In September, just two weeks after the attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon, the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), led by the Hon. Eddie Bernice-Johnson (D-TX), took a stand to lead the nation back toward normalcy by hosting its annual legislative conference.

At the confab, discussions were held on election reform, making every vote count, securing a future for the nation�s children, creating wealth and fairness and improving the physical and mental health of the Black community. Additional focus included the high rate of Black incarceration, racial profiling and environmental racism. The CBC stood unified in their warning to Mr. Bush to use caution regarding his war against terrorism, to prove America�s case to the world and to use the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights as the country�s guide in pursuit of the culprits.

The Bush Administration has yet to heed that advise.

Since that weekend, the economic condition in the country has worsened, and not much has been done to help the thousands of Americans being laid off and unemployed. It appears that the Bush Administration has declared a war on the civil liberties in this country. Through his executive orders and pushing through Congress certain legislation, the president practically is having his way with very little scrutiny or objection even from his critics.

America, within seven weeks time, has now bombed, maimed and killed its way into a new interim government over the remains of what was once Afghanistan. And Osama bin Laden still roams free.

Where are our lawmakers?

Among the lofty and noble declarations made at the CBC�s Legislative Caucus, Ms. Johnson declared that, "We are so accustomed to functioning in an atmosphere of adversity that we felt it was important that we let people know we will stand."

Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Ca.) did stand as the only voice of dissent concerning Mr. Bush�s plan for war and "we" allowed her to bear the brunt of White America�s attack of a position that she believed was representative of her constituents. "We" are standing by as U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft decides that he will allow prosecutors to listen in on attorneys� conversations with their jailed clients. "We" have watched as racial profiling has escalated beyond the Black community and now the Arab community knows its wrath. "We" are feeling the brunt of the U.S. Patriot Act.

Those issues that plagued our people prior to Sept. 11 loom curiously off the radar screen but no doubt are prepared to revisit our community with a vengeance once the country is past its current crisis.

"We" need to be united today more than ever, armed with the moral authority that our suffering has equipped us with to lead this country out of this period of darkness.

Black people are sent to Congress to give a different view and perspective, not to be a rubberstamp on policies that continue to view non-Whites as the enemy.

"We" as legislators and as a community need to take more courage and stand.