The Congressional Black Caucus: Review

The Congressional Black Caucus Annual Legislative Conference brought a diverse group of activists, professionals, business leaders, academics, entertainers, students and the media together to discuss and learn about the most critical legislative and social issues facing African American's. Jobs, education, gentrification, ownership, political empowerment and the cradle to prison pipeline were considered the central issues and of greatest consequence to the black community.

Wednesday's "Black Power and the 2010 Census Changing Faces and Changing Faces in Urban Communities" sparked a discussion on gentrification. Howard grad and panelist Shani O. Hilton, a writer for the Washington City Paper discussed her views on young middle class blacks moving into the cities in her March 2011 article "Confessions of a Black Gentrifier." The article explored young African-Americans coming to grips with their role in gentrification and distinguishing weather their presence was a part of what was displacing other African- Americans.

The audience also raised questions about what happens to black political power as the urban demographic changes. For elected officials the ability to make decisions about the distribution of government resources especially in cities and the power to allocate billions of dollars of public funds is at stake. Initially, the drive for political power evolved from the dregs of segregation. But what are the political and racial implications of these demographic changes? Panelist Dr. Michael Fauntroy explained the possible ramifications, "political power holds only if the constituency stays together census suggest an altered political for blacks is on the horizon," he said.

Education, another rallying point drew large crowds with varied opinions from legislators and education advocates. The blueprint for reform seemed to be shared amongst both parties. Fostering programs that respond to current market needs such as science, technology and math. Attracting qualified teachers to urban communities that are skilled in these areas and leadership in the schools themselves. Congressman Bobby Scott (D-VA) talked about the future job market facing the next generation, a high tech information based economy.

"If you don't get an education past high school you will not get a job in America. Under educating blacks by only to the ninth grade and then allowing them to dropout is a violation of the constitution," Congressman Scott told the crowd. "Get these children out of the cradle to prison pipeline and put some of the money we are spending on incarceration into education and we will get more of our children past ninth grade."