Page 4 - Metro Record May 2021

Our Point of View Learning to be

Contradiction of an Anti Black in an Anti-

Monolithic Community Black World

ContinuedfromPg.3
Written by Jesse Bennefield, MBA 2000, with a JD that was earned a extension of the Hurst Family Even as an Afro-Latino scholar Black. I am ethnically Puerto
few years later, twenty years into political arm. Perhaps an editorial today, I often see the lack of Rican. I have always been an
Springfield, Massachusetts is the the new millennium, Justin is board where opinions and political theorization within Latinx Afro-Boricua. From my
third-largest metropolis in the often cast as ball to Frederick’s endorsements are overseen by a research about Black Latinxs. experiences, I learned that being
Commonwealth and only one chain. body impartial to the candidates, Black is a constant struggle for
county to the east of W.E.B Du as to ensure that one man cannot Not only do Black Latinxs fall liberation and freedom. The
Bois’ birthplace. Justin’s wife, Denise, is also a local appear to unilaterally hijack the outside of the margins of truth of the matter is, to be free,
elected official, who serves very on community’s voice to endorse his Latinidad, but Afro-Latinxs are we must locate and decenter
The community is comprised of the Springfield School Committee, relative over another candidate also erased from the Latinx colonialism and white
nearly thirty-thousand African and, with great mastery of subject vying to represent our experience altogether (Oboler & supremacy. There is an
Americans, and is home to many matter. That said, even neighborhoods. Dzidzienyo, 2005). Even though interwoven nature within the
great things—the Basketball Hall nonpolitically astute readers of the the Afro-Latinx population is fight for equality. There should
of Fame, American International Af-Am POV, can see the flagrant Of all the problems associated with significant within the Latinx be synthesis and synergy
College, and Merriam-Webster connection between perspectives a single publication proclaiming community, our experiences are between the Black and Latinx
dictionaries. Thankfully, much less penned by Frederick in the that it is the unified voice of the often invisible. Anti-Blackness is communities’ civil rights, and
notably, we are home to the monthly publication and issues African American community, the central to the Latinx community. our fights are linked on multiple
“African-American Point of View” that are taken-up or spearheaded Af-Am POV adds to the list in However, there would be no fronts. Once this simple truth is
newsmagazine since it’s creation by Hurst Junior in the city perpetuity through it’s rampant Latinx community without Black recognized, only then will we get
in 2003. council’s chamber. nepotism, lack of diversity, and by people. The history of rid of anti-Blackness and the
functioning as echo-chamber for colonization and enslavement fufu, that enslavement curse that
The newsmagazine is owned by When the local election season the thoughts, opinions and politic affects our daily experiences. has haunted Black people for
spouses, Frederick and Marjorie rolls around, forget it, Frederick of one city family. There cannot be solidarity generations and truly galvanizes
Hurst, although Frederick Hurst’s full-page ads supporting without acknowledgment of my in affirming that BLACK LIVES
operates as publisher. A his family members might as well No matter whether you prefer a Blackness. Many Latinxs are MATTER!
Springfield native son, and local read, “VOTE FOR HURST stringent application of quick to dehumanize Black
Attorney admitted to the ‘CAUSE DNA AND MY FAMILY’S journalistic principles, or a more bodies by dismissing our painful Works Cited
Massachusetts Bar in 1982 whose LEGACY!” Fortunately for an liberal one—the Af-Am POV is experiences at the hands of
legal background is nearly as light open and free society, many of the guaranteed to disappoint both police. Throughout the years, I Duany, J.. (2003). The Puerto
as the sourcing in his publication, candidates endorsed by Frederick audiences. have heard a lot of people say, Rican nation on the move:
Frederick almost exclusively uses via the Af-Am POV last election “Black people don’t know how to Identities on the island and in
the newsmagazine to amplify the cycle, were not victorious in their Philosophically, one does not need behave. That’s why they get the United States. University of
endeavors of his personal network, individual races—not to say that to share W. E. B. Du Bois’ views on killed by the police.” Solidarity North Carolina Press.
and even more frequently, to some of them weren’t the best the diaspora to understand the cannot take place under those
endorse the political careers of choices available, but imagine this inherent harm of the kind of circumstances. The same system LeBrón, M. (2017). They don’t
family and close friends. city if an ethically unsound fossilized approach to culture & that murders Black people also care if we die: The violence of
publisher had the influence to pick lifestyle reliably penned cages Latinx children. urban policing in Puerto Rico.
Frederick rarely avoids the and choose elected officials in throughout the Af-Am POV Learning about Blackness has Journal of Urban History, 1-20.
opportunity to use the races where their surname is on newsmagazine. This dangerous meant unlearning the anti-
publication’s front page to lament the ballot. monolithic entrenchment begins Blackness from within. As I Oakley, P. (2001). Social
a variety of current community with the publication’s title and continued to grow in my skin, exclusión and Afro-Latinos. A
and political issues, with these That is not to say that I am not transcends every article, byline, accepting it fully, I have become Contemporary Review. IDB,
stories usually progressing to often enlightened and educated by and community story within. more vocal about issues Washington DC.
contaminate consecutive interior many of the professionals featured impacting the Black community.
pages. in the Af-Am POV and their work The newsmagazine, which When the police murder Black Oboler, S., & Dzidzienyo, A.
across various segments of society ostentatiously brandishes “Your people, I am eager to fight for (2005). Neither Enemies Nor
Chief among familial benefactors impacting black people. Instead, Voice, Your Community, Your Black lives. I learned that being Friends: Latinos, Blacks, Afro-
of Frederick’s written geriatric what I’m offering is a call to action Point of View” on it’s cover, is Black and Latino are not Latinos. Springer.
ramblings and full-throated on behalf of those very talented nothing more than Frederick mutually exclusive. I am racially
endorsements is his son, Justin professionals who work for Af-Am Hurst’s poorly executed effort at
Hurst, now the former President of POV, to hold (or at least try), their dynasty-building.
Springfield City Council. publisher accountable, should he
choose to continue with his Nonetheless, the Hurst
Justin was elected to the city monthly tirade against and publication outfit is incredibly
council in 2013 and has won each misrepresentation of, the dangerous to the Springfield
subsequent campaign for Springfield African-American community which faces so many
reelection since, usually by size- community. critical challenges and that
able margins. deserves, yet is continually denied,
The publication does more harm the inclusion, multiculturalism,
A UVA graduate since the year than good when it operates as an thought variety and nuance
Continued on Pg. 5