Besides this being the Title of a very good book by Earl Ofari Hutchinson, that I had the fortune of reading ten years ago. This sentiment still holds true today and has been carried on through out American History. In todays world the Image of the Black male is still sullied and kept on a level far from acceptable.
A large reason for this is because our Media (and Government) have waged all out war against the black male. On any given day you can turn on your T.V., open a Newspaper, or log onto the Internet and read a fist full of stories about black men committing horrific injustices, but on the other hand try to find a positive story about the good deeds or accomplishments that a black male has made? You would unfortunately have to search long and hard. Is this to say that black males do not make any positive contributions, NO! It is just that these stories do not make good news and take away from the fact that black males are savage beasts.
Yesterday I came across a story about of all people a Rapper, who is co-owner in Tele-max a free to air television station in Haiti. I guess I should give the brother credit by giving his name. Wyclef Jean one of the founding members of one of the greatest rap groups ever the Fugees, helped to seal a multi year deal with the NBA to bring regular season games, the playoffs, and the finals to his home country of Haiti. This is in no way Pulitzer worthy, but it is a black man stepping outside of himself to help make things better for others. This story is worthy of being mentioned because of all of the negative press we read about rappers you would think that we could get one humanitarian award. There are a lot of rappers out here doing some good things with there money, but all we seem to hear about is who is going to jail and for how long.
Now I know a lot people do not like rap so lets look into other areas. For instance Harry Belafonte who has been very active and opinionated as of late with regards to politics. This man who was once looked at as the guiding light and what all black men should be like in the eyes of America is now described as racist and crazy. Also to add to that group we will have to put Bill Cosby. Both of these men at one time where admired by white America and now have been cast to the flames of Black Annihilation. There images have have been tarnished and they will remain under the watchful eye of the Media. Not to be admired any longer but instead waiting for them to say anything that can be used as a further means to destroy their character. And here is my last example how many of you knew anything about Claude A. Allen before the news of his arrest. I must admit I knew nothing about the brother and even though he was a republican I am sure he has done somethings in order to get some recognition after all he worked in the Presidential Cabinet for crying out loud.
I know for a fact that there are a lot of black men both old and young alike who do a lot of good things in their neighborhoods that deserve to be praised and their stories need to be known. So I say to all of you to start putting their stories out for the world to hear. Send in editorials to your new papers, put it on a Blog, or a news letter but get the news out there. We have to prove to the rest of the world that the black male is not an animal and that yes we are productive members of society here in the US. All that the world knows about us is what is put out by the media, and that is sad.
So I end with a Quote from Paul Mooney " everyone wants to be a N*****, but no one wants to be a N*****!"
Now get out find a black man who is doing something and say thank you.
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