Rumble, Young Man Rumble!

Buzz of the Day

I got something in the mail today about all the black history events that are going on at the local library. One particular thing stood out to me. They were talking about the abolition of slavery and to contemplate the challenging legacy of slavery in America. The legacy of slavery. There is definitely one, whether we choose to accept it or not. I don't believe it should be a built-in excuse, but it can't be totally disregarded either.

What is my responsibility as a black man? I consider myself a productive member of society. I pay my taxes, give pedestrians the right-of-way. I even laugh at jokes that ain't funny just to be polite. What else is required of me?

I know as a Christian, I am to walk in line to what the Holy Bible teaches. I am supposed to share the gospel to those around me. My plan is to prepare for eternity and not this momentary time on earth.

But while I'm on earth, what should I be doing. As a black man?

I feel a HUGE responsibility to be civil. To show people that a black person knows how to act. To speak in grammatically correct sentences. I don't want someone to not give a black person (or any minority for that matter) a chance because I skewed their image. I want people to not look at me as a black person whom they respect, but a person that they respect. At the same time, I want them to know that I am black so they give a black person a second look when they are considered for a second interview. I don't want people to think that I'm the only black person who has sense, because I am not. There are many who have much more...much more.

I feel a responsibility to my community as well. To my young (and old) family members. I want to be a positive example to people. I want to teach younger generations their history. I want them to know that 50 years ago, we couldn't even vote! I want them to know that the world has changed, but not as much as we think. I don't want them to feel the pressure of racism, but I do want them to feel the responsibility of representing an entire race. Right or wrong, it is their reality. I want them to be proud of what our ancestors fought for. To be grateful for the sacrifices that were made. The sacrifices that continue to be made on a regular basis.

Chris Rock had a very controversial stand up routine when he talked about the difference between "niggas" and black people. People were up in arms. Sometimes, white people are quick to call someone "white trash." They are basically saying that to separate themselves from a particular behavior. Many times, these same people throw all black people in the same pot. For some reason we are all the same. I carry that with me every-single-day. It's hard enough being a human being with all the different emotions and things we have going on. Imagine feeling like if you do one thing that is "questionable," you set your entire race back.

I wish the feelings I have were not true. But they are. People are wondering very often if am I the exception to the rule, or if I am an example of how many people are if you just give them a chance.

Explicit Language Below (But Very Funny)

Family or Foe?

Buzz of the Day

They say you can't choose your family. Well I've chosen mine. At least half of them.

My mother died when I was in 3rd grade. At that point, I belonged to my father's side of the family, exclusively. Very rarely did I see my mom's side of the family. Very, very rarely.

That's another story. Right around that same time I started to meet friends that I still have to this day. I consider them family. They've been around when nobody else was. We've spent holidays, weekends, and every day in between together. We didn't have many people to give us advice and teach us right from wrong, so we counseled each other.

I've been truly blessed to have brothers from other mothers. As we've gotten older, our relationships have changed. Some have moved away. While others tend to stay away (you know, working and family stuff). Tupac has a line: "And if you need anything at all, I'll drop it all for ya'll when my homies call." I have so called family members that wouldn't spit on you if you were on fire. I'm not saying that all of my family is like that. I just don't agree with those sayings about blood being thicker than water and you can't choose your family, but you can choose your friends. Truth is...My friends are my family and I couldn't get rid of them if I tried.

I am in the process of reaching out to my mom's side of the family. I'm trying to piece some things together and get some questions answered. As I move further away from being a child and move closer to having children of my own, I realize how much of my history that I don't know about. It also seems that nobody will reach out to me if I don't reach out. So I'll do what I have to do to fill in the blanks.

A message to my two readers: Sorry I've been gone so long. I hope to never leave for that long again.