I just have to scratch my head when I see how we’re squandering away the rights that people fought so hard to provide us. Some of us are floatin’ around here acting like Martin’s dream was about nothing more than the right to chase White girls—that seems to be one of the few things that some of us appreciate about the sacrifices that were made for us. What’s really sad, however, is that one could make a very strong argument that we were better off under Jim Crow. At least then we stuck together, we had to—we were herded together like cattle. But in spite of that, we seemed to have had stronger family units, more entrepreneurs in the community, and a dream of someday doing better. But now, many of us have become lost in hedonism—if it’s not sexy, entertaining, or make us feel good, we’re not interested in it. I expect National Geographic to show up any day now to document how forty year old “men” are walking around wearing baseball caps turned sideways, the fathers of kids they’ve never met. It’s amazing— we got a little taste of freedom and went stone nuts!

Many of our more successful Black people have issues as well. Let’s look at some of our Black businessmen and politicians, for example. People have died to make their way of life possible. Past generations have faced vicious dogs, billy clubs, fire hoses, and even the noose to place these people in the positions they’re in today. A generation of Black people have faced all manner of hardship in the hope that if we could just get the right to vote, we could come together and vote Black politicians in office who could then help to make all of our lives a little better. But they never even dreamed that someday we’d have the opportunity to vote for a Black man to be president of the United States—and with widespread White support. Can you imagine what these people would say if they could see our Black businessmen, pundits, and Black politicians running up to the front of the crowd, waving White folks off (even White Southerners!) Saying, “No, no—he’s not ready yet;” “He’s too young;” or “He doesn’t have enough experience?” Can you imagine them telling Martin, who gave his life at 39, that Senator Obama is too young to be president at 46; or telling Martin we need to vote for Hillary—who was a Republican and working for Barry Goldwater when Martin was marching on Washington? While I’m sorry Martin is gone, I’m glad he never got to see what some of us have become—but it would be fun to hear what Malcolm would have to say to them.

Published in : Op-Ed, Beneath The Spin