The Black Commentator - April 13, 2006

In four years of operations, BlackCommentator.com has become the most influential Black political magazine on or off the Internet. We have achieved much of our social mission: to help shape and frame the dialogue, first, within the African American polity and, secondly, between African Americans and their non-Black allies.

We have attempted to draw “bright lines” of political behavior, so that Black politics can be based on the progressive principles embodied in the historical Black Consensus, forged over generations of struggle, rather than the pull of individual personalities or the malignant influence of corporate media and money. If there is to be struggle, there must be discipline and high standards of conduct for those who purport to represent and lead the people. That’s the job of the nearly extinct profession, journalism. A people without organs of discourse are naked to outside forces that conspire against them, and to their collaborators, within. BC is a critical element of our people’s armor during these dangerous times.

By drawing bright lines and illuminating issues, BC has made an important contribution to Black unity around those principles most important to the masses of our people: social and economic justice, human equality, and peace. We have resisted the diversions and traps set by those who would keep humanity’s eyes off the prize: a new and better world. We have refused to confine ourselves to the narrow parameters of analysis that previously defined “Black” issues, and instead offered an African American worldview of planetary affairs. If a people are to be truly free, they must claim the world and all of human history, as their own patrimony.

BC has on many occasions stopped treachery in its tracks, by blowing the whistle before the crime was consummated. Our very presence has acted as a warning to those who would deal away the fruits of our people’s toil and blood. When necessary, we have often been the sole source of indictment of those who have broken sacred covenants to make common cause with the enemy.

We are proud of our work. At times, it seems we may have done our job too well; it appears that many readers believe BC employs a large staff, operating on a comfortable budget. But in fact, a small staff has run this righteous machine on personal funds for four years, and has finally hit the wall. Unless those of you who value the mission to which we are all committed pay for the value you find in BC, we will be forced to cease publication. It’s that simple. We have committed 46 issues to our BC Paid Subscribers, and we will stick to that commitment, but those of you who have enjoyed and gained so much for free from BlackCommentator.com, it’s time to step up and support the work.

We do not seek corporate money. Our continued existence depends on you, the readership. Naturally, we ask that you become a BC Paid Subscriber, but we also request that you become a BC Contributor by giving beyond the minimum, as we have given our maximum to this crucial mission. We appreciate the generosity of those of you who have already purchased a subscription, and those who have gone further to become BC Contributors.

Now we have opened the BC Store, where you can purchase lots of hip stuff. You’ll find the Wal-mart Monster, MLK Let Freedom Ring and The Poisoned Tree posters and cards with the art of BC’s 29. There are mugs, T-shirts, caps, etc. with the BC logo, and Speaking Truth to Power. Every purchase you make helps support BlackCommentator.com. You’ll find ads linking to the BC Store all over our Website.

As the classic rap song said, “It makes me wonder how I keep from going under.” Only our readership can keep BlackCommentator.com from going under. We trust you won’t let that happen.

In Struggle,

Glen Ford and Peter Gamble, Publishers

BlackCommentator.com