Black History Month, is that time when we focus on the successes, struggles, and oppressions faced by Blacks and people of colour. It is also a time when we revisit the atrocities committed against our forefathers and heroes. Yet we fail to take time out for introspection, to look at the oppressions and barriers to social and economic success that we as a people continue to place in the path of our own.
Although the negative impact of slavery or the effects of modern day racism by other ethnic groups against Blacks cannot be denied and should not be trivialized— I believe Black racism against Blacks poses the greatest threat to our social and economic progress, our culture(s), health, and well-being. We fought for an end to slavery by colonial powers, likewise we must be steadfast in putting an end to social and economic racism by Blacks against Blacks.
Some may argue that racism exist between races but not within. I will argue black against black racism occurs when Blacks view other races to be superior and on that basis, treat their own differently, or judge their worth, and professionalism differently purely on the basis.
Like the oppressors of our past we owe reparation to each other in the form of guarantees to end those daily acts that contribute to the ongoing suffering of Blacks— and which also serves as social and economic barriers to our progress. We should develop systems for ensuring families who suffer lost as a result of Black on Black crime are compensated by the criminal and his or her family.
Acts of racism within black family units serve to enfeeble the ability of the family to function both as the cornerstone of society and as a decision-making unit. As a result, we face higher levels of economic hardship, underachievement and low self-esteem. Very often acts of racism within the family is unrecognized for what it is. That is why we are angered when we read the stories of highly educated and qualified black professionals who cannot find jobs that offer the challenge and economic rewards that they deserve. But we fail to be as outraged about acts of jealousy and financial abuse of those among us who have sought to uplift themselves and their families. Stories of ongoing strife and pain that manifest when one child who got the same start as any other in a family lands a good job or graduates from University are rife. Families fall apart as parents are accused of having spent more on one child when the truth of that child’s struggle with student loans, working and studying, sacrificing the pleasures of a social life or having a family of their own is well known. This occurs even when that successful child continues to invest financially in their family and in the ones who curse them.
Arrested economic progress and low levels of self-actualization among blacks are often compound by racism that makes it easy for us to pass negative judgement about the services and professionalism offered by our own without first assessing the value offered. We bring a lens of colour and lack of self-confidence to evaluation the worth of our own and that is why we are comfortable with offering pocket change to our domestic helpers, professionals, tradesmen and business owners. We refuse to recognize our intellectuals until they are recognized by others. Besides sports and music, we refuse to embrace and recognize our culture, and talent unless they are deemed civil and accepted by others. For example, many Christians among us will listen to Country and Western and other musical genres with the same civility of language and addressing the same theme but will not listen to a Reggae or Calypso piece because it is secular music.
Time is life but we disrespect the time of the black person with whom we have a meeting or appointment because they have no prospect or network from which we might benefit. We dish out poor customer service to our own. We assume that others have higher social and moral standards than our own and as such we engage in acts of social racism in the form of disdain, lack of trust, and mistreatment of our own. We marry and tolerate humiliation and mistreatment in order to profile with other ethnic groups while spurning the love and respect of our own.
It is easy for us to reject or question the value of our cultural traditions and to accept stereotypes related to crime and dead beat dads; we also fail to respect the rights of others to peace and quiet.
We have difficulty translating our own language of love but we crave fickle shows of affection and proclamation of love by others. Condescension allows us to restrict the depth of knowledge we share with our own to our demise.
Unless we identify and move to correct the acts of racism that we perpetrate against each other we will never be truly free; neither will we attain the social and economic success that we deserve and seek as a people.
We will never be in a position to fully command or demand justice or to achieve peace.
And to our disgrace and degradation we will forever squander the legacy, blood, sweat, and pain of our forefathers.
Meegan Scott is a strategic management consultant. She founded and owns the Toronto based consulting practice, Magate Wildhorse.
Just looking, I was too tired this morning to complete my response to you. Now I am up and rested. I meant to add that even without protecting my hair I consider my right to choose my style and look apart of my freedom that I have claimed. Just a few weeks ago, I was brushing my hair and as it shimmered, rippled and flipped at the end I thought; “this looks like moonlight on a river”. The thought will be included in my collection of photos, poems, and writings about me. So, I will relax, braid or do what I choose to my hair. I don’t like braids because I must keep it on at nights and it is heavy and I can’t touch my hair much. I loved the relaxed look at times, but relaxers rip off fine hair within a few weeks. I kept my description of my hair because I intend to write a piece for myself about the third phase of falling in love with it again in its natural state. And I say this because when it is relaxed you forget how beautiful it really is.
Many thanks to all who have taken time out to read the article above and to share their thoughts. It is good to see the different perspectives shared.
Many thanks to all who have taken time out to read and share the article above.
I do believe in most of what was said and great article based on your perspective and insight .. However, I believe deeply in interracial relationship and marriage, for color is a mere mindest..
Craig, thanks for the feedback and appreciation shown. The article does not seek to discourage interracial marriage or relationships that are colour blind and based on love and mutual respect. It speaks to settling for and pursuing a multi-racial relationship for a position of feeling that another race is superior and that to be paired with some of another ethnicities will improve your social status and will produce better looking children. As a result, the black party is willing to grin and bare various humiliations for show or until it erupts in violence or mental illness. There have been genuine multi-racial unions that have defied laws and the pain of death. The unions in cases below had to be colour blind and genuine for the couples to struggle to be together.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loving_v._Virginia
https://visionofraceunity.wordpress.com/category/louis-gregory/
In days when the struggle was less intense here is a nice example of just one lovely couple…
Craig, thanks for the feedback and appreciation shown. The article does not seek to discourage interracial marriage or relationships that are colour blind and based on love and mutual respect. It speaks to settling for and pursuing a multi-racial relationship from a position of feeling that another race is superior and that to be paired with someone from another ethnicity will improve your social status and will produce better looking children. As a result, the black partner is willing to grin and bare various humiliations for show or until it erupts in violence or mental illness. There have been genuine multi-racial unions that have defied laws and the pain of death. The unions in cases below had to be colour blind and genuine for the couples to struggle to be together.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loving_v._Virginia
https://visionofraceunity.wordpress.com/category/louis-gregory/
In days when the struggle was less intense here is a nice example of just one lovely couple…
Most of our negativebehavior as humans towards each other has it’s genesis in the human psyche exercised via the five emotions and are augmented by the effects of our historical past but should not serve as an apron to shield us from ourselves neither should it be throw it on the floor and be swept away; there is available to us that is free_ yes, it through the breathing (yoga). the most effective way of finding oneself; knowing oneself; understanding oneself_ in other words to experience a personal renaissance. This practice should have been a major part of our psychological debriefing in church gatherings, in school settings. Having been a captive people_ dehumanized, traumatized and black men especially are grossly disrespected till this day. There is a great need for the entire black race to be desensitized in an effort to erase the scars. This is the first step towards self-actualization. Metaphorically, it’s like climbing Jacob’ ladder in order to see the other side.
tru d bino q la,
True the past and negative experiences should be used and an excuse to hurt others. Somewhere deep in the psychic of many blacks is a feeling that other ethnicities are better and ought to be treated with more respect and reverence than our own. If we understand the root of our feelings and actions then the trigger for yoga and reflection with kick in before engage in a negative act against a brother, sister, parent, friend, neighbour or other.
I do agree with what you have posted but please note there are gaps between local women and men, some men find the foreign or different races more receptive to the love they are actually seeking..
CCS, you are right in raising the issue that different individuals have different love needs. But if it is that “foreign”, and not the brand of love and respect is driving the love need then chances are we are not talking about love but a perception of better based on prejudice or a plain user mentality.
I’ve been upon dis urth for a while, and all I C is black peoples trashing black peoples. Well, I used to be black, I ain’t black no mo. I’m wisdom – I ain’t got no color, man.
Cry baby, you sure had me laughing with that one. We do have some conscious and positive black people around but we do have many who ending trashing and hurting without realizing what drives their action and extent of the harm they do to themselves and others.
Thanks Meegan, much appreciated. I really enjoy this paper. Having travel extensively within the Caribbean, The USA, Europe, Africa (one country), Asia (One country), I can say we are one of a global community and where we reside in our respective hoes, we ought to respect each other, promote family, protect and secure communities and focus on the discipline of education, culture and economics, the latter I mean the principles of economics.
Strong family Units (Nuclear and extended), and Education is the key to our survival.
views expressed, thank you for sharing. Perfectly right, this article intended to help us focus on the things that we have the power to change in order to carve out a better social and economic position for us as a people. To help us find greater levels of joy and happiness. We are a conscious of the things we do to hold back ourselves and fix those we could easily overcome any oppression and acts of racism that comes our way from the outside.
Beautiful!
Sands, thank you for kind remarks.
You forgot one thing Ms. Scott.. Black people (as well as other peoples of the world) were sold as slaves by their own people before any other color of people ever got to enslave them. This is a recurring theme throughout the beginning of time, however, we are taught ‘selective history’ in our schools. In that way, they (the controllers) can set people up from youth to be against each other. The old divide and conquer system has worked successfully throughout history. Ignorance is what keeps people enslaved and serving the old system.
anonymous2, I agree that as a people we made a terrible mistake of selling our own to other ethnic groups; a mistake only the black man made as most other groups sold their people to their own kind; both were wrong but the damage done in the case of where one group is sold to another has been that much worst. I learnt from a few individuals from Ghana that the initial system was a mechanism for getting rid of criminals and troublesome members of society, but I guess the white man came and a lucrative opportunity for selling criminals and others led us down the path to being taken slaves by other groups. I also feel very sure that the colonial powers also stole some Africans as well. Now in 2017, we have to make a determined effort to play our part in promoting oneness in a caring and nurturing way so we can move upwards and united as a people even as we embrace humanity as a whole. The Jews serves as living evidence of what can happen when we love ourselves and take care of our own.
Maybe if you use the so called black history month to teach of our very rich pre slavery history, you would get the desired effect.
The day that we were supposedly freed, our destruction was completed, we no longer knew who we were and adopted the ways of oppressors.
Like the Most High told us, until we turn our face back to him and start living under his Laws statues and commandments, we will continue to suffer the curses as laid in the book of Deuteronomy. So sayest the Most High.
Nac Vibes, it is true that there is a need for more teaching and learning regarding our accomplishments prior to slavery. Nonetheless during slavery, we learnt to regard the white man as superior; post emancipation other ethnicities were also deemed as superior — taken together we are at the bottom of the economic chain and also the social in many instances so that need to be changed. History is relevant to helping us overcome our challenges but we must identify the problem that exist and take specific actions for getting the change that we desire. Knowledge of and buy itself does not lead to change. Asking the right questions, finding the right options and acting on them will result in change. It is the need for that mix of increased knowledge plus a strong mix of problem identification and solving that moved me to write the article above.
Excellent article on Blacks’ tendency towards self-denigration and disrespect of other blacks. When as a people will we grow up?
We owe ourselves “reparations” before we can demand it from our historical and current oppressors!
But is anybody who needs to “reading” this article?
Thank you, Bob, I truly believe we need to move in that direction.
Great outlook .We have to take time to look at ourselves and begin to work towards positive growth
Good piece
Indeed monashell!
For the life of me, I don’t understand why a majority black island with all segments of the government controlled by black people would have a designated Black History Month!!!! Just crazy and stupid especially when you control the school system. It’s like China having Chinese History Month…lol too funny! Why not teach and recognize Black history every month?! The US celebrate this because of the minority black population. I would understanding the Kalinago’s having a Kalinago History Month as the minority population in the country, but Black History…again, too funny! Don’t know who came up with this stupid and embarrassing idea. These mis-leaders and educators never stop amazing me. And you wonder why the people and the country are not progressing.
A predominate population of any race does not mean that all the Values, Behaviours and resources are readily available to correct or transform a society in a manner that would allow for social growth for all.
As you mentioned the USA they are a prime example of a Democratic Society . Yet one has to sensor what is said
So true, monashell
tomas Bettencourt, if Black History Month was every month we would not have time to focus on our history and to chart a path for a better future. Even in Dominica the social and economic fortune of the black is pretty much as it is universally. I have seen poverty in Dominica and I have seen discrimination in Dominica (Racism of one form or another exist in very society). I have been to almost every nook and cranny of Dominica. Besides Dominica is not a closed society, it might not be as open as the larger islands but external influences in the food you eat, the food children today want to eat, perception of self and our social and economic condition is real and what happens to blacks in the global community impacts blacks in Dominica. Growing up in the Caribbean we experienced a subtle form of racism. Most of us or our children will live abroad even for studies, or we will see the impact of racism on our own via television. Dominica is not immune. Have you ever seen children in a…
“Black History Month, is that time when we focus on the successes, struggles, and oppressions faced by Blacks and people of colour. It is also a time when we revisit the atrocities committed against our forefathers and heroes. “(Meegan).
Meegan, the atrocities our and struggles our forefathers suffered more than four hundred years ago, our African ancestors assisted those we consider the enemy into Africa, capturing our people and sold our forefathers to the white slave owners. I mean we must at all times remember that, however dwelling on what happened almost five hundred years ago is not going to help us!
In Dominica, the powers that be in the twenty-first century have enslaved our people economically, and done more damage to our people, mentally, by keeping them in economic slavery, which is worst than physical slavery!
Some of the atrocities we suffered was perpetrated on our forefathers by our own people!
The idea that our own people sold us into slavery is a lie design by our oppressors to keep us from the truth of who we really are.
Jesus said, when you see Jerusalem compassed (surrounded) by the Romans, run to the hills, those of our ancestors who made it out ran to that part of Africa where we met the indigenous Africans of that area and because we brought our skills we took over and they hated us for that so when the Romans (Europeans) arrived they saw their opportunity to get rid of us helped to capture and sell us into slavery.
Black history? Like the Most High said, my people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.
Nac Vibes, we did engage in some selling of our own, but I believe without knowledge of what the consequence would have been.
Telemaque… thats black American history not Dominican history!!
dominica was the last country to be colonized in the Caribbean almost 200 years after it was discovered. the Caribs fought the Europeans for over 160 years.
Dominica was also the first British colony in the region to have internal self rule. slavery did not last in Dominica. which is why most Dominicans in the generation before owned property.
Black American history is not Dominican history.
Yes, well this should be taught year round…not just during Black American History Month! Again, very dumb idea for a 99% Black country has a “Black History” month celebration. People I showed this to cannot believe this exist in the country. Maybe we should re-educate the “educators” in charge of our children’s mind! They’re just dumb and stupid!
UDOHREADYET, Dominica like every country has a unique history. But it also has a shared history with the rest of the Americas and with black people world-wide. Approximately 100,000 blacks were transported to Dominica as slaves and as in other Islands slaves revolted and joined forces with the Kalingo in Dominica; pretty similar to what happened in Jamaica with the Tainos or Arawaks. The impact of slavery, and colonialization in Africa knows no geographical boundaries and many Dominicans and nationals of other Caribbean nations have and will continue to experience an even more harsh wakeup call when they move to foreign countries where blacks are not in the majority; and even where they are in Africa. Coloured folks came to power in Dominica not blacks in a manner that was inclusive; the black man still did not have the privilege to rule his destiny in context of national politics. Black history, social and economic outcomes are tied up together whether we are in the US, Africa,…
Pardon the typo colonialization instead of colonization used in responding to UDOHREADYET
Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque, I am happy to see that we share the same belief that it time to act in a meaningful way to propel us beyond our former glory— to a place where we are a social and economic force to be revered even as we enjoy peace, freedom, and happiness in a world of where globalization, assimilation or multi-culturalism is the other of the day. If we do not know our true identities and earn the right to pride, social and economic freedom in the current we will be cast asides and beggars.
And if we do not know where we are coming from we won’t know where we are going. Knowing our roots gives us the pride to overcome racism from outside as well as from within. It also inspires art and innovation that can help us to accumulate wealth for advancing our social and economic conditions.
Well said!
Thank you Tj, I sure hope saying will trigger action.
Thank you Tj, lets hope that if we keep sharing people will act to effect change.
Wow! As true and profound as can be!
Thank you Oh Yes, I hope our people will act for change.
Also, here’s black history for you – Barry Soetoro, AKA Barack Obama:-
1) No evidence of change of name
2) US foreign student in USA (not eligible to be president)
3) Fake SSN: http://www.wnd.com/2011/03/275861/
4) Fake birth certificate: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBw-Q4-slqI
Oh yes he can be president because he is president of the ‘United States Corporation. He or anybody else can be president of a corporation. The US has ‘corporate’ government and has had this since 1871. But they don’t teach you that in the history books in the government schools. The United States of America essentially perished after the civil war. The US was NEVER a democracy. A democracy is ‘mob or majority rule’ at the expense of the minority. The US was a Republic only for about 5 years after the Civil War. The bankers (Rothchilds and Rockefellers) came in and essentially took control of the destroyed, bankrupt US after the civil war. They loaned the govt. money and in exchange, the bankers became the owners of just about all of the land in the US. That is why you have to pay property taxes. You own nothing.
As for Obama (Soetoro), his family has a history with the CIA and State Dept. He was schooled in CIA schools and speaks fluent Arabic. Thus a muslim.
Paul Julien, today we want to focus on our history, and the things that we can do for making the world a better blacks for blacks as well as for mankind as a whole. We hope see the benefits to be gained and will be throwing your full support in every initiative for making this world place for blacks and the rest of humanity.
How’s that for black history, PM Skerri style – https://www.fleetmon.com/maritime-news/2016/16267/tanker-arrested-carrying-illegal-fuel/
Dear Reader, I won’t pretend to have the competence for taking on that particular topic.
Racism comes in all race, shapes and color, and to be honest, blacks are very racist towards one another, when I listen to some Dominicans saying Linton is too Black, too ugly, his nose is this and that, they do not want that to be their leader etc, how will the white look at an ugly man like linton even to dialog with him, they are making racism look good, as I said blacks are far more racist towards black, than white towards white, also when you have someone who is of Lebanon descendaant in the person of Tony Astaphan calling blacks all sorts of degrading names and we have black of slave descendants helping him to bring down blacks, regardless of us blacks celebrating Black History Month, this racist thimg will never stop, we blacks are too hypocrite
You hit the nail on the head.
Helena, you need to read The Willie Lynch Letter. Slavery will be eternally perpetrated according to this former slave master. Until we know our story, we will continue the ignorant talk about being too black, having big noses and thick lips. We are the original and every other race knows that except us because we have been brain-washed and cannot think for ourselves.
I wear my black skin as a badge of honour. I love who I see in the mirror and I am not ashamed. I do not want to be like any other race because I know who I am.
PEACE (Hotep)
I love that badge of honour. If we understand the impact of the content of the Wille Lynch Letter, we will understand why we still perpetrate acts of racism against ourselves without knowing it. Once we become aware and end such behaviours Willie Lynch’s great idea would be as dead as Willie Lynch himself.
Helena, we definitely need to move away from the kinds of things you have just pointed out. I have not been following the situation with Mr. Linton or Mr. Astaphan however, wherever, name calling and dismissal of individuals on the basis of their race must be done away with. We must root it out if better is to come.
Wow, what an analysis. I appreciate the effort that you put into it BUT I find myself at odds with your assumptions and conclusions.
You seem to be ascribing every type of strife within the black community to black against black racism. While the phenomenon you described used to exist, and probably still does, I think it’s very weak to ascribe all the issues you described to it. Intra-community strife happens. It’s a normal thing. It’s not necessarily because of racism. All sorts of communities experience it.
Do we have problems needing solutions? Yes, but ascribing all or most of them to internal racism obscures the causes and helps to hinder the search for solutions.
Selah.
Chakademus, thank you for sharing you view.
Not all social or economic challenges, struggles, or conflict is the result of racism. In the article above I defined what I meant by racism and therefore the basis of the kinds of occurrences that would qualify as black against black racism –“I will argue black against black racism occurs when Blacks view other races to be superior and on that basis, treat their own differently, or judge their worth, and professionalism differently purely on the basis”. You may have missed it in the third paragraph. Great that you raised the point because it presents an opportunity to highlight and clarify what I refer to as racism and what kinds of actions I have attributed to racism; if we do not understand we will not be able to solve the problem.
That’s a great article and I would encourage our black brother’s and sisters to take notes. It hurts after so much struggle to set us free, which I still believe we are not by our own actions and as the lady said how we treat our own. Your next pic I would like to see your natural hair, a black woman look so beautiful with you natural hair, all this is not accepting who we really are.
Just looking, thank you for sharing and for encouraging our sisters and brothers to act for ending barriers and oppressions against each other. Don’t fall into the same trap with a baseless assumption regarding whether or not I love my blackness and my own fine, thick, black and beautiful hair. Zoom into the photo to see peep at my natural hair along the front. I have a mass of fine beautiful dark brown hair, I treasure my hair in its natural state, I treasure my hairy skin, and as such take the necessary measures for protecting it from the elements when I am out door in adverse temperatures hot or cold and for ease of dress. I choose to reveal aspects of my unique beauty in skin and hair to select individuals, recently I had the privilege of unveiling my dread so to speak (It is not locked) to someone I have known for awhile, the words I heard were “beautiful, beautiful”, I was deliberate in making the revelation to the deserving at the time chosen, with the intent to shock.
Not sure what happened to the second part of my response to Just Looking so I will repost.
Just looking, I was too tired this morning to complete my response to you. Now I am up and rested. I meant to add that even without protecting my hair I consider my right to choose my style and look apart of my freedom that I have claimed. Just a few weeks ago, I was brushing my hair and as it shimmered, rippled and flipped at the end I thought; “this looks like moonlight on a river”. The thought will be included in my collection of photos, poems, and writings about me. So, I will relax, braid or do what I choose to my hair. I don’t like braids because I must keep it on at nights and it is heavy and I can’t touch my hair much. I loved the relaxed look at times, but relaxers rip off fine hair within a few weeks. I kept my description of my hair because I intend to write a piece for myself about the third phase of falling in love with it again in its natural state. And I say this because…
What does black history month an American thing, have to do with Dominica?
Trump just appropriately changed the name of the month as it should be recognized as black American history month.
It would make sense if This article was about Kalinago (Carib) history month, because they have a smaller representation and such a rich history on the Island.
America needs a black American history month because their history books do not correctly reflect the contributions of black Americans in their society.
Growing up in Dominica we knew nothing of race, we did not categorize people racially nor did we practice racism of any sort.
I learned about racism traveling to other countries the US specifically. Racism isn’t a Caribbean thing because all Caribbean people fall under one Race ‘West Indian’ that distinction has allowed us to excel socially past even developed nations on how we treat interact and welcome others of all backgrounds to our Islands.
Dominica isn’t America.
UDOHREADYET, Dominica like every country has a unique history. But it also has a shared history with the rest of the Americas and with black people world-wide. Approximately 100,000 blacks were transported to Dominica as slaves and as in other Islands slaves revolted and joined forces with the Kalingo in Dominica; pretty similar to what happened in Jamaica with the Tainos or Arawaks. The impact of slavery, and colonization in Africa knows no geographical boundaries and many Dominicans and nationals of other Caribbean nations have and will continue to experience an even more harsh wakeup call when they move to foreign countries where blacks are not in the majority; and even where they are in Africa. Coloured folks came to power in Dominica not blacks in a manner that was inclusive; the black man still did not have the privilege to rule his destiny in context of national politics. Black history, social and economic outcomes are tied up together whether we are in the US, Africa, Cana