Commentary

Archived opinion-editorials, letters to the editor, speeches, and testimony by Lee Walker, president of The New Coalition for Economic and Social Change. For recent commentary (after January 1, 2004), click here. Put Affirmative Action Aside, Focus on Classroom September 15, 2003 If you disagree with the present concept of affirmative action, as I do, you need friends who will support you--particularly if you are black. Numbers Are In: Hispanics, Blacks Are Gaining Strength March 31, 2003 Government officials and politicians have known for a decade that the population trend line of Hispanics was pointing only one way: up. Playing Great Golf Is Tiger's Game, Not Social Reform November 04, 2002 What matters most, Tiger Woods' race or his ability to be the greatest golfer in the history of the sport? Du Bois and Washington October 01, 2002 I read with deep interest the recent article “W.E.B. Du Bois: Wellspring of American Negroes’ Dilemma?” by Archon Theadore M. Pryor of Kappa Boulé (The Boulé Journal, 64:1, Spring 2002). Archon Pryor ... (read more) Detractors Make Mistake of Underestimating Powell June 10, 2002 The latest approval rating for President George W. Bush's handling of the Middle East crisis is about 70%, which must be confusing and unpleasant news to those who have been questioning Secretary of State ... (read more) Opening up Debate over Using the Term 'Minority' March 04, 2002 I agree with Chicago Alderman Dorothy Tillman that city officials and others should eliminate the use of the word "minority" when referring to black Americans, but probably for different reasons. Using the Best Practices to Boost Public Schools December 24, 2001 For the past 20 years, education reform has been a priority of national, state, and local policymakers, and yet there is still a public school achievement crisis. A Decade Later, Another Look at Clarence Thomas March 26, 2001 February was Black History Month, a time when the media took another look at Justice Clarence Thomas, who in 2001 will conclude his first decade on the Supreme Court. Black America Should Give Bush Benefit of the Doubt January 15, 2001 In the aftermath of the historic presidential election, I saw an article titled "Bush should extend an olive branch to black leaders." Redefining Minority Biz in a Changing Economy November 06, 2000 The most powerful and influential educator and black leader of the 20th century, Booker T. Washington, advised Americans, At the bottom of education, at the bottom of politics, at the bottom of religion, ... (read more) In 2000 Presidential Race, Vote for Education Reform May 15, 2000 It is a year in which several domestic policy issues cry out to be addressed. Among the most pressing: offering a quality elementary and secondary education that leaves no student behind. Making a Case for Accepting Farrakhan's New Mind-Set March 06, 2000 Should Jews give Minister Louis Farrakhan a second chance? The short answer is yes. There was a historic meeting of a group of Orthodox Jewish leaders late last year at the minister's Chicago home. The ... (read more) An Out-of-Step NAACP must Reclaim its Vision September 06, 1999 The National Assn. For the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) recently held its 90th annual convention in New York City, the organization's birthplace at the beginning of the century. Is the Hot Job Marketplace Saying Ethics Don't Matter? January 25, 1999 A recently released survey by the National Assn. Of Colleges and Employers asked companies to state the 10 most important factors in hiring new recruits. Eldridge Cleaver: He Was Always a Conservative May 28, 1998 Leroy Eldridge Cleaver died earlier this month, and his passing at age 62 made for front-page news. Where's the Outrage? The Silence over East St. Louis February 16, 1998 Rev. Jesse Jackson, where are you? Three hundred miles south of Chicago, black schoolchildren in East St. Louis are the victims of one of the biggest educational travesties in America, but you are nowhere ... (read more) Daley's Unintended Plan to Boost Affirmative Action December 08, 1997 Mayor Richard M. Daley's new ethics guidelines, closing the door on perceived clout and the old-buddy system for obtaining city contracts, may do more to increase contracts to minorities than any affirmative ... (read more) Why Defender Must Change If it Hopes for a Rebound October 20, 1997 As the late John H. Sengstacke's family turns from a period of mourning to addressing how to maintain the Chicago Defender, any new mission should include a face-lift and a change in the editorial mind-set. Should Clergy Adhere to Higher Moral Standard? August 04, 1997 "A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge, but the simple keep going and suffers for it," a biblical proverb notes. There is no better example of that scripture than the recent, highly publicized stories ... (read more) Black America must Speak with Many Voices, Not One March 31, 1997 Who speaks for black Chicago, or for blacks in general for that matter? Ebonics in Education Is Just What African-Americans Don't Need January 27, 1997 The Ku Klux Klan could not have come up with a better plan to impede the academic progress of young black children than the idea of teaching Ebonics as a separate language. Texaco Case Is Not about Affirmative Action, but Affirmative Opportunity December 02, 1996 The recent media attention showered on the growing Texaco Corp. racial discrimination case must not become part of a misleading discussion on affirmative action or California's anti-affirmative-action ... (read more) Black Voters Must Look Beyond Democratic Party September 30, 1996 Our democratic system in the past and for the foreseeable future will be based on a two-party system: Democratic and Republican. For Black Americans, Lessons from S. Africa August 26, 1996 There was something strikingly absent during a recent visit to Chicago by South Africa's Deputy President Thabo M. Mbeki. While he was here on a clear mission urging local companies to invest in the new ... (read more) Economic Parity Leads to Black-White Parity July 22, 1996 Since the O. J. Simpson verdict, the Million Man March, the popularity of Gen. Colin Powell, the debates over affirmative action, and now church burnings, the race issue will undoubtedly march right into ... (read more) Economic Healing and the Power of the Church June 17, 1996 Economic education for the clergy, aimed at helping them work more effectively with the government and the private sector, is truly an idea whose time has come. A first-of-its-kind conference, recently ... (read more) No Safety Net When School Hoops Star Falls April 15, 1996 Are we taking the "game" of high school basketball to seriously? GOP Fumbles Opportunity to Win over Black Voters March 04, 1996 The Republican Party leadership is fumbling in more ways than one during an election year with all kinds of surprises ranging from Pat Buchanan to Steve Forbes. Jesse Jr.: An Action Plan for Scoring in Washington January 29, 1996 Here, at the beginning of a presidential election year, I'd like to urge a young liberal to take two giant steps to the right or, at the very least, to begin developing a foundation somewhere in the middle. ... (read more) Life Will Go on Without Affirmative Action Plan July 31, 1995 For the last several months, at cocktail parties, community gatherings and fraternity meetings, I've been asked one question repeatedly: "What will happen to blacks if affirmative action is eliminated?" Why It's Time to Reopen Affirmative Action Debat April 17, 1995 In the early 1960s, I was one of three African-American office boys working in New York City's Rockefeller Center area and employed by a national real estate developer. In those days, even office boys ... (read more) Here's a Plan for Ending Welfare as We Know it February 20, 1995 The debates over fixing the health care system and balancing the federal budget have run into a snag, pushing welfare reform to the top of the Washington agenda. This could be a blessing in disguise for ... (read more) Blacks after GOP Romp: No, the Sky Isn't Falling January 09, 1995 A few days after the Nov. 8 mid-term election, I was watching a panel of African-American journalists on Black Entertainment Television. Their message was clear: Racist Republicans were about to turn ... (read more) NAACP Is Out of Touch and in Need of Overhaul October 24, 1994 A survey taken by the Detroit News in 1992 revealed that 94% of black Americans thought the National Assn. For the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) was out of touch with the everyday problems of ... (read more) Critics Who Oppose CHA Privatization Miss Mark August 22, 1994 Chicago Housing Authority Chairman Vince Lane announced in June his 10-year plan to privatize city public housing. Booker and Julius: Case Study for Blacks, Jews June 27, 1994 What began as a fiery speech at an East Coast college by a representative of the Nation of Islam, which raised charges of anti-Semitism by the Anti-Defamation League of B'nai B'rith, has resulted in polarization ... (read more) Investment, Democracy Dual Goals for S. Africa April 04, 1994 South Africa is preparing for its first national democratic elections late this month. The interim leadership has been teaching the basics of the voting process, along with the need for economic development. ... (read more)