TIME TO STAND UP AND FIGHT FOR UNITY

As we look back in time, we well remember the days of segregation and days of inequality among citizens based on the color of their skin, their ancestry. Even within those of African ancestry there was discrimination based on the lightness of the skin color. In the 60's came the Civil Rights Act and the resulting battles over the issue of desegregation, integration, busing, etc. Some fifty years later the battle still continues but the issue is now in reverse. It is the refusal of member of the community of Americans of African ancestry that discriminate against others by their determination to keep certain schools label as historically black and to refuse to allow individuals of other ancestries to join certain organizations, such as the Black Legislative Caucus. As taxpayers voting to elect individuals to local, state, and national office, we are appalled by such activity. Joseph Cao, while an elected representative to the United States House of Representative, was denied membership in the so called Black Caucus. This was true even though he represented a district, whose citizens were in the majority those of African ancestry. Even in the present day Congress bigotry exists based on ancestry. Frankly, he was later voted out of office based not on his qualifications or ability but on his ancestry.

Now the argument turns to the issue of SUNO and UNO. This city, which has lost a great deal of population over the years, and is overridden by crime, political shenanigans, etc. is still fighting the issue of color but in reverse. Here again on the state level we read of the Black Caucus arguing against the combination of these two schools. It is time to eradicate the so called Black Caucus or any other similar caucus and to demand that justice be granted to all and that an elected representative represents the best interests of ALL of his/her constituents. These school are long overdue for combination and revitalization. Standards have been lowered in colleges and universities throughout this city and state. That can no longer occur. Student attending one school, regardless of their ancestry, and who are qualified and will be able to achieve should be the issue. Time to stop the continued arguments based on ancestry. Time to turn our attention to the reasons why so many young men and women are ill prepared to attend a college or university. Time to question programs that have no results. Time to call to task those who are continuing the battle based on ancestry rather than on ability.

IN UNITY WE WILL FIND VICTORY AND A FUTURE FOR THIS CITY - the new NOUVELLE ORLEANS.