In this instance my goal is to show that the leftist operative group "The Color Of Change" is of marginal utility to the big picture issues and concerns WITHIN the Black Community.
I am not attempting to CHANGE 'The Color Of Change'. They are merely the creation of a bundle of papers filed at the Secretary of State's office for tax purposes. They are individuals who can congregate to drive home whatever agenda they choose. I support their right to do so.
My goal is to provide better understanding to the people might be compelled to believe that their are focused on advancing the interests of the Black community with TRANSPARENCY first. This is not so
They are rendered impotent at addressing the interests of the Black community UNLESS there is:
- A non-Progressive Adversary to be indicted - As they claim they are advancing the interests of the Black community - they are ONLY fortifying their marginal ideological interests. You would be mistaken to believe that this has anything to do with the Black Community other than "Congregational Ideological Unity Enforcement"
- A larger entity or industry to make their pleas to in the effort to hit against this enemy (ie: Consumer Products Corporations to whom they will threaten to with hold their purchases from)
People TV is a government sponsored public access cable channel produced by the City Of Atlanta. I have to admit - I have never watched the channel because I do not live within the City Of Atlanta. I was aware of the efforts of a former councilman to bring the service to fruition.
People TV is said to be a PROGRESSIVE voice into the community. As a non-commercial community and cultural affairs outlet they "go" where no other paid entity dares to go for fear of offending their sponsors. On "Fight The Power Radio" I learned that there are several noted PROGRESSIVE personalities that often appear on this station and provide analysis of the current events from their unique angle.
The fate of "People TV" is in peril because revenue short falls and resulting budget cuts by the City Of Atlanta has functionally pulled the plug on the venture. The annual $100K disbursement from the city is not found in the upcoming budget.
From PeopleTV.org
Where do we stand?
On December 15, 2010 and 2011, People TV will receive $100,000 from the City of Atlanta in support of People TV and its ongoing mission to provide the Atlanta Community a voice through Public Access to Media Arts and Technology. The Mayor Reed’s Office currently has NO PLANS to provide any additional funding for People TV in the City’s 2011- 2012 or in future budgets.
What can you do?
Now is the time for us to once again, step up and reach out to all the people we know to join in on this effort to elevate a city-wide understanding of why Atlanta should continue to be a progressive city that has active community television facilities and channels. Let them know why People TV is important to them and needs their support. Right now, the City is looking at the budget for 2011-2012. We all need to contact our City Council Members and ask for their support and to let Mayor Kasim Reed know why Atlanta residents need People TV. Also, contact Mayor Reed and ask that People TV be included in the City’s budget not only for the next two years but to extend People TV’s contract and funding for the length of the Comcast cable franchise agreement that is for 2010-2016. Mayor Reed and City Council officials need to hear from you and understand why they MUST support Community Access TV here in Atlanta and be in favor of maintaining funding for People TV Channel 24 and the City Channel 26.
The IDEOLOGICAL/POLITICAL Context That You Are Not Going To Hear Otherwise
The City of Atlanta is a "Mission Accomplished City". Though it is true that the state of Georgia is a "Red State", controlled by the Republicans who, for the first time since "Reconstruction" hold every state-wide elective office after the 2010 elections, the City of Atlanta is similarly run with Democrats in every elective post. (Note: City Council elections are officially non-partisan but everyone's attachments can be seen as state and national partisans come to town and for their endorsements and the local officials make their affiliations known)
As we go to Wisconsin or Michigan or Ohio - we hear a tale of the uncaring conservative leadership that severs the life blood of nutrition for community-level investments that would have yielded fruit one day. The easy solution (as heard on MSNBC) is to remove this offending spirit and replace them with PROGRESSIVES - all of whom just happen to be Democrats.
In various "Mission Accomplished Zones" however - this ideological purge has already taken place. The documentary "Brick City" is the best example of what happens when all of the right-wing enemies have been purged and yet the same tough economic decisions in the context of scarcity must be made. We have a "Progressive Faction A" versus "Progressive Faction B" slug fest. The other side becomes the "Virtual Republican" that is stepping upon the best interests of the community.
In the case of "The City of Atlanta" versus "People TV" the villains are not in the state government (that fight is reserved for the Anti-Death Penalty battle in the wake of Troy Davis receiving "justice" for killing a cop).
If "Color Of Change" were to enter into the city again they would have to stand against fellow progressives and accuse them of snatching a "progressive voice" off of the air.
Maybe this is a learning experience for them in that they will see that every spending cut is not a sign of evil intent. That the best way to ensure plenty for all is to increase the yield from the production from which these funds are drawn from.
I would be remiss if I failed to bring up the recent multi-million dollar settlement between the City Of Atlanta and the patrons at "The Eagle Bar" - a gay bar which was subject to a raid by the Atlanta Police Department.
Just a few short months ago "Social Justice" was achieved as the city of Atlanta settled two lawsuits filed by the patrons who said they were subject to harassment, embarrassment and gay slurs put forth by some police officers involved in the raid.
- Lawsuit #1: Over $1 Million To Settle Alleged Civil Rights Violations
- Lawsuit #2: Settled For $120,000 From The City Of Atlanta
- Lawsuit #3: (Still Active) City Of Atlanta Plans To Fight Latest Lawsuit
I have argued on this blog that when there is a convergence between the two competing forces of JUSTICE and ECONOMIC JUSTICE - where Progressivism is force to stand alone - we have an implosion.
The $120K paid in the second lawsuit nearly matches the money that "People TV" WOULD have received. The $1M+ payout in the first lawsuit would have funded a new group of 9th grade interns at People TV to graduate high school and go on to college in pursuit of working behind the scenes for "Link TV", "CurrentTV", "Democracy Now" or MSNBC.
0 comments:
Post a Comment