Because so many attempt to re-define our words, first let's be clear what Black Power is not.......
The phrase "Black Power", does not mean "reverse racism", no matter how many people attempt to define it as such. People who support Black Power do not; hate white people, want to overthrow the government of the United States, want to rule the world, want to live on welfare, want to have the country pay for abortions, want to be homeless, nor are they bad influences or role models.
Black power, when accepted, has the ability to completely change lives. It's effects are all encompassing within the daily lives of those who understand and subscribe to it.
Most men or women who support Black Power have studied history and understand the position of Afrikans in world politics. What does international politics mean to the everyday Black man and woman? Frankly not a lot, which is very sad. But we must understand the struggles of Black people are not limited to Blacks who live in Amerikkka. This is where we lose track. We forget there are Black people, worldwide, who undergo the same if not worse treatment we have and continue to.
Read the International Section of The Washington Post, or any other major newspaper. People of color throughout the world are burdened with poverty, homelessness, ignorance, lack of adequate health care, and overt racism. Look at countries such as Nigeria. They have been called a gang of drug sellers, and murderers. Look at the economic embargoes against Cuba, and others.
The phrase "Black Power" was coined during the revolutionary 1960's to instill within the Black community a desire to seek personal, economic, political power and freedom. When one raised their strong right fists to "Black Power", or "Power to the People", they stood for justice, freedom, and equality. It was not a "kill whitey" salute, regardless of the media's slant. It was not a Black equivalent of a Nazi's "Heil Hitler", regardless of the fear it raised within the White community. When evoked, the phrase conveyed Black pride, self-determination, strength, unity, collective economics, and the knowledge that we are the only ones who can save us.
Once we free ourselves from the madness in our minds, the phrase "Black power" is easily said and understood. Some of us have unnatural thought processes. We think our ice is not as cold as the ice of others. We will not work for each other, buy from each other, support each other politically or in any other way. These actions show a lack of self-love and self-respect, which must be found if we are to survive.
Black power is a concept, when properly understood, can change the way we live. With Black power, we will pick the best politicians, support each other, assist each other, regard the white power structure as a soon to fail concept, disregard the KKK, cast aside racism, strive to be the best we can, no longer require affirmative action set asides, and rebut lies, rumors, and propaganda with truth and strength. With Black power we will learn to harness our power and economics, and let the white power structure know we determine our leaders, regardless of their feelings on the matter. We will no longer hide from those who question our loyalty to this country, which is an insult. We have shed enough blood for this mess they call a country, only to be still treated as non-citizens! As we gain and understand Black power, the ADL, JDL, and any other "DL" will no longer have power to cast aspirations against our leaders, nor spy on our community. As we become conscious, the oppressor will have no choice but to understand we will no longer tolerate these and other Anti-Black actions.
With Black power we fulfill our natural inclination to choose the proper educational curriculum for our children. Our children are learning little that will enable them to compete in the 21st Century, with the current educational system. Some graduate high school without the basic fundamentals; can't read, write, nor do basic mathematics. What or who are the cause of this? It's the combination of the educational system, school board, teachers, and parents. If we, as parents and adults do not support teachers, we do our children a serious disservice. If teachers are more concerned with paychecks or retirement, than educating children, they do our children a serious disservice. If the school board is more concerned with politics than the education of children, they do the children a serious disservice. If the educational system as a whole, gives up their mission, which is to ensure children are properly educated, they should be dismissed! Is a viable alternative one of privatization of Public Schools? Privatization of the educational system is concept which requires deeper investigation. It may be something to consider, but many questions should be asked. Who will teach our children? Will our teachers be replaced with outsiders? What will be taught? Can the private companies guarantee a success rate? What is the history of this type of education process? If the community is given honest stats and history, they will be in a better position to evaluate it.
With Black power, we will be in a position of having better control over our money. How can the Black community amass over 6 Billion dollars a year and live in sub-standard housing, or eat in a sub-standard manner? Why do we relay on outsiders to assist our family members? Why don't we have a Black Cross organization to assist our downtrodden Brothers and Sisters? While many churches assist where they can, why don't we have a national organization to unify outreach programs? Where are Black relief organizations during the CFC campaign? Why don't we know their names like we do the NOI, NAACP, NCF?
Why do we have so little Black business in our community and complain when other do what we won't? Where are the Mom and Pop stores we grew up with? Why didn't their children take over, when Mom and Pop retired? With Black Power the problems between the Oriental and Back communities would disappear. When we spend our money with people who respect us, those that don't close shop. One gains economic respect by not spending where they are not treated well! You don't see Jews buying anything produced by Nazis, and you never will! That's Jew Power, and it is something to be studied to see how it was done.
With Black power, we learn how to properly treat each other. We will no longer take the side of our oppressor against a family member. We will learn to sit at the table of peace and discuss our problems, as opposed to dissin' and slamming each other. Regardless of politics or religion, we must understand we do not have to always agree, but that we can disagree with out being disagreeable. When we respect and care for each other, others will also. But even if they don't... we must! With unity we can do all manner of things, separated we can do little if anything.
When one subscribes to Black power, the Black family is brought closer on many fronts. Black parents are very concerned in the proper raising and care of the children. They are vigilant over society's effect on their children, and counteract negative influences when possible. When the family is involved with Black power, children are respectful, self-confident, well mannered, and have a better knowledge of Black history. Peer pressure is not as much a factor, for children raised in a Pro-Black home. They have been taught how to properly judge their actions and understand possible ramifications of their actions.
When subscribed to, Black power is also reflected in romantic relationships. When a Black man and woman join as one, if they are Pro-Black, their relationship is not one commonly seen in society. There are rare divorces within the Pro-Black community. There is very little spouse abuse, for the mindset is different. Pro-Black men and women treat each other differently, with care and respect, and take time for and with each other. Pro-Black Community activist rarely are seen without family members, and it is a pleasure to see.
Regardless of the religion believed, when one subscribes to Black Power, one's faith becomes a serious force. Regardless of the name GOD is called, HE becomes the number one force. HE guides Pro-Black men or women to be the best person they can be. At many Pro-Black conferences or meetings, prayer, song, and glory to The FATHER are often seen. Many outsiders are surprised at the level of religious faith of Pro-Black people, which is due to society's brainwashing. Pro-Black people are some of the most religiously devout people seen. Much has been said of Muslims, and the NOI's religious belief have been questioned since its establishment. Spend time with NOI and Pro-Black Brothers and Sisters, and you may be surprised at their level of religious dedication.
In some Pro-Black meetings, an Afrikan priestess or priest will call Ancestors into the meeting. While misunderstood, the calling of Ancestors is not Voodoo or anything negative. This Afrikan rite calls those we love and respect who have passed, to be a guiding force to guide and protect the participants from negative influences. When the call is completed, the spirit in the meeting is vastly different. Peace and unity are so strong, they can be felt.
When Black Power is embraced, one learns to respect Elders, which is something society does not promote. European society negates Elders, and has the disgusting habit of storing them in places to await death. Afrikan, and many other minority customs dictate Elders are to be respected as Griots, or historians. The knowledge and experience one has amassed by the age of seventy or more, should be considered as valuable. While age does not always bring wisdom, one should assume it has, rather than consider an Elder an "old fool". The horrible habit of the abuse of Elders is not tolerated in the Pro-Black community. The habit European societies have of storing Elders in homes to await death, signifies a lack of respect for their knowledge, experience, or helpfulness. Within the Pro-Black community, unless an Elder is afflicted with a serious debilitating disease, one is rarely found in a facility. Even with a serious disease, if possible Elders may reside with family members, until care is too cumbersome.
The positive effects of Black Power or a Pro-Black mentality are many. Before one dismisses the cry for Black Power as militant or crazy, one should evaluate it's pro's and cons. Only through evaluation and knowledge can one judge anything. We have too much at stake to dismiss a concept, without giving it proper evaluation.
Tyree