..I am…
UNapologetically Black & very proud of my AfricanNESS(even though East Coast folks keep asking me if I’m Latina..NO I am not) with a natural deeply bred Southern Hospitality style courtesy of being from New Orleans; meshed neatly with much American Pride. Heck I was even born on the 4th of July! Having said all of that; I can’t help but be disappointed with the current state of Black America. Its overall downward spiral way of life; heavily laden with afflictions & chronic conditions, is disheartening to say the least. Recent events have brought this even more so to the forefront of my thoughts..Have WE become our own worst enemy? Will WE bring about our own extinction in America? Lets rap>>
*Might want to kick your feet UP & get comfy; I’ve got a lot 2 say on this topic..And I plan on taking my time with it..Letting my thoughts flow from my mind; mental notes & life experiences of 50 years of Being Black-Loving IT-Raising Blackness(our 3 sons..)-Promoting Black IS Beautifulness in all I am-Standing Still*
In my Life Journey of 50 years I’ve been labeled a Negro/a “N” word( I won’t use that word even as a 50 yr old; but I was called this by my “friend” before I was 5 yrs old/Afro-American/African -American..My parents lovingly labeled me as Bernadette(a Saint’s name..) Marie..These days I walk proudly as a Black woman who refuses to be labeled by other folks..When we allow others 2 define US; it can be easy to forget who the heck we are. Took me far to long to discover the in’s & out’s of who I am to allow that. So anyways, here is my outlook on how things look for the future Black generations that will be born here in our country; America. Including my unborn grandchildren..Its pretty bleak the way I see IT. First? Proof positive how far WE have fallen ..>>
...What happened to the days when Blacks walked out of their homes; dressed? Literally, some of these girls these days are butt naked! Or half naked..lawd! Might as well be leg-wrapped around a pole..Has it been forgotten that when one walks out their front door; they represent their ENTIRE family? Every single day; dead or alive and yep, even the yet-to-be-born. The shoulders of the ancestors we stand upon? They dressed sharp..even headed out to the supermarket. Teens included…Know why children/teens dressed well back then overall? Because children follow suit behind their parents. And I’ll go as far as to say children watch & learn from ALL of their elders..WE are teaching even when we don’t realize we are. Yet, slowly but surely we’re acting as if we aren’t proud anymore. What happened to “the Black & Proud” movement of the 60s? We must & can do better or we’re going to free fall to a level so low; we might not be able to recover from . Or are we already there?>>
**Going to rewind backintime for a minute..To a little known comment made by Malcolm X..(Its my opinion he was “made” out to be a villain by the media; but that’s another topic for another time) I wonder IF this is how Blacks feel about one another anymore..Love for one another..Why IS it that every other ethnic group..i.e. Asians, Latino, African, Jewish, and even Indians all help one another ; and Black Americans don’t. Its known! Other folks laugh about it..Black Americans have become a big, fat model for the “crab in the barrel ” syndrome. How IS that possible when we USED to be so tight? Were we only tight back then because back then WE were all we had? >>
More than likely I should’ve added a disclaimer at the onset of this post..But for the sake of doing so here is my disclaimer = All or anything I pen are my thoughts and or beliefs. Based on a lifetime of personal experiences/what my parents, grandparents, aunts, cousins have taught or shown me/combined with a healthy dose of common sense and statistical facts. Moving right along..You didn’t think I was finished did you? Just getting started. Literally..Moving forward>>
There are many things tormenting Black Americans..Including themselves as a whole; but I’ll leave that for the very last part of my post. Exclusionism(yep!, that’s a real word not a Berna’ism) , Drug use, Diseases, Lack of higher education, economic strangulation, incarceration, and Black on Black crime is killing us off in astonishing numbers..The #1 cause in that list pushing Blacks in America toward genocide? Incarceration of Blacks. Namely Black MEN. The statistics are beyond startling..I wonder IF the majority of Blacks realize how many Black men are behind bars in our country. The U S of A..I’m willing to bet other single & eligible Sisters out there know our Black brothers are dwindling in numbers..And its very noticeable. >>
Heres the fast forwarded & brief version of being Black- behind- bars- in- our -country..As of 2008(which more than likely means the number has increased) America is still #1 in something. It’s now infamously known as the “WORLD’s number one jailer” . I hate reading or writing that; I love my country!; but that fact stinks. The U.S . with a population of 300 million(mind you these stats are very 5 yrs ago..) has a prison population that is GREATER than China with a population of 1.3 billion people..Whoa! It’s guesstimated that translated to approx 1 out of 12 Blacks is either in prison/in jail/or on parole. That not only stinks; that down right sucks! Races does matter..The rate of incarceration of Black males is 6.5 times that of White males & 2.5 times that of Hispanic males. Keep in mind the amount of ‘money’ pulled in from those productive Black laborers behind bars. Keep in mind also that a person’s right to VOTE is stripped while in prison and often after they’ve been released. Keep in mind also that same person has to still PAY taxes; but can’t vote. Keep in mind one more thing..Its guesstimated the cost of keeping a person in prison; is comparable to matriculating at Harvard University. How different America would/could be IF drug offenses were sentenced in an equal manner..I won’t go deep into the meaning of that comment. Personally I feel its self-explanatory. How different America would be if the above mentioned Black men “could” vote. Or could afford to pay for an education..The OR’s are limitless so I’ll stop there. When I worked in a prison & saw all the YOUNG brothers, babies!, behind bars? Hurt my heart & moved me to tears often; too often. Moving right along>>
Roughly 7,000 Blacks are murdered every year..94% of the time by the hands of another Black person. 94% of the time folks; that’s alarming! Just as we are horrified by the senseless/unjust deaths of the Trayvon Martins; we should rightfully be upset/aware of this statistic. Blacks make up approx. 13% of the Nation’s population; YET account for more than 50% of homicide victims. OMG I read over stats like that and can’t help but wonder about the future of Blacks in America. Its hard , knowing such things, not to be concerned. Beyond tragic to fathom that a young Black male has a better chance of reaching maturity on battlefields in Afghan & Iraq; than on the streets of some of the major cities in our country. I try very hard not to think about such things often; its less painful to just try with all my might to be part of our progression. Yet, isn’t remaining silent something that can also been seen as acceptance of such stats? Or worse; lack of caring or concern..>>
I could continue to write on & on & on; as I’ve done off & on all day about this topic..However, I’d like to think the general gist of where I’m coming from has been clearly outlined..I’m hoping with all of my being that this might just start a fire under someone out there reading this; to get involved, in some way, for positive progression. What if just doing our part isn’t enough? What if the way to prevent extinction; folks have to take on an extra chore in this mission? What a difference we’ve clearly seen that UNITED groups can make here in America. (Gays fighting for their right to marry is just one thing that comes to mind..) Silence isn’t always golden. And often times words aren’t enough to express sentiment felt. IF my heart could talk out loud about how it feels about the future of Blacks in America..It would scream from the highest roof top & say “I’m scared about my son’s & unborn grandchildren’s future here in our country” Exclamation mark. Period
Berna's Vibe~The Way I See IT.... 
Very well written darling. You’ve done your usual excellent and very thorough job. You and your girl Dana are both right on point. When I speak on this very subject, a lot of people think i’m just to old school and i’m seeing something that’s really not there. But the fact of the matter is a great portion of our population, the African American population is still subject to slave mentality. We have to realize this and raise our young ones to break the cycle. You control a people by destroying there family structure and by keeping them ignorant. Slave masters sold of the male slaves, this did two things, it broke up the family and it conditioned Black men that it’s ok to leave your children and their mother to fend for themselves. Sadly this still happens today in many families. And if you go to any predominantly Black areas, the schools are pretty much crap, this takes care of the Ignorance factor. So we do need to wake up and train our young ones to break the cycle.
LikeLike
Waving my Cali Papi! In a short bit I’m going to respond to you & Awake BW at the same time..When I’ve come the time to give it the time it deserves..As you know all too well; for we’ve discussed this several times over the years; it will take more than a minute for me to respond in full..I love, love to see you here; trips me out how long you’ve been reading me..I appreciate you. Always
LikeLike
Reblogged this on Awake Black Woman and commented:
ALL of this! I have to share with you this thoughtful and heartfelt post from my Blogging Sister Berna. She speaks the Truth, and she is sending out a call to action. Heed her words, my Dear Ones!
LikeLike
Wow thanks for the re-blog Sis..Makes me feel proud anytime someone re-blogs my writes..But even moreso with this piece. I dug deep ..And you’re so right it does hurt to own up to our own shortcomings..Yet its a step in the right direction. I think..Coming back in a bit to fully address your response.
LikeLike
Busy, busy, busy DAY but I will be responding to this..When possible..And just! again discussed this topic on the phone today..During a call for my Bday ..Thats how HOT this topic is and relevant ..Hoping to respond late tonight but I will…
LikeLike
Take your time, Berna!
There is never any rush when one is collecting one’s thoughts. You speak Truth, Sister, and well worth any wait to read your words.
LikeLike
I had been thinking a lot about your post and how to respond. You touched on so many things that are precious to my heart. I haven’t been able to write about the horrifying rate at which we are killing each other off, because I feel so very helpless and have absolutely no idea how to begin to stop it.
Sometime last year I was brought up short by another blogger who was pointing out the kill rate in Chicago was higher than that of current war zones the US is engaged in. He also pointed out that we tend not to get as outraged as we do when someone white kills one of us. I had to own my own shortcomings in that area. It hurt, but I did it.
I wonder too about the dressing up thing. Out here its hard for anyone to be on point with their look when its over 100 degrees, but just the other day I had to comment on this brother who was doing the sagging pants thing. I asked him if he worried about his pants falling all the way down, and he explained that he had his belt all hooked up tight so that they wouldn’t slip. SMH.
But it can be done. Couple days ago I managed to garner a string of compliments on how I looked, my outfit etc while out running errands. It was hot as hell, but I wasn’t about to step outside looking like crap either. Sometimes, due to my illness, I can’t get myself together much, but I try my damnedest. It is about self respect and pride in oneself and one’s people.
“Were we only tight back then because back then WE were all we had? ” That there is deep as the ocean, Berna! Now I gotta think on that for awhile. But I will say, that you might have something there. This sort of free for all grab that slice of the American Dream, everyone else be damned sort of vibe is where we are today. And it is today that we need each other more than ever.
I hear your call, and I echo it in my heart and I wonder what in the heck are we going to be able to do about it. I know that there are groups and coalitions out there, fighting the brave fight, but as we see those statistics continuing to rise despite those efforts, we can plainly see that doing those things are not enough. I think the help needs to come from the government in order to start things moving. Having government backed support might help to turn the tide, but as you so clearly pointed out, we are not of value outside of the prisons, the ghettos, and the endemic poverty that paints a target on us, and allows us to be fodder for the money making machines of this country.
We were initially brought here as property to be worked towards building wealth, power and prosperity for this nation, and I can only come to the conclusion, that outside of making use of us in those same ways – legal slavery – we are of no concern. SCOTUS knew good and gosh darn well that we needed the VRA kept as is was, and they went out of their way to destroy it. There is purpose in every single move the government makes, and I can read the writing on the wall with eyes wide open.
Silence does equal death. Some might say that writing on a blog and pouring your heart out and sending your rallying cry out into the ether isn’t doing much. But I would disagree. I think it is important for us to write about these things. If we can’t march, or donate money, or be active activists, there is still value in participating in the conversation in any way we can. I too feel some of the guilt, the desperation, that horrible feeling that I’m not doing enough. But I realize that I do what I can at each point in time. I will be able to do more, as my health gets better, so I look forward to that. But never underestimate the impact of your written words, and how they can indeed affect Change In This World.
LikeLike
@ I haven’t been able to write about the horrifying rate at which we are killing each other off, because I feel so very helpless and have absolutely no idea how to begin to stop it. ..>>You said a mouthful with this comment…I don’t know a guaranteed way to stop IT either ..What I do know is when I read of the stats; I can’t stay quiet about it. Which is one of the beautiful things about the ability to write & blog…I’ll add to that this thought..I think, because WE so often find ourselves having to “defend” our own; especially! our Black MEN; from the onslaught of media depicting them as “all-negative”; is in part the reason many of US haven’t spoken out about being appalled at the alarming Black on Black crime. Not only that; many folks may not be aware of the stats..OR what to do. One thing I’ve done is talk, talk, talk!, preach and preach some more to my OWN sons that violence begats violence! I, nor my partner in my co-parenting team(my now ex-husband) physically disciplined our sons. It just wasn’t something I believed in..Also I was prudent in censoring the types of video games our sons played..When it wasn’t popular yet(& before games were rated) we wouldn’t buy the violent games . I feel , in my hearts of hearts, seeing so much violence in “games”; can help to create higher aggression levels in impressionable children. It was just important to be to create and promote loving, well-rounded boys into men. I honestly think it takes a hands-on approach with children..Many of the young men I saw in prison when I was a prison employee? Didn’t know what it was to be raised by 2 parents. Some of them had basically raised themselves…There was a time when Blacks were more united..Heck even when I was a child(wayyy back in the day) I knew IF I acted a fool ANY of my parents friends could correct me..It just isn’t that way anymore! Nowadays? Some of these kids parents would take offense IF you dare correct their children..Remember that cliche is takes a village to raise a child???? When WE forgot our African roots , I think, is when this free fall began…NO other culture forgets their roots here in our country..Not from what I’ve seen. They teach it from one generation to the next..Keeping it alive..NOT to re-live the ugly things from the past..But so they won’t forget..Its said if the past is totally forgotten; it can be repeated. Ask any Jewish child or adult in America about the Holocaust..I bet my hat(well if I wore hats I’d bet on it..) they’ve not forgotten.
LikeLike
I love this post. The problem is the positive side of African American culture has been stolen from our history books, television ads, and sitcoms. It’s hard to find black cartoons and movies. It’s difficult to hear about couples who were together 30 -40 years.Nowadays if we see a good movie with a black male, he is not with a black female. It’s hard to even find a sitcom with a strong black family unless it’s on BET and it has something to do with a producer, musician, or an artist, not that anything is wrong with that. However, our children need to see the positive exposure from African doctors, engineers, and etc. We need to stand together and stop putting each other down. My children watch very little tv and I surround them with strong people of color because once they get old enough to watch tv and go out, they will then see that tv is typically nothing but stereotypes! We just need to move our families from poverty, which leads to our men in jail, and the women as single mothers. We have to stop thinking there is an easy way to get fast money. Delayed gratification must be taught to our children. It starts one person at a time. Thanks B! -Dana Danielle S.
LikeLike
WOW and wow..I was wondering & hoping you’d find this post..Straight from the mouths of babes; or so the old adage goes..Not to say you’re a baby; BUT you’re far younger than me. And for y’all reading this? She’s not even made it to 30 yrs old yet; but is a highly intelligent, beautiful! , and oh-so-wise-for-her-years, enlightened, culturally aware, outstanding Mother/Wife, and just an all-round good young Sista with her head screwed on right & tight. Yep, I dig her alot Lol, lol. I couldn’t agree more with every, single word you said Dana. You won’t ever know how pleased I am you’re out there reading; and that you especially read this piece. I dug deep for this one..And? I got the book you recommended! @ The Spirit of a Man..(I’ll be reviewing it here once I’ve finished) And? The infamous blogger/facebook/twitter/and website known as Good Black News? They re-blogged the post I made about , The Spirit of a Man..So YOUR recommendation will spread onto to many, many others. I am so VERY proud of you…
LikeLike