Intelligence is the ability to adapt to change. All things change and evolve. So many people believe holding onto their ideals, thoughts and traditions no matter how wrong they may be will protect them. Social prejudice, hatred and ignorance of historic wrongs are incestuous and contagious to the ignorant. It must be fought with all our might. (SK)
Of all the historical social movements we have experienced in North America, those led by non-white men and women were the most resonant and deafening. Whether you speak of the equal rights or women’s movement, Black Lives Matter or any social agenda the black community finds important to themselves and humanity as well, these women marched often along with supportive men to achieve their goal. None of these movements have disappeared and still exist because society continues to treat the non-white community as a second-class citizen.
You can speak about contemporary women facing a multitude of oppressive measures placed before them by history, social and individual prejudice, and economic factors initiated by the corporate world long ago. Corporations need cheap labour to achieve the profitability they desire. Was so at the beginning and now too. Blacks and non-whites find themselves still unable to feed their families and educate themselves. Medical treatment falls onto the insured and 41% of Black Americans are uninsured. Get sick, go into debt and pay your bills over a long period or declare bankruptcy if you can. Education is open to those who excel whether that be in the sciences or sports. A non-white often makes 15-30% less than whites in a comparative field of employment, and inflation weights these workers down. Inflation is created by those with money, greed and addiction to acquiring stuff.
What does the Black Community do in this situation? If they achieve the smallest of victories they celebrate it. They also celebrate those they look up to and wish they could be like black actors, sporting, professional and institutional black celebrities. And what do these celebrities do for the non-white masses? They entertain them and speak about their struggles to achieve their level of celebrity on social media, and reality shows. Occasionally they speak out about perceived wrongs done to their fellow citizens, but they also have their handlers beside them making sure they do not upset the social elites they depend upon.
Why are Black and Hispanic Celebrities not leading the BLM Movement, or speaking before a labour movement gathering working to pull its membership out of low-income poverty? Rich bubble-wrapped celebrities and even the so-called leaders of the institutional movement do not want to place themselves in financial or political jeopardy, No Sir. Beautiful People whose messages often are nothing more than socially worn platitudes that challenge no one in particular. Even the “Rap” Culture celebrities have fallen away from their original messaging and become institutionalized.
So if you want to have equal pay, equal rights, visible and sound improvement within your communities don’t whisper or talk, but SHOUT out LOUD. March with the attitude I know you can express, an attitude of want, desire and commitment. Remember all the leaders of the past who stood with their followers against oppression, prejudice and injustice, and often violently too. JESUS was himself violent when faced with ignorance, greed and misrepresentation by the temple leaders and money changers. Remember the Black Panthers, the Little Rock Nine, Chicago Housing Activists, the Chicano Movement and so many others who fought, bled and even died so you can enjoy what freedom of equality you now benefit from.
Have no leader that exemplifies what you and your community need? Have those who claim to be your leaders become a part of the “system” where self-interest is supreme? They stand up and be “that” leader. Some of history’s greatest and most effective leaders were uneducated, poor and unknown until they stood up and acted not for themselves but for the benefit of others.
Delores Huerta became a leader in the fight against Racism and Sexism. “Yes, we can” became her motto, saying “You should never wait for someone to ask for help, simply help them”. Working with Latino laborers this woman became a symbol of American Courage. How about you? See something that needs to be challenged and changed? A wrong needs to be made right? Your future is there waiting to be made, so become the opposite of evil, become an agent of truthful socially beneficial change.
Steven Kaszab
Bradford, Ontario
[email protected]
