And Our Story Continues

We've spent the last three years revisiting what we thought was long past. Witnessing the vitriol of those who want to recreate what I call Brownsville, you know, those segregated places mandated by law as a result of the wretched system of “Separate but Equal”; more commonly known as “Jim Crow”. I have tried to resurrect the ghost of the greats that changed the world, which have caused me to live a life promised to all Americans. Having said that, I readily admit there is still a long way to go.

On Election Day this magnificent journey and life’s promise continues with the reelection of President of Barack H. Obama. Since I started THOUGHT PROVOKING PERSPECTIVES I have shared the African American journey that is without question the greatest story ever told. Maybe I’ll say this more succinctly by quoting Jesse – “From the outhouse to the White House”. The irony of this was that Africans were dragged onto the shores of this place the slaves called “merica” to now having a man of African descent in the White House as President. 

This evolution brought about our acquiescence to political agendas, abdicating our own economic self-sufficiency for the greater good and most working diligently for the economic well-being of other people. Since the 13th, 14th and 15th Amendments were written many have died for the rights described therein and we continue to fight for equality.

Since Black History month only comes in February it’s time we appreciate it every day. I want to leave you with this thought from “The Mis-Education of the Negro,” the most profound novel ever written in my opinion, originally published in 1933 by Dr. Carter G. Woodson, who is known as the father of Black History Month. I might add that this book should be mandatory reading for all African Americans – young and old.

The thesis of Dr. Woodson's book is that Negroes of his day were being culturally indoctrinated rather than taught in American schools, or not even given the advantage of education. This conditioning, he claims, causes African Americans to become dependent, seeking out inferior places.

He challenged his readers to become empowered by doing for themselves, regardless of what they were taught: “History shows that it does not matter who is in power... those who have not learned to do for themselves and have to depend solely on others never obtain any more rights or privileges in the end than they did in the beginning.”in the greater society of which they are a part. This assertion is clearly evident nearly eighty years later.

This goes beyond the imagination, irrespective of the many promises that have been made and broken, that fairness exists. Don’t worry, we have been taught that when we die there is a place where there is a mansion with streets paved with gold. Be that as it may, let's agree with the great Curtis Mayfield who wrote: “people get ready there’s a train a comin. You don’t need no ticket. All you need is faith to get on board… you just thank the lord.”

I have said and believe that Black History Month is “Black History is American History”. We have witnessed the first man of African descent elected president of these United States and nothing more significant has happened since the resurrection of Christ. I am thankful to have lived to see what no one living or dead ever thought would occur. God Bless America President Barrack Obama and the greatest story ever told continues!

And for those who want to succeed from the Union. We have seen this movie and how did that workout for them. And that is my Thought Provoking Perspective…

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Legacy – A New Season 

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Just a Season