I could name a legion
of Black women. Zora Neale Hurston, Anna Julia Cooper, Audre Lorde, bell hooks,
Ida B. Wells, Maria W. Stewart, Francess Ellen Watkins Harper – who shape how I
view the intersected nature of race, class and gender as they apply to groups
and individuals in systems of discrimination. They help me in considering how
my being a heterosexual, Christian, man provides a level of power beyond the
limits of being a Black man.
I revere the work of
Black women, but this is about my bond with Black male writers, past and
present.
Why does it matter?
A few names come to
mind. Herschel Walker, Republican candidate to represent Georgia as a U.S.
Senator. North Carolina Lt. Gov Mark Roberts and Jahnmaund Lane, who
unsuccessfully, as a Black Republican, took a shot to become mayor of Durham.
Insert Negro please.
The three Black men
listed have things in common. Yes, being Black is on that list. Yes, being a
man is on that list. Yes, being a Republican forces rapid headshaking followed
by an onslaught of name calling akin to “Uncle Tom”, “Sellout” along with being
a disgrace to grandma and “them” for forgetting where you come from. It’s on
that list.
Lane took center stage
among other Black men representing alt-right, conspiracy minded Republicans, after
seeking membership on Durham’s Human Relations Commission. Durham’s
progressives followed with public scorn bearing witness to being way past being
sick and tired. Lane’s public reputation took a hit after White Progressive
Twitter (something like Black Twitter without real street cred) reminded people
of what happened before and after soldiers enlisted in Donald Trump’s army and showed
up at the U.S. Capitol to allegedly lynch Vice President Mike Pence for failing
to abide by Emperor… I mean former President… Trump’s, command.
Pictures of Lane postured
in front of a Trump flag circulated on social media after his wish to serve on
the Human Relations Commission became public.
There is all of that –
the foolishness of a Black man - given all grandma, granddaddy and Black folks
history books (because Black history doesn’t show up in many of the other
books) tells us about enduring hardship through many dangers, toils and snares.
Nope, I’m not talking about singing “Amazing Grace”. For context and meaning,
sing “Lift Every Voice and Sing” as reference to Black folks been through more
than a trip to the stereotypical escape at the corner liquor store.
Thus, my fascination
with Black scholars and their work.
Real talk involving
work that escapes the regurgitation of words aimed at whitesplaining the Black
experience of racism in America. Real work beyond pickin’ and grinnin’ like “Amos
and Andy” as a subplot in an ongoing drama created to degrade Black people.
Real talk to counter the pigeonhole of Black folks being greedy, dishonest and
schemers in a world created to instill white wealth and comfort. Do I need to
say it, again? Negro, please.
My gurus of Black
intellectual thought continue to battle the futility of overzealous Black capitulation.
They consistently subdue the temptation to embrace the lure of demeaning
rhetoric that abates the effects of the history and continuing quandary of
white folks pitching a narrative that it’s only in our imagination. How many
times must I say Negro, please?
The Black gurus of
Black conscious thinking challenge the simpleminded ways of some white people. Why
Herschel over Rev. Dr. Raphael Warnock. Put some respect on that name – Warnock
with an earned Ph.D. – versus a barely literate Black man? He play feetball.
Insert proper spelling for the folks who don’t know the difference.
The Georgia senate race
pits one Black man against another. What type of Black man are white folks
interested in supporting after an educated Negro became President of the
freaking United States? Can we insert fool me once, shame on you. Fool me
twice, shame on me?
Is this the payback for
smart Black folks making white folks feel stupid? Help me understand how that’s
not true after Mark Roberts got enough votes to become North Carolina’s Lt. Gov.
Google him to confront his homophobic, sexists, “Leave it to Beaver” back in
the old days thinking political ideology. Somebody please find his people! One
more time for the folks not keeping pace. Negro, please.
Are these Black men the
anti-Obama? Even more, is there an attack on smart Black men?
These “Amos and Andy”, behind-the-times
thinking Negros find themselves on center stage singing and dancing like minstrel
show performer wearing black face makeup.
Stated before picking up another book with more than 500 pages to help me explain why all of it is a damn shame.
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Given the work of Black
intellectuals is under attack, please contribute to the work of Rev-elution at:
Cash App, $CMizzou, or Venmo, @Carl-Kenney-1.