USA Africa Dialogue Series - ABOUT THE PRINCIPLE OF IT: Address the Cause Minus the Personalized Nonsense

Hello Leaders:

See below the face-book exchanges.

I organized advocacies that led to the establishment of the DC Office of African Affairs by the Government of the District of Columbia. It is a law recognized by the US Congress. It addresses issues relating to the welfare of, and opportunities for,  modern African Diaspora residents in the Washington, DC.

In Montgomery County, one of the richest in the US and predominantly white, I wrote the needs assessment that led to the recognition of the Continental African community (African immigrants).  Some of  the politicians like, the current County Executive, are people I consider friends with mutual respect.  However, as a matter of principle, if I believe  the Continental African community is  marginalized,  I speak up and challenge the policies.  Councilman George Leventhal, who is a candidate for the County Executive, is a friend but I challenge him do more for the  African immigrant community. It is about the principle of it. 

Councilman Leventhal is a sincere person.

What is today the African Heritage Month in September in the US, I chose the Month and wrote the draft proclamation, which is now celebrated. The draft became final.

What does this mean? It means a principled stance need not be personal. At the last African Heritage Month in Montgomery County, I was told that I was mentioned as originator of  "African community" in the county  or however it was said. You do, you move on. That is how it should be - nothing personal. 

Emphatically, you do not need to use insults to make any point; you do not engage in personalized fights to claim anything - that should be beneath the station of anyone with what it takes to move a pin. Fools traffic nonsense because they cannot influence anything. Sure, you can also loose an argument without  succumbing to foolishness.

With my pen and head,  sometimes I have  accomplished what for donkey years people were arguing about it. For example:  yesterday, I was with Historical African Diaspora leaders on the line - from business to religious people like Rev. Patricia Bradley. When I used research, we remove the emotionalism from it - reasoning must make practical sense. 

So I am  not telling you what I do not do. Remove the insult and personalization and make your case - if you can.

Have a great weekend.

MsJoe

To:info Details 

Evelyn Joe The name of a reputable institution, including a school, is the same as a brand - an intangible asset. Why change the name of an excellent brand to satisfy anything that has nothing to do with content or performance standards? Should the focus not ...See More

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  · 5 hrs

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George Leventhal Evelyn Joe, always great to hear from you. The African American Health Program includes active participation from the African immigrant community. If there is more the county should be doing to address public health in your community, let me know. As f...See More

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Evelyn Joe Hello George, what you are saying marginalizes my community. For example: are Jews not white people, why are there funded Jewish programs? Social and health services have more to do with culture and psychosocial orientation not COLOR OF THE SKIN.

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George Leventhal Evelyn, it's been too long. Let's get together and talk. FYI, all county-supported agencies with the word "Jewish" in the title serve people regardless of their religious background - as do Catholic Charities and many other service providers that originated in faith communities and now serve our diverse community.

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Evelyn Joe Again George, THANKS. I will. This is not directed at you. I just think Montgomery County marginalized my community for the last 12 years since some of us champion its activism in the county. Another example, our population may be more than gay people. There is no practical rationale to insist that Continental Africans must conform to color of the skin politics. Gays and Lesbians are men or women. Even if they are transgendered, attention is paid to their services. But when it comes to immigrants, they are expected to toe-the-expedient line. There is a funded Office of African Affairs and it has its own grants. In Montgomery County it is LIP SERVICE AND DANCING HOHA. Black Latinos are not told to go to African American Health programs. Okay.

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