Black and Privileged?

I am ill and suffering from the guilt that education, access to resources, and awareness has afforded me.  I am suffering because of the conflict that is going on in my head on an almost daily basis.  By government standards, I am considered to be among the working poor.  I live in housing, take mass transit, and live from paycheck to paycheck. However, my daughter and I have bachelor’s degrees and are pursuing higher degrees, my son attends a private high school and both of my children have traveled to Europe.  I work in an environment where I have access to some of the best resources in city.  I stated this, definitely not to brag, but to put into context the state of my union.  I live in two worlds.  I work, learn and often play in arenas that are far beyond my means of living, but I live in an area that is vastly different.  By all accounts, I SHOULD be okay, and for the most part I am.  BUT….

I am conflicted!  I am torn between the world around me and the awareness that most of it is utter BS.  Most can go on about their lives content that it is enough that they are responsible citizens.  Some feel good that they got a great education or sent their children to “good” schools, traveled, or can afford luxuries that some people can only dream of.    Some people can ignore the fact that there are people around the world living in extreme poverty while they shop for $400 shoes, $5 cups of coffee and live in luxury housing.  It sickens me to know that the laws and attitudes in this country and around the world have left so many people oppressed, depressed and broken.  It saddens me to realize that we will NEVER combat poverty because too many benefit from people being poor.  It hurts to know that there are so many who simply turn their heads and rationalize that SOMEONE ELSE will take care of the sick, the poor and the needy while they horde their land and build their wealth.  Simple acts of sharing can change the world.  Being active in the political process can change the world. 

I know charity starts at home, but it shouldn’t end there.       

Reflecting on the State of the Black Community

Hard pill, so I understand if you can't swallow it:

Truth Friday beckons me to state my opinion about the state of communities of color - specifically African-American communities (that's where my heart is).

Let me preface this with my feelings about the Trayvon Martin tragedy. It hurts and I am deeply saddened and firmly committed to being as active as I can to help fight this grave injustice. With that being said, we need to take a long hard look at ourselves and ask what can we do to stop the profiles and stereotypes and crime in our neighborhoods. What can we do to change the laws that affect us most? We have to unite. We have to organize. And most of all, we have to learn to be accountable to one another. We need to talk to one another. We need more mentoring in our communities. Brothers that have their head on right should talk more to the young ones who look lost and are going astray - and so many are. Sisters need to be more supportive of one another and talk to the little ones who are headed in the wrong direction. I am guilty of judging, from time to time, when I see a group of young black men hanging on a corner or traveling in a pack saying to myself, they look like they're up to something or looking at them suspiciously. Not the ones I know because I know they're just hanging out drinking or smoking or whatever, but if I go in a neighborhood I don't know and see this, I admit, I get a bit nervous. Right or wrong, I have to ask myself why this is. I live in housing and I see first hand youth (and some older ones) that are up to no good. I see it in the vandalism and the late nights hanging the lobbies, doing their thing; no respect for people coming in and out. And if you say something, they will lash out, call you names, etc. WHY??? Where are their mothers and fathers? This happens in just about EVERY housing development and in some other areas. I am not saying that the profiling and stereotypes are always right, but what are they based on. These things and more we should be having discussions about. We can stop this, we can change this, we are better than this, but we're too afraid to talk truth. Pride keeps us from admitting this. We look sideways and feel good knowing "it's not me." But I truly feel that no one person can sit above his race as if the things that go on within it doesn't affect them. Because we are seen as a group, in the aggregate. Sure some people have the ability to see us individuals, but certain characteristics are associated with you because of the group you belong to. So, in the end, they are affected. We are all affected by the actions of others and WE NEED TO ACT LIKE IT.

It is time for us to get our act together. Nobody is coming to save us. We need to save ourselves. And the time to do it is NOW!