(ThyBlackMan.com) Family,
Here is an interesting “spin” to consider, regarding the concept of being a “Sellout“. Back in the 1980s, the term “Sellout” applied to someone who was all too quick to give up his/her “blackness” in exchange for a seat at a white table. It could also relate to someone willing to do nearly anything to earn a buck. Now prior to this period, the term “Uncle Tom” was used.
Examples included acting white, talking white, marrying white, moving to a white area, dressing white, and anything else that had to do with “avoiding/hiding” your blackness.
Well, what’s interesting about these “traditional” examples of selling-out, is that they are much more damaging to the soul/spirit of the actual person doing them, than anyone else. Whenever I see/meet Brothas/Sistas that do the above, they always look…empty & lost.
But, if we take a close look at our Family & Community as a whole today, we should all agree on an “updated“ definition of being a “Sellout“…a definition that should include…
1. Brothas that kill Brothas
2. Brothas/Sistas that sell drugs to Brothas/Sistas
3. The lyrics of most of today’s “so-called” Crap-music & gaR&Bage
4. Not challenging our political leaders, including the President
5. Spending all of our free time watching Tell-Lie-Vision
6. Not reading ANY Black Authored Books; all year long
7. Not going out of our way to support Black Owned Businesses
8. Not supporting our deserving Black Non-Profit Organizations
9. Sistas dressing in ways that show every “nook & cranny”
10. Supporting THOUSANDS of churches, yet the community never improves
11. Refusal to study/learn/remember any of our Black History
12. Abandoning each other in our relationships
13. Supporting, almost encouraging “alternative” lifestyles
14. Allowing unlimited video game play for our children
15. Attacking/discouraging those of us that try to Enlighten
16. Brothas that “put they hands” on Sistas
17. Not exercising our bodies, since we were in High School
18. Sistas that “put they hands” on Brothas
19. Not spending time with our seeds/children
20. Allowing fast food to dominate our diets, especially for our children
21. Not teaching our daughters to be “wives as well as mothers”
22. Not teaching our sons to be “husbands as well as fathers”
23. Drinking more alcohol, than clean, fresh water
24. Believing that any and everybody else is god, except anyone Black
25. etc. etc. etc.
Think about it…are those of us that do these things helping, or hurting our Race? If they’re hurting us, shouldn’t they/you/me be considered “Sellouts“? Or or they just “keeping it real“?
We have flourished on this planet for millions of years, that’s right millions, because we did the OPPOSITE of what we are doing today…Imagine if none of us were Sellouts.
Staff Writer; Bro. Jay
I understand that Jay Z and Beyonce were paid handsomely to put on a performance that none of our Ancestors would be proud of. This clearly ties into my article/post about being a modern day “sellout”. THINK family, does their cooning-minstrel show represent the type of behavior that we need as a people? Does it present us at our best? Was it inspiring, and motivates you to want to reach for more in your life? Do we need more “encouragement” for Sistas to show themselves as sex-objects? No intellect, values, morals, dignity (like our countless Afrikan Ancestors)…just a nice piece-of-ass?
And, of course, Beyonce is a “mother” of a young daughter, and her idiot “husband” plays his part in making a complete fool of himself as well, and for what? A few more “sheckles”? Family…they don’t already have enough of the devil’s “illusion” called money? What would Marcus, Martin and Malcolm think?
Here is a takeaway thought…MILLIONS of you, Black folks, watched this bullshit show/performance, (putting millions of advertising dollars into the producers pockets) and will now spend the next several days discussing it. Isn’t this clearly a “distraction” from doing some of the things that we all need to be very busy doing? Remember family everything that we see, hear, taste, smell, touch, becomes a part of us…why add this type of bullshit, to you?
Again…turn off your tell-lie-vision, and read a book…exercise…”talk” with your child/spouse/parent…start a business…start a club…volunteer your time…let’s all (me too) work on our development/improvement instead of our degradation.
As-Salaam Alaikum Top Soldier. A list like this must lay pressure on the brain of those of us that are conscious. When we know better we must do better.
Peace Bro. Shawn,
It’s kool that you agree with some of what I posted, I don’t expect anyone to agree with them all and I’m sure you and many of the other Brothas and Sistas that read my article, could add other points to the list of sellout behavior.
For the record, I love hip-hop, can’t get thru my day without my baby “Sa-Roc” and the God “Sol Messiah”, but the lyrics for “most” of the joints that “go platinum” are detrimental to our people, therefore the so-called “Artists” that’s spit’n them should be considered a “Sellout”.
My goal was to simply suggest that we “update/broaden” our definition of what we consider a “Sellout” to include behavior and characteristics that are clearly detrimental to our people today.
Not really kool to recommend that I “Do your research before you write these articles”…be easy Fam, I come in peace.
Great article and I have made this same argument before. How are we so quick to call a Black Republican a sellout and yet Black folks are putting out music that degrades everything about our culture and people and get rich off it and it is just “hip hop”
I call it the slave mind. To change this mindset, click on my name.
Black Unity means financial independence and happiness
….Shawn Hudson your definition is correct and will always be so.
Some of the things I can agree with except about my musical preference just becuase we don’t listen to the same thing doesn’t make anyone a sellout. The definition of a sell out is someone that goes against their morals just to become successful. Do your research before you write these articles.
So true!! I remember being called acting white just because I did my homework assignments. Now most of thoes who called me that are either dead, in prison, or bumming around strung out on drugs.
Great JOB!