Constructive Dialogue Continues.....

square360 has left a new comment on your post "Comments From Our Readers":

KE, outstanding blog and very thought provoking... also helps keep the pressure on and the fire turned up on this wayward brotha! Though I agree with you in large part in your analysis, I have to take exception with your generalized assessment of our people. Your latest post seamed to stop just short of implying that Carter G. Woodson was denouncing blacks in his evaluation of learned psychological behaviors taught to us by the slave trader and perpetuated and enforced by the overseer.

In delving further into Dr. Woodson's brilliant and illuminous observation, he also said, "...LET US NOW BEGIN TO DO THE VERY THING WE HAVE BEEN TAUGHT WE CANNOT DO."

The honorable Marcus Mosiah Garvey was able to ascertain similar patterns of erroneous thinking among some in our culture, stating, "... LET THE PEOPLE KNOW THAT IN THEM ONLY IS THE POWER TO RISE..." As you mentioned, quotes such as these from our warrior scholar ancestors seemed to have been capsulized for the benefit of awakening us for such a time as this.

Summarily, no matter how abhorrent Kwame's behavior has become, I have more empathy than shame for him because he is obviously acting out in the way he's been groomed and instructed. ("Don't let nobody talk about Y'all's boy!" - U.S. Congresswoman Caroly Cheeks Kilpatrick) In the mayor, I see the hope of all that a black man could have accomplished through boundless potential be publicly brought to his knees, albeit of his own doing... which is eventually where this travesty is heading.

In the eyes of blacks, especially our youth, the psychological effects of the impending political emasculation of this brotha will be more damaging and far-reaching, unbelievably, than the misdeeds themselves. That is what is truly a shame.

Keep hittin' em hard, bruh...

Hello Square360,

Just to clarify, my viewpoint on Dr. Woodson’s analysis of the state of African Americans during that caustic period was an attempt to draw correlation between the learned psychological behaviors you illustrated in your comments and how it applies to current day in the manner of how we conduct ourselves in matters of accountability in the black community when the antagonist is within.

The premise was twofold but to clarify let me utilize an analogy. Those who reside in suburbia examining our many plights may exclaim to just put a fence around the city and let them destroy themselves without any contribution from outside sources. Even when the enemy within – in this case being political “leaders” compromise every tenet of ethical responsibility and moral imperative we as a people validate their sordid contributions and reelect them to office. Thus, the matter that we “Cut out a backdoor for our own special benefit applies” to current day. Likewise, the other quotations go towards what I like to consider, “Cause and Effect”. The cycle of inferiority passed down from generation to generation is wholly consistent with the dehumanization of our people as a result of slavery. What I appreciated about Dr. Woodson’s commentary is that in the effort to educate our people on their condition he first had to address our mental status and how they interrelated in a variety of societal disciplines. Why do we think the way we do? What happened when some black folks acquired knowledge and degrees and then turned on their race? What caused us to have self-hate? Once you understand the “Cause” then you can create a diagnosis.

My attempt in this blog was really not about Kwame Kilpatrick even though the title says otherwise. In reality, any leader who purposely abuses and manipulates their people for personal benefit fits into this Modus Operandi. The principal goal is to challenge black people to evaluate our condition from a clinical perspective minus the emotional attachment and make conscious ethical decisions for the benefit of everyone particularly when it comes to the election of leadership and accountability. This is such a daunting task in our community as I find myself having to deprogram folks before you can impart even a modicum of knowledge. I make no money off this site, receive no hidden accolades – hell, folks don’t even know my name! But for the love of my people and readers such as yourself perhaps we can change the dialogue in our community to be a more robust and progressive environment. Because what it really comes down to – all we have are us.

When all is said and done (i.e. once Kwame is out of office) my goal is to arrange a panel discussion on how do we as a people recalibrate and move to the next progression. We need to come together, sensibly and ethically.

Thank you for the comments and please feel free to contribute anytime.

KE