I believe in fighting back.
We have a campaign for Mayor of New York, where the Green candidate has not stated what his Urban Policy is. We have had over 50 black men gunned down in New York over the last 23 months or so, the Green Party in New York has no comment about this, has no plan to say anything about this and the Green Party Candidate for Mayor has made no comment as to what he would do about this.
6 young black men were almost lynched and forced to rot in jail for a crime they didn't commit, the rape of a white woman in central park. There are politicians who are trying to have an investigation as to why this travesty happened. What does the Green Party's Mayoral candidate have to say about this?
Why should urban residents in inner city New York follow a candidate that has not outlined a coherent urban policy?
This is the state of affairs that I believe Greens across the country will say is deplorable. Am I arrogant because as the only black man active in the New York party for the last 5 years i choose to question this state of affairs?
Newcomers have come to New York, with their own agenda, and they think they can twist the party to their tune. Fine - but if you are not going to deal with the issues that concern Black Americans that live in this city, then what the hell good are you for this party?
Does any party that refuses to deal with the just needs of Black Americans deserve to be elected to any public office?
This is why there should be a Black person on this so-called NYC Green Committee. If Ms. Young had taken the time to ask what my objection to their new procedure was, I would have gladly discussed it with her. However, in New York the voice of people of color are ignored in the New York Green Party - unless of course they are a celebrity.
I love Cynthia and Rosa for what they stand for, not as a means to an end.
For those of you that are upset for my opinions - tough, i didn't join this party to be a stooge or yes man. I have a very low tolerance for hypocrisy and when I see it - i point it out. This is a party for Black Men, just as much for anyone else. And I promise by almighty God to fight racism and elitism wherever i see it in this party. Because if we are to guide and criticize the other political parties - we have to make sure that we as Greens are correct.
I would also like to thank the support i have received from fellow Greens not only here in New York, but members from the Green Party Black Caucus and Green party members from other parts of the country.
I think we have to be concerned about the in groups vs. the out groups in Green Parties across this country. People are excluded bases on race, background, ideas, region, belief in process, etc.
ReplyDelete--Roger Snyder, www.greensforgreens.org
What is meant by "urban policy" in the statement about Rev. Billy Talen's campaign for mayor? Has Mr. Gumbs seen Rev. Billy's video candidate statement on http://VoteRevBilly.org ?
ReplyDeleteTo quote:
"Stop-and-frisk activities by the police are introducing fear and racial tension. Our newest Americans deserve the hope that Lady Liberty has promised them. Stop warrantless raids of our neighbors' homes."
In an interview with the Village Voice, Rev. Billy said that he would fire NYPD chief Ray Kelly, who initiated policies based on racial profiling.
So when Mr. Gumbs writes that Billy Talen has no urban policy, what does he mean, and what is he looking for? I think what we have here is just a failure to communicate.