Re: Why Richard Hofstadter Is Still Worth Reading but Not
On Oct 17, 2006, at 10:40 AM, Charles Brown wrote:
This article touches on American “populism” and its current
significance.http://www.blackcommentator.com/201/201_cover_race_dems_fletcher_ed_bd.html#
As always, an interesting piece from Fletcher - he impresses me as a
serious radical who lives on planet earth. He and the rest of the
Black Commentator crew really should be much better known.
This part seems really promising:
This must be a project that is both urban and Southern. In other
words, we need to look to identify areas that are logically
sympathetic to the politics suggested here. I will give you an
example of two different approaches in what I believe to be a key
area: South Carolina. The Labor Party (of which, in the interest
of full disclosure, I am a member) has just gotten on the ballot in
South Carolina. I applaud them for this work, but among
progressives in South Carolina this is not the strategy that I
would have suggested. Instead, within the Democratic Party in
South Carolina there is a base, largely African American, which is
seeking an alternative. Why not build the sort of neo-Rainbow/ independent organization I am describing here and challenge the
current leadership of the South Carolina Democrats? Rev. Jesse
Jackson discusses creating a Third Rail in the South, particularly
among African American voters. I agree. Build organization among
the huge numbers of African Americans, growing numbers of Latinos
and progressive whites who are, effectively, excluded from power
(both power within the Democratic Party and power within their
respective states). We need to take a similar approach in urban
areas, with particular attention to the theme of the class and
racial cleansing that is taking place in our major metropolitan
areas. Our politics must be more than abhorrence to the current
policies of the Democrats (and certainly the Republicans) but must
be pro-active in suggesting a different course. Our social base
within the cities is looking for a better life and does not wish to
be expelled from the cities, though it does not want to live in
crumbling neighborhoods. Let this fight be our battle-cry!
Doug