(ThyBlackMan.com) In spite of the numerous blatant and subliminal social obstacles that the Black community has faced in the past and continues to face, a remarkable number of African Americans have risen to highly-esteemed statuses in the professions, arts, letters, professional sports and the entertainment field in the last 100 years. Within the past 10 years, two Black Secretary’s of State have held office, a few Black U.S. Senators and governors have been elected to serve, and the first Black president has even earned a seat in the oval office. Each of these individuals’ accomplishments and many more by other African Americans has helped Black America to progress significantly since the 1960’s.
However, when Black America is placed under a microscope, a malignant picture emerges. Though much individual success has occurred sporadically among blacks, virtually no group achievement exists. Black America—as a group—is divided and fragmented, and comes in last place in relation to other races. Minority groups such as Asians, Hispanics, and Jews are far more productive. Their communal success can be attributed to their “greater good” mentality and their willingness to stand united; re-distribute their income within their communities to build and strengthen their communities; as well as assist one another in their individual plights toward success by sharing knowledge, skills, and access to resources, which will ultimately uplift their entire community.
Seemingly, the concept of unity and community is foreign to Black African Americans; seemingly, the thinking that prevails within the Black community is the “crabs in a bucket” mentality. Rather than linking hands with one another and building ladders to help others climb to the top (success) and take the black community to the next greatest level, every man seeks their own personal gain or wealth. They crawl over one another or outright sacrifice the lives and psyche of others to gain a dollar. This fact is most apparent in rappers degrading black women and promoting ignorance to the masses of black youth, hustlers selling drugs on the corner, entertainers constantly using the n-word for laughs, and failing participation in or creation of social movements to benefit the black race.
When will African Americans realize that until the Black community unites from within and makes strides as a group, no African American will be able to experience the true fullness of freedom and respect? Henry Louis Gates, Jr., educator, scholar, writer, editor, and public intellectual, is a perfect example of this victimization; and most recently President Obama regarding the “Baby Monkey” email shenanigans. Until Blacks unite as one and respect one another from within the group, respect from without is never, ever going to be a reality.
Malcolm X once said, “We cannot think of becoming acceptable unto others until we have first become acceptable to ourselves.” When you look at the Black community, the capital income exceeds that of most third world countries. Yet only about 5% of that capital remains in the community. Everyone else benefits from African Americans’ capital gains except for African Americans. There is something psychologically wrong with the way many African Americans think. If one’s very own community is not important enough to one for them to investment in financially and morally, how can Blacks really expect others to provide and care for the race?
Consider the fact that Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers NBA superstar, was recently fined $100,000 for using the derogatory slur “faggot” towards a referee. The fine illustrates the NBA’s zero tolerance for use of a derogatory term. However, when it comes to the black players’ use of the n-word, the NBA looks the other way. It does not cost one red cent for African Americans to free themselves from the psychological bondage of the n-word, inferior thinking, and self-destructive behaviors; yet, blacks—as a group—don’t even want to put forth the effort to take back their rightful dignity and self-respect that so freely and eagerly awaits their pick up.
The n-word is a derogatory term no matter whose mouth it flows from, black or non-black. So why do African Americans insist on making fools of themselves by publicly degrading the black race? Public use of the n-word does absolutely nothing to elevate or uplift the image of the African-American community as a group.
The rest of the world watches in utter amazement and shock as African Americans dog and totally disrespect each other. Jewish people would never publicly refer to one another as kike or hymie; the gay community publicly to each other as faggots; or Hispanics to one another as wetbacks. So why do Black African Americans stoop so low, disgracing, dishonoring and bringing contempt upon themselves by insisting on residing in their pre-appointed place and referring to one another as a n**ger?
Black America needs to ask itself how do those who tolerate use of the n-word from within come to this acceptance? And does their tolerance for the use of the n-word serve as validation that they are a free and independent spirit? Or does it prove that they have been spoon fed by the powers-to-be to accept this demeaning categorization of their ancestors and self? How did they come to accept the idea that they are a n**ga—and that being such a thing is okay?
Whether the “Willie Lynch Papers” are true or not, many years ago, a heinous plight was carried out against black slaves. The only purpose of this plight was to keep blacks divided, weary, and unaware of who they were and their potential. If blacks continue to remain divided and fragmented, flaunting the “me, myself, and I” mentality, as well as refusing to see the harm in use of the n-word and community-destructing behaviors, the community will remain in a state of limbo—unable to progress. Blacks must focus on group survival and partake in activities that result in the greater good, and not selling out for a dollar. Group success over individual success [must] become paramount to each and every black person. Only then can the plight be reversed and re-gaining control of the psyche and rejuvenation of the Black community can occur.
Written By H. Lewis Smith
Official website; Inc. http://www.theunitedvoices.com
The mainstream media gave blacks who wanted to be validated and whites who wanted to release their guilt the ultimate conman! Try researching Obama’s background and you’ll come to the conclusion that there’s nothing in his character for our youth to admire!
To change people must understand the concept of societal space. Societal space is formed when a group shares a perception and regulates its behavior to preserve it. The first perception shared by humans was that of kinship. Sharing this perception established the relationships that created family space.
To preserve this family space the interaction within the space was regulated. The key component for preservation was that of behavior. How you behaved was determined by the role, you were assigned. To identify the roles familial terms were invented. Using these terms we came to know ourselves as mother and father, son and daughter, sister and brother.
Although a critical component for development, these terms alone were not enough to sustain the space. The most important principle was that of behavior. How you behaved as a mother and father, son and daughter, sister and brother was paramount because it animated the space and shaped your identity.
Family is the original source of identity. The first space formed was that of family. At one time, the sense of family was all there was. There was no, tribe, clan, ethnicity, people, nation, or race, family was all you could be. Human identity evolved from family and the cultivation of family space is mankind’s oldest occupation.
As the population increased pressure built to expand societal space. Facing inward family space was expanded. This outward expansion produced the tribe, clan, people, ethnicity, band, and nation. This changed in the 1700’s the construction of societal space was taken in a new direction, the paradigm shifted from family to race. For the first time in history family space became insolvent, the focus of the space was transferred to an outside entity.
Following the new protocol the family, the people, and the nation become wards of the race. What was good for the race determined what was good for the family, the people, and ultimately the nation. To expand the power base the architects of the new space used race instead of family as the cornerstone for building. The pool of leadership for the new province was not limited to a family it was expanded to include the gentry of the race. Under the new regime your relationship with race was valued more than your relationship with family. The architects and builders of this new oligarchy were none other than America’s Founding Fathers.
Building societal space facing outward allowed the founders to share power outside the family circle. Unlike Britain no American family was given the power to lead this nation. The reins of power were; seized by men whose fundamental connection was the color of their skin.
Using their power and influence to induce perception the founders constructed Black and White Space. White Space was positioned above family space and Black space was positioned below it.
I loved reading your article. It was very inspiring and enlightening. I struggle with this as I too want to see our people advance and improve the perplex conditions in which we face. In watching the movie First Time Felon, I was struck by the scene in which the brutally honest Calhoun (Delroy Lindo) portrayed the “war” between black and ni**as. Everybody won’t make it, because some people won’t do what it takes to make it. I’ve worked with youth and within the black community for nearly 20 years and the poison coming from ex-convicts, the media and the rap music industry is setting us even further back.
Most of our youth, and even some of their parents, don’t even have a clue of what it takes to make it out of the proverbial barrel. In fact, many have come to accept it as a way of life, and find ways to survive within it. Reach your hand in to pull one up, and you might just get bit or they won’t even grab it. There is a clear distinction between the classes within the white race, and they know whose trailer trash, a red neck or a wigger. I’m sure there are similar distinctions within other races as well. Suffice it to say, there will unfortunately always be those among us who are comfortable with a mediocre lifestyle.
The reality in our case is that we as a people are all grouped in the same category and judged as African American or Black. If you are black and are a high achiever or black and a street thug or inmate, we represent our race. And if we don’t stand for something we will fall for anything. When our youth admire and respect Lil Wayne more than President Obama, and view Wayne more of a role model, it’s clear our condition will not improve anytime soon. I sincerely wish there was a remedy that would help advance our people and wake up the lost masses out of their mediocre slumber, but I just don’t know the answer that we ALL can adopt and apply to our lives.
I’m a little embarrassed to say, that I agree with Calhoun in his portrayal of a war or difference between Black and Ni@@as. It’s not totally our fault that we are in this condition, but it does become ones fault if they don’t fight like hell to get out of it. I am embarrassed by some of the things I see my people do. It hurts to fight so hard to make a difference, and still be grouped in a category with some people who have adopted a lifestyle of goon, thug or savage and are comfortable calling themselves and each other the “N” word.
Going one step further, there are those black elite who are out of the barrel, who look down with an “I got mine, you get yours” attitude and hardly do anything to help those who are making a difference and trying to get out. So the hell in the barrel is very real. Some in it are comfortable or stuck, others are fighting hard to escape, and others are either kicking folks back in or not offering a hand to help pull them out.