Black Youth Declare End To Marching And Speeches



May 7, 2005 -- Revolutionary best describes the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation's (NCBCP) recent Black Youth Vote! (BYV) Civic Leadership Conference where over 200 youth representing 20 states assembled in Washington to hone their leadership skills and define a new Black youth agenda.

The conference kicked-off with a legislative briefing at the US Capitol where 16 year-old youth activist Illai Kenney raised the crowd to their feet declaring, "We are not like our parents. We do not plan to march and we're tired of all the speeches." Kenney continued, "From the last century we inherited hip-hop, be-bop, and doo-wop. We are jazz personified and this century belongs to Black youth of all races, religions, and nationalities. Black is not a color, Black is a state of mind."

Admitting his reluctance to following Kenney's rousing speech, Congressman Melvin Watt, (D-NC) chair of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), brought greetings from the CBC and gave an overview of priority issues and legislation for the 109th Congress.

Congressman Donald M. Payne (D - NJ) focused the youth on the power of one vote, citing the small margin of victory in many races. Other speakers briefed the youth on issues important to the Black community.

Just the enormity of the Capitol Building would intimidate many, but not the Black Youth Vote! troop. Armed with a list of issues impacting their local community, the crew dispersed to visit the offices of their congressional representatives for a youthful pow-wow.

Later that evening, at the historic headquarters of the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW), a stimulating town hall debate did not resolve the question, "Is hip hop the next civil rights movement " however, the audience did agree on the importance of snubbing artists promoting negative messages and utilizing positive hip hop artists to thrust the movement forward.

Legendary civil rights leader and chair of the NCNW, Dr. Dorothy I Height set the tone of the debate as she welcomed the youth to "the only building on the Pennsylvania Avenue corridor owned by African Americans." The standing room only crowd was further moved when Height stated, "We are assembled tonight in a building erected on the grounds that once served as a holding space for slaves."

The next two days were packed with interactive sessions held at the National Education Association's Headquarters. Issues covered include the costs of war, AIDS/HIV, criminal justice, the Voting Rights Act, money and social security. After getting schooled on the issues, the youth focused on creating action plans that would enable them to go back into their local areas to make change. The youth, who ranged in age from 13-35, were divided into three different tracks based on age.

According to Black Youth Vote! co-chair, ShaRhonda Knott (Chicago), future actions include identifying common issues affecting black youth, creating an aggressive public information campaign to inform the community of the impact of legislation, and utilizing the internet, ipod, cell phones, and other new technology to inform young people on the issues.

During a panel discussion on interfaith organizing the participants developed a strategy to reach out to youth councils at churches, temples, mosques, and other places of worship to organize around common issues.

"Watching the world's response to the death of the Pope highlighted the fact that people from different cultures, backgrounds, and religions do unite around what is important to them. We want to work together regardless of our race or religious beliefs." said Dyreshia Harris, a youth with a Baptist and Quaker upbringing.

The conference wrapped up with state coordinators presenting local community action plans developed during the conference and scheduling local meetings to begin initiating those plans.

"This is the largest conference in our five year history," stated Melanie L. Campbell, executive director and CEO of the NCBCP, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to increasing African American participation in civil society. "The increased interest in civic participation among youth is evidence that they are ready to move to the next level and leverage the historic turnout in '04 to impact issues that they care about," adds Campbell.

The conference was not all work, participants were able to show off their talent during the BYV! Poetry Cipher. Knott said that there was so much talent among them the youth formed a "Black Youth Vote! Choir that closed out the conference with a moving rendition of Boyz II Men's, "Cooley High Harmony." Unlike the song, these youth have no problem saying goodbye to yesterday. BYV! activists are focused on tomorrow- they're on a mission to revolutionize Black power.





Black Youth Declare End To Marching And Speeches