What We Have Learned?

In a WHYY radio broadcast interview with Jill Leovy, author of Ghettoside: A True Story Of Murder In America, Jill exposed that close to 75% of all murders in America [15,614], were Black males; an astonishing fact, considering that we represent somewhere between 13-20 percent of America's population.  Of all those, murders, 80 percent of those murders has gone by unsolved, or its perpetrators never brought to justice: Of course, this includes the murders of young Black males in Ferguson, Missouri [a place near Dred Scott/subject of Dred Scott v. Sanford] and other places around the United States, at the hands of police; with many victims unarmed and claimed to be "resisting arrest," and yet these acts are not considered as an excessive use of force by the powers that be.  If you look back at the Segregative time period in America, you will find that many of the hooded, clandestine Klu Klux Klan members were local officers in law enforcement, military, and ex-military men. 

In a book called, Black Police in America by W. Marvin Dulaney, Marvin writes:

“ By 1910, African Americans had literally disappeared from southern police forces.  

In that year the United States Census Bureau reported only 576 Blacks serving as 

police officers in the United States, most of whom were employed in northern cites.  

In the South, only four  Texas cities—Houston, Austin, Galveston and San Antonia—

and Knoxville, Tennessee continued to employ African Americans as police.  There 

was not a single black officer in the Deep South states of  South Carolina, Georgia, 

Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama.  Political tokenism would dominate the experi-

 ence of Black police in northern cities such as Chicago and Philadelphia for more than 

a half-century.  On the surface it appeared that Blacks could overcome the usual racism 

that denied them police employment by relying on the political patronage system that 

provided other American ethnic groups government jobs.  Indeed, their participation 

in northern political machines enabled a few African Americans to win appointment to 

northern police departments.  Just as in the South, however, racism was still the primary 

factor limiting the number of African-American police officers, and racism also ensured 

                                  that their status would be little more than tokenism.” 

It becomes obvious by statements above, that racism, bigotry, and superiority—not equality—nor to protect and serve the Black communities in which they were stationed, were the ideas that dominated those White officers’ minds; these types of officers asserted control over the precincts in our Black communities; the Black officers were mere tokens.  Like in Ferguson, young Black men—from the Segregation Era (1910-1939) up until the Civil Rights Movement—were subject constantly to being pulled-over, stopped, harassed, frisked or beaten and killed, by White police officers or their Black counterparts.  The second Civil Rights Movement came about, as a result of the discrimination brought on by the Jim Crow Laws following Reconstruction (or the first Civil Rights Movement for Blacks).  As one could see from the movie, Selma—in many parts of the South, a Black person couldn’t even vote, without answering a series of hard questions to a White voting official [which I know that’s hard for many of you to imagine/since many of you don't even vote].  Black people were only trying to gain political control over the politics within their own areas, so electing conscious folk to bring this about seemed the more prudent move. . .   

The northern migration of Blacks into the big cities of the industrialized North, had Blacks competing for some of the same jobs as Whites in the same areas.  This angered many Whites; since most believed themselves to be superior to Blacks and therefore they felt there should be no question as to who should get the jobs. . .  During the end of Segregative Era, the Great Depression came [1939], and with it, inflation and hard times.  We are currently in a recession, at this very moment!  Very often, a depression follows a recession.  

A depression is a state of severe despondency and dejection; bad ideas about losing it all—as well as thoughts of disenchantment and disenfranchisement which fills the heads of the masses.  Of course, if you were in charge of American society and your people part of its' ruling class—you would expect some covert preferential treatment for your race, should jobs became scarce; wouldn't you?  So why should we believe anything less, on the part of Whites?  Just because you put on a uniform, doesn't mean it changes your mind. . .  How did they convince us of this?  Does Hollywood have anything to do with this?  What a Svengali move!   Ideologies can quickly develop into policies, and policies quickly develops into politics and procedures; regardless of whether one wears a cloak, sheet, or a robe.  As I said before, "You don't lose your attitude or ideology, just because you put on some society uniform."  And I've noticed in the past, whenever the economy goes bad—and Whites are slightly inconvenienced—frequent lashings-out, lynching and travesties occur against Blacks, at the hands of Whites in America (uniformed, cloaked or uncloaked).

Many of you find this hard to believe or see, because you come from an era where these attitudes are not out in the open.  Many of you come from an era—where some of America's children—whose forefathers founded this country; do not feel the way that their ancestors did.  So, as a result, you secure yourself in the knowledge that you are part of this young generation; and the young (on a whole) don't feel that way.  This is your time; your time is now and you have something to say: The now generation—of mostly young Blacks, Whites, Brown, Reds and Yellows—aren't on that wavelength [thus the reason for the transistor radio symbol used in my last article: Retrospect]; and therefore the results will be different.  But as my persons pointed out in the last article; Plato said: You should study things in its infancy, as to gain the clearest of understanding of what the outcome will be!  Yes, you represent the future of the world—but you aren't  in the driver's seat, yet; The older Americans and their traditions are what you are up against—and their attitudes aren't changing no time soon: Better recognize!  If you had more solidarity, maybe you could make a bigger dent in the machine, but the truth is—your attitude, your individualism, and you spirit of revolt—was all forged somewhere in the tradition of your parents!  

Back in the era of both Civil Rights Movements (Reconstruction and the Movement of the sixties), the adverse behavior towards Black people was quite overt.  Discrimination was obvious, as were remnants of the Jim Crow mentality and ideology [please re-read my past few articles in this blog].  The people rebelled—both Black and White—while others took less obtrude and obtuse angles.  The Hippies and Flower children rebelled against their rich parent's inhumanity; especially overseas where big corporations farm out our work to other countries—where the labor is cheap and the people are treated as subhuman.  The Flower Children were conscientious objectors against the US participation  war in Vietnam.  They protested colonization and the exploitation of third world people.  They tried hard to look at the world as one human family in peace and love.  They wore and passed out flowers to all passers by and meditated on sidewalks and lawns.  While on the other hand, our people were being intimidated by the Klan in the South, red-lined and discriminated against by bigoted elements in the North; often being punked and intimidated, and forcibly placed in ghettos, throughout the United States.  Back then, there were few melting pot places like New York City, but even they had their ethnic concentrations, ghettos and regressed spots. . .  It was actions like these, that brought on the second Civil Rights Movement (under the direction of Martin Luther King, Malcolm X, George Jackson, Stokely Carmichael, Southern Christian Leadership Council [SCLC], Nation of Islam, Black Panther Party, Student Non-violent Coordinating Committee [SNCC], and several grass roots groups) which sprung up out of the attitudes, sentiments, and ideologies of the people.  Up until the sixties, there was tolerance of the inequities, but after that—no more!  The States erupted, and the secret services [FBI and CIA], had to work hard at putting it back in line.

The reason why I mentioned so many singers in the last article, is because they don't become successful unless they are saying the things people want to hear.  In every era, in order to maintain their status as superstars, they must write things that reflect public opinion; witty words that reflect how people feel about things: They must be on the same wavelength [another reason for the transistor radio].  Successful artists say the things we can relate to, in a way that we can relate.  Their words reflect the times!  Just compare these lyrics from the following artists in the sixties vs. the public opinion during that time:

Love is but a song to sing, fear's the way we die

You can make the mountains ring

Or make the angels cry

Though the bird is on the wing, and you may not know why

                                                                Chorus: 

Come on people now, smile on your brother

Everybody get together, try to love one another

Right now

Some may come and some may go, we shall surely pass

When the one that left us here, returns for us at last

We are but a moment's sunlight, fading in the grass

 ( Chorus: twice)

If you hear the song I sing, you will understand (listen!)

You hold the key to love and fear, all in your trembling hand

Just one key unlocks them both, It's there at your command

Come on people now, smile on your brother

Everybody get together, try to love one another

Right now

( Repeat: thrice)

                                           "Get Together" by The Youngbloods

-----------------------------------

Mother, Mother; There's too many of you crying

Brother, Brother, Brother; There's far too many of you dying.

You know we've got to find a way

To bring some lovin' here today: Yeah.

Father, father; We don't need to escalate

You see, war is not the answer; For only love can conquer hate.

You know we've got to find a way

To bring some lovin' here today: Yeah.

Picket lines, and picket signs

Don't punish me with brutality

Talk to me, so you can see

Oh, what's going on, Yeah, What's going on

Ah, what's going on

In the meantime; Right on, Baby

Right on, Right on

Father, father everybody thinks we're wrong;

Oh, but who are they to judge us; Simply because our hair is long

Oh, you know we've got to find a way

To bring some understanding here today

Oh

Picket lines, and picket signs

Don't punish me with brutality

Talk to me, so you can see

Oh, what's going on, Yeah, What's going on

Ah, what's going on

In the meantime; Right on, Baby

Right on, Right on

                                            "What's Going On" by Marvin Gaye

Ideas, defined, represent a concept, thought, or suggestion as to a possible course of action; suggesting aim or purpose.  Ideologies are a system of ideas and ideals; especially one that forms the basis of thinking and manner characteristic of a group's (or social class) economic or political theory and/or policy; its' visionary speculation, etc.  There's a saying all over in the East; reflected in the Biblical phrase: "As a man thinketh, so is he" [Proverbs 23:7].  Ideas are a telling sign for a group, as well as an individual.  I know that one has to put their theories to the test, to see what the results manifest; but don't blow smoke up your butt.  If it stinks, be honest with yourself; that way, this can all be a positive education that will correct all errors: But you will never learn the truth, if you're quick to play the "blame someone else" game, you will never get to its resolution, if you do not consider the part you played in the demise.

And when we look at the New American's attitude towards people of non-European decent, it is overtly and covertly bigoted; arrogantly displaying might and superiority to its' neighbors.  How one could think  racial equality is achievable within America, is beyond me.  Bottom line is, they don't even deal with each other  like that [concerning English descendants versus other White nationalities].  It amazes me when I see Arabs, Hebrew people, Chinese, Indians, and the like, push-up on Caucasians—since I know the English nor the Germans will never let ANYONE be a part of their social equality.  Even when the United States  government negotiated seemingly in earnest with Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King's faction of non-violent Black activists—one of its' own patriotic citizens—appearing to act individualistically (or so it seems), could assassinate Dr. King, and trigger riots which flattened many of our Black communities economically.  How can anybody negotiate with a government that cannot control behavior its own people?  Besides that, it should clear to us what America's social, political and economic agenda is—after all the attitude hasn't changed since slavery was determined by color. However, their quelling methods for others are rather simple: Take out the head, care of a 'handful' of token people and leave the rest of so-called race stranded!

Now I know how it is to get a notion or idea in your head, and become so head-strong until you have to make it happen; every generation has its' bouts with this type of thing: Last article, I pointed out that a lot of what is currently happening today, has its inception in the rebellious ideas entertained by teenage Baby Boomers during the sixties.  You will find, when you break away totally from how things used to be done [tradition], it will take about a generation [about thirty years], before you see the full result, outcome, or the realization of whether your idea will work or not.  Much of this is because you have no signs or signals to rely on; because you are doing something totally different.  At least when you modify tradition, you have something to compare things to; you have the duality of this to that.  This other way is just an experiment with high explosives; an experiment that will take you thirty years or more to access your success or failure.  In other words, the effects of the sixties, are the causes of the issues in the nineties—fifties are the causes of issues in the eighties, etc.  John Lennon, Mick Jagger, Jimi Hendrix, Sly Stone, Muhammad Ali, Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding were all incarnated in the early forties, and had their greatest impact upon the 1970s.  Their art and entertainment dominated the culture in which they operated in during the resultant time.  Thirty years later, we can say there were a lot of positive things that came out of their influence. By the same end of the coin, if you have miscalculated in your ideology, your children will suffer greatly; so tread lightly. . . You could be destroying our future or burning bridges you may have to use later on.  These types of  things take serious contemplation.

A lot of you may have played paint ball, but never thought about the planting the flag/capturing the flag concept.  In war, there is a man who carries the flag, called the standard bearer or the color guard.  The color guard carries the flag during the war.  Now everyone else on the battlefield carries a major assault weapon, but the standard bearer only carries a pistol.  A pistol?  A pistol.  The flag is image of the people; the standard, principle and ideology of that group of people; that nation.  Should the standard bearer get shot, the flag must never touch the ground.  Should he die, another soldier must take up the standard and keep it high and waving on the battlefield.  Should he die, another must take up the standard, until the last man standing.  This is both symbolic and literal at the same time: All our recognized leaders had a profound sense of belonging; a profound sense of love for our people.  What is missing today, is that belonging; and with it—our previous standards and morals become lost:

 Don't let me down, don't let me down

Don't let me down, don't let me down

Nobody ever loved me like she does

Oh, she does; yeah she does

And if somebody loved me like she do me

Oh, she do me, yes she does

Don't let me down, don't let me down

Don't let me down, don't let me down

I'm in love for the first time

Don't you know it's gonna last

It's a love that lasts forever

It's a love that had no past (Seeking past)

Don't let me down, don't let me down

Don't let me down, don't let me down

And from the first time that she really done me

Oh, she done me, she done me good

I guess nobody ever really done me

Oh, she done me, she done me good

Don't let me down, hey don't let me down

Heeee, don't let me down

Don't let me down, don't let me down

Don't let me down, don't let me down

         "Don't Let Me Down" by The Beatles

Another thing you have learned through my writings, is the similarity and difference between England and America.  America is a colony of England which seceded from its mother country; and it is this spirit of rebellion which typifies America.  It took several years to form the United States, because all states believe in the independence of their states as well.  This is their idea of Freedom; but life shows us that things are interdependent. . .  But the difference between the American revolution, and the rebellion of people who live in America—is that America did not break away from European tradition; it merely modified its rules to fit other considerations.  For example, England discriminates according to class, America discriminates according to color.  Paul McCartney, member and prolific writer for The Beatles, had been a millionaire for over thirty years—yet he was only officially referred to as working class until he was knighted in March 11, 1997.  Both countries believe that a subjugated people are never equal to a free person; no matter to how things appear.  The only exception is, that the queen can release you from your class restriction by be knighting a person.  It has been four hundred and fifty-nine years, and two Civil Rights movements—and we still do not have equal rights; because unlike the queen, the America government has not brokered equal rights for Blacks after slavery.  The American population has bigoted, stereotypical views of Blacks because we were subjugated and they will not let us live that down; regardless to how it may appear.

During the sixties we met two of our standard bearers; who fought tirelessly for our civil rights.  Their names were Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King and Malcolm X [Malik Al Hajj Shabazz.  They were two activists who selflessly lived for the love of our people.  They were two sides of the same coin.  King's family was well to do, Malcolm was street petty thief who saw the light.  Neither took on government jobs, or took a payoff.  They were bonded by a common experience and a sense of belonging to a people in diaspora.  Our people are our people, no matter what tribe or country they are stationed, Marcus Garvey taught that.  You have to uphold the banner, uplift the race and constantly think of how we can improve our lives in this place they called the wild-er-ness of North America. The other side of Garvey's coin was W. E. B.  DuBois. He believed in a so-called Talented Ten(th) of our people would improve our lot in America—but the Father of the Five Percent Nation stated, We don't need leaders, only leadership as a people: Meaning, we should not rely on a few, all Black men should think for themselves and be vanguards and ambassadors for our communities  to uplift our people out of our condition in America. 

The biggest issue facing us is rugged individualism; and I'll tell you why: Take Dr. M. L. King and Malik Shabbazz's assassination.  Most of your success in the second Civil Rights movement can be linked to these group conscious freedom fighters advancing our people's cause.  Neither took government bribes; even though they were offered to King—they never sold us out.  Other ministers from both parties despised their position, charisma, zeal, exuberance and enthusiasm despite 
opposition.  [Never did these haters realize that 
M. L. K. and MaLiK's power came from the love for their people.]   Anyway, Malcolm and Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King were Standard-bearers.  If we had leadership and a strong sense of belonging as a people, when our two leaders fell, two would have taken their place; but that's not what happened: The next leaders in line saw how they could have individually profit from the situation and let the movement suffer: Despite, the "million people" marches and the political jobs gained in Atlanta.  Everyone acting individualistically in an army is a dangerous proposition!

People like Bill Cosby and Oprah Winfrey got the words independence and individualism mixed up.  Just because you have the finances as an individual, that does not make you independent—if you don't own the land, run the country, or have acquired your wealth from the people who own the land.  That type of money comes with terms and stipulations—which makes rich Blacks like bill and Oprah somewhat token, a figurehead; or in some cases, sell-outs.  Sometimes the paper tiger tries to flex like he's not, and find himself denied access in the bidding consideration, or wound up in the press under the scandal column.  Except for the sellout, there's nothing wrong with taking the money—but when you operate as an individual, and not a conglomerate, or with a sense of belonging to the people you come from; What sympathy do you expect [Hey, O. J. Simpson/Kobe Bryant]?

Now as long as we have been emancipated, and have had Black police, why do you still need White officers functioning in a leadership capacity within ghettoes and lopsidedly non-White areas; when they often come from more affluent areas and bring that air of White superiority and bigotry with them?  The answer is simple: There has been token numbers of Blacks appointed on various police squads throughout the country and decades, but none were reportedly placed in a controlling capacity until NYPD Precinct Commander, Lloyd Sealy in the 28th Precinct in Harlem in 1963 and NYPD Police Captain, Joyce A. Stephen in 1994.  That is a long time, not to have someone whose Black, in an executive capacity—working in predominately Black community.  Situations like this, requires trust in another race which does not have a chronology favorable to such a trust.  Most Black males do not have the same treatment or view of officers, as their White counterparts.  Monitoring and surveillance?  Yes.  Protect and serve?  No.

This trust has to be earned.  Besides, our destiny should not rely on the auspices of another race.  In the past, they were hooded; today they are uncloaked and testifying that, They fear for their lives.   Subjugation: Plain and simple.  However, this article is not about crying victim; It is about gaining a sense of belonging and a love for the people from which you come.  I think it starts here.  The events in Ferguson would have never took the turns it did, if it weren't for the concerns of others from our group.  This single act shows two things: That we can identify with each other; be concerned about what is happening to us overall.  How can I say that?  Because when our young Black males saw what was happening to others in Ferguson, they became sympathetic—not apathetic.  There wasn't a disconnect, and that's a good thing.  Apathy is what happens when you do not identify with each other.  Apathy is the sign of no love; not seeing yourselves as the people this is affecting.  Malcolm once said of this:  

              "The people from the British West Indies go to London, and those 

                                                       from the French West Indies go to Paris. And it has put France 

                                                       and England since World War II in the precarious position of 

             having a sort of a commonwealth structure that makes it easy for 

                                                       all of the people in the commonwealth territories to come into 

             their country with no restrictions. So there's an increasing number 

                                                       of dark-skinned people in England and also in France.

                                                       When I was in Africa in May, I noticed a tendency on the part 

                                                       of the Afro-Americans to, what I call lolly-gag. Everybody else who 

                                                       was over there had something on the ball, something they were doing, 

                                                       something constructive. For instance, in Ghana, just to take Ghana as 

                                                       an example. There would be many refugees in Ghana from South Africa. 

                                                       But those who were in Ghana were organized and were serving as 

                                                       pressure groups, some were training for military -- some were being 

                                                       trained in how to be soldiers, but others were involved as a pressure 

                                                       group or lobby group to let the people of Ghana never forget what's 

                                                       happening to the brother in South Africa. Also you'd have brothers 

            there from Angola and Mozambique. Their every move would still 

                                                       be designed to offset what was happening to their people back home 

                                                       where they had left.

                                                       The only difference on the continent was the American Negro. Those 

            who were over there weren't even thinking about these over here. 

                                                       This was the basic difference. The Africans, when they escaped 

            from their respective countries that were still colonized, they didn't 

            try and run away from the problem. But as soon as they got where 

            they were going, they then began to organize into pressure groups 

                                                      to get governmental support at the international level against the 

                                                      injustices they were experiencing back home."

                                                                               Malcolm X-After the Bombing/Speech at Ford Auditorium

                                                                               February 14, 1965

One of the things I've noticed concerning the fifties and the sixties is the level of bigotry, prejudice and discrimination.  Segregation ended roughly at he end of the fifties—and it went out with a bang!  That bang, was the Civil Rights Movement, the Freedom Now [Uhuru Sasa] portion of the Pan African Movement, and other grass roots groups.  Here is where the words, "Negro" and "Colored," were replaced with the word Black and then we had to be told that, "Black is Beautiful" (which implied that socially in America that the words Black and ugly were commonly used).  Then came the frequent use of the term "brothers" and "being cool," "smooth," and having "soul."  Not to mention, the sense of being "Black"—and "being proud," like a James Brown record ["Say It Loud: I'm Black and I'm Proud"].  We were on the mend from the racial abuse that Dick Gregory and Richard Pryor spoke of in wry comedic humor.  There was a sense of belonging, as well as a sense of betrayal—expressed in terms such as, "sell-out," "token," and "wannabe."  The terms were being set for being "Black."

As said earlier: All our recognized leaders had a profound sense of belonging; a profound sense of love for our people.  What is missing today is that, "belonging," and with it—our standards and morals have been lost.  I agree that, We don't need leaders, but solidarity or leadership as a people.  This requires that we see ourselves as the same people all over the United States and beyond. . .  What I think has happened,  since King's assassination is part fear, and part wishful-thinking, on the part of Black folks.  As soon as Civil Rights movement and Dr. King and brokered some of modifications in America civil law, such as the desegregation of public places—such as buses, hospitals, schools and places to eat or the workplace [where Whites frequented], many Blacks were willing to let bygones be bygones and settle with the idea that things will get better.  Then, when J. Edgar Hoover and the CIA started their aggressive moves against the Black, which mysteriously ended in the deaths of many Civil Rights leaders, many Blacks tolerated the injustices silently, but taught their children of America's double standards. . . Yet most Blacks still believed in the idea that things will get better, if we give American society more time.  These acts make me consider that by killing our leaders, it signaled to our people to desist our protests and be thankful that Whites aren't being as racially aggressive as they used to be. . .  

After 1969 until today, most Blacks in America will agree that our people do not have Civil Rights comparable to Whites; but few are willing to fight for the instilling of them.  This passive ideology eventually led to no discussions with their children concerning inequities, double standards, the proper outlook and navigation skills by their later Baby Boomer parents [1950-1960] which led to the impression that the coast is clear—so to speak [that White superiority and racism is dead/Whites just need time to grow up]; but Ferguson tells us a different story.  I personally consider that the remaining ministers of SCLC Ralph (Abernathy, Andrew Young, and company), turned their back on the Civil Rights  progress, took higher paying jobs, made secret deals and sold us out.  That is why I don't believe in those who survived it.   Thus, I am pleased that our young Black men in Ferguson and other places where police killings have escalated, who have chosen to allow counsel with Dick Gregory; and not Al Sharpton.  These are new times and a new day.  But most of all, I'm digging the brotherhood, camaraderie and thinking for themselves about shaping their future: It's about protecting and furthering our interests; because they couldn't have begun treating us this way, if we didn't depend on them so much [jobs, citizenship, etc], and love each other more:Yet it seems like the beginnings of leadership as a people [Egalitarian decisions by committee]—we will have to support them while we wait and see.

Thank you for your consideration,

C. Be'er la Hai-roi Myers 

   

One love; 

Peace and love. 

Hey baby, what you know good

I'm just getting back, but you knew I would

War is hell, where will it end

When will people start gettin' together again

Are things gettin' better, like the newspapers said

What else is new my friend, besides what I read

Can't find no work, can't find no job my friend

Money is tighter than it's ever been

Say man, I just don't understand

What's going on across this land

Ah, What's happening brother,

Oh ya, what's happening my man

Are they still gettin' down where we used to go and dance

Will our ball club win the pennant,

do you think they have a chance

And tell me friend, how in the world have you been

Tell me what's out and I want to know what's in

What's the deal man, what's happening

What's happening brother

Ah what's happening brother

What's been shaken up and down the line

I want to know cause I'm slightly behind the time.

                   "What's Happening Brother" by Marvin Gaye

Retrospect

I woke up this morning, hearing the words of a song, I once heard Teddy Pendergrass sing: “It’s so good loving somebody, when somebody loves you back.”  I guess I was hearing it because—conversely—It’s no good loving somebody unless somebody loves you back.  And judging from how you young thundercats run your show, you kats are trying to get something for nothing; simply put: Many of you don’t know what love is to begin with—therefore; many of you don’t know what you need to give, or give into, in order to get what you want.  As the Black chronicle in America has evolved—many of our later generations have decided that they are not going to do what mom Dukes or pa Kettle did: Well, maybe, not so much about pa Kettle—many of you never had a father in your life [or if you did, you've labelled him a scallywag for not being there like he should/or just saying that because your mother said so]—but let’s pause that discussion for another conversation.

Maybe the youth do not believe in love, because they don’t feel the payoff  is commensurate to the amount of inconvenience and responsibility you have to undertake, in order to get the richness from the deeds—but one thing's for sure—all of our existence benefits because somebody else extended themselves slightly; at least, for a moment or two, just for you: However, I also realize, “You can’t miss what you can’t measure”—meaning, if you don’t know anything about love; then you really won’t know what you’re missing.  Many of folks today have a disconnect issue, when it comes to love—and that’s a big problem, in and of itself; But biggest problem of these problems is, that many don’t know that there’s a problem at all.  And that’s because they don’t know what they’re missing—a.k.a., You can’t miss what you can’t measure.

When you were a babe, you couldn’t blow your nose—couldn’t fetch your own meals; couldn’t change your own clothes—italics mine.  You needed someone, to lend a hand; to assist you.  Now if there’s one  thing everybody in this world should understand is, You’re gonna need somebody.  Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow—but somehow, somewhere; You’re gonna need somebody.  Now babies never say, “Thank you,” and fathers don’t remind you of their tasks—but mothers never let you forget that you owe them one.  Yet, over the years, as children grow up, many seem very reluctant to take on the Herculean task of being a parent themselves, but rather than respect the station, they relegate the assistance of others (like it's no big deal) to insignificance; which is pretty disrespectful and hurtful—particularly, when you’re not carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders.  And to that abuse, some parents say, “Wait until you have children of your own!”  But who says that type of person will be good at raising children at all—or needless to say that the abused will even see that they didn't suffer at all; they just created more menaces for society (particularly the taxpayers) to have to deal with—while the parent continues to make excuses.  But right now—many of you at tender ages—you don’t understand.  You don’t understand:

                                                            

                                                    “you don’t tug on superman’s cape

                                        You don’t spit into the wind

                      You don’t pull the mask off that old lone ranger

                                and you don’t mess around with jim.” 

                                                                                    —“You Don’t Mess With Jim,” by Jim Croce

If you want something from someone, you have to treat that person with respect.  Blowing up and shooting off at the mouth, is only good for firing.  All this tough talking and dissing [disrespecting] in Hip-Hop has made your brains gone soft.  There's always someone tougher out there, who will test your mantle.  Six feet under is where the real tough guys live, simply because they refuse to learn the lesson—not everybody will tolerate your foolishness .  What’s that adage: “You can catch more flies with vinegar, than you can with honey?”  People are aching inside, in need of assistance; but won’t ask because of how it will make them appear, or think that you’re supposed to do for them, regardless to how they behave. . .  That defies logic; but this is what happens when you let public opinion and common trends dictate your life.  You start to believe that fantasy is reality.  It has to be!  Who else would expect to get everything one needs, from a person that one has just previously treated like crap?   

Man, a social creature whose humanity relies on the concerted efforts of others; therefore behaviors that promotes social harmony are paramount to ensure receptivity to your needs.  This is the very foundation through which Eastern philosophy and civilization is based.  Libraries are erected to further the cause of the society to which it belongs.  Collective ideas are gathered for the strengthening of the individual; to allow him or her to play his or her part, to add on to the society in which he or her lives.  This reciprocity has been going on for thousands of years; it has helped men and women become socially responsible men and women, since the beginning of civilization.  Quite frankly, “I am because we are!”   And it is this spirit of collectivism which makes the whole universe “tick.”  Ecology is just another word for interdependency and cooperation.  Yet it only works effectively, when each person develops a sense of belonging to the society or land from which they are spawned; because they, in turn, will have to do things on behalf of that society later on; like go to work, pay taxes, and maybe go off to war, and dedicate or sacrifice their lives—for example. 

This kind of attitude often develops into nationalism or patriotism; otherwise known as, love for your country--or being a man of the people.  Today, however; I am sensing a decline in obligation or responsibility on the part of the individual.  Today’s individual seems to want assistance from others, but refuse to play their part on behalf of the equation.  Quite frankly, If you can want—you can need; if you can need, you can care:  If you can care you can love [William “Smokey” Robinson—If You Can Want]; However, loving, like giving ,works both ways.   You can’t expect a person to keep on giving and giving—and not receive anything in return.  Otherwise, at some point, a person like you would be considered risky business—something which will never pan out to anything.  Yet, I see more and more  people wanting something for nothing.

I also notice that many children are quick to criticize what their father and mother did, or didn’t do for them—yet these same offspring are unwilling to watch over their younger siblings.  I’ve also noticed, as well, that a lot of younger mothers are refusing to do what their mothers did—and as a result, the children of those younger mothers, are ill-equipped socially for interfacing with the rest of the strata of society; rich/poor, young/old, different races and nationalities, etc.  A dysfunctional society which pours in huge amounts of dollars to engage in fantasy and rehashing of ancient cartoon heroes.  

It seems no one, from the older set, ever interfaced with these younger beings on a social level—in the attempt to explain things to them or helped them distinguish things in the already established society.    I remember, back in the past, there was “Family Time,”  a ritualized tradition aimed at family bonding at least one time, during the course of a day.  The Flintstones, Jonny Quest, Bullwinkle & Rocky, Top Cat, and The Jetsons were examples of these  “Family Time Shows” being shown at Prime Time.  The purpose of these shows was to promote more family interaction.  It was a chance for your parent to see what was going on with their child from day to day.  If a child's activity was suspicious, seeing a child for a number of hours each day would be a great way to monitor the situation and possibly remedy the situation.  I watched all these cartoons with both of my parents present each day: Family  Time was part of Prime Time, then (there wasn't as many personal TVs in family households at the time).  There is plenty of social content and social commentary within those shows.  Plenty of situations to discuss with your children.  Shows like Good Times, All In The Family, The Jeffersons [Norman Lear creations] and Different Strokes were also brought in on the tail end of the era.  If you study these shows, they often poked fun at characters [depicted as human beings lacking in the social graces], so that parents could comment about such things with their children.  In the past, prime time was a chance for any conscientious parent to have quality time with their children; to bond with their children.  Family time was an integral part of the American lifestyle during the fifties, sixties, seventies and eighties—when some of you were incarnated—or so-called born.

The Business Insider, in an article called, The Most Entitled Generation Isn’t Millennials, by Ross Pomeroy and William Handke (dated January 8, 2015), states: For the first time in America’s history an entire generation of her citizens are poorer, more indebted, and less employed than the preceding generations.  That generation is the millennials—our generation is the millennials—our generation.  The true cause of this unfortunate situation is clear: It’s the economy.  The Great Recession stymied economic growth, halted job creation, kept older Americans in the work force longer, and encouraged younger Americans to continue debt-financed schooling.  The author then goes on to blame the stereotypical view that other generations have towards the Millennials and Generation X, but all of that’s a simplification.  It is a known fact that all capitalist societies are roughly on a fifteen year cycle of recession, depression, recovery and prosperity.  A capitalist society may do things to modify it (like insuring bank accounts by the FDIC), but the cycles are inevitable within the system America is in.  The cycle that brought on The Great Depression, America recovered from a long time ago.  And using The National Debt as a cause is just a convenient cop-out.  Every generation inherits the growing national debt (although President Carter and Clinton did cut back on it a little).  What we are talking about is attitude!  America has long lost the, Yes, we can, if we all pitch in together—attitude.  While it is true that the economy was bottoming out long before the Millennials and the Generation X-ers were born—the policies of departing with tradition and going one’s own way was formulating in their parent’s head, while they were producing these kids—and this has everything to do with this epidemic!

The facts and impact of certain events in America, will always be different for Blacks as the they would be for Whites; yet it is common knowledge among older people that those known as Baby Boomers gave birth to Generation X and the Millennials.  This fact holds the key to the understanding to this dilemma.   The Baby Boomers gave us celebrities like George Clinton [Parliament/Funkadelics], Jimi Hendrix, Little Richard, Bo Diddley, Chuck Berry, Fats Domino, James Brown, Stevie Wonder, Curtis Mayfield, Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson, Sly & The Family Stone.  The Baby Boomers also brought us conscious White stars like Bob Dylan, Mamas & The Papas, Peter, Paul & Mary, Lovin’ Spoonful, Jefferson Airplane, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Rolling Stones, and The Beatles.  These artist were born in the 40s and 50s, as were many of their audience [40s, 50s, & 60s]—but most of all, these were the ideas your parents held; ideas they had while they were making babies (and you are those children)!
The rebellion started here (not with the children the Boomers were eventually going to have)—with the parents and their ideologies infused into the minds of, "All the babies on the way. . .” [lyrics from the song, "Coincidence" Hugh Masekela].

The ancient Greek philosopher, Plato, once said, In order to understand anything of a complicated matter, you need to study that phenomena in its infancy—for only then, you will see things in the midsts of their development.  The Baby Boomers generation are the infancy of many of our current day issues, as is the sixties our inception, point for a lot of our current sociological dilemmas in America. The youth of the 1960s were tired of the status quo—tired of the way things were.  The Blackman  had become fed  up with Separate but Equal, intimidation by the Klan, and second-class citizenship under the guise of having equal rights.   There was a sexual revolution going on during the sixties.  There were equal rights issues as it related to sex.  White youth were very disappointed with the policies of big business and American policies overseas, and socially began to openly denounce their actions with protests.  Many of the children of these big business owners were among those protestors.  They called themselves "Hippies."  The Flower Children protested the Vietnam war.  Peter, Paul & Mary capsulate these sentiments in a Pete Seeger song called, "Where Have All The Flowers Gone?"

  The Baby Boomers gave us the Soul Children, Flower Children, Hippies, Black Hippies, Yuppies and Buppies—as did they give us Civil Rights Activists, Non-violent Civil Rights Activism, Black Militants, Skinheads and various para-military groups.  These were some of the social groups which cropped up during the sixties.  Their ideologies reflect how we were dealing with the issues of the day.  These groups were not all the people, I estimate them to represent less than thirty percent of either population; however, their influences upon either population was massive.   As far as Whites are concerned, The Beatles were the new generation’s love ambassadors.  Their words deepened the sentiments of the listeners.  The listeners responded in what is known as "current events."

Now before we go any further, let's recognize a few things: "There are those who make things happen, those who watch things happen; and those who wonder what happened."  As the earth axis switches from Polaris to Sirius, as its' guiding North star every twenty-five thousand years—so does the masses of people vacillate between various current influences. There are activists and then there's those who go along for the ride.  The activists of the sixties were demanding social change, but not all of what they proposed were simple modifications concerning traditional approaches; some of their ideas were quite radical.  Radical ideas may deal with the fundamental nature of things, but the "complete overhaul approach," is not relying on anything from the past; therefore it is unproven.  It may take several years of our lives, before we'll know if these ideas will work.  But sometimes in life its; "Any World That I'm Welcome To, Is Better Than The One I Come From," [Steely Dan]—meaning we just don't want to be in this place anymore.  Take the Separate but Equal/Civil Rights equation as an example.  However, I maintain what we propose, may not be recognized as the right thing—or the wrong thing—until several years from now.

Take the Woman's Liberation Movement of that time: While it may have given women equal pay, better jobs and better say so in political and legislation issues, not to mention more voice in the home—for years it was run by lesbians and many of their ideas were radical.  The reason I mention this, is because in matters of the nuclear heterosexual family or heterosexual relations—some of the things proposed, were not only insensitive to heterosexual relationships; but oft-times with no reconciliation in sight.  Now we can see that it was because it was designed by people who were not in those types of relationships, but we are just seeing all the problems these ideas would cause, some 50 years later.  As I said before, "You cannot treat me any ol' way and give me less and expect me to do more for you."  Nor can you act like there's no differences between sexes and the types of relationships, when obviously there is.  Bonds between the two sexes are at their worst, generally speaking, and trust is at an all time low—and some of this is because one of the parties think they have options that they don't really have.  And I'm saying that some of this comes from taking advice and suggestions from clandestine influences that have no interest in the reconciliation of the bond between men and women.  Consider the source, along with the dicey nature of things practiced for the first time.  A lot of times, those who practice this have no idea where these things will end up.  It is very different lifestyle you choose when you breakaway from cultural norms that carry a honed down proven system.  However, we can say that the inception of a lot of what we're seeing today between men and women, had its' inception in the free love aspect of the Sexual Revolution in the sixties.

 It stands to reason that if one has an ideology, practiced it, and had a staunch belief in such things, they will also have a blind eye or blanket endorsement of those same or similar qualities, if these traits showed up in their children, eh?  One of the culprits for this state of disaster is indulgence.  As the fifties went out, many of the Baby Boomers developed definite attitudes about the way they were raised; And since the Baby Boomers gave birth to Generation X and the Millennials—the issues we have with Generation X, Y, etc., are the direct outgrowth of Baby Boomer's attitudes and indulgences [Boomer ideologies].  Many of the Baby Boomers didn't like that they had to work hard to earn allowance, so as a result they indulged their children: They gave allowance to their without making them work hard for it! Rich kids have the same reality, and many of them turn out to be brats—i.e. lazy, narcissistic, and a sense of entitlement—the same qualities that Ross Pomeroy and William Handke mentioned [in the article above] concerning Generation X and Millennials.  There's no sense of ambition nor incentive built into this approach; as a matter of fact its more emotional than rational; Definitely lacking in forethought.

But the similarities don't stop here: Many of the rich kids of the sixties (under the influence of wanting to be cool and considerate), were not pleased with their parent's business policies overseas—so as a result, they protested in several ways; in college protests, sit-in and marches.  Many of them became Hippies; the hip White man's approach to being a humanistic, sensitive, and caring individual.  Their hero was John Lennon of the Beatles.  They grew long hair and dressed in protest.  This brought on a fall out between the moguls and their rebellious children.  But that is what America is all about, isn't it?  Revolt!  Revolution.  Many of the Fat Kats disowned their rebellious children—cutting them off from their inheritance.  People of that era concerned themselves with being considerate and god-fearing; from people in the highest station to people of the lowest.  All of the "sacred cows" weren't as dead as they are today.  Family and its' hierarchy was still being adhered to; from the siblings to the parents and in-laws.  Its' irreverence is one of the main causes of our current crisis.

Martin Luther King's following of Mahatma Gandhi's non-violent protest had astounding success:  By not countering the violence perpetrated upon them, King's followers also used the American media to project its' cruelty for the whole world to see.  America became embarrassed into responding to the demands made by the Civil Rights Movement—just not all its' members. . .   There was the Southern Christian Leadership Council [SCLC], Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee [SNCC], the emergence of Stokely Carmichael [Kwame Ture], Marcus Garvey and the remaining Garvey-ites, Grass Root groups like the Black Panthers, Charles 37X and the Mau-Maus, The Nation of the 5%, Malik El Hajj Shabazz and the Organization of African American Unity [OAAU] along with Muslim Mosque Inc., The Nation of Islam, Paul Lawrence Dunbar, Langston Hughes, James Baldwin, Amiri Baraka [Leroi Jones], Sonya Sanchez, various poets and writers, etc.  The whole world learnt of America’s brutality to its Black population, so now it was time to clean up their image in the eyes of the world.  Overtly, the powers that be negotiated with the non-violent element of the Civil Rights/Black Power Movements.  Covertly, J. Edgar Hoover and seemingly unrelated clandestine elements sought to assassinate the movement's leaders, without incurring blame or responsibility; from the country's president down to the local Black leaders.  

One of the driving elements behind the era was love, a sense of family, humanity and tradition.  This effected both Black and White, pro and con, straight and alternative; or as Sly Stone said, Love and Haight.  One of the little facts about the Sexual Revolution, is that it challenged the nuclear family, traditional gender roles and heterosexuality itself; pushing for a somewhat androgynous society where sex roles are somewhat arbitrary.  Now, as I said earlier, the ideology you entertain at the time, gets infused into the child during sex.  If we look at the world today, we see the seeds back then in the sixties; in an infant state.  Back then, there was a sense of belonging: A belonging to a gender, family, and a people—I can still hear James Brown singing, "Say It Loud, I'm Black and I'm Proud."  Negative, jealous, divergent elements within the States, assembled and attacked them all.  As the Father of the 5% one said, "We don't need leaders, we need leadership as a people."  The government went on the task of settling the civil unrest by attacking the problem by the head.  One by one our militant leaders were either, assassinated, incarcerated or exiled.  Some of the Hippies remained steadfast, but the others, rejoined their parents businesses, and became even more ruthless.  After the powers that be assassinated Dr. Martin Luther King—Ralph Abernathy, John Lewis, and Andrew Young, all got government jobs—and the movement's impetus became arrested.  Sell out anyone?  

When I grew up, my great aunt was our daycare.  We didn't have government run officials or people who do this to earn a living, watching us.  Our family traditions were still in tact, but in the coming years this was soon to be under attack also.  A lot of people forget that alternative living crosses color, gender and economic lines.  The whispers of discontent, under clandestine auspices, weakened the bonds of men, women and family.  We let our desires override our sensibilities, and for the sake of sexual freedom—we threw the baby out with the bathwater.  We are no closer to self determination then we were 20 years ago, because the trust and the love's not there.

Giving your children more toys, don't make up for love and care.  Parents which run the street, in an attempt to make up for their lost time—only makes the child feel abandoned.  Generation X and the Millennials are narcissistic, because many of us taught them how to be, by way of our own new ideologies.  These new found ideologies haven't been proven yet, therefore it will take years before we see the result of such decisions.  Our generation was not willing to put all the time into parenting as our parents did, so even if you are one that does—your children's contemporaries will make your child the odd cog out.  Giving to your child without reciprocity teaches that they can get something for nothing and fosters the false belief that the world owes them something.  As said previously, our fight or our rights ended with the backups to the movement getting paid off.  So even though you may have more money, public attitudes still have you as subhuman.  The worst thing about all of this is that most of us do not teach our children today about America's double-standard with the law and citizenship.  As a result, they are getting into trouble because they expect the same consideration as their White counterparts—and becoming blindsided by racism; because they weren't taught about it by their parents.  We Baby Boomers know about the hidden color lines, but we want to try to forget it exists; even if our children get clobbered by it.  We not only need to tell them the truth, we need to increase our steps towards independence and ethnic solidarity.  There's so much to say, but very little space to say it.  Let's just be careful of what we throw away, in way of tradition and seek to return to our roots.

Remember it's all about love.  Children that have guardians that take the time with them, begin to assign value to their family time.  Children that do not have a sense of family values are more likely to be influenced by friends that do not necessarily have their best interest at heart.  We cannot give up on our children nor our family values.  Hang in there.  Love's not a bad word.
          



Thank you for your consideration,

C. Be'er la Hai-roi Myers 

   

Peace.