The Pew Research Center reported, "African Americans see a widening gulf between the values of middle class and poor blacks, and nearly four-in-ten say that because of the diversity within their community, blacks can no longer be thought of as a single race." Black people can now play out this doomsday scenario with a clear conscience and without remorse for the dismal future we are creating for our children. Now that Pew has done its research and revealed that Black people are so fragmented by "class," is there any reason for us to continue to espouse collective and cooperative anything among our people?

You have heard the saying, "He who defines you controls you."  Well, Black folks have now been defined for what may well be the final time, because if we accept the "spinning" of the Pew report, it will be the death-knell that many have longed to hear since free Black labor went out of style. 

Larry Pinkney, BC Editorial Board Member

What does Black America’s legacy of political struggle really mean? In succinct terms, it refers to the enormous sacrifices, both personal and collective, made by those men, women and children who endeavored to further the cause of economic, social, and political equality, justice, and freedom, particularly with respect to Black Americans and our Red and Brown sisters and brothers.

In 21st century Black America, far from ending or concluding, our political struggle has, by necessity, intensified. White racism and concomitant economic, social, and political inequality and hypocrisy have, in fact, increased for the vast majority of Black and other people of color - not decreased.

The Black Star Project

Parents and Community Must Be Involved to Successfully Educate Black Students in Chicago Public Schools
 
 
(Chicago) -   Phillip Jackson, executive director of The Black Star Project, and one hundred Black parents presented a plan to the Chicago Board of Education on Wednesday, November 14, 2007.  They asked Rufus Williams, board president, to join them in an effort to successfully educate Black children, as well as all children.  Williams agreed to work with Black parents to fix this problem.  In 2003, less than 30% of Black 11th-grade students passed the Prairie State Achievement Exam in reading.  Five years later in 2007, that number dropped to 27%.  That means one out of four Black Chicago public school students cannot read at grade level as they prepare to graduate from high school.

Torin Ellis

• Under what circumstances are you likely to become immobilized by doubt or lack of faith? 
• In these situations, what better alternatives have you NOT chosen that seem unlikely or improbable?