New Princeton Study Lends Stark Perspective to Challenges Highlighted by POTUS

Written by Charlotte Williams

Through the vision of its founder, Dr. Carter G. Woodson, “Negro History Week” began in February 1926 with people of African American Descent recognizing their contributions to the formation of this country and their communities.

Last week, the 44th President of the United States, Barack Obama, gave his third State of Union address. He stands little chance of making significant change, it seems though; however, as Black History Month begins, a good number of African Americans along with millions of other people will be marking a different common experience—the one where with “bottom having dropped out” from under them.

“Folks at the top saw their incomes rise like never before, but most hardworking Americans… Read more

Social Inequality For Sale at a Grocery Store (Maybe) Near You

Written by Charlotte Williams

In a holiday “final-minute-before-closing” run to the local grocery store on December 31, I experienced a food justice eye-opener.

I rushed into a store while carrying a bag from a previous purchase, zooming right past a man stationed near the stacked lines of grocery carts. I only vaguely heard him saying, “Ms. Ms.,” as I was lost in trying to remember the items I came to purchase. I did finally heard a loud, “Ms!” I turned to see a young man of Asian descent signaling me to return to the African American man I had just rushed past.

I walked over, and he said, “You have to check your bag, Ms.,” and he attached a… Read more

African Americans and the Occupy Movement

Written by Charlotte Williams

“Occupy Everything!” is a striking image, displayed from an Oakland area window that’s featured in the short video for the December 12 Coordinated West Coast Blockade in Oakland, California. 

Ongoing developments within the Occupy movement coupled with a recent re-reviewing of Inside Job, the compelling documentary that peers behind the 2008 financial meltdown, signal a deeper sense of urgency for community organizing and a “people’s” restructuring of this country’s economy. Inside Job details the estimated $20 trillion impact on domestic and global economies, the loss of millions of homes and jobs, the federal government’s bailout of Wall Street, and the shameful millions paid out in bonuses to top financial industry executives.… Read more

Occupying the Food Chain

Written by Charlotte Williams

With a litany of negative circumstances impacting people in this country, Occupy Wall Street (OWS) has become both a beacon of hope and a catalyst for change, as so many are feeling that their voices and actions can actually make a difference.

And so OWS continues to provide a backdrop for acts of resistance, fueling a fresh climate for social justice movement building.

The infectious momentum of OWS and it’s “now is the time” organizing energy is also being exemplified by the ongoing organizing efforts of the Food Chain Workers Alliance (FCWA) and the hundreds of thousands of workers in the food industry in this country.  FCWA, with its twelve member organizations, represents… Read more

Voter ID Laws: Barricades to Democracy

Written by Charlotte Williams

As can often be the case, a plethora of misinformation is fogging the way to Election 2012. The tactic is not new: throughout history attempts have been made to block groups from participating in the democratic process, with proof of land ownership, poll taxes, racism, and gender discrimination just being a few examples.   

This time around, one issue in particular is being touted by some officials as the necessary key to securing our polls against invasive outsiders: Voter ID/ Voter Suppression. Amid concerns of voter fraud, several states have adopted legislation to change the requirements for voting in this year’s election. These concerns are unjustified and will suppress the votes of people of color, low… Read more

Hundreds Attend Protest March to Oakland Area Trader Joe’s

Written by Charlotte Williams

As a sign of continued resistance and struggle, Occupy Oakland watched as another group of protesters took to the streets this past weekend. On Sunday over 200 participants from the Community Food Security Coalition (CFSC) conference marched two miles to the Lake Merritt area Trader Joe’s to stand in solidarity with the Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW).

Cheers and cries of support were palpable for blocks as the march wound its way through downtown, and past the site of Occupy Oakland.

Through difficult experience, CIW understands what it means to put the pressure on corporations, to leverage a significant mass of workers, and to develop the necessary strategic moves that will advance this… Read more

With Civil and Human Rights Under Attack, Resistance Mounting

Written by Charlotte Williams

In spite of its checkered past, and current anti-immigrant legislation, the state of Georgia is a hotbed of acts of resistance to the anti-immigrant movement as organizing efforts and grassroots leadership training continues to gain ground.  Recently, some organizations came together to strategize around collective responses to anti-immigrant advances in Georgia and in other communities across the nation.

Seeking to identify common ground in addressing the anti-immigrant movement, The Center for New Community (CNC), SisterSong-Women of Color Reproductive Justice Collective, and the Georgia Latino Alliance for Human Rights (GLAHR) met in Georgia.  In part, the discussion focused on the intersections of the anti-immigrant movement and civil, human rights violations, and the… Read more

Immigration

African Americans Targeted by Another Anti-Immigrant Front Group

Written by Charlotte Williams

New evidence has come to light that indicates that Blacks for Equal Rights Coalition (BFERC) is a front group for the anti-immigrant John Tanton Network, and working to manipulate the immigration dialogue within the African American community.

It’s not the first time the Tanton Network has attempted to drive a wedge between Blacks and immigrants.

In 2006, Choose Black America (CBA), a similar front group, was launched by Tanton Network group Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR).  The leader of CBA and primary spokesperson was Ted Hayes.  At the time, CBA heralded itself as “the voice of Black America.” CBA is now defunct.  However, a couple of years later, a… Read more

Immigration

Anti-Immigrant Efforts to Woo African Americans Find a New Home

Written by Charlotte Williams

This weekend the California based group Blacks for Equal Rights Coalition (BFERC) will hold an Outreach Summit on the Impact of Immigration on the Black Community. Sadly, the event is sponsored by

“How does the neighborhood I live in affect my access to good quality food?”

Written by Charlotte Williams

As part of a recent discussion about food justice, a group of artists and activists posed several questions to one another and their communities. The questions touched on a wide range of factors that affect the U.S. food system and how our communities access and interact with that system.