Cool title for an insightful op-ed.
It invokes an image of a race consuming its own. Referring to yet another incident involving black rapper thugs killing, shooting, and stabbing each other, Anthony Beal writes:
On its face, the record party incident is but the latest act in a seemingly unending stream of black-on-black violence in a hip-hop community so saturated with glamorized aggression that many feel it barely rates as news at all. Viewed through the racist eye, events of this nature serves only to lend credence to the notion that blacks deserve none of the rights and freedoms that our ancestors struggled and died to earn for us, because our race is inherently incapable of civility. Examined in broader context, they speak to the current state of the African-American psyche in a culture unmatched at pandering to its lowest common denominator…
Consider that self-destruction is mass-marketed to the African-American youth community more than to any other demographic. Those reading this whose first impulse is to disagree are invited to revisit the malt liquor advertising wars of the early 1990’s, a time when it seemed that getting a “forty” (a forty-ounce bottle of cheaply-produced beer of a higher than usual alcohol content) into the hand of every African-American male in our country was imperative. Popularized by hiphop artists through advertising and rap lyrics, its consumption was aggressively marketed to impressionable black youth as an indication of masculine virility. Long-term social impact and health detriments notwithstanding, there was money to be made, and our sons and brothers were there for the fleecing.
If American blacks, as a group, don’t start: 1) marrying before they have children, 2) stigmatizing illegitimacy as they once did, 3) ostracizing immorality and decadency, 4) holding themselves accountable for their children’s low educational achievement, 5) shunning criminality, and 6) resisting the “racism” hustle — moral decay, social pathologies, underachievement, and other ills will define the “black community.”
And thug culture will be the perverse crown jewel sitting at the top.
Addendum: It’s important to note that I’m advocating responsibility for individuals and responsibility within families. Without a return to strong and intact families, the tasks ahead will be extremely difficult to accomplish.
Black people do not need another propped-up, opportunistic so-called leader helping them do anything. I believe blacks as a group have the intellectual, spiritual and cultural knowledge they need to dig out of this hole. It requires policing our own and holding one another accountable for our actions, not listening to some stump speech from a puffed-up peacock. So please don’t comment on this thread about leaders for the black community, especially if you’re white. 
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ostracizing immorality and decadency
What do you mean by “decadency”?
Here’s another jewel to add to this story. Apparently louie farrakhan is being given an award by BET for his contributions to the Black community. If that doesn’t highlight the moral decay in the media version of Black America, I don’t know what does. The man is a racist hate monger and a murderer who continues to live like a pasha at the expense of the community. He and jesse jackson are cut from the same cloth, opportunists with no morality or integrity.
Ahh….common sense arises again. Sad to say that there are very few individuals influencial in black youth willing and able to say such things. And the few that do (paging Dr. Cosby, Dr. Bill Cosby) get shouted down. Furthermore, I don’t see anyone within the black youth who are up-and-coming leaders working to correct the obvious bad behavior that you so eloquently pointed out (if there are some younger leadership out there trying to turn things around please let me know, I’d like to know about them).
There is definitely a group of leaders out there helping people to overcome their surroundings (and often their peers) in order to become all they can be. One of the things that they are lacking is publicity. In every city there are groups doing the right thing to uplift the people, but they aren’t getting the press time reserved for stabbings, shootings and robberies.
If anybody knows of groups or individuals like that in their neighborhood, they should do whatever they can to get the word out about them.
God bless you, La Shawn. Let the fireworks begin, again?
Lashawn
Couldn’t have said it better about the “thug culture” within the “black community”. Also, I believe that the shooting highlighted here was one of 2 different incidents/shootings in which people were shot at a record release party for the Notorious B.I.G., a rapper who as most of us know, died from the same kind of violence he celebrated on his records. Pretty ironic and sad that the Hip-Hop community, esp., still doesnt have a clue.
I work in a restaurant, where I can observe people and families closely without them knowing it (not that I eavesdrop, but it’s hard NOT to overhear conversations and observe mannerisms).
When I started over six years ago, I noticed that the vast majority of black people who came to eat at my restaurant were rude to the waitress, wasted a lot of food and didn’t, in general, know how to act in public. No matter how well I served some people, they would still treat me like garbage. It made me so angry because some of my co-workers would see this and assume it’s just how black people are because they’re black. This was six years ago.
Lately, over the past year and a half or so, I’ve noticed a dramatic change. More and more black people come to the restaurant as families and enjoy their time together. They tip well. They are kind. The don’t treat me like trash just because I’m their waitress (in fact, on bad days, it seems like it’s black people who more often make me nearly cry with a kind word or generous tip). Even my co-workers have started to see it.
Could it be that this indicates a change or a shift in the attitudes of black Americans? One of my good friends at work, who is black, has noticed the same thing, so I don’t think it’s just me. She’s had “quit acting white” thrown in her face just for being polite, and lately it hasn’t happened so much. I think maybe things are changing. I hope.
My novel is over. Sorry to spew so long. It’s just something I’ve been thinking about for a while.
La Shawn, the worst enemies that black Americans have are white liberals.
I must respectfully disagree RedBeard, the worst enemy of blacks is themselves.
And Carl, we don’t need leaders, young or old, to be popularized, raised up or given media attention, blacks simply need to begin living right. Parents need to be parents, adults need to be adults, and overall blacks need to begin to turn away from those things that are morally draining and reprehensible. That is at the root of the moral decay within the black community, looking to so called leaders to tell you what is right and wrong, whether it is Farrakhan, Jackson or P-Diddy, none of these individuals have any moral authority and no one should look to them for any type of moral guidance.
#9 Redbeard, I’ll side with 10, in that the poverty pimps that cloak themselves as civil rights activists or as clergy in the black community provide the white liberals with justification and encouragement. Just like the worst of the thug culture does with the klan and the neo-nazi crowd.
Thank You, Jerry
Excellent post and truthful. I spoke with a friend of mine today who is a Philadelphia police officer. She came back on Jan. 4th from her Christmas break to a city that already had seven murders on the books for the new year. Done by blacks. This isn’t a white problem. It’s time to take responsiblity and get back to foundational moral principles.
gds,
I am from the Philly area, and I agree with you.
“It requires policing our own and holding one another accountable for our actions,”
Sorry LaShawn, I only half agree with you.
Certainly normal black folk should tell off the immoral, rude, thugs.
But black AND white “police” should hold black AND white folk accountable for their actions.
Americans should police America, black and white both.
I really hope Vida is right and the “quit acting white” anti-good behavior racism by blacks is disappearing. Black racism has long been a bigger problem than white racism, though the fact that white racism continues to exist remains an excuse for accountability avoidance.
Jerry, SCSI, I defer to your opinions. I was looking at this from a different perspective, thinking only about the incredible harm done by white liberals, and wasn’t trying to marginalize any other factors.
If anybody knows of groups or individuals like that in their neighborhood, they should do whatever they can to get the word out about them.
How about going here: http://www.blackselfhelp.info/postnuke/html/index.php
And using the “contact” link to submit organizations?
LB, let’s examine ostracizing immorality and how it relates to OOW births.
Does this mean that the family of a girl/woman who has a child, kicks her out of the home? Turn their back on the woman and kid if they need help? Does the church not minister to them?
To what extent?
Don’t be ridiculous, DS. Stop making such obviously silly leaps of logic. You really think I’m advocating that people kick pregnant girls out of the house?
Reiterating and reinforcing marriage before baby-making has to be community-wide and would at least make a dent in the problem. As it stands now, a big belly and and a wedding-ringless causes no shame in the black community. Besides, imagine how hypocritical it would be for a woman who didn’t bother to get married before she made babies to kick her daughter out for doing the same thing. I know you’re angry about my post, but calm down and stop being silly. - Admin
i just wanna throw in my 2 cents about marriage. the majority of us young ladies who make babies with random guys are actually quite willing to settle down and be with one guy, but stepping out of your element and associating yourself with guys who are willing and able to be that guy is terrifying to many. add to that the fact that the ‘good’ guys are wary of girls/women who have had a wild past and retain pain and fear from that past. they perceive us as a quick hit and then on to lil miss perfect to get married. that’s why we end up banging the same hustlers/pimps/addicts/abusers etc. it’s just easier to go for what you know instead of opening yourself up to being made into a joke. i’m a case in point. i was raised christian with 2 parents and good morals, homeschooled for a time, all that good foundation type stuff. long story short, i’m 25 and went on my first date with a man in a suit on christmas night. first. ever. in life. and i have 2 children. it was nice.
What amazes me is how blacks scream racism every chance they get and want everything equal, then turn around and talk about “black” problems, “black” issues, etc. As long as you continue to separate your race when discussing almost every issue, everyone else will continue to see you as a separate group. The problems you named are problems for every race in this country and the need to change applies to every group, not just “blacks”.
I think that our society in general (not just blacks) would improve VASTLY if we would practice the following on the following:
1. Participate in your child’s education…it is one of our most important jobs as parents
2. Take your children to church…not just dropping them off, but actually participating WITh them.
3. Spend good, quality and quantity time with your children…they will be long gone before you can blink your eyes; There are very few 80-year-olds looking back and thinking about how much more time they could have spent doing other things than spending time with their families!
4. Come up with a plan to be able to send your children to college, and strongly encourage them to go and to graduate
5. Practice good behavior yourself, and your children are more likely to practice good behavior
6. Love your children enough to discipline them, and not just preach to them
7. Protect your children from the evils in the world around them. We live in very trying times, and we need to show them what is good and true.
8. Make sure that you know your child’s friends, and anyone else playing important roles in his/her life.
9. Limit your child’s media exposure. There is very little out there now that is even remotely worthwhile or educational, no matter how it is being marketed. It is amazing how much influence these have on kids.
10. Most importantly, pray for and with your kids daily.
The problem, IMHO, is accountability. I have served in the military for 18 years. We try hard and mostly succeed in treating everyone equally. In all this time I don’t see a difference in behavioral problems over-represented by a particular race, nationality or sex. (To head off any stupid, race-baiting detractors, I am fortunate to count many friends- many of them I consider extended family- of all races) We have all been taught that there are consequences for our actions, good and bad, from day one. It is not up for debate nor are excuses given much credence. Incidentally, I have never heard anyone say that race played a part in being or not being disciplined. Most everyone agrees that the person just messed up and they are personally responsible. Great site, LaShawn.
Back in the 70’s, down here in México I had a very good friend, Sgt Vernon Crews, from the Marines. He was an instructor in Viet Nam, he could kill a person with his huge bare hands if he wanted, but he was SUCH A NICE MAN! He was gentle, fine mannered, friendly, an excelent host…
But his son, Michael who was 15 at the time was quite rude, offensive, discriminatory (he didn’t like whites or Mexicans), such a big difference from his father! And I am preety sure IT WAS THE MUSIC he was listening to. I hope, I really hope, that trend is begining to go back to the old times, when you could find young black men (or older men, of course) to be nice, not filled with hatred. By the way, Sharon, Michael’s sister who was 16 by the time I met them, was such a nice girl! And preety too! I would have loved to be Vernon’s son-in-law LOL. Anyway, women in all races or nationalities are usually nicer and better to get along with than men.
My 2 c.
PS Vernon ended up marrying a Mexican girl and they had a very happy marriage for a few years until my good friend died of lung cancer. May he rest in peace.
Hey, we’re famous! I just discovered that some of our more conservative comments from this topic are being cut-’n-pasted into a blog run by a disgruntled guy who used to post here. I feel quite honored.
We’re being roundly hammered for preaching to a white choir, whatever that is supposed to mean. Apparently, best as I can make it out, the criticism is that this topic and La Shawn’s blog as a whole are not black enough, and until the place gets blacker nothing will be solved. Or something. I dunno. I’m never quite sure what to make of such racist accusations.
I won’t mention the name or the blog address, because unlike the guy in question, I don’t see much value to an inter-blog war. Seems rather childish, like a scene out of PeeWee’s Big Adventure, only without the humor.
Blogs can be SO entertaining at times.
I’d love to see you post an article about the current race in Maryland for an opening Senate seat. Maryland (my state) is known for it’s blue state support, but what out-of-staters don’t know is that the republican and conservative numbers are steadily rising. Our current lieutenant governor, Michael Steele, is running for this Senate seat. What’s REALLY interesting is that he’s African American. Not only that, but he’s catholic, pro-life, a lawyer, and intelligent. If Mr. Steele becomes a Senator from Maryland, he’ll be replacing a retiring Democrat. It will beef the Republicans numbers in the senate, increase the prolife numbers in the senate, etc. He’s not about conservativism - he’s about reality. Here’s his website: http://www.michaelsteeleformaryland.com/. There are black leaders of worth! It’s shameful that the media ignores them.
You really think I’m advocating that people kick pregnant girls out of the house?
I know of some who have done that and I don’t mean in years past, I mean within the past 3 years. My comment was serious.
Reiterating and reinforcing marriage before baby-making has to be community-wide and would at least make a dent in the problem.
And how is that done without providing some “sanction”?
I’ve seen mothers and fathers go off of the deep end when they find out their “baby” is having a baby. But when the baby comes, it’s all love.
Wouldn’t that also have to change?
You can’t bring change to some types of negative behavior without “sanctions”.
A friend of my daughter had a child OOW. The mother of another friend of my daughter refused to let her daughter go to the baby shower. She said baby showers for OOW pregnancies condone, to her, the behavior.
But, she now lets her daughter baby sit.
I know you’re angry about my post, but calm down and stop being silly. - Admin
Actually, I’m not. I’ve been thinking about this particular topic for years.
Look at all the nasty things they said about CLARENCE THOMAS all because of his opposition to affirmative action.
I am white. I did not grow up in an inner city. I do teach in an inner city (DC) all-black school, and have done so for the past 14 years. The cultural intertia is PROFOUND. The influence of hip-hop music is pervasive, the police regarded as the enemy, women regarded as toys or chattel, and coming of age as a male regarded as fathering (but not caring for nor caring about) a child.
The culture is entirely verbal, and no awareness exists that information is available in print format. We have a long way to go to generate a way out of the black ghetto for our young black men and women!
You describe a sub-culture that white liberals don’t believe exists and that black liberals would rather you not talk about. But it is alive and well and the chief reason negative images of the “black community” persist. - Admin
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