I’m one who often considers the evolution, or lack thereof, of African-Americans throughout the years. While this evaluation of sorts tends to happen rather frequently, I definitely weigh the progress of our people during specific milestones, including Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
As I was thinking of the state of Blacks during the civil rights era I was filled with a tremendous sense of pride because of the manner in which most of our people carried themselves. During the ‘60s, Blacks were dressed neatly as they marched and advocated for various rights. Their pants were creased, shirts tucked in, skirts were worn at appropriate lengths, etc. But boy have things changed now.
Today, many males in the Black community are wearing clothing two sizes larger than they actually should be. Their pants are sagging so low that seeing one’s underwear is now a normalcy, the pants on some females are extremely tight, and the list could go on and on.
So, when does this degradation of our people end? Perhaps I should rephrase that question to: When will we stop degrading ourselves?
I can’t speak for anyone else, but I can say that personally I’m tired of us making a fool out of us.
It amazes me how often I’m at the mall, a gas station, or even the supermarket and I witness one of us behaving in a less-than desirable manner. Whether we’re using the least acceptable form of Ebonics, we’re dropping it (meaning our behinds) like it’s hot, or we’re dressed inappropriately; seeing Blacks in this position is disappointing.
Our people have gone from holding picket signs to wearing shirts with derogatory words and messages. Exactly what are we advocating for now? It sure as hell isn’t respect because we’re not even giving respect to ourselves. The state that many Blacks are in is a travesty that’s incredibly sad.
What’s even more unfortunate is that many Blacks aren’t trying to improve. We aren’t even showing within ourselves that we want to do better.
Sometimes it’s very easy for me to understand why white people as well as other races are astonished by us, because I often find myself being just as surprised — it’s embarrassing! To the people who are presenting themselves negatively, proudly singing the lyrics to disrespectful songs, and advocating for a gangster lifestyle I say to you — get a grip. You are an embarrassment to yourself, your family, all men and women across the world, and you’re especially embarrassing to the Black community. Have some pride about yourself and if you can’t muster that, have pride in what those before you did to ensure the rights we have today. So many of us have forgotten the hard work involved in helping Blacks achieve the basic freedoms that we previously didn’t have. We need to be constantly reminded that life wasn’t always as it is, nor is it as great as it should be now. We mustn’t get complacent with the “societal norms.” We have to do a better job of not only trying, but of actually doing better.
While I wasn’t born during the civil rights era, I can truly understand the disdain many who lived during that time must feel towards some of our people today. I would be absolutely livid to the lackadaisical way many Blacks are behaving if I actually marched, picketed, had water hoses sprayed at me and dogs biting chunks of my skin.
It’s sad that as we honored Dr. King and the legacy he created we’ve taken a few tremendous steps backward.
