RSSBlack Zombies
Why is it that whenever the state of black America is discussed the conversation always resorts to the lack of black leadership? Yes, the struggle for black freedom has long produced influential figures, individuals who, through their stories, oratory and defiance captured the sentiment of the people and inspired the community to stand up. But it’s unrealistic to believe that one, or even a few individuals are enough to cure the ills that infect black America.
Black America’s romanticized notions of leadership fail to address some critical questions. For instance, with so many negative issues affecting the community, where would these individuals start? Today, black progress must be measured differently from the ways of the past. In the past, progress meant freedom. The freedom struggle, borne out of slavery and culminating during the civil movement, had a single focus. Leaders and followers shared an understanding of what was to be achieved. But with all the issues currently affecting the community, the challenge is not only leading, the challenge is distinguishing what cause or causes would galvanize the community at large. There’s teenage pregnancy, poverty, drug abuse, black-on-black violence and the list goes on. This lack of focus has created a climate where leaders jump from cause to cause, giving off the appearance that they’re more interested in publicity than establishing themselves as authorities.
Another factor to consider is the erosion of black America’s most storied institutions. From the black family to black civil right organizations, the mechanisms that at one time worked to produce black leaders have lost much of their influence and integrity. This has created a situation where black youth now have a shallow sense of purpose, community and don’t understand the importance of struggle. The black church is notable example of this phenomenon.
Once a bastion for black leadership, the church was a place where blacks celebrated struggle, adopted a sense of community, looked to elders as role models and followed the gospel as their roadmap to life. Because of this, you’d think the church would be the one place that leadership would continue to thrive. Instead, various factors, some internal others societal, have rendered the church’s widespread influence irrelevant.
One of the societal factors is the capitalistic mind state that the black community adopted once black’s civil rights were recognized. As the physical freedoms, denied to black Americans during slavery and Jim Crow became protected by law, the community’s quest for financial freedom became the new movement. It’s not surprising, for it is distinctly American that these material gains have clouded black America’s faith. Although unconscious, the community’s sentiment now reads like this: “why pray for a better life when I have a car, a flat screen TV, an iPod and the new Air Jordan’s that just came out?” Material gains have not only pacified black America’s quest for equality, they’ve also eroded its sense of community. From the bling bling mentality perpetuated in rap songs, to the tokenism perpetuated in higher education, politics and business, the I-got-more-than-you attitude inherent to American capitalism has fractured the black community into a variety of identities. African Americans assume they’re better than blacks; blacks assume they’re better than niggas; and niggas assume everyone else is on some bougie shit.
Internally, the church has also created its own issues, which have contributed to its loss of influence. Church leaders, who at one time delivered sermons about the Promised Land, have now changed the tune to prosperity. From the outside looking in, it feels like faith has succumbed to greed. Combine this fact with hypocrisy of many individuals in the congregation, and it’s no wonder why black America’s most revered institution has an image problem. Instead of dynamic leaders what we’re left with are these half-preacher, half-CNN-guest-speaking so-called leaders. Sorry Al…Sorry Jesse, but I had to.
I’m to the point where I feel like Nas, who rapped in his song, Black Zombies: “fuck black leaders cause whites ain’t got none leading them.”
Despite the evidence, I still refuse to accept the fact that the lack of leadership is the problem. Contrary to popular belief, black America has more leaders than ever. Today, there are more black governors, congressmen, CEOs, coaches, etc. than any period in American history. In terms of leadership, we’re at stage that was virtually unimaginable just a generation ago. Realize, a black man is the frontrunner for president of this country. Wow! And lets not forget the multitude of progressive black authors, scholars, artists, musicians who, through their stories, oratory, artwork and songs have engineered new forms of defiance, capturing the sentiment of the people and inspiring the community to stand up.
The problem with black America is not a lack leadership. The problem is a lack of progressive followers.
With all the cries for leadership, you would have expected black America to energetically get behind Barack Obama’s candidacy. But that wasn’t the case. Initially, black America doubted the senator, questioning his blackness. It was not until voters in the uber white state of Iowa threw him their support that Black America started to rally behind his campaign. And once again, lets not forget the artists, scholars and musicians that lead, but seldom get love from the community. Take The Roots for example. They are one of the most influential hip-hop acts ever. Not only are the messages in their music revolutionary, they’ve basically innovated what it means to be a hip-hop group/band. Still, why is it that when The Roots play a show at the Apollo, 95 percent of the audience is white? On the other hand, let Souja Boy, or better yet, R. Kelly put on a show. The crowd would be filled with black bodies ready to yuuul, superman dat hoe and feel on some boo-hoo-ty.
Next time you engage in a conversation on the state of black America, don’t allow the discussion to settle on the absence of black leadership. Go further. Question the absence of progressive black followers. Also, ask yourself, what is it you follow.
58 Comments, Comment or Ping
The R
yep…..
we complain 24/7 about this…but who is stepping up? Will we agree on everything? Nope. I don’t agree with half of Obama’s political campaign stances but I will follow even if I will be vocal in disagreement. We don’t like Al, Jesse, NAACP, the Church, TD Jakes etc..we don’t support 100 Black Men, Big Bro Big Sis, National Urban League, Congressional Black Caucus, Black Family Org, New Black Panther Party etc etc…well dam..who will we support? Right now it’s Obama..let’s see if we are satisfied getting him oin office and leave it at that….it’s amazing that we even send him money….he collects more then churches these days…go figure….so we pour all of our hopes and aspiration into one figure as usual..historically that fails us everytime… .hopefull history won’t repeat itself..but If Obama fails or goes down to his overindulgence to cigarettes or something I think we will be extremely devastated.. ..how long will it take to recover as a community this time? 20-30 years?? Have we been in mourning since Dr King and Malcolm X were murdered? It seems like it……
[Reply]
Malia
WOW!!!! TROUBLMan—-this is that shit! I am speechless! When you said you were editing your thoughts I didn’t know you were going to come out swingin’! I am really outdone and impressed and I have sent this piece to EVERYONE in the world I KNOW and DON’T KNOW because it’s THAT GOOD! Thank you!
[Reply]
KEVIN DAVY
This is an attempt to engage us in a chicken or the egg type conversation. I always blame the chicken. The chicken’s ass has historical roots here.
First, you must understand that we no longer have a monolithic Black society, There is a clear division among Black people. I think Chris Rock put this best in a comedy routine years ago, but we cannot speak like that any more. But my line of work indicates that the humor of this line is in the truth that is in the background.
In summary….
Black people lead themselves or have family members who lead for them. They have little concern about the other group. They actually feel seperate from the other group, until it is time to distribute resources, when many chip in and help relatives and friends.
The “other group” is the majority of our people and they have developed an apologetic group of leadership. This leadership blames racism for everything affecting these people. The problem is, other races are progressing nicely. The racism argument is losing steam.
Now, racism clearly exists. But the first group believes that it can be overcome. The second group seeks reasons not to overcome.
Therefore, the first group lacks a need for a messiah or a savior and the second group has….. Reverend Al and the usual suspects.
Forget the fact that the man was caught in a drug deal a few years back and threatened to flip on the brothers (20 years ago in Chicago, he would have gotten his ass tuned up for that discretion). Forget Tawana Brawley.
Some folk need a Messiah. Because of our history as slaves in this country and a need for a Messiah for most of our existance, it is easy to fall into this trap. Find a leader. Let him rap about our problems. Expect him to make legislative gains to solve our problems (now, that is really bullshit. We have bever figured out this capitalist system). Lay on our lazy asses and complain that the school system has not prepared us to compete.
My mama taught me that the school system had something there for my ass. They are commonly called books. Read one of those bastards- you may learn how to read.
She also showed me another interesting thing, albeit not as well, and I am paying for it today. It is called math. That math is good for your ass. And it is available through geometry for your ass at any public high school in the land.
Learn how to read.
Learn how to do math.
Learn how to do something that people want that not many other people can do. (computer programming)
or
Learn how to do something that people want that not many other people want to do. (Plumbing)
Get paid.
Fire your civil rights leader- you are your own damn civil rights leader when you do these things.
Don’t give the cookie to a broke ass person from group number two.
Accept no excuses force those in your universe to obey the laws of the system.
Then you can make intelligent decisions regarding who represents you. I am for Barack Obama. Trust me, I have a plan for benefitting from an Obama administration, it is a very personal plan.
I am prepared to benefit from his presidency. He can lead me to the honeypot.
It is 30 years later, I feel a more nuanced Dr. King coming on. I think he would say this today…..
“I may not get there with you, but I want you to know tonight, that we as the people will get to the honeypot! So I am not worried about anything tonight, I am not fearing any man, mine eyes will see the glory of the coming of the honey!”
[Reply]
Q. reply on June 27, 2008 3:33 pm:
good ish..
the line about “read one of them and you might learn how to read” is classic.. makes sense and doesn’t at the same time, but i will borrow that!!
[Reply]
TROUBLMan
Exactly.I’m not really worried about him succumbing to his nicotine fix. LOL. But now that everyone has jumped on the Obama train, What happens if he gets killed? The is as old as time, strike the shepard and the sheep scatter.If it happens, it may take more than 20-30 years for us to see this oppurtunity again.
[Reply]
KEVIN DAVY reply on June 20, 2008 10:29 am:
Truthfully, no one is really jumping on his train. That is what makes this so exciting. Furthermore, I am relatively sure that it will take a head shot to take him out. He should be vested by now.
Issue number three. Some of us middle class negroes are not going to go away peacefully if this happens. I say we isolate and target whatever group is close to this travesty. But I doubt very seriously that it will occur. Frankly, I think that is Black victimhood showing up again.
Any presidential candidate that differs from the white male club is in danger. They should have him vested because of this. I would even go so far as to adocate for bulletproof shielding in front and in back of him at any public appearance, because you can protect more easily from two angles than frmo four- my ass would not be up there without that protection.
But the truth is, I seriously doubt that there will be an assasination attempt. Let me help you with something… Part of the reason that whites are supporting Obama has everything to do with taking away Black excuses. Whites really want us to let go of the past.
We should never fully let go of the past- or the present, because I also believe that the Obaa experience is drastically different from the experience of urban America and I am absolutely sure that our dysfunction started with the transatlantic slave trade.
But we have got to get past this. We have to realize that it is better to be poor in Ameruica than in any other place in the world. We have to tell these folk who verbally slaughter America to find another country to live in- let’s pack a boat full of them.
Cause if your ass cannot take advantage of the free public education offered here in America, the free food, the free housing, the free college tuition, the $2000 average tax return- despite the fact that you paid only $800 in taxes, the thousands of social support agencies, programs such as mine that offer you tremendous incentive to behave in a functional manner and government matches on 401K plans- your ass will not make it anywhere. Section 8 has a program across the country to assist low income people to own their homes- instead of paying rent vouchers, the US government will pay your mortgage.
Sheeeeeeeiiiiiiiiii iiiiittttttttttt tt!!!!!!
We better start telling these folk the truth about this-a-here shit. I interviewed with Habitat for Humanity for a director’s position about four years ago in Georgia and had the opportunity to see their exhibit on homeownership around the world. I had the priviledge to travel to Vitoria, Brazil three years ago and fly over Sau Paulo, Brazil on my way there.
Africans in America don’t know shit about poverty. It is goddamned embarrasing to listen to these folk complain about their situation from air conditioned public housing units. They need to see how the MIDDLE CLASS lives in Africa or Brazil. I bet you that when they get home, they will kiss the ground of their housing project.
[Reply]
Kimberly reply on June 20, 2008 10:32 am:
Kevin if you’re in the minority I’m right along there with you…maybe not as comical as you can put it, but I’m there.
[Reply]
Q. reply on June 27, 2008 3:36 pm:
Kevin, YOU are hilarious.. and on point..
[Reply]
"A Mom" reply on June 20, 2008 11:56 am:
Troublman
This has been a great week, with fantastic posts. Looking forward to what’s coming. Al your writers bring it. I love what’s going on and be sure Troubl can make a difference.
[Reply]
TROUBLMan
MALIA,
I appreciate the love.Lately, i’ve really been battling with my own understanding of leadership; what it means to me; what it looks likes;my duties; my strengths and my weaknesses. Conversing with everyone here helps me. There are many leaders who vist TROUBL and I learn from all of them–especially you!
[Reply]
Malia reply on June 20, 2008 11:29 am:
TROUBLMan,
I’ve always thought a leader is someone who compels me to be better, do better, try harder, want more, expect more, excel, and strive for excellence….all without complaining, barking orders at me or shoving their opinion down my throats. A leader makes me want to follow them because I admire their dedication, even when things get rough, they don’t give up at the first sign of trouble. A leader has HEART! I see that in you!
[Reply]
"A Mom" reply on June 20, 2008 12:04 pm:
I totally agree with Malia. This is the definition of a leader. All those who doubt him and walk away will see. Because he is not the first person that gone thru storms. The other thing is that when it’s all said and done. At the end of the day I know TROUBLMAN will show everybody love and welcome.
[Reply]
Malia
Awwww….thanks TROUBLMan. That means a lot to me coming from you. You are definitely a leader! I love that about you, that you challenge everything and you aren’t afraid to go against the grain. You aren’t defined by anyone or anything. You are confident and bold but you also have immense compassion and understanding for others.
At the end of the day, leadership is based on following!!!! What’s wrong with us? You’re right TROUBLMan, sad to say. There are more black governors, congressmen, CEOs, coaches, etc. than any period in American history. But it seems like once they reach that level, they forget the struggle it took for them to get there. They forget their Ivy League education came from loans and grants and hard work instead of trust funds. They forget they lived off frozen burritos and Top Ramen. They move to the suburbs and join the country club and sleep on 1000 stitch linen sheets and dine on fine China….and I’m not mad at that!!! African Americans assume they’re better than blacks; blacks assume they’re better than niggas; and niggas assume everyone else is on some bougie shit because uncle Bobo went off to college and never came back!!! Someone invested in them to help them be where they are today. Now, they can pay something forward for someone who comes behind them. These governors, congressmen, CEOs, coaches that you speak of move out of the ghetto and never look back so there becomes a generational gap, there becomes a social gap, a gap of classes so to speak. Upper, middle and lower class don’t see eye to eye about anything, so then the question arises, how can you lead someone who doesn’t see eye to eye with you?
[Reply]
Alfred reply on June 20, 2008 10:25 am:
What should these successful blacks be doing that they aren’t?
[Reply]
Malia reply on June 20, 2008 10:52 am:
Making a difference in the lives of our most valuable resource. OUR CHILDREN!!!! Instead of going to the Four Seasons w/ colleagues, why not give that money to the Boys and Girls Club. Better yet, become a mentor. Better yet, bring a child to work. Let them intern at your company and see what a congressman does. Reach out to the community.
Don’t be selfish - You are not in college for yourself. You are empowered to empower others. Give back to someone, don’t forget about the black community. The cultural experience coupled with my own familial values, has placed concepts of empowering others and giving back to the community on my mind. However, I wonder if others are thinking of doing the same when they leave the hood. When it comes to unity and progression in the black community, we need a serious makeover. Minorities often don’t sit at the top of the corporate ladder because there isn’t enough mentoring of minorities on the bottom of the organizational structure. This past weekend, I also had the pleasure of having breakfast with two friends from OSU who majored in Journalism & Graphic Communication. Their gesture to take the time out of their schedule and talk with students about our future endeavors is what counts. Don’t think so? Just take a look at some of the businesses you support.
You may have witnessed how many in the Asian culture come to America, start businesses and support their own - enhancing not only their culture but this country as a whole. Those who view this as cultural supremacy are thinking to the extreme. I’m sure they too have made a decision in their lives that enhanced their culture. This can be done without being seen as prejudiced. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said there comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politically correct, nor popular, but you must do it because conscience tells you it is right. Students should start healing the black community by mentoring and giving back with the education they’ve received, skills they have acquired and talents they possess. Giving back doesn’t just mean financially, it means offering internships, providing professional guidance or simply just listening and providing candid feedback about the world outside of school.
[Reply]
KEVIN DAVY reply on June 20, 2008 10:58 am:
Noooooooooo. …
I cannot walk the line for anyone other than me and my family. You give back, sure, but you take care of your own first. This is a capitalist society. It demands that we play by a certain set of rules.
I paid every damn quarter of the cost of my college education, Malia. Every damn quarter. Therefore, what I give is up to me. What I keep is up to me.
And I was not empowered. I took power. No one gave it to me, just like no one woke me up to brave 30 below zero wind chill factors, 8:00 am to 9:00 pm days, several evenings studying and a teenage girl to raise at the same time. That talk sounds good, but means little. We have to get over the feeling that we were “blessed” to make it through college, like diploma and degree Jesus decided to stop by our house and drop a blessing on us.
I went to college with several of my friends. One very bright friend dropped out to become a minister. One friend decided that he did not want to do all of that work. I completed the task at hand. It took me nine long years. I worked full time and went to school part time for many semesters. I drove raggedy ass cars- even today, fifteen years after my college graduation. I sacrificed.
You probably did also. Give yourself some credit.
[Reply]
Malia reply on June 20, 2008 12:45 pm:
I commend you and congratulate you on your accomplishments Kevin. That is no small feat!!! I agree, charity starts at home. I get that. But I also get the gulf between the classes and the generational gap cannot be closed if we just have a ME FIRST attitude.
[Reply]
KEVIN DAVY reply on June 20, 2008 1:02 pm:
Malia, I do not have any children.
My contribution is to affect the lives of my 16 godchildren and countless nieces and nephews. My nephew now lives with me.
Also, I am starting a Black male mentoring group shortly in Chicago. It has been hard to commit because of the time.
You have to be careful about this charge, Malia, because many of us are struggling with this. There are so many hours in a day. My first responsibility in society is to build wealth for me and my family. Period. You get it twisted if you are a man and you feel your first responsibility is other folks responsibility.
I did that for a while and I got a cruel reminder that this is not the way to go.
I believe what the Bible says about this. My first ministry is to Jerusalem. Jerusalem is me and my family. They come first. My second responsibility is to Judea. That is my extended family. Those are my godchildren, nieces and nephews. My last responsibility is to the uttermost parts of the earth. That is the boys club, the girl scouts and my group that I want to start.
The reason the group stays undone, now that I think about it, is that it is an uttermost part of the earth calling. I got other things I got to do. I gotta get my PMP certification. I got to get another Masters degree. I got to keep the honeypot nice and full- for my family.
Now watch this.
Are we really supposed to bring various classes of people together on the middle and upper class agenda? Do we know with all certainty that folk from lower economic classes WANT to move up to the next economic level and will adopt the habits needed to do so?
Look at the most embraced aspect of lower Black socioeconomic culture- rap music. I say a child is best served by coming from a two parent family. Rap music “fronts” anyone that is from this background (that was prevalent in 8 mile- talking about feeling old!).
So the things that I say are culturally critical to child development are considered dysfunctional by the dominant culture and by the preponderence of Black people. I am a square that wears a suit everyday. Never mind that my suit cost less than their Gym Shoes.
This is a culture that I don’t understand. Probably, because of my southern upbringing, I will never get it. I do not want to understand that shit, because it may make me as crazy as their asses are.
Now, in the group that I am starting (I am playing with a few different names, one is Black Men Working, the other is Yes I Will) there will be a firm set of controls in place. Young men will learn like I learned and like my sixteen year old nephew is learning. They will learn to work. They will learn to maintain a yard. They will learn to mop a floor. They will learn how to barbecue. They will learn how to treat a lady, They will learn how to patch a piece of drywall. They will learn how to lay a pergo floor. They will learn basic plumbing.Anyone who tries to preach to these kids for more than the ten minutes that it takes to teach them to DO SOMETHING will get shut the hell down. My uncle did not preach to me.
Oh and another thing- and this may be the reason that I have not started this group.
The men will have written permission to tune those young brothers up, whenever they swell up a little too early into manhood. In grammar school, my teachers had written permission to tune my ass up. My uncles had my mother’s permission to tune my ass up- hell some of my uncle and mother’s greatest arguments were about times that he did not tune my ass up.
I could give less than a damn about what the liberals are teaching about not striking your children. I grew up in the hood. Failure to obey could mean that your ass would be on the receiving end of a Black Gangster Disciple Nation bullet. Not coming in when the street lights came on could mean that your ass was dead.
Black people need to control Black culture. DCFS shows up, we can provide them with the ass whipping video tape.
Now don’t get me wrong. Ass whipping is a last, extreme option. But it must be on the table. These boys are bigger than their mothers as early as nine years of age. They need a man’s intervention or a mama with a weapon and willingness to use it.
But I still have the right to go with my colleagues wherever the hell I want to go. I have not had any children. I should not be “guilted” into taking care of the seed of another man. I did not enjoy that cookie and I ain’t asking for any of it now.
But I will help. In today’s litigious society, I will only help with a mother that signs off on an agreement giving me free reign to deal with her son. No girls allowed- I ain’t going to be anyone’s target for bullshit. Find a woman to do that. But I would love to work with boys. I could see spending fifteen hours a week doing this.
The key is, I will only do this on my terms. You will give me the right to make that boy a man, or you can take his ass somewhere else.
We just have to cut the bullshit, Malia. Those of us who know the way out must be given the power to direct. I know how to make a boy a man- I have worked with several and have far more hits than misses.
But remember, I need to get some honey in the honeypot first- and second.
[Reply]
Malia reply on June 20, 2008 1:05 pm:
You are raising your nephew and you always speak highly of him and your neices and godchildren and that is what I’m talking about. I understand you cannot raise everyones kids, I wouldn’t expect you to. I wouldn’t want to do that either. You just live your life in a way that sets the tone for who you are and what you expect of others and what you ASOLUTELY WILL NOT TOLERATE. I understand you very well Kevin. I am the same way. I have a HUGE heart and I am giving to a fault, so much so, that sometimes there is NOTHING left for me. But with that said I don’t compromise my self worth or my beliefs for anyone else either. I am not a door mat and I won’t be walked on. I live my life by example because I know my sons are watching me. What I think is important, they will think is important. When I have compassion, they will have compassion. When I give, they will give. When I read a book, they will read a book. When I fight for what I believe in, they will fight for what they believe in. They won’t be a spokesperson for someone else. They will have knowledge of “self” and find importance in things more meaningful.
Like Talisman said, “Our children are the key and our hope!”
[Reply]
Malia reply on June 20, 2008 1:31 pm:
I’m no stranger to can of “WHOOP ASS”., lol….none of my family is and you best believe if my son got out of line and tried to “man up” I would hope there would be someone around to bring him down a peg or two before someone else did (those stray bullets you speak of ain’t no joke).
Your mentorship program sounds off the hinges!!! These young cats need to know the value of a hard days work. Dry wall, plumbing, mopping, all that! I’m excited for you! Kinda makes me wanna got to Chi town!!!! But you lead by example and maybe I could start something like that wherever I settle.
[Reply]
Q. reply on June 27, 2008 3:44 pm:
this dude is dropping pearls.. i feel like a groupie right now.. damn..
[Reply]
Torrie reply on June 20, 2008 1:51 pm:
I have worked with kids in the community and many families guess what you build the kids up and the parents bring them right back down. It starts with the home foundation, without that getting fixed you can’t empower nothing or no one.
[Reply]
TROUBLMan reply on June 20, 2008 4:15 pm:
Kevin I agree, but it comes down to what you define as your family. To, me my family extends further than my immediate kin. To me, my family includes my community. Why? because eat the end of the day, my community will influence my family just as much as I do. Whenever my family leaves the house they interact with the community, which mean the community impacts them regardless of it I like it or not. So for the sake of my immediate kin, I feel it’s my responsibility to adopt the community as my family and try to teach and affect it in the same positive ways.
[Reply]
Talisman reply on June 20, 2008 12:35 pm:
I was just making this very point the other day! Our children are the key and our hope! And education is not a gift - you have to strive for it! It takes hard work and dedication, whether your educating yourself for a future trade or a career. This attitude should be passed down to our children along with the message that personal sacrifice will be necessary.
[Reply]
KEVIN DAVY reply on June 20, 2008 10:57 am:
You cannot. If a person does not want responsibility, there is nothing that you can do to help that person.
My great uncle used to always counsel me, a n—r that does not want anything will not have anything, even if you give it to him”. The older I get, the truer this statement reads.
[Reply]
TROUBLMan
ALFRED,
They sould listen. Simple and plain… Instead of acting like they know what’s best for everyone they should listen and learn. Of course, they should apply the knowledge they’ve gained, but also work to learn from the people who they assume are “ignorant.”
[Reply]
Alfred reply on June 20, 2008 1:52 pm:
I’ve always wondered if its fair to charge successful blacks with a community obligation. Not saying that they shouldn’t give or mentor kids if they feel that’s what best to do with their time and money but I don’t know if I’d say they have any obligation to do so. Why should a successful person have to do fewer things they enjoy, like the ‘Four Seasons’ because of an implied obligation to someone else? Not sure if that’s fair. I’d like to hear others opinions on the subject.
The Bob Johnson example comes to mind. I remember many blacks were upset that he sold BET instead of holding on to it. He made a business decision and I don’t know if its fair to be upset with him because he made a strict business decision instead of holding on to BET.
[Reply]
"A Mom"
This post is overwhelming. You poured you heart out and I can feel your emotions in this piece.
We all should question ourselves as a people and what part we play. I do believe the times are different and what was effective then doesn’t work now.
But I still see some positive things going on in our churches today, as long as they stay away from so much politics. I think that hurts what the churches are really trying to accomplish. Also I think that a lot of churches have become big business instead of what the real meaning of them.
[Reply]
Talisman
TM, this post is on point. I’m sending it out to various friends right now.
[Reply]
TROUBLMan reply on June 20, 2008 4:23 pm:
I appreciate the love. What inspired me to write this piece was The Roots concert I mentioned. They’re my favorite rap group of all time. They’ve taught me to look at thing critically since I began listening to them in ‘94. Still, the first time I ever saw them perform was this year. It was also my first time at the Apollo. To my surprise, 95 percent of the people there were young white hipster. I don’t have a problem with that because they need to hear The Roots messages just as much as anyone. But the experience made me realize how many black leaders get ignored. Crazy…
[Reply]
Q. reply on June 27, 2008 3:50 pm:
i was there, too.. i was there @ radio city as well.. you’re right.. i guess i shoulda been able to see you.. i start to think a few ways about this, as i used to get frustrated when i went to common or mos def shows as well..
what i saw was that they bought them joints quickly and new way in advance that they were coming, cuz they were on okayplayer and every other underground site preparing for the moment.. white people do for “conscious rap” what Black ppl do for Hov or Summer Jam tickets.. they wait all year to press “submit” on ticketmaster.. they don’t really hear about that upcoming mos concert..
at least that’s what i started to feel when i analyzed it after a mos def show at BB Kings a couple years back.. shit was horrible.. them kids didn’t know nothing but Ms. Fat Booty..
[Reply]
TROUBLMan reply on October 29, 2008 9:55 pm:
You ain’t neva lied.
[Reply]
Eric Battles
Let me get in here for a min. If you look at other races, and compared them to us, the one thing you’ll find different is that there is no animosity amongst themselves like the black community. I believe we as blacks do not want to succeed aside from “Bill Cosby” and other black celebs that you see. Look in the neighborhood you in, don’t you see that very rarely that there are many successful blacks in them.
[Reply]
"A Mom" reply on June 20, 2008 1:53 pm:
Eric,
I see the animosity amongst us, but there are other races who have the same. Because we send out these messages of self-hate I feel that we give that feeling to others and they in turn have that animosity about us as a race as well.
[Reply]
KEVIN DAVY reply on June 20, 2008 3:07 pm:
Nothing but successful Blacks in my neighborhood. Just about every Black here is successful and Blacks are about 40% of the population.
[Reply]
TROUBLMan reply on June 20, 2008 4:27 pm:
Kevin,
Where do you live? Is there a sense of community where you’re at. Or is everyone bougie? I’m asking because most people assume a neighborhood like you’re describing is bougie. I’m from the hood, where the number of successful blacks are limited and the perception they give off is that they’re better than the rest of us.
[Reply]
KEVIN DAVY reply on June 20, 2008 4:48 pm:
There is a sense of community- a very strong sense of community. And by urban definitions, everyone is bourgie. I live in a middle class suburb called Homewood, Illinois. Great school system. One of the reasons that I left my old church was that the pastor went on an expository riff where he “hoped that all those teachers in Homewood schools would retire,so that us folk living out here could experience what urban kids were experiencing”
That is some bullshit there.
I pay for the schools with property taxes. I pay for the home appreciation with property taxes. Therefore I deserve to reap the financial benefit.
I used to live on Chicago’s south side.
I do not think that I am better than folk from the south side. I think that I am the same. But I also think that I made better decisions than a lot of them and I was rewarded because of it.
I have no children, and that was a decision.
I have a masters degree and that was a decision.
I purchased real estate wisely and that was a decision.
Now, I reap the rewards of those decisions. Capitalism is about the survival of the fittest. Those who make the wisest decisions will invariably do better than those who make poor decisions. There is a difference between being inherently better- I am from a single parent home and when I was growing up two parent homes were the norm, so I never thought I was better than anyone and making better decisions.
What I am done doing is apologizing for making better decisions.
[Reply]
TROUBLMan reply on June 20, 2008 5:12 pm:
I feel you completely. I can’t lie though, there was I time I felt guilty for making good decisions.
I’m from a small section of San Francisco called the Fillmore. It’s one of the most historic black neighborhood on the west coast. It’s also a victim of urban renewal, so what was once a vibrant black community, became a hotbed of projects and public housing. I left because I got a football scholarship out of high school. I felt guilty because I felt like I was leaving my friends behind. But as I gained more knowledge and matured, I understood that the best thing I could do for my friends was to leave. The knowledge that I gained I brought back to them. Whether they appreciated it or not, it has benefited all of us.
I use to think the people who made the good decisions you describe were bourgie. But know I’m one of those people and I don’t think I’m better than anyone. At the end of the day, that’s what counts. Too bad everyone doesn’t feel like us.
[Reply]
Alfred reply on June 23, 2008 8:15 am:
why does the ‘bougie’ neighborhood have to be different than a place with a sense of community? If there’s anywhere that lacks a sense of community its the hood.
[Reply]
KEVIN DAVY reply on June 23, 2008 8:17 am:
One of the principal problems of my life is deciding when to provide “hood justice” and when to allow “normal justice” to prevail. Hell, I am marinating some ribs overnight right now in the fridge and my plan is to teach my nephew how to barbecue the ribs over indirect heat today- part of his manhood development, along with a couple of chickens.
But when I was in the hood, I behaved as I was in the hood, I even popped a negro upside the head like I was in the hood. But when I moved out of the hood, I put away some hoodish things.
Some of those things are as follows:
You will not hear any rap music coming from anywhere around me. I don’t like anything that is this masogenistic and disrespectful of women. You will hear some “Uncle Jam’s Army” by Parliament and some John P. Kee.
I don’t get a lot of visitors. For some reason, the folk that I grew up with are intimidated by my neighborhood. But if they were friends, they would stop on by. The neighborhood is not in my house, so you have to wonder if something else is up.
I have “good morning, how are you doing” relationships with nearly all of my white neighbors. Kids stop by on Halloween, but I have been here ten years and have never been invited to a party that they were holding- but I also have not issued an invitation, either, though I am sure that some would come by. I would say that we are in “emergency relationships” . If I saw a woman on the block in trouble, I would not hesitate to pull my car over and help.
They may or may not do the same for me. But the brethren may or may not either. In most cases, I vote for may not. You have to pull your own weight in the hood.
My perspective on white people has changed from quasi-interacting with them on a daily basis. Contrary to popular belief, they are not meeting every morning trying to figure out a way to fuck up our day.
White folk are trying to manipulate the American capitalist system to benefit them. That is exactly what we should be doing. We should be manipulating the American capitalistic system to work for our benefit, then we need to teach others among us to do the same.
We can’t do this if the prepoderence of African Americans are hell bent on losing, finding excuses to lose and not overcoming obstacles- even if those obstacles are from 50-300 years ago.
After sleeping on it Malla, I know this is true. The majority of the time, I cannot help little Rufus. Little Rufus is a biproduct of a system that has told him since he was five years old that the “bad puddy cat white man” was out to get his ass, the white man is too powerful to overcome and daddy don’t belong in the home. BLACK PEOPLE TEACH THIS. THERE IS NO WHITE MAN ANYWHERE TO BLAME.
The answer for me and people like me is simple and crass. This is what we do everyday.
F–k you, I am an MBA
F–k you, I am a CPA
F–k you, I am a doctor
F–k you, I am software engineer
F–k you, I am a project manager
Now who the you is is the problem. Most of the time, the first you that you have to say fuck you to is the you that looks like you.
(Richard Pryor would say let me repeat that, but think about that statement)
This means reject every lesson taught to you in the hood and pursue a more productive path. But Malia, the lessons are taught by folk who look like us.
Let me let you in on my personal life a bit.
This past month, I have raised $820,000 for a vocational education project in Illinois that will provide a 3:1 match on savings for low income families to get certified in vocational trades and earn a good income. Some of these programs are five weeks long. I have another deal for an additional $2 million that we are dotting the state is and crossing the state ts on.
Let me repeat that.
I said that you are making 10K a year working at Quizno’s.
You pay $250.
I give you $750
You can spend that $1000 on a class to be a dialysis technician or a pharmacy technician, classes that require short term training and pay an average salary of about $30,000 a year.
You can save up to $650 in my program and get up to $1950 in matching funds. And you can attend any state college or community college in the state of Illinois. The program is perfect for folk who have defaulted on student loans, want to attend short term vocational training or just need some additional college assistance.
Let’s just say that the response rate in certain communities around the state has been fantastic and I am happy for those communities. And the response rate in communities that need this the most is lukewarm at best. You fill in the communities. And I have reached out to the top agencies in the state that work with these communiities.
Now I have a couple of aces in the hole and I am going to solve these problems. But it let’s you know clearly what we are facing. We have folk who are trying to create solutions for folks and we have folk that are hell bent on focusing on the problems that face us.
We need transformational leadership. I am reaching the point of courage that I want to throw my name in the ring. I really do. But the attacks from the left scare folk like me off. But the truth is, there is a growing segment of folk like me. We talk among ourselves about sorry ass…. people- (and if you buy that word…) .
But we don’t do anything about it. This is the town of some of the greatest Black liberals of the modern era. Our strategy is a bit more conservative. But it is correct. It is also exactly where Barack Obama is coming from- I followed Barack as an organizer here in Chicago, we were trained by the exact same people, I am just five years younger than he is.
But Black people have to accept accountability. It would be helpful if we took all accountability about the accomplishments of our people. Then we can change it. By keeping the white man as the “unseen factor” in the equation, we create excuses for failure.
[Reply]
KEVIN DAVY reply on June 24, 2008 8:50 am:
What is bougie? The fact that my pants are pulled up to my waist?
[Reply]
ERIC BATTLES reply on June 24, 2008 8:51 am:
and there still not an answer to this question. Yes, Kev, brothas in the ghetto would consider your dress “Bougie” and would also consider you a sell-out.
[Reply]
motik reply on June 24, 2008 8:52 am:
This goes back to the inverted logic that occurs with people living in
deprived areas. I was reading a story about a repeat offemder who
finallhy went straight after going through prison counseling. He
befriended the warder and the warder askedwhy him he kept breaking the
law. The con answered that he wanted to be free and not answer to
anyone.
The warder said, “I get to go home, eat what I want, when I want and
have sex with my wife. You are locked up here. So who is truly free.”
The words sunk in.
[Reply]
ChiCity Star
Great piece! Not only is this a problem affecting black males, it’s an American problem facing African-Americans, whoever we are and wherever we live. The common denominator is race - race being the elephant in the room that affects black males in particular, the historical “self-fulfilling prophecy” that W.E.B. DuBois refers to when he asks the question, “How does it feel to be a problem?”
This question speaks volumes to the internalized oppression of black people, past and present. Being a problem in America has always been based on race and class, and race has always trumped class. Be it in urban, suburban or rural America, it makes no difference. DuBois was also on point when he predicted the problem of the 20th century as being the color line, which continues into the 21st century.
One such cultural antihistamine that my organization has used in Chicago and nationally, and think is extremely useful to all those serious about working with black youth and presenting themselves as more then just poverty pimps, are rites of passage.
These rites provide the skin and armor to reduce exposure and prevent allergic reactions to the toxicity in the environment. Rites of passage is a process for regenerating community. It focuses on cultural identity, purpose and direction. Who am I? What do I want? How do I get there?
Simple questions that are very difficult to ask and answer without the proper values and support from family and community.
Rites of passage is a value-driven process of human development that involves separation, transition, reintegration, regeneration, restoration and edification. It must take place in a safe and caring environment with adults and elders.
What happens when you do not have these rites of passage? What you have is front-page headlines in the Daily News, Inquirer and metro sections of our newspapers. Disruptive individual and group behavior, crime against persons and property.
When there is not a rites-of-passage process that is family- and community-sanctioned and adult-directed, young people will create their own rites in the form of gangs - gangs which have their own initiations, rituals and ceremony.
Youth will fill the void and create their own identity, purpose and direction, which are popular culture and electronic media driven - such a culture values “me” as opposed to “we,” things as opposed to people, immediate gratification as opposed to deferred gratification. These values reflect excessive individualism, materialism and hedonism.
The results are a systemic genocide of black youth.
Along with rites of passage we also need educational and human-services institutions that transcend social pacification. These institutions need to be more than poverty pimps who make money and reputations off the backs of our youth, specifically black youth.
They don’t always “need” human services. More often, they may need higher expectations on the part of teachers or human service workers - and justice, equity, income, community and strong families.
[Reply]
Malia reply on June 20, 2008 2:03 pm:
Yea, I feel you ChiCity—I watched Roots..LOL (read the book too)….they need to feel validated, like they belong somewhere. Hence, the gangs. If we don’t provide them with such validation they will go out of find it for themselves.
[Reply]
TROUBLMan reply on June 20, 2008 4:52 pm:
I actually feel the common denominator is class. Race is still a issue but class is beginning to trump race. Why? because class is what create the divisions in the black community. Education level, where someone lives, and his or her access to resources are the the factors that bind and separate blacks today. Just look at how many black people doubted Obama’s blackness because he has an Ivy league education. Obama is as black as W.E.B. DuBois, but we praise DuBois as an authority on blackness. Why? Because he developed his credibility at a time when race trumped class.
Rites of passage are most definitely important. When I was coming of age, sex, drugs and bullshit were the rite presented to us. My friend and myself all grew up without fathers to teach us the proper transition into manhood. We had to wing it. We pulled shit from the hood, TV and each other to create our rites. Luckily we all had at least a small sense of direction and were all leaders. Plus, we had peers who created their own rites of passage that showed us the destructive path, which we reflected on and avoided. you hit the nail on the head though, it is about asking “Who am I? What do I want? How do I get there?”
[Reply]
Torrie
Successful blacks don’t owe anyone anything. They worked for it and got to where they are because they worked hard. Empower other’s, African Americans are the first to put one another down. The other races/minorities not to go back into slavery, the families foundation were never really destroyed. Yet, when other minorities did face there issues and disorder they came back together and helped one another. Etc, Jews, Asia, and Mexican/Spanish people.
Do I feel successful black owe me anything by no means. If I want success I have to make the chose. Rather is be finanical or not it all still revolves around money.
[Reply]
Malia
PEOPLE WHO DON’T GET INVOLVED HAVE NO RIGHT TO COMPLAIN!!!!!!!
[Reply]
"A Mom"
You know when they say “You teach people how to treat.” Are we guilty of teaching others how to treat us sometimes as a race, by our actions?
[Reply]
Malia reply on June 20, 2008 2:09 pm:
Good question Sis! Are we showing the world that we have self loathing, defeatist attitudes. Are we giving up on ourselves before anyone else can give up on us? Are we setting our expectaions sooooo low that we have no other options than to fail? Is it wrong to strive for better, to want more, to strive for perfection or excellence? My girl said she was sick of hearing the “I AM WOMAN” or “BLACK QUEEN” speech, so should we just settle for the okie doke? And be okay with just getting by or “good enough”?
[Reply]
Traci reply on June 20, 2008 4:51 pm:
The answer is a resounding no we should never ever settle. We absolutely teach people how to treat us. And if respect is not demanded it most certainly will not be given. It often baffles me when it comes to our people and their complacency with having nothing. We will have the best cars and be living at home with our parents or in an apartment. We will step on each others neck to climb to the top while kissing others azz to get there. My family is guilty of this way of thinking. There are so many people who have given up and are not content to just give up on their own. They also want to bring you down as well as many as they can in the process. I haven’t lost hope myself and hope to never. It doesn’t cost anything more to dream big!
.
[Reply]
"A Mom" reply on June 20, 2008 5:30 pm:
No way. For those shooting for the Moon should continue at all cost. Because some don’t want to go don’t mean the rest of us should settle for the okie doke. Shoot for the star and take who ever is willing to go with you. Do try to inspire others.
[Reply]
moon reply on June 23, 2008 8:14 am:
I could never settle for what I have right now and believe me it’s not too shabby. But I want more I have always wanted more and I strive for it. Searching for better is far better than right now. Some people claim that I can not be satisfied, that’s not true I want whats better and not settle for less. My children are that way, I want them to have a better education then I, better lifestyles, better books, clothing and housing. I want them to succeed me.
[Reply]
Misha reply on June 20, 2008 2:28 pm:
I hate that our race is defined by the bad actors (thugs, deadbeat dads, welfare abusers, druggies, gang bangers, etc.) that are always featured in the news as if they are representative of our race. So many of us are hard working, college educated, respected, responsible parents, homeowners, etc…. and that’s how I want to be portrayed.
[Reply]
Ev reply on June 20, 2008 2:46 pm:
Are we guilty of teaching others how to treat us sometimes as a race, by our actions?”
Yes, and it doesn’t have to be “you”
persay who is doing it.
The filmmakers, actors, music makers, producers, agents
stars, crackheads, theives, sinners, and ignorant folk are
doing it in your name.
By their behaviors, you, me and all of us are being labeled.
[Reply]
TROUBLMan reply on June 20, 2008 5:29 pm:
Respect is something you demand through your actions. When act like education is an after thought and like black lives are disposable, the school system ignores us, the police disrespect us. The people responsible for teaching our children don’t care and our communities aren’t properly policed. Yes– we teach people how to treat us
[Reply]
alwayswrite
TM,
Nice article. I’m with Malia, when you told me you had something to get off your chest…you REALLY had something to get off your chest. Good article. Very good article.
I agree with your statements. Black America needs more followers. However, I’m under the opinion that it’s not even about so-called leaders and followers. Those names categorize people and create separation on a certain level. I think it’s about UNITY. A leader shouldn’t be necessary to promote unity. Unity, like the freedom chant during the Civil Right’s Movement, should be the umbrella for Black America. Everybody, leaders and followers, should follow UNITY.
Hope that makes sense.
[Reply]
Q.
TM, i’m late to this, but i believe this is the best piece of writing i’ve ever seen from you, and quite possibly the best piece that has ever been written for TROUBL.. props due, fam.. real talk..
i’ve never really given thought to the concept of progressive followers, but i think you hit it on the head.. it’s a question that i will pose to my peers, and i’m going to take it further and try to get your question posed on a national level.. good ish..
[Reply]
Reply to “Black Zombies”
SEE ALSO
♦ TROUBLMan - Not My Family
March 28, 2008
♦ Terry - Concerning Blackness
December 4, 2007
♦ Baldwyn - Fear of a Black President?
March 8, 2008
♦ Q - Anatomy of a Gangster Part 2
November 14, 2007
♦ Cypher - Black Presidents
January 30, 2008