This is Ken Scott Baron at the National Association of Black and White Men Together looking at the past year- 2020- and projecting activities and resolutions for 2021.
As one of the co chairs for the NABWMT media committee, I should give thanks to my fellow cochair Demetrius, and at the same time the great work done by our National Co Chairs, Gavin and Scott during this difficult past year.
What a year 2020 has been, perhaps the worst from a public health and economic view and we pray that 2021 provides hope and the way forward for a brighter future.
I will be highlighting some of the main events of my committee and the National with three things in my recollections, the Covid impact, the continual degradation of the lives of our members, friends and allies and the pressure on our lives as gay people of many colors.
Before we start, i have to tell you of my New Years Resolutions.
First, since we are all in lock downs of various severities, I plan to expand the NA presence in the digital world and bring with that faces who have survived the pandemic, or the memories of those lost.
Second, in 2021 I want to keep more in touch with my family. Although both of my parents have passed, I have brothers in England and in Australia, and we promised our Mum to keep in touch, so I will digitally work on this.
I will review some of the videos Demetrius and I have produced for social media and many of the Podcasts, blogs and the like I have done solo.
But I should mention the work of Gavin and Scott in guiding the NA through a very difficult year and the path forward. Indeed, thanks to the Board of Directors for extending their terms to keep the NA viable in the absence of new volunteers.
Without doubt the big event of 2021 was the Covid pandemic. This caused the postponement of the NA 40th Convention. This was announced by Mark Behar in April.
“Today, the Board of Directors of the National Association of Black & White Men Together (NABWMT) regrettably announce the postponement of our National Convention originally scheduled for July 22-25, in New Orleans, LA . The event will not take place as planned due to impacts of the Coronavirus pandemic. Instead, the 40th NABWMT convention will take place in July 2021, still, in New Orleans.
Coincidentally, the new convention dates will occur on the 40th anniversary of the first International Association of Black and White Men Together (IABWMT) conference. Uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic has intensified in recent weeks, and the organization concluded that the health risks to our convention attendees, members and allies make it impossible to hold this year’s annual event.
This decision was not arrived at lightly. National Co-Chairs Scott Duty & Gavin Morrow-Hall have had frequent discussions with health officials in New Orleans, our hotel partners, as well as our members. Our members and allies are precious to the organization and we could not, in good faith, put them in harms way”.
Truly a sad day, but the Board is able to plan an even better Convention in 2021.
In May I started a series of videos to highlight the activities of members and allies on homophobia, racism and other topics. I will show the links in the show notes for your further listening or viewing.
The first one was with Jeff Horton, a retired history teacher and two black sons. Our topic was the attacks on the Black Communities.
In June the NA launched a program called “NA Cares” based on a series of Zoom calls and Facebook Live events to bring comfort, connections and care to the NA folks and more people. Although this is digital, it provides familiar faces during the week.
Meanwhile, the Media Committee started its Political Action Program.
Although the NABWMT does not endorse any candidates, we can review candidates with a focus on four issues important to our values, for example: Health Care. Immigration, Black Lives, Homophobia and Wealth Inequality.
Based on the success of the teams work on the 2018 Mid Term Outreach, during the 2020 Summer and Fall, the Committee started a drive to get out the Vote for the 2020 General Election.
Partnering with “Vote Save America” the team choose battleground States to phone, text and more to get out the Vote. As you know we shared on the success of electing Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.
The work carried on in November to help Democrats win the runoff elections for two Georgia Senate seats.
Moving to our work in 2021
We will follow the politicians and activists to ensure the following platforms are addressed fully:
Covid 19 is an existential threat to our nation and the world. We should have at-home and instant tests, We should organize thousands of Americans to contact Tracie and protect at-risk populations. The government should provide clear, evidence-based guidance and the resources for schools, small businesses, and families to make it through. Let’s ensure everyone in America receives the protection and care they deserve, and consumers are not price gouged as new drugs and therapies come to market. And, every American should wear a mask when they are around people outside their household and Governors should make that mandatory in their state
We will work to ensure Health Care is a right for all, not a privilege for a few.
There should be a public health insurance option like Medicare. If your insurance company isn’t doing right by you, you should have another, better choice. This is whether you’re covered through your employer, buying your insurance on your own, or going without coverage altogether.
Also, 14 states have refused to take up the Obamacare’s expansion of Medicaid eligibility, for an estimated 4.9 million adults. Ensure these individuals get covered by offering premium-free access to the public option for those individuals who would be eligible for Medicaid but for their state’s inaction.
In addition, because Medicare covers so many Americans, it has significant leverage to negotiate lower prices for its beneficiaries. Make this possible now.
In addition, a Plan for Black and Brown communities should close the racial wealth and income gaps. It needs to expand access to high-quality education and tackle racial inequity in our education system.
It should strengthen America’s commitment to justice. And make the right to vote and equal protection real for African Americans and Latinx people.
We support Increased support for Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Minority-Serving Institutions that will train our next generation of African American professionals.
The Justice Department should prioritize prosecuting hate crimes, and address gun violence in our communities that are just as devastating to survivors and victims’ families. These daily acts of gun violence disproportionately impact communities of color.
We should endorse fights against the epidemic of violence against transgender women of color. As a direct response to the high rates of homicide of transgender people—particularly transgender women of color
Transgender women, particularly transgender women of color. Are discriminated in employment and housing discrimination which can lead to increased risk of homelessness and violence. We must ensure fair treatment of LGBTQ+ individuals in the criminal justice system.
We support the need for the Equality Act to be passed to reduce economic barriers and social stigma and the LGBTQ Essential Data Act to help collect a wide variety of critical data about anti-trans violence and the factors that drive it.
Most importantly, demand equal rights for all LGBTQ+ people, fight to ensure our laws and institutions protect and enforce their rights, and advance LGBTQ+ equality globally.
On behalf of the NABWMT we wish you all a safe and improved 2021 and hope we all can meet in person soon.
