It's Race.

If the majority culture has placed upon the legal black slave, and then on the social black slave, a general expectation of mediocrity, child-likeness, and failure, then what is to be expected of the black individual under such burden?  Let’s talk about today: who are the prominent blacks that you notice in the various media of our times?  Think of sports, politics, music, academia, movies, newspapers, and other areas.  In which are there broad, easily recognizable expectations?  The two which most readily come to mind are sports and music.  Regarding sports (really, basketball) there seems to be a general expectation that black individuals, and specifically males, are to perform well because of some inherent natural ability.  This is a more positive generalization which, in the case of many individuals, is proven true in public view more often than not.  What about music?  With what genre or genres do you generally associated blacks?  Might R&B or Rap be one of the answers you give?  Why is that?  Here’s my reflection:

For a very long time, there has been a sense of paternalism emanating from the white individual in general.  From legalized slavery through the legislated abolition thereof, black people have been expected to… well… “know their place.”  That place has been full of obeisance, servility, and overall inferiority.  Blacks, then, have developed in their minds a deep-seated oppressive state of being, because of the perpetuation of this societal suppression.  Today, I would like to deem this mindset largely disappeared, but I am given pause.  Referring back to music, much of what is associated with blacks consists in both the content and the genre of Rap.  By and large, the content of Rap concerns such topics as the pursuit of wealth, women, and success, especially as compared to others.  Basically, the attitude produced (or, should I say, perpetuated) by the resultant mindset is one reducing humans to their basic instincts.  As far as I know, humans like to maintain the status quo in as many areas as possible.  Much of the content produced through Rap promotes degeneration back to one’s basic instincts.  Do you see the connection here?  Society rewards mediocrity in blacks.

Since the burden of blacks in the past couple of centuries has been one of mediocrity at best, then society has simply continued to reward the same “mediocrity at best” mindset that befell the black population so long ago.  This is not an injunction against Rap; only against the content and resulting attitudes which various media often pushes to the forefront of communication through that genre.

What should be done then?  The question is perhaps better framed: With what should there be a doing away?  The answer, as I mentioned briefly, is the status quo.  What is required to accomplish such a seemingly impossible feat?  The onus rests not only on those who would continue the discrimination which has for so long inhibited the growth of black freedom in society.  Much responsibility also remains with the black individual, to speak and act against perpetuated and renewed injustice, aimed anywhere.  The black person must make use of the amenities now available in this nations through the many and difficult travails of others in history.  Societal advancement, justice, respect, and dignity must be by-words as they were in the Civil Rights Movement.  What’s more, nonviolence should be ameliorated, so that love would prevail among the many.  This is by no means an easily completed task, but it is possible.  Blacks should not rise up in revolt against people explicitly, but against the motivations and actions adhered to and committed by those people who would do harm to the prospect of unity amongst diversity.  Blacks must rise up and take their place in holding the hand of other ethnic groups, embracing and uplifting in the name of love.

Love must prevail.  This is not the gooey and elusive word that might come to mind at first.  No, instead it is the self-respecting regard for another’s well-being, even at cost to oneself or possessions, but not necessarily so.  Blacks must know who they are, respect who they are, and then translate the love for self into the love for others.  Model the way with perseverance just as others have done and continue to do.  Do not respond to evil with evil, but overcome evil with good.