Friday, March 8, 2013

Cultural Slave Catchers and Defining Blackness

On election night 2012, Barack Obama’s acceptance speech highlighted what so many people around the world love about America:

“What makes America exceptional are the bonds that hold together the most diverse nation on Earth … it doesn’t matter whether you’re black or white, or Hispanic or Asian, or Native American, or young or old, or rich or poor, able, disabled, gay or straight — you can make it here in America if you’re willing to try.”
Democrats, and most of black America, should find heavy irony in that statement. Obama’s feel-good words are deliberately misleading to those living under the heavy hand of social programs. The message is also ironic for those living in black communities across America as political correctness has replaced simple, obvious truths. Black pride is nonexistent and a whole culture exists just to maintain the status quo.

Growing up in Birmingham, Alabama, I was acutely aware of my race and the line between blacks and whites. I witnessed cases of extreme racism and violence because of the color of my skin. That racism was ugly and institutionalized, but white people were not the sole source. Growing up as a lighter skinned black girl, I was constantly reminded of my “shade” of blackness. Over time the black community has developed a “slave catcher” mentality where every move is measured against a blackness meter.  If you try to obtain a good education, you are “acting white.” If you don’t talk in slang, you are accused of talking “proper.” Every step forward was met with someone of my own race checking for cracks in my blackness. It meant I had to hide my love for Guns N’ Roses and only play Tupac. It meant I dropped my voice lower to hide my “white accent.”

As the only black in most of my honors classes at school, liberal whites encouraged me to read “Phenomenal Woman” by Maya Angelou during Black History Month—perhaps the only time they realized I could read—while my black friends chided me for hanging around whites all day. Black entertainment, media and even our very culture, is designed to keep other blacks in line. Rap lyrics degrade women; social programs have replaced men; and our education system has failed our children.

Collage by Anita MonCrief

If one person deviates from the script that defines blacks, they are ridiculed, harassed and corralled back in line. If they refuse assimilation into the caricature of blackness designed by liberal whites, they are hated, despised, and targeted for destruction. Like the Borg, collectivism and group-think are the keys to survival in black communities.

Celebrities play their part as well. Stars like Samuel L. Jackson and Chris “Obama is our boss” Rock jump at the chance to play the role of slave catcher. In several films, like the recent Django Unchained, Jackson eagerly serves as Quentin Tarantino’s ideal black guy. But, off-screen , Jackson uses his celebrity to spread intolerance and remind people to vote based on color. Not content being liberal Hollywood’s go to black-man-who-will-curse-you-out, Jackson has become just another pop culture slave catcher.

In today’s society, free-thinking blacks are dangerous and must not be allowed to communicate with other blacks. Labels like “cooning,” Uncle Tom, Aunt Jemima, and House Negro were created to smear troublemakers and block their message. Who is really holding blacks down? Rich white men in suits? No! Black hands have held me down and black hands reach out at my ankles even now. My race has gone from marching for freedom in dress clothes and dying for voting rights to eating our own. When will black leaders and celebrities stop playing up stereotypes and encouraging groupthink? Why aren’t their actions seen as “cooning” for the white liberal agenda?

The consequences of Johnson’s Great Society have finally played out. The destruction of pride, self-sufficiency, and prosperity in the black community is almost complete. Sadly, the progressive/liberals who oversaw this destruction will never realize how beautiful it is to be black in America. Despite the negative history impressed into my brain, I refuse to hate my race or my country.

How do you measure blackness in  America? Clothes, music, dialect, education, partners or friends? At every turn, a person who looks just like me is standing there waiting to scrape a little bit more of my skin away because I am a threat. I am seen as a threat because no one can predict my reactions or use me for their agenda. I see through them. I don’t fall for every trap placed in front of me by the media or our “leaders.”  I have a chosen black person to speak for me: I speak for myself.

My love for my race is unconditional. Like an abused child, I love them despite the hurt. I have a daughter and watching her struggle in this world is hard. She must wrestle with what I teach her and the desire to be liked and fit in. She hides her love of hip hop from me and I realize in her mind that I am already in that “other” category. As a black mother, I want her to understand that I am just like her.
What my people must realize is that we are our own enemy. We are the problem. But we are also the solution. Being black is not a condition; it’s not a state of mind or being. You can’t measure my blackness by my actions or thoughts. I am human before I am black.

Across the country black voices rise up against any real or perceived racial slight, so often playing into the hands of the Handout Kings, also known as the Democrat leftist establishment. When will blacks speak out in terms of humanity and not race? Until blackness stops being defined by others and reduced to an arbitrary set of actions or beliefs, we are still in bondage. Mental slavery is the hardest form of bondage to escape from because we hold the keys but lack the will to use them.



Diana said...

I respect your honesty. You spoke in such a genuine voice that who ever reads your blog will feel the angst, turmoil, and inner confusion you experience(d).

Wishing that your voice is heard everywhere. Americans need you.

Blessings, Diana

Anonymous said...

Thank you.

I am a white man, with white friends who subscribe to the "politically correct" ideas of Blacks' PLACE in the conversation of the day. They need to hear from you.

Of course, I will tell them about you, and others like you, who have personally struggled against Man's propensity toward hate.

I don't understand what you've grown up dealing with (as I have not personally had to deal with such), but I do understand your response to the community organizers and the status quo of how Blacks should think according to what we're told by the left.

As a God fearing man, I am refreshed by your words. I hope those friends of mine will give your posts consideration.

God bless you, ma'am.

northierthanthou said...

Quite a few unsupported assertions in there. All the stereotype horror stories in the world do not add up to a serious critique of social programs. They reveal onl a complete lack of focus.

Anonymous said...


You are so smart and I absolutely love reading and listening to every word you say! I wish I could frame things and communicate as well as you!

I'm so inspired by you, which is what I need because I feel so demoralized by what has been and is taking place in our country. People like you who are able to still believe and fight and stay focused and in touch with your own values just encourage me beyond belief, because so often I feel like it's a losing cause. But I'm reminded when I read your words that strong people must fight.

Thank you for your inspiration and please keep doing what you do!


Mrs. L said...

With all due respect, Ms. MonCrief, this sounds like a classic case of Stockholm Syndrome.

ihunt4truth said...

Dear Anita,
I too peeled the onion...and found the I was being duped. If there is anything I can do to help stop corruption and falsehoods destroying the future for not just America but humanity let me know. Keep strong we need leaders who are willing to speak the truth.

James Sutton said...

Thank you, Anita. We are all humans, each with our own proud heritage. Those with beliefs or heritage that don't include respect for others and their heritage, don't belong in the United States of America, including those who abuse heritage for personal or political gain.


Anonymous said...

What a force you are! I watched the Occupy Doc and was also almost a victim of ACORN. I am not black but when they moved into our neighborhood (which is mostly minority) they tried to tell us what we wanted and what was important to us. they called us over and over making sure we went to THEIR meetings and not OUR homeowners meetings (where reps from local police and fire attended)I am still unclear what these young yuppie white law students were getting at.
Also I am moved by your words that you do not fit into a 'black agenda' whether it is established by whites or blacks. I do understand what you are trying to say. No one defines us but ourselves.

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