Dr. Amos Wilson discusses: Education, oppression creating an immature mind, social institutions and their relationship to Black people, how education can make you dumb, the education necessary for Black students, the role of the Black teacher, the reason for the high dropout rate, how the ultimate consumer is created, the necessity of thinking skills and listen skills in the curriculum, and more.
Nina Simone discussed racism on her song “Mississippi Goddam.” She addressed the murder of Medgar Evers and the bombing of a Birmingham church in her song. “Mississippi Goddam” was released as a single in 1964, and was banned by several states in the United States of America.
“If we don’t know our history, we are doomed to live it as though it were a private fate.” -Hannah Arendt
DISCIPLINE:
“Discipline was a big word that meant a lot in our house growing up. It doesn’t only mean punishing someone for a transgression; discipline can also mean taking control of yourself- your words and your actions. Through many an ebb and flow in our individual lives- and in our relationships with one another- it’s discipline that has guided me…
When I think about discipline, I think of hard work. And when I think about hard work, I also think about making sure I take time to play and enjoy life and have a good time. Otherwise, what am I working so hard to accomplish?” -“The Making of a Stand Up Guy” By: Charlie Murphy
Michael Vick was the first African-American quarterback in history to be picked first overall in the NFL draft.
“I watch people in the entertainment business and realize money is killing them. They’re trying so hard to get it and they’re so worried about losing it that they never really enjoy themselves.
I say these people are destroying themselves because what they are saying is, ‘I want more I want, I don’t have, I got to get…’ Essentially, what they’re saying is their whole existence isn’t right. They can’t enjoy the moment because it’s all about what will happen in the future. And they’re never going to be secure, so when will the find peace?
The truth is no amount of money will fill up that hole inside them. No amount will ever bring stability because it isn’t about a specific amount of money. It’s about them. Money is an amplifier. If you were a jerk before you got money, you’d be a jerk with money, only more so because you’ll undoubtedly use that newfound wealth to promote the qualities that made you a jerk in the first place. It brings out your true colors.” -From, “King of Rock: Respect, Responsibility, and My Life with Run-DMC” By: Darryl McDaniels
PLEASE PASS THIS ON! (EACH ONE TEACH ONE OR TWO!) THIS IS PHASE ONE ON HOW WE CAN HELP TO STRENGTHEN & EMPOWER OUR COMMUNITY:
The 2008 not guilty verdict in the Sean Bell case evoked outrage, emotion, and debate. It is not an anomaly that the police officers involved in the Sean Bell slaying were acquitted of all charges on all counts in State Supreme Court. I could run out of ink printing the names of people who have been victimized by the inaptly named justice system.
The American justice system has been especially terroristic towards the African American community. Many community members can cite historic and personal accounts to prove this. Therefore, it would be foolhardy (at the least) to turn to a system that has methodically oppressed us, and request that they free us. We can only free ourselves through extreme discipline and intelligent planning.
As a community we have been too compliant with leaders who organize ineffective, delayed reactions. The only strategy that can save us in this last hour is one that calls for a collective code of conduct that will be conducive to improving the conditions of our community, and shifting the paradigm of how we are treated by outside entities. The first step of this code of conduct should be based on economics.
The old adage of “money talks,” still reigns true in the new millennium. Any political scientist worth his or her library card will tell you that: “Economic powerlessness equals political powerlessness,” and conversely “economic power equals political power.” This means that if we continue to allow our wealth to be extracted from our community, we will remain impotent.
The power of the collective “Black Dollar” is often discussed. However, that power has been left unchanneled. Today is the day to change that. A one-time boycott is not going to bring long-term change and respect to our community. Our community has launched boycotts before. Our success and ascension will be based on what we consistently do. For this reason, we should initiate “BUY BLACK FRIDAYS.”
BUY BLACK FRIDAYS is a small step towards our community acquiring power via controlling our economics. Every Friday, people who acknowledge the injustice and oppression that the African American community has been consistently subjected to should do one of the following:
Option #1: Spend $0 on Friday
Option #2: Spend no more than $10 on Friday
Option #3: Only Shop at Black Businesses on Friday
[PLEASE NOTE THAT THE ABOVE OPTIONS CAN & SHOULD BE EXERCISED ON A DAILY BASIS. However, we can all at the very least focus on Fridays. This way we can take a collective stand and build our collective discipline. Please remember that this is only Phase 1!].
To the people who are tempted to label “BUY BLACK FRIDAYS” as racist, I say this: In the big scheme of things, this is about right & wrong, justice & injustice. The African American community is a strong, proud community that has endured the brunt of America’s iron fist. We must stop the pounding. I feel that any fair-minded individual will concur, and join in.
ANY business that is privileged to enjoy the support of the African American community MUST return that support.
I thank you in advance for your effort and dedication.
-Elsie Law AKA Starface
