ELECTION

As I sit here trying to analyze the causes of the anger and displeasure of the past election, I began to wonder what is it that has caused so much dissatisfaction with this President. After all other presidents have accomplished much less under more favorable terms.

From my small vantage point I see a possible cause, "racism", that lingering stench that no longer lives in the back hills of the country, or guzzles beer like water, it now where's expensive suits, shirts, and ties, It has a tan, and gives the appearance of intelligence; it is seductive to those who are insecure and looking for reasons to justify their incompetence, ignorance or lack of willingness to find equitable solutions.

This new form of racism has clouded the minds of people across all racial barriers and because of overuse of the word, its meaning has been diminished. With that in mind racism no longer has to hide. It has now has become more overt as opposed to covert.

Americans, of all genders, races, and creeds have been seduced by the un-syncopated rhythms of misinformation, and stripped of the ability to critically think. We are now being led to an ocean full of salt water and convinced that it's fresh water and okay to drink.

As African-Americans, we have been blinded by a false sense of “my country tis, of thee," our eyes are clouded in such a way that what we think what we see is the promise of equality. Additionally, we are being guided by those false prophets whose only interest is in themselves.

We have a President who strength comes from his intellect not his brawn, yet many would prefer to see him act in an angry fashion, rather than look at the fools whose anger and frustration will not allow them to recognize a black man for his intellectuality.

The gift of a true leader is in the ability compromise without alienating or completely favoring one side or the other.

While there are those who recognize the weight that is on the shoulders of this President, there are also those who want to add to the weight and not help with the lifting.

We, as a people should also remember that the disrespect that is being heaped on this President is unfortunately the same disrespect that has been heaped upon us.

As an historic event the Presidential election was a great accomplishment, but for African-Americans that's all it was an historic event; one of the many that have clouded our vision over the centuries.

Our local politicians are still the same old bunch that has failed to produce, for the communities they serve. There have been no earmarks that have benefited our communities.

Perception

Some time ago I posted this response to a bloggers posting regarding the shape of our African American Women. I have decided to include it in my blog to see if I was being too harsh in my assessment of his posting.


In short, what the gentleman was doing was comparing an exaggerated view of two African-American women's rears to that of a white women.



Mr. Red, my point (although somewhat overbearing) was, that if you are going to discuss the seriousness of how we perceive each other then in my opinion you should not come back with “Baby got Back”.

The appreciation of the Black Women is a joy to behold, and hold, Her defined figure is a wonderful gift to the Blackman; but, we must be careful not to exploit that beauty and realize that it is not an advertisement for public scrutiny or to prove whose bottom is bigger or better than the other.

Our Women, are our Queens, past, present, and future; they are our Mothers, Daughters, Sisters, Wives, and Friends.



I know I am probably too old to conform to today’s way of thinking, but then again I have been with my wife for the past 50 years, and when I look at her today I still see that wonderful Lady that has walked beside me every step of the way, thru my life energizing me with Her Love. I look into Her eyes, and I still that pool of strength that has helped me grow as a man, my thirst for her is still quenched by Her smile and a tender kiss. I am mesmerized by the way She walks towards me Her dress flowing beneath the hollow of Her thighs like running water and I am grateful that I am the fountain, that receives that gift, and when She walks away it’s like music a tune that is played just for me.

You see I have taken time to see all of Her and I am thankful that her Gift was given to me and that She chose me to be Hers.



By the very nature of the responses to your post, I feel that I owe you Mr. Red an apology for I am beginning to realize that my thoughts might be an outdated way of seeing, and where I might have seen danger and disrespect might have been just a mirage, for youth has time, and age has its experience.



To some I might seem a bit tight and rigid in my responses to various posts, but it is only because of what I have seen in my time, in addition to those unrecorded pieces of history that have not reflected the abuses that our women have suffered. Within the history of this country, our women have been viewed as sexual objects, their strength of character, and dedication to family, has never been fully recognized or appreciated.

Thoughts on education

I am going to step out of the box a little and take a look at the education of the African-American, from a different point of view. Over time, it has been pointed out that the education of the African American child is behind that of other ethnic groups, and now recently compared to that of the Asian.

Based on some of the writings of other bloggers I have decided to take a further look at the situation, in order to try to understand their reasons as well as the answer, to the major question of why?

Within the context of my thoughts, I have decided to reflect a little on the history of Africa as it relates to the education of African-American in America.

Prior to the establishment of the United States, there was Africa, a continent with a wonderful heritage, culture and glorious history of its own. Thousands of years later on the continent of North America came a new country called America, born out of Europe's turmoil; its history had not yet been configured but after its struggle for independence, freedom was obtained and a new beginning was forged.

However, unlike others when the African was brought to the shores of America it was under different circumstances. The African was not allowed to participate in this thing called freedom nor was he granted independence. America had developed a new form of acceptance called Slavery, (although slavery has always existed among various cultures, there appeared to always be some form of assimilation).

Within America the definition of Slavery was different for the African, (without discussing the brutality and disgusting conditions in which the African was brought to America's shores, suffice it to say that the treatment was horrific) and a new form of slavery was created. One in which it completely dehumanized its captures.

Once on American shores, the African was stripped of language, heritage, culture, and history, the African was taught that he was no better than the common beast of burden; and under penalty of death, was not allowed to read, write, or to even be taught to read or write. He was constantly taught to believe that others were greater than he.

Once this type of thinking is inculcated into a People's thoughts, it can become what is called:

 "Belief Perseverance," The definition of which is once it is decided that people believe something they will tend to keep on believing it, even if the evidence proves, to the contrary. Particularly, if other people know of the belief, it can be embarrassing climb down from the previous assertions. It is also difficult to remove a belief once it has been woven into the wider web of belief, without disturbing those other beliefs.

Understanding America's thinking about Slavery and Segregation, it was not hard to understand the thought process regarding the education of the African it should be easy to understand why the lack of attention is paid to the education of the African-American.

Although the title of African-American has now been adopted, we still know little of our African Ancestry.

Educationally, we have been taught, the European way of thinking, which is not to say that it is bad but when it demoralizes our own culturally rich ancestry and enhances the European way of thinking, we will always lag behind others.

There has been no other group of people in this country that have been treated the way both the African and now the African-American has been treated, (whether or not others would have survived this type of treatment is another question). When comparisons are made, let it be known that the suffering of both the African in the beginning and the African-American today in order to convey the real truth about the lag in educating the African-American of today

In the end, it would seem that the arguments being presented are specious, because all the facts are not being presented.

Today, everyone is a minority, but for us (African-Americans) the struggle continues.

Understanding Community

Although the research and analyzation of a community is usually left to the social scientist, I have found that as a member of the African American Community, there are  relevant points that the social scientist sometimes overlook or pay little attention to. 

For my own understanding I have tried to focus on what I believe are the following three major points:

FIRST, who are the dominant residence, and how do they feel about each other. What do they have in common?

SECOND, what businesses dominate the interior and what services do they provide? Do they hire from within the community or do they hire from outside the community? Does a portion of their income remain in the community or does it leave, thereby not contributing to the community that supports them.

THIRD, who are the community activist, leaders, and representatives and what benefit are they to the community as a whole.

Once we begin to understand the nature and composition of a community, we can begin to move forward  to obtain the full comfort, and security of being in a community.

Imagine for a moment a bright sunny day, not to warm and not to cold, it is just right. Your children are outside playing with the neighbor’s children, you decide to go inside to get something to drink, you feel secure, because you know that you’re neighbor is looking out. Just as you return an elderly couple is passing by, they speak, and you respond, “how are you doing, and have a nice day.” As they pass by they smile at the children look back, nod, and without saying a word, you know that they appear to be pleased with the way you are raising your children. THIS IS A COMMUNITY.

Drive by shootings, gang warfare, family discourse, drugs, and elicit sex, the elderly fearing to walk down street, police arbitrarily stopping people because they can. Is not the way a community should be.

Consider this, does the price of respect come from the barrel of a gun, or does it just create fear and disrespect for the person using it.

After living within the walls of a predominantly African-American community, I have tried to understand its entry into the greater sociological system of American capitalism. As it appears, we are only the consumers of the process and not the producers. With the exception of music, which we produce from our hearts and the despair of our lives, it should be noted that we have not truly profited from its genius. We have people who have obtained wealth yet instead of building communities they run away and put their money in gold ceilings, cars, movie theaters and other trivial things that isolate them from the majority of those who look like them. Instead of a movie theater why not a medical center, instead of a gold ceiling why not set up decent day care and schools that can provide the early cultural education that gives our children and others the complete history of our people and their contribution to this country and the world; thereby opening their minds to the wondrous possibilities that lie ahead of them that not only can they be president but great scientist, engineers, architects and other major contributors to this global society.

POLITICS AND PROPAGANDA

The pettiness of our politicians has led the American people to become blind to injustice, corruption, and the decency of a truly democratic society. At a time when we can see that there is a need for change, we are blinded by the propaganda of fear. During the course of history, an unexpected messengers have brought  messages; sometimes it could be in the form of a Childs questions, “why are there wars, or why can’t I have another helping of rice, or why can’t I go to the doctor when my tummy hurts”. WHY? Sometimes the answers to some of these questions can come from that unexpected source. Regardless of the messenger, the message is there. The need for change is here. We have only to close our eyes and open our ears and listen. Your heart will allow you to hear the message without interference. Listening is also to hear and to be able to disseminate information in a progressive and honest way.

The politics of fear and the propaganda of who should… only creates an atmosphere of distrust, anger and in some cases hatred. These feelings only disguise the truth of a country as great as ours. The quest to be the best that we can be and the opportunity to achieve without climbing on the backs of others is one of the qualities that is often forgotten. The thrill of competing in a true and open market, being a true winner without sacrificing integrity, is one of the gifts America offers its people. Within competition, creativity is borne and one of the rewards is in the joy of the accomplishment (of course the financial gain is another).

The willingness to share, the pride of accomplishment, seems to have been replaced with greed and the self-centeredness that creates an atmosphere of bitterness between both the haves and have not’s.

In the book, “The Way of the World” by Ron Suskind, The first Paragraph of the prologue states,

"FROM THE DAWN OF TIME, human beings have been attentive to signs of distinction-the approach of a tribe with a different manner or dress, posture or skin color. The swift sizing-up of friend or foe, and acting upon it-upon suspicion-was often a matter of survival. Those faculties became finely turned over thousands of years."

Although, there are many ideas regarding the status of the country and where we are going, it should be noted that a great deal of our opinions are based more on propaganda more than they are on fact.

Leadership, what is it that we as a people really know about those who we put in charge of our lives? What are their ultimate objectives? Whose opinion is it that we allow into our homes? Who will give us comfort and allow us to feel safe? Who are these manufacturers of the truth, or is it truth? Propaganda the food for the uninformed and the feast prepared for the gullible.

HOMELAND

The idea of Africa as a homeland is greater than one race, imagine, for a moment, the hope of achieving a greater good, one that deals with the survival of a peoples heritage and culture.

Israel, a country at the corner stone of a belief that drives its people and keeps them in balance, while keeping alive the hope of creating a nation, were both their heritage, and culture can be preserved.

Because of that belief, a young Jewish boy leaves the U.S. to risk his life for a country not of his birth but of his believed ancestry. Although born in United States his true allegiance is with the country of that heritage, and not of his birth; which leads to the larger question, what makes a young man willing to give up his life for a country not of his birth, but of that perceived heritage and culture?

Although the path each person follows must be their own, it is the love of one’s heritage and culture that leads them to its defense.

Because it is through education that one develops a love of  heritage and culture, and the ideals that it bestows on them, along with a willingness to defend those ideals that are incorporated within that heritage and culture.

Within the context of those beliefs the question of African and African-American heritage and culture begs to be answered, for it is these beliefs that communities are built on and true histories of civilizations are written.

What is the history of Africa and the people of African descent? The images that have been spread throughout the world have been exclusive and not inclusive of the original origins. What were the contributions that have been made by the African and African-American  throughout the world?

The lack of understanding of these truths has created an attitude of disharmony that does not allow people to unite; because like the slaves held in America’s bondage, the withholding of language ensured that the slaves would remain ignorant to their history and culture of their homeland. When a people cannot communicate many things become lost in the translation, such as Heritage. The Greos or story tellers of Africa can only reflect on things that have occurred on the continent of Africa but what, who are Greos of the Caribbean and the United States.  This is why it is so important that the true history of  African people must be taught and taught by those who truly understand this Great History.

Because it is only through Education that a true understanding and healing can begin some day.

Although born in United States like that young Jewish boy  a willingness to defend that history and culture will be possible, but most of all pride will be restored.

PRIDE AND EXPECTATIONS

IS THERE A MESSIAH IN THE HOUSE? Is this a question that African-Americans should be asking, or should they look at themselves for leadership? Individually we as people sometimes place to much responsibility on those we think are going to lead us to the promise land. The spirit of the one-man Saviour should be set aside but not forgotten, but remembered for the beauty of those who accomplished so much, along with the memory of Martin, Malcolm, Fannie Lou Hamer, and others of my generation we can feel the PRIDE of their achievements, along with the feeling of a  a job well done in addition to knowing that there is no mountain that is too high for us to climb.

The year 2008, presented this country with its first African-American President, of the United States. Although the thread of racism is still being sewn into the fabric of our society, the needle does not pass through as easily.

Looking towards the future, we should not set the bar of our expectations so high that the weight becomes heavy on the shoulders of one individual, that it plays into the hands of those whose rhetoric keeps us divided.

 As people, we should support the person chosen not just because of ethnicity but because the American people feel the person chosen is the one best suited for the position of PRESIDENT OF THIS UNITED STATES. Furthermore, we must understand that the person has to govern for all the people and not just one segment of the population.

Furthermore, we must understand the importance of our independence by being careful of our political choices, especially those at the Community, Local, and State levels for these are the politicians, and community leaders, that directly affect our Communities.

To many times we have placed our trust with individuals that have taken us for granted and in the end been disappointed.

The attitude of a great many Americans will be at the first sign of trouble is to jump ship or find some way to sabotage any progress without giving any chance for change. Some will use his ethnicity, some will use his experience, and some will just dislike him period. One thing is for shure regardless who is in office all the problems of the world will not be solved at once.

The fate of a Country lies with its people, and the fate of a Community lies also with its people.

THE POWER OF INFLUENCE

There is a question that has plagued my thoughts over the years, and that is. What do we as African Americans have in this country, is it Power or Influence? Are they both the same or can you have one without the other?

What is it that gives more power and influence to those who come from other countries ( this is not a statement to cast aspersions on other races, for we all want to do well) yet we are left behind to flounder and wonder why…. .

Within this context, why is it that our educational systems, medical care facilities, public safety, those things that are vital to the servile of a community are of the poorest quality? Why is it that those things that we have struggled for over the hundreds years have benefited others more than ourselves and left us by the wayside to twist in the wind to deal with the same old community issue's year after year?

Today we have Women’s rights, Gay rights, Animal rights, Nepotism as been replaced by Reverse discrimination and Affirmative action has been cast aside and now everybody is a Minority, with the major benefit going outside the African American community.

In my opinion, these are all good causes, causes that in some cases have shattered the careers of some while boosting the careers of others, (while the true cause and effect are never truly investigated), the POWER of INFLUENCE takes over, (the squeaky wheel gets the grease).

Although out-sourcing, has become the norm, and the quality of the work has become suspect it continues to leave our shores. There is also what I call the in-sourcing of out-sourcing that is those jobs that were once in the hands of the elderly, high school and young college students are (i.e. McDonalds) now in the hands of and controlled by those who only hire their own. This is not to say that it is wrong or right, what is wrong is that jobs such as these that could supplement various incomes are gone; along with a great deal of the income.

What is really sad is that those of us who have been blessed with the opportunity to elevate our communities spend a great deal of our money on the frivolous things. We leave our communities; give control of our income to others. We buy into basketball teams, expensive cars, outlandish homes; produce clothing lines sell our companies. Of course we set up charities, what we need to is a plan to buy some of the homes in some of the depressed areas, set up Medical centers, Law Offices, Accounting Offices, Schools that teach our children about themselves giving them pride, teaching our children about themselves, the value of a dollar and what the world of economics is all about. G it’s hard to put a steak in front of a hungry man or woman and then tell them not to eat it. Nevertheless, we all know that a little fasting cleanses the body, gets rid of some of those toxins that cause us not to think clearly.

IN THE END THE QUESTION REMAINS, WILL IT BE THE POWER OR THE INFLUENCE THAT WILL ALLOW US TO MOVE FORWARD.

The Education of the Youth of Today

Today I spoke with two young men between the ages of 18 & 22, regarding their heroes, in addition  I wanted to know what their thoughts were on the history of America as it pertained to the African Americans. Not expecting any great answers, I was still startled by the answer of one of the young men, when he said, “Elvis Presley” was one of his heroes. When ask why, he stated, “Because he had a voice”.

Setting aside the previous question and the answer that was given, I proceeded to ask other questions regarding both past and present American history, and again I was surprised by how ill-informed these young men were.

The Education of the African American child in America is being so diverted that it is no wonder that the majority of their heroes are rap stars, basketball and football stars. It is apparent that their understanding of Economics, Community development, and the  past contributions that were made have been eliminated, in addition to the suffering that was endured, so that they may enjoy the freedoms that they now have.

ALTHOUGH WE AS A PEOPLE HAVE ENDURED, AND SURVIVED THE HARDSHIPS OF THIS COUNTRY IT IS OUR PARTICIPATION IN EVERY FACACET OF THIS SOCIETY, ALONG WITH THE CONTRIBUTIONS THAT HAVE NEVER BEEN RECOGNIZED.

We now have chartered schools that are being introduced into the African American communities. These schools are not educating our children, they are teaching to test, tests that are based primarily on European history. The class sizes in these schools are smaller the vast majority of Americas African American children are being left behind. While we are blogging, tweeting, face booking, and gaming on our computers, the information age is passing us by.