The Pursuit of Happiness

We live in what many would say is the greatest country on earth. We have freedoms others would not dare to dream about. We have access to wealth people risk life and limb to grasp. We are the envy of the world and the same time we are the champion of the world.

I often wonder how our country obtained this position. Well, the people who founded the country as we know it were pioneers and entrepreneurs. They had drive, courage, curiosity and creativity. They had a desire to take nothing and make it into something. They invented products and machines that the whole world sought. They made scientific discoveries that the rest of the world felt they could not live without. They built structures that amazed and put in awe. Then in order to protect their right to the pursuit of happiness, they set up a government based on the principles of democracy. And this is how we thrive.

We have been in pursuit of democracy since our country was founded in 1776. Democracy is what makes us great. It simply means that all citizens have a say. Because this concept seems so simple, we often take it for granted. However, it is of utmost importance. We often forget that everyone did not always have a say.

Before the Revolutionary War we were controlled by the British government until Jefferson declared that all men are created equal and have certain inalienable rights. Still, we struggled for true democracy because blacks were not considered men. Later in 1863, Lincoln said our government would be of the people, by the people, and for the people. However, after the Civil War, the African Americans were again alienated from what should have been inalienable rights by laws that kept them from voting and enjoying full access to democracy. Then in 1964 President Lyndon Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act that said all citizens would have free access to that pursuit of happiness.

However, the struggle continues because in order to have a say, one must speak. In order to speak, one must know what to say. The courage to speak comes from knowing what to say. That knowledge comes from education. Quality education. All of our children still do not have a quality education. Education is the key to true democracy. A democratic society must have an equally educated citizenry for it to work.

Another hindrance to democracy is apathy and stagnation. Because many don’t seem to care about what is going in the world, they do not exercise their most basic democratic right. They don't believe they have the power to impact the world around them. Therefore, many adults do not vote or take part in the democratic process in any way. This is so dangerous. It is not just dangerous because we are letting only a small percentage have all the control. It is dangerous because we are the leaders of the free world. So that means the small percentage that does participate is running the world. This tiny percent is who has gotten us into a war that most of the world feels is illegal and morally wrong. So it is so important that we all make our voices heard.

But first we must educate ourselves. Don’t just listen to the people who are talking the loudest. Don’t let them tell you how you must vote. Research for yourself and vote for who you feel will be best for your family, community and world. As African Americans, we have been sold out to the Democratic Party since 1964. However, we must remember that we are not obligated to any particular party. Now the Republicans are trying to play the same political game with the Christian vote. In 2000, they claimed to be the proprietors of and ultimate authority on morality. They won control of the government based on a couple of issues that were important to Christians.

However, we must remember that politicians are just politicians. They play whatever tricks they need to play in order to get into office. It is our duty as citizens to study and hold them accountable. We are coming up to another big national political season. The Democratic and Republican parties just held their first presidential debates. And I see the same games and tricks. So it is up to us to make our voices heard. And don’t just vote. Educate others and get them registered to vote. Then take them to the polls if you have to. We are living in a crucial time in America and the world. We can’t take anything for granted.

If you need to get registered to vote, go to election.dos.state.fl.us/index.html to get a voter registration form or call the Voter Assistance Hotline at 866-308-6739. Also, if you have problems when you try to vote, call the 877-868-3737 to report it.

For Sojourner Truth

This is inspired by Sojourner Truth and her legendary speech “Aint I a Woman.”

Yes.
I am a woman.
I am the woman.
I have loved the husbands
Nurtured the babies
Taken the beatings
Worked the fields
All at the same time.
And yet I did it all with grace.
I have managed to keep my back straight
With the weight of the world bearing down on it.
I have managed to keep my head held high
When nobody seemed to cherish me.
Nobody has to tell me I’m strong
Because my very survival is evidence of my strength.
Nobody has to tell me I'm beautiful
Because this I know.
From high yellow to jet black
Every shade of me is beautiful.
You can not categorize me because I cannot be contained.
You can not define me because I am beyond your explanations.
You can not kill me because I am infinite.
I’ve got a certain something that you just can’t put your finger on.
Something inside so strong that I’ve survived
Centuries of hopelessness and hoped anyway.
Centuries of lovelessness and loved anyway.
I went from slavery to freedom in a heartbeat
And taught my children to forgive.
I raised up dignitaries with no dignity of my own.
Still, they call my confidence aggression and my pride arrogance.
They say I have an attitude.
Well, if I seem to have an attitude, I do.
I do not apologize.
My sons are killing each other and my daughters have forgotten how to love.
So I have work to do.
You call it attitude. I call it fire.
I’ve got to have the fire inside to keep up the struggle.

Ain't I a Woman

The following is the famous speech from Sojourner Truth given at the Women’s Convention in Akron, Ohio in 1851. What a powerful woman she was. Her words still resonate. She still inspires.

Well, children, where there is so much racket there must be something out of kilter. I think that 'twixt the negroes of the South and the women at the North, all talking about rights, the white men will be in a fix pretty soon. But what's all this here talking about?
That man over there says that women need to be helped into carriages, and lifted over ditches, and to have the best place everywhere. Nobody ever helps me into carriages, or over mud-puddles, or gives me any best place! And ain't I a woman? Look at me! Look at my arm! I have ploughed and planted, and gathered into barns, and no man could head me! And ain't I a woman? I could work as much and eat as much as a man - when I could get it - and bear the lash as well! And ain't I a woman? I have borne thirteen children, and seen most all sold off to slavery, and when I cried out with my mother's grief, none but Jesus heard me! And ain't I a woman?
Then they talk about this thing in the head; what's this they call it? [member of audience whispers, "intellect"] That's it, honey. What's that got to do with women's rights or negroes' rights? If my cup won't hold but a pint, and yours holds a quart, wouldn't you be mean not to let me have my little half measure full?
Then that little man in black there, he says women can't have as much rights as men, 'cause Christ wasn't a woman! Where did your Christ come from? Where did your Christ come from? From God and a woman! Man had nothing to do with Him.
If the first woman God ever made was strong enough to turn the world upside down all alone, these women together ought to be able to turn it back , and get it right side up again! And now they is asking to do it, the men better let them.
Obliged to you for hearing me, and now old Sojourner ain't got nothing more to say.

Don't Believe the Hype

Don Imus called the Rutgers University women’s basketball team “nappy headed hos.” This set off a fury among black commentators. The fury stirred Imus to apologize. When that wasn’t enough, sponsors such as American Express and General Motors backed out of his program. Of course with the bottom line and their image in jeaporady, MSNBC and CBS put Imus on suspension and finally fired him. So has justice been served for the Rutgers women, black women and women in general? Does firing Imus get to the heart of the matter? What is the heart of the matter? Why did Imus say these things?

The fact is “nappy headed hos” came straight from black youth culture. Listen to the lyrics of much of rap music and you will certainly find these words said over and over again. Guess who is mostly listening to rap music, young white males. So it’s just like when a little kid cusses and everyone wonders where he got that kind of language. Imus got his language from our kids. Al Sharpton said it’s more of a problem for Imus to say this because he is a mainstream journalist. I disagree. The real problem is when our kids say it and believe it about themselves. That is what’s hurting us. Don Imus can’t degrade us. We are degrading ourselves.

Frederick Douglass was once riding on a train. The staff on the train told him he had to go and sit in the baggage car. Another person said that staff member must not have known who Mr. Douglass was to degrade him in this manner. Fredrick Douglass replied, “They cannot degrade Frederick Douglass. The soul that is within me no man can degrade. I am not the one that is being degraded on account of this treatment, but those who are inflicting it upon me.”

One can only degrade oneself. So when Don Imus or Snoop Doggy Dogg or Ludacris or any one else calls you names, they are only demonstrating what grade they are. Just know who you are.

The media and media hogs are always getting on television taking up time talking about things that shouldn’t really matter to us (i.e. Who’s the father of Anna Nicole’s baby?). This only serves to divert our attention from what really matters. OUR KIDS ARE FAILING SCHOOL. THEY CAN’T READ. THEY ARE KILLING EACH OTHER IN THE STREETS. THEY NEED US TO PAY ATTENTION.

So stay focused. Don’t get caught up in the media hype. What Don Imus says or doesn’t say about us is not going to heal the ills among us.

Woman's Work

To be black and female.
A curse. A gift.
Generations of backbreaking, soul-wrenching work.
Woman’s work.
We have done it so well that others copy us,
fear us,
revere us,
try to stop us,
hate us,
love us,
judge us,
tremble at the thought of us.
When Europeans first came in contact with us they stood in awe of us.
How we walked as graciously as lionesses, strong, confident, with our heads held high. This is the definition of beauty they said.
During slavery we took care of our children while nursing other people’s children and working from sunup to sundown.
They wondered “How in the world does she do it?”
We taught them how to laugh to keep from crying.
Sing when you want to moan.
Dance when your feet are aching.
When others complained about the size of their butts, hips and thighs,
Monique and Beyonce showed them how to “drop it like its hot”.
So when someone calls you a bitch, a nigger or a ho,
You remember who you really are.

Have We Come to the End of the Era of Black College Pride?

Florida A&M University has in recent weeks been at the center of negative press and publicity. The state of Florida has even threatened to close the school. Some would see this closure as a tragedy because of the rich history and legacy of FAMU and black colleges in general.

The story of black education in America is one of struggle, focused determination and triumph against all odds. Before the end of the Civil War, blacks were prohibited from education in many Southern states. Those blacks who did receive education often taught themselves at the threat of punishment and even death. After the Emancipation Proclamation, some schools were established by ordinary people who believed education was the key to true liberty. They pooled their money, labor and resources to make sure their children would learn. Other private institutions were set up by churches and the Freedmen’s Bureau. One such private church-sponsored school is Edward Waters College, the oldest black college in Florida. It was established by the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) church in 1866.

Later, the United States government thought it was necessary to extend educational opportunities to more than just the wealthy. In 1862 the U.S. legislature enacted the Morrill Act to provide for the higher education of America’s ordinary folk. This act gave land to the states to be used for building colleges and universities to train working class people. These schools were called land-grant institutions. However, this act did not guarantee the education of blacks. Therefore, a second Morrill Act said states that received federal land-grant money had to provide for the education of African Americans as well. As a result of this act, FAMU was founded in 1887 as a land-grant institution. Many other black colleges and universities began as public land-grant schools as well.

The privately founded and funded institutions along with the public land-grant institutions went on to nurture and train many generations of black leaders. Toni Morrison (Noble Prize Winner and author), Sean Combs (producer and entrepreneur), Spike Lee (filmmaker), Common (Hip Hop artist), Keith Clinkscales (former editor of Vibe and CEO of Vanguard Media), Kwame Kilpatrick (youngest mayor of Detroit), Darrell Armstrong (NBA player), Samuel L. Jackson (actor), Ronald McNair (astronaut), and Steve McNair (NFL player) are just a few examples.

Today many Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) are in serious financial and management trouble. FAMU is only one example. There were originally 117 HBCUs. That number is declining as these historic schools lose accreditation, funding and students turn to majority schools.

Proponents of HBCUs argue that they are still very necessary. Some reason they give are that ¾ of all black Ph.D.s did their undergraduate work at black schools, black students succeed at a higher rate at black schools and black students gain the unquantifiable benefits of self awareness, confidence, leadership experience and pride when attending black schools.

Others argue that the country is moving beyond the need for separate schools for minorities. They say these schools violate laws against segregation. These schools only serve to separate the races and dilute funding sources and support for all students.

So are HBCUs still necessary or are they hurting us? Please comment about this issue. Make sure to indicate your age and where you are from.

The Courage to Serve: The Essence of a True Leader

There seems to be a void among black people. Some believe the void is in black leadership. They long for the next Martin Luther King or Malcolm X. They wait for a black messiah to take us home. However, I disagree with this notion. There is no lack of leadership in the black community. On the contrary, there is a surplus of leadership. We have a church on every corner of the black community. We have numerous organizations supposedly dedicated to our uplift. We have black politicians and government workers. We have a host of people searching for power, privilege and prestige. But do we have enough leaders seeking to serve the people? Leaders who will stay when the money doesn't come. Leaders who won't be swayed by fads and gimmicks. Leaders who will stand up to the majority when the majority is wrong. Leaders who have the faith and courage to sacrifice themselves for the greater good.

Two events have caused me to think seriously about the problem of leadership and the masses of my people wandering in the wilderness. The first is the resignation of Bruce Gordon as president of the NAACP. The second is the death of Bishop G.E. Patterson, Presiding Bishop of the historic Church of God in Christ.

I am a member of the NAACP. I joined because of the important legacy of the organization and its invaluable contribution to the struggle of black people. It is the oldest civil rights organization in existence. Its efforts have helped make our country a true democracy. This in turn paved the way for further democratization of the world. There is no question that this organization is tremendously important to our people, our country and the entire world. I am proud to be a member. As a proud member, I am concerned.

I was asked many times why don’t more young people join. Young people won’t join for the same reason Bruce Gordon resigned. The NAACP has no lack of leadership. A huge executive board runs the organization. Gordon left because of resistance from the leadership to change. Gordon tried to urge the organization to put more of its efforts toward service. He wanted the organization to actually do something. The organization’s response has been that it is a civil rights organization, meaning it lobbies the government to do something. They say Gordon was trying to steer the NAACP away from its mission, “to ensure the political, educational, social and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate racial hatred and racial discrimination.”

So how is it that service in the community will detour the organization from this mission? Political battles have been won. We have already lobbied the government. Now it is time to lead our people to enjoy the benefits of the civil rights we have already won. What is the point of having a right you don’t know about or ever use?

So the NAACP has decided to continue with its current strategy of holding huge conventions where they spend a ton of money on speakers and ballrooms and then use what little money is left to beg the government to take care of our problems. Yes, we must hold our government accountable. But let’s do a little more to hold ourselves accountable. Let’s get the courage to stick to our vision and lead our own people.

Because the church is where our civil rights battle began, I turn to it, our most important source of leadership. People often quote the scripture that says without a vision the people perish. I don’t believe God has left us devoid of leadership or vision. We have just lost the courage and commitment to carry it out. Historically, most of our leaders came out of the church because other avenues of leadership were prohibited. So we fought to make other pathways available.

We fought for political rights, integration of schools, and fairness in the corporate world. Through the grace of God, we miraculously survived slavery, Jim Crow and overt racial terrorism. We garnered our civil rights, opened up the pathways and then promptly existed out of the newly opened doors. We left our first love. We left the place that gave us the courage and safety to pursue what “they” had. When the doors opened, the visionaries got on the first thing smoking. The flocks were left with hirelings who were out to fleece the sheep. Those visionaries who stayed suffer from blurred vision, distorted by the cares and riches of this world.

Leaving was not the way to get what we needed. We already had what we needed, God. God is who enabled us to survive, fight and win those battles. Bishop G.E. Patterson was the head of the historic Church of God in Christ (COGIC). He descends from a line of powerful and courageous leaders.

The history of this organization demonstrates the tremendous resource we have always had but still don’t realize. Charles H. Mason incorporated COGIC in 1897. This organization came out of the Pentecostal-Holiness movement that was an interracial movement started by a black man, William J. Seymour. COGIC was the first African American church that had no origins in any European denomination. As a matter of fact, since COGIC was the first incorporated Pentecostal-Holiness church, all Pentecostal or Holiness ministers had to come to Mason to be ordained, this included all white ministers. In fact, Mason ordained the men who began the largest white Pentecostal denomination, the Assemblies of God. The movement continued as an interracial movement until racial conflicts reached a climax around 1919.

Mason did not look to the government, economic resources or whites for his vision. He got it from God, the ultimate and unlimited resource. Then he led a movement courageously. Many would say we need leaders like Mason today. However, I say we have leaders. We need the leaders to look to God for their vision and lead the people confidently according to what the vision requires. Believe in the vision, and the people will believe in the vision and follow it.

Those leaders who are leading according to God’s command, please don’t give up. The people need you to believe, even if it seems that they have abandoned the vision. God will bring forth your righteousness as the light and your justice as the noonday. Just wait. The vision that is true will surely shine.