2008 Woodie Awards
Mental slavery effects keeping blacks from reaching potential
Richard Mclean
Issue date: 2/27/08 Section: Opinions
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For those individuals who feel like 50 years was ages ago, just realize that your parents, grandparents or great-grandparents probably lived through many of those injustices you read about in your history books.
Fast forward to 2008, and there are more black doctors and lawyers in this country than ever before.
A black candidate even has a chance of winning the United States presidency. But have blacks in America finally gained equality? The answer is no.
Just because physical and institutionalized slavery has ended, mental slavery is far from over. The late great Bob Marley said, "Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery, none but ourselves can free our minds!" Believe it or not, many black minds still need to be freed to truly make us great.
As a youth I began to notice that everything blacks considered ugly in a person's appearance is the physical characteristic of a person of African descent. If your nose is wide, this is considered unattractive.
Everybody knows somebody, or is that person, who was teased growing up about how "nappy" their hair is.
Being considered "too black" seems to be the ultimate sin. Our oppressors created this whole mindset. They told us we meant nothing, and our religious beliefs, languages and family values were destroyed.
Something that happened more than 200 years ago still has serious lasting effects on us in 2008. The most frequently reoccurring situation I've encountered is everybody's fear of the sun.
"The blacker the berry the sweeter the juice," and the phrase the late James Brown made famous, "Say it loud, I'm black and I'm proud," are things this generation needs to remember - our predecessors lived by and truly believed in such ideals.
The last mental hurdle we have to get over is the thought that material things improve status in society. In America money does bring power, but so does education.
Individuals who don't have money and finally achieve a certain amount of wealth shouldn't spend it carelessly, but invest it.
Having five chains on your neck and shoes that cost $300 doesn't help your children. Those things are only temporary pleasures.
I pray I see the day when we as a race overcome the lasting mental effects of slavery and rise to the occasion of true equality.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
LilWun2008
Jaz
posted 2/27/08 @ 8:21 PM EST
Good article topic. You touched on some very controversial issues & that's good; I find that Black people don't really like to discuss the mental ignorance within their own community & race. (Continued…)
zedi 1993
posted 3/09/08 @ 10:08 PM EST
well written article.This young man has certainly familiarized himself with the ideologies of some very famous black people. He expressed some very strong points that every one should think about. (Continued…)
Home is where the heart is
posted 3/10/08 @ 2:00 PM EST
The article brings about many issues we face as a culture and race. But, is this just a mark against society? I mean, the first institution we are introduced to is the family. (Continued…)
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