NEWSLETTER: NATIONAL URBAN LEAGUE, DECEMBER 18, 2013

Opening ReMARCs Last week, I joined Rev. Al Sharpton along with other civil rights groups, retail executives and the Retail Council of New York State to unveil a newly-created "Customers' Bill of Rights" aimed at protecting customers from "shop-and-frisk" practices. The bill of rights, which is in direct response to several incidences of alleged racial profiling at major New York retailers, includes key practices for retailers to follow and informs customers of what they can expect when they visit store locations.  Several national retailers have agreed to post the bill of rights in their stores by next week. We initially gathered last month to discuss the issue of loss prevention and racial profiling during a retail forum that was attended by Mark Lee, CEO of Barneys and senior executives from Macy's, Bloomingdales, Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus, Saks, Lord & Taylor, Nordstrom, The Gap, Banana Republic and Old Navy. The bill of rights is the result of our subsequent task force meetings and is the first collective action to address this issue. The statement at the heart of the bill of rights clearly articulates our position:  "Profiling is an unacceptable practice and will not be tolerated." We know that this issue is not isolated to New York.  Moving forward, we remain committed to working with the retailers to make recommendations on the creation of high standard, best-in-industry store security protocols and cultural sensitivity efforts that can be adopted by retailers across the country. To view a copy of the Customers' Bill of Rights, visit the Retail Council of New York State.

To Be Equal “Our victory in defeating apartheid was your victory too. We know that our pride in regaining our dignity is shared by you. To you, and to all of the American people who supported the anti-apartheid struggle, we thank you from the bottom of our heart for your solidarity, and for having cared.” - Nelson Mandela, September 1998, New York City

What Mandela Meant to America As the world mourns the passing and celebrates the life of Nelson Mandela, America is especially indebted to the great leader for his inspiration and solidarity in our shared struggle for human freedom, equal opportunity and justice for all. Nelson Mandela’s heroic struggle for a free, non-racial and democratic South Africa inspired freedom-loving people around the world but was especially intertwined with the spirit of the Civil Rights Movement in America.  African Americans felt a special relationship with Mandela, a man who, like Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., endured years of persecution and discrimination in pursuit of freedom and equal opportunity for his people. Both Mandela and King were  unafraid to agitate for justice and equality, but each ultimately changed the course of history through the power of reconciliation and unity.  Though Dr. King was 11 years younger, Mandela often spoke of his admiration for America’s fallen civil rights champion.  In fact, in his 1993 Nobel Peace Prize speech, Mandela praised King, saying,  “It will not be presumptuous of us if we also add, among our predecessors, the name of another outstanding Nobel Peace Prize winner, the late African-American statesman and internationalist, the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. He, too, grappled with and died in the effort to make a contribution to the just solution of the same great issues of the day which we have had to face as South Africans.” READ MORE

Partner Spotlight AFRICAN AMERICAN DENOMINATION, OTHER FAITH AND CIVIL RIGHTS LEADERS CALL FOR A “MOMENT OF REMEMBRANCE” HONORING PRESIDENT NELSON MANDELA ON SUNDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2013   On Sunday, December 15, 2013, African American organizations, churches and community members across the country led a “moment of remembrance” dedicated to Nelson Mandela, his life and his legacy through a number of special activities such as: a Minute of Silence; Liturgy; Youth Presentation/Recitation of Mandela quotes; Dance ministry performance/dedication; and other events. It is impossible to think about Nelson Mandela without thinking about Martin Luther King, Jr. While separated by great physical distance, the walk to freedom for Blacks in America and Blacks in South Africa was fueled by an inextricable spiritual connection personified in the lives of these two men who changed the world for the better. As a freedom fighter and a unifier, Mandela reminded us, “Sometimes it falls upon a generation to be great, [we] can be that generation.” He understood that bitterness and hatred were poison to the soul. As President of South Africa, he modeled forgiveness and reconciliation in a way that left the world in awe. For his noble fight, his personification of forgiveness and his ongoing inspiration to create a better future, we pause in national unity to honor, salute and remember Nelson Mandela. Mandela’s life serves as an inspiration to people everywhere to continue the fight for freedom and equal opportunity. As we pause on Sunday, let us pledge to continue the unfinished business to which this great, yet humble, servant dedicated himself. LEARN MORE

Mel Watt Confirmed to Lead FHFA   The U.S. Senate has voted to confirm Rep. Mel Watt (D-NC) to lead the Federal Housing Finance Agency by a vote of 57 to 41. National Urban League President and CEO Marc H. Morial issued the following statement applauding Rep. Watt's confirmation. “We applaud the confirmation of Rep. Mel Watt as Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA).    With more than four decades of experience in housing and finance and a strong grasp of the issues confronting home owners and banks, we believe Rep. Watt is the right man at the right time to lead the FHFA and help it fulfill its mission to promote a strong and sustainable housing market. “Rep. Watt has earned the respect of his colleagues on both sides of the aisle, and from stakeholders in the finance and housing industry.  His integrity and focus on solutions will serve him well as he works to rebuild a still-fragile housing market and advance policies to help struggling home owners and those still hoping to achieve the American dream.” LEARN MORE

Her Path to Success Begins Today Your gift provides the tools for her to overcome economic challenges and realize her dreams. DONAT

Urban League Receives $150k The Urban League of the Upstate (Greensville, SC)  announced on December 9th, it will be the receiving nearly $150,000 for education and employment programs in the second quarter of their fiscal year. “With the season of giving being in full swing, we are happy to announce that the Greenville and Spartanburg communities are showing their increased support”, said Jil Littlejohn, President/CEO. The main core of the Urban League focuses on education and employment. Five of the agencies programs received funding from 3M, Hollingsworth, Jolley Foundation, Mary Black Foundation, Symmes Foundation and TD Bank, that will allow them to increase and expand capacity.  Thanks to the Symmes Foundation we can continue to provide services in Greenville County at Berea High, Carolina High, Greenville High, Hillcrest High, JL Mann High, Mauldin High, Southside High, Wade Hampton High, and Woodmont High.  A generous donation of $30,000 from the Mary Black Foundation in Spartanburg County school districts will allow the Urban League to increase capacity for Project Ready. JM Smith Foundation also supported the Spartanburg operations. LEARN MORE

MANDELA: A CELEBRATION

 

Now through Saturday, July 20, 2013

PROGRAM LOCATIONS:

Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture (Map and directions)

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM	12:00 PM - 8:00 PM	12:00 PM - 8:00 PM	12:00 PM - 8:00 PM	10:00 AM - 6:00 PM	10:00 AM - 6:00 PM	CLOSED

Partially accessible to wheelchairs

Nelson Mandela in 1937

The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture will mark Nelson Mandela’s birthday and Nelson Mandela International Day (July 18) with six days of commemoration. 

Mandela: A Celebration is a special exhibit celebrating his life-long dedication to human rights and social justice in South Africa and worldwide. On display from the Schomburg Center’s extensive collections will be photographs, posters, buttons, videos, and unique documents highlighting Mandela’s journey from political activist to president of South Africa.

Join the global community in paying homage to a man who inspired many to make the world a better place. For more information, please visit: Mandela Day.  

NELSON MANDELA AND PAN AFRICANISM

President Obama recently remarked  ... "And what Nelson Mandela also stood for is that the well-being of the country is more important than the interests of any one person," Obama continued. "George Washington is admired because after two terms he said enough, I'm going back to being a citizen. There were no term limits, but he said I'm a citizen. I served my time. And it's time for the next person, because that's what democracy is about. And Mandela similarly was able to recognize that, despite how revered he was, that part of this transition process was greater than one person."

While we mostly get what Obama was saying, the analogy by using George Washington was akin to putting your "foot in your mouth" because George Washington, the first President of the United States, was a slave owner for practically all of his life.

It's always tricky business when Americans praise Nelson Mandela, the most famous of all nationalist African leaders.  You have to be careful not to put your "foot in your mouth" or show ignorance about what Nelson Mandela really stood for, and his embrace of Pan Africanism.  Most folks don't even know what  Pan Africanism is or its history.

 

Pan Africanism: 

"Initially an anti-slavery and anti-colonial movement amongst black people of Africa and the Diaspora in the late nineteenth century, the aims of Pan-Africanism have evolved through the ensuing decades.

Pan-Africanism has covered calls for African unity (both as a continent and as a people), nationalism, independence, political and economic cooperation, and historical and cultural awareness (especially for Afrocentric versus Eurocentric interpretations)."

**********************************************************************************

Of Interest - Welcome Home:

Steve Harvey, in comical fashion, talked about his visit to Africa, and how he was greeted.  African Americans are often welcomed home (when they visit Africa) ... Africa is the ancestral home to many.

**************************************************************************************************

Related:


Keep up with current news on Mandela HERE

Don't Miss the Pan African Film Festival (July 18 - July 20, 2013)



Nelson Mandela (biography)



Who is Nelson Mandela? Video



Pan Africanism (Wikipedia) 



African Union 



 Pan-Africanism for a New Generation.-Professor Horace Campbell Part 1 (VIDEO)

VIDEO 2 

VIDEO 3  

VIDEO 4



What is Pan-Africanism? by Alistair Boddy-Evans



Pan Africanism Today



The African Diaspora in the Indian Ocean World



 
(1962) Nelson Mandela, "Address at the Conference of the Pan-African Freedom Movement of East and Central Africa”




Nelson Mandela: Obama praises his vision of equality and opportunity  July 1, 2013



Up to Mandela’s Legacy: ‘The World Will Be Watching What You Do’ by Mary Bruce, June 30, 2013


Obama Compares Nelson Mandela to George Washington by Jonathan Karl, June 29, 2013



George Washington and Slavery



Pan Africanist Congress (PAC)



African American & African Studies at UC Davis