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Rebelling against their plight, a few managed to escape, but for every Black male that escaped, there were thousands more to take their place. Defenseless, his dignity gone, and his pride abandoned;
Black man struggled to free himself from his captors.
Staring through small cubicle he called home, he wondered how he reached this point-in-time. Maybe it began in December 1989 when conspiracy theory was first broached. Or maybe it began when Black men started judging themselves by White standards; and gave in to misconception that they were “lazy, sex-crazed, drug-addicted thugs prone to violence.” But it did begin somewhere—and it ended in imprisonment, and end of race as we once knew it!
Stop! Brothers, what I have written up until now, was my pessimistic side, expressing my inner most thoughts. Now it’s time to walk walk as well as talk talk. I don’t know about you, but I’m sick and tired of media and people in general underestimating African-American men. Similarly, I’ve grown leery of White females averting their eyes and clutching their purses in presence of these men. Moreover, I’m tired of media explaining in vivid details, Black man’s demise.
Stop putting all Black men in same category. Only a small percentage are using drugs and committing crimes. The rest are trying to do their absolute best, thus seeking pursuit of happiness just like everyone else. By way, there are thousands of educated and productive Black men climbing ladder of success. ISN’T THAT PROOF THAT THEY CAN DO MORE THAN SING, DANCE, PLAY SPORTS AND CREATE BABIES? Black men are not asking anyone for anything. All they’re saying is stop labeling, stop criticizing, stop analyzing. They are not objects to be probed, prodded and petted at will. They are in fact human. See them. Touch them. Feel them. Examine their motives. They are men subject to same mistakes and temptations as rest of us high polluting hybrids.
So stop speaking of them as if they were a piece of cheese or a morsel of dust. Stop having programs and panel discussions featuring Black men as main attraction, and stop saying what a contemptible specimen they are; we aren’t buying it.
Black men are not animals. They are men. And at this moment they are reclaiming their dignity. Hate it, dismiss it, whatever. The Black man’s motto in 21st century is “I’m going to keep on flickin until I’m through tickin." Forget that extinct mumbo jumbo. Peace!
A freelance writer since 1989, Butler has written for various magazines and Internet publications including Impact Press, Africana.com., TimBook Tu, and The Black World Today. Moreover, Butler who lists collecting 60s memorabilia among her hobbies, writes news, features, sports and entertainment articles, as well as commentaries and humor pieces. Currently, she is a contributor for Theblackmarket.com. Website:www.Psbwrite.com
