Breaking Point to Elevation: History As It Reflects Today
Young man, who are you? Young man what are you? Young man what is your desire? I am an educated, insightful, strong young man who happens to be black, in America. This carries with it, a distinction of being ‘lesser’, than my less melanated brothers. This pushes me, to aim high, seek knowledge and achieve all of which, my forefathers fought to provide me. However…none of those things are my desire instead, what is to be treated as an equal and not to suffer at the hands of prejudgment.~ Black Man What Is Your Desire (creative prompt by The Pheonix)
Today I sat down with an extremely accomplished young man, who wishes to use the pseudonym, ‘Andre’. His accolades include, a BSc in Computer Science, Master’s in Accounting and member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. Andre works in the field of Finance and Auditing. He is also a man of color. I had the honor to sit with him, as he shared his views on the current social climate we live in today.
THE SYSTEM
Our interview began on the topic of race and inequality in America, and his view on the subject as a man of color. This was the beginning of a very comparative conversation. Andre’s view was this — “the reality is that the system in place, not only in America, but globally, where there are minorities (in this case black people) is not geared toward the advancement of equality”. He then expanded further by highlighting the systemic suppression of people of color over time referencing the progression from slavery, as a centuries old ideology, to the Jim Crow era and then civil rights movement, in the 60’s. Over these historic events, Andre noted that we as people of color, were continuously meant to believe that we were less than our white counterparts and therefore had less rights. Any semblance of this had to be fought for.
Additionally, Andre pointed out, that even emancipation was not given. Again, we as people of color fought for and earned it, however, to this day it is evident that we have still not been afforded true equality. Everything highlighted through our conversation, bore stark comparison to the meaning of, and the actuality of, the movement growing in America. We, as people of color, now have taken to the streets to raise our voices in the fight for equal justice.
“What is happening now as it pertains to Ahmaud Aubrey — justice would not have been served, had it not been for the persistence and fight of Ahmaud’s family, coupled with public pressure. If the system were truly equal, the men that killed Ahmaud Aubrey would have been arrested ages ago” ~ Andre
That statement as it relates to Andre’s point of view, shows exactly where the problem lies when it comes to equality.
Fact: The Emancipation Proclamation was issued on January 1, 1863
LIVING OR EXISTING IN AMERICA
Living in America vs. Existing in America? The social and economic disparities, among race and class are blatantly evident, and have been ignored for an exceeding long period of time. With these disparities, are we ‘Living’ our lives or, are we merely ‘existing’ with a focus on survival.
Andre’s perspective went like this — “The vast majority of black people, are not being provided the tools or environment to thrive”. Within our black community there are different sectors, those that are living in terms of success and wealth and those that are merely existing in survival mode, the latter relates to the wider portion of the black community. Andre attributed this to the disparities in, provision of good education, health care and job opportunities, just to name a few. However, Andre noted that living in ‘survival mode’ today, when compared to, the standard of living in the black community before, it is an improvement. This does not negate from the fact that, according to Andre, with the absence of equal access and availability to the necessary tools, the ability for us as a people to truly thrive, is just out of reach.
“The system is not broken; it was never geared toward blacks to begin with” ~ Andre
BLACK MAN WALKING
There have been many instances, where men of color have been unjustifiably arrested, attacked, or killed, based solely on the color of their skin. All of which are what began these conversations today. When asked about his daily fears, as a black man, and the injustices he sees around him, Andre confidently responded — “I am not fearful, I am mindful”.
We continued along this vein of conversation. It was interesting to note that, when injustices occur in our society today, Andre explained that they did not amplify any feelings within him. Why? It is simple — “the injustices have always been present, they are infallibly obvious, so it stands to reason that when something is known, it no longer surprises you”. Instead, as Andre rightfully noted, and a sentiment to which many people of color can relate, it pushes you to think of what adjustments you need to make, in order to avoid any unnecessary confrontations. E.g. After the killing of Ahmaud Aubrey, Andre noted that if he were to plan to go jogging and his regular time was 5:30 a.m, he would adjust his time, to a more active one, so as to avoid running into anyone that may seek to insight a confrontation.
“Racism may change but to a new type of ‘ISM’ in terms of going from ‘Racism’ to ‘Class-ism’ ~ Andre
RACISM-CAN IT CHANGE
The deeper we got into conversation; Andre showed his passion and desire for things to change and, he had an interesting take of how this could be achieved.
As Andre pointed out, the system is set up for there to be constant environment of ‘us’ vs. ‘them’. There are people that have the power to indoctrinate this mentality of divide, and as they do so, they stare the focus away from themselves, allowing them to successfully keep the system in place. He, then offered an example of this referencing the hierarchy of slavery:
- White Plantation Owner(Held all the power. Then….
- The Overseer(Usually a poorer white, who was afforded power over the slaves). Next….
- Lighter toned blacks(Usually afforded certain rights over their darker counterparts. Like not working in the field but in the main house). And finally…
- Darker blacks(This group had no power and worked in the fields)
Andre’s awareness of the systemic implementations put in place, in order to keep the aspect of the progression just out of reach, was clear. However, he does see it changing.
Andre continued, referencing the independence, strength and success achieved in Tulsa Oklahoma with the rise of “Black Wall Street”. His background in finance, clearly shone through, as he highlighted the power that can be found in building economically and gaining a better understanding of our finances as a community. As Andre sees it — “when we come together and begin to build economically as a people, we undermine the control of the system, to which the people in power believe they have an intangible right”.
Economic independence is one of Andre’s more passionate ideas, shared during our interview. Building a separate economy and circulating our wealth within it, is one that admittedly, Andre was never a proponent of, however, his view of integration is now one of separation. A view, as he sees it, that can only be achieved from the grass roots level and spearheaded by a leader whom, embodies the leadership qualities of Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr.
Andre did also note, that in the absence of change and unification within our community — we can find ourselves falling back into the trap of allowing ourselves to be dictated to, and sadly, we will see another Ahmaud Aubrey, George Floyd or Brionna Taylor.
“As a community we need to get organized, demand changes and upset the way the system operates” ~ Andre
ANDRE’S MESSAGE
Andre’s message to young men of color was simple — “Be smart, don’t act on impulse and always think things through”. We as a community have seen the injustice’s carried out daily among our young men of color and this advice from Andre resonated with me as I am sure it will with all of us. Then, with education being one of the resources that we see being unevenly distributed, Andre encouraged our youth to seek education everywhere, learn as much as they can — “Soak in all you can, and out think those who seek to keep you from elevating”. Young people of color, Andre’s advice is sound and should be echoed. Educating yourselves, ensures elevation, unification, and the building of a strong social and economic community.
It is also understood that change needs to be had across races. So, Andre’s message on that — “we all need to step outside of our box and take the time and effort to view life from another person’s point of view”. With that being said, he did note, that there is a thinning out of those who find themselves in the middle ground when it comes to change, which as Andre sees it, could lead to a very polarizing problem.
IN SUMMARY
Speaking with Andre was a pleasure. His clear view of the current climate, and ideas on how to make it better, were evidence of his passion, as it relates to the elevation of our communities of color. We are all in this together, and as we strive for positive change, we need to begin by honoring and respecting ourselves and each other, as a community. Maybe then Andre’s vision could very well become our reality.
Resources referenced in this piece:
Find more on Economic Independence for People of Color at One United Bank — www.oneunitedbank.com
The Pheonix — Facebook (The creative prompt ‘Black Man What Is Your Desire’ was written specifically for this article)
