Being born in 1990, I read and study and listen to the stories of my elders about their childhood and being in the midst of the civil rights movement. My grandmother marched with MLK jr while pregnant with my mother in 67. I listen to the music of that time. The social & political awareness of a Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder who also were superstars and leaders of the black people in that era. I imagine myself being alive and being apart of the 1970's amongst my people coming out of the Civil Rights Movement of the 60's and embracing better days of the future in love and unity.
Anybody in here born in the 60's and raised throughout the 70's and 80's? Were black people more unified and loving towards one another back then? The music was more uplifting. We embraced independence. Instead of hearing the word "my nikka", you heard "my brotha" or "my sista". Coming out of such tumultuous times in the 60s, were black people more embracing of one another? Everything seemed to be looking up for my people. It seemed as if black people were progressing from what I've read, seen and heard. The literature was on point. Fashion was meaningful and inspiring. The music was uplifting. Blacks put more emphasis on education and strived to break barriers and be counted equal. The struggles and triumphs of that time were meticulously and beautifully recorded in the music, literature and art as a testament and lesson to future generations so they'd never forget where they came from and what they've been through as a people.
Today, we slaughter one another while being slaughtered by other races. We look to pull each other down. We hate on successful blacks and label some of them c00ns. We look for the faults of our fellow brother or sister 1st before seeing their positives. We see the facade of fame, fortune and freedom of black entertainers and think that's what it means to "make it". Where are the triumphs and struggles recorded of this generation? Where is our warning to future generations? The leaders of this generation are controlled and voiceless. Where is our MLK?Where is our Garvy or Malcom X? Where is our Baldwin and Langston Hughes? We encourage our youth and tell them to idolize LeBron and Lil Wayne because that's what success looks like. Despite the millions of dollars they make, they still get paid by a white man. Our youth do not think outside of the box. Instead of being the next rap superstar or NBA superstar, why don't we encourage them to be the next CEO of a fortune 500 business or invest in and own an NBA team?
Where did we go wrong? Is inequality and the unacceptance of black people just saturated and embedded into a country that was built on the very backs of black slaves? Are our thoughts so heavily guided and determined by the devils of this country that it is nearly impossible to progress in this world without taking 5 steps back simultaneously? Now, I would be a fool to say that we've progressed none. I understand that we have a lot to be proud of. But does that good outweigh the bad? Where did we go wrong? How do we change it?
Give me your thoughts, corrections, ridicule and opinions.
Anybody in here born in the 60's and raised throughout the 70's and 80's? Were black people more unified and loving towards one another back then? The music was more uplifting. We embraced independence. Instead of hearing the word "my nikka", you heard "my brotha" or "my sista". Coming out of such tumultuous times in the 60s, were black people more embracing of one another? Everything seemed to be looking up for my people. It seemed as if black people were progressing from what I've read, seen and heard. The literature was on point. Fashion was meaningful and inspiring. The music was uplifting. Blacks put more emphasis on education and strived to break barriers and be counted equal. The struggles and triumphs of that time were meticulously and beautifully recorded in the music, literature and art as a testament and lesson to future generations so they'd never forget where they came from and what they've been through as a people.
Today, we slaughter one another while being slaughtered by other races. We look to pull each other down. We hate on successful blacks and label some of them c00ns. We look for the faults of our fellow brother or sister 1st before seeing their positives. We see the facade of fame, fortune and freedom of black entertainers and think that's what it means to "make it". Where are the triumphs and struggles recorded of this generation? Where is our warning to future generations? The leaders of this generation are controlled and voiceless. Where is our MLK?Where is our Garvy or Malcom X? Where is our Baldwin and Langston Hughes? We encourage our youth and tell them to idolize LeBron and Lil Wayne because that's what success looks like. Despite the millions of dollars they make, they still get paid by a white man. Our youth do not think outside of the box. Instead of being the next rap superstar or NBA superstar, why don't we encourage them to be the next CEO of a fortune 500 business or invest in and own an NBA team?
Where did we go wrong? Is inequality and the unacceptance of black people just saturated and embedded into a country that was built on the very backs of black slaves? Are our thoughts so heavily guided and determined by the devils of this country that it is nearly impossible to progress in this world without taking 5 steps back simultaneously? Now, I would be a fool to say that we've progressed none. I understand that we have a lot to be proud of. But does that good outweigh the bad? Where did we go wrong? How do we change it?
Give me your thoughts, corrections, ridicule and opinions.
, you're not too bright.