Taking Another Rip

Charles Barron called this morning, wading in on the Al Vann/ David Yassky/ 11th Congressional brouhaha. He took the expected Baronesque position: that Yassky shouldn’t run, and that the seat should be in black hands. And just as Al van Winkle, Annette Robinson, Major Owens and company, Barron doesn’t get it. His biggest flaw is that he lets his obsession with 'race' trump his common-sense, near everytime downfield. 

If this situation was reversed, and Yassky was a black person running against 3 whites, with the demographics of the district also reversed, what do you think Barron would be doing right now, if white electeds were calling for the black to withdraw from the race?  You tell me (as if we all don't know).

Charles is as full of shit as the rest, relative to this issue. The same blinders that he accurately accuses white men of having (relative to racism ), is the same blinders he is wear ing now. Racism is racism, wheter it's coming from black or white. Blacks just try to justify theirs using history as a cover. This is so tragic, and I call upon all the black candidates in this race, to distance themselves from the racial antics of Al van Winkle and comapny.

So come this Saturday morning, all the elected officials of Brooklyn who are black, are expected to assemble at Concorde Baptist Church, to deal with the state of black-Brooklyn. It is said that Al Sharpton will be there, and he is expected to make an anti-Yassky statement for the camera crews. And when Sharptongue shows up, you could only imagine the race-based drivel that will follow. As we used to say in Trinidad, “Lord have mercy, please send down Percy”.

How many summits must we have before real action is taken, in an attempt to unmetastasize a pained black community? How many press conferences must be called before we stop these blow-hards from prognosticating and expostulating? How many million-this-or-that-or-the-other marches must be called before real action is taken at policy-level? How many more Travis-Smiley-styled events do we need to impact on governmental budgetary considerations? You tell me.

How many more years must we suffer through unimaginative representation from black electeds, before our communities are organized to fight back on a larger scale? Yes, there are individuals and small groups struggling silently in forlorn pockets, trying their best to address major concerns, but they need help. Big time help. How many more egoistic displays before network camera-crews must it take, before black legislators show some creativity and get it right? Pray tell. I am waiting.

On Saturday however, you can expect more of the anti-Yassky garbage that was spewed by Al Van–Winkle and his pathetic crew earlier this week. These folks will try to prevent a white-Jewish man, from exercising his constitutional right to run for office in an area where he legally qualifies to run. And they take this stance seemingly oblivious to the immorality of their position-take. If we were to carry their position to its logical conclusion, then blacks should never run for statewide office anywhere in the USA.

We (blacks) are less than 13% of the US population (officially), and given the specious and flawed logic of the  Al van  Winkle crew, someone like Ron Dellums for example, shouldn’t have even tried to run for Congress, far less get elected with the help of many white voters. Furthermore, if people were to only vote by race (as covertly suggested by these officials), then we blacks in New York City, would still be waiting for our first black mayor- we are less than 30% of the city’s population. David Dinkins won with the help of many Hispanic, white, Asian and other ethnic voters. Sure he captured the vast majority of the black votes, but those votes alone couldn’t put him over the top. The Dinkins scenario replicated ones in Chicago (Harold Washington) and Los Angeles (Tom Bradley). In most major cities where we have had black mayors, it was done with help from voters who were not black. Senator Obama didn’t get to Washington with only black votes.

Let’s take it farther; if a black man or woman lived in a district where blacks made up less than 25% of population, then it doesn’t matter if he was the most capable, qualified or experienced, he shouldn’t run for Congress. No matter how well he or she articulates the issues, no matter their expertise or acumen, no matter the credentials, no matter the vision, that seat belonged to the group with the largest raw population number. How absurd!

In my last post, I suggested that there are other ulterior motives to all these moves by the Vann crew. I even suggested one or two, despite their explanations. Some people are speculating that all this is being done, as a precursor to an all out push to deliver this seat to Carl Andrews. We shall see. But whatever the true motives let me state this: THE RIP VAN WINKLE CREW IS FULL OF SHIT. And here is more evidence why.

Remember in my last post, I took you through a litany of seats where the black population had anything from 40% to almost 90% and was represented by whites, while these “concerned” black-electeds stood idly by; well there are other seats with similar demographics and similar dispositions. For example; in the year 2000, Larry Seabrook ran against Elliot Engel, for a congressional seat (Bronx) where blacks made up the highest population group. Whites were roughly the same in numbers, as in the 11th Congressional district right now (twenty-something per cent). Did the Van Winkle crew ask Engel to give it up? Nope. Have they ever pressured Crowley (Bronx/Queens) to give up his Congressional seat to the Hispanics? No. And why not? Don’t the Hispanics count? Does Latino-empowerment matter? Or maybe not as much as black-empowerment?

Let’s look at Brooklyn again. Darryl Towns occupies a seat where the majority population group is Latino. So too does VITO LOPEZ. In Queens, there are seats occupied by whites, in districts where the majority happens to be Hispanic (see Lafayette and Sabini). Where are the voices for empowerment? In Manhattan, Eric Schniederman sits in a Senate seat with another Latino majority. And while there, can we forget the many years of Stanley Michaels? Look, there are other seats with similar situations that have evolved over time; this whole “empowerment” argument is nothing but a crock. It should be exposed for what it really is: reverse racism. Decent folks of every race should condemn this behavior.

All I know is as this: as I write this article, the Bureau of Justice Statistics is projecting that there are two and a quarter million people in prisons and jails, all across the USA. Of this figure, close to one million are black males. Add to this figure another one hundred thousand black women, and a stark picture is painted about a community in need-if only on this one plain alone (and there are other areas of concern, many other areas). Yet, I don’t see the fire-trucks, the ambulances, or the emergency vehicles, racing to the scene of need. I don’t hear the alarm bells ringing, nor see the panic-buttons being pushed, even here in black-New York, that represents a microcosm of this cataclysm.

Here in New York, where almost half of all black men are unemployed or unemployable, we have elected officials wasting time with this bullshit. Don't they have better things to do? Shouldn't they be advancing new ideas aimed towards solving the many problems facing us here in this city? But we have a bigger problem in the black community; you see as a collective, we  tend to let pastors, pimps, prostitutes, preachers and politicans off the hook. Maybe it's because we  really cannot discern the differences amongst them. We need to address this. NOW. We need to hold them all to higher standards. NOW.

 If you look at the comments section in any of my posts, you will see that whenever I hold the feet of black-electeds to the fire of responsibility, that their minions write in calling me names. They never attack the facts I raise, nor do they attack my ideas or  my analysis in specific detail, but they attempt to attack me personally, by hiding behind the 'anonymous' cover. They cannnot attack my historical records because I am meticulous. Plus, I was there for most of the events I write about. I have written almost three dozen articles here to date; I have a record that's visible to everyone (just click here,on this site, on my name /under "bloggers"), and yet yesterday, one of their "hachet-men" said something I must share with you (see Rip van Winkle post). This individual claims that all the Afro-American electeds in Brooklyn think that I am a "wacko cracko".He proffers that he knows them all. Well, if so,if true, then I offer my columns as evidence in the determination of who is wack, and who is cracked up. You be the judge.

TRUTH BY ITS VERY NATURE IS CONTROVERSIAL.

Stay tuned.



Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 06/16/2006 - 8:31am.
I saw Jesse Hamilton and David Yassky collecting petitions together.  Does anyone know what this relationship is all about?
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 06/16/2006 - 8:59am.

get your facts straight, vito lopez is from brooklyn, and he is the derek jeter of race and politics less hispanic exept for the name.

get your facts straight man and stop writting so much to yourself.


Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 06/16/2006 - 9:05am.

To 9:59; didn't you understand the point Rock was making about Vito Lopez. The seat Vito holds is overwhelmingly Hispanic in population, and yet the Blacks officials ibn Brooklyn are not pressuring Vito to step out and let a Latino represent it, why?

People need to read and understand before making comments on these blogs. I think Rock is by far the best writer here. I for one look forward to his columns all the time. I hope he keeps writing. It would be a shame to lose his voice.


Submitted by Clarke Supporter (not verified) on Fri, 06/16/2006 - 9:51am.
If the prospect of a Yassky victory was the primary concern of Vann, Owens and Sharpton, they would look at the available polling see Clarke's substantial lead and quietly pressure Chris Owens and/or Carl Andrews (people that they might actually have some influence over) to withdraw.  Black/White relations are currently the collateral damage of their tactics.  If they keep this up Caribbean/Black relations will be the next casualty.  Their actions are neither based upon empowerment or policy but personal self interest.  
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 06/16/2006 - 11:54am.
rock... deep analysis, brotha... i never post on these blogs, but I find your insight on the history of central brooklyn politics very insightful... keep it coming!
Submitted by Errol (not verified) on Fri, 06/16/2006 - 2:11pm.
They are petitioning and running together. Apparently, Clarke's camp recently reached out to Jesse and was told he already signed up with DY.
Submitted by bettyblue (not verified) on Fri, 06/16/2006 - 2:17pm.

I didnt read nathing,  for me politics  is better than sleep pills

Yet I enjoy to see you have blog

So my brown suger friend, GOOD LUCK


Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 06/16/2006 - 3:10pm.

If Clarke really is leading, she has the most to lose in a forced rationalization. She clearly has the least juice of the three black candidates.

Andrews has Spitzer and the old brooklyn machine. Owens has his pop. I can see something getting worked out between these two, but I don't see them both stepping out of Clarke's way.


Submitted by Clarke Supporter (not verified) on Fri, 06/16/2006 - 3:44pm.
The point is that nobody is getting out of this race.  All the breast beating is calculated to increase turnout, animosity will be the necessary side effect.
Submitted by yorubasamurai (not verified) on Sat, 06/17/2006 - 12:33pm.

It's been reported that on June 22nd, Eliot Spitzer will endorse Carl Andrews for this congressional seat. So, politics rears its head in the camp of Spitzer, "a new Democrat". This is exactly the kind of white Democratic paternalism that aids in black political retardation, pisses off sincere black activists and give the racial huckters of the world, like Sharpton, a soapbox to stand on. Everyone knows that Carl Andrews was Spitzer's "bagman" in Brooklyn during his '98 run and in particular rode herd, "oversear style", over the Black political community. Upon Spitzer's victory, Carl's reward was a patronage job in the AG's office. So now the "sheriff of Wall Street" is endorsing a candidate who most folks acknowledge as a political hack's hack. Carl has no claim to fame other than as Clarence Norman's long time bagman. But this is the state of politics in the black community. Hatchetmen like Carl get promoted and supported by the white Democratic establishment. This happens as long as they do as they're told and don't rock the boat when it comes to challenging the existing power structure.
Then unsophisticated pols like Al Vann and Co. come along with this "black brooklyn empowerment convention" which is nothing but a smokescreen to empower Carl Andrews. Where have these folks been for the last 20 years as the community fell into a spiral of social, economic and political disorganization?
As far as Spitzer is concerned, I believe that he'll govern as he campaigns. Look at his campaign presently. Are there any black folks who have any REAL juice in that operation or any black consultants? I rest my case.


Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 06/17/2006 - 2:47pm.
TO: 13:33 GREAT COMMENT. YOU ARE SOUNDING LIKE ROCK HACKSHAW. HAVE YOU READ HIS POSTS HERE OVER THE PAST MONTHS? IF NOT, DO SO. AT LEAST HE IS CONSISTENT.
Submitted by R H Bowman (not verified) on Sun, 06/18/2006 - 9:14pm.

    First, Rock Hackshaw is on point by raising these issues at this point in time and opening the door for broader dialogue on the future of public policy and the Political Leadership in Brooklyn. We are midpoint of the first decade of the 21st century and the the community is socio-economically stagnant.

Second, I have been involved as a participant and observer in Brooklyn Politics, Since my father and mother were involved with the first school boycotts in the 1950's with the late Rev. Milton Gallamison. Please note that they were fighting the same inequity in education then that exists now.

Third, I was there when The Brooklyn Political movements in East New York, Bedford Stuyvesant, Brownsville Brooklyn Spawned the John F. Kennedy Democratic Club, and Central Brooklyn Mobilization for Political action,  The Vanguard Group, and The Unity Democratic Clubs, that produced the majority of the central brooklyn black and hispanic political leaders, who have been in place since the 1970's. That was 36 years ago! To raise the question of where we are now is in order!

I have been a leader in the political insurgency and first ran for elected office in 1992 against the Boyland machine in the 55th Assembly District. Most of the people in local Brooklyn politics know me and know that my political philosophy has been unity politics. I became a school board president and and through partnership and collaboration improved the worse school district in the city of New York

I too, can tell you stories, and The Hackshaw, he knows.

I currently live and reside in Brownsville, in Public Housing and represent the people who reside here as the President of the Developments of Brooklyn East. We are where the political leaders all get their signatures when they need to get on the ballot.

However, the current state of politics, as described in this blog is indeed a real reporesentation of things as they are from a certain perspective. Politics as they exist are in need of tranformation and deeper collaboative strategic planning if the community where we reside is going to resurected economically and socially. We are geographically compressed and further apart socially and economically than we have ever been. As the cost of living and market rents are  pushing our children, seniors and families into the street, the lack of a practical agenda to address and do something to correct these matters is certainly a subject that must be raised and action taken.

Indeed, Mr. Hackshaw is right by challenging the current political establishment to face its flaws and failures, and challenging them to produce a realistic agenda that begins to use public policy as a tool to fix the current problems, improve the quality of life in the Brooklyn Landscape, and starts to work to make government a tool of the people that they represent. Until now Central Brooklyn Politics is an insiders game that only a few gain from.

I am now in my mid 50's and I have seen the emergence and evaporation of each political group in central Brooklyn. The current political establishment needs to spend a great deal more time on practical issues of homelessness, unemployment, real affordable housing, and truly teaching civic empowerment to the entire constituency, that is being rendered powerless by the inhouse "privitization" of democracy.

Finally, I am truly encouraged by the honesty of "Professor" Rock Hackshaw and urge you, the audience to read on and then take action or things will remain this way, for another generation.

Keep it up Rock!!! Rock The Boat!!! 

 

R. H. Bowman

I'll be Back!!! 


Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 06/19/2006 - 10:58am.

You don't know what the hell you are talking about. That convention did in no ways help Carl Andrews. He was not endorsed, he did not speak and he wasn't even there half of the day. Stop talking about things you have no real knowledge of....


Submitted by JOB. (not verified) on Mon, 06/19/2006 - 11:07am.

To 11:58; did Rock say that the convention was meant to help carl Andrews? Where did you read that ?

Here is what was said , " ......... some people are speculating that all this is being done, as a precursor to an all out push to deliver this seat to Carl Andrews. We shall see..........But whatever the true motives are..............."

Now, where in this statement did rock hackshaw make the allegations you claimed? You elected officials and your mummies who do your bidding hate the truth so much , that you will not only call Him names, but distort the facts.

GIVE IT TO THEM ROCK. YOU HAVE TRUTH ON YOUR SIDE.


Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 06/19/2006 - 2:32pm.
You people who don't know shit are ready to give credit to someone who happens to know just a little more than you. That doesn't make them smart or "in the know," that just makes them smarter than you.  There is a quite a bit that is heresay that comes from Rock and when he posts it for you people who are fucking clueless, it appears to be news, when it fact, it is just an old rumor to everyone else. So take up for him all you want, but the truth is, he ain't what you think!
Submitted by A ROCK FAN. (not verified) on Mon, 06/19/2006 - 4:13pm.

   15:32: If he is not what we think, what is he then? How come you guys never attack him on SPECIFICS? Look at your post for yourself, what specifically are you alleging against him?You guys just try to decimate Rock because he tells the truth about the failures of Brooklyn's black elected officials.You  should be ashamed of yourselves.


Submitted by dead prez on Tue, 06/20/2006 - 2:27am.
It's been interesting to watch the usual barking hyenas emerge from the shadows and attempt to attack those of us who dare to ask who if anyone was "empowered" by this past Saturday's gabfest in Brooklyn. As someone who's been a long time advocate for the empowerment of the Black community, Saturday simply represented another smokescreen by the usual suspects. As Blacks continue to be a fairly significant portion of the Democratic primary vote, the question to ask is why are we losing so much political ground? In the past two races for Speaker of the City Council, Black "leadership" has been little more than bit players in the race either as candidates or as players with a say in who eventually became Speaker. Try as he might, no critical number of Black councilmembers got behind Bill Perkin's try for the Speakership in 2002. Both Al Vann and Leroy Comrie ran embarrasing, almost non-existant attemps to become Speaker in their respective tries. In the end, the powerful committee chairs went to Queens (Finance and Land-Use). In this last go around, the story didn't change much. When Clarence Norman got convicted for corruption, Annette Robinson launched an anemic run for County Chair of Brooklyn that didn't even garner the support of a healthy portion of Black Brooklyn District Leaders. All these folks can manage to do is contrive a "Black Empowerment Convention" that really has nothing to do with empowerment and everything to do with stopping one white guy (opportunist that he may be) from running for a particular political office. To make matters worse, they defend it by mistating the goals of the Voting Rights Act and invoking the memory of Shirley Chisolm, a woman who had more ability in her pinky than this whole cast of sorry characters have rolled up together. Like many, I believe that these folks time has come and gone. These folks have grown lazy and stupid. They do little in they way of real politcal organizing and spend most of their time whining about getting dissed by the power structure or shaking down the campaign "du jour" for cash. They need to go and go soon.
Submitted by R H Bowman (not verified) on Tue, 06/20/2006 - 7:47am.

In the end of your comment, you have more or less accurately described the smash and grab attitude and behavior that exists in the primary season in Brooklyn on many levels, and certainly made an interesting comparison of the behavior and players of the recent empowerment convention.

To be fair, let's see what substance comes out of the convention and what tangible results occur. Let's see if this group and their agenda resonates. Something must be done in the Arena that never sleeps and those that take the stage,usually reap the rewards. I do not agree with this practice but it is the way things work in the political arena.

I also suggest that those of us who are really interested in making tangible improvements get the voters to speak at the polls. The only way to change the status quo is to energize and move the actual electorate.

Overall I share some of your views. Good Comment 


Submitted by Carlos (not verified) on Tue, 08/01/2006 - 11:33pm.

Thanks Rock for your sacrifices so that others like myself may be educated by true leadership and understand the difference between leadership and false sound good and entertaining representatives. There is always a sacrifice. I say the hell with what sounds good but lets get down with what is and has been good for the community what has been sustainable and where is the vision and who partakes in it. Or is it always this is what I did for the community. Let's get ready for the turkeys as  senior I do have something to look forward for smile.

Thanks my brother

Carlos Bristol


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