During the civil rights movement of the 1960's many African Americans did not want to rock the boat. Many thought not only that Malcolm X (El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz) was a loud mouth and wished he would shut up but thought the same of Martin Luther King,Jr.Those people of the sixties who did not understand the need to fight for civil rights, today would be the people that embrace ghetto culture. They are the people who embrace rap music and the minstrel show that it has become.
So it would be imprudent for those of us who understand what must be done to better our lives to wait for the masses of people to get on board, they will never get on board. However they will benefit from the victories and changes that will happen.
Money Talks (And Bullshit Runs A Marathon)**
We also cannot expect corporate America to change for the sake of change. Those corporations that make their money destroying the images of African Americans will continue to do so until an economic impediment is put in their way.
For instance; to protest a company such as Viacom is a waste of time. Viacom will continue to exploit the images of Black people for as long as it is profitable to do so.
The job of those who choose to try to make a difference is to take the profit away.
In this New Year, we must use new strategies to make change. We must finally let go of the protest methods of our grandparents and move fully into the new century.
Marches don't work anymore, no matter how many choose to march.
Asking people to simply do what is right will not work, some people either do not have a conscience or choose not to engage it.
In a capitalist nation like America the war must be fought with our wallets. We must put economic impediments in the way of anyone who chooses to attack us; whether it is an individual or a multi-national corporation.
We Are On The Clock
As 2008 begins we must acknowledge that only about 5% of us will not only understand that there is work to do but are willing to participate and make sacrifices.
At this point whatever the problems are that effect African America are known and have been recited over and over. We don't need to spend another year identifying problems.
We need to spend this year fighting the good fight. We know what needs to be done. It's time to act.
Do you agree? What do you think should be the first step?
**Quote from the film New Jack City.
22 comments:
Whatever we do it requires sacrifice. For me, it starts with economic self-sufficiency.
We need to let go of the materialism (when we can't afford it). If you're having a hard time paying bills, isn't it obvious to get rid of cable and one of your phones (land or cell)? But thats for people living paycheck-to paycheck. There are many people who aren't choosing sneakers over Hooked on Phonics b/c they dont have that choice...they are too poor.
We need to stop validating the people we don't see as leaders. Even asking where they are out of criticism validates in some sense. Those of us who are willing and able must fill the void.
Some of the new generation will have to do more than blog. Some will have to go into the communities. In fact, those people are there but we are ignoring them.
Not only do we need more like us in politics but we need more in positions who control the politicians-business.
We need to stop being happy with "middle management, I have enough to live alright" mentalities. Because even though we have those college degrees we aren't leaders with influence.
We need to be leaders in all industries because boycotting will only do so much when you are 5% and you are outnumbered in massive numbers by those who are either apathetic or associated with those who hurt us.
Sometimes I feel we have expectations for "Black people" but not for our friends and family. I was reading a book about Chinese revolutions and a man said "the best way for me to make my country better is to be educated and successful" or something to that affect.
Basically, we can help "Black America" by making sure we as individuals are on-point. And that means our families too.
We need to stop debating the same arguments. "Is it laziness or societal barriers?" Its both, now can we move on please!
Sites like Shecodes' Blackwomenvote! is great. And thank you, MDC for once again putting it out there that everyone isn't going to be on board. Lets DO, we can have a simultaneous "rally the troops" campaign. But there is no magic number of people to make this happen.
There is already a PAC for the purpose of electing Black women into office. The Future PAC was created in 2002. Does anyone know if that PAC is a lost cause?
Grassroots is great, but not everything is going to be done as an outsider. And while some older guards may not do everything the way we want them to, I have to believe there is some knowledge we can take from them. Or at the very least some additional contacts and resources.
Now I've talked too much MDC LOL.
I could not have written this better myself. I believe in gathering political power and economic power pragmatically. Give money to useful institutions so that they can support the community. Vote and encourage your friends and neighbors to vote so that politicians send money to your neighborhood in an effort to win your support. Give money to political campaigns so that politicians respond to your requests. All of these steps can be done individually or as a group so there is no need to wait for anyone to get to work.
Great post MSD. I heard Rev. Al say that marching was not to change anything but to bring attention to a problem. My question is how can we bring attention to problems with out marching?
Even with the Jena six protesting, wasn't marching part of it? I know that the online bloggers did most of the work of bringing it to the front line.
I'm thinking as I clean the house. Share information. If you know about a resource that can help people, let them know.
How many Black people know you can get a free copy of your credit report from the three credit agencies once every 12 years? I sent out an email to everyone I knew.
I despise people who know something and try to keep it all to themselves in an attempt to be above those around them.
Once every twelve MONTHS for the free credit report. Sorry.
all that you said symphony =is a deposit in the bank of knowledge and truth!
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mdc said=
"For instance; to protest a company such as Viacom is a waste of time. Viacom will continue to exploit the images of Black people for as long as it is profitable to do so.
The job of those who choose to try to make a difference is to take the profit away.--In a capitalist nation like America the war must be fought with our wallets. We must put economic impediments in the way of anyone who chooses to attack us; whether it is an individual or a multi-national corporation."
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this is very true--and bill cosby i believe was thinking this way years ago when he was orchastrating the buy out of nbc-(if i remember correctly it was nbc)- and then 'they'
killed his son.....
and he backed away from the buyout deal.
very good points in this post mdc....i think we need to invest in advertising on billboards in all neighborhoods. posting messages on them like the ones we discuss here.
anyone can 'rent' billboard space...
hummm- think i'll look into that around this area i live in...
materialism is a demon...
and it must be cast out.
i'm with you symphony on that point--
Educate Yourself-Educate Another! is my chant!
wow MDC, I think this is your calling!
MDC, you brought the fiyah! This was an awesome post! I completely agree. Next steps? The 10 New Year's Eve Resolutions for African Americans post that you did, and the additions by commenters, lays out a strong plan.
When I saw the 5% title I thought you were going to talk about the Gods and the Earths, lol.
Great post.
I am all for solutions being linked on to the light shined on the problem.
Sometimes we get caught up in pointing out an injustice we do not get into making sure it does not happen again.
As an example:
No one spoke about what should be done about the DA in the Jena Six fiasco. Why does he still have a job?
The cure for the cause for the disease is what I would like to see more of this year.
i agree but don't know where to start? an economic protest? on what - just hip-hop music? or movies that depict the ghetto-mentality? ah it seems so big. help me wrap my head around it all.
great post. happy new years!
e.
They asked if I'm a five perecenter...well, no but I go where the brothers go."
lol.
Good post, Mes. As usual. I personally think a large scale boycott is the only way to affect the corporate world. Money seems to be what they cherish the most, and understand amongst all things, so I agree with you that hitting the pockets would hurt their feelings.
My next major post is about this, which will probably come out on Monday morning. I am so glad that we are moving past the endless analysis and starting to roll up our sleeves.
There is a lot to be done.
Whenever I look at the makeup of local government, I see very few non-white faces. Yet, with the increasing numbers of educated blacks in this country, are there none who are willing to get involved with the institution that results in the most direct change: government.
Yeah, I know it sounds like politics, and it is, but I am tired of the dickless cheneys and george bushtards and mike huckabees and hilary blowhard clintons. Alan Keyes, too.
Symphony,
"we can have a simultaneous "rally the troops" campaign."
That is the perfect idea! Let's plan that.
I would love to start a cancel your cable campaign. Let me know what you think.
And you never talk too much. Lol
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HC,
Voting is going to be important this year. We bloggers really need to start pushing voting.
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JJ B,
We can take our money away from those that harm us. Like canceling our cable. That is a start and can be very effective.
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Symphony,
That's a good idea; I really liked your posting the link to buy savings bonds. I think we all can start doing more of that.
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WTM,
Lol, we have our own electronic billboards right in front to us, our blogs. If we are unified we can reach many more people than a billboard.
Think of your blog as a billboard and bring people to it. Also most billboards are owned by Viacom, so that would be consorting with the enemy.
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Miriam,
Lol, I think it's all of our calling!
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ClnMike,
You're right; Rev. Sharpton dropped the ball in Jena. He should have been more into the details to prevent the same thing happening again.
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e,
Well if the images you see on BET and VH1 bother you, then that would be a good start. Cancel your cable. I'm going to post about that on Monday, so stay tuned.
I missed your comments, welcome back. I hope your holiday was okay.
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Don,
Boycott! You said the magic word. I have a post about that coming up on Monday.
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SheCodes,
Exactly, we know what the problems are; now we need to get moving! I look forward to your post.
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Sauerkraut,
I think at the moment there are more African American politicians then at any other time in our history, that's nationwide.
The problem with relying on politicians is that most of them eventually cozy up with big business. So they are not a group that can be relied on.
I think grassroots is the way to go.
My mom always talks to me about how she remembers the preacher at her church dissing Dr. King and Malcolm X.
What comes next? I take it to the neighborhood, getting involved with mentoring and literacy efforts.
And I'm still so impressed that you canceled your cable. That idea got turned down in this household though. ;0
mdc = "WTM,
Lol, we have our own electronic billboards right in front to us, our blogs. If we are unified we can reach many more people than a billboard.
Think of your blog as a billboard and bring people to it. Also most billboards are owned by Viacom, so that would be consorting with the enemy."
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my thinking was to reach as many as possible, but not by using
one method of delivery, i.e computers only.
there are many people that do not own, have use of, or even use computers as much as many of us do- but they drive or are in cars, buses or walking daily.
the vessels used to deliver the message are best if varied.
giving people the choice to join this 'demand for change' is one way to let all people know what is going on (the grassroots way)- what the plans are and what is being asked for-what is being demanded to be changed. giving them the information that we have.
it allows people that usually are not asked to voice their thoughts and opinions--what do they think? what do they want to do? what is it that they care about?
no matter what their answers are-giving them the chance to speak is also the beginning of changes being done in them.
and, it give the group plenty of info as to "who is who" within every environment. planning is all it is. demographics.
my thinking on viacom owning billboards ( now i'm curious to know just who does own the ones here in NC)- is this= they love money. i need that space to say what i want to say-bet they take my money before they turn me down.
when i educate myself-i educate another.
The projected black buying power in the US for the year 2008 will be $910,579,582 (projections from 2004 Selig Center Study). That's alot of money, thus power that black people have. A plan is needed, a cohesive plan that identified offenders. Boycotts, divestments and sanctions at the very least should be made against these companies, like Viacom. Perhaps a list of companies and affiliates that actively discriminate or portray people in a negative light. Black Enterprise does compile annual lists of companies that have large (millions of dollars) discrimination suits. For example, Mitsubishi motors and Morgan Stanley have been repeat offenders. Go on the record and name names, other than the boogeyman of Viacom's $ made me do it.
I would like to see a blog list of companies that have wronged black people, their contact information and if they are members of a conglomerate, like Viacom. It will be rough, inconvenient for sure, but information is power and they will not want this revolution televised.
Liz,
I'm a big fan of mentoring, it can really make a difference.
I could have used cable last night to see the Iowa results! Lol
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WTM,
You do have a point about using different methods to reach people.
The billboard situation in your part of the country may be different. Here most of them are owned by Viacom and or CBS Outdoor, which is the same thing.
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Malacyne,
I am all for boycotts and divestments. I think using our economic power is the key to making change.
A list would be great. (I'm going to have to start reading Black Enterprise more often)
Amazing post per usual.
Intersting that you point out that marching doesn't work and we need to find new ways to fight the system. I wholeheartedly agree.
P.S. I adore the pic of Huey P. Newton. Gotta love the naturals!
Afrodite,
I know, I love Elaine's 'fro. It so nice and big.
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