KTS Presents...

Kwame Speaks: Change...or Sankofa?

The presidential campaign of Barack Obama has been run on a platform of change. Change. Yet, we have not paused to ask the question of what the Obama campaign means when it says change. This political rhetoric represents what political scientists would call electoral strategy. A means by which candidates seek to gain support. This use of the word change is an effective marketing scheme, designed to drive the point home that Barack Obama’s policies are not those of President George Bush. It is a brilliant scheme in that it seeks to accomplish the ambitions of Senator Obama. However, if we were to define change for African-Americans cognizant of our status in this society, Obama’s intentions as the President of the United States of America would not represent that change.
The system of white supremacy has created a society that has limited African-Americans’ ability to advance on their own terms. It has created a crack in the foundation of our lives. In order to fix this crack, we as a people do not need the paint of the Civil Rights Act, the glue of affirmative action, or the cement of welfare programs. The agenda for all African-Americans should be the complete breaking down of this foundation and the building of one that includes us all. This represents the change we as African-Americans need.
In order for this to occur, we cannot look at the office of President of United States, the very state that makes this difficult, to lead this endeavor. This takes a concerted effort of African-American people to be able to control their own political destiny. It supposes that we as African-American people create and maintain our own institutions that speak to our specific needs. It causes us to look inwardly and remain vigilant to outside forces. It above all, causes us to look back at where we have been to understand where we must go. No, we are not looking for change, we are looking back. Sankofa. To rectify our situation it is imperative that we learn and improvise on the lessons and values of times past.
Because this concept of change has not been defined, we do not know where it will take us. But if we understand and apply sankofa, we will know where to go because we have been here before. Ideals that apply to other Americans do not always apply to us. Simply put, what change means to them and what it means to us are totally different. While our issues may be the same, our struggle is different. We are the only group who has to fight for our humanity.
Dealing with this on Monday, October 27, 2008 in the Blackburn Ballroom will be three African icons: Mumia Abu-Jamal, Mama Charlotte O’Neal, and Guy Patrice Lumumba. It will take place at 5:30 PM.
African-American people must remain focused on their goals toward liberation. African-American achievement means nothing on an individual level. As Anna Julia Cooper states, “when and where I enter, the race comes with me.” This is the only way. Do not be hypnotized by the marketing hype. Listen to those who came before us.