Category Archives: RACE

POLITICS, RACE

When Will Black America Learn that Rabble-Rousing and Emotionalism is a Poor Substitute for Serious Political Engagement?

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Can I let you in on a little secret of mine? Whelp, here it is.

I have tired of endless circular talk that serves as a poor substitute for the execution of logical political strategy. So, it stands to reason that on the second anniversary of Breonna Taylor’s murder that I was angered when an assembly of Black political leaders and self-proclaimed “revolutionary activists” gathered in her memory and accomplished nothing.

Now, I do not want you to misconstrue what I am saying about the various anniversaries marking the untimely demise of Treyvon Martin, Tamir Rice, George Floyd, or Breonna Taylor. My problem is not with any of the above individuals because they mattered. My issues arise when I examine the actions and apparent motives of those who rush to such memorials and unintentionally turn them into a reminder of the powerlessness of Black elected officials and phrase-mongering revolutionaries. The latter’s limited political understanding reveals them as little more than new millennium black-faced minstrel show performers.

I am saddened most of all that I have seen this same mournful story with the same cast of characters for what seems to be decades, if not centuries.

You know the story. It goes like this.

  • A White person or White institution victimizes some random Black person.
  • Many Blacks rush to the streets to express their righteous indignation through emotionally-charged sound that signifies and accomplishes nothing.
  • (Please insert the name of your least favorite Negro leader in the space below. If you are having difficulty identifying people of such ilk, I have provided a few for you.)
    • Umar Johnson
    • Jamal Harrison Bryant
    • Al Sharpton
  • _______________ arrives on the scene to articulate angst against what has just occurred. Please pay little attention to the reality that this “national level leader” knows little about the community or the people they seek to lead.
  • The accused is found “not guilty” and said Black leader vows to “get to the bottom of this mess” before catching a flight once the publicity dwindles.
  • The same conditions and local political leaders/institutions that facilitated the egregious action remain unchallenged and therefore unchanged.

The repetition of this sordid tale guides my prayer that Black America develops unprecedented political maturity that is not tied to or activated by emotionalism. Such a development would pave the way for them to take the following steps.

  • Register to vote — You have more than enough time to secure the appropriate identification.
  • Educate yourself regarding the political process by attending community forums, watching your local news, or searching the internet for relevant information.
  • Learn the dates that elections are being held in your area and cast your vote.

Trust me when I say that the rabble-rousing of a few individuals regarding racial injustice will NEVER result in securing justice or the prevention of future incidents of mistreatment.

Although I am no conspiracy theorist, I will tell you that the rules of the game of life in America, particularly regarding racial matters, are rigged by those who make the rules and crucial decisions. Any attempt to correct American powerbrokers’ decision-making processes by appealing to a never-seen sense of morality is the same as talking to the wind. It is time that Black America seizes the Black Panther Party’s mantra of “All Power to the People” and divorces themselves from ineffectual public protests that charismatic leaders have tricked them into believing is sufficient to end their misery. Such emotionalism is a poor substitute for political power.

All of the slick-talk, rhetoric, and phrase-mongering in the world will never change the hearts and minds of opponents who understand that the heaven they enjoy on Earth is only possible if Blacks remain politically disorganized and economically foolish. The decision to avoid politics is the same as working with our oppressors.

James Thomas Jones III, Ph.D.

©Manhood, Race, and Culture, 2022

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African-American History, CRITICAL RACE THEORY, RACE

Why Conservatives Obsession with Critical Race Theory Could Be Another Step Toward Making Abraham Lincoln’s Warning About the Fall of America Prophetic

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 There is no room to reasonably argue against the assertion that many of our countrymen have gone utterly insane regarding racial matters. At the present moment, it is impossible to engage local, state, or national news outlets and not encounter some half-witted conspiratorial scheme regarding the latest boogeyman whose supposed existence is a supreme threat to White America. Of course, I am alluding to that haunting and elusive specter called Critical Race Theory (CRT).

For a significant segment of American Conservatives, CRT has become for discussions of Race in American schools what Sharia Law was during the fury against Muslims.

The latest to enter into the foray against the elusive boogeyman whose penchant for ducking and dodging is heightened by his non-existence in this nation’s K-16 educational system is Sequoyah County lawmaker Rep. Jim Olsen (R). Olsen has issued a notable blow against CRT by authoring House Bill 2988 to outlaw the teaching of American chattel slavery from a historically grounded perspective.

Olsen and those who think like him want to place a revisionist history of the peculiar institution that does not depict white slaveholders as beneficiaries of the labor of stolen Africans and their descendants in front of America’s schoolchildren. House Bill 2988 forbids educators from teaching the following facts.

  • American chattel slavery victimized enslaved Africans/Blacks.
  • The peculiar institution, meaning slavery, was the central pillar in America’s creation.
  • The enslavement of stolen Africans and their descendants occurred for an extended period, nearly 250 years, if we are counting.

Rep. Olsen offered the following commentary regarding his proposed legislative addendum.

It is important that it be taught that we had slavery as a nation and it was evil, but it would not be proper to teach it that we were the only ones that had it. It is the agenda of the far left, they want our young people to hate America.

A dimwitted portion of our populace has ascended beyond their level of ineptitude and understanding.

If American legislators are not careful, they will sanction the transitioning of America’s learning centers into Hitleresque indoctrination sites. The thin threadbare lies supporting this alteration to school curriculums are an unsophisticated attempt to extend politico-economic monopolies they have enjoyed for centuries. Unfortunately, droves of non-elites allow the foolishness mentioned above to be their sole source of information regarding CRT.

Let us be clear on this matter, CRT does not appear in America’s K-16 educational centers. Those local, state, and national level politicians who are speaking the loudest about CRT know nothing about the legal theory beyond its utility to frighten my white countrymen into following their lead. I would venture to guess that the vast majority of these so-called political leaders had never heard of Derrick Bell before the start of this entire charade and have certainly never read any of his books or other writings.

The truth of the matter is that this entire sordid falsity reveals the fact that many within our midst, regardless of their political leanings, are willing to follow political leaders who know no more than they do about racial matters.

Ultimately, the erasure of historical facts in favor of feel-good teachings weakens our nation in many ways, particularly as a false past prevents us from examining America’s creation. If Americans are not careful, they will eventually make Abraham Lincoln’s haunting prediction of America’s fall prophetic. President Lincoln said, “America will never fall from an external aggressor. She will fall from within.”

Trust me when I say to you that this path we are on will lead to all of our demises.

James Thomas Jones III, Ph.D.

©Manhood, Race, and Culture, 2021

African-American History, POLITICS, RACE

The Importance of Local Politics in Securing Political Power: A Political Strategy that White Supremacist Groups Are Executing With Little Resistance from Black America

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Black America needs a new political strategy for teaching the simplest of political strategies. Now, I do not want you to think that the above quip is a slight for the droves of Black political leaders who have failed to guide our people down the path to liberation since President Lyndon Baines Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act (1964) and Voting Rights Act (1965). The sloping shoulders of Black political leaders should not hold all of the weight for Black America’s political failings.  For decades, they have called for our people to become more active in local politics. Unfortunately for the cause of Black Liberation, Blacks have by-passed local political races in favor of more glorious, yet less impactful, national campaigns.

The message of “think nationally but act locally” has been one that has been ignored by too many Black voters and seized by their avowed enemies.

The importance of local politics has been heard, considered, and acted on by groups such as the Proud Boys, Oath Keepers, and Three percenters. Groups that have dedicated their entire existence to ensuring that America serves the interests of white men above all other groups.

White supremacist organizations understand that there is a more reliable and efficient means of gaining control of schools and cities than the treasonous actions of January 6. They know something that those who understand the path to Black liberation have understood for decades. Control of city councils, the mayor’s office, and school boards equal city control. The way to gain control of these pillars of local political power is political solidarity, voter education, voter registration drives, and vote casting.

Nothing more, nothing less.

The Proud Boys increasing appearance at local political events and school boards may be just the thing that Black America needs to see to understand this rudimentary political strategy. According to Jeremy Bertino, a member of a North Carolina chapter of the Proud Boys

The plan of attack if you want to make change is to get involved at the local level.

It is time that Black America took to heart the wisdom of Chicago-based Black Panther Party leader Fred Hampton who observed that “war is nothing but politics with bloodshed and politics is nothing but war without bloodshed.” Blacks must realize that they must fight the angry horde seeking to curtail their freedom and right to live. Failure to do so reveals you as a cowardly fool and traitor to the Race, and all that civilized people hold sacred.

We must increase our engagement and understanding of local politics because it matters mightily in the battle for Black survival. I am pretty confident that if Marcus Mosiah Garvey were with us, he would implore us in the following manner. “Up You Mighty Race, Achieve What You Will!!!!!!!”

Get active in your local communities because it matters more than you will ever understand.

James Thomas Jones III, Ph.D.

©Manhood, Race, and Culture, 2021