Black political convention to return to Gary in June

The City of Gary will open the history books a second time when it brings the National Black Political Convention back to where it started.

Convened by former Mayor Richard G. Hatcher in 1972, the first convention brought about a unified agenda that called for, and ultimately saw, more African-Americans elected to public office, among other things, Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson said.

She, along with former Mayor Richard G. Hatcher and National Policy Alliance Executive Director Linda Haithcox Taylor, announced during a Tuesday morning press conference at Gary City Hall that this second conference, to be held June 9-12 at the Genesis Convention Center, will bring to the fore not only the political, but economic and environmental issues African-Americans face today.

Desgregation and discrimination were also top-of-mind during that first convention, Hatcher said. While desegration is now legally prohibited, discrimination is alive and well, particularly with regard to young African-American men, he said.

“There is a disproportionate amount of young, black men incarcerated today. Because of the changes to welfare and laws with regard to drugs, we see almost a shortage of young, black men,” Hatcher said.

The Voting Rights Act, to which the U.S. Supreme Court dealt a serious blow last year, and the continuous income lag African-Americans face will also be discussed, as will changes to law enforcement, organizers said.

“We want to move forward and tell the major parties what we need as a community,” Freeman-Wilson said. “Everyone talks about gridlock in Washington, but if there’s one thing we know, it’s that (Congress moves) when the people speak.”

Haithcox Taylor, who grew up in Chicago, said she was a college student during the 1972 convention. She was unable to attend but vivdly recalled the importance the convention had for her.

“I’m of the ‘Revolution Generation,’ the baby boomers, and a lot has changed, but a lot has not,” she said. “We have invited the presidents and chairs of many elected bodies, so we want to make sure we are addressing and presenting an agenda relevant to all people.

“There will be a lot of very intense discussion.”

Freeman-Wilson said more than 10,000 people converged on the city in 1972; Hatcher added they came by bus, by train and hitchhiking, in the case of one Mississippi man. The Genesis Center accomodates 6,000, so whatever overflow the convention may see could be easily accommodated within walking distance of it, she said.

The convention should be looked upon as time to once again create a unified voice, organizers said.

Michelle L. Quinn is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.