Monica and BET founder Bob Johnson are sounding off and giving their opinions on what should be done post-election. Find out what they said inside….
This week, R&B singer Monica is guest co-hosting alongside the ladies of “The Real.” Today, the Grammy Award winner sounded off about what needs to be done after the 2016 presidential election.
We’re sure you’re all aware of all of the hate crimes/incidents that have occurred since Donald Trump was elected president. People have verbally harassed others over their race, anti-Semitic/pro-Trump graffiti and threats/attacks against Muslims. It’s all bad.
Monica weighed in on what needs to happen to get us through the next four years under a Trump administration. She said she feels this election has made people that are comfortable with racism start voicing their thoughts and feelings rather than keeping it to themselves or amongst their inner circle.
“We must unify!," she said. "We can no longer ignore what has to be done. Now, people that have never used the term minority realize they are one.”
Hmph!
The singer said there are groups of people who hadn’t had a reason to speak who now need to speak up.“I tell my kids this, if you don’t contribute to the solution you’re a part of the problem,” she said.
Check it below:
Totally agree.
In other post-election talk...
BET founder Bob Johnson breaks his silence to address what black Americans should do after the presidential election.
In an open letter, he talks about how black Americans NOT voting will eventually silence our voices and that it makes him fearful for our future. And we gotta admit, he's got a point.
He says there are three urgent steps that need to be followed to address our new reality. He says if folks want to protest they should, but should do so peacefully. He says we need to realize this is NOT the last election and that state and local elections are coming up. Lastly, he says black people should look into electing candidates that are best for the job and best for their interests, and not solely because they're a Republican or a Democrat. No permanent friends, just permanent interests.
Here are his three points below:
1. Based on the outcome of this election, if we feel a need to protest and raise our voices to draw attention to both our fears and concerns, we should do so. However, as the leaders of the Civil Rights movement did, so effectively, we should protest with peaceful confrontation and in full recognition that the greatest strength of this country is the peaceful transfer of power and governance based on free and open elections. This governance is regulated by the checks and balances and the separation of powers enshrined by the rule of law of the U.S. Constitution. Most importantly, as a minority population, we want the assurances that a peaceful transfer of power will be sustained when the President or political party that we support comes to power.
2. We must realize, this is not the last election in America and that elections at every level of government – federal, state and local – will continue to take place. Our job now is to continue to mobilize in these elections whenever and wherever they occur. We should, as before, educate and inform our voting community about the critical social and economic issues that impact our families, our community and this Nation.
We are required to challenge and to demand that all candidates or parties in pursuit of our vote, whether they are Republican, Democrat or Independent, explain in comprehensive terms what they propose to do for us to make our lives better. Remember, the most precious and powerful asset we possess in this democracy is the right to vote in favor of or against those who seek to govern us. Let us not give away that right; let us make them earn our vote!
3. Finally, and this is most critical, it is time for Black American voters to return to a political ideology and an engagement strategy with the two party system that was proposed to us almost 45 years ago at the founding of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC). Why shouldn't we, as Black voters, reject the notion that we are locked into one party which undoubtedly limits and dilutes our voting power? We should, instead, use the power of our vote to support and elect whichever party that best serves our interests. I am convinced that this is what Congressman William Clay of Missouri had in mind when the CBC was formed in 1971. Congressman Clay, who I had the honor of knowing, was bold, astute and showed amazing insight when he declared, and I quote, "Black people have no permanent friends, no permanent enemies, just permanent interests." That was the CBC motto then and Black Americans should embrace it as our rallying cry today.
In closing he directly addresses the Republican party writing:
To the Republican Party, we say to you, even though you have ignored us or often times actively conspired against our rights, "we have no permanent enemies." To the Democratic Party, we say to you, even though you have taken our vote for granted and often patronized us, "we have no permanent friends." What we do have are "permanent interests" and we invite both Parties to demonstrate your understanding of and willingness to respect and address our interests.
Powerful.
Do you agree?
Photos: Getty/Robert Voets/Warner Bros. Television
