Let's see now, we have many organizations and individuals who fight for the civil and international issues of Black people. The issue of today is criticizing without self critique. I have listened as brothers and sista's alike complain about the direction and tactics of Reverend Al Sharpton and Reverend Jesse Jackson as well as the N.A.A.C.P. and the Urban League. My question to them is; what are your tactics? And why do they feel the need to come to your city to protest or fight for injustices? It's simple...it's because you are not there.
The fact that you mention their names during events of struggle is clear and present of their commitment to their respective causes. The truth is, if we stood up more, they would sit down. They are present because we are not! It is usually said "I wish they would go away" , "they're self serving"..etc.. While these accusations may be true, it doesn't take away from the fact that we are missing in the struggle. By us I mean those born after the 60's. Yes us late 60's, 70's and 80's children. Why can't we pick up the footballs of struggle we continuously blame and scorn our predecessor's for fumbling?
I believe it is an act of cowardice to attack the person who makes an attempt to liberate us, whether or not we agree with their methods, than assist them in attacking the obvious enemy. Do we have any organizations of substance created after the Black Power Movement of the 60's and early 70's? Or have we gotten fat off the blood and sweat of our ancestors and became Monday morning quarterbacks? Arm-chair revolutionaries?
In my personal opinion, the internet is a perfect opportunity for Africans to attack other Africans who don't see the struggle the same as they do. I myself suffer from this Willie-Lynch tactic of divide and conquer. People are separate even in our struggles to be free. We gotta find some common ground in this struggle for our lives. We gotta start protesting when we see problems in our own communities. There is enough of us to attack every problem we have. Liberation is not a one way street and neither was our MAAFA to this new world. Liberate your people yourself!
Uhuru Sasa
4 comments:
Good post.
Criticism without self-criticism is of no value to our struggle. We gotta scrutinize our strengths AND our weaknesses before we arrive at the answers we need to defeat the forces of oppression. After all, many of those forces are internal.
Furthermore, the arrogance that has permeated the Black Liberation Movement over the years must cease. After all, most of those "negro" groups we often criticize are much more successful in achieving their goals than we are. Even the good Rev. Jesse Jackson is shrewd enough to use his protest power to obtain a few well-paying jobs for some of our people. Agree with it or not, it falls squarely within the goals of his efforts.
What are our goals? Short and long term? Are they achieveable? If so, is there a timeline for actualization? Is there any mechanism to measure progress? My point, we got to tighten up our game.... self-criticism is an invaluable tool in the revolutionary process.
Checking thyself is what it all boils down to. This is a very good post in a time when we are surrounded by many armchair revolutionarys, via the internet, radio, work, etc. I have truly learned that it starts with self, if you cant account and defend your on actions, negative criticism for someone else is irrelavent.
Mama Jan Edison wrote:
Hey African;
I enjoyed reading your philosophical view on the need of more of our African people taking a firm stand on our self worth.
You must realize that a large majority of us really do not understand nor do they give a care about our existence.
They don’t even know who they are. Their brains are stuck on ROOTS, and can’t seem to get beyond the slave mentality.
That is why I definitely agree with Carter G. Woodson; we were and still are miseducated; but we need more brothers like you
To define the realness and purity of our culture, and how we must restore and prepare our people to stand strong
as critical thinkers, able to progress through all of this nonsense and selfishness.
As the Bible says, we must remove the speck from our eye before we even think of telling someone else he needs to remove his.
We find it so difficult to work together for the good of ours, but have no problem getting our groove on.
Before any of this can take place, we must trust and acknowledge the Holy Spirit; for it is he who equips us with the wisdom and the true
Knowledge of perseverance.
Keep workin it brother!
You are doing what is necessary to keep our people thinking!
Peace Brother African
You are correct in your assessment that the current generation is absent in the necessary battles to liberate self and kind. You are also correct that some of this is due to cowardice. I submit that a majority of this is due to the lack of knowledge of our story, culture, sciences, and the list goes on. Another added point is that of poverty, depression, and plain old fear of loss of life.
Many of our generation lacks the ability to respond (responsibility) effectively to the conditions of our communities today. We are trying to put a bandaid on a wound that requires rigorous deep cleaning and suturing. That process requires much pain, courage, and willingness to do whatever it takes to heal and bring balance to the communities in which we live.
Not everyone has the ability to go through such pain. Those that have the ability should get up and do.Those that lack the ability should be able to sit out this round and not interfere with those that are actively bringing about change.
Lastly, Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson are not change agents. They are media and community pacifiers and I for one no longer need a pacifier.
Wadu
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