Are Black people pulling their weight in opposing Bush's war on Iraq?

• Author: Warren, Donna J.

There's been a lot of talk in the progressive community, aka, the mostly white progressive community, that Black people are not pulling their weight in opposing Bush's war on Iraq. I hear these thoughts on KPFK radio in Los Angeles. I heard them at the Socialist Scholar's Conference in New York in March 2003 where I appeared to be the only African-American panelist. I hear it from my fellow Greens. Why aren't Black people marching against war?

Let's look at these allegations and try to determine if Black politicians, Black people, and the Black media are avoiding the issue of war on Iraq, or worse, are for the war on Iraq.

The only House member to vote against a resolution authorizing President Bush to use force against anyone associated with the September 11 terrorist attacks was Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) a Black woman. The Congressional Black Caucus addressed the conflict with Iraq on the House floor. Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-MD) Chairman of the Black Caucus, tried unsuccessfully to meet with President Bush to address the war. Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA) questioning the United States on her pre-emptive strike on Saddam Hussein said "...we're in no danger from Iraq. Striking Saddam is not fighting terrorism."

Black politicians unlike White politicians (except for the recent voice of Presidential Hopeful Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) who attempted to rescind the authorized use of force given to President Bush last October by 81 Democrats and 215 Republicans) are speaking out against the war.

What about the Black person on the street. Where are they on the war issue?

According to Los Angeles' Southwest Wave, every Black person asked "Do you favor this war," answered "No." A Washington Post/ABC News poll taken in March showed that African-Americans are far more likely to oppose the war than white Americans 61% to 20%.

A multitude of Black Member organizations are joining Congresswoman Maxine Waters and other elected officials, community leaders, and celebrities from the African American community to protest the war on Saturday, March 29 in Los Angeles.

Black people are against the war.

What about Black newspapers? Where are they on the war issue?

"It is now time for us as citizens to get involved to express our views on this expensive war issue. If you believe we are going to take care of soldiers after the war, ask any veteran standing .on freeways asking for money for food and standing on street corners waving you down to get your car washed." Hardy...