This will piss off a lot of people.. I don’t think I need to
say I am sorry. And won’t apologize. After all, it is only the dream, belief,
and drive one man. This Man. So was the resounding inspiration in the iconic
speech "I Have A Dream."
I am mixed. My dad is Black, and my mom is White.
African-American and Caucasian for the politically correct crowd. My siblings
and I, when asked what race are we, always say Black. My mom’s side of the
family was only involved for the first three years or so. Even then, it was a
very, felt distance.
Growing up we dealt with hearing “cracka’ this, cracka’
that. Them white folks this, the man that” from our surroundings. Grew to
understand and believe that the “system”, Government, education, law
enforcement, employment, basically every reasons that an untold number of
different races and religions and creeds migrate to our country, “was built and
designed to keep the African-American race down”. Keep us from succeeding.
Here are the facts:
Yes our ancestors came to this country in a horrid, viral,
and messed up way. Yes, racism and segregation was very real and during that
time, our race didn’t have a voice. Literally beaten and even killed for
learning to read or wanting more than a plantation in their future. Then, we
were meant to never succeed. Then we were not people. Then, the way we believe
now, was true.
But now is not the case. The Black American Activist that
participated in sit ins. Fought, died, struggled, risked. Not only their own
life, but the lives of loved ones. Refused to be less than a man or woman. Strived,
believed, influenced, the founding resounding strength in the tear filled words
of, “Our people was forced and tricked into coming here. Then we didn’t have a
choice. Now we do. And damit, I am human. A man. Woman. Father. Son. Friend.
Hero. I am everything you are, you will treat me as so.” The ones who really
did have to fight the system, had reasons to speak as we do now. But we, as a
part of this generation do not.
They gave all they did to help us, every generation during
and after their time, see a better day. See hope. Be…. The men and women we
choose to be. The excuses we make today about the “system” and all the
inclusive bs that follows is literally, a slap in the face to everything they
lived and died for.
See, not only the country, but the world knows full well
what the history of our country is. As such, yes we do still have people who
have the same ignorant thoughts and believes that were held then, the majority,
now, wants only to forget that time. And do what can be done to say, “What? No.
no. God no. I don’t believe in nor support that mentality.”
As pertained to the African-American race, I believe we have
used our ancestors struggles as a crutch for long enough. There are countless
programs, plans, means of help, organizations, etc. put in place both by our
own people and some of America to give us the actual advantage. All we have to
do is want it.
I know, in my own community, I hear this: “They have money
to build and update jails and prisons, but can’t put the money into the schools
or community. They want to see us fail. Keep us down.” This, I disagree. Yes
our race makes up the majority of the population in our prison system. However,
with the exception of the ones who are wrongly incarcerated based on something
to do with the race, it is all a choice.
We don’t have to commit crimes, fail, be statistics, and
make the decisions that lead us to jail, basically the modern day slavery, no matter
the race of people. The current generation, in my belief, are to be found
lacking in the dream filled motivation our ancestors had. That being the will
to never give up, never stop dreaming. Never stop hoping for the betterment of
the current as well as the future generations vs the bragging rights of independent,
sometimes taken success, most importantly, freedom, equality, is not only a fight but a way of life that will never end.
Yes the problems our ancestors had still are around in this
country. Then, we as a race, fought it united. Now, we complain about it
divided. We have their strength. Their endurance. Their will to live freely and
as we wish. Given or not, we, just as then, have to want it, strive for it, not
accept what is in front of us as a limitation and make our own futures. If we can’t
do this, then what was the point for them fighting?
I think they would be disappointed that as compared to then,
the number of men and women in our race fighting for betterment and equality
has diminished severely. I don’t however, think they would lose hope in the
dream they struggled in building. Let us remember that they had a
responsibility to their past as well as future to never stop moving forward. Improving.
Being the people we, are meant to be, can be, and dream to be.
Then, almost everyone was against us, while we fought back.
Now, we are the only thing that can prevent a better tomorrow. Go to school.
Bust your ass. Refuse to be a statistic. Grab the proverbial hammer and bang
the hell out your own nail in our futures security and dream. Build on what our
history has started. Improve on the design. Stop standing, complaining,
wishing. Pretending anything but our generation as a whole is holding us down.
Yes, times get very hard. And environments may be painful,
destroying and believe me, can most times only offer the opposite of hope and
success. People, remember. Freedom is a choice and fight. It is here if you
refuse to never stop chasing it.
Our ancestral tree is riveted with great people. Their DNA
still runs through our veins. For the ones who realize this, keep their dream, They,
make success of their lives. Never mind the surroundings. My standing ovation,
and deepest support goes out to them. For the ones who do not, I offer you my
sympathy. Keeping in mind that we don’t have to change the world. Being great
is merely a matter of being a man. Or woman. Fighting, living, never giving up
on what our ancestors died to create.
