CURRENT SUMMARY OF A CALIFORNIA BLACK POLITICAL AGENDA ©Council of Black Political Organizations, 2011 (COBPO)

Edited by Dr. David Horne
Regarding improving the lives of Black citizens and residents in California, below are the five basic areas of concern as determined by a 2010 Community Gathering of Concerned Citizens hosted by the California Black Think Tank in a series of intense discussions, debates and explorations from October to December in Leimert Park, California. These five areas constitute what we believe should be the core set of action items whose accomplishment will markedly improve the quality of life of California’s Black citizens. Thus, this is our version of A California Black Political Agenda (with political here meaning political-economic). There are both broad strategies attached to this set of action items, and specific strategies, all of which are elaborated further in a more expansive presentation of this Black Agenda below.
To accomplish these action items, the California Black Think Tank and the Black community members who gathered to work this Agenda out, will encourage, advocate and propose strategic positions, policies and pragmatic programs through community groups, governmental entities, and self- initiated projects as a regular part of its day-to-day operations. It is not expected that any individual or group who accepts this Agenda will attempt to accomplish it in its entirety, but rather will choose the items within its expertise or interest and work diligently on those as part of an overall strategic agenda. The cumulative effect of such small and intermediate approaches should be the accomplishment of the whole Agenda and, consequently, significant improvement in the quality of life for the Black population in California. The California Black Agenda presented here should be seen as a current and future Black Political-Economic Action Plan, and may be amended as deemed necessary by changing material conditions.
It is presented here as:
I. Election-Relevant Questions For Candidates and Others From This Black Agenda; Questions to Raise Regarding Propositions/Initiatives and Bond Measures; Evaluative Questions for Representatives Already in Office
II. Action Items For A California Black Agenda 1

III. Strategies For Accomplishing The Action Items Of This Black
Agenda I.
A. SAMPLE QUESTIONS FOR CANDIDATES AND POLICY MAKERS FROM A CALIFORNIA BLACK AGENDA
GENERIC QUESTIONS
(1) This area needs jobs, housing, enhanced medical facilities, and increased educational standards. If elected, what specifically are you planning on doing about any and all of those issues? Do you have a position (or What is your) on correcting the health, housing and jobs disparities?
(2) If elected, will you provide a consistent way for your constituents to convey their interests to you? Please elaborate on why, why not and how.
(3) Why exactly do you want this particular elective office, and what in your background specifically qualifies you for it?
(4) Can you name at least five projects you have accomplished for the community? Did you do them in coalitions or essentially alone? Describe how you have worked collaboratively before to get things done. In public office, what does “knowing how to count” mean to you?
(5) Integrity, responsibility and accountability are important aspects of an effective public servant’s performance. Can you provide specific examples which demonstrate your integrity in public life, your sense of responsibility to your community, and how you perceive accountability?
B. MORE FOCUSED QUESTIONS (Legislature)
(1) The UJCC (United Jobs Creation Council) just scored a major victory in the LA City Council by getting a process approved to provide consistent jobs in the construction industry for members of underserved communities. If elected, can you duplicate that type of process for this community?
(2) Former Speaker Karen Bass recently disseminated a “State of the California Black Community.” In it, she provided data on specific needs of the Black community throughout the state. Do you have plans to utilize any of that report, or any similar data in your legislative activity, if elected?
(3) Communities are currently learning how to issue “Report Cards” on state legislators. Are you willing to be judged by your constituents on your attendance and voting records,
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the number of bills you author or co-sponsor, and how effective you become within the state legislature?
(4) What plans, if any, do you have for training and preparing the youth in your community for future leadership?
(5) Do you support universal health care for Californians? Do you support reforming Three Strikes? Do you support ending the school-to dropout-prison cycle that is epidemic in our communities? Are you planning on creating a group of citizens’ councils to inform you of what your community needs and wants?
C. An Evaluation Method to Measure What Has Been Accomplished by Candidates We Supported and Elected as our Representatives
The Problem: Far too frequently, we are asked for our votes without any regard for providing meaningful representation for those votes—in essence, votes by the Black community are solicited, but for the most part candidates and elected representatives who ask for those votes do not in turn provide respect and due regard for the interests of Black voters.
For Legislative Candidates and Elected Officials:
A. What is the record of suggested laws prepared and proposed by the legislator during the legislative, council or board session?
B. How many of the proposed pieces of legislation authored by the legislator made it out of committee and got a full vote?
C. How many pieces of legislation authored by the legislator got passed by the full legislative body(bodies) and made it to a Chief Executive’s desk, if that was the process, or otherwise became law?
D. How many of those proposed pieces of legislation directly or indirectly benefitted the Black community?
E. How often were citizens able to contact the legislator to comment on proposed legislation?
F. Did the legislator accept proposals of legislation from members of the community?
G. How often did the legislator interact with the community when it was not election time?
H. In the legislator’s recent past, is there any significant project, event or accomplishment by the legislator that is known to have made a positive difference in the Black community?
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I. What is the legislator’s voting and absentee record during the current or most recent legislative session?
J. Has the legislator conducted himself/herself with integrity and honesty while in office?
For Elected Executive/Administrative Posts (e.g., Mayors, D.A., etc.)
A. What significant project, event or accomplishment has this official brought to the district, city, county, state or country that benefits the Black community?
B. Has the official conducted himself/herself in a professional manner while in office or running for office?
C. Does the official regularly attend meetings associated with that position?
D. Does the official regularly interact with the Black community?
E. Does the official work with, mentor or sponsor interns and other trainees
for future public service positions.
F. Does the official defend the honor and dignity of the Black community in
most or all of the policy decisions he/she is officially involved in?
G. Is the official competent in the required skills needed for the position
running for or elected into?