Color Barrier pt 1

Recently I was engaged in conversation and ancient slavery was the center of the discussion. If I may state that I'm not pro-black I'm pro-God and side with what's right regardless of color. I try to refrain from talking about problems that plague only the black community but in this instance I have to. Society has been well versed in the ills of slavery and the effects it has had on the nation as a whole. Slavery and oppression there after has put African or Black Americans whichever you identify as at war with the government and whites of all classes. The main reason I'm not a supporter of living continually with the scorn of slavery at heart is we become mentally enslaved and can't progress for holding onto the pass. In any situation where one's life is sacrificed or taken for the purpose of any cause those who paid the debt would like nothing other than progress made by those who come after them. Please don't expect this to be a black vs. white rant nor an abasement of blacks. Instead I'll be looking briefly at solutions and situations to get ahead and use history for it's intended purpose. To learn from, progress, and refrain from repeating. Because what would be worse than regressing in such an advanced age we live in. 

Adaption and perseverance are two characteristics that wholly describe blacks in American history. Society and the times have changed since the conception of America to oppress blacks but adapting to and persevering through has allowed us to make monumental strides in American history. Making more possible with less than one could imagine is evident throughout history, and common practice of God Almighty. Physically beaten down but mentally and spiritually strong at heart. I can see no sign of self-victimization hindering blacks in previous generations instead taking responsibility and manners into their own hands and standing tall for what they believe in. The black church was a chief in the black communities; a source of strength and spiritual regeneration. MLK mirrored Jesus Christ and his nonviolent movement helped advance the black community and it's people tremendously. Even those who weren't in church thanked God for the blessings. 

As I fast forward to the present day it seems as though as a whole we have hit a roadblock. Reason being, we have opportunities but fewer blacks a re taking advantage of them. Entertainment and fashion is becoming increasingly prevalent in this current generation. Black families and specifically speaking to men we have waned in progression sadly. Jail, non-stop murder, homosexuality, abortion and promiscuity has plagued the black man and population. Less fathers and role models. This is post fathers day and the number of fatherless families is a disheartening. Not these aren't problems in others ethnicities. It affects the majority of the black population from the underprivileged to the privileged. That's why these are such an alarming issues. But what is more important is the issue of education. Our communities celebrate when we are afforded opportunities others have had access to for many years prior. We call it progress and change. Lets call it what it really is, a government spoon feeding us necessities, rights and privileges. Education is essential to progression. Equality isn't just an even playing field. Equality is also access to the tools to compete in the field. Books, schools, teachers and resources are essential to all athletes in the field of academia. Those of us who advance and overcome the "hood" are charged with reaching back to help others. It's only right. Giving a man or woman hope along with the thought that someone cares about them goes a long way. Complaining about what others haven't done, examine what you have done. Sadly, many won't even help their own family members. 

How can this be alleviated? In my opinion, for starters ridding ourselves of a selfish and righteous attitude. Getting back to what church was: a place to help and heal those dealing with suffering and providing a family atmosphere. I remember the term "it takes a village to raise a child." Now we have forgotten the children and they are left to raise themselves. We need to get back to fighting for education equality as I stated earlier and stop schools from closing. Also providing more trade schools for high school grads. I fear many don't understand the significance of the steady decline in the black population. Coupled with a generation that have the wrong priorities. Yes there are many blacks attending college but don't turn a blind eye to those who aren't even finishing high school at the least. This is a call to action that everyone be responsible to oneself and those around them. Just because one doesn't ask for help doesn't mean they don't need it. The wall of pride has to sometimes be knocked down from outside because the occupant within isn't strong enough. 

Color Barrier pt 2

Does color matter? Obviously it does. Our society is plagued with issues on race and everyone is terribly afraid to discuss them. Myself on the other hand would rather put a magnifying glass to the issue. How else can a problem be fixed; it surely won't fix itself. I believe one key to life is to not worry proving others wrong but proving yourself right. Also not to get caught up trying to be superior to others but refuse to feel inferior to others. When will the black community overcome the stigma of race/color that society has attached to us? I won't sit here and say there aren't struggles associated with being black. I remember Hurricane Katrina 2005 and being called a "refugee" on the same soil I reside and pay taxes as a citizen. Also I live under the social blanket that "all black men are dogs." With good reason that title exist but its demeaning also. That's neither here nor there. There is a constant battle between dark skin and fair skin blacks. Which I think is ridiculous. Whatever happened to unity? I've had a guy tell me that I was jealous because he was fairer skinned than myself. My response was simply this: in the eyes of some you and I are still viewed as niggers and you're as shallow as a kiddie pool to make such a trivial statement. I have friends who will only date fair skin blacks which I think is terribly ridiculous. But those who are affected most are the children. When I see shows and little children who are innocent to everything in the world but have an inferior complex due to their skin color is heartbreaking to say the least. This is why I speak so heavily against this black vs. black battle that is going on. There are numerous scriptures in the bible where it states that God does not regard the person. Christians are made in the image of God. Just imagine if we disregarded the person and only the character and the heart of the person. This would be a much better world to live in.   

The race war within the black community is near the top of issues that cause concerns. How wonderful it is to be a race with a wide range of shades but we make it an issue that divides us. Many point back to slavery. I counter with the fact that slaves only sat in slavery so long before something was to be done. Furthermore, many said enough with excuses time for some action. So how long are we going to use slavery as a crutch? I urge you as you read this that our community has to come from under the umbrella of slavery. We need action. I wish I had the influence. I would make it my mission along with bringing people to Christ to unite the black community. In Matthew 12 Jesus answered the Pharisees and asked them how can a kingdom divided stand instead it would face desolation. So my question is this: how much longer will the black community be divided on the issue that is skin color which none have any control over. Murder, abortion and jail is depleting the race. Also there are more pressing issues like education which would alleviate the many ills affecting all. I can absolutely care less what hue your brown skin is. We're all beautiful. If you're not a genuine person with holy motives than you need to reexamine yourself. Color is really only skin deep. Don't be color struck.

A couple years back I struggled with race inferiority. I work in an area where there are fifty people and two percent of those are black. I asked myself what am I doing here and how did I get this position. I felt I wasn't intellectually or intelligent enough to be in this specific area. I'll describe to you how our imagination and early surroundings are the roots to the problem. Growing up as a black kid in the inner city you quickly realize the difference in opportunities offered due to skin color. Automatically we are prone to think we are superior or inferior to others; in my case I felt inferior. I was accepted into one of the top private schools in New Orleans but due to me feeling inferior I left no rug unturned to get expelled so that I could be where I was comfortable and in many instances superior to other students. Now I'm in the Air Force faced with the same problems. As I sat and pondered, there was no way out. So I imagined all of these situations where I would be embarrassed or shown inferior to others, just feeling lucky to be where I was. Every time there was an opportunity to advance I let my imagination display every possible scenario until I was convinced that there was no way so I retreated back to my comfort zone. There are vices, fears and issues that keep a stronghold onto us through a more significant issues (race/skin color). And once purged from the root the additional vices, fears and issues have nothing to feed on. We must put negative thoughts on a diet and starve them and in turn feed the positive thoughts giving them sufficient care to ensure growth. Our imagination turns molehills into mountains when we aren't equipped with the correct mental tools to analyze and fix problems. As I read the bible more and more I was assured that I'm not filled with a spirit of fear but a spirit of power, love and a sound mind 2 Timothy 1:7. Power to overcome, love to endure and a sound mind to analyze and act accordingly. 

This civil race war can be put to an end, but only when those involved are prepared to do so. I can honestly say that I fear many aren't prepared to. For the simple fact that it gives them a lifeline when life goes awry. We also support the television shows, music and entertainment that demeans our race. As I stated before we have to take responsibility for our future and stop hoping someone will provide an avenue out. Seeing that we are the ones dealing with it but we also add fuel to the fire by buying into the fact that one skin color is superior to another within the race is where the problem resides. Once we become comfortable with ourselves and love who we are created by God. Then and only then can progress be made. I recommend whenever a race issues arises or any for that matter that you read Hebrews 12 and consider Christ. The author and finisher of our faith. God bless. Love to all no matter the race.