Freedom of creative expression is a wonderful thing. And who would have thought that the Klan and the Hip Hop Movement were unconscious comrades in arms. The history of the Klan has been to do everything possible to keep Black folk from living the American dream. Lynching, castrations, the incineration of Black people and their property and the killing of innocent people have been part of the KKK’s agenda in keeping Black folk in check. The idea was to keep us from participating in getting an education, decent employment, livable housing, and from participating in the political process.
What’s interesting is how young Black folk within the Hip Hop Movement have picked up the mantle of KKK thinking of oppressing their own people. A list of the images of Black folk that many in the Hip Hop Movement hold are: 1) To get an education is trying to be White. The KKK thought the same way after Slavery, and with the help of Jim Crow Laws, often made it illegal for Black people to get an education. 2) Black people who make it to positions of success `aren’t really Black’. How is it Black folk can question whether Barack Obama is Black enough, when he would have as much trouble trying to catch a cab in New York as any other person of color. 3) No Black person deserves respect and Black life is devalued. These folks do drive-by shootings, with little to no concern for the innocent people they may strike with bullets. This comes from a lack of self respect. They don’t believe they have much value and treat other Blacks the same way. To kill other Black folks is somehow okay to these people. These folks speak of respect without giving it. Convoluted? No doubt!
Now, this e-mail I recently received about the KKK and their disbanding because Black folk were doing the job so well, there was no longer a need for the KKK. Although this email was probably a hoax, a lot of truth was spoken here. Take a look!
The KKK Disbands: Leaves Their Job To Black Folks
The KKK leader stepped to the podium, his hood lowered around his shoulders and a look of disgust on his face.As long as we think knowledge is the property of White folks, we are doomed as a people. As Tabacco always says in his blog (quoting Kathleen Turner in the movie Body Heat), KNOWLEDGE IS POWER! And if I might add, it belongs to no one.
How many times do we have to see friends, relatives, and family have babies without men being there first hand with their families, and see these families struggle, before you say to yourself, THERE’S GOT TO BE A BETTER WAY. How many generations of children have to repeat these same errors before their parents teach them otherwise?
I get scholarship offers at least twice a week for minority Americans students who want to go to college but don’t have the money. Too many Black folk, especially Black men, are not taking advantage of what’s available. This is not the White man getting in the way – WE HAVE TO LOOK IN THE MIRROR. What has happened to the ethic that used to be in our community regarding the importance of going to school, and later college?
We have to work on learning who and what we are. Parenting is a crucial matter. Why is the Black community bereft of parental training services considering the number of our young men who go to prison and how little parenting seems to be happening in many communities? Why do we allow the criminal justice system, prisons (which are controlled by mainly Whites), and ex-cons to set the agenda for our neighborhoods and children? A lack of self worth and self love? Ignorance?
If you take the language of many young Black folk today, you’ll see it’s not that much different than any racist talking about Black folk. We demean our women with disrespectful language, demean our fellow Black brothers, and disrespect our own children by not being there as parents and guiding them to have a better life than our own.
Aids is of epidemic proportions in many of our neighborhoods. Responsible behavior is not something we have to ask White folks for – it’s in our grasp, under our control.
In New York, my clients are virtually all White. White folks see the value in the service I offer, whereas when I enter many Black establishments to sell my services, I’m greeted with as much contempt as I would be with a racist. 'A prophet is a prophet everywhere but in his own home town.'
The proportion of Black folk who believe other Black folk have nothing of value to offer is tremendous. It’s one of the problems that Barack Obama is having in drawing Black folk from Hillary Clinton. Black folk have historically believed White folks to have more value than us. This could be an albatross for Obama. Only the bling (jewelry), the cheddar (money), what you drive, what you drink, and what labels you wear are of any value in the Black community – at least according to the videos! Why do we want to perpetuate these images? The lionshare of the cash is still going to the White man.
Collectively, Black folk need to take a look within to come in line with their true identity which can free them from the chains still on the brain. Black folk are some of the most creative people in this country, with the White population getting more credit for our creations in money and power. This will only change when we start to believe in who and what we are. This will not come without taking the time to look within. Black folk tend to be some of the most religious people in this country, but as much as we love Jesus/Christ, we are being misled about His Message. Churches tend to teach us HOW TO BE A FAN OF CHRIST, but we are doing little with respect to His Message regarding our true identity (in Spirit) and the power we have because of it.
Racism in America will change when Black people begin to see ourselves the way the Spirit sees us. The current view is despicable!
QUESTION EVERYTHING! THAT'S WHERE THE TRUTH RESIDES. USE YOUR PERSONAL POWER.
It's interesting that Imus returns to the airwaves this week. I always
thought a month's suspension would have been enough. But you know how it
is with the media, they go overboard on an easy story. I want him to come
back with an edge, but also with respect for others.
If Martin Luther King were alive today, he would be shocked and appalled.
I heard someone say (probably a stand-up comic cuz I watch them a lot,
although there's usually a lot of truth in what they say) that when a Black
man gets out of prison, everyone greets and hugs him. They put him on a
pedestal, but when a Black man gets his Master's degree, they call him
uppity and, like you said, he's acting White.
word up, we use hip hop culture to educate, empower and enable young people
worldwide...the one dimensional mainstream lust affair with 'rap music' and
its imagery; causes us to fight hard for people to look beyond guns, hoes,
champagne and foul mouths, the minute we say we Hip Hop. Long live the true
culture and its lessons. invizible circle. IC. peace
D
This is just what I was referring to in your comments on GOD, SIN & FREE
WILL. Your fascination with me is strange considering how you attempt to
hide your identity in made up names that go to the same URL. This is the
last time I'm giving you a reaction. After that, you will eventually go
your own way. Have a good life, D! ;]