Racism.
A word that, when spoken, angers some and ignites others. A word that, when spoken, paints pictures in our minds. This word brushes pictures to some of a time ago and some of just yesterday. It’s a word that many would like buried never to be dug up again. Here I am digging it up. However, if we’re honest, it’s right on the surface. Today I’m going to talk about racism – the excuse card.
To be black today means knowing when strategically to pull the card. We have turned Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream into a nightmare. All Dr. King wanted was equality. He wanted a land where all races of people were equal. However instead of the equality that was preached then, today we want supremacy. And if we don’t have supremacy, we conveniently pull the card. Because the only reason you aren’t promoting me, has to be “because I’m black.” Personal responsibility is not needed because all we need is the card.
Do you know who Dr. Patricia Bath is? How about Lewis Latimer? Elijah McCoy? George Washington Carver? Mary Bethune? Sorry. How about Kobe Bryant? Lil Wayne? Beyonce? Yep that second group sounds more familiar huh? Well that first group should be acknowledged more. That first group taught personal responsibility. That first group never used “the card”. That first group believed in hard work. That first group did more for education for Black Americans than that second group ever will. That first group never quit. That first group had character.
What about the second group? Well they do work hard. And you know what? They do educate. But they work hard at educating people false truths. Kobe Bryant is either a rapist or a cheater. You choose. You really want to follow his example? Lil Wayne’s content in music degrades women, and his lifestyle degrades men. He teaches women to be lower than animals and teaches men how to be animals. He preaches and teaches philosophies that keep us in bondage. However we want to be just like him. Beyonce has taught more young girls how to be sensual than we can count. Her clothing never promotes modesty. She educates her masses to be sexual creatures. No wonder why our society is messed up.
And before you call me, “Uncle Tom” or a sellout, all I did was what Dr. King wanted.
“I have a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.”
All I did was judge them by the content of their character and I’m sorry, but they just do not match up. We live in a day of the exact opposite. Just because someone of our own race does something we have to accept them. I remember I was talking to a guy and we disagreed on an issue. He made this statement,
“But Shelton, he’s black.”
As if just because of the color of his skin I have to agree with him. I’m sorry, but it does not work that way. How dare we “pull the card” and judge the white man for being racist. However isn’t it just as racists to agree with someone, just because the color of their skin is the same as yours?
What else do we want? Did you know that there millions upon millions of dollars in scholarships for Black students. However despite this the education gap between blacks and whites are still very wide. So let me get this straight. Just because of the color of your skin you can get scholarships for FREE!! But yet the gap is still wide?? You know why? And it’s not because of racism. It’s because we’ve been ignorantly teaching that to be successful you must be a rapper, athlete, singer or actor. When all those goals are found to be illusions, where do you go from here? We must not be dependent of the card. The racist card can no longer be a crutch, because one day we must walk on our own two feet.
Now someone may read this and think,
“Well Shelton, you must never have felt what we feel. You must not know what it’s like.”
That could only be further away from the truth. I went to Christian schools my whole life. And for those of you who don’t understand what that means, that means that people who looked just like me were few. There aren’t many black students in private schools. I remember at one Christian School I was the only black student IN THE WHOLE HIGH SCHOOL. So yeah I understand about racism. Twice in my life a parent would not approve of their daughter dating me just because of the color of my skin. They said it nicely.
“You guys are just from different cultures.”
Or even the satanic lie, “It’s not Scriptural.”
But it didn’t make the sting hurt less. So I understand the hurt. I relate to the pain. But I can’t rely on the card.
So how can I be bold and unashamed of Christ with this mentality? You can’t. Black or white. Rich or Poor. You cannot live a life of boldness with the concept that life should be catered to you. The whole Christian life is the exact opposite. Christ said to be exalted, we must be the servant. The Christian life is about humility. It’s not about being catered to, but about catering to the needs of others. It’s not about finding an excuse for our laziness, but about picking up responsibility.
I write this passionately because Black Americans are still enslaved. No not enslaved with literal chains. But we’re bound by a slave mentality of dependence, ignorance, and sin. It literally hurts me to say those words.
Harriet Tubman was quoted for saying this,
“I freed a thousand slaves. I could have freed a thousand more if only they knew they were slaves.”
Don’t be a slave to the mentality of the world. Be free. Be bold.
Great post man! In today's society, a lot of companies and colleges are trying to compensate for past racism by giving black students and applicants an advantage at the job or school. It shouldn't be that way, because like you said, that goes beyond equality, and to the point of supremacy. It's reverse discrimination.
AMEN! Thank you for this, Shelton. I've experienced a form of racism...from most of my black peers. I've experienced being called a sell-out, "you think you're just like THEM", "you too good to hang out with us?" All because I'm a black woman that chose to not associate with the ones that fit the description of the second group that you mentioned in your post. The ultimate in racism though was from my in-laws (that thought their son shouldn't marry a black woman). BUT that is a story from another day. One other point that I wanted to make about slave mentality is that it has switched somehow to an entitlement mentality...playing the race card yet again. It irks me to hear the complaining from those that wont get off their duff and earn what they want! We talk about equality...My father, a black man, worked for a large "plant". He tried to get my husband, a white man, a job there. My husband was passed over because he wasn't a black man (the whole affirmative action thing). I tried to make the argument....BUT he's married to a black woman! Since we're "going there", does that not count?! Apparently not. I've rambled enough. I thank you for writing about this! Be blessed!
Wow...just. Wow. @_@ I know you're going to get criticized for this but by all means, keep preaching the truth. I agree with everything you said and I'm going to make sure that IF I've failed in this area that I *will* make changes starting today! :)
Amen. I'm very glad to hear it! God will bless you beyond your wildest dreams as long as you continue to walk with Him. : )
Shelton, while I do appreciate the emphasis you place on personal responsibility, I absolutely do not agree that this is the only thing that affects the educational, financial, or future prospects of blacks- since you seem to be talking specifically of that racial group. The American society we live in is and has always been exclusive of blacks -- it was set up to be and just because we've changed a few laws (i.e. I am now allowed to vote and I count as a whole person instead of 3/5's of one) doesn't mean that the damage has been undone completely. Black families couldn't even buy houses like 30 years ago. Think of all the years of wealth accumulation we didn't have. I'm not saying that people shouldn't take responsibility for their choices, but the set of choices people have before them are not all the same. Just wondering, how has your understanding of this issue been shaped? Thanks for starting the conversation!
