Peace Without Retreat

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20 Years Later…It’s Time to Update Both Our Slogans and Our Strategy

by dominique DiPrima

It’s been a dizzyingly busy cycle America, in Black America, in South Central Los Angeles. The killing of Trayvon Martin has reawakened the activism of many who have long fought injustice in various ways. It has opened the eyes of many for the first time, as they saw their own sons, brothers, cousins or friends in the youthful sweetness of Trayvon’s eyes peering out from behind his hoodie. I believe people of many cultures, classes, ethnicities and regions bonded with young Trayvon before the smear campaigns and spin doctors kicked into gear. And thus they took the journey with Black America, gasping “Why?” and “How could they?” “It’s not fair!” “It doesn’t add up,” right along with us.

In every state, county and town people began to examine or reexamine their local tragedies and put the magnifying glass on similar injustices.

Here is Los Angeles many have mourned the death of 19-year-old Kendrec McDade, the Citrus College student killed by Pasadena Police on March 24th. And although the 9-1-1 caller was arrested for lying (and later released) there is still no word on discipline for the officers involved, and there are questions about the investigation.

Although he was not a teenager, nor killed by an authority figure, the case of Anthony Dunn has riled community passions, because there has been no arrest. And the unlicensed driver who killed the young African American postal worker is facing only traffic court.

As we prepare for the 20th Anniversary of Los Angeles civil unrest, every neighborhood takes inventory of it’s fallen, it’s history and it’s progress. Every community mourns it’s own Devon Browns, Suzie Penas or Trayvon Martins.

At some recent rallies and events in support of Trayvon Martin the chant “No Justice, No Peace” has been heard once again. The intensity is in the air – on the radio, in the streets, in the water cooler conversation. The marches, the rallies, the constant pressure on media and politicians are a good thing. We probably would not have seen the arrest of George Zimmerman, let alone 2nd degree murder charges if it were not for that activism. But here in Los Angeles, and I believe nationwide, if we don’t turn that passion into constructive activism and concrete action, it’s gonna be a long, hot summer! We cannot afford to sacrifice the Trayvons who are still with us to reckless violence, unfocused anger or the weakness of despair! If we think deeply on it, we know that when we do that our young people turn on themselves and each other. Fueling them with random fire is not leadership.

Maybe it is time to update our slogan and our strategy. I propose something along the lines of “Peace Without Retreat!” It means our armies are ready to march. We are lawyered up, researched and ready to go. Our politicians have been put on notice. Our boycotts are fully loaded. And we go on about the business of reelecting our president…and taking care of our communities and the young people who are still living…while keeping a watchful eye and constant pressure on each and every one of these cases.

What happens if Zimmerman is acquitted? What happens if young Kendrec’s shooters are never brought to justice? What happens if City Attorney Carmen Trutanich lets Anthony Dunn’s killer go with a slap on the wrist? Then we march again! And we take legal action. And pressure our politicians (Trutanich is running for District Attorney.)

Meanwhile let’s use wisdom. Work steadily to overturn stand your ground laws nationwide. Mentor young people or support those who do. Fight voter suppression laws. Turn out the vote. Let’s celebrate the incredible genius and beauty of the young people in our communities. And let’s protect them and fight for them all at once…It’s time for Peace Without Retreat!

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  1. I totally agree with those words, “peace without retreat”. This is an perfect opportunity for black America to take this age old issue by the horns and take the lead; Racism, we’ve come a long way but its deeply imbedded in societies subconsious. For centuries we’ve been taught of racial superiority and inferiority. But we now know that this does not exist.
    We must use science and re educate society and the world about race, change our way of thinking therefore killing racism at its core. ” when you know better u do better”.

  2. I agree that the true measure of justice will lie in the verdict of ZImmermans trial. Locally, we have not only the case of McDade and Dunn, but also Martin in Inglewood, shows that are country is becoming less tolerant of minorities. Education can not be the only tool to bring about change, we have to march peacefully and demonstrate how we feel.

    I also salute the students over at Inglewood HS who are slowly winning a victory as they protest the Food services department and their lack of quality food served to them.

  3. Although the U.S.A. was founded on a history of violence, and violence in this nation is as American as apple pie, peace without retreat is an action that should be the first response. It is the most strategic approach, that’s for sure. People just need to remind themselves to chill out, get a grip (remain calm) and take these issues step-by-step systemically.

    Anyhow, Frontpage should be longer than 90 minutes each morning, it should be on until about 8a because its brain food for intelligent minds. The host, Diprima is great because she’s well-informed, intelligent and very articulate with her words.

    Steve Harvey’s morning show is not even all that funny because he is annoying and tries too hard. Kick start his show every morning at 8:00a – Frontpage deserves more airtime. Real issues. Real debates. Real voices.

  4. The hour is indeed later than we think.

    Noone really wants to talk about what’s truly going on this country. It is indeed fashionable to hate on the Black Man once more. I believe the whole O.J. thing has brought this about. There are forces at work here.. Evil, satanic forces that are not going to be overcome by passive marches, rallies, slogans and speeches.

    Violence is never desirable and yet we as Blacks in this country are met with it from ALL SIDES!! Our polllitians, our congressmen and women, washington has completely sold out the citizens, the tax payers of this land. The lies they tell just to be voted into office are increasingly great. The police departments all accross not only this country but the entire globe is grabbing more and more control through fear and intimitation. The so-called Patriot Act is quite possibily the single most dire piece of legislation this country has ever seen. Bush may indeed have started it but our beloved president has surely continued it.

    Obama is nothing more than a tool, used to usher in a new era of doom and gloom for the world. I do not trust him nor do I share Miss DiPrima’s fondness for him. Noone wants to hear the truth. We want to dismiss the truth as conspiracy theory and conjecture but the truth is slapping us all in the face and it’s BEGGING US to wake up and see it. Begging us to take heed to it. Knowledge is power and so we need to truly educate ourselves and start training ourselves for the bitter days to come because trust me, THEY ARE INDEED COMING!!

    This hour is later than we think

  5. @ Locthiese…

    If you are going to go out of your way to criticize our President Barack Obama and even direct negativity at Ms. DiPrima, both of whom are taking specific actions to help better the community and our people, then the least you could do is offer some proposed solutions of your own to the perceived issues and injustices that are affecting our community.

    Many members in our communities are formally educated and it doesn’t stop the overt bigotry, institutional racism and lack of fairness and equality that many persons of color still routinely encounter from others simply because of our hue or skin tone. Consider this, a number of African-Americans still encounter racial discrimination (or racial profiling) even when we a applying for or looking for a job, trying to purchase a home, or just walking down the streets minding our own business (i.e., Travyvon Martin). Snap back into reality.

    What actions exactly, if any, have you done in the past and are you specifically doing now to help better our community? A person can run his or her mouth and pontificate all day, but at the end of the day, I challenge you to be a part of the solution and not the problem.

    Peace without retreat is a solution, and I commend Diprima 100 percent for her consciousness and for all the hard/smart work she does, and she deserves far more airtime than she gets (should have at least a half-day talk show) because she is one of a few who keeps it real when addressing the issues affecting members of our communities (and she does it with eloquence, poise and class)…so stop hating and congratulate.

    FYI, speaking of “Peace Without Retreat,” recall that like Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. – President Obama even won the Nobel Peace Prize a few years ago, formally got the troops out of the Iraq war and captured Osama bin Laden. This is a big deal.

    President Obama has my vote again in 2012.