Synopsis of We
Escapades in Palisade Park
In the rap, “Word from the Wise,” by Poor Righteous Teachers, Wise is quoted as saying, “The Son of man can’t stand this land; Where blacks stay, symbolic to the prey.”
I concur with that; although, I do subscribe to the ideology that Wise Intelligence is speaking more about Black men than Black women. We remain the most unemployed and the most incarcerated—the most suspect and disrespected, and the most commonly misunderstood. In the light of the Trayvon Martin trial, a jury of his peers can be seen, by the American Judicial System, to be all White women and one Latino; who will represent (according to American Judicial Standards) a minority group in court; without ever having not one black man or Black person present. Now we all know how many White women will respond, if she’s walking home at night on a darkly lit street and a Blackman appears wearing a hoodie covering his head. . .
According to the American government, the issues surrounding sexuality and sexual preference should be looked at with the same relevance, as the destiny of a large group of people—large enough to be a separate nation [who were formally in bondage], who are unable trace their lineage back to one specific country besides the United States. In the government’s classification, both groups are called minorities, will be treated as such. Why, that’s preposterous! How can the destiny of a people be treated with the same regard as gender and sexual preference—and why hasn’t that been challenged by our people?
Why are we called minorities? What is a minority? Is this determined because of the sheer numbers?
No, this could not be the case. Ever since we were all captives from assorted lands on the continent “they” call Africa—we were never grouped together for purpose of trade or posterity; therefore we must be considered as one lot, group or entity; similar to how you would consider an Irishman, Englishman, Italian or Spaniard arriving to this country.
Well, are the English, Irish, French or Spaniards considered minorities in America when they apply for citizenship?
Of course not! The White Anglo-Saxon Protestant is considered a representative of the dominant culture and heritage in America, but all Europeans who migrate here and take on citizenship in this country, are considered part of the majority; as though they were one lot of people, like the Blacks are in this country. Queer, isn’t it?
They are also considered as Westerners, because they come all come from West Asia; as they now call it Europe. So, I think it is safe to say, all Europeans—that is, Whites from Europe—or Westerners, are considered “The Majority” in the new world called the United States of America. This title does not include indigenous people from other non-western lands, or amalgamated people from places the West colonized or conquered: Those type of people would be considered minorities too, as the Blackman and woman in America are so considered. In America, all women minorities—and women outnumber men at a ratio of four to one, in America and around the world; so numbers have nothing to do with the title “Minorities!”
If a child is born from a Westerner who couples with an indigenous person who is not European, the offspring is also a considered a minority in the United States of America! For example, although the Spaniards, under Cortez, were responsible for the Spanish colonization of places like Puerto Rico, Mexico, and many South American countries like Panama, and Venezuela—the offspring between the indigenous people and their colonizer, is considered Latino, and a minority [although I don’t get why a Spaniard is considered Latin, since Rome was the home of the Latin people]. America delineates according to race; England discriminates according to class: The queen of England, however, has the power to override the effects of English segregation and discrimination, by knighting the person. In America, the ruling class of Whites have the power—but only God has the authority to determine and designate race—but it is common place in America to designate and discriminate according to race! Posterity may change your class by means of economics, but that does not change the wealthy feelings towards your race. . . That can be another story, as so many NBA Black millionaires found out, in a particularly shocking manner. Case in point: Magic “Earvin” Johnson and NBA, Los Angeles Clippers owner, Mr. Donald Sterling Controversy [please research on Google]. Charles Barkley said concerning this, “I am rich, but people like Donald Sterling have the ability to deny a person the means to survive by earning a living, and that’s dangerous.”
So why are all these groups called “Minorities” in America; since it is not according to class or population?
It’s all Black and White. Those who are not White male heterosexual are considered minority; you may change your class through economics, but you can never be part of the majority. The interest and issues of the majority are considered major issues. Majority rules. All other issues are minor (not major) issues to the majority in America; because it is not their concerns; they’d rather not have to bother with any of those things (well, maybe the sexual preference because of its’ history and ambiguity within Europe and the Western world), since it doesn’t spring from their needs. Therefore, things get handled, according to their proximity and larger issues have to be taken through the political process—maybe even through protests and demonstrations.
This is why minorities are always fighting for equal rights; because their interests are not considered the same—to that of the majority in America.
Anything Blacks got in America, they fought for it; period. We were not included in anything that had to do with America, without our insistence and struggling. Too many things in America goes along the lines of status quo; keep it the way it is; conservative. Blacks were an afterthought, after the slave masters were unsuccessful at working us to death during slavery. In their conservative plans, we were only free labor—we were not to be included.
But we kept trying to fit in. Frederick Douglass negotiated our emancipation, as a people, in exchange for getting the Black slave and freemen to fight, on behalf of Union in the Civil War. After the war, we were released from chattel slavery but supplied no provisions, or means to earn a living. The government did not assist us in that regard. We were allowed to enter into politics and given rights and legislation—but most Whites were not eager to reinforce much in behalf of the Blackman, because of the general consensus concerning his sentiments towards Blacks—and, in general, we still wounded up in servitude: So what, if you work now and it’s for wages—it’s still not what it takes in order to survive and it's’ mostly menial labor; most people have to live off credit and loan subsidies: So what has really changed???
WELCOME FROM THE OL’ MISSISSIPPI TO THE NEW MISSISSIPPI!!!
In life, we evaluate things, to see what they are worth, relative to our existence. When it comes to our human-ness (humanity), we want to see how important are we to each other; once again, how much we are worth to each other. When it comes to loving relationships, we stress: “Show me that you care; let me know that I’m appreciated.” In business we feel; “If I am that important or valuable to this company, then pay me as such.”
This second part [“If I am valuable to this company, pay me as such”] becomes a slippery slope, because we all know we need to make money to earn a living. In America, and in the rest of the West, you have to pay your way—in order to survive here—particularly in a capitalistic society. Depending on humanity, in people, society, or in business—is virtually a dead issue—nowadays. Looking for assistance in a capitalistic society, in a time where humanity is at an all time low, is a “hard newspaper route.” Very little people care about poverty in America; opulence is usually what is displayed and worshipped—just watch the pageantry, in sports, after the championships—the arenas, the cost of tickets: If America wanted to wipe out poverty in this country, it could be wiped out in one fell swoop, with the cash it spends celebrating! But it doesn’t; to the contrary, it is maintained. It is maintained for class and race protection: It is embraced by a certain philosophy, and maintained by an undying practice and code. The issue with youth today, is too many things are being taken out of their social context—and also taken for granted—and therefore not seen for what it really is.
Poverty is maintained according to race and class.
In England, escaping one’s class is nearly impossible, without the grant of being knighted into noble knighthood. You could be rich and still be in the peasant class! The Beatles were, until they were knighted. Sean Connery had a similar situation. This ability gives England’s sovereign great power over its’ masses—its a God-like power! In America, one may change his economic status, but the social attitude that being concerning race is non-negotiable. America, as an institution and custom, determines who’s in and who’s out, and American society is very intolerant towards difference. Factual proof of this, is that the American majority does not consist of one non-European, never has and never will. You may be rich, through acting, sports or entertainment—maybe even a good role model for society—but you are still a minority; exempt from ruling class status and part of the majority, despite what you believe.
NBA, Los Angeles (City of Angels) Clipper’s owner, Donald Sterling, said words that shocked the Basketball Nation and the rest of the world—it may have been rough, but its’ sentiments was deadly honest. It was a true angle and definitely ‘on the square.’ Many rich Black players immediately condemned his words—because it made them look like highly paid court jesters for the rich (and not much better than servants)—but it is truly the way many owners secretly feel: “I feed them. . . I clothe them. . . I give them houses and cars.” The only thing missing from his statement is, “Because I am their God!” And for this, Mr. Sterling is being condemned—not because he thinks like this; but because now it is known. Yet the truth of the matter is, most rich in this country feel this way; they are just too shrewd to show it. On some level, if you work for your pay—it is possible to be owned; unless you work for yourself. On some level, if you use your beauty and sexual appeal to display yourself or act, like something—it is possible, on some level, for you to be a sell out, a whore, or prostitute; a commodity. Mr. Sterling just kept it shockingly plain: That’s the way many rich people in America think towards Blacks.
They say, “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder,” and earlier I said, “these people do not see themselves.” “Yes, that’s right, they don’t. The picture is distorted, and to them, their acts are what they think should be done [in most cases]. That’s why they act the way they do, and that’s why you refer to it as insane or crazy—its’ twisted.”
—“The Concept Of We In Modern Day Society” by C. Be’erla Hai-roi Myers
For the Blackman—humanity—but for his own social plans, has always been a dead issue. It has always been providence, his will and those who do things because they are the right things to do, that has provided a way for the Blackman and his family. The Blackman has always been a valued commodity to America, but he has never been treated as such; the Blackwoman has had her moments; but when you do certain things for money—there’s a thin line between work and prostitution: dignity and virtue is usually what determines the difference. In general, the Black man and woman is, a pile of “Black Gold,” like “Texas Tea” (oil), and used about as much [I used the word is, because in my culture, the Blackman and woman are two sides of one being]. There’s even money to be made off of him when he’s incarcerated (just check the statistics concerning criminal law in the United States).
Yes, Poverty is maintained according to race and class.
In America, both means of race and class are applied; however, maintaining poverty according to the color of one’s skin is particularly a hideous and heinous act or crime. It is considered such, because the color of one’s skin condemns the person, in the eyes of another, to a class of servitude and degradation; and in America—though it is not openly said—the practice is the way the opulent, their “wannabes,” and the way the rest of society has been trained to feel. Everyone looks down on the people who are at or below poverty level. And though it maybe true that some have squandered their way into this condition—many have not been given a fair start; as well as designed to remain there. For example, if education was sponsored and equally provided by the American government, all would get the same education. If this were so, then we could hold who did not pay attention, or those who decided to do otherwise, responsible for their actions. We know there will be some who just won’t get it—and I guess would be destined for their position; but we also understand the condition is three-fold: Proper education, the development of a skill, and equal opportunity for employment. When school is individually paid for, then education will come at different levels and will be available for only those who can afford it. As it stands, public education in America is always inferior to education available at a cost. If one is poor, they cannot afford—but even if they sacrificed other things to send their child to school, more than likely (in the case with Blacks), that child will have to go Whites or others who do not look like him for employment; and with that measure, open himself up to discrimination or dependency on others rather than his own people.
This means socially, those that “made it” [successfully changed their economic and/or political status] from our faction of American society, should be morally obligated to help in the creation of ‘self-help” for the rest of our people. To me, that makes more sense, than “marching in protest,” or essentially “acting up,” to get the attention of the majority of America (Whites), to concern themselves about minority issues (Blacks); which will be viewed as minor issues, simply because it does not tie into any of their major concerns! We are the ones who need the help, so our aim should be to address it primarily (if not totally) by ourselves! I know it sounds right, but there are a few obstacles in the way of its realization.
Many foreigners who come to this country, make money here, and send money back to their families—in less fortunate lands—to better the condition of their families and their people: Look at the works of Dikembe Mutombo, Hugh Masekela, and Philadelphia’s own, Rev. Leon Sullivan. I have watched people, from various places in Africa do this type of thing; even people from various parts of Jamaica. This is the type of thinking we need to embrace, if we are going to ever overcome our situation in America. We cannot rely on the majority in America to give us assistance. That takes a sense of belonging; a sense of belongingness. It takes a sense of knowing that you are a part of a group of people and caring about the people that you come from; a love of your family and your community; friends and neighbors; brothers and sisters.
People like Jill Scott and Kevin Hart get it, and I love them for it. Kevin Hart came back to his area and furnished new computers to his former recreation center; not to boast, but to fulfill a need in his community. Jill Scott did this same sort of thing for Thomas Pierce Elementary School (a public school). Jill Scott came out of this hood, revisited the hood on several occasions; saw her previously favorite recreation center was in dire need of a roof and replaced it. She repaired the pool and basketball court; saving it from being shut down by the city. She and other neighborhood greats benefitted for this community resource; why not give back? You can say they could do more, but they didn’t tell me about it—we found out on my own! How much more could they be doing, that they are not “tooting her own horn” about? Besides, that’s their own money! There’s far more entertainers, jocks, business owners, and politicians, who are doing far less. . . And besides that, what have you done lately?
Here in America, many of our Black prestigious and affluent take their success as personal gains, and do not seek to give back to the communities or people that they come from. American society has its’ token successes in all minorities, but the majority is not interested in sponsoring an uplifting of the entire population of Blacks in America. In fact, the majority may pick their minority candidates, on the basis of their “political disposition”—obtained through various small talk conversations. Now what I find ironic is, how the Black affluent attempts to dis-associate themselves with this fact: “From the dust ye came, and to the dust ye shall return, but the spirit will go back to God which gave it!” —Ecclesiastes 12:7 Unless the affluent recently came from the continent, most Blacks have humble beginnings, and rose from obscurity through talent. That talent was cultivated and culminated from the environment they grew out of; like the quality of the plant depends on the soil it’s potted in. You cannot grow out of that soil and not give back to it without breaking the cycle. All righteous trees deliver good fruit in due season, it enriches the soil with its kind and returns its jewels when it returns to essence. Blaming your own people for their oppression, citing some Darwinian madness—calling innocence and humility “inferiority,” and justifiable cause for majority’s oppression of Blacks—is sheer lunacy! As I said before, the majority picks and chooses token individuals for their rise, but they will not uplift our so-called race; we must do that ourselves! If I support you and buy your records, vote for you, etc., you should feel obligated to return the deed by help and opportunity—if not, life has its stripes [St. Luke 12:47]. I also said that, unlike England, America may allow you to change your class, but not your status—you may be rich but you will always be a minority in their eyes; no matter how they smile and invite you to their soirées. This is the concealed understanding that mainline America holds from you: “Even though, it gilded cage—it is still a cage!” On some level, you are still contained, whether you like it or not.
You may be rich, through acting, sports or entertainment—maybe even a good role model for society—but you are still a minority; exempt from ruling class status and a participating part of the majority; despite what you believe.
We were abducted from various lands and the only land we know is America—and its subsequent cultural degradation. We are not cause of their rancor and vitriol; or their general dislike of us as a people: The behavior perpetrated upon us by them, is the resultant attitude of those who once owned slaves—not being able to cope with their inability to continue with the practices of getting free labor from their possession of slaves! In parts of Philadelphia, you can see row home dwellings, which look more like worker-like efficient spaces for the employees of factories near by; just enough room—reminiscent of slave quarters! My, my, my! Old habits die hard!
God works through willing members of the community, as well as those who are interested in doing the right thing; above and beyond personal inclinations. Some people are driven like a person possessed, simply like “catching the spirit,” or like an idea who’s time has come. As John Mayer once said, “There are somethings bigger than my body,” which works through my body. This is evidence of a higher force, much greater than any one being, consolidating many through reason and conviction. Just like it was the concerted effort of several people advocated for the same common cause, which lifted us from the bondage of slavery; they moved in the spirit of the right cause and here we are. But one must be willing. . . Then he or she, maybe taken up in the rapture of such things; which spread wings and give wisdom on behalf of the willingness of such creatures. . .
And yet it was the rancor and jealousy of those who sought to hold us down, for their personal designs to use us as a stepping stone, who influenced the likes of President Lincoln, the Republican Party, and those military forces who sought to preserve our Civil Rights as newly "accepted" citizens. The truth of the matter is, There can be no partnership between God and the devil [2 Corinthians 6:14]. You are either part of the solution or part of the problem: Simply as that!
I know how particularly difficult our undertaking is, since nothing within mainstream society reflects any support for our interests and concerns. As long as we’ve been fighting for civil rights/human rights [from 1849-2014], I think it is safe to assume—we will never get what we need, unless we provide it for ourselves. We remain a people—kept wholly apart from the rest of American society—by prejudices, iniquities, and travesties inflicted upon us; like the Trayvon Martin ordeal. Dr. Martin Luther King made progress because his Non-violent Movement put our struggles on the world’s mainstream; but today, it would be foolish to believe the current protestors would get a modicum of that 1960s result. To put things in its proper (social) context: Love is not the “in-thing” like it was in the 1960s, so one should not expect much humanitarian/philanthropic help. Despite the individualistic gains made on the part of the original participants in the 1960s march (many of them hold “house” positions now), little spoke of reinvesting into the Civil Rights Struggle fifty years later—by providing jobs themselves with their new-found wealth. In effect, they came back to Washington D.C. asking for jobs for a younger generation—during the time of a recession. I have watched, “50: The March and Movement; August 1964 & Today” and without exception (at least in the filmed portion), not one spokesperson/solicitor stated that he or she had provided so-many jobs for qualified Black persons, but he or she was there because we need more help.
While I commend the NAACP for providing legal representation throughout the struggle, to fight on behalf of us, as a people, here in the wilderness of North America—I strongly criticize the organization for the sort of bias, pompous. Bourgeoisie-centered attitude it displays on behalf of our people. We are one people, not a tale of two cities. I personally need to know that this organization represents the have-nots, just as well as it represents the ones who have. And just for the record, if the integration of Blacks into American society was truly working, you wouldn’t need organizations like the NAACP or the EEOC (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission). We are a whole society who have been through an ordeal, at the hands of the rich slave makers in American society. What our fellow Integrationists offered in the civil rights struggle, was an illusion, because there is always hidden agendas on the part of majority in America; rescinding gains we’ve made through the political process—forcing us to protest time and time again—about freedom, justice, and racial inequality. These things take time, money and legal fees. We will always be different in this system; we will always be the minority. Meanwhile, an Belgian immigrant can come to America, file for citizenship and never has to battle for his or her civil rights. . .
While I commend the NAACP for providing legal representation throughout the struggle, to fight on behalf of us, as a people, here in the wilderness of North America—I strongly criticize the organization for the sort of bias, pompous. Bourgeoisie-centered attitude it displays on behalf of our people. We are one people, not a tale of two cities. I personally need to know that this organization represents the have-nots, just as well as it represents the ones who have. And just for the record, if the integration of Blacks into American society was truly working, you wouldn’t need organizations like the NAACP or the EEOC (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission). We are a whole society who have been through an ordeal, at the hands of the rich slave makers in American society. What our fellow Integrationists offered in the civil rights struggle, was an illusion, because there is always hidden agendas on the part of majority in America; rescinding gains we’ve made through the political process—forcing us to protest time and time again—about freedom, justice, and racial inequality. These things take time, money and legal fees. We will always be different in this system; we will always be the minority. Meanwhile, an Belgian immigrant can come to America, file for citizenship and never has to battle for his or her civil rights. . .
America’s rancor about sharing this country that we help build, is also made painfully evident, by the overwhelming desire—on the part of some Whites—to want to be able to use the “N” word, when referring to Blacks; particularly within moments of their displeasure with us. It reflects the desire on the part of some Whites to denigrate the disenfranchised and derogate from our rights to an equal share of this country’s wealth—while complaining that the government’s acts give us an unfair advantage; knowing full well they’d never want the position assigned to Blacks in American society.
While no one can deny that there has been some progress in American society, as far as legislation and racial relations—no one can police the prejudices concealed within the heart of others; and this aspect “Become very dangerous, within the heart of the majority, who can deny Blacks access to having the means for survival and/or making a living!” as Charles Barkley intimated during a discussion on TNT.
However, on the other hand, we should not be so heavily dependent upon the majority of American society to become mature, “get-it-together” and do the right thing. That’s like hoping all our people won’t do something that might embarrass us as a people! That requires an evolution that—quite frankly—I think few; if any are capable of. This means, as long as we are living under the American rule, we are the majority’s subjects; or at the very least—subject to their unjust behavior and influence upon our people. But I believe our emphasis on what they do is dysfunctional. Knowing the odds of them helping, should spawn more continuity on our part, by our own efforts. We have a destiny to achieve as a people, that is apart from and wholly separate from, the rest of American people, and we should not be looking for assistance from anybody to achieve it. It is something that should spring from your heart. It is the recognition and acknowledgment that we are a group of people, subject to another group’s afflictions—and this suffering does not change, even when we change our class or social status. It is something that will not go away, despite pleads or the assistance of others—to make good on a promise; It is something we must do away with ourselves! It will only be remedied by our own efforts!
However, on the other hand, we should not be so heavily dependent upon the majority of American society to become mature, “get-it-together” and do the right thing. That’s like hoping all our people won’t do something that might embarrass us as a people! That requires an evolution that—quite frankly—I think few; if any are capable of. This means, as long as we are living under the American rule, we are the majority’s subjects; or at the very least—subject to their unjust behavior and influence upon our people. But I believe our emphasis on what they do is dysfunctional. Knowing the odds of them helping, should spawn more continuity on our part, by our own efforts. We have a destiny to achieve as a people, that is apart from and wholly separate from, the rest of American people, and we should not be looking for assistance from anybody to achieve it. It is something that should spring from your heart. It is the recognition and acknowledgment that we are a group of people, subject to another group’s afflictions—and this suffering does not change, even when we change our class or social status. It is something that will not go away, despite pleads or the assistance of others—to make good on a promise; It is something we must do away with ourselves! It will only be remedied by our own efforts!
Blackman is symbolic to the prey; preyed upon by every American species.
Consider, from the facts presented to you, that Black people’s position in America, has always been on the outside looking in; a minority, wanting to be a part of and have the same power as the majority; being in effect excluded, but wanting to be included. Being accepted by somebody is something that we cannot control, so logically it makes sense to work on things you can improve; like getting ourselves together! What that means simply is, we would help ourselves more—if we would concentrate on helping ourselves; making ourselves our priority in our lives. We spend so much time, trying to convince a people whose culture prioritizes according to economic gains (capitalism), and discriminate according to sex and race (majority and minority)—to ignore these tenets and concentrate on give us a helping hand. Good luck with that one. Personally, I believe our people are barking up the wrong tree. In essence, we have always been a nation inside a nation; but refusing—for the most part—to act as one, by addressing our own needs ourselves.
When most countries look for leadership, they look for their men to provide it. Yes, women have leadership qualities, but you hardly expect women to defend their principles with their lives. Not that its cowardice; it would be impractical—not to mention against most women’s nature. For every fertile women who’s slaughtered in battle, there goes the potential for repopulating the nation. That being said, the most suitable for protecting and defending the ideas and principles of a given people—should be its men; And leadership along those lines, has always been considered stronger behind men (not to mention the emotionality aspect). However, throughout the course of time, there has been several formidable women; Harriet Tubman for starters. . .
I’m sure, if we were on a bus, and a group of Italian men began groping a young black female—that female would definitely expect any or all the available Black males on that bus, to come to her aid. That seems to makes sense, because these are all members of the same stock of people, ethnicity, tradition, and general social conditions. During the sixties, there were more Black men marching for civil rights than women—possibly because there’s dangers associated with posting resistance to the mainstream’s status quo: That’s the way they want it and they get pretty violent when they can’t have their way. Bringing about social change was very dangerous back then and the belief then, and most of women knew it. Back then, more Black women believed in the potential of Black men to be lovers, husbands, fathers, and leaders. More felt safe in our arms. Today, however, many Black women show no signs of that type of belief in Black men, period. I can’t begin to tell you, how we’ve gotten that far from each other. I’m sure there’s casualties on both sides. All I know is, if there’s a Black woman on the bus, going through a similar scenario—yesterday or today—she will still expect the same thing, and if we are to go into the future in this country, it will be through the power of the Black woman: A common destiny; A sense of belonging.
Both my elder sister and my mother had failed marriages but never took their husbands to family court to get child support. They discussed the departure, and what the fathers gave, that's what they accepted. There were no outside forces making them obligated to pay anything they were not willing to do. The social context picture was that my parents were from the rural south, circa 1950. The rights you have today, were virtually non-existent then. They lived through Jim Crow Laws as children. My parents were young adults during the “separate but equal” [Segregation] era: During that time, there were two worlds; one Black and one White. To go to family court, was like going to the White man to punish a Blackman or “turn your men over to the enemy”—most Black women of that time period wouldn’t do that. It was against their social code. They solved issues within their own worlds. This maintained the children’s access to both parents, and negotiations had the potential to run better. That was generally the social context of that time. My sister followed suit, because social justice wasn’t much different in the 1960s, until after the Civil Rights Movement and my sister was raised to do things that way. Generations during that time, were not totally bucking the system; just modifying parts of it.
Today's Black person is a product of the illusion of Integration. He or she believes they can join the mainstream of society and become part of the majority. They have become individualistic and materialistic, just like the majority in America: Oprah Winfrey maybe rich, but she is still a minority in America. They confuse making money and the possibility of changing their social status with becoming part of the mainstream majority, when the only way one becomes that is if you are White and from the West (European). This type of person is more like a mercenary or free-lance artist; a so-called gun for hire. To be an American today, is to benefit from what the society has to offer, but not be obligated in the least little bit to reciprocate what society offered you—and our people can be the worst about this. It is a very parasitical behavior; one which takes but does not give. It is almost as though they believe the world owes them something for being here. Someone who relies on society to provide their backdrop and be available and reliable, while they remain free to do what they like.
Why, this is insanity! You have to give in order to receive! You must stand for something, or else you will fall for anything. Those who rely on tradition can count on results which has been proven over time; those who make it up as they go along and have no respect for what came before them are subject to get the results of such folly about 20 years into the process. . . By then, it is too late to avoid catastrophe!
Today’s woman is not willing to do what my mother or sister did. They have no sense of social context; they just look at the sacrifice and are very unwilling to give that much of themselves for the sake of a relationship. No small wonder that more than ever, many women today have them (i.e., relationships). They are not so-much contributors, have arrangements. If it looks like a family, today’s woman operates mainly with secret agendas that only she knows. What this means for the Black man is an unwilling participant—in which he is about to be victimized by. She will rely on him to somewhat protect her and provide for her—in exchange for sex; which they both enjoy. But the Blackman of such an arrangement, is subject to great peril, the moment his sperm leaves his body and wound up in hers without a condom! This is not about what's right for Black family or as a separate society or sub-culture living in America. This is all about her options and his victimization; aka destruction of a nation.
What you had during my mother and sisters time, was a sense of “belonging”—people who did things in relationship to everything else. This is most wise, as wisdom is to see the interrelationship between all things! Our people back then, knew they belong to a Black community. Today, that Blackness doesn’t mean the same thing; it’s just a description maker, to say where you come from—at least it is for many; it’s not a belongingness or obligation.
Everybody wasn’t conscious then, but certain things were taboo. For example, there wasn’t too much interracial affairs because of the social environment. Despite the Integration Movement also going on during the 60s, most people were well aware that there were two worlds, aka that we lived in a world separate from Whites; even when we lived amongst them. We still had our own customs—and they took precedence over rules that American society instituted. For example, there were some Black women who believed, should the birth of a child be as a result of miscalculation on her part (i.e., being incorrect about her period)—that she was obligated to raise and support on her own; if she knew ahead of time that her man was not for having a child (despite what American legislation dictated)! Times were changing, but the “shoots on the plant”—very few were willing to trust the new truce; and for good reason. . . So Black people stuck to their “Southern ways,” "Black codes," or their own consensus on such things, and Whites operated by theirs.
Families cannot be built without proper man—woman relationships; thus making society, and a sense of Black community or solidarity, a damn near improbability; and without that, we have no nation: All we have, is a bunch of individuals who happen to be Black—divided and subject to the majority rule in America (without a sense of your own direction).
Where do we go from here?
In these days and time, there are far too many ego centered episodes, made by people who have no sense of family, community or culture, and are tearing down its social structure. Far to many have no sense of social responsibility or social context, and yet rely on community and social services to be there, like a “old faithful” backdrop. Today’s society has become so individualistic and ego centered, that it is hard to maintain social harmony—evident in the increase of crimes done to the elderly. That’s bound to have seismic and psychic karmic repercussions. It takes mutual respect to maintain social harmony—and far too many want to take more then they are willing to give; causing ill-feelings, resentment and contempt. What you put in, is what you get out. If you don’t want the effect, don’t produce the cause. Things have got to take a different route.
Today's youth seem somewhat oblivious to the larger outer-world—which surrounds and encompasses theirs; not realizing that THEY are about to inherit a world IN WHICH they know very little of. They know very little of the customs, traditions and/or why they are in place—and therefore ignore what is customary; because right now, it’s not their concern. For the most part, they don’t watch the news and don’t read the newspapers. All I can say about this is, YOU DON’T WANT TO BE FORCED TO PAY ATTENTION BY OL’ FATHER TIME; you don’t want the world to come crashing into your living room! Failing to plan, more than likely means you are planning to fail. You can believe you don’t care what happens—all the way up until it happens. The chief reason for knowing is to be able to prevent and predict.
Before today, most things were viewed in social context; today, much is done by individual taste with little regard for social context. What is most ironic about this is, things that folks are willing to apply today, without any previous knowledge of where things will lead, will not find out about its’ social significance or social impact until about a generation [35 years] later! If what they were doing, was a social blunder or disaster, he or she would not fully appreciate the error, until their child was twenty years old. . . By then, the behavior would a family tradition, and it would be too late to stop the process from consuming their child as well!
Each generation ushers in new ideas—but prior to the so-called “X” and “Y” Generations—it was always done with an awareness of what came before. When you have a person like Allen Iverson, not previously knowing the accomplishments of Philadelphia’s own Wilt Chamberlain but playing on a Philadelphia 76ers Basketball team—or Kobe Bryant not truly knowing the social conditions of Blacks in America (as explained by the legendary Jim Brown)—it is more than a generation gap; it's’ a total disconnect. When this sort of thing happens, that person’s coping skills are ill-equipped to efficiently handle the game that they are in—because they have no social context or past experience, i.e., underlining significances to benefit from. Steel Pulse, a Reggae Super group of the late 70s—early 80s, once said of this, “A nation of people without its’ past history, is like a tree without roots”. . .
So-called Generation X may have lost respect for their fathers, due to the large crack usage and prevalent absentee-ism in his father’s era, but the Generation X children short changed themselves when they decided to disregard their parent’s social context. What their parents knew, consisted largely of coping skills that was handled down to them; tested by the passages of time. The effect of this new trend is similar to Free-basing when it was first introduced to the Black community: Those addicts never knew what hit them, because the experience of such a drug was “brand-new,” so no one could warn them of it. The way I see it, Generation X parents can do very little to help their Generation Y children, simply because by the time they experienced their own cultural traits and its shortcomings, their children will be about 20 years old.
Here we stand, a nation of people in America, denigrated, and degraded in many aspects by descendants of the colonists—many who once owned us; attempting to gain civil rights, equal rights, and equal access within their country! To me, that perspective seems a bit foolhardy—not to mention dangerous; because of the amount of opposition it received by the open bigots and racists of that era. Yet I must say here, that there were other points of view out their during the Civil Rights Struggle besides Martin Luther King, SCLC, SNCC, NAACP and the Integrationist Movement, circulating within the Black community at the time. As a matter of fact, it has been 50 years since Martin Luther King’s March on Washington—and those things attempted to be realized by this faction of Dr. King, SCLC, and the NAACP, and various Integrationists, has not been fully realized (and I doubt if they’ll ever be). Our destiny depends on us: our attitude, our resources and our deeds towards our fellow man.
Yes, some Black women criticize their Black men, for not having women out there to speak; but (as with many of the youth today) I see that many are taking the condition out of social context. These men were struggling within a hostile environment; factual proof of that was that one of it’s most poignant leaders was killed during their struggles. Which nation or people do you know would have their women in the forefront during those times?
Let me say here, life is WHAT YOU make it! You have to involve in order to evolve; aka you have to give a damn. We need all of us. In order to become educated by these chronicles, you must be educable. In social context, the time could not be more appropriate. The White youth, do not seem so interested in standing in the way of our progress; so it's on us: As Chuck D says; "We are the nation of millions that is holding us backWe can only be free, when we do things for ourselves—when our wealth is maintained by us; otherwise, you are subject. We (especially the youth) must remember, we are members of a people, united by abduction; This is what unifies and binds us—therefore we must never loose track of the fact nobody has an interest in our enlightenment, uprising, and liberation more than us. Time out on depending on others, like our oppressors, to free us,” let’s take the time to learn to love and help ourselves. Black is beautiful and this is the internet and computer generation! The opportunities are here like never before, but the attitudes need big adjustment—and it must come from the heart!
When we make money, we need to buy Black. Keep buying “trunk-sold” or Internet download artists. Programs like OIC, equipped Black people with marketable skills, not just basic menial labor; we need more of that. Black people need to hire blacks and keep us working. Our craftsmen need to band together and produce better housing and focus their labor skills within the communities they came from; our entertainers, sports jockeys, artists, writers, poets, mechanics, engineers, and designers need to do the same as well! This would raise our overall level as a people, set examples for our youth and secure a promise for our future. Let us act like our brother Central Asians (Africans), Jamaicans, and other members of our people in the diaspora—let’s send and spend money in our families, homeland and communities. That’s called, “Taking care of our own interests.” Yes, it takes a change in attitude—starting out small with your homies you can trust—but with a little love, a determination and a will to make it happen; you can get there. You have now become the generation to inherit the world, whether you like it or not!
A race that doesn’t respect it’s men are doomed to failure. Donald Sterling’s mistress—made money beyond most compare—yet a Black and Mexican woman who’s name will allude you, because her role was like a concubine to Mr. Sterling—to be kind; or highly paid “call-girl” for him to be frank. This is proof positive that you cannot bring honor to dishonorable things, no matter how much money it brings. The role is still beneath her and social unacceptable. It’s not about what I think about it, it is about what the net-sum total manifests. We do not exist in a vacuum; so what you do—will effect others and come back on you. So if you don’t want the effect, don’t produce the cause.
We can only be free, when we do things for ourselves—when our wealth is maintained by us; otherwise, you are subject to the society at large. We (especially the youth) must remember, we are members of a people, united by abduction; This is what unifies and binds us. Therefore we must never loose track of the fact nobody has an interest in our enlightenment, uprising, and liberation more than us. Time out on depending on others, like our oppressors, to free us, we must free ourselves.
There is no middle ground here, either you are helping this cause or you’re hurting it. If you are not about attempting to stay together and raise families, you are hurting it. If you are not loving and caring in your relationships with your Blackman or Blackwoman, you are hurting our development. If you are not active in your community, your are not helping. You have to start thinking of us as one people, one nation in America—then we can change. Stop fighting with each other in the majority rule courts, come to your resolve between each other. Think Black. Think group first and individual second.
Make sure, before you return back to the essence from which you came, that you make all your acts part of our solution; otherwise its part of our problem.
Thank you for your consideration,
C. Be'er la Hai-roi Myers
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