Turning 50: Lessons I Have Lived #2

Turning 50: Lessons I Have Lived #2

I have issues with Black People (Us) and how we think about each other, how we treat each other, in theory and in practice.

Our humanity has been in the crosshairs of a rifle scope. We have been targeted by political snipers, culture hunters, and games sportsmen and women who just want to shoot (insert n-word) for fun. Our humanity could be snatched away in real tangible ways with little care or concern-- beyond the pain of Black family and community, by White folks- in very concrete ways, backed up by historical documentation (lynchings etc).

I am convinced, after having listened to my elders words of wisdom, that we have to learn how to let each other as Black folk, 'fuck up sometimes', and keep our dignity, but deal with each other the way we deal with things to put each other back on a decent path.

I dont think we should allow White people to publicly humiliate or dehumanize Black folk, even when we don't like their (the Black folks) nasty ass ways.

There is a line, a code of honor among Black folk that must be defined, acknowledged, and maintained in the public sphere and public spaces.

Calling a Black person evil is not the same as calling her a "low-life dog"! Especially when she was being treated like a prize show dog in the first place.

Let's be clear, I don't personally know Ms. Omarosa Newman, and I don't want to know her. She is the kind of person my Mama taught me to "feed with a long handled spoon". I would not want to be in the same room with her based on what I have seen of her on TV. She bears the responsibility for her actions, she's a grown ass woman. She will be okay I am sure, but this ain't about her, it's about Us, and how we deal with each other.

We can not, should not allow ourselves to do to each other what was done to us by White folk.

If we say that the majority of White folk in the United States were poor whites who did not own slaves, we must also say they were complicit in how we, Black folks have been treated in this country.

If we say that the majority of Africans were sold into enslavement by a minority of elite Africans, then we must confront the evil within (how we see ourselves, our own humanity) and the evil without (how non Black folk have treated and still treat us).
- Jolivette Anderson-Douoning