African-Americans are such a divisive group of people…more so than any other race in the United States.
A report on prison inmates illustrated the aforementioned statement. The point was proven by observing the inmates on what is considered the most dangerous location in correctional facilities — the exercise yard. Upon canvassing the yard, it would appear that Blacks were in control of the yard because there were so many of them and they were spread throughout the entire area.
In actuality, Blacks were considered one of the weakest groups because of their divisiveness. The group that was actually the most threatening to all others races was the Hispanics. This conclusion was made because of the unity that Hispanics have. Although in the “outside world” inmates are in different gangs, once they’re incarcerated they all are a united front, thus making them the most powerful group behind prison bars.
As mentioned earlier, Blacks on the other hand are the most divisive because the gangs they are in on the outside remain their affiliation once inside.
So, although there are more Blacks on prison grounds than any other group, they actually have the least amount of power of all inmates because when they divide or split up, they weaken the entire body. I’ve spoken with incarcerated individuals who agreed with the report’s findings.
Unfortunately, the same is true for everyday, law-abiding African-American citizens. While in the “outside world” we aren’t the largest group, we are still the most divisive race. I’ve seen it at all levels: Black kids in school separate themselves based on neighborhood, their level of popularity, or social status; it’s the same for adults. Many of us separate ourselves in the same manner.
But the divisiveness among Blacks doesn’t stop there. It also happens in the workplace. I’ve seen Blacks treat each other badly; or even in instances of power, noticeably take the word of a non-Black over that of their own brother or sister simply because of the old adage that many still live by: white is right.
While we shouldn’t just disregard any other race simply because they’re different, we shouldn’t disregard our own for the very same reason.
Another example of Black divisiveness is in the family. I’ve seen time after time families torn apart because of the way we treat one another. It amazes me how we call each other family, yet treat a stranger on the street with more respect and tolerance. When we fight one another, call each other out of our names, and simply disrespect each other we are further dividing ourselves.
It saddens me to think of the unity our people had only 40 years ago and look at the divisiveness we have today.
One way to stop this growing division is to take accountability for ourselves and our actions. We also need to learn how to be less prideful and more humble and loving. Jealousy has always had a negative connotation to it and we’ve got to omit it from our vocabularies and stop acting in such a way.
If a person doesn’t understand the stress associated with the slumping economy, than perhaps Ervin Antonio Lupoe’s story will help make it clearer.
On Tuesday Lupoe, a resident of California killed his wife and their five children before turning the gun on himself. The incident was one that officials are calling an “all-too-common story.”
Lupoe and his wife Ana were both recently fired from West Los Angeles Medical Center where the two worked. Before he took his life, the distraught husband faxed a letter to a local television station and blamed his former employer.
Unfortunately, the current state of today’s economy is one of the main reasons people are killing themselves. Experts suggest that as many as 1,200 new suicides will take place this year as a result of the current recession.
Psychologist Nancy Molitor is one such person. She told CNN “hard economic times are particularly difficult for people with Type A personalities, especially those who have never experienced failure. High-achieving men whose whole identity is wrapped up in work are particularly vulnerable.”
“I am seeing it, in particular, in people who are prone to shame. They build their whole identity around being successful. If they don’t have someone watching them, they are at risk,” she says.
While we all have to deal with the recession, a certain level of decorum is necessary when dealing with individuals who are affected. As leaders, bosses need to show at least a modicum of compassion when delivering the bad news, as should co-workers and friends when they learn of a person’s misfortune. To be coldly dismissive is not only crass, but also incredibly insensitive. Times are hard for everyone; let’s all do our part to help ease the pain by striving to be kinder, more compassionate individuals.
