We, African Americans, continue to fail ourselves

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Updated: February 27, 2012 9:48AM

“…The large majority of the Negroes who have put on the finishing touches of our best colleges are all but worthless in the development of their people.” — Mis-Education of the Negro, Carter G. Woodson

Amazing to me still, nearly 80 years since Carter G. Woodson’s declaration, is the continued mis-education of the Negro by the Negro.

It is the oppression of a race of people by certain ones in that race of people. It is the church-sanctioned pimping of the poor that sifts without apology, even from widows, their last dollar for the building of yet another multi-million-dollar edifice, in the name of God.

It is those narcissistic clergy who live on the tithes of the impoverished while standing aloof from the poverty and social trauma that engulfs their people — preachers whose followers serve them when it is the preacher who has been called — if indeed he has been called — to serve them.

It is those so-called leaders — political and social — who for the allure of status, wealth or other earthly trappings, would sell even their own mama. Or they are those who compromise “our” best interests in back-room deals from which they emerge smiling, their pockets — you get the sense — a little fatter.

Amazing is black-on-black crime. The way some young black men kill young black men with ease.

It is the denigration of black women by black men — and even black women — in general conversation and even in song — insidious and damnable lyrics poured over intoxicating beats and distributed as music for mass consumption to the tune of billions.

Amazing are predominantly black school districts with black folks at the helm who, now having the power finally to help turn the tide of mis-education, choose instead to protect the status quo.

It is black-on-black discrimination, disenfranchisement, denigration and degradation. It is black-on-black disrespect and dehumanization. It is the loss of community, of control over our children, of reverence for our elders. Of disrespect by our children.

The abandonment of too many black children by too many black fathers. The abdication of mothering by too many black mothers.

It is the perpetuation of a slave mentality and the oppressive devices that created the socioeconomic Egypt from which there shall never be any mass exodus — unless and until “the Negro” is finally educated rather than awaiting some messianic liberator.

Amazing is the way we as a race are frightened into silence on speaking publicly on issues within the race — out of fear of being called a traitor, or an Uncle Tom, or out of fear of providing fodder for racists. We are frightened to say that despite all that is glorious about our beautiful black heritage, in some ways, we now have become our own worst enemy.

But I can think of no better time than now, on the cusp of another Black History month, even as we reflect on where we’ve been and where we’re going, to say, “It’s not the white man but the man in the mirror.”

Yes, racism still exists. And bigotry is alive and well. Trust me, I got the memo. I’ve lived everyday of my life in this skin.

And I am not judge, neither messiah, only a lowly messenger with a pen and a few hundred words. Among them: We must return to basics: God, responsibility, accountability, self-love and a refusal to make any excuses, or accept any.

Funny, after all these years, one truth still rings clear: No one can save us from us but us.

Amazing.