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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 5: The Control of Black Elected And Appointed Officials.

The particular experiences of Blacks in southern politics have had a considerable amount of inquiry. To gain more clarity from the Chattanooga experience we will review various sources. The studies and writings of scholars and political analysts who have written in the area of southern politics have enormous value.

Black politics in Chattanooga has at times been independent and positive. But the most significant involvement has been manipulation and control. Therefore, the Black political experience in Chattanooga has been dominated by interests outside the Black community. The reality of Black electoral control is evident throughout the South. Chattanooga is no exception, but, the Black Conspiracy in Chattanooga has also incorporated many illegal activities. Therefore, Chattanooga has become one of the most corrupt and discriminatory cities in America. Many of the illegal activities were murder, rape, arson and gambling. So in Chattanooga Black leadership and political organizations help sponsor crimes against the Black community. This article and this series seek to answer the question, why? (For a detailed review of these concerns see: "Chapter 2: Theories Blacks In Southern Politics," In "The Black Conspiracy: The Rise and Fall of a Commission Form of Government." (Unpublished manuscript previously a dissertation that was rejected by the Atlanta University now Clark AU Political Science Department. Also since removed when AOL banned my On-Line Journal and AOL Web Pages). BLACK LEADERSHIP AND POLITICAL ORGANIZATION The work by Matthews and Prothro "Negroes and the New Southern Politics," has influenced the study and analysis of Southern politics. The author's fundamental discussion on the historical development of Black political participation is very important. The discussion of Black political participation begins with the reconstruction period. As the political experiences of Black people move to contemporary times we gain a clear understanding of the Black experience in Chattanooga. Black leadership and political organizing has an on-going impact on Black politics in Chattanooga.

Matthews and Prothro argue that there is a direct relationship between political organization and political power. All factors considered the potential asset of the Black vote can best be realized through progressive political organizing in the Black community. Seldom can Blacks in the South utilize the existing political organizational apparatus to benefit minority goals and objectives: "If Negroes are to organize for political purposes they must create their own organizations."

Political organizing in the Black community is best realized through effective leadership. The positional approach that views political leaders as only those persons in formal, governmental office is not conclusive. Chattanooga's Black political involvement is affected by leadership that is not elected. Matthews and Prothro make the following critical assessments of southern Black leadership. The authors maintain that in the areas that they studied: "Negro leaders were content with their own performance, but were extremely critical of one another. Have little respect for one another and they do not even try to cooperate."

The dilemma of Black leadership in the areas studied by Matthews and Prothro can also be applied to Chattanooga. The realization of the unified White community and efforts to divide the Black community can be seen in a quotation from Matthews and Prothro.

"Each Negro leader has one or a few White sponsors and this personal relationship is his main political resource. The pull of these vertical relationships with White notables is so strong that horizontal ties with other leaders are difficult to develop. Each traditional leader is an individual entrepreneur: He acts neither in concert nor in competition with other leaders. In truth, he hardly acts al all."

The data revealed by Matthews and Prothro, concerning political organizations and Black political leadership is critical toward an understanding of political leadership and organizing in Chattanooga. Types, and/or styles of leadership are also key factors in an understanding of Black leadership and its impact on southern Black political involvement. TYPES OF BLACK LEADERS The work by Everett Carll Ladd, "Negro Leadership in the South," provides an important discussion on political leadership in the Black community. The major argument by Ladd that relates to the situation in Chattanooga is his analysis of Black political leadership over time and the three styles of leadership. The former argument is captured in the following quotation.

"The dominant form of Negro leadership in the South from the end of Reconstruction to World War II had been variously described as Uncle Tomish, as Conservative or Accommodating leadership. The Uncle Tom was a leader (i.e., decision maker) because the White community, with its dominant political, economic and social power, designated him a leader and supports his decisions."

The accommodating posture, of southern Black leaders, has been a reality since Blacks gained the franchise. Ladd in further exploring Black leaders, depict three styles of leadership affecting the Black community. Conservative leadership is parallel to accommodating leadership. "Its effectiveness depends upon its access and acceptability to White leaders." The militant style of leadership is often viewed as extreme, "of the various competing styles in a particular area, it is most strongly opposed by Whites." The moderate style is a style made possible by the development of greater permissiveness in Negro-White relations."

Cont. Part 6: A Leading Example of Control Politics; The Redistricting of The 29th District

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

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