I read over at Acts of Faith that the Congressional Black Caucus has selected California Representative Barbara Lee to be the next chair.
I saw Congresswoman Lee speak this summer at the Democratic National Convention. The White House Project along with Mills College sponsored a reception in honor of Shirley Chisholm. Barbara Lee worked on Chisholm’s 72 campaign and told the story about how Shirley Chisholm convinced her to register to vote. Lee was one of the people interviewed for Unbought & Unbossed, the documentary chronicling Chisholm’s run for the White House…. the one everybody forgot. ( Nah Jesse wasn’t first). It was interesting seeing Congresswoman Lee respond to some of the scenes from way back when. The CBC did Shirley wrong. Intentionally undermined her and of course her male peers threw out the “C” word.. no not THAT one… the other one CRAZY. Because you know that any Black woman fighting passionately about anything is goign to have that one thrown out a time or two. Wear it as a badge of honor.
I can so relate to Barbara Lee, she’s a Black woman who is not afraid to stand alone with nothing but the courage of her convictions. WHEW. I know what that’s like. Barbara Lee was the only member of Congress to vote against the authorization of the use of force after 9-11. Remember those days? Whether you agreed with her or not, that took guts.
At the reception for Shirley Chisholm, who she refers to as “Mrs C,” Congresswoman Lee gave a loving recount of her time working on Shirley Chisholm’s presidential campaign. She also gave a running nonverbal/vebral commentary as we viewed the documentary during the tribute.
One of the sad things about this election is that while many people have made the comparison between Martin Luther King and Barack Obama, they’ve left out an important part, Shirley Chisholm’s run. In fact, I think for all of the comparisons with Jesse Jackson’s run, I think this year had a lot more in common with Chisholm’s run. You should check out the documentary and some amazing Chisholm campaign literature for those of us who weren’t around back then.
Will this mean a Congressional Black Caucus with a legislative agenda that is more responsive to their under served constituents as opposed to their corporate benefactors? Who knows, but Barbara Lee is not boring or afraid to challenge the status quo. Afterall, that book she is signing in the first photo is called RENEGADE FOR PEANCE AND JUSTICE ( That’s actually my copy she’s signing!). We’ll see.
Here is a picture of Barbara Lee with the filmmaker, Shola Lynch.
One day when I get time, I am going to put up all of my DNCC photos. I got some great ones at this tribute.
14 comments ↓
Thank you for this post. I remember as a 7 year old watching my mother support Congresswoman Chisholm’s campaign in 1972. That was a huge moment in time so many forget. It set the tone for so many things that my mother taught me. Womanist Spirit Power or whatever kind of woman power you want to call it. Empowering times… I am affirming that the presence of Congresswoman Lee creates space, energy, efforts, and awareness directed at serving the underserved.
thanks gina for reminding us all about the Congresswoman.
here is another good article about 3 women that were instrumental in the early days of the c.r. struggle.
when i read your post this article came to mind.
be well.
http://flathatnews.com/content/69541/harley-examines-role-women-civil-rights-movement
Thanks for the shout-out Gina! I’m glad Barbara Lee is the Chair now and hopefully will kick a few people in the rear. At the very least her integrity has remained intact all these years and that’s rare for a politician. I wish Cynthia McKinney would get the same second or third chances Lieberman got when she’s advocating for people’s best interests. I’d love to know how Ms. Lee is able to navigate walking that fine line.
Who’s taking Stephanie Tubbs seat? Was there an election for that? Guess I’ll Google and see.
Barbara Lee was the only member of Congress to vote against the authorization of the use of force after 9-11
Yup. And I tracked down her email and wrote her a letter of appreciation. She was my hero then and I’m thrilled to see her getting a major position now.
Memory lane, thanks..
Dorothy from grammology
grammology.com
Ahhh yesss…. Barbara Lee.
One of the few CBC members who I actually like. A real, genuine Progressive to the core (unlike any of the members of Obama’s Cabinet). *cough cough*. Excuse me…
She doesn’t have the narrow perspective that many of her colleagues have (using race as a means to stay in office…yet doing little about the issues that plague the so-called “Black Community”…when many of those issues are exacerbated by Black on Black nonsense.)
Lee has a broader World view. Someone beat me to it… but I won’t forget her stance on Iraq. She has garnered national and even international attention with some of her opinions on U.S. foreign policy. She’s one of the few CBC folks who talks about foreign policy on a proactive basis….way out in front of others…at least in the CBC.
I don’t agree with all of her positions… but if I were in the CBC and I could pick one woman to lead the group… she would definitely be the one. The others seem to be…. well…. what’s a nice way of saying it?… “self absorbed”. She’s also even-tempered (but passionate)…. she has the makings of a good leader.
Perhaps she could transform the CBC into a broader thinking (out of the box), more forward looking group. Doubtful… but it would be great if she could do it. They need a 2009 update. In terms of their mental software, they are still using version 1965.
There’s just something different about Lee… I haven’t figured it out completely… but there’s something different w/ her.
Good article on Barbara Lee. She’s got a lot going on. Every blue moon, she and I agree, but she’s definitely one tough and easy to respect black woman.
I’m still looking for the wisdom of making it legal to take a minor across state lines for an abortion without the consent of the parent or her problems with a bill that makes it a crime to harm a fetus in the commission of another crime, but that’ s just me.
My feelings are mixed with positivity and gladness for her bitter at the humiliation and isolation that this brave sister endured because she dared to stand against U.S agression justified by 9/11. She was brave – even us “cooler-than-thou” radicals took notice of her stance when we typically ignore elected officials no matter how progressive they say they are. I respect her greatly.
meant to say mixed with gladness and bitterness for her appointment; glad she got it and bitter that she was isolated and attacked. It would have been cool if she was thought of for the Obama admin as well as Cynthia McKinney.
I live in Barbara Lee’s district, and have been thrilled to have her as our representative. I was so glad to hear she’s now chair of the CBC. She is an amazing woman who always acts on the strength of her convictions. If there is anyone who can send the CBC in a better direction, I have faith that person is Barbara Lee.
@cwr
“anyone who can send the CBC in a better direction”
That’s a good point. I think many of us have been less than impressed with the CBC. It would be good to see this group as relevant.
Funny how Ms. Chisholm’s name rarely came up in all those *coughWHITEcough* feminist blogs when Hillary and Sarah were making strides for women and blah blah blah. Then again, we had to shame a lot of them into even acknowledging Michelle Obama as a woman.
Yme: I’m still looking for the wisdom of making it legal to take a minor across state lines for an abortion without the consent of the parent or her problems with a bill that makes it a crime to harm a fetus in the commission of another crime, but that’ s just me.
I understand where Barbara was coming from with that Yme, it’s too bad she can’t start up a special cab service for that kind of service!
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