Where Black folks in particular, but not exclusively, are concerned, there is a viable choice in the upcoming 2024 Presidential Election. First and foremost, it is important to understand that — in addition to political-blindness, ignorance, and naivete (on the part of many) — GREED & SELFISHNESS are important elements — relative to drinking the Electoral- Kool-Aid-Of-White-Supremacy, especially and particularly on the part of Black, so called political “leadership” (ACTUALLY MIS-LEADERSHIP) — who won’t let go of the Democratic neo-slave-master’s-poisonous-coattails because of the relatively small percentage of the collective booty that they receive. Our overall political condition is so, so very amazing (in 2024) — especially when considering all the great teachers that we have had through the decades and centuries — who have tried so very hard to help us become more POLITICALLY-MATURE AND INDEPENDENT — AS OPPOSED TO STILL (IN 2024) HOLDING ON TO THAT OLD, SLAVISH, LESSER-OF-TWO-DAMN-EVILS-MENTALITY (RATHER THAN OPPOSING AND REJECTING ALL EVIL)!!! It’s just so very sad. Dr. Joy Angela DeGruy teaches about Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome. The overall reality outlined above is by far one of the worst manifestations of it. Now, the old, Black, political Mis-leadership Class will try to convince our people (many of whom are quite gullible) — that our only viable choice or hope is to turn to the old, racist, white men and women, and mainly negropeans of the Democratic Party — because (let them tell it) — we have to be afraid of boogie-man-Trump (as if overall socioeconomic, sociopolitical, sociocultural conditions for the MASSES of our people) — have been any different under Biden than they were under Trump. THEY HAVE NOT — NOT AT ALL (NOT EVEN ONE IOTA)!!! Conditions have been better for the Black Mis-leadership Class, but NOT for the masses of our people at all, and that’s an absolute, clinical FACT!!! One of the things that’s so amazing is that this particular, upcoming Presidential Election does include a viable choice. That’s right — Dr. Cornel West (the only viable choice). NO PERSON OF COLOR ANYWHERE IN THIS THOROUGHLY RACIST, WHITE-SUPREMACIST-BASED NATION-STATE CAN ARGUE THAT DR. WEST’S PLATFORM AND AGENDA (see it at a link below) — WOULD NOT BE GOOD FOR US!!! Yet, most don’t seem to get it — because MOST of our people who actually vote, are unable to pull their heads out of the deep, delusional, political-sand, and STOP BEING SLAVISH AND NARROW-MINDED, AND OPEN THEIR MINDS UP TO NEW HORIZONS, AS OPPOSED TO REMAINING STUCK IN AN 80-YEAR OR OLDER MALAISE (OF CONTINUING TO CHASE A DAMN DONKEY THAT JUST KEEPS KICKING MOST OF US SQUARELY IN THE FACE, RIGHT AFTER EACH ELECTION). Now, we know how the old, slavish argument goes: ‘But Cornel West does not have any chance of winning. He could end up being the spoiler that allows the boogie-man to get elected.’ HOW POLITICALLY-IMMATURE!!! POLITICALLY SPEAKING — HOW SIMPLE-MINDED!!! This is ONE example of why those who are really pulling the strings regarding mainly-Black, dysfunctional, so-called “educational” institutions work so hard to make sure that we DON’T become CRITICAL THINKERS!!! Can you imagine what would happen, if on November 5, 2024, the VAST MAJORITY of Black voters were to withdraw their support from both the RACIST WOLF (TRUMP & REPUBLICANS), AND THE RACIST FOX (BIDEN & DEMOCRATS, OR HARRIS, OR WHOEVER THEIR NOMINEE ENDS UP BEING — IT HASN’T BEEN DECIDED AT THE TIME OF THIS PUBLICATION), and instead cast ballots for Dr. Cornel West? Dr. West (OUR MAN) — would become one of the most politically-powerful people on the globe overnight!!! THIS WOULD BE POWER THAT CAN BE WIELDED ON OUR BEHALF!!! Political WOLVES & FOXES would be knocking at his door the next day, if not the same night, BUT WE ARE (PLEASE EXCUSE ME) TOO GODDAMN HOODWINKED, BAMBOOZLED, AND SLAVISH TO THINK ON THIS LEVEL!!! Brother Malcolm explained to us over 60 years ago — why the majority of our people who bother to come to the polls (most don’t) — are nothing but straight-up chumps: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZ54bKRE0ig.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3U_CLJDA7nE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-qVJ6rDkKHQ
https://www.cornelwest2024.com/platform
https://blackagendareport.com/you-cant-shame-shameless-black-misleadership-class-0
https://socialistaction.org/2021/01/11/you-can’t-shame-the-shameless-black-misleadership-class/
https://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/07/education/edlife/black-america-and-the-class-divide.html
There’s a feature that allows you to listen to the article. Click on the link below. When the article comes up, to listen, click on this symbol ⧁ right above the photo. I PREDICTED THIS MONTHS AGO. THE HANDWRITING WAS ON THE WALL (SO TO SPEAK)
https://medium.com/@howardjeagle/the-pivotal-issue-in-the-2024-presidential-election-is-racism-4ab4022e2abd
www.tiktok.com/@stayinyourbagtv/video/7397252584454589726?_r=1&_t=8oai9xmZPrS
Project 25 >>> With all due respect — we don’t really have to worry all that much about “project 25.” If Donald Trump can pull off the win — he will NEVER be able to implement anywhere even close to all of what’s in that plan. THE OVERWHELMINGLY- PREDOMINANTLY-WHITE-RACIST-RULING-CLASS WILL NOT ALLOW IT. They know better. They don’t want a REAL REVOLUTION on their hands. In fact, Trump is RUNNING AWAY FROM THE PLAN. Even that devilish (human embodiment of evil dude) KNOWS THAT IT’S UNREALISTICALLY-EXTREME!!! https://www.democracydocket.com/analysis/what-is-project-2025-and-why-is-it-alarming/
Howard Eagle
The Beacon welcomes comments and letters from readers who adhere to our comment policy including use of their full, real name. Submissions to the Letters page should be sent to [email protected].
Thanks for the clarification.
Sorry, Cornell West is not a viable option. If he received the Black vote it would make Trump President. He would need a huge number of resources because he would need to campaign in most states. Having read two of his books and seeing many interviews, I admire West and his work, but he is wrong in this case. What little support he has is coming from those aligned with Trump knowing every vote West gets in swing states is one less for vote for Harris.
Shirley Chisholm and Jesse Jackson made an Obama possible. They ran in Democratic Party primaries. West supported Obama until he moved right after being elected, but rarely mentions that Obama was filibustered by the GOP a record 400 plus times to stop the platform Americans voted for. I just don’t buy that VP Harris represents the ” Electoral Kool-Aid of White Supremacy.” She was one of the primary candidates, like Sanders, that moved a once center right Biden to the left. Bernie Sanders, a democratic socialist Jew, would come close but had no chance as a third party. The Progressive Black Caucus, and the squad have had success moving the Dems in Congress and the President to the left. They achieved office via primaries, not third parties. Denying the danger of Project 25 is denying what a captured, religious extremist Supreme Court has already done. Just one example is Presidential Immunity. It is not in the Constitution or Federalist Papers, and in fact the opposite on criminal liability is stated in the Impeachment section of that document. They made it up. This Court, along with the other original sins, voting rights denial and the Electoral College, make Project 25 dangerous. The Electoral College and a corrupt Supreme Court gave us the pinnacle of white Supremacy and White Affirmative Action twice in less than a generation. In 2000 and 20016, Bush and Trump lost the elections and yet became presidents. In the Senate they must confirm Electors. Wyoming and North Dakota have four Senate votes though together they have less than two million people. California and NY have 60 million people and also have four Senate votes.
In conclusion, it is said when one mentions Hitler the argument is lost, EXCEPT when one looks at 1933 when Hitler was elected without a majority in a democratic election, and before he invaded Poland in 1939. The Nazi playbook to achieve total racist dictatorship before WW II had already been used by Mussolini and was being used by Franco and Tojo. It continues to be used today by others to end liberal democracies. Some of that playbook is in Project 25, as well as supported by Leonard Leo, Koch, Elon Musk and others. In my view that history spells real danger.
Dear Mr. Bertolone,
Obviously, you and I have diametrically opposite perspectives regarding the upcoming 2024 Election.
Regarding your claim that if Dr. West “received the Black vote it would make Trump President” – did you not comprehend my assertion that we know how the old, slavish argument goes, e.g., Cornel West could end up being the spoiler that allows Trump to get elected? Did you read my THINKING regarding that old, tired, slavish, argument?
“What little support he has is coming from those aligned with Trump?” Everyone who is paying attention knows that there is a minute group with Republican ties helping Dr. West get on the ballot in key states, but your super-exaggerated statement regarding “what little support he has” – hinges on libel. That minute group does NOT represent his CORE campaign TEAM. In fact, they are NOT inside the campaign at all. Let’s talk about what so-called “progressive” Democrats who supposedly believe in so-called “liberal democracy” are doing to keep him off the ballots. ( https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/operatives-gop-ties-are-helping-cornel-west-get-ballot-key-state-rcna153110 ).
The days are long-gone, when hegemonic, white men could just UNILATERALLY declare something to be true (without any proof, evidence, or dialogue at all), and make it stick, especially and particularly vis-a-vis Black people – such as (for example) your statement that you “just don’t buy that VP Harris represents the Electoral Kool-Aid of White Supremacy.” Well, I do buy it, and I know it to be true. So, where does that leave us (except in disagreement – with the need for factual evidence). A few examples of my evidence are spelled out in the video at the following link: https://www.tiktok.com/@stayinyourbagtv/video/7397252584454589726?_r=1&_t=8oai9xmZPrS .
If Harris “moved a once center right Biden to the left” – MANY OF US can’t tell, especially regarding policies that they continue to support concerning Palestinian genocide, and other international crimes — via (for example) that which has been referred to as “Israel’s Assassination Spree” ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TrFlA7ffdFw ).
If you really believe that here (within the granddaddy of all racist, white-supremacist-based nation-states), the so-called “pinnacle of white Supremacy and White Affirmative Action [did NOT happen until] 2000 and 20016” – that would be alarming!
“The Progressive Black Caucus?” The awkward, eerie silence of that pitiful group has been deafening for decades! Who did you think I was referring to regarding the Black Mis-leadership class?
I like Dr Cornel West and Senator Bernie Sanders. They are smart, have a positive vision to help under-represented people, and Dr. West strongly advocates for Black citizens. I agree that the only way for Black citizens to achieve some of their aspirations is to get politically involved and, most importantly, to vote.
In the real world, today in this country, there are only two choices on November 5: Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate, Tim Walz, on the Democratic Party line, or Convicted Felon Donald Trump and his running mate, JD Vance, on the Republican line.
None of the third-party candidates can win. Even if every Black person eligible to vote were registered and voted for Dr. West, he still wouldn’t be able to garner enough convoluted Electoral College delegates to win the White House.
I’d like to see Dr. West run for Congress and win. He’d be a powerful voice reminding legislators that the rightful needs of Black citizens haven’t yet been met. The way that Senator Sanders has for many years. Unfortunately, Dr. West’s previous attempts to win elected offices haven’t been successful. Yet, he remains an important voice in the ongoing fight to achieve racial parity. If he and his supporters want a seat at the policy table, Dr. West should openly and aggressively support the Harris ticket. VP Harris is astute enough to consider any input from Dr. West once she is in the Oval Office, especially if he became her ally.
I want to add that no group will be completely aligned or speak with one voice, whatever their superficial characteristics or other identifiers are. Just as all Caucasian people don’t speak with one voice, neither do all Black people, Latin-X, or LBGTQ people. Any individual who purports to speak for any group unilaterally is misrepresenting reality.
One of the greatest and most influential Black leaders this country has ever had, Dr. King, advocated for Black people but also spoke on behalf of all poor and underrepresented people, regardless of color. The reality of political power in this democracy, one that achieves enduring change, is to get as many people, regardless of race, creed, gender identity, faith, or political affiliation, to support candidates for office that have the best chance of taking the country in the direction the majority of citizens desire. At least to the extent that they win enough Electoral College votes.
I haven’t said anything about Bernie Sanders. As far as I know – he’s NOT running. My comments are solely about Dr. West.
You claimed that “in the real world, today in this country, there are only two choices on November 5: Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate, Tim Walz, on the Democratic Party line, or Donald Trump and his running mate, JD Vance, on the Republican line” – WHAT???!!! You are clearly advocating that voter’s ONLY choices are between the best of two evils. I articulated (via my letter) my position regarding that illegitimate, fraudulent notion.
You claim that “None of the third-party candidates can win.” Well, of course that depends on how YOU define “win.” It’s clearly different than the way I’m defining it. Again, my definition is spelled out via my letter. I’m not talking about so-called “winning the WHITE House.” Dr. West is talking about that – via his political rhetoric, but surely, he knows that he won’t win the WHITE House. So, what is he really doing? Do you have any idea?
WHICH “ongoing fight to achieve racial parity?” Other than a relatively small group of well-known, anti-racist-activists locally, regionally, and nationally, including Dr. West — THERE IS NO SO-CALLED “ONGOING FIGHT TO ACHIEVE RACIAL PARITY.” The vast majority within the INSTITUTIONALLY AND STRUCTURALLY-RACIST Democratic Party are NOT doing anything more (significantly) more than the INSTITUTIONALLY AND STRUCTURALLY-RACIST Republican Party – regarding “ACHIEVING RACIAL PARITY.” The empty rhetoric is old, tired, and worn-out, and represents a main reason why viable ALTERNATIVES MUST BE DEVELOPED. Certainly, Dr. West is articulating this via his campaign!
I can’t help but wonder – what makes you think you’re qualified, or have some sort of moral or other kind of authority to dictate what “Dr. West should openly and aggressively support?” If he was interested in the approach that you’re advocating – do you NOT think he’s intelligent enough that he would have chosen to do that (without advice from anyone)?
Why did you even bother to write the following quote??? Did you see an argument to the contrary? If not – what’s the relevance or significance of the quote? “Just as all Caucasian people don’t speak with one voice, neither do all Black people, Latin-X, or LBGTQ people. Any individual who purports to speak for any group unilaterally is misrepresenting reality???”
Mr. Eagle and Brother Malcom have it right when they say “the majority of our people who bother to come to the polls (most don’t) — are nothing but straight-up chumps”… if they BLINDLY support a political party. They are also correct that informed citizens who DO vote for their own personal best interests are essential to democracy. Staying ignorant and not voting is the ostrich “stick your head in the sand” choice, which is bad for both for you and for all the rest of us, black and white. Caution: you will be fooled, not informed, by the political “infomercials” on mainstream TV. Turn the tube off, and simply consider the realities of your life experiences. Was your life better under Trump or Biden? By carefully answering that single question, you have become a well informed voter, not a sucker. This is what makes Democracy so powerful. Your vote tell our system how it is serving YOU, so it can self correct for the greater good. You can and must help preserve our Democracy by voting. Please do your part.
You’re absolutely correct about the fact that (theoretically), the ways in which people “vote tells [the] system how it is serving” them. However, since (for many, many years, especially where Black folks are concerned – probably forever -since 1865), ONLY minuscule percentages of those who are eligible to vote, or could become eligible by simply registering – have actually come to the polls. Of course, the minuscule percentages can NOT possibly, accurately inform the “system how it is serving” the MASSES, especially since we KNOW for certain that there is a huge socioeconomic stratification-factor involved. Brother-Minister Malik El Shabazz also discussed this phenomenon over 60 years ago (see the video at the following link – beginning at the 2:05 mark – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3PaqxblOx0 ).
I’m a little disappointed in the Beacon. I expect to find actual news not opinion pieces. Mr Eagle is welcome to his opinion but to present it as news is offensive.
Thanks for your comment, Remy. A point of clarification: This piece by Howard Eagle is a letter to the Beacon, not a news article. Unlike the articles that appear on our main page, we do not edit readers’ letters. A letter represents the author’s views alone and is posted as submitted as long as it does not violate our comment policy.
Mr. Fenster,
You’re welcome to your opinion as well.
May I suggest that you consider developing a letter to the Beacon, expressing your opinion. I would be most interested in reading it.