BlackSilentMaj's JumboTweets
How should we react
to Trump’s election? © 2017
It’s a wrap. Donald Trump has been elected, and he will take office in a few days.
A lot of us are disappointed with the outcome of the election—as we should be. So, how should we react?
When people reflect on the campaign, the appeals to racism, and Trump’s selection of cabinet members, it promises to be a bumpy ride for Blacks, Muslims, women, and people with progressive views.
For African Americans, in particular, the perfect response is to close ranks and get ourselves together. Ironically, the best response to racism is not to always focus externally on racism and racists. The best response might be an internal focus.
The more united African Americans are, the more prepared we will be to deal with external concerns such as racism.
Here are some areas we need to focus on that will make us stronger and better equipped to deal with the adversities we face.
• The home. Whether it’s a single parent or two parents. Our children must to taught old fashioned values. We’ve gotten away from that. Many of the issues going on in our communities, unemployment, crime, school drop-out rates, and drugs relate to values that were taught or modeled in the home.
• We must develop a deeper understanding of politics, how it works and how we can maximize our power. We have to learn how to organize to may politics work for us. It’s not enough to protest for a day but fail to show up to vote.
• We must understand the power of the dollar. We are major players in the American economy, but we’re not organized and do not realize the power we have. We have enough money to make major changes on our own without begging government or
others.
Here’s a thought:
Even if Pres. Obama had a third term, these issues and others would still exist and have to be confronted. Who’s president is extremely important. However, a president cannot make us love, respect, or stop committing crimes against each other.
Unfortunately, we can’t wish away Trump’s election nor can we simply pray it away. Will he, however, take the smart route and finally use this election as motivation to unite? Or,will it be business as usual whereby we continue to think and act like powerless victims?
- Too Many Black Males:
Too easily led in the wrong direction? © 2017
Look at that picture. There’s nothing cute, fashionable, hip, sophisticated, cultured or intelligent about black males walking around with their pants sagging and their drawers showing. Yet, you see it often. Sometimes, you even see grown men in their ‘30s and ‘40s walking around sagging.
For some reason, too many black males are easily led in the wrong direction, but it’s near impossible to lead them in the right direction.
For example, the City of Detroit has a 2-year apprentice program aimed at young and not-so-young people that could lead to high-paying jobs. Yet, you don’t see lines of black males trying to apply for those positions.
President Obama has made more Pell Grants available that would allow more students to attend college. But nearly always, more females are taking advantage of these opportunities.
By contrast, too many black males are too easily led in the wrong direction. Take the recent chaos at several malls across the country. Black males figured prominently. Take another fad a few years ago. In that fad, black males would pick a stranger, punch the stranger and walk away, all for kicks.
The solution:
Children don’t come out of the womb at age 14. From day one, parents are in position to instill the right values. But many do not. Bishop TD Jakes said black males have been “mama-ed to death.” Could he be right?
If parents don’t do their jobs, black males can expect high rates of unemployment, criminal records, the inability to get jobs, and worse.