I v e r s u s We

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        M O D E R N  D A Y  E X P E R I M E N T A T I O N S  W I T H  H I G H  E X P L O S I V E S

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The increase of individualism has become one of the most single divisive elements ever to hit the Black community.  While tribalism is also a divisive element, birthed from African retention; its effects are far less destructive because it is at least a group element.   Individualism is basically a single-minded thought process.  It moves and thinks alone; it is chiefly about what interests them.  It is an opportunistic, every man for himself mentality, that is poorly equipped for the battle field; but great in a crab bucket or snake pit.  Tribalism is the trust and belief in one's social group or society.  While it is true that tribes have friends and foes, individuals are lone wolves; i.e., people who only care about themselves.  Their kind of thinking, reflects a total breakdown in society.  One symbolizes unity and the other chaos.

Several times, we have seen tribes warring among neighboring tribes; Some wars are foreign in nature—and other times these wars escalate from difficulties with kindred tribes, of the same stock of people; producing conflicts that oft-times ends in tragic results, like genocide or mass starvation.  These issues take place where factions become stubborn, ethnocentric, and determined to break each others resolve.  In cases like these, the tribesmen have lost sight of what brought them together in the first place.   In lands such as Nigeria, there are several tribes—governed by one paramount king or chief.  In this instance, there might be several different tribes which make up the country; units in which  provinces, regions, or several smaller counties are created.  Sons and daughters of kings or chiefs, of various tribes, are given as a symbolic gesture in matrimony, to strengthen bonds and bring harmony between family; or to repair wounds and to strengthen kinship.  The customs, traditions and beliefs might be the same—but sometimes differences in points of view and procedures may separate them.  For the sake of unity, all these differences should be reconciled, and the paramount king represents the pinnacle of that understanding and reconciliation.  There might be several chiefs for each tribe, but only one paramount king as their unifying head.  

The one of the drawbacks with this sort of tribalism is that over time, certain groups may focus more on the nagging difficulties and/or sentimentalities, and less upon their alliances to the king; believing they can handle their strife, autonomously, without the assistance of a bigger group.  This oft-times can cause societies to splinter and fight internally; oft-times leading to civil wars that may prove too deeply entrenched to reconcile.  This is why, in multicultural societies, such as the United States, great care and attention is focused on ways and means to either—negotiate, manipulate or infiltrate subcultures: Meaning to either reconcile, dismantle, or destroy, certain intelligentsia within subcultural groups; such as the demise of The Black Panther Party.  From their point of view, they are merely "keeping solidarity."  

But in the instances of the individual, he or she will have the distorted idea that everything the society has, is at (or for) his or her disposal—nevertheless, he or she does not feel obligated in any sort of way for such a privilege; thus making individualism, the most divisive element in any society.  In the instance of the individual, where people are operating autonomously, there is a total collapse of the social structure; leading to total chaos--whereas, even if there is a smaller tribe, it is still within a group structure or functioning social confine.  The individual within society is more of a "taker," who does not believe in "fully returning the favor"—whereas the tribesman is a social contributor; both the collective and his or her family.  There is much more of a belonging to a community—expressed within the heart of a tribesman, than in the "lone wolf" we call the individual.  Information flows both ways in the tribesman, because he is inseparable from his kinsmen; tribal culture fosters his reasoning, and influences his mental input and output towards a more civilized society. . .

In anthropological studies, most cultures, whether it is the East or West, the leadership role or the king (such as a paramount king) is the apex between God and man in most societies.  God is a noumenal reality, seen through the eyes of a civilly-minded person.   In Europe [aka the West], the king's power is called divine right; but our interest would be better served studying Eastern traditions.  In sovereignty and nobility, there is a reliance on providence; with the noble class being the earthly facilitators.  In groups like the Five Percent Nation, the emphasis is on leadership throughout the society; rather than a group with leaders.  A righteous destiny and understanding comes from this type of awareness, commitment, force, and presence.  In traditional Central Asia [so-called Traditional Africa], a king is cultivated to abnegate most of his personal life and sentiments, for the preoccupation and consideration of his people: In exchange for this type of focus and sacrifice, the civilly-minded person is endowed with knowledge and wisdom far, far beyond normal understanding; because the focus is dedicated to the consideration of a large group—their ups, their downs, their complications, considerations, needs, interests, etc.  Such preoccupation cultivates awareness; not to mention develops acumen—due to the undying dedication and preponderance to such types of unification factors, such as morals, values, justice, and mercy.

In other words, within family, humanity, and civilization—there is an evolution taking place: From baby to toddler, from child to adolescence, from adult to parent, and from parent to nobility; there is a responsible acceptance of more and more social responsibility that distinguishes one social group from the other: In order to evolve, you must involve yourself in social endeavors.  In nobility, at least from the Eastern and Central Asian perspective, the emphasis is the undying commitment that is felt from the heart of the person.  In the phases from child to adolescence, it is the parent's responsibility to acquaint their child with the fact that there are others around them; and that they will be affected and effected by others and—others will be affected and effected by you—so accountability and responsibility is key to becoming a conscientious adult.  All parents are supposed to hip the youth, to the ideology and reality, that man is a social creature; and that his existence and survival depends on how he or she fits into that society; they are to assist their children in determining what role they play on behalf, of the whole, of that society.  This objective is our social responsibility in being righteous.  Nobility is an exemplary behavior; one which elevates he or she to highest ranking social status; placing the person who pursues this in a place where kings and queens are selected: But you don't have to have a dime in your pocket to be Noble.  It is a level of consciousness, achieved by that sort of want.  In Central Asia, in Ancient Khamit (Kemit), the symbol for the Noble Avenger or protector of the group is the Hawk; its archetypal form or deity: Heru.

The issue here is social evolution (on various levels); case in point of which, the individual lies on the bottom of that totem pole.  The individual is society's piece of clay, and not the other way around.  In the movie, Once Upon A Time In America, Noodles remains true to the team, whereas Maxamilian [max-a-million] was an individual whom the gang reluctantly trusted—simply due to Noodle's initiative; Needless to say, Noodle's faith in Maxamilian was proven to be misguided, therefore all but one of Noodle's childhood comrades met their demise by the hands of Maxamilian. Max-a-milian had used the gang for his own ends; as America is capitalistic society that embraces Rugged Individualism and single achievements—while keeping it's group segregated into minorities and majorities.  "E Pluribus Unum"-One out of many.  

Throughout the course of time, there has been many powerful individuals, but in spite of that fact, no one can believe that a child will grow up on its' own by its own; it will take either parents and/or a village to raise a child.  They will need guidance, examples, and acclimation; otherwise the ones who have not received this, will become a burden or menace to that society; Their youthful inexperience will not provide them with the necessary insight or experience it takes, in order to fulfill the position they will eventually be acquired.  Transition to this role will take much time, consideration and reason—but most of all it will take willingness.  Childish behavior does not disappear on its' own; it must be driven out by the environment (aka parents and society)—otherwise, the person will always be considered maladjusted, selfish, and immature.  

A baby calls for the immediate attention of everyone, because then, the baby is unable; he or she has to learn later on in their life, the expectation that "everyone will stop what they are doing and come see about you," is irrational, selfish, immature, and unrealistic.  If this occurs before the toddling stage, the baby has not learned that delicate balance between himself and others yet; at this time, the baby is just learning the powers of movement and articulation, and therefore is unable to contribute socially: Yet given time and encouragement by family and society, those children should become major contributors to that society.  However, there are exceptions; There are times when the free-spirit survives, past social and cultural constraints, to plague that society with its antics.  

Somehow (maybe due to their quest for unbridled liberties), in America and in parts of the West, there came the advent of a type of person—who believes he can rise from the tribe—not as a warrior, warlord, leader, chieftain, or king; but as a single-minded individual.  This type of person is equipped with a false sense of entitlement, and a certain amount of reckless abandonment-which he or she labels freedom.  Some call this type a "free-spirit," but they are really uncivilized people (who might even be bigots).  People are quick to ask, "How can God allow all this pain and suffering?"  When they really should be asking, "How could a bunch of individuals amass such wealth from that community, and not do a damn thing for it?"  This is a type of behavior, largely practiced in the West; although previously this practice was not followed by Blacks—largely in part to the Separate But Equal  Era in America, and menial treatment of Black so called minorities—but today, due to the prevalent illusion of racial equality among the youth, individualism is making its mark even among Blacks; particularly young "Black Americans."  An individual is the type who avails himself, or herself, of the attributes of a given society, but claims a certain independence from being obligated to it, and abandons all sense of responsibility to that society.  That independence that the individual chooses, gives him or her the right to "follow the herd" or to be a "maverick."  An individual does not have to conform to the ways, mores, laws, or customs of society.  He or she has their own agenda.  The individual does not feel they have to reciprocate the sense of obligations. They feel that they are entitled to things.  The individual is not beholden to anyone.

To the individual, the world is his or her "oyster" or commodity—to be consumed as he or she pleases.  As they say, "Variety is the spice of life"—"The power lies in the choosing."  In the West, it is called "Rugged Individualism."  And in Rugged Individualism, the individual holds the option.  There's definitely a dysfunction here: It is not "do unto others as you would have done unto you," it is more like, "you remain reliable, I'll take your kindness and get back with you," or "the world owes me something, because I didn't ask to come here!"  In other Western countries, it goes by other names, Nihilism, Narcissism, egotism—but it is all variations on the same theme.  Society provides it's members with prudence, wisdom, and jurisprudence, developed from all the greatest people the collective [group] has to offer; and yet (in the instance of Rugged individualism), the individual does not feel indebted to society, in the least bit.  The individual believes he or she is self-made.  There is a lot of egotism in a self-made man; oft-time turning community efforts and services made by others, into "self-reliance" and self accomplishments.   

In tribal societies, its members have to undergo a "rite of passage."  The title of adult, man or woman, or member is not a given title, based upon gender; It is something you must earn by trial.  You have to earn the right to be a member of a tribal society.  It is earned by rituals designed to make you depend on the group and the group depends on you.  It is full of perils, and if all members do not concert their efforts, they may all die.  But in the long run, it makes all its members reliable and socially responsible to the group; there is no "I" in "team."  

As said earlier, "Man is a social creature."  Few creatures hunt alone.  We live in an ecology where everything depends on something else.  Most of us weren't born in test tubes, nor did we star in the movie Matrix.  Every body needs  somebody.  So if you want to attempt to prove your independence to me, then stop breathing—because trees assist in that.  Stop eating! Because plants, animals, and humans provide that; from the time you suckled or drank cow's milk, until the day you die.  If you don’t grow or hunt your own food, fetch water from the river, operate a loom and make your clothes—you depend on the coordinated and concerted efforts of others, and not solely upon yourself.  In America and the West, there is such an emphasis on freedom and individualism—whereas in the East and Central Asia, we are made aware that we are a people and members of a society.  In the West there's this absurd notion, that you are free to do what your heart desires—and that you should seek desire, pleasure, and personal happiness above everything else.  What if what you wanted crosses over into somebody else's domain, or impede another's progress?  Should you be happy with their unhappiness, because you're "getting yours?"

Robert Durant, in his book, The History of Civilization, says; "Civilization is social order promoting cultural creation"—[a collection recommended by Malik Al-Hajj Shabazz].  Once you have people cooperating with each other, collaborations and joint projects are bound to become an outcome.  These types of cultural creations abode to be very fruitful and prosperous—as long as we treat each other with respect.  One has only to look at the Harlem Renaissance and Marcus Garvey to see this redefinition.  And isn't that the main issue confronting us, as Black people who live in America: The level of respect we have for each other?  What level of respect do we have for each other's time and effort?      It is a known fact that team efforts win over individual efforts every time. . . What are the feelings we have, concerning each other's level of expertise?   How do we feel our fellow Black should be compensated?  I know we are united by color and predicament, but how obligated are we to each other?  Does the obligation work both ways?  Do we have a healthy attitude towards each other?  How can we reconcile this?

In most non-Western societies, you are free to do what you like in society, as long as it doesn't interfere with anyone else's.  But when trespass occurs, proper negotiation is paramount.  It is not a matter of who is stronger or who has more rights to something; it is a matter of considering the other person in the same way that you would want to be considered. In these societies, maintaining social harmony between members is more important preserving individual freedoms and individual rights.  After all, social harmony is the by product of a civilized society.  How civil a society is, is always a measure by how it provides for those who cannot protect themselves (children, women and the elderly).  As a people, we have to learn to live together.  When you rub someone the wrong way, how can you expect them to be there when you need them the most?  Be civilized; keep the peace, maintain social harmony.

No man is an island; meaning, "You're not out there by yourself"—"Everybody needs somebody."  Every civilized society depends on the cooperation of others, in order to function efficiently.  Civilization is social organization spawning cultural creation.  Civility indicates one who is socially sound, cultured, courteous, polite and of good breeding—the epitome of what a civilization has to offer.  Society starts to fall apart when its members begin to go their own way, because there is no cooperation.  This is what happened in the final days of the Soviet Union.  In society, the individual is the “low man on the totem pole,” so to speak, because he or she does not produce any offspring; which is essential for the survival of the society.  And in the cases, where the individual produces offspring, if they are true so-called "individuals," they will not go on to produce a family; which is the most essential building block of cultural society—despite various other efforts.

I said earlier, "Childish behavior does not disappear on its' own; it must be driven out by the environment [aka parents and society]—otherwise, the person will always be considered immature"—but herein lies a dilemma.  It is obvious to any Black person or any White person, that Blacks and Whites in America have vastly different styles in raising children.  During slavery, up until the 1950s, Black women were the mammies to many of White families—and that has served to lessen the disparity; However, despite the efforts of Black Poetry, Hip-hop, Neo-soul, and current Rhythm & Blues, to acclimate White audiences to Black realities in America—the Department of Human Services, crack usage, and the growth of Rugged Individualism amongst our Black population, has done much to corrode our sense of child-rearing, as a people.  The question is, which one are you going to follow: roots laid down by your ancestors in this country, or newly created devices manufactured out of the White majority intelligentsia?  Their ways or ours?

  

In the heart of the Black Individual is a certain amount of oblivion; he or she subsists beneath the politics that the American majority bigotry superimposes upon its' minority groups—particularly Blacks who live in America.  They simply feel this has no effect on their plans at success.  The Black Individual believes that being black is just an identification factor—which means it does not translate to any urgency, commitment in the struggles for racial equality or fight for civil rights.  The Black individual has no cultural identification markers; not even the "ethnic pot" [ghettos] that they  feel they emerged from; I guess part of that unawareness, accounts for their seemingly meteoric rise out of economic oppression; "Businessmen who travel light, get where they have to go faster" [Sade-"Smooth Operator"].  But I guess that same unconsciousness, accounts for their apathetic behavior concerning things of Black orientation.  They exist—in effect—like a king without a country; or a citizen without loyalty.  For them, it's all about getting where they're trying to go; Therefore, the opportunity that America poses—to change your class and social status but not your racial markers—has fooled many Black Individuals and Black Intellectuals as well.

These are the things that have highly economical Black Individuals like Jay-Z, P-Diddy, and Beyonce Knowles thinking, that because they are so wealthy—they are comparable to a Donald Trump or a Donald Sterling; but the facts are, Trump and Sterling are considered American Majority [White] and Jay-Z, P-Diddy, and Beyonce Knowles, American Minorities (despite your riches).  A gilded cage is still a cage; The cage, of course, being the pain associated with being Black in White America.  Just take the reason for Prince having to change his name to an unpronounceable symbol.  So when America needs Donald Trump or Donald Sterling to come to her aid (and they're worried about their image), Trump, Sterling and the rest of the majority will come to her aid; but how about when Blacks in America need assistance; will P-Diddy, Jay-Z, & Beyonce come to ours?  No.  Why not?  It seems only fair, we buy their records. . .  

There's a certain disconnect with our people as a whole nowadays, and since there's no substantial economic gain in reinvesting in Black communities in America at this point—most rich affluent Black individuals don't feel obliged to assist in any way; so they simply endure the things THEY say about us as a people.  Some of our own people have even subconsciously bought into the negative notions many mainstream Americans feel concerning Blacks, and therefore don't feel reinvestment in the Black community can have a positive outcome.  Magic Johnson's solution to these difficulties is to initiate businesses in multicultural areas, provide services which all people from that era are bound to use—then employ Black people to operate them; giving his own an opportunity.  That's giving back to the community, right?  Win-win situation; right?  Not that hard, huh?  Then, why hasn't more of our people done so?  Well, it starts out with our own attitude towards our own people. . .  You have to care, to look relentlessly enough to find a way.  And since Jay-Z, P-Diddy, and Beyonce are going to be role models, whether they want to be or not; many of our youth will follow their lead—positive or not.  

All of this divisiveness demonstrated by a single person, is the very anti-thesis to the true meaning of the word “individual.”  In the ancient days, when the word was created, the word "individual" meant indivisible dual; which referred to man and woman as a couple—inseparable; one entity that's indivisible when joined through love.  That makes perfect sense, since it takes 46 chromosomes to make an offspring; and both man and woman only have 23 chromosomes a piece when copulating for reproduction.  It takes two to make this thing go right: Audiences need performers and performers need audiences who write material that we can relate to [social content].  Performers make money off of us, and conscientious performers provide a means for us to make money like benefits, fund raisers, etc.  If I am good to my woman and take care of her, if she is conscientious, she will take care of me; providing me with family and legacy.  What I want and what you want, is not as important as what We want; because what we want will keep us together; whereas enforcing my will upon you will make you resentful.

It seems as though God is best realized through unification factors, like fellowship, clubs, or in group settings; demonstrated in this verse, “Where two or more are gathered together in my name, there am I, in the midsts of them” —Matthew 18:20.  That seems consistent with the pledge of allegiance they have us all do, while attending school in America: “And to the republic, for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”  That's like saying, we are one people under Godly concepts [even though in America there's minorities and majorities].  Godliness then, would mean or represent doing those things which promote harmony; freedom, justice and equality.  

The title, "Father of this country," replaces the title of "king" in America—but it is essentially the same concept.  The father or king does what is in the best interest of his people, and the people serve the country; The paramount king does what's best for the tribes collectively: The chief does what is in the best interest of the tribe, and the individual families are loyal to the tribe.  The concept which holds all these ideas together is being Godly, because in most concepts, God protects us all.  If you can step outside of the United States phenomenon, you will see that most nations initially start from two families unifying through marriage, pledging allegiance to those forces and principles which will keep them together.  In traditional Central Asia, most tribes trace themselves to two common ancestors.  In marriage, it is not only the couple who gets married, but the two families or clans combine.  Kings give their children's hand in marriage, in the West, to unify two peoples.

Allegiance, unity, maintaining social harmony, and belongingness are the key factors here: God is the unifying element; and each person must clearly see the connection, that is, the indebtedness; otherwise a sense of devotion to the people which you belong to—whether it is neighborhood, community, society, nation or world citizen—otherwise they are lost.  The smallest, yet most important group is the relationship between man and woman—and the largest is a nation or group nations in diaspora; whose pinnacle is God through the king's or kings' leadership. In traditional Central Asia, no tribe will let you hold public office, without first being a parent; their psyche being; Individuals won't truly have the social skills, or tools, until they have successfully raised a child.

One of our major issues is misplaced allegiances.  One should be obligated to the entity that supports our common interest.  In this regard, we cannot be fighting for our rights to be treated equally and be obliged to the same company who will not protect our interests.  Those who will support our interests usually stem from a commonality; aka advocated for the same common cause: The group, family, society, community, kindred-ness or nation, is a great place to start.  This point reminds me of some lyrics:

When I was younger, so much younger than today

I never needed—anybody's—help, in any way;

But now these days are gone, and I'm not so self-assured

Now I find, I've changed my mind, and opened-up the doors.

Help me, if you can, I'm feeling down

And I do appreciate you being 'round;

Help me get my feet back on the ground

Won't you please, please help me.

And now my life has changed, in oh-so-many ways,

My independence seems to vanish in the haze;

But every now and then, I feel so insecure,

I know that I just need you, like I've never done before.

Help me, if you can, I'm feeling down

And I do appreciate you being 'round;

Help me get my feet back on the ground

Won't you please, please help me.  —"Help"  The Beatles

It is utterly amazing to me, how someone could be raised and protected by family, then turn their back on them; but it happens.  Here is a place where all your genetic factors and character traits are derived—a kindred bond is sure to be felt here; but it is forsaken.  The ones who fed you, before you learned to feed yourself; the ones who protected you from the wild elements of life, before you understood and could defend yourself.  I understand one may lose respect for their parent or parents for succumbing to substances (sold to them by your contemporaries), but why cut down a "tree," when there is an issue with a "branch."  The children of many crack-addicts were raised by their grandparents, and this fostered a deep-seated resentment for their parents and all they had to offer; however, this forsaken legacy was at the expense of not developing proper social skills, coping skills and a dysfunctional state of belonging.  The Gza expressed it very eloquently in the lyrics to "Cold, Cold World."  The main concern becomes survival, their peers become trusted,  overtop of kindred-ness through genetic bonds.  The problem is, it's misplaced allegiances; even the "Codes of the street" are not being obeyed, because of the birth of so many Black Individuals, who don't feel, "they need—anybody's—help in any way."  Grandma raised them, but they won't implement her culture or wisdom.  Why?  Because rather than follow the timeless wisdom tradition refined through the ages, they'd rather use ideas that he and Johnny came up with yesterday—things that have not even been tested; That's like using the light of the sun versus a twenty watt bulb.

 Nothing good will come from leaving your relationship with your parents and your family and extended family fragmented.  You are locking yourself out from the assistance of millions, trying to find assistance in a cold world dominated by people who are other than yourself—and feel their ways, needs and interest are superior to yours.  No one should have to tell you, but I will say it again: "Their ways are distinctly different—sometimes exactly opposite—to ours.  In many cases, their ways lead us astray!"  We can't keep aligning ourselves with charlatans, cultural parasites, sexually ambivalent leeches and takers; thinking because they have "flash" [money] they can help us survive; That's like being "a fly, hovering—waiting on a windshield on the freeway" [Taken from Peter Gabriel's, "The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway"]!  What ever issues you have with your people, you should strive your best to reconcile them.  Being out here, without family or nation, is like operating off AAA batteries as opposed to pulling up to the universe.

In closing, the difference between Blacks and mainstream America has been longstanding.  The difference is, too many of our youth are taking on their ways by proxy; In other words,  their area is contaminated—their ways have started seeping in and affecting us.  I am not saying that we have not been striving to sure our autonomy as a people in America; in the past as well as present we have—the fact is, the efforts are not sufficient.  There are too many Blacks who act as though we are included in the lyrics, "This Land Is Your Land," and when you look at our position in America, there's great disparity; yet many of us act as though these ills will remedy themselves.  We are becoming as apathetic as our mainstream counterparts; but they have a country and nation and go with the tide.  We must involve ourselves; we must seek our own solutions—as an entity called Black.  Our ancestors did it during the "Separate But Equal" Era.  If not, we will watch the media, mainstream America and find ourselves, unwittingly leaning in their direction.  


The issue: The belief that we can do our own thing, leech off of society, give nothing back; while expecting that society to continue to provide us and furnish us with opportunities—is ludicrous.  I don't care if you are talented, Individualism is parasitical and no one likes leeches.  It doesn't matter if you are talented, it will never benefit the team in the long run—as we found out by having Terrell Owens on the Philadelphia Eagles.  It is like a lone wolf, in a wolf pack; they will never aid in the hunt or share properly in the spoils.  Individuals are not community builders or team players; they are greedy, selfish and opportunistic; but America's individualistic drives are one of the keys to success [seize the opportunity/look out for number one].  The West is notorious for Rugged Individualism, but individualism is a cancer that will destroy any society; especially ours.  Nothing works better than true team work!  Right now, you can see that man and women are growing further and further away from raising families; leaning more towards collecting support and raising single households where mothers feel they own their children.  When women work, they exercise a certain feeling of independence which shifts much more rearing on the children themselves; aka classmates raising themselves.  In my case, I watched my father make it unbearable for my mom—but we can't assume that all fragmented families are due to fathers walking away or not doing the right thing to hold family units together.  There is this existing trend to "exalt our mothers as heroes," but they have faults too; sometimes, ones that will level communities.

Really, this conversation of I versus We, is a conversation of egotism versus community: Personal wants versus family needs; Immature whims versus society requirements.  Civilization is built off of society; making savagery is the lost of civility.  When Civility is lost, children, women and the elderly get preyed upon.  When we start preferring personal wants overtop of society needs, our freedoms will interfere with each other—causing us to have battles; evident in the Western creation called, "Battle Of The Sexes."  

Remember when you were in grade school, your teacher emphasized that we all had to learn how to share?  Now as a minority in American society, I feel very little can be done to change the minds of the arrogant majority; however, as your "brother and companion in tribulation" [Rev. 1:9], I can advise those of the source of your suffering.  Our remedy relies on our returning back to our original way of doing things, and develop more of an anthropologic view of American ways.  We did just fine before we knew of them.  We have to realize that while we are in the same land, these are the ways of another type of people.  Ones who exploited us and gave us nothing in return.    Individualistically we can achieve some success in America—but that is only tokenism for us, as a people.  A few token individuals does nothing to change the destiny of a people; unless those individuals are part our total team.  Now could you imagine going to a foreign land, without having an embassy their to protect your rights?  Think about it.  No man is an island.  We can only rise and evolve when we look after our own best interests—because it concerns us.  We must make our own help; we need it.  We have to stop looking to America to solve our ills—its majority has its' own interests; wherein our issues are of minor importance to theirs (and in reality that's to be expected).  

Thank you for your consideration,

C. Be'er la Hai-roi Myers 

Peace and Love.