Although I have never revealed these feelings to anyone. Do you know what I have always wanted to be? I have always wanted to be like my Uncle’s who sat on my grandmother’s front porches and engaged in hours upon hours of talk that covered black relationships, black family matters, black economics, the proliferation of drugs within our community.
From a very young age, I thought that the wisdom of my Uncles (Leon, A.C., Mulazim Abdul Rashid, Rikki, Jerry, Steve, James, Fats, Danny, Kenneth, Jeff, Gary, Clarence, David, and Arthur) was only superseded by my grandfathers (A.G. Young and James Thomas Jones Sr.) who knew everything because they had lived longer. At least that is how my childhood mind understood the world. Nevertheless, I yearned for the day that I would have lived enough life to have something substantial to contribute to what amounted to as A Gathering of Old Men, a designation that is also the title of one of my favorite Ernest J. Gaines books.
Although I am hundreds of miles away from my family, that does not lessen the fact that my time to sit on some unknown porch and talk about everything and nothing at all with a group of black men who assemble in the spirit of brotherhood. It is a privileged position to be in and one that I am excited to share with others who would like to experience a virtual community of brothers who are seeking to make sense out of this world that we live in. Let’s be honest about the fact that black men far too frequently seek to traverse the rugged terrain of America by themselves, it is a Herculean effort. An unnecessary Herculean effort that could be lightened with the support of willing brothers.
So, it is in the spirit of brotherhood that I heartily invite my brothers to join us in the Zoom broadcast of the show Who Did It To You.
I would really like to encourage the brothers to join us and interact with us as we try to decipher and survive what it means to be black man in America.
It never fails that at least one of my student’s response to Frederick Douglass’ infamous speech What to the Slave is the Fourth of July with a question of “How in the world did Douglass escape the building after those harsh words?”
The referenced speech delivered on July 5, 1852, in Rochester, New York, at Corinthian Hall during an address to the Rochester Ladies’ Anti-Slavery Society is the Abolitionist leader’s most remembered moment for a host of reasons. Just consider for a moment that the Rochester Ladies’ Anti-Slavery Society invited Douglass, an enslaved person, we must never forget that the nation’s leading Abolitionist was never freed by a vengeful owner who informed all callers that they didn’t have the kind of money needed to free Douglass, to offer comments regarding the Founding Fathers decision to no longer be “slaves to Britain.” What follows is an excerpt from Douglass’s message.
What, to the American slave, is your 4th of July? I answer: a day that reveals to him, more than all other days in the year, the gross injustice and cruelty to which he is the constant victim. To him, your celebration is a sham; your boasted liberty, an unholy license; your national greatness, swelling vanity; your sounds of rejoicing are empty and heartless; your denunciations of tyrants, brass fronted impudence; your shouts of liberty and equality, hollow mockery; your prayers and hymns, your sermons and thanksgivings, with all your religious parade, and solemnity, are, to him, mere bombast, fraud, deception, impiety, and hypocrisy—a thin veil to cover up crimes which would disgrace a nation of savages.
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 everyday practices of this nation, and you will say with me, that, for revolting barbarity and shameless hypocrisy, America reigns without a rival . . .
I do not know of a single living Black leader who would stand in front of an audience full of whites and deliver such a daunting speech. There is no room to debate against the assertion that Black America certainly needs more American leaders like Frederick Douglass.
It is the respect that Douglass is due that makes recent reports that a statue honoring him in Rochester, New York, was ripped from its location at Maplewood Park; a former station on the Underground Railroad. The damaged statue was found approximately 50 feet away at the edge of the Genesee River.
As a writer and historian, my soul cringes when I learn that a morsel of Black America’s contributions to this nation has been erased by racial bigots or institutionalized racism. Nonetheless, the damaging of Douglass’ statue speaks volumes regarding the unknown perpetrators’ historical illiteracy and worldview. Make no mistake about it, historical illiteracy is the gateway for foolish thoughts resting on a vast sea of nothingness.
As you well know, the present moment is contextualized by raging culture wars that have led many whites to feel that their cultural heritage and ancestry are being assailed in some manner. Making this inexplicable situation more volatile are the daily dispatches from “45” that stoke the flames of racial animosity. It is the illogical nature of many of our countrymen that best explains the attack on Douglass’ statue in of all places Rochester, New York, a city that used to be as distant from the Confederacy as one could imagine.
However, the rising of racial bigotry in what used to be a haven for freedom loving Americans is a notable marker regarding the anger, frustration, disappointment, and fear rumbling in the hearts of a significant segment of White America.
Contemporary opponents of societal progress remind me of predecessors who also resisted the rising tide of change during the identity politic driven 1960s. While women pursued equal footing in American society, an old-guard conservative element pushed back. When Black citizens pursued the exercise of the theoretical equality found in the 1964 Civil Rights and 1965 Voting Rights Acts, many whites longed for a time when “Negras” knew their place. When the LGBTQ community rose in an unprecedented manner, the alluded to populace fought against their desperate pleas for recognition. When Brown activists rallied under a banner of “Chicano power” frightened whites behaved as if it were the end of American civilization.
The descendants of such backwards thinking people can still be found at political events issuing tone-deaf pleas to Make America Great Again. Such is the lament of a sad group who fear that the inclusion of others jeopardizes their privileged status and politico-economic monopolies. Unfortunately for this aging aggrieved populace, the political whirlwind is encouraging an irrestible Black Panther like “All Power to the People” moment; it would not be a stretch to consider this shift in the same vein as a rising tide constructed by Mother Nature. Try as they might, those opposing change will lose, it is impossible to retard, let alone reverse, this rising tide of change.
In many ways, it is ironic that the damaging of a statue constructed to honor Frederick Douglass validates the very thoughts that he spoke nearly two centuries ago. If he were alive, I am sure that Douglass would direct his commentary at a particular segment of White America and tell them that when it comes to “revolting barbarity and shameless hypocrisy, y’all reign without a rival.” Fortunately for the soul of this nation, in the words of Sam Cooke, a change is gonna come and it is occurring much sooner than many of us ever expected.
Although I am not a proponent of the idea that “history repeats itself,” I will admit that the recent rise in my white countrymen’s participation in the battle to defeat racism, America’s foremost social cancer, reminds me of a Civil Rights Movement era that I routinely address in writings and lectures. For some inexplicable reason, racial matters have become a “viral” topic in our nation.
It is difficult to argue against the assertion that NASCAR has recently been prominently placed under a blinding spotlight. The undesired attention is attributable to the presence of Bubba Wallace, the sports only African-American driver. Although most were shocked by NASCAR leaders rallying around Bubba Wallace during this moment of heightened racial discord, my reaction was none other than slight amusement.
The cause of my amusement was the result of years of studying American racial matters. Those studies informed my belief that when one considers that NASCAR has historically served as a haven for “the good ol’ boys” aka avowed white bigots a significant backlash was coming from their monochromatic fan base. I knew that if given enough time, the unending prejudice and bigotry that symbolizes NASCAR fans love for their sport would appear. It is no stretch to state that among such a crowd that not even the checkered flag is preferred over the Confederate Flag. Put simply; the initial groundswell of support for Bubba Wallace mattered little in NASCAR’s infantile efforts to stamp out the racial bigotry that is a standard fixture on their rabid fanbase. Hence, I was unsurprised when a noose, the ultimate symbol of racial intimidation, was recently discovered in Bubba Wallace’s garage stall.
A survey of U.S. history unveils a tradition of white citizens rallying against the unmistakable stench of gross racial injustice. Unfortunately, the emotionalism associated with whites decision to defeat “racism” obstructs their understanding of what it means to accomplish the multi-faceted Herculean task before them. Never do whites consider that the racial bias they seek to remove is permanent fixture within this nation that should be considered the stitching that holds the American Flag together. One can only wonder what would America be without the grand tradition of racial hatred?
Few, if any, of my white countrymen understand the impossibility of the task before them. If history is any indicator of what is to come, this latest emotionally-charged effort flowing from the filmed murder of George Floyd, this latest surge to extricate this nation’s foremost social cancer will fail as other preceding efforts.
My pessimism is grounded in the reality I have yet to hear a single person chosen by national news media (television, magazine, newspaper) specify the ultimate goals of the current surge to stamp out “racism.” The failure to define goals has proven to be the Achilles heel of every attempt to subdue prejudice, discrimination, bigotry, and institutionalized racism since this nation’s founding. Consider for a moment how you define the following terms and how people from other communities and differing backgrounds define them.
Black Equality
Freedom
Racial Justice
Ending Racism
Attacking Institutionalized Racism
This failure to define goals is a familiar problem that severely weakened the post-World War II Civil Rights Movement. According to the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
[W]ith Selma and the Voting Rights Act one phase of development in the civil rights revolution came to an end. A new phase opened, but few observers realized it or were prepared for its implications. For the vast majority of white Americans, the past decade — the first phase — had been a struggle to treat the Negro with a degree of decency, not of equality. White America was ready to demand that the Negro should be spared the lash of brutality and coarse degradation, but it had never been truly committed to helping him out of poverty, exploitation or all forms of discrimination. The outraged white citizen had been sincere when he snatched the whips from the Southern sheriffs and forbade them more cruelties. But when this was to a degree accomplished, the emotions that had momentarily inflamed him melted away.
When negroes looked for the second phase, the realization of equality, they found that many of their white allies had quietly disappeared. Negroes felt cheated, especially in the North, while many whites felt that the negroes had gained so much it was virtually impudent and greedy to ask for more so soon.
Until those interested in destroying prejudice, discrimination, bigotry, and institutional racism have a serious conversation regarding what “winning” means in the battle against racial inequality, every attempt is doomed.
The appearance of a noose in Bubba Wallace’s garage stall is a succinct representation of NASCAR’s storied history. The silence of NASCAR and a host of other sports, businesses, and educational institutions regarding racial bigotry and “racism” until this turning-point speaks volumes about their commitment to ending racial disparities. One must never forget that the rush to issue statements denouncing racial bigotry today were quiet as church mice prior to the recent groundswell. If one views these matters through the correct lens they will recognize that many of those corporate America types who are expressing their support for an ending of racial bigotry and institutionalized racism not only benefited from its existence but also worked diligently to maintain, if not expand, its framework.
So, I hope that you understand my amusement at the current swell of activism against an undefined “racism.” From my perspective it is little more than emotionally-charged feel good respectability politics not even intended to alter the monopolies whites have historically held in American society.
As mentioned above, although I am not an avid supporter of the belief that “history repeats itself,” I cannot deny that MLK’s words are as applicable today as they were when they were uttered. When addressing efforts to integrate a city park, MLK offered the following criticism for his nation.
The practical cost of change for the nation up to this point has been cheap. The limited reforms have been obtained at bargain rates. There are no expenses, and no taxes are required, for Negroes to share lunch counters, libraries, parks, hotels, and other facilities with whites.” The second stage called for African-American empowerment via the formation of a constitutionally guaranteed agency. This second stage implicitly called for the destruction of white monopolies in politics, economics, and education at which even the most moderate and patient African-American leaders predicted the nation would falter.
It appears that the white leaders of NASCAR are imploring those associated with its brand to treat Bubba Wallace with a modicum of decency while maintaining exclusive control of the sport. Now, I do not want for NASCAR to believe that I am singling them out for their rather mundane attempt to combat “racism” because they have much company in the NFL, MLB, and yes, even the overwhelmingly black NBA (Michael Jordan is the only black owner). However, when placed within the larger context of American racial politics, the muting of hate-speech while maintaining politico-economic monopolies is a far-cry from justice. If I did not know any better, I could be convinced that such pedestrian efforts to remove the more virulent expressions of racial animosity being hurled at Blacks as a further buttressing of inequitable power dynamics.
The failure to even issue calls for a re-distribution of power within industries that have historically kept blacks out guarantees that “racism” will move forward with a smile instead of the usual snarl. It is the breaking apart of white politico-economic monopolies that is the only goal worth pursuing, not the issuance of a milder form of racial inequity. However, such realizations call for so-called movement leaders to develop a non-reactionary agenda flowing from an in-depth understanding of America’s storied history of racial bias; and that is simply something that they are incapable of doing.
The most predictable aspect of politics is ironically found in its
unpredictability. Every political season is filled with twists-and-turns that seasoned
political pundits cannot predict with certainty. The alluded to uncertainty and
aura of mystery has proven true for all American groups, except for one, Blacks.
In the wake of the recent “Super Tuesday” that witnessed Bernie Sanders being surpassed by ol’ reliable Joe Biden, one is left in awe at the means that the Democratic establishment has been able to once again mount the backs of Blacks and alter the political winds. To their shame, Black voters are holding true to a well-worn pattern of following the dictates of do-nothing political leaders who accentuate nonsensical political cues that mean nothing significant.
Consider for a moment that Joe Biden’s political fortunes were instantaneously
reversed by that old Black Magic conjured by Democratic Party Congressman Jim
Clyburn.
Clyburn appeared in front of Black South Carolinians in a manner that
reminded me of the house Negro that Malcolm X made infamous and delivered an
impassioned plea to remind his people that Joe is one of us. Joe eats that good
ol’ South Carolina soul food. Joe has been our friend, pay no attention to his
prior transgressions when he didn’t need Black America’s support. Much like
Bill Clinton, Joe is an honorary Negro. Clyburn all but told Black South Carolinians
to not let their feeble Black minds slip to a point that they forget that Joe worked
with Barack Obama.
Put simply; Joe is one of us!!!!!!!!!
Noticeably missing from such persuasive speeches is the articulation of
a single policy, initiative, or serious desire that ol’ Joe has in mind to aid
Black America. Yes, I am speaking about the same Joe Biden whose debate
performances were troublesome due to his inability to explain away statements
and policies that displayed an undeniable strain of racial bigotry that not
even the Negroes of the Congressional Black Caucus have been able to explain.
If what we are witnessing at the present moment occurred in the mean streets of America, Black America would be little more than a “two-dollar hoe” whose goods are readily available and easily had by anyone with a bit of change in their pocket. The rush to serve a figure such as Joe Biden portrays Black America as a woman afflicted with such low self-esteem that her singular purpose appears to be currying favor with the very men who degrade and disrespect her as an integral part of their favorite pastime. Nevertheless, she services their immoral needs for a pittance.
When one considers that Joe Biden’s path to Lazarus status was made
possible by the Blacks of South Carolina, North Carolina (he beat Sanders by 40
points in this state), and Virginia (he beat Sanders by 55 points in this
state). The most reasonable question that political rivals should be asking
Biden is the following one.
“What did those Black votes cost you? I know that you had to give away
the farm.”
I am certain that Biden would smile at the question and respond with the
following quip.
“That’s the thing about Blacks. They want you to show up at a few
events, such as a church, sit down and eat a bit of soul food, and just tell
them that you are on their side. They are ‘salt of the Earth’ type of people
who want nothing more than to please. If you truly knew the Blacks, you would
understand that they prefer symbolism over substance, sizzle instead of steak,
and that is the reason I didn’t offer any concessions to them. And I guarantee
you that me not doing anything for them will not cause them to abandon me
during my re-election effort. What choice do they have? Trump? C’mon, give me a
break!!!!!”
If it is true that a people are known by their previous actions, I am afraid that Black America, particularly its politicians, are woefully ignorant regarding how to leverage their crucial status as the bedrock of the Democratic Party. It is pastime for Black America to become politically astute and savvy, unfortunately, not even Black political leaders possess this ability. Most disturbing is the predictable reality that these failures are not likely to change anytime soon, just ask ol’ Joe. He knows our people better than we do.
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.
