Examples

There are times when it seems that we fall victim to the belief that words are substitutes for actions. So many times we lament the behavior of our youth, but never question the way there beliefs were shaped by our hypocrisy. It seems that the condition of the youth can be correlated with the corrupting ideas we have sanctioned with our silence. The sweet embrace of individualism,materialism and narcissism has created a foundation that does not nurture but destroys. It is no wonder that our children seem lost. Their malaise is consumed in the larger apathy that conflicts of us all. However, there is hope and it lies in the resurgence of true examples. Examples, that seek to be motivated by a purpose that cannot be understood through the capitalistic values that provide the context for so much of our world. A purpose connected to rebuilding humanity and revolutionizing the traditional ideas that provide the constructs for normalcy. Change can only occur when we accept the challenge to create new examples.

The Mis-Education of the Negro 2010

In 2010 it still seems that African Americans are still being mis-educated. Whenever the attainment of "knowledge" takes you further from your community there is a problem. Anytime the attainment of "knowledge" helps us to fashion an ideology where we begin to mimic the critiques of dominant society there is a problem. Education is a tool to empower and instill pride in a people. We must ask ourselves if the education we are receiving is helping us to do that. Or is it simply brainwashing us into thinking and behaving like the oppressor. And when I say oppressor,I do not simply mean white people. That is to simplistic, I mean those who benefit from us becoming complacent. Those who like to see us become more selfish and less concerned with the plight of others. If the education we receive does not open our eyes to the oppressive nature of the society we live then what good is it? I raise the question does your education make you want to change the system or simply become a part of it?

The Mis-Education of the Negro

"When you control a man's thinking you do not have to worry about his actions. You do not have to tell him to not stand here or go yonder. He will find his "proper place" and will stay in it. You do not need to send him to the back door. He will go without being told. In fact, if there is no back door, he will cut one for his special benefit. His education makes its necessary"

"History shows that it does not matter who is in power...those who have not learned to do for themselves and have to depend solely on others never obtain any more rights or privileges in the end than they did in the beginning"

Dr. Carter G Woodson

Racism and the Obama Presidency

It is difficult for America to truly deal with its racist past. So many times we seek to deny the impact that race has played on the collective American identity. The way that blackness has been criminalized in every aspect of American society and inherently categorized as Un-American. This has been accepted into the National consciousness of America. Whether it is politically, economically or socially blacks have been demonized to keep them powerless and the continuous outsiders in American society. The racist underpinnings of this systematic attack on black people has been relegated to the sidelines or ignored because it is a continuous contradiction to the grandiose ideas that this country espouses. However, the degradation of blackness is now on full display with the blatant race-baiting and Hate speech that categorizes much of the rights attacks against the Obama Administration.The political right has exploited the fear that lies at the core of white America that a time of retribution would arrive in which blacks would extract revenge on white America for the injustices of the past. President Obama is the manifestation of this fear and the critiques of his presidency are cloaked in this incessant fear.

It seems

It seems we have lost the ability to question the institutions, structures, and rules that govern our lives. We have become mindless followers of traditions and ideas. We do not have the strength to question, but the time is now for us to challenge the individual and collective choices we make that keep us trapped in this rat race. It seems that we are forced into a life were we are living by the standards of an entity or governing body that we might not agree with. The question is what do we do once this is recognized? I feel that we must resist living a life that is not predicated on our own feelings and beliefs. To break from the shackles of conformity that allow for the entities that control our lives to remain unchallenged and ultimately unthreatened. We refuse to question or challenge anything we are more concerned with “fitting in” not realizing that even the idea of “fitting in” is socially constructed to get us to aspire to live a certain way. Conformity is slavery when it is based on rules and sanctions that rob you of individuality, and not the individuality associated with capitalism. Capitalistic individuality is socially constructed to keep us looking externally for material goods that produce profit those seeking to exploit our conditions. We must turn from that idea to a more humane individuality that allows for individuals to find their passion and purpose living their lives uninterrupted.

Faith

Realizing that faith is reserved for the courageous. Faith is a choice, it allows for us to transcend, to envision something better. To not be held captive by disappointments or entangled by the chains of fear that do not allow for hope to exist. Faith does not force us to look at difficulty through rose colored glasses, but it gives us the power to never be broken by events that may lie outside of our control. Faith allows for us to be powerful. Faith allows for us to remain hopeful even in the midst of hopeless times. To believe that change although not instant is on the way.

Compromise with injustice

The struggle to make compromise with injustice. To seemingly turn a blind eye to the callous indifference that characterizes the way we are forced to live. It is difficult to not challenge a status quo predicated on injustice and maintained through greed. At times, it seems that we have been defeated. That we have lost sight of ideas and have become slaves to what is practical. The system is broken and are inability to wrestle with what that means is frustrating. This realization should provide the platform for this generation to makes its contribution to the trajectory of world history. Unfortunately, we have become fascinated with ourselves and how many worthless possessions we can accumulate. Sacrifice is foreign to us entitlement is our accepted birthright. The only reason why injustice is able to perpetually dominate the lives of so many is because the majority of us are so appallingly silent.

Doubt

Is it alright that I have doubt? I must be truthful about the doubt that circles this choice to pursue more education when American society seems to be filled with over-educated individuals with questions but no answers. As society continues to spiral towards an uncertain future and the problems seem larger by the day. I am left to wonder is more school the answer? It seems that higher education is where revolutionaries go to die. To become a part of the very system that we seek to change. This is contradictory, but in reality American society creates limited free space for those that recognize there is something inherently wrong with the American system. They are left to attain more degrees so that these legitimate concerns can become validated.The problem is, any idea that seeks to challenge or alter the American way of life will never accepted. It does not matter how many degrees one gains if they seek to challenge the norms or highlight the vicious hypocrisy of this nation they will be isolated or discredited. So yes, I have doubt and its because deep down I know more credentials are not the answer.

Resist

To not let ourselves become normalized to despair and hopelessness. This is our challenge to never let the world convince us that injustice and oppression must be things that we have to accept in life. Our ability to challenge these ideas reflects our power. We have the power to change the world and when we begin to operate through a paradigm of victimhood then we lose. We become trapped by feelings of hopelessness that allow for us to detach from life and seek forms of escape. No, we cannot accept this fate we must continuously persist to rectify wrongs and eliminate injustice. This is our collective struggle to bring about a clearer picture of the world. To no lose hope and continue to fight and make this world a better place.

The Process

The realization that true change begins with self: this is not a new idea to the world, but one that, in recent days, I have begun to wrestle with. Everything is connected to a process, and we cannot bypass the hard work neccesary to get the reward. So often we become fascinated with the end goal, becoming trapped by the allure of what lies ahead, unable to truly engage in the process. It sounds cliche, but every journey begins with a step, and to bypass this truth will leave many with unfufilled dreams and destructive images of what might have been. So I re-examine my life and recognize that every move is bringing more closer to a desired end. I also recognize that the prospect of ushering in change for society must begin with me changing myself.