By Felicia Persaud

Hardbeatnews, NEW YORK, N.Y., Fri. Sept. 15, 2006: On September 12, 2006, despite doomsday predictions, a well financed Jewish challenger and reports that erupted that she did not graduate college after all, Jamaican American Councilmember, Yvette Diane Clarke, emerged as the victor of the Democratic Primary in the race of the 11th congressional district in Brooklyn.

It was not only a win for Clarke, but for Caribbean nationals all across the United States, especially since come November, the New York City councilmember will most likely become only the second Caribbean American congressmember in the history of the United States.

Only the second! Sad but true, for despite the economic empowerment and strides that Caribbean migrants to these shores continue to make, we as a community continue to lack political empowerment.

But we are making strides and with the councilmember gearing up to take on the title of congressmember, our community would have soared to higher heights; a feat that has not been achieved since the late Shirley Chisholm went to congress in 1968 as the first Caribbean American.

There is no doubt that given the draconian laws that are affecting our communities and our region, we need one of our own in the highest decision making body of this country. With the current Republican-dominated congress playing havoc with immigrants and refusing to push pass legislation that could give millions of hard working migrants a chance to contribute further to this economy, it is imperative that we have someone like Clarke there to speak up for us. Especially once congress reconvenes after the elections, this issue will no doubt face serious discussion.

Clarke for her part cannot forget the community that helped her cross the finish line recently nor the issues of this community. And as she savors the first taste of victory, she must remember the hundreds of grass roots supporters and Caribbean community activists who lobbied for her – emailing petitions, notices and reminders to vote, while taking time out of their busy schedules to get out voters. She must also take a page from Chisholm and the late Adam Clayton Powell, Jr., who despite being rookies in the House, were not afraid to take on the establishment and lobby for the issues of their people.

But as we look optimistically ahead, we as Caribbean Americans too must remember that this is just the first round. The November elections are right around the corner and the councilmember will need financial and other support to help her seal the deal. We cannot become complacent now and believe that the battle is over. We need to keep on lobbying support, uniting behind her and raising funds to ensure that she has enough ‘fuel’ left in the tank to take the tape. There’s still the final round to go and until the results are announced on November 5th, let us not lose the momentum that has brought us this far.

EDITOR’S NOTE: The writer is publisher of The Caribbean World News Network (caribworldnews.com), the only daily Caribbean Diaspora newswire.