Black Political Evolution

If a riot is the language of the unheard, a protest is the language of the powerless. Those who don't know what else to do, take to the streets. But what if your people have been in the streets for the last 75 years? 

The NAACP was founded in 1909 with the mission statement: "To ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate racial hatred and racial discrimination." 

Since then, Black Americans have been in the modern fight for equality. The Civil War and Emancipation Proclamation did not uproot the ugly behavior of our white counterparts. It left us in a position we could not accept. We have gained political power through organizing with discipline and intention. Dr. King was highly intelligent and a gifted strategist. Many people did not understand his tactics and disagreed with his approach. In hindsight, he got his flowers because the result of his leadership is undeniable. That was a moment of political evolution for Black Americans. 

I believe that Black Americans are presently in another moment of political evolution. It is fueled by frustration and realization simultaneously. It is not merely an emotional response. It is a strategic response. We are allowing ourselves the space and time to focus on our community while the rest of the nation runs amok. We understand tyranny, colonialism, racism, and many other forms of oppression all too well. It's time for our fellow Americans to understand that none of us are free until we are all free. Apparently, this is a lesson we cannot teach. So as a parent does with a child that doesn't listen, we are letting our fellow Americans bump their hard heads and learn through suffering the consequences of their own actions.

Let them think all we are doing is line dancing and popping our fans. We don't owe an explanation to anyone as to how we are operating politically in this moment. We are currently dealing with lynchings, kidnappings and continued discrimination from every other racial group in this country. We have plenty to do and focus on, so that is the business we are about right now. 

To tell the truth, White Americans see that DJT will have them in a similar position to those they once lorded over without pity or sympathy. That is why they want our help so bad. They know we have had success against the United States government and they want us to lead this fight. Our denial of that request is under attack because it cannot be appealed. There is absolutely nothing anyone can say to black people that justifies us changing our position. We built this country for free, you all are destroying it, we cannot fix that. Period. 

In closing, Black Americans have spent way too much time and energy trying to prove our humanity and worthiness. I think we are done with that. Evolution occurs when you are forced to change in order to survive. We are survivors, we are a community, we will see the other side of this. Draw your strength from the ancestors, remember who they were. Remember the evil they faced and defeated. Remember the bonds that could not be broken. Remember that fear is just an emotion. In therapy we learned that the only person you can control is yourself. So let's remain in control of our community and concern ourselves with what best serves us.

✌🏽&🫶🏽