Posted at Greens for Greens:
[From the Green Party Black Caucus Journal]
Robert “Bob” Gumbs, veteran and Green Party candidate for the 15th Congressional District in the US House (Charles Rangel’s seat) has been an active member of the Green Party of New York for 5 years . Bob is the newly elected GP Black Caucus Delegate to the GPUS National Committee.
Greens,
In line with the issue of the racial problems that the New york Green Party suffers from there is another dimension that needs to be looked at. Whenever, i have brought suggestions for this party to implement here in new york, it’s routinely ignored. However, – Karen Young – with the help of a few other people seem to think that they have the right to completely make the New York party into their own image. They hold meetings when they want, they invite who they want to those meetings and everybody stands for it. I try to make a point in a meeting and I am castigated as an arrogant black male, slightly obtuse and definitely unwelcome.
The fact that white men in the New York Green Party asked me to leave the party because of my opinion on certain issues really astounds me. For this to happen in the supposedly democratic Green Party is a tragedy. However, i have had to face up to lynch mobs, made up of my white American comrades in arms in Germany, so this incident will not hold me down one bit. I believe in fighting back.
We have a campaign for Mayor of New York, where the Green candidate has not stated what his Urban Policy is. We have had over 50 black men gunned down in New York over the last 23 months or so, the Green Party in New York has no comment about this, has no plan to say anything about this and the Green Party Candidate for Mayor has made no comment as to what he would do about this.
6 young black men were almost lynched and forced to rot in jail for a crime they didn’t commit, the rape of a white woman in central park. There are politicians who are trying to have an investigation as to why this travesty happened. What does the Green Party’s Mayoral candidate have to say about this?
Why should urban residents in inner city New York follow a candidate that has not outlined a coherent urban policy?
This is the state of affairs that I believe Greens across the country will say is deplorable. Am I arrogant because as the only black man active in the New York party for the last 5 years i choose to question this state of affairs?
Newcomers have come to New York, with their own agenda, and they think they can twist the party to their tune. Fine – but if you are not going to deal with the issues that concern Black Americans that live in this city, then what the hell good are you for this party?
Does any party that refuses to deal with the just needs of Black Americans deserve to be elected to any public office?
This is why there should be a Black person on this so-called NYC Green Committee. If Ms. Young had taken the time to ask what my objection to their new procedure was, I would have gladly discussed it with her. However, in New York the voice of people of color are ignored in the New York Green Party – unless of course they are a celebrity.
I love Cynthia and Rosa for what they stand for, not as a means to an end.
For those of you that are upset for my opinions – tough, i didn’t join this party to be a stooge or yes man. I have a very low tolerance for hypocrisy and when I see it – i point it out. This is a party for Black Men, just as much for anyone else. And I promise by almighty God to fight racism and elitism wherever i see it in this party. Because if we are to guide and criticize the other political parties – we have to make sure that we as Greens are correct.
I would also like to thank the support i have received from fellow Greens not only here in New York, but members from the Green Party Black Caucus and Green party members from other parts of the country.
damn,
I mean GOOD point
Paulie
God point, well taken
Paulie, trust me when I tell you that Gumbs is not overstating his case. There is a strong current of unconscious racism and classism in the GP. At least in my experience.
You may well be correct that “there is a strong current of unconscious racism and classism in the GP.” I haven’t been around the GP enough to fully judge, but I was involved in many lefty groups in high school and college (peace, environmental, etc.) and I did run into a lot of people who were operating from ignorance because they had very little or no personal experience in diverse communities. I think most of them were sympathetic and tolerant to the best of their abilities, but just did not know what it’s like to be poor. Although, I should point out that at the Green national convention in 2008 I met a lot of delegates who were not well off or “white.”
What I said was that Gumbs was overstating his case, not that he is making shit up with no basis in fact. Comments 2 and 3 seem to me to be adequate proof that some of Gumbs’ categorical statements go too far. That does not mean there is no truth in what he says; I think it is likely there is at least some, and maybe even a lot.
Most of us grew up in a racist society so to varying degrees we are contaminated with racism. like any other character flaws we need to work to act to overcome our racism. That said the racism within the Green Party does not come anywhere near that of the two major parties.
What “opinion on certain issues” prompted the invitation to leave?
Robert Gumbs has a friend and ally in Farheen Hakeem, who has just been elected to the National GP Steering Committee.
Of course if Mr Gumbs is not properly deferential to the GP, he may face the actions of the GP Committee To End Free Speech.
It may be the only action that the National GP are capable of, suppressing and silencing dissent but they are damned good at it.
Paulie, trust me when I tell you that Gumbs is not overstating his case. There is a strong current of unconscious racism and classism in the GP. At least in my experience.
I would suggest Mr. Gumbs volunteer to work on Rev. Billy’s campaign. He could then help shape the campaign’s approach to urban issues.
It sounds like, at minimum, Gumbs is overstating his case.
What is meant by “urban policy” in the statement about Rev. Billy Talen’s campaign for mayor? Has Mr. Gumbs seen Rev. Billy’s video candidate statement on http://VoteRevBilly.org ?
To quote:
“Stop-and-frisk activities by the police are introducing fear and racial tension. Our newest Americans deserve the hope that Lady Liberty has promised them. Stop warrantless raids of our neighbors’ homes.”
In an interview with the Village Voice, Rev. Billy said that he would fire NYPD chief Ray Kelly, who initiated policies based on racial profiling.
So when Mr. Gumbs writes that Billy Talen has no urban policy, what does he mean, and what is he looking for? I think what we have here is just a failure to communicate.
It should be noted that when this message was sent to the New York lists, one reply was that there are black people – black women – represented on the NYC Green council.
Good for Robert Gumbs. Hopefully some positive change comes from this.