Stop blaming the White Man, It’s Black History Month!
We have ventured through almost half of the month of February, (black history month). Needless to say many of the celebrations I’ve witnessed have been on television. How many African-American young men and men between the ages of 15-29 even know about the month of February? How many African-American adults have taken the time to explain the history of our people to their children?
I conversed with a young African-American man today which prompted me to write this blog. We began to speak about history and there was an older African-American man standing there. I asked the older gentleman to explain to him what it was like for him to grow up, the young man interrupted him and said, “I was born in 1987, I don’t care about that shit!” I didn’t know whether to punch him in the mouth or toss him to the side as society has done already. I chose to punch him in the mouth with a short to the point history lesson. Once I finished he walked away shaking his head saying, “I wish someone would have told me this shit before!”
I’m a self-proclaimed nerd and I like to research facts from all directions. An astonishing trend I’ve happened on is the incarceration rate and homicide rate of African-American young men and men between the ages of 15-29. What many of the young African American men I’ve conversed with have placed the blame either on the judicial system or the “white” man holding them down.
The judicial system is far from perfect and I agree it needs to be overhauled, but when it comes to the “white” man, I can’t buy it. From the 1700′s to the 1970′s, maybe some in the 80′s and 90′s; lynchings, castration, medical experimentation, separate and unequal conditions, quality employment and housing, known police brutality/homicides made life hell for ALL African-American men. I could name several other issues of those times, but this blog is not about those issues.
This blog is about holding ourselves accountable for our own actions. Edmond Burke lived from 1729-1797. He stated and I quote:“Those who don’t know history are destined to repeat it.” I used to believe the Civil War which took place on America’s soil, which had family members killing one another because of a belief and way of life was the apex of self-destruction in our nations history. The Civil War was not simply over slavery. Slavery played a very small role in the conflict. Today, I believe it is the death and incarceration of young African American men at the hands of themselves, which makes Edmond Burkes’ quote ring true in every corner of the United States.
Here are some facts, but I’m not going to muddle this blog with numbers: Black victims of homicide were most likely to be male (85%) and between ages 17 and 29 (51%). Homicides against blacks were more likely than those against whites to occur in highly populated areas, including cities and suburbs.About 53% of homicides against blacks in 2005 took place in areas with populations of at least 250,000 people, compared to about 33% of homicides of white victims. Blacks were killed with a firearm in about 77% of homicides against them.
We are exterminating ourselves. We are having our own Civil War and don’t own any of the property we are killing over. We sell death to our own people and in some cases our parents. It is too hard for me to believe this trend can not be turned around. It is hard for me to believe we are letting all the people who passed before us to make things better die for absolutely no reason. We have a tendancy to want shit to be given to us instead of building up our community, we would rather ride through it and shoot it up or sell drugs in it. There’s no more self-pride as a people. We do not take care of one another, support one another, nor reach back and show someone the proper way anymore. I believe there are no excuses for any of our people to destroy our community, heritage and way of life. It didn’t take overnight to get here and it’s not going to take overnight to come out of the self extermination. We have lost almost two generations to self loving, bling bling, no respect for women, believing prison is the place to be and selling dope or rapping is the only way to make it. There’s no need for those whites who literally hate African Americans to do anything harmful to us because we are doing it to ourselves.
Are there solutions? Of course. Do I have all the answers? No, but you best believe I have some suggestions. #1. Get a quality education. Parents make sure your child is actually being taught properly and is college ready when they graduate. No child left behind graduates functional illiterates. #2. Open your own businesses. #3 Support African-American Businesses. #4. If there is a community of white people out of the city limits, it does not mean they are all prejudice. They don’t want to live in an area where gun shots are a nightly occurence and they have the means to move away. #5. Just because you live in the “hood” doesn’t mean it has to look like the hood. #6. If you do run into a prejudice person, fuck’em, they are a dying breed, but as long as we stay divided for what ever reason they will have the luxury to express themselves. There will always be the closet racist. #7 Believe in one another and not only is there safety in numbers, but in today’s political climate there is also power.
Stand up and be counted, not in a prison roll call, but as a productive citizen. It’s not being an “Uncle Tom” if you have a job and pay taxes. It’s called being a man and taking care of your family. Dropping out of society into the prison system because you killed another African-American for drugs, drug money, stolen goods, dice game, card game makes you the slave. Let’s see, McDonald’s pays $7.25 per hour more in some places and prison pays 35 cents a day or an hour, I’m not sure. I’m beginning to ramble because I’m tired so I’m shuttin up for now.
jus sayinI’m
Your comments are very insightful and right-on in several areas. There is, however, a point I think we should consider. I think we should consider the mindset of these 13-30yr old African-American males (I say males because they have no way matured into men). There are these few who believe that the American Dream is not worth the effort. They see, hear, and read about folk working long hours for many years only to find that their savings have been mishandled or dwindled due to corruption and stock falling due to corporate failures. Or, that they are being laid off, downsized, rightsized, or smartsized and have found themselves in the late 50′s, no education, and unemployable.
Yes, getting an education, opening our on business are great solutions; but, if my mind is messed up I will never even consider these ideas as a possibility. I would rather chase the impossible dream (ganster or rapper) to get what I can while I can and deal with whatever happens.
This is evident by your conversation with the young man mentioned. He walked away wanting to know why nobody told him our history when in reality he wasn’t listening and didn’t want to hear that shxt anyway. I would venture to believe that your conversation has made little to no impact on his life.
I could go on and on but won’t. I will close by saying that if we don’t figure out a way to get their attention your prediction will indeed come true, the demise of a great race of people!
I’ll ask you this questions, would many of the inner cities be in the conditions they are in if parents, not schools or government, raised the expectation level of thier children by being parents? How would the inner cities be if those successful African-Americans from the inner city remained in the innercities and provided employment for those young African-Americans? As I stated in another blog, if money and employment opportunities stay in our communities and we were very active in the politics concerning our communities we wouldn’t have cities like Detroit, Gary and many like them in the shape they are. Simply because of the economic and political power they would yeild. Politicians go with their constiuants (spelling?) if they want to be re-elected. This is why congressional districts have always been redrawn when white flight takes place. Look at the schools, jobs and business in the burbs compared to the inner city.
So I read your blog and the thought that occurred to me is this: This is not just an African American issue. This is an American issue. The young people of today, black, white, red, whatever, have no desire to work hard for anything. They/we want instant gratification. Every American is subject to the same character issues. No one seems to care one bit about our history as a nation, about our individual family histories, or about the wisdom our elders have to offer. We are a throw away society. Relationships are temporary and we are always on the lookout for the bigger and faster and better. This is a crisis for everyone. If we don’t pass this test, history WILL repeat itself. It always does. We will learn the hard way.
This is why I blame parenting. I’m not advocating for parents to beat the crap out of their kids, but apparently “time out” has not worked. Parents on a whole have over compensated for the way they were brought up and have allowed children to dictate what is done in the home. An example, when I was growing up, what was made for dinner I ate. There was no option. My room was not “my private” area. Once children stop listening to their parents, no one outside the home has a chance. Thus helps create their “entitlement” syndrome. Then they can become lost, mentally and have no respect for anyone.
You capture my thoughts exactly.
Laws were past so parents could not discipline their children. I remember a Korean woman told a school principal, ” You tell my child I cannot discipline them, then you call me when they do not respect authority in the schools!”
I agree with you Keith, it is the policies/laws that have been put into place. We wait for others to make them, we treat our elected officials/public servants, like they are super stars untouchable but in reality they work for us.
I have had conversations with many elected officials who state they Do Not Hear from enough of their constituents! So they are left to their own decision be it right or be it wrong.
We have to learn to be partners in policymaking. Or quit complaining as the laws come down the pipeline.
I concur! Good job, KB! I agree with Jenny, too, in that it’s not isolated to african americans, but seems to be more of a generational thing. In regards, to the young buck without a clue…. When the student is ready the teacher will arrive.
Social Exclusion: http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/social_exclusion_task_force/short_studies.aspx
America has this down to an art. With redlining communities. If you have a certain zip code your insurance is higher. When the economy is great…the majority move out into the suburbs with government money to support their move and they can build or refurbish a home, prices are lower in their stores…When the economy is poor the rush to move into the inner city is paramount….to the point of removing hopeful home owners that did not know the morgage they signed was faulty….It is all part of a plan…a city plan of who you want to be your neighbor…HMMMMMM…
Check this comment out it is from a pastor to the new home owners that have moved back into the cities…
We Watch, We Call? I hope that ain’t all!
December 7, 2009 · 13 Comments
aka “Welcome to my block move RIGHT or I’ll call my glock!”
Across North Minneapolis a wave of signs are popping-up in various neighborhoods.
They proudly declare “WE WATCH, WE CALL” under the by-line “For Safe Neighborhoods” and carry the logo for the 4th Precinct CARE Task Force. http://wewatchwecall.com/
I applaud the desire to help bring community members together and I support efforts to fight crime. I have worked for over 20 years to help make my neighborhood a safer (and friendlier) community. My wife and I frequently Watch and Call. However helping to create a strong community needs more than threats to call the police, consider the statement one North Minneapolis resident posted on the “We Watch We Call” web site.
“I’ve seen a number of these signs pop-up in the neighborhood, and I can’t help but notice that, with few exceptions, they are in white homeowners yards. “We call” obviously conveys “we call 911″ and that the police are on our side. The message, as simple as it is, draws a line in the sand and puts more then just ‘criminals’ firmly on the other side. It puts anyone with hesitation about police involvement in a threatened position. Regardless of how outstanding much of the 4th precinct police force is, you can’t ignore 1) the historical abuse of power of police in Minneapolis and nationwide against the black community and 2) the recent cases of police abuse specifically in Minneapolis. These signs are nothing more then a threat of police power, a firm acknowledgment that there is a division in this community, not unity. Consider a rewording that conveys that we engage with our neighbors, we know the kids down the street and we can call their parents when they are being too loud, that we are a unified community and neighborhood.”
I wondered why I felt uncomfortable about the signs when I first saw them, now I’m able to articulate it. I agree with this letter writer. The signs are about a threat, not an invitation to community, they are about sustaining divisions, not about creating unity.
Over the years we have learned the best crime fighting technique is to get to know the names and faces of your neighbors, and for them to learn that you are a neighbor and desire to be a friend who respects them and expects to be respected in return. When that isn’t possible and crime is occurring – call the police! I usually call 911 two – three times each month, however I talk to neighbors (and may even confront the behavior of potential criminals) daily.
Yet, many of the new wave of gentrifying North Minneapolis folk seem to be so afraid of their neighbors they call police when they should just walk out the door and be a neighbor! I say that because last summer that was the problem on our block. This crisis of relationships was somewhat resolved when “concerned homeowners” and the “problem” youth met face to face and the parents of the youth said “here is my number, if my kid disrespects you call me – don’t just peek out the window and call the police.”
There is already enough sense of separation and isolation in our community; there are already enough “one glance judgments” (a.k.a. stereotypes and prejudice). I don’t believe signs that pit the people in their homes against people on foot or in their cars will help us create a better neighborhood. I’m not advocating for foolishness, I’m just saying “Be a neighbor, not a threat.”
→ 13 CommentsCategories: community building · family · justice · racism · reconciliation
Tagged: “We Watch We Call” North Minneapolis, gentrification, neighborhood
http://heart4thehood.wordpress.com/
I can agree with people getting to know their neighbors, theat’s the basis of having a neighborhood. However, when there are signs saying things about glocks and we call the police, it makes things worse I would think. Simply because of the history African-Americans have with the police. I wear a uniform with a badge and I get pulled over. Can’t be because I’m wearing blue, I wasn’t speeding, all of my lights were working, I wasn’t going from lane to lane, I wonder what it was? Hmmm. It hasn’t happened since I traded in my 04 Cadillac CTS, which was clean by the way. Why do I have to change the vehicle I drive to have the police leave me alone. Why do I have to have a receipt to return items to stores and my wife only has to have the tags. People, to be honest, it makes white people uncomfortable to speak about these issues. It only makes African-Americans more frustrated. We want the same thing, a safe place to raise our children, quality schools and education preparing for college, good health care and jobs. Only until people sit down and speak about this will it go forward. Like I said in the blog, African-Americans need to get involved in the political arena of their communities. Don’t sit back and wait for someone to create laws and complain about them when were not part of the process.
I’m jus sayin
Nelson Mandela celebrated a anniversary this month , yet there still seems to be a separate state of economics in So.Africa. I look here and in ways I see the same thing in our inner cities along with drugs, gambling, womanizing, gangbanging, ect…. This is all the easy way out of being a man. You don’t have to really confront your biggest innermost fear, do I have a heart “a soul”. Until every man can see his soul then the cousciousness of his world means nothing.
It does not make sense so we take the lazy way out and destroy our surroundings (are world).
Nelson Mandella had a heart (a soul) how else could he had survived all those years of oppression (real oppression), being jailed for not wanting to submit to a brutality so inhumane, living in a world that told him everyday he was not good enough. Yet he still had the consciousness to know that the path he was on would lead him to his own heart, yes his own heart (his country) and look what happened.
Your soul (heart) is nothing without a consciousness and visa / versa. So my friends please stand up and take back your souls and own them, along with your mind we can build a better future everyday.
Thanks……Danny