This article theoretically examines the origins of negative aspects of African-American culture. And how AA culture will be positively influenced by the presence of the Obamas. I seek to envision a post race America. I am amazed at how much my views on race have shifted over the years. It seems, in light of recent events, that this shift is a shared one and a cherished one by many, many Americans. In order to achieve this post race America we first must claim it and then must decide how we can aide in its evolution. It doesn't mean, as it has been suggested to mean, that our heritage will seize to matter. It doesn't mean that we can't take great pride in our culturally influenced behaviors and beauty. All it means is that we see and value and love one another equatibly. It does not have to be a dream, clearly we can make post-race a reality. This piece is acknowledging the need for growth, the stalled, and the desired in the black community.
This is not a history piece, so I am not going to back up my opinions with a lot of historical citations or exact statistical information. However, I assure you the things I say are legit and indisputable. I urge you to find facts if you seek them and share them with the lot.
Well, I was rejoicing in this inexplicable feeling deep in my spirit when I realized that it is undeniably that the election of a black man is rejuvenating for the American spirit.
Racism has been a real drag. Everyone, even those that are not direct descendants of slaves and slave owners, have weary legs from shouldering its weight.
An even saggier drag has been its impact on the black community. The disparities in school success, the number of teenage pregnancies, the number of black men in prison, the percentage of high school drop outs, the percentage of alcohol and drug addicts, the percentage of single parent households, percentage of annual African American marriages, the number of African American foster children. Certainly, this list could fill a whole page. As true as there has been significant progress, there is also much work left yet to be done. The presence of Barack and Michelle are the key ingredient in the recipe of African American cultural progress. There has been a lack of leadership in the black community for so long. The understanding of the need for something different was present. Many tried to step into the role of leader; Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton, for example. The Age, however, called for something groundbreaking. We couldn’t use the 60s civil rights play book with its calls for marches serenaded by soul stirring sermons anymore. They had become ineffective. Although blatant racism persisted, circumstantially. However, what became more blatant was the gap between the overcoming black folks and the unbelieving in their own abilities sector; the sector of generational poverty descendants. What we needed was a living, breathing example of our culture at its finest without the factors which contribute to its downfall. Many of us needed to know that one could be black and mainstream simultaneously. That we could, no matter if we have middle class parents or not, truly do anything. We needed to see that we could love unconditionally. Cause to be honest it seems to me there is in the AA community an indiscernible selfishness present despite our inherent beauty.
Oppression makes you fight for your individuality, it makes you not trust, it makes it a struggle to believe that you are worthy and that your life has true meaning. The presence of the first couple will bring, aside from the things on the Elect's agenda, an increase in marriage, a decline in HIV, an increase in college admittance, a decline in high school drop outs, an increase in adoption of AA children, a decline in unwanted pregnancies, a surge in African American patriotism, a feeling of acceptance, a deeper love for all human beings, a revitalization of a modern day Harlem esque renaissance and other things I can't really imagine.
For once in my life I am really proud of my country and my fellow Americans of all races. Personally, I think we can achieve a post race society in every corner and in every bend of this ever changing, fascinating country. Tell me, what do you think? Kindly include relevant demographics if you will. Thank you for taking the time to read what I believe.
***I had to update this diary as a result of the responses. I can't believe the cynicism. Perhaps post race will not happen in our lifetime, still we should work to make it happen. America can not create a more perfect union in the presence of racism. Racism, true humanity, and a Just democracy can't co-exist. This is a vision that I hope to aide through movement. This is not a vision I expect to materialize overnight or simply with the presence of the Obamas. Of course extremism exist, yet the hope is that it can be marginalized to a point of ineffectiveness and irrelevance. I am hoping for ideas about how we can make this happen, as the benefits would be tremendous, instead of declarations of its impossibility.