Anderson@Large

2016 Democratic National Convention

As a citizen journalist and freelancer, I have covered the Democratic convention since 2000. This year, I decided not to apply for a media credential even though the Democratic National Convention is a short subway ride from my apartment. Count me among the disaffected.

Since I won’t be there when the convention is gaveled to order by Debbie Wasserman Schultz Congresswoman Marcia Fudge, I attended the Community Open House to get a sneak peek of the convention venue.

I’ll spend the next four days out and about at protests, panel discussions, cocktail receptions, etc. The highlight of my itinerary is the viewing party at the Barnes Foundation. It seems fitting to watch Hillary Clinton accept the Democratic nomination at an institution that is the subject of an award-winning documentary, “Art of the Steal.”

For convention updates, follow me on Twitter or hashtag #DemsInPhilly.

DNC Freedom School

The Democrats are coming! The Democrats are coming! The 2016 Democratic National Convention will be gaveled to order on July 25th.

The City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection will host the DNC, but protesters may not be shown any love. So a coalition of clergy and activists is taking a page from the old-school Freedom Schools and boning up on their rights.

During a press conference, Rev. Robin Hynicka of the Arch Street United Methodist Church said:

We know those coming to the city and those already here, planning to exercise their First Amendment right are going to need some support. They’re going to need love, they’re going to need some place to go. We’re sending that message today.

The DNC Freedom School will be in session from 9am-9pm on Saturday, July 23 at the Arch Street United Methodist Church. Rev. Hynicka noted:

Voter registration, civic engagement, political and social activism were key components of the Summer of Freedom. Revisiting the courage, commitment, conviction and cause at the Summer of Freedom and the Freedom schools, has the potential to shape the current context that we are facing.

The Democrats are coming! Get ready.

Why the Voting Rights Act Matters

Well, it looks like Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton is headed to the White House.

This will be the first presidential election in 50 years without the full protection of the Voting Rights Act. Since the U.S. Supreme Court gutted the act, it should come as no surprise that voting is tougher in states with high numbers of racial minorities.

The Los Angeles Times reports:

As the nation approaches its first presidential election in 50 years without a core protection of the Voting Rights Act— the requirement that states with a history of discrimination get federal approval before changing electoral practices — large swaths of the electorate face new voting hurdles.

Over the last four years, 17 states, mostly in the Deep South and Midwest, have passed stringent voting laws. Many demand voters show official photo ID. Others restrict early voting, eliminate same-day registration, remove out-of-precinct voting, limit mail-in ballots, require proof of citizenship, curb voter registration drives and tighten absentee ballot rules.

Take a look back in anger on why the Voting Rights Act matters.

#PAprimary

Presidents’ Day 2016

The race to succeed President Barack Obama is heating up. Hillary Clinton is running scared, Bernie Sanders is running to catch up in South Carolina and Nevada, and Donald Trump is running his mouth.

It’s hard to believe one of these characters will likely be the 45th President of the United States.

‘Florida’ Still Matters

It’s been nearly 15 years since the 2000 Florida presidential election. Under then-Gov. Jeb Bush’s watch, tens of thousands of African Americans were purged from the voter rolls. “Florida” has since become a metaphor for voter disenfranchisement.

I watched with disbelief as Bush tried to woo black voters at the National Urban League’s annual conference:

I know there are great and lasting things we can achieve together, maybe only together, to keep America faithful to its ideals of equality and justice for all. Your support in that effort is something I will work every day to earn. I welcome your friendship, and I ask for your vote.

He must think African Americans are stupid or have collective amnesia.

Bush certified the contested 2000 election for his brother, George W., who got a measly nine percent of the black vote. As the writer and producer of a documentary about the election debacle, Counting on Democracy, I plan to refresh folks’ memory of how black voters were “Bushwacked” in Florida. There’s also a new generation of voters who have never heard of hanging and dangling chads, or seen a punch card ballot.

By the way, one of the key players in Florida was the legendary dirty trickster, Roger Stone, who I interviewed for the film. Stone is now working for Donald Trump.

Stone must be up to his old tricks. He reportedly was fired by Trump. Stone said he quit.

But I digress.

Counting on Democracy, narrated by Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee, aired nationwide on PBS in 2002. If you would like to arrange a screening for your school, class, organization or church, email me.

Chaka Fattah Indicted

Aug. 6 marks the 50th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act.

Last week, Congressman Chaka Fattah was charged with racketeering, conspiracy, bribery, bank fraud, money laundering and falsification of records. As I read the 29-count indictment, I thought the ancestors must be rolling over in their graves. The struggle for voting rights was about empowering African Americans to vote for candidates who would represent their interests.

Fifty years after Bloody Sunday, we have an entitled political class that is more interested in advancing their personal interests, and that of their family and friends.

In a Fox29 man-on-the-street interview, a constituent said it best:

He’s [Fattah] supposed to be bringing us up, not taking from us.

And that’s precisely what Fattah allegedly did. Co-conspirator Herbert Vederman allegedly sponsored Fattah’s live-in au pair.

A nonprofit run by a Fattah crony received a $1 million grant from NASA to support a STEM program for members of underrepresented groups. The crony, now co-conspirator, allegedly used some of the funds to repay a political loan.

This scheme should take the steam out of those who are quick to holler that black elected officials are harassed. If your hand is not in the cookie jar, you don’t have to worry about unfair scrutiny.

Career politicians are “saddened” by Fattah’s indictment. Sadly, it’s just Philly’s latest political scandal. The Philadelphia Inquirer called on Fattah to resign:

The allegation that he is the legislative equivalent of a capo didn't seem to impress Fattah, who has been under investigation long enough to repeatedly seek and win reelection regardless. While glibly allowing that the indictment is more significant than "Deflategate" - an airy scandal involving footballs - Fattah answered a disturbingly detailed 29-count indictment by reiterating a general denial and vowing to "try not to have it be a distraction."

In fact, the charges are so serious as to render Fattah's service a distraction. Even if he hasn't serially abused his office, as the charges suggest, he will be a busy defendant. As neither is compatible with his continued service, he should step down.

[…]

Such grave allegations, along with the pleas that preceded them, are a blot on what seemed to be a distinguished political career, and the latest in a long line for Philadelphia Democrats. Fattah is entitled to be presumed innocent unless proven otherwise. But he is not entitled to his office.

If Fattah doesn’t resign, his trial may a “distraction” for Democrats when they convene in this notoriously “corrupt and content” city for the 2016 Democratic National Convention.