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Do What I Say Not What I Do (6654 hits)

It's gut check time again. Same rules: If you are not ready to explore your inner feelings and beliefs...leave now...don't read another word!

AS ALWAYS YOU'VE BEEN WARNED
------ Part XV- Black Hypocrisy- by Dr. Ahmad

I was reading/ responding to a post from Che Love over the weekend and an old memory surfaced (http://blackinamerica.com/cgi-bin/blog.cgi?blog_id=89721&cid=10&reading ). I recalled back in under-graduate school, there was a White professor teaching African-American studies. Man-oh-man, did that enrage the much younger version of me!

I couldn’t believe that a non-African American had the gall to try and teach “us” about the Black experience. I signed up for the course all set to give this guy a piece of my mind. Fortunately for him…there wasn’t enough student participation and the course was cancelled. If I would have had my way…that guy would have gotten an ear full.

There are some jobs White folks just can’t do!

Wait a second…isn’t that the same old tired played out argument that we’ve been fighting for a few centuries now…”there are jobs, positions, things… that Black folks can’t do…”

If a White guy can’t teach us the history of African Americans because he hasn’t lived our experience…then we can’t teach white children Western history. And I know a lot of Black educators who would be ready to picket if that rule got passed.

If White’s can’t teach Black students about the contributions of great African-Americans…then Black folks can’t teach martial arts to Asian students. If our argument is that there are things that White folks can’t do…then the flip side of that coin holds true as well.

But it gets crazier. I’ve seen African American history taught by Africans…and the classes are absolutely full. That’s right, an African from Africa who has not lived the descendent of slave/ Jim Clow system African American experience…gets to teach but not a White guy. I’ve even seen Asians, Hispanics and a Native America teaching these type studies…with no perceived uproar for Blacks. Even a White person who grew up in the Black hood is shunned by us…BECAUSE OF THE COLOR OF HIS/HER SKIN!

We are among one of the first groups to pull out the cardboard, markers and sticks to form the picket lines if you think there is a hint of discrimination against “people of color”…yet we want free reign to discriminate against White folks. Sure, White folks owned Black folks and perpetuated slavery. Sure, some whites view(ed) Blacks as inferior humans. I get your point…but what about the hypocrisy of our actions.

As a learned behavior guy, my question is what are we teaching our children? Is it okay for us…but not okay for them? Is the answer…”well our grandparents were enslaved by their grandparents… so we get to discriminate”?

I say enough is enough!

If you want to be seen as better…act better. No one is going to make a better way for us. We have got to start living the way we want our future generations to live. If we want to be seen as a people who have overcome bondage and the mindset of bondage…act like it. If we want to be treated fairly…treat others fairly. And if we are going to refuse to be victims of discrimination…LET’S STOP DISCRIMINATING.

Before you besmirch me in your responses, please consider this: What are the professional jobs that African Americans can’t or shouldn’t do (why)? If your answer is none…check yourself!

Posted By: Dr. Ahmad Glover
Monday, September 15th 2008 at 10:38AM
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The solutions to our problems has always been SEPARATION from the enemy of our depressions. We're again in boundage to the same people that our forefathers fought to be freed from.
Monday, September 15th 2008 at 11:19AM
phil marlow

Phil,

That sounds a lot like the story that “your enemy” has been spewing for years: I say your enemy because I don’t hate anyone. Think about it this way…after all the work that we’ve done to build towns, cities, states and this nation…you want us to walk away. We’ve spilled our blood and lost our limbs to be called Americans…but you want me to follow the message of the slave master…”separate but equal”. I’ve busted my butt to be a prosperous member of the greatest nation on earth an you want me to follow the message of the Klan, Skinheads, and separatists?

Where did we learn this message? Sure, Garvey and some other suggested that we start a new nation in Africa…but I don’t think you are suggesting a back to Africa plan…are you? (P.S. I’ve travelled the world extensively…where do you suggest we go?). If you’re not talking about leaving… who taught us this theory of being separatist?

I am all for recycling Black dollars. I would love to see/ help build the next Black Wall Street (p.s. the time is perfect right now to do that)…but to walk away from all of our accomplishments seems kinda…dare I say…White Separatist Speech!

If White folks were saying that they should be separate from Blacks how would you react? (P.S. that was called Jim Crow).

Monday, September 15th 2008 at 11:32AM
Dr. Ahmad Glover

Another nail on the head, Doc! Another nail on the head! It's so hard to see the forest when we're stuck on the trees. While I agree with Mr. Johnson's statement, I think that we all get blindsided by the expetation of what it means to be whatever, based on what we've been exposed to! It's really hard to separate truth from expetation from perception!
Monday, September 15th 2008 at 12:09PM
r.e jones

I would not think that these topics of teaching is based on the color of skin, or cultural status. I would say it is what is learned. Yes, it would seem odd that a white professor is teaching African American history, however he/she could only teach what they know. Yes, African American could teaching American History....it has been taught to us since we started school and we could add more to it, because we have been taught and experience both sides of the American Historical culture.

As far as our children are concerned, we teach them from the heart. Whatever it is that we learned from society, we can teach with experience and wisdom as well. Whatever we do we will always protect our children.
Monday, September 15th 2008 at 1:05PM
Cheryl Hendrix

Cheryl,

This is a touchy area for us as a people. Many times we want our cake & eat it too. If the challenge of Dr. King's day was non-violence...our challenge it to practice what we preach. It's not easy, but it has to be done. We cannot afford to send mixed messages...to ourselves....or others.

I believe that we are a mighty people. Anything is achievable for us...if we simple believe and take action(s) to get where we want to be. IMHO, we have a charge to teach the world how humans should treat other humans.

In just a few short years, we have gone from being slaves...to running for president. Can you image where our ethnic group will be in the next 100 years? How will “we” treat the rest of the world African Americans are the majority group in America? Let's get the foundation right by starting today...

Do unto others….

Monday, September 15th 2008 at 2:00PM
Dr. Ahmad Glover

You are right, Doc. Sorry for any mis-understanding. I am for making a change. Keep the emails coming, they are very enlightening.
Monday, September 15th 2008 at 5:35PM
Cheryl Hendrix

oh am glad to hear that from you Doc an i really agree with you,we should try to love each other an stop discriminating each other,we are the all from the same race an we are the best so lets love then we will be loved
Monday, September 15th 2008 at 7:36PM
momar jobe

as for the usa, we (black, white, brown, green) need to deal with looking out for ourselves first unite to make this country better! the only problems that blacks are having are amongst themselves!
Mr. Phil, may i ask separate and do what? go back to africa? blacks kill more blacks over there, you have to pay to go to school and then that would be a great way to get rid of all blacks-just bomb the whole country! or do you suggest only buying from black merchants? well i like to support but i also like to be treated with respect when i spend my hard earned money! some black merchants open when they want to, cashiers are rude, most managers are worse! now do you have a different suggestion we can try? hit me up!
Monday, September 15th 2008 at 10:10PM
Felicia Myrick-Samuels

Hey Doc! You most definitely are blessed and highly favored today! Thank you so much for this blog.
Being white, and this being a discussion that mentions "white" society (and thank you for also mentioning other races as well) I feel obligated to speak.
You said it best, "do unto others".
Question.. If it is wrong for a white man/woman to teach African American history, yet you say you recognize the hypocracy in your actions, then why can't a white man/woman teach of their own recognized hypocracy? Some of us do see what our ancestors did wrong to blacks, indians, heck, pick a race! We are all flawed and come short of the glory of God. Christ said to love your enemy as yourself. He died for me, just as he died for everyone else.
The fact that there was a white willing to teach blacks about blacks, knowing the contraversy that would ignite, was (excuse me) very brave of them to do. I agree about your statement of "been there, done that". Remember, some of us were the offspring of our ancesstors that mistreated you, and therefore, we were there, did "live" the experience (to a degree). Just from the opposite side of the fence.
The blessing here is, we "whites" too can learn from the right and wrong of our forefathers, just as you have from your forefathers.
Case in point... My husband's father beat his children, my husband does not beat his. Just because we have had certain experiences, does not presume we will "do unto others WHAT THEY do unto (us).
Praise God, with Him we have a SOUND MIND, that can learn from our mistakes, and do a new thing. Thank you for the topic. I pray the message will bless others who read it and take it to heart. We are all called to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. We are a new creation in Christ. Let us let our light so shine! God bless you all!

PS. God is not a respecter of persons, tis true. But HE will do for some that He won't do for others. Think about it... GB!
Tuesday, September 16th 2008 at 11:39AM
Lesley Knight

Congratulations!!! This article is featured in Just Sayin
http://connectplatform.com/cgi-bin/blog.cg...

Wednesday, September 17th 2008 at 9:06PM
Michelle Diane

I have no problem with whites teaching African-american or African history many times they have very advanced degress in these subjects and have a passion for them. I have found when dealing with highschool kids that if the class is mixed or the teacher white there are some questions they will not ask. I was a volunteer in a high school class of seniors I was the resource person because the teacher was new and white. I was asked questions when she was out of the room or after class. Most of the questions regarded slavery. They were ashamed yet they had many questions. This also happened to me at another school where I exhibited African artifacts from my trips. The Black kids would wait until the white kids asked their questions then they would ask me a question. They stayed until their teacher made them leave. I told them I would be there till the end of the day and some found me to continue their questions.So I think it depends on the ages of the students whether or not a White teacher will be effective.
Thursday, September 18th 2008 at 3:30PM
Joan Lyons

Besmirch you? Brother, I applaud you!
Friday, September 19th 2008 at 5:10PM
Dr. S. Maxwell Hines

I can understand your logic my brother. The only thing I would like to put in perspective is it is all about economics. Sure, someone else can recite our history, but shouldn't we benefit ourselves from it first. If we had all American African teachers lecturing us, look at the economic value it would bring to our group in this country. Everyone has the right to prosper, but not off of our backs.
Saturday, September 20th 2008 at 9:18AM
Justin Tomlinson

The Creator of Adaam(as) did not make a 'blackWhiteRedYellowMellow' people ----

The Creator of Adaam(as) Created Mankind3

Mankind can Do what the Creator of Adaam(as) wills

but a 'blackWhiteRedYellow' people can not make anything but distrust and confusion

Mankind is the Believer of the Greatest Heights for All the Children of Adaam(as)

Tuesday, May 19th 2015 at 8:50PM
robert powell