TEN THINGS BLACK PEOPLE SHOULD STOP DOING IMMEDIATELY!

1. STOP KILLING EACH OTHER:

The alarming rate of fratricide (brother killing brother) in the African American community should concern each and every one of us. We can no longer feel compelled to speak out against police violence against our fellow brothers and sisters then choose to remain silent when senseless acts of violence, which all too often lead to a tragic and often times untimely death, occur in our midst. Black men must adopt and remain committed to the concept of Respect for Life. If we don’t stop the killing of our own, who will?  Learn more here.

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2. STOP ENGAGING IN SELF HATING BEHAVIOR:

Self-hating behavior can be described as behavior in which a Black person knowingly assigns him or herself to a lesser position than whites based on his/her socialization (i.e. brainwashing).

• A self-hater believes white (i.e. European) features (i.e. hair, nose, eyes, skin color) are more desirable than African features;
• A self-hater rejects or subtly/overtly disowns his/her African heritage in favor of another (i.e. European, Asian, Native American, etc.);
• A self-hater rejects his/her physical blackness (i.e. “I’m not black. I’m ….anything but black”);
• A self-hater believes white people and/or white owned businesses/services are better simply because they are white (i.e. Mister Charlie’s Ice Is Colder Syndrome/Sickness);
• A self-hater is a person of African descent who possesses a pathological (i.e. irrational) craving for acceptance from whites. Learn more here.

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3. STOP HAVING AN UNSOPHISTICATED APPROACH TO ELECTORAL POLITICS:

• Stop enthusiastically supporting Black faces in high places without knowing what that individual stands for. He/she could be our worst enemy.
• Stop voting for candidates without doing your homework;
• Stop being seduced by candidates who have a gift of gab. They are probably hustling you.
• Know your political representatives and what they do;
• Be an active participant in the electoral process;
• Don’t give a candidate the benefit of the doubt because he/she is a celebrity or has name recognition. Do your homework;
• Know the rules of the “political” game if you want to be a serious player. Learn the rules here.

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4. STOP REJECTING A FREE EDUCATION:

For nearly 250 years most states in this country made it a crime to teach Black men, women and children to learn to read and write. Think about that.  Those violating this law exposed themselves to horrific punishment including death in some cases. It should be obvious as to why such laws were put into place and why the law was enforced so vigorously.  Granted, while many aspects of the today’s educational system can be found wanting and in need of a complete overhaul, it is inexcusable to not take advantage of a free education. Learn more here. 

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5. STOP BEING SECOND-RATE FATHERS:

Children need both parents. Black men must choose to be involved in the lives of their children. This involvement must extend beyond an occasional gift or check in the mail. Our children need to see us. Spending quality time with our children must be a priority in our personal lives. There is no definitive book that explains how to be a perfect father but one can be a caring, visible and responsible dad simply by trying. Learn more here.

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6. STOP ENABLING VIOLENT CRIMINALS IN OUR COMMUNITY:

We must accept the fact that even in a perfect world there will be some among us (for whatever reason) that simply have very little (if any) regard for the general welfare of the broader community in which they live. Such individuals simply want to have it their way. Their reckless acts of violence have few limits. Their allegiance lies with a twisted, insatiable appetite to be irresponsible social deviants not deserving of our assistance and/or benevolence. Their apparent indifference to our repeated calls to cease and desist demonstrates a harsh truth about them that we should not ignore. They are few in number but undeniably lethal and should be treated like any hostile enemy who seeks to bring ruin upon our people. Learn more here.

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7. STOP PRAYING TO A WHITE JESUS:

The socialization of Black people in America began in slavery. The slave master permitted the teaching of a religion that justified the subjugation of black people and the elevation of himself.  Central to these teachings was the depiction of a “white” Jesus.  The image of course, mimicked the white slave master. The power of imagery cannot be overstated and should never be dismissed. Our children need to see themselves in the highest authority.  To those who say – the color of Jesus shouldn’t matter. Our response is – then you should have no problem praying to a Black Jesus. Learn more here.

8. STOP EMBRACING ANTI-INTELLECTUALISM:

The advancement of civilization and Black people in particular requires us to have an insatiable appetite for intellectual pursuits. It requires our children to develop and maintain critical thinking skills. It demands that they cultivate an appreciation for the arts, music, literature, science, etc.  Hostilities towards and mistrusts/rejection of such things hinders our growth as a people – not to mention civilization as a whole. Anti-intellectualism, which has roots in crack pot conspiracy theories, pseudo-science and sheer ignorance must be viewed as the bane of our development and rejected at all cost. Learn more here.

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9. STOP EMBRACING THE CAPITALIST IDEAL:

Kiyama’s Fifth Principle – “Economic Accountability” challenges Black communities to advance an economic agenda that demands:

• Debt forgiveness;
• Rejection of austerity (i.e. lower wages, drastic cuts in social spending, privatization of public utilities/natural monopolies, and reduction in pension benefits) as an economic policy;
• Medicare for all;
• Universal basic income;
• Full Employment;
• Reparations for Black people.
• We develop an understanding of the American oligarchy (the 1%) and its political and economic dominance in American society and across the globe. Learn more here.