Since Dr. King's Assassination Black Leadership has been our problem... (Part 1 of 2)
WARNING: What you are about to read is hard-hitting and breaks with recent Black tradition. Many of the Black Establishment will find this content dangerous because of how it positions people to confront White Power. They would like you to believe that if we just appeal to the “better angels” of White society, they’ll treat us better. But I believe “freedom ain’t free…” So, you need to hear this, and I need to say it, because it will be truly liberating for you.
“We are our own worst enemy!”
I’m not the one who said that…
My god-brother, Dee, was in town and I was picking him up from the airport.
We had about an hour’s drive to where he needed to be and my “Black Power” iTunes playlist was setting the mood. (Check it out and let my playlist set the mood for this story, I’m about to share…)
These days, it doesn’t take much to get into a conversation about race – especially when you’re in a “safe space” of trusted and likeminded people. With all of the racially charged events…the killings of unarmed Black men, the brutality by police toward Black people, the racial disparities across every facet of American life, the racist vitriol from the President of the United States that encourages the hate-filled speech and actions of those Whites who want to blame Black people for their sorrows…
Then you add the damage we are doing to ourselves and to our own communities…
The political apathy…the “Black on Black crime.” The discord and disunity…
Everyone suffers from these things in America. But this isn’t about everyone – not yet, at least…this is about us.
Dee is a business owner, and very engaged in his community: mentoring youth in New England and engaged in philanthropy around the Country…
Everywhere is the same thing: people hoping for a change…
People petitioning the Government…trying to leverage corporate interests to petition the Government on their behalf…
At every turn, people coming up short of the goal…not able to stick with any engagement long enough, or missing the mark with their engagement altogether.
As Dee and I reflected upon the state of emergency in our society…in our community, that’s when I heard that familiar line…
This time he said it…but I’ve said it too…I’ve heard it said by others. I’m sure you’ve said it…
“We are our own worst enemy…”
Tragic…isn’t it?
Having broken free, Dee could see things from a different vantage point. No one had broken him free…
Massa’ hadn’t decided to let him off the plantation. He didn’t wait for – or seek out – a “White savior” to blind side him with a rare showing of “White goodness.”
Don’t get me wrong…
Dee is a grateful brother…He’s grateful for life and where he is in it.
He’ll both admit and acknowledge that he didn’t get where he is by himself. He knows that it takes a village and there’s no such thing as a “self-made man.”
But no one gave him his freedom…
He may have received support and guidance. But he had to want freedom…he had to take freedom.
It’s something we all have to take…
We have to be willing to fight for it…even if it means losing the life that we value.
Erik Killmonger knew that…
Dr. King knew that too…
History cannot ignore the legacy of determination of our people in America. Despite overwhelming odds and in the face of unparalleled terror…
We rose – head bloodied, yet unbowed – determined to get to the Promised Land.
It’s what Dr. King sacrificed himself for…right?
On the night before he was handed over to Death, Dr. King gave an eerily prophetic speech:
We’ve got some difficult days ahead. But it really doesn’t matter with me now, because I’ve been to the mountaintop. And I don’t mind. Like anybody, I would like to live a long life — longevity has its place. But I’m not concerned about that now. I just want to do God’s will. And He’s allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I’ve looked over, and I’ve seen the Promised Land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the promised land.
We damn sure ain’t made it to the Promised Land, yet…right?
