Black history, our history, are we history???

In the interest of black history month, I want to share some insight on our well-known heroes. The usual names Martin Luther King, Rosa Parks, W.E.B. DuBois, Fredrick Douglas and a score of others obviously stood for the search of equality and enrichment as a race of people. What they received was a representation of blacks in history books only in reference to the low social position they held as slaves (Though MLK was not a slave, he was in the heart of the civil rights movement stemming from the remnants of slavery). The heroes of yesteryear and today are fighting similar battles, but with different focuses to address. “Part of the aim of Black History Month is to recognize significant contributions to society made by black slaves and how their history is integral to mainstream narratives” Ref: Wikipedia).

Back in the decades of the 1600 – 1900’s the fight centered on Africans taken from their homeland and eventually American born blacks forced to work in America (Colonial American territory) against their will. Though there were many different fights of note (too many to list for the sake of this blog), the idea is to embrace an understanding of the common threat to Africans and American born blacks and what they dealt with in terms of struggles. Considered 3/5 of a human being, no equal rights in comparison to their white/European brethrens, the “known” enemy, “the establishment” and the fight was to break what was the norm for the betterment of African and American born blacks during those times. The need to rebel was simple (not to be confused with easy) and oppressors were known. It was truly an “us vs. them” mentality. One that forced many to take a side and defend until death in the heat of battle. As we read in our history books, there isn’t great mention of what the struggle really entailed, thus it makes it difficult (for me at least) to understand with great depth the struggles endured and appreciate the accomplishment birthed from the momentous victories; all of them.

Today, African Americans, blacks, however you care to qualify the term are in another fight. This time, the ‘enemy’ is not of a different skin or ethnicity, but of a complexion, namesake & residence similar to ours. In the interest of “get rich or die trying”, chasing that paper, and the need to get R-E-S-P-E-C-T, we have resorted to actions that cripples our own chance for advancement, enhance our circumstance of destitute and point to finger to others (especially “The Man”) like they made us do it when in reality, we ‘do it’ to ourselves.

I was listening to a program on a radio talk show in the Bay Area recently and there was mention of what is going on in the Washington DC area in regards to rampant drug sales/use. This sad sake of events is not anything new as we struggle with this epidemic everywhere. It is my opinion that drug dealers have zero regard for life. If there is any question to this ‘personal’ hypothesis, ask a drug dealer to look into the eyes of a fiend needing a hit and refuse service to them. Better yet, ask the dealer to sponsor the recovery efforts of the fiend. If there is a refusal for whatever reason, that is your answer. Again, these are my views and I am sure many share this line of thinking.

Getting back on track, what makes the story I heard more troubling, there is a term being used I find just as offensive as the drug sales. The term for the “good stuff” is now being called 'OBAMA'. While listening, I thought there was a misread by the radio talk show host but it was reiterated that the ‘OBAMA’ is that’s’ being used as the drug term of choice. In light of what is taking place in American history and President Obama is in the white house doing this job, there are some taking what is right with our advancement efforts and using it for their sick, maniacal ventures.

I am not on a personal quest to rid the use of illegal drugs and the toll it takes on our people (Though I’d like to), but I want to make the connection of our ancestral and racial struggles toward advancement and how we knew what we were up against; and that was freedom.

Today, our fight is a little different and our battle is more serious than before. Back in the day, we were fighting for equality and acceptance as a race. Today, we fight for survival as a race.

This entry is not to score in great details of the ills of what we were and are up against as a race (as all races can benefit from this cause), but it is designed to shed some light and initiate dialogue as thoughtful conversation by a few can start a movement of great worth. For black history, (like all history of racial interest) survival and thriving are worth our hard work.

We are familiar of the celebrated greats of the past. Let us see if we can add significance to our race (to which ever one you belong) and become historic in our efforts. It has been said, “you will die; but will you do so not ever knowing that you have lived”?

I invite you to participate in this blog and thank you for your interest in reading.