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You will never guess who I saw downtown tonight. Henry Louis Gates Jr. Probably doesn't ring a bell right? Well it wouldn't to most. Mr. Gates is a well-known African-American studies scholar, author, lecturer, and professor, and once worshipped by the likes of me. I even hunted him down once at a schmooze party and got him to write me a recommendation to Harvard. Apparently, he didn't have much influence over the board of admission. I got rejected. Yes, I was an unstoppable black studies fanatic my senior year of high school determined to go to Harvard and wrap myself in the so-called "genius" of Henry Gates and Cornel West; who, needs to comb his hair by the way. Even now I see, there was only partial truth in Mr. West's teachings. It just happened to be tastefully woven into lies. I was convinced I'd be a noted author in African-American studies one day. That may prove itself yet, however, probably contrary to how I would've imagined it in a contextual sense. My perspective has changed immensely over the last 4 years and I find myself believing less than 25% of what I believed then. Five years ago, I would have stopped the car in the middle of traffic to go greet Mr. Gates and tell him how much I loved his last book. This time, the urge didn't strike me. I'm thinking the reason he's in town has something to do with black history month which I actually forgot we were in.

So here we are thrust into what my mom calls "Black people work month". She's a lecturer and professor so you can imagine she's in high demand this month. The reality, is black history month is not much exciting in my book. It's a token. In general, I think we just need to do a better job of realizing and teaching multiculturalism in the US. year-round. On top of that, the black history that gets discussed doesn't interest me. This is mostly because it's had the crap beat out of it over the years. I find church history, great movements of God as it relates to my heritage more interesting. In fact, there is much African-American history that has yet to be openly discussed. I'm more interested in the spiritual roots of African-Americans; how many of us have somehow managed to be raised in church and ended up not even serving God as adults. Most people don't know that the Assemblies of God, commonly known as a predominately white denomination was the result of a split from the Church of God in Christ, a historically black denomination. Stuff like that facinates and befuddles me. I'm hungry to know what God has been doing all these years in history. In my opinion, this is the heritage we lack in general. How many of us (back, white or yellow) have actually had our grandparents sit down and tell us about how God's moved in our lineage? Well, depending on what generation you are (Abraham, Isaac, or Jacob), you may be the first to establish a Godly legacy in your family. However, it is commonly known in African-American circles that there is a rich history of Christianity in our past. Do we hear much about it? Not really. In fact, we make light of that fact a little too often. I wonder if this is one of the curses of this generation: lack of generational transfer. Oh how we need it.

Posted in Culture, Race | Permanent Link

Last night I fell asleep on the couch while watching NBC. Word to the wise, never allow yourself to sleep with the television on. It hinders your rest big time. Plus, you take in whatever it is that may be on the TV (awake or not). Based on what type of programming tends to come on television during the wee hours of the night, this is not good. In any case, this morning I woke up to the Today Show (I slept in), which I usually watch while getting dressed. Coverage was of course, the New Hampshire primaries. Even in my half asleep state, I was coherent enough to hear some irritatingly true words uttered from the mouth of Hard Ball's Chris Matthews, (and I paraphrase) "The African-American community has a long history of always voting for the Democratic candidate". His statement was in reference to speculation around who will win the North Carolina primary. North Carolina of course, having perhaps a larger Black population than oh say, my home state, Washington, Chris' inference was that Democrats should court the black vote in order to win that state. I say, "baloney" (different from bologna).

Hear me. Mr. Matthews' words are very true. The African-American community has virtually branded "Democrat" on their butts permanently with hot irons. My observation has been that any black person who even dares to venture slightly out of voting hardcore Democrat is essentially a traitor to the race. Doing so could get you called a number of things, namely, "Uncle Tom". A reference to Harriet Beecher Stowe's portrayal of a docile slave character named Tom. More can be said there, but that's another post. What I call "Baloney", is the concept that politicians actually do something to get the black vote. It seems that every year or so, right around election time (state and local elections included) the African-American community becomes this group of people that need to be "won over" by social programming and legislation. However, not too long after voting day, the "Black agenda" (whatever that may be) is pretty much lost. Or so it seems.

This is the problem I have with political party allegiance. It seems to me that when a group sells itself out to one party over another, they have to be won by no one because their allegiance had already been determined. Personally,I think the collective bargaining power of a group of people is lost this way. I've stated in the past that I consider myself neither Democrat nor Republican, Libertarian (although they've got some good points) or Green Party. I'm just Jesus. Even as I type that I laugh. No you have not discovered the anti-Christ silly.

[Caveat] My friend Tiffany and I had a discussion not long ago and she mentioned how in the Christian inner circles of what I call "deep people" there are those who want to identify you by your theological standpoint on controversial issues. They'll ask, "Are you pre-trib or post-trib?" Trib=the tribulation, "Are you baptizing in the name of the 'Father, Son, & Holy Spirit?' or are you baptizing 'In Jesus Name'?" Then there's, "Are you rapture or no rapture?". A question to which Tiffany answered, "I'm neither. I'm Jesus." In other words, I'm only concerned about what He thinks and my relationship to Him. All that other stuff will work itself out. Now understand, this is not an excuse for Biblical ignorance, but simply a reality check for those of us that like to exist in our own deep little worlds of Biblical exegesis and hermeneutics, stand on our mobile soapboxes espousing our "pet doctrines" that the most important thing to be concerned about when Jesus returns, is whether or not you're in right standing with God. Period.[/Caveat]

That said, this is somewhat the view I have on politics. I'm about as interested in political party allegiance as I am with Greek Letter Organizations. It's all false allegiance anyway. I'm interested in where God is working at whatever particular time and occasion an issue or candidate may arise. Now, if it so happens that some of the politicians whose views can most closely be aligned with what I see in scripture, and what I feel God is saying happen to be Republican, fine. But you will never hear me call myself anything but a son of God. Which is where my allegiance lies. I'd like to see us African-Americans use our heads more when we vote. I'll tread lightly when I say this, so I'll speak for my generation only when I say that the majority of black young adults who are so feverishly democrat could hardly stand and defend their reason for being so without some major smoke screens. It seems there's a common lie whose roots cannot be traced that has been perpetuated throughout the years in the African-American community: "We only vote Democratic because democrats are for us and no one else is." It's like a mantra. A mantra that needs to be broken. To think that former President William Jefferson Clinton has been touted half-jokingly as the "First Black President" is an insult. Hardly. If the black community is ignorant enough to further perpetuate the myth seen on film and television that black people "can't keep their pants up and their legs closed" by co-signing and concurring with an association to President Clinton, I'd have to object and say we have some serious denial going on amongst ourselves.

So Mr. Matthews' comment has once again reminded me how strongly I feel about this issue of political parties. There is some fault that can be found in all political parties. It's the inherent flaw in "people groups" IMO. Some have more flaws of course than others. I believe votes should be earned, not guaranteed. Call me idealistic, but the collective voting power of a group of African-Americans, but namely the body of Christ is far too important to just be "given over" to a single party. That's a trivialization at best. And besides, it will be a cold day in Hell before I cast my vote for that joke "Rev." Al Sharpton because he is black, a democrat, or a Christian. Now that's a mess.

Posted in Politics, Race | Permanent Link