Re: the Congressional Black Caucus. The head, Congressman Payne of
Newark, sent a representative to the Association of African Studies
Program Washington Meeting in April. He echoed the general sense of
alarm re: Africa's fate in the Republican "restructuring" and
mentioned that he would like to be in closer contact with academics.
He suggested a meeting in Newark with him.
A group of Africanists in the New York area is moving towards a
meeting with him to explore ways that we can work together. The
Caucus is apparently very preoccupied now with defending domestic
programs that are on the cutting board but has always been in the
forefront of the political battles re: Africa. We should remember
that their budget for staff was one of the first things the "new
majority" (voted in by a minority of U.S. voters nonetheless) cut in
the first "100 Days".
New Jersey and New York scholars should try to establish closer links
with the Caucus. Anyone interested in further information or in
working with this effort just contact me at the email address above.