For the last couple of days the news briefs have been somewhat dominated with this story about a song released on country music singer Brad Paisley's album. The song - entitled "Accidental Racist - is apparently a collaboration with rapper LL Cool J. According to a video interview with Paisley, the song was an attempt on his part to address what he calls "racial tensions" attributed to what the confederate flag actually stands for. He acknowledges that the flag appears to represent something oppressive to African people, but he wants to make the point that for him, the flag is simply a manifestation of his "pride in his Southern heritage." Now, I don't listen to country music so besides only hearing his name on a cursory basis, I don't really know anything about Mr. Paisley. Consequently, I have absolutely nothing against him. In fact it's possible (although not plausible) that he is sincere, although quite unsophisticated, in his efforts to try and address the issue of race in this society. Still, the defense he uses for his support of the conferderacy is an old and tired one.
Listen carefully because we will only say this one more time...What you White people are calling your heritage is the legacy of slavery when we were packaged like property. In case you don't know, that involves us being beaten and bred like dogs, killed and discarded like old furniture, and mentally, physically, and spiritually assaulted on a systematic and consistent basis for hundreds of years. Now, anyone who tries to defend that period as something prideful is either completely stupid or you are saying you really don't care about our suffering. Either way is fine with me because at this stage in the game, we certainly aren't the least bit concerned about what White people who defend racism think about our perspective. What we do want to do is provide a scientific analysis for our people and anyone else who is honestly interested in a balanced and truthful presentation of history.
The reason for all the confusion is understandable. Since day one, we've been completely lied to about history. Still today, a full 150 years since the Emancipation Proclamation, there is no comprehensive history of slavery presented in schools and the average person here coudn't tell you anything basic about the institution. I'm talking about simple stuff like the fact the banking industry started from slavery (google it fool - don't just kneejack react to the statement), and the constitution was written in ways to preserve slavery e.g. the Second Amendment (shut your damn mouth and get that 4G phone out!). Finally, police as armed and organized units of repression evolved directly out of the slave patrols and the Northern City Watch groups that were set up to limit African movement as well (is your phone service still working? Then, look that up too and stop arguing). If you are following me, then you picked up how the very foundation of this society was built from slavery which means those values are still very much a part of how this society operates today. So, obviously, it's beyond stupid to suggest that supporting conferderacy is not a racist act, whether you are aware of the history or not is no excuse. If Paisley and others like him are really concerned about justice, then you have an obligation to find out what happened and why people are upset. Of course, we know he will never take the time to get informed. Why? Because he doesn't have to. All he has to do is protect his brand so he just finds someone like LL and makes a record. Now, they are - according to Paisley - best friends and he's clearly not a racist, right? Wrong. Anyone reading this would have to admit that if you had a loved one who was brutalized and someone was there who didn't do anything to stop it, then that person in your eyes is as guilty as the brutalizer. If there's someone else who wasn't there during the attack, but that person defends the attackers, then also, in your mind, you know that person is also equally as guilty. In fact, you probably have more animosity towards the defender because they are talking about something they don't really know anything about and defending the pain against your loved one. The fact they are ignorant infuriates you more so. It doesn't take them off the hook in your mind.
Racism is still a systematic institution of organized discrimination that was built on the theft of land from the indigenous people and the enslavement of African people and that system of discrimination still continues today, as strong and consistent as it was 500 years ago. Now, some of you are probably wondering why no commentary on LL? Surely he has some responsibility here right? Of course, I'm very familiar with Mr. James Todd Smith AKA Ladies Love Cool James, but the fact he would make this song in the first place indicates where his priorities are. We've said it many times before. Racism is profitable in 2013! And one last thing. If you want a qualified opinion on important issues like racism, there are so many sources from which you can receive the proper information. If you rely on the opinions of entertainers and athletes than you are dumber than they are. For those who want that information, here are some excellent sources:
Historical:
"How Europe Underdeveloped Africa" Walter Rodney
"Capitalism and Slavery" Eric Williams
"Philosophy and Opinions of Marcus Garvey" Marcus Garvey
"Assata" Assata Shakur
"Black Skins, White Masks" Franz Fanon
"I Write what I Like" Steve Biko
"Culture, Revolution, and Pan-Africanism" Sekou Ture
"Black Awakening in Capitalist America" James Allen
"Final Speeches of Malcolm X" Malcolm X
"Stokely Speaks" Kwame Ture formally Stokely Carmichael
"Lakota Woman" Mary Crow Dog
"Ojiwba Warrior" Dennis Banks
"Where White Men Fear to Tread" Russell Means
"Revolutionary Suicide" Huey P Newton
"A Taste of Power" Elaine Brown
"Challenge to the Congo" Kwame Nkrumah
Contact us for more suggestions.
Listen carefully because we will only say this one more time...What you White people are calling your heritage is the legacy of slavery when we were packaged like property. In case you don't know, that involves us being beaten and bred like dogs, killed and discarded like old furniture, and mentally, physically, and spiritually assaulted on a systematic and consistent basis for hundreds of years. Now, anyone who tries to defend that period as something prideful is either completely stupid or you are saying you really don't care about our suffering. Either way is fine with me because at this stage in the game, we certainly aren't the least bit concerned about what White people who defend racism think about our perspective. What we do want to do is provide a scientific analysis for our people and anyone else who is honestly interested in a balanced and truthful presentation of history.
The reason for all the confusion is understandable. Since day one, we've been completely lied to about history. Still today, a full 150 years since the Emancipation Proclamation, there is no comprehensive history of slavery presented in schools and the average person here coudn't tell you anything basic about the institution. I'm talking about simple stuff like the fact the banking industry started from slavery (google it fool - don't just kneejack react to the statement), and the constitution was written in ways to preserve slavery e.g. the Second Amendment (shut your damn mouth and get that 4G phone out!). Finally, police as armed and organized units of repression evolved directly out of the slave patrols and the Northern City Watch groups that were set up to limit African movement as well (is your phone service still working? Then, look that up too and stop arguing). If you are following me, then you picked up how the very foundation of this society was built from slavery which means those values are still very much a part of how this society operates today. So, obviously, it's beyond stupid to suggest that supporting conferderacy is not a racist act, whether you are aware of the history or not is no excuse. If Paisley and others like him are really concerned about justice, then you have an obligation to find out what happened and why people are upset. Of course, we know he will never take the time to get informed. Why? Because he doesn't have to. All he has to do is protect his brand so he just finds someone like LL and makes a record. Now, they are - according to Paisley - best friends and he's clearly not a racist, right? Wrong. Anyone reading this would have to admit that if you had a loved one who was brutalized and someone was there who didn't do anything to stop it, then that person in your eyes is as guilty as the brutalizer. If there's someone else who wasn't there during the attack, but that person defends the attackers, then also, in your mind, you know that person is also equally as guilty. In fact, you probably have more animosity towards the defender because they are talking about something they don't really know anything about and defending the pain against your loved one. The fact they are ignorant infuriates you more so. It doesn't take them off the hook in your mind.
Racism is still a systematic institution of organized discrimination that was built on the theft of land from the indigenous people and the enslavement of African people and that system of discrimination still continues today, as strong and consistent as it was 500 years ago. Now, some of you are probably wondering why no commentary on LL? Surely he has some responsibility here right? Of course, I'm very familiar with Mr. James Todd Smith AKA Ladies Love Cool James, but the fact he would make this song in the first place indicates where his priorities are. We've said it many times before. Racism is profitable in 2013! And one last thing. If you want a qualified opinion on important issues like racism, there are so many sources from which you can receive the proper information. If you rely on the opinions of entertainers and athletes than you are dumber than they are. For those who want that information, here are some excellent sources:
Historical:
"How Europe Underdeveloped Africa" Walter Rodney
"Capitalism and Slavery" Eric Williams
"Philosophy and Opinions of Marcus Garvey" Marcus Garvey
"Assata" Assata Shakur
"Black Skins, White Masks" Franz Fanon
"I Write what I Like" Steve Biko
"Culture, Revolution, and Pan-Africanism" Sekou Ture
"Black Awakening in Capitalist America" James Allen
"Final Speeches of Malcolm X" Malcolm X
"Stokely Speaks" Kwame Ture formally Stokely Carmichael
"Lakota Woman" Mary Crow Dog
"Ojiwba Warrior" Dennis Banks
"Where White Men Fear to Tread" Russell Means
"Revolutionary Suicide" Huey P Newton
"A Taste of Power" Elaine Brown
"Challenge to the Congo" Kwame Nkrumah
Contact us for more suggestions.
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