I have been preaching this VERY same message for years now. Black people DO NOT READ! When and how did we get to this point? To be fair, American in general are some the most ignorant and ill-informed people on the planet, but BLACK Americans are the WORST.

Just look at the people you know, your friends or those in your very own family. How many of them actually read anything of value? I mean seriously? They can tell you what happened on last night’s episode of ‘Love and Hip-Hop’ but can’t tell you who their governor is, in most cases.
I agree with you 100%, going to church and reading the bible all day is NOT going to improve black people’s situation. We’ve been doing that for hundreds of years now and IMO we are actually WORSE off today than our great grandparents were. I say this because blacks today are more ignorant, uninformed, broken, dejected and overall weaker than generations past. The bible is not helping us. It’s time to go back to the white board.

You don’t understand how timely you are. What you wrote is so very important. Black parents have to expose their children to reading at an early age. TV has its time and place, but TV is now used as a tool of deception and confusion. I’m not with it, and I tell loved ones who are parents to instill the value, necessity and urgency of reading in their children. Sad thing is, how can you teach your child the value of reading when you yourself don’t practice it?

My opinion is that black people have given up on this life. This is why we place so much attention and focus on the after life in our religion. It was a coping mechanism used by the slaves that has been passed down to our people from their ancestors. Because of this, our people are dying. Not only are we dying physically, but mentally and spiritually. When you give up on life you are surely die. I’m trying to do what I can, but the task at hand seems insurmountable at times. I’m trying to promote reading in my circle of influence. I’m hoping it works.

You are right about white people. See, unlike black people, white people read and learn about other people’s cultures. They travel and explore other cultures AND they teach their children about other people as well. The average white person knows MORE about black people than the average black person. They read the works of our great black minds, like you said they study us. We, on the other hand, do not do the same. I say all the time that black people have been around white people for the better of 400 years and yet we still do not KNOW white people. We have no idea who these people are and refuse to BELIEVE what they’re capable of, even when they SHOW us. It’s amazing.

Anyway, keep it up brotha Smith. You are light.