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by Edrea Davis
(6/19/07) The world is focused on Paris Hilton’s incarceration. The circus even triggered a campaign to remove Los Angeles Sheriff Lee Baca from office for granting Hilton an early release.
Sheriff Baca is not the culprit; the real perpetrator is the malfunctioning criminal justice system. Thanks to overzealous prosecutors and the failed war on drugs, jails and prisons are filled dangerously beyond capacity. Some jails – especially in California – are releasing inmates after serving only ten percent of their time.
Minorities and the poor have suffered the wrath of an unjust system for years. Recently our prison-addicted society has inconvenienced a few wealthy white American’s like Hilton and the Duke La Crosse players. Their celebrity status should be used to draw attention to broader issues like the fact that the Dept. of Justice reported that over 7 million people were on probation, in jail or prison, or on parole at yearend 2005.
Rather than complaining about Hilton’s release, activists would accomplish more by protesting the biased laws that result in long sentences for petty drug criminals and cause such overcrowding in prisons that officials are forced to release inmates early. In 2000 the mean sentence imposed on federal prisoners for violent felonies was 63.0 months as opposed to 75.6 months for drug felonies.* The fact that murders, child molesters, rapists, and other violent criminals can get less time than non-violent drug offenders is alarming and a lot more newsworthy than Hilton’s ordeal.
Augmenting the prison population is not the only accomplishment the drug war can claim. Since the enactment of mandatory minimum sentencing for drug users, the Federal Bureau of Prisons budget has increased by 1,954% from $220 million in 1986 to more than $4.3 billion in 2001.* That same year, the California’s prison expenditure was $4.2 billion, yet residents still live in violent, drug-infested neighborhoods.
Instead of questioning why Sheriff Boca sent the confused hotel heiress home, citizens should wonder why he, according to the Los Angeles Times, is the highest-paid local elected official in the nation. Find out why the state built 21 new prisons, and only one new university from 1984 to 1996. Or, ask California officials if they think increasing prison expenditures 30% while decreasing higher education spending by 18% from 1987 to 1995 had anything to do with California ranking the fourth dumbest state in Morgan Quitno’s annual state education survey.
The media could evolve beyond stories on Hilton’s prison stay and feature some of the talent wasted due to our prison-addicted society. Take for example, Kemba Smith, the Hampton student sentenced to 24 ½ years on conspiracy charges. Since her pardon in 2000 by President Clinton, Smith graduated from Virginia Union University with plans to attend law school; was awarded a Soros Justice Postgraduate Fellowship; and is the founder of the Kemba Smith Foundation educating youth about injustices in the criminal justice system. How many Kemba Smith’s are working for the average .93 cents per hour paid to prisoners?
The web sites of the November Coalition and Families Against Mandatory Minimums feature compelling stories about victims of the war on drugs, including an article about twin brothers Lawrence and Lamont Garrison. They were arrested just months after their graduation from Howard University when the owner of an auto body shop was apprehended for playing a major role in a drug operation. To reduce his sentence, the shop owner implicated the brothers in the cocaine conspiracy. Despite the fact that there was no evidence of drugs found on the Garrisons or in their house, instead of attending law school as planned, Lamont and Lawrence are in a federal penitentiary serving 19 and 15 years respectively. The shop owner was sentenced to three (3) years.
Americans have become so desensitized to locking citizens behind bars, many people don’t realize how barbaric it is to call for a troubled young lady to remain in jail instead of receiving treatment. Perhaps that’s why the US has the highest incarceration rate in the world and the reason Georgia Attorney General Thurbert Baker would fight for Genarlow Wilson to serve his 10-year sentence for having consensual sex with a 15-year-old girl when he was 17.
I have a dream that one day this nation will look beyond race and class and recognize that our criminal justice system is terminally ill. It suffers from swollen prosecutors, severely infected police departments, a paralyzed judicial system, and a fractured legislature passing cancerous laws.
Paris Hilton needs counseling; but our criminal justice system needs a transplant. The public needs to wake up from their celebrity-induced coma and focus on the real issues.
###
*US Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics
"SnitchCraft" a novel by Edrea Davis
http://www.snitchcraft.com
Hip-hop meets civil rights in this urban tale that sheds light on the corrupt environment created by the use of snitches
www.dogonvillage.com
12-18-06. Fantasia, Fantasia, Fantasia (shaking my head). What happened? I was a die-hard Fantasia Barrino fan until the "sophomore jinx" struck her latest, self-titled CD, Fantasia.
After suffering through two full listens of the tracks (trying to be fair because some records take repetition to warm up to), I have to say it's a hot mess. [Listening to it a few more times hasn't helped]
When you have been blessed with a voice, why waste it on useless tracks? We need new Pattis, Whitneys, and Mariahs to take us into the next generation of music. Who's going to make music that is timeless, instead of easily disposable non-sense?
I don't even want to know what Simon Cowell is thinking (and saying sarcastically, no doubt). I can't even find one GEM out of 14 songs. The first single, "Hood Boy," holds the most promise; however, that's the fad right now for artists, wanting to be "hood," "ghetto,"and "street."
I am totally at a loss why she would put out a record that does not showcase her vocals? There's nothing wrong with uptempo music; however, Fantasia has a voice that can give you goosebumps.
'Tasia, get started on your next CD with a quickness. Dig deep. Sound real. Where's the emotion?
In the meantime, I'll just keep your debut CD in rotation.
Next . . .
An alum from Fantasia's "American Idol" class of 2004, Jennifer Hudson is all the buzz right now . . .[For more Fantasia]
Hood Boy 5.0
When I See U 3.75
I Nominate U 3.75
Baby Makin Hips 3.75
Not the Way That I Do 3.0
Only One U 4.0
I Feel Beautiful 4.0
I'm Not That Type 3.75
Uneligible 3.5
Two Weeks Notice 3.0
Surround U 2.0
Bore Me (Yawn) 1.0
Sunshine 1.0
Bump What Ya Friends Say - 5.0
By H. Lewis Smith
Los Angeles, CA (BlackNews.com 3/8/06) - As a comedian and actor Damon Wayans is about as good as they come, however and unfortunately, for the past 14 months Damon Wayans has been trying to trademark the term "Nigga" for a clothing line and retail store and so far his application is being denied, citing the word as being immoral, scandalous and disparaging. It is a sad day in America when the system has to save us from ourselves. Have we become our own worst enemy?
The N-word. Everyone knows it, but many will not use it. Except for African Americans. They seem to have no problem using this derogatory term within their communities and as part of their culture. Needless to say, that in light of the explosive use of the word on rapper CD's, the green light has officially been given to other races to freely use the word...and they do. "Bury That Sucka", a new novel, and non-fictional account of a scandalous, strange love affair that the black community has with the N-word, has just hit bookstores.
There are those African Americans who simply do not get it or don't want to get it...for almost 400 years they have been programmed and conditioned to relate to the N-word and now find themselves inseparable from it. Back in 1945 when the Black soldiers returned home from WWII-after fighting for their country-they were greeted with jeers of don't forget "You will always be a nigger". Year 2006, 61 years later there are those African Americans who have not forgot and still identify with this word and will go to any length to justify their embracing and affectionate use of a word that they have been programmed to identify with for almost 400 years.
For the African American users of the N-word who see nothing wrong in referring to themselves as niggas try approaching a Jew and refer to them affectionately as a kike or hymie, or a Latino as a wetback or approach a police officer and call him a pig and then tell them its okay-its just a word-and you should not mind being referred to in such a manner.
Of course you would not dare...because these people would immediately be up in arms against you. Yes! They think too much of themselves to go around degrading and demeaning themselves and will not allow you to degrade and demean them, their standards are way too high and they have too much self-respect to allow that to happen.
African American users of the N-word on the other hand have no self-respect, self-esteem is virtually non-existent combined with self-hatred, have set and accepted the lowest of standards for themselves and wonder why...they can garner no respect from other races.
This mindless act of self-contempt should be totally unacceptable by those African Americans who are not confused and do have high self-esteem and opinion of themselves as well as of their rich, rewarding history and tradition. Lest not forget that silence implies approval and acceptability. A national hot-line has been established to explore what can be done to stem this escalating tide of traveling down the road of self-disrespect and self-contempt.
If you are interested in taking part in a national movement to derail the current trend...of an indigenous lackadaisical attitude with regards to self-respect, pride, dignity, integrity and strength of character...please go to my website, click on the Contact Us page let your feelings be known and information will be forwarded to you as to how to gain access to the national hot-line. Do not think for one moment that you are helpless and can do nothing about this insane, contemptible, self-defeating usage of the N-word; you have more power than you realize. Let's learn to work together to raise the bar towards higher excellence and standards. No longer should we be content and complacent with wallowing in the mire of lower standards than the rest of the human race.
H. Lewis Smith is the author of "Bury That Sucka". To learn more about him and his book, visit his web site: www.burythatsucka.com
Highlights from Previous Issues . . .
THE RAPE OF IRAQI WOMEN AND GIRLS BY U.S. SOLDIERS - A. Akbar Muhammad, African Representative of Minister Louis Farrakhan and the Nation of Islam is based in Ghana
(2/24/04). personally don't believe that R. Kelly would do such a thing. the Deal with Aaliyah was a publicity Stunt and just like a lie it got everyone's attention. I happen to be From Chicago and is a huge fan of Mr. Kelly. I saw the tape and looking at it, the scenes didn't impress me nor the man resembling R. Kelly, you can clearly see that it is dark around the cheek bone of the person on the video like it is a paste on face. it is not Robert Kelly. I think everybody should get some business and leave this man alone. To all the mothers of the world you need to try a control your children a little better and stop looking for a quick come up.
- Dion M. Martin
Aaliyah was and still holds the name of being an angel. I still can't figure out why i hurt so much over her death, why I miss her so bad.
Forevah Aaliyah will hold the true meaning of an angel, she held such a huge spirit in the musiq and dance industry. I love you, i miss you, i can't wait to stand by you and look down on everyone today. shes watching us, shes so proud of our actions, lets make aaliyah proud. Aaliyah is the reason that god gave life, i love you baby angel..!
-Sarah 9/7/03
DrumBeats Aaliyah Tribute Page
i love 205!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!,
well im put it like this if the b**** was in school or at home or at the movies it wouldn't happened and for r. kelly it good for you because you no you a singer and you could of whened to pay one of this grown woman to be in the video so now you have to go to jail next time keep your fireengaine in your pants
-Peagri 4/30/03
Fayetteville, NC - (5/10/04) Marie Becton is an African-American widow of a disabled veteran who served in the Vietnam war, was honorably discharged (USAF) and died of service connected disabilities. One night during her absence, her husband had a massive bronchial attack. Their son, an only child, was at home with his father. He rushed to drive his dad to Womack Army Hospital, Fort Bragg, NC which was not far from their residence in Fayetteville, NC. Enroute to Womack, his dad slumped over and their son stated that he floored the accelerator stopping at intersections only long enough to ensure that there was no oncoming traffic. He arrived at Womack Army Hospital, jumped out of the car and ran into Emergency entrance. Emergency medical personnel rushed out to assist but pronounced his father deceased.
Their son was a freshman in college. The following year, he made the decision to leave college and follow in his father's footsteps. He entered the United States Air Force and is now a retired veteran.
Since January, 2002 Mrs. Becton has attempted to acquire information on her "Derived Veterans Preference", specifically, 38 U.S.C. Chapter 43, Miscellaneous Provisions Pertaining to Veterans; Title 5 United States Code (U.S.C) 3310; Title 5 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 330, Subpart D. This is a lengthy regulation; therefore, it is not cited in its entirety. Mrs. Becton retired from Civil Service at age 60. After the death of her mother, she decided that she would like to work another five years. She is reinstatement eligible.
These are some of the agencies and individuals that Mrs. Becton has requested assistance from:
(a) January, 2002 - Contacted Veterans Administration, Fayetteville, NC. Told to obtain pamphlets, etc. from Civilian Personnel Office, Ft Bragg, NC. No pamphlets or information available at Ft. Bragg.
(b) January, 2002 - Certified letter and telephone calls to Dept of Veterans Affairs, Winston-Salem, NC. No response.
(c) February, 2002 - Contacted Mr. Tom West, DOL/Vets, Newton, NC. Seventeen pages faxed to him. He was unable to assist her.
(d) Senator Edwards office
(e) Congressman Hayes office
(f) March, 2003 - Ms DiGregorio, DOL/Vets, Washington, NC referred her to Mr. Guess, USDOL/Vets, Raleigh, NC
(g) March, 2003 - She called Mr. Guess. Told to submit letter. Letter submitted. No response.
(h) April, 2003 - Follow-up to Mr. Guess. He was on leave. Mr. Alvarez, assistant director, requested that she submit information to him. He suggested that she may need to file a complaint. She sent her husband's DD 214, Husband's Letter Certificate from the Veterans Administration, etc. by certified mail. Mr. Alvarez sent forms, etc. which she filled out and returned. No response.
(i) May, 2003 - Follow-up to Mr. Alvarez, Raleigh, NC. He stated that he would call her right back. Mr. West, Newton, NC returned her call. No assistance. (Reference paragraph (c))
(j) May, 2003 - Certified letter to Mr. Rowland, 1120 Vermont Ave, Washington, D.C. No response.
(k) Listing of calls to Veterans Administration, Washington, D.C. No calls returned.
(l) 17 June, 2003 - Flight to Washington, D. C. (Delta Airlines). Taxi from airport to hotel.
(m) 18 June, 2003 - Taxi from hotel to Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW. Told that she was at wrong office. Informed that this office deals with benefits.
(n) 18 June, 2003 - Proceeded to I Street, NW. Individuals attempted to assist her but could not.
(o) 18 June, 2003 - Taxi to Department of Labor, Constitution Ave., NW. She was referred to Mr. David Pafford by his supervisor who insisted that she should inquire of personnel at the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). Mrs. Becton insisted that she wished to discuss a Regulation with DOL. She spent approximately two hours with Mr. Pafford. She asked repeatedly but could not get an answer pertaining to the regulation. The supervisor left while she was with Mr. Pafford.
Mr. Pafford made telephone calls to Mr. Guess, DOL/Vets, Raleigh, NC while she was in his office. She spoke with Mr. Guess who was very apologetic when he was told that she had gotten a flight to Washington, D.C. in order to get answers to her questions. Mr. Guess stated that he would contact her upon her return to Fayetteville, NC.
While in Mr. Pafford's office, Mrs. Becton states that he was busy on his computer telling her that he was printing out material that should help her with her questions pertaining to the regulation. She took a taxi back to hotel.
When she reviewed the documents that he had printed out for her, the documents included one hundred three (103) pages of the following information: (1) Public Law 107-288, Jobs for Veterans Act1; (2) Title III, garnishment restrictions; (3) Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection; (4) Child Labor (Nonagricultural Work); (5) Occupational Safety and Health; (6) Mine Safety and Health; (7) Employee Benefit Plans; (8) Black Lung Compensation; (9) Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation; (10) Family and Medical Leave; (11) Lie Detector Tests; (12) Whistleblower Protection Provisions Enforced by OSHA; (12) Plant Closings and Mass Layoffs; (13) Union Members; (14) Uniformed Service Members; (15) Authorized Workers; (16) Temporary Agricultural Workers (H-2A Visas); (17) Temporary Nonagricultural Workers (H-2B Visas); (18) Workers in Professional and Specialty Occupations (H-1B Visas); (19) Permanent Employment of Workers Based on Immigration; (20) Nurses (H-1C Visas); (21) Crewmembers (D-1 Visas); (22) Wages in Supply and Equipment Contracts; (23) Prevailing Wages in Service Contracts' (24) Prevailing Wages in Construction Contracts; (25) Hours and Safety Standards in Construction Contracts; (26) "Kickbacks" in Federally Funded Construction; (27) Employment Discrimination and Equal Opportunity in Supply and Service Contracts; (28) Employment Discrimination in Construction Contracts; (29) Equal Opportunity for Individuals with Disabilities; (30) Employment Discrimination and Equal Opportunity for Certain Veterans Who Served on Active Duty and Special Disabled Veterans.
Mrs. Becton states that the Department of Labor advocates compassion to veterans and families of veterans. She considers Mr. Pafford's actions offensive, ruthless and disgusting.
(p) 19 June, 2003 - Taxi to airport. Flight back to Fayetteville, NC.
(q) Mr. Guess, DOL, Raleigh, NC had left a message on her answering machine stating that he and Mr. West feel that the regulation does apply to her but OPM does not. Mr. Guess obtained her e-mail address when she spoke with him from Mr. Pafford's office, DOL, Washington, D.C. Mr. Guess e-mailed VetsGuide which she had already obtained from the VA website. She acknowledged his e-mail by e-mail and again asked for clarification. She called him and encountered answering machine. She left a message. Her call was not returned; neither did he respond to the e-mail. Are these individuals civil servants?
Only when Mrs. Becton contacted the Office of the President of the United States and his office sent her letter to the Department of Labor did DOL, Washington, D.C. respond advising her that she could file a Request for Regulation Review with the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB). She filed the request. Letter dated November 14, 2003 from MSPB states: Office of Personnel Management is hereby granted the opportunity to file a Response to the Request for Regulation Review 35 days from the date of the Notice. She has not received the response; neither will they give a date when it will be available to her.
Mrs. Becton conveyed that she is angry, distraught and emotionally drained. She requested answers 28 months ago and continues to wait. By publishing this article, she is hopeful that the insensitivity of the representatives within the Department of Labor will be brought to the attention of our officials in Washington, D.C. Any form of indifference to our veterans and widows of veterans when they make inquiries pertaining to their rights should not exist. The answer should have been simply yes or no; if no, why not. As the widow of a disabled veteran, Mrs. Becton has taken the stand that giving up is not an option for her; otherwise, the freedoms and justices that her husband gave his life for were all in vain.
Anyone desiring to contact Mrs. Becton may do so by e-mail: mbe1049187@aol.com
[distributed through BlackPR.com/BlackNews.com]
(3/12/04). The significance of the Republic of Haiti goes far beyond anything currently reported in the news. It is almost an unwritten code by America and France that Haiti remains destabilized and the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. Its anguish began with the first European contact by Columbus in 1492. Within a 25 year period after his arrival, the indigenous Arawak of Haiti virtually disappeared under Spanish genocide. It is no coincidence that 2004 is the 200 year celebration of Haiti's independence (1804), and the same year a democratically elected president, Jean-Bertrand Aristide, was forcefully removed
by American military.
The sequence of events started on France soil. The French Revolution of 1789 involved almost all of Europe, but ironically inspired slave rebellions all over the Caribbean. In Haiti, there was an extra incentive created by a law passed in the National Assembly of France entitled the "Declaration of the Rights of Man." This guaranteed citizenship to people of color. Haiti, then called Saint Dominque, was France's wealthiest producing colony. The wealth was generated from a plantation system based on the labor of enslaved Afrikans.
Beneficiaries of the wealth were mainly French planters and gens de couleur of African and French descent, Creoles. Its main crops were sugar cane, cocoa, cotton, and coffee.
When France reneged on its promise, rebellions began. This sparked a multifaceted thirteen year revolution. The planters wanted independence from France, the free Creoles wanted full citizenship, while the enslaved Afrikans wanted freedom. The dominating equation is that Afrikans outnumbered all the other groups reaching approximately one half million.
In August 22, 1791, what ultimately became known as the "Haitian Revolution," was ignited by an enormous slave revolt led by a high priest named Boukman. General Toussaint L'Ouverture of Haiti, a former slave, fought with Spain and Britain against the French until they abolished slavery. He then switched sides and fought with the French believing this would help bring freedom and independence. Other Haitian Afrikan leaders figured prominently and maybe more importantly, generals Jacques Dessalines and Henri Christophe. Haiti was beginning to function as an independent state, much to the displeasure of the French elite.
In 1801, Napoleon Bonaparte, self-described Emperor of France, set out to restore order in his wealthiest colony by dispatching General Leclerc, his brother-in-law, along with thirty thousand of his best troops to arrest Toussaint, reinstate slavery, and restore French rule. This turned out to be Napoleon's greatest tactical error. His troops were bitterly defeated. As a result, on January 1, 1804, Dessalines declared the nation independent, under its indigenous given name of Haiti ('higher place'), thus, making it the first black
republic in the world and the first independent nation in Latin America.
This brings us to the central point why western nations of European descent withhold loans from the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund to Haiti and keep it destabilized through three decades of dictatorship and a current head of state who as been overthrown two times. The real hidden issue, the West is never going to forgive this tiny Black nation defeating a powerful European nation that dispatched its best troops, and then had the gall to form their own independent government in the Western Hemisphere. Haiti represented a potent example of successful Black power. The fallout of France's defeat had international implications.
Plantation owners in the United States feared the worst. Afrikans in Haiti destroyed some 200 sugar plantations, 600 coffee plantations, 220 indigo and cotton plantations and killed most of the Europeans (Dr. Edward Scobie). If it could happen in Haiti, it could happen on their plantations. President Thomas Jefferson enacted an economic embargo against Haiti, with America and Europe refusing to acknowledge its independence for decades. Tighter codes were enacted against enslaved Afrikans in America. Stricter security and harsher punishments were given for the slightest offense. Not having the resources or the troops to maintain it, France eventually loss the Louisiana Territory. In addition, there were over 250 recorded slave revolts in the United States, not including those that were not reported. In racial terms, a small island controlled by Blacks defeated one of Europe's strongest White nations. This was totally unacceptable in the Western world. Though this is the undercurrent of Haiti's problems, the only seemingly viable solution is for Haiti to rely on the land of its ancestors for financial relief, until it can create an economy allowing it to become self-sufficient once again. Maybe there are other solutions, but history has not favored any of them thus far.
Kwaku Person-Lynn is the author of On My Journey Now - The Narrative And Works Of Dr. John Henrik Clarke, The Knowledge Revolutionary. E-mail address:
DrKwaku@hotmail.com. Website: www.drkwaku.com
by Ceci Bell
Once again I was posed that infamous question, "Why did you choose to attend Florida State instead of FAMU?" Personally, don't think it's anybody's business and we shouldn't have to justify ourselves. People do things for different reasons. I received letters from every type of school imaginable, but FAMU never sent me a postcard, so why would I go to a school who obviously didn't want me?
I am a very color-conscious person, but when it comes to my education, that's where I draw the line. Granted, at a historically black college I would get a very memorable cultural experience, but what about when I go out into the "white" world? Will it prepare me for racism and discrimination?
It really ticks me off when my own black community misunderstands my actions and calls me a sell-out. My own personal understanding of the word is one with negative connotations; people who deny their own race because they think they are better and rather associate with the "better" race; a person who is not happy with the afrocentric features God blessed them with: beautiful, voluptuous, big lips; sexy, big behinds; wide noses; a rainbow of brown hues (milky cream, maize, luscious caramel, cocoa, chocolatey mocha, coconut, dark chocolate, and black licorice because black is truly beautiful). Why bleach your skin into blandness? Why destroy big lips for thin? Why liposuct the bootie? Why look possessed by wearing green or blue contacts?
They say since I go to Florida State, I am trying to be white. I couldn't be no more white than a white person trying to act black. It is culturally impossible. I am as black as they come. I had to be given the eye-opening lesson of being "different" and reassurance from my parents that I was no less of a person because of my skin color.
I learned at an early age that ignorance is the stem of all evil. Lil' white child on the bus wouldn't let me sit next to her. Nigger. Mommie, why do they call me that? Intelligent, black mother. Webster Dictionary. Nigger. Slave, servant. You're nobody's slave, child. Next time, tell them this . . . Lil' white child, ignorance once again. Difference: knowledge. I'm not a nigger. A nigger is a slave. White people can be niggers too. Say what? Weren't your ancestors indentured servants? Okay then, enough said. Next day, lil' white child on the bus . . and smiling lil' black child right next to her.
Black-eyed peas, buttermilk biscuits. Pig's feet. Chitlins. All things I grew up on. Culture. Hamhocks, collard greens. Neck-bones, rice. Oxtails. Culture. Martin Luther King. Malcolm X. Angela Davis. Frederick Douglass. Jesse Jackson. Culture. Cooleyhigh. Shaft. Good Times. Martin. Billie Holiday. The Supremes. James Brown. The Apollo. Marvin Gaye. Def Comedy Jam. Whitney Houston. Boys II Men. Jazz. Blues.Gospel. Rap. Culture. Corn rows. Naps. Straightening combs. Relaxers. Jheri Curls. Finger Waves. Culture, surrounding me since birth. I can't help but be black.
I am faced with my color every time I run into ignorance, be it from a lil' white child or my own brothas and sistas in color. I'm proud of my African-American heritage. Wouldn't have it any other way. We are such a diverse group of people. However, as the saying goes, "A people without knowledge of their past is like a tree without roots."
My roots run deep. Were instilled in me from the beginning of my time. We have enough problems being discriminated against by white society, so why discriminate and judge within our own color? This dissension within black cultural lines must cease. Be it a FAMU student or FSU student. Black-American or Jamaican-American. Whatever. It must all die if we're ever to rise as a people. We should all be black first and try to put an end to this never-ending story of racial tensions.
If we fight amongst ourselves, how can we expect the white man to respect us? How can we expect them to treat us better when we don't treat ourselves best? Martin Luther King's dream was that freedom ring from everywhere and that all God's children, black and white, be able to join hands and sing the words of the old Negro spiritual, "Free at last." He fought for freedom with dignity and fought for desegregation, wanting us all to work together, struggle together, and pray together.
That sounds all nice and dandy, but society isn't shaped as such., so we have to make the best of this bad situation. Did you ever stop to think that, by going to school alongside our white counterparts, we keep his dream alive by trying to break down racial barriers? Proving we can accomplish the same things equally good or better? If we do not carry on his dream, his legacy of fighting for equality, his death would have been in vain.
As long as you know your history, don't forget where you came from, continue to uplift the African-American race and give back to your community. It shouldn't matter where you choose to go to school. Instead of judging each other and fighting amongst ourselves, we need to come together.
Unite! Because above all, there is truly power in numbers.
Copyright 1994
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