The Denial of Black Culture

It appears to me that we have abandoned many of the hallmarks of our African-American culture that made it possible for us to not only survive but thrive in the aftermath of slavery and the subsequent institutional racial hostilities. Our sense of right and wrong derived from our acceptance of an absolute right and wrong as taught by the Holy Bible. This of course was strengthened by and made alive by our personal commitment to Jesus Christ as Lord. Our conscience was held captive by that which was and is higher than we are. As we continue to deny our true black culture, we see increased pathological social problems in our communities.

Even during our holiday season we see evidences of this continual denial of true Black Culture. For example, many will be celebrating Kwanzaa. The Kwanzaa celebration was created by Dr. Karengaa in 1966. Interestingly, this celebration does not celebrate an important event in history, but was created as an alternative to Christmas celebration for Black people. It is important to note that Dr. Karengaa had and may still maintain a very hostile attitude toward Christianity. When we invoke the Kwanzaa celebration, we embrace that which was created to move us from our Christian Faith.

If culture is that which is passed on to us by a previous generation, I find it tragic that we have accepted ideas that are in direct conflict with the true black culture that was tried in the fire of extreme circumstances and passed the test of adversity time and time again. We continually discard the culture of our forebears and even mock them for doing what they had to do so that we would have greater opportunity in this great land of the free and the brave. Our forebears dreamed of living during a time such as we live in.

Sadly, our entertainment and educational industries seem so intent on avoiding any strong stand for high morals that very few, if any, offer the proven solutions of earlier generations. Many of our entertainers make millions laughing and having others laugh and be entertained with the dysfunctions in our communities. Yes, there are problems, but have we forgotten the lessons learned and taught to us by our forefathers. Even though we were not perfect, we could be shamed. This shaming would lead to a repentance and change in conduct. When a culture is so coarse and vulgar that shame of vice is rare, calamity and destruction for the family is near.

In 1965 a report, ‘The Negro Family: The Case For National Action‘, was written by Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan. This report which later became known as the Moynihan Report, was considered a controversial report. In essence, the report simply put forth the notion that the destruction of the Black nuclear-family structure would be a hindrance to further progress towards economic and political equality. Understandably, many attacked the report, saying that the report was an attempt to blame the victims. Tragically, many of the things that Mr. Moynihan predicted have been realized.

Now, many would say that the breakdown of the family in our communities has a direct correlation to slavery and subsequent discriminatory practices inflicted upon our people. I would have to agree that that has certainly played a part but does not explain it entirely. Otherwise, how can we explain generations closer to the experience of slavery and oppression being more committed to their offspring and families than those of us who are farther removed from those peculiar institutions.

Today, to describe our men, we flippantly use the terms Player, Pimp, Dog, and Slinger. The Player is not faithful to his woman, the Pimp prostitutes his women, the Dog abandons his children, and the Slinger poisons his own community with drugs. The implicated activities of these terms destroy the potential of our communities by destroying the lives of our people. We must rescue them and ourselves from these chronic self-genocidal activities. If the man is lost, so will the family be lost. If the family is lost, so is the community.

No doubt many well meaning folk have led us away from our culture. It is not necessary to look to Ancient Egyptian Kings and Queens, even though that is good, for examples of accomplishment. We can review the heroic efforts of the African-American slaves and learn what they knew. A strong faith in God, Christ as savior and deliverer is the sure cornerstone of Black culture. We must resist any concept or principle that leads to the further destruction of our people. We must expose the Denial of Black Culture.