Thanks to whoever posted this pointed conversation exploring the long history of interconnections between the African American movement and the GLBT struggle. Both of those fights grew out of the huge youth radicalization of the 1960’s and ‘70’s that emerged in response to racism and LBJ’s invasion and attempted occupation of Vietnam.

It exposes the lie that Blacks and GLBT folks are implacable enemies and that we can't work as allies, lie that has adherents in both parties. Karl Rove deliberately sought out and bought out christian pulpit pimps, exchanging grants to their ‘faith based charities’ (read new mansion) for political endorsements and attacks on LGBT equality, especially on the issue of same sex marriage.

And it put's to shame the unending pandering of Democrats like Obama, Dean, Clinton and Daughtry. Their opposition to same sex marriage and/or support for the second class statue of civil unions sends a very clear signal of their opinion of our equality agenda and our worth as citizens. They’re saying we’re second class and the bigots love it.

Bond was an early leader and activist of the Student Non-Violent (later National) Coordinating Committee, far and away the largest, most militant youth group in the civil rights movement. SNCC evolved into an organization that embraced the antiwar movement, generated feminism and eventually espoused independent Black political action. LBJ had SNCC, SCLC, the Lowndes County Panthers, the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party, Malcolm X and others under constant FBI surveillance. That probably explains why it took decades to indict the 1964 murderers of Chaney, Schwerner and Goodman (tried in 2005) and the four little girls killed in the 1963 terrorist bombing of Birmingham’s 16th Street Church (tried in 2003).

Hearing Julian Bond speak at Creating Change this year was one of the highlights of the conference.

I continue to have so much respect for Jonathan Capehart. Not to disrespect the amazing, powerful, and courageous voice of Julian Bond, but Capehart is one of our best young voices today. I look forward to continuing to see great things from him.