Who Speaks for the African American Community

[George Puckett]

Who Speaks for the African American Community?
Who Speaks For You?

Recently an email arrived at my computer from cyberspace and I puzzled over why I had received it. It was meant for members of the African American Advisory Committee of the University of Arizona.

For some reason, I decided to see what the email was about. First of all, it came to my email “In Box” on my computer and at my home. I opened it because it was not like opening a letter with a U.S. postage stamp affixed. I wasn’t breaking any Federal Law.

The first thing that struck me was the distribution list. For the most part, University representatives aside, the list could be considered the Elite of the African American Community. In another time they would have been referred to as the “Black Bourgeoisie.” Google the term, if it’s unfamiliar to you.

Oh yes, the names. I don’t really want to disclose them, but I guess their identities are a matter of public record. Let’s just say that most of the community members are many years from any direct association with the masses. At some point some of them may have been closer to the community and more involved, but not today.

Clarence Boykins and Kelly Langford are probably more involved with the community than the rest of the members of this Blue Ribbon Committee. However, their constituencies are more “Niche” than mainstream. Clarence represents members of the Business Community, both Black and White. Kelly is President and CEO of the Tucson Urban League.

The stated mission of the Tucson Urban League is to assist in the achievement of social and economic equality. On their website they go on to say how they will go about securing these goals. However, given the demographics of the area where the Urban League is located and their mission, many of the people they serve are persons other than African Americans.

I will mention one other noteworthy name from that committee and that is Cressworth Lander.
Cress is my idol and I have told him so face to face, many times. I respect and admire Cress for what he has done with the Dunbar Center. He has provided the African American Community with a place to call their own, where our culture and history can and will be reflected. True, Cress did not do this alone, but the Dunbar Cultural Center would probably not exist without his dedication and drive.

The University has representatives on this Advisory Committee, but again I will not mention any names. What I will mention is the fact that I did not see many of them during a crisis situation on campus. Where were they during that cartoon incident where the “N” word was used in reference to President Obama. Our students needed more guidance than ever at that point.

Perhaps the employees of the University face a dilemma. Should they look out for the best interests of the University, the students or themselves?

I don’t see many of the University types active in the local African American Community. They live in their artificial world on campus and never seem to venture out into the “Real World.” Maybe I just haven’t run into them. I myself have been active in the Black community for the first time in many years, but most of you know the limitations that my wife and I have had to live with. Even with the limits imposed on our comings and goings, we were still members of an African American Church. That in itself is a link to the community.

Donna Liggins, the President of the local chapter of the NAACP was listed as a Committee member. The NAACP comes closer to being representative of the African American Community than practically any other person or organization. However, the NAACP needs to be strengthened in the Tucson/Pima County area. My wife and I joined/rejoined recently because, to use an old phrase, “You’re either a part of the solution or you’re part of the problem.” Our choice is the former. For those who don’t remember, that phrase was very popular during the Civil Rights Movement in the 60s and 70s.

I am not considering Churches. There was only one Pastor listed in the Advisory Committee email and that was Pastor Grady Scott. Through the members of Grace Temple Baptist Church, he has promoted AIDS prevention programs and promoted other health issues with the leadership of Maiola Coleman, Debra Howard and other members at Grace Temple.

What is the problem here in Tucson? I see the problem as: How can the African American Community in Tucson become more cohesive in order to address the problems affecting our Community?

What is my solution? What I have is the beginning of a solution. This elite Committee should:

1. Report to the community within two weeks after each meeting of this committee. Inform the community of any actions taken or commitments made.
2. Bring the community up to speed regarding the impact of budget cuts made concerning African American employees at the University and bring some of those employees with the PhDs after their names to meet with the grassroots of the community.
3. Inform us as to the impact of the “Collapsing” of the different multi-cultural programs.
4. Let us know whose brilliant idea it was to change the name from African American Studies to Africana Studies. I am not of Africana descent.
5. If you can’t share with the community, then don’t say you represent the community.
6. Find younger African Americans to bring to the table to replace yourself. Too often I’ve seen African Americans in leadership positions hold those positions for life. Then when they are gone, no one has been groomed to take their places. In Tucson we can see numerous examples of these phenomena.

We have serious problems in the feeder schools for the University of Arizona, with TUSD heading the list. How can we plan for a future for African American kids without helping to deal with these problems? There is a transition problem which has to be dealt with concerning incoming University freshmen, but there are greater problems getting to the point of transition or graduating our students from high school.

Remember, YOU are either a part of the problem or a part of the solution. Where do you stand?

George E. Puckett
Founder/Administrator
Ebony Tucson & Mexico-My Space
Co-founder of Ebony San Diego, Ebony Stockton and Ebony-Phoenix.
Author of “Baja Diaries-Chronicles of a Paradise Lost,” “Notary Riches,” and “Video Visions.”

If you have any strong disagreements with what I’ve said I can be contacted at, [e-mail]. Many of you already have my phone number.

[Chillin' Da Conscious Poet]

Mr. Puckett,
Your words are priceless and forever true.
As I exit Tucson, I pray miracles and blessing for the African American community.
It was definitely the experience of a lifetime.

Chillin

[Dolores Fair]

What you wrote about is actually something I have had issues with for a long time. I hear about people with fancy titles and lots of notariety who seem so far removed from me and my problems that we may as well be different species. I agree with every single point you made, especially, "If you can’t share with the community, then don’t say you represent the community." To me, folks who seem so far removed from our day-to-day lives can't really speak to our experiences if they aren't willing to communicate with us. I don't know you very well, yet, George. But, I'm impressed by your courageous writing. Thanks for saying the things I've wanted to say for some time. Bravo! Oh, and I didn't know you had written all those books or started all those web sites either! Awesome!