The Conduit- Newsflash

February 26, 2009

Special Black History Month Series

Education in the African American Community is viewed as the ticket to everything that is good in life. Many families sacrifice to be sure their children are positioned to be in a better financial and social position than they were. My family is no different, and the accomplishments of various members over the years have shown this.

For the last 56 years The Webb-Thomas-Elam family gathered in different cities across the country to reconnect. I’ve met cousins who are city council members, deputy mayors, and professional football players, but everyone seemed to hold one person in particular regard. However this person always seemed too busy to make the reunions – that was cousin Reginald Weaver. When I finally met him at a reunion, I couldn’t resist badgering him a bit by saying ―So you’re too important to make these reunions, huh? I’ll bet you wouldn’t even answer an e-mail!‖ His response was a booming, ―Of course I’ll answer your messages!‖ That began a friendship with a cousin who was in the middle of the most historic election in US history. Understanding my family’s view of education helped me to see why Reg was so highly regarded. As the recent past president of the National Education Association (NEA), Reg led the NEA’s United States Presidential recommendation process in 2008 to determine who would win the support of the largest professional association in the world. But he always made time for family, no matter what was going on in his life. I called one time to whine about some aspect of my life that wasn’t working, and he asked if he could call me back because he was on his way to interview presidential candidate Barack Obama. He had just met with Hillary Clinton.

When Reg was honored in Denver during the DNC by the Congressional Black Caucus, and spoke at the Convention, I was unable to attend – mostly because I couldn’t get in. The best he could do was put me on the hotel security list so I could visit him.

I am grateful to have access to an educator who has made

a difference to millions of children and students across the country,

and who has been recognized for that difference. The legacy he leaves

the NEA after his two terms in office include elevating the

professionalism of educators, bringing nationwide attention to issues

related to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act—

No Child Left Behind programs, improving accountability and narrowing

the educational achievement gap.

Carla Elam-Floyd, Manager of Human Resources

Update on Willie B. Webb

He has left Elkhart, IN and has gone back home to Milan, TN, with son, Richard Webb. Latest has it that he is in better health and has gained back some of his weight, which is a good sign. So now he is home with wife, Georgia, on Jackson St. in Milan, TN. Unfortunately he will not be able to make it to this year's Family Reunion in TX. So we will be looking forward to seeing him next year and keep him in your prayers for a continued healthy recovery. Willie B. is the son of Coley Webb, the grandson of James & Rose Pearson Webb. Please send correspondence to 3083 W. Jackson St., Milan, TN 38358. Or he can be reached at 731-686-1826. Willie B would love to hear from you!

Najee Ali is the grandson of Robert "Red" Williams of Gary, IN.; descendant of Alice Webb Robinson.

For those that may not know......He's Family!!

Check out what he has to say.......

Lee Bailey's EURWEB.com

NAJEE ALI: An open letter to Rev. Jesse Jackson, Sr.

July 10, 2008

Najee Ali Rev. Jackson, your vulgar tirade caught on tape by Fox News where you said you wanted to cut Barack Obama's nuts off and accusing him of talking down to Black folks by giving moral lectures at churches is the last straw for me and a growing number of African Americans who are outraged at your comments.

There are many Blacks across the nation, myself included, who are appreciative for the work and contributions you have made in your civil rights career. But at this point, you're hurting Black America and Obama.

In September 2007 it was clear that you were frustrated by Obama, when you stated in an interview in South Carolina that Obama needs to stop acting white, because you felt he was not engaged in the Jena 6 movement enough to your liking.

Rev. Jackson your continued verbal attacks on Obama are unwarranted it's as if you're jealous that Obama has eclipsed you and both your campaigns for the Democratic nomination by actually preparing to win it as the 2008 presumptive nominee.

Jesse Jackson & Barack Obama

For years you have been criticized as an ambulance chaser and opportunist. Many of Dr. King's insiders and aides say that King did not trust you. 40 years ago in Memphis as King lay dying from an assassin's bullet your first thought and action was to smear your shirt with Dr. King's blood.

You then proceeded to appear in Chicago the next day on several news programs wearing the same shirt you deliberately smeared with his blood as if you were the heir of King's movement. Obama's recent comments about Black fathers not abandoning their children and accepting moral responsibility in our lives is a lesson you apparently needed to learn when you were younger. If you had, it may not have caused you to cheat on your wife and father a child out of wedlock with a former staffer.

Maybe that's what really bothered you about Obama's message to the church that Black fathers should be responsible for their children; you certainly haven't been.

Jesse Jackson and daughter Ashley

Living in Los Angeles I have watched your ten year old daughter Ashley Laverne Jackson grow up. Over the years I have had the pleasure to spend several holidays with your daughter including Christmas, her birthday parties and other milestones in her life. I will never turn my back on Ashley her mom and their family. It's about providing friendship, support and love to them while you have been missing in action.

Your daughter has never traveled or taken a trip with you, you have an annual birthday party in Beverly Hills every year where your entire family is welcome but your youngest child has only attended it once. She has had very little contact with her siblings and has never even met her big brother Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr, who apparently doesn't want anything to do with her. And allegedly (I believe it to be true ), he was the one to leak the scandal to the media concerning your affair. Now don't get me wrong, Obama is not above reproach. He is a politician and is fair game to be fairly criticized by you or anyone else. But to personally attack Obama is crossing the line. Obama is not talking down to Black people; he wants you and other dead beat dads to spend time and care for your children properly. The destruction of the Black family and absentee fathers is a major problem in our community.

It's a problem that King spoke out and fought against. 40 years after King's murder I can see why King didn't trust you. If you can't and won't sincerely help Obama in this historic run then at least stop attacking him. Listen to Obama's message of being a responsible father and start taking care of your daughter Ashley.

Najee Ali
www.islamichope.org