All posts by Dr. James Thomas Jones III

African-American History

THE SOULS OF BLACK FOLK

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Between me and the other world there is ever an unasked question: unasked by some through feelings of delicacy; by others through the difficulty of rightly framing it. All, nevertheless, flutter round it. They approach me in a half-hesitant sort of way, eye me curiously or compassionately, and then, instead of saying directly, How does it feel to be a problem? they say, I know an excellent colored man in my town; or, I fought at Mechanicsville; or, Do not these Southern outrages make your blood boil? At these I smile, or am interested, or reduce the boiling to a simmer, as the occasion may require. To the real question, How does it feel to be a problem? I answer seldom a word.

And yet, being a problem is a strange experience,—peculiar even for one who has never been anything else, save perhaps in babyhood and in Europe. It is in the early days of rollicking boyhood that the revelation first bursts upon one, all in a day, as it were. I remember well when the shadow swept across me. I was a little thing, away up in the hills of New England, where the dark Housatonic winds between Hoosac and Taghkanic to the sea. In a wee wooden schoolhouse, something put it into the boys’ and girls’ heads to buy gorgeous visiting-cards—ten cents a package—and exchange. The exchange was merry, till one girl, a tall newcomer, refused my card,—refused it peremptorily, with a glance. Then it dawned upon me with a certain suddenness that I was different from the others; or like, mayhap, in heart and life and longing, but shut out from their world by a vast veil. I had thereafter no desire to tear down that veil, to creep through; I held all beyond it in common contempt, and lived above it in a region of blue sky and great wandering shadows. That sky was bluest when I could beat my mates at examination-time, or beat them at a foot-race, or even beat their stringy heads. Alas, with the years all this fine contempt began to fade; for the words I longed for, and all their dazzling opportunities, were theirs, not mine. But they should not keep these prizes, I said; some, all, I would wrest from them. Just how I would do it I could never decide: by reading law, by healing the sick, by telling the wonderful tales that swam in my head,—some way. With other black boys the strife was not so fiercely sunny: their youth shrunk into tasteless sycophancy, or into silent hatred of the pale world about them and mocking distrust of everything white; or wasted itself in a bitter cry, Why did God make me an outcast and a stranger in mine own house? The shades of the prison-house closed round about us all: walls strait and stubborn to the whitest, but relentlessly narrow, tall, and unscalable to sons of night who must plod darkly on in resignation, or beat unavailing palms against the stone, or steadily, half hopelessly, watch the streak of blue above.

After the Egyptian and Indian, the Greek and Roman, the Teuton and Mongolian, the Negro is a sort of seventh son, born with a veil, and gifted with second-sight in this American world,—a world which yields him no true self-consciousness, but only lets him see himself through the revelation of the other world. It is a peculiar sensation, this double-consciousness, this sense of always looking at one’s self through the eyes of others, of measuring one’s soul by the tape of a world that looks on in amused contempt and pity. One ever feels his twoness,—an American, a Negro; two souls, two thoughts, two unreconciled strivings; two warring ideals in one dark body, whose dogged strength alone keeps it from being torn asunder.

The history of the American Negro is the history of this strife,—this longing to attain self-conscious manhood, to merge his double self into a better and truer self. In this merging he wishes neither of the older selves to be lost. He would not Africanize America, for America has too much to teach the world and Africa. He would not bleach his Negro soul in a flood of white Americanism, for he knows that Negro blood has a message for the world. He simply wishes to make it possible for a man to be both a Negro and an American, without being cursed and spit upon by his fellows, without having the doors of Opportunity closed roughly in his face.

WILLIAM EDWARD BURGHARDT DUBOIS

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Why Joe Bayou Buckeye Burrow Is Only Partially Correct that Black America needs White America’s Help: It is Time that White America Cleaned Its House of White Bigots

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It would be disingenuous to feign surprise regarding the stream of athletes who have come forward to address the murder of George Floyd by police officer Derek Chauvin in Minneapolis, Minnesota. I am sure that we all agree that the murder of Black men by law enforcement officers has become so common that it is neither shocking nor surprising to any of us.

In fact, the ritualistic murder of Black men has been a psychological release for many Whites who revel in modern-day lynching’s the same way that their ancestors did throughout the 17th, 18th, 19th, and 20th Centuries. If nothing else, the George Floyd’s murder by so-called law enforcement officers and the hunting and killing of Ahmaud Arbery by private citizens raises difficult questions regarding my White countrymen. A reasonable person is left with no other conclusion than to say that it is time for White America to get its house in order.

Let me be absolutely clear, it is White America that dug this rugged-path of racial bias and animosity centuries ago, not Blacks. Blacks have been trying to survive this hellish ride as best we can. Yet, these facts have never lessened a prevailing narrative that continues to resurface at inopportune moments. It has risen yet again via a Twitter post by the Bayou Buckeye Joe Burrow.

Burrow’s tweet advances a well-meaning, yet incorrect belief that it is Black America that needs help; as expected, there is no mention of a desperate need for White America to get its house in order. According to Joe Burrow, the first selection in the 2020 NFL draft by the Cincinnati Bengals,

The black community needs our help. They have been unheard for far too long. Open your ears, listen, and speak. This isn’t politics. This is human rights.

Although I applaud Burrow’s attempt to delve into the shark-infested waters that surround the island of American racial matters, like so many other athletes, Burrow has scant understanding of this complex issue.

The foremost evidence of his lack of understanding is the fact that he believes that “The Black community needs our help.” This common trope is wrong-headed.

Although unfashionable to state, it is not Black America that needs help. It is White America that needs divine help in breaking its pattern of oppression and repression of a Black populace that has asked for little more than the ability to avoid them. Despite what many Whites believe, the average Black person would be absolutely fine if they had no interactions with a community that has produced evil-doers who seem to have dedicated their entire existence to the continuation of racial inequality by any means necessary.

Although it may appear counter-intuitive, the harsh fact is that Blacks have little role in ending bigotry or institutionalized racism. How could they? There is no doubt that these social ills emanate from a White populace infested by a virus that was never impacted by Blacks praying and pleading to their sense of decency. I believe that the only effective counter to racial bigotry and institutionalized racism is the intervention of an army of committed White soldiers willing to dedicate their lives to addressing the ardent bigots in their midst.

Their enemy is not hidden.

Make no mistake about it, well-meaning Whites know the identities of those that have dedicated their entire lives to the continuation of Black oppression. Well-meaning Whites invite them to sit at their table during Thanksgiving, they exchange gifts with them during the Holiday season, and work alongside them in Fortune 500 companies. Virulent bigots take pride in their worldview and are therefore far from anonymous. It is White America’s responsibility to not only expose them, but also deal with them in whatever way that they deem appropriate. In all fairness, there has been a rising tide of such activities; I applaud Whites for their efforts.

One of the foremost thorns in the side of accomplished Blacks is the undeniable fact that their racial identity ties them to other Blacks that they have little to nothing in common with. Whites are not immune to this unfortunate situation. For purposes of safety, Blacks have historically viewed Whites as a monolithic population seeking to execute evil dealings.

Yet, even in this matter, White America’s situation is markedly different from that facing Blacks. White America could use its formidable power to wipe evil-doers from not only their communities, but also the nation. The historical record proves that White America possesses frightening power when determined to make alterations to their society.

I only hope that Whites make the conscious decision to aid Black America by addressing the root of America’s race problem. Albeit uncomfortable to admit for well-meaning Whites, many of these people are family members and close friends. The enemy is encamped all around well-meaning Whites, now they must open their eyes, identify this scurrilous element, and take definitive action to destroy it.

Dr. James Thomas Jones III

© Manhood, Race, and Culture 2020.

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CAN YOU HEAR THEM NOW?: HOW THE VOICELESS TEND TO SPEAK (Acknowledging the Minneapolis Revolters)

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Rarely has a discussion led by female friends regarding the qualities they are seeking in a lifetime mate that the phrase that “he must be a provider and protector” is not included. Put simply; the Black man they desire needs to bring home the bacon and provide protection for those under his charge. Any failings in this area will be followed by a lowered standing within the relationship, home, and community.

The belief that a “real man” provides and protects for those he loves clouds many of the issues surrounding George Floyd’s murder. The most obvious issue is the question of “If Black men cannot protect themselves, how in the world will they protect their family against an army of bigots with badges?”

Let us be clear about this matter, Black men are emasculated by bigots with badges on a routine basis. Most Black men have learned through either observation or participation the far-reaching power that bigots with badges have at their disposal; a power that extends into many Prosecutor offices. It is this understanding of racial dynamics that has removed much of the shame one would expect to be applied to Black men who are so afraid of bigots with badges that they flee when they arrive. The alluded to comprehensive fear rivals that of devout Christians who fear their God. It is a paralyzing fear that renders one useless in regards to fulfilling the role of protector for family, friends, or community. Yet, mounting frustrations continue to mount on a daily basis.

Unable to “flex their muscles” against bigots with badges, the opportunity to participate in an urban rebellion is a welcome reprieve. Unfortunately for liberty’s sake, the only time that the millions of voiceless Americans of all colors are able to speak is during urban rebellions such as the one occurring in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

I have studied history diligently enough to recognize that perspective means everything during any conflict. The recent urban rebellion in Minneapolis is a classic example of how perspective affects conclusions.

For example, if one viewed the American Revolution from the colonists’ perspective, George Washington is a heroic figure. This same Washington, if viewed from the British perspective, is a treasonous traitor. The divergent perspectives are attributable to perspective.

As Minneapolis erupts, Americans will either denounce participants as thugs or adopters of H. Rap Brown’s perspective that this is merely a dress-rehearsal for the coming revolution that will occur throughout the nation.

There is a generally agreed upon belief that absolute power corrupts absolutely. The murder of George Floyd is yet another example that the absolute power held by law enforcement agencies has resulted in their absolute corruption. The alluded to corruption has compromised “good cops” who have learned that their careers, if not their lives, depend on them honoring a code of silence that the evil-doings of their law enforcement brethren. Put simply; there appears to be an implicit demand for decent law enforcement officers to become accessories to crimes by turning a blind-eye to the actions of their brethren who happen to be bigots with badges.

Let’s be honest about how divided we are as a nation. At the same time that many of our most bigoted countrymen revel in George Floyd’s murder, others stew in anger; their voices muted by a wicked cocktail of oppression composed of subpar education, the lack of political connections, and a dearth of economic resources.

It is a forgone conclusion in their minds that only outrageous behavior is capable of garnering the attention of American power-brokers. Maybe, just maybe, the torching of American cities will grab the attention of this nation’s political and economic elite.  

There are many in our midst who consider riotous behavior the anti-thesis of political discourse, they are wrong. It is out of an extreme desire to silence their dubious viewpoint that I offer the words of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

It is not enough for me to stand before you tonight and condemn riots. It would be morally irresponsible for me to do that without, at the same time, condemning the contingent, intolerable conditions that exist in our society. These conditions are the things that cause individuals to feel that they have no other alternative than to engage in violent rebellions to get attention. And I must say tonight that a riot is the language of the unheard.

I ask again, can you hear the anger and frustration of the poor and disenfranchised in our midst or do they need to repeat their grievances by burning down cities across this nation? Trust me when I say that they are more than willing to do so.

All Power to the People!!!!!!

James Thomas Jones III, Ph.D.

©Manhood, Race and Culture, 2020

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Why White America is Responsible for the Lynching of George Floyd and What They Can Do About It

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Brrrrrriiiiiiiiiiiiiiiinng!

The above word is the first line of Richard Wright’s novel, Native Son. The famed Chicago Renaissance writer intended for the ringing alarm clock to serve the purpose that all alarm clocks serve, to wake this nation up. From Wright’s perspective, America needed to be awaken to its Race problem.

Although significant by itself, Wright’s Native Son is only one of a series of bridges that highlight America’s great tradition of racial bigotry. The resistance of David Walker’s Appeal, Frederick Douglass’ admonishments during a Fourth of July presentation, Anna Julia Cooper’s lamentations from the South, W.E.B. DuBois’ prophetic warning that “the problem of the 20th Century will be the color line” and a series of deaths all serve as reminders of America’s horrific history of racial animosity. The alluded to bridges have led us to the murder of George Floyd by so-called law enforcement officers who were deemed fit for employment by the Minneapolis Police Department.

Americans are no different from other groups in their desire to embrace traditions that portray them in a favorable light and distance themselves from grander traditions that depict them in a negative, yet accurate light. An unbiased review of the American historical record reveals White America as a collective of greedy, avaricious, ends-justify-the-means, racial bigots who have little problem turning a blind-eye toward genocide if it serves a larger purpose.

This consistent inconsistency is nothing new.

There is no greater depiction of America’s character than the following litany offered by Frederick Douglass nearly two-hundred years ago. Douglass characterized this nation in the following manner.

There is not a nation on the earth guilty of practices, more shocking and bloody, than are the people of these United States, at this very hour. Go where you may, search where you will, roam through all the monarchies and despotisms of the old world, travel through South America, search out every abuse, and when you have found the last, lay your facts by the side of the every day practices of this nation, and you will say with me, that, for revolting barbarity and shameless hypocrisy, America reigns without a rival.

The murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis Police Department officers in front of an attentive public is yet another reminder that Douglass’ words still ring true.

The optimistic side of me hopes that Douglass’ words will activate White America to take a serious look at its soul. A soul that has been formed in the midst of centuries of unconscionable acts of hatred, racial bigotry, and tyrannical rule.

Let me be clear on this matter, the genesis of America’s Race problem began with White America and the solution to it will come from that community as well. There are only two reasonable paths that Whites can take to achieve the above goal. They can either aid in the total destruction of Black America or turn inward with the full intention of executing a intra-racial Civil War designed to exterminate unsavory portions of their community. A process that would call for them to address the bigotry of close family members, political leaders, and associates. It is obvious that there is no way that White bigots and Blacks are going to ever peacefully coexist within the same country.

I resist with every fiber of my being the white rage that leads so many of my Black countrymen to view Whites’ as a monolithic population whose foremost priority is the extermination of Blacks. My personal experience prevents me from embracing this daunting perspective. Yet, I am firmly entrenched in the belief that the only population capable of stomping out America’s grand tradition of racial bigotry and hatred is White America. Put simply; it is time that White America regulated its own citizens as there are segments of White America that are impenetrable to outsiders.

I am certain that it is within these socialization centers where the most virulent racial bigots are created by a daunting narrative that masquerades the evil-doings of White heroes and heroines for the extension of White privilege. This can only be eradicated by our White countrymen. The failure of White America to get its house in order makes the public lynching of Black men such as George Floyd an inevitability.

The ability to end racial bigotry and the cascade of ills that flow from it is found within a White America whose power and privilege rests on its existence. Trust me when I say that the alluded to conundrum is not new. It is the same issue that faced abolitionists William Lloyd Garrison and John Brown. I hope that White America will realize it and get busy cleaning their own house; however, I have little hope that they will.

After all, racial tyranny is one of their grandest traditions and its destruction will come at a steep cost that I am unsure that they are willing to pay for the sake of freedom, liberty, and justice.

Dr. James Thomas Jones III

© Manhood, Race, and Culture 2020.