Civil Liberties and Social Justice Task Force
Joe Benton and Tanya Smith Brice, Ph.D.
Under the administration of the National President, Dr. Gloria Batiste-Roberts, the Civil Liberties and Social Justice Task Force was re-commissioned to continue the work of exploring policy issues affecting the African community in the United States. In the past, the Task Force issued reports and findings related to Voting Rights infringements, Criminal and Juvenile Justice Malpractices, racial profiling from a comprehensive perspective, and an in-depth analysis of the US Patriot Act and its potential for abuse. A comprehensive report was submitted to the National Steering Committee for further review and distribution.
With the advent of the upcoming 2008 National elections, the Tasks Force was commissioned to assist in the NABSW Voter Initiative Project (VIP). The goal of the project is to register 50, 000 new voters by the 2008 Presidential Elections. The Task Force believes that, in addition to the “get out the vote” and public relations effort associated with the VIP, education is a key component in making Black votes count. Historically, poorly educated voters have elected officials who were contrary to the best interest of the community. These officials have created a reality of neglect and abuse of the uninformed electorate. To reverse the trend of voting against our best interest, the Task Force completed a booklet which advances the stances of NABSW and a plan for providing forums to educate our community on many of the issues confronting them.
With education in mind, it is felt that individuals knowing and understanding the issues can make a reasoned decision, based upon fact, in choosing those who would represent them. The objective of the report is to spur local Chapters to action regarding the upcoming elections. It instructs Chapters how to get involved by forming alliances and to then provide forums on specific issues. The issues outlined in the report are in no way exhaustive, but deal with many of the national issues confronting the community. There are, however, many issues that may be local in nature and the Task Force encourages Chapters to provide forums related to those issues in addition to those issued in the report.
The Task Force report deals, in-depth, with the following issues:
- Immigration
- Healthcare
- Natural Disasters and Emergency Preparedness
- Crisis in Africa, A supportive African Policy
- Gangs and Prison Re-Entry
- Music and Media Content
- Predatory Lending
In addition to this report, the Task Force is developing a questionnaire that will be provided to Presidential Candidates regarding their stance on issues important to the Black Community. Although the Task Force did not address chronic issues such as underemployment and unemployment, because these issues could be a report unto themselves, it is felt that questions related to chronic problems will need to be addressed in the questionnaire.
The goals of the Task Force for the remainder of 2008, is to assist in coordinating efforts toward reaching the 50, 000 new registered voters and to provide guidance to educate them. The Task Force will assist in keeping records regarding progress of the registration of new voters. Successful results of the upcoming elections include a greater percentage of voting participation by the Black Community, distribution of information to Chapters regarding the Voter Initiative Project and provisions of forums and distribution of information based upon communication techniques advised by other Task Forces involved in this Initiative
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