Welcome from the Chairman
Last Updated on Wednesday, 14 April 2010 09:13 Written by Administrator Friday, 09 April 2010 09:29
Welcome to the new and improved New Jersey Black Issues Convention website! We are so glad that you have taken an interest in the issues affecting our community.
Some of the new features of our site include:
- Video coverage of our past Leadership Conferences
- The ability to make donations to support our mission under the GET INVOLVED section
- The ability to follow us on Facebook
- A Resource Library of recommended books under the PUBLICATIONS section
We will continue to make improvements to the site to make it more interactive and valuable to you.
These are exciting and challenging times for African-American residents in New Jersey. In order for us to prosper individually and collectively as a people, we need to come together in the spirit of Unity, Survival & Progress.
The New Jersey Black Issues Convention is committed to being part of an intergenerational movement committed to rallying our considerable resources and placing them at the service of the continuing struggle to build a society based on inclusion, justice, equity, dignity and respect for diversity and difference.
So how can you help make a difference in our community so that we can take full control of our destiny?
1) Support the Black Church -The term church is used to embrace all Black religious institutions. Church attendance is one good form of support; there are also other ways, such as supporting national religious foundations, actively participating in community service activities of many churches and contributing to the church organization of your choice, even when you dont regularly attend.
2) Protect the Elderly and Support the Youth - Provide Protection, opportunity, comfort, and fellowship for our young people and seniors.
3) Excel in Education - Strive for excellence in your academic and vocational preparation. Promote Black cultural awareness and set positive role models
4) Oppose Crime - Stop Black Crime and support fair law enforcement. Condemn the illegal use and sale of drugs.
5) Contribute to the Black Developing Fund - Increase financial support to Black Institutions
6) Buy and Bank Black - Buy and bank where Blacks benefit as owners or employees; support selective patronage efforts that contribute to the wealth and development of Black People
7) Register and Vote - Once you register to vote, you must vote to keep your registration active. Also make your vote count for Black and other candidates who best represent the interests of the Black People
8) Hold Your Elected Officials Accountable- Know the names and records of political representatives at local, state, and Federal levels. Know these people as well as you know key sports heroes and entertainers. Vote for or against them on the basis of their records.
9) Support Black Family and Community Life - Encourage and Support a sense of community and mutual support for each other.
10) Challenge and Boycott Negative Media - Support Positive Media Do not finance or patronize those forms of media or their sponsors which fail to show positive aspects of Black life. Support those that do.
11) Secure and Defend the Black Community - Demand, seek, and work for adequate protection from physical intimidation and force the duly constituted law enforcement agencies of our government. If that protection is not forthcoming, we must prepare to defend and protect the Black Community.
12) Support Mother Africa and Caribbean Nations - Oppose colonization, exploitation, apartheid, and repressive government; keep current with and actively support, throught technological, financial, and other means, the struggles for liberation and equality being waged by the peoples of African and Caribbean nations.
By following these rules, we ensure that we are prepared as a community to withstand current and future attacks. By following these rules, nothing that any adversary can do will stop us!
I encourage you to sign up for our Newsletter so that you can stay informed and become empowered to help us build a healthy, thriving black community in New Jersey. Yours in the Spirit of Unity, Survival and Progress,
Jerome C. Harris
State Chairman
