. I had a conversation with the Queen's uncle about a month ago that had and has me thinking. He believes that the Civil Rights movement hurt Blacks instead of helping us. His view was that in the Jim Crow days, whites told Blacks that, "we don't want you here". And what did we do? We created our own communities. With Black stores, Black restaurants, Black movie theaters that showed Black movies there were even Black Doctors and Dentist offices. But like the Kanye West verse says, "They made hate ourselves and love their Wealth" and we wanted to be equal.
But we weren't made equals. Because even though after Civil Rights Movement paved the way for equality, we were (and still are) still being given the short end of the stick. After thinking over and over on his theory, I can believe it. Black folks have NOTHING but some fancy clothes, cars with rims, and the houses they live in. Where is the equality? Where is the wealth that the whites have? The same wealth that our forefathers died for building this country? Are we spending it on Polo shirts and gold and platinum jewelry? What wealth are we passing down to our future generations?
When I look at the degradation of our society, I notice how it has effected my own community. 20 years ago there were shows that showcased the Black family in a good light. Shows like Family Matters, The Cosby Show, A Different World, Rock, Sister Sister, Thea, Teen Summit. These shows were staples in Black households that addressed many issues that arose in day to day life of a Black family. Now days all kids have to watch is 16 and pregnant. Or 106 & Park. Where negative images are displayed ALL DAY.
Somewhere down the line we (Black folk) dropped the ball and traded it for a platinum chain. Our youth is clueless as to how the world really is and how they are viewed. The average 15 to 21 year old inner-city Black youth's mentality has been shaped to only be out for self. Only out to get money like the entertainers and sports figures they see on T.V. There is no oneness anymore. No camaraderie. "Fuck you, Pay Me" is the attitude now. But who is to blame?
Well, I blame our own selves. WE were the ones that wanted equality. WE were the ones that wanted to live in white neighborhoods. But when we moved in, no one told us about the racial profiling that came with it. No one told us of all the stipulations that came with just being equal. Some body should have told Martin Luther King to sit down and shut the fuck up back in the 50's. If they did, I don't think our race would be in such a shambles. We would have a proud race. A race of Kings and Queens that actually had something other than a nice outfit and gaudy jewelry. We need to change the deadly pattern of thinking and living that we have succumb to. But I really don't have the answers. I can only teach my own kid to think and live different. That's where it starts. In our homes. We as parents as adults need to pass more along to the next generation than monetary gifts. We need to pass along a better way of thinking to our own kids and youth we come in contact with. Its actually 5:40am and I'm at work so if my thoughts are running a little its because I'm tired and ready to go home. Sorry.
This is just my view on things. If you have a different one, there's the comment box.
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