African-American History

What White Radical Feminist Dr. Jessica Taylor’s Criticisms of King Richard Reveals About How Little Such People Understand About The Path to Black Excellence: Black Women You’d Better Not Listen to Their Foolishness

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A man and a woman posing for a portrait

The moment I heard about the film King Richard, I understood that there would be attempts to lessen its impact and message. After all, the film focuses on Richard Williams, the father of Venus, and Serena Williams, the saviors of American Tennis, not just women’s tennis, for an entire generation. To this very moment, many within the elitist lily-white tennis world consider Richard Williams a mercurial offensive dark figure sent by the Devil, Satan, and Lucifer to disrupt their heaven on Earth.

I anticipated self-proclaimed radical feminist Dr. Jessica Taylor’s criticism of King Richard. Dr. Taylor’s comments about the film directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green, starring Will Smith, Saniyaa Sidney, Demi Singleton, Tony Goldwyn, Aunjanue Ellis, and Jon Bernthal, reveal how little white radical feminists understand about the tried-and-true formula for Black excellence. I was unamused at Dr. Jessica Taylor’s question of

Did they seriously make a film called ‘King Richard’ about the success of Serena and Venus Williams – but it’s about their dad, Richard?

The above comment reveals an infantile understanding of many substantive issues.

Unfortunately for Black America, the perspective of an “authority” or “expert” such as Dr. Taylor carries much weight. Yet, it does not cancel the fact that her view is equally misguided and misinformed. In many ways, figures such as Jessica Taylor “are doing nothing more than talking loud and saying nothing.”

The following commentary proves once again that the paradigms and structures motivating white radical feminism are at best an irregular fit for Black society. Just consider the following litany by Taylor.

I genuinely didn’t expect a film about two of the most powerful, successful and amazing black female athletes to be named after a man, or center a man. I would have loved this film to be all about them, and not a man.

This type of idiocy, normalized within white radical feminist circles, has no applicability to the Black experience. Thank God for Alice Walker’s incisive cautionary warning to Black women foolish enough to view Black America via the lens of privileged that “womanist is to feminist as purple is to lavender.” I continually point my Black female students to Walker’s brilliant observation.

However, I do understand why Dr. Jessica Taylor issued the above statements. The above “radical feminist” commentary is understandable if one realizes that the lens used to examine Black America reveals nothing actionable. Whoa to black women who follow the analysis, conclusions, and solutions offered by Jessica Taylor because they are incapable of providing workable solutions.

Dr. Jessica Taylor does not understand that it is impossible to discuss Venus and Serena without including King Richard Williams and their mother, Oracene. Whites who believe that Black excellence and genius are gifts bestowed by a God who paves the path to black success; blacks know differently. One does not have to search far to hear stories of uber-talented blacks who fell by the wayside due to a host of snares and traps that were intentionally placed in their path by those seeking to block their success. I will admit that there is no foolproof way of avoiding the trials and tribulations of life. Excellent parenting like that presented by King Richard Williams goes a long way toward helping Black boys and girls overcome the obstacles mentioned above.

So, Dr. Taylor, I salute King Richard!!!!!!

And do not consider it a contradiction, slight, concession, or problem to honor Queen Oracene simultaneously. After all, that is the most reliable formula for Black excellence.

James Thomas Jones III, Ph.D.

©Manhood, Race, and Culture, 2021

 

RACE

What Does the Kyle Rittenhouse Acquittal Mean for Black Activists?

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I am sure that not a single African-American with at least a cursory understanding of the history of American race relations was surprised by the recent acquittal of white teenaged killer Kyle Rittenhouse. This latest reiteration of America’s Native Son proved that he could kill two civilians during a moment of civil unrest in front of hundreds, a number that included several law enforcement officers, and still go home at the end of the day.

The entire theatrical production mentioned above is a familiar one that never ceases. Black America did not have a significant role in this production, yet, it still impacts them. The acquittal of Kyle Rittenhouse is a message to millions of white vigilantes to silence opponents by any means necessary. The message is clear and reduces to a Richard Nixonesque “law and order” slogan.

We must remember that Richard Nixon’s Presidential victory in 1968 capitalized on the fears of a middle-America that believed the nation had gone off the rails. Nixon’s campaign quelled the fears of frightened White moderates and conservatives on his way to the Oval Office. Nixon’s victory was an emphatic statement by the majority of White America regarding who this country belongs to and the lengths they must go to maintain control. The recent acquittal of Kyle Rittenhouse reeks of a similar message.

In a world that reminds the politically astute of the turbulent 1960s, many whites question when the protests cease?  The lens through which white heterosexual Christian men and women view Black Lives Matter, critical race theory, the LGBTQ+, and a host of other Communist-inspired initiatives mandates they do not yield an inch in America’s raging culture wars. From their perspective, this angry horde is seeking to steal the birthright of their children. After all, this is a nation founded by white men and should serve the interests of white people. The acquittal of Kyle Rittenhouse is the most recent example of the lengths that many of my white countrymen are willing to go to maintain control.

Please make no mistake about it; the acquittal of Kyle Rittenhouse will further embolden his white vigilante brethren who have appointed themselves defenders of a self-constructed, opportunistic, yet warped version of America. What makes the Kyle Rittenhouses of the world particularly dangerous is their belief that they, and only they, know what is best for the nation.

At its core, Kyle Rittenhouse’s acquittal simultaneously reminds white bigots of a past that has yet to die and a new wave of self-appointed vigilantes of what it means to be a real man, a true white man, in America.

In the end, there is little room to argue against the assertion that one of the primary duties of being a white man in America is defending the Republic against all rivals via the most violent means available. By that measuring stick, Kyle Rittenhouse is an American hero operating out of an extended tradition of white vigilantes who took a principled stance to make America great again. A jury composed of a cross-section of our community agreed with his actions. For that reason, all protestors and activists must adopt the poetic words of rapper Ice Cube and understand that they must arm themselves against white vigilantism because it is better to be judged by twelve than carried by six.

James Thomas Jones III, Ph.D.

©Manhood, Race, and Culture, 2021

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African-American Males, Black Males, EDUCATION

What is the Impact that One Black Educator Can Have On Black Elementary School Children

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Never in a million years did I imagine that when my pen hit the pad this morning that a rhythmic saying from Jesse Jackson, an individual that I have always considered Black America’s Dr. Seuss, would emerge. By the time that you finish reading this posting, I hope that you will understand why Jesse Jackson’s rhyme of “If they can’t see it, then they can’t be it” appears on this page.

I am certain that you are puzzled about the catalyst behind my use of the words of Black America’s Dr. Seuss this morning. Well, I will tell you that Jesse Jackson’s words illuminate a recent Johns Hopkins University study. The information shared below is nothing new to Black folks.

Having at least one black teacher in third through fifth grades reduced a black student’s probability of dropping out of school by 29 percent, the study found. For very low-income black boys, the results are even greater – their chance of dropping out fell 39 percent.

As mentioned above, the correlation between Black teachers and Black student success is commonsensical. I would venture to guess that any Black educator can tell you that the most significant indicator of student success are not school facilities or classroom materials, the wisest among us understand that the most important factor in the education of Black children is the person standing in the front of the classroom. Simply put, if an educator believes that their students can learn, they will learn.

Yakima School District rated among worst in nation for chronically absent students | EDUCATION | yakimaherald.com

It is foolhardy in every way to argue against research displaying the phenomenal impact that a single Black educator has on the life of young Black males. In an era of hashtags, it is obvious that #BlackTeachersMatterMightilyToTheFutureOfBlackBoys.

As I have written in this space for several years, no one is coming to save Black folks. Hence, it is crucial that Black America begins creating reliable paths for the creation of Black teachers, particularly males, to work with our children during the formative elementary school years. Black America’s failure to strategize around information that contact with a single Black teacher for Black boys from low-income environments reduces their chances of dropping out by 39% is an unconscionable dereliction of duty. We must address this need in an uncommon manner that uplifts Black children and therefore our community in a significant manner.

Now, a discussion of an acceptable curriculum is a discussion for another day.

James Thomas Jones III, Ph.D.

©Manhood, Race, and Culture, 2021

 

 

Committed to investigating, examining, and representing the African-American male, men, and manhood by offering commentary regarding the status of Black Men and Black Manhood as it relates to African-American Manhood, Race, Class, Politics, and Culture from an educated and authentic African-American perspective aimed at improving the plight of African-American men and African-American Manhood in regards to Politics, Culture, Education, and Social Matters.