How should homelessness be addressed? And is private charity effective?

[Art Vandelay]

Spinoff from the "I'm Not a Bum, I'm a Human Being" thread.

We should help this brother on an individual basis and/or on a organizational level, you have to know there will always be poor homeless hungry people.

With that in mind enjoy the food festivals and when you pass someone needing a handout give them a hand.

i'm not in areas where panhandlers are very often but i'll often slip them a dollar when i see one.

i like when he said a passerby dogged him and called him a bum and came back and apologized and broke him off a 30 piece.

when i come across people asking me for change because they're hungry....i
tell them to empty their pockets. if they refuse,.....then you know they have stacked up quite a bit of money and they are only out there to get over on people.

I'm in an area where panhandling is extremely high.

I seriously get asked for a cigarette 50% of the time that I'm smoking as I walk down the street. Probably about four times less as often, someone will ask for money. The people begging for non-essentials really make it harder for people in need. Just yesterday, a dude hit me up for a cigarette and he was looking really rough so I gave him one and then he asked for money.

I believe government has to end homelessness. I think leaving it to each person to give a quarter or a couple of bucks at a time will never ever solve the problem and there is also no effective way to determine who is truly in need as you walk down the street. Asking people to empty their pockets or even judging by looks or for character traits in a seconds-long encounter is useless-- You will end up bypassing people in need and giving to hustlers or people who will waste it. Unless you're rich, you can't make a dent with private charity. The only way to solve this problem is everybody paying their fair share and the only way to do that is through government mandates.

 

[Art Vandelay]

BERNIE SANDERS: 'I DON'T BELIEVE IN CHARITIES'
Professor: Democrat 'has no real respect or regard for civil society'
Published: 04/04/2016

A 1981 New York Times item quotes Democratic Party presidential candidate Bernie Sanders as saying he doesn’t “believe in charities,” an outlook that one expert says is common in socialism and would destroy civil society.

In September 1981, the Times reported on comments then-Burlington Mayor Sanders made at a charity event:

“For the kickoff of the 40th annual Chittenden County United Way fund-raising drive in Burlington, Vt., the sponsors considered themselves fortunate to have as guests Mayor Bernard Sanders of Burlington and Gov. Richard Snelling of Vermont,” reported the Times.

“But the charity workers heard the sort of things they wanted to hear from only one of their guests.

“‘I don’t believe in charities,” said Mayor Sanders, bringing a shocked silence to a packed hotel banquet room. The mayor, who is a socialist, went on to question the ”fundamental concepts on which charities are based” and contended that government, rather than charity organizations, should take over responsibility for social programs,'” the article stated.

Joe Loconte fiercely disagrees. Loconte teaches Western civilization and American foreign policy at The King’s College in New York City. He has also held positions with the Heritage Foundation and the Ethics and Public Policy Center in Washington. From 2001-2003, he was an informal adviser to the George W. Bush administration’s Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives.

“It’s no surprise that Bernie Sanders then, and I think even now, really has no real respect or regard for civil society,” Loconte told WND and Radio America. “This is the problem with socialism. It sees such an overwhelming, intrusive role for the state at all levels, there’s no room left for the voluntary society.”

He said the history of America shows civil society as a indispensable part of what makes America great.

“Those associations, those charities, those faith-based organizations that have always been the lifeblood of American democracy have always contributed to this truth as we describe the United States,” he said. “It’s exceptionalism. Near the heart of American exceptionalism is this vibrant, independent civil society.”

Loconte said Americans have always understood instinctively that neighbor helping neighbor builds better communities than relying on the government to solve problems. He said Europe is learning this hard lesson right now.

“The overweening state cannot meet human needs, cannot address our deepest moral and social problems,” he said. “It just can’t do it and Bernie Sanders, apparently, has just not learned a thing from American history, from European history and not even the present crisis.”

From the very start of America, private charity and a vibrant civil society set us apart from the world, according to Loconte. He said Alexis de Tocqueville rightly observed this in his famous “Democracy in America.”

“He sees something in America that he doesn’t see in Europe,” Leconte said. “What he sees is individuals coming together in associations to tackle problems together, common problems. So he sees a moral energy, civic energy, religious energy used to try to produce a more just and humane society.”

He said socialism threatens every bit of that American fabric.

“That’s the genius of a vibrant, independent civil society. It’s something that socialists like Bernie Sanders cannot and will not understand,” Laconte said. “Not only will they not promote it if they get into real positions of power and responsibility in government, they will hinder it. They will undermine it. Ultimately, they’ll destroy it.”

Loconte said it’s all about socialists devaluing the individual.

“At the end of the day, there’s this logical and even theological problem: Bernie Sanders is not just a proclaimed socialist. He’s an atheist, a secularist. It seems to me the history of ideologies rooted in secularism shows at the end of the day there’ll be a distrust and even contempt for the individual,” Loconte said.

“Individual freedom, individual responsibility and human rights. That’s where it’s going. Basic human rights will always be compromised under a socialist regime. That’s the historical record. It’s not even debatable.”

He said civil society and personal charity will plummet the more government gets involved and determines right and wrong.

“The larger government gets in terms of regulations, its intrusiveness, its attempt to have one-size-fits-all imposed on groups and organizations, to force people into its militantly secular way of thinking: That’s simply going to undermine and weaken civil society,” Laconte said. “We can’t afford that now when we think about our great social problems, where the breakdown of the family is so near the heart of all of them.”

Notes on People; Some Disunity Along the United Way
Albin Krebs and Robert McG. Thomas
New York Times
September 19, 1981

For the kickoff of the 40th annual Chittenden County United Way fund-raising drive in Burlington, Vt., the sponsors considered themselves fortunate to have as guests Mayor Bernard Sanders of Burlington and Gov. Richard Snelling of Vermont.

But the charity workers heard the sort of things they wanted to hear from only one of their guests.

''I don't believe in charities,'' said Mayor Sanders, bringing a shocked silence to a packed hotel banquet room. The Mayor, who is a Socialist, went on to question the ''fundamental concepts on which charities are based'' and contended that government, rather than charity organizations, sho uld take over responsibilit y for social programs.

Governor Snelling sought to counter Mr. Sanders' remarks, saying: ''Charity is not a dirty word. We have discovered that you can't buy caring.''

 

[ballscout1]

Much of the homeless situation was started by the government when they defunded mental health and closed down the state hospitals for the mentally challenged.

Throwing them into the street until they did something they could jail them for.

If you look at the federal Governments budget you will see there is more than enough money to combat homelessness as well as drug and alcohol addictions.

Job training to take those with no skills to do anything once manufacturing went overseas.

And still have the biggest military in the world.

Shit reminds me of that old Fram commercial " you can pay me now or pay me later"

lack of investment before the shit becomes problems is why there are problems now.

 

[Art Vandelay]

Much of the homeless situation was started by the government when they defunded mental health and closed down the state hospitals for the mentally challenged.

Throwing them into the street until they did something they could jail them for.

If you look at the federal Governments budget you will see there is more than enough money to combat homelessness as well as drug and alcohol addictions.

Job training to take those with no skills to do anything once manufacturing went overseas.

And still have the biggest military in the world.

Shit reminds me of that old Fram commercial " you can pay me now or pay me later"

lack of investment before the shit becomes problems is why there are problems now.

Agreed. "The poor will always be with us" is nothing but an excuse today.

 

[ballscout1]

BERNIE SANDERS: 'I DON'T BELIEVE IN CHARITIES'
Professor: Democrat 'has no real respect or regard for civil society'
Published: 04/04/2016

A 1981 New York Times item quotes Democratic Party presidential candidate Bernie Sanders as saying he doesn’t “believe in charities,” an outlook that one expert says is common in socialism and would destroy civil society.

In September 1981, the Times reported on comments then-Burlington Mayor Sanders made at a charity event:

“For the kickoff of the 40th annual Chittenden County United Way fund-raising drive in Burlington, Vt., the sponsors considered themselves fortunate to have as guests Mayor Bernard Sanders of Burlington and Gov. Richard Snelling of Vermont,” reported the Times.

“But the charity workers heard the sort of things they wanted to hear from only one of their guests.

“‘I don’t believe in charities,” said Mayor Sanders, bringing a shocked silence to a packed hotel banquet room. The mayor, who is a socialist, went on to question the ”fundamental concepts on which charities are based” and contended that government, rather than charity organizations, should take over responsibility for social programs,'” the article stated.

Joe Loconte fiercely disagrees. Loconte teaches Western civilization and American foreign policy at The King’s College in New York City. He has also held positions with the Heritage Foundation and the Ethics and Public Policy Center in Washington. From 2001-2003, he was an informal adviser to the George W. Bush administration’s Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives.

“It’s no surprise that Bernie Sanders then, and I think even now, really has no real respect or regard for civil society,” Loconte told WND and Radio America. “This is the problem with socialism. It sees such an overwhelming, intrusive role for the state at all levels, there’s no room left for the voluntary society.”

He said the history of America shows civil society as a indispensable part of what makes America great.

“Those associations, those charities, those faith-based organizations that have always been the lifeblood of American democracy have always contributed to this truth as we describe the United States,” he said. “It’s exceptionalism. Near the heart of American exceptionalism is this vibrant, independent civil society.”
Loconte said Americans have always understood instinctively that neighbor helping neighbor builds better communities than relying on the government to solve problems. He said Europe is learning this hard lesson right now.

“The overweening state cannot meet human needs, cannot address our deepest moral and social problems,” he said. “It just can’t do it and Bernie Sanders, apparently, has just not learned a thing from American history, from European history and not even the present crisis.”

From the very start of America, private charity and a vibrant civil society set us apart from the world, according to Loconte. He said Alexis de Tocqueville rightly observed this in his famous “Democracy in America.”

“He sees something in America that he doesn’t see in Europe,” Leconte said. “What he sees is individuals coming together in associations to tackle problems together, common problems. So he sees a moral energy, civic energy, religious energy used to try to produce a more just and humane society.”

He said socialism threatens every bit of that American fabric.

“That’s the genius of a vibrant, independent civil society. It’s something that socialists like Bernie Sanders cannot and will not understand,” Laconte said. “Not only will they not promote it if they get into real positions of power and responsibility in government, they will hinder it. They will undermine it. Ultimately, they’ll destroy it.”

Can the Republican Party save itself? Richard Viguerie has the prescription in “Takeover.”

Loconte said it’s all about socialists devaluing the individual.

“At the end of the day, there’s this logical and even theological problem: Bernie Sanders is not just a proclaimed socialist. He’s an atheist, a secularist. It seems to me the history of ideologies rooted in secularism shows at the end of the day there’ll be a distrust and even contempt for the individual,” Loconte said.

“Individual freedom, individual responsibility and human rights. That’s where it’s going. Basic human rights will always be compromised under a socialist regime. That’s the historical record. It’s not even debatable.”

He said civil society and personal charity will plummet the more government gets involved and determines right and wrong.

“The larger government gets in terms of regulations, its intrusiveness, its attempt to have one-size-fits-all imposed on groups and organizations, to force people into its militantly secular way of thinking: That’s simply going to undermine and weaken civil society,” Laconte said. “We can’t afford that now when we think about our great social problems, where the breakdown of the family is so near the heart of all of them.”

Notes on People; Some Disunity Along the United Way
Albin Krebs and Robert McG. Thomas
New York Times
September 19, 1981

For the kickoff of the 40th annual Chittenden County United Way fund-raising drive in Burlington, Vt., the sponsors considered themselves fortunate to have as guests Mayor Bernard Sanders of Burlington and Gov. Richard Snelling of Vermont.

But the charity workers heard the sort of things they wanted to hear from only one of their guests.

''I don't believe in charities,'' said Mayor Sanders, bringing a shocked silence to a packed hotel banquet room. The Mayor, who is a Socialist, went on to question the ''fundamental concepts on which charities are based'' and contended that government, rather than charity organizations, sho uld take over responsibilit y for social programs.

Governor Snelling sought to counter Mr. Sanders' remarks, saying: ''Charity is not a dirty word. We have discovered that you can't buy caring.''

How effective has the Red Cross and UNICEF been ? I am not talking about the pay for those at the top of those charities either.

We can throw in the mega churches with all the pomp and circumstance their pators and their staffs portray with tall that tax free money they collect..But with the spread of propserity preaching how much good is done.

And again, most of the homeless problems are created by the government

 

[Gazoo]

I don't think there's just one answer. You have public, private, government, individuals contributing an effort. Not knocking them, but there will always be those that slip through the cracks.

Some because they are mental, lazy, ex criminals, pride, ignorant of the resources or just refusing.

Depending in the area there can be just be a lack of provisions. Especially for those that are not really homeless types.

 

[Cock Head Jones]

we spend $600,000,000 on defense.
that budget applied to homelessness could make every homeless person in the US a millionaire.

 

[cokely_muhammad]

By donating the money to me and my mosque. We provide beanpies and shelter to the and Elijah Muhammad's teachings to the homeless. We provide a home to the homeless and hope to the hopeless. We even have prostitutes on staff that will provide sexual services to the hoeless.

 

[Rudey]

Major problems are quality affordable housing and medical bills that force people in debt. Those two things needs to be address. Charity certainly is not the way to go.

 

[g0nbad real bad]

There is a population of homeless that are homeless by choices. They don't want to comply with normal standards of family housing or free housing.

Here in Birmingham we have Jimmy Hale mission that houses a large number of men per night. I have heard plenty of them say they don't like staying there because there's no drugs or alcohol allowed and they can't come and go as they please. Once they lock the doors at night that's it.

 

[kuu]

There is a population of homeless that are homeless by choices. They don't want to comply with normal standards of family housing or free housing.

Here in Birmingham we have Jimmy Hale mission that houses a large number of men per night. I have heard plenty of them say they don't like staying there because there's no drugs or alcohol allowed and they can't come and go as they please. Once they lock the doors at night that's it.

I guess having that curfew goes against their primal nature of being a man more than begging.

 

[tallblacknyc]

back in 96 i learned from my boy who worked at dunkin donuts how by law they have to throw away all the food at the end of the nite that they don't sell..it was rite than and there when i said there needs to be some kinda program where various people go around ny late at nite in u-haul vans and pick up all that wasted food and give it away to the homeless..that also goes for movie/vid sets where they throw away countless food, sporting events, lot of offices, etc...there's no way people should be starving in nyc or digging out of garbage cans for food with all the shit that goes wasted

another thing every now and than i do clothing drives.. everybody and their mother got something in their closet that they don't wear..instead of collecting dust u should pack it up and give it to somebody that can use it..that goes for old pillows, covers, sheets, blankets.. i'd like to call it the "hand me down for the needy".. if every1 did that u'd be surprise how much shit the needy would get and how much help that would do

if every working class person and hustler gave 1 dollar a month every month to some program to help built/house the homeless u'd prob produce 8 figs worth of money a yr..hell if 1 million people in this city donated a dollar each month that would be 12 million bucks a yr alone...hell somebody could get them freight storage joints and make housing with that

it's a lot of ways we as a people could fix the homeless situation ourselves the question is will we or will they.. helping the needy isn't on a lot of peoples to do or care list unfortunately

 

[kuu]

back in 96 i learned from my boy who worked at dunkin donuts how by law they have to throw away all the food at the end of the nite that they don't sell..it was rite than and there when i said there needs to be some kinda program where various people go around ny late at nite in u-haul vans and pick up all that wasted food and give it away to the homeless..that also goes for movie/vid sets where they throw away countless food, sporting events, lot of offices, etc...there's no way people should be starving in nyc or digging out of garbage cans for food with all the shit that goes wasted

another thing every now and than i do clothing drives.. everybody and their mother got something in their closet that they don't wear..instead of collecting dust u should pack it up and give it to somebody that can use it..that goes for old pillows, covers, sheets, blankets.. i'd like to call it the "hand me down for the needy".. if every1 did that u'd be surprise how much shit the needy would get and how much help that would do

if every working class person and hustler gave 1 dollar a month every month to some program to help built/house the homeless u'd prob produce 8 figs worth of money a yr..hell if 1 million people in this city donated a dollar each month that would be 12 million bucks a yr alone...hell somebody could get them freight storage joints and make housing with that

it's a lot of ways we as a people could fix the homeless situation ourselves the question is will we or will they.. helping the needy isn't on a lot of peoples to do or care list unfortunately

I guess most people forget that this person is actually homeless. Probably because we see them so often. If we could create programs to push those who CAN work to work, and help those who can't because of mental health or whatever find a way to feel a sense of purpose to some degree. These people probably got there because of some mental or emotional shit anyways. When I see a homeless woman, I know she was literally to the lowest point because you got the govt and your pussy which I would hope is the absolute last option.

 

[shaddyvillethug]

Half of them are getting picked up and being experimented on by the gov anyway.

 

[playahaitian]

back in 96 i learned from my boy who worked at dunkin donuts how by law they have to throw away all the food at the end of the nite that they don't sell..it was rite than and there when i said there needs to be some kinda program where various people go around ny late at nite in u-haul vans and pick up all that wasted food and give it away to the homeless..that also goes for movie/vid sets where they throw away countless food, sporting events, lot of offices, etc...there's no way people should be starving in nyc or digging out of garbage cans for food with all the shit that goes wasted

another thing every now and than i do clothing drives.. everybody and their mother got something in their closet that they don't wear..instead of collecting dust u should pack it up and give it to somebody that can use it..that goes for old pillows, covers, sheets, blankets.. i'd like to call it the "hand me down for the needy".. if every1 did that u'd be surprise how much shit the needy would get and how much help that would do

if every working class person and hustler gave 1 dollar a month every month to some program to help built/house the homeless u'd prob produce 8 figs worth of money a yr..hell if 1 million people in this city donated a dollar each month that would be 12 million bucks a yr alone...hell somebody could get them freight storage joints and make housing with that

it's a lot of ways we as a people could fix the homeless situation ourselves the question is will we or will they.. helping the needy isn't on a lot of peoples to do or care list unfortunately

Great post

There are a few programs that actually do that but the issue is always not enough businesses have incentive to participate, not enough volunteers, not enough vans....

It's the same old song...

With just a little help a little more funding great ideas like that could change lives.

Even the slightly irregular clothes should be donated and not sold...

But honestly I've heard rich white people on the boards of these non profits actually say the clients deserve better, and would rather do without and wait for NEW STUFF to be donated by they rich friends ...

I told them once having SOMETHING to eat and wear and live is much better than NOTHING.

 

[World B Free]

Burn the SYSTEM.......

 

[Non-StopJFK2TAB]

Burn the SYSTEM.......

Americans for the most part don't see anything wrong with something until it's affecting them. Americans lack the imagination of practicality. All these fancy ideas to enrich someone instead of enriching everyone.

But that will take away the drive that only Americans have. I have to get back to work. This is my 300th hour working today. I'm not a lazy bum. I'm a proud American.

 

[kuu]

There should never be homeless people. But you have homeless, poor people, etc., in order for this system to work. If you don't have poor people, capitalism would not have its appeal. So, you got to have it so you can keep people fucked in the head, when we all know that housing, water and food should be free. Fuck, its our birthright. So, to keep this shit going the way it is, you are shamed, tricked into being shamed about not having things. This shit starts early. IF you don't have then you aint shit (poor, homeless). If you have, you are the shit (rich, middle-class). Look, this shit is all a game. When you figure out the central theme, control, then you can beat the system. This shit is all about control. I do what I want, but you do what I tell you (laws, rules). If you do what I tell you, then you don't fuck up what I got going, because, deep down, you know what I am doing to you is fucked up. But, you have to play by the rules. So, who started the rules, and laws? Why did they start them. Man, I need to finish this damn book.

When you're not scared to kill... the world is yours.

Silly mortals they are.

 

[Art Vandelay]

What's the nicest thing you've done for a stranger?​

• Struck up a conversation with an old woman in a diner. She told me her car was in the shop. I finished my meal and paid for hers on the way out the door.
• Ran into a homeless guy downtown St. Louis. He told me he was hungry. I took him to the restaurant I was heading to and bought us both meals. Put $40 in his hand before I left.
• Put $150 on Leonard Peltier's daughter's books while she was in prison up in South Dakota.

Back in my college day, this old Irish homeless guy walked into a luxury residential building I did concierge work for to warm himself up. It was probably 5 degrees or less at the time, so I let him stay by the door as it was overnight and no one was around. He and I struck a convo and he told me about his glory days in the streets as a tough bare knuckles type who was respected, feared, and known. We had a few good laughs and talked about boxing and fighting. I ended up giving him a coat I was VERY fond of so that he may keep warm. I ended up going home with a old janitor's coat I found in storage later that mornring. Some homeless men have very interesting life stories...

Bought a 'homeless' guy something to eat about 4 days ago...had a cellphone, Jordan's, fresh haircut, starched clothes. Didn't really care if he was lying or not, it was my good deed for that day.

Pay for a couple nights at a hotel for a woman and her kids after seeing they were on the streets.

Was talking to this guy in Krogers not knowing his story, come to find out he had just gotten out of prison and he said he was looking for work and ironically another friend was looking for help. I called my friend at that moment, they talked and he left Krogers to go meet my friend right then. Still works for him now, it's been two years ago. Haven't seen the guy since that day but I know he's still there.

One of my daughters friend was giving her mom trouble, they were about 13. Her parents were an interracial separated couple and she was having a hard time identifying with herself. I said let me take her for the summer, had zero problems out of her. She starting going to church with us and to this day says I helped her change her life for the better. She's a really great respectful person and will call me before her mom if she's in a crisis.

Besides that I'm always buying food, clothes, giving gas or whatever if I know someone is in need. At times I really don't like being a giver, but it's who I am.

done so much, but every week i tried to atleast give money to a homeless person

Bought food for the homeless while out grocery shopping.

I give 20 dollar bills to bums on the street regularly

Took 2 homeless brothers out for dinner. They were squeegee'ing car windows at a busy intersection for spare change. They were very appreciative and opened up about their battles with addiction and severe abuse at home that led them to run away. Encouraged them to pursue assistance and support-type services for youth/family. Hit home as I was just a bit older at the time.

All the random acts of kindness bring me back to the question of "Is private charity effective?"

Of course, giving a dollar to a homeless person is great and better than ignoring that person. Giving $100 is even better. But let us not fall into the trap of believing that charity is the answer or even comes close to approaching it.

Homelessness shouldn't exist. If you're not fighting homelessness on a systemic level, your little handouts aren't doing enough to help.

I've given money to people on the streets, too. And I am not insinuating that any of the people I quoted were saying that giving money to people on the streets is all that they do and that it is doing enough. Everything I quoted is great and I applaud it.

I just know that sometimes that kind of thinking can lead to this:

This. With president petty in office, now more than ever we should look out for one another.

Right now, they are trying to take about $6 billion out of Housing and Urban Development. We have to understand that private charity is like prescribing aspirin for AIDS. We should be guarded against being satisfied for that and searching for ways to have a real impact.

 

[tallblacknyc]

u could build cheap homes/houses/apt/ shelters out of storage crates to house them



i already said everybody got something in their closet they don't wear if people donated it to the homeless u prob could clothed all of them multiple times over

1 dollar or 2 donation per month from all workers, bizzness owners, hustlers etc could pay for various things

donating all the wasted food to all these shelters could help feed all of the needy

those 4 things prob could easily eliminate the homeless situation..but the question is do the people with the power to do that wanna do that

 

[kanekills]

Charities are a business they need the problems to exist. So there is no reason for them to solve the problem.

 

[phanatic]

Charities are a business they need the problems to exist. So there is no reason for them to solve the problem.

True that. I drove through North Philly today and there are tons of abandoned buildings...the only reason we have a homeless issue is because someone isn't making a profit off of helping them.

 

[Helico-pterFunk]

Thanks for the Youtube links, TMM.

 

[Rembrandt Brown]

People soliciting personal Juneteenth donations over social media

https://twitter.com/search?q=venmo%20juneteenth&src=typeahead_click

www.bgol.us

https://twitter.com/search?q=venmo%20juneteenth&src=typeahead_click

 

[ORIGINAL NATION]

Spinoff from the "I'm Not a Bum, I'm a Human Being" thread.







I'm in an area where panhandling is extremely high.

I seriously get asked for a cigarette 50% of the time that I'm smoking as I walk down the street. Probably about four times less as often, someone will ask for money. The people begging for non-essentials really make it harder for people in need. Just yesterday, a dude hit me up for a cigarette and he was looking really rough so I gave him one and then he asked for money.

I believe government has to end homelessness. I think leaving it to each person to give a quarter or a couple of bucks at a time will never ever solve the problem and there is also no effective way to determine who is truly in need as you walk down the street. Asking people to empty their pockets or even judging by looks or for character traits in a seconds-long encounter is useless-- You will end up bypassing people in need and giving to hustlers or people who will waste it. Unless you're rich, you can't make a dent with private charity. The only way to solve this problem is everybody paying their fair share and the only way to do that is through government mandates.

Programming of the cells. The cointelpro was programs put into effect to keep a black messiah from ever coming into power