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The Year of the Black Man
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The Year of the Black Man
Written by on January 31, 2009, 03:54 PM
  As I write this, we are still in January gearing up for a helluva Black (current) History Month! With the first Black man to ascend to the US Presidency and the first Black man to ascend the ranks of the anti-slavery party (Republican Party), I can’t help but think - this is “The Year of the Black Man.”Jon Stewart said it a few weeks ago on the Daily Show: “Black is in.” I don’t know how true that is, but in the year of the Black man it is quite possible that the strong ideas that have been ignored for years will carry greater weight. It is quite possible that those who have been ignored because of the color of their skin will be granted a second look.  With a Black man at the helm of the Country and Democratic Party, and with another at the helm of the Republican Party, some will be trying to demonstrate their commitment to diversity. What we do not need is “Token Black” lining up to be put on display. What we do need are Black men (and women) of ideas and conscience to step up and use this opportunity to advance our communities. Neither Barack Obama nor Michael Steele can be deemed tokens. Both men ran impeccable campaigns that defeated the “Old Guard.” We must do the same.This is the year of the Black man. And, there is no excuse! We don’t need equality of outcomes, as determined by some group “on high.” What we do need is equal opportunity. Up to now, there has been a refuge from which the “Old Guard” could maintain the status quo and deny access to opportunity. Yet now, many will be careful to shun those Black men and women who come with strong, well-thought ideas. It is not about Barack Obama or Michael Steele doing anything specific for Black folks. President Obama is President for all of America, and head of all Democrats. Michael Steele is the Chairman of all Republicans. The majority demographic of each of those groupings is White people; and, the majority rules. How could either one of them do anything that specifically benefits a minority group - especially without any benefit to the majority? Yet, how could the majority deny the strong, well-thought ideas of Black people (and other minorities), given the increased likelihood that any one of us could know Obama, Steele, or both? It is as if Ralph Ellison’s Invisible Man suddenly became visible and can no longer be ignored as one of no importance, unworthy of respect and with no access to power. In the year of the Black man, the degrees of separation from power have shifted. And, those who have been marginalized and forgotten have an opportunity to both develop and enact plans that will truly address and resolve the issues facing our communities. It is time to “get to work!” New Comment |
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