Genius Scribble Ink

I broach the topic of black on black adversity from time to time because I like to revisit the dynamic struggles of my culture and it’s regression versus it’s progression. Often times our dirty laundry spills over into the mainstream media and creates a platform for dialogue such as this. I for one never adhere to the who is “more black” versus “less black” mantra, as I have concluded that we as a black culture are not in an empowered position to dictate the etiquette by which this criteria is judged. It is in fact external racism from other cultural groups that conclude us to be one in the same regardless of the hue variances in our pigmentation. Yes, black is black; the problem that arises is that most blacks do not realize this. Perhaps it’s the years of forgotten heritage or the absence of images that reflect who we are historically and presently. I often speak on the concept that we as a culture, have done a porous job in the preservation of our history. We tend to subscribe to material wealth instead of traceable legacy and throughout this systematic breakdown, we have lost our identity. My theory is that we had a generation that dropped the baton, thus the transference of their “leg of the race” became mere dust in the wind. The great Satchel Paige ask that we “Don’t look back” because “Something might be gaining on you”. Such an interesting note of wisdom, however one has to sometimes look back in order to know where you come from and where you are heading. Knowledge is the perseverance of thought through wisdom that is fueled by a form of education. Some education comes in the realms of formal education where as others come by way of carnal knowledge. The point is, when you feel that you may have information that could be vital to growth, you have to be cognizant of the recipient and the tone of the message that is being delivered. Such was the case with Jim Brown’s public emasculation of Kobe Bryant, regarding whether he was black enough to understand the plight of the supposed “Americanized” African-American’s racial struggle, because he grew up abroad before coming to live in America. Kobe went on to defend himself via Twitter and pointed out that the global African-American perspective is no different then that of the domestic African-American, because worldwide we are all still one in the same. I must say that Kobe’s reflective insight spoke of a man who is brilliantly educated due to his worldly view having lived abroad. As much as the American African-American has it bad, there are countless spots on the globe where Africans or people of color, live in destitute and impoverished conditions that far exceed the tribulations once suffered and currently endured within the borders of this country. This is not to make light of our disenfranchised ancestral family tree, but to bring awareness to the universal fight that has always been coveted in poverty, enslavement, murderous plotting and the erasing of historical contributions that has always existed. Brown’s “speaking on behalf” of the said black was irresponsibly done, as it showed divisiveness, bitterness and unfortunately ignorance. If Bryant was a person Jim Brown felt was not aware of the black histrionics of this country, he should have reached out and extended an olive branch. Communication can become a pipeline of nourishment when filtered properly and routed towards the malnourished. The last thing that the black culture needs to see is another black man denigrate another one of its sons. Each one should teach one, as it is through the eyes of the youth that ingenuity is sometimes brought to life. No one besides Crayola owns certain copyrights to the color black. Strangely enough, I would think Jim was more educated to know, that we are much more of an anomaly than we are a tone of color.