November 12, 2009 08:17 PM UTC

My friend Jeff Johnson, Veterans, and jobs for people of color

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• by: Ray Springfield

My friend Jeff Johnson has spent his life serving in the US Army,and in working tirelessly to promote economic and social justice for people of color.Jeff has worked with Penfield Tate,and signficantly assisted Sen Udall’s campaign in 2008.

We’ve discussed openly that working for officials that promise assistance often leads to a lack of access after the votes are counted. Knocking on the door of known seasoned activists does little to instill confidence if access, and action disappear once elections are over.

As yesterday was veteran’s day, I focus on the many veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan that have I have come into contact with , and vets dating back to the Vietnam warthat still have problems with homelessness , PTSD, assistance to steering through red tape in the VA, and widows of veterans are still in need of job training and child care assistance long after the condolences stop.Donovan O’dell confirms that vets have real issues with the current system.

Enterprise zones, and access to jobs near communities of people of color needs more focus from our elected officials. Garret Reppenhagen who is the Director of national programs for www.veteransgreenjobs.org has shined as an example of what can be one in the non-profit sector for veterans. He provides green jobs for retuning Iraq/Afgahn vets. It’s possible to make progress with or without elected officials. He’ inspirational.

Jeff and I are working on strategies how to advocate for these causes