Indoctrination And Assimilation Ain't Progression

Part of my lifestyle and happiness is accepting people, particularly my friends and family, 4 exactly who they R. ALL of us have some effed up characteristics about us but outside of any type of deviant, insidious behaviors that harm others, I'm pretty cool with how others choose 2 live their lives. This does not mean I have 2 agree with other's lifestyles 4 us 2 B cool but sometimes, on rare occasions I may have something 2 say about certain parts of those lifestyles, in general. This is 1 of those times. 

My little cousin has decided 2 pledge 1 of the contradictory named Black Greek Letter Orgs. While I philosophically disagree with what these orgs stand 4, (& I ain't arguing with none of U zealot-ass acolytes about what that is no matter how cool we R) I have MANY friends and family who I love, cherish and respect, who R members. Again, people do what they want and I don't desire a say N it.

HOWEVER, as my cousin approaches the pledging process their mother tells me how much the organization is REQUIRING my 21 year old cousin 2 pay in order 2 do so. Foolishly thinking it was an excessive 2-500 dollars I was quickly corrected that it would B $21-2500! R U fu**ing kidding me???

So in addition 2 an exorbitant tuition, extreme school fees and living costs, these "progressive" organizations expect a family (cause who else is gonna run that doe) 2 put 2gether 21-2500 more dollars just 2 B N one of these "U-can't-sit-with-us ass, civic, bourgeoisie social clubs?!? Maaaaaaaaaaaan, FU** DAT! 

Almost all of these orgs R at least 100 years old. N those 100 years of fraternal and sisterly kinship I don’t know (& I’m open 2 being corrected) of 1 fortune 500 company that’s been opened and operated by any one or combination of those groups 2 ensure our people, or even just their members, post-graduate employment. Not 1 Alpha hotel chain. No Omega hospitals. No Nupe farms or food brands. Nary a Delta textiles or Sigma shipping line. Not even a simple National Pan-Hellenic Council political lobbyist group. N 100 years of bringing young educated Black minds 2gether, not a single org has created and dominated a single area of industry as a economic force 4 our people. 

I’m NOT discounting the far-reaching lengths European-Americans have gone 2 KILL Black economic progression N general. I’m NOT saying any other organization has achieved this basic achievement and been able 2 maintain its operation to this day either (recognition goes 2 Garvey’s notable attempts with the Black Star Line, Negro Factories Corporation, etc…). BUT what other organizations have been around as long and boast memberships as large as the BGLOs? If anyone touted unity as the answer 2 collective Black socioeconomic elevation or helping us counter Black oppression, BGLOs have glaringly helped 2 prove otherwise. 

And THESE R the organizations asking 4 upward of $2500 2 join their ranks? So an individual can dress alike, B N step shows and do some basic ass charity drives??? I’ve come 2 the aid of my brothers who I didn’t need 2 “take wood” with N ways that their organizations didn’t. Where was their return on that investment? Do we really need a handshake and goofy ass call 2 help and recognize each other other than a Black fist and a head nod? In my humble opinion I’m only Cing them sell “networking” as the reason 2 join the same way pulpit pimps sell “eternal damnation.” GTFOHWTBS. 

I know we can B a tribal people. Many of us love having secret handshakes, signs and calls 2 distinguish us from that infamous “everybody else.” I’m not knocking that. Some folks R naturally joiners and they need that. That’s their prerogative. GDs, Crips, Bloods, and Blackstones hook up 4 similar reasons and take similar ass whuppins 2 get N. Folks do what they do. But if said organization is supposedly about uplifting a member, Y would they B charging them $2100+ 2 B a part of them. Where the fu** does all that money go when these orgs literally OWN no businesses or political lobby groups? Most of them don’t even have formal “houses” 4 their members 2 live N like their pink counterparts. Naw, this is some bullsh** and I just needed my moment 2 talk about it. Rep yo set if U like but ain’t no rationale 4 taking that kinda bread from a college student. It’s 2 many Black degreed phenomenons out here looking 4 careers and the “Divine Nine” ain’t hiring 1 of them. 

Thanks 4 reading,
K.

What Do We Do Now

N the wake of Philando Castile and Alton Sterling murders I was having an after-workout convo with a friend of mine. She voiced the common concern of what could she do that can help change these/our conditions 4 the better. N the weeks prior 2 those lynchings this question has been the subject of conversation quite often. I waited, got still and thought long about it B4 I posted any substantive answer.  I still can’t tell U that I have THEE solution. I don’t believe that anyone really does, if such a thing does exist. However I do know of a few actions that every one of us can do if we R earnest N our desire 2 dismantle the diseased structure of European domination and fix those conditions amongst melanated people, the world over, that desperately need correcting. I VERY humbly offer these suggestions.

Step 1: Ego check -  As I understand it, the ego is largely emotional. Its ability 2 guide us rationally is limited at best and typically acts as a send-off when left unchecked. In the area of raising a community it’s the ego that makes us think that we’re the only 1 with the right answers, ideas, or initiatives. It makes us want 2 B in charge or not B involved at all. It is often what blocks cooperation with our comrades and it is definitely that sense that led many a traitor 2 sell-out their people/organization/crew because their ego was somehow bruised or not given the praise they were really seeking.

If U’re in a nation building organization 4 the praise, please quit. Find other work 2 do. Praise is nice but this action is not 4 U.  If things like religion, philosophy, political affiliation and other illusional divisions divide U from working with your brotha and sista with the same goals, B off. This is not 4 U. There’s only 1 goal. Live fully. Dismantle European domination and raise our people up from their ills. That’s the only area we need 2 agree on. Everything else is personal and should B dealt with that way. This is business. Get past petty differences 2 do the work that needs 2 B done. Don’t B so hyped 2 B the 1 N charge. & PLEASE stop taking sh** so personal. This is a we thing.

Step 2: Integrity/Truth - Do what U say U’re gonna do. Let’s face it, we R scared of 1 another; afraid of being let down, sold out, taken advantage of, etc…  It’s happened B4 and we’ve allowed those past situations 2 define our present. European domination has infected ALL of our minds in some way and that infection is often reflected in the actions of some of us who wrong those of us who rely on or look 2 4 assistance, leadership or service. That has 2 change. As I wrote a friend of mine earlier, we must B so about our word that trust amongst us is infallible and impenetrable. Ego & distrust has left us continually vulnerable 2 exterior aggravation and instigation and our ignorance in our participation of falling prey 2 these traps has got us 2 where we R 2day; being murdered N the streets without remorse or recourse and so scattered that there is no end in sight 2 these atrocities. B about your word to your people and a stronger community will rise around that.

Step 3: Culture - 2 root ourselves in culture, which is done through education, both formal (school) and informal (home/community), is 2 give us a singular accord and goal as a people. It binds a body of people 2gether 4 their present and future survival. Through European domination we have been conditioned 2 rebuke and fear the traditions that we as Africans carried 2 America long B4 and after Columbus’ violently disruptive arrival. Those R the characteristics that sustained us 4 thousands of years here and abroad and those R the characteristics that we R 2 (re)implement back N2 our lives while updating those things 2 fit our present reality. It’s going 2 take some study. It ain’t just dashikis and hairdo’s, though that’s part of it. Embracing our traditions is going 2 do wonders 4 our growth and protection of our people against the savagery of those committed 2 our demise.  

If U R from a city that has a Chinatown (New York, Chicago, San Francisco), have U ever heard of a cop murdering a young man of Chinese descent there? EVER??? Is there a special segment of police training that keeps them from doing so? Hypothetically, what do U think would happen if such a thing did occur? The Chinese make up a far smaller segment of the population than Africans in America so how is it that there is no worry 4 them, as another U.S. minority, of any of their children or men or women being shot down, unarmed at the whim of some cop? Their culture HERE, negating how China itself would respond, would never allow U.S. cops 2 murder so many of their people in Chinatown. They R clear about their culture and it continues 2 protect them in so many ways.

Step 4: Build institutions around our culture. Help improve and expand what already exists rather than start your own. I’m not talking about the NAACP or other outdated questionable institutions but community-based businesses, schools grocery stores, etc… We have 2 B able 2 feed, shelter, clothe and (since we’re living N a capitalist society) employ one another. Dependency on the same kind of savages that R murdering us and limiting our access 2 resources 2 do that 4 us is not merely insane but it’s kept us in the condition where we R fighting amongst ourselves out of anger, lack and ignorance. March if U wanna but put up that doe. Eventually we’ll even have 2 get away from using “their” currency.  Foreign countries have been toppled and leaders slain 4 this 1 but in the meantime get everyone at the next march 2 up $50 2 build or fortify our banks, schools, grocery stores, jobs, clothing lines, etc…

  

Do these things comfortably and unapologetically! Display unconditional integrity amongst ourselves. Do away with putting ego N2 these matters, except in the spaces where it keeps U from being stopped by any opposition. Reaffirm who we R culturally, and nationally build institutions around that culture, not at the exclusion of anyone else but 4 the complete inclusion of our people.

& finally and possibly most important, let go the fear of change. Be real with yourself about what this is. We R being terrorized by terrorists who R trained, financed and armed by a system of European domination using institutional racism 2 deprive people of color of LIFE, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. No? This BS has got 2 change. We R that change but it has 2 begin internally and it has 2 build communally.  Until they feel the pain we feel - until there is some fair and equitable consequence 2 their transgressions against us, by us, these transgression will continue. History has given us all the lessons we need 2 know 2 do what we need 2 do. Learn from it and get 2 work. Not another sista or brotha need B murdered in this crisis.

I know I wrote this 2 sound like general suggestions but I suggest we look at each of these steps N a very specific way and start 2day. Leave your BS at home and deal with it there.  It’s nation building time.

I'm ready 2 work with U. 
Thanks 4 reading.
Khari B. 

I Am Pookie, Ray-Ray, Junebug N' 'Nem.

An abSOULute gem from my sis, Lesle.  A lot of POCs suffer from the vile "We Sick, Boss?" disorder as outlined by the honorable Malcolm X/Malik Al Hajj Al Shabazz. Lesle speaks 2 this ailment in reaction 2 an infected sista's outburst about protestors standing up 4 their human rights at a poLICE station. Dig it.