It's interesting how history sets the tone for now and the future. Written on the heels of the Civil Rights Era, and speaking to the empowerment of Black peoples in the United States, this James Brown proclamation was one of self-sufficiency, self-worth, and proactivity. No more waddling in victimization, no more waiting on the Others to rescue us --- just get out of the way let me do my thing. You don't have to give me shit, but don't block the opportunity and I'll do the rest.
The strong testament reflects the spirit of an oppressed people seeking liberation.
Oppression (noun): an unjust or cruel exercise of authority or power; a sense of being
weighed down in body or mind
In it's many levels, this oppression has affected culture as we know it. A socialized form that has birth the racism and hatred which have cast an everlasting cloud over our communities. An institutional arm that rears its head in segregationist laws, inequitable educational systems, and decreased access to employment. A systematic type that has created overly populated prison systems, a rise in police brutality, and severely impoverished neighborhoods. But above all, the greatest foul has been the effects of the psychological oppression that lives with us daily. Our social norms, failing institutions, and corrupt governmental systems are the bullets that shred our minds to pieces.
But riddle me this: What did you expect?
Don't give me denegration
Give me true communication
Don't give me sorrow
I want equal opportunity
To live tomorrow
Give me schools
And give me better books
So I can read about myself
And gain my truly looks
For too long, we've sat down in the role of victim. Believe me when I say, we've been on the wrong side of a great deal of bad shit, and are undoubtedly victims of a mucked up situation. BUT the time has come, and before it passes, there must be those among us that will take advantage of opportunity to push the ship forward. IN REMEMBRANCE of the lost and forgotten Black angels, we should continue the drive for pride and self-sufficiency. And, NO...all that pulpittin', yelling and screaming won't get it done. Exciting the crowds with ridiculous metaphors and rhyming words ain't gone do it either. (Hello My Black Leaders) We listen to popular activists who speak to the ills of the Black community, and to no end, there's usually a point in their perspective that lends to them asking somebody for something: Usually that somebody is the MAN, and what they typically ask for is: reparations, better schools, better jobs, better benefits. Asking the man to do something to save us? To me, there's a bit of irony when "our leaders" talk about liberation, but in another breath speak words that feed into the master's original plan. By asking for help, there's acknowledgement that he holds the key to our future. There's an admission that without him nothing else is possible. We are his children, and we need his provision, because we can't do for self. In turn, he can ration out just enough to keep us alive, but never enough to thrive. (even the slaves were given food, scraps and water of course..but just enough). He'll give you welfare, but he definitely won't give you wealth.
Some of us try
As hard as we can
We don't want no sympathy
We just wanna be a man
So what are we asking for? who are we asking?
Mr. America...we are asking for a seat at your table. We really want to be a part of your family and there are a few things we were hoping you could give us. Do you think you can come straighten out our community, because we can't seem to do it ourselves? Also, can you come fix up some of these ugly buildings and repair these roads? And while you're at it, we really need you to come get some of this garbage off of our streets. Oh yeah, Mr. America, nobody is hiring, so can you bring us more jobs? And one more thing, would it be possible to bring us some better grocery stores, better schools, get the dope boys off the street, take away the guns, arrest Sharkeisha, and shut down Twitter, Facebook, IG, YouTube, Vine, Worldstar, and Mona Scott? Pretty Please?
And America says..."Hell Nawww!"
"You jive turkeys won't take care of your own tables, so why would I have you at mine. On top of that, have you forgotten that this house was not built with you in mind? I've never liked you. Never will. So why do you think you can be apart of this family. Furthermore, your community is your community, so YOU fix it up. You let your own houses fall down and yards grow into jungles. If you don't care, I damn sure don't. But I tell you what... here's what we can do, Mr. Black person... First, I need you to drop the value of your property. I think a few murders, more drugs in the streets, and a whole lot of other crimes will drop the value to where we need it in no time. In addition, I need you to tell your friends to forget about teaching their children how to read and speak, tell'em to skip out on the Parent-teacher meetings at the schools, and tell'em to feed their kids as much crappy food as possible. And when all of that is completed, the last thing I need you to do is fall behind on your housing payments. Keep that up until you get evicted. Once you get evicted, then I will come in, buy your property for the low and turn it into a million dollar apartment/retail complex!!! How does that sound to you? Great plan, huh?
Gentrification?
And in spite of all that, we still say: "Mr. America, we have a deal"
Communities are reflection of the people within them. Broken communities are typically filled with broken people --- people that are burdened down by poverty, socioeconomic circumstance, subpar education, declining mental health, and an absence of HOPE. Fortunately, these are fixable problems if only the spirit of community could be restored and people started caring about the souls of their neighbors. And contrary to popular belief, Money is not the answer. It is not money that encourages us to be our brother's keeper, or lend a helping hand to our neighbor. Honestly, it's money that makes us shit on each other, because we want it and can't stand for anyone else to have it. Master taught us that progress can only come when money is present. Hence, why great ideas have been shot down and progression has been stopped because "we don't have enough money to do that".
Money is good, but all things are not based on it. Or are they? Does money make you a better reader. Does money make you a better parent. Does money make you an excellent teacher? Does money keep your child out of prison?
I don't have the answers, but what I do know is, nobody is going to give us anything, so it would be a good idea to stop asking for favor. This place was not designed for us to be great. But we presently have an advantage because opportunity is now in our face, waiting for us to take advantage. No longer are there any Colored only signs, no governors standing in school house doorways, no forced riding at the back of the buses; But don't be a fool, the spirits still exist. However, there is another set of spirits that remind us that we are blessed, beautiful, and capable. But talk from leaders with no substance won't get us where we need to be. Instead it will be a grass root effort from committed parents, mentors, community volunteers, and humanitarians everywhere that will impact change. True progress will come from the work of those willing to devote their talents and gifts to the uplifting of their communities. True progress will come from a refusal to wait on someone else to determine our destiny.
We got talents we can use
On our side of town
Let's get our heads together
And get it up from the ground
When some of us make money
People hear about our people
Gotta grab out a honey
Forget about honey
Do you now, let me hear, hey
Come on, I got to have it
Come on, I need it
JB's message was not a new one. Many movements prior spoke to the need for self-sufficiency in our communities. Noted: Greenwood, Oklahoma; Marcus Garvey; W.E.B. DuBois, Booker T. Washington, Harlem.
I'm not gonna tell
You what to do
I'm not gonna raise a fuss
But before you make another move
Let's start by taking care of us
No longer shall we live as Victims. No longer shall we wait on anyone else. We can get it ourselves.
Kids get that education
And don't you take no more
Cause we gonna get
This thing together
You got to carry the ball
I don't want nobody
To give me nothing
Open up the door
I approve this message --- BG
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