We have many problems within the Black community. One of which is our preoccupation with class or status. We have been taught if we gain job, political, or financial security, problems disappear. This society would have us believe if we are able to achieve status or material possessions, we are safe from racism and other problems people of color experience. Nothing is further from the truth. As long as we are Black, we will continue to have those problems - that is as long as we allow ourselves to have them.
Our class differences were created by our oppressor, as a means of division. The Slave Master created field and house slaves. Good slaves were allowed to go into the big house and oversee it's daily routines. The good slave woman, or "Mammy", was given responsibilities of wet nursing, raising, and developing Massa's children. The good slave man, or "Uncle" whomever, was given duties of civilized servitude as a butler or man servant. Those who worked in the big house were carefully picked. Master and Missie scrutinized many slaves, prior to assigning ones for the house. Only a proper slave was picked for House duties. They had to be careful to pick the right or "good" ones, those who had been brainwashed or understood their position or place. With these assignments came some benefits. They ate Masters' leftovers, slept in Master's house - be it in the attic or basement, wore Master's old clothes, and lived a life of relative comfort. But the question is how comfortable can a man or woman be, when they are owned by someone?
Field slaves, however, were treated like dirt. They had little, if any, opportunities to excel. The women were raped, men bred like animals, and whole families separated by being sold. They were given the worst food to eat. The series Roots, displayed our Muslim Afrikan ancestors were forced to eat the Divinely forbidden swine, shellfish, and other garbage. From this experience, we learned to cook with and eat neck bones, pig feet, chitin's, gizzards, crabs, shrimp, and other foods we have since learned are poisonous. The Christian religion was forced upon them, because Master considered Islam a threat. Muslims throughout the history of the world had opposed and conquered their enemies. Even though our Ancestors were not allowed to read or write, the Preacher was allowed and encouraged to spread the Christian religion. Today, many of our family members consider Christianity the religion of slavery, because it endorses non active struggle vice active freedom participation.
After the Civil War ended, Black people gained political and economical positions of power. During Reconstruction, there were more Black politicians than we have seen since. The surge in Black political strength was viewed as a threat to the White power structure, and it was not long before Blacks were eliminated from Congress. During the same period, the KKK became a horrible icon of the White community. Night Riders terrorized many Black people, those with and without power or money. The common thread between those harassed, threatened, or murdered, was their strength. Those with money were burned out, falsely jailed, or murdered. Those with knowledge, were encouraged to leave town. The Klan often said they wanted to "protect good n*****s from bad elements."
Editor's Note: Anyone see a similarity with the Contract on America, Good Ol' Boy Roundup, DC's Overseer Board, and the refusal of America to assist Bosnian Muslims defend themselves? Sometimes the more things change the more they stay the same.
In ignorance, some so called "good" n*****s" informed Mr. Charlie of our revolutionary Brothers and Sisters. In fairness, it must be said they believed the "bad" n*****s would cause the Black community additional pain and torment by the Klan or other forces of evil. This part of our history must be viewed with accurate and compassionate eyes. The Klan had paralyzed the Black community with fear. Many men and women disappeared in the night. Some were publicly lynched or burned as examples of what can or would happen if N*****s stepped out of line. A White mob mentality ran rampant during that time, and it was a fierce and unafraid warrior who stood up to the oppressor, said what needed to be said or called for action.
Much later, after the Civil Rights and Black Power eras, we ignorantly mimicked the ways of the oppressor. Rather than adhere to the ways of our ancestors - consolidation and coordination, we separated. We lusted for power, money, and positions of grandeur. As soon as we were able, we moved from the community we grew up in, and rushed to move where we were not wanted. Once again, the Klan reared it's ugly head. White people did not want us living next to them. They felt n*****s brought down property values, dirtied the neighborhood, and attracted riff-raff. But we fought to live next to them. Boy did we fight! The NAACP, CORE, SNCC, the U.S. Government, and others rallied to our cause. We were determined to live in nice White neighborhoods, whether they wanted us or not.
We went in debt, sending our children to private schools where they were brainwashed, and purchasing the same cars as the oppressor. We created nice White looking neighborhoods, within and without city limits. We married children of the oppressor, and produced children who were confused. We created a White like world, and tried our best to forget we were children of slaves. We raised selfish, money grubbing, elitist children, who had no appreciation for their ancestors.
Some Blacks believe in order to achieve any power, they must imitate and cleave to Whites. They would rather spend an evening with Whites or elitist Blacks, than spend a day helping the Black community, because they do not understand "those people". To some Blacks with a few dollars, Brothers and Sisters without vast sums of money are considered criminals, scum, low life's, project dwellers, or n*****s. Those described are our elders, children, siblings, cousins, parents, friends, co-workers, mates, and supervisors. They consider themselves different from the masses of Back people. Some run to the suburbs, still marry children of our oppressor, produce confused children, go on talk shows with an "I am better" attitude, boycott rappers, are culture vultures, look down their noses at, or have paternalistic attitudes over the masses of Black people.
Most elitist Blacks refuse to go to Freedom Meetings, because they cannot allow themselves to be seen there. Those that do attend Freedom Meetings, go for entertainment, out of nosiness, or want to be able to say "I was there." Some harass, betray, or publicly attack Freedom fighters, not realizing how silly they look. Some are able to be used by the oppressor as a means of division within the Black community. Some have the nerve to escort the oppressor into our community, under the umbrella of information and discussion. During wartime, these actions are called collaboration and are punishable by death. Be careful what you do Brothers and Sisters, ALLAH (GOD)'s justice will not sleep forever!
It has been written "The only time you should look down on a man is when you are picking him up." Understand that when you attack your own, it is a sign of self hate, which is born from self ignorance. Our oppressor designed this problem, with his devious nature, to keep us at odds with each other. When we look down at a family member, we are saying "I am better than you". This is madness, and must be stopped! Who is anyone to say they are better than another human being? What makes them better than someone else? To put yourself in this position, is ignorance run amok.
We must change the way we view and treat each other. To quote a T-shirt: "Greet your Brother, meet your Sister." Treat others as you wish to be treated. It's an easy concept, and natural if you aren't a devil! We must cease silliness, and understand we are related.
Brothers and Sister, please dismiss silliness and come back to the family. At the worst, you will need us, or we will need you. Brothers OJ, Mike Jackson, and Mike Tyson are examples that no matter how much money you have, you are still a N***** to White people. You have been, and will always be called by that name, and they do not care who you think you are or what you have achieved.