 Greetings BPA DALLAS Members,
As the President of The Black Police Association – Dallas Chapter I
warmly extend my sincere thanks to all of the members who support
the organization and our efforts to transform the BPA-Dallas into
more than the status quo police association. I am deeply indebted to
all of you for your support. I certainly believe that better days
are ahead for the BPA-Dallas, but nothing worth having will come
without struggle and sacrifice. It reminds me of one of my favorite
quotes,
“That man will get nothing except that for which he strives for and
the fruit of his strivings he will soon see.”
The BPA Dallas’ history is replete with examples of our commitment
to the universal struggle of minorities for equity, fairness,
justice and freedom. The BPA Dallas has traveled a great distance
from the secret meetings held at the Alpha House on Good-Latimer
Expressway. Not only did the BPA-Dallas step out of the shadows, we
stepped into the tempest and garnered the respect of friend and foe
alike. Our reputation as being an advocacy organization has been
heralded nationally and internationally. Why are not all of those
who have been disenfranchised by the system not members of the BPA-Dallas?
They do not know, they do not show or they simply do not care. Our
very existence is owed but not limited to William McDuff, Lee Bilal
(Brotherton), BJ Thomas, William Starks, and Jesse Dawson.
BPA-Dallas’ strivings have not been without casualties, pain and
sacrifice. Every conflict known to man has left some along the
wayside battered and torn asunder. Our struggle has been based on
the nobility of our faith that doing right and accomplishing right
has its own reward. We contend against our enemies and those of us
who have been marginalized by the trappings of this world. The BPA-Dallas
is constantly seeking conscious individuals who understand the
importance of solidarity, trustworthiness, honesty, loyalty and self
love. BPA-Dallas members understand the need to embrace our culture
without sacrificing who we are as a people. It is our mission and
one in which we cannot fail.
The BPA-Dallas strives to mentor, model and motivate our youth
toward productive endeavors. We cannot sit silently where our youth
are killed and our future is left without leaders. We recognize the
thinly veiled attempts by MTV, BET, HBO, and other media outlets to
entrance and estrange our children from the very values designed to
ensure their survival. We also recognize that blame rest at the
doorsteps of our very own houses. Collectively, Black America will
spend over 700 billion dollars this year and yet we do not own or
control any agriculture combine, television network, or alternative
information collection sites or national clearinghouse. We must
learn to lead and teach our children about nation building.
The core business of the BPA-Dallas has been providing tangible
benefits to our membership. However, as community stakeholders of
the BPA-Dallas we would remiss if our outreach only touched our
membership. Since 1975, the BPA-Dallas has given more than $100,000
in college scholarships to area youth. Every time we think we have
done enough – our ancestors cry out, “There is much more to do!” We
have learned that to ask, “How much more?” is an affront to our
memory and an impediment to our future is.
The BPA-Dallas needs your commitment and support to sustain the
distance we have created from nothingness to something more. We have
done an excellent job of defending our members against the
injustices that consistently permeate the shields of our very own
existence. We have been there for our members in all times of need
when the chips were on the table. We have often asked for nothing in
return. We have appreciated the support of those who believe in the
mission and travel the roads that seem all too familiar. We
appreciate your unwavering support of the BPA-Dallas.
Two-Thousand Five will certainly bring change for the BPA-Dallas,
but our commitment to you will never change.
Malik Aziz
BPA PRESIDENT
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