Stolen from my boys over at TheStateOf.comIn this article, Steven Warshawsky critiques John McWhorter's latest esssay on black consciousness and what McWhorter calls "anti-authoritarianism." Warshawsky argues that racial conciousness among blacks limits our ability to succeed in a "white society."
I just can't get beyond the fact the boy looks like a punk.
I'm sorry, but did he pose for this picture? Did he place the camera on a tripod, set the timer and bend all down low to look up into the lens like he was going to propose to his same-sex partner?
Is it me? That manufactured sincerity, that watery eyed look of compassion. I think this hints to the core of the problem with black America.
Strong, capable, self-determining black Men have been systematically eliminated or discredited for a number of decades. Black men who actually built schools and businesses and sought political and economic autonomy were set upon by the FBI and other agencies tasked to stifle real development in our community.
Leaving a cadre of black puppet leaders / and acceptable intellectuals, refugees from the War To Integrate (Big Ups Brother Fisher) to lead black people down the road to marginalization and conformity.
No serious black leader or intellectual would promote the notion that we live in a "white society". Society is no more "white" than we agree it is.
There were 2,000 whites in Charleston S.C. and 9,000 black slaves for decades before Denmark Vesey organized his rebellion. His biggest problem? Plantation Negros who argued the rebellion couldn't work because they lived in a "white society".
Black ... men ... like McWhorter suggesting we forfeit our "racial consciousness" are the same men who fought against Vesey's rebellion by arguing: "We Slaves Aint We".
Considering America a "white society" is conceptually self-defeating.
McWhorter, Crouch, even Oprah are functionaries of the power elite tasked to maintain the status quo by leading black people along a road of capitulation, conformity and acquiescence.
In this era of group politics black people should imitate the successful tactics of the most powerful group - Jews. Are they forfeiting their racial consciousness?
G.T.F.O.H.
13 comments:
DV: In this era of group politics black people should imitate the successful tactics of the most powerful group - Jews. Are they forfeiting their racial consciousness?
I agree completely, they're the model to be followed. They look out for their people first, why can't we do the same?
I can't stand McWhorter! Who is he to comment on anything "Black" considering he's one of the biggest Uncle Toms ever.
I think it's a joke to compare or strive to be like jews. They have one thing working for them that is huge (they are WHITE). It was easy for them to come to this country and move up in the grand scheme of things. Hell..our gov't worships them. That will never happen to Blacks. But we can use other means besides our skin color and history to advance us...we can use something even more powerful...we can use hip hop! Fight the powers that be!
LOL.
I like that Paul. Use Hip Hop. Not be suckered into destroying our only media outlet. Now you talkin'.
Jews leverage an inordinate amount of power ... simply because ... they are white? Uh ... I don't know about that one. Being white hasn't given the Irish that much power.
However, don't confuse utilizing strategies also exercised by Jews with "being like" Jews.
I don't see why blacks should continue to bring the knife of government dependence to the gunfight of group identity politics.
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I do think the "Jewish structure" would be a wonderful stepping stone for what needs to happen in the Black Diaspora. As a religious/ethnic group they look out for one another, support each other's businesses, and have genuine concern for the welfare of the community (present and future). But as Blacks we cannot wholly rely on them, because they have one thing that bonds them that we can never have: religion. Without getting into any religious debates, Blacks today (in my opinion) are only bonded by our physical description: dark skin, curly hair, etc. We represent all socio-economic classes, educational levels, and political affiliations. I am not affirming that all Black people need to follow the same religion, but without some basic creed, code of conduct, or belief system our communities will continue to disentegrate.
As a segway into the article...
Much can be said about McWhorter but I cannot call him an Uncle Tom (and no, I am not attacking those who do). When he speaks, I do not think he speaks for all black people (but then who could) but he adds an interesting dynamic to the racial consciousness/identity, crisis in black America debate.
While I applaud his efforts to bring academia ("intellectual" reasoning from references to the Great Society, Civil Rights, etc.) into the debate I was saddened to read that it is in "our" nature to act out. And I was even more troubled with the lack of depth he provided and the fact that he seemed not to even want to propose a solution. He ended saying basically nothing can be done.
It seems like he just wants to be part of the problem.
And a word on Hip Hop....
We cannot use it, it has been lost to "us." This is not only evident in what the white kids buy but also what the rap audience wants. Talib Kweli has to be one of the best MCs ever (in my generation), but his semi-conscious lyrics have always been outshadowed by the club stuff (Lil John, Mims, Lil Boosie,...)
..maybe one day though...I still have hope...
another LOOONNNGGG collidgekid production...(and I self-edited my McWhorter comments...oh I had more to say but I think we all feel the same way...)
what you say has merit, but the reality of the situation is that there ain't a unified consciousness and there ain't gonna be one. we're dispersed among hemispheres, regions, classes, religious beliefs, etc. we have different experiences fighting different enemies which means different priorities for folk.
perfect example is this very debate right here. folk are busting mcwhorter in the ass cuz he's not putting forth an agenda they agree with. instead of placing focus and energy on a person who has his own agenda, get busy witcha own, cuz there are gonna be plenty of cats like him in the world so lamenting about the fact that he and folk like him exist ain't gonna change shit. also, dissing him when the bottom line is he still a black man ain't a good look.
I feel you Nikki.
We've been hard on McWhorter. Especially me.
However, understand that we are not so much attacking the man, but critiquing the process that continues to project black apologists and appeasers to the forefront of the group identity wars.
A racial conscious does not have to be unified to be effective and powerful. Jewish unity is a myth.
Welcome to the blog Nikki. We like smart sistas. Ask Robyn.
here's the deal though...what is accomplished by critiquing a process that involves folk who don't have our best interests at heart? wouldn't it make more sense to ignore that process and create our own? you said it yourself...it's a white society as defined by who says it's so. therefore, that process only has as much power as you give it and the attention you give it is giving it power.
really, you're preaching to the choir, so it's not as though you talking about the 'apologists and appeasers' is anything more than fruitless discussion among folk who already know.
and why personally attack that dude? really, intimating he's gay doesn't discredit his argument, but it damn sure makes you look as though you don't have anything real to counter with.
finally, shouldn't the focus be on what's going RIGHT with black folk in america? how long are we gonna lament about how folk are jacking us up (or how we jacking up ourselves for that matter). if we don't place more faith within ourselves, it won't matter what other folk do cuz we've already bought into the idea that we're full of problems.
i say all of these things because it's obvious you are intelligent and dedicated. don't fall into that trap of constantly bringing up how black folk are messed up cuz then you falling right into the plans of the ones who don't want to see us empowered.
aiight, let me take back part of my comment cuz it's obvious by the further reading of this blog that you're discussing various aspects of the black experience, both positive and negative. for that i'm appreciative.
With all due respect, the people on this blog talking about "Jews" don't know what they are talking about. Jews in America do not succeed because they hold onto their ethnic identity or because they "look out for one another." On the contrary, Jews are among the most assimiliated of all ethnic groups, they are deeply thankful for this country, they are patriotic, and they seek to participate in mainstream life. As for their success, again, that is not due to their ethnic identity per se, but rather to their cultural values of education, achievement, and self-reliance. Indeed, Jews probably represent the so-called Protestant Work Ethic better than Protestants! Black folks shouldn't fool themselves in thinking that Jews became successful in this country by following the path of racial consciousness or ethnic separatism, which so many "black nationalists" preach. Jews are successful because they embrace this country and take advantage of the amazing opportunities it has to offer for those who are hardworking, disciplined, plan for the future, and obey the law. Wow, what a concept. . . .
anon, don't get it twisted. you said it yourself, they're among the most assimilated of all ethnic groups, something made all the easier because of their skin color. they blend in with gentile society with relative ease, half the time not even notifying folk they're jewish until you see 'em with a yamaka on their heads or they're 'outted'.
they can embrace education, achievement, and self-reliance without that pesky melanin problem designating their difference. nor do they live among the folk who oppressed them.
you oversimplify, which ain't the answer either. i'm not a black nationalist. however, i can acknowledge that the intergration of black folk into american society did more to destroy the empowerment of black communities than segregation did because it occurred under the assumption that the answer was to send black kids to white schools instead of demanding the government afford black schools the same resources and materials as white schools. on a larger scale, the message became "step out of our neighborhoods because our own ish is inferior" which ultimately contributed to the self-hatred exhibited by many black folk right now.
availability without identity has proven to be destructive for many in the black community.
and before you assume i'm saying keep it separate, i'm not. i'm saying empowerment within the black community begins with black folk. we're the ones responsible for this here.
Nikki said:
"they can embrace education, achievement, and self-reliance without that pesky melanin problem designating their difference. nor do they live among the folk who oppressed them."
Thank you...you hit it on the nail and this is the point I was trying to make with my first comment but failed to express as clear and concise as you have.
Thanks for the response, Nikki. Yes, of course, black or brown ethnic groups have more difficulty assimilating than white ethnic groups. But so what? How is that an argument against assimilation itself? And what is the alternative? Living in dysfunctional ghettos?
Frankly, pointing to "the pesky melanin problem" is a cop-out. You don't have to have white skin to obey the law, stay in school, work hard at a job, and refuse to become dependent on handouts. Yet this is essentially what you (and so many others) are saying when you imply that blacks somehow are prevented by the mere color of their skin from living productive, successful lives in this country. What rubbish.
And then let's not forget how those blacks who do try to assimilate, and as a result are successful in mainstream society, are derided as "Uncle Toms" and sell-outs, or "black apologists and appeasers" (as "Denmark Vesey" wrote). What a horrid way to treat successful people. And why? All out of some misguided notion of racial identity that *rejects* the very values that lead to success in life (in any country, not just here).
Certainly, it is not easy being black in the United States. But why make life even more difficult by adopting a self-defeating racial ideology that speaks of "empowerment" (whatever that's supposed to mean) but which has ruined so many lives over the past several decades?
who says black folk aren't obeying the law, staying in school, working hard at a job, and refusing to become dependent on handouts? dude, that's ALREADY HAPPENING.
now what?
i'm saying there's a difference. plenty of folk doing what you suggest and they are facing barriers those who have been able to blend in unnoticed don't. that's just fact, dude.
the field wasn't level in the past and ain't level now. you take that same statement about what folk ain't doing to the sista living in the ghetto who's working TWO gigs, paying her bills, keeping her kids in school, etc. and yet she still ain't getting anywhere. she's living in an environment that's underserved with inferior education (the foundation for the 'moving on up' theory)and other services. what's she supposed to think, all she gotta do is keep working and she's gonna be outta there? she probably ain't a first generation ghetto dweller, so that statement won't work with her.
i'm saying, if you gonna come with all that stuff about working hard,recognize the solution ain't as easy as 'pulling up the bootstraps' cuz plenty of folk been doing that for decades and it hasn't gotten them anywhere.
this argument is so old. there are plenty of folk out there who are assimilating and not getting the 'uncle tom' bit. plenty of folk who don't buy into the idea that american success means defying one's cultural ideas or identity. you're focusing on what you want to in order to validate your argument.
when i say 'empowerment', i mean what you've mentioned...becoming self-reliant. i'd even go a step further and say it includes self-building. it means finding value in one's self and recognizing one's power to do and be what he or she wants in this world and not buy into someone else's definition of what 'success' is supposed to mean unless that's his or her choice to do so.
i'm not adopting a self-defeating racial ideology, luv. to the contrary, i'm saying there are valid obstacles but that gives nobody the excuse to not try, period. recognize what's before you and equipt yourself with the tools to do battle and overcome them.
skin color and class and history DO make the situations different. acknowledging that ain't making excuses. does this prevent them from doing their thing? NO. it makes it more difficult, but not impossible.
hopefully i've been clear enough for you to drop that whole "you're one of those sistas looking for an excuse" bit.
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