On Sept. 14, the New York club of the YCL joined a crowd of 500 in Newark, NJ, for a Hip-Hop Celebrity Auction.
The event was designed to raise money for community activist Ras Baraka in his campaign for a seat on Newark's City Council in 2001. Also in attendance were several government officials, including the mayor of Newark, and a strong youth contingent.
The atmosphere was festive, with acts including African dancing with drums and bright, colorful costumes, as well as a performance by a singer named Joya.
However, there was also a strong sense of purpose, and YCLers helped run a voter registration booth in front of the main entrance. Ras' father, radical poet Amiri Baraka, gave a speech on the importance of voting. He mentioned that lack of voter turnout was the reason why reactionaries such as Mayor Guiliani are in power. He also stressed the importance of "removing private money from elections."
Amiri Baraka also read one of his newest poems: "To Bush II/ The main thing wrong with you/Is that you're not in jail!"
The main event of the night was the auction. Items included an autographed manuscript of Maya Angelou's poem, which she read at President Clinton's inauguration, an autographed copy of Sonia Sanchez's newest book, and a pair of shoes and an autographed hat belonging to Savion Glover, from "Bring In Da Noise, Bring In Da Funk." However, the highlight of the evening was Lauryn Hill, who attended along with her husband Steven Marley. Hill appeared to auction off a tour jacket, which was sold to a collector from Detroit for $25,000.
While on stage, she did an impromptu, a capella performance of "To Zion" at the crowd's request. Said YCLer Michelle Ponce, "There was a positive response to Lauryn Hill's presence. Everyone was happy to see her." Two members of the New York YCL had the chance to meet Hill, who was very friendly, and responded positively when they introduced themselves as members of the YCL. One of them, Shane McEvoy, was impressed by the people in the crowd, and especially by Ras Baraka.
"There was a really good atmosphere. The place was full of people of consciousness making changes, and supporting someone who is going out to change the system. People recognize the need for things to happen."
Shane also stressed the need for progressive candidates. "Like Amiri was trying to get across, getting progressive candidates into electons, and ultimately into office is important. It gives the working class a voice, and more room to live, and it creates a chance to make great changes in society. Progressive candidates listen to people, and are usually from the working class themselves. Our job is to get these people into office. Especially with Ras, because he's in touch with youth, and he knows the problems that today's youth face. Ras also knows what needs to be done with the city, and with the system."
Ras has a fighting chance to win big this time. The YCL worked with him on his 1998 campaign that he won, but later lost in a run-off. With the support of hundreds of community activists and youth a victory is expected in 2001.
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Dynamic Magazine
