On behalf of the people of the United States of America I implore you to join your countrymen in defending our way of life from those who would do us harm, I'm reffering to the insatiable Empire of Secular Progressives. We stood idly by when they forced our sons to have same sex weddings and made abortions mandatory for our daughters. Well no more. Today these anti-American agitators have gone to far, they have declared war upon Americas most holy creation...Christmas. They are pushing their multicultural agenda upon us, asking us to take part in a variety of heathen festivals that I'm sure would disgust the Marquis de Sade. Last time I read my bible (which was about 10 minutes prior to typing this) I distinctly remember noting that the infant christ recieved gold, frankincense, and myrrh...not latkas, pahos, or whatever voodoo crap Karenga Claus hands out on Kwanzaa. So I ask you, my brothers and sisters in the struggle...take up arms with me and together we can drive this secular menace back into the sea!!!
Oh...and before we go to battle I thought I'd share some information on others who will be doing some fighting of their own this Holiday Season...
Somali Civil War
Combatants: Islamic Court Unions, Islamist Militias, Eritrea, & Foriegn Jihadists vs. ARPCT(Alliance of Somali Warlords), Transitional Federal Parliment of Somalia, Puntland, Rahanweyn Resistance Army, & Ethiopia.
The Issue At Hand: While Somalia has been war torn for some time, the ICU recently took over the capital Mogadishu and is currently in control of the majority of the Country. The ICU has claimed that they wish to bring the entire nation under Quranic law. In July of 2006 Ethiopia deployed troops as well as tanks and attack helicopters into Somalia. Tensions have escalated ever since. Many see this conflict as a means for Ethiopia and Eritrea to continue agressions against one another.
Recent Developments: On December 19th the ICU declared that it would press the attack, however on December 20th fighting broke out between Somali and ICU forces near Baioda. Recently Ethiopia has joined the fray in Baioda and is attempting to push back the ICU from the Parliment's only remaining bastion.
Central African War (The CAR Civil War, the Darfur Conflict, and the Chadian-Sudanese Conflict)
Combatants: Sudan backed rebels, Chad Rebels, UFDR Rebels, & Janjaweed vs. Central African Republic, Chad, & France.
The Issue At Hand: Three seperate hostilities, the CAR Civil War, the Darfur Conflict, and the Chadian-Sudanese conflict have merged into a grand conflict taking place in all three of the nations mentioned. The Central African Republic accused the Sudanese government of backing and aiding the UFDR in the CAR civil war leading to hostilities between the two governments. As a result Sudanese forces including the Janjaweed are now hostile towards CAR forces. In addition Chad is currently hostile towards the Sudan due to the Janjaweed raiding villages and towns in Chad. Over 200,000 refugees from the Sudan have sought asylumin Chad leading many officials in the nation to claim that the Sudanese are trying to spread their conflict into other regions. Finally both sides claim that the other is funding various rebel groups attempting to distabalize the respective nations. As a result of both the CAR and Chad bordering the Darfur region, many feel that the Darfur conflict has spread into other nations.
Iraqi Civil War
Combatants: Al-Qaeda in Iraq, Islamic Army in Iraq, Mohammad's Army, Black Banner Organization, Ba'ath Loyalists, Various Sunni Militias vs. Mahdi Army, Badr Organization, Various Shiite Militias.
The Issue at Hand: While the Iraq war is still going on, it has become clear that the nation has fractioned to the point of a civil war (or is at least on the brink of a civil war). The various factions have utilized the country's instability and the impotence of the New Iraqi government to carry out attacks against one another. This conflict has resulted in the deaths of possibly over half a million Iraqis, the assassinations of various Iraqi govt. officials, the destruction of non-military targets, in addition to turning over 1 million Iraqis in to refugees.
...Those are real wars...just some of the real wars going on in the world right now. I'd like to tell the Bill O'Reillies of the World to cut the War on Christmas Crap. We should all be grateful that we even get to enjoy this time with our families. We should be grateful that we aren't being forced from our homes as tanks storm through our neighborhoods. We should be grateful that there aren't bullets whizzing by our heads and that the only lights we'll be seeing are from Christmas lights and not from roadside bombs.
Most of all we should be grateful that the most we have to worry about is whether or not we get a good gift for Christmas, or Hanukkah, or Kwanzaa, or whatever holiday we choose to celebrate. Some people have bigger things to worry about...
Happy Holidays....
Friday, December 22, 2006
Monday, December 18, 2006
Nigger
"Fuckin niggers".
"Excuse me"?
"Aww come on don't call me a racist cuz I'm not."
"What? You just called that guy a nigger"
"Calm down, he wasn't calling all black people niggers. There's a difference".
"Yeah, see you're black...those people back there were niggers".
"Yeah man, anyone can be a nigger. See nigger comes from the word niggardly, it means
someone who's ignorant, anyone can be ignorant black, white, asian, mexican".
"How was that guy being ignorant, he just cut you off in traffic. That isn't being ignorant, that's just being a bad driver. The only reason you called him that was because he was black".
"Oh my god, here we go. Look we aren't racist, now I know some racist guys. I went to a camp where guys were talking about being in the Klan...those guys were racist".
"......"
I held back. I never mentioned how niggardly means miserly, not ignorant, or that nigger is derived from a completly word for that matter. Instead I sat back and barely put up a fight while I was enlightened on the differences between blacks and niggers. I sat for forty minutes and listened to the mindless philosophies of two boys who thought Jim Crow was a brand of whiskey. It hurt, not their words, but my complacency. It hurt that I sat and just listened, that I didn't open my mouth and shut up the fools that spewed their racist virtole. I let them continue on unchecked, every now and again I would butt in and attempt to shed light on their ignorance, but for the most part I sat...shocked at my first encounter with actual racists.
I would say that in my defense I was 20 miles from home...that I couldn't have let my anger rise to the surface lest I be ejected from the car on a busy highway...I didn't want to be left stranded for telling them the truth. What could I have done? I didn't know where I was, I couldn't have found my way home. No, it was best for me to just sit back and take...it would be over soon...if I just say back and took it everything would be fine. I would say that in my defense...but what kind of defense is that? How could I justify selling my soul for a ride home?
I didn't mention it the next day at practice...see the two brilliant gentleman who gave me a discourse on why Blacks deserve to be poor were on my tennis team...and me bring the only freshman and one of only two Black people on the team...I didn't want to cause trouble...so I just shook it off and hoped that I'd never be in that position again. I didn't want to be the angry black guy, I just wanted to play tennis.
That made me a hypocrite though...because off the court I was Malcolm fucking Newton. I had an afro that would put Cornel West's to shame, perfectly shaped with an afropick proudly jutting from the top. I carried around a copy of the autobiography of Malcolm X where ever I went, and I quoted the communist ad nauseum. I brought up my mother's Black Panther days as a validation of my militant positions...simply put, I was a fraud.
It was easy to be militant in public...when I could take on the racist capitalist oppressors in front of a crowd. I could quote Huey Newton as long as I was safely in the eyes of people who could applaud my sterling defense of Black people and Black culture. But behind closed doors, when I was alone and friendless, when the time came to stnad strong in my convictions I sold out. I was more Fred Savage than Fred Hampton.
That was over four years ago. And I've grown...I've learned...I've strived and failed gain redemption. By no means would I sit back and allow that situation occur again without putting up a fight, two years after the incident I confronted one of the people again...but I still feel this pain in my soul. Not only because of what I did, but because of what I see and hear today. Everyday I see Black people who are not only silent, but people who except the things that are said about them. I see Black people who see themselves as niggers. Who believe the myth of black inferiority...who play in to the self fullfilling prophecy.
I see people who believe in every stereotype known to man, who still believe in the myth that "if you're white you're alright". And I try to help them...not just to help them but to clear my concious. I try to share with them the knowledge I have...of the potential they have...of the beauty that exists in our people...but to know avail. They play in to the role of the thug, of the shiftless Black man, of the "welfare" queen, of the nigger. They just sit back and accept it...like I did.
What is to be done about this? Is it enough for me to simply chastise my friend when he says things about his own people that would shock David Duke? Is it enough for us to leave such people behind and move towards a better future ourselves? Certainly the answer can not be to cast off those that "embaress the race"...they are still our brothers and sisters...after all you can't choose family. But is the reverse fair? Is it our job to educate the world? Our any of us so much better than others that we are in a position to point a finger? At times I feel as if I'm not even fit to uplift my self. But then I must remember that I can't expect myself to be anything more than a man...and men stumble at times. I can only expect the same from anyone else. But that's why men have brothers...to lift them up and help them when they fall.
I often feel as if I can't pick myself up let alone support the weight of others...but though that have supported me have been lifted up themselves. It is difficult to live a life trying to uplift others....but i can tell you from experience that nothing can be as painful as sitting back and taking the abuse.
"Excuse me"?
"Aww come on don't call me a racist cuz I'm not."
"What? You just called that guy a nigger"
"Calm down, he wasn't calling all black people niggers. There's a difference".
"Yeah, see you're black...those people back there were niggers".
"Yeah man, anyone can be a nigger. See nigger comes from the word niggardly, it means
someone who's ignorant, anyone can be ignorant black, white, asian, mexican".
"How was that guy being ignorant, he just cut you off in traffic. That isn't being ignorant, that's just being a bad driver. The only reason you called him that was because he was black".
"Oh my god, here we go. Look we aren't racist, now I know some racist guys. I went to a camp where guys were talking about being in the Klan...those guys were racist".
"......"
I held back. I never mentioned how niggardly means miserly, not ignorant, or that nigger is derived from a completly word for that matter. Instead I sat back and barely put up a fight while I was enlightened on the differences between blacks and niggers. I sat for forty minutes and listened to the mindless philosophies of two boys who thought Jim Crow was a brand of whiskey. It hurt, not their words, but my complacency. It hurt that I sat and just listened, that I didn't open my mouth and shut up the fools that spewed their racist virtole. I let them continue on unchecked, every now and again I would butt in and attempt to shed light on their ignorance, but for the most part I sat...shocked at my first encounter with actual racists.
I would say that in my defense I was 20 miles from home...that I couldn't have let my anger rise to the surface lest I be ejected from the car on a busy highway...I didn't want to be left stranded for telling them the truth. What could I have done? I didn't know where I was, I couldn't have found my way home. No, it was best for me to just sit back and take...it would be over soon...if I just say back and took it everything would be fine. I would say that in my defense...but what kind of defense is that? How could I justify selling my soul for a ride home?
I didn't mention it the next day at practice...see the two brilliant gentleman who gave me a discourse on why Blacks deserve to be poor were on my tennis team...and me bring the only freshman and one of only two Black people on the team...I didn't want to cause trouble...so I just shook it off and hoped that I'd never be in that position again. I didn't want to be the angry black guy, I just wanted to play tennis.
That made me a hypocrite though...because off the court I was Malcolm fucking Newton. I had an afro that would put Cornel West's to shame, perfectly shaped with an afropick proudly jutting from the top. I carried around a copy of the autobiography of Malcolm X where ever I went, and I quoted the communist ad nauseum. I brought up my mother's Black Panther days as a validation of my militant positions...simply put, I was a fraud.
It was easy to be militant in public...when I could take on the racist capitalist oppressors in front of a crowd. I could quote Huey Newton as long as I was safely in the eyes of people who could applaud my sterling defense of Black people and Black culture. But behind closed doors, when I was alone and friendless, when the time came to stnad strong in my convictions I sold out. I was more Fred Savage than Fred Hampton.
That was over four years ago. And I've grown...I've learned...I've strived and failed gain redemption. By no means would I sit back and allow that situation occur again without putting up a fight, two years after the incident I confronted one of the people again...but I still feel this pain in my soul. Not only because of what I did, but because of what I see and hear today. Everyday I see Black people who are not only silent, but people who except the things that are said about them. I see Black people who see themselves as niggers. Who believe the myth of black inferiority...who play in to the self fullfilling prophecy.
I see people who believe in every stereotype known to man, who still believe in the myth that "if you're white you're alright". And I try to help them...not just to help them but to clear my concious. I try to share with them the knowledge I have...of the potential they have...of the beauty that exists in our people...but to know avail. They play in to the role of the thug, of the shiftless Black man, of the "welfare" queen, of the nigger. They just sit back and accept it...like I did.
What is to be done about this? Is it enough for me to simply chastise my friend when he says things about his own people that would shock David Duke? Is it enough for us to leave such people behind and move towards a better future ourselves? Certainly the answer can not be to cast off those that "embaress the race"...they are still our brothers and sisters...after all you can't choose family. But is the reverse fair? Is it our job to educate the world? Our any of us so much better than others that we are in a position to point a finger? At times I feel as if I'm not even fit to uplift my self. But then I must remember that I can't expect myself to be anything more than a man...and men stumble at times. I can only expect the same from anyone else. But that's why men have brothers...to lift them up and help them when they fall.
I often feel as if I can't pick myself up let alone support the weight of others...but though that have supported me have been lifted up themselves. It is difficult to live a life trying to uplift others....but i can tell you from experience that nothing can be as painful as sitting back and taking the abuse.
Thursday, August 10, 2006
God is on Life Support....
I find it odd how people cling to the idea of God. Not out of true belief but because they desire something greater than themselves to latch on to. God has become a necessity for many. Rarely is this devotion brought about through sheer love, rather it is often a mix of several factors; being alone, lacking a source of love, imagining that this world is all they have to look forward to, the desire for a purpose. But in reality such an approach diminishes not only the religious but also humans in general.
At most this mode of thinking reduces god to a glorified nanny. Someone who's there to clean up our messes, to offer support, and to make us feel better when we stumble. This notion is undeniably selfish. It reduces belief to a mere act of building up self esteem. In order to have self-worth we must have faith in some unknowable deity? Truth be told holding such beliefs is comforting, the idea that we are not alone in our struggles, that there is something out there watching over us, but at a certain point such belief can be debilitating. For one it often requires that people adhere to ridiculous ideals and traditions, and if not that it limits our ability to use reason. How empowering is it to rely not on your own mind, but on some set of standards created by someone else as interpreted by a middle eastern prophet from ancient Palestine? Perhaps the greatest quote I've ever heard from a Christian was "God gave you a brain for a reason." Truer words have never been spoken. Is it that far fetched to imagine that we could come to concepts of morality without the aid of some ancient tome? From our own experiences we see how our actions affect ourselves and the world around us. Reason will tell you that even independent of laws, killing someone has negative repercussions for society and yourself. Yet for some reason we require "God" to dictate what constitutes morality? With so many interpretations of "God's will" is it really wise to leave morality up to "spiritual" standards? Wouldn't it be much simpler and much more effective to leave it up to our own intellects? The problem with "spiritual morality" is that it starts with a set of boundaries and then asks us to decipher their meaning...Instead we should operate from a position where we establish the boundaries after logically deducing the effects of certain actions. We do not need to live in a society where robbery is legal to deduce that such a society will not work.
Perhaps an even greater problem that we face when confronting the necessity of god is the idea of purpose. Given the rather sadistic nature inherent in the act of "creating" sentient beings, it would seem that we are no more than playthings created to glorify the ego of some all powerful spirit. If our purpose is dependent upon God, then what purpose he possibly give us? One concept of "purpose" is what something was created for. So in order to discover our purpose we must discover God's reason for creating us. First of all if god is truly a perfect being then he would have no desire to create as desire is subjectively a human characteristic. However, leaving such a notion aside, deciphering God's purpose for creation is subject to the same types of multiple interpretations as God's Will, meaning that humans must determine what they think God's reasons for creation was. Thus humans end up making their own purpose either way.
My argument is not against God its self. Certainly there is a possibility of God existing. My contention is that God is not necessary.
At most this mode of thinking reduces god to a glorified nanny. Someone who's there to clean up our messes, to offer support, and to make us feel better when we stumble. This notion is undeniably selfish. It reduces belief to a mere act of building up self esteem. In order to have self-worth we must have faith in some unknowable deity? Truth be told holding such beliefs is comforting, the idea that we are not alone in our struggles, that there is something out there watching over us, but at a certain point such belief can be debilitating. For one it often requires that people adhere to ridiculous ideals and traditions, and if not that it limits our ability to use reason. How empowering is it to rely not on your own mind, but on some set of standards created by someone else as interpreted by a middle eastern prophet from ancient Palestine? Perhaps the greatest quote I've ever heard from a Christian was "God gave you a brain for a reason." Truer words have never been spoken. Is it that far fetched to imagine that we could come to concepts of morality without the aid of some ancient tome? From our own experiences we see how our actions affect ourselves and the world around us. Reason will tell you that even independent of laws, killing someone has negative repercussions for society and yourself. Yet for some reason we require "God" to dictate what constitutes morality? With so many interpretations of "God's will" is it really wise to leave morality up to "spiritual" standards? Wouldn't it be much simpler and much more effective to leave it up to our own intellects? The problem with "spiritual morality" is that it starts with a set of boundaries and then asks us to decipher their meaning...Instead we should operate from a position where we establish the boundaries after logically deducing the effects of certain actions. We do not need to live in a society where robbery is legal to deduce that such a society will not work.
Perhaps an even greater problem that we face when confronting the necessity of god is the idea of purpose. Given the rather sadistic nature inherent in the act of "creating" sentient beings, it would seem that we are no more than playthings created to glorify the ego of some all powerful spirit. If our purpose is dependent upon God, then what purpose he possibly give us? One concept of "purpose" is what something was created for. So in order to discover our purpose we must discover God's reason for creating us. First of all if god is truly a perfect being then he would have no desire to create as desire is subjectively a human characteristic. However, leaving such a notion aside, deciphering God's purpose for creation is subject to the same types of multiple interpretations as God's Will, meaning that humans must determine what they think God's reasons for creation was. Thus humans end up making their own purpose either way.
My argument is not against God its self. Certainly there is a possibility of God existing. My contention is that God is not necessary.
Saturday, March 25, 2006
African American Men to Leave America
I'm serious, I think we need to collectively pull a "Dubois" and get the fuck out of America. granted the United States has created an environment that has been beneficial to a select group of African American men....but in general I think that African-American males would benefit from a few years abroad.
I'm not saying that we need to leave for good, we just need to leave for a while. The purpose of this is to establish a sense of self that is sorely lacking in our community. Regardless of what people say there is a stigma associated with being a black male. In the public's eye you are either in a suit or in an orange jumpsuit. Certainly the average middle class black man exists, but this segment of the community is often ignored. The psyche of the Black man is so burdened by a system that is racist or presents an illusion of racism, that I can't really see the majority of Black males advancing beyond a certain point in society.
The advancement I speak of isn't simply material. In fact I often believe that people make the mistake of measuring success in material wealth. David Horowitz and his ilk often claim that the existence of the black middle class negates institutionalized racism. Well to quote a rather cliched aphorism "Money Can't buy happiness". For too long African Americans have tried to fill the emptiness in our lives with "things". The true measure of success should be how well adjusted you are, how comfortable and secure you are with your own existence, how you value yourself and how you evaluate your self. I'm sad to say that I don't know that many well adjusted black males, and I'm sure that if I analyzed myself enough I would come to the conclusion that I'm not all that well adjusted either.
Where should we go? Africa...not on a Dave Chappelle style soul searching vacation, but as a way to come to terms with our own existence. The reason I suggest we move to African nations is this, in America we are BLACK. That is the first description that pops into people's minds regardless of their race. They see us and they see black, black men to be specific. And the idea of Black men in America registers one of a few stereotypes. The problem is that we register these same stereotypes. In Africa you aren't Black...because everyone is Black. I'm only Black because there is something else to compare me to, ie white, Hispanic, Asian, etc. Moving to an area where race can't be a factor, can't be a crutch, and can't be an excuse is vital to the betterment of African-American males.
Now, I know most of you are thinking, well if we were to move to African nations we would be automatically labeled as "American". And of course you are right, nationality would distinctly seperate us from the population. The difference is that I'm calling for a mass exodus orchestrated by both African-Americans and the governments of African nations. At the very least it would foster brotherhood between the African American expatriate so that they develop a sense of unity and community by being together in a strange environment, and at best the nationality barriers slowly erode and we find a sense of kinship with our African brothers.The idea would be that an African nation makes an agreement with a group of emigratings African Americans. The government agrees to allow them in to the nation as legal residents, helps them find jobs, and embarks on a program to help acclimate the expatriots to the new nation. In return the African American emigrants agree to work, abide by the nations' laws, etc. The nation gets the added revenue of new residents, and African American men get a chance to start off in a society where the stigma of the American Black man doesn't exist.
Now let me end by saying a few things. 1) I'm aware of the fact that there are many successful black men in America, but the prison and education statistics are bleak at best. 2) I'm advocating such a program specifically for African American men mainly because African American Women are doing better than African American me. 3) I understand that logistically this is pretty much an impossibility, I mean if Marcus Garvery couldn't do it, I'm fairly sure I can't either.
I'm not saying that we need to leave for good, we just need to leave for a while. The purpose of this is to establish a sense of self that is sorely lacking in our community. Regardless of what people say there is a stigma associated with being a black male. In the public's eye you are either in a suit or in an orange jumpsuit. Certainly the average middle class black man exists, but this segment of the community is often ignored. The psyche of the Black man is so burdened by a system that is racist or presents an illusion of racism, that I can't really see the majority of Black males advancing beyond a certain point in society.
The advancement I speak of isn't simply material. In fact I often believe that people make the mistake of measuring success in material wealth. David Horowitz and his ilk often claim that the existence of the black middle class negates institutionalized racism. Well to quote a rather cliched aphorism "Money Can't buy happiness". For too long African Americans have tried to fill the emptiness in our lives with "things". The true measure of success should be how well adjusted you are, how comfortable and secure you are with your own existence, how you value yourself and how you evaluate your self. I'm sad to say that I don't know that many well adjusted black males, and I'm sure that if I analyzed myself enough I would come to the conclusion that I'm not all that well adjusted either.
Where should we go? Africa...not on a Dave Chappelle style soul searching vacation, but as a way to come to terms with our own existence. The reason I suggest we move to African nations is this, in America we are BLACK. That is the first description that pops into people's minds regardless of their race. They see us and they see black, black men to be specific. And the idea of Black men in America registers one of a few stereotypes. The problem is that we register these same stereotypes. In Africa you aren't Black...because everyone is Black. I'm only Black because there is something else to compare me to, ie white, Hispanic, Asian, etc. Moving to an area where race can't be a factor, can't be a crutch, and can't be an excuse is vital to the betterment of African-American males.
Now, I know most of you are thinking, well if we were to move to African nations we would be automatically labeled as "American". And of course you are right, nationality would distinctly seperate us from the population. The difference is that I'm calling for a mass exodus orchestrated by both African-Americans and the governments of African nations. At the very least it would foster brotherhood between the African American expatriate so that they develop a sense of unity and community by being together in a strange environment, and at best the nationality barriers slowly erode and we find a sense of kinship with our African brothers.The idea would be that an African nation makes an agreement with a group of emigratings African Americans. The government agrees to allow them in to the nation as legal residents, helps them find jobs, and embarks on a program to help acclimate the expatriots to the new nation. In return the African American emigrants agree to work, abide by the nations' laws, etc. The nation gets the added revenue of new residents, and African American men get a chance to start off in a society where the stigma of the American Black man doesn't exist.
Now let me end by saying a few things. 1) I'm aware of the fact that there are many successful black men in America, but the prison and education statistics are bleak at best. 2) I'm advocating such a program specifically for African American men mainly because African American Women are doing better than African American me. 3) I understand that logistically this is pretty much an impossibility, I mean if Marcus Garvery couldn't do it, I'm fairly sure I can't either.
Sunday, March 12, 2006
Black & Buddhist: Why Buddhism is the best alternative for African Americans
While it would be irresponsible of me to deny the importance of Christianity in the history of African Americans, I have come to the conclusion that at this time Buddhism would offer the greatest benefit to the Black community. Certainly Christianity, and any other religion for that matter, can serve as a positive force in the social, spiritual, and mental development of any group, however it has become increasingly obvious that Buddhism can satisfy the current needs of the Black community in a way that no other religion can. The following will outline why I believe that Buddhism would be a good fit for African Americans.
Before I begin let me just say that in no way do I believe that Buddhism is a cure all for African Americans, or any other ethnic group. Different religions satisfy the needs of different people, I just happen to feel that the majority of African Americans would benefit from Buddhism.
1. Buddhism promotes personal responsibility and empowering.
While I'm certainly no fan of Bill Cosby's finger waging diatribes, it is difficult to argue with the idea that individuals need to assume a degree of responsibility. However, I differ from Mr. Cosby as to the source of this lack of responsibility. While he asserts that it is derived from a general sense of apathy, I believe it stems from a lack of empowerment.
One of the reasons that people find it difficult to improve their situations is that they do not believe that they can...or because there are actual institutional barriers stopping them from doing so. Either way Buddhism offers a remedy to this problem. The answer can be seen in the example of the Buddha himself.
Unlike other religious leaders, the Buddha never claimed to be a god, he never claimed to be divine, and he never claimed to have been inspired by a god. The Buddha was nothing more than a man that utilized tools available to all human beings. He relied on his own intellect and efforts to achieve enlightenment. The Buddha was no more divine than anyone reading these words, rather he understood that he had the potential to accomplish great things, the same potential exists in all of us.
In Buddhism humans are in a supreme position, not in an all powerful "god" sense, but because they are in a position to control their own destiny. There is no supreme being that runs the show, a person is responsible for their own spiritual, mental, and social growth. The reason for this is that within every person is Buddha nature. This means that one does not need to rely on anyone else to achieve enlightenment. As the Buddha once said, "You should do your own work, for the Tathagatas(Buddhas) only teach the way".
Similarly the Buddha stressed a personal search for truth. He did not want people to become solely reliant on his teachings, instead he urged others to seek the truth for themselves. This prevents people from becoming constrained by dogma and convention. Dogma prevents people from adapting to new situations and learning from new experiences that might not fit with what they previously believed.
This concept allows people to free themselves from this idea that the forces of the world can bar them from achieving a better life. There is a greatness in all individuals, it is simply a matter of tapping in to this greatness. Granted the journey will be filled with obstacles, but Buddhism will allow African Americans to see these obstacles as speed bumps instead of mountains.
2. Buddhism will allow African Americans to come to terms with their suffering.
The very first teaching of the Buddha was "The Four Noble Truths". In these truths, the Buddha summarized the totality of Buddhist philosophy. The Truths are:
I) Dukkha: All life is suffering*
II) Samudaya: The cause of suffering is desire/attachment
III) Nirodha: The cessation of suffering
IV) Magga: The way to the cessation of suffering
*While Dukkha is translated to mean suffering, it is done purely out of necessity. Dukkha merely refers to the impermanence in life, what ever is impermanent is Dukkha, there for happiness (which is impermanent) is Dukkha just as pain is. The experience of happiness is impermanent, when we are happy we wish to hold on to this sensation, but it eventually goes away, when it is away we want it back, as a result we suffer.
Upon first glance, the Four Noble Truths appear to be pessimistic, however they are in all actuality realistic. Buddhism does not sugar coat life, nor does it assume that life is an inescapable pit of despair. It simply puts life into its proper context. This is what the African American community needs to do with its own suffering.
historically African Americans have been the victims of reprehensible offenses and to this day are subject to injustices. However, we can not allow this to paralyze our progression. This isn't to say that Blacks need to "stop acting like victims" as so many conservative pundits have stated, rather it means that we as a people need to understand that suffering can not rule our lives.
One of the main reasons that we allow suffering to rule our lives is that we do not seek out the cause of our suffering. Obviously the source of our aggregate suffering during slavery and the Jim crowe era arose from institutionalized oppression. During those times it was easy to blame "the white man" because he was the one aiming the fire hose and releasing the police dogs. Today however, the source of many of the Black communities problems is not so easily identified, and what's worse is that many of us don't even seem all that concerned with discovering the source. We seem content with suffering and being surprised that it isn't magically disappearing.
What we need to do is take a Buddhist approach to both the general suffering that we experience from day to day life, and the overall suffering that we feel as a community. Then like the Buddha we can accept suffering as a part of life, discover the root of this suffering, realize that we can end this suffering, and discover a way to end this suffering.
3. Buddhism can strengthen community
While the Buddha emphasized the need to discover personal truth, he also stressed the importance of community. One of the three jewels of Buddhism is Sangha which means community. The idea of an individual path to enlightenment does not mean that we ignore others, to the contrary this approach encourages individuals to share what they have discovered with others because everyone is trying to reach the same goal. The difference is that Buddhism does not require that an individual accept what someone else has said unless they can find it to be personally true.
It is very important in Buddhism to learn from and teach others. Since we can not all see the world in the same way, it is important for us to share our knowledge with others so that we may come to a better understanding of those around us.
A great problem in the Black community is our desire to follow demagogues. Instead of being a community of followers, we need to be a community of leaders. Since Buddhism has an individual approach to seeking knowledge, every member of the sangha has something to offer the other members. Personal insights, understandings, and interpretations can help encourage others to seek out new ways to tackle old problems. In addition, since we share knowledge with others, it is important that the community be inclusive, something that can be difficult at times.
4. Buddhism can eradicate rampant materialism
The second Noble Truth states that attachments and desires lead to suffering. This certainly applies to material goods. Since the Black community is finally in a position where upward mobility is a possibility for many people, we have become obsessed with materialism. Buddhism teaches that all things are impermanent, and trying to derive lasting joy out of impermanent things causes us to suffer.
While I am not against people owning things, we as a people must take a serious look at what we place value in. The average Black person (or any person for that matter) places more value in a piece of jewelry than in a book. Black youths would rather have money than knowledge. This is a dangerous trend, money is perhaps the most divisive creation in human history.
We must learn to let go of our attachments lest they drive us apart.
To conclude let me say that I do not wish to imply that other religions can not serve the Black community. Simply that the Buddhist example when applied on an individual and aggregate level would be of tremendous benefit to African Americans. The beautiful thing about Buddhism is that it does not force people to submit, Blacks have submitted for far too long. It is time we began to take charge of our own futures.
Before I begin let me just say that in no way do I believe that Buddhism is a cure all for African Americans, or any other ethnic group. Different religions satisfy the needs of different people, I just happen to feel that the majority of African Americans would benefit from Buddhism.
1. Buddhism promotes personal responsibility and empowering.
While I'm certainly no fan of Bill Cosby's finger waging diatribes, it is difficult to argue with the idea that individuals need to assume a degree of responsibility. However, I differ from Mr. Cosby as to the source of this lack of responsibility. While he asserts that it is derived from a general sense of apathy, I believe it stems from a lack of empowerment.
One of the reasons that people find it difficult to improve their situations is that they do not believe that they can...or because there are actual institutional barriers stopping them from doing so. Either way Buddhism offers a remedy to this problem. The answer can be seen in the example of the Buddha himself.
Unlike other religious leaders, the Buddha never claimed to be a god, he never claimed to be divine, and he never claimed to have been inspired by a god. The Buddha was nothing more than a man that utilized tools available to all human beings. He relied on his own intellect and efforts to achieve enlightenment. The Buddha was no more divine than anyone reading these words, rather he understood that he had the potential to accomplish great things, the same potential exists in all of us.
In Buddhism humans are in a supreme position, not in an all powerful "god" sense, but because they are in a position to control their own destiny. There is no supreme being that runs the show, a person is responsible for their own spiritual, mental, and social growth. The reason for this is that within every person is Buddha nature. This means that one does not need to rely on anyone else to achieve enlightenment. As the Buddha once said, "You should do your own work, for the Tathagatas(Buddhas) only teach the way".
Similarly the Buddha stressed a personal search for truth. He did not want people to become solely reliant on his teachings, instead he urged others to seek the truth for themselves. This prevents people from becoming constrained by dogma and convention. Dogma prevents people from adapting to new situations and learning from new experiences that might not fit with what they previously believed.
This concept allows people to free themselves from this idea that the forces of the world can bar them from achieving a better life. There is a greatness in all individuals, it is simply a matter of tapping in to this greatness. Granted the journey will be filled with obstacles, but Buddhism will allow African Americans to see these obstacles as speed bumps instead of mountains.
2. Buddhism will allow African Americans to come to terms with their suffering.
The very first teaching of the Buddha was "The Four Noble Truths". In these truths, the Buddha summarized the totality of Buddhist philosophy. The Truths are:
I) Dukkha: All life is suffering*
II) Samudaya: The cause of suffering is desire/attachment
III) Nirodha: The cessation of suffering
IV) Magga: The way to the cessation of suffering
*While Dukkha is translated to mean suffering, it is done purely out of necessity. Dukkha merely refers to the impermanence in life, what ever is impermanent is Dukkha, there for happiness (which is impermanent) is Dukkha just as pain is. The experience of happiness is impermanent, when we are happy we wish to hold on to this sensation, but it eventually goes away, when it is away we want it back, as a result we suffer.
Upon first glance, the Four Noble Truths appear to be pessimistic, however they are in all actuality realistic. Buddhism does not sugar coat life, nor does it assume that life is an inescapable pit of despair. It simply puts life into its proper context. This is what the African American community needs to do with its own suffering.
historically African Americans have been the victims of reprehensible offenses and to this day are subject to injustices. However, we can not allow this to paralyze our progression. This isn't to say that Blacks need to "stop acting like victims" as so many conservative pundits have stated, rather it means that we as a people need to understand that suffering can not rule our lives.
One of the main reasons that we allow suffering to rule our lives is that we do not seek out the cause of our suffering. Obviously the source of our aggregate suffering during slavery and the Jim crowe era arose from institutionalized oppression. During those times it was easy to blame "the white man" because he was the one aiming the fire hose and releasing the police dogs. Today however, the source of many of the Black communities problems is not so easily identified, and what's worse is that many of us don't even seem all that concerned with discovering the source. We seem content with suffering and being surprised that it isn't magically disappearing.
What we need to do is take a Buddhist approach to both the general suffering that we experience from day to day life, and the overall suffering that we feel as a community. Then like the Buddha we can accept suffering as a part of life, discover the root of this suffering, realize that we can end this suffering, and discover a way to end this suffering.
3. Buddhism can strengthen community
While the Buddha emphasized the need to discover personal truth, he also stressed the importance of community. One of the three jewels of Buddhism is Sangha which means community. The idea of an individual path to enlightenment does not mean that we ignore others, to the contrary this approach encourages individuals to share what they have discovered with others because everyone is trying to reach the same goal. The difference is that Buddhism does not require that an individual accept what someone else has said unless they can find it to be personally true.
It is very important in Buddhism to learn from and teach others. Since we can not all see the world in the same way, it is important for us to share our knowledge with others so that we may come to a better understanding of those around us.
A great problem in the Black community is our desire to follow demagogues. Instead of being a community of followers, we need to be a community of leaders. Since Buddhism has an individual approach to seeking knowledge, every member of the sangha has something to offer the other members. Personal insights, understandings, and interpretations can help encourage others to seek out new ways to tackle old problems. In addition, since we share knowledge with others, it is important that the community be inclusive, something that can be difficult at times.
4. Buddhism can eradicate rampant materialism
The second Noble Truth states that attachments and desires lead to suffering. This certainly applies to material goods. Since the Black community is finally in a position where upward mobility is a possibility for many people, we have become obsessed with materialism. Buddhism teaches that all things are impermanent, and trying to derive lasting joy out of impermanent things causes us to suffer.
While I am not against people owning things, we as a people must take a serious look at what we place value in. The average Black person (or any person for that matter) places more value in a piece of jewelry than in a book. Black youths would rather have money than knowledge. This is a dangerous trend, money is perhaps the most divisive creation in human history.
We must learn to let go of our attachments lest they drive us apart.
To conclude let me say that I do not wish to imply that other religions can not serve the Black community. Simply that the Buddhist example when applied on an individual and aggregate level would be of tremendous benefit to African Americans. The beautiful thing about Buddhism is that it does not force people to submit, Blacks have submitted for far too long. It is time we began to take charge of our own futures.
Tuesday, February 28, 2006
George....maybe it's time you started reading the papers
"If I worried about polls, I wouldn't be doing my job"-George Bush
Really? Even in when it's in the low forties/high thirties?
A bit of advice Mr. Bush, saying that poll numbers don't concern you doesn't make you seem like a decisive leader...they make you seem distant, out of touch, and a tad bit conceited. While I've never believed that politicians should allow poll numbers to dictate their policy decisions, I'm not really sure that your declining...your plummeting poll numbers are a result of unpopular policy decisions (though you have made some pretty bad decisions) no, your problems are due to a secretive administration that seems to believe that it has a massive stockpile of credibility that doesn't really exist.
Really? Even in when it's in the low forties/high thirties?
A bit of advice Mr. Bush, saying that poll numbers don't concern you doesn't make you seem like a decisive leader...they make you seem distant, out of touch, and a tad bit conceited. While I've never believed that politicians should allow poll numbers to dictate their policy decisions, I'm not really sure that your declining...your plummeting poll numbers are a result of unpopular policy decisions (though you have made some pretty bad decisions) no, your problems are due to a secretive administration that seems to believe that it has a massive stockpile of credibility that doesn't really exist.
Honestly, do you think that you can just get a free pass on every single decision you make? Sorry chief, that pass expired after the whole WMD fiasco. So it probably would have been advantageous had you actually explained (thoroughly) why you approve of the UAE port deal, and better still had you been aware of the deal before every major media operation in the nation got a hold of the story. Not that I see anything inherently wrong with the deal, of course this deal was such a massive political liability that even Stevie Wonder could have seen it coming. The problem isn't that you don't care Mr. Bush, it's that you didn't anticipate that the majority of the nation would care.
With Iran growing increasingly hostile and Iraq on the verge of civil war, it isn't surprising that people were going to be a little upset at the idea of Dubai taking over major American ports. And I'm sure you've got a legitimate reason....Ok I'm sure you have a reason for approving of the deal, but it's a little late put that reason out there. Instead of coming off as a rational decision maker you'll be seen as someone trying desperately to cover his tracks, and believe me Mr. President people are starting to notice the difference between the two.
Of course the UAE debacle is only a bullet point on your long list of screw ups, it seems like since Hurricane Katrina (well really since you took office, but I'll be nice just this once) you've made mistake after mistake, but what's worse is you don't seem to be adapting. You don't seem to understand that America isn't going to wake up and suddenly share your bizarre take on the world, sure you've got your base that wouldn't leave you if you drove America into an irreversible spiral of despair...*pause*...but for the most part Americans don't like the idea of politicians that seem/are disconnected.
Do you even know why the Dick Cheney hunting accident was such a big story...I mean other than the fact that it was almost ridiculously funny? The reason is that people were put off by the fact that Dick Cheney didn't think enough of the American people to release some type of public statement until that softball interview on Fox News. Had Dick Cheney been a little more forthcoming about the accident I wouldn't have cared, hell he actually would have earned a couple approval points in my eyes. Instead his approval rating has dropped to a Caligula like percentage(18%).
So you see, Mr. President Americans don't like to be neglected, we prefer that our elected officials be open and honest with us. And while I'm sure the later will be a bit more difficult for you, I'm sure you can at least fake the former.
To close I'd like to refute this comment: "...I know the American people want somebody to stand on principle, make decisions and stand by them and lead this world toward a more peaceful tomorrow, and I strongly believe we're doing that..."
If you could draw your attention to the last line of that statement....You see it? Ok, there is your problem. You have a tendency to put a great deal of emphasis on yourself. At this point what you believe is damn near irrelevant. If you know what the American want then why are you steadily losing support? Maybe the American people don't know what they want, or maybe, just maybe you should pick up a Newspaper.
Monday, February 27, 2006
Black History Died with Martin Luther King Jr.
Or at least this is what society would have us believe. Prior to Dr. King's grand entrance onto the public stage, George Washington Carver invented peanuts, Harriet Tubman worked in a train station, and blacks weren't treated so kindly by whites. Then came the glorious pinnacle of black society, a short Southern preacher with a booming voice and a charismatic personality. In him resided the entire wealth of black culture, dignity, and potential...and then he was assassinated and Black America deteriorated into an amalgamation of booty shaking, gang violence, and UPN that is not worth even mentioning as a footnote in a textbook.
Yes, in the four decades since King's death there has been nothing of note in the black community. I was surprised to discover this last month when I was informed that the piece I was prepared to read for my school’s African American history program was not going to make it on to the video. I selected some excerpts from Huey Newton's To Die For the People in the hopes that I would expose others to a segment of Black history that is so often overlooked. I'm sure that everyone here is familiar with Mr. Newton and some of the positive work he did in the black community. Granted there were many negative events in the man's life, but to deny that he did not play a significant role in black history is to spit on the efforts of an entire generation. Also, I challenge anyone to find a public figure that does not have one or two skeletons in their closet (Dr. King included).
The decision to have my piece cut came directly from my principal (I’m withholding her name), who felt that in light of a recent incident involving a school dance group's performance and negative depictions of police officers, it was best not to allow me to read Mr. Newton's work. While disappointed, I can understand why she made her decision, at least from an administrative point of view. However I take issue with her objection on two accounts. The first being that the excerpts mentioned police officers twice, neither one advocates violence against police officers, they simply mention that blacks have historically been harassed by them. My second qualm is with her statement that the work is not positive. In her eyes, and I’m sure in the eyes of many Americans, "positive" constitutes the "I have a Dream Speech", a rather hackneyed black history month tradition. Frankly I'm not sure how they got through black history week (later month) before Dr. King made the speech. Not to diminish the importance of the speech, but I do believe that there have been other addresses (lots of them made by King himself) that are of great importance as well.
What annoys me to no great end about this entire ordeal, is this idea that there is some acceptable form of black history, as if it is okay to ignore those aspects of history that make us uncomfortable. In an age where black youths are more concerned with rims than with education, in a country where African-American men are more likely to end up in prison than in college, and in a time when African-Americans have more opportunity than ever before, the messages of Huey Newton, Malcolm X, and others are needed more now than ever before. The students at my high school, and many schools around the nation need to be reminded that black history is supposed to empower and uplift us, it is supposed to restore a sense of pride in our community that is rapidly fading away.
no....
Instead of creating a program that incorporates all aspects of black history, the school was given a watered down mush of gospel music and Dr. King. We will continue to portray black history as a series of hymns and Negro spirituals, we will continue to pretend that all became well when Dr. King uttered those famous words.
But if I may remind of us of Huey Newton's words for just a moment: " We, with all of our numbers are recognized with no one. In fact, we do not even recognize ourselves. We are unaware of the potential power latent in our numbers..."
And we shall continue to be unaware of this power as long as Black History is regulated to the same old speeches and spirituals. I suppose it's irrelevant though, we have little to look forward to anyway, because Black History died with Martin Luther King jr.
Yes, in the four decades since King's death there has been nothing of note in the black community. I was surprised to discover this last month when I was informed that the piece I was prepared to read for my school’s African American history program was not going to make it on to the video. I selected some excerpts from Huey Newton's To Die For the People in the hopes that I would expose others to a segment of Black history that is so often overlooked. I'm sure that everyone here is familiar with Mr. Newton and some of the positive work he did in the black community. Granted there were many negative events in the man's life, but to deny that he did not play a significant role in black history is to spit on the efforts of an entire generation. Also, I challenge anyone to find a public figure that does not have one or two skeletons in their closet (Dr. King included).
The decision to have my piece cut came directly from my principal (I’m withholding her name), who felt that in light of a recent incident involving a school dance group's performance and negative depictions of police officers, it was best not to allow me to read Mr. Newton's work. While disappointed, I can understand why she made her decision, at least from an administrative point of view. However I take issue with her objection on two accounts. The first being that the excerpts mentioned police officers twice, neither one advocates violence against police officers, they simply mention that blacks have historically been harassed by them. My second qualm is with her statement that the work is not positive. In her eyes, and I’m sure in the eyes of many Americans, "positive" constitutes the "I have a Dream Speech", a rather hackneyed black history month tradition. Frankly I'm not sure how they got through black history week (later month) before Dr. King made the speech. Not to diminish the importance of the speech, but I do believe that there have been other addresses (lots of them made by King himself) that are of great importance as well.
What annoys me to no great end about this entire ordeal, is this idea that there is some acceptable form of black history, as if it is okay to ignore those aspects of history that make us uncomfortable. In an age where black youths are more concerned with rims than with education, in a country where African-American men are more likely to end up in prison than in college, and in a time when African-Americans have more opportunity than ever before, the messages of Huey Newton, Malcolm X, and others are needed more now than ever before. The students at my high school, and many schools around the nation need to be reminded that black history is supposed to empower and uplift us, it is supposed to restore a sense of pride in our community that is rapidly fading away.
no....
Instead of creating a program that incorporates all aspects of black history, the school was given a watered down mush of gospel music and Dr. King. We will continue to portray black history as a series of hymns and Negro spirituals, we will continue to pretend that all became well when Dr. King uttered those famous words.
But if I may remind of us of Huey Newton's words for just a moment: " We, with all of our numbers are recognized with no one. In fact, we do not even recognize ourselves. We are unaware of the potential power latent in our numbers..."
And we shall continue to be unaware of this power as long as Black History is regulated to the same old speeches and spirituals. I suppose it's irrelevant though, we have little to look forward to anyway, because Black History died with Martin Luther King jr.
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