While I was trying to figure out what to prepare my 4 year old for dinner, I came across an editorial piece by Brother Kevin Powell. I call him brother because he is truly an amazing human being. He has used his name and influence to give voice to people and causes that too often go unheard. His books are remarkable, power-punching yet palatable to a wide array of readers. So, it was no surprise that while perusing allhiphop.com, I stopped at his article. He was responding to the Sean Bell verdict and made many valid points. Most of them- I agreed with. However, there was one part that kind of rubbed me the wrong way. He states, “Our current leadership needs us to believe all we can ever be are victims, doomed to one recurring tragedy or another. It keeps these leaders gainfully employed, and it keeps us feeling completely helpless and powerless (Powell, 2008)”. For some reason, I became offended.
Anyone who knows me knows that sometimes I argue for the sake of arguing. In fact, I went to Divinity school in order to better equip myself for arguments with ministers. Of course I came out with a whole different view on life, religion and Christ’s message in particular, but I’m saying that to say that I am not one to readily support leaders, especially those who are quick to name the name of Christ. I can only guess as to whom Brother Powell was referring, but I have a few questions. Is it not easier to attack the tactics of the prevailing “Black” leadership because they actually say something when things like this happen? Why not come at Jay-Z who decided to create a dis record in support of Lebron James this weekend, instead of an ode in honor of a fallen brother? Do we really believe that our leadership would rather that we be subjugated (at least politically) forever?
I think it is easier to attack than to look at the rest of the circumstances, historically speaking. Black men have been misconceived as being criminals since The Atlantic Slave Trade. Post-chattel slavery, Black men could be arrested based on hearsay (not too different from now) and were lynched for things like looking at or whistling at a white woman (Emmet Till). Since then, even when Black men are honest and hard working, they are still demonized based on this ill gotten stereotype. So what happens, some of them have decided that if they are viewed negatively anyway, you might as well just go on and do it anyway. It was because of those type of people that Sean Bell met his end. It was the image of a systematic agreement with an incorrect statement that caused those cops, white, Black and Latino, to murder a man in cold-blood. I say, let’s focus on that instead of tearing each other down. Like I said, I agree with you Brother Powell, but not all the way.
Powell, K. (2008). The Sean Bell Tragedy. Retrieved from http://allhiphop.com/stories/editorial/archive/2008/04/26/19734547.aspx on April 28, 2008.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Friday, April 25, 2008
Is There Need To Say Anymore
I am the wife of a Brown-skinned man. I am the mother of two Brown-skinned boys. It is both an honor and a reason to be concerned. In November of 2006, a Brown man was murdered by New York City Police. Today, April 25th, 2008, they were acquitted of all charges. I tried to explain what happened to my 4 year old. He, like many of us today, is confused. Are we supposed to tell our boys that life is just unfair sometimes and we have to roll with the punches? Or do we say, unfortunately, the only people that cops "accidentally" murder are men of color? Do we continue to chastise our boys for simply being boys born Brown who should not enjoy the simple pleasures life offers?
Years ago, Brown men were lynched and it was authorized and sometimes assisted by the state. Let me qualify that- if you can help and do not help, you are complicit. I see that the more things change, the more they stay the same. This case was heard by a judge- not a jury, but a judge. This judge decided that it was legally ok for a cop to shoot, reload, shoot and reload again without reassessment. He decided that reflecting over the wrongs done was punishment enough- legally. He decided that unarmed Brown men are dangerous looking enough to be profiled and attacked by police- legally. He said that he had to weigh the evidence without histrionics and decided what the Constitution writers would have wanted- legally.
Let's go back to the authors of the Constitution: rich, white male, landowners who decided that all men are created equal and then defined "men" as folk just like them. So can we really be angry at the judge? He did EXACTLY what the Constitution writers would have wanted- kept themselves safe.
Before someone says, well two of the cops were African-American and Puerto Rican. I think Rev. Sharpton said it best- just because you're my color doesn't make you my kind.
Hotep.
Years ago, Brown men were lynched and it was authorized and sometimes assisted by the state. Let me qualify that- if you can help and do not help, you are complicit. I see that the more things change, the more they stay the same. This case was heard by a judge- not a jury, but a judge. This judge decided that it was legally ok for a cop to shoot, reload, shoot and reload again without reassessment. He decided that reflecting over the wrongs done was punishment enough- legally. He decided that unarmed Brown men are dangerous looking enough to be profiled and attacked by police- legally. He said that he had to weigh the evidence without histrionics and decided what the Constitution writers would have wanted- legally.
Let's go back to the authors of the Constitution: rich, white male, landowners who decided that all men are created equal and then defined "men" as folk just like them. So can we really be angry at the judge? He did EXACTLY what the Constitution writers would have wanted- kept themselves safe.
Before someone says, well two of the cops were African-American and Puerto Rican. I think Rev. Sharpton said it best- just because you're my color doesn't make you my kind.
Hotep.
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