It's true: that 2,439,836 Whites, 178,975 Blacks, and 3,530 Native Americans fought in the United States Civil War to end Slavery, which eventually expanded the right of American citizens to participate in the U.S. Democratic Processes. After 90 years of Jim Crow, during the Civil Rights Movement (Black Revolution), Voting Rights and other Civil Rights were fought for in the streets nationwide, and in the halls of government. And now, as we speak, the battlefield to preserve American Democracy is not just in our nation, but in the world. Let's be reminded of "The Gettysburg Address." (North and South combined, suffered over 50,000 casualties in 3 days at Gettysburg).
The Gettysburg Address
"Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.
Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.
But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate—we can not consecrate—we can not hallow—this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us—that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion—that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain—that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth."
Why call the group PAID? Why present PAID History in a course format?
.Back in the early 1990s when Melvin Tate first asked Barbara Phillips and Ray Lee about the naming the group "People Advocating Involvement in Democracy (PAID"), Ray’s response was, what does it mean to you? Barbara asked the same question but came up with some alternatives, so she and he discussed it off and on over the phone for a few days. Barbara agreed to PAID and started making a flyer for the group.
Melvin had explained that his experience teaching US History, History of Western Civilization, and World History taught him how important Democracy is in the world, in our nation, and in local communities across the nation. Arguably more important perhaps is the fact that to acquire basic needs, not to mention thrive in our Capitalist Democratic society, individuals and groups have had to participate in the Democratic Processes. Some fundamental aspects of Democracy are the right to and value of the individual vote and a bloc vote. Voting is participating in the Democratic Processes, that is, participating in making decisions that affect the lives of individuals, communities, states, and nations. It would be naïve to presume that those making decisions in the Democratic Process are going to vigorously speak for individuals and groups who don’t show up or not represented at the table to be counted. Historically anyway, that’s been the case. The fact is, oftentimes historically and in recent times, groups have had to fight just to get a seat at the table where decisions were being made. That’s the case from local school boards, city and state government, and to the highest seats in the nation. Having studied and observed government functions throughout human history, regardless of the type of government, participation and Involvement in that government is far and away the best form of government, if you get involved. And, the Black American experience in the USA, in the rise “From Slavery to Freedom”, exemplify the role of participation and involvement in the Democratic Processes in the USA. Whether in local schools, city government, business, etc., the same philosophy applies, get involved or risk being left behind. People died to leave posterity with the opportunity. Thus, considering all the activities of PAID, from the early 1990s to the present, are People Advocating Involvement in Democracy, while simultaneously doing so as members of PAID.
The PAID homepage on the Teachable platform is presented as a “Course” with “Curriculum,” which is a perfect format for the "Historical Inquiry Process" (HIP), a "Critical Thinking Skills" approach to learning about the past. It allows Melvin Tate to present primary sources: documents, news clippings, videos, and a range of artifacts and evidence relative to the history of PAID and contributions to the communities PAID serves. Furthermore, in this format, the experiences and content could be used to help or teach others.
Three Entities Cofounded, Created, or inspired by PAID
During PAID’s existence, many activities, events, and conflicts resulted in positive outcomes for the good of the community. Identified below are three entities PAID members either cofounded, created, or inspired the creation.
CNC
What is now known as the Community Network Council (CNC) was cofounded by PAID and the city of Kent as a resolution to the WEED and SEED conflict between the two. Orchestrated by Kent Police Chief Strahan and Melvin Tate, people were brought together to replace Weed and Seed. Groups included PAID members, police department personnel, and community members. Final agreements were not reached. Strahan and Tate recruited Barbara Phillips to implement what became the CNC Supported by the Mayor and police department. arbara Phillips and her teams over the years, built the organization and services now offered. More can be learned about the origins and work of the CNC at this Synrgy Digital Download link: https://synrgy.teachable.com/p/barbara-phillips-and-the-cnc-596988
KBAC
Noticing that PAID was addressing a huge number of issues. Melvin Tate sent out emails to PAID members and affiliates, calling for a meeting to address the issue of PAID’s declining focus on Black Americans. Recognizing the concern themselves PAID members agreed to form another group to refocus on Black Americans, but as a part of a larger community with whom Black Americans could collaborate with other Americans, as was the tradition of PAID. After numerous meetings, debates, and battles, in Reverend James’ hot, no-air conditioning garage, We emerged with KBAC and voted Ms. Gwen Allen Carston Direct. From there we “Launched a Legacy.” Learn more at this link: https://synrgy.teachable.com/p/kbac-s-ms-gwen-juneteenth-community-celebration-596665
Synrgy
Thinking that PAID would not be able to rely on the mainstream news as it did in the past, Melvin Tate created Synrgy first as a newsletter. Synrgy originally began as Newsletters the first of which was published in 2007. Go to the homepage of this link https://synrgy.teachable.com/p/synrgy-newsletters to learn more about Synrgy publications between 2007 and 2013. And, to this homepage link https://synrgy.teachable.com/p/synrgy-special-pojects to view a list of Synrgy Special Projects. SynrgyLLC online services can then be understood as having evolved from the original to some extent and helps to explain why some services on Synrgy are offered. As for Synrgy School online, this site, the homepage is here: https://synrgy.teachable.com which details a lot more.
Provisionary Curriculum
NOTE: As this History of PAID is presented on the Teachable "Course" format, It is important to note that this homepage and curriculum are being built now, in real-time, as we speak. More information, documents, artifacts, activities, meeting agendas, letters, etc., are constantly added or replaced as Synrgy search archives.
The "Preview" button content is open to the public. Access to content in the "Start" buttons may require enrollment when the course opens, or content may not be uploaded.
- Research and data
- PAID City of Kent Weed and Seed Application copied 9/21/07
- Weed and Seed Program Narrative Revised 4/16/08
- Letter: Intro PAIDcrp to elementary principals 5/9/07
- Letter: Dr. Vargas Meets PAID 8/16/09
- Synrgy: KBAC Launching a Legacy Event 11/6/11
- KBAC Launching a Legacy Flyer 10/22/11 JPG file
- Letter: to PAID: Lessons to be leraned from interaction with the KSD Board 1/27/09
- Letter: to PAID: Edited Lessons to be learned from Weed and Seed 1/27/09
- Lessons: from Kent Weed and Seed 1/21/09
- Letter: To Rev James PAID 02/16/11
- Letter: to PAID Accomplishments 12/12/07
- Letter: to PAID Where we are now 082407
- Letter: to PAID PAIDcrp 4/26/07
- Letter: PAID Structure 8/22/10
- Letter PAID Retreat 5/14/10
- Letter: PAID Remains a Coalition
- Presentation: to PAID for discussion 6/1/08
- Letter: PAID Members and Associates 7/21/09
- Letter: PAID members about running for office 3/5/13
- Letter: PAID meeting with Dr. Jones 8:25:10
- Letter: PAID 8/10/10
- PAID Article 8/24/08
- PAID Event calendar 5/4/07