RSSIt Takes a Village
The black community now is one of the worst communities in America. How do we get back to the days of the village? In this era of “stop snitching ,” we are left to our own to defend ourselves. What makes me angry at the whole situation is that most of the murders in the black community are by members of the black community. How can the village raise a child if it tells the child it’s ok to “bang”, “kill”, “steal”, “murder”, “rape” others in the community.
Having lived in Lagos, Nigeria and Brooklyn, NY, my village included everyone from my parents, neighbors in housing complexes, and even the mailman. Undoubtedly, in our struggle to get our village back, there are many things to be done. We can get back to the village by caring. Everything from reparations to welfare its always us reaching to someone else for help. When it should really be us empowering ourselves.
I am a 23yr old Black Male Graduate student. And I take responsibility and am making change through my every action. We need to realize that “WE” are the only ones that can bring community back. I take responsibility for my environment, and the many negative names I spew on those who “lead” our community. It’s counter productive. I don’t have all the answers but as I”made it out”, I have some suggestions on solutions.
We as a community need to stop waiting on the next “Malcolm, Martin, Sharpton??(I’m hating on al, I own it.) to lead us. We have to lead us. It is for each and everyone to help each other. If we still don’t have each other after all the shit we’ve been and are going through, than what do we have. We know our community by the places where we were sold and taken to, not looking at the rich history from whence we came–Africa. Acknowledging and examining that can empower us more than the next “Hip-Pop” video.
Since I am about solutions, stay tuned for my advocacy organization BILLION STRONG. We will raise money and start taking kids out of “the hood” and to African countries. Maybe the realization of the real hoods of the world, where running water is a privilege will start to change perspective. It does take a village to raise a child, so I ask you world, who is ready to help us make sure that our kids don’t have to go through this bullshit?
7 Comments, Comment or Ping
Malia
The black community is THE GREATEST COMMUNITY!!! WHY???? Because we still have have LOVE!!!! WE STILL have ass whoopins with the tree limb switches in the village of South Central? In this era of “stop snitchin,” nigga we still half ass bitchin and lettin other muthafuckas tell us what it “IS”. Nigga you don’t know me, or what I claim to be, you don’t know my history or my philosophy…. BACK THE THE FUCK UP!!!!! You think murders are caused by our “LIKE” brethren??? That’s EXACTLY what they want you to to think…. PLEASE STOP CONFORMING!!!! PLEASE GET A LIFE!!!!! PLEASE GET AN OPINION!!!!!!!
[Reply]
Latice
1. Attend events held in your community, on campus, at your local library etc.
Not only will this show a Black presence. It will also show Black interest. Too often, we are seen as being interested only in “the popular subject”. Your desire to listen and learn will provide you with more knowledge of our culture.
2. Read books about Black history in the United States and in Africa
3. Arrange to have a speaker knowledgeable of Black history among African-Americans to address your school, church, academic event, etc.
This can actually become two events. One will be a lecture to educate our children. The second will be an open house, where not only will our children be fed, but other school mates will be edified and nourished in a non- violent forum.
4. Sponsor events with Black groups likes the NAACP, the YMCA, Big Brothers of America, etc.
This is a great way for us to organize an activity with another organizations which may have more resources (i.e. money and contacts).
More importantly though, this is a way to show Black interest in our history through action (i.e. trying to arrange an event to educate others about the topic).
5. Make bedtime story night for your kids a story about African or African-American History
Do you read to your kids at night before they go to bed? If so, talk to them a bit about Black History (if they go to public school, they may already be doing something on the topic in class).
6. Have the kids do a presentation on Africa or a more recent African-American personality during a family meeting.
They’ll teach everyone, learn something themselves, and recognize their own Africans and African-Americans to be proud of.
7. Have your school or local library include notable African-Americans in its display during Black History Month
Talk to the librarian. S/he has probably already decided to have a special Black History Month exhibit during February. But who has s/he decided to include. Give some suggestions of African-Americans who contributed to the development America and the world.
[Reply]
Raychelle
You are absolutely right!! If you are not a part of the solution, then you are a part of the problem!!!
Secondly, be clear that many of great actors and political leaders were born and bred in the “hood” or the “ghetto”. Although it did represent struggle the village was instrumental in helping each other overcome adversities and it was not a negative term as it is today. From Bill Cosby to more recent, Queen Latifah, it did not prove to be a sentence but a condition or circumstance that they did not allow to define them.
[Reply]
Boosy
Malia i agree with you that, the black community is the greatest community. Stop snitching to me is the same as the era of niggas bitching. Can you please tell me what muthafuckas are telling us?
Since i don’t know YOUR history and YOUR philosophies, can you enlighten the rest of us ?
If black boys are killing black boys; that is bretheren killing brethren? Anyone agree…..
Thanks for respondinG
[Reply]
Malia
Hi Boosy! Sorry if I get a little passionate when I speak, but that is a huge facet of who “I AM”. My history is inter-racially based (Filipino mom, Black dad) but raised predominately black by a strong grand-mother so many of my values are “old school’ in the sense of taking no shorts, making no excuses and not being able to complain. I was taught to recognize all obstacles as opportunities for growth and not to act like a victim and worry about all the things that are wrong…..I was taught to strive to be my best and when I did so - people, opportunities and the right circumstances would gravitate to me automatically. I have two beautiful Black sons and I always try to teach them that in order for things to get better, they have to be better. Nothing changes until WE do. I try not to to be foul or polluting to my community, or unwholesome, sometimes I succeed and sometimes I fall short. But everyday is a new day so I attempt to always look ahead and only do things that are good and beneficial to the progress of my peeps—–hoping that I may be a blessing to others.
[Reply]
Rachel A
I need help thinking of creative ways to raise money for Africa. I’m going to do this at school so i need more of like an affair. Something that brings people at an event and its fun but also raise money and possibly awareness. I’m in this one club and they are having like a Battle of the Bands. And the club I need the idea for is like an African (American) club. Hopefully that will help.
thank you
[Reply]
DEEP BLU SEE
Hey Rachel. Have you heard of “Give One Minute of Your Life to AIDS” campaign, which kicked off last month. So far a variety of artists have recorded songs that are accessible via global phone lines (and on http://www.46664.com). After dialing up and hearing a message from the likes of David Bowie, Britney Spears or Mandela himself, callers choose from a selection of previously unreleased collaborations that change weekly. The songs will be performed at the concert, which will be broadcast later on MTV and various regional channels on World AIDS Day, Dec. 1
[Reply]
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