By Damon K. Jones | Publisher, Black Westchester Magazine
This is one of my political mentors, Dr. Lenora Fulani, a woman who made American political history in 1988 by becoming the first Black person and the first woman to gain ballot access in all 50 states as a candidate for President of the United States.
And let me tell you something about Dr. Fulani. She didn’t make history by asking permission!
She didn’t ask permission from White political leadership. She didn’t ask permission from the so-called Black leadership of that time. And she certainly didn’t ask permission from the Democratic Party, the same party that Black America continues to give its votes to almost unconditionally.
She Ran as an Independent!
Dr. Fulani understood something that I have been saying for years: Black political power cannot be built on unconditional loyalty to a political party. It must be built on independent thinking, independent organizing, and the willingness to challenge a political system that takes our votes for granted.
She championed political independence, electoral reform, economic justice, and greater political participation for Black Americans and other communities historically excluded from political power.
She didn’t just talk about breaking barriers. She broke them!
And Let Me Say Something to Our Local Political Leadership!
Over the years, I have personally brought Dr. Fulani to speak at forums in Greenburgh and Mount Vernon. And what happened? Local politicians came out, took their pictures with her, presented her with proclamations, smiled for the cameras, and celebrated her historic accomplishments.
But I have a serious question for those same politicians.
Did You Actually Listen to What She Was Saying?
Did you pay attention to her speeches? Did you understand her message? Did you hear her warnings about political dependency, the importance of independent political power, and the need to protect and strengthen our Black communities?
Or was it just another photo opportunity with a historic Black political figure?
Because honoring Dr. Fulani with a proclamation is one thing. Understanding her political philosophy and putting those principles into practice is something entirely different.
She wasn’t coming to our communities just to receive awards and take pictures with elected officials. She was bringing a message about political empowerment, community development, independent thinking, and the responsibility we have to build and protect our own institutions.
The Question Is, Were You Listening or Just Waiting for the Camera to Flash?
One of the greatest lessons I learned from Dr. Fulani is that you don’t have to belong to the Democratic Party or the Republican Party to fight for Black America. You don’t need the approval of established political leadership to organize people around their own interests.
And that’s why I remain politically independent today.
Too many Black Americans have been conditioned to believe that political independence means abandoning Black people. Dr. Fulani demonstrated that political independence can be a way of fighting for Black people without surrendering our political power to either major party.
The question I continue to ask is simple: After decades of giving one political party overwhelming support, where is our independent Black political agenda? Where are the measurable commitments to Black homeownership, economic development, quality education, stronger families, safer communities, and generational wealth?
And to those politicians who stood beside Dr. Fulani for those pictures and proclamations, I ask another question: What have you done with the message she brought to your community?
Because political leadership is not measured by how many historic people you take pictures with. It should be measured by what you actually accomplish for the people you were elected to represent.
Black America does not need permission to exercise political power. We need the courage to use it!
Thank you, Dr. Lenora Fulani, for your mentorship, your courage, and for demonstrating that political independence is not just a philosophy. It is a movement.
Only Black America Can Save Black America!
A multifaceted personality, Damon is an activist, author, and the force behind Black Westchester Magazine, a notable Black-owned newspaper based in Westchester County, New York. With a wide array of expertise, he wears many hats, including that of a Spiritual Life Coach, Couples and Family Therapy Coach, and Holistic Health Practitioner. He is well-versed in Mental Health First Aid, Dietary and Nutritional Counseling, and has significant insights as a Vegan and Vegetarian Nutrition Life Coach. Not just limited to the world of holistic health and activism, Damon brings with him a rich 32-year experience as a Law Enforcement Practitioner and stands as the New York Representative of Blacks in Law Enforcement of America.
