When I was younger, older ladies would encourage me in other ways...like taking me to revivals, showing me how to apply foundation and even praised me for wearing a slip. Nowadays older women aren't doing those things.
Rose colored glasses. The hustle is to believe that in the Black experience, the past is far greater than the present. Everything that came before us must be revered and carried forward. Where would we be if it wasn't for the honorable people that came before us? All of your elders deserve nothing but the utmost respect and praise for being so brave. Even in our own lifetime, our youth is far greater than that of those that came after us.
Let's see....
From the inception of this great country, Blacks have been considered nothing more than property. Only when it was figured that it could help increase representation in government was the idea of counting my people as people even considered. Let's not forget that this also meant that the Black family was less than a joke in the minds of American culture.
So while white America was out running the race of life, Blacks were cleaning the restrooms and working the concession stands. Never mind the fact that we may have been the best equipped to run within 50 sq. miles of the track.
Blacks are freed, but are they really free? "Here, Nigga, you can get out there and run too. We're not going to restart the race for you. Haha. Oh and you have to get down to the track through this crowd of spectators who don't care that you are not the working staff anymore. Before you go, get me some more iced tea."
After some time has passed, we're on the track. The race has started so long ago that it's virtually impossible to catch up with the leaders without cutting some corners. A few determined individuals jump out the block trying to catch the front runner. One thing, it's a hurdling event when they've been training for a long distance sprint. Others decide that it's too futile to even try to win the race and create their own event that only they win.
That analogy is only for those who cannot relate to the reason why it's hard for Blacks, as a whole, to compete with the Jones's.
Now for you Blacks who know this:
How are you going to act like broken families are new? How dare you act like niggas coonin' it up is new? Over the course of time, you have forgotten about the scum of Black society only to remember the golden images. So you don't remember that not all of your aunts and uncles share the same mother and father? Oh it doesn't matter because Big Mama always found a way to feed her kids. Ya'll niggas acting like you all came from the greatest of beginnings when the fact is that you came from the most modest of roots. You made it out, but how many of your peers can say the same? 25%? 50%?
Just because you have grown up and shed the immature nature of being young doesn't mean that all young people need to do the same. Let the youngsters listen to their music, wear their fashion, and make their way in this world that already will not respect them just because they are Black. You did the same damn thing when you were their age. Guess what, our elders did too.
Blaxploitation (Blacks seem to cherish this genre) is not a suggestion of Black culture in the 70's as much as it is a parody of the culture; it also was not a favorite of the Black progressive movement.
Not every Black was marching with Martin, sitting with Rosa, and following Malcolm. Some of those niggas were sitting home talking shit and being content with life they had, and yes some of them are still alive. They will tell you all the good stories about how they overcame the oppression dealt to Blacks.
Open your damn eyes and take of them damn rose colored glasses. Shit's been fucked up.
