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December 13, 2009 | | Comments 7

Finding Progression in Assimilation Nation

by Demetrius D. Walkerno-dumbassness-womens

Growing up in the United States, it is impossible to escape the implicit and explicit tenets of White Supremacy that embed themselves in the subconscious of every American. While the engine of this domineering machine is not as robust as it was in its heyday of slavery, Reconstruction, and Jim Crow, it now drives on autopilot through the daily thoughts and interactions of all citizens. Many Black people subtly conform to White Supremacist doctrines, and even frown upon those Negroes that make the conscious decision not to support its continuation. Though well-intentioned, these folks confuse Black progression with assimilation into “mainstream” society; as a race we need to understand the difference in order to advance.

It breaks my heart when I hear educated Sisters and Brothers argue for the eradication of certain cultural practices simply because they feel it makes the Black race look bad to other races (more specifically White folks). In a constant effort to impress our Caucasian counterparts, the Black bourgeois have named any action that could be perceived as inferior to traditional White way of life, cancerous to Black society. Black people who think with this type of mind have succumbed to White Supremacy, as it is painfully apparent that they’ve adopted a “What would White man do?” mentality.  For instance, the main criticism I heard when I stood up to support Brother Tyler Perry’s work was that it portrays an image, we as Black people, should suppress and hide from White people.  Eh you know, God forbid some Anglos come across a Tyler Perry movie and shake their heads in disapproval or perhaps laugh at Madea.  Us Negroes need to impress these White folks with dry wit and conventional humor if we ever plan to be on their level some day, right?  Riiight.

It is impossible to progress beyond White Supremacy if we employ it’s very tactics to police our own race.  Uproar from supposed members of the Black intelligentsia upon the theatrical release of Precious was asinine.  There were Negroes concerned that telling the unfortunate story of an obese Black woman would give “others” the image that all African Americans fit the overweight, welfare stereotype many ignorant citizens cite to belittle Black achievement.  Look people… you know damn well there are those among us who battle obesity and several other socio-economic constraints of perpetual poverty.  Trying to sweep our fellow people under the rug to make our house look all tidy when “others” visit will not eliminate the problems we face as a race.

Progression in Black America will only occur when we begin to impress ourselves and push our brethren to be more powerful, prudent, and prideful.  The question should not be “how does this look to White people,” but instead “how does this look to our people?”  Only when Black art or media systematically fails to empower, enlighten, and entertain its own constituents has a disservice been performed.  So Brothers and Sisters, I urge you to consider the subconscious effects that thousands of years of White Supremacy have implanted in your psyche before you revere or reject ethnic communications.  Do it for Hip Hop.  Do it for Your People.  Do it for YOU.  Peace!

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  1. TheBrownAngel says:

    Amen!

  2. Uhurube says:

    Precious was one of the realist films Ive ever saw We as poeple should not be ashamed of these terrible truths that exist we should be more reactive to eliminating these harsh realities by supporting our young people.

  3. datdude says:

    All that might be true but Tyler Perry films still suck!

  4. Chase Ross says:

    My pops once told me that ordinary people talk about other people. Smart people talk about events. Extraordinary people talk about concepts. Lets focus on the concept.

    This entry for some reason took me back to an entry I read a couple of months ago about “talking white.” One hundred years later and we’re still trying to reconcile our two selves. The veil is an interesting device…

  5. No1KState says:

    Once you hold for socioeconomics, gaps in crime disappear. Though, some thingss remain. For example, even after holding for socioeconomics, black children are disciplined more often and more harshly than white children even though the y all misbehave the same. Did you know that?

    Did you know that crime amongst the black community in the aftermath of the Civil War was practically nonexistent. Like, 95% of (actual) crime (not the black codes) in the South was committed by whites.

    So you know what I say? Since our problems aren’t any worse than anybody else’s, I’m not going to demand my people act any better to get the same rights.

    White America has been playing this game with us from the beginning. We keep losing! So I refuse to play anymore. Simple as that.

  6. No1KState says:

    @ Chase – My mom always told me the same thing. Sweet.

  7. Erin Andrews says:

    Keep the good information comming, we need more authors like you!

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