Too Many Blacks Feel Silence Is an Option; It Isn't

Summary

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Black-On-Black violence is first and foremost a community problem but the "community" is mostly silent. It is caused, in considerable measure, by continuing racism and the fact that many Blacks have internalized white America's individualistic/materialistic values without comparable access to its benefits. The psychological implications are severe: For many, challenging the "man" or "system" is tantamount to challenging themselves.

Silence can be crippling. It makes needed group unity even more difficult. Pervasive silence on important issues, as previously mentioned has broad, injurious implications. In the 1960s and prior, virtually all Blacks considered themselves in the same boat, and more importantly, they acted like it. Today, attempting to educate and organize 'for positive change is a daunting, for some, a seemingly impossible task. And today, Blacks are at a decided disadvantage in attempting to marshal sufficient influence-commensurate with their numbers, to influence real change. And now, every step toward progressive, positive change causes "push back" from the conservative majority. Witness the crass demonstrations at the Obama administration's recent town hall meetings on healthcare reform. The animosity and contentiousness displayed is unprecedented and can only be considered a manifestation of 21st century racism.

Be that as it may, far too many Blacks, fearing loss of mythic political and economic capital, find it extremely hard to take the perceived risks necessary for actual change. [...] they tend to perpetuate a status quo that is inimical to their own best interests.

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Too Many Blacks Feel Silence Is an Option; It Isn't

Silence of the lambs..... Blacks, in general, and Black leadership in particular, are often silent on issues of grave concern. The reasons for this : are complex and include continued racism as well as the continuing, insidious effects of slavery; more on t...

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