Reprints Online

Writers Note: As Black leaders make academy award winning appearances in the political arena and in the Civil Rights Movement, they condition the mass Black community to accept second-class citizenship. As long as man defines the essence of Power in Economic and Political terms there will be racial discrimination and Black on Black discrimination. THERE ARE ONLY TWO WAYS TO GO, UP OR DOWN. MAN WITH HIS LIMITED POWER WILL TAKE YOU DOWN. GOD WHO HOLDS ULTIMATE POWER WILL TAKE YOU UP. Peace, Carl A. Patton, Writing for The FreedomJournal 2000. CHATTANOOGA TENNESSEE A CASE STUDY IN RACISM AND BLACK ON BLACK DISCRIMINATION

Contemporary Sodom and Gomorrah: Vice, Infamy, Judgment (Updated 11 August 2006. Editors note: all information in this series is taken from a Doctoral Dissertation that was rejected by the Political Science Department at Atlanta University now know as Clark AU in Atlanta, GA)

Part 11: Hypocrisy Personified: The Black Caucus of Precinct Chairpersons

The most significant Black organization in Chattanooga during the height of the Commission system with respect to the political arena was the Caucus of Black Precinct Chairpersons. The Black Caucus is a collection of all the Black Precinct Chairpersons and Vice-Chairmen in the Chattanooga area. Mr. Walter Tate noted during our interview that he organized the Black Caucus in 1963. I would argue that the leadership of Tate was significant and uncompromising. Eventually Tate's, independent attitude lost favor with the White power structure and Black leadership. This factor resulted in Tate being maneuvered out of the Caucus Chair. To control the Black electorate further Tate was also ousted from this position as Vice-Chairman of the Hamilton County Democratic Party.

The removal of Tate set the stage for the election of a Black that would work in the interest of the White power structure. As a token gesture the White Democrats had set aside the Vice-Chairmanship of the Hamilton County Democratic Party for a Black that they could control. Since Tate refused to be controlled by Whites, and sell, the Black vote, Rayburn Traughber was selected, appointed and voted in, as the new Vice-Chairman of the Hamilton County Democratic Party. Also, by 1977, Traughber skillfully manipulated his election as the Chair of the Black Caucus. This placed Traughber in two leadership positions to carry out the scheme directed by "Negro Straw Boss" Johnny Franklin and the White power structure to control the Black vote.

During this period Traughber was the assistant to Johnny Franklin who was the Commissioner of Health and Education. From my experiences as an employee of the Department of Health and Education (City government) I was eventually able to formulate specific political theories regarding Black leadership and organizations. As a member of the Black Caucus for three years, I became aware of the underlying motivations of the Caucus Chair. I would argue that Traughber (at the direction of Johnny Franklin) is the key element in the White power structures ongoing campaign to manipulate and control the Black vote in Chattanooga.

The interview data complied with respect to Black organizational involvement and the role of Black leadership all agree that the economic motive propels Black political involvement in Chattanooga. Long time political activist, Ed Burkeen, Newton Scruggs, Walter Tate, and Carl Jackson all stipulate that Black Precinct Chairpersons campaign and advocate for candidates that offer them the most money during elections. The contemporary political scene in Chattanooga continues to reflect the political payoff practice, established in 1928. For the record the Black community has continued the practice of selling votes throughout the contemporary period which has allowed Black elected representation. Therefore, Black vote selling is a tragic reality of the contemporary period in Chattanooga. Evidently the political socialization process that took place in 1928 is still thriving in Chattanooga.

C. Delores Tucker and Lee P. Brown both have contributed theories toward the survival of Black organizations. Within Ms. Tucker's framework for survival we can also gain insight toward a rational posture for Black organizations. Ms. Tucker outlines what she describes as the A.B.C.'s of survival. "A" stands for accountability. Black organizations must be accountable to the Black community." This accountability factor also extends to the Black community. The community must also be accountable to the organization. Ms. Tucker argues that "B" is for brains. The effectiveness of Black organizations must note intelligence throughout its leadership structure. Ms. Tucker concludes by assigning "C" as consolidation and unity. I would argue that this is the most important principle in Black organizing. Carl Jackson, Precinct Chair and political activist relates that: "The Black Caucus could be stronger and beneficial to the Black community. The Chair and the Vice-Chairman do not work together; at times they take money from two different candidates."

The dependence on the White community for support and organizational survival is a tragic misfortune for Black organizations. Lee P. Brown argues that: "We as a people cannot depend on others for our survival; rather we, both individually and collectively, must develop our own resources. No longer can we afford to depend upon that which others give us. We must develop and support those organizations that address our needs." Evidently in Chattanooga, many Black individuals in the political arena depend upon the White power structure for survival. The ruling regime has bought and sold the Black political leadership and organizational actors. The existing compromise between Black leadership and the White power structure will continue to exist, as long as the "do not rock the boat" attitude exists.

I would argue that Black Chattanoogans are receptive to ante bellum political activity because of the particular socialization process in Chattanooga. Since 1928, Black Chattanoogans have been conditioned to cater to authority figures in the Black community. The lines of authority have always existed in the White community. The creation of authority figures in the Black community also resulted in total acceptance of these designated leaders.

Challenges to their authority are considered "rocking the boat." Challenges that are made usually come from other Black authority (leaders) figures that generally keep the Black community divided. These so-called challenges are characterized by Black leaders competing for top positions on the Accommodation Ladder. (Thus, these challenges are not positive and do not benefit the Black community). The Accommodation Ladder is a composition of Black Uncle Toms who compete for top positions as emissaries of Treason and Black on Black discrimination. The evidence reveals that this system of corruption still exists. Cont. Part 12: The Ungodly Control of Black Preachers See: The Black Conspiracy: The Rise and Fall of a Commission Form of Government unpublished manuscript previously rejected as a doctoral dissertation by Atlanta University Political Science Department.

Also, see Political Socialization FreedomJournal Archives.

Also see: The Black Preacher: The Shame of the Ministry http://home.joimail.com/~carlpatton/shameblackpreacher/

FreedomJournal Censorship http://home.joimail.com/~carlpatton