Perspective On Ending Racism
Nice Theory, But Not Practical
September 2020
Eradication of racism is a common theme that is promoted in the media today. I am not quite sure what that means. But let’s explore the issue as it relates to the journey of the Black community.
I once caught a snippet of an interview with Hillary Clinton concerning racism. She set forth the notion that the issue is not changing the heart, but changing policies. I can understand the intent of the notion.
I agree we cannot change the heart, the soul, the spirit and the history of capitalism associated with racism. Racism did not start in the United States of America and Christopher Columbus. The only thing that Columbus learned (not discovered in 1492) was events associated with the history of Africa; those events of European invasion, looting of resources and colonization of African countries, dating back to the Greek invasion of ancient Egypt. To think that the DNA of racism can be eradicated is not wishful thinking, but ludicrous thinking. As racism is the root of the tree of white nationalism, so too is the fruit born of racism – white privilege. The undeniable centuries of this history is without refute.
So, I agree with Mrs. Clinton, “changing the heart”, it ain’t gonna happen. However, changing policies is but a piecemeal approach; not holistic in nature. To address an issue of social justice, an issue of health care, an issue of poverty, an issue of education, an issue of incarceration, has done little for the Black community. In actuality Black people have always been, and continue to be, subject to the worst of these issues. Policies are always well intended, like the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994. However, that policy resulted in the mass incarnation of Black men. The problem with policies is that they are passed by red ties, white shirts and blue suits in Washington, D.C., while away from their suburban and rural homes. At the end of the day, policies are no different than the heart.
The tragedy of racism (or the brilliance of the philosophy, depending on your perspective) is its’ impact on the Black community. History tells us that the house Negro was of a higher class than the field Negro. The house Negro thought himself to be better than the field Negro. If you think that same mentality does not exist today, then you’re lying to yourself. Bouguise Blacks are more concerned with being accepted by racist and privileged liberals than we are in uplifting our Black poverty stricken communities.
So, white racist, white liberal, bouguise Black, let’s talk about Eric Garner. On July 17, 2014, Mr. Garner was selling loose cigarettes in urban New York, as he did on previous occasions. Had he not died that day, what would the reaction have been in seeing him on the corner?
I once caught a snippet of an interview with Hillary Clinton concerning racism. She set forth the notion that the issue is not changing the heart, but changing policies. I can understand the intent of the notion.
I agree we cannot change the heart, the soul, the spirit and the history of capitalism associated with racism. Racism did not start in the United States of America and Christopher Columbus. The only thing that Columbus learned (not discovered in 1492) was events associated with the history of Africa; those events of European invasion, looting of resources and colonization of African countries, dating back to the Greek invasion of ancient Egypt. To think that the DNA of racism can be eradicated is not wishful thinking, but ludicrous thinking. As racism is the root of the tree of white nationalism, so too is the fruit born of racism – white privilege. The undeniable centuries of this history is without refute.
So, I agree with Mrs. Clinton, “changing the heart”, it ain’t gonna happen. However, changing policies is but a piecemeal approach; not holistic in nature. To address an issue of social justice, an issue of health care, an issue of poverty, an issue of education, an issue of incarceration, has done little for the Black community. In actuality Black people have always been, and continue to be, subject to the worst of these issues. Policies are always well intended, like the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994. However, that policy resulted in the mass incarnation of Black men. The problem with policies is that they are passed by red ties, white shirts and blue suits in Washington, D.C., while away from their suburban and rural homes. At the end of the day, policies are no different than the heart.
The tragedy of racism (or the brilliance of the philosophy, depending on your perspective) is its’ impact on the Black community. History tells us that the house Negro was of a higher class than the field Negro. The house Negro thought himself to be better than the field Negro. If you think that same mentality does not exist today, then you’re lying to yourself. Bouguise Blacks are more concerned with being accepted by racist and privileged liberals than we are in uplifting our Black poverty stricken communities.
So, white racist, white liberal, bouguise Black, let’s talk about Eric Garner. On July 17, 2014, Mr. Garner was selling loose cigarettes in urban New York, as he did on previous occasions. Had he not died that day, what would the reaction have been in seeing him on the corner?
- Other than the police officers, there probably would not have been many racist in the area. They would have been watching cable. “That nigger is on the street breaking the law. He should be arrested.”
- The liberal probably would have purchased a cigarette for sake of their consciousness. At the dinner table, “I purchased a cigarette from a Negro today.” “But, you don’t smoke.” “Yes, but I wanted help the Negro community.”
- And the bouguise Black, “The nigga needs to get a full-time job. I pulled myself out of the cut, so should he.”
The fact is Mr. Garner died that day from being strangled at the hands of a New York City police officer (a government employee). The employee lost his job, but he was not convicted of a crime. So, a Black man selling loose cigarettes is a crime. But, a government employee putting a strangle hold on a Black man to the point of death is not a crime? That policy escapes my intellectual grade level. I guess I am just stupid.
Ida B. Wells, as far back as 1892, crusaded against lynching (hanging, burning, shooting) of Black people. Read her autobiography, and ask yourself how different are things today?
Given the history, and current events, I would ask, which group (racist, liberal, and bouguise) is more honest and true to their values? I would submit that it is the white racist. The invasion and colonization of African countries, the enslavement of Black people, lynching and strangling of Black people is the heart and soul of a racist. Eric Garner was a nigger before, on and after July 17, 2014.
As for the liberal, I see the Black Lives Matter (BLM) signs in their neighborhoods. (Funny thing is I don’t see the signs in Black neighborhoods. Maybe it’s because we’ve always known that black lives matter. We don’t need a sign of conveyance.) So, when I see those signs, I wonder if it is:
Ida B. Wells, as far back as 1892, crusaded against lynching (hanging, burning, shooting) of Black people. Read her autobiography, and ask yourself how different are things today?
Given the history, and current events, I would ask, which group (racist, liberal, and bouguise) is more honest and true to their values? I would submit that it is the white racist. The invasion and colonization of African countries, the enslavement of Black people, lynching and strangling of Black people is the heart and soul of a racist. Eric Garner was a nigger before, on and after July 17, 2014.
As for the liberal, I see the Black Lives Matter (BLM) signs in their neighborhoods. (Funny thing is I don’t see the signs in Black neighborhoods. Maybe it’s because we’ve always known that black lives matter. We don’t need a sign of conveyance.) So, when I see those signs, I wonder if it is:
a. The liberal “flavor of the day” thing of intellectual interest
b. Support for the BLM organization
c. A genuine concern, and investment in, the lives of Black people
b. Support for the BLM organization
c. A genuine concern, and investment in, the lives of Black people
I would submit that it is “a” and or “b”. BLM was founded in 2013. I never saw any signs related to black lives before 2013. But, on the outside chance that I am wrong, and the answer is “c”, there is an issue that has been at hand since the Emancipation Proclamation of 1863. That issue is REPARATIONS. At first, the Negroes were told it was too early. Now the Black community is told it is too late. By my calculation the issue has been before us for over 150 years. So, if by chance the liberal answer is “c, a genuine concern, and investment in, the lives of Black people”, I would ask that they install another sign on their properties, “I Support H.R. 40, Reparation for Black Lives.”
I am tempted to ring the doorbell of a liberal that has a BLM sign. But I may be greeted with “Hello, I don’t need any loose cigarettes today.”
Bouguise, “my people, my people”, I know we do not think of ourselves as the house Negro. But, as the house Negro did not go into the fields, nor does the bouguise want to visit poverty. Poverty: living next door to a boarded and dilapidated house, rat infested alleyways, eyes of hopelessness, existing to just get by, are conditions of Black communities that we have little interest in. I am not suggesting that one should pull up in the Mercedes Benz, and start talking to someone about changing his or her way of living. You might get a beat down, and I cannot be held responsible for that.
At this moment I am asking that you explore your thoughts (and hearts) concerning Black people living in poverty. Our thoughts result in our words, and ultimately our non-actions in this case. We come upon the “squeegee” young brother at the traffic light, and say “Do not wash my window”, and think “Why ain’t he in school?”, “Why don’t he pull his pants up, nobody wants to see his underwear?” Personally, I always try to make sure I have dollar bills with me. I never let him squeegee my window, but I give the brother a dollar. And, there’s always the courtesy of “thank you, sir.” I always wish that I have some meaningful words. But, how much can you say at a 30 second traffic light?
There is a difference between the field Negro and Blacks living in poverty today. That difference is of PURPOSE. I am not an historian. But, I believe that the majority of Negroes that battled with Nat Turner were the field Negroes. That purpose, of course, was to be free. That purpose was not to live in poverty. The reason some of us have a better standard of living today is because of the field Negro.
If you believe that the squeegee young brother is less than you, then you may have forgotten the purpose of the field Negro. And, you may have fallen into that racist and privileged heart category.
It’s easy to be Black during moments of outrage (killing of Eric Garner and George Floyd), and the associated 30 days of media coverage. But who are we when there is only criticism for the daily existence (selling loose cigarettes, writing bad checks, squeegee of windows), the 335 non-media days? Embracing Black 8% of the year is not Black.
We cannot depend on policies or changing the heart of racism to bring Black people out of poverty, and into an existence of prosperity. We need to instill a revolution of purpose.
I am tempted to ring the doorbell of a liberal that has a BLM sign. But I may be greeted with “Hello, I don’t need any loose cigarettes today.”
Bouguise, “my people, my people”, I know we do not think of ourselves as the house Negro. But, as the house Negro did not go into the fields, nor does the bouguise want to visit poverty. Poverty: living next door to a boarded and dilapidated house, rat infested alleyways, eyes of hopelessness, existing to just get by, are conditions of Black communities that we have little interest in. I am not suggesting that one should pull up in the Mercedes Benz, and start talking to someone about changing his or her way of living. You might get a beat down, and I cannot be held responsible for that.
At this moment I am asking that you explore your thoughts (and hearts) concerning Black people living in poverty. Our thoughts result in our words, and ultimately our non-actions in this case. We come upon the “squeegee” young brother at the traffic light, and say “Do not wash my window”, and think “Why ain’t he in school?”, “Why don’t he pull his pants up, nobody wants to see his underwear?” Personally, I always try to make sure I have dollar bills with me. I never let him squeegee my window, but I give the brother a dollar. And, there’s always the courtesy of “thank you, sir.” I always wish that I have some meaningful words. But, how much can you say at a 30 second traffic light?
There is a difference between the field Negro and Blacks living in poverty today. That difference is of PURPOSE. I am not an historian. But, I believe that the majority of Negroes that battled with Nat Turner were the field Negroes. That purpose, of course, was to be free. That purpose was not to live in poverty. The reason some of us have a better standard of living today is because of the field Negro.
If you believe that the squeegee young brother is less than you, then you may have forgotten the purpose of the field Negro. And, you may have fallen into that racist and privileged heart category.
It’s easy to be Black during moments of outrage (killing of Eric Garner and George Floyd), and the associated 30 days of media coverage. But who are we when there is only criticism for the daily existence (selling loose cigarettes, writing bad checks, squeegee of windows), the 335 non-media days? Embracing Black 8% of the year is not Black.
We cannot depend on policies or changing the heart of racism to bring Black people out of poverty, and into an existence of prosperity. We need to instill a revolution of purpose.
