Nothing New about the New Millennium

 

The above clip is part of the closing scene from the 1998 movie, Belly.  In this scene the Minister is speaking about some of the problems facing the Black community as we headed into the new millennium.  Sadly, ten years into the new millennium we are still facing these same problems.  The issues of drugs, alcohol, sex, and violence among others are prevalent within the community.  One of the most rampant problems within the Black community is lack of knowledge of self. 

If knowledge is power, then at times we can seem like a powerless Race.  It is said that you can't know where you're going until you know where you have been.  Many in the younger generation have no sense of their culture or history.  All they know is the rights and privileges that the have today.  They have no idea or desire to learn of the struggles of their ancestors that got us all to this point.  Blacks are been singled out are a race that is regressing.  If you don't know your history, you're doomed to repeat it.  

"We all play a grave role in our own destruction."  Often we are quick to point the finger at others of our misfortunes.  The role we played in our transgressions are often ignored.  No one likes to point the finger at self.  When you point a finger at someone else, there are at least three pointing back at you.  We must stop always blaming others and take accountability for our own actions.  Change starts with self.

Where have all of our Influential Black Leaders gone?  Where are the Malcolm X, Martin Luther King Jr., or Huey Newton's of today?  People willing to take a stand for the betterment of a Race of People.  One of the biggest problems I see is that when someone does try to step up, no one is willing to stand with them.  The problems within the Black Community can not be solved by the actions of one person!  I know many will say, what about President Obama?  President Obama represents a nation, not just a race.

Although Belly has a "typical storyline" and not the greatest acting it is one of my favorite movies.  It has it's moments where knowledge can be heard if you are listening.  These are just some random thoughts of mine provoked by the above clip.  I love my People, but when will we as a People WAKE UP!

My People, Keep Striving.........Choose Life 

There Goes The Neighborhood

As the summer progresses, I have seen several things that disturb me.  I know every individual has their own way of thinking and rationalizing a situation, but lately I have had to question the mentality of others.  I just don't understand the following:

Why would you come out of your house to sit in your car that is parked in front of your house to listen to your music?  Do you not have radio within the confines of your dwelling?  What makes you think that I want to listen to your music with you?

If you have decided to take the time to clean your car that is again parked in front of your house, why would you throw the trash from your car into the street?  You obviously value the cleanliness of your car more than that of your street.  Who does that?

Can you please pick up the trash in your yard?  How can someone sit on their porch and instead of taking the empty bag of chips in the house and throwing it away just throw it in their yard?  Your yard is not a waste receptacle. And, why is it that when you FINALLY decided to pick up the trash, you rake it into a pile and then let it sit in the yard for another few days?

If it's 5:30am and you are coming to pick someone up, hopefully for work, why do you feel the need to blow your horn repeatedly? Did they not know you were coming and that they needed to be awaiting your arrival?  Is it because you are up, you feel a need to wake everyone else in the neighborhood? 

Why at 11:00pm is there a child that appears to be about the age of eight walking down the street alone? Where is their parent or guardian?  What need is it for them to be out that late?  Do children no longer have bedtimes? 

If you walk out into your yard and you can feel the grass not only beneath your feet, but on your ankles also, do you not think it's time to cut your grass?  Do you not notice everyone else out on the weekend cutting their lawn?  If your lawnmower is broken, you can borrow mine!

I have tried repeatedly to understand why some people do the things that they do, but I can't.  I can not wrap my mind around the rationale.  If you don't take care of your own, how can you expect other to take care of it or give you more?  Has the sense of pride in community and oneself completely disappeared?