Black Visibility is not Black Power

I thought that I would never see an African American President, or rather, a half African American President- unless I support the notion that one drop of black blood makes and individual black. (I would have to disagree with that old law even though there are many that still believe that way.)  But our culture is connected to more than our race, and even though there are more black people visible in all areas of our lives- politics, entertainment, sports, and the field of academia- the problems of the black community are often swept under the welcome rug and become nothing more than talking points.

Even stories of victories in the African American community are not celebrated like those in other communities. These stories do not get the same attention and still have to battle for the limelight against stories of celebrity divorces and shopping sprees of the rich. 

Did I fall victim to the deception that black visibility is black power? Of course I did. Who could not fall victim to such a theory. Many of us have fell victim to this theory, and it is easy to understand how and why. We have faith in our country; some of us believe in our country more than others. But the individuals that research and investigate the actions and laws of this country understand who has the power.

So, after all of the cheers and happiness that was expressed after the election of the first African American President, the theory of black visibility vs. black power had the opportunity to be readdressed.  Just because there is a black president, does not mean there is an automatic connection between that president and the black community.

When I speak with my friends, we often believe that the issue of racism has only increased. The pride of having an African American President simply vanished for some. I still have pride and hope however, because I understand that the steps needed to fix some of the social injustices and racism that has plagued our country will take another 200 years or so be realized. President Obama’s victory was a small victory in the struggle for all minorities.

The ultimate power has been in the hands of the establishment, not the president. Even though the establishment has many individuals, many of them have succumbed to the idea that their personal interests outweigh those of the people that elected them.   

These individuals include artists, politicians, athletes, and many others. I believe that President Obama has a responsibility to the African American community. His appearance was nothing more than a tool to trick us into supporting him. Just because he can bounce a basketball, and is probably better at it than me, does not mean that he understands the struggle of African Americans.

Let us look at his actions. He is a very smart and wise man, he has passed a few laws that could be seen as keeping us African Americans at bay. For example when he lowered the penalty for those that are guilty of selling crack compared to the penalties of selling cocaine. This is great- and he should be applauded. But let us look at another focus of his energy- where he is choosing to visit.  I have seen him in Silicon Valley, Hollywood, and many other affluent neighborhoods, but I have not seen him in the Bay View, or Compton.

But when I walk through some very economically depressed African American communities, I see the people wearing his t-shirt, or pasting his poster on the wall. But the sadness is still on their faces, and the violence still consumes their community. Why? Because that is what the system needs to keep control of the society and that is what the system wants. They want a society that allows for the rich to remain rich, the middle class to support both the poor and the rich, and the poor to remain a tool for division.

While I hold dear my conservative values, there is no need to continue to be ignorant and believe that one man of color can change a community. Or that one man of color has destroyed the country that I believed in. The responsibility remains in the hands of the people.

We the people, even though my race was only considered ¾ of a man, and did not start off with the same opportunities as the citizens around me. When individuals use the Bible and the Constitution as tools to define them, to develop their political and ethical positions, they are already flawed. They are flawed because those specific documents are flawed.  They are flawed because they were created by men, men that are flawed by nature.

These two pieces of literature are often used to define all reasoning, but they were not built for me, ¾ of a man. Even though now I can live a life that others could only dream about hundreds of years ago, I have a responsibility to inform and educate my generation and those that are willing to accept that a change is needed. No longer can I depend on the black face and the deception of black visibility as change. But nothing more than false hopes that were destroyed by the powers that be, to keep their knee on the throat of those that do not stand a chance.

So before we make a decision on who we want in office, step aside and remember that black visibility is not black power.  It will not erase the suffering.  We have to evaluate the destruction that corporate America has placed on the poor communities both white and black.

Do not let us vote because of what our minsters believe, or what our parents have forced fed us to believe, but rather vote in a way that will allow for opportunity for all- no matter whom they love, or who they want to spend the rest of their lives with. To deny others freedom is simply being a tyrant. One person’s happiness should not be blocked because of a few ignorant individuals. But also, it is important to understand that for the black community, black visibility is not power.  If those in power continue to only support others that share the same rhetoric, there will never be true equality.

The Denial of America

America is in denial. Every part of her. She once was a beacon of hope. Men and women would rush into her arms for forgiveness, in hope of a new start. The chance to build a relationship, find themselves, and leave the world of pain and hurt that they once roamed. America has flirted with many men. Some men were loyal and faithful; they caressed her and treated her with respect. But other men have broken her down and tore her apart.

She often cannot identify the methods of the abuse. Only those on the outside can whisper in her ear on what cause her ills. Some days it is the verbal abuse and the bashing of her children. Sometimes it is the physical abuse. The slight twist of an arm that leaves a small bruise that is easily hidden. Sometimes it is the neglect or the lack of love from her short lived companionship.

Some men pamper her. They shower her with promises and speak of such things as hope and change. But these men are nothing more than crooks with endless pockets. These individuals that have hidden agendas and hide secretes of their own that they dare not share. They often have affairs with others, and pretend that America is their only love. But the truth is that their only love is not America or her children. They want nothing but status and to control the beacon that America used to shine on the world.

These men fight for her, tooth and nail. They fight to change her, make her better for them, not her. The have beaten her down so far to the ground that she will never stand a chance.

 America is in denial. There are no seven steps, no magic pill that can bring America back to life. She is on the verge of depression, suicide- the lonely dark road of self-destruction. There is no caped crusader rushing down from the heavens. There is nothing but laws made by men, and regulation that leaves her with insomnia. Her heart beats faster and faster, and she searches for the answers. She has escaped such ills as slavery, bankruptcy, and a war within. But her soul is breaking, and she is near the end.

These men know what they are doing to her. They often boast about their victories, and conquests. But to these men she is only a mistress. They know that their relationship with her cannot last forever. In order to court her they pull and tug, tug and pull.  They continue to shout their rhetoric as a mating call like animals in the wild.

Some may even run full steam and lock their horns until the last man is standing and the crowd cheers and chants their name. But with a smile America’s fate is sealed. The honeymoon is over there is no chance for a divorce.  Their relationship is set in stone and for this brief moment she must stand the tournament.

Will America ever escape the denial? Will she defend herself and her children? Or will she seek men that treat her the same over and over again. Each time she is handed away she is less of the woman that she was before they took their vows. Will her children ever come of age and become brave? Will they demand to be treated with more respect than their mother? Or will they grow to hate one another?

It seems they will also stand in denial. But America, I beg you to leave him. Better yet, leave them all and start anew. Return to that woman that was loving and caring. Demand that your sons and daughters are brought home. Demand that your children are allowed to grow and prosper.  

America, in you I still hold faith. I know that your fate is not sealed in stone. Please stand up and fight. I beg you to escape this world of denial. Leave these controlling men and become free. Your denial is killing you. You are bleeding to death. Please America, before within you there is nothing left.

What A Snob!!

Ricky, Ricky, Ricky, you have some serious issues. When I see Mr. Santorum on television I often chuckle. But some could say the same about the guy that should be in the lead in my opinion- Mr. Ron Paul. As I move closer to the Libertarian side of the isle these types of statements are the reason why the republicans have turned into some strange party from the middle of the country. But for a presidential candidate to call the current president a “snob”, because he thinks that all citizens should try college is ludicrous.

Of course Ricky, you do not want your voters to be educated because they would not vote for you. They would continue their search for jobs that have been eliminated by greedy republicans that often outsource jobs, hire illegal immigrates, and simply only care about the shareholders. That is fine; that is how a capitalistic system works. Not only does Ricky believe that Mr. Obama is a “snob” but he believes that the “Liberal College Professor is trying to remake you in his image”. Really Ricky, this is what you believe?

So let me get this straight. A republican is not supportive of citizens attending college, and he has a problem with the professors. These statements have created a great disconnect and are also casting a dark cloud on the Republican Party. More proof that social warfare will be a big part of this year’s presidential election. Mr. Ricky also stated that he talked to some minorities, and they said that they do not want handouts like food stamps, but they want jobs. I bet they want better grocery stores to spend those food stamps, and I bet they also want to send their children to college.   

Of course Mr. Ricky, they want jobs. But in order to get a job in this new economy they better have an education. And I am sure that a G.E.D. or High School diploma is going to get them to the top of the resume pile. Epic fail, Mr. Ricky, epic fail, try again. The lack of an education is why our country is in this current situation. With K-12 schools leaving as many children behind as they can, and college tuition climbing, of course Ricky hates educated citizens. Mr. Santorum home schools his children, and I am sure there is some reasoning behind this. Maybe he understand that our educational system is a failure, and does not want to subject his children to the real role that school has started to play in our lives, a  place to socialize and find ourselves.

So if it takes a liberal college professor to turn the life around of an unprivileged individual then so be it. There is no reason for an attack on something that is positive for the whole country. Basically, so many so-called republicans vote against the same social programs that will help them. They fall to the same trap that many citizens do when it comes to political affiliation. Many minorities feel as if the Democratic Party is their party and a vast majority of Caucasians believe that the Republican Party is their party. And as we can see that has really worked well for our society.

Ricky, do me a favor tell your children to drop out and never attend college, tell  them that you are not going to give them any financial help and see how far they get in this new America.