Wilmer J. Leon III Ph.D. - Politics: Another Perspective: Commentary and Analysis on Race, War, Ethics and the American Political Landscape in the Age of Obama

POLITICS:
ANOTHER PERSPECTIVE

Commentary and Analysis on
Race, War, Ethics and the
American Political Landscape in the Age of Obama

Wilmer J. Leon, III, Ph.D.

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2016 Wilmer Leon. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Front cover photo by Rev. Kenneth Irby
Cover design by Carmen Stewart Jessup

Published by AuthorHouse 8/31/2016

ISBN: 978-1-5049-7241-3 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5049-7240-6 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2016910589

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

CONTENTS

This book is dedicated first to my beloved parents Wilmer J. Leon, Jr. (March 6, 1920 December 15, 2011) and Edwina T. Leon (December 14, 1924 March 22, 2009), my lovely wife Sheila, our son, Wilmer J. Leon, IV, my mother-in-law Ann Chandler-Rowe and my brother-in-law Winsford Winnie Richard Chandler. Without my parents unconditional love, encouragement, support and shining examples I would never have thought to pursue educational excellence. Without the love and support of my wife, I never would have been able to complete this project. Without the love and support of Ann, Winnie, Sheila and Wilmer, IV (4.0) we would not be where we are as a family. To my son 4.0, may I always be for him the same positive example that my parents were fo r me.

To Mr. Novelle Dickenson, the former chairman of the political science department at Hampton University. A man who showed me from my first day on the yard what it means to be a caring and supportive professor. I try to do for my students what he continues to do fo r me.

To Dr. Ronald (Ron) Walters (1938-2010), the reason I have a Ph.D. One of the smartest, insightful and most humble people Ive ever met. A mentor and friend. The man who for me set the standard of scholar-activist that I will spend the rest of my life trying to emulate. Two of his many quotable statements to me, first, I dont care about your opinion. I want to know what you have read. Im training scholars here! Second, Wilmer, if they cant understand what you are saying, why will they want to listen to you?

I know that I am blessed. I was born to wonderful parents and into a loving, supportive family with aunts, uncles and cousins (both Leon and Devore) that have always encouraged me to be the best human being and golfer that I can possibly be. There are too many of them to mention here but I have to mention Ron Leon, Ken Leon, Raynard Leon, Darryl Sudduth, Carlos Gibson, Dwight Howard and Arthur Richard. These are some of the older brothers that I did not have.

I was born and raised in Sacramento, California. Raised by a very close-knit and dedicated community of people, my parents friends and acquaintances, numerous surrogate aunts and uncles - my extended family. Most of these people migrated to Sacramento from different parts of the South during the late 1950s and 1960s. They, like my parents brought with them a perspective on life, America and the world that was forged from their hard lived realities and the challenges that being African American presented to them as they strove to achieve justice, equality and the American dream. They instilled in me a work ethic, an appreciation for excellence and a love for my community. They also made it clear that I would have to work twice as hard and be three times as smart to get half as far as my White counterparts because I am Black in America. I grew up in South Sacramento, in the shadow of Dr. Cornel West. He was an inspiration then and continues to be to this day.

When I moved to Washington, DC in 1983 Medaris Banks introduced me to WPFW 89.3 on the FM dial. Thats where I first heard Morning Conversations with Tom Porter, Audio Evidence and Yardbird Sweets with Askia Muhammad, The Spear with Dr. Jesse McDade, We Ourselves with Ambrose I. Lane, Sr. and Dialogue with Dorothy Healey. As Dr. Mack Jones wrote, The only way in which Blacks can guard against blurring the concept of self-interest and all of the problems attendant thereto is to develop and articulate a Weltanschguung ( world view ) growing out of their experience as an oppressed people that would explain the past, post future goals, and implicitly delineate alternative strategies for liberation. These voices changed my world view and changed my life forever. Tom Porter and Askia Muhammad are now friends and valued mentors. I am forever grateful.

Beyond WPFW my radio focus and approach has also been greatly shaped by WAMU 88.5 FMs Diane Rhem and Kojo Nnamdi as well as WOLs late Dean of Talk Radio Bernie McCain. I would not be on the radio if it were not for the late Tracey Pinson and her husband Darryl Dennis convincing Kathy Hughes to take a chance on me and Ms. Hughes taking that chance. Special thanks to Karen Hunter, Maggie Linton, Adell Coleman, Darrell Greene and Chris Colbert for taking a real interest in helping me to further my radio career.

The perspective of these Op Eds are an outgrowth of discussions, debates and arguments that took place regularly at cook-outs on the back deck at the home of Ronald and Sharon Hayden. Being able to hone my skills and hold my own on Ron and Sharons deck under the tutelage of Ron, Medaris Moe Banks and Mike Suede Wilson prepared me for where I am today.

I must give thanks to Jason Leopold. He published my first Op Ed at TruthOut.org and encouraged me to keep writing. Hazel Trice Edney with the Trice Edney News Wire continues what Jason started on the national level.

I was fortunate to have attended Howard Universitys Political Science Department with classmates such as Drs. Artemesia Stanberry, Sekou Franklin and Pearl Ford Dowe. Dr. Baruti Jahi saw to it that I was prepared to defend my dissertation. Dr.s Maurice Woodard, Joseph McCormick, Richard Seltzer, Donn Davis and Clarence Lusane, thank you for caring, being patient and being you.

Finally, another very dear friend, Andre Stephens. He takes very good if not excellent Op Eds, edits them and makes them even better. Ms. Ellen Boyar edited this volume and took it to a place that I did not know existed. Ms. Carmen Stewart Jessups eye for design, attention to detail and support of me and this effort will always be appreciated.

I love all of my aunts and uncles but I must mention my Uncle Claudell Tickey Leon and his lovely wife Rudy. They sacrificed and took great care of my parents in their final days. Uncle Tickey is so much like his older brother (my dad) that its almost as though my dad is still here. My Aunt Valerie Ackiss, my mothers youngest sister is so much like my mom it is almost as though she never passed. Her late husband, Dr. Smallwood Ackiss always gave me great counsel and support.

Kenny McGhee, Mark J. Baham, Sr. (my brother from another mother), Dr. Raymond Pitts, Jr. Rene Francis, Cecil Rhodes, Michael Shannon, Don White, Dr. Ron Blanchette, Steve Red Bayne, Ronald Uncle Ron Simmons, Ezrah Aharone, Greg Reyes, Daryle Jordan, James Parks, Albert White and Frederick Yette always have my back. Linda Porter Winston and Brenda Leon have always given me love and good counsel. I love you. Also, Bernard Mustafa taught me to always play the game of life above the rim. Pastor Clarence Williams and my dear cousin Father Jay Mathews let me know on a regular basis that I am blessed. I am the only Catholic with a Priest and an AME Pastor providing critical guidance. I know that I am blessed! The Howells (John and Andrea) and The Martins (Dennis and Bernadette Bunny) continue to support, love and tolerate me. Thank you.