 It seems that everyone is ready to move beyond race. My local NPR station published an online story on a local initiative to promote the lived experienced of Black Males in St. Louis. The effort is being sponsored by Washington University. In the comments section, a reader challenged the effort, stating that "the sooner we come the understanding as a people and society that (race is a social construct), the sooner we can rectify the consequences of racism." He seemed to imply that once we realize that we are all the same, we will stop acting the way we do. While I see this as a part of the solution, there is so much more to this complex equation.
Yes, race is a social construct. We invented race to secure power and control for certain groups. It has been one of the most effective tools for wealth accumulation for white's in the history of the world. The fallacy of white supremacy is only part of the problem, maybe half. The remaining challenge is to undo the damage caused by the long-standing conditioning. Black Americans, in particular, have nurtured this belief like a submissive wife. For hundreds of years, our role has been to support the birth, rearing, feeding, education, employment, advancement and perfection of this belief in white superiority. We have been complicit in advancing this notion of white rightness. So, on one hand, whites have greatly benefited from this constructed belief set. On the other, brown skinned Americans have suffered from diminished sense of self required to walk beside, or behind, our common law spouse. To push this metaphor further: at this point, blacks must recognize the abusive relationship we have endured. That is happening now. The evidence is in the rejection of white social norms by young blacks. This season of protest and creative expression is a sign of a marriage on the rocks. I'm reminded of a the R. Kelly song, "When a women's fed up." It states, "when a (people) are fed up, there ain't nothin you can do about it. It's like running out of love...and it's too late to talk about it." As we fall out of love with the idea of white supremacy, we rediscover a "new truth." Blacks have been reformed through the experience. The trauma caused by hundreds of years of abuse and neglect has left many, if not most, of us with scars that will take generations to heal. We will need counseling and therapy. We will need to share our stories and redefine ourselves in our new reality. That is the exciting part for me as a Black Male. The re-educating of mis-educated people will be a long process. However, there are few things more beautiful than a person who rediscovers them self after spending many years lost in a mental or emotional wilderness. Stevie Wonder says it this way, "I'm new, new like the first day of spring. New like a nightingale that's just learned to sing. I'm new, new like the very start of dawn. Like a child that's first born with your love, I'm new." Like the birth of the sun, it is hard to fully comprehend the joy, magic, and power of a person who uncovers the reality of them self. It is the pinnacle of our hierarchy of needs. To get there, a choice must be made. We have to decide if we should salvage or abandon our current dreams of living, working and playing with whiteness. Notice, I did not say white people. White people are are victims of whiteness also. They have bought in to this idea of white supremacy as well and have suffered from an identify crisis also. Thus, we all must alter our relationship with whiteness to embrace a new identity. Yet, there is a long rugged road of truth and reconciliation ahead of us. The truth must be told and alimony should be explored. After that process, and only then can walk in this new sun together in a race free America.
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 I am a real black person. Seriously. I am. I don't have to show my ID, unveil my music collection or disclose my voting record. My blackness is not up for debate. And I'm tired of people, black people especially, trying to take away my President's right to be black, white or whatever else he claims. Most recently, Kevin Johnson from Philly is challenging our President's blackness. No, he doesn't come right out and say it but he is. Why else would this man jump on the "poke holes in the President" band wagon. Johnson's recent article in the Philadelphia Tribute blast President Obama for not having enough black people in his cabinet. He says that he didn't vote for Obama because he was black but because "he was the best candidate to empathize, understand, and develop policies to help the African-American community, the poor, and previously under-represented communities." But now he doesn't feel that way. Okay, do you now believe that McCain or Romney would have been a better choice? Of course not. So, what is this really about? Answer: Race. We want Obama to save black people because he is black. Johnson wants someone to blame for the current condition of black people. His recommendations for moving forward are short sited and not sustainable. He suggest that we should have more influence financially on the political process. He ask that we look beyond race when choosing a candidate, which contradicts his entire premise. Like most so called modern black leaders, he is lost. President Obama's politics are no different from any other President before him. He moves with the crowd. There have only been a handful of "transformational" leaders in the White House; Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt, FDR, Kennedy and Johnson are the first ones that come to mind. And one would argue that they were transformative because the nation and the world was transforming and they were responding to that change. Which leads me to my point. The reality is, no President can save black people. Only black people can save black people. And I am honestly tired of folks like Mr. Johnson passing the responsibility of our people on to a "higher authority." The problems that plague the black community are beyond the eyes of Washington but they are right outside of our front door. What kind of legislation needs to be pasted to get Black Men to marry Black Women? What kind of legislation needs to be passed to get black folks to buy goods and services from black folks? These two simple practices would be "transformative" in the black community. Black people are making progress. We are going to college in higher numbers. We are earning more and saving more. We are graduating from high school at higher rates. We are moving forward and it has less to do with politics and more to do with hard working, community minded families. Even with all those black people in George W. Bush's cabinet, I don't think my life was improved by his administration. Presidents will do what Presidents do. Let's make sure we pick the right fights for our people. Fighting for black jobs in the White House will never equate to more employed black children in your neighborhood. Never has and never will. I agree with Johnson's assertion that we must make sure that our elected officials are responsive to our needs regardless of their race. In addition, we must recognize the untapped potential that lives within us. I cannot wait for a man from Washington to come down and save me and my people regardless of his race. http://www.phillytrib.com/newsarticles/item/8637-a-president-for-everyone,-except-black-people.html#comment4477 |
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