(ThyBlackMan.com) If there is one thing that black people need to pay attention to, it’s the way the leaders in our community behave. There are many who call themselves “pillars” amongst us. The individuals, namely black men, that do are held to a higher standard and rightfully so. There is too much going on in the world around us that affect our community for those that say they are for us to act in ways that are contrary to our advancement. Which brings me to the hotep war that’s raging between self-proclaimed “mac” Tariq Nasheed and “Dr.” Umar Johnson.
These two ended 2017 and thus started 2018 bashing each other with memes, videos, and posts. To say that it’s not a good look is an understatement. Nasheed and Johnson are a part of the same movement, they claim to want the same things for black people, but
how can that be when they are displaying a great act of division with each man telling the other to “come find me.” Regardless of the issues that they have with each other, the fact that they are willing to put aside their, for the most part, positive messages to go head to head calling each other every name in the book speaks volumes to their characters. It also brings into question the real purpose for their respective platforms. Are they really for the advancement of the black community or is it all just for the money and notoriety?
In our quest to find direction in these perilous times, the last thing black folks need is for the men who say they are about unity and black excellence acting in direct opposition to their messages. So here are a few ways that we as a community can stay focused during this or any future hotep war.
Change the Channel
Both of these men have social media platforms that they use as their main source of communication. Stop watching and listening to them and put your time and money into activists who show, through their acts, they are truly are for the black community.
Volunteer
There is a great need for people to give their time and talents to organizations that are really doing something for marginalized communities. Find a place in your neighborhood where you can make a difference because sitting around looking at these two go at it profits nothing.
Start Your Own Thing
If you are passionate about black issues, seeing Nasheed and Johnson’s feud is both frustrating and disappointing. You can easily start your own platform. It takes nothing to start a YouTube channel or even a podcast.
Diversify Your Information
A lot of times you find what you consider to be a good source of information and just let that be your main well of education and news. But to really stay abreast to what’s going on and to have a working understanding of the issues, it’s a good idea to diversify your information sources. Research other woke/conscious individuals and glean what you can from them.
Tariq Nasheed and Umar Johnson have monopolized the black conscious movement. Seeing the way that they are willing to risk their credibility for the sake of showing the world that they aren’t “punks” makes it clear that we need a wake-up call as well as new leadership.
Staff Writer; Rasheda Abdullah