Malia Lazu: My Favorite Things
By Keith Boykin, in politics
Monday, January 23 2006, 3:33PM
Loyal readers of this site will remember Malia Lazu as the young woman who campaigned her way to the finals of the 2004 Showtime television series American Candidate. Malia and I were running mates in the fictional presidential campaign, but there is more to Malia than her role on any TV show.
Malia currently works for the Washington-based organization, Progressive Majority, as director of the group's Racial Justice Campaign Fund, which recruits, trains and elects progressive candidates of color in state and local elections. But Malia is involved with so many progressive causes that she pops us everywhere. The last time I saw her in person was in the media tent on the lawn of the U.S. Capitol during the Millions More March last October. And then a week or two ago I noticed her again on television, as a member of the delegation led by Harry Belafonte that visited Venezuela and met with President Hugo Chavez. Malia serves as Harry Belafonte’s political director.
Malia in Venezuela
I asked Malia about her experience in Venezuela and she told me that she found South America to be "transforming." She said the trip highlighted "two things that we must gain in our communities to really start strategizing on how to shift the balance of power: historical context and racism."
The people of Venezuela see themselves as part of a movement that
started several hundred years ago when the first Spaniards came to South
America, she said. "The people we met were in a state of permanent reflection. They keep their role of being global citizen front and center, and make sure their entire actions tie into a political social theory." In contrast, she said, "We, citizens of the United States need to understand that our struggles are a part of a power struggle that is global and tied into all the struggles in this country, starting with the genocide of the Indigenous people and can not be won, unless it is won globally."
As you can tell, Malia is a very thoughtful in her analysis. "Afro Venezuelans face very similar issues of racism that we face here in the United States," she said. "They are marginalized, poor and face an unfair criminal justice system. This begs the question, 'Where is the movement of the African Diaspora?' The Diaspora in the world must find a way to unite and work to end racism globally."
And finally, she challenges Americans to learn more about our neighbors south of the border. "Venezuela is a country in reconstruction," she explains. "We must be mindful of how powerful our ignorance around their country can be to the poor in Venezuela. Before we judge the action's of Chavez government, we must look with a critical eye at our role as American citizens and the actions of our government, and then look at our responsibility as oppressed global citizens."
More About Malia
Malia was named "Activist of the Month" by MTV in June 2000 and she hasn't stopped since. Today she sits on the boards of the League of Pissed Off Voters, The Hip Hop Political Convention, FairVote and Change the Game. Malia is also co-author of "How to Get Stupid White Men Out of Office."
Here are Malia Lazu's five favorite websites.
Malia Lazu's Favorite Websites
1. www.progressivemajority.org
This is the website for the organization I work for, so it's by far my favorite:)
2. www.indyvoter.org
The website for the League of Pissed Off Voters. It’s a great site to find out the non traditional electoral work going on in most states. You can also buy "How to Get Stupid White Men Out of Office" there. A great book on successful campaigns run by young people.
3. www.live365.com
My step dad hipped me to this one. It’s a on line radio site that has great programming for all genres of music and you can stream it all day long for free!
4. www.nationaljournal.com
I just found this one. It’s a great insider political website. For real political junkies!
5. www.ucomics.com
We all need some humor in our lives, I go there to get my boondocks fix, but there are loads of other comics too!
Comments conceal
Audacity
January 23 2006, 4:33PM
I was diggin' Malia on "American Candidate". I'm glad she's so involved in so many causes. I can't wait to see what big things she will do in the future.
Kenneth Winfrey
January 23 2006, 4:46PM
Malia Lazu and I are on the same page! I also have to let everyone know that I have a serious crush on Hugo Chavez...HA HA [blush]. I too am looking forward to Malia's work in the future.
cmoney
January 23 2006, 7:44PM
I thought that was Maila I saw eating at a sidewalk cafe in D.C. last summer. I took a double take and stared like a tourist. Now I know my eyes weren't deceiving me! She will go far and we are glad to have her here in D.C.
Andrés Duque
January 23 2006, 10:39PM
Keith
I loved Malia on "American Candidate" as well but when it comes to Venezuela, I beg to differ, at least in some respects. For years Venezuela was supposedly Democratic but run by extremely conservative oil-rich oligarchies who cared little about ending poverty and enshrined policies that made the rich richer. Unfortunately, President Hugo Chavez seems to be the other side of the coin using the country's oil wealth to buy himself popularity by spreading it around rather than instituting reforms that will truly help the poor in the long-run. Much like Bush trashing checks and balances in the US constitution, Chavez has gutted the Venezuelan constitution in an attempt to rule indefinitely and has also dismantled any sort of political dissent. On gay issues he has been lukewarm allowing gay pride marches to happen in Caracas (the capital) but calling gays "the lowest type of humanity" while discusiing why images of gays should not be broadcast on TV. In the summer of 2005 they also dropped 7,000 people from their much lauded free HIV treatment program and the Venezuelan HIV organization ACCI is still asking the government to do something about it. Sadly, sometimes ideology trumps common-sense and I would have hoped that at least some of the congregation accompanying Harry Belafonte would have asked some tough questions of Chavez on these and other issues.
Derrick from Philly
January 24 2006, 9:27AM
Thanks, Andres:
Sometimes those of us on the Left get so enthusiastic about world leaders who challenge the Right Wing idiots in this country that we don't know the whole story about Left Wing idiots around the world. I guess many Latin American leaders are just like many African and Carribean leaders: while they preach equal justice and an end to racism and discrimination, they're still too stupid to accept the natural existence of homosexuality.
Nevertheless, if Chavez is valuable because he's anti-Right Wing American Republican facists. Maybe he can learn to accept Gays (please, chile', I been drinkin' too much).