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Counter’ ’Revolutionary” Most African-Americans seem to ex ist in a perpetual state of disillusionment and more often indifference towards America's political system. This coma tose state has been induced by a mega dose of reality; African-Americans are politically sterile. To the cringing con servatives, I will not entertain any babble on big political gains when Black male recidivism rates for prison are off the chart. Yet the "haves," a blessed few, truly feel America's political system is equitable by virtue of their bank ac counts. The basic needs of my brothers at the bottom of the well, who have no voice or political recourse, must be met with a plan that is free from the unreal istic chatter of the "revolutionary" ivory tower. As 13% of the population, we can re sign ourselves to the fact that exacting fundamental change on the national level would take an act of God. Com paratively, African-Americans have a great deal of control on the local level due to our highly concentrated presence in urban areas. That said, we should examine the conditions of our cities' in frastructures and schools empowered by the knowledge that we can select leadership in-tune with our community's predicament. But the sad reality is African-American elected offi cials are wont to take office and forget about their people. Brothers are quite familiar with the alternative to being pro-active in local government; African- American politicians fulfill their selfish agendas to ultimately fatten their wal lets. To my disgruntled and disenfran chised brothers, your word for the new millennium needs to be "accountabil- The Maroon ity." Our leaders must be held account able and made to answer for each ac tion, whether it be through correspon dence campaigns or massive demon strations. As a starting point to more progressive activity, brothers can vote out those local politicians who meet the community's sense of urgency with complacency. Allow me to preface the following comments by underscoring my stance on the "power" of the ballot. At best, voting is only a minuscule portion of your socio-political responsibility to your people. Casting a vote has to be accompanied by aggressive, consistent community activism. Our problem solving approach must be wholistic. Accordingly, failing to vote screams ir responsibility and suggests that you are grossly out-of-touch with the reality of your people's situation. In classes and around campus, there seems to be this rising tide of gross apathy thinly veiled by the usual "afro-hippie" pseudo-revo lutionary mantra, "I'm not voting be cause I refuse to participate in this rac ist political system." Well, we need to take a walk down reality lane: we have existed in this society for centuries, our people have been socialized in the domi nate culture, and we are forced to oper ate within their economic and political constructs. Unfortunately, Black America is like a crack-addicted baby that must be systematically weaned off the deadly substance until the infant's immune system is strong enough or ca pable to fight its dependency. Let us assume there are a group of brothers in our midst who possess a variety of fea sible plans for social action that will get Page 4 by michael j. powe editorial page editor us off the white man's dole. Despite the plan's merit and short of "Scottie" beam ing us all to "Afrolantica/' any strategy will take time to implement. The ques tion becomes what will we do in the in terim. Until African-Americans can achieve a modicum of self-sufficiency, we might have to settle for the lesser of two evils. There is no dishonor in do ing what is necessary for the survival of your people. Whether or not our resident authori ties on revolution want to admit it, there will be a President of the United States, who will have a tremendous impact on the lives of our people. A Dole admin istration coupled with a Republican con gress would mean draconian cuts in Medicaid and several other social pro grams that, for example, make sure your grandmother can afford her insulin. Many will contend that African-Ameri cans should and can organize efforts to take care of our elderly's medical needs. However, your grandmother does not have time to wait for brothers to "get on the bus." Moreover, voting in the election does not preclude a Morehouse brother from developing, for instance, a community outreach program, backed by African-American entrepreneurs, to provide struggling families with child care. While voting resonates of civic accountibility, it is the act of making good on your own promises and respon sibilities that is the true testimony to your sense of community, nation, and manhood. Monday, November 4,1996 Whether or not our resident authorities on revolution want to admit it, there will be a President of the United States, who will have a tremendous impact on the lives of our people.