Roseland Heights Community Association

My Final Words During Black & White History Month

Contributing Correspondent: Carl D. West

These Works of Words are not about hatred or racism. I only have one bigoted born in my body, and that's that I dislike anyone who dislikes or disapproves of ME! But this is about real Black History Month facts, as I see it; and how - as the world joins in celebrating these assigned days, that we have to not just look at the accomplishments of my negro race, but what has caused us to have to honor blacks during a select month. Today, most whites bask in the glow of these 28 days along side blacks.

I had a conversation with someone the other day and they shared with me that one of their white peers asked them why do we celebrate and label things like Black History Month, Black Best Dressed, Top Black Lawyers, etc... They attempted to explain to their peer, but realized soon after trying, that they really didn't seem interest, just wanted to see if this black person had a legitimate response.

What really sparked these Works of Words is on Thursday, I attended a Q&A session with former US Senator Bill Bradley, whom I found extremely impressive with his liberal views about race in America. He talked about how he defended his black teammates during the 60's while playing in the NBA. When the team traveled for games, his black team mates were not allowed to eat in restaurants, so Bradley, being a loyal teammate, joined the black players eating on the grass in nearby parks. He also made one statement about whites being afraid to discuss race; that prompted the final question of the chat session, which came from me.

I gave a brief statement, first. I said I believe in order to eradicate or force racism underground, that prominent whites, as well as the common white person needs to collectively stand up and denounce bigotry. This, in my mind, is the only way we're really going to see a progressive movement to reduce, at least, its effects on other racial groups.

Senator Bradley completely agreed. I followed that up by asking him, 'why does he think that white people are afraid to discuss racial matters? He gave his response in a room full of 40 white people and only 5 blacks, including myself. Ironically, the white audience, on the surface all nodded in agreement with the former Olympian.

Another reason this final installment of Black History commentary was sparked, because I heard several NBA commentators discussing the passing of the first black NBA player, Earl Lloyd. I kept repeatedly hearing former NBA black players mainly discussing how courageous and daring Lloyd was. They referenced how without him, there would be no them. They expressed how he endured so much racial hatred and prejudice, but he stay poised and acted like a gentleman. Even white commentators joined into the conversation, praising the incredible attributes of a now dead legends, who suffered tremendous damage at the hands of white society during 'those' days.

I honor him and others like Jackie Robinson, the first black college basketball player at North Carolina, along with so many 'FIRSTS" who stood up against horrific obstacles while trying to live, play a sport or occupation they loved and raise their families. And TRUTH BE TOLD, most of those black soldiers and heroes died penniless, battered and without ever seeing justice served. And it's good to highlight their triumphs through adversities. But rarely do we hear white commentators openly point out the cruelty of 'their' race - past and present, who tormented and destroyed the spirits of so many black legends, who we now want to freely celebrate. And God forbid that black commentators push the blame whitey dialog at the table, while praising black icons.

For once I want to hear a black commentator or scholar denounce the white community for their role in such mass destruction. And for once I would love to hear white commentators express deep remorse and sympathy for the torture that blacks faced by their very race of people. It would be even better if white commentators apologized on behalf of their race, for all the deadly misdeeds, past and present, while they eagerly celebrate black history.

Today, for instance, every time something criminal happens, and it's a black face appearing on your TV screens, blacks (not ME) feel compelled to unconsciously apologize for the criminal behavior of another black, as though (all blacks) are responsible for what another dysfunctional black person did 2,000 miles away. In blacks minds, around water cooler conversations, the statements are always the same: "That person gives the black race a bad name!" Never have I heard a white person uttering those words after a white masked gunmen walks into a theater and shoots and kills 30 people.

I want black history to incorporate into world history. That's how I celebrate my blackness. That's how I celebrate my love for this country, as well as my Motherland. I have a great desire to travel to Africa, and one day I will. I will take a long 30-day sabbatical, and travel the rich, and historic lands of Mother continent to explore what makes that country just as great as the United States.

I have questions, and I feel that only my original people can give me answers; not the Westernized world views, which has fed my people here in America with half-truths. I want my people to walk me through the jungles of Africa and share with me real memories and real stories of triumphs and defeats. Do so without apologizing for being black and African, and not giving half-truths to its children. And I want to look in the eyes of white people in Africa, and ask them, "what the hell were your people thinking?"