Who U Calling Soft?

Welcome back 2 the past. It’s a place that we haven’t quite figured out (or don’t want 2) here in the 21^st century.  The 2 have folded N on 1 another and not enough of us R paying attention. As the saying by Jorge Santayana goes, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it," mirrored by the honorable Marcus Garvey, “A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots.” With this entry I hope that I will stimulate some memories 2 strengthen some roots.

As I write this there R people attempting 2 peacefully negotiate the discontinuation of “progress and expansion” that threatens the land and water of our people. In many, if not most, urban areas populated by us, Europeans R popping up, having heard of these fertile grounds, snatching the land, extoling Christian values without a care 4 the displaced people who R sent to concentrated areas of those cities that the thieves didn’t want & arguably has or will have less resources when they get there. Roving bands of Caucasians, some commissioned by their government, others simply organized 4 that purpose, R killing melanated men, women and children across the country in collusion with mass media that denigrates the image of those melanated people so that their murders somehow seem justified.   In fact the propaganda machine is so strong and omnipresent that many of the melanated people R confused as 2 who they R and fail 2 recognize 1 another from region 2 region.  Whether U R only focused on the present or solely knowledgeable of the past, all of these things should ring a bell with U.

Our parents, worse than our grandparents, gave birth to us who are worse than they, and we shall in our turn bear offspring still more evil. ~Horace (Roman poet)

Whether we’re talking about the Dakota Access Pipeline project or the transcontinental railroad expansion between 1863 & 1869; whether, from the above description U pictured the Homestead Act of 1862 or modern day gentrification pacts in urban cities; whether U thought I was referencing the Seminole Wars of the early 19^th century, the Trail of Tears of 1838 or the 2day’s levels of police brutality and murder; whether U felt the parallel between the slave trade undertaken by pirates and privateers on the water or the system of mass incarceration undertaken by modern day slave catchers on the land, U WOULD B CORRECT. This is the same sh**, remixed and done over just enough that an unwary mind may not recognize it. But recognize we must. We cannot let this loop N history continue.

N that, I’m watching a lot of my people post, “Dear Racism, I am not my grandparents. Sincerely, These Hands,” 2 note how overt racism will not B tolerated N this day & age as their apparently more passive ancestors did. Though humorous and cute at 1^st, it’s bothered the sh** outta me. It says that my people still 2 this day do not know their long tradition of resistance and there4 have not proper context, image or inspiration on the battle we’re facing and the war we’re fighting. 

Yo people ain’t never been no punks

I get it. We’re not widely taught about the Africans who fought against the kidnapping of their people on the grounds of Africa, long B4 honored ancestors like Yaa Asantewaa and Mama N’zinga in the 1800’s. We don’t know that our ancient Mexican ancestors, the Aztecs successfully resisted Cortes’ onslaught until a smallpox infection, brought by the Spanish, decimated their numbers, NOR do we know our connection 2 them as African descendants (despite them depicting themselves in shades of brown, building pyramids and practicing similar traditions as the Mande and others). Successful Black towns R ignored. We don’t talk about John Horse and the Seminole Wars and the freeing of hundreds of enslaved people around Florida 25 years B4 Lincoln’s “Emancipation Proclamation.”   

We’re instead given briefs on our warriors that were stopped, from Babas Nat Turner and Gabriel 2 Chairman Fred Hampton and the esteemed Brother Malcolm. We’re taught defeat and that it was through the efforts of non-violent protestors that concessions have been won in the U.S. but it’s just not true. Not fully. It is and always has been the threat &/or examples of our physical prowess, courage, organization and action that has forced the U.S. government 2 relent N those spaces that they have. That goes 4 our participation in the Civil War to the self-help programs of the Black Panther Party for Self Defense.

And that is what we must teach. Extol our triumphs everyday so that we will know them as well as we know our defeats. The Haitian Revolution, from both a physical and spiritual angle, should be common knowledge and daily inspiration 2 us all as we move 4ward. The very public assassinations of our shining leaders like Brother Malcolm, Chairman Fred and Ken Bridges R no different than what is outlined in the Willie Lynch letter on how 2 control a slave plantation. The murders and brutality of brown-skinned women and men across social network sites damn near daily R the same as the 1000’s of lynchings recorded on postcards in the early 1900s. Compare the division that propagandized labeling had on our ancestors (Indian, slave, negro, freedman) 2 how it works 2day (African-American, Latino, lightskin, darkskin, feminist, rich, poor etc…). Look at the effect that these things have on the spirit of the people and then recognize WHY many of us falsely believe that our forefathers and mothers were a passive people.

We have fought, often successfully, against the infection of pink pathology/European domination/racism intellectually, spiritually and physically since they 1^st came out of Europe spreading that disease. We made many mistakes along the way. We underestimated the savagery of our enemy constantly. We falsely believed in their humanity but left enough of our story 4 us 2 learn from those mistakes and 2 correct our trajectory accordingly. We ARE our ancestors in every way. Energy cannot B created or destroyed. We R everything that ever was & will B and our ancestors ain’t never been no punks. Honor that.

Thanks 4 reading. Keep fighting.

Sincerely,

These Hands

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The Heat part 4of 4: The Responsibility

Fear is the greatest, most powerful weapon on this planet. While hate is often thought 2 B the opposite of Love, I believe it’s fear.  Hate is merely a symptom of fear.  Fear immobilizes people, nullifies their power, creates self doubt and empowers the thing that is feared. All the stories, however true or false they may B have simply been used 2 instill an overwhelming fear in the masses allowing that group of people 2 act with impunity across the planet.

 

Let’s say 4 the sake of argument that all the above stories R 100% true. What does it matter? They R still a small minority that rely on the compliance of an overwhelming majority 2 do the things they do.  Policemen who have 2 get side jobs 2 properly provide 4 their families, soldiers sent 2 war and come back 2 hardship, health issues and worry, civil rights leaders begging 4 a seat at “the table,” impoverished Caucasians whose only personal saving grace is that at least they ain’t “Black,” hardline Democrat and/or Republican voters, workers and supporters who believe wholeheartedly that “their” party can make it better, etc…  R all tools of that minority. All of them R exploited daily 2 keep the money rolling N 4 that minority and all of them R carefully taught by others like them not 2 C their exploitation or not 2 care out of fear, duty, paternalism or responsibility 2 support their families. 

I get it. U’re scared. It can B scary. We’ve seen the vocal get picked off, blacklisted and/or have their names defamed and discredited 2 cast just enough reasonable doubt upon that individual 2 have any of their claims ignored. But that fear comes when U R looking at U and not us. “Us” is a powerful, resourceful being. “Us” cannot not B stopped because 1 part of us was removed. “Us” is smarter, bigger and stronger than any 1 of “U.”   Instruments of fear like race, religion, financial/class status, even geographical loyalties have been brilliantly used 2 sow seeds of fear between “Us” 2 keep us divided, distracted and not looking at “them.” “They” may not even like each other but they know 2 work as 1. 

So I blame U. I’m not that smart and I can C it clearly.  I blame U, that majority, that "other 98%" who allows this curious minority 2 run freely destroying everything in its path in pursuit of “shiny things” like any common rodent. I blame U 4 allowing such small things 2 keep us apart when it benefits us in untold ways 2 work 2gether. I blame U 4 every genocide now happening in both Africa and the Americas, 4 allowing careless corporations 2 poison U through your food, 4 becoming dependant on them N the 1^st place 2 eat, 4 allowing hunger when there is farmable land in a 4 block radius of where U stand right now;4 allowing "them" 2 make the water undrinkable, the air unbreathable, and your land unaffordable; 4 allowing people 2 live on the street when there R reported 22 homes 4 each homeless person N America, 4 choosing 2 B distracted from these issues by brainless entertainment designed specifically 4 that reason.  I blame the over seven billion people on this planet predominately of color and similar descent 4 allowing this 1 minority faction of 1minority people 2 run this rampant, destroying in a couple of centuries what U kept in harmony 4 100’s of thousands of years.  I’m a believer that we here as the keepers of this living Earth and in absence of our job performance the Earth will naturally make her own adjustments and it ain't gonna B nice 4 Us when She does.  The solutions R easy. U make this stuff hard. Yeah, it’s hot but it’s gonna get a whole lot hotter if WE don’t get back on our task.  Peace and harmony ya’ll.

 

Chairman Fred Hampton

Thanks 4 reading. 

Fini?

The Heat part 1 of 4: "It's Hot"

The heatwave seems 2 B passing. My hometown of Chicago was hit pretty hard. I’ve heard word after word about how hot it was.  Complaints about sweating and choking and not being able 2 move or go out and this, after so many complaints about the long cold winter.  It’s laughable but par 4 the course.  Legitimately, it was hot; very hot. 

With the surge in temperature came also the surge in criminally-related deaths mainly from being shot. I will not say “by guns” because I 2 am a believer that guns don’t kill people. People with guns kill people. The big headline was that there were more people being killed in Chicago than there were in Afghanistan; sensationalized but largely true. The regular people, due 2 the transitory legalities in Illinois/Chicago have largely been disarmed which has given way 4 motivated individuals 2 procure guns in unlawful ways and at the same time opening up a huge industry on the blackmarket. Capitalism.

 According 2 the Chicago Tribune the latest number of people shot N this frenzy near the end of June 2012 was 319, an annual rise of nearly 22%. Comments by well-meaning racists on another site, trained like the sheeple they R, they, like a lot of America, believe that the shooters and those shot R all thugs & other assorted criminal scum negating that at least 24 of the victims were mere school children from 7 on up. They didn’t account 4 the innocents, elderly and uninvolved who were out walking or sitting on their porches and caught a stray. Nor the record numbers of people shot, largely of so-called “minority” heritage, by police under questionable circumstances. But this entry isn’t about that. There’s a level of ignorance N this country that I am, at this time, disinterested in addressing. This is geared at solutions.

and most of them are uninvolved in any criminal activity

 The hood isn’t the way it is because of some innate desire to harm one another or predilection toward self destruction.  It’s the lack of devoted resources and the poor educational system that gives the students no purpose on Y they’re there. It’s the poor, substanceless, nutrient-deficient foods dumped upon and made available 2 the people living there, the lack of jobs and the inability 2 provide one’s self and one’s family with basic needs and finally, the saturation of repetitive, irresponsible, mind-numbing entertainment that eggs on these conditions. These things build up 2 frustration, anger, hunger, lack of self-worth and other diseases whose symptoms become visible as the widely reported violence.

 The “West,” European colonized industrial lands, R treatment based societies. They don’t practice prevention. They treat symptoms. They move without regard 2 consequences then attempt to “treat” the damage done. There R those who think that’s what makes this country great, despite the staggering numbers in health and environmental issues, despite the substandard education of the masses; despite that many who think that R the same ones suffering from those afflictions inflicted upon them by the very few.  This country “treats” the symptoms of its cancer and AIDS victims despite the fact that many scientists & health practitioners have proven cures 4 those deadly ailments 4 decades. They’d rather spend millions on “research” 2 better circulate money 2 the privileged. This country “treats” symptomatic environmental issues, allowing a few hybrid vehicles on the street 2 reduce pollution while trucks and factories blow billows of harmful smoke N2 the air despite having access 2 yet denying effective, cleaner energy sources because of their financial commitment 2 oil. They’d rather damage the livability of our land 4 profits than change things 4 the better 4 the people.  Chicago hires more police while reducing effective social programs. Am I wrong? Is this just hippie-talk? I’m open 2 criticism.

I might have an answer. This is not an original idea. It’s rooted in offerings set forth by Garvey, Drew-Ali and Elijah Muhammad and it was inspired by a post from a wonderful sista that I saw the other day.  It’s an idea I contemplated years ago but wasn’t N a position 2 implement.  Its viability is local and global. It’s simple, realistic, long-term and not far-reaching. It’s directed 2 whoever can and will read this. 

Many candles can B lit from a single flame without diminishing its light

Part 2 of 4: "A Suggested Solution" in 2 days...