In Frederick Douglass’ July 5, 1852, Fourth of July speech, he told the audience:

“What, to the American slave, is your 4th of July? I answer; a day that reveals to him, more than all other days in the year, the gross injustice and cruelty to which he is the constant victim. To him, your celebration is a sham; your boasted liberty, an unholy license; your national greatness, swelling vanity; your sound of rejoicing are empty and heartless; your denunciation of tyrants brass fronted impudence; your shout of liberty and equality, hollow mockery; your prayers and hymns, your sermons and thanks-givings, with all your religious parade and solemnity, are to him, mere bombast, fraud, deception, impiety, and hypocrisy -- a thin veil to cover up crimes which would disgrace a nation of savages. There is not a nation on the earth guilty of practices more shocking and bloody than are the people of the United States, at this very hour.

Go where you may, search where you will, roam through all the monarchies and despotisms of the Old World, travel through South America, search out every abuse and when you have found the last, lay your facts by the side of the every-day practices of this nation, and you will say with me that, for revolting barbarity and shameless hypocrisy, America reigns without a rival.”

Frederick Douglass’ speech personifies the indomitable spirit of the 18^th and 19^th century slaves. They refused to accept any beliefs and participate or rejoice in superficial (as it related to freed slaves), conciliatory occurrences that seemed to mock or minimize the sacrifice and struggle countless ones endured in the same nation that was built by their tireless toil but refused to allow them to enjoy the fruit of their labor.

This same unrelenting spirit of truth, remembrance, and striving toward one’s own superior entitlement was prevalent in freed descendants throughout the 1960s. Though physically barred during the 18^th and 19^th century, African Americans were less mentally enslaved then than many blacks of this 21^st century. A vast amount of 21^st century blacks have in many ways performed a whole 180-dgree turnaround; one of these more prevalent regressing moves is in their refusal to relinquish a dehumanizing, demented, degrading term laced with ignorance and immorality: the n-word.

One cannot visualize from any depth or corner of one’s essence or mind Frederick Douglass, father of America’s Civil Rights Movement, or any other victimized enslaved ancestor finding embracement of the n-word acceptable by their descendants. Such an embracement serves as an indictment that even though the slaves were freed in 1865, 145 years later many blacks are still mentally enslaved. That is a depressing and disgusting thought. The indoctrination of the black slaves’ forcible use of the n-word has proved to be a self-refueling and self-generating mind control mechanism.

Black leaders of the sanctioned slave era and leaders of the 1960s demonstrated much courage and intestinal fortitude in their efforts to unshackle the minds of their enslaved brothers and sisters.

Today, the presence of true black leaders with the same conviction and determination to overcome seems to be non-existent.

The system has found a way to keep these would-be leaders silent. The system architects have devised strategies that ensure some blacks’ obedience to the current status as they help to suppress and exploit their own kind, keeping them in an uncouth state of mind: White America no longer has to physically wield the whip to keep a race of people enslaved; rather, white America continues to keep the system in check by supporting black America’s degradation through compensating entertainers, writers, and the like, to continue perpetuation of the brainwashing process in a variety of ways. In turn, these black ventriloquists continually work to mute the voices of the enlightened few by believing and loudly conveying to their followers this belief that no power exists in the n-word or other forms of cultural genocide.

Yes, blacks are the ones exhorting other blacks to remain in and accept their place of being n**gas. Sadly, many blacks do not realize that until ALL blacks are free, no black person will ever be able to experience the fullness and goodness of [true] freedom. Henry Louis Gates, Jr., Ph.D., the Harvard professor arrested last year at his own home, discovered this truth first-hand. Dismally to report, his case is no anomaly.

White America had, for centuries, instilled into the minds of the slaves and a freed black America that the term “black” was something to be ashamed of, something evil and of no value. In the ‘60s, Black America took the notion to become free of such terms as Negro and Colored, and adopted the terms Black and African Americans. Black people of the ‘60s realized the mind game being played on them, and had the strength and fortitude to overcome this falsified negative mentality. They realized the beauty and strength of their blackness, and used it as a shield, weapon, and faith to march toward and re-claim their God-given liberties.

Current Black America has retrogressed and no longer exhibits the heart and soul of the ‘60s; instead, they prefer to surrender, meekly lie down, and yield to a term that keeps them mentally enslaved. In other words, the actions of today’s Black America are tantamount to a treasonable offense to the sacred, hallowed memories of their ancestry.

During the ‘60s the fight was against social injustice and Jim Crowism, and was gallantly fought. Even though today’s struggle continues to hinge heavily on a more subtle form of social injustice, Black America has the potential to unite and overcome these issues collectively. However, this unity can only be achieved once the group on whole awakens from the 400 years of mind manipulation and willfully cuts away all attachments and long-standing addictions to the past, including use of the n-word.

Just as nearly 400 years of slavery and Jim Crowism was no joke, African American’s use of the pejorative n-word is no laughing matter either. (A little more food for thought: Slavery and/or senseless beatings were a way to break the black man’s spirit just as referring to him as a “n**ga” was to do. To say that the use of the n-word no longer has power because blacks now use it, is like saying being physically enslaved and beat aimlessly has no power because blacks beat each other anyway. Those are both insane justifications, or excuses, no matter what angle, perspective, or light one considers either thought. A whippen is a whippen, no matter who delivers or receives it, and it hurts every time it happens! One may learn to numb her/himself to the blows, but guaranteed, every blow lands with some intensity of impact and leaves bruises, cuts, and scars—physical [impoverished, broken communities] and mental [referring to one another as “n*gga” and inferior mentalities] ones.)

A man isn’t truly free until the shackles of the human mind, body and spirit are broken. Until one is capable of taking control of their own mind and thoughts, he is still a slave.  Black America is not in control as evidenced by its use of the n-word. Frederick Douglass once said: “Where justice is denied, where poverty is enforced, where ignorance prevails, and where any one class is made to feel that society is…to oppress, rob and degrade them, neither persons nor property will be safe." The psychological and spiritual liberation of all Black people and realization of true independence will only be obtained through the embracing a reality of truth and enlightenment, not through the embracement of the n-word. Is today your day of mental independence?

H. Lewis Smith is the founder and president of UVCC, the United Voices for a Common Cause, Inc., www.theunitedvoices.com,  a writer for the New England Informer Online, and author of "Bury that Sucka: A Scandalous Love Affair with the N-Word".

No American minority group has been caricatured as often and in as many ways as blacks. The entertainment media, from vaudeville to television, has portrayed blacks as happy-go-lucky idiots, dangerous thugs, and any definition of a n**ga one could fathom. The industry has degraded the black community for years, simply to make a buck, and always at the expense of the black community. Members of the entertainment industry defend their use of the n-word by saying it’s “just a word” and a way to relate to the African-American population; sadly, many blacks accept this explanation.  Even though I’m certain that Boondocks satire and caricature of black people can prove to be humorous and enlightening without being scornful of the sacred memories of victimized African/African-American ancestors, the Boondocks is a ventriloquist for and continues to perpetuate the old stereotypes of blacks.

Carter G. Woodson once said: “When you control a man's thinking you do not have to worry about his actions.” The American system took this philosophy to heart. They created a racial hierarchy with whites at the top and blacks at the bottom. The hierarchy was fortified by an ideology which justified the use of deceit, manipulation, coercion, terror and violence to control blacks and keep them in their so-called “place.” Blacks’ “place” was their acceptance of being categorized as an inferior, sub-human, better known as a n**ger, and acting out any qualities related to such a mutant.  Time and time again blacks were referred to as n**gers to remind them of their place in society.

Today, though, blacks no longer require this inauspicious reminder. Rather, they maintain this inferior position by continuing to develop tools or strategies, such as Aaron McGruder’s Boondocks, to continue to perpetuate adherence to the old American racial hierarchy. Viewers of the show may bellow many laughs at the characters and the manner in which the n-word is used, but the whole while they’re laughing, they are being undermined by the subliminal forces of the term and are continuing to carryout the 400-year-old plight against blacks.

Moreover, some support the false dichotomy between blacks or African Americans, which are classified as respectable folks, versus n**gers, which are considered the disrespectful, impoverished black people. Understand, irrespective of behavior, income, ambition, clothing, ability, morals, or skin tone, NO BLACKS are N*GGERS.  Sycophant blacks convincing themselves and others (blacks and non-blacks) that there is a categorical split between the classes, and attempting to persuade socioeconomically-challenged blacks that they are n**gers, must come to a screeching halt. The n-word psychologically serves as a conduit to feelings of helplessness, weakness, impotence and powerlessness.  It carries the traumatic task and intent to destroy, maim or cripple a person of African decent.  No matter how the term is sliced, diced, or served up, once the smoke clears, the mission of this word is still intact.  Although every race has it upper, middle, and lower class, referring to someone as something so morally obscene is unacceptable. 

Language has been and is an effective means to marginalize minorities, and

the word n**ger was and remains a shorthand way of  effective mind control. Boondocks’s vile, wicked and immoral use of the n-word is a sell-out to all of the African Americans who were victimized by this word.  Black America’s failure to hold Boondocks ACCOUNTABLE for its use of the n-word manifests an inability to rise above an 18th century mind state.

Many believe that when blacks use the term, there is no power or harm in the word. However, if the producer of the show was white, all of Black America would be up in arms over the use of the n-word, and the fact that Aaron McGruder is BLACK does not give him the license to degrade and demean Black America. The n-word will always be a term of scorn and ridicule regardless to who’s the user or receiver.

Boondocks exemplify the lowly image that Black America has of itself. Because black America continues to accept and support the community’s demise, it is no wonder that in this 21^st century Blacks are still treated as second-class citizens. As long as those Blacks exist who look upon themselves and other African Americans as the n-word, the black race, on the whole, will remain in its appointed “place”. 

H. Lewis Smith is the founder and president of UVCC, the United Voices for a Common Cause, Inc., www.theunitedvoices.com and author of “Bury that Sucka: A Scandalous Love Affair with the N-Word”.

H. Lewis Smith is the founder and president of UVCC, the United Voices for a Common Cause, Inc., www.theunitedvoices.com  and author of "Bury that Sucka: A Scandalous Love Affair with the N-Word".

Self-preservation, the primal instinct or natural desire to protect self and stay alive, is a universal, normal and natural phenomenon for all living organisms. In the event of a perceived threat, the life form settles into survival mode and begins to exhibit those behaviors that ensure the organism’s existence. However, human beings’ ability to self-protect is far superior to that of the basic organism’s “fight or flight” only option. Humans have a brain capable of perceiving and solving problems, and consciously responding to or altering the response to a stimulus; self-preservation is a coping mechanism one (a person) needs to prevent emotional trauma from distorting the mind and adversely affecting one’s mentality.

It seems as though all groups—regardless of race, creed and nationality, if felt threatened, would follow their survival instincts: These groups have the ability to think beyond the basic, primal level of individual survival and use their leverage—the human brain—to ensure their on-going protection and existence. They identify the threat and appropriately respond to it in a way that allows them to not only physically survive, but to smartly organize themselves and collectively strategize on ways of ensuring the problem’s suppression and making sure it has long-term implications on their “pack”. Dismally to report, the African-American group does not exhibit these same types of superior, group survival tactics. Many African Americans have been conditioned to distance themselves from their collective group. They are either in denial or just simply despise their race—uncertain of what, or even why, they are denying or despising their cultural truth, and care not to identify the reasoning behind or damaging ramifications of the particular feeling of separation. The notion or concept of a collective identity is totally foreign or ludicrous to many blacks, and whenever any attempt to enlighten is made, some quickly brand these attempts as evil, racist and non-productive.

Unfortunately, there are those blacks who feel that anything black is inferior and anything white, superior; and adopt a mindset that “if you are black stay back, if you are white you are right”. These brainwashed blacks have abandoned their community under the false pretense of supporting a post-racial society; it would be altruistic if all could simply be acknowledged and looked upon as just being “an American” without any reference to one’s race—which in an ideal utopia world, the post-racial position would be believable and possible. However, this is America, a country that once blatantly accepted the idea that the oppressor exists only for the good of the oppressed person and people; one that worked relentlessly to keep blacks separated and detached from their roots—for these oppressors know the power in cultural unity and collective identity. Further, if all Americans were treated as first class citizens and acknowledged as such, there would be no need for the passing of any civil rights bills or laws. As such, trading collective preservation at the race or cultural group level for a post-racial stand is not logical, seems quite delusional, and perpetuates the idea of keeping blacks—and any other oppressed group—broken and separated rather than united and powerful.

Non-black groups continue to preserve and protect their community from the inside out. Whether these groups believe in post-racialism or not, they continue to build and enhance their cultural “infrastructure” to ensure survival and existence of their race. Non-black groups understand the importance of a collective identity and as such, support their culture. Even though the notion of black inferiority and white superiority has been ingrained and structured into the thinking of people of African ancestry for more than four centuries—having been indoctrinated by systems and policies that they are indeed inferior, Black America must learn to pinpoint the internal and external threats preying upon the group and work collectively to ward off these race-killing advances to ensure the long-term existence and stability of the black race.

Clearly, there are many within the black community who are delusional as a result of 400 years of mind control, but with all the happenings in the world today, it is not impractical to believe that the black community is doubly oppressed. On top of the Black community dealing with trying to break away from 400 years of mental enslavement, the American government has begun to devise strategies of chipping away at the non-black American’s civil liberties and withholding even more of Black Americans’ freedoms:

Since the infamous 9/11 terrorist attacks, we have had the passing of the Patriot Act and the establishment of Homeland Security—all supposedly to protect Americans from the threat of terrorism. The price: a melt down of the Constitution.  Due to fear, Americans have given up some of their precious liberties and freedoms on the premise that terrorism is a serious threat to America’s welfare. On the horizon, to supposedly further keep terrorists in check, is the pending reality of all Americans being issued National ID cards. This seems innocent enough, but it’s just another point that proves that a little more of Americans’ liberties and freedoms are slowly eroding. After the issuance of ID cards, all Americans are supposed to be implanted with RFID chips to support a cashless society. Civilians’ every move can and will be monitored. If an individual dissents, protests or violates any of the powers-to-be rulings, their chip can be disabled, preventing the individual from being able to buy food or anything else; the consequences of this kind of totalitarian control can prove to be calamitous not to the Elitist, but to all other Americans—eliminating the middle class in the process, which is currently fast-becoming an endangered species. 

Ultimately, the moral of the story is that brainwashing has proven to be most effective on anyone who refuses to think for themselves, on anyone who refuses to apply their superior survival mechanism to ensure their group’s collective existence. Based on the afore-mentioned information, there seems to be an even greater threat looming on the horizon of what can only be described as a nebulous future at best, not just for Black America but all Americans who are excluded from the Elitist class. In order to combat this “double-layered” veil, it is imperative that Black America begin to develop some collective sense of self-preservation to be able to present a united militia when the time comes to stand with the rest of the American, non-elitist class, and fight for their civil liberties.

H. Lewis Smith is the founder and president of UVCC, the United Voices for a Common Cause, Inc., http://www.theunitedvoices.com a writer for the New England Informer Online, and author of "Bury that Sucka: A Scandalous Love Affair with the N-Word".  

From 1865 up to present day, the struggle for civil rights has been at the forefront of African-Americans’ plight for equality and living out God-given liberties. “No justice! No peace!” has been the rallying cry of the on-going campaign for justice. Many notable organizations have fell dutifully in-step, bravely trailblazing through precarious territory to ensure Africans Americans are no longer the “invisible man” and have full access to their civil liberties. These organizations, some of which are the NAACP, SCLC, CORE, NAN, PUSH, The Black Panther Party, and Nation of Islam, are to be commended in their valiant and continued effort to crocheting equality and equal justice for all into the very fabric of the American society. 

 Even in considering all of the successes, dedication, and self-sacrifice of the afore-mentioned groups—whose primary purposes are to make America more “user-friendly” to blacks as well as to restore dignity and cultural respect (within and without the community), there still seems to be a thick blanket, or veil, covering the African American’s psyche.

For the past 30 years, Black America has allowed a certain culture within its group to dictate a mindset of self-destruction by glorifying violence, drugs, ‘gangsta’ lifestyles, use of the n-word, misogyny, and displaying utter contempt for self-respect. The air-waves, recording and movie industries have followed suit by displaying a lack of respect towards the Black community in general—not to mention encouraging the John Mayer’s of the world and such scenarios as the recent UC San Diego fiasco, all to the detriment of the black community. As well, a psychosis exists regarding the n-word that the black community, for the most part, completely denies or misses (is blinded to). The ravages of centuries of brutal mistreatment at the hands of whites—through slavery, Jim Crow segregation and senselessly heinous acts of cruelty—still has a powerful psychological effect on black people.

Individual silent voices throughout Black America of strong mind, character, discipline and honor do not condone the aforementioned self-destructive demeanor displayed by some African Americans. These enlightened few realize the 400-year plight of mental enslavement being imposed upon them and have rightfully—with no deception or apology—quietly handed this indigestible delicacy back to its chef. However, silence and diligently “working with your head down” does not affect change; it is the screeching door that gets the oil. The silent voices for self-respect, pride and dignity must rise up as a collective voice and demand to be heard. The non-profit organization United Voices for a Common Cause, Inc. (UVCC) was formed specifically for the purpose of serving as a platform for these voices to unite into one collective voice and be heard.

During the post-slavery era, no program has existed to manage the past and present massive psychological, economic and social stress endured by Blacks.   Because of this fact, a strong argument can be made towards African American pathologies encompassing such issues as black-on-black crime, the abnormally high incarceration ratio of blacks, rampant drug problems, poor academic performance, and diseased self-hatred, to name a few. These same stresses and psychological deficiencies are passed down through generations of African Americans via use of the n-word.

Today, in this 21st century, some argue that the n-word is not the problem, that the n-word has been reduced to being only a racial slur—in that it is an empty term that solely refers to one's complexion, and carries no weight or markings of the struggle, strife, degradation, and dishonor that pieced together the very foundation of the term. Thus, in this light, some people believe that the word has been desensitized—metamorphosed into this acceptable, unsubstantially mind-controlling term—and embraced by all. They believe that the n-word is just a word, no different from any other negative word; however, they are wrong: Although the word itself is not the sole culprit, the associations and mentalities that it perpetuates is indeed a fact, relevant, and direct and tangible effect of the term.

Psychological studies have been conducted by The Osiris Group lending some credence to the aforementioned observations of which a book entitled Post Traumatic Slave Disorder was written by three of its staff members—Sekou Mims M.Ed, MSW; Omar Reid, Psy.D; and Larry Higginbottom, MSW/LCSW. Dr. Joy DeGruy Leary, author of Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome: America’s Legacy of Enduring Injury and Healing, and of no affiliation to The Osiris Group, says: “The real recovery from the ongoing trauma of slavery and racism has to start from within, beginning with a true acknowledgment of the resilience of African-American culture.”

Our civil rights organizations have and continue to do an excellent job in leading the fight against inequality. Time and time again these groups are slighted and slammed into tough situations, but they continue to rise to the call, proving the tenacity and perseverance—in spite of adversity—of the African-American spirit. However, that is only half the battle. The other half requires the righting of the ship by each individual within the Black community. There are consequences for anyone’s actions and the prevailing attitude in the Black community is to NOT hold one another ACCOUNTABLE for anything. But as the “silenced enlightened” begin to gainfully employ outlets such as UVCC to take a stance and “be heard”, we have started to see encouraging signs that this peculiarity is slowly changing. To grow and advance, one must be called out on their errors, held accountable for their actions, and take full responsibility for correcting their actions—rather than behaving immaturely by making excuses and pointing fingers elsewhere.

UVCC has always been serious about its message and purpose, but to ensure that same seriousness and formal call to action is effectively conveyed, UVCC has re-launched a more professional and visually-appealing website. All are encouraged to visit online at http://www.theunitedvoices.com. Upon perusing the pages, if the reader realizes that he/she is ready to take their place in this fight for restoring cultural self-respect and dignity to the Black race—because once a person respects him/herself, others will have no choice but to do so as well— UVCC would be privileged to secure his/her support by becoming a member.

It is time for Blacks to take back their self-respect, pride, dignity, and honor. High time has come for Blacks to stop being a doormat to the rest of the world—for it is first and only through self-respect that Blacks can rationally demand and gain respect together as a group. UVCC, with true supporters’ help, can be the vanguard in the Black community, becoming a more influential and potent force in the advancement of the Black and African-American community, and the American society. All is not well in America; there is a need for a new and bold leadership in more ways than one—secular and non-secular. UVCC will proudly serve as one of the new leaders essential to resurrecting the greatness the Black race once represented.

H. Lewis Smith is the founder and president of UVCC, the United Voices for a Common Cause, Inc., http://www.theunitedvoices.com a writer for the New England Informer Online, and author of "Bury that Sucka: A Scandalous Love Affair with the N-Word".  www.youtube.com/watch?v=dP2U0jmZjec

There was a moment in time when Haiti was the richest and most prosperous colony in the Americas…so what happened?  Pat Robertson, the American Christian televangelist and host of “The 700 Club”, attributes Haiti’s misfortunes—

in light of the 7.0 earthquake that shook the island-nation—to the nation having a sworn pact with the devil. Robertson states: "They [Hatians] were under the heel of the French…and they got together and swore a pact to the devil. They said, 'We will serve you if you will get us free from the French.' True story. And so the devil said, 'Ok it’s a deal.' And they kicked the French out. The Haitians revolted and got themselves free. But ever since they have been cursed by one thing after another."

Of course native Haitians did defeat Napoleon and the French colonists in 1804 and declared their independence; however, Robertson’s innuendoes and half-truths about Haiti’s deteriorating social, political and economic conditions are just that—half-truths. Something did indeed happen a long time ago and Robertson is correct in saying that people might not—and generally don’t—talk about it, but not for the reasons he implies.

What people don’t want to talk about is the black Haitian rebel leader General Toussaint L'ouverture and how he had not only defeated Napoleon and the French army, but prior to that had, after a five-year war, defeated world super-power Great Britain. This victory for Haiti made the Haitian’s War of Independence the world’s first historical, successful slave revolution.

To make sure the contagion and news of the Haitian’s success didn’t spread to the United States and Latin America—where there were throws of slaves salivating over freedom and willing to take life or death risks to obtain it, there was an international boycott, isolating and quarantining the island. The Haitians were left on their own to survive, and to add insult to injury, found themselves having to pay reparations to the French as opposed to receiving it themselves. This in-debtedness subsequently led to the dire and dismal conditions of this island, leaving it in a constantly impoverished state.

After the French defeat, Napoleon—through deception and false pretense—

summoned General Toussaint L'ouverture to France where he was immediately arrested and imprisoned. Haiti was left leaderless, and, thus, left to fend for itself with no guidance: cut the head off a snake or the roots from a tree, and the rest of the body will wither and die. Since this point in time, corruption, bigotry, and poverty have reigned over the country.

In considering this current event, Pat Robertson’s “confession”, and the afore-mentioned brief history lesson, I am reminded that there is and always has been a truth-acknowledgement and -sharing problem in America. There is a necessity to continually acknowledge and share the truth, accurateness, of accounts in every situation/event regardless to one’s feeling of the matter or fears of the effects such a “truth” may bring about. Most importantly, there is a necessity of truth-sharing (knowledge-sharing) among individuals throughout the black race. Without us taking accountability for sharing our history, as well as the African-American studies in our colleges and universities, the black community would be left to the devices of a Euro-centric spin on all and everything that took place in the past. If we don’t know our own history, we are left at the hands of these Euro-centric ideals that continue to preach inferiority and indignity about black people on the whole.

Recently, Morehouse College was heavily scrutinized and shunned for speaking out and taking action against cross-dressing and promotion of thuggery. The school requested that black men refrain from making a mockery of themselves and race, and be what they have always been: dignified men. The Atlanta-based school's policy prohibits wearing of sagging pants, women’s clothing, clothes with derogatory language, and headwear such as ‘do-rags.  However, some folks charge that Morehouse's new dress code is homophobic and stifles civil liberties.

In today’s society, it’s somewhat disturbing that any time a stand is taken for heterosexuality, an immediate outcry, charge or labeling of homophobia from critics echoes throughout society. Certain established moral standards, convictions and values—without compromise—are the essential foundation of a mentally-sound, morally-secure societal—not because man said so, but because natural order designed it that way. However, there is clearly a growing trend to challenge this long-established rule as American convictions and values seem to be slowly eroding away, succumbing to the pressures and demands for “individualism, equal rights,” and acceptance of unnatural trends of more effeminate men and masculine women—man-made “normalcy”.

Now at this juncture in this article, one may be having some trouble with understanding how an African-American—one who knows the story well of struggling for entitlement to individual freedoms—does not side with the Gay community’s fight for self-expression. Although the intension is not to downplay the significance of the gay community’s desire for acceptance—as to do so would be disrespectful to another’s beliefs, homosexuality is not a plight to restore natural order, and thus, cannot be viewed in the same light as the African-American’s struggle for equality. Homosexuality reflects, just as slavery and the heinous mistreatment of African Americans for centuries, the birth of man-made ideologies attempting to take precedence over that which is natural.

Furthermore, I do not condone or condemn one’s domesticating preferences, but I do believe that if one so chooses to engage in a less traditional relationship, that he or she should continue to dress, look, and take on certain mannerisms indigenous to their biological gender or sex. I have often heard people say—when referring to a job, “dress (or look) the part, get the part”; but if the argument by gay individuals is that they’re happy with who they are, why is it necessary to look like or behave like something they’re not? The question then becomes: Who are they working to convince of their truth?

By men acting more feminine, women acting more masculine, and either one dressing in “drag”—which is often done for purposes of entertaining or performing and for comic, dramatic, or satirical effects—to convey “who they are,” one is only making a mockery of themselves and their way of life. And just a word to the wise: Women dressing like men and men dressing like women for purposes of not entertaining (i.e., the way one dresses on a daily basis) is still undoubtedly “drag.”

It’s unfortunate that a dress code should even have to be revised to call for black men to put away their skirts, pumps and purses—or to pull their saggy jeans up.  I applaud Morehouse’s crack down on what seems to be misguided expressions of black male “individualism” and overly-exaggerated heterosexuality.  Morehouse College has a rich tradition of educating and training African-American men to be solid, upright, unwavering leaders and excellent representations of the promised Black man. By no means am I saying that homosexuals do not own the ability to embody these characteristics, but quite honestly, a man can’t lead other men wearing a dress. Women already have it hard enough being taken seriously wearing pants…why would anyone take more seriously a man wearing lip gloss, carrying a hand bag, modeling a “cute outfit” and switching harder than the lady walking next to him? They would not.

As old school as it may appear to a younger generation, there are some good intentions in using the dress code as a way to build character and professionalism. Morehouse is an institution of learning, preparing students to obtain a degree and secure employment at some of the best, most high-profile companies in the nation. One should also understand that there are likely homosexuals that attend Morehouse College. However, these homosexuals “get it” that Morehouse is a breeding ground for consummate professionals, not inappropriate cross-dressing or promoting one social/personal lifestyle over any other. Morehouse College prepares students for the real work world in terms of intellect (the academic aspect) and generally-accepted practices (dress code and personal behavior).

Morehouse College gets a high-five for addressing this issue, remaining steadfast to their values and convictions and not trading their beliefs for popular opinion or acceptance. Besides, a school like Morehouse is not one that has survived based on popular opinion, but is one that thrives from producing results: professional, self-confident, intellectually-sharp Black males competently capable of competing at any level.

H. Lewis Smith is the founder and president of UVCC, the United Voices for a Common Cause, Inc., and author of Bury that Sucka: A Scandalous Love Affair with the N-Word. www.youtube.com/watch?v=dP2U0jmZjec

In the childhood fairy tale, “The Emperor’s New Clothes,” no one tells “the Emperor [he] has no clothes” on because they’re afraid that they will be viewed as disloyal, unenlightened, uncultured, or simply stupid, and shunned or mocked for their “ignorance.” The common truth that is communicated in this story is that “the motive and rationale for not seeing the obvious truth has become so ingrained that the majority do not even realize that they are perpetuating a falsehood.”

This highly-profound ideology—conveyed through a children’s book—explains, precisely, African-American’s blindly-accepting mentality regarding the use and tolerance of the n-word and perpetuation of self-destructive lifestyles, resulting in the continued demise of the African-American community. Many are committed to keeping their mouths closed and eyes veiled as they pass along the false perception that the n-word is “just a word” and no longer has power, that they have transformed the meaning, and/or that the continued use of the word has no affect on the psyche and thus no association to the current state of Black America. However, I am committed to revealing the truth and saving a race of people, my fellow African Americans, from self-inflicted genocide.

In 2006, I launched a no-nonsense crusade dedicated to fostering
progressive self-esteem, pride, dignity, self-respect and introspection throughout the African-American community. At the forefront of this mission is eradication of the n-word. People often inquire: “What’s your problem? Why are you so fixated on the word?” Truth of the matter is, I take issue with and am perplexed by black folks’ use of a word synonymous with 300 years of an ill-acknowledged African-American Holocaust, marked by physical brutality and a devious, forever-gripping mental enslavement.

The contrast is strikingly different between the Jewish community’s and Black America’s attitudes toward victims of their respective holocausts: the Jewish revere the memories of their cherished ancestors, while African Americans make a mockery of their victimized ancestors through using the n-word. The Jewish community, nor any other self-respecting or prideful race, would ever dream of endearingly embracing a term synonymous to the genocide of their race. A truly intellectually-liberated individual would understand this truth; using “n**ger” is proof that mental enslavement is still rampant in the African-American community.

The majority of gangsta rap songs use the n-word as a mantra every 10 seconds, and this has been and is generally acceptable to our community. On twitter, blacks use the n-word—spelled with both the “a” and “er”—every other second.   Claiming the term as an endearing word, yet, all in the same breath and in a fit of anger, the word becomes an instrument of hate, is a paradox; and it seems, we, as a community, are okay with such conflicting behavior.  

I’ve heard many justifications for internalizing the word and honestly attempted to level with the reasonings provided. One of the most interesting by far centers on the infringement of freedom of speech. However, considering the contradictory manner in how the n-word is used, such comments are nothing more than an insult to a thinking person’s intelligence. And in response to the freedom of speech concern, other than the African American, no one argues about protecting their rights to demean and degrade themselves.

Presently, I’m not aware of any on-going annual events acknowledging and exalting the strength, courage, fortitude and resilience of our stalwart ascendants’ abilities to survive the horrific calamities they endured. But for their tenacity to survive, none of us progenies would be here today. Use of the n-word is tantamount to spitting on our ascendants’ graves, sanctioning every whip lash, rape, disemboweling, castration, hanging, and torture that was performed on our victimized ancestors grasping for their last breath at the jeers of “n**ger, n**ger, n**ger.”

Out of shame of being identified as descendants of slaves, many blacks tend to distance themselves from all that occurred during the African-American Holocaust, which leads to self-identity crisis and separation. These blacks really have no idea who they are or own any knowledge of the long-line of their proud, strong heritage and ancestry before the days of oppression. The white man’s civilization can be traced back to ancient Greece and Rome (no further), but during the Dark Ages of Europe, black civilizations were thriving in Spain and Africa. The Europeans were liberated from the Dark Ages by the Moors and Arabs, and obtained their knowledge on how to function as a civilization from those who came before them, Black ruled civilizations.  

African Americans have absolutely nothing to be ashamed of and must somehow reverse this 400-year-old mind manipulation travesty. Blacks must transmute from the individual survivorship mentality to a collective progression mindset.

My challenge today is this: If use of the n-word has no effect on the condition of the African-American community and psyche, to prove this truth, all African Americans should stop using the word this very second. If no change occurs from elimination of the word, all are free to return to using the word, and I will honorably admit my fault and begin scouting out the true root to ailments in our black community. But if the face of Black America uplifts from eradication of the term and its offspring mentalities and lifestyles, we will realize the vindictive plight carried out against us and will end this cycle of death once and for all. Now, note, this process will not occur overnight—as arriving to the current state we are in did not happen overnight. This challenge will take some time and unwavering commitment from all African Americans to see its true effects.

In the story discussed at the opening of this article, the town’s people realize that the emperor is nude—even a child exclaimed the revelation; yet, no one spoke up. They simply ignored the child’s voice and remained in ignorance. Today, will African Americans listen to this wake-up call and commit to the challenge…or will my brethren continue to live in ignorance?

H. Lewis Smith is the founder and president of UVCC, the United Voices for a Common Cause, Inc., a writer for the New England Informer Online, and author of Bury that Sucka: A Scandalous Love Affair with the N-Word. www.youtube.com/watch?v=dP2U0jmZjec

In no circumstance do I condone any man laying hands on a woman; as far as I am concerned, it is a cowardly act. However, should this sickening act occur, and should the victim happen to have a brother who issues his own brand of street justice to the one who physically abused his sister, then the abuser undoubtedly had it coming. This scenario is actually depicted in the video: Why You Should Never Put Hands On Someone's Sister … http://www.worldstarhiphop.com/videos/video.php?v=wshh4BQY4Ir3D267eN0J

However, the video is very disturbing in a certain respect: All involved parties are black, and as the brother drops vengeful, yet well-deserved, blows on the abuser of his sister, he uses the epithet “n**ger” numerous times. There is far more going on here than just a brother taking up for his sister—it’s also a lesson in the true intent and the dual-sidedness of the word.

As the brother hovers staunchly and remorseless, with all power balled-up in his hands, over the helpless, curled-up soul, he spits the term at the abuser from hard, tightened lips, daring him to move outside of his mete. The abuser takes the beating and dares not make a move shy of the brother’s approval—he stays in his place. This scene is a perfect metaphorical depiction of White America’s intent in the term and the desired reaction of black America—to stay in its place, wounded and defenseless.

Furthermore, the n-word wasn’t being used endearingly but derogatorily and from a vicinity of hate. An acceptable notion exists in the black community that not only is it okay to use the word as a “term of endearment”, but as an insult as well.

Now, if proponents of the term say that the term has no power, they’ve changed the meaning of the term, and anyone of any race can be called a “n**ger”— noting that it’s no longer a race-based term, how can the term still be used as a term of hate or degradation ONLY toward an African-American? If one becomes angered with a non-black person, we do not blurt out the n-word to insult them—some other profanity may be used; however, as soon as one becomes angered with an African-American, we spit fire the n-word at them to offend them.

Even though the term is sometimes used as an endearing term, it can be invoked at will to administer its crippling and true meaning.

A psychosis exists about the n-word that the black community, in general, completely denies or misses (is blinded to). The ravages of centuries of brutal mistreatment at the hands of whites—through slavery, Jim Crow segregation and lynch mobs—still has a powerful psychological effect on black people.

There seems to be little variation from comments once made by an old woman, an escaped slave during the Civil War era, and the driving force of those blacks who use and condone usage of the word today. This old lady had been reprimanded by a missionary for calling her fellow slaves n**gers. She replied, “We are n**gers. We always was n**gers and we always shall be. N**ger here, and n**ger there. N**ger do this and n**ger do that. We've got no souls. We's animals. We's black and so is the Evil One.”

“The Bible doesn't say the devil is black,” protested the missionary. “Well”, the old woman said, “white folks say so and we's bound to believe them, 'cause we's nothing but animals and n**gers. Yes, we's n**gers! N**gers! N**gers!''

Isn’t it ironic how many contemporary blacks use and/or condone use of the n-word in this 21^st century—a word that was handed to them by a racist institutionalized system? White folks categorized African-Americans centuries ago and to this very day, many blacks have failed to deviate from their so-called place and entitlement of the n-word.

A metamorphous is required. We, as a community, must allow the unhealthy, hindering, and destructive aspects of our past to die and establish healthy, progressive, and constructive mentalities to successfully live in the now. It’s hard and quite scary to think of dying, to think of burying something we have so long lived with. We often think that because we have lived with a thing for so long, that it’s right; to the contrary, that very thing we’ve been living with could be the primary factor holding us back from reaching our maximum potential. Think about that addiction to smoking, an abusive lover, and acceptance of less-than ideal circumstances. … Just because it’s “the way it’s always been,” doesn’t mean it’s “the way it’s gotta continue to be.” It’s painful to kill off these “bedmates,” but these haunting ailments must die in order to truly be free and live on a higher-level, prosperously.

The fact of the matter is that current uses of the word n**ger cannot erase, transform, eradicate, or successfully redefine its authentic, ghastly definition. No, we aren't slaves, but each time we call each other "n**ger" or "n**ga", we desecrate and dishonor the memories of those who came before us, and our spirit of today.

H. Lewis Smith is the founder and president of UVCC, the United Voices for a Common Cause, Inc.; a writer for the New England Informer Online; and author of Bury that Sucka: A Scandalous Love Affair with the N-Word. www.youtube.com/watch?v=dP2U0jmZjec

A powerful, deeply moving rendition of “Lift Every Voice and Sing” by the Grace Baptist Church Cathedral Choir, under the direction of Derrick James, summons back into focus the once proud, respectable and dignified Black America. The video, originally screened at the historic African-American Church Inaugural Ball in Washington, DC on January 18, 2009, traces the path of sacrifice and struggle from slavery to the civil rights movement, finally, to placing the first African-American into the highest office in this nation. This video recognizes and pays homage to remembering, overcoming, and holding sacred all the many struggles, setbacks, and hardships African-Americans endured to simply be treated human and receive entitlement to their rightful liberties. It conveys our strength and undying determination to persevere despite adversity—from without.

For the past 30 years, the prowess spirit of the “Black America” presented in this video seems to have been replaced or diluted with messages of self-destruction, inferiority, and insignificance mostly due to the creation and acceptability of gangsta rap and its associated lifestyle. This mentality has been perpetuated upon our kind, African Americans, by our kind, African Americans. It’s troubling that a race of people can recognize and dissolve an external enemy, but lack the ability to realize, address, and remove “the inside man”—inferior mentalities and degrading lifestyles—who’s causing the great hemorrhage—the continued demise of the African-American community.

The civil rights movement made race relations in America more diverse and open, but at the same time, more complex and challenging. Because of this, blacks were encouraged to remain united and rise up collectively to defeat oppression of the human spirit. Yet today, rather than serving as a dignified foundation to continually pursue collective advancement, the civil rights struggle is now the memorabilia that crowds the lanes of nostalgia, black lines of enlightenment that lay upon unturned history-book pages, and aging memoirs of former civil rights leaders fading again into blank sheets. Many of the younger generation seem to lack understanding of the power of a true race-progression movement built on dignity, thus, attach no significance to or appreciation of all that was endured, sacrificed, and lost; they just live in the here and now.

Rosa Parks worried and warned that young blacks had absolutely no sense and appreciation of the titanic battles that she and the civil rights leaders waged to make America live up to its much-betrayed promise of justice and equality. In a reflective interview years later, she did not absolve herself and other blacks of her generation of blame for [failing] to pass on the torch. She called for a redoubling of the effort to make young blacks, as she put it, “know what it means to be black in America today.”

Gangsta rap, a benefactor of the struggles of the civil rights movement, does indeed have some misplaced values: lack of respect and appreciation for all of the sacrifices of those before it. Saggin’ pants, the call for misogyny, wanton use of the n-word, glorification of thuggery and a gangsta way of life contrasts sharply with the exemplary, respectable and civil mood of their resilient progenitors.  However, after watching the following video, one will realize that it’s not too late to re-light the mighty torch and pass it on. An entire generation of young minds have been mislead and misguided; it’s still enough time to reverse the process of self-destruction and stop the internal bleeding.

View this monumental, prideful, uplifting and true account of our African-American spirit:

http://www.blackcollegian.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=887:lift&catid=110:media&Itemid=277

H. Lewis Smith is the founder and president of UVCC, the United Voices for a Common Cause, Inc., and author of Bury that Sucka: A Scandalous Love Affair with the N-Word. www.youtube.com/watch?v=dP2U0jmZjec