DARE to DREAM

Now that my generation is a little older it’s not unusual for us to reflect back with fondness, to a simpler less complicated time in our lives. A time, when life held infinite possibilities, and the future was full of positive potentiality. Our affection for those things we associate with our youth provides us with a sense of comfort and security. When I decided to write this blog I had no doubt I channeled those emotions.

I’ve been accused of being “stuck in the 70’s” and if I were honest in my self-analysis I would have to admit there is some merit to that statement. I whole-heartily believe that: Good Times, reflected the consciousness of the black community in a way that Meet the Browns does not. That song stresses like Jean Carne, Anita Baker and Phyllis Hyman, portrayed sexiness and class in a way that Beyonce and Rianna do not (there’s a difference between sexy & sex). Maybe I’m wrong but I would take Earth, Wind & Fire, Gap Band and ConFunkShun, talent wise over Lil’ John, Lil’ Wayne, or T.I any day of the week. Times do indeed change. The question is however, “Is that change always good and who decides the direction of that change”?

Sometimes you have to look back, before you can move ahead

The other night I was lying in bed unable to sleep, as is often the case. I turned on a comedy show being sponsored by Shaquille O’Neal with the female comedian Mo’Nique as the hostess. I settled in and began to listen to Mo’Nique’s opening monologue. I was completely disgusted by what I heard. This particular night, for the next, let’s say, twenty minutes, every other word was a curse word and she must have said the word “nigger” no less than a hundred times. Needless to say I didn’t find her routine the least bit funny, in fact if I could sum it up in one word I would say it was…offensive!
Now before you say, “Well if you didn’t like it why didn’t you just, turn it off”, for the record, I did, but that’s not the point I’m attempting to make here.
The complexity of adult relationships can be a fertile ground for a comedian. I’ve heard Sinbad take on the same subject matter and he had people “rollin in the aisles” without using expletives or a demeaning term for black people.
Her monologue was particularly disgusting, at least to me, seeing a beautiful black woman debase herself, and us as a people, in such a way.

I’m not picking on Mo’Nique in particular. I’m using her as an example. Mo’Nique operated in relative obscurity until she played the abusive black mother figure in Precious, then here comes the Academy. It seems that if you’re a black entertainer and you portray black people in a negative light, you almost instantly become more successful.
Denzel Washington was a “good actor” for much of his illustrious career, portraying many positive black characters, including Malcolm X (I think Glory was his best work). As soon as he portrayed a dirty cop, devoid of any moral character, here comes the Academy with a Best Actor award.
Let me ask you, “Where are the mainstream movies of abusive Hispanic mother’s. Where are the Hollywood movies that depict Asian’s as completely devoid of moral character”?

Do you really think the proliferation of violence, disrespect for women, and disregard for the value of human life featured in today’s music and film media is an accident? Do people, black, white, or whatever look at the so called “hip hop culture” and immediately equate it as an accurate portrayal of the true nature of black people? Do you?

Do you actually know anyone who acts like the characters depicted in Tyler Perry’s television shows? If not then why are they so popular? Who’s really promoting these “stereotypical” images of Black America? I ask you, "Where is the balance"?
I wonder if this is what Dr. Martin Luther King had in mind when he dreamt of us one day being judged by the “content of our character”. I know its just jokes, right. If it’s “just jokes”…

Why is the joke always on us?

There are approximately 42 million black people in America. That’s more people than a good portion of the sovereign nations on this planet!

Like the late Dr. King, I too have a dream. There are times when I imagine what it would be like if all black people were of a like mind and purpose. I dream of a day, when  media portrayals of us, as a people, emulate our true nature and temperament. I dream of a day when the decisions we make as a people are a true reflection of the content of our character.

I imagine the sheer economic power of a unified black community. We’ve come to learn in this country that the only power that America acknowledges is economic. A unified black community could, with all their buying power, put an end to the spread of negative black images by simply refusing to spend their dollars on anything that promotes negative stereotypes. If this ever occurred, these “Lottery Ticket” type movies would disappear overnight. Comedians who repeatedly use the word “nigger” would find themselves telling “jokes” in empty auditoriums. Rappers who inject the mentality of our youth with the "virus" of glorified violence, and the illusion of narcotic generated riches would dispense their poison to an unreceptive audience. Unfortunately this dream is not yet a reality.
The reality is that we must accept some culpability for the current state of the black community.
We send the message that "coonery" is acceptable every time we pay hard earned money to view a movie or purchase a CD that presents a negative image of us as a race.
 We give the impression to our children that we're comfortable being called a "nigga", when we use this vile description in casual conversation, saying  "Oh, when you put an "a" on the end it changes the meaning". What an utterly obnoxious and ignorant excuse. Do you actually believe that we have the power to change the true meaning of this word? Do you believe that our use of the word demonstrates solidarity?

What Happens to a dream deferred?

As you ponder the content in my blogs try not to be too hard on me because I remember the potential for positive change exhibited in our past.
I can’t help but wonder if slogans like, “Say it loud, I’m Black and I’m Proud”, the natural hairstyles (afro), and the clinched fist were just “lip service” or were they evidence of our true nature fighting its way to the surface of our consciousness.
I don’t apologize for believing that you have a tendency to respect someone when you call them “Brother or Sister”, rather than, “My nigga or bitch”.

We can change the WORLD! There’s NOTHING more POWERFUL than an Idea who’s TIME HAS COME!

The only constant in life is change. I ask everyone who takes the time to read my blog to embrace change, positive change. Despite those who would have you believe that with the image of a black President that we have entered the post-racial era. That we are no longer the subjects of psychological propaganda…

"Don’t Believe the Hype".

There have been, and will always be blacks that “made it” (middle class). They are told that they are somehow “better” than those whom they leave behind, than those who are disposable, and “who just don’t act right”.
Actually, it's the educated black middle class that must lead the way toward the future of our culture! It is the economic power of the black middle class that will advance the possibility of positive change!
We can’t wait for our so-called leaders to point the way. There are no leaders! There’s only YOU!
As individuals we have to determine the future of our people, set our own example, for our children, and the youth in our communities. Those of us who have achieved a certain level of “success”, what is our obligation to those left behind? Do we show them our backs, or do we turn around and extend our hand?
All I ask is that we admit there is a problem and that we should at least begin to find viable solutions!

We are all ONE VILLAGE…ONE TRIBE… remember we are

42 million strong!!!

How can we as a people overcome the lingering psychological ramifications of slavery and initiate effective countermeasures to overcome their adverse effects?

COMMON SENSE over....NONSENSE !!!