Tag Archives: Race

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Why The Confrontation at the Wood River (Il) Walmart is Yet Another Example of the Grind of Being a Black Male in America

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It would be both disingenuous and dishonest to state that young African-American males enter this world on the same footing as their counterparts of any other racial or ethnic group. According to many medical studies, African-American children are born with natural abilities such as being able to hold up their heads, sitting up, and focusing on objects that others are incapable of achieving. So, Black males enter this world further developed than all of their male counterparts.

I do not need to tell you that other studies monitoring the development of Black males throughout their lifetimes reveal that they are by-passed by their male counterparts in every way imaginable. In many ways it is startling that a populace that entered this world at the forefront of development ends last in the race of life. The most reasonable question that one could ask about this matter is a singular-word of “Why?”

Although the above question is brief, an accurate answer require volumes. No one should doubt that so much happens to Black males during their lifetimes.

This understanding of the maddening twists-and-turns that occur in the lives of African-American males informs my bemused look regarding an incident at a Walmart in Wood River (Il.). Apparently a White police officer was filmed harassing two Black males, Jermon Best and Diangelo Jackson, for entering the shopping establishment while wearing protective masks.

Much of the haranguing has occurred regarding two points: (a) if the wearing of protective masks were against Walmart’s policy as the officer cited, it actually isn’t, and (b) if this were an occurrence of racial profiling. I refuse to equivocate on such silly matters and will dedicate this space to an ancillary issue that I term the grind of being a Black male in America.

Although rarely commented on, Black male lives vacillate between a frustrating cycle of “micro-aggressions” and major incidents of racial bigotry and institutionalized racism. Racial matters hover over Black males like unpredictable clouds who seem to block the Sun’s radiant light according to their own whimsical nature. Every Black male understands that neither a formidable socioeconomic status or professional accomplishments protect them from the unpredictable winds of racial bigotry and the torrential storms of institutionalized racism. The incident at the Wood River Walmart testifies to such.

Let’s be clear regarding what occurred. The unnamed officer made the decision to harass Best and Jackson based solely on their physical appearance. History proves that the most assured activating agent to White prejudice and bigotry is the presence of Black males. We cannot forget that the seeds of racial bigotry occurs via an American socialization process distributed via school curriculum, television, movies, life experiences, and kitchen tables.

Not even my most fervent desire to escape this damning truth has paved a path for me to consider the police officer at the center of this storm as an outlier. Unfortunately, he is a fairly typical representative of this nation’s most plentiful creation. At their best, Americans leave the impression that there is little hope that the ill-fitting concept of racism will ever reduce beyond gentlemanly political correctness. Despite what most would like to think, the absence of blatant uncouth racial bigotry is not the same as the presence of racial equality and/or justice for the darker brother/sister.

The revelation that the absence of blatant uncouth racial bigotry spewed into the public sphere by our countrymen does not signal the presence of racial equality and/or justice would be a great starting point for a riveting discussion regarding what is wrong with young Black males. Yet, this is a difficult discussion for the entire nation as it would invariably place much of the responsibility for the plight of Black males at the feet of each of us. One thing is for certain, the collective ignoring of this matter will not lessen its impact on Black males and the nation. It will simply grow worse as time goes along like an unchecked virus. And as we all know, an unchecked virus is a very dangerous thing.

Dr. James Thomas Jones III

© Manhood, Race, and Culture 2020.

I thank you and appreciate you visiting Manhood, Race, and Culture.

If you enjoy the content that you find here at Manhood, Race, and Culture.

It would be greatly appreciated if you would consider purchasing one of the following books.

  • “Foolish” Floyd: The Life & Times of an African-American Contrarian.
  • Creating Revolution as They Advance: A Narrative History of the Black Panther Party for Self-Defense
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Making Excuses for the Inexcusable: Mississippi State University’s Fumbling of Mike Leach’s Well-Deserved Punishment

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In many ways, it is frightening to consider how far off the mark Mississippi State football coach Mike Leach is regarding substantive racial matters. All evidence points to Leach not having any compassion regarding the victims of Mississippi’s storied history of racial conflict. Trust me when I say that I am being kind in my assessment of Leach. A more accurate depiction of my feelings would be to term the first-year head coach as an irredeemable dim-witted historically illiterate scrap of humanity that should never be provided the privilege to lead any group of men. Let me explain my dour view of the old ball coach.

Days ago, Mike Leach took to Twitter and posted a tweet of a woman knitting a noose for her husband during this moment of self-quarantining; I would be remiss if I did not share that the alluded to tweet was “liked” by nearly 3,700 people. The message flowing from both the sharing and liking of the tweet is deafening.

Consider the fact that Mike Leach is heading a football program in a state whose political leaders and bigoted citizens resisted efforts for racial equality by any means necessary; efforts that continue to this moment. Let us not forget that Mississippi is the location where Emmett Louis Till, a mere child, was brutally killed by bigoted Whites and Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee activists Andrew Goodman, James Chaney, Mickey Schwerner disappeared on the initial day of their attempt to register Black voters during Freedom Summer at the hand of the same population.

This space is incapable of holding the untold tragedies that have befallen Blacks in this sanctuary of White bigotry and institutionalized racism. When viewed against this scurrilous background, it is understandable why Mike Leach was selected to lead Mississippi State’s football program. Unfortunately, it appears that Mike Leach’s illiteracy on racial matters makes him a perfect fit for such a prominent position; a position that calls for him to lead droves of young African-American men.

Unbeknownst to Whites, it is the moments after such a transgression that shapes their view of individuals such as Mississippi State Athletic Director John Cohen and institutions such as Mississippi State University. Before passing judgment regarding this matter, Black America always awaits a response to the inexcusable behavior from the powers that be. It is to be expected that Blacks will be invariably disappointed with the decision-making processes of White powerbrokers. The case of Mike Leach is no different.

The punishment being doled out to Mike Leach for his ill-advised tweet is for him to “expand his cultural awareness of Mississippi.” According to Athletic Director John Cohen, Mississippi State University is “disappointed” in Leach and will host “listening sessions” for the embattled coach and visits to the Museum of Mississippi History as well as the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum once the Coronavirus has subsided. In light of such “punishment”, one must excuse Black Mississippian’s bemused look and belief that this is little more than “White folk being White folk.”

This world is filled with Mike Leach’s, meaning people raised within a cultural framework where racial bigotry is a foundational principle that never threatens their educational pursuits, economic opportunities, or social status. They are welcomed with open-arms by like-minded neighbors, bosses, civic organizations, and religious leaders. Ironically, it is fair-minded Whites who learn early on that they must stash away personal convictions regarding racial bias as it will lead to a pariah status among their beloved community. I am sure that such people cringe at the reality that their silence regarding racial bigotry not only makes them complicit with such matters but also renders them indistinguishable from figures such as Mike Leach. I have little doubt that this little dust-up will be long forgotten by the good folk of Mississippi when they pile into the stadium to support the Mississippi State University and cheer for Coach Mike Leach, their neighbor, friend, and favorite football coach.

They are Mississippians after all.

 Dr. James Thomas Jones III

© Manhood, Race, and Culture 2020.

I thank you and appreciate you visiting Manhood, Race, and Culture.

If you enjoy the content that you find here at Manhood, Race, and Culture.

It would be greatly appreciated if you would consider purchasing my book, “Foolish” Floyd: The Life & Times of an African-American Contrarian.

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Why I Don’t Want to Ever See Stockton, California, Again: Commentary on a Common Problem Afflicting Black America

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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.

I thank you and appreciate you visiting Manhood, Race, and Culture.

If you enjoy the content that you find here at Manhood, Race, and Culture.

It would be greatly appreciated if you would consider purchasing my book, “Foolish” Floyd: The Life & Times of an African-American Contrarian.

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A True Picture of My Countrymen as Painted by the Coronavirus

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For my money, James Baldwin is this nation’s most poignant social critic. The famed writer was poignant, powerful, and disruptive in a nation that has always needed such prodding. Much of Baldwin’s power flowed from the realization that matters such as racial identity, gender, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status were major determinants in how a person would be treated in America. From Baldwin’s perspective, American powerbrokers’ adherence to the Golden Rule of he who owns the gold makes the rules made his countrymen monster-men imprisoned within lives that were not worth living. James Baldwin detailed such individuals in the following commentary.

People pay for what they do, and still more so for what they have allowed themselves to become, and they pay for it very simply by the lives they lead.

Unfortunately for humanity’s sake, there appears to be no shortage of such fools.

One needs to look no further than the recent death of a 17-year-old teen in Lancaster, California from Covid-19 related complications. Although it is notable that he is the first minor to die during the pandemic, the circumstances of his death are not only shocking but also revealing. The absence of insurance, a yoke that is currently secured around the necks of millions of Americans, led health care providers to deny this teen desperately needed medical treatment. Where they could have aided, they denied treatment, a decision that guaranteed this youth would never reach his eighteenth birthday.

I have never been one to ask questions that I did not want the answers to, however, this tragic occasion forces me to divert from that well-worn pattern.

The question pricking my soul is the following.

Is this who we are as Americans? Do we have this little concern for our fellow country-men?

As you well know, the preponderance of the evidence points to an affirmative answer. This is exactly who so many Americans have become. If nothing else, Covid-19 has once again exposed a sizable population of Americans who are

  • Greedy
  • Inconsiderate of others
  • Selfish
  • Narcissistic
  • Incapable of understanding that we are all inextricably linked together as countrymen

This is who many Americans have unfortunately become during their never-ending pursuit of politico-economic power and ascension up an invisible, yet very real, social ladder that promises fame and fortune for those who reach its highest rung, regardless of the methods they took to arrive there.

Even in the midst of the pandemic, many Americans have yet to realize that neither wealth nor political connections are capable of protecting oneself from Covid-19; if nothing else, this virus appears to be the great equalizer sent to remind all that we are inextricably linked together for eternity. The failure to recognize this reality dooms my countrymen in a host of ways that they do not understand. I guess that James Baldwin was correct in his assertion that

People pay for what they do, and still more so for what they have allowed themselves to become, and they pay for it very simply by the lives they lead.

It is frightening that this is who my countrymen have become.

Dr. James Thomas Jones III

© Manhood, Race, and Culture 2020.

I thank you and appreciate you visiting Manhood, Race, and Culture.

If you enjoy the content that you find here at Manhood, Race, and Culture.

It would be greatly appreciated if you would consider purchasing one of the following books.

  • “Foolish” Floyd: The Life & Times of an African-American Contrarian.
  • Creating Revolution as They Advance: A Narrative History of the Black Panther Party for Self-Defense
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When Fools Rush In: An Examination of Why Black America is Being Disproportionately Impacted by the Coronavirus

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I guess that when you write about never-ending race matters in a nation that has been shadowed by the daunting specter since its creation, it should be expected that familiar themes will arise. There may be no more consistent theme regarding Blacks and Race in America than the following one, they have always received a heaping portion of the pain, misery, and suffering that freely flows from this nation. Put simply; when it comes to pain, misery, and suffering, Blacks have been America’s pack-mule.

This understanding of the peculiar plight of Blacks guides my belief that Black America will find itself on the receiving end of a heaping portion of the negative effects of the Coronavirus. In some ways it is understandable that many Blacks reach for conspiracy theories to explain the voluminous misery and suffering that is once again falling upon their community. At their very best, the alluded to conspiracy theories rob Blacks of the very agency they have used to maintain their existence.

It is this unfortunate reality that guides me toward a relatively simple question of “Why has Black America been disproportionately affected by Coronavirus?” as well as a more important question of “What can Black America do about being disproportionately affected by Coronavirus?” Of course, both questions are crucial, yet, the latter is much more weighty.

Recently released data reveals that Black America is once again the pack-mule for American suffering in places such as Michigan where their population is a paltry 14%, yet that decidedly minority population makes up 35% of all Coronavirus cases and 40% of the deaths from the global pandemic. Health experts have pointed to the “Motor City” as being the next hotspot for infections and deaths that are bound to disproportionately impact Blacks. The city of New Orleans has likewise been cited as a looming hotspot for Coronavirus infections and deaths. Medical professionals have highlighted that the predominantly Black, Orleans Parish is the location of 40% of Louisiana’s deaths.

Black America should be asking itself innumerable questions that begin with the simple word of “Why?”

  • Why has our community been disproportionately impacted?
  • Why has nothing been done to slow infections in our midst?
  • Why has Black leadership not stepped forward more prominently?

One thing is for certain, the admonishment that scholar John Henrik Clarke hurled at Black America years ago that “you have no friends” should be the North Star that guides it through this terrible time.

As this nation’s leaders stumble and bumble their way through this moment, Black Americans must refuse to travel down that clunky path in favor of taking definitive steps to protect themselves “by any means necessary.” At a time like this, Blacks must reject a well-worn pattern of skepticism regarding science in favor of the sage advice of medical professionals to stay home and take every precaution if they must leave the confines of their homes. This is not a time for Black America to reject the words of medical experts. Failure to heed that advice will invariably result in an avoidable reminder that “we have no friends” via a phenomenal death toll.

There is honestly no other way that this can be stated. Protect yourself and all that you love from this killer virus, failure to do such guarantees that you will join a growing list of Blacks who have fallen victim to the Coronavirus in a nation where politico-economic realities long ago determined that Blacks would receive a King’s ransom of misery and suffering.

Dr. James Thomas Jones III