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In honor of the illustrious career of Helen Thomas who was forced to “retire” after making comments about Israel, I am reposting this blog. This is strictly about power. Blacks are collectively slandered, figuratively and literally dragged about the political landscape, wrongfully persecuted and there is scant recourse or repercussion. Take a lesson:

1.       Value education – “ A mind is a terrible thing to waste”. Remember that old United Negro College Fund slogan? Nothing has changed.

2.       Learn to deal with each other –Some real value came out of the Jews ghetto experience (and pre-integration Black life). I’m not saying it was pleasant or that all Jews love each other. However, Jew on Jew violence is not of great concern, Jews patronize each others businesses and once Jews “make it” they don’t flee their neighborhoods and disparage each other like crabs in barrel.

3.       We need to own our shit and should be running SOMETHING. Can you say hip-hop??? Or maybe we just need to stop selling each other out to the highest bidder.

4.       Memorialize (remember) the pain of our ancestors and subsequently be reparated for past wrongdoings. I don’t know what form they (reparations) should take but we’ve been shamed into not speaking out. “Never forget” is how the Jews keep the Holocaust ever present in both their minds and ours. Yet, many pretend (or maybe have no idea) that slavery has no modern day effects. Two words – institutionalized racism.

5.       Maximize our small numbers into larger collective power. The AIPAC (American pro-Israel lobby) is among the top five most powerful in the U.S.  Do you have any idea how much money we give to Israel? Check it out. We need to form and/or hold accountable organizations and institutions that staunchly defend OUR interests.

6.       Make it untenable, indefensible and impossible for anyone to call you nigger, nigga or any variation thereof. We know very well that if you utter anything that could be remotely construed as anti-Semitic there will be hell to pay (see Helen Thomas); and from many different quarters. You know why? Collective power. When it comes to Black people, folks are emboldened to say and do whatever they want. It’s because WE haven’t kept them in check. And, no power means no one else is (or willing) to check for OUR interests.

7.       And finally, we have to learn to stand united behind broader ideas such as those expressed herein. You probably don’t agree with everything I’ve said or maybe just the way I’ve said it. Nevertheless, petty differences have distracted us from the big picture for far too long.  Orthodox, Conservative or Reform, most Jews agree that the unjust persecution of Jews is  not to be tolerated.

Don’t hate – emulate.

Just the other evening I was speaking with a non-Black friend when I took the opportunity to inject some racial humor. It might surprise you to learn it was at the expense of Black people (yes, Your Black Friend has a sense of humor). It wasn’t mean spirited per se but let’s not kid ourselves, when it comes to Black people, there’s plenty of material. Anyway, I felt comfortable so I didn’t think it would be an issue. But in hindsight, I think she was afraid to laugh (it was funny) and instead decided to “check” me on my race-centered perspective. Her method was to ask: why I care so much about race? Another common variation of this question is: why does everything (with you people) have to be about race?

 Hmmm…I can see why you might think that given that I wrote a book offering opinions on questions about Black people. But consider for a moment that this book couldn’t have been written without the material provided in the form of actual questions. And I’m okay with questions as long as they’re honest and lead to some understanding.  With me, it’s all about honesty, understanding and equality. But the equality part is missing – and that’s why I care.

That led me to ask her: Why don’t you seem to care? Melting pot, Black President, crossover hip-hop, blah, blah, blah. None of that has led to equality – race is still a hang-up.  Don’t believe me?  Have a look at the progress being made in our drug sentencing laws. That’s an outright acknowledgment of bias against Black drug users. And while you may not care about drug users, it is illustrative of the way we have yet to go before we get to equal. And I’m sure you would care if you (or someone in your family) were treated differently based on their status (gay or disabled). I care about that too. But it so happens that I’m Black (something I wouldn’t hide or change) so I also have a stake in the equal treatment of Black people.

Each of us has a right to expect equal treatment. I mean ladies c’mon – perhaps one day we’ll be worthy of earning a dollar for each dollar a man earns. And since you know things are NOT equal – why don’t you care? We see people losing their minds over the treatment of animals (see Michael Vick and PETA) and we have environmental activists defending the planet. Isn’t your fellow man worth so much more consideration? Why aren’t YOU willing to go to the mat to ensure that all people are treated equally? I keep saying, the quicker we get to equal, the sooner those who have a stake in division are made irrelevant; AND the sooner you’ll get Black people to stop complaining – okay, so that’s not going to happen (it’s a joke people). But seriously folks, I do wonder why people don’t seem to care – more. 

It has become popular among non-Blacks to question and even be mad about the fact that they cannot freely use the N-word. These folks are actually feeling self-righteous anger about being blocked from saying nigger. But wait, you wouldn’t be saying nigger in the negative way; you’ll be saying it the “cool” way – “nigga”, just like Black people. In the same way you use it amongst your friends or when singing along to your favorite hip-hop song. It’s casual, non-offensive use and you’re not a racist (you have Black friends) so what’s the big deal? Black people do it all the time so why can’t you?  

Oh brother. Well, the first part of my answer SHOULD go without saying – but I’ll say it anyway in case you’re thinking Black people are of one mind.

 A lot of Black people do NOT EVER use the word (in any variation), are extremely offended by it and are none too pleased with the fact that “nigger” (or nigga if you prefer) has become a part of common parlance. And you do know the history of the word (see nigger and book Nigger)? So, why would YOU want to say it? Is it due to a sense of entitlement (you shouldn’t be deprived of anything)?  It’s strange that you think it’s cool to say it but know it’s definitely not cool to BE it. Lucky that you can use the slang without ever having the experience (here’s a hip-hop explanation of how that might feel). 

Anyway, I say go ahead and use the word if you want. Your friends will think you’re daring and cool for using  a taboo word enveloped in so much negative history. As for the other people who hear you, well, one possibility is that they might want to (and actually will) administer a beat down of epic proportions (i.e. you might get hurt). That my friend is the risk you take. Not to mention the many people you’ll offend who will suffer your foolishness in silence. And why, just so you can say nigga? 

Listen, I am all for freedom of speech so if you insist on using the word remember that no matter how you say it, the N-word has nothing positive to do with you. You’ll want to be very careful and not get overly comfortable (John Mayer-like) with it. And if you see YourBlackfriend on the street, I don’t respond to nigger or nigga so you can save your misguided shout- out…holla.

If you know me then you know I don’t love President Obama; but that doesn’t mean I hate the man so let’s not make this an either/or proposition. Let’s just say I was never caught under the spell of his special-ness (or skin color). Be that as it may, I do NOT want to see him fail. 

Post-election, I admit to holding high hopes for Obama’s vision. I too was feeling audacious –could WE create some real change in our nation? After witnessing a masterful campaign and the display of an incredible ability to rally and inspire followers, I wanted to believe. And now, I’m just saddened by the lack of follow-through. But that’s where WE the people come in.

The follow-through I’m talking about should have naturally flowed from the fact that Obama is well -versed in community organizing. As it stands, Saul Alinsky would NOT be proud of the fact that Obama built a massive amount of momentum and simply let it dissipate. It’s almost like all of his brilliant outreach and consensus building was for naught. And I have a feeling Obama is sitting in the Oval Office wondering, where my people at? 

Well Obama, your people are waiting to be told what to do, seeking instruction or dare I say…leadership. And by the way, hearing you repeat, “no one said this was going to be easy” does not inspire confidence. It’s like Super Chicken used to say, “you knew the job was dangerous when you took it…” —right?  In politics, the ability to spread your message far and wide, over and above the opposition is critical. Look at Rush Limbaugh’s impact; accurate or not, squeaky wheel gets the grease. So where are all the Obamites to shout down the Dittoheads? I know, I know, it’s so undignified but let’s be real; appearance is everything and your boy is in desperate need of a rally. Just say the word Obama, and like they say in church, “make it plain”.

As reality sets in it’s likely that this deflation of spirit was inevitable; however that’s not a reason to give up hope. Obama is 100% correct in acknowledging that he CANNOT do it alone. And that’s an open invitation for WE the people to get involved. Of course he needs agreement in Congress but Obama was NEVER going to be able to make the kinds of changes he promised without the help of WE the people. It is OUR responsibility to light a fire under the collective ass(es) of our obstructionist Congress and/or be ready (organized) to give them the boot. They serve at OUR pleasure and clearly this fact is something we and they need to be reminded about. Ultimately, now is the time to ask what you can do for your country… and President Obama, it’s time to unveil your iron fist.

 Recommended reading: Unite and Conquer by Kyrsten Sinema 

When I was a child I spoke, thought and reasoned like a child but when I grew up I put away childish things. 1 Cor. 13:11.  When YourBlackfriend was a youth, in the years before the first celebration of Dr. King’s birthday, there was a lot of opposition to the creation of a national holiday. Part of the opposition argument was the potential cost to tax payers, singling him out above other persons and his controversial career (but we can celebrate Columbus Day?). Of course another great part of the opposition was singularly focused on his minority status as a Black man. And once the holiday was pushed through I, like many, was glad for the possibility of a day off– nothing more. But worse than that I had bought into the idea that this was somehow a holiday for Black people.

Today it’s hard to imagine people getting caught up on those things if you understand that Dr. King was a humanitarian. This means that while his primary work appeared to be centered on civil rights for Blacks, his overall goal was the improvement of conditions for ALL mankind. The only way this doesn’t apply to YOU is if you’re not human…and maybe not even then. [It seems to me Dr. King would hold the Navi lifestyle in high regard.] Nevertheless, I know that there are those who still have a problem with this Holiday.

To you I say that it’s true that as a youth I only understood Dr. King intellectually. But older, wiser and more educated, I now understand the connectedness of ALL mankind and appreciate the impact and meaning of his legacy. Simply put, we rise or fall together. This is clear in the age of globalization and poignantly highlighted by the current plight of Haitians. They and others are OUR problem. It is high time to put away childish thoughts, reasoning and petty squabbling; we pay tribute to a higher level of consciousness when we do.

Enjoy this day of remembrance but know that beyond this day, any hope for a better world depends on an ONGOING ingrained sense of duty and obligation to work towards fairness and equality for all peoples. You are your brother’s keeper and “We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools.” Martin Luther King, Jr.