Ron Walters

Ron Walters, a former campaign manager for Jesse Jackson, is a signer of Acting on Our Conscience, the petition organized by Carlos Moore on racism in Cuba. He subsequently wrote an article in support of his position: Racist or Revolutionary: Cuba’s Identity is at Stake  12/18/2009 Defenders Online, where he states

"In the meantime, the Cuban government’s rejection of the concerns expressed by African Diaspora leaders who’ve long supported their revolution only intensifies the sense that it’s not interested in reforming racial practices there. Perhaps government officials believe the push to normalize relations with the U.S. government trumps its longstanding relationship with black Americans. This would waste a tremendous opportunity to complete the goals of fundamental social change envisioned by those who made the revolution, and those who supported it after its initial success."

AfroCubans who have read this article find little to quarrel with overall, except for his insistence on supporting dubious figures allied to the Miami plantocracy, surely done through lack of knowledge.  It would be great if Professor Walters were to study the situation in Cuba more closely, something that is admittedly hard to do from within the US. There has been an increasing effort to tackle the issue of racism, one that foreigners could support with concrete deeds. -- Andy Petit

From Wikipedia:

Walters received his Bachelor of Arts degree in History and Government with Honors from Fisk University 1963 and both his M.A. in African Studies 1966 and Ph.D. in International Studies 1971 from American University. He has served as professor and chair of the political science department at Howard University, assistant professor and chair of Afro-American Studies at Brandeis University, and assistant professor of political science at Syracuse University. He has also served as visiting professor at Princeton University and as a fellow of the Institute of Politics at the Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University. He is a former member of the governing council of the American Political Science Association and a current member of the Board of Directors of the Ralph Bunch Institute of the CUNY Graduate School and University Center. Walters has also served as the senior policy staff member for Congressman Charles Diggs, Jr. and Congressman William Gray.

In 1984, Walters served as campaign manager and consultant for Reverend Jesse Jackson during his two presidential bids. He was also active in politics by being policy adviser for Charles Diggs and William Gray, congressmen.

Ron has published well over 100 academic articles and seven books to date. One book, Black Presidential Politics in America, won the Bunche Prize.
Walters also has appeared on television many times, going on popular shows such as CNN’s Crossfire, The Jesse Jackson Show, CBS News Nightline, and Evening Exchange. He has appeared on radio shows, such as All Things Considered and Living Room. 

-- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ron_Walters