Allow me to present these questions to you directly:
1. What is your position, and more specifically, what do you suggest as an alternative to voting for the president, and
2. If you are a non-African American living in Canada, what dog do you have in this fight? What is your purpose of arguing that AFRICAN AMERICANS should not vote?
I was in a debate on an African American Facebook page about Barack Obama and the upcoming US 2012 presidential elections after I had posted this insightful article by Black Agenda Report: “Tired Old So-Called Leftists Give Same Old Excuses For Supporting Obama in 2012“. Of course the Obamabots (one in particular) took exception to the article and my continual opposition to the presidency of Obama. Par for the course, the strategy of “killing the messenger”… since it’s impossible to discount or refute the message… was employed by the Obamabots. Those in opposition to the Obama administration are termed “ignorant, turncoats, snitches and yes… Herman Cain!” (that last one really hurt, ’cause I consider myself much better looking than Herman…lol!)
The fact is though, I don’t take it personally. First, I am fully aware that there are two political plantations in America that most African Americans have enslaved themselves to. These “Plantation Negroes” would gladly give their lives (and some do) to defend their white master’s Democratic and Republican plantations to the detriment of their own self-interests as a community. Second, I’m not an African American, so I have no allegiances to either plantations, nor do I have an emotionally distorted/biased attachment to Obama just because he is Black.
Therefore in reality I have no “dog in this fight”. To be honest, I do get a somewhat juvenile guilty pleasure in riling up the Obamabots (especially one in particular), so whenever I get an opportunity to do so, I will post an anti-Obama article and he always takes the bait. Regardless, the fact is I do expect Obama to easily get re-elected. Why not? Under his administration, the rich have gotten richer, poverty levels are at an all time high in America, and American Corporate Imperialism continues to be expanded and entrenched militarily throughout the “Black and Brown world” unabated… by the 2009 Nobel Peace Laureate. Other than cosmetic and media manufactured differences, both Obama and Romney are pretty much the same guy. Obama has clearly stated that he is not the President of Black America, however his actions are clear that he considers himself the President of Corporate America, Hispanic America, Jewish America and Gay America.
I was asked the above questions by an admitted Obama supporter on the Facebook page. These are legitimate questions that I am happy to answer. In regards to the first, the plantation negro only envisions two choices. If you don’t reside on one plantation, then you must belong to the other. If you don’t support Obama and the Democrats, then by default you must support Romney and the Republicans. However, I do see other alternatives.
One is not to vote for either party. Both political plantations are corrupt and under corporate control, so they are in no way committed to serving the interests of the majority of the electorate… and African Americans in particular. It’s also counter-productive (as well as foolish) to take the approach to vote for the lesser of two evils. In the words of WEB Dubois: “I believe that democracy has so far disappeared in the United States that no “two evils” exist. There is but one evil party with two names…”
However, if one does believe that engaging in the current political process is the only avenue to address African American concerns, then why not field your own candidates under the banner of your preferred political plantation to influence your party and government policies for your own self-interests… sounds familiar? Whether their power was real or perceived, the handful of elected “Tea Party” legislators have been able to influence the policies and direction of the Republican Party, as well as that of the Obama administration. For as long as they have been around, why hasn’t the Congressional Black Caucus been able to have this type of impact within the Democratic Party, nor with the Obama administration? Could it be they are in reality just a group of “Plantation Negroes” whose purpose is to be stooges for the white masters of their Democratic plantation? If so, then they all need to be replaced. They are the real “turncoats and snitches”!
A third alternative is to get off the plantation altogether and research the policy positions of third party and independent presidential candidates. During the 2008 presidential campaign, if I was an American, I would have voted for Cynthia McKinney and Rosa Clemente of the Green Party. Interestingly, when I discussed with the plantation negroes who were going to vote for the then presidential candidate from their Democratic plantation, Barack Obama, the idea to support the McKinney and Clemente ticket… a Black and Hispanic woman whose political platform and policies were more in line with their interests, they all had the same response: “they won’t win”. Well that’s the classic American attitude… it’s not about principles… it’s all about winning!
The second question posed I find interesting. Isn’t it ironic that an American would ask what is my “purpose” in expressing an opinion on their electoral process!? Since World War II, which country has interfered most in the electoral processes and outcomes of African and Caribbean nations!? Which nation has continually assassinated our elected leaders that they couldn’t control and rigged elections to install the ones they could? Which nation has financed armed rebellions against our democratically elected governments, destabilized our countries economies, sponsored sanctions and embargos against our nations, vetoed United Nations efforts for our empowerment and encouraged our genocide by deed or silence? All for the purpose of corporate greed! The good ole USA! So let’s see if I understand this correctly: it’s quite alright for Americans to interfere in our political affairs abroad, but we… those of African descent in the motherland or diaspora… have no right to offer any opinion nor criticize your corrupt, corporate driven political plantation system? Such is the audacity of the plantaion negro.
As I discussed in my previous post: “African American Arrogance“, those of us of African descent outside of the USA are painfully well aware that “Black Americans are still Americans”. Most embody the American imperialistic worldview and display their American arrogance in their dealings with other people of color. It is therefore no surprise that African Americans make up a significant portion of the US armed forces and have no problem doing their patriotic duty by invading and killing other Black and Brown people for the glory of American Corporate Imperialism. In fact, the first commander of AFRICOM, created by President George W. Bush on the recommendation of then Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, to militarily recolonize Africa for American interests, was an African American, General William E. “Kip” Ward. See also:
AFRICOM and the Recolonisation of Africa
Obama’s Scramble for Africa
These two African Americans, “Plantation Negroes” from opposing political plantations, have this one thing in common. They are both warmongers who brought death, disease and destruction to the nations of Black and Brown people in the name of American Corporate Imperialism. Isn’t it also ironic that African Americans fear that voter i.d. laws are a strategy being employed by the Republicans to deny them of their right to vote, while these same African Americans are literally the foot soldiers of the American strategy to deny those of African descent worldwide, the right to vote for the governments of our choosing. The chickens have indeed come home to roost.
Therefore my answer to the question: “What is your purpose of arguing that AFRICAN AMERICANS should not vote?”, is the same as the (African) American soldiers and military helicopters I saw as a boy growing up in Jamaica, engaged in a supposed “drug war” against the supporters of the anti-US and pro-Castro political party, for the benefit of the pro-US government. I do so because I can.
afrospear.wordpress.com 
Interesting Article, however you speak of the Colonialization of Africa by the two so called “Plantation Negros” that is a non-fact at best. White folks have never stopped the colonialization of Africa, they may have stepped behind the puppet by they are the puppet masters. So if Obama can implement a policy that would weed out the corruption in Africa to stay stabilize the Socio-Political economies, which would result in a better quality of life for the people on the Continent, why not.
but* they are the puppet masters.
The whole idea that any western president could “weed out” a corruption in any so called third world country— much more Africa— is idiotic in the extreme, given the history of the west in Africa. The history of Nigeria, for example, puts the lie to this idea. Lots of people in this world have ideas about the corruption of Africa, few of these ideas have any respect or have done any research into the history of Africa in its own right, its own right to make honest mistakes as it undertakes the decades long climb out of colonial interference. Obama is just more of the same. It is completely idiotic to assume otherwise.
Have you, Michael Hureaux Perez (French/Hispanic?) given any thought to moving to any country on the Continent of Africa so as to provide those fortunate people with the great benefit of your anti-colonialist progress model?
Brother Asa, hey! Funny you should write this wonderfully reasoned post today. I was just laying in my bed last night, musing about what would happen on the off-chance that neither of these jokers won the election! I’m about 40 or so years past a Civics lesson , so I don’t really know — not that it matters cuz the folk “behind the curtain” would NEVER allow that to happen! But I digress. Hope you don’t min this bing a 2-part comment, but you’e ouched on some things I’ve been thinking a lot about as I go though yet another session of “doing my first works over” as Baldwin says.
“Therefore in reality I have no “dog in this fight”
Neither do I, Asa — for the same reasons you do not, except for the not being African-American part of course (though I never use that hyphenated moniker for myself).
“Regardless, the fact is I do expect Obama to easily get re-elected.”
So do I, and exactly for ALL the reasons you gave, along with the fact that he’s the perfect choice to dupe all the “Others” in this country (Blacks and Browns most especially) AND the bat-sh*t crazy Rs got nothin’ except a whole lotta Fear for the oppressed “Others” and a whole lotta Fear of being exposed as just like them for guilty, supposed to be “Liberal” whites.
“One is not to vote for either party.”
Well, that’s certainly my plan! Oh I know I’ll hear about how our ancestors died for this right, and they did. But I don’t think they knew then, what we know (or ought to know) now — that their blood would be shed and their lives lost for a cause that never had the intention of representing our needs equally — EVER. I also don’t think they ever thought that as a people, we’d just roll-over and die and forget from whence and whom we came, but we have IMHO.
Dubois hit the nail on the head a long time ago; none of us however were listening. Hell, it took me more than half my life to realize it! That’s what an assimilated/colonized mind will do for you!).
A couple posts I wrote during the run-up to the mid-terms echo exactly the point Dubois made:
– http://lets-be-clear.blogspot.com/2010/09/democrats-or-republicans-same-thing.html
– http://lets-be-clear.blogspot.com/2010/10/black-republicans-not-only-ones.html
“However, if one does believe that engaging in the current political process is the only avenue to address African American concerns, then why not field your own candidates under the banner of your preferred political plantation to influence your party and government policies for your own self-interests…”
And herein lies the rub. Because in my estimation, the Obama faithful really believed that’s what THEY did — when in actuality, it was the White Supremacist Capitalist Patriarchy (which does not only include whites; bell hooks explains it here: http://youtu.be/5-CV_ug09As/the whole lecture’s good if you have time to listen to all parts) IN the Democratic Party who fielded the Changeling’s candidacy. Black folk didn’t have a damned thing to do with it! Remember the sleight of hand by Donna Brazile & the Democratic Rules & Bylaws Committee, May 31, 2008 that resulted in halving the delegate votes from FL & MI which gave the Changeling the nomination?
“For as long as they have been around, why hasn’t the Congressional Black Caucus been able to have this type of impact within the Democratic Party, nor with the Obama administration?”
You pretty much answered your own questions and yes, if you ask me, they all need to be replaced.
Continued @ Pt. 2
Damn. I just left the plantation.
Slave and colonial mentalities are abundant on the continent of Africa and in the Diaspora. African American’s who enter the armed forces, do so for opportunity and not to further the imperialistic goals of America–at least most of them do. Their actions may support the regime’s oppressive agenda, but this is not the intent. It’s like saying that all of these Diaspora and continental Africans that are coming to the United States are coming to support the Apartheid like white supremacist socio-economic structure in the US that is committing Genocide on American born blacks. Their actions may indirectly give fuel to the internal oppressive system, but I am sure that this is not their intent when they come to the country. They come because they believe America to have better opportunity and more resources (regardless of the fact that these resources are stolen most-likely from the very countries that a lot of these people are migrating from). Black people are America’s subjects, and we contribute just as much (probably more) to our own domestic oppression, as we do to our fellow Africans in the Diaspora and on the continent. And they unconsciously reciprocate the contribution to our oppression by validating America’s falsified image of justice and opportunity. Which African Country, aside from Libya, has ever denounced the prison industrial complex in America. I’m not faulting the citizens of these countries; we just need to be clear that all Africans EVERYWHERE need to learn our collective history and current political situation so that we don’t contribute to each other’s demise.
Pt 2.
“During the 2008 presidential campaign, if I was an American, I would have voted for Cynthia McKinney and Rosa Clemente of the Green Party. Interestingly, when I discussed with the plantation negroes who were going to vote for the then presidential candidate from their Democratic plantation, Barack Obama, the idea to support the McKinney and Clemente ticket… a Black and Hispanic woman whose political platform and policies were more in line with their interests, they all had the same response: “they won’t win”. Well that’s the classic American attitude… it’s not about principles… it’s all about winning!”
That’s exactly what I did, even though I knew they wouldn’t win (full disclosure: I had a weak, assimilationist moment about Hilary before the Changeling got handed the nomination, because I knew she’d beat McCain. I know, I know — didn’t I say how long it’s been taking me to work on this stuff??! What I was really wanting was a woman to be president, because I thought, and still do, that a matriarchal bent on this society would be most beneficial. I certainly realize now though, she, with her “We came, we saw, he died” comment in Libya, wouldn’t have been any different from her male predecessors. Had it been between her and Cynthia McKinney, I’d have dropped her a** like a hot potato! :-D)
Besides the not winning, I think many Blacks still wouldn’t have voted for McKinney because they didn’t see her as being a “respectable” (for lack of a better word) Negro; she was the “loud,” “undignified,” paranoid, angry Black woman (in Congress for 10 years, by the way) who’d embarrassed them in their eyes (remember these? http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,189940,00.html; http://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/05/washington/05mckinney.html; http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/assessment/2002/04/cynthia_mckinney.html). She played their, “I’m sorry” games for a little while, but based on her life since Congress, I doubt that she meant it — and good for her I say!
And yep — here, it IS all about winning
“Isn’t it ironic that an American would ask what is my “purpose” in expressing an opinion on their electoral process!? “
Again, Brother Asa, you’ve answered your own question. And yes, I think you understand it all correctly when you say, “it’s quite alright for Americans to interfere in our political affairs abroad, but we… those of African descent in the motherland or diaspora… have no right to offer any opinion nor criticize your corrupt, corporate driven political plantation system? Such is the audacity of the plantation negro.” You see (and I make no excuse here), America is all most Blacks know (myself included before living in Panama and going to Africa the last 2 years), and the conditioning has been constant, so much so, that many of us ignore the fact that white supremacy thinks us sub-human compared to them. My friend (in my head at least), Mr. Baldwin put it exactly right:
“”I have said that the Civilized have never been able to honor, recognize, or describe the Savage. Once they had decided that he was savage, there was nothing to honor, recognize or describe.”
And through that kind of conditioning, with Blacks seldom seeking respite elsewhere for economic reasons; plain fear (I remember talking about my 1st trip to Gambia with a SC homegirl in the Army here, while we got our hair braided by my friend’s from Cote D’Ivoire and Burkina Faso. She said, “You went over there by yourself?!” (intimating the learned fear of the “savages”) — “I’d never do that!) or, an unwillingness, as you touched on in your Pt.1, to really get to know their true brethren/sistren — we end up with an “American exceptionalism” that doesn’t even include us!
“It is therefore no surprise that African Americans make up a significant portion of the US armed forces and have no problem doing their patriotic duty by invading and killing other Black and Brown people for the glory of American Corporate Imperialism.”
I agree with you — partially. I, too, was a part of those forces for a short time during some of my assimilationist/colonized mind stage. I remember saying, on more than occasion that, “I’d do this job for free!” But I didn’t totally understand the ramifications then (though I was never in a battlefield position, which makes it no less heinous as it relates to the Continent). I was there for 3 hots and a cot; no worry about what I’d wear to work; a good paycheck every two weeks with benefits (my teeth had never been so beautiful!); 30 guaranteed days of vacation a year; learning a language that was pretty much devoid of Black faces (as I knew it anyway, except for Condoleeza Rice); the opportunity to travel; and that all-important, VA loan, which would allow me to easily buy a home of my own, as was the mandate from my mother and e’erbody else in my community, that would make me a “success!” It wasn’t long though, that I bumped up against the White Supremacist Capitalist Patriarchy writ large. It was then that I got that rumbling deep in my gut that tells me that something is terribly wrong — for me. They were asking more than I was willing to give (bargaining motherhood for an opportunity to serve the masters who were unwilling to bend — for me; denying what I’d made it my business to learn better than any of my peers; dealing with insecure white women, who needed a neck upon which to grind their wholly-inadequate-unskilled-language-boot; I could go on but I won’t). Suffice it to say, I do understand the motives of some Black folk in the Military Industrial Complex.
“These two African Americans, “Plantation Negroes” from opposing political plantations, have this one thing in common. They are both warmongers who brought death, disease and destruction to the nations of Black and Brown people in the name of American Corporate Imperialism. Isn’t it also ironic that African Americans fear that voter i.d. laws are a strategy being employed by the Republicans to deny them of their right to vote, while these same African Americans are literally the foot soldiers of the American strategy to deny those of African descent worldwide, the right to vote for the governments of our choosing. The chickens have indeed come home to roost.”
I’m with you. Along with Gen. Kip, Colin Powell’s participation (read: scape-goating with his full knowledge of the wrong) in the WMD lie at the UN was a disgraceful, shameful moment to behold — charts and all! They used him, and he let them, for fear of “not being the esteemed General” anymore. Well, now he isn’t anyway.
As for the voter ID laws being rapidly dispatched here, I don’t think Black Americans really make the “chickens coming home to roost” connection, thought it is quite obvious. To me though, if it were all that important (besides the political expediency of pointing the finger at the Rs) to the Changeling and his handlers, why not use some of those millions of ad-campaign cash to help “Other” folk get their ID affairs in order? How much could it cost? Certainly nowhere near what they’re raking in with these idiotic commercials — “Mitt Romney earned $20 million this year and I bet he pays less taxes than you — like the Changeling doesn’t do the same damned thing!! (smdh)
Asa, as always, thanks for letting me vent. Tell the wife and kids I said”Hey, how are you!”
Eric Wright…“we just need to be clear that all Africans EVERYWHERE need to learn our collective history and current political situation so that we don’t contribute to each other’s demise.”
Amen to that!
The writer above has some good points but seems to lump all African Americans into one class. Those that you spoke of who defend America are from the lower caste,and do not have any means of leaving that caste unless they join the military.
I’ve always maintained that the only difference between the Democratic Plantation and the Republican one is the former has invited us into the living room {as opposed to the back room–where the true decisions are made}and we’re still at the gate with the latter.
We should put ourselves in the position of a broker and go with whomever serves our interests and global concerns at best. That way neither party can take us for granted. Hmmm….
P.S. Asa…thanks for this post. It helped “unblock” my “writer!”
Hey Sis Deb! I hope you and the family are doing well! I was wondering where you had gotten to! I always enjoy your commentary and insightful perspectives. Thanks also for sharing some of your life experiences. You are always welcome to vent here and I am anticipating more from you now that your writer is now unblocked…lol!
Asa…So much has been going this month. All I can say is, I’m alive and still breathing. I thank you Brother, for hearing me, insightfully. We are all still a work in progress — as long as we keep working at it…
Asa, brotha, when you come out you throw bolos!!! Brotha Kwame Toure once said the U.S. does not have a volunteer army, they have a broke army. Of course he was indicating most of us with heavy melanin join the U.S. military to provide food, clothing and shelter for ourselves rather than joining to live some American idea. This in mind the U.S. military more than any military has more people of heavier melanin in it’s army than any other “white” nation. These melanin people consist of Filipino (and we don’t hae to g into the histor
One of my Facebook friends posted this excellent piece. I have to say it strikes a chord with me even though I\’m not quite sure AA make up a significant portion of the military like in years past. But the lion\’s share of this piece is spot on. If I would have been asleep, what happened in Libya would have awakened me from my slumber. I still can\’t believe what I witnessed. Frankly, I look forward to the end of the Obama era. It has lured our people into a state of stagnation and idol worship. I would like to see him get a second term just to see what he would do unencumbered by the need to be reelected. But he\’s got a lot to do overcome the devastation he has either directly or indirectly participated in, in stunting the progress of continental Africans, and by extension, all African people. Add to that the overthrow of Gaddafi, the mischief in Syria, AFRICOM, innocents killed in drone strikes, and the obvious attempts to recolonized Africa, the first American president with African blood in his veins has a lot to overcome. History will not be kind to him, particularly if he doesn\’t win a second term. And all the revisionism in the world ain\’t going to change that!
I think a lot of black folk keep hangin on to the pipe dream that in a 2nd term Obama will show his ‘true colors’. I am of the opinion, he’s already shown them & a 2nd term will be more of the same. But even so, the sheeple who have put aside all logic will probably use the excuse that he was probably scared ‘they’d’ kill him if he strayed too far from the ‘pogrom’. Some black people make more excuses for this fool than they would for their own kith and kin.
(sorry about the break up of the comment) We don’t have to go into the inhumane treatment of the U.S. against the Filipino people. There are Panamanians, Jamaicans, African Americans, Dominicanos, Puerto Ricans….All in the U.S. Military. On TOP of that, of course we had (have) the Supreme Commander of the U.S. Military and Joint Chief Colin “Yaad Man” Powell. And powell in his book noted that he “received his orders, for the first time, by watching a press conference, to send troops into Los Angeles to put down the “Black and Brown” L.A. Rebellion of 1992. Right here on U.S.A. soil. This man was willing to send troops into a U.S. city without any formal orders to “smash” Black and Brown. The U.S. Army is the modern Roman Army of the past, everyone invited.
Those that feel you have no dong in the fight, no matter how intellectually sound they seem, are surely lost. As the U.S. goes, so goes its impact on all countries in the Western hemisphere. These of such mind recognize not the imperial prowess of the U.S., but neither do they recognize that all plantations are run for the bottom line of the world elites. Blind they are to the fact that this is a global thing that is run out of Vatican City, The City of London and The District of Columbia. As Theodore “Lolo” Beaubrun of Boukman Eksperyans says “they are only interested in their party, their part.”
I refuse to vote. Especially for the President of the U.S. Corporation. There is no profit or glory in the “first Black” president under “this” constitution. So for those that say our ancestors fought and died so that we can vote, they have shown themselves to be less than our ancestors for not continuing to educate themselves such as our ancestors did. They have yet to recognize that the building is on fire and still run in cast their vote not understanding what they are voting for. Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King told Harry Belafonte that he feared “we were integratiing into a burning building.” So, to Deb’s point I think there was beginning to be a spark of light that was appearing on the horizon for some of our leaders of the past. They could begin to see that enjoining into this voting scheme was going to be fruitless in the years to come.
Peace!
I agree with this 100% but please don’t think all African Americans are like that, there are some like myself who realize the bull shit our government is playing but it is written in ancient text that this must come to pass before we are free as a nation
In no way do I consider all African Americans are alike. There are many ethical, enlightened and insightful AA brother and sisters that I know.
Blessings!
It’s admirable you know African American brothers and sisters who are insightful, however your article implied MOST of us African Americans are nothing more but plantation negroes blinded by the obvious corruption and racially biased legislation of American government. Nothing could be further from the truth. This tells me you only know a handful of AA who are “enlightened” while the rest of the 99.9% of nearly 40 million African Americans are like some stereotypical caricature from one of America’s so-called golden era of early filmmaking. Yes, this where you laugh nonchantly here with the assumption I am easily offended, rile up, and didn’t comprehend the depth of your article. If you were truly objective in your dubious assessment of African Americans, you wouldn’t rely on bullshit spread on forums like Facebook (roll eyes). Any person with a brain is well aware of Facebook or any popular social media outlet is typically filled with individuals who all too often believe such nonsense saturated on mainstream American television. While it is intriguing to once again read an article dissecting the culture and apparent lack of critical thinking skills of African Americans, how about diving into your own country’s shortcomings or other African nations who clearly run their government like the imperialistic European rulers who destroyed their nations only to leave corrupt African leaders in charge to further the destruction of their people. Lets dive into the blatant and vile corruption and violation of human rights in these countrys at the hands of their own African government. And no, I didn’t learn these facts from the biased predominately white Western media. Such information is only learned through objective research on an individual country’s history. We can go into a whole discussion about that, but I suppose to it’s so easy to stay focus on black Americans and obvious lies pertaining to our culture and relationship to American goverment and politics. Get a life. Better yet write another article that isn’t patronizing the intelligence of blacks in America, but focuses on the Europeans who had and still have the control, power, and blood thirst need to invade, kill, or rig elections for their ever hungry need of world domination. Write an article dissecting their mindsets instead of summarize bullshit on African Americans.
Renee…“Methinks you doth protest too much” Sister. Your knee-jerk reaction to the post does leads one to believe that in fact, you are “easily offended, rile up, and didn’t comprehend the depth of your article.”
“If you were truly objective in your dubious assessment of African Americans, you wouldn’t rely on bullshit spread on forums like Facebook (roll eyes).”
Asa, correct me if I’m wrong, but I believe he posted the BAR article on FB to engender further discussions about the subject therein. Isn’t that what FB has been all about (Full disclosure: I’ve never had, nor do I ever want a FB page — more being “in touch” than I care to indulge)?
While it is intriguing to once again read an article dissecting the culture and apparent lack of critical thinking skills of African Americans, how about diving into your own country’s shortcomings or other African nations who clearly run their government like the imperialistic European rulers who destroyed their nations only to leave corrupt African leaders in charge to further the destruction of their people.”
While you raise interesting and debatable topics (the first of which he previously addressed here, in detail; and the latter which, though “African on its face,” invariably leads back to the good ole USA, in cahoots with their “usual suspects” in European nations still today — why should he? It’s ELECTION SEASON here, the “talk of the town” as they say. Seems, IMHO, since that is what’s trending, he, and anybody else so inclined should be able to put in their two cents.
“And no, I didn’t learn these facts from the biased predominately white Western media. Such information is only learned through objective research on an individual country’s history.”
Actually having lived in, or even been to those countries helps a lot too.
“We can go into a whole discussion about that, but I suppose it’s so easy to stay focus on black Americans and obvious lies pertaining to our culture and relationship to American government and politics.”
Obvious lies? Come on Sister, do you really believe they’re lies?
“Better yet write another article that isn’t patronizing the intelligence of blacks in America, but focuses on the Europeans who had and still have the control, power, and blood thirst need to invade, kill, or rig elections for their ever hungry need of world domination.”
Sister you DO know that that article would still include these alleged, United States of America don’t you? Iraq, Afghanistan, Egypt, Cote D’Ivoire, Libya, Mali, Uganda, Somalia to name a few, ring a bell?
We, Black Americans have much to learn about the machinations of this old world my Sister. And we never will by simply researching and reading books. We’ve got to truly interact with others who look like us, who’ve had some, or more experience than we’ve had in order to find out and process those — what James Loewen described in the title of his book, “Lies my teacher told me.”
Peace
Well stated Sister Deb. What is so intriguing to me about this dialogue is that we had these discussions in the late 60’s and early 70’s during my activist stage. Many of the revolutionary leaders were dying or disappeared in the underground and many left the country as a result of COINTELPRO and other activities by the government. Many of us married and had families or became involved in working on our problems on a micro level rather than trying to effect change on a macro scale. Mental health issues surfaced for some and overall an insidious form of depression settled in based on divisiveness engineered in part by gov’ts and paranoia among ourselves about the intentions or motivations of other black people. There have always been black moles/informants hired to infiltrate these movements since the early 19th century and probably before then.
I used to frequent Lewis Michaux’s Black Nationalist Book Store in Harlem during that time and read some of the voluminous books he had which detailed these same dialogues during previous decades and centuries. These debates went on during the Marcus Garvey debates with W.E.B. Dubois and further back with Martin Delaney and his book “The Condition, Elevation, Emigration, and Destiny of the Colored People of the United States, Politically Considered”, ‘published in Philadelphia in 1852 at his own expense.’ It’s compelling that we are still having this conversation.
The difference that I’m noticing more now and it’s a perception which I’m sure can be debated but there is this extreme animus towards the various countries on the continent of Africa and their historical role in promoting the triangularity of the slave trade that culminated in a diaspora seriously adrift. We’ve encountered at times, a dismissive or condescending attitude towards American blacks by those who were born and reared in the various countries on the continent. This became painfully apparent when the dialogue about describing ourselves as ‘African-Americans’ became the topic on various blogs and if that is truly an accurate description. There seems to be a grace and forgiveness for those who provided a market (Europeans & western whites) for the selling and purchasing of human beings and also promoting one of the most virulent and devastating forms of slavery that the world has ever witnessed. Notwithstanding a horrendous war (civil) and decades of segregation, Jim Crow, lynchings and other forms of discrimination that followed. ‘Stockholm syndrome’ to the nth degree has and continues to take over with many of the outed black republicans, conservatives and some moderates that have totally acquiesced to white supremacist values of entitlement. This is a problem all over the diaspora and former countries on the continent of Africa that were once locked in colonialism. African-Americans or blacks in the U.S. aren’t the only ones suffering the ravages of this phenomenon. Many of us have been enlighten but clearly are overwhelmed by issues at hand and as Sista Deb stated at one time; “I, too, was a part of those forces for a short time during some of my assimilationist/colonized mind stage.” It was a process to change your way of thinking and usually the catalyst is an event or a trauma that forced you reevaluate your perceptions or beliefs.
‘There is nothing new under the sun’ is a true adage; although the contexts and milieus may change. I truly want to believe one of Ella Baker’s quotes:”Give light and the people will find their way” and Pearl Cleage’s “Discomfort is a necessary step to enlightenment” both of what I’m feeling now as I read the comments.
At this phase of my journey I’ve come to believe that you must truly accept all those things about yourself that you like as well as the warts and missteps for it’s the latter that allows you to show grace, growth and to maintain your humanity when others are losing theirs. That also applies to the group concept as well. Unfortunately, many of us are becoming group weary!
This forum has been intriguing and informative as well.
Peace and Grace to all who’ve participated in the discussion.
Sis Carolyn…Thanks, I’m still a work in progress. Appreciate your sharing your knowledge and experiences (and the book references!).
“What is so intriguing to me about this dialogue is that we had these discussions in the late 60’s and early 70’s during my activist stage.”
Funny, I was thinking exactly that recently and yes, it overwhelms sometimes. We have been talking, as you documented — FOR CENTURIES! And yes,sadly, IT IS compelling that we are still having this conversation. It seems, no matter how small or large, our leaps toward true self-determination are but a memory.
“The difference that I’m noticing more now…is this extreme animus towards the various countries on the continent of Africa and their historical role in promoting the triangularity of the slave trade that culminated in a diaspora seriously adrift.”
I’ve seen that animus as well, both before and now and I think part of it has to do with our not teaching our children (or ever learning ourselves) “the whole story” about African involvement in the slave trade because as you know, “History is written by the victors.” I had a conversation with a Senegalese elder in The Gambia last year, that was way more enlightening and instructive than anything I’d ever been taught.
And as you say, “There seems to be a grace and forgiveness for those who provided a market (Europeans & western whites) for the selling and purchasing of human beings and also promoting one of the most virulent and devastating forms of slavery that the world has ever witnessed.” I see our “condition” as “Post Traumatic Slavery Disorder,” because even though we are 100s of years removed from the horrific trauma of our Holocaust, it stays with us, manifesting itself as the “Stockholm Syndrome” you describe — the empathizing with/defending that many of us continue to do with those who either brazenly or subtly perpetuate white supremacy — some to avoid further pain, some to be accepted at the seemingly forever-unwelcome, “Welcome Table.”
Can we, as a people, fix ourselves at this late date? I don’t know, but no attempt can even be made, without first, owning a lot of sh*t that many of us don’t care to own. What I DO know though, is if we don’t get busy, both individually and collectively, our culture will have been totally white-washed from history (as it had begun to be, but for some great Black scholars), re-written by “the victors” to show how they benevolently civilized some savages who knew nothing, did nothing and were merely inconsequential “useful idiots.” Certainly not a legacy I am willing to leave — hence, my “work in progress,” warts and missteps alike! 🙂
“We’ve encountered at times, a dismissive or condescending attitude towards American blacks by those who were born and reared in the various countries on the continent. This became painfully apparent when the dialogue about describing ourselves as ‘African-Americans’ became the topic on various blogs and if that is truly an accurate description.”
Yes, I’ve encountered some of that “dismissive” and “condescending” attitude you describe, both here — and there! I took my old behind back to grad school in DC a few years ago (full disclosure: didn’t finish), and a young man from Nigeria provided me with the former as his group critiqued my essay about my own life (which was the writing assignment) growing up in the South which included the never-investigated, “drowning” death of my 14 year-old cousin (no water in his lungs, blunt-force trauma to the head), advising “We already know all about those kinds of things, you didn’t need to include it.”; that one was disappointing, as it showed how far beyond our reality young folk are ready and willing to go. And during my last trip to West Africa, I was treated with the latter, getting my “Black card” pulled by a Gambian with whom I felt I was building a relationship of mutual respect over the visits I’d made over two and half years. That one was painful, as it reminded me of that “distance deliberately created” that Baldwin talked about.
During moments of pississitude in my assimilationist/colonized mind stage, I used to rail, “I’m American just like you!”; by the time James Brown came along, I’d realized how stupid that sh*t was and was grateful to be “Black and Proud!”; I’ve never worn the African-American moniker and used to be irritated when Black folk (most of whom had never even been to Africa) sporting kente cloth, wanted to tell me why I should be celebrating Karenga-created Kwanzaa while they denigrated my Gullah accent (infused with true Africanisms as proven by Lorenzo Dow Turner) as the Robert Williams-coined, “Ebonics.” I later came to understand it all as “a searching” — one in which we each have to find our own way back to our truths. both gently and forcefully as required.
Thanks for listening (as you can see, I was kinda full:-)). Peace
Mali, Songhai, Yoruba…Afrika facilitated transatlantic slavery of it’s own folks out of the indentured servitude system already in place, in exchange for “recognition of governments” on the world stage, weapons, medicine, etc. Instead of talking about how bourgeois negroes have become in ameriKKKan assimilation/Willie Lynch, I never hear you passive protesters do thorough self-evaluation. Maybe mama never told y’all that it takes two to tango!
‘Stockholm syndrome’ to the nth degree has and continues to take over with many of the outed black republicans, conservatives and some moderates that have totally acquiesced to white supremacist values of entitlement.
Sis Carolyn, don’t forget to mention that many of the black democrats and progressives also suffer from “Stockholm syndrome to the nth degree” and “have totally acquiesced to white supremacist values of entitlement”. I would argue even more so than the “outed black republicans, conservatives and some moderates”. The Congressional Black Caucus, as well as Obama, would be nothing without the patronage of their white masters on the Democratic plantation. I would also argue that black democrats and progressives have not been “invited into the living room” as you previously commented. They have been allowed to go into the outhouse and fooled that it’s the living room… and the stench they smell is the sweet aroma of roses… and they should be forever grateful they’ve been given the privilege to dine in the outhouse, since it’s much better than being at the gate… and they’ve swallowed that crap… almost literally! lol! Now that’s real “Stockholm syndrome” at work!
“What is so intriguing to me about this dialogue is that we had these discussions in the late 60′s and early 70′s during my activist stage.”
What I find most intriguing and most sad at the same time, is that with a Black president who offered change and hope, the dialogues, conversations, discussions and debates are still the same! You had them in the 60’s and 70’s… I had them in the 80’s and 90’s. I am sure my son and daughter will have them in 2020 and 2030! One of the reasons I post articles here from the black republican group “Project 21” is not that I support or sympathize with their political rhetoric. I’m just an equal opportunity propagandist… lol! Indeed there is nothing new under the sun. Well not in 2012 anyway.
“We should put ourselves in the position of a broker and go with whomever serves our interests and global concerns at best. That way neither party can take us for granted.”
You’re 100% on point here!
Blessings!
Asa…“Sis Carolyn, don’t forget to mention that many of the black democrats and progressives also suffer from “Stockholm syndrome to the nth degree” and “have totally acquiesced to white supremacist values of entitlement…I would also argue that they have not even been invited into the living room as you commented above. They have been allowed to go to the outhouse and told that it’s the living room… and the stench they smell is the sweet aroma of roses… and they’ve bought into it.”
Agreed on both counts! As Sis Ana said, it’s time for a “forceful” smelling of the roses for all of them, since they can’t seem to tell the difference between “sweet aroma” and “stench!”
Frankly, I have no faith in this system, therefore in my eyes, both political parties are one and the same.
What has happened to the black leaders of the Democratic party is that it has become impossible for them to envision a black population on top and empowered.
The black leaders of the Democratic party remind me of the Chinese during the days when the consumption of opium ran amock in practically every Chinese circle.
But anyone who believes that the Republican party is an alternative with the capacity to correct this situation is insane or dreaming with their eyes completely wide open.
Black conservatives are like the zombies who roamed the hills during the days of slavery and even way after slavery. Everytime they open their mouths, I am reminded how foolish and unconscious they are .I trust no zombie to lead me anywhere.
Personally, Iam forever looking for change and the empowerment of the powerless ,and the ony solution to this is the creation of another political party.
When things do not work, throw out what does not work and start over again, fresh, with new leaders and a brand new alternative.
Why run like an idiot to another party that is already there with its own history,doing nothing,when we know it will never work because that is not its aim and purpose?
At least a new political party would force the GOP and the Democrats to run scared, be accountable and not take the black vote for granted.
“The Congressional Black Caucus, as well as Obama, would be nothing without the patronage of their white masters on the Democratic plantation. I would also argue that black democrats and progressives have not been “invited into the living room” as you previously commented. They have been allowed to go into the outhouse and fooled that it’s the living room… and the stench they smell is the sweet aroma of roses… and they should be forever grateful they’ve been given the privilege to dine in the outhouse, since it’s much better than being at the gate… and they’ve swallowed that crap… almost literally! lol! Now that’s real “Stockholm syndrome” at work!”
Touché Bro. Asa. However, living rooms are usually facades and that’s the room folks keep in order for ‘guests’ or clueless outsiders. The back room that I speak of where the deals are actually made and agreed upon is also off limits for powerless whites in the middle, upper middle, working poor and poverty stricken classes. Unfortunately, many of them work against their best interests to ingratiate themselves with the ‘elite’ although on many levels they are working against their best interests by aligning with them. That’s another sad story and the double cross of class politics …maybe another time.
BTW: Bro. Asa, I’ve heard stories about those outhouses from my elders and there isn’t a rose that exists that could overcome that stench!! I’m just saying… 🙂
Peace to you….
“BTW: Bro. Asa, I’ve heard stories about those outhouses from my elders and there isn’t a rose that exists that could overcome that stench!! I’m just saying…”
Sis. Carolyn, I can tell you from personal experience… I used outhouses in Jamaica… that your elders were correct, the stench has no flowery aroma at all! lol!
Asa…“Sis. Carolyn, I can tell you from personal experience… I used outhouses in Jamaica… that your elders were correct, the stench has no flowery aroma at all! lol!”
Ditto! Summers spent at my grandmother’s on one of the Sea Islands were hardly flowery! Nobody went in there at night, we had to use the strategically placed slop jars, the emptying of which each morning was always an argument over whose turn it was. Lawd, I was glad when that woman got indoor plumbing! ( TMI? Apologize if I offended anyone)
Sis. Carolyn…“However, living rooms are usually facades and that’s the room folks keep in order for ‘guests’ or clueless outsiders.”
Yep! We were never, ever allowed to just hang out in there growing up!
“The back room that I speak of where the deals are actually made and agreed upon is also off limits for powerless whites in the middle, upper middle, working poor and poverty stricken classes. Unfortunately, many of them work against their best interests to ingratiate themselves with the ‘elite’ although on many levels they are working against their best interests by aligning with them. That’s another sad story and the double cross of class politics “
So, so true. However, even though the ingratiating never gets them to their interests and they are double-crossed by class politics, they still manage to draw themselves up tall, finding some measure of satisfaction in being able to turn around to us (poor, or not) and say, “A least I’m not a nigger!” — as if that’s putting money in their pockets, food on their table, affordable housing or a good education for their children. And the wheels on the white supremacy bus keep going round and round…{smdh}
Funny how the sickness that you are attempting to highlight in so-called African Americans is the same sickness that exists in all colonized people of African descent. This article has many true points, but it the author seemed more interested in creating differences than unifying us.
Alisha…Seems to me that the only way to “unify us” is to own the differences “created by those who sought to divide us.” Just sayin’…
Please explain how ‘owning’ our supposed differences will successfully improve the situation that we are all in regardless of nationality. From observation it is the desire to be different from one another that contributes to our condition. Tell me one nation in the African diaspora that is truly independent???? Independent from Europe, Asia or America???? Have you read “Two Thousand Seasons” by Ayi Kwei Armah? It among countless other books that are a must read.
Alisha…“Please explain how ‘owning’ our supposed differences will successfully improve the situation that we are all in regardless of nationality. From observation it is the desire to be different from one another that contributes to our condition.” Tell me one nation in the African diaspora that is truly independent???? Independent from Europe, Asia or America???? Have you read “Two Thousand Seasons” by Ayi Kwei Armah? It among countless other books that are a must read.
Simply, because owning “the twoness” about which Dubois wrote, gives each of us an opportunity to understand the whys and wherefores of our separate actions. Once some of us can really understand that, regardless of the “twoness” WE FEEL, we will always be Black, and therefore, “Other,” to those who are not — only then, can some of us deign to realize the “oneness” that we all share. Yes, desiring to be different contributes to our condition, but the knowledge gleaned by understanding that fact, is what I believe, will eventually unite us.
Nowhere did I say that there is anyplace in the diaspora that is truly independent. IMHO, That independence must first be “of the mind.” It must be a “decolonial love” of the sort which Junot Díaz writes here: http://www.salon.com/writer/paula_m_l_moya/. No, I’ve not read it, but thank you for the reference (I always love book references!). I will put it on my very, long list of “must reads!”
The “twoness” as you call it is not a real thing. It’s an illusion. People differ regionally, nationally and etc along the same racial lines. I guess the real difference is that many are not about unity at all. I gather this is where you stand. As I fight the daily fight for the liberation of African people including you.
Alisha…“The “twoness” as you call it is not a real thing.” It’s not what I call it, it’s what W.E.B.Dubois called it and explained. I refer to it, because I understand it and can relate to the who you are, and the who this society demands that you be. if you think it’s an illusion — have at it, everybody’s got a right to their own opinion.
What I know to be true from my own observations and life is, that, while, as you say, “People differ regionally, nationally and etc along the same racial lines,” most people of African descent here, grow up living that “twoness” everyday whenever they have to interact with white folk on the job, in social settings, shopping, pretty much wherever. From having to dress a certain way; wear their hair a certain way; speak a certain way; carrying themselves a certain way in stores (particularly high-end ones); knowing what to say and when to say it (the ignorance of which can and does result in jail or worse, depending on who you’re talking to); showing deferrence to whiteness; constantly having to “prove” you know what you know when they do not; etc., etc., etc. And in my limited experience with Africans on the Continent, I find the same deference to white folk, the same “twoness” of being making one act/be a certain way when in contact with them. Some people grow into their “whole selves” eventually, some do not. I have.
“I guess the real difference is that many are not about unity at all. I gather this is where you stand.” Don’t know how you gathered that from anything I said, but if it works for you — go with it. I know who I am and what I’m about way better than you do. And as for you”fighting daily for the liberation of African people” — Brava! But know that you are hardly the only one doing so.
My commentary never mentioned white people. I was talking about African people. I am only interested in unifying with other Africans. I have not one thing to prove to white people as my goal is for African liberation. Why do you feel a need to acquiesce to the box they have placed us in? This is merely an overt symptom of colonization and evidence that we are all, regardless of nationality in the African diaspora, are affected by it. I do not accept an identity of “twoness” as it relates to the opinion of white people. I don’t dress, act, believe and etc to appease them. I do what I feel is best to contribute to the collective liberation of ALL African people. Begging “Massa” for a job or acknowledgement is the antithesis of everything that will liberate us. I now understand your position and the fact that we were indeed having two different discussions.
Alisha…“Why do you feel a need to acquiesce to the box they have placed us in?”
I don’t. That’s why I said, “Some people grow into their “whole selves” eventually, some do not. I have.”
“I now understand your position and the fact that we were indeed having two different discussions.”
Whew!! Yeah, we were talking “past each other” for a minute there! 🙂
“And many diasporic Africans are so mesmerized by the illusions of western values that we see no need to be liberated and unified.”
Agreed! But I’ve found that everyone comes to that realization in their own time, Sister — myself included (the whole, you can lead a horse to water thing). I think those of us who’ve realized the illusion, have a “love” obligation to keep the “water” out there, and available though, no matter how hard it seems sometimes (and yes, sometimes I do get weary!)
I don’t see Asa’s piece as “creating differences that don’t really exist,” because they do exist. I just believe they were deliberately created by those who fear our unifying worldwide. And as you said yourself, they did a great job of it, “mesmerizing by the illusions of western values.”
The brother has some points of legitimacy. He fails to lay blame on corrupt leaders in theses African and diasporic nations. AFRICAN AMERICANS DON’T CONTROL AMERICA, but absolutely need to wake up on the Obama administration, NAACP and Black Caucus. African Americans need to expand their view of the diaspora, as the diaspora desperately needs to expand it’s view of African Americans. It is unfair for the diaspora to lay a considerable amount of this blame on African Americans! It is ignorant to do that. the dialogue can not be attack each other it should be attract each other. The author of this article qouted a great African American WEB D. This is one quote amoung many, and amoung many other Black people, quotes and actions against tyrany. You should be able to be a critic, but use facts that do not skew the truth. The rest of the diaspora needs to fight for better leadership and not waste the land and future for “dollars”. Build the beauty for your time. Attract new people and new ideas that will build a global family. Prioritize what is important and never look upon another for blame until you have first extinguished your part in the problem.
I agree! I have traveled extensively and it is clear that the problems we have in America exist throughout the diaspora. And many diasporic Africans are so mesmerized by the illusions of western values that we see no need to be liberated and unified. Continually, we waste time trying to create differences, that don’t really exist, to justify our lack of love for each other.
It’s so amazing to me that so many of us speak of unity, yet we are to assume we know what is meant by unity and unification. The word is never clearly defined by the user. In the between time, there is a mean spirited tone to the discussion that should be avoided if we are truly in process of unifying. This is based on my own definiton of the word. The AfroSpear is a “Think Tank” and the idea, IMHO, is to hear (read) all sides in an attempt to gain an understanding whereby we may come to an agreement, on how we may be able to impact or influence situations concerning people of heavy melanin world wide. (I do not use the title African or African American as we are in relation with the original people of the entire planetary landmass)
I, born in the U.S., raised in the U.S. take no offense to this post. Why should I? The truth of the matter is that there is this all of a sudden love affair with the U.S. government by so called African Americans. Why don’t they realize there is a problem. Even during this string (not to say those I am about to note are in love with the U.S. government or are unenlightened) I read Baby Blue say “Damn I just left the plantaiton” just left in August 2012? John writes “If I would have been asleep, what happened in Libya would have awakened me from my slumber. I still can\’t believe what I witnessed.” He writes STILL CAN’T BELIEVE WHAT I WITHNESSED. This says to me he is still shocked, but my thoughts are why is he shocked? This country can lull one into drowsiness if not back to sleep. It can be an overwhelming task to stay on top of what is happening.
But our goal here at the AfroSpear should be a healthy exchange of ideas with understanding in an attempt to ascertain why one holds the position they do and with that in mind we may come to see the relationship of ideas that on the outset may appear to be opposing viewpoints that could in fact be the continuation of an older or foundational idea. This is a Think Tank not a combat zone, at least not for me.
Peace!
Amenta…“The truth of the matter is that there is this all of a sudden love affair with the U.S. government by so called African Americans. Why don’t they realize there is a problem
I think the main reason for the sudden love is obvious — the White Supremacist Capitalist Patriarchy chose the perfect Trojan horse to roll into the Black community in the person of Barack Obama. It’s taken almost his whole term before some folk even realized what happened and some still have not, despite the highest unemployment and incarceration rates among us; rampant home foreclosures; poor to no health care (despite his supposedly “Affordable” Care Act); bombings on the Continent, etc., etc. They knew that having a “Black” face in the White House would corral our longing, as long as the folk didn’t pay close attention as he kinda said what most folk wanted to hear — and it worked beautifully.
“at least not for me.” Nor for me. I am grateful to Brother Asa for this space where I can share with, and learn from, “people of heavy melanin world wide.”
Peace right back atcha, Sister!
“I am so disturbed and hurt by the massacre of miners at Marikana in S. Africa! WTH?? Apartheid didn’t go anywhere, it just seemed to have melted into the ANC. {smdh}”
Winnie Mandela expressed disappointment on the failings of the anti-apartheid movement and the continual subjugation of black women & men whom resisted and died during the struggle. She’s maintained that things really hadn’t changed and the above incident lends credence to those beliefs.
She was labeled a pariah to the movement when she expressed doubts that the minds and hearts of white south Africans had changed as the ‘truth and reconciliation hearings’ came to a close. She was castigated because she didn’t go along with the ANC and Nelson Mandela’s unsubstantial resolution to appeasing one of most brutal regimes the world has witnessed. Unless you read the online publications in South Africa-the inequities that still exist aren’t reported in European or U.S. news outlets.
I agree with you re: Bro. Asa and AfroSpear’s efforts to to set the stage for these discussions and the sharing of perspectives and information. I have a quote under my Pearls of Wisdom which reads: “We cannot silence the voices that we do not like hearing. We can, however, do everything in our power to make certain that other voices are heard.”
~Deborah Prothrow-Stith~
Sis Deb..we must continue to be the ‘town criers’ and chip away at this ‘enormous’ challenge in the spirit of those ancestors who fought the good fight!
Peace and bountiful blessings….
Sis. Carolyn…Your mention of Winnie Mandela reminded me of a beautiful re-posted letter to her that I read not long ago at one of my links which was originally posted here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/esther-armah/letter-to-winnie-mandela_b_1684393.html
Like a lot of Blacks here who celebrated Nelson’s release, I did not know then, as much as I know now, and I am still learning! Women like her are few and far between IMHO.
“Unless you read the online publications in South Africa-the inequities that still exist aren’t reported in European or U.S. news outlets.”
I know right? Neither of these “usual (imperial) suspects” want the truth out because it’d put a serious kink in all of their thieving and behind the scenes puppeteering.
Great quote! And yes, we must, even when it’s hard (as I keep telling myself when I get overwhelmed)! Sis Ana and you are both right about the enormity of it all and I see no great revolutionary uprising among us in either the near, or distant future — so I have to think in terms of small victories. Each one chips away…
Peace and Blessings to you as well
I’m not quite sure how many ways one, especially is the diaspora, can take the work unity. To me, it simply means collectively and positively contributing to our liberation. Liberation from Western standards, ideals, dependency and etc. And a return to African principles. I found nothing wrong with any of the comments about the article. Our conditions are of imminent importance. If that’s not worth getting passionate about then what is? I love my people and as much as this kind of dialogue is needed, I can’t and will not censor my comments. I was never rude or disrespectful. I spoke my opinion. If that offends, well…
*word.
Alisha…you and I did talk past each other for a minute before we got on the same page. “Rude or disrespectful?” Not to me; “Passionately” not hearing me? At times. I’m mushy ’bout my people as well, Sister. And because of that, I care if I hurt or offend them unintentionally. Just sayin’…
@Amenta: “But our goal here at the AfroSpear should be a healthy exchange of ideas with understanding in an attempt to ascertain why one holds the position they do and with that in mind we may come to see the relationship of ideas that on the outset may appear to be opposing viewpoints that could in fact be the continuation of an older or foundational idea. This is a Think Tank not a combat zone, at least not for me. Peace!”
“So it shall be written, so it shall be done!” This forum has been dynamic, thought provoking as well interesting.
Sister Carolyn…“”So it shall be written, so it shall be done!” This forum has been dynamic, thought provoking as well interesting.
Amen! 🙂
I agree with you Amenta. Too many Black men and women are always ready to draw their Spear to use it against other blacks simply because someone voiced a different opinion.
Wasn’t that the reason some of the early commenters of this blog jumped ship, all offended because they disagreed with some of the comments?
We also must learn to discern who is really sincere from those who simply come to pick trouble.
And too many black men and women are running around on horses and need to get off , saddled up those beasts and stand up,and listen carefully to what is being said.
This thin- skinned mentality , of always feeling offended and ready for a show down is foolish.
Sometimes I don’t even know why some people are offended, to tell you the truth.
This post did not offend African Americans. Telling black voters to open up their eyes is not an offense.
I’m in Panama right now and I tell folks here the same thing. You see the same foolishness here too.What happens here is the regular folks are always ready to confront the politicians, sometimes even blocking the main arteries of the cities, and showing the powers that be that they are not the only ones with power.
Too many politicians go into politics simply to make money and to attain fame. Enough of this nonsense!
At least in the States they try to cover their behaviour, not here at all.
This is why Iam all for shuffling things around and starting over again.
Who says we have to have the same set of political parties and people running things all the time? Enough of that nonsense!
Honestly, a good number of American politicians and those worldwide are only interested in sticking around for a very long time in power, and often every thing else becomes secondary.
We need to stop fooling ourselves and believing politicians are all about “us” and looking after our interests.
What has happened is that some of them have even become self consuming monsters.
The onus is on us to stop some of them and take back our power or else we deserve the ride they have us on .
It is no secret that black men and women are the ones who are the most ignored by our politicians.This is a worldwide phenomenon.
And even in countries where the majority of the people are black,the black elites have no mercy on the masses.
I will be satisfied with black men and women being empowered where they reside.
The work ahead is too enormous for black unity overnight, especially when we have this level of social exclusion and marginalization in Africa and in the diaspora.
Sis. Ana…“This is why I am all for shuffling things around and starting over again.
Me too!
Honestly, a good number of American politicians and those worldwide are only interested in sticking around for a very long time in power, and often every thing else becomes secondary. We need to stop fooling ourselves and believing politicians are all about “us” and looking after our interests.”
I know right?? Congress is full of them, members of the Congressional Black Caucus included.
“And even in countries where the majority of the people are black,the black elites have no mercy on the masses.”
I am so disturbed and hurt by the massacre of miners at Marikana in S. Africa! WTH?? Apartheid didn’t go anywhere, it just seemed to have melted into the ANC. {smdh}
“The work ahead is too enormous for black unity overnight, especially when we have this level of social exclusion and marginalization in Africa and in the diaspora.”
So very true.
““And even in countries where the majority of the people are black,the black elites have no mercy on the masses.” _ Ana, so very true, more painful.
I am so disturbed and hurt by the massacre of miners at Marikana in S. Africa! WTH?? Apartheid didn’t go anywhere, it just seemed to have melted into the ANC. {smdh}” –
Deb, when we really see and know who controls ALL of these countries It will be clear who is the true enemy and who is not. A U.S. company owns the mine. The government agents (policemen) work at the behest of the company.
Peace
“
Amenta…I read this very informative piece that fill in some of the blanks to which you refer about who’s controlling what in SA. I found it sickening but quite enlightening: http://blackagendareport.com/content/economic-and-social-crisis-post-apartheid-south-africa
Peace…
I appreciate your words. So sad that words like these were in such short supply the first time the blackchurian candidate came up for election.
I notice that some have taken to calling him a trojan horse. I think that’s an apt description of the way Black amerikkkans threw open the gates of their hearts, minds and spirits, mistakenly imbuing him with all their dreams, and gave him their all.
How sad.
How misled.
How dangerous.
How lacking in consciousness.
I also would have voted for Cynthia Mckinney. Brilliant woman. Honourable, loyal, courageous, more than capable of speaking truth to power.
Obama?
By comparison?
Just full of lies, manipulation, machinations and cooptation. I recognized him as a snake oil salesman when he was just vying to lead the democrats. I still recognize him as such now. The only difference is that a snake oil salesman with ultimate planetary power is
Why is this important to me as someone who lives in kkkanada?
As you’ve pointed out in your own way, when amerikkkans vote and bring a new leader into power, what they’re actually doing is supporting a new dictator who will make the rest of us suffer.
I tend to point this out and ask the Black amerikkkans I know to think of others not just of themselves and their own needs and comfort when they vote. I remind them that the maturity of a people is really measured by their ability to think of others when they make decisions.
If they just stop and truly look at how their votes impact the rest of us, I’d like to believe that those who see themselves as Pan Africans or as Diasporans, will remember that they have an ethical responsibility to think of us, their siblings in other parts of the world, when they vote.
Otherwise, what’s the point of calling themselves our Brothers and Sisters?
The need to define “african american” is needed. Both Obama and Colin Powell are sons of immigrants (jamaican and kenyan)….
As an African “American”…. I agree 100% and brother not all of us are house negroes though most of us are. I see the same thing when trying to explain to people that Obama is nothing to celebrate but in studying my own people. For the last 30 years mainstream Rappers, Athletes were non political as soon as they put up a half white man who supports 100% of the ideology of America and ignores the plight of Africa and Africa people the black masses have even forgiven America and now joined the American ideology because they put a Half Negro in office. It is amazing and yet scary. I would love to link up with true Pan Africanist and Black nationalist because I see Blacks in America are finished and the sad part they dont realize that Obama has destroyed them in America and he has done so willingly as well as his wife.