Webster's II New Riverside University Dictionary defines the following;

Crazy:  1. Mad: INSANE
           d. Not sensible: Impractical

Of all people, we have a right to be considered crazy, if that's what it's called.  If we have problems, we should not be shocked.  We have withstood slavery, Jim Crow laws, racism, bigotry, mental slavery, oppression and then some.  Our family life isn't worth anything, we show our bodies like sex mad people, dance in overtly provocative ways, the media would have us believe we are beast like, and the sad part is many of us are beginning to believe it.

When we understand slavery and it's effects, it is not hard to understand that we may require assistance.  I know, you don't want to read anything else about the effects of slavery, but read on for a minute and see if you can understand why we write about it so much.  You see, the ills we suffer today, are a direct result from the evils of slavery.

Who's hair type do we attempt to achieve when we perm, fry or curl our hair?  Is it ours, or someone else?  Why do we continue to do it, knowing we may have permanent hair loss?  When Black women put on makeup, do they enhance their natural features, or do they try to look like a Black version of someone else?  When we dress, whom do we feel we must dress like for success?  Is it the dress of our ancestors, or someone else?  Why do Black women wear high heeled shoes, knowing they hurt their back and feet?  What is supposed to be the sexiest color?  Black!  Why is that, I wonder?  Why is white the color worn by brides at their weddings?

Why do we think if we have a little money, we should move to white neighborhoods, and out of the cities?  Why do we race to put our children in white schools, instead of upgrading the level of education within our schools?  Why have we taken on the values, mores, and ways of our slave masters, knowing all too well how they affect others?

These problems are evident, but we have many more, not easily seen by the naked eye.  Why do we call each other horrible names?  Why do we use the word "nigga" with each other, but will not allow anyone else to call us that?  That's not consistent, and is reflective of a very serious problem.  Some say the word has been redefined, but that's madness!  How can a people redefine a word used as an insult against them?  How can you make an insult a term of affection?  It's rubbish, it can't be done, and those who allow themselves to be caught up in this mindset show their level of internal disharmony and conflict.

Why do we sell each other drugs, and won't let our family members or children do them because we know they kill?  Why do we carry guns knowing if we get angry we will be tempted use them?  Why do we cheat on our spouses, knowing the devastation it will cause when it is found out ?  Why do allow our our children to act crazy, knowing sooner or later some one will want to hurt them?  Why do we "pick up" people in clubs, knowing Aids is a killer?

These are signs we are mad, insane, or impractical.  Every day, another Black man or woman cracks from the pressure of trying to be something they are not, and it's a shame. 

So we have problems.  O.K., we can deal with them, right?  Or can we?  When we are stressed out to the point of no return, do we go into a room, lock the door and tell the family it's not a good day, or do we take it out on anyone in the area?  How do we talk to people and more importantly, our children, when we are stressed?  How many times do we forget they are children and talk to them like they are grown men or women?  While we may feel badly after an episode of that type and attempt to apologize to the child or explain why we were mean, we have damaged our children in ways they will never recover from, nor ways they can explain.

Ever see a brother ot sister walking around looking as if they have lost their mind?  It's very easy to see that, isn't it.  No problems seeing that, huh?  Ever notice how very many you see like that now?  It wasn't like that once.  Now and Then you would see  a crazy family members.  They all over now!  Just wide open on the streets, walking with and talking to you and me, in the malls, in the grocery stores, at your very job.  They are out there, crazier than hell.

It's actually a wonder many more of us aren't crazy.  The place we call our home (world, nation, state, county, city, hood) is some mess.  Think about it.  We are living in madness.  This is not natural to us. 

Marcus Garvey  and others have advocated separation.  Logically I say, if you can not get along with someone you should stay away from them.  How is this any different?  It's not.  To be exact, I would say if we don't separate from this madness, we will die a mad existence in some mental facility, all drugged up, not knowing who or what we are.

OH,, I forgot we are already there, aren't we?

Tyree