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.
Jan 24, 2022·edited Jan 24, 2022Liked by Charles Ekokotu
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?
Jan 26, 2022·edited Jan 26, 2022Liked by Charles Ekokotu
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.
Another fantastic article from Charles. Thank you for writing this!
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.
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.
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.