As I debate with many people I notice that they will often make use of certain litmus tests which attempt to channel the debate upon certain key arguments that are popular within the Black community. As part of my attempts to slay certain sacred cows that are no longer relevant within the Black community it is important that these concepts be challenged and put into their appropriate perspectives so that the debate opponet - who I assume is both rational and who is intersted in obtained the best interests for our people will yield to his preference for the both of these.
Example #1: Cubans Immigrants Are Allowed Into The USA, Haitians Are Turned Away Therefore The USA Is Biased Against Hiatians Because Both Nations Have Oppressive Governments
I heard this one the other day. This argument fails my previous focus word of "comprehensiveness". Despite the attempt to create a racial litmus test and call out those who don't add Haiti to the special consideration status that Cuba has this logic just does not stand to reason.
My distillation of the issue goes something like this: there are a bit over 8.5 million people in Haiti. Each year there are between 200 to 500 people who vacate their island nation, bound for the United States. To fall on one's sword for such a small group of people while failing to focus upon the far greater problems back at home is an empty strategy that does not stand. As I have reported previously - some people in Haiti are down to eating mud patties as they struggle to survive.
Thus again, using the filter of "comprehensiveness" how does one's support of change in the US policy on the refugees translate into a meaningful policy for the balance of people in Haiti? It simply doesn't. It is but a point of fizzure by which an operative can attempt to make an argument in which they get to remain on the moral high ground of the matter.
The effective shift of the focus of the debate back to Haiti and what the people of this nation need to do if in fact they value the lives of and the conditions of their own people IS the "distilled" essence of what the litmus test on who is doing what in support of Haiti must be focused.
Example #2: Barack Obama's Upbringing
Some of the key people who lump great praise upon Obama and his "finishing" are also unwilling to make note that Barack Obama is not a product of the Black community or a Black woman. I am not criticizing this in and of itself. I am not minimalizing this in any way. What I am doing is distilling the fact that some of the people who are most protective of the "Black Experience" as their prime qualifier of those who are christened to lead them are the key people who are backing someone who did not rise through their channel of "rites of passage" which they have constructed.
I challenge these same people to in fact do their own bit of distillation. Focus on the "essence of Obama", documenting what the essential elements of his upbringing that allowed a single White female to raise a brown skinned boy with a high level of self actualization.
- He attended schools in foreign nations - avoiding the millstone called "The Chicago Public Schools"
- He lived a significant portion of his life in cultures that were other than the prevailing Black culture in Chicago
- He was was guided by a White female who was his mother rather than by his Black relatives
Again this is not a slam against Obama. This is a challege for people to prioritize what is important to them for developing young Black people. While clearly it is illogical to seek out a White woman to raise our Black kids (hint, hint - school busing is an insane strategy for seeking to educate ALL Black kids) it is possible to fundamentally reengineer the culture and the educational experience which Black kids are exposed to. This must be organic in nature and not just a permanent chase for resources from the external government.
Instead pride, intrangesense and straight up racial bigotry by Black folks will present a wall of resistence from the main people crying for CHANGE so that different results might happen. The CHANGE that they are speaking of is GOVERNMENT CHANGE. They believe that they are just fine, thank you very much.
Thus the ability to DISTILL an issue down to its core elements is important. Certain operatives have to maintain control of the narriative for them to successfully stand their ground. (Not to mention their need for group dynamics by which they never have to debate a point because "most Black people think this way and thus it is correct.......What do you think? That Black people are stupid? What special dispensation did you as one Black man receive?" And so it goes folks. Popularity = Correctness. The Flat Earth Society would be proud).
Don't fear changing the dynamics of the argument. The bigots are not going to change from their position until they are forced to change by the prevailing forces. There is more than enough frustration that is penned up within our community to allow people to get on board......if they can save face in the process.
(I probably need to set up a New Year's Resolution to walk hand in and with rather than fight Black Progressive-Fundamentalists. Despite their agreement with what I say - they are motivated to save face and defend their position because of the nature of conflict)
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