21 thoughts on “CONTACT INFORMATION”

1. Hello Sir, What do we do about “Another” lost generation. I am talking about the cohort age range 16 to 26 years old. Carrying guns, carrying on petty beefs in many cases not knowing source of the grievance. Hatfields and McCoys comes to mind, but I digress. July 4th weekend saw major bloodshed and killings in many of our neighborhoods, with at least 2 children that I know of killed. Save our children??? Black Lives Matter??? What about those IGNORANTS, that continue to make our streets and where we live unsafe. How do we close the gap between our impressionable and youngsters seeing this mess and those Perpetrators within the cohort mentioned earlier who are killing us all. I don’t think there is a need to call out all of the killings and devastation that happened that weekend, and continues to happen today. Please forgive my expression but it must be said…. “Niggers” can be anyone described as contemptuous and someone considered less than myself.” These killers are not my brothers or sisters, and I hate them all. They all fold into BLM, but they care not for the black lives they snuff out on a DAILY BASIS. The Gap in between what is reality and hat is acceptable is wide, but I don’t hear anyone addressing this part of our culture. Black on Black Crime is real,. If it were my call they would be collectively round up and exterminated; On Purpose. These brothers, sisters set us back to the stone ages with all this violence. We need a solution and I don’t know where to begin. Please help! and let’s talk about it. I got more to say.

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   1. Hello,

      Let me first take a moment to thank you for taking the time to send this well thought out message. You have certainly expressed many of the sentiments that I have written about over the years; sentiments that reflect the thoughts of Public Enemy frontman Chuck D’s contention that “every brother ain’t a brother.” I am also encouraged that you have much to say regarding this matter, a welcomed sign that you have not become desensitized to the misery and suffering that seems to shadow Black America.

      I am attaching one of the postings that I have written over the past several years addressing this issue that you have highlighted. Once again, welcome to this community and by all means, make yourself at home.

      WHY I DON’T WANT TO EVER SEE STOCKTON, CALIFORNIA, AGAIN: COMMENTARY ON A COMMON PROBLEM AFFLICTING BLACK AMERICA
      APRIL 7, 2020 DR. JAMES THOMAS JONES IIIEDIT
      The following statement is a peculiar one. I’ve never been to Stockton, California; however, I have been to Stockton, California. You’ve probably never been to Stockton, California; however, I bet that you have been to many Stockton, California’s. In fact, I can state with absolute certainty that I have been to a series of Stockton’s during my life. Let me explain.

      The saga that inspires this posting into the sublime began with a shooting at the Sherwood Mall, a shopping venue on Stockton, Califonia’s, Pacific Avenue. News reports tell us that the shooting occurred after a fight in the food court. This unfortunate incident prodded dozens of teenagers to appear at the scene of the tragic shooting to “pay their respects” to the most recent victims of a prolonged history of senseless gun violence involving Black males. Apparently, things took a turn for the worse when a conflict occurred between a swelling crowd of mourners and mall security guards. Ultimately, the mall would be closed as a result of the conflict.

      This posting is has less to do with what occurred on that eventful day and more to do with the reactions that followed on internet message boards; a source of unfiltered commentary that reveals commenters true feelings.

      I will let you in on a little secret of mine. I routinely subject myself to the banter that occurs in message boards dedicated to random racial incidents. Although there is no comment regarding the racial identity of those involved in the Sherwood Mall shooting, most, myself included, believe that African-American teens were involved. This expectation were enough to prod American citizens to post the following message board comments.

      13/90 (a characterization that Blacks are only 13% of the American population, yet commit 90% of the crime) at it again.
      Yeah, just judge them by “the content of their character.”
      I bet that none of those involved in either incident has an active father in their life.
      One guess at what their racial identity is.
      They ruin every shopping venue that they are given access to.
      There were thousands of such comments that characterized Blacks as a scourge on this earth.

      Although there is much that can be said about the murderous tendencies and proclivity towards tyrannical behavior among a certain segment of White America, I will not spend my time expounding on such things. I choose to bypass such unproductive discussions in the hope that my focus on Black America may yield some positive results.

      One does not need to delve deep into the hearts and minds of Blacks to find a seething anger and pervasive disappointment with their countrymen. Unbeknownst to non-Blacks, there has been a long-running intra-racial feud occurring within Black America. Comedian Chris Rock touched on this matter during one of his stand-ups when he quipped,

      “There is a Civil War going on within Black America between Black folk and N!@@as and N!@@as have got to go.”

      The alluded to battles are contentious contests for ownership over a lengthy list of concepts and ideas such as,

      What is blackness?
      How does blackness behave (in public/private)?
      What does “authentically Black” actually mean?
      Who has the right to define blackness?
      The only certainty one finds within Black America’s raging culture wars is a seething hatred. A comprehensive hatred that can be found on all sides of multiple on-going battles over matters ranging from “snitching” to sexual orientation.

      My familiarity with Black America’s culture wars is the catalyst behind my statement that although I have never been to Stockton, California’s, Sherwood Mall, I am familiar with the issues that led to the senseless death of a young Black male after a mere fist fight. Unfortunately, this is a familiar story for Blacks.

      Although most Blacks shudder at the thought of airing our “dirty laundry” due to a reasonable fear that it will be seized by bigoted Whites as evidence of our inferiority, such fears do not lessen the reality that the onus for correcting such matters rests squarely on our brawny shoulders. Failure to do such provides White bigots yet another opportunity to use the anti-social behavior of a few to malign the masses. Let’s be honest about this matter, no amount of Black respectability will change the negative view of the Race by White bigots; it is an unconquerable obstacle that matters mightily in the struggle to end racial discord.

      As is so often the case, external factors have positioned progressive-minded Blacks in a “damned if you do, damned if you don’t” position. If they publicly address their brethren whose behavior and values are flawed, they feed the conclusions of White bigots. If they remain silent, their communities will remain in a compromised state.

      When viewed this way, the choice is a relatively simple one. Blacks must not consider the small-minded conclusions that flow from the minds of White bigots and take definitive steps to address what can be termed the usual issues and maladies facing Blacks. The issues and maladies that allow each of us to state that I’ve never been to Stockton, California; however, I have been to many Stockton, California’s. Although difficult for many Blacks to comprehend, there is no one coming to aid you in your battle to increase your political-economic position; the onus to achieve such is on you. Never have the words of Marcus Mosiah Garvey — “Up you mighty Race, achieve what you will” been more appropriate and actionable than the present.

      I pray that we address our issues because I don’t want to go to Stockton, California, again.

      Dr. James Thomas Jones III

      © Manhood, Race, and Culture 2020.

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      1. Greetings Dr. Jones,

         I thank you for the additional postings. I do have additional thoughts and will reply with such momentarily. It really is all about the Start, and getting as many Interested Induvials involved as possible, and as far as I know WE SHOULD ALL BE Interested Individuals. Just a few minutes ago I replied to you messages however, the content was devoured by the instability of either the Internet or the platform. Neverthess, I appreciate your reply to my message and I am forthcoming with additional thoughts.

         As an aside and off the top of my head The Issue of Gangs, and killing of Innocent children; no matter what their age; 8 to 80 needs to be a LEGISLATIVE ACTION. Let’s work to change the LAW. If a person is Gang Affilliated and Murders a CHILD, or any other INNOCENT… DEATH PENALTY, and I know that what I say may considered to be Knee Jerk/ Premature. but it is a start. Parents that Coddle these Killers and shield them from The Justice System should Equally as culpable for the crimes committed. I know the “so called” causes that lead kids into this lifestyle of gangs, but if the LAWS come down, similar to 3-Strikes maybe, no matter the age of the person, maybe, just maybe we can Realize a reduction of these happenings. The Establishment doesn’t care and will not do anything to help with this Public Safety Concern..2nd Amendment is BS as is the fact that these youngsters manufacture the drugs that they sell, kill, and die for. I have so much more to say. Grassroots fight on the death of one of our greatest Civil Rights Leaders John Lewis. Keep the conversation going….

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         1. Another of my 0.02. I think that a movement to change laws and enact legislation can/ should start. To illustrate the severity of the problem, e.g. gangbangers anonymously folding into BLM noble pursuits; let’s start a count Nationwide and post here whenever another innocent life is lost to these ruthless persons that kill for the sake of killing. Here is my article just found today about an innocent lady heeding the advice of an elected official. We the peaceful people need to get DRACONIAN on these fools. Curtis Sliwa’s Guardian’s are doing their part; The New Black Panther Party also I think; also maybe even NOI, I can’t say. But I can surely say that these Killers are not listening to their so-called God Fearing mothers nor their local reverands calling for us to just pray. It’s time for action, NOW! Please post here your innocent lives lost recently in order to give this proper Context. Here is my sickening article outta Brooklyn, NY

            https://nypost.com/2020/07/19/brooklyn-lady-killed-over-fireworks-followed-eric-adams-lead-mom/

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            1. Another thought that may be considered Controversial in the wake of Demands to DEFUND THE POLICE. This is Nonsense, we need our Brave Men and Women, properly trained and vetted for inherent bias to help with community based policing. I am of the generation when the local cop called in to the station on a box on the corner to report in. “HE” was visible, respected, and welcomed to be a part of our daily lives. My comments I’m sure butt up against the calls to defund police and redirect $$$ to other programs… okay that is good. But make no mistake, to overcome the VIOLENCE of KILLERS in our communities it will take the inclusion of well prepared / trained officers to overcome this Blight. Here is another article gleaned just a couple hours ago for your consideration…

               https://nypost.com/2020/07/19/nine-shot-one-killed-in-bloody-saturday-as-nyc-shootings-skyrocket/

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   2. I can sense your passion regarding this issue so I am going to add a few other writings dealing with this pernicious issue.

      HOW THE ‘COOL POSE’ UNDERMINES MALE/FEMALE RELATIONSHIPS WITHIN THE BLACK COMMUNITY

      There is not doubt that African-American men are not a monolithic population. Despite what many whites have created within their own minds, African-American men neither think alike nor possess the same goals and priorities. As an African-American male, I must relate that there is actually one point of convergence that you will find among brothers that were raised in an authentic Black community, that being, an intangible quality that is known by many names. Today’s youth culture term it swag, earlier generations called it ‘soul’, while others term it ‘cool’. One thing is for certain, African-American males have had a monopoly upon this elusive intangible quality for as far back as anyone can remember.
      As with most things that African-American males have seemingly cornered the market upon, ‘cool’ has proven to be a double-edged sword with the ability to do good and a more likely ability to do evil. Unfortunately, this ‘cool’ factor has failed to benefit our community beyond providing Black males with the ability to move with at least a veneer of confidence and self-esteem when surrounded by whites who find even their presence offensive. To whites chagrin, we have learned to remain ‘cool’ during the most stressful moments.
      It is this ‘cool’ factor that African-American men emit via their dress, walk, and talk that young Black boys desire to emulate during their adolescence. Non-Black males realize that neither they, nor anyone who looks like them, will ever exhibit authentic ‘cool’. At best, their expression of ‘cool’ will be a facsimile of a cultural pattern that brothers were doing a bunch of yesterdays ago.
      According to Richard Majors, the “Cool Pose” is a set of language, mannerisms, gestures and movements that “exaggerate or ritualize masculinity. The Essence of ‘cool’ is to appear in control, whether through a fearless style of walking, an aloof facial expression, the clothes you wear, a haircut, your gestures or the way you talk. The ‘cool pose’ shows the dominant culture that you are strong and proud, despite your status in American society…Much of cool pose is ritualistic imitation of peers. If you’re not seen as cool, you’re an outsider. It’s a way to be included.”
      Considering the present state of African-American males, one is faced with an over-arching question. Is the ‘cool pose’ working against the formation of healthy male/female relations within today’s African-American community? Considering the present state of the Black Family, it appears that the ‘cool pose’ is proving to be a negative for African-American males, the women that they create children with, and their offspring.
      Although the ‘cool pose’ benefits a few African-American males by ensuring their place among their peers, it simultaneously creates the perfect storm for their rejection by an economically formidable white society. African-American males inability to secure gainful employment, a traditional pre-requisite to marriage and the starting of a family, hinders nearly every aspect of any potential relationship. It appears that for contemporary African-American males who have adopted the ‘cool pose’ as a primary identity, they will invariably find themselves ostracized from mainstream institutions into an unprecedented and permanent ways.
      Unfortunately for African-American males, their ‘ritualistic imitation of peers’ too often leads them to the same position their counterparts are mired in: prison, illiteracy, probation, parole, unemployment and/or an early death. It is my contention that the ‘cool pose’ is integral to understanding why:
      • 1.5 Million African-American Males are involved in the penal system via incarceration (Federal, State, and Local) or on some form of probation
      • there is a 85% recidivism rate for African-American Males
      • 60% of African-American males are involved in the penal system for a drug related crime
      • In 1979 there were 100,000 Black males in the judicial system, today that number has swelled to 1,500,000.
      • The majority of the 2.3 million people incarcerated in U.S. prisons and jails are people of color, people with mental health issues and drug addiction, people with low levels of educational attainment, and people with a history of unemployment or underemployment.
      This matter begs the question of what are we to do? Lord knows that it is impossible to get African-American males to divest from the ‘cool pose.’ It may be time to begin a process of socializing our young men toward a new form of ‘cool; one that allows them to retain their ‘cool’ quotient, while also directing them down a path that increases their chances of academic and economic success. Failure to take this issue on and redirect our youth down a productive path highlights our feebleness and accentuates an unfortunate reality that today’s Black leadership is doing little more than spinning their wheels and acting ‘cool’ themselves; and as Gwendolyn Brooks pointed out in her epic poem We Real Cool, such activities will guarantee that “We Die Soon.”
      Dr. James Thomas Jones III
      #ManhoodRaceCulture

      Chicago’s young victims of violence
      The neighboring Austin District on the city’s Far West Side recorded 10 homicides, up from only three a year earlier, according to the department. Shooting incidents more than doubled to 47 from 21.

      Both districts have been plagued for years by violence caused in large part by disputes over narcotics sales. The Eisenhower Expressway — which cuts through the middle of the two districts — has for years been dubbed by law enforcement as “the heroin highway” because of drug users who travel from the suburbs for their fix.

      On the South Side, three districts — Englewood, Deering and Chicago Lawn — shared the dubious mark of recording the most homicides through Sunday — 12 each. A year earlier, Englewood and Deering had just five slayings each, while Chicago Lawn had seven.

      On Tuesday night, about 20 residents joined several police officers at 71st Street and Jeffery Boulevard in the South Side’s South Shore community in a show of solidarity in the fight against crime. The area isn’t as prone to gun violence as it once was, but it still has its flare-ups.

      The event drew mostly residents who appeared to be in their 40s, 50s or 60s, not the at-risk youths most affected by the violence.
      “It’s hard trying to pull a young person out of that kind of environment where this is what they have eaten, slept and drank all their lives,” said Sgt. Maudessie Jointer, who helped oversee the gathering. “You will get a few, but we don’t get them in the volume that we need.”

      Over on the West Side, the Rev. Ira Acree, an outspoken pastor in the Austin community, talked about fragmented families, a poor school system and a proliferation of guns as being among the causes of the violence.

      “It’s a crisis here in Chicago,” he said about the disturbing level of violence so early in the year. “Unless something radical transpires in our city, there’s going to be a bloodbath this summer.”

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   3. AM I STILL MY BROTHER’S KEEPER?

      There is no more positive declaration among African-American men than the statement that “I am my Brother’s Keeper.” Within that five word declarative sentence lies an unyielding hope that Black men will be able to survive the torrential rain that has destroyed the hopes and aspirations of droves of their brethren.
      Unfortunately for many black men, this declaration has become little more than phrase-mongering strategically used to give on-lookers the appearance that there is some special affinity that is found only among my kind.
      Let’s be honest, the vast majority of African-American males in my circle harbor some “beef” with other Black males for reasons that even they cannot articulate. The fact that the rage that so many black men feel regarding their counterparts cannot be traced to a specific event does nothing to lessen the reality of its existence. The wise among us realize that the unspoken hostility among Black men is one of the many costs of being socialized in a nation that maligns “blackness” at every turn. It is difficult to argue with this assertion when one realizes that the Black existence is maligned on television, movies, school curriculums, popular culture expressions, and the list goes on and on.
      There is no room to debate against the reality that it is this socialization that incubates and then manifests much of the anger that Black men express to one another. It is this undeniable reality that problematizes the powerful question of at the present moment, “Am I my brother’s keeper?”
      Experience has taught me that those Black men who answer this query with an immediate and unequivocal “YES!!!!” are being little more than socially appropriate. In many ways, I believe that a much more appropriate question is “Do Black men in general consider other Black men their brothers?”
      Despite the compulsion of Black men to answer this question affirmatively, the truth of the matter is that at the present moment it can only be answered on a case-by-case basis. Copious amounts of naïveté are required for any Black man to disagree with the assertion that our populace has been infiltrated by individuals possessing a selfish desire to advance their individual position ‘by any means necessary’, including the exploitation of other Black men. I ask that you consider the irony surrounding Tupac Amaru Shakur’s demise. It was Tupac who cryptically foretold of his own demise in his timeless track Only God Can Judge Me. Tupac asserted
      And they say that it’s the white man that I should fear. But it’s my own kind doing all the killing here.
      As you well know, Tupac is not the only “brother” who has looked down the barrel of a gun that his “brother” was holding for some unspecified reason.
      In many ways, Black men who have chained themselves to an antiquated collectivist racial construct have to be reminded that our belief in Black solidarity is a value that many of our contemporaries are not governed by. Unfortunately for us, our belief in a mythical past births an equally frightening and dangerous present. I am unashamed to reveal that my current interactions with African-American males are often governed by caution and skepticism resulting from the actions of an extremely vocal and active minority population of black males.
      It is what often appears to be a worsening situation that problematizes my innate desire to unequivocally state that “I am my brother’s keeper.” At the present moment, this matter is much more contentious than I would have ever imagined. My resistance to unconditionally offering my love and commitment to Black males is partially informed by Public Enemy’s Chuck D who once observed that “Every brother ain’t a brother.”
      With the benefit of hindsight, I have begun to view tales of a general brotherhood that glued black men together in past times as little more than a well-spun fable. In many ways, it does not matter if such times ever existed as the present crisis outweighs the past. It is this troubled and convoluted present that leads me to the realization that I am not every black man’s keeper. Truthfully, few of them have behaved as a brother to me. Unfortunately for Black America, it appears that the traditions that forged a collectivist racial identity are vanquished by a pattern of deceit and betrayal that forces anyone possessing analytical skills to agree with Chuck D that “every brother ain’t a brother.”
      Dr. James Thomas Jones III
      © Manhood, Race, and Culture 2019.

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   4. WHEN KEEPING IT REAL GOES WRONG: QUESTIONS OF IDENTITY AMONG BLACK MEN

      I fervently believe that self-actualization is a crucial element in Black men gauging their present situation and a yet to be written future that could be filled with countless opportunities.
      Many life coaches and self-help books state that the most important question that must be answered is “Who are you?” I agree with others who believe that it is impossible to make significant changes in one’s life without answering the above question.
      I find that a crucial portion to answering the question of “Who Are You?” flows from a long-running debate regarding which has more influence on our existence, issues flowing from “nature” or those flowing from “nurture.”
      This matter is complicated by the historical reality that Black America, a community that routinely extends the constrictive limits of “family” to include fictive kin that are not biologically related, is far from monolithic in its familial constructions. Any historian can tell you that this cultural adaptation was a response to the disruptive nature of a chattel slavery system that enriched so many Whites while simultaneously bankrupting them morally. This daunting history does nothing to address my question of what is the primary determinant in the development of Black male identity. Does “nature” hold sway over “nurture” in the development of the identity of Black males?
      The proliferation of “rites of passage” mentoring programs serves as partial evidence that the vast majority of Blacks believe that it is “nurture” that serves as the primary determinant in the path that young Black men will travel. The inhabitants of this school of thought rarely dispute the notion that “nature” does have some impact on the process that leads to the formation of Black male identity, they disagree with it being on par with “nurture.” For most, it is difficult to argue against assertions that “nature” does have some say in this complex process of identity formation.
      Basic observation of the temperament, preferences, and values of random Black males highlight the impact of “nature” on each of them. Anecdotally, I am very quiet, yet funny when I want to be (despite what others attest), like my father. My son possesses these same qualities, qualities I might add that his great grandfather whose name he carries possessed.
      In every occupation there are some things that can be considered peculiar or intriguing. I will tell you that one of the most intriguing aspects of being an African-American Studies Professor is that it provides me an unobstructed view of the process that my Black male students undergo as they attempt to answer the above question of “Who Am I?”; a process that is made exponentially more difficult by their existence in a world that looks upon Black males with what W.E.B. Du Bois termed “amused contempt and pity.”
      If nothing else, this clunky process of self-discovery that so many of my Black male students undergo proves that they hail from circumstances that are rarely similar. The alluded to contexts that incubated and then birthed these young black men range from two-parent households to situations where neither parent was present. Regardless of their upbringing, each of these young men must deal with the question of “Who are you?” Oftentimes, the answer to this matter is found in ways ranging from speech pattern, dress, the decision to be standoffish or friendly to others (including Professors), or the conscious decision to engage in criminal activities ranging from drug dealing/use, rape/sexual assault of Black women, refusal to engage school work or even attend class consistently.
      The most illogical expressions of what it means to be a young Black male always emanates from socioeconomically privileged suburban kids. It is their “privileged” status that birthed their ignorance of poor and working-class Blacks. To my chagrin and amusement, a sizable portion of these young men, desperate to fit into the social scene of a Historically Black University adopt the persona of a Minstrel performer attempting to mimic the dress, linguistic patterns, and deplorable lifestyle choices of the Black peers that they know little about. The Black males that I am referencing proudly display their limited understanding of what a Black man ought to be and ought to be doing. Unbeknownst to these young men, they have made themselves the featured attraction of a Minstrel Show that should be titled “Blackish.”
      The script of the alluded to Minstrel show offers outsiders a unique opportunity to view what occurs to young Black males who have used the content provided by irrational Blacks and bigoted Whites working in television, radio, movies, and schools. I am sure that I do not need to tell you that such mediums glorify Whites and denigrate the Black experience.
      Although I resist the urge to generalize, I have little problem stating that many of the Black male collegians I am discussing have internalized some combination of the following beliefs.
      • Black males are criminal-minded.
      • Black males are drug abusers.
      • Black males are socially inappropriate at every opportunity (language, dress, etc.)
      • A true measure of Black manhood is found in the denigration (physical and/or verbal) of Black women.
      • Intellectual curiosity is a sign of weakness among Black men.
      What makes this script more repugnant is that its supporters have usually never seen it modeled by either parents, aunts, uncles, siblings, or grandparents. Instead of relying on those things that they have witnessed in their lives, far too many Black males allow those experiences to be trumped by a wicked cocktail of Rap videos, Rap lyrics, and Hip-Hop Culture images that have no basis in reality. It is saddening to witness Black male worldviews being hijacked by what can only be termed fictitious characterization of their own.
      I am always amazed that so many of these misguided young men fail to understand that the privileged status they were born into will eventually expire if not tended to. In fact, they seemingly do not understand that the cost of starring in their Minstrel Show comes at the cost of squandering their socioeconomic inheritance. Trust me when I say that when that bill is delivered by a hostile society that has no regard for Black males, there is little that Black males will find funny. Unfortunately for many of these modern-day Al Jolson’s, there is little that we can do to convince them of the opportunities that their ancestors have placed in front of them.
      I guess that what they say is true, “The Show Must Go On.”
      Dr. James Thomas Jones III
      © Manhood, Race, and Culture, 2019.

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   5. The inspiration behind many topics I address on this site result from my daily travels. My pen can be activated by a chance encounter, witnessing conflict or kindness between people strangers and a host of occurrences. Anyone who visits this space frequently can attest to the fact that much of my material flows from my interaction with students at Prairie View A & M University (PVAMU). I have been blessed (yes, blessed) to serve as an African-American Studies Professor on “The Hill” for the past 15 years.
      There is never a mundane day when lecturing Black students about Race in America; a topic that despite their blackness, they know nothing about.
      It is strange that a people who have been the primary victims of prejudice, discrimination, bigotry, and institutionalized racism, African-Americans are no more versed in the genesis and operationalization of the above issues than their “White” counterparts. After all, Race has dogged the American psyche since the initial parcel of Africans arrived in Jamestown (1619). Unfortunately for this nation, the continual presence of this nation’s foremost social cancer has done little to increase its citizens understanding of Race. A recent discussion with PVAMU students reiterated this point for me.
      The alluded to verbal exchange revolved around non-physical forms of oppression beyond lynching, rape, burning at the stake, and sexual assault.
      Central to the referenced discussion was the denigration Blacks via Minstrel show performances and xenophobic literature supported by half-witted pseudo-science research. I asked those assembled if they thought that the foremost result of four-hundred years of maligning of the Black image rendered it beyond repair.
      These moments where students intellectual curiosity is activated in an uncommon manner are the “sweet spot” that few educators reach. I actually pity educators who never arrive at this moment of nirvana. Not to brag or boast, I take much pride in reaching this point during every lecture that I deliver.
      The assertion that “blackness” has been damaged beyond repair was scoffed at by those assembled. These young people thought that I was attacking their generations as so many before me have done. Desperate to deliver my point, I explained to my students that their generation, like others before it, including mine, are the personification of what W.E.B. Du Bois addressed in The Souls of Black Folk. According to Du Bois,
      “It is a peculiar sensation to view oneself through the eyes of another.”
      Despite their natural inclinations to resist the assertion, many Blacks view their kind through the same disapproving lens that a hostile White populace has historically used. In many ways, Blacks adoption of Whites disapproving view of African-Americans is predictable when one considers that much of the formers socialization has come from institutions created to extend the privilege of the latter. Put simply, far too many Blacks have adopted the worldview of a White school system and social hierarchy that propagates Black inferiority.
      The accumulation of negative characterizations of Blacks from realms as diverse as text books, music videos, popular culture expressions, and commercials produces a perspective that Blacks are hopelessly inferior to all others.
      It is this mass psychosis of low self-esteem that figures such as Marcus Garvey, Elijah Muhammad, Malcolm X, and Clarence 13X fought against via ideologies and belief systems that are akin to psychotropic drugs. I am certain that a figure such as Clarence 13X would counter those who criticize his insistence that “The Black Man is God” with pertinent questions revolving around identity, Race, and power. One can only wonder what transformation occurs inside downtrodden Blacks who have become convinced that they are the most powerful species on the Planet.
      It is difficult to argue against the assertion that it may be time for Black America to divorce itself from white institutions that advance advantageous historical narratives and worldviews that seek to instruct them that not only are they doomed but that God Almighty ordained their unfortunate circumstances. One thing is for certain, until Blacks begin to educate their own with a narrative of liberation, they will remain in their dire situation.
      There is little room to debate the reality that “If you do what you always did, you’ll get what you always got.”
      DO BETTER!!!!!
      Dr. James Thomas Jones III

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   6. “Do or do not, there is no try”:
      ABANDONING EXCUSES AND DEMANDING EXCELLENCE FROM BLACK MALES

      I long ago realized that crucial nuggets of wisdom can be found in the least likely locations. When such a moment occurs, I always gather these unexpected words of wisdom and integrate them into my life. Life has also taught me that just as the arrival of these priceless illuminating thoughts were not anticipated; my use of them will likewise be an impromptu exercise.

      I must tell you how pleased I was when my son took an interest in Star Wars, a movie series that I grew up watching. Our mutual affinity for the Star Wars series has provided many a moment of bonding and intense conversation regarding good versus evil, Luke Skywalker, Darth Vader, and “the force.”

      As any doting parent would, I have done my absolute best to help my son create a path that will lead him to being an engineer, his chosen field. I am certain that you can imagine, each recreational purchase is aimed at developing his prodigious mind and keeping him in what he terms “master builder mode.” So it was only natural that this Christmas he would be gifted builder sets with moving parts, batteries, and even one that ran off of solar energy.

      After a morning of spending time with family and opening gifts, my son retreated to his room and became engrossed in constructing a mechanical arm that included several different power sources and over 300 pieces that only a “master builder” could construct. The ability to remain on task is most certainly one of my son’s strengths, so I was not surprised when he dedicated several hours to his new building project prior to emerging with it in tow. However, I was shocked when he frustratingly related, “I keep trying to get this thing to work and there is something wrong with it. Dad, the construction plans are wrong.”

      I was absolutely certain that there was nothing wrong with the construction plans. And to my son’s dismay, I related that fact to him before telling him that he needed to deconstruct the entire project until he found his error. As expected, this frustrated teenager related “I have tried and tried. Nothing is working.”

      It was at this moment that I used one of my favorite lines in the Star Wars series that was voiced by Jedi Master Yoda. “Do or do not, there is no try.” James simply pivoted and head back to his room with his failed project in tow. In less than fifteen minutes, he returned with a completed project in hand and a smile that communicated everything that I needed to know about the problem he had confronted and conquered on his own.

      Were I permitted, I would point every person toward the words of Yoda, “Do or do not, there is no try.” Such a life philosophy is the lynchpin capable of transforming our hopes and dreams into achieved goals. You must never cower in the face of difficulty as it is merely an obstacle standing between you and your goals. So go forth and become one with the force as you make your hopes and dreams a living reality.

      Dr. James Thomas Jones III

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   7. Although my intentions are to model manhood at each and every moment of my day for all of my students, experience has taught me that even the most well-intentioned gestures can be misconstrued by a particular segment of my female students. Let me explain what I am alluding to.
      I have always prided myself on being a gentleman who is never to busy to hold open a door for a female or offer a kind/encouraging to those in need of one. Despite the skeptical looks that I often receive from others, such effortless overtures are merely extensions of who I am. It is my belief that the young people who sit in my courses on a daily basis are paying close attention to details that extend beyond my daily lectures that I make it a practice to request the assistance of my male students when it is time to pass out materials from lecture notes to examinations. It is this request that caused a few of my female students to cry foul and accuse me of a menagerie of things including sexism and gender bias.
      Although I was initially caught off guard by even the insinuation that I was sexist, I soon realized that in the new millennium it is fashionable for any gesture by black men toward black women to be viewed skeptically. How could this small collective of female students have known that I, the individual that they were charging with being bias against them, was routinely harangued by colleagues for being a “womanist” who advanced the interests of black women at every turn? Unfortunately, I do not believe that such a reality would have mattered to them as they had decided long ago that they would avoid the mistakes that the black women before them had made in remaining silent during the denigration of their status as strong black women.
      When this handful of female students protested my request for male volunteers to hand out lecture notes by stating, “That’s discriminatory!!!!! We can hand things out as well.” I nearly laughed aloud at their limited understanding of why I specifically asked for males to perform this duty. There was so much that these aspiring feminists did not understand about why I made that specific request.
      I fought against the natural inclination to remain silent and asked this handful of young sisters, “Are you so silly that you believe that I think you are incapable of handing out sheets of paper?”
      One of the young ladies responded, “Well, you most certainly did not ask us to do it.”
      My response was simply that “I believe that it is important that black men (I work at an H.B.C.U.) learn to serve black women. I also find it just as important that black women learn how to appreciate being served.”
      To the shock of this collective of protestors, the majority of black women in the class applauded my words as they understood that a nicety being presented by a black man was neither a slight nor indirect insult to their capabilities.
      I once heard from a black woman that “chivalry is dead.” Although I disagreed with her position, I could not resist a terse response that “If chivalry is dead, y’all are the ones who killed it.” Unfortunately, the alluded to young ladies continued to protest my chivalrous gesture of having their male colleagues serve them in this basic manner and often refused to accept the lecture notes being handed to them. I could do little more than sigh and reflect on the reality that somewhere along the way we took a wrong turn and now chivalrous actions have become a reason to mock and ridicule those who have made them an important part of our day.
      What an unfortunate situation we have devolved into.
      Dr. James Thomas Jones III

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2. Dr. Jones, I was wondering if you’ve seen the new Childish Gambino music video for “This is America”. Do you have any input on it? I thought it was worth mentioning on your blog.

   Hope all is well with you, Professor!

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3. Dr.Jones, what is your view on the recent KU KLUX KLAN rally in Charlottesville?

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4. I dont know if you are aware of the factions that are forming among fellow black sisters at universitys based on the lightness of skin color. Some kind of dislike from darker sisters aginst the lighter of fairer complection sisters. Do you know why, or have any thoughts or ideas on the matter?

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5. Hi Dr. Jones I was wondering what you thought of the group NWA and the manner that they expressed themselves.

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   1. Thank you for this question. I will answer it in a blog very soon.

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6. Do you agree with DR. ASA HILLIARD theory that racism is a mental disorder?

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7. What are a few names of books about our history?

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8. This site would be really helpful in providing me with in depth details and information about African american culture . It would benefit and help increase the knowledge of anybody interested regardless his/her race. Thank you Dr Jones

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9. I believe that it is sights like this one that is of absolute necessity for our people and all people here in America. I say this because although there are many incidents of racial injustices happening to date in America with regards to the injustices towards Black people and people of color in America, it is sites like this one and other like it that helps us to never forget! I am considered an elder and my life long experiences have shown me the mental damage slavery and continued racism here in America has done to me and people who look like me some a lot who don’t. So thank you Brother Dr. Jones for your support and insights and efforts to keep us alert to the facts of people of color in this place we are forced to call home when we don’t feel a home. In addition to that, we have to fight for our life because of the color of our skin.

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   1. Thank you brother Jesse for your kind comments. Yes, we at Manhood, Race, & Culture are seeking to provide a different vision of what it means to be uplifted and educated to our people. You are absolutely correct that we have been damaged, unfortunately, the vast majority of our people are so busy with “things” that they never stop to consider such matters. I hope that you will be a frequent commentator on this site. Thank you once again and please spread word of the site to others.

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