Columbusing: Or the Fascination with Blackness without being Black

For the longest periods of time Whites have been able to take credit for many things they did not create or reintroduce them to the public. Christopher Columbus, a man who was credited for finding America although it was already inhabited by Native Americans and others, began this trend and College Humor recently published a video in which this trend has been named "Columbusing".

Music has been and will continue to be one of the most important forces behind African American culture. When looking at the history of African American music one can find plenty examples of ways in which White America and or artists have robbed us of our sense of origin. For example, Elvis Presley, also known as the King of Rock and Roll, rose to fame off of music that he did not create and imitated from African American artists such as Ike Turner and Arthur Crudup. Muddy Waters, a famous blues musician, wrote a song called "Rolling Stone" which would later inspire the group Rolling Stones to name themselves after this song. Not only was the name credited to Muddy Waters but the sound was as well. Many African American pioneers for Rock and Roll and Blues had many songs stolen just to become more "mainstream" to white audiences. This trend has continued to change the face of music to this day.

Years later when Hip Hop became one of the faces of African American culture rappers such as Vanilla Ice changed the color of Hip Hop. When Vanilla Ice first emerged in Hip Hop everyone was not so supportive of change; however, through the years white faces in Hip Hop would not be so repulsive. When Eminem rose to fame he was respected as one of the better rappers but even he admits that his race benefited his ability to be successful. He even stated in a song "White America": "look at my sales, let's do the math, if I was black, I would've sold half, I
Ain't have to graduate from Lincoln high school to know that". Although Eminem was a talented rapper his icon represented much more than just a white face in Hip Hop. Considering the fact that the majority of consumers of Hip Hop music are White Americans, Eminem helped these people feel more inclusive with the genre of music they loved listening to.

Today this trend is still present when looking at the emergence of White rappers in Hip Hop. Asher Roth, MGK, Mac Miller, Action Bronson, Macklemore, Iggy Azeala and others have been able to leave an imprint in Hip Hop in recent years and rise to fame. Rapper Macklemore was nominated for seven Grammy awards and took home four over other great African American artists including Kendrick Lamar. In the back of many people's mind this decision was equivalent to the Taylor Swift win over Beyonce which caused Kanye West's image to change after his rant. Regardless of if he deserved the award this victory proved that White Americans were changing Hip Hop once and for all. When looking at Miley Cyrus and her change in persona, TWERKING, has to be mentioned, for she motivated white girls across the globe to partake in the dance. Although twerking had existed in black culture for years, as soon as Miley Cyrus began to do it twerking made a comeback. Although white emergence into the culture is at an all time high, this doesn't mean our culture is being destroyed; however, we have to deal with the fact that OUR culture has grown to be DIVERSE, often without our input.

-Jeremiah the Messiah

What is a Black man on the 4th of July

This Fourth July is yours, not mine. You may rejoice, I must mourn. To drag a man in fetters into the grand illuminated temple of liberty, and call upon him to join you in joyous anthems, were inhuman mockery and sacrilegious irony. Do you mean, citizens, to mock me, by asking me to speak to-day? If so, there is a parallel to your conduct. And let me warn you that it is dangerous to copy the example of a nation whose crimes, towering up to heaven, were thrown down by the breath of the Almighty, burying that nation in irrevocable ruin! I can to-day take up the plaintive lament of a peeled and woe-smitten people! -Frederick Douglass

It is now 2014 and African Americans have grown to love the 4th of July as if it is the nation's Independence Day, although this holiday and it's meaning only applied to White Americans. The nation was able to build the country off of slavery but when challenged with taxes from Britain considered themselves slaves. John Locke, an English philosopher known as the "Father of Liberalism" who also invested in the Royal African Company which monopolized the slave trade, was totally against slavery when it involved men and stated: " All men by nature are equal in that equal right that every man hath to his natural freedom, without being subjected to the will or authority of any other man; being all equal and independent, no one ought to harm another in his life, health, liberty or possessions." Unfortunately, these were thoughts he placed upon men and at this point in time slaves were considered chattle. On July 4th, 1776 the United States were freed from the powers of Great Britain but it took close to 100 more years for White America to realize we were actual people and free slaves for reasons that did not involve our well being.

Today the Black community has adopted the 4th of July and it serves as a day of cookouts, family and social gatherings. Fireworks blast all night for the joyous occasion but in many communities these fireworks are replaced with gun blasts that take many innocent lives. Considering the fact that not too long ago our ancestors suffered on this day, the least we can do is live in harmony in respects to our great grandmothers and grandfathers. Many go out and buy new outfits just to wear for one day and often don't realize how blessed we are to even be able to walk freely. It is one's choice to celebrate this day knowing its history; however, one has to be aware of the evils associated with this day and count their blessings. Adopting everything for a sense of empowerment does not always work just like the use of the word "nigga" in 2014. To some its just a continuation to the mockery of our people.

 Standing there identified with the American bondman, making his wrongs mine, I do not hesitate to declare, with all my soul, that the character and conduct of this nation never looked blacker to me than on this 4th of July! Whether we turn to the declarations of the past, or to the professions of the present, the conduct of the nation seems equally hideous and revolting. America.is false to the past, false to the present, and solemnly binds herself to be false to the future- Frederick Douglass

-Jeremiah the Messiah

Affirmative Action

Affirmative action is correctional action
But then they wanted to take it away
Jim Crow was an example of affirmative action
But how long did they allow that to stay
No privileges based on race or gender that system is so unfair
But being a white man in America gives you more privilege than those that are born with my hair
That quota system is a free education they say things are being handed to us
Probably built these elite schools so excuse me, I think it should be granted to us
Being black in America comes with so many disadvantages trying to beat the system but we're lost
I walk into a store for some skittles and an Arizona some hours later I'm meeting Allah
I wish it was my brogods but my skin complexion had you tripping
Hawking me like a hawk when I walk in the store "That boy gotta be shoplifting"
Being black in college is like being a white rapper it's pretty hard to pull off
Gotta use a fake address to go to your school because mine produces ....cough cough
(Something's are better left unsaid
Especially when you have thug written across your forehead
So if I'm walking down the street and the cops think I got heat cuz I throw my drink when they yell POLICE I guess I'm as good as dead x2 )
My neighborhood is filled with violence cuz these men can't get a job
No quality grocery stores in my hood so diabetes come with these bars
Am I talking candy lyrics or prison ?
Me and bill over here got the weed but you searched me hoping for a conviction
So let's say I make it to college and I need a little extra help in  my personal statement I'll just put I'm black
consider my education my form of reparation before you begin to turn your back

The Plan behind Planned Parenthood

I never understood Planned Parenthood
Cause I never met nobody planned to be a parent in the hood
Taking refills of that Plan B pill another shorty that wont make it to the family will
If I don't make it, cant take it, hope the family will
They aint crazy they dont know how insanity feels
Don C just had a shorty so its not that bad
But I still hear the ghosts of the kids I never had-Kanye West

   Francis Galton and Charles Darwin were both the fathers of their own philosophies that would eventually tie together to serve as a solution for what to do with the millions of African Americans set free due to the abolishment of slavery. Francis Galton is known as the father of Eugenics (The practice of improving genetic qualities through the reproduction of desired individuals which could belong to a specific race, ethnic group and or class.) while his cousin, Charles Darwin, was the father or Darwinism ( focusing heavily on the causes and effects of evolution and natural selection.) Darwin would later go on to publish The Origin of species through natural selection or the preservation of certain races in the struggle for life which was later shortened to Origin of Species. This text successfully smuggled racist ideals into the study of evolution and Francis Galton used this science to form the plan of Eugenics.

Eventually racists were not just philosophers but industrialists that were shaping plans to wipe the world of the "unfit". Now that these philosophers had wealthy allies they could now form organizations like the American Eugenics Society founded in 1922. The American Eugenics Society would go on to influences many of Adolf Hitler's plans on extermination, racial purity and white supremacy. One of the most influential parts of American Eugenics Society was the forced sterilizations that Adolf Hitler used for Afro-germans. Wealthy elites would also fund Margaret Sangers Planned Parenthood and Birth Control fight. Margaret Sanger, one who gave speeches on her plans involving planned parenthood with racist organizations such as the KKK, would later form an organization that would haunt "colored" people throughout the world to this day. Margaret Sanger's racist attitudes have been doubted by many ;however, one has to question who she refers to in the following: "I believe that now, immediately there should be national sterilization for certain dysgenic types of our population who are being encouraged to breed and would die out were the government not feeding them.”

Today Planned Parenthood continues to be one of the leading causes of death among "colored" individuals. By no means is it a coincidence that most Planned Parenthood centers are located in low income and or minority neighborhoods. In earlier times in history, many under government assistance were threatened with it's termination if a forced sterilization was not practiced. Those in prison were and still are given sterilizations without state approval. Civil rights leaders such as Stokley Carmichael , Jesse Jackson, Cesar Chavez and the Black Panther party spoke out about this issue knowing its evils and effect on our communities. Still a black child is three times more likely to be aborted compared to a white child. These events have led to the genocide in our communities and although it is one's personal decision whether he or she wants to have a child, one should at least know the plans of planned parenthood and how our decisions can live out the dreams of those that want to exterminate us.
-Jeremiah the messiah 

(For a more in depth explanation of this genocide watch the documentary Maafa 21 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rqLyyIsKyCU )

Willie Lynch:The Mortician

The suicide of my community young black bodies in coffins
Fam said become a mortician quick way to make a profit
Seemed like a good idea but I'm conscious
Take off them chains mental slavery isn't stopping
West side the best side from the streets of Holy city
Where crackheads more common than a Kappa hitting shimmys
Where these young thugs serving and toting pistols til they empty
Wouldn't have made it here if them thugs wasn't with me
TRUTH
Never hostility we just chose different paths
But to understand this trash you have to understand the past
System of hate passed down since the Willie Lynch Days
Putting your brother in a grave what would Mr. Lynch say
Probably nothing he probably would just laugh
Cuz young boys getting thrashed cuz they tryna go to class
I know it's dumb but we can't blame them for their mental
Their schools failed them the streets gave them other utensils
And then that pistol gave them other credentials
Wanted to be a doctor but now they wanna be the next Dr. Dre or Dr. J
RUN NIGGA RUN not on the track but from this gun
Cuz we love to shoot down the dreams of young thugs
Whether it's to be a young graduate or be Young thug or a Danny glover rapper hiding the fact that he sus
Danny Glover rappers just acting for a buck
The dope you move make millions in real life they making clucks
Irresponsible rap music, no jobs or black students will only lead us to shit
Whatever walk of life support the dreams of your brother or your another Willie Lynch
If you take a slave, if you teach him all about your language, he will know all your secrets, and he is then no more a slave, for you can’t fool him any longer, and BEING A FOOL IS ONE OF THE BASIC INGREDIENTS OF ANY INCIDENTS TO THE MAINTENANCE OF THE SLAVERY SYSTEM. - Willie Lynch
-Jeremiah the Messiah

Desegregation and the Black Community

   In the days of segregation many were forced to stay within their own communities in order to obey the law and or distance themselves from those of other backgrounds. Although some wished they had a choice, many used these times of chaos to strengthen their own communities through business and community. At this point in time people had businesses in their community filled with people that were of the same race and or ethnicity which kept the money within the community and made it stronger. In order to destroy these communities an outside force had to be responsible but throughout time many problems came from within the community. For example, in Tulsa, Oklahoma a wealthy African American community known as the Black Wall Street, one of the wealthiest Black communities in the United States, came to existence. Due to the fact that some hated to see progress in the Black community, members of the Klu Klux Klan along with white civilians held race riots in order to destroy this area. This area served as a threat to white superiority and dominance and for this reason they wanted to destroy it. In the Tulsa Race Riots of 1921 this area was destroyed and it took many years to reconstruct it. At this time many communities were destroyed and Black business owners were like prey because they symbolized progression. Many of these businessmen were wrongfully murdered or forced out of town for this reason and Black pioneers of journalism such as Ida B. Wells, tried to combat this white resistance and racism through spreading knowledge of these wrongdoings to the Black community. By the time these areas were reconstructed desegregation was implemented and many were encouraged to step outside their communities for resource. This trend would later be a blessing and curse to the Black community years later.
                                  
Desegregation led to many resources and opportunities being available for many people of different backgrounds. Many people are allowed to coexist and go to other communities for education, jobs, as consumers and tourists. Although many venture out they still maintain strong relationships with their community as a whole.and fund many things unconsciously through their support of local businesses. In America, the melting pot, we have many ethnic groups forming their own neighborhoods but can still classified under one title when in comparison to others. WHITE, ASIAN, HISPANIC....etc; however, when it comes to the Black community.........or whatever we have, there is no sense of solidarity due to conflict and traditions of destruction. In many riots throughout the Civil Rights struggle, especially in the 60's, Black people destroyed their own communities through looting and chaos. Not to stir up hostility or encourage outward violence, but why would one destroy their own community to prove a point to an oppressive force? Some argue that these acts were symbolic of the lack of tolerance for a slum like environment or condition. I still wouldn't support the destruction of whatever we did have though. Besides the physical destruction of neighborhoods many people within the Black community began to shop elsewhere because of the freedom to do so. Our mistake was equating desegregation with freedom. The more we began to shop elsewhere the more this became a habit and the more money the Black community could have made was being spent elsewhere. This led to Black businessmen and women being discouraged and unsupported which is one reason there are few Black owned businesses today.

Today the same trend is still present when looking at the fascination we have with foreign brands. One can spend so much on True Religion jeans and Michael Kors and brands that the makers do not even want us in. We can shop elsewhere in other neighborhoods before we try to support any business in our community or even each other. For that we are all guilty, including me. Still we have to realize that the more we spend elsewhere the more money we lose out on and the weaker we become compared to others. Sadly, if we buy things in our own community we still support other communities because the people behind our counters aren't even African American and are notorious for mistreating us. When these businesses open up in our communities I don't see boycotts or competing businesses. When looking in other communities I don't even see others moving in too frequently. Consider white flight: White communities moving away at the sight of a few minorities to preserve resources and support tradition and dominance. This did have ill intentions but also strengthened them to a point where they are economically powerful. What can we as Black folks do about gentrification though? Not much unfortunately. Our communities are not being controlled by us. I call on young entrepreneurs to encourage Black business and consumers to benefit our community more. I also challenge the Black elite to give more efforts to give back to the communities they come from and live off of. Money will never solve all of our problems, but money can help benefit us in many ways including education, job creation, recreational facilities and many other public interests. It was a point in time where others had to step in to disrupt our progress. No need for chains and whips when our minds are gone because we continue to hurt our own communities through the murder rate and tradition of hate. Segregation supported many evils our society needed to move past; unfortunately, since its termination the decline in Black Power is happening through the lack of REAL community.
-Jeremiah the Messiah

The Boondocks : Is it really that funny?

As a child I grew up watching many cartoons such as Family Guy, The Simpsons, King of the Hill and many other humorous family shows. These shows were hilarious but it frustrated me not having a show where the characters looked like me and gave my perspective of life through my type of humor. When the Boondocks, created by Aaron McGruder, finally aired on Adult Swim I was amazed at how funny it was and how often I was able to relate to many of the situations I would see in every episode. At first I watched the show strictly for entertainment because I thought the show was just pure comedy; however, after seeing real clips of the characters depicted in the Boondocks I realized the show was based on real life situations. The Boondocks uses extreme satire to make us all laugh, but more importantly show us how ridiculous we can be in real life and spread a message at the end of every episode.

When looking at the main characters of the show you can recognize who these people symbolize through their acts. One of the funniest characters on the show is Uncle Ruckus. Uncle Ruckus is an extremely racist Black male who denies his blackness and puts Blacks down whenever he sees an opportunity. This character is a representation of how many Blacks may tear each other down, hate themselves and quickly lean towards the white race for benefits or to distance themselves from other Blacks. Tom Dubois, a well off district attorney married to a white woman, symbolizes some of the Black elite who may forget where they come from or distance themselves from Blackness through economic freedom and or a different community. Stinkmeaner an old bitter man responsible for "NIGGA MOMENTS" represents ignorance in general that can cause us to lose our minds if we let it get to us.

 Rappers Thugnificent, Gangstalicious, and the Lethal Interjection crew are just representations of ignorant studio gangsters that don't realize how they can be influences on weak minded individuals. One of these weak minded individuals is Riley Freeman, who is a young, impressionable boy that stays on top of the latest trends and is stubborn to the advice of his older self conscious brother Huey Freeman who is essentially the main character. Every time Huey has an idea, especially when it deals with revolutionary thought, he is shunned which depicts one of our biggest problems in the Black community: THE FEAR OF BEING "PROBLACK" OR BRAVE ENOUGH TO STAND UP TO WRONGDOINGS WE SEE SO OFTEN. Last but not least we have Granddad who is a former civil rights hero who no one listens to most of the time just as many don't respect their elders.

Recently Aaron McGruder gave us Season 4 of the Boondocks but already I have an episode I find interesting. This picture above is from episode 3 of Season 4 where the popular show Breaking Bad is picked at. Huey tries to create a bomb but lies to his Granddad and says it is hair gel. When Granddad runs out of real gel he uses the product and discovers that it grows hair overnight. Unfortunately, when Huey comes clean the product is still able to be sold for Black women have so many dangerous chemicals in their hair they would not care if BOMB FLUID THAT COULD BLOW THEIR HEAD OFF was in products as long as they could have (I quote) "WHITE BITCH HAIR". How ridiculous right?! But then not really because Black women already use harmful products to straighten and perm their hair anyway. Although I THINK Black women wouldn't take it that far, it is still saddening seeing the sacrifices many Black women make to have hair that is seen as beautiful when these products cause short term beauty and long term damage to their heads. This is just one of many episodes that have a message we need to analyze and although it is meant for entertainment we need to really pay attention to what we are watching. AND THANK MCGRUDER.
-Jeremiah the Messiah