Superville Review

Black people are not monolithic, homogenous in thought or deed. That being said, we cannot afford a separation between what racial classification denotes as “black” people and wickedness classifies as, “nigger.”

Chris Rock’s infamous observation was a profound one at the time he presented to the masses in one of his many successful and socially relevant cable television comedy specials. But there are certain elements of black professionals who seek to banish lower class, see poor, out of the black community. Issues of teen pregnancy, unwed mothers, sexually transmitted diseases, disbelief in education and false pride about the authority of a “boss” must be addressed, but by no means should be utilized as a tool to wedge a divide between the black lower class and their quickly descending compatriots in the shrinking black middle class.

I was six years old, in first grade, caught in the middle of an unruly line of children awaiting entrance into the classroom the first time I was called a nigger. He was dirty blonde, plump, disheveled white boy named Lee. At thirty-two years of age, two academic degrees and a job at a major Hollywood studio later, in a traffic dispute in a kitschy Los Angeles neighborhood, a white man, whose name I did not know and never found out, felt he could put me in my place with the same word that had slapped my ears more than twenty-five years earlier. This is the foolishness of a black people versus nigger mode of thinking. Accomplishment does not buy a black man or woman an out clause in the contract of ignorance. In the example I shared I was just a nigger with two degrees, one a Master’s degree, and a sexy job in show business. In the mind of a racist there is no delineation or bonus point for a status stamped upright citizen or doer of great deeds. In some backwoods Mississippi farm houses or skyscraper board rooms Oprah Winfrey would be nothing more than a nigger. Some would tell her that to her face while others would no doubt have the great courage to whisper it behind her back.

Volunteering, mentorship, public policy focusing on educational and economic development are some ways to repair some of the issues that have kept poverty-stricken black Americans an item that the black bourgeoisie would like to shove into the back of a dark closet. The means mentioned above must be implemented to stop the slide of that very same bourgeoisie into the nigghetto that many of them have risen from. Black America does not need to think alike, act or re-act alike, but the crucial and basic thing we must be about realizing is that we are all people imbued with a humanity that should be respected for its own value. Poor is a lack of wherewithal; specifically, cash and opportunity. It does not, inherently, mean ignorant or morally inferior, although immorality and ignorance exists in some project developments, apartments, and people in this economic bracket. However, those same immoralities and purposeless ignorance exists in the various tiers of government, the judiciary, the Christian right and the Christian left. None of these agencies would use a cut-off-your-nose-to-spite-your-face mode of operation. Not only would this serve to weaken any nation or agency, but would rob any socio-political agenda of its life’s blood. The civil rights movement, the farm workers, and the unions of northern blue collar industries were all manned and led by people who were not economically dominant. Young, poor people are the foot soldiers in a war for change. When politically engaged and shown a proper path, these soldiers are priceless. Yet, it is this very group, a sub-section within a sub –division of class that is being cast adrift.

Dr. Bill Cosby went on a barnstorming tour of the United States highlighting problems of the black underclass. Dr. Michael Eric Dyson has defended the honor of these black people. I believe that both Dr. Cosby and Dr. Dyson have offered truths that must be acknowledged. The black underclass should be treated with respect and with an eye that takes in the societal barriers that cause the economic drought and opportunistic blight they find themselves in, while at the same time being held accountable for the bad choices or lack of making any choices, that serve to keep them stuck in a place of immobility and helplessness.

If one truly subscribes to W.E.B. DuBois concept of a talented tenth reality then black people have as many issues to answer for as our “niggers” do. The chief questions that have to be asked, in front of bathroom mirrors or car window reflections, is why has that tenth given up the promise and reach of their assumed power to help ninety percent in need? Are the ninety percent to blame for all or some of the problems of the lower class brothers and sisters or has the tenth sold them out of the black race into a nigghetto to banish faces they were not talented enough to help in the first place? The more horrific question looming on the horizon is if the house and field slave mentality been preserved within this very battle of black middle class versus black lower class. Have the tenth turned their backs on the field in an attempt to curry favor with the economic house that keeps them one step beyond the portal back into poverty? This scenario, allowing, in essence, a talented tenth disciple an ability to feel better in their accomplishment and have the basic capitalist need fulfilled that calls for one to feel better than another based on class and economic standing. This scenario must be spoken against and fought at every turn to ensure the black nation, not of homogeny, but of a mutual respect that allows counsel, acceptance and transformation.

Labels: Black America, Black People, Class Status, Nigger

Jerry Falwell is a man of accomplishment, a man of passion and faith. These things are evident. His civic mindedness is admirable. However, a vote for a Republican is not a vote for Jesus. Ted Haggard, Mark Foley, and on and on, prove that Republican's are not exception to the rule that man falls short of the glory. Falwell says he would like to take America back to a time such as his youth in the 30's and 40's, an era, he believes, when America was guided by a moral value system. Of course, the good Reverend was quick to point out that he wouldn't want the segregation of his native south to be a part of that flashback. I wonder... See that thinking is flawed from the first thought. The moral compass of America was never all that moral. One cannot return to a past Reverend Falwell calls moral, then have the audacity to want to leave out the demonic nature of discrimination. For the very foundation and system of the country to be in cahoots with racists, the original terror organization known as the Ku Klux Klan and other such organizations, politicians and law enforcement that legislated 2nd class status and a failure to protect and serve all citizens of the country, reveals, blatantly, a lack of moral authority. There was no justice in blacks only and white's only, the "strange fruit" swinging from southern trees in Billie Holiday's song or Japanese internment camps in the early 40's. There's enough injustice to go around that makes Falwell's rationalization of a moral America, hypocritical or outright blind.

The truth is that God, in the bible, gave every man free will to believe in the miracle of Jesus. No one was forced and while it is every Christian's job to conform themselves to the example set by Jesus, it is not our job to sit in judgement of others, nor force our will upon others, the same way a Christian would not want the belief system of another forced upon us. Leaders of nations are appointed by God. This is scriptural fact. Whether we like the leadership we eventually receive or not, Christians, as believers in the word of God, must understand and accept this sometimes bitter pill. I would not mind seeing prayer in public schools, while at the same time I agree to a woman's right to choose. If abortion is truly a hot button topic for conservatives then sex education better become a serious lecture topic in junior high and high schools. Abstinence for children unable to deal with unwanted pregnancies is ideal, but is not realistic in this era of civilization; a world that biblicially, is spinning toward an end full of pestilence, wars and rumors of wars amongst other chilling visions issued from the book of Revelation.

If Jerry Falwell does not advocate certain behaviors or people in his home, I am all for his right to run his house as he sees fit. What the Reverend need understand, however, is that the White House belongs to every American, even those he finds disagreement with in terms of spiritual outlook or specific lifestyles, and the occupant of that White House must build consensus and provide a place of comfort, compassion and vibrancy to all Americans.

Labels: Bible Scriptures, Black America, Conservatives, Diversity, Jerry Falwell

The Democratic party at some point in the nation's history overtook the Republican party for control as the party of the "common man," the doer of good deeds, the free thinker, the social justice manufacturer. Black American's more than many others became the trusted confidante of any Democratic candidate at the local, state or national level. Today, the Democratic party has taken that confidence for granted and African-America has fallen into a trap of familiarity that damages progress.

The Republican party, with it's economic and social paradigms of do-it-yourself, seems to have not taken into account or dealt in a real way with the foundation America was built on. A foundation one of their own, Abraham Lincoln, found to be wanting when he, despite his political reasons, put an end to slavery and backed that sentiment with the civil war. Today's version of the Republican party has itself to blame for the distrustful and cyncical gaze cast upon it by the black community. However, this reality should not be a free card to Democrats. Black voters will never get the best of any politician or political system until Democratic candidates are made to acknowledge, through action, issues of import across large sections of black America. Should a Republican candidate be the one to address these issues, in a way that makes sense, black voters owe it to ourselves to listen, and yes, vote for this candidate, in spite of what the traditional thought lines are regarding the GOP amongst many in African-America.

Some politicos might say issues are addressed during every election as it relates to labor, gender, and racial issues. However, the type of acknowledgement Americans of all stripes needs from their politicians is not the standard political talk; slogans, catch phrases, and buzz words that taste good, but leave their patrons malnourished. Black America needs some meat on the bones of candidate offerings. Education, health care, a living wage and equality always seem to be issues revolving in the orbit of black America. We need plans; a direct way for community objectives to be accomplished. If presidential candidates are not offering this then black people need to pass on their candidacy and move on to the next option.

As shredded as the relationship between a throng of black America and Republicans has become, the black voter needs to, at least, take in what the Republican potentials are saying, as well as the Independent candidates. Black America must become a well rounded voter in 2008 or be faced with a knowledge of problems that are not going to be solved in a manner timely enough for children, parents or neighborhoods.

Like the stunning girl hovering in the shadows of a red-light house party, black voters will have to play hard to get to see the agenda of politicians change. In making black votes a fluid entity instead of money in the bank the black agenda will become more important than it has been in some time. If one disputes the importance of black America all they need to do is look at the state of public education in inner-city America, unemployment in inner-city America and working poverty in inner-city America. If the black agenda, which calls for an address and quick change of these circumstances, was important, there would be qualified teachers leading class rooms, school buildings that are in repair instead of dis-repair, meaningful tax relief for the shrinking middle class and a living wage for those who work one job, two job, three job, four, to make ends meet, yet have no official health coverage outside of substandard care at county facilities.

The ballot has overtaken the bullet, but today, black voters, who will not present themselves as a people to be courted and catered to, by politicians across party lines, have taken the bullet and shot ourselves in the foot.

Labels: Black America, Democratic, Education, Health Care, Independent, Republican, Taxes, Voters