Project Logic Ga

Improving Black America starts with a comprehensive approach; winning elections is just one piece of the overall pie.  We must make peace with the ghost of our oppressed past but if you are waiting for proper acknowledgement and fairness, you will be waiting awhile.

Some parts of America will never understand that the country’s general agenda is counterintuitive to some subgroups’ agendas (Latinos, Women, Native Americans, Blacks).  This nation’s greatest wealth before oil was free and systematically discounted Black labor. Since that wealth jumpstarted our economy, my Black investment in this Republic is without question.  Still, many White southerners can’t understand that Gone With the Wind appeared differently in my Black eyes as Malcolm X did in theirs.

The Art of War is based on understanding the other side.  Blacks involvement in the Democrat Party is so-so but the Conservative Movement/GOP to southern Whites is a way of life second only to church.  Correction: church is woven into politics and the comprehensive, all-encompassing  lifestyle is powerful.  Conservatism in the White community is similar to fraternities and sororities among Black college grads.  Get it: a Kappa Alpha from U.G.A. will never understand the connections between all members of Omega Psi Phi.  Oh, a veteran can say he or she proudly served in the Air Force years ago but in most case, the U.S. Marines are a life-long frat whose commitment goes to the bone. Because the stakes are so high, Black southerners need that level of involvement in change actions.

I loved when Chuck D in Public Enemy rapped, “Whatcha do getcha head ready…Instead of getting physically sweaty.” Rather than working the Pecs in your chest, you should consider these PECS.  We must move forward Politically, Economically, Culturally and Socially.

But first, who are “we”?  When President Trump says we, he is speaking about his base; not the whole nation.  “We” to me in this writing is Blacks about striving.  While we are reluctant to separate our agenda from Black America as a whole, some of us have grown weary with a certain element of our community.

P.E.C.S.

Politically: We must vote in every election and watch the political arena like a hawk constantly.  When wise people see the issues on the table, voting and action come naturally.  Unfortunately, the part of our community most impacted by public policy doesn’t actually vote in real numbers.  This moderate argues daily with Liberal/Progressive friends about the existence of Black Moderates, Centrists and yes Conservatives.  We aren’t talking about Blacks who are deeply into the GOP and yes, the Conservative Movement seeks to preserve a time in which Blacks were second-class citizens.

No, Black moderates to conservatives are people who harken back to the 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s.  In those days, the preoccupation was Blacks living in America without restrictions.  Some of us are concerned that the Progressive Movement emphasizes what government can do for you only.  Government shouldn’t fix a life that you causally broke with bad decisions and softness.

Economically: Money is some kind of funny.  In our community, we act like high school Economics class wasn’t mandatory.  Basically, we must learn when successful oldheads are teaching how to keep your bills low until your dollars are solid.  Conspicuous consumption refers to the consumers who buy expensive items to display wealth and income rather than to cover their real needs.  In the Barbershop as a kid, I learned “they buy things with money they don’t have to impress people who don’t care about them.”  And, we will be here all day if we dive into homeownership vs. renting and spending vs. maxing out the employer provided retirement fund.  Growing money over 30 years is the prettiest thing in the world.

Culturally: I was around when hip hop was born and it’s a cool art form.  But, is art imitating life or life imitating art.  To make it plain, our youth have an unhealthful relationship with the thug element of rap culture. While we were digging early rap, we wanted the Cosby Show lifestyle.  T.V. and the internet pumps massive amounts of influence into developing brains—much of that information is opposite to the directions and principles of our parents.

For this writer, the Cosby Show was the gold standard but James and Florida Evans raised a solid family on Good Times.  On the other hand, the Jeffersons was almost buffoonery- a Black man gets rich but is still a clown. I wonder if White America realized that Norman Mailer was culturally mocking them with All in the Family.  As a kid, I knew it from the theme song.

Boy the way Glen Miller played

Songs that made the Hit Parade.

Guys like us we had it made,

Those were the days.

Didn’t need no welfare state,

Everybody pulled his weight.

Gee our old LaSalle ran great.

Those were the days.

Absolutely, it was a great time to be a White man in America.  If you worked hard and kept your nose clean, you could have a nice life. During that same post World War II period, Blacks were lucky not to be killed for trying to stand up as men and women.  The song was right “Guys like US we had it made” because Whites enjoyed most of the American pie and minorities ate the crumbs.  You do realize that soul food was the meats and vegetables left over after master ate high on the hog.

They didn’t need no welfare state or need to know how to avoid double negatives.  When Trump is firing up his base at rallies, this is the American culture they are planning to make great again; a culture in which people of color are returned to their proper place.

That “old LaSalle” was a great American automobile from Detroit but as President Trump says we don’t make anything in America anymore.  We need a culture based on family, faith, honor and achievement rather than weed and weave and look at me.

Socially:  Honestly, I don’t know where culturally ends and socially begins.  The second dictionary definition of socially says “in the company of others, especially for pleasure.”  Birds of a feather flock together and the “We” part of Black America must seek out achievement-oriented, fully-focused others.  In this new era of correctness, we are hesitant about calling out Blacks who have “relaxed” what is proper and acceptable.  Well, I stand with Secretary Colin Powell in thinking that all of America should reinstitute the concept of shame.

Theories and ideas on a blog are nothing without action.  If we don’t adopt and implement a new comprehensive plan, our southern Black goose is cooked.