"I've been in the city and the dichotomy of the women and the men in the minorities, there is a difference in the fact that most minority women, either the single parent or coming from a poor neighborhood, are motivated more so than the minority men," Reynolds said, when asked what he would do to increase diversity at state colleges. "And it's a pretty good reason. Most of the women who are single parents have to find work to support their family. The minority men find it more lucrative to be able to do drugs or other avenues rather than do education. It's easier." (source- Huffington Post)Recently, during campaigning for a senate seat, Tea Party candidate Al Reynolds stated that Black men in Chicago would rather sell dope than get an education. This comment sparked heated debates all around the nation from break rooms to barber shops, radio stations to bar talk. In one such conversation on a nationally syndicated radio show, Reynolds’ “opinion” was followed by the question- is the system responsible for the condition of black men in this country? First of all, to follow Reynolds statement with that question lends some type of credence to it. Do we really buy into the hype that an entire city of men prefers crime over education? Further, do we believe that the majority of black men in America are in a “state” that reflects poorly on our race? Well, here are my thoughts on the subject.
Once upon a time, not very long ago, “the system” had power over black people throughout our country. During those times it was known as Jim Crow, segregation, and any other term that indicated that black people were less than our white counterparts. Our predecessors fought hard through tragedies and tribulations for our generation to enjoy equal rights in this country. Segregation became a thing of the past and we all began to live happily ever after. “The System” became an urban legend to a lot of people, people too far removed from the way the world was in that era.
Blacks in America have access to educations, careers, opportunities that would never have been afforded to our grandparents and in some cases, our parents, and that reflects some growth in this nation.
So, if a black man is not living up to his potential in America who is to blame? Do we blame his parents? Quality of education? Do we place the blame squarely on his shoulders?
I say, blame the system. Wait, the system no longer exists, right? No one quite knows who is involved in the system. We can hardly identify the role of a system in the world, how can we blame it? Truth is, the system to black men is like the boogeyman to little children. As long as you believe in him and fear him, he has power over you. There are men who have no fear of the system who have achieved a measure of success in this country simply because they can’t be held back by a principle they don’t acknowledge. But, if they don’t acknowledge it, how can they be sure it has not held them back? There are men who believe that the system controls every aspect of their life and it stifles their growth into successful men. But if that were the case, there would be NO positive examples of black men.
The system exists, in the hearts and minds of people- both black and white. Al Reynolds believes in the system. He and his Tea Party cronies are picking at the scabs of the wounds left by Jim Crow and racism. We can’t allow them to convince us that the boogeyman has power over us. We can’t view one another with consternation and condemnation. What happened to the spirit of brotherhood that we displayed when racism was more overt? Those of us who achieve a level of success could mentor our brothers who believe the system holds them back. Then there are brothers who use “the system” as an excuse to be intentionally mediocre. Those guys should just go and ask Al and friends if they can be poster children for the Tea Party movement- if you can’t beat the system, may as well join the system.
