Racism by any other name…HATE

In the wake of Trayvon Martin’s tragic murder, I am reminded of the AmeriKKKa that we truly live in. Racism is not dead and those who believe we’ve come a long way have been blind to its blatant presence daily. No, they aren’t in white hoods publicly anymore. They hide behind suits. Politics. Stethoscopes. And black robes so they aren’t as easy to spot. Every so often it is more brazen and blunt. Our black men are emasculated, demoralized and victimized in the very land that they built.

It’s a damn shame that we have to raise our sons with daily lectures on how to survive being a black man…don’t walk with your hands in your pockets; don’t hang in groups; place your money and product on the counter AND keep your receipt; don’t walk too close to strangers, when pulled over by a cop, do exactly as you are told and keep your hands visible at all times and now DON’T WEAR A HOOD! WTF!

Trayvon was the latest on a long list of racial hate crimes and murders of innocent black men/boys. Every single case raises our awareness of how our black sons, husbands, brothers and uncles are being made extinct and endangered species.

A bullseye target has been placed on our men and they aren’t safe just being black or is it for just being black? Maybe it’s because black people as a whole have proven to be a resourceful race. We have been making a way out of no way for over 400 years; beating the odds; breaking barriers and astonishing the watchful eyes of others with our mere mental capacity to withstand and overcome.

Our race was and is still referred to as the dumb race. We were put down, ostracized, and ridiculed daily as a method to break us. They saw something in us long before we did that made them hate us out of fear. They said with their mouths that they were the “chosen” people but in their hearts; they knew otherwise hence, the enslavement and emasculation of our men right before our very eyes. 1st Corinthians 1:27: Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful.-NLT

They that are consumed with hate are a detriment to everyone they encounter because they tear away and breakdown the human need of love. They are the menaces to society.

When I first heard of the death of Trayvon Martin, almost immediately my mind was flooded with the faces of James Byrd, Jr who was brutally massacred by a white teens in June of 1998, and one of the murderers stated he would do it all over again. James Craig Anderson who was murdered just because some white teens decided to find and hurt a black person in  June of 2011, and let us not forget the unjustifiable execution of Troy Davis in September, 2011. Each new incident takes me back to the words of that heart wrenching song, Strange Fruit sung by Billy Holliday so many years ago. They are lynching us execution style.

We as a people have stood in solidarity in each one of these cases and that is great, however we mustn’t stop standing. We must stand together consistently and relentlessly in love; helping one another, loving one another, encouraging and supporting one another instead of judging our brothers and sisters. We need to show love within our own race, heal our wounds and forgive our sins to one another. Sisters we should be supporting and loving our men. Brothers we need you back in the households and when that simply isn’t possible; we NEED you actively raising our children.

 We should be standing together in building honest businesses, creating wealth within our communities. We need a new infrastructure…quite similar to this poem I wrote in the 80′s below. I am angry. I am fed up. I am walking the talk, are you? If you haven’t figured out your first move toward change…click on the link at the bottom of this blog and sign the petition demanding Justice for Trayvon Martin.

I can’t end this without putting out a message to the makers of Skittles, the particular brand of tea that Trayvon was carrying and the makers of any brand of hoodies. Sales for these items have skyrocketed since this blatant execution of a young man in possession of these three items and I pray that this isn’t just commercialism at its best. I pray a portion of all sales proceeds will go to the Martin family. No it’s not your fault. No it’s not compensation for his murder however IT IS MORALLY RIGHT to financially assist the family with proceeds since your companies are directly benefitting from the tragic loss of their son.

Taking Care Of Our Own

Do you remember that thing called Segregation?

When blacks and whites were separated throughout the nation

That’s when we depended on one another

Your only choice was to love your brother

Because it was hard enough to fight for our rights

When every face in power was white

Each time you watched your brother being whipped and hung at night

It increased your strength and unity to fight

There was a sense of fear back then and there still is now

Recently I realized something profound;

All along it appeared that we were afraid of Them

But in actuality They feared us and it was deep within

They brainwashed us, hindered our learning and played with our mind

Don’t you think that it’s about time

That we start taking care of our own?

Allow me to set the tone,

It’s a New World Order and times have changed

We are no longer shackled but our minds are still chained

If we break that mentality then we shed some of our pain

We have nothing to lose and everything to gain!

We come from an ancestry of survival

NOTHING can stop our pre-destined time of arrival

We are a race of strength and power

But only if we stick together every second, minute and hour

Let’s work together building businesses and supporting one another

If we work hard enough, we’ll find everything we need in each other

I’m talking about building something nothing or no one can rupture

Picture this: The Black Community Infrastructure

Doesn’t that sound like music to your ears?

I’m here to tell you, “No man shall you fear!”

We get our strength from high up above

We need to emulate God by spreading unconditional love

Which shouldn’t be hard considering the unselfish love God has shown

Black Folks, it’s time to Take Care Of Our Own!

Excerpt from “Black Butterfly…Soaring on the Wings of Poetry”

 Yes, Racism by any other name is HATE but Love in our culture is synonymous with UNITY. Take your 1st step and click on this picture to sign the petition:

Filed under: Life, Relationships