Bamboozled Conundrum

   Tough times are ahead for us as a people—given the climate of what we are becoming as a people.  I would like to say, “as a nation,” but it is obvious to me by now—and I hope that it is to you as well—that we just “live” in this country,  The mores and values of America are and always been, in the hands of the people who so-called “founded” it; Namely—that is—those peoples of European descent who live in this country. . .

   We Blacks would like to believe that our stint in this country (1555-until present) would make equal partners with White People in this endeavor; but the truth of the matter is, we have never have been equal partners in this country called America—despite the fact that we have fought in all America’s crucial wars [the Civil War and the World Wars]; in the attempt to become “equal citizens.”  

   The Civil wars in this country was fought—not over whether or not to free the slaves—as most unlearned believe; but as a “last-ditch” tactic, used by Abraham Lincoln to save the North from losing the war to the rebel South.

   America was originally founded as a “colony of Europe.”  Many of the Europe’s countries at that time—had settlements in the so-called New World. . .  For those who study this, know—eventually—it was the English which gained most of America from the rest of the Europeans, winning the West territories from Napoleon and the French during the brokered and bartered efforts of Thomas Jefferson—known as the Louisiana Purchase.  Both the English and the French descent people currently share Canada; relinquishing Mexico and South America to the people of Spanish descent; but it must be remembered that Europe took these lands from the Native Americans in a brutal attempt to establish a new frontier for their own people within these people’s land—after depleting most of their own resources in their own European homelands. . 

   As I have pointed out to you previously: to “colonize” means, “to send a group of settlers to a place while the rich of that mother country attempt to manipulate that country’s politics, to eventually gain political control over that said country.  When Napoleon sold his territories to the United States, many of the French settlers were still here.  New Orlean’s French Quarter still have remnants of the French government’s failed project (aka French citizens or former French citizens) right here within the United States territories (aka, the people came along with the purchase :) ).

   Generally speaking—the Americas is an evolution of  European settlers in the New World.  There are the French and English controlling the politics above us in Canada, the English speaking people controlling the politics here in the United States, and the Spanish people ruling in Mexico; sharing domination with the Portuguese in South America.  The chronology in these countries represent the evolution of these settlers within these land. . .  The customs, fabs, and trends are influence by these settler’s behavior—the growth and development in America reflects the growth and development of European people who migrated and settled in the New World—and how they treat “others.”

   Now how can I say this?  Because the laws in this country are made like to the laws in England; places in the New World are named after places in the people felt were similar to their mother country: Just think; “How many states have a West Chester, Chester, Dover and York?”   The media reflects popular sentiments of the people who settled here.  Sure, Blacks influence American society through music, entertainment and sports—but the trends in this country reflect their choices and sentiments—thus the meaning of “mainstream” and “ruling class society.”

   Whatever “mainstream society” is going through, the rest of society is bound to affected by it, because their people regulate policy—while giving the illusion of an equal society.  The reason why both Civil Rights Movements (which were orchestrated by Blacks during 1863 and 1963 respectively) failed, was because it had to be endorsed by the mainstream society.  The reason why you have incidents like Ferguson today, as well as the police brutalities and lynchings is because of popular sentiments infused from mainstream society—and subsequently—the way laws get enacted is also because of these same public sentiments.  In America, there is the “majority” and then there’s the “minority”—and the minority is always subject to majority opinions… 

   Right now, mainstream American women are not content with their role; the rich alternative lifestyle of Hollywood (which consists of actors, entertainers and sport celebrities) also want a different publicity than what they had in the past.  The “moral majority” image the mainstream society created for themselves in the media during the 50s and 60s, put its people in a mental straight jacket during the 80s and 90s; and as we approach the 22nd century,  Hip-Hop bolstered a bad boy image that enticed many of the mainstream youth of European descent.  White society wanted to extradite themselves morally and sexually—they wanted to “let their hair down.”  

   The humorous thing about this “thing” is, whatever changes mainstream society goes through—the outcasts of society seem be affected by it—if not implicated in it.  We do not share in the riches and freedoms mainstream society has in America, an yet some of seem to include ourselves as if we do. . .  It reminds me of the all-so-familiar phenomena, where Whites may work at the same job that you do—but consider themselves middle class and some how better than you. . .  I don’t care if they combine their income with their mates. . . The idea is utterly ridiculous!

  

     Post-Europeans have their paths and destinies and we have ours—and though our paths may parallel in spots—the outcomes will be different, because the outcome will be based on our ethnicity and how it impacts or the role it plays within American society.  We hear their sentiments on talk shows, celebrity shows and various forms of entertainment—and the began to consider and include ourselves in the mix of something we are not the authors of!  

   This phenomena is totally different from the way I was raised as a child; but then again, the treatment Whites had towards Blacks was more severe.  I often can remember hearing my mother and father calling things that White folks do—“crazy!”  I also remember us being told to be mindful how we spoke to them, how we had to work harder and show loyalty to those whom we worked for.  Back in the day, mainstream society did not accept us blatantly and openly—including name calling, police brutality and lynchings. . .

  But the truth of the matter is, we were never considered!  There were no Black youth in any shows for us to admire when I grew up—short of Stymie, Buckwheat, and Farina of the “Little Rascals”—and those were stereotypical images of our people.  We were never considered when “Leave It To Beaver” or  “My Three Sons” were created (probably because we were not even in the areas); “What’s Happening” and “Family Matters” was the first time we saw Black youngsters and adolescents; besides the “Little Rascals”—but that was total buffoonery as opposed to situation comedy!  Bill Cosby and Diahann Carroll were two of our only exceptions. . .

   In the 60s, White housewives were not content with their role within mainstream society.  Many of were not in the workplace as they are today and during the 50s, America was a male dominant chauvinistic society.  But Black women did not agree with the sentiments of their White counterparts!  Black women within Black society were always required to work, because the incomes of their men were not nearly sufficient enough to maintain a household; we had to work with the hand mainstream society dealt us.   

But many Black women of today are calling themselves feminists along with their White counterparts; including themselves in mainstream struggles—as if, they were their own; but as Malcolm X said, “Just because I’m sitting at the table, you can’t call me a diner, unless there’s food on my plate.”  And although they may have some parallels, their moves are actually detrimental to our own people’s growth and development when we attempt to emulate their progressions—with our already damaged family structures (due to damage that slavery brought us) and our dependency on White society for gainful employment. . .  Our strategies should be totally different than our White counterparts. . .

  The truth is, we have two different lifestyles and we need to learn to embrace that diversity: Then—and only then—can we fully determine our destiny as a people. . .  Right now, we are confused—we as a people living under America popular opinion—can’t agree on anything as a collectively entity.  We  We suffer from self-hatred and post-traumatic slavery stress syndrome; brought on by a psychosis that America superimposed on us.  Rich Blacks separate often themselves from poor Blacks—as opposed to African Blacks who often send money to their families back home as well as support the less fortunate. Young Blacks often separate themselves from “old school Blacks”—and the once tragic mulatto [as displayed in the 40 films of Oscar Micheaux—circa 1919-1948] has a new role in the Post “Skill-Era Hip-Hop” society: Even grandma who raised the “Crack Baby” of the eighties, suddenly has great grandchildren who doesn’t respect or believe in anything that their great grandparents does. . .  This, of course, is the Black account of such current events and chronologies; Whites would be different because they have a different heritage, culture and resourcefulness (as well as different resources)...

  Our Black families are becoming undone as we move forward in the direction America is heading; led by its ruling class.  Their word is killing us.  The African archetypical deities of grace, beauty, charm and refinement—along with motherhood; usually attributed to women in Africa society; with its fetish dolls and statutes; are largely disregarded by the Western society today; You know, those people who like to use the word “diva,” “divine goddesses,” and “queans” instead of queens:  The deities Oshun and Yemaya are having fits in the homeland, because their folks in America have forsaken their standards of womanhood.   

Our lives, as a people, has to be taken in the social context it finds itself in within American society:  We cannot act as if we are co-sharing rulership here!  We are subject to the White’s outlooks and standards of beauty and legislation—not as co-partners in the establishment and the development thereof. . .  Therefore, it is mandatory that we think for ourselves—which is not to be confused with, “Every man for himself—as though individual efforts will set you apart from the many condemnations American mainstream society puts on the rest of Black society in America. . .  That, my friend, is delusional. . .  

   We must prepare ourselves for a separate future—not a footnote to Americana—especially one which starts out with you being “3/5th of a man; to be included with livestock.”  We must show ourselves to be equal to all nations, with the science of education, growth and development; but first we must show it to ourselves!

  We must do things for us as a people—us as an entity—in the interests of the development of our ethnicity and culture.  We must consider ourselves separate because mainstream has always kept us apart from their social equality: No, that is not racism—it is the acknowledgment that racism in America still exists and we will only get the short end of the stick when we seek racial equality because it is the “other society” that is regulating its distribution.

Be active and proactive—not reactive: You are the authors of your own destiny. . .

Peace

C. Be'er la Hai-roi Myers 

   

Every Picture Tells A Story. . .

   I was told by my art teacher, Leslie Kamison, “There is no Art for Art Sake!  All Art is social, political, or economical.”  In my upcoming book, Do-Wop, A Separate Reality, I state: Whites in America have a separate reality in America than Blacks.  Many times, when Blacks work at establishments, the person who runs the overall operation is White.  If a Black person advances in a corporation, ultimately, he or she still reports to above him who is White.  

   This phenomena reflects an order that extends back to the inception of this country.  In the Introduction of my book, I said, America was originally only a colony of England.  England [during the time] is an Imperialistic society.  Imperialism is a type of government that seeks to increase its size, either by forcing (through war) or influencing (through politics) other countries to submit to their rule.  When the English came to the New World (America), their plan was to politically manipulate the Native Americans out of land and resources.  So this pretty much so established the attitude that the colonists had towards the Native Americans. 

   Colonialism represents the way that the Europeans usurped America from the Native Americans.  Colonialism has to do with one country [England] exploiting another country [America/New World] by making it into a colony; which is usually good for the mother country [England/The Europeans] but bad for the colony [namely the Native Americans], as we all so well know.

 The Europeans were visitors here, who wound up taking the country away from the natives.  But what most of us don’t know, as well as what probably goes by unnoticed to the reader—is the cultural context through which colonialism and Imperialism has been superimposed on Blacks and the indigenous people; as well as the impact that colonial culture has had upon their psyche (as well as the various other people) throughout their sojourn within this America.

    Throughout the chronology of this country, Blacks have been trying to be accepted into the mainstream White society; but somehow between our humble beginnings, the easiness of being able to be discriminated against on sight, and the subsequent government institutionalizing of racism based upon the color of our skin—Blacks have been stereotypically the target of racial discrimination and inferiority posturing—based upon some imperialistic notion and supremacist way of thinking on the part of the people who run this country towards its subjects; which becomes engrained and stamped into not only the subject's psyche but every American within this country (by means of indoctrination and legislation).  These thoughts become self-evident  when one is reading the United States Constitution!

   For example, Queen Elizabeth of England and her relative John H. Hawkings, were evolved in the slave trade: The crown of England was also essential in the colonization of the United States--the subsequent American Revolution--and the War 1812.  England imposed its will on America, and was responsible for creating the various subsequent responses (the revolt, war and defense in 1812) through her behavior as a mother country.  What surprises me is the large numbers of Whites who state they are totally unaware of any bigoted and elitist posturing towards Blacks, despite the school having to be forcibly desegregated. . .

  When the powers that be in America tell the story of slavery in the United States—the most common story is that Blacks were once indentured servants—right along with Whites who came from England, until a certain incident in Virginia; wherein a Virginian colony magistrate handed down a slavery for life sentence to a Black man for being involved in a civll infraction during the early 1600s.  This—at least—made this incident a government institutionalized affair; propagandized into a country's posture.

  However you may look at it—or whatever the case may be—several countries of Europe were also evolved in the slave trade in America and Europe for sometime; that is, before human trafficking became passé and morally unacceptable by most of European society.  This attitude carried by Europeans for so long, created a social posture of inferiority aimed at their Black or African brothers; especially in the New World.  Surely, this was the case—for it is no doubt when the colony's magistrate handed down the sentence and took additional steps to legislate slavery—the acts reflect the sentiments of a vast majority of Europeans living in America during the time.  And as these postures became more subdued in Europe, colonial America continued to enslave Blacks—long after it won its’ independence from England.  Some may even consider America's posture at that time institutionalized distain towards Africans or Blacks wherever they might be.

    As a matter of fact, when America discriminated against its' Japanese constituency during the second World War, America offered its Japanese population repatriation in exchange for its’ transgressions against them—but did nothing where Black people and slavery were concerned within the United States. . .  The act, in and of itself, lets you know the social, political and economic environment Blacks liver in America really is; as it professes racial equality. . .  And, although the conditions here are not exactly like Apartheid in South Africa, the powers that be in America politically manipulated the country into a Segregative society within which lasted from the Emancipation Proclamation—well into the beginning of the second Civil Rights Movement of 1964.

  Yet, despite all these examples to the contrary, what disturbs me most is that most Blacks in America generally remain somewhat optimistic that our people will be accepted into American society with the same footings as the Whites who made this colony to serve their own purposes—and they look to the power brokers of that society to do it for them!  

What I mean by not being optimistic—is that this place was never designed by America's founders to be for that purpose.  Everything that has happen to my people in this country (including current times) proves that!  

   All our efforts have made their marks towards our freedom of movement—granted—but they have not granted us equality nor integration.   All it has given us is a better bargaining chip; and that's the best you are going to get from a people who have another destiny—who've paved their way through blood.  We were never included in that destiny and now—somehow—we believe this same group of power brokers who went from imperialism to colonialism—then to capitalism; to grant us (the persons they used as slaves) status their contemporaries and equals. . .  

   What a great delusion!  Talk about Martin Luther King' Dream. . .  During the sixties—these elements (doing the will of the people) were the ones who politically ordered King's assassination and restructured Atlanta with the remaining "Civil Rights Activists" who were willing to take the compromise offered.

   And although Frederick Douglass had Black folks participate in the Civil War during his time—hoping it would gain Blacks equal citizenship—what he was able to orchestrate was an escape from chattel slavery and a chance to gain some political control over areas of the South which contained large concentrations of our people.  This was granted—through Abraham Lincoln—by the hands of the Republican Party.   However, it did not reward our people with any form of repatriation or employment, or any land under any form of G.I. Bill—but it did allow us to form communities which allowed better take care of some of our interests as Black people; because we had Black people who were willing to roll up their sleeves. . .

  

   Ironically, it was during the Segregative Era in the United States that Blacks made progress securing their own self-interests, while achieving some of our greatest cultural developments. The Harlem Renaissance defined—for our varied population, what it means to be Black.  James Brown later created a song [Say It Loud, I'm Black and I'm Proud] which encouraged and increased our impetus during the late 1960s to early 1970s.  Jet, Ebony, and Essence still remaining as remnant symbols of earlier attempts at Black periodic journalism in this country—expressing many of our own interests to an unwilling population—showing ideas and achievements; giving our people in this country a mouthpiece for our own ideas and perspective on social events.

The Negro League had a dominance over the Major League Baseball for several years [even though Whites called them exhibition games and therefore chose not consider those games official proof of their prowess].  And although Motown came later—it still set the precedent for auto-determination within the record industry.

   Despite the odds, we did more things to act as a coherent group of people during those times, than any other place in our chronology mapping our sojourn in America  However, my brothers and sisters, I do fear readers—we did these things—simply because Whites offered us no other recourse!  Had the government offered us any other deal, I do believe we would have strongly considered it before embarking on independence. . .  Factual proof of this, is how our folks acted during the Second Civil Rights Movement, when offered the false illusion of Integration: There became a great social divine up-North, between those who received token hand-outs from benevolent factors within mainstream society against those who did not—simply because they didn’t want to lose the opportunity offered.  Here we are in 2018: Are we anywhere closer to true social equality in American society than we were in 1964 or 1968?  Think about it. . .  

But if you ask me, it is both illusion and delusion. . .  I think we need to serve and protect our own self interests; rather than depend on an unwilling America to give it to us.

   The other day, as I was streaming on Netflix when I ventured to watch the movie, Versailles.  Louis XIV (the Sun King) said something most profound to his brother Philippe.  Its’ dialogue is poignant and germane to Black peoples’ contribution to the building of America, and our contribution to the cultural arts in this country: 

Louis XIV [to Philippe]: 

  You never understood politics or survival.  The State is a person and a person either asserts himself or is subjugated to the will of others. We stake our clam or we are plowed into the field.  It is ether one or the other.

Philippe: 

You acted out of pride. 

Louis XIV: 

  I acted for France, because I am France!  Because without me, this country will consume itself in noble squabbles. Music, Dance, Art, Fashion…. All of these things have the power to change a nation from within, to affect the hearts and minds of people, to bring them over to us

  We could never invade the entire world, but the world can imagine use to be their center and one day, my brother, they will.

  If I were to teach you a piece of music. . .  If it were to strike you in your heart and the sheets and the staves were burned; you might then play it from memory to a salon (exhibition of living artists) of 100, and they might take it on and play it and take it on and on. . .

   The song we sing here brother, I mean it to be played forever.

   When this country got started—there was only European classical music and the rural folk music; the immigrants brought it to the New World.  Its’ social conditions were birthed from European soil and behavior phenotypical to its folks.  They danced to waltzes to their classic forms and jigs to their folk styles; but our culture was stripped from us.

  Our music was birthed from our social conditions right here in America.  We responded to the tones and conditions here with Jazz and the Blues—which by definition—makes Jazz and the Blues. America’s only true musical art forms.  All other music birthed here are derivatives of it.  But why is this not known to the populace?  Why is it concealed?  For political reasons, for sure.

   Anyone who has heard Ray Charles’ “I Can’t Stop Loving You” knows, if Ray had his own label or means of production like James Brown had, Ray would not have had those background singers he had on that record.  Best believe those background singers was a political move on the part of the producers—in other words Ray was coerced through extortion.  Those singers are “vanilla” at best, and you know it.  Besides, once Ray generated enough money—he formed his own backup singers, The Raelettes—and never looked back at those types of vocal arrangements.

  Scott Joplin, a Black composter, is undeniably the inventor of Ragtime Jazz, but once Benny Goodman and Glen Miller appeared on the scene; the term Swing began to be used more often, but when I googled the terms—the difference between the two musics was mainly elusive (and therefore political).   Now I have listened to Ragtime and Swing—and other than who is playing it—I can’t tell the difference—other than a more modern sound; But once I listen to Billie Holiday’s “Now They Call It Swing”. . .  one can’t help but think it’s political.  

  How many times have we been the inventor of things—but because of economics, publicity, or the press—the story reads differently?  I have lived long enough to know—music has gone through many time-periods; And if you don’t have the years—you must rely on what others have wrote about it; often bringing up the issue of objectivity.  If those of us who amass fortunes—do not make it a point to support our own cultural arts, literary works, journalism or assist in the gentrification of former communities (aka your old home town); How can we expect the communities we come from to bloom as a people?  After all, Jay-Z is a product of Marcy Projects and is a personification of the genius that community can produce—it only makes sense that he should give back to his "Homiez," like Rasheed Wallace, Jill Scott, and Kevin Hart did for their former communities. . .

  I have seen injustices and have seen people show obvious prejudices—only to see nothing done about it in this society: Ferguson for example.  Or the Cotton Club in New York, where all the entertainment was Black—but no Blacks were allowed to frequent the shows.  Black musicians who wanted to see other Black performers perform, were forced to go places where they could—which, during that time were places like the Five Spot of New York; where this sort of thing was possible.  But it was some time before those politics were ever changed.  The history of BeBop was intended to preserve the legacy of Jazz—as Doo-Wop was to navigate and diversify—what was called Race Music; and yet some of it remains an enigma. . . Why?  Because it isn’t in the interests of mainstream America. . .

   And yet I will not simplify the issue, and say that it is a matter of color or people, because there is never a level of consciousness amongst a total group of people—that all its’ members function out of: Life consists of various levels within various groups of people. . .   But I will speak of the intent of governing bodies and democracies or rulership among an elite group of people; wherein those persons consciously—affect and effect along-certain-lines—perpetrating their acts upon common-folk—for the sake of common-causes like Expansionism, Colonialism, Imperialism, Race Superiority, Citizen Councils, etc, etc.   

   For as we well-know, these are forms of governments or Congress—and by definition—the methods of political control; which exerts its will upon the unsuspecting masses; exerting their desires by the stroke of the pen. . .

   These are the political reasons why you may see a majority of polish police in a Polish community, but you will never see a Black majority within Black communities: Ever since America became a colony of England and Blacks were brought over in the slave trade against their will, there was reasons for surveillance, political control, and propaganda.  Certain names don’t appear in the press, murders in the suburbs are not reported in the papers the same as in the inner cities, certain things never make the press, certain people are reported certain ways etc, etc. . .  This is the way of keeping the status quo. . .  These are the current Black Code Laws. . .  Politics as usual.

  I will not continue to speak upon the others and how it impacts on us; For there are different degrees of subterfuge, and different ways to escape culpability.  If they are both from Europe (for example), they can lie and say they are something or somebody different—and may escape persecution—but we may not.  We are recognized from sight.  They may intermarry and emerge out of it, feeling they have the best of both worlds, so to speak.  But it is very, very different, when you can be spotted or recognize on sight—then the issue becomes Black and White. 

   But I’m not here to speak about them so much, as I am here to question our motives.  I am not speaking about hiding our identity, I am talking about defining it undeniably.  I have a “Do for Self” mentality.  I am not looking for anything I won’t do for myself.  I think we tried hard enough to be accepted in a society that will not accept us as equals.  We cannot continue to wait for better days, we must make our own help—we need it.  We need to tell our own story: Genghis Khan had the greatest empire this world has ever seen, but we know so little of that greatness because his people didn’t have a written language and had to rely on others to tell his story. . .

    It is not the people of this society that is at fault here entirely.  After all, members of congress or government wrote into the constitution that we were 3/5ths of a man to be considered with livestock; it was the governors—not the governed.  They sway public opinion, the rest just read the papers, and catch feelings. . .  The people responsible,  have the power and glory. . .  And the money to buy and pay off people.  They protect and preserve their own self interests.  They own the press, and they own the record companies.  This group of people have the money and influence necessity to create the politics we are governed by.  They are the regulators, and they operate the ones who govern surveillances within our neighborhoods—and during slavery, they had the plantations and they were the rich slave-makers of the poor—whether tits Black people or people who work in their employ and  get paid around the same wages as you; Black or White.

      What goes on in this country is clearly the will and aims of one group of people in relationship to all others—in true colonial fashion.  If others benefit from such legislation, so be it; but the laws were constructed and continue to be constructed in the interests of those persons who founded this nation.  When something is given to you by others—in a sense, you are regulated by how much will be dispensed.  They are truly in control and they do so, in their own self-interest.  When they report things, they do not do so to tell the truth, but to present it in such a way that furthers their own self-interests.  If the truth be told, it will have to be us who tell it;  otherwise it will always stand a chance of being slanted by the institutionalize disdain that permeates its people.  

   I am not looking for a handout, I’m looking for our own people to develop and protect our own interests; instead of believing that the ruling class will do so for us.  We are capable and always have been; we just take the road of least resistance—regardless to how that makes us appear; and that too is indoctrination.  They have their own destiny, and we have ours and the solid truth is; they are quite different—because we are quite different people.  It is just as simple as that, without prejudice.  As I said earlier, I AM NOT LOOKING FOR A HANDOUT FOR MY PEOPLE, ONLY THE RIGHT TO DECIDE OUR OWN DESTINY:  For as my mother use to say; “I’m not begging and crying—I’m betting and buying.”

Peace

C. Be'er la Hai-roi Myers 

  

   

    

   

Love: Allowing YourSelf A Chance To Heal

A wise Blackman told me, "Traditional Africans always teach their sons to listen to their women: Not so he may not follow everything she says, but to utilize her insights when things don't go as he planned."

   And to this I say, "Every generation may feel that they are wiser than their predecessors, but as you mature, you should learn to listen to your parents closely, so that you can remember exactly what they said--before you do what you want to do; else wise put your theories to the test.  This way, if things do not go as you plan, if you are the type who is honest with yourself and accept some complicity and responsibility in how events are turning out; you'd adequately be able to troubleshoot, compare the approaches, find each flaw and upgrade your methodology."

   This essentially is how it's been done for generations by children and their parents; from the traditionalists, to the first, second, and third generations of Baby Boomers birthed into existence.  That covers a span of time from 1914-1962 (those afterwards would be called Generation X).  It is a system in which you come to know what the results were going to be, and pass it on to their progeny.  It is a system that refines itself as it goes along; although it does have its difficulties as well (some of which I mentioned in the previous blog); it is a formula that is self-managing or self-diagnostic for the circumspect or person who is honest with himself.

   Morally speaking, in generations prior, we had this way about us: By that, I mean social consideration. It was a social value handed down all the way down until the birth of Generation X--but it wasn't X who started the ruckus known to be associated with the generation--it was many of the Fathers and Mothers of Generation X; my generation!  Yes, it was the last of the Baby Boomers who began to question the tradition and authority that was crafted from many generations before: Namely, it was those Baby Boomers who were teenagers during the 60s and the 70s who "questioned the authority" of our parents as to why "they" choose to things that way!

   Funny thing about questioning the authority: Those who follow tradition, have the ageless sophistication of many, many people from the past, contributing in resolving the issue or in connection with the underlined significance of such experience found behind their actions (exponentially increasing the possibilities of arriving at the proper conclusion). . . For good or for bad--found just because they considered what their predecessors or others said.   

Those who start want to something new (ipso-facto) are not using a wealth of experience to go by previous inquisitors or acquire previous know-how to go by in reference to doing all those things (i.e.,besides Google); or short of their dislike of their parent's ideologies, their "bright" ideas and determination or arrogance to get the job done.  They, and maybe members of their generation, may be the first of these people to put such theories to the test; and probably they, and/or other members of their generation will probably be the only of such people to cultivate such experiences to guide them--since their children (will probably have the same or similar types of attitudes as their parents) and will (once again) no longer desire to live by the previous concepts of their parents; as a way of life.       

  It is rather astounding that in a computer age we can have such a truncated approach; for the combination of the two approaches would be a knockout like a Malcolm & Martin Ballot, or a Muhammad Ali/Mike Tyson-type of boxer.

  

   I see great acumen and technological know-how in Generation X, but I also see a lack in their level of involvement in things; seemingly not passionate and relentless enough.  I don't see enough tenacity, not enough camaraderie and joint effort with the others of the same the group of people they come from; to them--being Black is just a coincidence.  Our generation are all too aware of our Blackness (and the various attitudes affiliated with it) because the "I'm Black and I'm Proud Impetus" was created during my teens by James Brown and others.  Before that, mainstream society had created a dark and ugly image of us a people.  The "Peace and Love" Movement of the Sixties may have "loosen-up the surface of the time," but prior to the period was embedded hardcore biases, racism, and xenophobia.  There was evidence of an "All Eyes Upon Me" like Tupac (maybe he was all-too familiar with it due to the element his mother's reality provided).

This produced more divisions within the Pre-X Generational Era, but it also provided a response from the Black community which fostered a better "Sense of Self" for Blacks outside of the mainstream or White community (remember this was the era when the authorities sic police dogs on Blacks in America):

   "Things you blow, because you can't swim--ohh, don't hold your nose to spite your

    face; Because the rhythm it takes to dance to what we have to live thru, you could

    dance underwater and not get wet." 

  

                                  ---Aqua Boogie (Psychoalphadiscobetabioaquadoloop) 

                                  by George Clinton/Parliament  

  There's very little sense of brother and sisterhood generally speaking, and I can trace that back to the efforts of Generation X: The way I see it, The Evolution of Hip-Hop as an art-form did much to sensitize a much larger multi-cultural group to the Black realities in the inner-city communities in large metropolitian areas like New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, Atlanta, etc.; but the evolution was ultimately strictly amongst age groups.  While Whites of X's particular age group might be more sophisticated and less xenophobic, the time has not come yet where most or all of the movers and shakers of American society are Generation  X; which means for some--some illogical, emotional behavior that this group is not fully capable of dealing with appropriately or they may feel "side-swiped out the blue." 

  

    Not enough, commitment, passion or compassion for others who are advocated for the same common cause, is how I would describe the X general approach.  There's too many lone wolves within this generation, trying to get paid individually and not as advancement for us as a people.  From my observation, you would be hard pressed getting this group to gather together in bands for anything.  I mean, the world has always had it's opportunists (and blacks are no exception), but we had very little history with rugged individualism: extended families, hand-me-downs, looking out for your younger brothers and sisters. . .  Among the Africans, the Twa people are among the most socially evolved folks in the world. . .

A long time ago, many members of Generation X eliminated the word, "love" from their references; Now for the first time, concerning Blacks, in the history in this country, we have Blacks entertaining "rugged individualism" in the same manner in which the offspring of those who colonize America possesses such apathy.  It seems as though our people today not only do not see themselves as one people, but they don't think that their situation as a people is precarious and vicarious as it is.  

  As I said earlier, this group is not living from accumulated wisdom of their people; they are making up life as they go along--impromptu, and making decisions on their feet. Generation X does know about Boomers, and have seen them in action, but don't necessarily believe in their methods and frankly, think they are smarter.  That means, they will only believe in a synopsis, when they figure it out.  So this means, by the time a person or sentient-being of Generation X accumulates enough experiences to fully acquaint themselves with the realities of the life he or she's attempting to implement--If he or she should have children before, after or during this interim--they will be irreversibly impacted by this type of philosophy as well; well before they can "right the ship," well before their parents or their children can figure out the right course of action. 

   Take the Hippie Movement and the Flower Children of the sixties; remnants of this movement still exists in food manufacturers like "Shiloh Farms" and the "Farm," as well as the corporate Yuppies and Buppies; who reconsidered their movement and the sins of their fathers and mothers; by concocting the Yuppy business model.  Some say, their brand of politics is worst than their parents. . . Who knows?  But it is based ultimately from older experiences than only their own--I guess we cannot blame them for putting their concepts out there; it's much better than never daring to struggle for the answer. . .

  "What's love got to do with it?"  Plenty!  I was watching a 1965 re-run of the TV series called, "Lost in Space," When I heard Professor John Robinson and Major Don West say, "It's a breathable atmosphere out there.  Don and I are going to investigate [playing the role of protector] and we want you out there with us, Doctor." "Dad, may I go too?"  No Will, I don't think so."  "I don't know why dad won't let me go. . ."  [Mom] "We do need a man around while they're gone Will. . ."  
Depicted here, within this screenplay, are the social and cultural norms for those times: Among those society norms, is a belief in married couples with specific roles defined for men and women.  Chauvinism was very plentiful during the 50s and early 60s.   These roles were soon to be challenged by both men and women in the generations to come (younger Baby Boomers to be precise).  

   The young men of my generation watched how hard many of our mothers worked to have dinner on the table on time, and observe the personal sacrifices these women made to keep us, looking good and the family in tact; We did not want to be as insensitive and chauvinistic as many is our fathers were; But little did we realize that the generations of women to come, were going to have ideas of doing less for the household and for her man; but expect more compensation than any men or society was willing to offer. . .   

    There was social unrest during the sixties.  A lot of protest took place during that time, and a lot of values were questioned and challenged as well.  The 70s was--in affect--"Younger people who put their theories to the test; and generations X and Y are the result. . ."  But the younger Baby Boomers still had much more belief in our past, than Generation X or Y has in Baby Boomers. We were looking to modify a few things--right or few wrongs. . .  With X, it was much less, and Y, almost none at all.

I am not trying to even insinuate that the old ways were perfect, or that their ways are not to be challenged.  Far from it; all things must grow, develop, and advance: All I am saying is everything must be taken under consideration before you go about making things better, otherwise you could be "throwing out the baby with the bathwater."

   Now if you think of the family as a "family" line (as in a line of dialog or sentence), then the concept of growth and development comes into play (like the finishing a sentence); with the various members being contributors.  Your family's legacy in this scenario, is the accomplishments of members within your family; their expertise and their sense of values.  This is also true for a tribe or stock of people. . .  

There is no denying, each people on this earth has a world contribution.  Chinese introduced gun power.  The Native Americans advanced the leather-craft, camping and tracking techniques.  The Twa, Aka, Mbenga, Baka Mbuti [so-called Pygmy] are the most advanced in social equality and family dynamics; yet none of these matter, if you don't have a sense of humanity or a healthy world view of life.  

Without the love of your family, you would have never survived.  Without love, were would you be now?  The needs of the many, outweigh the needs of the few and the many

contain the collective growth and development of the family.  As long as we been in existence, this has been the case. . .  

It is amazing to me that Generation Y has the same attitude towards their X parents as their X parents have towards my generation of Baby Boomers: We represent a world that Y is trying to move away, but their Y world is produced from ingredients in X.  It maybe a different way to do such things but, in principle, it comes from things that Generation X created or help to create: Like Hip-Hop sampled music from the hottest popular dance and disco tunes.   

Also what remains as an enigma is that in this paradigm or scenario, Y expects their X parents to continue to provide the "status quo" or stable home, stable place to work, stable business, stable economy, stable country, stable government; while he believes this all should be different.  A basic universal law is that in relationships, ratios must be maintained.  Anyone who believes that they continue to take and not give, is immature.  Anyone who does not believing in treating people like they want to be treated; does not and will not know love: Eventually, you have a disgruntled partner.

  This phenomena we are witnessing in America, is a moment in this colony's growth [its' people, its administrators, its' government]: What we, as Black people, seem to often lose sight of is, we didn't land on Plymouth Rock and we were not considered colonists or governors (like William Penn).  We may have lived among the original colonist descendants, but our role was not beside them as their contemporaries; we were seen as different.  After Emancipation (1863), we were reluctantly allowed to live in the same areas as they were, although the sections were segregated; (see segregation) and we did not have the same civil rights.  And though our persistence won the freedom we have, we were slaves in a colony which broke away from their motherland; those are two different positions: The colonist and working class Masons took the country from the King and Royal Masons and we came out of slavery as promised; no frills and all.
They do not treat us as equals; they took their freedom and we bartered for ours: That means someone controls and regulates what you get.  Besides all that, Black people have a different way because we are different from White people--we do things to fit into this society and govern ourselves accordingly--but like Donald Trumps rants; theirs a lot of ideologies they have we don't see eye-to-eye with.  My issue is we choose to emulate them in many of the wrong places: Their behavior is a sinking ship and they are the captains. . . We don't have to go down with it--in our people are different from theirs. . .  Their social diseases do not have to be ours.  We proved that during the sixties. . . 

   Family is what kept us together through Reconstruction.  Our families were destroyed during slavery, but it was through love and respect of each other as man and woman, along with the specialness of the offspring that helped us re-unite.  Slavery took a hodgepodge of tribes, in hopes of making unification difficult for us, but the common suppression and oppression made a people out of us through persecution. That was the force that the Honorable Marcus Mosiah Garvey forged into a diaspora.  And this is same people that our other heroes and freedom fighters are striving to work with; and what is so frustrating is that our people are so eager to put the cringing and fear that persecution brings that they will settle for the illusion of integration or citizenship without equality or true civil rights.  This is truly the culprit: For our ancestors never truly tell us about the evils that befell us during the founding of this nation; happy for the ending of chattel slavery they never talked much about it, and glad segregation was done away with (by the society at large), our parents never discuss it; And with all the "political correctness" of today, you probably would never it still existed. . .  That is, until "Travon Martin," "Fergusson," and "Donald Trump."     

   Care is one of the main ingredients of love.  This, along with respect, duty, and a sense of loyalty, makes up the major nucleus of what love is.  The world has become colder, because its sense of humanity has disintegrated.  It is great to see a change in racism, along the lines of the youth; but humanity has become more generational and less concern about each other as a group of people; with our people suffering the greatest because of the, "Don't talk it" policy.  Whatever America comes up with will never be adequate for us because of the Black/White dynamic: The problem will be solved for X but not for Y. It his not in their interests to solve for Y.

Somehow, it seems like the youth today suffer from Peter Pan Syndrome:  They depend on root structure of society to remain solid--while they believe they should do anything they have to do to make the world they should be.  But once again, I point out, these are the symptoms of a society that Blacks are only somewhat included in--if there is no strings attached on this part of our behavior as part of our condition--we can set about changing it; after all, it is a product of the American condition and posture (the feat is to get our children to know that).

If relationships are to be nurtured and maintained (instead of just being expected to be here regardless to how one behaves) anything to maintain cohesiveness and keeps reliable relations should be sought after by those who rely on the help of others.  However, it does not appear that the millennial generation is aware of this rule. . .  But the lesson could be learned right here.

Peace

C. Be'er la Hai-roi Myers