Rashaun Williams believes the best way for black people to confront and change the rampant racism in the US is to educate, inform, and empower their own communities.
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I would imagine an enslaved African mother in the 1800s advised her young how to interact with the slave masters the same way an African-American mother in the 21st century instructs her child how to deal with the police.
Since the abolishment of slavery, we’ve been asking America to treat us equally. And even with more than 100 years of peaceful protests, and landmark legislations passed, the black body in America is STILL imprisoned, criminalized and oppressed.
America isn’t willing to break its tradition of devaluing black life, so we, the African-American community, need to do for self and build our own nation by leveraging our trillion dollar buying power.
The 21st century shouldn’t resemble the 18th and 19th century, so to ensure a dramatic difference blacks must learn and exercise their rights, own media, build businesses and engage fully in civic life.
Our Rights
I recommend we teach our children how to speak to officers so they do not become a victim of police brutality, but our conversations on police interactions shouldn’t end there. We MUST ensure our youth learn and exercise their rights. Having an exclusive focus on surviving in this nation has never—and will never—advance our community. We MUST understand the law, for the result of being ignorant as a U.S citizen will make you vulnerable to a racist justice system.
Our Media
Animalistic depictions of black bodies must stop! We can improve our media coverage and public perception by telling our own stories and owning our own distribution channels. It should be our responsibility to inform and engage our communities with truth, not propaganda.
Our Business
By 2015, African-Americans will have a buying power of $1.1 trillion. Our dollars should represent our interest, which means as a community of people we must use our buying power to make smart investments.
Our Politics
Taxes are the fuel that powers our nation. We elect representatives AND compensate them to govern the people, so that makes us the boss. We need to act like bosses by understanding our politics and establishing a loud voice for ourselves at the legislative table.
With the tragic and vile murders of Eric Garner, Omar Abrego, Dante Parker, Mike Brown, and Ezell Ford ALL within 30 days of one another, it’s obvious that our nation cares more about dogs than the life of people of color. We must build our own nation or continue to be at the mercy of Lady Liberty.
Thanks for reading. Until next time, I’m DJ Reezey® & that’s the DJ’s drop!™
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Photo: AP/File
I think the economic leverage black people can bring to bear is something people don’t talk enough about. It’s much more powerful than most people think. It was a big reason for whatever successes the civil rights movements in the 1960’s had, the part of nonviolence too many people have forgotten. Bus boycotts, sit-ins, etc., were about hitting racism in the pocketbook. Not just singing songs and carrying signs, but actual economic leverage. You force people to choose between making money and acting racist, and a lot of people will choose the money.