5 Things...

There are hundreds of different lists posted on peoples sites. Most of these list discuss topics ranging from music to sex history. So I've decided to enter the realm of list posting.

Only thing is my list will be a list of thing to do before you die. Not in the "visit Europe" or "be successful" sense of the word, but in the "pass this on to your future generations" sense. Aside from our religious or moral convictions I think that there is a lot of information that we need to pass along, in order to further the "cause" for Black people in the U.S. So without further ado:


5 Things We Should Show Our Children

1. "Willie Lynch Letter"-- I know by this point many have either read or heard this letter, and some have discounted the importance of its effects on the condition of modern Blacks. But the letter is one of the most important documents on the systematic distraction of a people to date. Not since the letters of Jeffrey Amherst discussing the destruction of Native American Indians by offering them blankets infected with Small Pox, has their been documentation that so affected a people or that told of the crimes that would be perpetrated against them. The Lynch letters authenticity has been in question recently and the fact that it could possibly be fake is inconsequential. It still has the ability to simply enlighten us to the ways of Black people and those mental disorders we suffer from.
2. "The Spook Who Sat By The Door"-- This book, written by Sam Greenlee, is valuable to all those interested in seeing the true power that Black America could possess. Not to say that the means used by the main character in this book is the only way for Black people to gain power in this country, but the methodology by which he did it might be. What I feel this movie suggest, is to do as we have been preaching to each other forever, "Each one, Teach one", and "Give back to your community." Meaning, that we should take what we learn at our schools and jobs, and use that to create new opportunities in our own communities. There is also a movie from the same title, but books always have been a more thorough way of passing information.
3. Without Sanctuary: Lynching Photography in America-- The faces placed on the greatest crime in this countries history will never leave you after opening this book, and they never should. These images are, in my opinion, as important as the one's showing Jesus Christ's crucifixion. That may sound preposterous to some, but without being able to see expressions on the faces of our ancestors, whether that is the role of victim or victimizer, it will not be possible to connect on a human level with this chapter in our history. The same way the movie "The Passion" attempts to show us, visually the suffering Jesus endured on behalf of our souls, these photo's depict those men, women, children, and unborn children's suffering on behalf ideology of some in this country. One will bring you closer to God, and the other closer to Yourself.
4. The Collective works of Malcolm X-- Malcolm X is an often denigrated, amazingly, Civil Rights leader. His ideas on the use force, contradicted those of Martin Luther King's, as a way of combating the ills of racism, were unwelcome in many social circles during his time. Because of that many of his teachings are put in to one soundbite "By any means necessary". But he was very dynamic and spoke on all issues, most of which affect us to this very day. He primarily attempted to drive us toward, as aPeople, to the idea of self-sufficiency. It is really important that his values be put on display to future generations, because of the fact that they are alternative to the MLK approach which is often praised in this country. Our children will need that information in order to make accurate assessments of how to address this countries social, political and economical ills. Speeches, books and some movies have all accurately depicted his life, and even his change from the more radical ideology of the Nation of Islam, to that which he arrived at late in his young life.
5. Appreciation of the Black Woman-- Above all the items mentioned in this blog, this has to be the most pivotal. For without women who have been respected, admired, inspired, educated, enlightened, guided, and supported, we will never have a generation to which we can inform of the issues previously stated. Women are the first teachers, and the first loves of our children. They have the power to move a movement, and once we begin to adopt a philosophy and a psychology that recognizes that, we will continue our slow decline, aside from the modest individual gains of a few in our society.

Now, with that all said, I admit that, for the most part these are just my opinions. I also must say that my list is only 5 deep, obviously I have many more things I feel should be carried into the future, but it wouldn't be a pretty site to see everything. Plus "the man" is out there watching. I'm sure drawn into a conversation on it, I would probably expound upon it. So if you want to discuss it more, I'm all ears.

Peace.