Today is Martin Luther King. Jr. Day. It is also Inauguration Day, where for the second time in this nation’s history we are inaugurating a president who is African American. Let’s talk about that. Some people have gone on as far as to say that this means that Martin Luther King’s dream was realized.... Realized! Yes someone actually said that. Never mind all of the antics that went on to discredit, defame, dishonor, and negate Obama’s presidency during and even well before both of his campaigns... from the republican critics alone. A realization of Dr. King’s dream needs to be much more than ... a black leader of the free world. Not to say this is a fluke, but there are just too many ills in the world to be satisfied with the only the notion of a black man in the White House. Even further, the speech that Dr. King gave 50 years ago was about much more than a dream. But I digress.
This brings me to my point. Given the discussion on the progress of our community, I came across this quote of his recently in which his position, quite violent if I may say, from Bill Cosby, American Comedian, educator.
Speaking on the “knuckleheads” in our community and their lack of or disregard for purposeful living, he says:
“We are not Africans. Those people are not Africans; they don't know a thing about Africa ..... I say this all of the time. It would be like white people saying they are European-American. That is totally stupid. I was born here, and so were my parents and grand parents and, very likely my great grandparents. I don't have any connection to Africa, no more than white Americans have to Germany , Scotland , England , Ireland , or the Netherlands . The same applies to 99 percent of all the black Americans as regards to Africa . So stop, already! ! ! With names like Shaniqua, Taliqua and Mohammed and all of that crap ......... And all of them are in jail.”
I have to say, I felt some type of way about it. When I read that...it angered me. Better, it frustrated me. And what frustrated me the most was the reality of his comment.
People do not see themselves as African American. They do not see themselves as descendents of Africa with a shared history and even a shared culture. Be it because of the bad press the continent has received over time, a general lack of interest, or complete misunderstanding of the way history worked.. .people just do not subscribe to the notion that they are in any shape or form connected to the African continent... Even worse, they do not care. And worse than that... Dr. Cosby thinks it is stupid. Stupid!
Only focusing on this section of a longer quote, I believe that this mentality is unfounded. In fact, I believe the term African American attempts to undo that disservice of stripping away a people from its heritage. It’s a people trying to reconnect by out rightly addressing that thing that makes them unique. In all honesty there is no one fluid culture and the "American" culture is probably the least fluid of all. It’s the Melting pot where everyone is unique but come together to be American. And it doesn’t mean that we have to leave our differences behind. For me just because I can’t identify with one particular country, I know the history and as painful as it may be it connects me... it connects us all with the continent, the Diaspora, and the obvious truth I am African.
Though it is our prerogative to call ourselves whatever we wish including “names like Shaniqua, Taliqua and Mohammed”... Really Bill Cosby... overall it is a people trying to reconnect, and I an respect that. Instead of instigating the divide which from his comments sound more based on class within the African American community, we should be working together to connect our community to that heritage and that understanding.
That is why I feel so moved to start this nonprofit. More than giving under served youth the opportunity to travel abroad, it is an opportunity bridge that gap which is so vast that we don’t even view it as a problem anymore, but it continues to divide us. I want our youth to be able to determine for themselves how they view themselves, and how they identify themselves... but that must be based with the full knowledge of their heritage, their culture, and everything in between. And by experiencing another country, they are better able to understand themselves... They will fully understand that yes, they are American, yes, they are also African American.. .that’s bridging the gap.
Recognizing that this was an excerpt of a longer quote... Bill Cosby did have a point, no matter how insensitive, lol!. But rather than focusing on his critiques, I will put my ambition to the test and make some moves to combat these ills in our community. Bridges... Let’s go!
Have a wonderful Martin Luther King, Jr. Day! And enjoy the inauguration activities!
SN: I’m gonna stop shouting, “2 terms,” because President Obama does not listen to tom foolery any more than the people shouting this actually pay attention to any of his policies. Nevertheless... Great day!
No comments:
Post a Comment