Revised: Black Oppression in Modern America - a Matter of Perception? Cureton, Wells Explain

Oppression still exists in black America-or perhaps that's a matter of perception. That was the divergent message of the two speakers, Dr. Maybel Wells and Karel Cureton, at a Sept. 23 panel discussion entitled "Black Caucus Presents Black in America: The Importance of the Minority Vote." The talk, hosted by black sorority Alpha Kappa Alpha, ran from 7 to 9 p.m. in the University Student Commons.

"Any last words on the importance of the minority vote?" asked Crystal Bland, moderator of the political discussion. What was meant as a wrap-up question on the impact of the black vote on the 2008 presidential election results ended up starting a new conversation. Dr. Maybel Gilbert Wells, a black liberal and social worker, told the audience to think personally when voting this fall in order to best serve the black community and end oppression. Karl Cureton, a black Republican and chairman of the National Minority Technology Council, on the other hand, said to think critically in order to best serve the individual who imagines oppression in his own mind.

Wells, with a yellow lily perched behind her ear, emphasized that the minority vote is always important, regardless of the nature of a presidential election. Wells said that black voters should particularly consider what each candidate plans to do to help them in their situation of oppression, particularly poverty and sub par education. In pointed contrast to Cureton, who the whole night kept repeating the command, "Think critically," Wells told the audience to "think personally" to further the collective needs of minorities.

Cureton argued that oppression does not necessarily exist in black America and that it is more a state of mind. "Be a mechanic," Cureton said, explaining that African-Americans should again "think critically" about how to vote in the 2008 elections. He cracked that "being broke is not oppression." He said that he, as a black man in America, is not oppressed because of all the financial opportunities available to him here that he could not pursue in his home country of Canada.

Then Wells argued that all African-Americans are still oppressed. She mentioned that the overwhelming majority of children in Richmond public schools, which she describes as inadequate, are black. She called for amendments to the No Child Left Behind program and more resources, specifically "warm-bodied people."

Wells ended the discussion with the statement that, "Just because Obama's running doesn't mean [black] oppression's over." Applause ensued and the audience dispersed to the back of the room for the post-discussion reception.

During the reception, Cureton distinguished between the ideas of activiely being oppressed and then feeling oppressed. He said that it is important to examine the actual dictionary definition of 'oppression.' While he may feel oppressed nobody in this country is actively trying to oppress him because he has the same economic rights as other Americans. He has the chance to "think critically" and act for himself.

Also during the reception, Keith Robinson, who works with Cureton, said, "[Even] as we move forward as black people, as a human race, as Americans, oppression's definitely still on the table to some degree. We have to be careful not to be our own oppressors, as---not to put words in his mouth---Karl said. No one's going to necessarily pull you out of your bed and beat you but someone might say, 'Hey, this is a good mortgage...and it's ¾ of your income.' In order to grow to the next step

In response to the question of whether today's African-Americans are still oppressed, Kenneisha Harwood, Alpha Kappa Alpha president, said, "I think some are [but] only the people who let [racist comments] get to them." She went on to say that she does not feel oppressed and that racist comments have only strengthened her character.

Donald Knight, a double political science and criminal justice major who is the student director or political affairs at VCU partially agreed with Harwood. "I think depending on who you are and where you're from, you define oppression differently," he said. "Oppression exists and always will. We have hope to reach the point [in which] we will all be treated equally. Hope is what drives out the volatile acts of the past [like lynching]. Certain experiences I've been through were direct causes of oppression but they have made and molded me into the individual that I am today."