How would describe the image of black men today with black men 40 years ago?
The image of black men today is similar to what it was 40 years ago. In 1974, the height of the Blaxploitation film was at an all time high. While the genre was a reaction to Melvin Van Peebles’ Sweet Sweetback’s Baadasssss Song [1971], the imagery of the Hollywood knockoff was that black men were pimps, junkies, dope pushers, lazy, minstrels and absent fathers. Fast-forward 40 years and what we see in many of today’s rap videos is just that. In this instance, the rap culture has embraced much of the negative cultural iconography of the Blaxploitation past. This is not a slam at rap, but rather an observation of what has taking place and its potential long-term effects on the image and imagery of black men.
The image of black men, today, is contradictory — black men are depicted as lazy, yet we are scholars; we are pimps yet we are good fathers to our daughters, we are drug dealers yet we are corporate executives. While this “Blues People-esque” contradiction is widely seen in our community, we are the only culture in America that has this double standard applied to us and it sticks.
What do I mean? Italians are respected in many instances for being gangsters and embracing family. The movie The Godfather shared these thoughts about the Italian-American family and it won several Oscars. However, when we look at the movie Belly’ and [see] Nas’ character wanting to “go back to Africa” we see a “thug” turned good embracing his culture. However, a sense of redemption is not applied to Nas (Belly) as the Godfather has this redemptive quality; even in the midst of murder for a purpose. While this is not a poke at Italian-Americans, this is an example of how Black men and black culture in general are not given the same redemptive opportunity as other cultures that make up the E Pluribus Unum. As such, the imagery of black men is that of less then, thug, gangsta and a host of other negative adjectives that promote fear and loathing of Black men that has led to deaths of Trayvon Martin, Oscar Grant, Jordan Davis and too many others to name.
To bring this point home, we have the current owner of the Los Angeles Clippers making statements about not wanting “black” people, black men in particular, to come to “his” arena! This is of course appalling, but the conversation into his thought pattern is telling. He says to his African American/Mexican “girlfriend,” ‘You don’t understand, this is how things are!’ Really; in 2014! Again, this is part and parcel of how black men are seen through the lens of some “others.” As such, it may not be that there is an issue with the image of black men, but an issue with how “others” see black men and cannot move from these antiquated ideas of “unforgivable blackness.” In closing, black men are seen by others in one regard, yet they are as complex as any other men in another race.
If black people had an agenda, what would be the collective principles?
Cultural Unity- The need for African Americans to move beyond sociopolitical divides and see the importance of African American culture as the basis for all political, social, economic and educational engagements.
Economics – The need to engage in more international entrepreneurial ventures in Africa and the world in general.
Education – Engage in more STEM opportunities along with pushing to make sure all African Americans get a fair education. This is important with the recent ruling on affirmative action in higher education by the Supreme Court.
Health – This is possibly the number one agenda. This is said, because without good health, all other agendas are for naught.
Family restoration – This agenda is as important as health. The family is the nucleus for our community, and a strong family increases all possibilities for success within any agenda.
What keeps blacks from making economic progress collectively?
Institutional racism and lack of education are two major culprits.
Should black celebrities in sports and entertainment do more to help elevate the black community?
Yes. An example of this took place in 1967. Lew Alcindor (Kareem Abdul-Jabbar), Jim Brown, Arthur Ashe and Bill Russell supported Muhammad Ali for refusing to be drafted into the Army. This is the type of cultural solidarity that ought to be practiced today.
What issue facing the black community could change most drastically if we united?
So-called black on black crime would be changed drastically.
What are black people missing by not studying their past?
Everything! As the old saying goes, “There is nothing new under the sun.” As such, recognizing past achievements can improve cultural pride. Further, knowing that America’s capital is based on African ontological thought can move a people to recognizing their own inherent genius. As a connected people, we too, can share our contributions to humanity — which allows us and others to see our worth.
Why are corporate blacks and blacks in general not supportive of Black History Month?
This is a hard question to answer; I do not have hardcore data. However, mental slavery is still an issue within our community inside and outside the corporate arena. Many people in our community may not want to be considered black or African American. This is due to a lack of cultural identity and the embrace of one’s own culture. As such, a lack of a cultural identity can leave any African American rudderless.
Where are the leaders who will take the place of Jesse Jackson and others?
The leaders are all around us. We walk pass them on a daily basis. These are the people who work in various industries and in many instances, toil in obscurity.
Has President Obama been a benefit to the black race or an excuse to point to see he made it?
If President Barack Obama does nothing else, he will forever be the Jackie Robinson of the U.S. presidency. This is major, for he has given hope to many young African American children about the possibility of their lives. Overall, he has been a benefit to our race.
What role models and skill sets should our community be focused and why do we still celebrate entertainers more than business men and women? How does media play into the miseducation of the Negro today?
The media plays into the miseducation of African Americans by not sharing proper truths. For example, most Americans do not know that the movie The Lone Ranger starring Johnny Depp was based upon an African American lawman. This imagery shown during the 1940s and 1950s, via the actor Clayton Moore, and in the 2013 movie with Johnny Depp, gives the impression that a white man was the brave lawman. However, Bass Reeves is the real ‘Lone Ranger’ and is African American.
What is modern miseducation?
The modern miseducation is the lack of knowledge of self, and not wanting to know the truth about who are you, where are you are from and what is your purpose in life.
What should we do collectively as a race?
Remember from whence we’ve come and honor our ancestors.
What books are a must to have a modern political perspective?
The Debt by Randall Robinson
Blueprint for Black Power by Dr. Amos Wilson
