By Stacy M. Brown
NNPA Newswire Senior Nationwide Correspondent
@StacyBrownMedia
Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr., a lifelong civil rights chief and president and CEO of the Nationwide Newspaper Publishers Affiliation (NNPA), delivered a name to motion throughout an look on the Black Press’ Let It Be Identified Information Dwell Morning Present. He targeted on the necessity for unity and mobilization within the combat towards systemic racism and oppression. His remarks additionally highlighted the importance of his newest guide, The Transatlantic Slave Commerce: Overcoming the 500-12 months Legacy, co-authored with NNPA Senior Nationwide Correspondent Stacy M. Brown and revealed by Choose Books, Inc.
Public Enemy’s legendary chief Chuck D wrote the guide’s ahead. “This guide doesn’t merely chronicle historical past; it challenges readers to face the lasting penalties of the transatlantic slave commerce,” Dr. Chavis mentioned. “The blood, sweat, and tears of enslaved Africans laid the very basis for the American experiment in democracy, but their descendants are nonetheless combating for equality and justice in each aspect of American life.” The guide examines the continuing influence of slavery’s legacy, from police brutality and mass incarceration to financial disparities and academic inequality. Dr. Chavis, who was unjustly imprisoned as a part of the Wilmington Ten, has lengthy fought for equal justice, drawing on his a long time of activism to deal with each historic and trendy injustices. Talking concerning the want for fast motion, Dr. Chavis laid out a ten-point plan to confront the challenges dealing with Black People and the African diaspora which were vastly exacerbated by Donald Trump’s dictatorship-like rule over america. “We aren’t enjoying,” he mentioned. “We’d like an motion record of what we’re going to do—not what Trump is doing, not what Elon Musk is doing, not what the white supremacists are doing, however what we’re doing as righteous individuals.”
Dr. Chavis mentioned the combat for justice isn’t restricted to African People however is a world battle. “Each inch of progress that Black individuals have made advantages individuals everywhere in the world,” he mentioned. “That is Black Historical past Month. No person can take that away from us.” One of many main initiatives he introduced contains distributing The Transatlantic Slave Commerce to highschool programs nationwide. “They’re speaking about dismantling the Division of Training. We’re speaking about erecting a brand new Division of Training that features the books of all our heroes and sheroes,” he mentioned. “We should always by no means put the training of our kids within the fingers of those that need to destroy us.” Dr. Chavis additionally spoke on the ability of the Black press and the need for collective mobilization. On February 7, the Black Press of America will convene a public assembly, bringing publishers, editors, writers, and supporters collectively. “We’re going to interrupt the Zoom name—we’ll have so many individuals on it,” he mentioned. “That is about management. The general public wants this gathering.”
A non-public assembly of Black leaders will comply with on February 8, the place technique discussions will happen away from the eyes of those that search to divide the motion. “We aren’t going to inform the individuals who oppose us what we’re preparing to take action they will plant seeds of division,” Dr. Chavis mentioned. Additional mobilization efforts will happen on March 2, when 1000’s are anticipated to collect in Selma, Alabama, for a reaffirmation of voting rights. “This isn’t about Democrats or Republicans,” he mentioned. “That is about our basic human proper to have a approach to specific ourselves politically, economically, socially, and culturally.” Dr. Chavis additionally introduced a serious occasion in Memphis, Tennessee, on April 4 to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy and strategize the following steps within the civil rights motion. “We’re the richest, exploited individuals on the earth,” he mentioned, noting that Black People spend almost $2 trillion yearly. “We’re going to should cease spending with individuals who don’t respect us. We’re now not going to fund apartheid in America.”
A convening with the African Union can be within the works to deal with international Black unity. “If you assault South Africa, you assault the entire African continent,” he mentioned. “This isn’t about short-term reactions to govt orders. We’d like a proactive, long-term engagement technique.” In discussing the guide, Dr. Chavis pointed to the quilt, which options enslaved African girls in chains. “It’s out of the womb of the African girl that each one of civilization got here,” he mentioned. “The wealth of Europe and America right this moment comes from the enslavement, genocide, and exploitation of our individuals.” He additionally addressed the significance of reclaiming Black-owned land. “Personal some land. Don’t lease it. Purchase it,” he mentioned. “Households are leaving 1000’s of acres of land, and individuals are not utilizing wills. Don’t let your property keep as our property—be sure there may be intergenerational possession.”
The guide has already obtained help from figures corresponding to NBA legend Isiah Thomas, hip-hop icon Chuck D, and Arikana Chihombori-Quao, the previous African Union Ambassador to america. “The chains of slavery might have been damaged, however the shackles of systemic racism are nonetheless very a lot intact,” Chuck D wrote within the guide’s foreword. “For those who’re not offended, you’re not paying consideration.” Dr. Chavis mentioned those that search to suppress historic truths won’t succeed. “That is one guide that DeSantis isn’t going to have the ability to ban i2n Florida,” he mentioned. “For those who burn it, for those who steal it, we’re going to print some extra.”
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