In a country that has progress as much as the world. A very important question to ask ourselves is has the condition of black America really improved within the last sixty (60) years?
Maybe. Everyone wants to believe so but it is to the point really unclear. I know for a fact that the number of African American in prison still outnumbers those who are college and universities. The wealth in the country as it relates to our white counterparts is staggering and unbalanced, and even those of us College Educated Black men still find it difficult to get those higher paying jobs in comparison to white males; surprisingly the statistics for African American women are even better as it relates. Maybe a good reason for that statistic is because when they (minority women) are hired they eliminate a double minority and thereby improves those particular labor statistics for those seeking to give an impression that are actually laying the playing field. Whatever the reason the state of affairs in the black or African American community still has a long way to go.
In terms of Crime and Punishment: Why is it when there is someone arrested for possession crack-cocaine the sentence is much harsher than that of the powdered form of the drug. The irony in that is that Powder Cocaine is needed to make the “Rock” form, and it’s more expensive to purchase. The normally find the more expensive of the two in white communities, and the society of the rich and famous. The “Crack” form of the drug which is cheaper to buy by the user and mass produce by the seller is normally found in black or minority communities by usually. The fact that those who are caught and imprisoned for selling crack are more often than not go on to receive twice harsher sentences. It goes to imply that something else is taking place other than crime and punishment.
I can’t for the life of me believe that all because we in America now have a President who is of African decent spells equality in this country. In fact from where I sit the wealth in America is still primarily in one community. I don’t want to seem as if I am against lending aide to our neighbors in the world, but Libya, Japan, and Egypt all have never lent a hand to assist in the ills that continue to plague America. Our country has even been blamed by other nations for initiating the financial problems across the globe; nonetheless, we continue to act as the world’s police. Many in our country feel that it is a continual problem to use the United States manpower, resources, and finances to aide in potentially risk American Lives. Wait. Aren’t We In A Deficit?
We must start to “clean our own house”! A problem that we have and need to correct ourselves own before we clean the world up, let’s sweep around our own back door. America seems to be interested in having an intelligent dialogue about the issues and the questions that face our country during the election cycle. One way of doing this may be by employing the “Socratic Method”, which comes from Greek Philosopher Socrates. The Socratic Method is a negative method of hypothesis elimination, in that better hypotheses are found by steadily identifying and eliminating those that lead to contradictions. The Socratic Method searches for general, commonly held truths that shape opinion, and scrutinizes them to determine their consistency with other beliefs.
Over the span of 35 years I have been blessed to be on this earth, I have yet to see where “ANY” American President that has visited, had a town hall meeting, or even took a their campaign stumping speeches in the communities of black America. Why is that? Is it because they under value the vote or voices of the Black/African-American communities? Whatever the reason or excuse you can’t begin to empathize or understand the concerns of Black America if you don’t put yourself in a position to hear them. Sad it may have been when “accused” gunman Suspect in the Tucson shooting Jared Loughnern, shot and killed innocent participants at a rally while also injuring Congressman Gabriel “Gabby” Gifford’s. But riddle me this where has the public outrage been when these same tragedies routinely occur in black communities. DO YOU HEAR THAT SILENCE? (ME TOO)
The UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, if we are truly united. We all have a part and a purpose in this country to play as we are part of the team called America. However, when we fail to realize that we have and are called here for a purpose we fail the team. We fail ourselves. As long as we have a pulse, we have a purpose and it’s time for us to get busy doing-the-doing instead of just offering up a lot of “lip service.” So for now… to answer my own question! The State of Black America is “FORGOTTEN.”