Maxine Waters: Raising consciousness, not money Essay -- Essays Paper

Maxine Waters: Raising consciousness, not money As one of the most powerful African American women in American politics today, Maxine Waters yields respect from both her allies and adversaries. (Dowd 8/22/83) As a member of the House of Representatives, who holds great command, Ms. Waters has a obligation, one might say a calling, to truly serve her constituency, to fight their struggles, to raise consciousness regarding the state of American society today, and to lend her constituency hope. Ms. Waters represents the 35th district of California, a region of California that encompasses the infamous South Central Los Angeles, that was brought to the attention of the Nation, during the 1992 LA Riots, which Ms. Waters quickly defends as a revolution. (Southgate, 12/13/93) Her district, which is predominantly African American, has suffered from years of urban decay, unemployment is high, families are poor, drugs are abundant, and violence has become a normal everyday occurrence. In such dire conditions, Ms. Waters has come forward as a champion for"her people,"as she affectionately refers to her constituency. Essentially, as a congresswoman, she has made Black America her agenda. She has set this Agenda as her number one priority, which became abundantly clear in the recent Impeachment hearings in Congress. As Ms. Waters' says,"I don't have time to be polite,"and she certainly does not have time to waste on an impeachment process, that has little to with law but more to do wi th partisan revenge. Although Waters is clearly dedicated to the African American community, her advocacy for her community undoubtedly provides a voice, to some extent, to all oppressed groups in our society, women, children, the poor and other minorit... ... 19, Nov. 1998 (H. Hrg. pp. 130-133). Washington: US Government Printing Office 1998. US House. Committee on the Judiciary. Impeachment Inquiry pursuant to H. Res. 581: Presentation On Behalf of the President 8th and 9th Dec. 1998 (H. Hrg. pp. 82-83, 165 167, 253-254, 364-365, and 451). Washington: US Government Printing Office 1998. US House. Committee on the Judiciary. The Consequences of Perjury and Related Crimes 1 Dec. 1998 (H. Hrg. pp. 34-36). Washington: US Government Printing Office 1998. Waters, Maxine. (1999) Maxine Waters: Official Biography. Available: http://www.house.gov/waters/bio.htm (1999, November 12) Yellin, Jessica. (1995, April 12) Perspective on Congress; a Slipup in the Sisterhood. Los Angeles Times. Available: http://web.lexis-bnexis.com/univese/docume...taggedDocs+Z1,82Z2,1Z1,4Z2,868AA31Z1,BF3,8 (1999, November 12) Maxine Waters: Raising consciousness, not money Essay -- Essays Paper Maxine Waters: Raising consciousness, not money As one of the most powerful African American women in American politics today, Maxine Waters yields respect from both her allies and adversaries. (Dowd 8/22/83) As a member of the House of Representatives, who holds great command, Ms. Waters has a obligation, one might say a calling, to truly serve her constituency, to fight their struggles, to raise consciousness regarding the state of American society today, and to lend her constituency hope. Ms. Waters represents the 35th district of California, a region of California that encompasses the infamous South Central Los Angeles, that was brought to the attention of the Nation, during the 1992 LA Riots, which Ms. Waters quickly defends as a revolution. (Southgate, 12/13/93) Her district, which is predominantly African American, has suffered from years of urban decay, unemployment is high, families are poor, drugs are abundant, and violence has become a normal everyday occurrence. In such dire conditions, Ms. Waters has come forward as a champion for"her people,"as she affectionately refers to her constituency. Essentially, as a congresswoman, she has made Black America her agenda. She has set this Agenda as her number one priority, which became abundantly clear in the recent Impeachment hearings in Congress. As Ms. Waters' says,"I don't have time to be polite,"and she certainly does not have time to waste on an impeachment process, that has little to with law but more to do wi th partisan revenge. Although Waters is clearly dedicated to the African American community, her advocacy for her community undoubtedly provides a voice, to some extent, to all oppressed groups in our society, women, children, the poor and other minorit... ... 19, Nov. 1998 (H. Hrg. pp. 130-133). Washington: US Government Printing Office 1998. US House. Committee on the Judiciary. Impeachment Inquiry pursuant to H. Res. 581: Presentation On Behalf of the President 8th and 9th Dec. 1998 (H. Hrg. pp. 82-83, 165 167, 253-254, 364-365, and 451). Washington: US Government Printing Office 1998. US House. Committee on the Judiciary. The Consequences of Perjury and Related Crimes 1 Dec. 1998 (H. Hrg. pp. 34-36). Washington: US Government Printing Office 1998. Waters, Maxine. (1999) Maxine Waters: Official Biography. Available: http://www.house.gov/waters/bio.htm (1999, November 12) Yellin, Jessica. (1995, April 12) Perspective on Congress; a Slipup in the Sisterhood. Los Angeles Times. Available: http://web.lexis-bnexis.com/univese/docume...taggedDocs+Z1,82Z2,1Z1,4Z2,868AA31Z1,BF3,8 (1999, November 12)