In recent weeks, we've heard quite a few rumblings about the Tea Party Movement and its racial undertones.  The recent happenings have the whole country talking.  However, where has all the talk led us? Do many of us even know what the Tea Party is about? Do we realize the potential damage the Tea Party Movement can do to American politics as we know it today? Let's take a closer look...


The Tea Party movement is an American socio-political movement that arose in 2009 as a result of several nationally and locally coordinated protests.  Its roots stem from Ron Paul's presidential campaign in which supporters rallied behind Paul's fiscal conservatism, a value which the Tea Party strongly advocates.


Tea Party protests are usually in opposition to federal laws, mainly economically-focused.  The main laws protested through the Tea Party movement are the Healthcare Reform Bills, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (commonly known as the "Stimulus Bill") , the Federal Reserve Transparency Act, and the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (also known as the financial bailout). Tea Party supporters emphatically express their dissatisfaction with government spending, taxes, and government involvement in the private sector.


Local Tea Party protests have drawn a great amount of negative press over the last few weeks.  Statements of hate and bigotry made at these rallies have overtaken news outlets and have sparked intense debate about whether the movement's real problem is with the president's policies or the president's pigment. However, bigoted statements and other unfounded accusations about our current government are to be expected considering the movement's purpose: speak out against and derail any of the POTUS and Democratic Party's plans.

The dangerous aspect of the Tea Party movement is that most of the supporters cannot even articulate their grievances with the government in power.  You'll always hear "OBAMA IS A SOCIALIST," "STOP THE SPENDING," and "CUT TAXES," but when asked about specific socialist practices of which the Obama administration has been guilty or about the specific things on which the government should stop spending, most have absolutely no clue. Some Tea Party supporters speak in pure, unadulterated hate
aimed at the Obama administration, the Democratic Party, and anyone else that does not align with their views.

This type of "blind protesting" can be dangerous on both political and social levels.  Put it this way: with a lack of knowledge on the issues, it is easier to stray from the original focus of the debate and wander into personal bias and prejudice (racial, political, etc.), which can lead to a skewing and slanting of the facts.  This, in turn, can mislead many voters and have an incredibly negative effect on several aspects of government, with campaign strategies and nationwide distrust of politics feeling the most immediate of consequences.


In conclusion, do not be led to believe this is only about the Tea Party movement.  If we're all honest with ourselves, a large majority of people against the Tea Party movement and other conservatives are just as uneducated/uninterested in the real issues of our government.  Each and every one of us living in this country should feel as if they are personally responsible for educating not only ourselves on the issues, but also each other.  


The government will never truly work for the people until the people begin to engage in RESPECFUL and EDUCATED dialogue. Only then will be able to demand what is REALLY needed for the country as a whole to move forward.

During Reconstruction, the black church was the center of the community, delivering messages of hope for a better future and boosting the morale for a people that had little to be happy about.  In the years of the civil rights struggle, we saw the church become more assertive about social and political injustices, becoming a force within the civil rights movement. 

In both eras, the church was, in many ways, the voice of the Black community.  Can this still be said today?  Many believe the church is fading as the cornerstone and voice of the community.  It has been said that the unity and collective identity that started in the Black church is not as strong as it once was. 


What must the Black Church do in order to regain its relevance in today's society? Share your comments below and engage in the discussion.

Race relations have come a long way in the United States over the past few decades.  Monumental policy changes have opened many doors for African-Americans and minorities across the country.  Many of these opportunities for our generation were made possible by the efforts, and sometimes lives, of those that came before us.  Civil rights organizations were instrumental in creating change in the way minorities were treated by society and how we were governed by the American democracy.

One of those civil rights organizations at the forefront of change was the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.  Founded in 1909, the NAACP has been the most influential civil rights organizations in this country.  Since its inception, the organization has fought to protect the rights and civil liberties of African-Americans and other minorities.  Whenever racial issues have arisen, the NAACP has been viewed as the voice of the entire African-American community. The organization today has over 250,000 members in over 2,200 units across the United States. 

While the organization has opened many doors for minorities in the last century, its recent years have been met with a widespread skepticism concerning its future.  The question of whether the organization is needed after the election of President Barack Obama has been asked by many in the African-American community and several others. 

Local NAACP branches have suffered from stagnant leadership which, depending on who you ask, is a reflection of the organization's national leadership.  The overall age of the organization is increasing due to a lack of presence among youth and young adults.  While there are those that feel the organization should simply be put to rest, there are many that believe the NAACP's vision should change as the country has changed over the decade.

In my opinion, the NAACP should go back to the drawing board, internally and externally.  From within, it should re-define their purpose according to the issues of today's world, and this should start from the national leadership and trickle down.  The African-American and other minority communities are much more diverse within themselves than they were during the days of Jim Crow and earlier.  Therefore, the NAACP should diversify its efforts to accommodate a changed society.

The NAACP should also re-evaluate its leadership, from national to local executive boards.  A long-avoided issue in African-American leadership is the unwillingness of the previous generation to pass down the torch to the younger.  Whether this is a lack of mistrust or simply wanting to maintain their position within a circle of power and privilege, it is not advancing the situation of the African-American people.  If the leadership is too stagnant, it is time for members to demand fresh, new perspectives on how to effectively serve their communities and cultivate the next world leaders.

From an external aspect, the NAACP needs to diversify their voice in the eyes of the media.  The only people the general public sees in regards to issues that involve the NAACP is Revs. Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson, and they are not even the spokespeople for the organization.  While the message should be most important, the choice of messenger can also help or harm the impact of the organizations messages and initiatives.  This is why new faces must step to the forefront, preferably younger faces, to connect with the younger generation.

To conclude, there are many that still believe the organization has a rightful place in today's America.  The racial inequalities and institutional barriers that minorities are still faced with on a daily basis are well-documented, and the NAACP still fights the good fight for an even playing field for all minorities to prosper and grow as equals with our Caucasian counterparts.

I honestly believe the NAACP is well-aware of their current situation. They are aware of the fact that the foundation of their 101 year-old house is getting weaker by the moment. 

How they plan to renovate their house is anybody's guess.

While there are many opinions and many situations that can conjure up certain feelings toward this subject, it is important that we address this issue holistically.  I say this because regardless of specific instances we can think of that directly relate to you or someone you may know, the fact remains that this is an issue that affects African-Americans across the board, no matter where you are from.

To get to the heart of the issue, it has to be tackled with a "chicken or the egg" mindset...where did the problem originate?

In my opinion, there is plenty of blame for both genders to bear. If we're honest with ourselves, we can admit that a lot of the males and females that make up the African-American population are generally not desirable candidates for a meaningful RELATIONSHIP, let alone marriage. This can be attributed to many factors: level of education, displaced priorities, etc.

Include  the fact that the seemingly successful, well-to-do African-Americans seem to be holding out for the "perfect mate," and you have the recipe for the gradual deterioration of Black marriage.

What can be done to cure this problem that has found a home deep inside the foundation of African-American society? Tell me what YOU think will make Black Love more prevalent.