As a public activist, I am often contacted to offer my advice on a number of issues both private and public. I really enjoy being an activist when I received a call from a parent seeking to secure my counsel and insights on parenting ideas, especially when the focus is their children. In our post industrial world that is fixated and obsessed with gadgets, fast food, drive by experiences the role of parenting in our post industrial world now more than ever before is the central factor in the evolution of our nation especially when the focus surrounds Black families.
Tragically in our nation the public the image of Black youth, especially our males, is very negative. Our nation ‘s canvass does not paint a portrait of the Black community as a place of serenity nor bliss. Quite often the whispers and depictions of the Black community is framed in dysfunction, decay and hopelessness. When the focus is on our youth especially our Black males the landscape is painted with portrayals of fear, anger and anguish. There are a number of reasons for this unfortunate narrative of Black youth. Many of the reasons have historical roots, others are just nasty ugly stereotypes.
So into this world of dispair and hopelessness we must create a place and a space where we can reach out to another . Please then share with another my discovery excercise.
When I decide to connect with another especially a child I ask then what is their favorite color? When we walk together tell then I am going to give them a gift as part of their walking gear. During our trek we talk, talk, talk and then we engaged in more talk. Often at the end of our hike in the park I tell them now I am going to give you a gift. I give them a pocket size hand mirror in their favorite color. I tell them to keep it with them 24/7.
I then instructed them to look at the mirror and spend a whole 60 seconds staring at the most important, significant, wonderful, awesome, sweet, gentle, good, beautiful, interesting, brilliant, unforgettable, remarkable and the greatest living creation in the world.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Interactive Negrophobia
In America life for Black folks has always been fought with various degrees,realties of racism and oppression. The ebb and flow of contempt for our very essence and being has often been like the wind sometimes the gust is strong sometimes it is a mild . The one constant theme of life in America for Black folks is the reality of racism and all of its wicked incarnations.
In the post industrial era instead of the heavy gust of slavery, segregation, and the like for many Black folks in the nation what we confront now is the specter and culture of ‘negrophobia’. It is a a derivative pathology of racism not novel in substance just different in application and behavior. Often ‘negrophobia’ is a civil disdain cloaked in a non verbal activity or reactionary behavior. It has the distinct stench of racism but it lacks the venom and vulgar virulent demeanor of hard core bigotry.
In the gentile terrains of an office environment or the mild contours of an restaurant or even in a plaid elevator gathering the presence of ‘negrophobia’ is a reality that is far to often present in the space of Black folks and others( read whites and of late even other people of color). From the nostrils and vantage point of many Black folks often one feels that he or she is germ or some kind of disease that people seek to avoid or when they are in our orbit and presence. We have become in many circles an inconvenient truth.
Usually when ‘negrophobia’ is in effect communication,dialogue and authentic displays of normalcy are absent. A surreal reality takes over and quite often the Black person in the equation is the odd person out. What is really insane that even in the ‘ age of Obama ‘ the presence of “negrophobia was returned to the nation’s landscape with a vengeance. White politicians have become embolden with verbiage that incites racial angst. Media outlets fill the their platforms with racial charged crimes. The nation’s zeitgeist is packed with themes of a civil rights fatigued white majority tired of the claims of victimhood and grievance from ‘those people’.
Yet also placed on this stage of “negrophobia” is the role of Black folks and how our behaviors and activities foster and give rise and in some circles validation to the pathogen of ‘negrophobia”. Far to often our ignorance and depravity lends itself to the introduction and application of angst and reactionary forces within white america. It is quite true that Black folks are underdeveloped and perfect props for the narrative of an empire in decline on the brink of anarchy.
Many in our community enjoy the role of being docile and losers. Far to many Black folks have abandoned our collective pride to chase the arrogance of selfishness and ego. In many venues of the Black community we donate our personhood with glee and bravado to be insulted and ridiculed. We sometimes write the scripts of ignorance and then we cast ourselves with a twisted sense of pride and glee.
Some of us understand and recognize and have no hesitation to acknowledge not only are we our own worst enemies but we are also eager in this role of self destruction and decadence. There is a hard core collection of Black folks who are predators and eternal miscreants and cultural deviants. This bandwidth of destructive Black folks loathe civility and they basked in dysfunction.
Of course the nation of oppression for centuries has created wounds and a fractured community often unable to heal itself . We have to often surrendered and retreated to the passion of defeat and despair. We have been willing props in the ‘negrophobia’ revival in our nation. Yet despite this truth for Black folks in America like the wind it can change and we can change with the wind at our back.
The interactive winds of ‘negrophobia’ don’t have to blow in our direction anymore.
In the post industrial era instead of the heavy gust of slavery, segregation, and the like for many Black folks in the nation what we confront now is the specter and culture of ‘negrophobia’. It is a a derivative pathology of racism not novel in substance just different in application and behavior. Often ‘negrophobia’ is a civil disdain cloaked in a non verbal activity or reactionary behavior. It has the distinct stench of racism but it lacks the venom and vulgar virulent demeanor of hard core bigotry.
In the gentile terrains of an office environment or the mild contours of an restaurant or even in a plaid elevator gathering the presence of ‘negrophobia’ is a reality that is far to often present in the space of Black folks and others( read whites and of late even other people of color). From the nostrils and vantage point of many Black folks often one feels that he or she is germ or some kind of disease that people seek to avoid or when they are in our orbit and presence. We have become in many circles an inconvenient truth.
Usually when ‘negrophobia’ is in effect communication,dialogue and authentic displays of normalcy are absent. A surreal reality takes over and quite often the Black person in the equation is the odd person out. What is really insane that even in the ‘ age of Obama ‘ the presence of “negrophobia was returned to the nation’s landscape with a vengeance. White politicians have become embolden with verbiage that incites racial angst. Media outlets fill the their platforms with racial charged crimes. The nation’s zeitgeist is packed with themes of a civil rights fatigued white majority tired of the claims of victimhood and grievance from ‘those people’.
Yet also placed on this stage of “negrophobia” is the role of Black folks and how our behaviors and activities foster and give rise and in some circles validation to the pathogen of ‘negrophobia”. Far to often our ignorance and depravity lends itself to the introduction and application of angst and reactionary forces within white america. It is quite true that Black folks are underdeveloped and perfect props for the narrative of an empire in decline on the brink of anarchy.
Many in our community enjoy the role of being docile and losers. Far to many Black folks have abandoned our collective pride to chase the arrogance of selfishness and ego. In many venues of the Black community we donate our personhood with glee and bravado to be insulted and ridiculed. We sometimes write the scripts of ignorance and then we cast ourselves with a twisted sense of pride and glee.
Some of us understand and recognize and have no hesitation to acknowledge not only are we our own worst enemies but we are also eager in this role of self destruction and decadence. There is a hard core collection of Black folks who are predators and eternal miscreants and cultural deviants. This bandwidth of destructive Black folks loathe civility and they basked in dysfunction.
Of course the nation of oppression for centuries has created wounds and a fractured community often unable to heal itself . We have to often surrendered and retreated to the passion of defeat and despair. We have been willing props in the ‘negrophobia’ revival in our nation. Yet despite this truth for Black folks in America like the wind it can change and we can change with the wind at our back.
The interactive winds of ‘negrophobia’ don’t have to blow in our direction anymore.
Monday, February 6, 2012
How to Survive & Develop in an Urban Society: The Blueprint
As an activist for almost five decades at the core of my body of work and mission is the creation of a user friendly interactive guide that provides a template for living the best possible life as human being in an urban environment. After decades of research, empirical observation and real life experiences for your usage a 10 point template.
The Blueprint: To Survive & Develop In an Urban Society
1. Self Development: Harvest the fruits of Maturation-Education-Spiritual -Health
2. Exposure: Explore all of streets, parks, places that surround you
3. Volunteer: Join a local community service organization
4. Engagement: Interact with Police-Political Leaders-Religious- Former Criminals
5. Comfort: Find a serene place to retreat and refuel
6. Music: Retreat to great music to elevate ,escape, dream
7. Interact: Cultivate a relationship with another racial person and gender
8. Income: Secure a regular stream of money
9. Visual: Create an personal appearance for others to recognize
10.Legacy: Leave footprints of your presence and identity
The Blueprint: To Survive & Develop In an Urban Society
1. Self Development: Harvest the fruits of Maturation-Education-Spiritual -Health
2. Exposure: Explore all of streets, parks, places that surround you
3. Volunteer: Join a local community service organization
4. Engagement: Interact with Police-Political Leaders-Religious- Former Criminals
5. Comfort: Find a serene place to retreat and refuel
6. Music: Retreat to great music to elevate ,escape, dream
7. Interact: Cultivate a relationship with another racial person and gender
8. Income: Secure a regular stream of money
9. Visual: Create an personal appearance for others to recognize
10.Legacy: Leave footprints of your presence and identity
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