Category Archives: Black Awareness

Are You A Black Man

February 6, 2015 africafifth@gmail.com Leave a comment

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So I’m on one of the social networks one day engaged in a conversation with another brother who felt very strongly that Black folks should get reparations. Initially the topic of conversation was in reference to the 507 Billion Dollars that Black folks pump into the economy annually but somehow got steered towards reparations. This is a topic that has been debated for some time and was also presented before congress in 1989.

http://conyers.house.gov/index.cfm/reparations

This particular brothers reasoning for wanting reparations was for the simple fact that he felt that Black folks of today should receive compensation for the years of free labor America had siphoned off the backs of slaves to build this country. Now don’t get me wrong. I feel America owes an insurmountable debt to our people for the atrocities our ancestors have experience from the oppressive and murderous hands of white slave owners too. However, I definitely do not understand how putting large sums of cash in the hands of people is going to rectify the issue. The amount he thought would be appropriate was about one million dollars to be distributed to Black families. Somehow this would give us Black folks a share in the wealth and I guess sort of balance things out. So I asked him if he was advocating that every Black person or household be given the sum of one million dollars to level the playing field so to speak. Personally, I felt that it would be useless for the simple fact that the money would be squandered and would go right back into the hands of the ones who provided it. His response was as follows ( I have never, nor the majority had a million. It’s a chance and a mercy. We deserve it and would at a minimum accept that as repentance for the harm caused by slavery in the hope that we could move on with some sense of normalcy ). He further went on to say that ( I am saying that this could be a viable option to finding a solution that could stop the wholesale murder of our people. If you choose to view it as a share of the wealth I can accept that. I believe that it is a small portion of what is due ).

I was amazed and just a little perplexed at this brothers reasoning. I mean he couldn’t really be serious, or could he?
I responded to the brother as follows (With all due respect brother, that is ridiculous. The money will do absolutely nothing. It will never be enough !!) Evidently I must have really pissed the brother off because he started to become real indignant and began to call into question my Blackness. Man, I gotta say that it’s just like some qwerty board revolutionary to become insulting and disrespectful when you don’t agree with their position.

What in the world are the majority of Black folks going to do with one million dollars besides, piss it away. Most don’t have the slightest clue as to how to manage the little that they do have and besides once uncle Sam takes his share you’ll have a lot less than that. They know absolutely nothing about investments or cash management. Hell, most can’t even manage their lives. Now I don’t say this to be insulting, I’m just speaking the truth. If any person lacks the ability to manage their household, they most definitely aren’t ready for prime time..

I was asked, are you a Black man and what suggestions did I have. Well, I simply responded to the brother that I am the kind of Black man who is not begging the white man for some money. Gimme, Gimme, Gimme.. Oops, he didn’t take that response to well at all. The next thing I knew, the brother had blocked and un-followed me. Now, these are the type of brothers who are continuously claiming that we need to come together and stop fighting with one another but are quick to drop an insult on you when you disagree with them. The type of brothers that are always saying how down they are for the cause but are the first ones to haul ass and leaving you hanging. You know the type I’m referring to. Black when it’s right and out of sight when it’s time to fight.. You can spot them anywhere, because they’re always talking about how the white man is holding them down. The white man has his foot on their throat and they can’t breathe. So forth and so on…

Well damn brother, you need to get a little bit of a fight in you and tell him to raise the heck up and if he doesn’t, remove that foot and get him up off of you. But no, that’s a little bit to difficult for you because it requires some heart and hard work. It is much easier for you to just complain about it rather than do something about it. But you are all ready to pump your chest out to lead the charge and be the cheer leader for reparations as long as no one challenges you. Apparently when you are challenged to a mature, intelligent and constructive conversation you tend to get unnerved and take your pom poms and go home. Now, with all that said I still will not question his Blackness but I will call into question his heart as well as his agenda.

With all due respect, ( can I say that after such a brutal but truthful lashing) oh well, this Black man will not require your services at all because I am not that kind of Black man. You see, I am the kind of Black man who has come from the inner city roach and mice infested projects, dropped out of high school and has experienced the perilous journey of life through drug addiction, self-doubt and much self-inflicted pain. The Black man who decided to choose life over death one night while contemplating suicide. The Black man who sought help from others because I wanted so desperately to turn a life spiraling out of control around. The kind of Black man who rose up, fell and then rose again. You see, I know what it is like to do without and having to stretch that coin in order to make ends meet. I am extremely familiar with sacrifice and having to work with a steadfast determination to be successful. Yes, I am the kind of Black man who has payed his dues, who has made mistakes in his life but holds no one else accountable for them but myself. I am the kind of Black man who today has his own company which was built from the ground up. Yes and didn’t beg the white man for a damn thing. Yes I am the kind of Black man who is self-educated and a proud father and husband who has unparalleled love and devotion. The road has not been an easy one but it has been a road nevertheless that was manageable and success realized through prayer, determination, dedication, discipline and diligence. I committed myself to the process and continued to press on and press through.

I am the kind of Black man whose African lineage can be traced back five generations to the proud Akan people of Ghana and the Temne people of Sierra Leone. Yes, I am a direct descendant of Africans who were sold into Slavery in the 1800’s who endured a life of painful subjugation and upon gaining their freedom went on to build meaningful and successful lives. I can say with enormous admiration and humility that I am the kind of Black man whose ancestors were a proud African people who endured a hardship that I would never know during a period of extreme racial divide and violence but were able to construct a respectable legacy from hard work, education and devotion to family in the process.

Part of this legacy can be found in the book “African-Americans of Lower Richland County”. So as a 5th generation African-American and a direct descendant of Slaves who rose up and triumphed over the most extreme adversarial period, I am the kind of Black man who has risen up and was also triumphant over adversity as well, but my hardships will never parallel theirs.

In closing I want to emphasize how we should refrain from criticism of one another and attempt to be more understanding and respectful. We need to practice the reservation of judgement especially when we are not in the least familiar with the other person or their life. We can of course express our sentiments about the comments made but should definitely refrain from personal attacks. Some of you who read this may or may not agree which is understandable, but at least you have some food for thought… Peace and Blessings

Written by: Al DeVeaux Jr.

Black Awareness, Black Lives Matter, Black Minds Matter, Education, Empowerment, Enlightenment, Human Conscious, Philosophy, Social Conscious

Bamboozeled Part 2

November 10, 2014 africafifth@gmail.com Leave a comment

We today have a large percentage of our brothers and sisters who are unproductive and aspiring to be something that is elusive. We find them chasing after an elusive life which emulates false images of fame and stardom. We witness them embracing a lifestyle that is rife with violence, no sense of direction, no education, no self-identity, no self-esteem, or self-confidence. These people are the sheep who have strayed away from the flock and have fallen victim to false prophets and salivating predators that use them for their own self gain. Most individuals lack any concept of what real success is and how it can be attained. Consequently what they decide to chase after is fleeting and non-substantive( importance or value). Is it because we still are riffed with a self-imposed slavery mentality or a self defeatist attitude?

Are we to afraid of pursuing an education or some legitimate skill set that would allow us to assimilate into the world of responsibility and productivity? By our lack of desire to ascend to greater heights we are relegated to a position where others dictate what we can and can not do. Where we can and can not live. What schools our children can and can not attend. We have relinquished any form of control to the whim of the white man. I must reiterate that we have allowed ourselves to unknowingly be subdued and brainwashed and have lapsed into a more advanced and modern-day form of slavery. We believe ourselves to be in control but we are actually not. We are completely insentient and do not realize it.
We tell ourselves that to have a command of the English language is to speak like a white person. To be be an educated person and want to have access to the finer things in life is to emulate white people. We continuously say that we don’t want to be like white people. Yet every day I see black men and women emulating the very people that they proclaim not to want to be anything like. I see sisters with breast implants, an assortment of different colored wigs and weaves that they wag back and forth like some attention seeking white girl. They’re inserting blue, green and hazel colored contacts or having their pupils injected with color altering chemicals and bleaching their skin. What the heck is that all about if not someone who is in denial, full of self-hatred and doesn’t know who they really are?
This also applies to brothers with the tattoos depicting the thug life and riding around in cars that have been blinged out with accessories that usually cost more than the car is worth. When some of them open their mouths to speak I need sub titles to understand what the heck they’re saying. The style of dress is to wear pants down and low exposing buttocks for all to see and the accessories of the day are gold covered teeth ( referred to as a grill ). This is absolutely pitiful and yet it is embraced, accepted and glamorized.
You have been dining on and digesting a constant diet of B.S. and either you are too stupid to realize it or you have no other aspirations in life so this is what is embraced. This is the flavor of success your palate has acquired a taste for . You want to sample being a rapper or maybe a thug and live a gangster lifestyle. Definitely the wrong selection on the menu!!! Here are just a couple of examples used in the industry to “BAMBOOZLE” the unsuspecting prey.

Example; Rappers on video proclaiming to be thugs and gangsters drinking booze and waving around assault weapons and handguns. ie: white gangsters and thugs from the 1920’s to 1960’s who robbed and killed each other indiscriminately for territory and control over illegitimate enterprises. They also did not have any regard for a human life..
Example: P Diddy and fellow rappers on video sporting a white robe, slippers and cigar in hand occupying a high end hotel room.
Example: P Diddy in commercial promoting Cirock accompanied by some actors better known for their mob roles along with beautiful long-legged women and other well dressed people. Boarding a private jet and flying out to Vegas and seen traversing through an extravagant palatial hotel or casino, dancing with beautiful women and toasting the high life!!!!! Yeah, we should all aspire for that lifestyle. I understand the marketing concept and the promotion of your product but there is also a message that is being sent that is not conducive or in step with the plight of most ordinary African-American people. It is a self promoting commercial to get you to buy into the false imagery of what your life could be like if you would only buy and drink Cirock. They are selling you on the glamorous life of Las Vegas, private jets, pretty women, partying and expensive hotel accommodations. Oh and let’s not forget the alcohol to which African-Americans spend over 400 million dollars annually to consume. This is a lifestyle that most people will never acquire in their lifetime and if they do they’ll just end up pissing it away.
This does not begin nor end with P Diddy but is a poison that has been perpetuated by him and others in that arena.
Regular smoking: The harmful chemicals in the prescription pills or are unable to take purchase cheap levitra unica-web.com the necessary precautions. Also, it is levitra pill suggested to avoid meal before taking these tablets or have a pill 2-3 hours after meal. This initial primitive form of the internet we know today began by connecting universities, research facilities and military installations, with the further development of networks in other countries. 2. buy cialis online unica-web.com A women’s health basically affects cialis viagra online the entire family. Rapping used to be something that was fun and good to listen to because it was fresh and new. But then some cats figured they would use it as a vehicle to send their message of oppression that was accompanied by the blatant disrespect of our women, use of drugs, alcohol, and violence. Music execs are the pimps, rappers are the prostitutes selling the goods and you are the tricks that purchase it. So I guess at the end of the day your just being played. Just another hustle and form of Black Exploitation!!!

The record labels recognized a prime opportunity to make an enormous amount of cash by grabbing these rappers to write and deliver these lyrics of hate, disrespect and violence and selling it to you.
They are trick ‘in you people by selling you on a lifestyle that most of them only write lyrics about and do not live. You buy into it because you are easily BAMBOOZLED. You lack the ability to discern between what is genuine and what isn’t. What is reasonably achievable and what isn’t. I’m not for one minute suggesting that you don’t aim high but it is what you’re aiming high for that matters. I do not have an issue with someone expressing what they are experiencing however there must be some accountability. We have to take responsibility for what we are saying and how that is received by others. The platform was a great one that could have been utilized to raise the awareness level and empower the masses but it got turned into a pimp machine…

As long as we continue to pursue these types of misguided dreams and lifestyles, great and meaningful achievements will never happen. End of Story!

Written by: Al DeVeaux Jr.

African American Conscious, All Life Matters, Black Awareness, Black Lives Matter, Social Conscious

(NO JUSTICE) NO PEACE, NO FREEDOM, NO PROFIT

September 19, 2014 africafifth@gmail.com 12 Comments

AFRICAN AMERICANS AGAINST POLICE BRUTALITY, MISCONDUCT AND MURDER
The time has come for us and those who support us to take a stand and form a united front against the senseless, violent, and murderous acts committed by law enforcement officers throughout the United States. These are the American citizens both men and women that have sworn an oath to serve and protect the very citizens they victimize. This is the establishment that has a duty to protect and serve but instead violates that contract of oath with the American people by its deplorable conduct. Since 911 there have been more American Citizens killed by Law Enforcement in the U.S. than by terrorists. An excess of over 5000 Americans citizens since then have lost their lives at the hands of police officers which is an alarming number at any rate.
We the people are continuously victimized by these overzealous maniacs whose badge and uniform are supposed to be a representation of integrity and honor. We are supposed to feel safe and confident when we see these civil servants in uniform but instead we feel threatened. As United States citizens it is our tax dollars that supports and pays the salaries of this Law Enforcement Agency. Yet we, the citizens of the United States of America who pay for the protection of this agency seek a need for protection against them. What have we become as a nation when we allow American citizens who wear the uniform of law to beat, kick, shoot, murder and violate the rights of the American citizens they have sworn to serve and protect?
When has it become acceptable to shoot down in cold blood any citizen that has raised his or her hands in the air to surrender or one who is fleeing?
When has a citizen carrying a pocket knife become more dangerous than a citizen with an assault rifle or firearm exercising their right to open carry?
When has the use of deadly force become necessary to disarm any citizen carrying anything other than a firearm?
When has it become acceptable to beat any female citizen with fists, to place her in a choke hold or to throw her to the ground with severe, unnecessary, and brutal force that causes extensive injuries or death?
When has it become acceptable to punch or tip over any handicapped citizen in a wheelchair who clearly offers no indication of being a threat?
When has it become acceptable to viciously beat, taser or shoot with deadly force any citizen that has been handcuffed? What possible threat could they be at that point? Why is it possible to tase and subdue armed white men who have killed and shot numerous people without killing them but an unarmed Black man has to be shot and killed?
How is it possible to rule that the majority of these officers acted in self-defense or that their actions were completely justifiable?
These are just a few vicious and heinous acts of violence committed by these officers in blue who have become more representative of black and blue…Are we a country that sits idly by and allows these officers whose actions are those of a death squad to continue without challenge or accountability? We are talking about cold-blooded murder and I as another human being has become extremely tired and discontented with the lack of concern or effort by the Federal Government to take the appropriate action to protect its citizens from such blatant acts of violence and murder by law enforcement officers. It is time that this agency review it’s procedures as it pertains to arrest and apprehension. It must review it policies regarding which situations require the use of deadly force. The use of deadly force should never be exercised by any officer against an unarmed citizen.

My proposal is that it is time for us to put our money where our mouth is. We need to bring national attention to this out of control epidemic of violence. We need to boycott all National holiday sales as a beginning. Organized Massive boycotts or work stoppages that will impact the economy need to be planned and executed. This is not just an African-American issue, this is a Human Rights issue. I am imploring all American citizens that are fed up with the deplorable conduct of our Law Enforcement Agency’s to organize and to make an impact..

If you say you are tired of the senseless beatings, if you say you are fed up with the murders that aren’t prosecuted, if you say you are done with the civil rights violations, harassment, profiling and you want to make a statement, then this is your opportunity to do so. This can and should be a national if not global boycott that could possibly have a huge impact for our cause. We can boycott this day and every other huge sale day if need be in order to be taken seriously. This is a prime opportunity for us as American citizens to demand to have our voices heard and become relevant.
If you are not willing to sacrifice buying the latest gadgets, toys or big screen sets then you are not ready for a change. If you can not for one or two days refrain from the lure of shopping and you have very little faith in the power that your money has, then you are not ready for change. How much longer are you willing to tolerate this reprehensible behavior and conduct by law enforcement? How much longer are you willing to allow these officers to make a mockery of justice and your rights as citizens? How many more citizens have to be brutally beaten or murdered before these officers are held accountable? We can not shoot them down in the streets but we can and must make a statement with our dollars. This is not a huge sacrifice and I know that there are a lot of people who might be skeptical. However, it is what we have to implement and it is the start for us to finally unite as one and effect a change.. Others before us have sacrificed their lives, shed blood and so much more for what they believed in. This is the least we can do to eradicate this blight on police, morality and civil rights. If we fail to take this initiative and make a stand now, then the deaths of Mike Brown, Eric Garner, Darrien Hunt, Jonathan Crawford, Tamir Rice and countless others will have been meaningless.
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We demand the demilitarization of all police departments within the USA
We demand that any officer involved in the shooting death of an unarmed person be Immediately suspended from duty without pay pending an investigation and be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law for murder.
We demand that all law enforcement officers be retrained to use non violent methods in order to subdue suspects that are not a threat to the life of an officer.
We demand the immediate halt to the request of ID from citizens without just cause.
We demand that all officers be required to wear video cameras
We demand that officers who violate any person’s civil rights be immediately reprimanded and suspended without pay for one month.
We demand an immediate halt to racial or any manner of profiling.
We demand that any officer that strikes a person without just cause be immediately suspended without pay.
We demand that any male officer that strikes a woman be immediately discharged from duty and brought up on charges.