All of my adult life I have spoken, written and clearly understood that if Black people are going to resolve the multitude of problems that we have endured too long, it is incumbent on us as a people to resolve them. A major obstacle has been that too many Blacks have bought into that old belief, and have even instilled it into our families, that “they won’t allow us”.
Black people have proven since coming to this country that we are indestructible. We survived the worst atrocity in the history of the modern world, slavery. Blacks did not just survive they endured. We were and still are too a large degree victims of self-hate. Do you remember we were described as house nigger, coon, Negro, colored and eventually Black.
There existed a large degree of dislike, disrespect, even hatred among us. Those of light complexion, long straight hair, had their own churches, private clubs and were often employed where light complexion was a requirement. However in the sixties we began to chant, “I am Black and I am proud” and complexions began to be less important. We now have moved to becoming Black people, all for one and one for all, and it was a wonderful feeling of a sense of pride and togetherness that we had been lacking. Now we began to turn the chants such as “ain’t going to take it anymore” into action as we marched, picketed, boycotted, held Black Tuesday and prayed. The results were that Blacks began to receive opportunities with business, jobs, political appointments, loans and other things that we had always been denied.
Some of us now truly believe they had finally arrived. But too many of us were able to imitate George Jefferson as we moved on up and out and forgot that the masses had no degrees or high school diplomas, even though their actions had made it possible for those with qualifications to move to the suburbs.
You have heard the statement that success sometimes breeds contempt. The division this time is not complexion; it’s the have and the have-nots. It’s the many who have degrees who have no respect for those who don’t have a degree.
The last couple of generations who lived in Homewood, East Liberty, parts of the Hill District and other segments of the city don’t remember the Black doctor, dentist, attorney, preacher or even educators living in the neighborhood.
If our children are to be saved, we must become one again. Only we can do it.
Christmas is coming, send a financial donation to the Kingsley Association.
(Louis “Hop” Kendrick is a weekly contributor to the Forum page.)
