From http://www.counterpunch.com/walsh10152007.html

The Elite has always relied on economic hardship to drive Black youth into the armed forces. Today, neocon racism is not only directed at Muslims and Arabs, but also at Blacks and Hispanics.

Now, however, their project is slipping. Since 2000, Black enlistees in the U.S. military have dropped 58%, according to the Boston Globe (7 Oct 07). The biggest declines came in the army and marines, as opposed to navy and air force enlistments. In other words, the declines are in the services most likely to return you home in a box in the dead of night.

Young Black males tell the Boston Globe they do not believe in the war. They also spoke of Hurricane Katrina. One asked, "Why should we go over there and help Iraqis, when the US government can't help us over here?" Another said, "It's not our war. We got our own war here, just staying alive."

The key to this Black Resistance is adult "influencers” such as parents, sports coaches, and mentors. Of all racial groups, Black “influencers” are the least likely to suggest enlistment. They are solid parents, making certain their kids are not turned over to the merchants of death.

The Black population is still 14.5 percent in the military, versus 12.8 percent in the US population. Nonetheless, recent Pentagon-sponsored surveys suggest that Black attitudes have changed for good.

From this we see that the creation of non-military economic and educational opportunities for Black and other minority youth must be an essential part of the antiwar movement.

At "antiwar" meetings held by groups like United for Peace and Justice, the participants complain that few Blacks attend.

And no wonder. These meetings seek to keep the other war party (the Democrats) in power. Blacks see through this ploy. They are striking at the heart of the military death machine, whereas the “United For Peace And Justice” people are protecting the left wing of the bird of prey, the Democratic Party.

Who leads these “peace movements” anyway? They are certainly not Black parents, who are keeping their kids out of the military, and thus undermining the imperial machinery.

Submitted by Abdul-Alhazred on Sun, 2007-10-21 18:37

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