By Roy Douglas Malonson, Publisher
Anthony T. Browder states that, “We Africans in America have been socially engineered to reject our past, and far too many of us live in a state of suspended animation. We deny the historical realities confronting us daily. Too many of us mistakenly believe that the past has no bearing on the present and is unrelated to the future. Thus, we have been conditioned to live our lives disconnected from cultural values, principles and ideals essential for peaceful living.”
You can walk around and pretend that this country is color-blind and that the problems and issues that plagued our country years ago do not exist today if you want to. But I know better! Just because the Bill of Rights were modified with the 13th, and 14th Amendments does not mean that ‘the struggle’ is over. This reality is far from the truth, because in all actuality, it has just begun.
For, the 13th Amendment states that, “Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.”
Although we are not out laboring in the cotton fields from sun up to sun down in the heat of the day anymore; it does not mean that slavery is literally abolished.
The 14th amendment declares that, ”All persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside.” While, we may be classified, as citizens under this amendment don’t you for one second think that it suggests that we are automatically entitled to the privileges that our White counterparts are.
As it is, the American society has become one that is more culturally diverse than any other nation in present years. This element as perceived by many of our youth today serves to illuminate a reality that racism, discrimination and prejudicial measures are not at play anymore.
A great deal of our people are brainwashed to believe that what our ancestors and progenitors endured years ago, does not affect us today.
You have some of us who are just so anxious to fit in with the crowd and be socially accepted that they will dismiss the idea that we do not live in a perfect society. That is until they begin to get turned for jobs that they are more than qualified to do and looked over for elevated positions within the workforce that are handed to those who do not look like us, and less qualified to state the least. It is not until then, that they realize there is a problem.
Well, I just have to serve notice on you that the problem did not just get here rather your accept it or not. For this reason will African-American News & Issues continue to reflect and present historical and current realities affecting our communities.
I have stated it before and I will state it again, if the most powerful man in the country is constantly disrespected and he just so happens to be a Black man then what the hell do you think that says for us?
More contempt and disregard has been showed to President Barack Obama than all 43 of the proceeding presidents combined. It would perhaps be understandable if the President had committed some outlandish folly or abused his executive commands during his tenure.
However, the lack of respect that he has endured is a direct result of the color of his skin. If you were to think about the astounding effect of this notion, it really presents an alarming truth. Think about it!
