A Message to White America

A segment of white America was moved by the lynching of George Floyd. Organic protests spawned all over the country only to graduate to international protests. Many whites, particularly the younger generation, are crying out for change. Any human being who witnessed Floyd’s lynching on video should have been moved to act.

A segment of White America has expressed a sincere interest in helping the cause. They want to help eradicate racism and live in a state of peace with everyone but seek guidance. In order for the latter to be achieved there are some hard truths that must be embraced by white America. The euphoria and momentum that’s been built based upon the lynching of George Floyd can be sustained, but it must be carried forward based upon truth, adopting an open mind and rallying around a common goal.

Floyd’s lynching, while tragic, has provided the impetus to change moving forward. For those who truly want to adopt change below is a road map. I don’t expect to reach everyone. That’s not my aim. Die-hard bigoted racist who refuse to open their minds will remain as such.

The hell with the racists.

Those who want to genuinely move forward here is your opportunity to work within your community to ignite and sustain change. One thing is certain, you will have to get very comfortable with being uncomfortable. Here we go:

1.      Attack your Cognitive Dissonance. If you cannot get past this step the rest will mean nothing. When white America is faced with the truth they move to change the narrative to facilitate their bigotry and ignorance. It is easier to live a lie than to face truth. To truly have an open mind you must face the fact that we all are living in social vomit. Racism is real. African-Americans historically are not crying wolf. Historically whites have been conditioned in schools to live a lie. That lie being you are superior and you created all that we see. That is not the truth. Whites are not superior to African-Americans or anyone else. Historical facts prove otherwise. Instead of changing the narratives of American lore based upon lies embrace the truth. Changing the narrative to clutch to your biases, bigotry and racism won’t work if you want to truly change.

2.      History Must Be Re-written. Let us keep it real. Columbus never discovered America. The aboriginal peoples of African descent were already here. The curiculums must change and change now. History has proven all civilizations originated in Africa. Google information on Ta-Seti, Kemetic, Nilevalley and Sumerian civilizations. Google the University of Timbuktu. It was not some far-away place leading to know where. It was one of the first universities ever erected by Africans. The civilizations were erected by a great people who invented reading, writing, science, jurisprudence and architecture. The truth is plain sight. Instead of fighting the truth own it and embrace. Get your hands on the DVD called A Great and Mighty Walk by the great John Henrick Clarke.

3.      Read John R. Spears The Origins of Slavery. Many in white America clutch to the notion you did not oppress Africans therefore I am not responsible. Facts indicate the rise of American Slavery was an institution that created vast sums of generational wealth for your race. Africans labored for 246-years without one penny of compensation. All profits went to the white slave master. Talk about a leg up. People who looked like me never had any semblance of equality and still don’t have it today. Whites also committed some of the most heinous acts against Africans imaginable. Use your complexion, your white privilege and entitlement to fight for reparations for the black man. Commit your collective voices to right a clear wrong along with ours. While you are not directly responsible for the horrific institution of slavery you have benefited and profited from its existence vicariously. To date African-Americans continue to suffer from the scars of slavery.

4.      Form Committees to Combat Racism in Your Community: Before you can constructively work in a group of African-Americans work within your own. African-Americans did not create the plethora of problems we now face. You will lose family members, friends, jobs and respect for embracing change. It is never too late to do the right thing. Find other like-minded peoples to share your newfound knowledge and experiences with. We all have an obligation to live and share truths. It is not about how many people you reach. It is about who.

5.      Criminal Justice Reform is Needed. Utilize your complexion and white privilege to aid in diversifying the judiciary. African-Americans have historically faced a system that’s been more criminal than it has been just. African-Americans are being lynched by law enforcement, face white racist juries and judges. Vote for African-American judges, become better jurors by educating yourself and diversify the bench so judges can render equitable decisions instead of being biased.

6.      Hold Law Enforcement Accountable: The lynching of George Floyd has blown the lid off the cover of police brutality. African-Americans are harassed more than anyone else and are subject to being murdered simply for being African-American. Speak out in your work-place. When conversations arise amongst your own tell the truth. Stop living the collective lie and do the right thing.

7.      Media Diversity: Stop preventing writers like myself from dispersing truth. The vast majority of outlets shun African-American writers. Limiting the collective voices of people like me restricts the vantage points that can be utilized to make change. I have written extensively for the need to diversify to provoke thought and ignite change. I have been banned from several local and national outlets due to racism, fear, and a persistent commitment for change. The racists have stopped nothing. Demand to hear rivaling viewpoints to constructively aid in attacking your collective ignorance.

8.      Economics: Slavery was more about economics than color. Today we are the last hired and the first fired. We are consumers not producers. Stop denying us loans and access to capital to grow businesses. Stop giving unqualified whites jobs over over-qualified African-Americans. Stop redlining and the gentrification movement that forces us out of our neighborhoods so you can profit. If you adopt steps 1-7 then you will understand how vital this step is. We need access to ownership opportunities to live. No handouts are needed. Just aid to create the same opportunities for us that you have collectively done for your people.

9.      Make a Conscious Effort to Embrace Diversity: The saying, “Some of my best friends are black” no longer has credence until collectively you want for African-Americans what you have for yourself. Embrace the community with open arms. African-Americans are not going anywhere despite racists best efforts to exterminate us. It’s not enough to feel sympathy. To truly make a difference your deeds must align with your acts. The only way to aid a community is to find a way to embrace it like you embrace those who look like you.

10.  Get to Work. I don’t profess to have all the answers but I know what I know. Anything worthwhile takes a worthwhile effort. The above steps are a start. Seek more books of study, read vantage points and talk to African-Americans to seek clarity. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and attack your ignorance. Step No. 1 is crucial, for it its not attacked diligently then the rest of this won’t matter.

In closing, this message is not for those narrative-changing whites who remain silent. This is not for those whites who seek to huddle with other whites who regurgitate the same antiquated ideological mind-set based that no longer works. This is not for those whites who simply ignored Floyd’s lynching and talk about graduations, Covid-19 and the racist bigot in the White House. This is for those whites who are about change.

The hell with the rest.