Van Jones resigns: early activism, racism, and social equality video (part 3)

Van Jones resigns, Glenn Beck score one and Black Nationalism part 1

Van Jones resigns: Glenn Beck score one and creating socialism through solar panels part 2

Van Jones resigns: early activism, racism, and social equality video (part 3)

Part 3 and Commentary

U.S. headlines across the nation read, “Van Jones Resigns,” in what has been an abrupt end to a grueling battle between President Obama’s Special Advisor for Green Jobs at the White House Council on Environmental Quality, Republican leaders, and conservative talk show host, Glenn Beck. Van Jones announced his resignation shortly after midnight and on early Sunday morning, September 6, 2009. Though Glenn Beck charged Americans to take a closer look at the civil rights and environmental activist, it was past claims and inflammatory remarks regarding Republicans and conservatives that ultimately led to Van Jones’ resignation.

In 2004, Van Jones had joined his name to a petition that requested Congress investigate whether or not leaders of the Bush administration had allowed the terror attacks on September 11, 2001 to take place. The announcement of Van Jones’ resignation was sent via email, it reads:

On the eve of historic fights for health care and clean energy, opponents of reform have mounted a vicious smear campaign against me. They are using lies and distortions to distract and divide. I have been inundated with calls -- from across the political spectrum -- urging me to 'stay and fight.' But I came here to fight for others, not for myself. I cannot in good conscience ask my colleagues to expend precious time and energy defending or explaining my past. We need all hands on deck, fighting for the future.  Van Jones resignation statement in Email

Though Van Jones had apologized for signing the petition as well as for using an inflammatory word to describe Republicans, (the curse word was used prior to Van Jones’ appointment) calls were rampant for Jones’ resignation. An outspoken civil rights activist, Van Jones is widely known for his commitment to justice for African Americans and minority groups nationwide.

Born in Jackson Tennessee on September 20, 1968, some of Van Jones’ early role models were Martin Luther King, Robert F. Kennedy, and John F. Kennedy. Jones graduated from the University of Tennessee at Martin and attended Yale in 1993. While Van Jones attended Yale, he became involved in the Rodney King case by protesting the verdict. He was arrested in San Francisco, California during that protest; all charges were dropped against him. In an article written on November 2, 2005 titled, “The New Face of Environmentalism,” author Eliza Strickland stated that Van Jones had ‘renounced his rowdy black nationalism’ to become an influential leader of progressive politics.”

This charge was one that lead Glenn Beck to paint the picture to his listening and viewing audience that Van Jones was a revolutionist for ‘black nationalism’ who had misrepresented his agenda to the American people. Van Jones has always been an activist that was not a secret to anyone.

What might have been a contributing factor to Jones’ resignation; however, are the terms he used to describe himself during his early activism years. Referring to himself as a ‘rowdy black nationalist’ and then calling himself a communist, (see the article below: The New Face of Environmentalism) Glenn Beck had ample ammunition for which to launch his assault. Van Jones, however, described his communism in terms of racial equality. Jones’ version of socialism erased racial inequality; it is the same form of socialism that Van Jones’ proposed at the 2009 Power Shift Convention.

It was a ‘socialism’ that meant that equal pay was guaranteed to everyone, despite gender, race, or stature. That women should receive the same pay and be offered the same opportunities as men, and that building up low income communities would better everyone. The hidden agenda, made plain for all to see by Glenn Beck, was that green jobs would change and revolutionize society. No longer would the nation rely upon foreign oil for energy, and the jobs created would impact minorities by providing them with work opportunities. Everyone from the low income project dweller to the Native American on a reservation, and illegal immigrants would have a chance to work in a ‘green economy job.’ This, to many Republicans and conservatives, was and is simply unacceptable.

The question of race cannot be ignored in the clash between Van Jones and Glenn Beck. Whether Democrats or Republicans are in office, the question of how to propel America to a state of racial equality should be addressed by every administration. With President Obama’s beer summit and the Henry Louis Gates controversy behind us, one must ask if things have really changed. Glenn Beck was on an attack mission to prevent Americans from change. Barack Obama promised change. America has her first black president. However, when it comes to addressing issues, such as ways to prevent African American males from joining gangs and entering prison for the rest of their lives, the race card is drawn and progress fails.

Race was an instrumental weapon used in Van Jones resignation. It was instrumental on Glenn Beck’s part and it was instrumental in Van Jones 2009 Power Shift speech. Glenn Beck accuses President Obama of being racist, while Van Jones has spent a lifetime of activism against racism. It is a shame, that for the United States, the idea of living in a country without racism had now come to equal socialism. But that is the truth behind Glenn Beck’s statements.

To live with your brother and sister in a country where race is not an issue, now is the equivalent of the end of everything historically American.

Shouldn’t that be the goal?

However, I beg to differ with Glenn Beck. President Obama has been elected, and ‘black nationalism’ has already been established through the election of President Obama. Though many in America are content with her black sons living their lives in prison and committed to violent crime, President Obama presents a new path to children across the nation.

President Obama shows young black children (and children of all races) that education, hard work, and setting goals can and will overcome oppression, obstacles, and racism and that the American dream still lives, for all citizens. It is most likely these topics that the President of the United States plans to present the nation’s children on September 8, 2009. Unfortunately, once again, Glenn Beck has ignited a country to oppose this talk.

As if to say that black men should never achieve greatness, should never stay in school and become educated, or that a world where race is not an issue to one’s accomplishment is synonymous with Adolf Hitler.

It is a shame that this country cannot see past the racial issues that pit Democrat against Republican, and recognize that standing up for the rights of all of America’s minority citizens does not make one racist. Yet, keeping a racial and economic divide across the nation is not only racist, it is also cruel.

Sources: The New face of Environmentalism
 

Photo Credit: AP