It doesn't take long to see this cycle of pessimism for what it is. Fear. It is fear, and dare I say cowardice that drives people to think in that way. It happens in every generation over and over, and it is this kind of fear that also rides side by side with self-hatred. After all, at whom do you think he is accustomed to speaking? With whom does he expect to organize? The same 'black' people who fit into the definition "I am oppressed." The irony is that they actually do not organize, because organization requires skill and dedication and of course courage.
The courage these people lack is exactly the kind of bravery necessary. To engage in open markets is a winning strategy. To make alliances with people who have different strengths is a winning strategy. If it weren't for those people who made use of these strategies, African American would all still reside a few short miles from the slave quarters of 150 years ago. They wouldn't have orbited the earth as astronauts. They wouldn't have travelled the earth. They wouldn't have even crossed the Mississippi River. There was black unity in slavery. That didn't work out.
It can only be a short term plan that begins "Black people should.." because the struggle to discover one's own humanity does not take long. Once discovered, one becomes less and less responsive to the racist label applied and more responsive to the universal. The point is to grow and leave elementary things behind. I am still discovering the truth of the idea "You're just another part of me." That's how I know how far I have come.
I know where I come from. I am from a small village called "Black". I have seen the world and I have no reason to go back. I realized at last that I was never supposed to be there in the first place. I made the most of it, and left its troubles in my past.
Can you be equally and authentically "african american" and "american" and "human" (globalist) at the same time? Is there a need to choose when you can be all three?
I would also say that people with this mindset are hardly dominant among african americans. Rather they are empowered and imposed on african americans by the european intelligentsia as a form of psychological warfare. An attempt to colonize the minds of africans with inferiority complex to reduce self confidence and keep people down. From the early 1800s through the 1960s a far more positive, exceptional and wholesome narrative was ascendant. It was expressed by Prince Hall, George Middleton, Louis Glapion, David Walker, Frederick Douglass, Booker T Washington, George Washington Carver, WEB Dubois, the honorable Elijah Mohammed, Malcolm X, MLK and many, many others.
I think there is a lot more african american positivity on the ground than the global media, global academia, global entertainment, global institutions imply.
More african americans self identify as conservative than [liberal + left + progressive + woke] combined. About 70% to 75% of african americans self identify as conservative or moderate. Plus many liberal african americans have a positive mindset. Only 6% of african americans self identify as "progressive."
I would also say that all americans, including poor, lower middle class and middle class americans can be inspired by the success and excellence of foreigners and foreign countries. Including the economic miracles in Chile, Ireland, Asia, and the African lion economies (Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Botswana, Ethiopia, Mozambique and regions within these countries).
My view is that the economic miracles of:
---Chile and other latin american countries increased the confidence and respect of the global latino diaspora.
---Asia increased the confidence and respect of the global asian diaspora
---Ireland increased the confidence and respect of the global irish diaspora
Would additional economic miracles among Africans and the global African diaspora increase the confidence and respect of the global African diaspora?
I think American DOS are pessimistic because of the US's blatant unwillingness to take action to undo what was done in our past..."The Color of Law" by Richard Rothstein does a good job explaining how residential segregation worked and the post 1968 after effects that persist to this very day.Simply changing laws to be colorblind was not and is not enough.
Actually I didnt think about reparations when I wrote the comment but the real estate problem actually persists. As you know most people achieve generational wealth via real estate. Reparations could help here, but undoing what was done could happen independently. There have been a couple Roberts' Supreme Court decisions that upheld "de facto segregation".
Another fantastic article from Charles. Thank you for writing this!
Thanks Steve
It doesn't take long to see this cycle of pessimism for what it is. Fear. It is fear, and dare I say cowardice that drives people to think in that way. It happens in every generation over and over, and it is this kind of fear that also rides side by side with self-hatred. After all, at whom do you think he is accustomed to speaking? With whom does he expect to organize? The same 'black' people who fit into the definition "I am oppressed." The irony is that they actually do not organize, because organization requires skill and dedication and of course courage.
The courage these people lack is exactly the kind of bravery necessary. To engage in open markets is a winning strategy. To make alliances with people who have different strengths is a winning strategy. If it weren't for those people who made use of these strategies, African American would all still reside a few short miles from the slave quarters of 150 years ago. They wouldn't have orbited the earth as astronauts. They wouldn't have travelled the earth. They wouldn't have even crossed the Mississippi River. There was black unity in slavery. That didn't work out.
It can only be a short term plan that begins "Black people should.." because the struggle to discover one's own humanity does not take long. Once discovered, one becomes less and less responsive to the racist label applied and more responsive to the universal. The point is to grow and leave elementary things behind. I am still discovering the truth of the idea "You're just another part of me." That's how I know how far I have come.
I know where I come from. I am from a small village called "Black". I have seen the world and I have no reason to go back. I realized at last that I was never supposed to be there in the first place. I made the most of it, and left its troubles in my past.
Very well said! Your concluding statements had a flair of poetry in it. I love it!
Can you be equally and authentically "african american" and "american" and "human" (globalist) at the same time? Is there a need to choose when you can be all three?
I would also say that people with this mindset are hardly dominant among african americans. Rather they are empowered and imposed on african americans by the european intelligentsia as a form of psychological warfare. An attempt to colonize the minds of africans with inferiority complex to reduce self confidence and keep people down. From the early 1800s through the 1960s a far more positive, exceptional and wholesome narrative was ascendant. It was expressed by Prince Hall, George Middleton, Louis Glapion, David Walker, Frederick Douglass, Booker T Washington, George Washington Carver, WEB Dubois, the honorable Elijah Mohammed, Malcolm X, MLK and many, many others.
And this positivity is expressed by you now!
I think there is a lot more african american positivity on the ground than the global media, global academia, global entertainment, global institutions imply.
More african americans self identify as conservative than [liberal + left + progressive + woke] combined. About 70% to 75% of african americans self identify as conservative or moderate. Plus many liberal african americans have a positive mindset. Only 6% of african americans self identify as "progressive."
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
I would also say that all americans, including poor, lower middle class and middle class americans can be inspired by the success and excellence of foreigners and foreign countries. Including the economic miracles in Chile, Ireland, Asia, and the African lion economies (Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Botswana, Ethiopia, Mozambique and regions within these countries).
My view is that the economic miracles of:
---Chile and other latin american countries increased the confidence and respect of the global latino diaspora.
---Asia increased the confidence and respect of the global asian diaspora
---Ireland increased the confidence and respect of the global irish diaspora
Would additional economic miracles among Africans and the global African diaspora increase the confidence and respect of the global African diaspora?
I think American DOS are pessimistic because of the US's blatant unwillingness to take action to undo what was done in our past..."The Color of Law" by Richard Rothstein does a good job explaining how residential segregation worked and the post 1968 after effects that persist to this very day.Simply changing laws to be colorblind was not and is not enough.
I'm guessing you have reparations in mind to makes ADOS more optimistic?
Actually I didnt think about reparations when I wrote the comment but the real estate problem actually persists. As you know most people achieve generational wealth via real estate. Reparations could help here, but undoing what was done could happen independently. There have been a couple Roberts' Supreme Court decisions that upheld "de facto segregation".
What would this real estate action look like?
Not sure. Richard Rothstein proposes government intervention since the problem was created by New Deal Progressivism.
Is that the LBJ new deal you're talking about or something else
LBJ's called "The Great Society". This is FDR's New Deal.
You might encourage them to quit killing each other like flies and stop electing the incompetent female ones to public office.
Oh, and as a side note, the single females don't appear to be able to parent very well, considering the current body count.
Just a thought.
Sounds like Black Folks learned how to behave from White Folks, huh?
Thomas Sowell wrote an entire book on just that subject.
What's the name of the book?
Black Rednecks and White Liberals.
It's a collection essays. You might also read White Girl Bleed Alot by Colin Flaherty.
Book smart is about all he has ever done...
There is a place for book smart you know, they are called intellectuals
I missed out my friend...
Does this comment facilitate and encourage african american positivity?
Yes. When you see what the problem is, it helps you work on the solution.