I love the picture, but, I do not believe there was an evolution of Reverend Al Sharpton. I don't think he has changed one bit since earlier days. He has always been dedicated and a lightning rod. I admire him and believe in his insight.
That said.
The
Rev. Al Sharpton (r.) is joined by Sybrina Fulton(c.) as he speaks to
the crown during a 'Justice for Trayvon' rally in New York Saturday. Mr.
Sharpton's National Action Network organized 'Justice for Trayvon'
rallies nationwide.
Mary Altaffer/AP
Overwhelming Peaceful. Just because FOX News commentators were terrifying the nation about a radically violent Black Community doesn't mean that is the truth. I recall Reverend Sharpton calling for marches, not pillaging and plundering. Somehow the 'devil in the air' is thicker than the worst pea soup. It is a joy to point to that reality, however, let's get into the issue of violence as it attaches to Young Black Men.
The protests (click here) against the verdict in the George Zimmerman murder trial so far been overwhelmingly peaceful – and the rallies in more than 100 cities nationwide Saturday were no exception....
The larger picture is actually the reality of the Black Community and their children. That reality is HOPELESSNESS and HELPLESSNESS.
Young African American people growing beyond the church school and seeking an identity in the American Landscape don't find it there. Yes, there are magnificent Black Universities that provide incredible and enviable educations, but, what happens then? AND more than those that obtain a university education, what comes of the young Black person that does not come away from the defined life of oppression and left behind?
I strongly believe the USA media is very guilty of labeling our minorities. That labeling includes African American Men and Women as well as setting 'commercialized' standards unrealistic for women. And quite frankly instill absolute violence in the definition of American masculinity. It is those 'images' applied to human beings in the USA that actually become a dominant stereotype to define our politics. Those stereotypes are self-righteous.
If I may?
An African American Male is violent. No option. No kindness. They are loaded for bear all the time and will kill to steal the pennies in a victim's pocket. That is the stereotype those young men in the cities across this country have to overcome to move within our society. It is hideous and serves no purpose in this country. There is no reality there. At all. HOWEVER, when a young man is trapped in that stereotype and experiences failure after failure in our country, there is ONLY ONE TRUTH THEN. That truth is then defined by the brothers in prison stating, "Didn't I tell you there was no other option."
Following the experience of that reality and pledging to that truth, that only begins to explain the prison populations.
Where is the opportunity for these young men? Where is the outreach that provides them good paying jobs with dignity within that definition? Working a job at Walmart while their children receive Medicaid and Food Stamps is no dignity for any person in this country. It is a survival without promise of a future.
HOPELESSNESS lines the African American populations in the USA. It is growing and as there are larger populations of minorities so grows the hopelessness that defines their lives.
This is not 'mind speak' I have experienced it first hand. My time working within minority populations was alarming. Not fulfilling. Sure I went home at the end of the day believing my work made a difference, but, it was not fulfilling. Surrounded my life was failure of a country that victimized the very people I sought to serve. I could have accepted a paycheck and washed my hands at the end of the day and still have believed what I did was worthwhile, but, it wasn't possible to disregard that immorality. I left the city behind and went home to dearly loved sons in a perfect world, but, how did I justify that reality measured against those I served?
Days where I had time on my hands was spent with young African-American men, my younger, to understand their lives, the anger and the hatred. It is not a pretty picture.
They want what everyone else wants. They watch the same commercials, the same programs everyone else watches, but, where can they achieve the rewards? They had no choices and I would hear stories about carjackings and robbing car parts to finish their own work on a car they brandished as a status symbol. When I would state, aren't you worried about the police or prison? They laughed and stated; "Ya have to have someone willing to turn you in and witness the crime before that happens." Don't tell me the desperation of these young men, they are all too real.
The stereotype becomes the reality and in all honesty what chance do they have to change that? Over and over again in very subliminal ways they are told they are not worth the effort to raise them out of their lives of oppression. Make no doubt about it, this is oppression of minorities in the USA. They don't want this as a life, but, they accept it.
All over the USA there are African American communities whereby time in prison and on the outside is the same paradigm. Prison is not a punishment, it is a dimension. The larger society of the USA has failed. We have grossly failed the young minorities and have victimized them.
Now, parents who made a life for themselves and have their young people on the right track face opposition of the NRA and loose gun laws. The OPPRESSION continues. Where does it stop? When do magnificent citizens of this country such as Sybrina and Tracy find 'gun safe' neighborhoods? Is there a respite for any minority parent from the chronic assault of the judgement of their race, their attire, their deeply held beliefs and having their children in a society that victimizes their very person at first sight? I haven't witnessed it yet.
African American citizens have shorter life spans. Chronic stress will do that.
Overwhelming Peaceful. Just because FOX News commentators were terrifying the nation about a radically violent Black Community doesn't mean that is the truth. I recall Reverend Sharpton calling for marches, not pillaging and plundering. Somehow the 'devil in the air' is thicker than the worst pea soup. It is a joy to point to that reality, however, let's get into the issue of violence as it attaches to Young Black Men.
The protests (click here) against the verdict in the George Zimmerman murder trial so far been overwhelmingly peaceful – and the rallies in more than 100 cities nationwide Saturday were no exception....
The larger picture is actually the reality of the Black Community and their children. That reality is HOPELESSNESS and HELPLESSNESS.
Young African American people growing beyond the church school and seeking an identity in the American Landscape don't find it there. Yes, there are magnificent Black Universities that provide incredible and enviable educations, but, what happens then? AND more than those that obtain a university education, what comes of the young Black person that does not come away from the defined life of oppression and left behind?
I strongly believe the USA media is very guilty of labeling our minorities. That labeling includes African American Men and Women as well as setting 'commercialized' standards unrealistic for women. And quite frankly instill absolute violence in the definition of American masculinity. It is those 'images' applied to human beings in the USA that actually become a dominant stereotype to define our politics. Those stereotypes are self-righteous.
If I may?
An African American Male is violent. No option. No kindness. They are loaded for bear all the time and will kill to steal the pennies in a victim's pocket. That is the stereotype those young men in the cities across this country have to overcome to move within our society. It is hideous and serves no purpose in this country. There is no reality there. At all. HOWEVER, when a young man is trapped in that stereotype and experiences failure after failure in our country, there is ONLY ONE TRUTH THEN. That truth is then defined by the brothers in prison stating, "Didn't I tell you there was no other option."
Following the experience of that reality and pledging to that truth, that only begins to explain the prison populations.
Where is the opportunity for these young men? Where is the outreach that provides them good paying jobs with dignity within that definition? Working a job at Walmart while their children receive Medicaid and Food Stamps is no dignity for any person in this country. It is a survival without promise of a future.
HOPELESSNESS lines the African American populations in the USA. It is growing and as there are larger populations of minorities so grows the hopelessness that defines their lives.
This is not 'mind speak' I have experienced it first hand. My time working within minority populations was alarming. Not fulfilling. Sure I went home at the end of the day believing my work made a difference, but, it was not fulfilling. Surrounded my life was failure of a country that victimized the very people I sought to serve. I could have accepted a paycheck and washed my hands at the end of the day and still have believed what I did was worthwhile, but, it wasn't possible to disregard that immorality. I left the city behind and went home to dearly loved sons in a perfect world, but, how did I justify that reality measured against those I served?
Days where I had time on my hands was spent with young African-American men, my younger, to understand their lives, the anger and the hatred. It is not a pretty picture.
They want what everyone else wants. They watch the same commercials, the same programs everyone else watches, but, where can they achieve the rewards? They had no choices and I would hear stories about carjackings and robbing car parts to finish their own work on a car they brandished as a status symbol. When I would state, aren't you worried about the police or prison? They laughed and stated; "Ya have to have someone willing to turn you in and witness the crime before that happens." Don't tell me the desperation of these young men, they are all too real.
The stereotype becomes the reality and in all honesty what chance do they have to change that? Over and over again in very subliminal ways they are told they are not worth the effort to raise them out of their lives of oppression. Make no doubt about it, this is oppression of minorities in the USA. They don't want this as a life, but, they accept it.
All over the USA there are African American communities whereby time in prison and on the outside is the same paradigm. Prison is not a punishment, it is a dimension. The larger society of the USA has failed. We have grossly failed the young minorities and have victimized them.
Now, parents who made a life for themselves and have their young people on the right track face opposition of the NRA and loose gun laws. The OPPRESSION continues. Where does it stop? When do magnificent citizens of this country such as Sybrina and Tracy find 'gun safe' neighborhoods? Is there a respite for any minority parent from the chronic assault of the judgement of their race, their attire, their deeply held beliefs and having their children in a society that victimizes their very person at first sight? I haven't witnessed it yet.
African American citizens have shorter life spans. Chronic stress will do that.
