The Struggle Never Ends

INVISIBLE CHAINS

There is a serious situation concerning Blacks here in America today.

 America is in a state of anxiety at the present time, due to the post Sept. 11, 2001 (911) syndrome.  What does that have to do with this book or my title “The Struggle Never Ends”?  After 911 the whole world changed.  Money, which determines most peoples'' life or death, has become even scarcer. Yes money is to power as health is to life style.  In this book I will talk about Black folks, a lot of people will say here he goes again, with his Black thing.   Most of us figured we have it made in the main stream, think again we are in the process of being controlled confined and CHAINED again.   The slave chains were physical and we finally broke loose from them.  The invisible chains, which remain, are psychological.   We as a people can break the invisible chains, using education information and determination.

THE PROBLEM

As Black people here in America for over 200 years, we remain the last hired and the first fired.  We compose 12% of the population yet we have less than 1% of the businesses and property here in America.  Black people are responsible for America being a successful society, yet we have very little input in policies, which will shape the future for the next generation.  We must face the facts that percentage wise we have the highest numbers when it comes to: death, HIV/Aids, crime, bad health, poverty etc.  Most of our children are not learning in school, they must steer clear of the drug culture.  The criminal justice system is incarcerating our youth at a disproportionate rate.  You are deprived of your right to vote if you are convicted of a felony, in turn we as a people loose some of our political power. 

I recall reading a newspaper article from a Bronx, NY resident Ms. Josephine Dance, who stated (not her exact words) We are back in slavery, if your rights are taking away from you, when you are incarcerated, you are given a number, denied freedom, chained, and made to work for free etc.  What Race has the most people incarcerated here in America?   

SOLUTION:

Our number one priority should be EDUCATION, not just for Blacks but also for everyone here in America. People must come to realize that as long as there are inequities here in America, the world will fail to see America as the home of the brave and the land of the free. We have a great country, which is why almost everyone is coming here to live.  We must educate others, and ourselves via schools, at work; at play everywhere, to the fact that you treat people the way you want to be treated.

Part of education, is knowing that if you are arrested for use or possession of illegal drugs your whole life can be screwed up.  Being educated means you realize that one incident with drugs can mess you up for life, that is why educated / smart people stay away from drugs and people who use them. Over fifty percent of people incarcerated are in there for drugs, you do the math. There are plenty of ways to entertain yourself and others excluding the use of drugs.

We must pursue higher education for our families and ourselves; when it is practical. The more formal education you have, the more options you will have in life. Parents should keep in mind that the Board of Education cannot teach your children everything; you must take a part in the learning process. You must partner with your children’s school, involving yourself in the Parent’s Association etc. and remember your children are watching you for their role model, try to give them a positive image.

Money is very important, without it even an educated person will be in a hell of a position. I recall seeing a movie called “changing Places” staring Eddie Murphy, I think that movie should be used in schools, under economics 101, it had a great scenario about being broke (not having money). If you are educated / smart you will use your money wisely because money gives you options to decide your life style. The fact of the matter is the country is controlled by big money.  I can go on and on but I do not want to make this subject a “War and Peace” book. I recommend that everyone work to make America the greatest country in the world, through self-improvement, and remember “The struggle Never Ends”.