Commission on African American Males Appointed
ANDERSON, IN - This evening, Mayor Kris Ockomon joined members of the community to announce a new beginning for Anderson’s Commission on African American Males. Established by Common Council ordinance in 1999, the commission was restructured in late 2008 to its current structure: an eleven member working committee devoted to the edification of African American males through the focus areas of employment, health, education, and criminal justice.
The Commission will:
- Develop annual and long range goals
- Develop action committees addressing neighborhoods, criminal justice, education, employment, health, social factors, and awareness.
- Develop and coordinate information and community programs.
- Serve as a catalyst toward a common foundation for actions that combat community problems.
- Network with similar groups on the local, state, and national levels.
- Provide an annual progress report to the Common Council.
Commission members are:
- (Mayoral appointees) Fred Warner, Fred Reese, Eric Davis, Maurice “Kojak” Fuller, William Young, Jr.
- (Council appointees) Martha Jackson, Maureen Duncan, Jeffrey Cottrell, Jim Coker, Sam Dixon, and William Casey.
"This group of individuals consists of community members committed to a common cause- the betterment of our community for all of its citizens. They represent education, ministry, youth, and law enforcement and will bring their varied skills and backgrounds to the service of the city," Ockomon stated at the announcement.
Source: City of Anderson
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Less than 3% of all black males living in this country hold dual citizenship with both the U.S. and an African country. Why, then, would the City reappoint a commission to address the following issues for such a minute portion of our citizenry?
Or, could it be that the city meant to establish a commission to address these issues of concern to the 'black' male community? Even so, why would they want to distinguish these men from whites, hispanics, Asians, et al, living in Anderson? It seems that the establishment of a commission dedicated to a group of men based solely on their skin color is the epitome of racism and sexism. Is that the image the City wants to project as it strives to attract businesses and new residents? Aren't all Americans, men and women regardless of skin color, entitled to the benefits of the efforts of a commission such as this one?
I would think African-American women would want parity. Not in Anderson?
Assuming there are any, I would imagine so. I know that about 16% of our population is black but I doubt there are but a few, if any, African-American women or men.
Any supposedly 'black' person whose family has been living here for a few generations isn't really any more 'black' than s/he is anything else, genetically speaking. For the exact same reasons you won't call a person 'African-American', you can't call them 'black' either......because that doesn't distinguish them from anyone with a non-caucasian, non-oriental heritage. IOW, an immigrant from Africa is more black than any average 'black' American you'll see here.
Have I been politically incorrect enough? Sorry about that. But I think you understand what I'm trying to say: 'black' isn't any more precise than 'African-American'.
Any supposedly 'black' person whose family has been living here for a few generations isn't really any more 'black' than s/he is anything else, genetically speaking. For the exact same reasons you won't call a person 'African-American', you can't call them 'black' either......because that doesn't distinguish them from anyone with a non-caucasian, non-oriental heritage. IOW, an immigrant from Africa is more black than any average 'black' American you'll see here.
Have I been politically incorrect enough? Sorry about that. But I think you understand what I'm trying to say: 'black' isn't any more precise than 'African-American'.
I think between us we've made the point, Bard. African-American, black, white, Asian-American, yada yada. I would guess the only time skin color would be of any importance is for identification purposes. Other than that, why do we, as a country, state, county, city, school system, political party, ad infinitum, categorize ourselves by any non-salient characteristic such as color? I am white. So what? What have I done to make this a better world? That's what counts when I lay my head down at night.
Well, it seems we all put ourselves in our little groups, Afro, Spanish, Asian,White Americans,etc. Then we wonder why we are not united as just plain Americans, with no prefix.
Spot on, spacemonkey! I'm such an olio of ethnicity, I'd be responsible for driving up the cost of hyphens by having to use so many of them if I emulated this absurd 'something'-American trend in this country. Fortunately, I'm educated enough to realize I'm an American, nothing more, nothing less. And damn proud of the sacrifices made by so many before me to ensure we have a free country to call home. If I ever have to change my user name, it'd be 'hyphenless'.
Native American, that's a genuine distinction. All the rest of us are immigrants anyway.
You think? I understand that native would mean the same as originate. I originated in America. Therefore, wouldn't I be a native american? Considering the fact that the natives of this land didn't call this piece of land between the two oceans America when our ancestors first stepped foot here. (by the way, I'm descended from a few Natives of this land anyway.)
My wife is 'legally' a 'native-American' and takes great offense to being referred to as such. She'll quickly point out to anyone who makes the distinction that she's an American and the label is in no way beneficial to her or anyone else. Quite the opposite, she acknowledges. It is, instead, just another example of 'pigeon-holing' for no reason other than to divide us into different groups. She passed on a partial scholarship in college when it was pointed out to her that her 'heritage' made her eligible for one. Another reason I love the woman so much. She walks the walk even when it might be financially advantageous to do otherwise.