One of the platforms of the new Republican Party (post-Goldwater) is State's Rights. When Ronald Reagan first announced his presidential run in 1980 he did it from the poor town of Philadelphia, Mississippi. THIS Philly wasn't known for Moses Malone, cheesesteaks, or even MOVE.
THIS Philly was known for one thing--the brutal murder of four civil rights workers. ONE thing only.
Reagan's speech? Focused primarily on state's rights. Think the two are related? Of course they are.
I've pretty much thought state's rights was synonymous with a neo-confederate platform. Didn't think it was possible at all to use the idea for a cause beneficial to black people. Until now.
In a climate where regressive conservatives run all aspects of the federal government as well as the national media...the states might be the only option. If even Alabama's governor can decide to raise taxes...then perhaps our best hope lies there.
SHARPTON ISSUE WATCH
I think I've been looking at the wrong website. Here is where I should've looked. And Al DOES have a couple of issue platforms. One dealing with statehood for DC, the other dealing with positive rights and the Constitution. And that's it. I won't go too much into depth, but suffice it to say that he didn't need Cornel West at all if all he was going to do was steal ideas from Jesse Jackson jr. and Jesse Jackson sr.