“BP: While I completely acknowledge the historical fact of white responsibility …how long do we wait for white folks to change? And what do we get out of continuously speaking truth to someone who can’t hear? We have so much changing and growing to do ourselves yet have the time to muse on when the drunk will finally put the plug in the jug and stop. It may likely never happen.
Whites have no incentive, NONE, to change. What’s the downside of racism/white supremacy for them? It is our people who need to change because Plymouth Rock rests on us – those of us who can change that is – and we need to ally ourselves with anybody who is “truly” conscious….whatever that means.
“Organization presupposes unity,” so said Kwame Nkrumah. We need to organize and let those other chips fall where they may. What is our vision for a new world? Where are we going? What do we want to do? “Appealing to the moral conscience of white folks,” who have neither morals nor conscience according to Malcolm, seems like a futile exercise, no matter how much truth we invest in the telling.” thefreeslave
Every once in a while (unfortunately not often enough), I read something which causes my inner being… my soul to applause. The above comment by Lubangakene, aka thefreeslave, on the post “When Will America Take Responsibility For Slavery?” is one of those moments. It hits at the heart of my beliefs on what we need to do as a community… as a people… to empower ourselves.
Brotherpeacemaker dropped a powerful post on why white people in America are historically responsible for slavery and the benefits they continue to reap even today from the status quo it created. In asking the question: “When Will America Take Responsibility For Slavery?” , it is necessary to ask ourselves also: “What do we expect America, white people in particular, to do to take this responsibility?” Are we seeking an acknowledgment of their sins through an apology? Are we seeking a humble plea for forgiveness? Are we seeking reparations? Are we hoping that white people will take us to their bosoms, accept us as their brothers and sisters, and treat us like one of their own? Lubangakene is right on point when he states that white people have no incentive to change… so we must change… and unite.
One of the life changing realizations I came to during my pilgrimage to Africa, was that the beliefs and values of the eurocentric society in which I lived… it’s way of thinking… it’s way of seeing and defining the world… was not as powerful as I had always believed. I immediately became emancipated of it’s grip on my spirit, soul, body and mind. I then made a conscious decision to embark on a process (which continues to this day) to change: to empower myself… to strip away the fear to embark into unknown territory… to continually redefine myself as the basis of my ever transforming relationship with God, other people and society in general.
In regards to the eurocentric dominant culture, this has meant four things. One, I no longer felt any responsibility to be their teacher (and/or confessor… as a way for them to ease the angst of their white privilege) on the effects of white supremacy – eurocentric superiority thinking and practice on people of colour. Two, I had no desire for the material and/or societal trinkets which signifies “success” in their society. I could no longer be bought. My soul… beliefs, values and principles… are more important to me than to “gain the world”. Three, I don’t expect anything from white people. I don’t expect them to be fair. I don’t expect them to be just. I don’t expect them to be empathetic to my situation or to the struggles of people of African descent. I don’t expect them to take any sort of responsibility for their past, present or future behaviours. Finally, I care about all people… regardless of nationality, ethnicity, colour, religion, gender, age and sexual orientation… who are oppressed and/or taken advantage of. I don’t compare and rate oppressions on a scale. However with that being said, the issues concerning people of African descent are first and foremost in mind… because I am one of them… and what we need to do, not only to overcome to survive, but more importantly, to empower ourselves to live, is the core of my cause.
The most significant consequence from this renewed mindset is that my primary focus is no longer on what the dominant society (or white people for that matter) do or did not do. It drains my energy that could be utilized for more empowering endeavours. My focus and therefore my energy, became taking control of my existence by continued empowerment through personal responsibility. Simply put, I realized that I had no power over what others did, but I was responsible for what I did and how I go about doing it. Life is dynamic. It’s about making choices. It’s about accepting or rejecting the opportunity to change… to grow. As I gain more spiritual and intellectual knowledge, as well as life experience, I go through the process… most often a painful process… to let go of what I had believed and valued… and change so I can grow.
Now this does not mean that I live in a dream world or believe that we will achieve nirvana anytime soon. The “damning” effects of racism aka white supremacy – eurocentric superiority thinking and practice, on the everyday lives of people of African descent worldwide, is real. It is entrenched… and due in part to globalization, it is widening, growing and deepening (another post for another day). It needs to be confronted and defeated daily! This certainly takes community commitment and community responsibility. However, it starts with personal commitment and personal responsibility. “Organization presupposes unity.” Well said.
“Where there is no vision, the people perish…” Proverbs 29:18.
Lubankagene poses these life affirming questions: “What is our vision for a new world? Where are we going? What do we want to do?” The issue then becomes: where should we focus our energies? He provides a key to this answer: “Appealing to the moral conscience of white folks, who have neither morals nor conscience according to Malcolm, seems like a futile exercise, no matter how much truth we invest in the telling.” Sweet!
“Emancipate yourself from mental slavery, none but ourselves can free our minds.” Bob Marley.
afrospear.wordpress.com 
“the beliefs and values of the eurocentric society in which I lived… it’s way of thinking… it’s way of seeing and defining the world… was not as powerful as I had always believed.”
It’s really amazing what a difference being in an environment outside of this nation makes on the psyche of brown people. I think people assume that it is like this everywhere – that brown people are seen as negative, as inferior, as un-empowered. But it is just not so. Being in a different country, particularly an African one, makes such a difference in self-empowerment, in self-esteem, in self-realization.
“I immediately became emancipated of it’s grip on my spirit, soul, body and mind.”
I hope that all can experience this feeling of freedom.
Great article. Props.
I just got back from a vacation in Puerto Viayarta Mexico and I agree with the feelings of liberation that us African Americans can experience when we visit another country. I had also read the comment a few weeks ago from the free slave ant the others you mentioned. Your comment about personal responcibility is somthing I try to live by. Also your comments about treating all races with respect. It is sad that Worldwide White dominance will not end soon.
I believe in Interracial power and it is my plan of action aganst White racism. Given time the Black, Yellow and Brown will blend out the white. I saw this in mexico last week with so many shades of Mexicans. One of the sales people selling womens dresses, pointed to his dark brown skin, wich was darker than mine. “He said I am Black enough to be your Daddy.” He was an Afro-Mexican with wavy hair and Indian features. He got the sale from me while I was on the beach. When ever I saw another Black person in Mexico I gave them the greeting head salute and when I could I talked with them about Obama.
Asa: Thanks for the linkage and kind words. You notice that the posts with the fewest comments here are the ones regarding personal responsibility, unity and building something for ourselves. And the latest ‘white folks done me wrong song’ is number one with a bullet.
We tend to center – and this has been true of me – white people and decenter ourselves. With our obsessive talk, documenting their every transgression while ignoring our own, we build them up and necessarily MUST put ourselves down in comparison. It is unavoidable. You can’t perpetually talk about what someone else is doing to you without making that person your God. What are you doing for yourself black man, black woman besides talking about them???
Now, I know this isn’t conscious behavior, I pray that it is not. But I don’t care how many times you mention the white man’s evil deeds, if you aren’t putting more energy into what you are doing for yourself, you have simply internalized his racism and in your own twisted way, become trapped in a never ending cycle of the blame game.
We need SOLUTIONS that solve.
“God, grant me the serenity to accept the things that I cannot change (white folks), the courage to change the things that I can (ME), and the wisdom to know the difference.” Wisdom is in short supply but its out here if we drop our white addiction and confront ourselves, straight with no chaser.
It is very true that people in the black community need to realize the actuality of our predicament. The black community does not have the luxury of sitting back and waiting for white people to change their minds and do right by us. What I find unfortunate is the fact that a large portion of the black community doesn’t even realize our predicament with respect to our relationship with our white counterparts.
Honestly, white people will never change. It is very true that they have no incentive to change. They already have everything. Unfortunately, it appears that black people are content not to change as well even though we have every incentive to do so. We have simply adapted to our condition and have handed over control of our fate to the racially generic but overwhelmingly white dominates. We have simply self medicated ourselves with material distractions and a perpetual pursuit of immediate gratification into forgetting our lot.
I find it difficult to organize with people who have no interest in organizing. It might just be me but I feel it is necessary to remind people in the black community exactly where and who we are. White people say it’s little more than the pathetic refusal to take responsibility and pull ourselves up by our boot strap. Black people will say it’s another look what the white folks done to me song. Whatever. It really doesn’t matter. Black people still need to wake up.
Peace
“I find it difficult to organize with people who have no interest in organizing.”
The flip side to this comment for me is that there are Black people organizing around issues that I have no desire to utilize my time and energy to be involved with. For example… there are numerous Black people organizing to get Obama elected. Regardless of what others may think, I am neither “anti” nor “pro” Obama, but there are many Black people who sincerely… some fanatically… believe that him becoming President is the best hope (or chance) for the Black community… not only in America but worldwide. There are also those who organize around the issues advocated by Jesse and Al and even Bill Cosby. There is no doubt in my mind that they are also sincere in their belief that what they are engaged with, is in the best interest of Black people. My view is find your calling and organize with like-minded individuals who share your vision.
“White people say it’s little more than the pathetic refusal to take responsibility and pull ourselves up by our boot strap.”
Those who visit here regularly know I am not one prone to swearing… however: “Fuck what white people say…” [;o)
“Black people will say it’s another look what the white folks done to me song. Whatever. It really doesn’t matter.”
There are those who hear a different song and march to another beat… but all are striving to get to the same place. It’s all relevant. It all matters.
“Black people still need to wake up.”
Everyday Bruh… Everyday! Me included!
Blessings.
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Great post, I especially find this quote powerful: