Vantage Point
The “Declining Significance” of Black History
February 24, 2011In the middle of this year´s Black History Month I was momentarily overcome by a weird feeling. There was a kind of ho hum, mundane, routine, business as usual atmosphere about this year´s commemoration with little passion or intensity. Maybe it was just me, but I had a sense that Black History Month was/is straying from Carter G. Woodson´s original mission of utilizing history as an instrument of restoration and liberation for people of African descent in the U.S. Some years ago, noted scholar William Julius Wilson wrote a controversial book called The Declining Significance of Race in which he argued that class/economic disadvantage not race/racism should be the focal point of our efforts to achieve full equality. I disagreed with his premise, but this month I have wondered out loud if there is a “declining significance of Black History” in Black America.
This concern was borne out in an …
The Reagan I Remember
February 16, 2011February 6th marked the 100th birthday of Ronald Reagan, considered by some as one of America´s truly great Presidents. Indeed, some presidential historians have called him a “transformative” figure because he is credited with presiding over the collapse of the Soviet Union. On the domestic front Reagan is hailed by conservatives as the President who began to get the “burden” of a bloated government off the backs of the people. Moreover, “the great communicator” as he was called, is praised for restoring a sense of optimism and honor to the American people after the demoralizing debacle in Viet Nam. Even President Barak Obama has expressed his admiration for the accomplishments of the movie actor who rose to become the 40th President of the most powerful nation in the world. The airways were filled with praise and accolades for Ronald Reagan, the revered, beloved, iconic figure. I heard few if any …
Contradictions and Hypocrisy Haunt U.S. Policy in the Middle East
February 10, 2011As the nation witnesses the rebellion against the autocratic regime of Hosni Mubarak in Egypt unfold, it is useful to reflect on the fact that the U.S. has almost always been on the wrong side of reform and revolution in the world. Though Presidents, public officials and Americans in general are quick to boast about this nation as the bright beacon of democracy, liberty and hope for the world, America´s history is filled with examples of cozy relationships with autocrats and ruthless despots. President Calvin Coolidge once famously proclaimed “the business of government is business.” And, all too often, in the name of protecting U.S. “vital interests” this dictum has trumped the lofty ideals of promoting democracy and liberty around the globe.
America´s “friends” reads like a who´s who in the hall of shame of dictators and unsavory autocrats: Samoza, Trujillo, Batista, Duvalier, Reza Pahlavi (Shah of Iran), Botha, Marcos, …
Beyond “Milk Toast” Martin
January 25, 2011After a long, hard fought struggle, it is certainly wonderful to have an annual holiday celebrating the life of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. It offers an opportunity for the entire nation to reflect on the vision, trials, tribulations and triumphs of one of the greatest leaders the world has ever known. However, each year I worry that the Holiday will become a kind of touchy/feely “Kumbaya” occasion where the emphasis is on “can we all get along” rather than a focus on social justice and social change. Almost by nature, state institutions have little interest in uplifting the ideas of heroes and heroines that pose a threat to the status-quo. And, the “mainstream media” has never been a major conveyor of messages of social change. Therefore, now that he is “safely dead,” selected sections of Dr. King´s “I Have a Dream,” speech — the call to judge people …
Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Dr. James Turner
March 28, 2011An Authentic “Race Man”
Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Dr. James Turner
Four decades ago at the height of the Black Consciousness and Black Power Movements, the National Council of Black Studies was founded as a mechanism to ensure the character and quality of Black Studies Programs that were being created at colleges and universities across the nation in response to demands of Black students. As a direct outgrowth of the movement for dignity, justice, equality and empowerment of Black people, the vision/mission of Black Studies was “education for liberation.” Therefore, a central focus of Black Studies was to address the “mis-education” of students of African descent by providing a critical understanding of their history and culture, an African-centered framework for examining the world, and the knowledge and tools to become change agents for an oppressed people. One of the visionary architects and leaders of this movement …
The Reagan I Remember
February 15, 2011February 6th marked the 100th birthday of Ronald Reagan, considered by some as one of America´s truly great Presidents. Indeed, some presidential historians have called him a “transformative” figure because he is credited with presiding over the collapse of the Soviet Union. On the domestic front Reagan is hailed by conservatives as the President who began to get the “burden” of a bloated government off the backs of the people. Moreover, “the great communicator” as he was called, is praised for restoring a sense of optimism and honor to the American people after the demoralizing debacle in Viet Nam. Even President Barak Obama has expressed his admiration for the accomplishments of the movie actor who rose to become the 40th President of the most powerful nation in the world. The airways were filled with praise and accolades for Ronald Reagan, the revered, beloved, iconic figure. I heard few if any …
The Haiti Support Project
December 20, 2010 
Haiti Pilgrimage III
October 8-12, 2009
…
Congressman Meeks to Join Pilgrimage
Congressman Meeks to Join Pilgrimage to Citadel in Haiti
Group Pushes Cultural Historical Tourism to Promote Development
- Press Advisory -
October 7, New York – The Haiti Support Project (HSP), under the leadership of Dr. Ron Daniels, is slated to embark on the Third Pilgrimage to Haiti October 8-12, to visit the magnificent Citadel and other important cultural-historical sites. This year´s delegation of forty-three participants largely consists of educators, cultural artists, entrepreneurs, business and professionals, heads of community based organizations, community activists and opinion leaders. A major goal of the Pilgrimage is to combat the negative images of Haiti generated by unsympathetic media in the U.S. by providing an opportunity for the participants to meet Haiti´s people and experience the culture first hand. To that end the delegation will include: Warren Ballentine, “The Number One Truth Fighter in America, Nationally syndicated Talk Show Host, Radio One Network; …
Haiti Crisis Statement
Global Marshall Plan Required to Rebuild Haiti
Haiti Support Project Institutes Haiti Relief Fund to Respond
Statement by Dr. Ron Daniels, President of the Institute of the Black World 21st Century and Founder of the Haiti Support Project
The 7.0 earthquake which struck Haiti January 12th was one of the most catastrophic disasters ever experienced in the Caribbean region. Much of the Capital city of Port Au Prince is in shambles and other cities in the Southeastern region of the country have been devastated as well. This cataclysmic event comes in the wake of a series of hurricanes and tropical storms that have ravished the nation in recent years. But, as I stated in an article last summer, it also comes at a time when the “stars appeared to be aligning in favor of progress for Haiti.” A new sense of optimism and hope was beginning to …
Diaspora Conference Statement
December 19, 2010Statement of Dr. Ron Daniels, Founder of the Haiti Support Project
On the Occasion of the Welcoming Reception of the Diaspora Reconnection Forum
July 12, 2006, Port Au Prince, Haiti
To Serge Parisien, our Coordinator and Dumarais Simeus, the Chairman, Honorable Rene Preval, President of the Republic, Members of Government, Ambassador Janet Sanderson, Ambassador Claude Boucher, Ambassador Christian Connan, other members of the diplomatic corp, sisters, brothers and friends, the Haiti Support Project (HSP) applauds you for convening us, and I welcome the opportunity to offer a few remarks at what is potentially a historic gathering, the Disapora Reconnection Forum.
I would first like to offer commendations to President Rene Preval for assuming the mantle of leadership at yet another critical moment in the life of a great people in their collective aspiration to fulfill the promise of one of the greatest revolutions the world has ever witnessed, …
- Beyond the Trayvon Martin Mobilization: A Movement to End Mass Incarceration and Rebuild America’s “Dark Ghettos”
April 5, 2012 - It’s Nation Time: The 40th Anniversary of the Gary National Black Political Convention
March 28, 2012 - Dr. Ron Daniels at 70: A Half Century on the Frontlines of the Black Freedom Struggle
March 7, 2012 - The Emancipation Proclamation: From 3/5 Human to Second Class Citizenship
January 3, 2012 - The Nguzo Saba and Kwanzaa in a Time of Crisis
December 26, 2011 - Toward State of the Black World Conference III
December 15, 2011 - Implanting a “Black Footprint” on an Economic Renaissance for Haiti
December 7, 2011 - Occupy Wall Street: Black Voices for Economic Justice Must Be Heard
October 13, 2011 - Pass the Bill Now
September 19, 2011 - African Leaders and Nations Must Be Accountable
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