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COWARDS? YES…
By Anthony | March 5, 2009
Greetings,
Attorney General Eric Holder laid down the gauntlet (as best he could) on February 18th – these opportunities, much like then presidential candidate Barack Obama’s More Perfect Union speech, may soon serve as lost ones – during his remarks at the Department of Justice African American History Month program.
Sadly, but still very predictably, many focused on one word and failed to take the entire challenge.
Perhaps against my better judgment, my opening remarks or just consider it yet another opportunity for meaningful dialogue I will join those who were stuck on stupid with the much analyzed coward comment.
However, I will attempt to expand the conversation a bit by looking inward and with a bit more depth.
I have been a coward in matters related to race.
Yes, that’s right, too many times I have avoided dialogue/confrontation in lieu of some other stuff coming up that didn’t have anything to do with the original cause of my consternation.
Moreover, there have also been times when I’ve felt that the opportunity to have a meaningful substantive dialogue was cloaked in issues (both mine and theirs) that only served to remind me that he/she felt as though they were in a position of power over me, you know arrogance.
From my perspective some in matters of race are quick to remind you that they think you need them, or that their way is better than yours and tend to look down upon anything different from their world.
This ongoing struggle for simple human being honoring that, for the purposes of this discussion, Black/African people encounter can cause all sorts of angst and in some cases damage that will be reflected in seemingly unrelated but still quite self-destructive ways.
As with everything there is no absolute and I will loudly proclaim stupidity, guilt or how about not being so harsh and choose cowardice on some occasions when I have decided to rely on no darn good shenanigans when dealing with some who are not of my race.
Then, poor communication, or lack thereof, on my part created scenarios that were not intended, and deservedly triggered the worst fears from my white brothers and sisters.
So, clearly there is a fine line and an obvious need for dialogue.
Overriding proof of this is just what is going on in the world right now, but oh so sadly far too many want to continue the game that serves their purposes, and when you really get down to it they rely on the stereotypes, myths and fears that create barriers.
Now, if this much needed dialogue is to be helpful and instructive no one should be made to feel that when someone expresses to them what they feel is insensitivity that they are not calling on the best of their humanity to change or at least consider the actions.
Conversely, and perhaps much more importantly, it is vital that when calling out someone it is done with respect, honor and in a way that says to that person they have the capacity to do better. Much in the way that Cornel West does in many of his critiques.
No one is above reproach, and if the problem persists you adjust your strategy as you go along with the intended goal always being redress and opening dialogue.
The all too expected response has been to get into the proverbial pissing contest where nothing is gained while the all too familiar names remind you of your dysfunction, but failing to address theirs.
For example, and once again predictably, some took umbrage to Reverend Joseph Lowry’s color analogy when he gave his remarks at President Obama’s inauguration – you know black stay back, yellow mellow, etc… - but it’s true on many levels.
Earlier I spoke of the mental gymnastics many of color go through when dealing with racial issues/validation as oppose to just constantly fighting the injustices, especially in this now alleged post-racial america. This dichotomy is exactly what Reverend Lowry referenced. In fact, it was also relevant to legendary blues singer Big Bill Broonzy that he wrote a song about it in 1951.
Ironically, on the same date of Mr. Holder’s speech there was further proof when a piece of trash tabloid ran a disgusting cartoon.
There are times when these things hit you right in the gut just when you’re ready to raise the American flag in complete pride in the hopes that all those things that happened in the past were lessons learned.
I am of the firm belief that none of this will change until the accomplishments and histories of all people are taught in every school system in this country starting in elementary school, and not from the colonizers perspective where movies like Mississippi Burning make you think that if it wasn’t for them…
Just recently I stumbled across this website that claims to be progressive and not believe the mainstream point of view on a lot of issues like the true origins of 9-11, illuminati, new world order, etc… and someone raised the question as to why there isn’t equal discussion about African History and civilization.
Well, the amount of negative remarks to this post was startling and troubling from a group that believes everything is a conspiracy, and don’t get me wrong everything should be viewed cynically but why not what we’re told in the mainstream about the true origins of man in relation to Africa?
I’ll leave you with his.
A few years back I went out to do a Black History Month promo and we went to a professional basketball team’s facility to shoot some of them talking about its importance.
These things are well scripted and arranged by the public relations department as they picked a few of their Black players to oblige.
To my surprise one player said that he wasn’t going to do it because he felt that every day is Black History day!
Well, well in the name of John Carlos and Tommie Smith!
Additionally, someone else suggested that instead of having the typical Black athlete or personality laud the accomplishments of his race have someone from another race do it, and so on.
Now that would take courage.
PEACE
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