Prometheus 6

Thank you, my brother, thank you!

I think there may be some division over the question even at the New York Times. The editors pulled a quote from my critical comment and placed it right next to the online edition of the article about Obama's speech.

http://www.eyesonobama.com/blog/content/id_20788/title_Obama-is-Right-Cosby-is-Wrong-and-Dyson-Ought-to-Know-Why/

...to which I can only say directly, "calm down, son"...

Oliver needs that on occasion, but that's one of the things I like about him.

I am black, single, no children, working to buy gasoline woman --- and Obama's speech spoke to MY frustrations.  Why does the idea of two parent, working, raising your children, whom you encourage to get an education and set standards for yourself and those in your life = white frustrations??????????

"Because Ta-Nehesi basically gets it.....It's about Barack giving voice to white frustration."

UPDATE:  So now I have read the post on the link, I am not as annoyed but don't understand what people who keep accusing those who share these views of carrying the white man's water:  what do you want?  Acknowledge that we have a longer road because of racism ---- YES, I agree. 

But to me your concerns sound like, well I can't make it because of THE MAN.

Do you honestly have a problem with telling black men - take care of your children, read to your kids every now and then be INVOLVED?  Why is this a bad thing????

Ruth,

One issue is that the folks who aren't taking care of business weren't sitting in the pews of that church and I have little reason to believe that they are reading newspaper accounts today of Obama's speech and becoming overwhelmed with guilt. So, who was the intended audience for Obama's speech? It wasn't me, my friends and most of my male cousins and my one living uncle because we either have or are taking care of our business.  

But to me your concerns sound like, well I can't make it because of THE MAN.

I'm going to have to ask what I EVER wrote to suggest that.

Like I said yesterday, only one side of the issue ever gets rhythm...and it is a requirement for candidates to take the other side.

The editors pulled a quote from my critical comment and placed it right next to the online edition of the article about Obama's speech.

Thank you.

This is the one of the things that makes me wanna smack Pat Buchanan silly. He hates "blame America first" liberals. But apparently, everybody loves "blame the blacks first" anybody.

I do see Ruth's point, though. I'm a single, black female and I hate watching my sisters, even the married ones, bear the brunt of childrearing.

But not to be obnoxious, I also see P6's point. I'm tired of one side of the argument being said over and over and over again, and having white folks act like it's just being said for the first time! (You know, white people have a bad habit of that. First was Columbus discovering America. Then, Access Hollywood gave Ashanti credit for discovering Terrence Howard.)

But Oliver's right. Enough is enough! And I'm sick of "black Sambo first" syndrome. P6 is right. It's not enough that we be twice as good. We have to be superior. And thanks, P6, I'll get started on the rhetoric cause I don't care what they do. I'll be a martyr!

How they have the audacity to act like the black community is pathological and racism has nothing to do with our situation is beyond me. How they can deny racism because they don't like the personal rebuke but rebuke the entire black community is beyond? They want stats: over half of black children are growing up without their fathers? I'll give'em stats! How about racial profiling? How about the black unemployment rate? How about the weak baby-sitting the public does and calls it "education?"

Family values? How does sending women on welfare an hour away from home to "earn" their welfare promote family values? How does "abstinence only" protect family values?

I'll be a martyr!

I'm thinking about why that bothers me.

I feel you, P6. I really do. But, we just agree to disagree on this. I am, however, scurrying to the NYTimes site to see if I can see pt's quote.

I agree with Oliver W, but you already knew that.

Cool. I'm not pushing a debate at this point. I won't even insist Ruth answer my question.

I'm reacting by explaining, hoping a bigger understanding can influence the next issue. The speech, being past, can't be changed.

I agree with Oliver W, but you already knew that.

Grow a thousandfold? Those people in that church really needed to hear that?

sigh

Think why that bothers you? 

Welp, let me know. I am given to moments of megalomania at times. I really don't see much worse happening to me or anyone beyond being vilified in the media. I don't fear for my life or anything like that. It's just that the truth needs to be spoken. And the truth is that the overwhelming majority of white Americans can't even bring themselves to admit the extent of racism, African Americans are gonna have to do it for ourselves.

And, I don't foresee them moving the bar or changing the rules of the game. They'll just get in at the end and then carry on like they did something, ala Spanish "American" War where the Cuban guerillas were already winning.

If I'm reading folks correctly, some are saying the problem is real and needs to be addressed while others take exception to pinning the blame exclusively on black men.

I'm still trying to hunt up some numbers, but I'm thinking the problem is poor and uneducated men, and the rules that operate our education system and economy say that group will be populated disproportionately by--you-know-who.

Sure, it's the height of personal irresponsibility to father a child you can't and won't support. Who'd argue otherwise? But if you take a sample of young men who don't have a job or an education, are you going to be surprised at the outcome?

Hey Quake,

The problem is placing the blame exclusively on black men, especially since it feeds an anti-black storyline about our alleged lack of family values. Whites have been blaming the Black community for its supposedly self-generated “families” problems since at least the late seventeenth century, without of course dealing with the extreme circumstances that a highly racist and discriminatory system creates for all Black parents, past and present.

And there're two other problems. One - w/in the black community - the number of unwed births and MIA fathers have crept into members of mid middle class and above. Two - w/in the US - the census bureau changed the way it counts families 10years or so ago. Before, everyone who lived in the household was a member of the family. Now, if a woman in her twenties lives with her parents and children, they're more or less counted as 2 families and not one. So the number of children being raised in "single-parent" homes has artificially gone up. (Sorry for not mentioning that earlier. I just remembered.)

This is an issue that absolutely drives me nuts!

(...And as fate would have it, Charlie Rose is having a conversation with Lance Armstrong about it as I type!)

As a kid, I was lectured endlessly by my father about what a 'real' man does. A 'Real Man' sees to it that his children come first. A 'Real Man', whether he is with the mother or not, always makes him self accessible to them. a 'Real Man' sets an example an gives them a sense of right a wrong.

(...Being a 'Real Man' scared me so bad, I didn't know if I could handle it!)

Granted, a lot of people have said they think I've done well by my children, but everyday I'm trying to gage if I'm living up to what I understand a 'Real Man' is supposed to be.

(...Because I also understand the responsibility never ends!)

What I also appreciate is that not everybody gets those values hammered home at an early age and there's a host of reasons why. We could go deep into the nitty gritty of hundreds of years of slavery and the whole nine and it all makes sense.

But the flip to that is how do you act socially conscious when you find yourself interacting with folks who never got any of that. Do you just co-sign the actions and say what your doing is not your fault? You're the victim of larger social issues that are beyond your understanding?

Maybe it's never been my place, but when I see a brother disrespecting a black woman, I have to speak on it. Depending on the individual and the severity, the approach will vary, but when my 'real man' radar goes off, my belief is that I have a responsibility to speak to it.

And I've watched people laugh at the people I'm speaking to and watched the people I'm speaking to get somewhat sheepish when I do it. But I have no problem asking people if that's how they were taught to treat a woman and that it doesn't matter if the woman meets their criteria for what constitutes a woman. As a gentleman, or a 'real' man, you give her due respect. Worst case scenario, help her get to the level she needs to be at to gain your respect.

I'll even go so far as to say that I know what I'm saying may be considered alien, given the state of the world we live in, the lack of morality that's actually promoted and encouraged by the society at large, but that they need to understand it's all done in the name of commerce, not their best interest.

I'll hear "You're right" or "You're a trip!" but I've yet to hear "You're full of s%&t!!!"

(...Okay, maybe I've heard, "You really talk that s%&t!!" But it's usually from an indirect witness!) 

I have no illusions I'm changing the world, or that I've changed anyone's mind for the better, but I go on notice for what I believe and can live with my conscience that I'm not co-signing off on BS attitudes.

Now that's an across the board perspective, but I'm definitely more heart felt when I'm dealing with people of color because of how much I care and believe in redemption.

Do I not have an obligation to try to get a brother to understand the concept of a corporate dress code is all a part of the operating culture? Or, when he eventually ends getting fired for not 'fitting in' tell him how sorry I am that they won't let a brother 'keep it real' and be himself?

I have family that could qualify as 'living large' enough where they could live off of the interest of the money they have to the point it makes me feel I have 'section 8' stamped on my forehead and family that acts as if section 8 is this equivalency to forty acres and a mule in the promised land.

Can't get a job with the skills they have and don't have any desire to get the ones they need.

This is not a condemnation. This is a statement of reality.

Neither has really known what it means to work hard to maintain their existence with any fear of consequence.. 

I'm sure the following may seem off the wall, but I don't think what's going on is slave's mentality, it's slave master's mentality.

Slaves were initially far more inclined to maintain the traditions of family and virtue they brought with them from Africa.

(Part of the reason we keep trying to make Kwanzaa a staple, I think!)

I think that the term 'benevolent slave-master' can never be more than an oxymoron.

Dominating men and women for personal gain and denying they're rights as human beings could was the modus operandi of any slave master, but could also be viewed as the precursor of modern day 'Thug Life'

Impregnating women who bear their children, but deny taking any personal responsibility for the child's uprearing, aside from occasional inquiries, but all the while living within a communal distance from one another

The plantation mistress who's dependent upon the unfaithful Slave-master and tolerates it, with the full knowledge of his actions, because as long as she can bear his child, she has a guarantee she'll be taken care of.

To quote Michael Wright as Raynathan Skuggs in the movie 'Sugar Hill'

"Sittin' on the front porch all day, drinkin' mint julips... pretendin' we's white folks!"

(...Holy Crap! I NOW feel officially as crazy as Eldridge Cleaver!)

But point being, I can't tell you how many people I've spoken to living like this that don't see anything wrong with it, or it's origins.

"I've thought about going back to school and what not, but with the baby and all..."

It's heart-breaking. And you never hear anything bad spoken about the child's father because

"...He still comes by from time to time!"

You can say affluent people in general and more so white people, to be specific, have the luxury of taking a time out in life to 'find themselves.'

We don't have that kind of time, or the resources to support it, or condone it.

A large majority of he outer-bound society of 'The Paler Nation' (as defined by Stephen L. Carter) are always going to get it twisted with the intent seen as condemnation and validation viewing it through their own filtering system.

But these are not values we brought here. These are values that were learned here

You can say that Cosby is senile (...Although, I think it interesting his radical viewpoints didn't evolve until AFTER his son was murdered.Would they have done so if he hadn't? I don't think so.)

You can say Obama is wrong and on and on and on. But does there not need to be a conversation that speaks to what needs to be done to give everyone a sense of what theright direction is? 

For better or worse, none of us can dictate how we come into this world, but we have the ability to chart our destiny through it.

What is the middle ground that defines the truth between victim and self-made?

This may make absolutely no sense whatsoever, but I've always held fast to the belief that everybody is always someone else on another level.

There has to be a way to make the conversation relevant all the way around

Yes! A conversation. Not a bunch of lectures. It'd be one thing to say, for example, black fathers face real racial injustices and as much as possible, shouldn't let those injustices "trinkle" down to their children. You know, kind of "do it inspite of." That's real. But this one-sided lecturing that lets Amerikkka off the hook is growing stale. I'm a single, childless woman and I'm tired of hearing it! Plus, this totally discounts the vast majority of black fathers who are stepping up. What about celebrating them instead of feeding the white racist idea of black pathology? I keep having to remind myself that Obama has personal issues, and he's probably seen what you've seen, we all have.  

But, we also know there's more to the black community than the MIA fathers. The rest of America needs to know it, and if you know the rest of America is going to hear what you say, watch what you say. Tell the whole story or don't say anything at all.

The very people who needed to hear the message was in the pews. For though some of his comments were directed at fathers - some were directed at parents in general - as he did in SC earlier this year.

 Last night I was talking to a co-worker who just spent a week at VBS.  She talked about difficult it was to deal with the attitudes of the kids - and then their parents on top of that.  One student ill behaved on the bus, when chasisted, he called his mother who showed up at the church wearing her clown suit.

I pointed out that is part of the reason why my co-teacher and I eventually gave up teaching senior high students in Sunday School.  It was heart breaking to hear kids I have known since they were born talk about if a girl gets out of line - he would smack her.  Then for the girls to sit there and tell us to our face that it was a sign of love for guys to be jealous.

These are just examples of the "mentality" that needs changing.  Is it is problem JUST in the black community?? no ---- but I want to see our community find their way back to sanity. 

The reason I said it was the "man" victim voice ---- was while you are right that unemployment and poverty are key factors.  However, as I understand what you are saying and please help me better understand ---- is that until unemployment and poverty issues are addressed or fixed we are not allowed to have a conversation about the problems in our community.

I don't think there is a need to wait to try and raise our kids.

 "acts as if section 8 is this equivalency to forty acres and a mule in the promised land."

I had a neighbor boast about the fact that she now will get $700 a month in food stamps since her 16 yr old had a baby.  We are the same age and I go to work everyday - she has not had a job since I met her eight years ago.  her daughter was the last one of six kids ---- if she takes custody of the latest grandbaby she gets 18 more years of section 8 and food stamps.

breaks my heart to watch her daughter go from a straight A student to a teen mom like her sister, mother and aunts.  She use to cry about how her mother never supports her in school.  Now she wants her mother to get her boyfriend to buy her a $300 cell phone - not there is anything wrong with the one her mother's previous boyfriend bought her.

For the record this is not a black family.

He made one speech on a specific topic - did not try to define and fix all problems.  Why are we so resistent to taking one step - can you and I ever fix a problem in our own lives without begining with personal responsibility and assessment?

short of winning the lottery of course

He was saying some variation of this  speech back five years ago when he was running for the Senate. Are those of you who are upset now, upset back then?

However, as I understand what you are saying and please help me better understand ---- is that until unemployment and poverty issues are addressed or fixed we are not allowed to have a conversation about the problems in our community.

Until unemployment and poverty issues are addressed you're trying to teach folks to swim at the foot of a waterfall. I'm saying that validating our position under the waterfall is a checkpoint you must hit as a Presidential candidate. 

I am not the one that doesn't believe in multitasking. But it is multitasking, because I haven't gone into child rearing. On the other hand I know Black folk internalize our politics..."our" in this case being American rather than Black.

I have always been cautious about him.

I am digesting that last statement - my first Obama post

They say voters should not expect a fiery leader who pounds his fists, but rather, a measured collaborator similar to the late Paul Simon, who represented Illinois in the Senate from 1985 to 1997.

"He knows why he's in public life," said David Axelrod, a political consultant who works for Obama.

Starring Barack Obama as Colin Powell

The down side of racism is obvious from the minority perspective but its irrefutable existence does damage to the American self-image-this has subtle but powerful repercussions. Obama and Powell represent resolution, the Progressive and Conservative views of what Black America can become as well as the means of doing so. They assure Americans that, in the final analysis, we can be counted on to recognize talent over race and this is important because if Americans do not believe they can overcome the race issues we face they will not be able to do so.

That's why there was so much talk about Gen. Powell running for President a few years back (which was nonsense but made a lot of people feel good about the Republican Party's future). Gen. Powell was considered living proof of the GOP's inclusiveness, but to America at large he was proof that America is putting racism behind it… if even the Republican Party will appoint Black folks to high office, racism must be over, right? The very slightly increase in Black folks who are registered Republicans are the direct rewards the party received for allowing the General to represent them.

It's also why so many people immediately declared Obama to be Presidential material. Barak Obama is the Democratic response to Colin Powell and a quite effective one

Ask a serious question

...get a serious answer.

The question is

At a time when the mainstream media was incapable of raising any alarm against Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Samuel Alito, two men whose demonstrable hostility to Affirmative Action and equal opportunity threaten to destroy the flimsy fabric of racial reconciliation and reverse the gains of the last 50 years, why is Barack Obama necessary to heal the wounds and absolve the sins of a deeply racist and imperialist nation like America?

If you listed to the Senator's speeches you will see a common theme. He runs sequetially through the various sufferage movements the nation has endured as though each came to a clean, elegant closure. He tells mainstream folks the serious problems are over and it's all a matter of incremental adjustments.

That means they are ethically and morally clean and can focus on themselves.

There's a lot more. A LOT more.

I suggest we decide wheter we're talking about Obama's positions or about how to get Black folks to change to something we haven't figured out yet. I really don't think the result of a conversation braiding the two themes together will satisfy either.

I will also let you know up front: statements that uses "we" in a way that obviously does not include the speaker are translated. Every instance of "we" is exchanged for a "you."

I think we can agree we want to see improvement, though we may differ on the path.

I really enjoyed the dialogue - thanks P6.

My position on Obama's Fathers Day speech has not changed for the following reasons: (1) African Americans were not the intended audience; (2) Obama is not running for the presidency of Black America so his public admonitions to black folk should be viewed with a great deal of skepticism by free thinking citizens in a democratic republic because he is, after all, a politician; (3) It is undeniable that many of the problems that black face in this country are structural in nature and he offered no policy prescriptions to address those issues; (4) the type of speech that Obama should have given is not possible because it would jeopardize his candidacy for the presidency; and, (5) since his own ambition constrains his ability to comprehensively address all of the issues on the table he cannot lead or jump start the discussion.  

there is no middle road in this conversation, because the use of the canard is a tactic designed to turn citizens towards minor private solutions that have significant punitive elements. we can't somehow talk about individual responsibility and talk about the right to a decent standard of living. the first thing sucks all of the oxygen out of the room, leaving nothing for the second. 

Ruth, all studies and stats show that with the exception of unwed births and MIA fathers, which doesn't affect the child academic achievement, African Americans are every bit as personally responsible as anybody else, including white Americans. Black teenagers use drugs and engage in promiscuous sex at a lower rate and less risky behavior than, for example, white teenagers.

A man's ability to provide for his family significantly affects his self-image and psychological state. Once you understand that, then boil down all the numbers - likelihood of being stopped by police for no reason, likelihood of finding employment - a major, major reason for the absense of black fathers is racism. A white man with a high school diploma has a better chance of finding a job than a black man with a college degree. That has real implications. And, black college graduates don't make the same as white college graduates. So why the preaching about the importance of education as though part of the fight for racial justice was/is not about equal educational opportunity? And are we really going to tell our children who are told their community "dialect" is indicative of collective mental disabilities and who have to learn how great the white settlers were and how slavery wasn't as bad as all that - are we really going to tell our children that white supremacy isn't undergirded by our education system?

But I digress, there was a time when the gender gap in pay was explained away as paying men more because they have families to support. When have black men ever enjoyed the such favor as intentionally being paid more than women just because they have families to support? (Today, black men make more than black women but less than white women.)

The bottom line is that while I'll tell black folks being twice as good isn't good enough, that have to be flat out superior, I refuse to act like black folks just can't get it together. And yes, rikyrah, I was slightly annoyed the first time Obama gave such a speech, but I know American politics. I gave him a pass. Everytime since has being increasingly annoying and obnoxious. I still think Obama was the best choice, but he is becoming more and more disappointing where racial reconciliation is concerned. Even though, it's not really all his fault. I mean, I haven't heard anyone ask if McCain or Clinton can "transcend" race.

On MSNBC, they're already citing the Father's day speech as proof of Obama going against the "liberal" grain.

I know all kinds of liberals but I have never met one, not one, who thought it was okay for a parent to skip out on his or her responsibilities as a parent. If we find any liberals who support deadbeat parents they will probably be defense attorneys who are simply representing their clients. This does not mean the attorneys in principle support the practice of shirking one's responsibility as a parent. 

I think the "liberalism" they're talking about refers to the taboo of criticizing black people. Other than that, point taken. Who doesn't know abandoning children is a bad thing?

There is no taboo on criticizing Black folk.

I know there's no taboo on criticizing black folks!

The point I'm making is that the mainstream media is basically admitting that Obama's comments were as much for white voters as the audience in the church. And the fact there is no taboo on criticizing black folks like everything thinks just demonstrates the extent of racial delusion in this country.

And P6, you haven't explained what bothers you about the "martyr" comment. 

"I think the "liberalism" they're talking about refers to the taboo of criticizing black people."

No, they mean people who are political liberals. People are genuinely committed to progressive change and who, whatever their faults or shortcomings, have never abdicated their support for issues and policies that are beneficial to African Americans because they believe such policies are beneficial to the nation as a whole.

Yeah, what PT said.

And P6, you haven't explained what bothers you about the "martyr" comment.

True.

Well, I can't pat you on the back for it because I won't do it. I have a daughter trying to get into law school and she's one of the people I care about more than truth. 

The people in the pews at Apostolic were akin to the choir. The speech was not offered for their benefit because, well, because they are the choir.

What do you think will happen that'll keep your daughter out of law school - of course, I wish her the best.

Not looking for any pats on the back. I was just curious.

If your daughter has inherited your tenacity and take-no-prisoners-attitude, I would hate to go up against her in a court of law. I hope she manages to fight the good fight.

What do you think will happen that'll keep your daughter out of law school

We were speaking of martyrdom, no? That would have impact. 

I hope she manages to fight the good fight.

That's her intent. Though she finds academia tempting, too...like the idea of teaching.

I'm asking how would my martyrdom affect your daughter?

But if you're bothered because you believe experiencing life and its wonders is more important than being recklessly radical, that answers my question. And I actually approve of that Civil Rights Activist from Monroe, NC who moved to keep from being killed.

Me? I'm single and childless. I'm not risking as much as others. And, I just can't go for the idea of being alive just for its own sake. Though, I hardly think honestly telling people blacks have to be superior in order to achieve equality is assassination worthy. And I really doubt I could say anything assassination worthy in the next few years.

I'm asking how would my martyrdom affect your daughter?

Oh. Not at all. But since I don't see what I'm saying as sufficient to drive me to martyrdom it would bother me if someone else did, Especially if it came to pass.

Though, I hardly think honestly telling people blacks have to be superior in order to achieve equality is assassination worthy.

Depends how you do it. 

"But since I don't see what I'm saying as sufficient to drive me to martyrdom it would bother me if someone else did, Especially if it came to pass."

Oh! Okay. Gotcha.

For what it's worth, I'm 5'4, "light" skinned, and baby-faced. There's a racist forced-into-retirement principal who just adores me. I can play the "special Negro" while simultaneously getting my "angry black woman" point across like nobody's business! ;-)

Good luck to your daughter. I've thought about going into the law, and still consider it, but I'm much more into history.

How can someone pull themselves by their boot straps if they have no boots. We are taught from the cradle to grave that we are second class citizens. We go to school and learn all about His-Story and of course we learn we were slaves. And that's kinda of glossed over. We get one month to celebrate Black History the shortest, coldest month of year, So we are taught you have to be better. Its damn hard when land mines keep being placed in your way in the form of, School to Prison Pipleline, Three Strikes Your Out, Unraveling of the Voting Rights Act, Assault on Affirmative Action, Welfare Reform, Mandatory Minimuns , Discrimination in Employment, Draconian Child Support Laws, No Child Left Behind, Stolen Elections, Gentrification, Prisons for Profit, Katrina, Police Brutality. Remember, Sean Bell the young black father on his way to marrying his children's mother. What did Obama say. "We should respect the Judge" Hillary Clinton at least gave her condolences the the Bell Family.

Barak Obama's tirade wasn't meant to get a discussion going.He was pandering to conservatives. O'Really over at faux news sure liked Obama's rant, in fact he brought on Professor Lamont Hill to discuss it. And Professor Hill told him Obama is a politician pandering to conservatives. Obama blamed black men without holding the powers that be accountable for their neglect and abuse of the black community. In general. It is an election year so blacks can be expected to get thrown under the bus every time,remember Sister Souljah and Willie Horton.

When you say Cosby didn't get radical until after his son was killed. Blacks didn't kill his son, his son was killed by an immigrant from the Ukraine. So if he wanted to blast someone he should have blasted them. Bill Cosby called our children "it" and said they should be shot for having a peice of cake! Bill Cosby is either senile or seriously divorced from reality.

Welfare is not synonymous with black people. White people comprise a bigger part of the welfare system. And then you have corporate welfare and thats the largest slice of the pie
And don't even mention the cost of the wars of aggression being waged. And I know the welfare system was a bad deal for families. The primary aim of welfare is to keep men out of the home. and make women complacent..

I think we are tire of being second class citizens. Maybe a brother wants to keep it real. Why do we have to mirror European Culture and abandon our own. I often wonder what would neighborhoods and homes look like if we had our own. I hear folks talk about Obama and say he's got to do that or he has to say that. He's not running for the president of Black people and I say yeah, he's made that quite clear. He attends no black functions, He uses Martin Luther' King's name but couldn't attend his anniversary, But whenever he needs to throw out a bone to show those "bitter people who turn to their religion and guns, that he's really, really sorry, he can berate and belittle black people. I expect more than that. Blacks aren't asking for anything more or less than anyone else and we deserve to respected just like all of America. And if he treats us like this before becoming POTUS what will he do after?

"Oh, if I could just find freedom, from the things that bind me,
And if I didn’t want to be saved, I would have peace of mind,
How can I be free from desire, as long as I want to be saved?
How can I be free in my mind, as long as I’m a slave?"

‘Is Anybody Gonna Be Saved?’ The Ohio Players – 1973

Luck is when preparation meets opportunity – Seneca

There’s a story that my father used to tell me when I was young that has taken on more relevancy over time.

(Granted, this is just one among many, endless preached!)

It was basically the story of an old man who encounters surveyors on a country road. The surveyors are talking to one another, calling out their measurements as they take them and at some point, the old man tells them the measurement is wrong. They immediately start to tell him that they can’t be wrong, because the instruments they have are the latest in technology, that there is almost no margin for error.

The old man says that he can appreciate how finely crafted and advanced their tools are, but that he knows for a fact that they’re still wrong.

They begin to chastise the old man, ask him if he’s ever used a compass before, which the old man says he has. They ask if he’s ever used one as advanced as the one’s they’re using and he says no, but that he still knows that they’re wrong and the old man walks on.

(In the long version, this goes on and on for days.)

Finally, exasperated of trying to convince the old man they were right day after day, they tell him to prove it. The old man grabs a tap measure out of his pocket and walks off the distance they had just measured with their instruments and to their astonishment; the old man proves that their measurements are way off.

So they check the calibrations on their supposedly full-proof instruments and find out inexplicably that the calibrations were way off.

Astonished, they finally ask him how he knew they were wrong. He answered that he had designed the road brick by brick from scratch when he was far younger than them from when there was nothing but a dirt field. He had inspected it daily and made certain that it complied specifically to his blueprints to the centimeter daily until it was completed.

So for all of their boasting of superiority and sophistication, he could have given a rats behind about all of their fancy toys and their blind belief in them because he had built the road, he was a craftsman and he knew every crack and crevice of it.

But now they become angry and ask the old man why he hadn’t told them this earlier so that they would have wasted so much time. He had done them a disservice by making them waste days of work that would now need to be done over. He told them that he had done so, daily. But instead of listening, they took at face value what appeared to be an old, seemingly out of touch old man and it was obvious you were too caught up in your on sense of self-righteousness to even begin to listen to anything he had to say, let alone let him speak. But he knew that if he came back day after day, eventually, one day they might tire of their self aggrandizement and give him a chance to be heard.
He felt he did owe them that before they ended up hurting somebody who might use their off calculations for future work.
I’ve never been sure EXACTLY what I was supposed to get from this story. Funnier, I can’t even find anything remotely like it on the internet anywhere, so I don’t even know if I’m telling it right, but my gut feeling is that approach and intent are issues that will go unresolved beyond my lifetime.

(…In my mind, Bill Cosby will always be ‘Chet Kincaid – gym teacher’ with the big afro who caught grief from the black principle on a daily basis!)

If I had no boots, I’d darn sight want some. And if I never got any, I’d still know what I’d do with them if I ever did. But I’d never stop wanting them and I’d have a clean set of socks set aside for the occasion. If I never got them, I’d give my son the socks and tell him what they’re for…

"People keep talking about how society is falling down today
And as hard as I try not to listen, to what those folks got to say
But you know, I just can’t help but look around and see we diggin’ our own graves
And there’s just one thing I want to know, can anybody be saved?"

‘Is Anybody Gonna Be Saved?’ The Ohio Players – 1973

my gut feeling is that approach and intent are issues that will go unresolved beyond my lifetime.

That's why I ignore both and go for impact.

I did not mean to come off in a defensive way with you and I apologize. I applaud you for the Man that you are and we need more who feel and act the way you do.

I was angry at the words of the Black politician. Everyone wants to come down on the Black Man. Fathers are not in the home. Well my own Father died when I was eight years old. But he still took care of us through his pension. It's just every time I hear some politician or bourgeois Black person run this tired old line, It gets under my skin.

Peace

Who are you apologizing to? And why?

You may treat those questions as rhetorical if you like.