Political Corner

On May 25, 2020 a fuse was lit in America by way of a city that is relatively overlooked by the rest of the country. When we think about cities in America that will be the epicenter of violence we think of Chicago, New York, or Los Angeles. However, not on this occasion. A single act of ignorance and heartlessness in Minneapolis, Minnesota by  a murderer named Derek Chauvin to a victim named George Floyd would lead to violence that reverberated through most of the country.  Although opinions differ as to how far is too far with the rioting that has taken place we can all agree that the gasoline of racism has been poured on America for centuries and that one spark that started in Minneapolis caused a fire which brought about expected damages.

Alexis de Tocqueville was a French Political Theorist who spent some time travelling throughout America. In the 1800s he made two very good observations. The first was that the more freedoms, if any, Black slaves would receive the more discrimination they would receive. The second, that freeing Blacks in America would not lead to immediate, if any, resolution of discrimination. Tocqueville died in 1859, two years before the beginning of the Civil War.

Black discrimination being equivalent to the freedoms “given” was spot on. Prior to the end of the Civil War Blacks were merely property. To put it in a better sense: If a man owns a pristine race horse you don’t hate the horse, you hate the man who owns the horse. But, imagine one day you were told that horse is the same as you. Blacks were viewed as property, animals, who were given freedom. This was a hard concept for many Whites, southerners and northerners, to accept.

From 1865 to 1954 separate but equal was the norm in America. The concept being: You Black folks are free, but not free like White folks. You can go to school, but not with white folks. You can live in the same towns, but in different parts of it. When Blacks were given the power to vote, therefore influence elections, voting laws were created to curtail that voting right. Separate but “equal” was acceptable, but the more that alleged equality began to interfere with the established superiority of Whites the more Black “equality” became a problem. 

Tocqueville stated that when Europeans enslaved Europeans they enslaved people who were the same color as them. Therefore, after a few generations it would be impossible to tell whose ancestors were slaves simply by looking at them. However, when Whites enslaved Blacks in America generations later everyone in society would be able to tell who descended from slaves and who descended from slave-owners, making visual discrimination much easier. 

Fast forward to present day America. American stands for White and everyone else is a hyphenated American; African-American, Latin-American, Asian-American, Middle-Eastern American.When was the last time you saw an option for a race on any form that hyphenated the racial background of people from European Countries? After more than three decades on this planet I have yet to see an option for ethnicity on any form for Irish-American, English-American, Scottish-American, or any other European country. I am a Black man who is extremely proud of his heritage and can trace my family’s history all the way back to slaves in the Delta of Mississippi. Being born and raised in Chicago I am far more American than African. Something as simple as hyphenating ethnicity shows how far America was willing to go to ensure a difference between the people in this country. Coloreds, Negroes, Blacks, African-Americans; all names used to subtly display the differences between White Americans and Black Americans.  

When Blacks finally decided to protest for equal treatment in the 1960s it took a decade of ass-whippings, dog-biting, lynchings, arrests, threats, bombings, and ignored Civil Rights Acts for America to legally recognize Blacks as Americans. After overt racism became passé in America many people moved to Institutional racism. Although not as loud, this form of racism was heard just as clearly. Unfair lending practices, police harassment, and unequal public funding are all forms of discrimination America has utilized while saying this is a country of freedom and opportunity.

With numerous unjustified killings of Blacks in America through mob action, unjust laws, and police brutality it was just a matter of time before an act pushed Blacks over the edge. Although I do not agree with the rioting and looting, it is an obvious offshoot of centuries of racism and discrimination. Since America took it upon itself to carry the burden of racism it must also take it upon itself to deal with the repercussions of such. 

The Black Community in America initially supported the Republican Party, mainly because Abraham Lincoln was a Republican and he “freed” the slaves. Lincoln was the first Republican President and he gained loyalty from his action from the Black Community because of his act. However, as time passed, with most relationships, the dominant member of the relationship became comfortable with their position while the minor party to the relationship wished to gain more. During the 1920s when the Republican Party was slow to promote more Civil Rights for the Black Community the Democratic Party, through minimal acts, was able to sway many Black voters to the Democratic Party. Though the acts of the Democratic Party were not much more than the acts of the Republican Party, any improvement was viewed as better.  

Although there were many members of the Black Community who were upset with the lack of action by the Republican Party on behalf of the Black Community many Blacks continued to support the Republican Party until the 1960s when a Democrat from Massachusetts of Irish-Catholic descent by the name of John F. Kennedy hit the scene. Nearly 70 percent of Black people in America who voted cast their votes for JFK. He and Robert Kennedy, his brother, acts to desegregate the south were looked upon with great admiration. After the death of JFK, Lyndon B. Johnson’s support and passing of the Civil Rights Acts gained support from the Black Community for another 60 years. It appears that when either party can enact legislation that is dynamic for its time, they gain the loyalty of the Black Community for 2 or 3 generations. Well, the shock of the Democratic Party’s legislation is coming to an end and the present Black Community demands more. 

 Sellout is the term used for any Black person who even considers voting for a Republican candidate in today’s world. However, historically both parties have gained their support during eras of improvement from the Elites of the Black Community or the Downtrodden. The middle class of the Black Community is the one group that has led the charge to move toward the other party in all previous cases. It is becoming more prevalent in 2022 that the Democratic Party is comfortable with its relationship with the Black Community and is in no hurry to make a change. Joe Biden even went so far as to say that the Black Community alone was not responsible for his election. I am a firm believer in not staying where you are not appreciated. The time is right for Black voters to leverage our voting power to get results from either political party. Not to say that either party needs to be definitively chosen, but both parties should be put on notice that they must work for the Black vote. 

 It is hard to think of the last time the Democratic Party made a decision that benefitted the Black Community besides the appointment of a Token Black person or some half-assed holiday. Other races appear to get financial and social benefits that will provide generational wealth, while the Black Community gets symbolic victories. It often appears that the Democratic Party has read “Pimp” by Iceberg Slim. One of the key strategies Iceberg Slim used was to make women believe that no matter how little he did for them or how bad he treated them they would not be treated better anywhere else.  

 The few women who were able to escape his grasp either found strength in themselves or a person who was able to uplift them. As it appears the Black Community will not find better treatment anywhere else or be uplifted by anyone else. The development of a strong identity as a community would show both political parties that the Black Community must be dealt with in a respectable manner. The Jewish Community and Asian Community represent a small percentage of the American population, but they are beyond exceptional when it comes to getting whatever it is their communities want. Why? Because they have demonstrated strength without the aid of political parties.  

 Relationships run their course, and the relationship between the Black Community and the Democratic Party may be reaching an end. Not to say that the Republican Party is the answer, but there is a generation of Black people who are unhappy with the lack of effort being put forth by the Democratic Party. As that generation becomes older, they will be the decision-makers of the Black Community. Without any drastic change, I assure you that the Democratic Party will lose the support of the Black Community for the next two or three generations.   

It is the opinion of many people in Black America that young Black People are ignorant, unmotivated, and the cause of much of the turmoil in the Black community. As a relatively young Black man, I find this offensive that the older individuals of my race believe a generation of Black people under the age of 40 has managed to lower the status of Black people in this country. If anything, the perceived ignorance of young Black people in this country can be blamed on three things: 1.) The refusal of Black leaders to allow social evolution to occur, 2.) The refusal of older Black “leaders” to step aside, and 3.) the misconception that young Black people are disinterested as to what happens to Black people.

Social Evolution Denied

The Civil rights movements of the 1960s were a great time for Black America. We had leaders such as Martin Luther King, Jr., Fred Hampton, Huey Newton, Malcolm X, Angela Davis, and Bobby Rush just to name a few. The concept then was to march, cause a commotion, and draw attention to the causes of racial and social injustice in America. However, it is now 2022 going into 2023. The old ways simply will not work now. Do not misconceive what I am saying; attention must be drawn, actions must be taken, but the methods must change. 

Is it me or does it seem that the “Black Leaders” we have only made themselves available to the public when there is a newsworthy event or election taking place? Is it just me or do our “Black Leaders” make an attempt to remove themselves from the communities they garner support from. I cannot blame a generation of people who refuse to support “Black Leaders” who only come around for newsworthy issues and refuse to live around the people they wish to garner votes and support from. 

We have been brainwashed into believing that only one type of leader must stand at the forefront; one that is articulate, well-dressed, attractive, and religious. Therefore, an ebonics-using, saggy pants-wearing, ugly, atheist is incapable of understanding the problems of the black community? What so many people in the Black Community fail to understand is that the so-called “underbelly” of our community has a better understanding of the problems our community faces than anyone else. 

The main problem with the older Black community members is that they believe that if you are not what they believe leaders to be then you are incapable of leading or making a relevant contribution to the community. Black youth today, with their many faults, are smarter and more gifted than at any other time in history. The problem is the older black generations failed to nurture these talents. I refuse to believe that a group of blacks under the age of 40 managed to destroy what past Civil Rights Leaders worked for. The truth of the matter is that after the deaths of King, Newton, Hampton, and X black people gave up. Nothing was built upon what they did, no evolution took place. Therefore, if this house we call the Black Community is damaged, it is because the foundation was cracked long ago. 

Social evolution must occur. Many young Black people are not religious, yet spiritual, not educated, yet intelligent, not motivated, yet driven. What is the cause of this? For 50 years “Black Leaders” have preached the same thing and accomplished very little. Therefore I cannot blame young Black people for refusing to follow a plan they perceive as ineffective. However, I can blame older Black people for continuing to follow a plan that has proven ineffective. 

The Refusal of Black Leaders to Step Aside

When will the old guard step aside? They claim to reach out to the youth but their methods have proven ineffective. They only appear at newsworthy events and speak down to the masses as great saviors. However, their message was lost long ago and they can no longer relate to the new generation.

They must step aside, and I do not believe it is their job to nurture the next generation of leaders. First, these individuals have proven themselves to be glory hounds; therefore they find it hard to step out of the spotlight. The individuals they attempt to mentor must first stand in the background until there is no profit left for these men to make from being black leaders. 

A new black leader must rise from the masses and be one who has suffered with the people. He or she does not have to be articulate, yet be heard. For too long have we Black people fallen prey to fast-talking, articulate pastors and activists who had only their own interests in mind. Give me someone who speaks plainly and honestly. Give me an ugly person, therefore they will not care about the dirty work they must do. 

It appears that Black America only has three options to go through before new leadership can rise. First, the old guard can graciously step aside and allow new leadership to take the reigns. This is unlikely, however, the most logical. Secondly, an intellectual civil war can take place within the black community, however, infighting will accomplish nothing. Finally, the old guard can simply die and become too feeble to interject themselves. Whatever the solution one must be selected.

The Young Black Youth Just Don’t Give a Damn

The belief that Young Black youth don’t give a damn is far from the truth. Young Black people have the same needs that the older generations want; Food, shelter, clothing, and employment. Albeit the journey the younger generations must go through is longer and tougher than the one the older generations had to travel. It is not that the youth do not care, they do not care for the options they are given. Many Black youths have self-imposed problems, however, the journey was not made easy for us. 

Crack and the projects hit the black community in the 1980s like a hurricane. I doubt that any child would have chosen to be born in gang-infested and crack-infested slums. My question is where were all of these “Black Leaders” when this Black House they care so dearly about was being infested with crack, gangs, and disparity? Many of them moved away and the rest simply removed themselves from the situation.

Therefore, due to the fact that many “Black Leaders” are no longer in the neighborhoods that are virtual warzones they have lost the right to question the resolve of the youth there. They do not have the right to compare past social circumstances to current social circumstances unless they have experienced both first-hand. The sad part is that many older black people have not experienced what young Black Americans have experienced, will not experience it, and care not to experience it. But there are many members of the old guard willing to pass blind judgment, offer blind advice, and all too willingly be blind leaders. And if the blind is leading the inexperienced, the inexperienced are truly the fools. We cannot blame a generation that refuses to be fools. Due to their refusing to do things in a traditional manner or manner perceived as “correct”, the Black youth are deemed ignorant. It’s not that they’re ignorant, they just see the lack of progress that has been made and refuse to do the same.