The Wichita File: Minority Incorporation

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 2005-2007 American Community Survey, African-Americans in Wichita, Kansas make up 9% of the population (40,173). Despite the relative small percentage of African-Americans, many hold leadership positions in state, local, and community affairs. For example, Melody McCray-Miller (state legislator), Oletha Faust-Goudeau (state legislator), Gail Finney (state legislator), Carl Brewer (Mayor), LaVonta Williams (City Council), Norman Williams (Police Chief), Ron Blackwell (Fire Chief), Kevin Myles (NAACP), Chester Daniel (Urban League), Kevass Harding (School Board) and Betty Arnold (School Board).

Given the presence of African-American leadership in Wichita, why is the black community (as a whole not individually) so stagnant? Have African-American leaders achieved a high level of minority incorporation that would allow them to influence economic, social, and political decisions to address the needs and concerns of the black community? Minority incorporation is the degree “to which a group has been able to achieve a position from which strong and sustained influence can be exercised” (Brown, Marshall, and Tabb 1984, 241). By definition, the above African-Americans in Wichita have achieved it. Yet, we have not seen if the obtainment of these positions has translated into black empowerment.

Have these African-American leaders exercised a level of black consciousness/solidarity? Have they encouraged the black community to act as a cohesive group and exercise collective action to better the community?

If the answer is “no” to the above questions, then these individuals only provide symbolic representation for the black community. So, why do we hold them in such high regard if their actions are not congruent with what is in the best interests of the black community? To bring truth to this analysis, some of the above leaders “do” represent the black community (and very well). However, the rest of them have fallen victim to the embedded conservative ideology that impedes black empowerment in the city. For many of them to gain these political/community offices they had to embrace conservative coalitions. In fact, some of these leaders that have achieved these positions have alienated themselves (intentionally and unintentionally) from the general masses of the black community and only maintained relationships with other “so-called” affluent blacks in Wichita (i.e., the forming of clicks).

What good is it to have the presence of African-Americans in leadership positions if it does not benefit the black community? It creates a false ideology of the advancement of blacks in the community and appeases the white dominant, conservative base that says “what else do you want?” Simple, Wichita needs African-Americans in these positions that align themselves with the plight of African-American progress and understands the historic struggles of the black race (those from Wichita know exactly what I mean).

William T. Hoston, Ph.D.

MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER: DR. WILLIAM T. HOSTON, "FIVE TIPS FOR ACADEMIC SUCCESS."

Oprah Winfrey Is Killing Me; FREE food at KFC. --William T. Hoston

I'm confused, so Oprah Winfrey is providing individuals with coupons for FREE chicken (Grilled not Fried) at KFC. WTF!!! Is this NOT a form of economic and social stratification???

Oprah should be applauded for how she has used her image and show as a platform for charitable work (ie. gifts, donations, scholarships, cars, homes, etc.). Proponents have defended the validity of the show for this reason despite her unwilling conscience to use the show as a platform to address the economic, social, and political plight of African-Americans NOR consistently provide outreach for at-risk members of the African-American community. Yes, she has done things to help the black community (cherry picking the good negros), so i am NOT saying she has not. But many of her actions were reactive rather than proactive. In fact, many were surprised when she openly endorsed President Barack Obama (but if she hadn't, criticism would have grown especially after she dropped the ball in the 2004 presidential election between Bush v. Kerry).

With that said, this latest stunt is cause for outrage. Oprah knows (in the Black Folks Handbook) that Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) is an establishment mainly patronized by African-American consumers, and that, coupled with the words FREE would lead to a volatile situation (42nd St. in NY). And I KNOW she had the foresight to KNOW this. She is in fact from the South where "Black folks" and "KFC" are synonymous with each other.

"I was really deeply moved, first of all, by all the people who sent thank you's for the chicken," Winfrey said. "You know, I actually got more thank you's for the chickens than we did for the cars, which is so amazing."

I pose a few questions: Why is Oprah giving folks "free grilled" chicken? Doesn't the word "free" elicit a certain demographic (race, social, and economic)? Is this helping the black community? Are opponents of this action looking at it too in-depth?

http://www.oprah.com/article/oprahshow/20090430-tows-kfc-coupon-download

MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER: INTRODUCTION TO DR. WILLIAM T. HOSTON

MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER: INTRODUCTION TO DR. WILLIAM T. HOSTON

Are We Teaching “Racism” in Kansas Schools? Andover Middle School?---WILLIAM HOSTON

When is white America (and black America alike) going to realize that racism is embedded in the fabric of this country?

The recent Andover Middle School case of a white seventh-grader, that made a board game glorifying the Ku Klux Klan is disturbing, offensive, and racist. What is more troubling about the entire incident is the failed leadership of the language arts teacher, school principal, and Andover Middle School administrators that would have sweep this under the rug if an African-American parent had not taken a photograph of the board game at a school open house forum.

School officials claim that the teacher was trying to be innovative while teaching history and assigned the students a task to create board games. They indicate that the student involved was not attempting to be offensive and was only creating a learning module based on the information gained in class from the reading of “Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry,” a novel about the bond of an African-American family and their ability to overcome racial injustices and discrimination that plagued southern blacks during the 1930s.

The assignment was entitled “Changing the World for the Better” and students were to choose an historical figure. Did the teacher and the student believe that the Ku Klux Klan was a historical figure that changed the world for the better? While it may be difficult to decipher the intentions of the student, the teacher should have recognized that the assignment turned in did not meet requirements and the potential impact it would have on other students.

Who is to blame in this situation?

What type of information is the teacher disseminating to the children in the class? Is the teacher not explaining the materials to the students? Is there a gap between what is read and how it is interpreted? If so, it is the teacher’s responsibility to make sure that the students understand the materials taught in class. In this case, it appears that the teacher failed the student.

Where were the parents of the student? Do they condone this type of behavior? Were they at the open house? Did they help create the board game? These rhetorical questions are vital in gaining information to identify if the parents played a role in encouraging or discouraging their child from creating a board game that others would deem offensive. Did they not see the child carry this large board game out of the house? If not, they failed their child.

As an educator, we should encourage students to be innovative in the creation of ideas, give them the creative freedom to birth ideas and we give them direction to make the ideas come to life. We should carry out this duty with integrity and a sense of responsibility. So when our students display their work to the general public it will convey a sense of understanding, not ignorance.

William T. Hoston is an Assistant Professor at Wichita State University in the Department of Political Science.

Brown Bag Diversity Discussion---WILLIAM HOSTON

Post-Inauguration Interview---WILLIAM HOSTON

Post-Inauguration Interview---WILLIAM HOSTON

WILL OBAMA RAISE THE BAR FOR BLACK MALES???

Final Thoughts on the 2009 Presidential Inauguration...---WILLIAM HOSTON

In sum, the travel to Washington, D.C. to the 2009 Presidential Inauguration was a great experience. It was the trip of a lifetime, one that I will be able to tell my children and grandchildren about. The unity, cohesion, and assembly of people gathered at this event exhibited progress for our country as we witnessed the inauguration of the first black president, Barack Obama.

On another note, the fight and struggle for economic, social, and political equality is not over. This event does NOT give African-Americans (and whites) the liberty to say the dream of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King has been fulfilled. Dr. King's dream was much greater than that. Remember the dream speech was not about a dream at all, but about the economic plight for African-Americans. The "dream" portion was a eloquent closing.

This event does NOT give African-Americans the liberty to say that the Civil Rights Movement is over. The Civil Rights Movement was much greater than that. Remember the Brown v. Board of Education (1954) was an important part of the Civil Rights Movement and African-American children are still disproportionately failing in the education system.

I am a tremendous supporter of Barack Obama. However, his "hope" and "change" rhetoric does not speak to me. I want to see action (and I will give him the latitude for that at least 2 years but it will take 8). Obama supporters can be critical and/or provide criticism of him. We owe him that much. See, criticism does not always have to be negative, but rather, it can be positive and constructive.

On January 20, 2009, I cried tears of joy like the rest of the world. My tears were not only for me but also for my grandparents, parents, god-parents, brothers, sisters, uncles, aunts, cousins, nephews, nieces, and my beloved friends, 504, 404, and 229. I made sure that I went because someone had to represent for the group. To these people, "I love you."

Presidential Inauguration: Part 5 ---WILLIAM HOSTON

THE WSU COLLEGE DEMS ON INAUGURATION DAY ---WILLIAM HOSTON

BY WILLIAM T. HOSTON

I will be attending the presidential inauguration today, witnessing Barack Obama be sworn in as the first African-American president of the United States of America.

This is an incredible achievement considering the plight of African-Americans. The historical discrimination, injustice and inequality that African-Americans have endured will be temporarily vindicated (but not permanently, because these conditions are still prevalent).

I will be at this event with the Wichita State University College Democrats, a group I serve as faculty adviser. This will be an awesome experience for these students to be a part of history. Ironically, all the students are Caucasian.

I had initial reservations, because I did not think that Caucasian students ages 20-24 would be able to grasp the importance of the moment (despite the fact that they voted for Obama). The WSU College Democrats do have African-American members, however, they were not active in the fall semester.

But the students who are attending the inauguration have shown a tremendous loyalty to the group and the greater Wichita community by organizing several voter-registration drives, working on countless campaigns, hosting a bipartisan candidate forum, holding an Obama pep rally with the African American Student Association, and sponsoring a coat drive for a local church. Thus these students are very deserving, regardless of their age and the color of their skin.

This trip embodies everything that Obama stands for -- unity, cohesion and an assembly of people of all ages, races, genders, creeds and colors.

The sacrifice that these students have made is unbelievable. This will be one of the greatest experiences that a student can learn from and apply to the residual knowledge that a college education is supposed to provide.

"What started out as a dream is now a reality," said Drew Steadman, president of the WSU College Democrats. "We are going on the trip of a lifetime. We have worked hard to make this trip possible, and we are actually going."

Tyler Emerson, executive director of the group, said: "This is a very special trip for us. We have worked really hard."

When a professor hears these comments, there is a sense of gratification, worth and purpose. Also, they reinforce that, despite their age and racial makeup, these students understand the importance of the day.

Are we at a place in our history in which we can draw a line in the sand and ameliorate the social inequality that has plagued our country? Is this generation of students going to move the country in a "new" direction?

"We are a new generation of students, and our participation in the presidential inauguration should display that," Steadman said. "Going to this event will be a defining moment in my life. I want to be a part of the generation that moves this country forward and makes it a better place for all of mankind."

William T. Hoston is an assistant professor of political science at Wichita State University.

Presidential Inauguration: Part 4 ---WILLIAM HOSTON

YOUNG VOTERS IN THE 2008 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION (SNIPPET 3) ---WILLIAM HOSTON

A GREAT DAY...---WILLIAM HOSTON

"44"--AN ODE TO OBAMA ---WILLIAM HOSTON

DID YOU VOTE???

Dear Racism... ---WILLIAM HOSTON

RACISM, DON'T DEFER THE DREAM ---WILLIAM HOSTON

Racism, I come to you today as a friend in need of your understanding, consideration, and support. I assume you are familiar with the historical achievement of Senator Barack Obama as the first African-American presidential nominee of a major party. If elected on November 4th, this would be a dream come true for the past African-Americans that have shed blood, sweat, and tears, and even those that have sacrificed their lives in the name of equality.

But I’m afraid that you will do everything in your institutional power to influence the outcome of the election. Historically, you have illustrated your resistance to the economic, social, and political progress of African-Americans. Because African-Americans can no longer be victims of your prejudice and discrimination, it is imperative that we discuss your intentions for election day. Our relationship has a long and painful past.

Racism, remember in 1619 with the arrival of the first African slaves to Jamestown how you branded, chained, dehumanized, and labored them until their death, your impact on the Jim Crow south where from 1881 to 1901 an estimated 100 African-Americans were lynched each year, the separate-but-equal accommodations that were cemented with the Plessy v. Ferguson decision of 1896 that legalized segregation, the 1954 arrest of Rosa Parks in Montgomery for refusing to relinquish her seat, the 1955 brutal death of young Emmett Till in Mississippi, the 1963 church bombing in Birmingham that killed four little girls, and the 1968 killing of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in Memphis.

Was your hatred for African-Americans that deeply rooted? I have always wanted to ask, what gratification you got out of committing those violent and demeaning acts.

I do not want this open request to discuss our past differences to sound ungrateful. I acknowledge you for encouraging President Lincoln to issue the 1863 Emancipation Proclamation that led to the eventual end of slavery, the 1954 ruling in Brown v. Board of Education that ended school segregation, the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and the landmark Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Racism, African-Americans have tolerated your leadership for over 400 years, and thus, the reigns of political power need to change hands. On election day, I ask that you do not allow your overt side to evoke white racial resentment and distort the electoral process.

Do not mistake my request, I am not in favor of Obama being elected solely because he is black, but because I believe he is the most qualified and should not be a victim of the systematic racism that you have been responsible for in the past.

I am asking you to give “hope” a chance. Young voters of all races, creeds, and colors support Obama. In the words of Dr. King, the “sons of former slaves and the sons of former slaveowners [have sat] down together at the table of brotherhood” to hopefully lead this nation in a new direction. So please, do not suppress the plight of the 21th century with your own selfish agenda.

William T. Hoston is an Assistant Professor at Wichita State University in the Department of Political Science.