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| Our pupose. September, 2007 |
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| Does Williamsport need a black voice? |
Why I do what I do.
From the Editor,
Recently, I’ve been asked why do I publish “An African-American Perspective?” Some folks want to know if I have any hidden agendas or ulterior motives up my sleeve. A friend asked me, “What do you want?”
Let me state for the record, my reasoning and then you can decide for yourself if I am crazy or not.
First, there is a lack of coverage in the Black community by the local news organizations of Williamsport. Don’t get me wrong, the folks at The Sun-Gazette, the Webb Weekly and the Williamsport Guardian do good work but the special needs of the African-American population are often lost in the mix.
Secondly, no one really wants to talk about racial problems. In fact, we tend to ignore them and deny their existence. But those who keenly feel the injustice and bigotry are infuriated by the silence. An African-American Perspective is an alternative point-of-view publication. I ask you, “How can we move forward unless we clear the obstructions in our path?” Racism, stereotypical misconceptions and antiquated social notions impede our progress.
I got “fired up” and began writing two years ago after witnessing the dramatic aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. I submitted essays to the Williamsport Guardian. That exercise led to the publishing a community newsletter.
My hope is that others in the community will see the need for a greater black voice in Williamsport. African-Americans need to take control of their destiny. They need to be less dependent on the white community and become greater participants in government and other socio-political organizations.
Williamsport has been called a “recovery community”. That’s okay, but I envision so much more for the city. I would like Williamsport to be known as a community of self-discovery where an individual can re-invent himself. We need to rediscover who we are.
Business growth has flat-lined in the North Central Pennsylvania area. We’re doing better than some other third-tiered cities, but I think we can do much better. Black business, in particular, is anemic and needs a shot in the arm. Blacks need more retail establishments, restaurants, insurance agencies, real estate brokers and so on. In addition to those types of businesses, we need to produce tangible goods. We need to manufacture stuff. Wait! Before you say that is “pie-in-the-sky thinking”, check out Greyston Bakery in Yonkers, NY. They save the lives of people who had lost all hope and produce high quality baked goods. Social responsibility and pragmatic capitalism can work! (Check out their website at http://www.greystonbakery.com/)
We need to teach our children how to run a business. We need to teach them how to use money as a tool to further their socio-economic progress. We need to teach them how to realize their dreams. The slogan, “If you believe it, you can achieve it!” needs to dusted off and redeployed into our collective consciousness.
The bad news is that there are those who benefit from the lack of Black progress in our community. They want to keep things as they are. Their livelihood depends a on permanent underclass of black and poor people.
The good news is that there are individuals and organizations that are thinking outside the box. The old ways of doing things no longer apply. New paradigms are being established. New solutions to old problems are being presented.
As Williamsport looks forward into the challenging years ahead, I would like to see a community that has equal opportunity for all. I want a Williamsport where a person’s potential has more importance than their past personal history.
And finally, I want a robust and vibrant African-American community. Being an advocate for a healthy black identity is not being a racist. Taking a pro-black stance on political, sociological and economic issues is not the same as being anti-white. Some folks may see this publication as hate speech or as divisive separatist rhetoric. I just point out the facts as presented by credible sources.
This is NOT black supremacy. I am not superior to anyone, but I am equal to everyone.
Richard James
Editor and Publisher
An African-American Perspective
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