N’COBRA: Open Letter to First Lady Michelle Obama

Dear Mrs. Obama: It is with highest homage and admiration to you that I write this letter. I am the Northeast Regional Representative, and Board Member, for the National Coalition of Blacks for Reparations in America. The Reparations Movement, of which N’COBRA is a member, implores you to start a national dialogue on a reparations accord for Blacks in America. This national dialog must be firmly rooted in the historical context of the “trans-Atlantic slave trade, and the “holocaust” of African enslavement in the United States which is anchored in the destruction of life, culture, and human possibilities. Our ancestors were terrorized by injustices codified in the Constitution of the United States by America’s founding fathers and carried out by religious organizations, corporations, and units of government. Left unchanged, This collaborative will continue in perpetuity impacting African-Americans’ capacity to develop all of their human possibilities if reparations are not paid for the damage done. Chattel enslavement, and the de facto and de jure racism that have grown from it, was not that long ago as opponents of truth and justice would lead the voting public to believe. As a distinct people in America, African-Americans, with a pre-determined social, economic and political status, have been “free” for only 144 years (1865-2009). This also means that 100 years of our so-called freedom (1865-1965) were spent trying to repair ourselves and seeking recognition as humans. Our ancestors were “freed” dead broke, without brick, bread, or thread, despite, the promises made, while the enslavers were compensated for the lost of their chattel. Still, today, 44 years later, even with the election of your husband as the President of the United States of America, African-Americans are still not fully recognized. Therefore, a true national dialogue on a reparations accord for Blacks in America is appropriate within this founding context of America. Reparations are the cross-road solution to these historical injustices and our current undeveloped human capital. This past due debt, left unpaid, will forever contradict the U.S. Constitution you know so well, as well as the Holy Bible you held and where your husband placed his hand to take the Presidential Oath of Office. Congress passed, and President Obama signed, a stimulus bill to save large financial institutions and corporate America, of which significant amounts were used to pay bonuses to the very corporate executives under whose watch the current economic crisis has deteriorated. Now is the time for Congress and the President to come up with a stimulus check to pay for the damage done to Blacks in America. There is no statute of limitations for this moral and economic debt owed. This is why America should participate in the United Nations World Conference against Racism, Durban Review being held in Geneva Switzerland next month. I ask that you remind the President, in the ways only you can, that he has the wherewithal to make real the God-given words of our beloved servant-leader, Dr. Martin Luther King Junior, spoken boldly in 1963, on the steps of our nation’s Capitol, in his “I Have a Dream” speech, “So we have come here today to dramatize a shameful condition. In a sense we have come to our nation's capital to cash a check. When the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir. This note was a promise that all men, yes, black men as well as white men, would be guaranteed the unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” Dr. King’s 1963 speech is indelible as truth is, “It is obvious today that America has defaulted on this promissory note insofar as her citizens of color are concerned. Instead of honoring this sacred obligation, America has given the Negro people a bad check, a check which has come back marked "insufficient funds." But we refuse to believe that the bank of justice is bankrupt. We refuse to believe that there are insufficient funds in the great vaults of opportunity of this nation.” So I write this letter openly to remind the First Family that a reparations accord would stimulate America’s economy and give us upon demand the riches of freedom and the security of justice. And I close this letter with the reminder of the “fierce urgency of now.” Dr. King said it this way, “This is no time to engage in the luxury of cooling off or to take the tranquilizing drug of gradualism...Now is the time to lift our nation from the quick sands of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood. Now is the time to make justice a reality for all of God's children.” Thank you for your fidelity. It is with my fervent faith that I trust you will realize that God brought you to the White House, as First Lady, for such a time as this, to help with, amongst other things, the dialogue on a reparations accord and support for House Bill H.R. 40, sponsored by the Honorable Congressman John Conyers, Chairman of the Judiciary Committee. For our ancestors and our descendents, Minister Ari S. Merretazon, M.S.CED Northeast Regional Representative Board Member, N’COBRA www.ncobraphiladelphia.org 215-850-1699
Votes: 0
E-mail me when people leave their comments –

You need to be a member of TheBlackList Pub to add comments!

Join TheBlackList Pub

Comments

  • I want to take this brief moment to thank each of you for your comments. I will address each of the comments made at a later time. One speak against the universal principle of reparations... so education is necessary. For the other, it seems that some attempt of reconciliation may be appropriate, as well as education. This article is posited as one of three legs of the reparations stool, and supports the legislative and legal legs of that stool.

    I will give the appropriate time to responding to these comments, as my schedule allows, before the end of the month. Until then, I would like comments on the following op.ed. article which is a redaction of my Open Letter to Mrs. Michelle Obama. This article while keeping the same focus, emphasizes that there is no greater love she can demostrate or cause she could take on as The First Lady of the United States of America other than opening a dialog on a reparations accord for Blacks in America. This redaction was done to make the Open Letter more compatible with the Op.ed requirements of the remaining national newspapers. While there was a reduction in words, the key additions are in bold:
    _____________________________


    No greater love: Repairing the damage, a project for the First Lady
    By Minister Ari S. Merretazon, M.S.CED

    I pay the highest homage to and have the highest admiration for Mrs. Michelle Obama, the First Lady of the United States. As the Northeast Regional Representative, and Board Member, for the National Coalition of Blacks for Reparations in America (N’COBRA), I hope and pray that she starts a national dialog on a reparations accord for Blacks in America.

    This national dialog must be firmly rooted in the historical context of the “trans-Atlantic slave trade” and the “holocaust” of African enslavement in the United States which is anchored in chattel enslavement, de facto and de jure racism, the destruction of life, culture, and human possibilities. These crimes against humanity were not that long ago as opponents of truth and justice would lead the voting public to believe. As a distinct people in America, Americanized Africans, with a pre-determined social, economic and political status, have been “free” for only 146 years (1863-2009).
    This also means that 102 years of our so-called freedom (1863-1965) were spent trying to repair ourselves and seeking recognition as humans.

    The “system of enslavement” defined by Orlando Patterson (Slavery and Social Death, 1982) as the “the permanent, violent domination of natally alienated and generally dishonored persons,” distinguishes the experience of African Americans from those of any and all immigrant groups in America, including “Neo-African Americans” as the surge of continental Africans into America increases daily.

    The system of enslavement -- domestic terrorism -- codified in the Constitution of the United States by America’s founding fathers and reinforced by religious institutions, corporations, and units of government included, amongst other horrific acts, identified by Kenneth Stamp (Peculiar Institution, 1965), splitting up families, placing in private plantation jails, whipping, torturing, mutilating, raping, washing wounds in salt, skinning and boiling Africans alive, quartering them by tying their legs and arms to one horse each and pulling their limbs apart in four directions.

    The late, great Dr. John Hope Franklin, a Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient, in recognition of his scholarship and service, told the nation when President Clinton appointed him in 1997 to chair a seven-member panel for the president's Initiative on Race:
    “If the house is to be set in order, one cannot begin with the present. He must begin with the past.”


    Under the Emancipation Proclamation of 1863, our ancestors were “freed” dead broke, without brick, bread, or thread, despite, the promises made, while the enslavers were compensated for the loss of their “chattel.” Still, today, even with the election of her husband as the President of the United States of America, there is no discussion for a process of restitution to achieve justice for an enslaved people. Without such a process, the obvious conclusion is that African descendants are not viewed as worthy of justice.

    Therefore, a true national dialogue on a reparations accord for Blacks in America is appropriate within this founding context of America. Reparations are the cross-road solution to these historical injustices and the current undeveloped human capital of America. This past due debt, left unpaid, will forever contradict the U.S. Constitution, as well as the Holy Bible Mrs. Obama held and on which the President placed his hand to take the Presidential Oath of Office.

    I remind her, as encouragement and strength to take on this project, that she has the God-given words of our beloved servant-leader, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on her side, spoken boldly in 1963, on the steps of our nation’s capitol, in his “I Have a Dream” speech:
    “So we have come here today to dramatize a shameful condition. In a sense we have come to our nation's capital to cash a check. When the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir. This note was a promise that all men, yes, black men as well as white men, would be guaranteed the unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”
    Dr. King's 1963 speech, 100 years after the Emancipation Proclamation, is indelible as truth, and now is the time for Congress and the President to come up with a stimulus check to pay for the damage done to Blacks in America. This is “the urgency of now.”

    I trust she will realize that God brought her to the White House, as First Lady, for such a time as this, to start, amongst other projects, a dialog for a reparations accord and support for House Bill H.R. 40, sponsored by the Honorable Congressman John Conyers, Chairman of the Judiciary Committee. There is no greater love she can show or cause she could take on as The First Lady of the United States of America.
  • Dr. Mustafaansari:

    Please, do not mess up the Reparations case any more than you already have. Since 2000 we have had an International Reparations law that allows us to obtain land, identity and a Trust fund and NCOBRA's board has ignored it . Please see, The Victims Reparations Guidelines of 2000, UN General Assembly Resolution 60/147 and the Convention on the Elimination of Racism.

    In the first instance, You are wrong about slavery not being in the constitution. They not only allowed it but the U.S states profited from slavery by taxing every slave that came into the country. The reason why you missed it is because you are not a lawyer.



    Slave Clause: Constitution: Article I. Section 9. Clause 1:


    "The Migration or Importation of such Persons as any of the States now existing shall think prefer to admit, shall not be prohibited by the Congress prior to the Year one thousand eight hundred and eight, but a tax or duty may be imposed an such Importation, not exceeding ten dollars for each Person.[i]"



    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    You are also wrong about Southern Democrats being the only government representatives who wanted to continue slavery. The Constitution was the site of the first Fugitive slave law.



    U.S. Constitution : Article 4 Clause 3: Extradition of laborers
    No Person held to Service or Labour in one State, under the Laws thereof, escaping into another, shall, in Consequence of any Law or Regulation therein, be discharged from such Service or Labour, but shall be delivered up on Claim of the Party to whom such Service or Labour may be due.




    Your are also wrong about the religious organizations. The Roman Catholic Chuch regulated the slave trade and made it a racial slave trade beginning in 1455; read Papal Bull Romanus Pontifex. Also read how the church twisted the Ham doctrine and the Tower of Babel to say that we black people are cursed because Ham's sons seen his father naked and then read Frederick Douglass's Forth of July speech when he said that the church and their interpretations of the bible were the worst offenders and the cruelest slaveholders. Now, since Frederick Douglas was there and you weren't. I believe Frederick Douglas.



    Finally, your tortured and twisted rationale why the U.S government and the Obama administration should disobey the International human rights law because our youngsters might wait on it, rather than execute self-help, supports this enoromous and continuing crime against our humanity is utterly ridiculous. We have been severely injured as a people and the whole world understands this remedy of reparations for slavery and racial discrimination except NCOBRA. Reparations for slavery injuries and their effects correlate with the acts of the offenders and not the acts or wishes of the victims. Your analysis excuses the offenders and berates the victims for desiring a legal remedy.

    We are moving for several self-help remedies called a "Political identity Plebiscite" that will give us land, collective reparations and recognition as an "indigenous people", who were made in America. We do not expect your help, because of your love of the Constitution, the Obama administration, and your errant, white supremacy[Booker T. Washington] understanding of history. One of the reasons why we are going after this remedy cannot be more clearly illustrated than by the flawed representations in your letter. Clearly, what is on top our agenda is to change the books in the educational system to reflect a correct interpretation of Ameican history. It is clear that your rationale came from your rather limited education in the schools of America. I am not saying that you are 'stupid. I am saying that you are 'ignorant' (lack true knowledge) because of your rather limited exposure to American history.... There is a difference.

    Send me your address and I will send you a free copy of my book "Defining Change under International Law....In this book I quote over 500 sources of American law, history and international law. You can then straighten out your confusion of the constitution, American law and the international remedy of reparations. You dont' seem like a bad person but your interpretations and analysis of law and reparations is regressive and made even more harmful by your position in NCOBRA.

    dr.mustafaansari@gmail.com;
  • Eddie Huff has left a new comment on your post "N’COBRA: Open Letter to First Lady Michelle Obama":

    An Open Letter to NCOBRA

    To: Minister Ari S. Merretazon, M.S.CED
    Northeast Regional Representative
    Board Member, N’COBRA

    I was recently sent a copy of your “Open Letter to First Lady Michelle Obama” and was struck by the level of ignorance displayed in this letter. By ignorance I am not necessarily referring to typical inference of stupidity, there is a difference. I am referring to the level of the lack of understanding and real knowledge that our people, and particularly those who are supposed to be intelligent display with regard to historical fact.

    The letter begins by referring to the U.S. Constitution and states that:

    “Our ancestors were terrorized by injustices codified in the Constitution of the United States by America’s founding fathers and carried out by religious organizations…”

    This is wrong on several counts. The Constitution in truth was the vessel and vehicle by which slavery was abolished

    1) The word “slave” or slavery does not appear in the Constitution.
    2) The Constitution did in actuality give the federal government the power to restrict it, which was attempted several times but Southern Democrats kept trying successfully to circumvent these attempts. (Fugitive Salve Laws, Dred Scott decision, Missiouri compromise, etc.)
    3) The 3/5ths clause which I am sure you were referring to is one of the most misunderstood items in the history of our nation. It has been misread and distorted to mean something it does not. The 3/5th clause was actually one of the greatest tools in fighting slavery. Yes, I know you think I have lost my mind but here are the facts.

    Because the constitution apportions congressional seats according to the population, as it still does today, Southern Democrats wanted to count their slaves as people in the census for apportioning votes. Northern Democrats & Whigs said you cannot have it both ways. You cannot say on the one hand that slaves are not to be counted as human when it comes to rights, and then turn around and count them as human to get greater representation. If you are going to do that we will begin counting cows, chickens and other livestock in the north. After a pretty heated battle a compromise was reached and the South was limited to counting slaves as only 3/5ths of a person for apportioning legislative seats only. Because of the 3/5ths clause allowed for a greater proportion of anti-slavery congressmen they were able to get the votes needed to pass anti-slavery legislation, and eventually rid the practice all together, with the help of a President from the newly formed, anti-slavery, Republican Party.

    4) You go on attack religious organizations. Again nothing could be further from the truth. From the beginning it was religious groups and leaders who fought against slavery in England & in the United States of America. It was also religious organizations who founded and built the very first schools and universities for the descendents of slaves. It was religious organizations who were at the forefront of the civil rights work with their blood, sweat, tears and above all, money. While there were and still are wicked individuals, pastors included, it does not represent the true faith, and never did. Even you quote the bible in calling on the better nature of Michelle Obama and her husband for your purpose.

    Finally, you do not understand this nation, or the new leader of it. Barack Obama owes nothing to the reparations movement. He stated clearly that he was opposed to it in the campaign and shows no sign of taking any note other than thinking it a foolish and wrongheaded idea fostered by ignorant lazy individuals. Obama said he would put an end to racial discord and the division that come with it. Every time you and others raise these type of issues you make him a liar.

    Frankly I have to agree with him. Here are my reasons.

    While you are on your quest to free corporations and the wealthy from their cash, another generation of young black people have the idea that if they just hold on long enough they will be rescued by that cash. It also gives them an excuse for failure. The truth is that the wealth and reparations are right in front of you and them.

    Shame on Black America for the state it is in. Tavis can have all of the meetings and make all of the covenants he wants but until we get the majority of us to understand what makes a race, and a society prosper, we will lie in poverty and shame. You and your ideas cripple the race.

    Let me use an example. Katrina devastated the 9th Ward of New Orleans. There were 5000 homes in the 9th Ward. The cost to rebuild 5000 homes at $100,000 each is $500 million or $½ billion. As reported on the CNBC show the New Black Overclass, these black athletes, entertainers, and entrepreneurs earned $4.5 billion just last year. Did you catch that? I did not say in the past 20 years, I said last year. One year! The .5 billion of what they earned, a tithe (tenth) of their earnings, would have rebuilt the 9th Ward, and you know what it would have been done by now because it was done by private $$ with oversight. But no, Kanye & others found it easier to rail against Bush, FEMA, and others than to get up off of their own cash. They could even have deducted the charitable gifts instead of giving that back in taxes.

    I wonder if we opened the books of NCOBRA and looked at the financial statements of its board members and leaders what we would find. How much wealth is there? How much could be used to help rebuild, educate and heal our black communities? How much is being squandered by those same people championing for the so-called victims?

    This is the silliness that Black America has to outgrow. If not we will lose generation after generation waiting for their 40 acres and a mule, when they could have earned enough to buy 400 acres and a herd of mules.

    Regards,


    Eddie Huff
    Executive Director
    Booker T. Washington Inspirational Network (BTWIN)
    www.booker-t-washington.com
    The Booker T. Washington Inspirational Network
    Booker T. Washington inspirational and motivational speakers for African Americans and Black History
This reply was deleted.

https://theblacklist.net/