United We Stand, Divided We Fall By: Eric Blair
I have a question, how can African-Americans unite as one powerful fist? Honestly, I do not have the answers but I need to understand why African-Americans are divided in fractions and in our fractions we’re divided? Why do we look down on one another because some people lack knowledge, money, manners, or just education level? How can we measure each other’s “Blackness” by how much Polo clothing one another wears, how many times “nigga” is uttered, how hood we are, or how much pink and purple weave is in our female’s hair? How dare we as people say another African-American is a sold-out because someone decided to go to college, move out of the ghetto, work for a better future or speak proper English? How dare you consider us weird for having a witty sense of humor, dressing differently or for someone just being themselves? Why does a person have to die because sneakers were stepped on, a person was bumped, or a female or male was looked at wrongly with the “mean mug?” No other race kills each other over silly antics and foolish pride. So why do some African-American feel that there is purpose to harm another African-American? All this back and forth degradation is insane. A pair of shoes or a tricked out car isn’t worth another human being’s life. We need to break this vicious cycle of living because this isn’t what our forefathers (Martin, Maya, Malcolm, Nate, Nikki, Fredrick, etc.) fought so hard for. This vicious way of living and state of mind will only be instilled into our children; is this legacy what we want for African-Americans? This is not how Kings and Queens behave.
We want our children doing the crab effect to one another; pulling each other down because no one is happy to see another person doing well? We have many races already looking down on us and pulling us down; we need to stop doing this to our own people. Instead, we need to help each other, if one is down then give a helping hand. If one’s mind is hungry then feed it with food for thought. If one is curious then inform. If someone is looking at another then let it pass; it’s just a look. No object will ever compare to a life. Let’s help and inform one another to get to know each other a little better so we can unite. We have no reason to be this divided when we’re the same people that form one of the greatest civilizations or better yet, same people survived and overcame slavery. Four-hundred plus years of depression and now look at us; we’re in the White House, millionaires, and great minds; I know we’re better than this. As an open palm, fingers separated, we’re weak as a slap but we can unite and become a fist to deliver a powerful blow. What is needed for us African-Americans to wake up and achieve our true nobility? Another civil rights movement, lynching, burnt at a stalk, riots, or dogs being sicked on us as we’re being viciously sprayed with water? Is something this extreme needed for African-Americans to open their eyes? Lil Wayne, selling drugs, killing each other, Tyler Perry, two dollar Tuesdays, video vixens, expensive champagne, the streets, sewed-in European hair, diamonds, teenage pregnancy, gold chains, “ice grills,” rims, baby mommas, and daddies isn’t our culture. We’re greater than this! It doesn’t matter what’s your religion, neighborhood, lifestyle, sex, or education because when you get up in the morning, wash your face, and look in the mirror you’re still Black on both sides. We’re proud to be Black and we will die as Black people. The question is, are we going to march on into the future as a unit or die as a desolate race who committed genocide against each other? I’ll let you answer that…