Nappy Headed Black Child

So at least 2 years ago there was this Pro-Black Awareness rally thing. I happened across it coming back from class or going to get food something like that. At this program the sponsors passed out a pamphelt which contained a list of "Demandments" from the government as well as African americans themselves. I felt like i should share.

10 Black Demandments of The Government

1. An apology from the president for the horrors of slavery

Honestly, when i first saw this particular item i was like for what. What practical purpose could this serve. I felt this way not because i wasn't sufficiently Pro Black, I just had not had the experiences necessary to see why this is something necessary. But now that im older (and sufficiently wiser) this is needed because people want to ignore slavery and all the things it produced. The racism, segregation, stereotypes, institutional discrimination are all products of slavery which this country supported for so many years. For the government to acknowledge slavery forces people to realize and accept the ugliness that this country supported and to have open discussion about things like race and discrimination so progress can be made. Ignoring it and pretending it didnt happen only allows those are racist an avenue to do so.

2. Just compensation for the hardships endured by persons of African descent

Vague. I one of those rare pro-black people who aren't very big on reparations. I wasn't then, im still not now. This is simply a matter of practicality. Assuming this is money being dispersed who gets paid, how much they get paid, the paper work, and the ultimately huge bureaucracy spawned from whatever this "just compensation" is probably isnt worth it. Besides there just isn't enough capital. Plus the black community has far better things to focus.

3. A corrective reform of the justice system such that is justice is dispensed with equality regardless of race or socio-economic status

Great idea. The justice system in America "awkward" to say the least. For example the fact that cocaine carries a lesser penalty than crack. There is a built in bias that targets the african american community where crack is more prevalent. If justice is truly blind (that ho got 20/20 vision) and your trying to decrease the sales and usage of drugs shouldn't the penalty be equally as harsh.

4. Persons of African descent be declare exempt from income taxes


Im mean if your gonna do the reperations thing i guess this is a way to go about doing it but there isnt any way in this world anybody getting outta paying taxes. Not when entitlements (Social security, medicare/medicaid, welfare) are like 46% of the budget.

5. All public schools be required to incorporate African and African-American studies into their curriculum as a means of disclosing the entire American story

Like I said acknowledge the truth.

6. All Americans of African descent who graduate from secondary education shall receive tuition free from higher education from any state supported institution of higher learning

Another attempt of creating reperations. This is gonna do more harm than anything. Either the quality is state supported schools is gonna fall drastically or these instituitons (which are business first) are going to reduce the amount of black students they are going to admit.

7. Permanent enactment and enforcement of the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act

This shoulda BEEN done.

8. Black and/or black female representation all boards/committees/councils to ensure equality among applicants in all decision making processes

I have mixed feelings about this one. Having a black person/black female on the board doesn't ensure equality. That's a fallacy of logic. But it does make sense for board members to have varied backgrounds and areas of expertise anyway. This is one of those things you can legislate you just gotta address it on a case by case level.

9. Eradication of all past and current credit debts


10. Increased funding for economically deprived public schools (grade, undergraduate, and graduate)

GOD YES!!!
Education is essential to everything and in my personal opinion the root problem in addressing alot of issues in the african american community.


10 Black Demandments for African-Americans

1. Support and encourage the growth of black-owned businesses

If this past presidential election has shown anything about this country (besides stupid people still exist) is that money rules becasue money = access and without access you can't make money

2. Put an end to self-destructiveness: end black on black crime

Why not take it a step further and end crime originating in the black community all together. But this starts with education and self responsibility and rebuilding those social instutions that hold communities together.

3. Take full advantage of educational opportunities



4. Respect thyself, and thy neighbor



5. Rather than putting your fellow man down, uplift one another



*an omega musta wrote this*

6. Increase financial responsibility



7. Be more involved in your community

thats that social institution thing i was talking about (community centers, boy's and girl's clubs)

8. Gain a more serious and informed outlook on health

Heart disease, high blood pressue, and AIDS is not a joke out here

9. Learn and Tell "Our Story"

That means read something. Go to your nearest bookstore find the african american studies section, pick something and start reading

10. We must learn to accept other races, cultures, and creeds

Especially in within our own communities. In America, the breadth of what is "black" is huge while with that designation there are several different groups. We cut each other down so quickly due to cultural, religious, and other tried and inconsequential differences and that keeps everyone divided and divided we fall