[Mpls] A Black Minister takes the money/ Black Bourgeoisie

[ZippinZack at aol.com]

There are clearly a number of different ways that persons may serve their 
community. I'm sure that everyone believes that their way is the best way. I 
think that we need to be respectful of everyone's attempts. But I also believe in 
the exposure of activities that are detrimental to our community. Thus I feel 
it necessary to respond to Mr. Palmer's e-mail.

JP says
I've read a number of these pieces where Booker makes vague references to 
people and the horrible things that they've done such as Jayne Khalifa being 
an 
elitist and member of "several" elitist organizations which actually turned 
out 
to have no merit and be referring to one organization the Links, which like 
Booker's own fraternity has a membership fee and admission criteria.  The one 
difference is that the links doesn't have any hazing and makes significant 
contributions to the community like the $20K they raised for African American 
family services.

Z.M. Says;
At the community meeting on Thursday, I was disturbed to find that Jayne 
Khalifa could not identify one civil right when I asked her to list a few. She was 
also unable to give the proper definition of the word "creed." I think that 
our community has every right to know what we are getting in with the 
appointment of the director of the Civil Rights Department. I'm now concerned that if 
she does not know what the civil rights are, how can she defend our right to 
their enforcement? As for proof of this fact JP, we have it on video tape.

JP Says;
And I'm really tired of people beating around the bush and talking behind 
your back and yet not really making any significant contribution other than 
to 
complain and lob unfounded accusations.

ZM says;
This statement is troubling. Maybe Mr. Palmer is just ignorant to Mr. Hodges 
activities. Booker T was vital to the historic Federal Mediation agreement 
between the community and the Police depart. His continued activity in the 
enforcement of the agreement is key to ensuring positive outcomes for the black 
community and Minneapolis as a whole. I have also seen Mr. Hodges at several 
locations where tragic events of shootings have taken place in our community. While 
at these sites Mr. Hodges assist the community, families of victims, the 
police department and the media. I have yet to see Mr. Palmer at any one location. 
Mr. Hodges is also fully engaged in the current Empowerment Zone activities 
being conducted in the African American community that is exposing a number of 
different concerning issues. Mr. Hodges recently organized and facilitated a 
forum on racism at the Minneapolis Urban League that was a great success and is 
currently planning more racism forums. Mr. Hodges was currently appointed to 
the highest position held by a black man in the independence party in the 
state and perhaps the country. Mr. Hodges currently serves as a board member of 
NRRC in north Minneapolis. These are all activities that I have witnessed Mr. 
Hodges engaged in in the past year that are outstanding contributions to our 
community on a volunteer bases! I also want to mention that Booker T. Hodges is a 
young black man that had the balls to run for Governor of the state of 
Minnesota, that says a lot.

JP says;
So I'm putting the challenge to Booker and anyone else out there to put there 
money where there mouth is.  I've heard the same story about the preacher, so 
if you've got proof and investigated it, say it.  

ZM says;
Mr. Palmer was at the event were the funds were collected. Mr. Hodges and 
others were looking out for the families best interest, thus they tracked the 
funds collected. Mr. Hodges has obviously utilized good judgment in not posting 
the involved parties names. This gives opportunity for the community to clear 
the subject up. But I think that it was important for Mr. Hodges to expose the 
situation of extortion of victims families and victims memories. Don't worry 
Mr. Palmer you are not the preacher mentioned.

JP says;
I watched with a mixture of annoyance and bemusement as you, Ron 
Edwards, Al Flowers and Zack Metoyer accused me of saying I wanted to fight 
you (physically) in those emails. 

ZM says;
I have read the e-mail in question. I think that the statement "we can take 
it out back" is one of physical challenge.

ZM also says;
If you are annoyed by what you see on Black Economics, simply change the 
cannel. As the host and producer I can assure you that we will continue to 
exercise our right to freedom of speech.


Zachary Metoyer
8th ward