43
Activist discusses race, Haiti
Photo
Ron Daniels speaks at St. Augustine Church on Thursday evening.
By SEAN BARRON
YOUNGSTOWN
Even though much progress has been made in the last several decades, many of America’s black communities remain in a state of emergency, a longtime social and political activist says.
Ron Daniels, formerly of Youngstown, addressed what he sees as remaining barriers for many black people during a 45- minute presentation Thursday at St. Augustine Episcopal Church, 614 Parmalee Ave., on the city’s North Side.
Daniels, who lives in New York City and is in town for the 50th reunion of the Rayen School’s Class of 1960, also discussed the situation in Haiti and his visits there.
The election of President Barack Obama, as well as the increase in black professionals, elected officials and college graduates, attests to progress made, he said. Nevertheless, black America seems divided into those who still struggle in many ways and black people who are “relatively well off,” he contended.
In addition, many programs that helped young blacks move into good jobs are gone, Daniels said, adding that some people still deny the existence of racism.
“We still have racism, but we’re not allowed to talk about it,” he added.
Churches, schools, civic organizations and other entities need to show young people they’re cared for; after-school programs must continue for youngsters; and blacks should be proud to reaffirm their culture and history, he said, adding that more public-service jobs are needed in many inner cities.
Since 1995, Daniels has made about 60 visits to Haiti, once one of the richest countries in the Caribbean, he noted. Many Haitians in the 19th and early 20th century succeeded in part because of their spirituality and ability to resist being enslaved by Europeans, Daniels explained.
“They shattered the myth of white supremacy,” he said. “Haiti was the example that we could do it as black people.”
Since the devastating Jan. 12 earthquake on the island nation, Daniels has helped raise about $135,000 to help Haitians grow crops, become more self-sufficient and assist grass-roots organizations, he said. Other efforts include starting a small short-term jobs program in the northern part of the country, Daniels said, adding that more than 50 percent of Haiti’s population is age 30 or younger.
Daniels was a prominent figure in Youngstown’s civil- and human-rights movements and is the founder of Freedom Inc. He also is a former Youngstown State University professor who, for about 18 years, hosted a public-affairs program on WYTV Channel 33.
He is president of the Institute of the Black World 21st Century and a lecturer at York College, City University of New York.