Fight the Power

Hey everyone my people made me soooo proud this morning. We went down to Jena and let them know we are not having it. Y’all know black people don’t play about their babies. But on a serious note, it’s time that we start holding on to our kids and let them know that simple mistakes can cost them their lives. I for one am tired of seeing so many black men go to jail, leaving behind broken families. Rallying for justice is great, but we must work to keep our children out of the justice system period! Even in my own family I have lost people to jail and to death due to poor choices and stupid mistakes. I would love to see the day when there are more black men in college than in jail, the day when marriage is a standard in the black community or when more black men become head of the house. This rally in Jena says that we as a community are tired, tired of the same ole, same ole, sitting in courts watching the judge sentence our boys with inadequate representation, or burying our kids way too young.

As I watched the thousands of black people match and chant “black power” I was so proud. I am sure that the Jena 6 thanked God that so many cared enough to protest on their behalf. However, the white people in the town still did not get it. CNN interviewed several white people in the town and they all claimed there was no racism in their town. Many said that it was outside people painting a distorted view of their town. It angered me that these people did not see the injustice in their judicial system. Now, don’t get me wrong I do believe that the boys should be punished for the fight, but the punishment should fit the crime.
I was amazed that so many people went to the area where the “white tree” once existed just to feel the dirt and show solidarity. I was a bit upset that CNN was the only major news show documenting this monumental moment in history. I kept flipping from CNN to Today to Good Morning America, to the Early Show and only CNN kept talking about the rally in Jena. It seemed that every other channel was consumed with O.J. and the Goldman/Brown family. It was if they were saying this is not even news worthy or putting up the middle finger to Black America. But that is okay because we are not doing this for media coverage we are sending a message that enough is enough. I have a correspondent in Jena and she will be updating me momentarily and I will update the post as more information beco

Calling It How I See It

People seem to be amazed at all the hatred and prejudice that still exist in America. But come on, really are we as a community really shocked at the racial intolerance lurking under the surface of America. The United States has been touted as “the melting pot” of the world, filled with opportunities as far as the eye can see. My response to that is yeah right. Although many people don’t see themselves as blatant racist, I know that I’m a racist. Yes I said it, I am a racist born and bred in America. Most of my life I’ve lived in the Mid-West, where racial segregation is accepted and white is often considered right. While I know all white people are not horrible people, I’ve been taught to secretly hate them and be on the look out for mistreatment. In my neighborhood white people were suspects, they were either 5-0, undercover cops, Politian’s, reporters or developers. It has never been said but I was subconsciously taught that when I am on an interview or handling important business it is always a good practice to “sound white”. I am not just talking about speaking correct English, I am referring to a change in the tone of the voice. Let’s face it, most of us have been taught to fear or hate other races and ethnicities. It has been entrenched in the minds of black people that discrimination is not an “if” thing, it’s a “when” thing. Discrimination is viewed as a semi- accepted practice that will enviably occur to every black person no matter how miniscule. Because of this we often are not shocked by the racial imbalance that is so deeply rooted in the culture of our country. The situation in Jena, LA is very extreme and racism often does not present itself in such a cut and dry way. However, what about the disparity in education based on the location of the school , the lack of consistent police presence in high crime areas, or the abundance of community services in areas that produce high tax dollars. These discrepancies of services represent racial discrimination based on financial class. Think of one place where racial discrimination does not exist , if you were thinking the church think again and read the following obtained from the South Carolina Gazette…



Three white men who recently performed at a Gaston County church function dressed in “blackface” while they pantomimed traditional black hymns did so to honor gospel music history, said the pastor of Pilgrim Baptist Church. “It was in no way making fun,” said Thomas Holbrooks Jr., pastor of the church on Beaty Road. “Lord knows we love the old spirituals they sing. That’s why they did it.”


Local black leaders, including Gaston County NAACP president Clyde Walker and David Moore, said members of Pilgrim Baptist should have celebrated black gospel music without wearing black makeup. “I have no problem with anyone that wants to sing black music, but to pretend that you’re a black person when you’re not a black person seems to be more of a mockery than a celebration,” said Moore, who is the president of the Gaston County Organization for Community Concerns. The organization is a non-profit working to improve the quality of life for local minorities.
Stephen York, a South Carolina resident who attends Pilgrim Baptist and used to teach school there, said he dressed in overalls, a flannel shirt and painted his face black as part of a skit for the church’s Mother-Daughter Banquet on the weekend before Mother’s Day. The group lip-synched to prerecorded hymns performed by black singers.


Teresa Holbrooks, the pastor’s wife, said church members were told to dress like Americans in the 19th century for the Mother’s Day event. The program also included other members of the church lip-synching with gospel music by white artists including Loretta Lynn and Randy Travis. She said the black face costumes were her idea. “A little tiny blonde woman sang Randy Travis. So I guess Randy Travis should be offended,” Teresa Holbrooks said. “My husband pantomimed playing the piano. So I guess the piano should be offended.”


So my theory is we all can use a little racial adjustment. Black people are not going back to Africa, White people are not going back to Europe, Mexicans are not going back to Mexico and basically we are all here to stay. I am working on my racial issues by attending a multi-racial church and I also have a white roommate. Although I sometimes refer to white people as “crackers”, “honkeys” and other colorful epithets, I do desire to know them better. In a later post I will be addressing what I am learning about the Caucasian culture and if or how my views are changing. I am hoping that by going to church and praising God with different ethnicities will help me see people as just people and not this group or that group. It is my plan to really try and change those charter flaws that does not allow me to grow in a way that is not pleasing to God. Understand, I will still be me, but a better me. I am not trying to be a “holy roller” or a religion fanatic , but I do want to be a person of good charter and integrity. This will surely be an exciting and hilarious journey so stay tuned. Also on another note , I have a correspondent going to the Jena 6 rally so look forward to a post about that as well.