My Father once told me that there is no difference between a White Snake and a Black Snake, they both Bite.
On this last day of what we call Black History Month, I had to put my thoughts down after looking at what is happening in our world, country, state, county, and communities. Now I know some will say we heard it all before but just incase some have not and some need a refresher well..Here goes.
In the '60s and '70s the Civil Rights, Black Power, movements actively promoted the idea of Black solidarity. There was a group drive to increase the participation of Black people in all aspects of the socioeconomic the political systems and the community as a whole. There were people who were out trying to plan an agenda and a community strategy for Black empowerment, Black Pride t and advancement.
You know just like them the LEADERS of today that are Black seem not to understand that saying the White mans Ice is colder than the Black mans Ice.Are we just simply trading Black faces for White faces in old places? From what I was told as a young man growing up in the 60s and 70s that what It meant to be Black in this country in order to create and make a change in ones life and community one must understand the complexities of being a Black-African-American in the United States of America.It is not enough to act differently than "White but to educate yourself to the point that you are just as capable as the Whites.My father also told me that no matter what I do or will do in life one thing I must understand that the world does not revolve around me so in order to move to the next level I MUST FIRST LEARN TO MOVE MYSELF, OUT OF MY OPWN WAY Once this was understood the goals of the Civil Rights, Black Power, and Black Economic movement could help end the oppression and to build a more just and humane society. Therefore, we must now set standards for our elected officials and each other.Understand that being a Black-African-American is not just a skin color, but is symbolic of an ethic, ethos, and philosophy of social justice and social change.
Unfortunately, too many Black-African-Americans have become so self centered and only think of ME. MYSELF. AND I thinking.We now find Black faces everywhere, as mayors, legislators, Congresspersons, Cabinet members, judges, school board members, and executives within Corporate America. But beyond the benefits and/or changes that the people in these positions can bring to the table by virtue of their status, there is very little change for the masses of poor and working people and the so called "underclass" within the Black community.
Indeed, Black faces in high places have frequently become an impediment to progress. Ineffective or corrupt Black people in positions of power or leaders who betray the trust of the community often go unchallenged. Because of the belief in a kind of unwritten law that states Black, are not supposed to criticize a "brother" or "sister." It was much easier to fight for change when White people occupied positions of power because there was much to talk about.
Because of skin politics, Black-African- America is now contending with the o Black-on- Black crime: Black gate keepers who block progress, and those who think their way is the only way. If you try to buck them or the systems they control you are discounted and/or discredited with out knowledge of who you are.
Our hope for the future is our focus on Education and Economics. We must create a yardstick by which measure progress and judge those who would aspire to leadership within our community by those whom we feel have our best interest in the forefront and not just by the color of their skin.
We must start now looking beyond electing people who represent us not by the color of their skin but seek a deeper understanding in terms of ethics, commitment, understanding and knowing when it is time to move on out of the Leadership position. We must be able to unapologetically challenge self-serving, do nothing, Black gate keepers who are blocking progress in our communities by using Education, the Ballet, andavoiding the dangers of skin politics
Let the new cry in this land be Education and Economics.
