Archive for History
On The Eve of a Resolution
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This was posted to Ashvegas. Excerpts:
“I’m proud of Asheville every day for the work that happens here to turn the tide of discrimination in the region and beyond. You are, above all else, a Mecca for like-minds willing to come together for causes greater than oneself. I would give anything to pick up and move to a big place so wrapped in beauty, inside and out.
But tomorrow, when your great city votes on a resolution opposing Amendment One, I need for you to be a little town again. A tiny town like Bakersville, or Cullowhee, Shelby or Hickory, and many of the western stops on the RACE tour that reminded us that while there is hard work to be done, not an ounce of complacency nor apathy can get in the way of it.
Because every progressive in those places will be voting on May 8.
I ask that you join them.”
[...]
It is Asheville that must not simply pass a resolution opposing Amendment One, as is, and should be, expected of any city that stands to be stripped of its domestic partner benefits by this constitutional amendment; it is Asheville that must lead the state with 100% voter participation on the May 8th primary (if not with a wave of early voting before) to defeat Amendment One.Not because victory is assured.
But because victory never was nor will be without you, Asheville.
Amendment One – Where’s the Campaign?
Posted by: | CommentsI don’t know about y’all, but I’m surprised we haven’t seen a more robust campaign against Amendment One. I’ve yet to be contacted by any organized effort to defeat the amendment, and here we are only a few weeks from the vote. Are you seeing/hearing/knowing something that I’m not?
What’s the word?
Angelic Troublemaker
Posted by: | Comments“We need, in every community, a group of angelic troublemakers. Our power is in our ability to make things unworkable.” — Bayard Rustin
Yesterday marked what would have been the 100th Birthday of civil rights leader Bayard Rustin. He was a political strategist extraordinaire, remembered chiefly for organizing the 1963 March on Washington. He was also a close personal friend and advisor to Martin Luther King, to whom he introduced the concept of Gandhian mass non-violent direct action. A classic behind-the-secenes guy, he is truly one of the unsung heroes of the Civil Rights movement of the 1960′s. You should take the time to learn more about him in this great post by Karen Ocamb. Historian John D’Emilio called Rustin the “lost prophet” of the civil rights movement.
Rustin happened to be openly Gay. Despite his remarkable achievements, because of his homosexuality he was physically beaten, arrested, and fired from important leadership positions. The award-winning film, Brother Outsider, tells of the achievements and struggles of this remarkable, complex, and inspiring man. Here’s a trailer:
Damoclean Democracy and the Executive
Posted by: | CommentsCross posted from Ascend of Asheville.
As of 2005 there were 737 US military bases in other countries around the world. Every two years the Executive branch of the US government submits about 4000 civilian, and about 65,000 military appointments to Congress for positions within the government. Most of these positions are within the Executive branch. Essentially, the vast majority of the Executive is military in it’s origin, purpose and/or personnel.
This represents, to borrow a phrase from a famous General turned Executive, a vast military/executive complex, with power that arises in many ways from a single admonishment in the Constitution that the President “take care that the laws be faithfully executed”.
The framers of the Constitution wished to avoid a capricious government that was subject to the whims of the population (too much Democracy) or prone to abuse by dictators (too little Democracy). By aiming for “just right” as they understood it, they created a system approaching genius, but they also created a Damoclean situation that has deteriorated over time. Read More→
Walking and Chewing Gum Redux
Posted by: | CommentsEvolve or perish. We’ve spoken about walking and chewing gum before and it’s back again. On the heels of this weekend’s Netroots New York conference that spent a lot of time on Occupy Wall Street, Robert Cruickshank (formerly with the Courage Campaign) offers reflections on the Progressive and Occupy movements and thinks it is time for a course correction:
It was time for a correction anyway. What we have learned is that winning elections isn’t on its own enough to produce change. What’s needed is a clear policy agenda and a strong external movement that can help progressives in power implement that agenda – and stop others in power from implementing a bad one. That requires a movement in which electoral organizing is just one piece. In other words, the progressive movement needs to grow not only in numbers but in the diversity of what it does.
That isn’t what drives most Occupiers, however. Occupy is also a rebuke of organized politics. They’re in the streets because they believe it’s the only way change can be produced. What it has revealed is that distrust of government is now rampant on the left as well as the right … Occupy’s choice of tactics reflected their belief that anyone in government was either incapable of helping or was determined to break the protest. And Occupy has brought a new group of people into political activism. New voices are popping up online, new leaders are emerging, and they are much less interested in the more incremental changes that the progressive movement had unfortunately become accustomed to accepting.
You Know It’s Time For Another Occupy Thread
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An ordinance was advanced at Tuesday’s City Council meeting that would regulate camping and storage on public-owned property. I moved that the ordinance be referred to Asheville’s Public Safety Committee for some review, vetting, consideration, etc. That motion passed 5-2 with Councilman Davis and Mayor Bellamy opposed.
Also on Tuesday I became a member of the Public Safety Committee, along with Jan Davis. Cecil Bothwell is a continuing member and he accepted the role of Chair when asked by Mayor Bellamy to serve.
I want to ask for your thoughts as we think this through – How can we best protect the free speech and civil liberties of the people, ensure our public spaces are welcoming to all, maintain the priorities set by our precedent-setting 10 Year Plan to End Chronic Homelessness, and create just, enduring policy?
The Public Safety Committee will consider these issues at a special public meeting on January 3rd at 3:30. Thanks for any thoughts you can offer.
Catch the Spirirt
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Lt. John Pike pepper sprays his way through art history.
(image above courtesy of a friend)
Dr. Wesley Grant, Sr. Southside Center
Posted by: | CommentsApproving funding for this community center was among my first votes on City Council, and it’s deeply gratifying to see the doors open. The Grant Center will be a new community hub for residents of Southside neighborhood and the River Arts District. It symbolizes healthy renewal and a integration of vision across generations. Thanks to all of the partners who helped make it a reality. I hope you’ll come and celebrate with us.
City of Asheville press release:
The City of Asheville invites the public to the grand opening of the Dr. Wesley Grant, Sr. Southside Center, Asheville’s newest community center located at the former site of Livingston Street Park. Mayor Terry Bellamy will officiate the event on Thursday, October 13 at 5:30 p.m. at the center located at 285 Livingston Street at the corner of Livingston and Depot Street. The dedication ceremony begins at 5:30 followed by an open house until 7:30.
