STAND UP – From Slavery to Ferguson, And Beyond

Black Power
Black Power

In the last several weeks we have seen the unrest in Ferguson, MO with the Michael Brown murder, and the injustice in the choking death of Eric Garner in Staten Island, NY. If I didn’t know better I would think that we are back in the 1960’s during the height of the civil rights struggle. The truth is, I need to let all of you know; THE STRUGGLE CONTINUES, actually it never stopped. While we have made some political and socioeconomic gains over the last few decades, we are still lagging behind as a people in almost every aspect of life; economics, jobs, entrepreneurship, politics, and justice. Our ancestors fought, bled, and died to give us the right to freedom and equality and we still are nowhere close to achieving those goals. We have to continue to keep moving forward through the minefield of political games and shenanigans, through outward oppression, and covert policies used to keep us “in our place”. If America truly wants to be a world leader than let her step up and take care of home first. America is looked at as a hypocrite from many foreign countries as we espouse freedom and justice around the world, and a Black man can’t walk down the street without the threat of being abused by the powers that be. But I must say that we are a resilient People; we keep moving forward towards our goal. It doesn’t matter how the establishment tries to keep us down, we are born fighters; we have learned how to survive. Now we must learn how to thrive! That’s where we must start to individually focus on ourselves and our own families. Men; stand up and be a man. Become that role model for your family that you know you should be. Be the provider, the protector, the head of your household like God designed. Women; stand up and be that rock, that support, and the glue that holds the family together. Let us not depend solely on the school system to teach our children; if they don’t teach Black history in your schools, there nothing preventing you from teaching it at home. Take control of your household and provide a positive environment for your children. Teach them not just by words, but by actions; let them model what daddy does, let them model what mommy does. Show them what a stable environment is and how important it is to keep the family united.

It’s time for us all to look in the mirror and stand up. When you stand up for yourself, when you stand up for your family, when you stand up for your community, when you stand up for the underprivileged: then you are standing up for the world. 2015 is soon approaching and we each need to have a plan for the new year. Take the time and sit down with your family and devise a plan to get better; to get better in all phases of your life including the physical, the mental, the financial, and the spiritual. And in doing so, you will not only help yourself, but you will help your community. It’s time! There is no more room for excuses. If we want change, we have to make change happen within first. Our ancestors are counting on us to continue what they started and see it to its completion. I know racism, sexism, class-ism, will never totally be eradicated, but we need to get as close as possible as we can. I implore each and every one of my brothers and sisters to stand up! Please let me know what you think about the article by emailing me at ja******@bl************************.com">Ja******@Bl************************.com

 

 

 

 

 

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