black history reconnection
We have passed the first month of 2011 and February is here. This is the month that we will begin putting up our photographs and posters of men and women who we were taught made the most significant contributions to black history, such as Dr. Martin Luther King, Rosa Parks, Malcolm X, and several others who come to mind when we arrive at the shortest month of the year. In addition, we plan and attend various Black History programs where we commemorate, celebrate and honor these same men and women. We even put together some lessons in our schools to teach young people about some of these people who characterize our history. Needless to say, we barely scratched the surface of our history this month, but that sad fact is not my point… My question and thought for this EV is “How can we celebrate our ancestors and ancestors and not give account of the lack of progression that has been evident over the last 30 years?”
Over the past year, I have been in a full mode of observation, research, and study of our communities and every stakeholder component of them. I have listened to and analyzed the messages, requests and plans of Black leaders at the local and national levels. As a student of life and concerned citizen, who has dedicated his life to educating, empowering and inspiring our people and communities to reach their full potential, I have reached out to many of our leaders, academics and politicians in positions to potentially stimulate the revival of our communities, and ask relevant questions about the vision of our black communities.
I’ve asked questions about the components of cultural empowerment that are critical not only to building powerful Black communities here in Fort Worth, TX, but because our problems are systemically entrenched, critical across the country: economic, political, social, and physical empowerment.
I have humbly poured out my heart to simply connect my thoughts, energy, and efforts with strategic solutions to strengthen our collective shortcomings. Needless to say, many of my questions went unanswered and ignored…yet our communities remain powerless and disenfranchised…and because I love our communities too much, I refuse to sit idly by and do nothing …
Fortunately, there have been groups of people and organizations that have begun to organize and address some of the critical issues in our communities, such as education and police brutality, even taking a stand against plutocratic powers. However, we must, in 2011, implement a strategic plan to build community power. Ultimately, my top two concerns are the very issues that have kept our communities ghettoized, “Lack of unity and accountability… We have built a culture characterized by peacemaking promises and proclaiming agendas that sound great and motivating but they fail to establish responsibilities”. mechanisms to ensure that these promises are kept In addition, there has been a lot of grumbling about the downturn in the US economy due to the abundance of unemployment and poverty in our community, but there is no common sense agenda to recycle income through the “group economy” and create jobs. for our brothers and sisters.
Furthermore, the lack of unity among the actors in our communities, which is what it will take to build and rebuild powerful communities, is embarrassing to say the least.” Indeed, many of those with the most influence and resources to push for Unity, they have shunned and laughed at my optimism to Unify Black communities…
I have come to the conclusion that it is essential that we refocus ourselves starting with an honest dialogue about two fundamental things: 1. “Think about our thinking” and ask ourselves “Do we have a common mission and code of conduct?” Again, as humbly as I can, on behalf of the smallest of us, I request that we address these things now in 2011 and launch a 3-7 year plan to reconnect our people to the greatness that once characterized civilizations, societies and communities we build and value… Powerful and self-reliant communities…
Who is willing to have an honest discussion about our condition, how we got here and how we will get out? To be continue…
From a Concerned Citizen with no named leader…
Empowerment Boat:
Black History Reconnection Part 1