For those familiar with the concepts of liberation, freedom,
war, poverty, sorrow and elevation, the notion of reclaiming the family
structure has a familiar ring. A
seemingly over abundant number of talking points crowd our collective
psyche. But without concrete, take the
bull by the horns, step by step action, it remains just that—talk.
The
bottom line is this, like anything, our family issues are a complex mixture of
individual experiences and collective vision.
There are black, beautiful couples producing wonderful works and
magnificent children to be reared in lovely homes. There are also black beautiful couples
producing NOT so wonderful works.
“Raising” children, that without the intervention of the righteous force, become yet another reminder of how far we have to go collectively. This is the family structure most talked
about; saving existing children and repairing existing families.
But
there is an unseen issue. The millions
of men and women seeking to pair with another great mind committed to
liberation and having brilliant children.
As a single solider I’ll admit I’m in a somewhat biased position. Often I am left wondering how is it possible
to endeavor to be the best man I can be, a template to be improved upon for my
brothers, yet not (apparently) coveted by my sisters. Go figure. During these times of questioning,
of doubt, it is easy to fall victim to yet another by-product of our social
conditioning. Hatred of our sisters, and
self-loathing
But why does this persist? What
exactly is plaguing the psyche of so many brothers and sisters that results in
so many unable to find good partners in the very places where prospects should
be abundant? Hurt caused by expectations not met seems to be a likely
answer. Also, disconnection between man
and women results in a lack of respect shown by word and deed. Part of the solution can be found by
implementing a rites of passage system.
When it comes to meshing logic and nature our people need to do
better. For instance there should be no
reason why the “ratchet and ghetto” members of our family should be in
relationships, and having babies while the so called “conscious” are
single.
Let’s be honest, many of our family
is so emotionally traumatized from past experiences before they join the
movement that they simply shut down the portion of self that craves
unification, instead choosing to
dedicate themselves to other parts of the struggle. That is understandable and
often needed. However, when the time
comes to step back into the realm of family building, emotional baggage left
unresolved becomes like a cancer to the Afrikan mind, causing strife between
man and women. 
We must break down that
wall in order to progress. There are way
too many knowledgeable, driven brothers and sisters out here not having babies,
not starting families. In war, if able,
it is generally a good policy to open multiple fronts in which the enemy must
defend. Let’s open up this front
family. To be clear when I say we must
save the babies, I speak those currently in the world and those present in our
sperm and eggs. The future is fluid so
the better we do NOW; the better life WILL be for the future babies. So stop
fronting, be men and women and unite the collective struggle. Remember a house divided against itself
cannot stand.
We must break down that
wall in order to progress. There are way
too many knowledgeable, driven brothers and sisters out here not having babies,
not starting families. In war, if able,
it is generally a good policy to open multiple fronts in which the enemy must
defend. Let’s open up this front
family. To be clear when I say we must
save the babies, I speak those currently in the world and those present in our
sperm and eggs. The future is fluid so
the better we do NOW; the better life WILL be for the future babies. So stop
fronting, be men and women and unite the collective struggle. Remember a house divided against itself
cannot stand.
Taking from an ancient Egyptian
concept of unification, we must reunite the two houses of humanity; the Kingdom
and Queendom. Looking at the trend
brought about by mass incarceration, which is a tactic in an overall strategy
to thin the black male from society, division has grown in our household. The
war on drugs, lack of employment( no viable trade programs in inner city
schools) have resulted in young black man being killed, unfairly targeted or locked up at an astonishing rate(
women are being incarcerated at an ever
increasing rate as well). Combined with
an astounding number of programs geared specifically toward women, designed to
economically and socially empower them, an educational/financial gap has
occurred between the black man and woman.
To be clear this is not a pity
party. Black men, self-included, need to step up and become powerful figures in
our community again. However the black
woman needs to educate herself on the plight of her brother, her partner. By doing so, perhaps they can begin (on a
massive scale) to select better men. As
we men learn ourselves again and start to exhibit those qualities of a good
partner we too can select better partners, not to mention treat our partners
better. Want to be less likely to
become divorced or abused? Then don’t
look down on the brother with a job but rides the bus. You know not his plans. If you wish to be taken care of, while still
being pushed to be the best woman you are?
Perhaps the brother who acts 19 yet is pushing 30 is not for you (or
maybe that works depending on the level of focus).
In short a new evaluation system is
order. There is a well-known truth in
war. “Everything is fluid”. Meaning as the times change we must
adapt. The old rules don’t completely
apply. Women are as whole, in a position
to be the financial backbone of the family. Embrace it. At the same time we as men need to articulate
and expand our vision for our people. As
our women make headway in this European world, we as men should use this time
to reflect and perfect our strategy. A
key function of manhood is the ability to shape reality, by dictating and
adapting to events.
As Afrikan men what is our
collective vision?
