Morris Brown College

Many African American colleges and universities founded during the aftermath of slavery no longer exist today. Most fell victim to a lack of funding and integration, which expanded educational opportunities for blacks.  Others were forced to combine with nearby predominantly white institutions to stay afloat or retain some semblance of their past.

Morris Brown College in Atlanta,  Georgia, established in 1881, is one of those HBCUs holding on by a thread and may be forced to close its doors. The school that once hosted WEB Du Bois is a shell of its former self. The iconic stadium, dorms, and most classroom buildings are no longer in use or dilapidated, like an episode of Life Without People. Its remaining faculty and students number less than a hundred.  In its heyday, it educated future doctors, lawyers, and teachers who would go on to make a contribution to their community.  

The school's downward spiral or descent into oblivion started in the 1990s. First, it faced financial woes, which may have been due to the mismanagement of funds. Things got so bad that it could not pay its water bill. The final blow occurred when MBC lost its accreditation in 2002, and support from the United Negro College fund dried up, forcing nearly all students to flee for greener pastures elsewhere.

The shame surrounding MBC's steep decline is that the black community has lost or is in the process of losing another great institution of higher learning.  Just think about the thousands of young men and women who called it home or found their place in the world, dating back generations.  They studied hard, joined fraternities and sororities,  partied well into the night, played sports, or met their first love.  It was ours, one of our best, where a few die-hard pupils and teachers hung on until the bitter end.

Let's save MBC and others like it in the future. Yes, they are relevant in a society ripping apart.

Black Men Today

African American men make up six percent of the U.S. population.  We live in big cities and small towns in every part of the country.  Some of us are college graduates, factory workers, or white-collar employees seeking the American dream.

We also fight for our right to exist in this country and realize our dreams despite the many obstacles we face.  Without doing so,  we would be less than men in a world of opportunity. 

It is the hope of our forefathers that pushes us to be great, or not to give up.  We are expected to finish school, raise our sons, and be faithful to the community we call home, regardless of what others may think. We are pushed to lead in the military, on college campuses, or in the sports arena that men so love.

Despite such high expectations or faith in tomorrow,  society or those who may feel uneasy by black men target us. They do so with fear of a corrupt legal system that is supposed to keep us down or prevent us from rising to the top.  So, they restrict employment, arrest us en masse, or knock down businesses we have started, like during Jim Crow or a faulty notion called integration. The system also doubts our achievements or role in building this great country and the world. Worse than that,  those in charge seem to saddle us with government assistance instead of expanding the economy to include the inner city or rural America, which could help end senseless poverty everywhere.

However, as black men, we can be our own worst enemies.  It is not always outside forces wishing to control or disrupt our lives.  Black men make the decisions to break the law, leave their families, or drop out of school in record numbers, which breeds poverty in places where it is needed the least.  We have also failed to participate wholeheartedly in the free enterprise system in recent years, like other minority groups. If we don't acknowledge our faults, nothing will change or improve the black man's standing in America or the world.

I love being a black man. I always have. I love our style, politics, and determination to succeed. My only hope is that we realize our full potential or educate ourselves to the fullest so we can assume our rightful place in businesses, government, economics, and science, as at the turn of the twentieth century.  To have his own is what every man strives for.

The future looks bright for black men in America. A wealth of educational and economic opportunities awaits him in a growing economy. I am confident he can continue to prosper or feel good about himself in a world that may be indifferent to his background, culture, or appearance.  He will rise above it all like generations past and be proud at the end of the day.

Puerto Rico Left Behind

A category four hurricane hit Puerto Rico in early September of 2017, followed by an equally powerful storm two weeks later that nearly wiped the island off the face of the Earth.

It still suffers from massive infrastructure damage,  including widespread loss of power and clean drinking water, despite being a U. S. territory.

The Trump Administration,  like the Bush White House during Katrina, has dropped the ball in helping Puerto Rico rebuild. The administration points to logistics as the main reason for not responding with full force to the crisis there, which breaks the hearts of many.

The fact that Puerto Rico is located hundreds of miles off the coast of Florida and is surrounded by water on all sides shouldn't diminish its importance or the role we should play in rescuing it from the depths of despair. The U.S. helped rebuild Europe after World War II. Why not extend the same favor to American citizens? But Trump thinks that the only people worth his time are those of his base and that everyone else can fend for themselves.

Due to the dire situation on the island,  thousands have been in search of a safe haven in the continental U.S.  They seek medical care,  education for their children, and a decent place to live,  which seems out of reach today following one of the most devastating acts of nature in American History.  And due to a domestic policy geared toward exclusion by the current administration or a lack of concern for those perceived as "outsiders,"  their transition or efforts to overcome hardship will be doubly hard.

Maybe the Trump White House will one day emerge from a self-imposed exile and deal squarely with  Puerto Rico instead of reaching out exclusively or caring only about those who voted G.O.P. in the last presidential election.

Trends in American Politics

The Democratic Party is lost in the wilderness with no leader or impetus for the future. The party bungled a national election and subsequent contests that they should have won.  Similar to 1992,  Democrats must devise a strategy to reconnect with the American people to escape the doldrums of electoral defeat.

But the Democratic Party isn't the only political institution in trouble in America.  The Republican Party,  thanks to Trump and others, has lost its way, too.

With both parties at a crossroads,  what must they do to survive impending doom? 

Democrats need to undertake a range of actions to regain the support of the American people. First, they must fight Trump on healthcare, taxes, and other popular issues. At least 60% of respondents in a recent poll, for instance, say they don't want to see Obamacare overhauled or repealed by Congress. Rather, they support minor adjustments that would strengthen the plan and a fairer tax code so that poor and middle-class filers can afford life-saving drugs.

Next, the Democratic Party must scale back its involvement in the culture war to attract a larger share of middle-of-the-road voters. Instead of focusing all their energy on gay rights, the environment, or other social issues that have been decided by the courts or enjoy widespread public support, Democrats must lead the fight for jobs, affordable health care, and safer streets for all Americans. In foreign policy, progressives need to check Putin, the leader of Russia, and battle ISIS at any cost.

Also, Democrats cannot afford to trivialize or take their supporters for granted if they want to recapture the White House.  This is why the party fell short in traditionally blue states like Pennsylvania,  Wisconsin, and Michigan in the 2016 general election.  And what many progressives don't realize is that African Americans, a crucial voting bloc for the Democratic Party,  are conservative on most social issues,  especially in the rural South, and maybe drifting away, as evidenced by the last presidential campaign. 

Like African Americans,  women,  who usually vote Democratic in large numbers,  have also begun to question the goals of the Democratic Party and have demonstrated their frustration by voting increasingly for Republicans. Unless they bridge the gender gap or hold on to the support they already have,  Democrats will lose again in 2020.

Republicans will also need to reset their relationship with the general public, despite controlling all three branches of government. Most Americans expect the G.O.P. to lead on Russia, healthcare, and jobs, and that Conservatives will be willing to work with others to achieve this.

Although Trump captivated the so-called silent majority with his unorthodox campaign,  traditional Republicans, many of whom didn't support his candidacy, want their party to stand up to the president or hold his feet to the fire, especially on whether or not the president's team colluded with Russia to win the 2016 presidential election.  If the answer proves to be yes,  they would like to see the guilty punished because Russian meddling in U. S. affairs could not only spell an end to democracy but give the former Soviet Union a leg up in foreign policy if the commander in chief has something to hide.

Aside from Russia,  the American people want Republicans to seek bipartisanship or work across the aisle with Democrats to bring about positive change in America. The general public wants the G.O.P. to craft a plan with Democratic leaders to fix Obamacare or rein in high premiums rather than scrapping it altogether.  Americans also want joint action on jobs, infrastructure, and the environment.  Without it, there is little chance of putting the unemployed Americans back to work,  which is what the country voted for.

Finally, to achieve bipartisanship on Capitol Hill, it may call for a shake-up of top Republican leaders.  Some think Mitch McConnell should step down as Senate Majority Leader, not just for blocking many of Obama's initiatives, including judicial appointments, but for his inability to build a consensus among Democrats and Republicans on health care, Russia, and other crucial issues that tend to divide the nation.
The same may be said of Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan,  who's often cited for not being tough enough on Trump. He's also been accused of getting bogged down in conservative ideology instead of reaching out to opposing members of Congress for their ideas or input on issues critical to the American people.

With an ongoing civil war in the Republican Party touched off by President Trump and an identity crisis among Democrats,  what does the future hold for American Democracy?

How Clinton lost to Trump

When Hillary Clinton lost the 2016 presidential election to Donald Trump, it sent shock waves around the world.  No one thought she would lose to a someone as unprepared as Trump to lead the most powerful nation on Earth.  It was the biggest upset in presidential politics since 1948. And while the last votes were being counted,  speculation mounted as to why one of the most qualified candidates to ever to seek the White House could not seal the deal.

Political pundits and others who eat, sleep, and breathe politics blamed everything from incorrect polling to an undercurrent of angry whites who tipped the election in Trump's favor. While in reality, Clinton's defeat was caused by a cross-section of Americans who were disgusted with the status quo and lacked trust in the Democratic nominee.

To begin with, Clinton carried the African American vote, a must have for Democrats, in large numbers during the Democratic primaries in the deep South; but in the North,  struggled to gain black support.  In Michigan, for instance, at least 30 percent of black voters backed Sen. Sanders in the State's primary,  which played a significant role in her losing the contest.  By November,  discontent for the Democratic nominee had become widespread among African Americans, with a dip in voter turnout. 

Many African Americans, especially in large Northern cities, blamed Clinton for policies her husband enacted as president of the United States or for lacking empathy.  The Clinton presidency is often credited with the start of the New Jim Crow in America, as generations of young black men were imprisoned on minor drug charges or fell victim to gross disparities in federal sentencing guidelines regarding crack and powder cocaine possession.  Habitual offender laws also went into effect during Clinton's term,  which disproportionately impacted people of color and the poor,  who often lack the resources to fight unlawful arrests or convictions.  Lastly,  welfare reform,  signed into law by Bill Clinton in 1994,  unfairly penalizes classes of Americans facing great difficulty in the job market.

The 2008 Democratic Primaries between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama also left a bitter taste in the mouth of African Americans.  The South Carolina primary,  for instance,  ended in a slugfest between the candidates with nasty allegations on both sides.  The Obama campaign,  in a desperate attempt for African American support, took to black radio with a flurry of attacks on Clinton's ability to lead while former president Bill Clinton was accused of injecting race into the campaign, which antagonized African American leaders and likely led to Senator Clinton's defeat in a State with a heavy black population.  The outcome severely damaged race relations in the region,  which had national implications for Democrats in 2016.

In addition to lingering hostilities from the 2008 campaign and her husband's presidency,  African Americans linked Clinton to Obama's disappointing record on crime and jobs in the black community as a former Obama cabinet member.  The White House was seen as dragging its feet in confronting Stop and Frisk tactics across the country that targeted minorities; a rash of police shootings of unarmed black men throughout America; and deadly street violence in Chicago,  Baltimore, and other major cities,  with Secretary Clinton receiving much of the blame. 

Others bashed the president for not using the bully pulpit to expand economic opportunities in the black community in the wake of massive Republican opposition. And when the Clinton Campaign failed to offer fresh alternatives on how best to stop the migration of companies abroad,  it further diminished the candidate in the eyes of a community suffering economically. 

Not only was Clinton abandoned by African Americans on election day, but disenchanted whites.  It made the difference in Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin when untold numbers of middle class and poor white voters,  many of whom voted twice for Obama, failed to show up for Secretary Clinton because of questionable trade deals she once supported, her backing of social issues deemed outdated in the heartland, and Trump's hope-filled message of making American great again.  Had the former first lady simply camped out in the Midwest or distant herself more forcefully from NAFTA or similar policies unpopular with countless hardworking Americans, for instance,  she might be president today.

The Hispanic vote may have been the biggest disappointment for the Clinton campaign on election night, given the harsh criticism the community received from Trump. Their numbers were outmatched by a surge in rural white voting and possible voter intimidation to keep Hispanics from the polls, such as threats of deportation, even for those in this country legally.  Had such not been the case, Clinton would have likely carried Florida to offset states she lost in the Midwest and might be president today.

Overall, Americans may have been turned off by reports regarding Clinton's time as secretary of state, including the Comey Letter, as some Democrats have indicated.  When the former FBI director reopened Clinton's email investigation days before the election, it was seen as a cheap shop by Democratic leaders,  who believed it shocked voters into supporting Trump.  And when Mr. Comey found no wrongdoing on Clinton's part,  the damage had been done.

To win in 2020,  Democrats must get out the vote with a charismatic figure who can turn the tide in states the Democratic Party usually carries that Clinton lost by razor-thin margins.

Politics In Georgia

In the Sixth District Congressional runoff race in Georgia,  Democrat Jon Ossoff has surpassed his Republican opponent in the polls, which could have national implications if he wins.  

Ossoff,  who captured 49% of the vote in a special election to fill the vacancy of Republican Congressman Tom Price,  has pledged to increase tech jobs in the state,  raise the minimum wage, and work across the aisle to bring down the deficit, which he says kills job growth.  His Republican opponent,  Karen Handle,  has committed herself to the repeal of Obamacare if elected and cutting taxes for those in the highest income brackets.  Most Georgians,  however,  favor Medicaid expansion like Ossoff and coverage for Americans with pre-existing conditions as provided in the Affordable Care Act.  Ossoff also wants to join forces with Republicans and the military to stamp out ISIS.

A victory by Ossoff in a district that hasn't elected a Democrat since the Carter Administration could be seen as a referendum on the Trump Administration and the Georgia GOP. It could serve as a warning to what the rest of the country thinks regarding health care, immigration, and jobs. If he wins, it may also mean that independent voters are turning to Democrats in the State or it is becoming blue again.

Whether or not Ossoff takes Georgia's Sixth District,  he may one day consider running for governor of the State.  He finished far ahead in a crowded field of Democrats and Republicans in the special election, including Republican  Karen Handle, who got just 20 % of the vote.  He could be the progressive's best shot at moving the state solidly into the 21st Century with his emphasis on education,  growing the local economy, and improving healthcare for all in Georgia.

Paine College

When we think of historically black colleges and universities in Georgia,  the A.U. Center,  a consortium of private African American institutions of higher learning in Atlanta, or one of the State's public HBCUs usually comes to mind.

We seldom mention Paine College, the other historically black institution in the State. 

Paine,  founded in 1882 by the Methodist Church,  has produced some of the country's most notable figures in Civil rights, the Arts, and government despite being off the beaten path.  Joseph Lowery,  a leader of the Montgomery Bus Boycott and president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference from 1977 to 1997,  attended the school, as did Mike Thurmond,  Georgia's first African American labor commissioner, who graduated in 1975.  Others included, but are not limited to,  journalist Louis Lomax ('42),  Civil Rights activist and Spingarn Medal recipient Channing Tobias (1902),  world-renowned writer Frank Yerby (1937),  and Emma Gresham,  a member of the class of 1953,  who, in 1985, ran successfully for mayor of her tiny home town, Keysville,  Georgia,  only to be stripped of her position by a superior court judge when white citizens disputed the boundaries of the town.  Her victory was later upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1990 when Keysville's city limits were affirmed based on oral history.  She upgraded city infrastructure, such as water and sewage, and surprised her neighbors with a new post office.

Paine's sixty-five-acre campus, in the thriving community of Augusta, Georgia, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places "for its contribution to education and African American heritage,"  according to Wikipedia.  Throughout its 135-year history, Paine has welcomed students from all walks of life to its legendary campus and has watched them change the world in science,  government, and technology.   Like other HBCUs over the years,  it has provided a rich environment not just in the classroom but in athletics and student organizations or has simply given young people a place to call home.

Sadly,  Paine may be forced to close its doors.  The HBCU has suffered financial hardship in recent years, causing it to be placed on probation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools(SACS), with the possibility of losing accreditation if it doesn't get its financial house in order.  As a result,  Paine's enrollment has dropped to around 500 students, prompting the cancellation of the Fighting Lions football team.

I first heard of Paine,  one of Georgia's best-kept secrets,  as a student in high school.  A social studies teacher of mine had gone there and sang its praises.  We should do the same or "rejoice in hope," like the school motto.