You know I have some of the most absurd experiences when I come home to my little country New York area.
Today was one of the more odd racist experiences. You see our customers are for the most part orthodox Jews. Hasidics for the most part. A group of people who not only for the most part are afraid of Black people, but also hardly get exposure to them. Most of them have a certain frightened or suspicious look in their eyes.
Today we took a group of boys from a camp on some speedboat rides. After I made an exciting turn with the boat one of the young boys looked at me and said "man you are so cool, do you know 50 cents?".
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Why True Diversity Will Not Work!
I recently gave a speech/lecture in a so-called Diversity Learning Group in which I am a participant. My participation came by invitation through my job at the bank called Wachovia. Of course Wachovia's history itself is steeped in the slave trade so there is some irony here of course as they pursue what they deem diversity. The participants were asked to present a subject close to them, I chose a subject called, An All Too Brief Survey of the Incredible History of Woman! In this I of course traced the history of women back to the Nile Valley and Pre-Nile Valley and their contributions to the birth of civilization.
This discussion started with the idea that the Goddess concept of deity started in Africa and extended into the world. I painted a picture of the history of women and the Goddess in symbols and cultures as well as societies that operated with a Matriarchal base. I knew this would be a problem going in as men feel discomforted when the Goddess concept is brought up, needless to say the conversation became heated. At one point during my lecture a white, male christian asked a question referencing something I had said as proof of the attacks on the Goddess cultures by Patriarchial religions, which have their roots in the Aryan world. This question disrupted my process. I became engaged in a debate wherein the men protested my discussion of the sacred womb, the origins of the destruction of the Goddess concept, the male-centric, patriarchal mind and other points. None of the women protested these ideas. In fact at one point one young lady asked me for further information.
My wife in her astute analysis stated that the men were upset because my discussion uprooted there feeling of control. This control over women she stated is there source of power on the planet. Following with this line of thought I would state that any discussion on diversity in White America must fall on deaf ears as the ruling power structure cannot budge! Although I knew this it is wonderful to have evidence like this experience for proving this concept. Diversity, Multiculturalism and concepts like this cannot work in a society controlled by Aryan/White Males! It cannot work in a society founded upon the theft of land and natural resources from the First Nations, Native American population. True diversity cannot exist in a country of formerly enslaved Africans. Diversity is and will always be a farce in this country, thus in my humble opinion the only true course for the African population is to practice what Dr. John Henrik Clarke called, "...the essential selfishness of survival..."
Diversity is another ploy at pacification of the masses, and for the African-American people it is an irrelevant concept. As they discuss diversifying society, they continue to rule the planet through, fear, intimidation and murder of people of color. Aryan/White Males have power through force of will and the fire from the gun. His is a violent mind, hell bent on maintaining control by all means neccesary! Until we grasp this concept we will continuously be fooled by concepts of multiculturalism, and diversity!
http://blackmenrising.wordpress.com/
http://majadi.wordpress.com/
This discussion started with the idea that the Goddess concept of deity started in Africa and extended into the world. I painted a picture of the history of women and the Goddess in symbols and cultures as well as societies that operated with a Matriarchal base. I knew this would be a problem going in as men feel discomforted when the Goddess concept is brought up, needless to say the conversation became heated. At one point during my lecture a white, male christian asked a question referencing something I had said as proof of the attacks on the Goddess cultures by Patriarchial religions, which have their roots in the Aryan world. This question disrupted my process. I became engaged in a debate wherein the men protested my discussion of the sacred womb, the origins of the destruction of the Goddess concept, the male-centric, patriarchal mind and other points. None of the women protested these ideas. In fact at one point one young lady asked me for further information.
My wife in her astute analysis stated that the men were upset because my discussion uprooted there feeling of control. This control over women she stated is there source of power on the planet. Following with this line of thought I would state that any discussion on diversity in White America must fall on deaf ears as the ruling power structure cannot budge! Although I knew this it is wonderful to have evidence like this experience for proving this concept. Diversity, Multiculturalism and concepts like this cannot work in a society controlled by Aryan/White Males! It cannot work in a society founded upon the theft of land and natural resources from the First Nations, Native American population. True diversity cannot exist in a country of formerly enslaved Africans. Diversity is and will always be a farce in this country, thus in my humble opinion the only true course for the African population is to practice what Dr. John Henrik Clarke called, "...the essential selfishness of survival..."
Diversity is another ploy at pacification of the masses, and for the African-American people it is an irrelevant concept. As they discuss diversifying society, they continue to rule the planet through, fear, intimidation and murder of people of color. Aryan/White Males have power through force of will and the fire from the gun. His is a violent mind, hell bent on maintaining control by all means neccesary! Until we grasp this concept we will continuously be fooled by concepts of multiculturalism, and diversity!
http://blackmenrising.wordpress.com/
http://majadi.wordpress.com/
Monday, June 16, 2008
Hello to you too...
I am friendly.
Perhaps sometimes too friendly. For instance, today I went to the library to look for a fiction book. I am constantly smiling, constantly taking in what I think is the beauty in nature, in people. Of course, the 'fro was in full effect when I left the house. And as I was entering the library, a white woman and her child were leaving. Instinctively, I smiled at the little boy. I did not expect him to shrink away from me in the way that he did. But when his mother pulled him aside, I realized that I should never expect anything more.
Firstly, I'm about five feet negative 12 inches tall. Secondly, I was smiling! If that's not nonthreatening then nothing is. Perhaps I should start carrying Lucky Charms in a fucking gold pail.
Or perhaps I should embrace the fact that I am threatening.
Perhaps sometimes too friendly. For instance, today I went to the library to look for a fiction book. I am constantly smiling, constantly taking in what I think is the beauty in nature, in people. Of course, the 'fro was in full effect when I left the house. And as I was entering the library, a white woman and her child were leaving. Instinctively, I smiled at the little boy. I did not expect him to shrink away from me in the way that he did. But when his mother pulled him aside, I realized that I should never expect anything more.
Firstly, I'm about five feet negative 12 inches tall. Secondly, I was smiling! If that's not nonthreatening then nothing is. Perhaps I should start carrying Lucky Charms in a fucking gold pail.
Or perhaps I should embrace the fact that I am threatening.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Black Fatherhood
Hell I had a hard time just coming up with a title for my feelings on this matter, so simplicity is best right now. I am a man who enjoys the dramatic so forgive me for my diversion from my normal pace. It is currently Sunday, June 15, 2008-8:56 Am. My really sexy wife is asleep, as are two of my four children. They are going to awaken soon and begin a loving ritual of praising me and giving me accolades for being a good father. My oldest child called me last night apologizing for not sending off my gift in time, it is alright of course, she is a very busy young woman. As my children and wife prepare for this moment in history where I am honored. I wonder if I am worthy of such? Am I doing something extraordinary or is it something else? I feel it is more so that I am doing the ordinary or rather what should be ordinary under extraordinary circumstances.
As an historian specializing in African History, I will not belabor you with the historical foundations of our enslavement nor will I entrench you in our Pre-American journey from the Nile Valley in East Africa to West Africa and then into slavery. I will say that we as Black Men have not always been this. We have not always thought of ourselves as nor have been percieved as, pimps, players, thugs, gangsters, drug peddlers, etc., ad nauseum. No we have been and many of us are more than this. What is percieved of us unfortunately as Black Men is perpetuated by us, we continue to buy into the enemies' game. Simplified, if you tell a child long enough they are stupid, they may react in one of two ways, acceptance or abject rejection. I am one of those Black Men who not only reject the labels and limitations but I rebel against them and teach others to do so.
As a Black Man I take Black Fatherhood seriously, again taken into account the extraordinary circumstances of our enslavement and subsequent mistreatment by government mandated policies and legislation. So this is a set of extraordinary circumstance (have I said that enough?), our history is steeped in this madness, but relatively it is a short period of time. There was a time when we worshipped MAAT (Truth, Justice, Balance, Order, Reciprocity, Righteousness), MAAT is a feminine concept. In effect and as history proves we as Black Men were brave enough to worship the African Feminine as a divine being, a Goddess. So this silliness of half naked and in some cases naked women stripping and grinding on poles is a new thing! We must return to our former selves our real selves our beautiful Black Selves!
As a Black Man I must do what I can to return us back to ordinary circumstances, this will be an extraordinary feat. In fact it feels like I am a superhero sometimes, but I am not these are strange times, strange events, they are different then our most ancient Black Male selves. This is the Black Manhood we must return to the warrior, the shaman, the priest, the poet, the fearless, the one who will not accept just anything. The mantle of Black Fatherhood I have accepted will not compromise the salvation of his children, his grandchild, his woman. I take this Black Fatherhood thing seriously, I will motivate, challenge, teach, build with, destroy with and if neccesary kill other Black Men for the salvation of our people. On the latter part of that last statement trust when I say the same goes for all other men and folks who seek the destruction of our people. This is the essence of Black Fatherhood for me, I am a Shaman, Priest, Warrior, Teacher, Student, Worshipper amongst other things for my Black Wife/Queen/GODDESS. I am a Preacher (say a-man), a Teacher, A Father, A Priest, A Warrior, and even at times Student to my Black Children. I teach my children of their ancestral legacy, of their glorious African historical past and the promise of a dazzling African future!
As a Black Father, A Black Man, Black Preacher, Black Teacher, Black Poet, Black Historian, Black Shaman, Black Warrior, I say to other Black Men, Stand the F--k up! The time done been past gone, (ebonics, if you didn't know). The time for war is now, the time for preaching a Black Truth, to a Black People is now, it done been here and gone. We are in a new day, for those of you who believe in Barack Obama, he is standing for what he believes in and has a Black Woman by his side. The call is out, I have thrown the machete to your feet, now is the time for Black Men, Black Fathers to be the sons of Africa as they are supposed to be! It is time for extraordinary men who defy extraordinary circumstances
http://blackmenrising.wordpress.com/
http://majadi.wordpress.com/
As an historian specializing in African History, I will not belabor you with the historical foundations of our enslavement nor will I entrench you in our Pre-American journey from the Nile Valley in East Africa to West Africa and then into slavery. I will say that we as Black Men have not always been this. We have not always thought of ourselves as nor have been percieved as, pimps, players, thugs, gangsters, drug peddlers, etc., ad nauseum. No we have been and many of us are more than this. What is percieved of us unfortunately as Black Men is perpetuated by us, we continue to buy into the enemies' game. Simplified, if you tell a child long enough they are stupid, they may react in one of two ways, acceptance or abject rejection. I am one of those Black Men who not only reject the labels and limitations but I rebel against them and teach others to do so.
As a Black Man I take Black Fatherhood seriously, again taken into account the extraordinary circumstances of our enslavement and subsequent mistreatment by government mandated policies and legislation. So this is a set of extraordinary circumstance (have I said that enough?), our history is steeped in this madness, but relatively it is a short period of time. There was a time when we worshipped MAAT (Truth, Justice, Balance, Order, Reciprocity, Righteousness), MAAT is a feminine concept. In effect and as history proves we as Black Men were brave enough to worship the African Feminine as a divine being, a Goddess. So this silliness of half naked and in some cases naked women stripping and grinding on poles is a new thing! We must return to our former selves our real selves our beautiful Black Selves!
As a Black Man I must do what I can to return us back to ordinary circumstances, this will be an extraordinary feat. In fact it feels like I am a superhero sometimes, but I am not these are strange times, strange events, they are different then our most ancient Black Male selves. This is the Black Manhood we must return to the warrior, the shaman, the priest, the poet, the fearless, the one who will not accept just anything. The mantle of Black Fatherhood I have accepted will not compromise the salvation of his children, his grandchild, his woman. I take this Black Fatherhood thing seriously, I will motivate, challenge, teach, build with, destroy with and if neccesary kill other Black Men for the salvation of our people. On the latter part of that last statement trust when I say the same goes for all other men and folks who seek the destruction of our people. This is the essence of Black Fatherhood for me, I am a Shaman, Priest, Warrior, Teacher, Student, Worshipper amongst other things for my Black Wife/Queen/GODDESS. I am a Preacher (say a-man), a Teacher, A Father, A Priest, A Warrior, and even at times Student to my Black Children. I teach my children of their ancestral legacy, of their glorious African historical past and the promise of a dazzling African future!
As a Black Father, A Black Man, Black Preacher, Black Teacher, Black Poet, Black Historian, Black Shaman, Black Warrior, I say to other Black Men, Stand the F--k up! The time done been past gone, (ebonics, if you didn't know). The time for war is now, the time for preaching a Black Truth, to a Black People is now, it done been here and gone. We are in a new day, for those of you who believe in Barack Obama, he is standing for what he believes in and has a Black Woman by his side. The call is out, I have thrown the machete to your feet, now is the time for Black Men, Black Fathers to be the sons of Africa as they are supposed to be! It is time for extraordinary men who defy extraordinary circumstances
http://blackmenrising.wordpress.com/
http://majadi.wordpress.com/
Sunday, June 08, 2008
Sullivan County
So I'm back home now, at least for the summer. The reasons I hate this place are made abudantly clear every time I return.
Racism from poor White people.
Racism from rich White people.
Racism from middle class White people.
Racism from Orthodox Jewish White people.
You get the point, lots of racism. I think most people ignore it up here, especially the people who it actually happends too.
So last week I noticed this hick calmly using the word "nigga" when speaking to his other white friend. He was using it in a very offensive and stupid way, like he just made a habit out of it after he started mocking Black people one day. Anyway I became spineless like I occasionally do in situations like this (usually I just blow up later), and shrugged it off and ignored it. I can never figure out what to do short of attacking the person (which I have done in the past).
He showed up for a second day of work and did it again, except this time I was lifting a heavy piece of dock and didn't get to hit him.
Then he skipped work today, hopefully that will get him fired.
Today a co-worker of mine used the term "nigger-rigging", this time I looked at him and said "what the fuck are you doing" he apologized and said he had "hoped I didn't hear that". That actually comforts me that he knew immediately after he said it that it was stupid.
This is all going to build up to a point where I have a violent confrontation. I see it coming.
Racism from poor White people.
Racism from rich White people.
Racism from middle class White people.
Racism from Orthodox Jewish White people.
You get the point, lots of racism. I think most people ignore it up here, especially the people who it actually happends too.
So last week I noticed this hick calmly using the word "nigga" when speaking to his other white friend. He was using it in a very offensive and stupid way, like he just made a habit out of it after he started mocking Black people one day. Anyway I became spineless like I occasionally do in situations like this (usually I just blow up later), and shrugged it off and ignored it. I can never figure out what to do short of attacking the person (which I have done in the past).
He showed up for a second day of work and did it again, except this time I was lifting a heavy piece of dock and didn't get to hit him.
Then he skipped work today, hopefully that will get him fired.
Today a co-worker of mine used the term "nigger-rigging", this time I looked at him and said "what the fuck are you doing" he apologized and said he had "hoped I didn't hear that". That actually comforts me that he knew immediately after he said it that it was stupid.
This is all going to build up to a point where I have a violent confrontation. I see it coming.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
We are in the same boat and it's sinking
So blogging for me has been slow lately. I can't really handle all the really irritating issues in the world right now, so much so that I cannot possibly write about it.
The Obama cult is on the verge of causing the biggest Race head ache for me possible. Every time I ever tell a White person I am not too keen on Obama they stare at me like I just admitted I worship the devil.
While I'm not a minority in this world, or even in this hemisphere, I am at this college. I'm tired of that, very tired. I need a change.
I would like to once again encourage anyone who is exploring issues of race to contact me about writing on this blog. We need as many writers as we can get that way we can create a nice collection of experiences from a good variety of people in a good variety of situations.
Send me a e-mail if your interested, rbharman@loyno.edu.
The Obama cult is on the verge of causing the biggest Race head ache for me possible. Every time I ever tell a White person I am not too keen on Obama they stare at me like I just admitted I worship the devil.
While I'm not a minority in this world, or even in this hemisphere, I am at this college. I'm tired of that, very tired. I need a change.
I would like to once again encourage anyone who is exploring issues of race to contact me about writing on this blog. We need as many writers as we can get that way we can create a nice collection of experiences from a good variety of people in a good variety of situations.
Send me a e-mail if your interested, rbharman@loyno.edu.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Old Boys' Club??
I'm a philosophy major. Yes, I know maybe I shouldn't even be surprised by the story that I am about to share. But...truthfully, I'm not surprised. So, I am currently taking a grad level philosophy class called Political Values and the topic is biomedical enhancement. Well there are 15 people in the class, three women: me, an Asian girl, and a white chick that may as well be a man. 13 men: 11 white males, 1 Asian guy, and one designer white guy from Stockholm.
Well the discussion is about genetically engineering kids. And the conversation floats to the creation of a posthuman species. Of course, the conversation goes to inequalities and how the posthuman race would treat the unenhanced race. And of course, one author in an article we read made the comment that the posthuman race would want to enslave the unenhanced race and treat them differently, as if they were simply "animals" and maybe even seek to eradicate the unenhanced ones. Every person in the room repudiates this comment...except me. Have we forgotten that in very recent human history one race decided to enslave, rape, lynch, and castrate another? Clearly they have. I haven't forgotten.
Well the discussion is about genetically engineering kids. And the conversation floats to the creation of a posthuman species. Of course, the conversation goes to inequalities and how the posthuman race would treat the unenhanced race. And of course, one author in an article we read made the comment that the posthuman race would want to enslave the unenhanced race and treat them differently, as if they were simply "animals" and maybe even seek to eradicate the unenhanced ones. Every person in the room repudiates this comment...except me. Have we forgotten that in very recent human history one race decided to enslave, rape, lynch, and castrate another? Clearly they have. I haven't forgotten.
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