Time to redefine black culture

St Petersburg Times ^ | Novembeer 23, 2003 | Bill Maxwell

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Each week, I receive several correspondences from black people calling me an Uncle Tom, a race traitor and that sort of thing.

The most recent epithets came as a result of my column asking Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Warren Sapp to shut his mouth, stop acting like a child and get back to playing the exemplary football that made him a repeat Pro Bowler.

Weeks later, I am still being accused of dissing not only Sapp but African-American culture itself. So, the question is: Exactly what is African-American, or black, culture?

According to my critics, the likes of Sapp and the late rapper Tupac Shakur epitomize African-American culture. If they are right - although I believe that some are simply venting out of anger - then I primarily dislike their brand of black culture.

What do I mean?

Although I appreciate Tupac's poetic genius, I dislike his gangsta persona. Remember, Tupac was a violent brother, and he died in a hail of automatic weapon rounds. I like Sapp's work ethic (which I would advise all youngsters to emulate) and his love of the game, but I dislike the nasty image, on and off the field, he has faithfully cultivated.

Again, if these two men represent African-American culture, then I have major concerns with my culture.

Now, to the essential point of this column: We - African-Americans - should strive to be admired for all the right reasons. I obsess over who we are as a people, about how we fit into a nation that continues to treat us as outsiders after all this time. I obsess over our survival. Sure, we will survive like everyone else. But what will be the status of our collective health in another 100 years, or 50 years even?

These are questions I ponder daily. I have convinced myself that the time has come for mature African-Americans to redefine black culture. Mature blacks must wrest back from the Sapps and Tupacs the values that sustained our people during the long years when de facto and de jure practices guaranteed our third-class citizenship.

We must relearn the sentiments of self-determination and introspection. We should not tolerate another black-on-black killing, another neighbor's house being invaded, another ounce of cocaine being sold on our streets, another adult luring a boy into a deadly confrontation with the police, another child lollygagging and never opening a book.

Mature blacks should unapologetically teach the values their elders taught them. Earlier generations of blacks were taught, for example, the practical power of simple politeness. A "yes, sir" still opens doors of opportunity. A "thank you" still commands respect from others. An "I apologize" still forges trust. Allowing someone else to "go first" in line still paints a smile on the other person's face. "Please forgive me" still elevates the worth of everyone involved in a given conflict.

Blacks nationwide plead for economic development, and we complain of discrimination in the workplace and elsewhere. Well, I have a radical solution for many of our complaints - at least where we have control: We, as a people, need to apprehend the subversive efficacy of the intellect and formal education.

The most subversive act an African-American child can commit in school is to demonstrate a mastery of standard, formal English. Imagine a boy mastering algebra and chemistry. Suppose the same boy completes all of his assignments with excellent grades? Suppose he stays on top of current events? Suppose his teachers and principal like him?

This boy would take away every excuse for whites to legitimately deny him anything. At the same time, he would be admired for at least one good reason: He values learning.

Being intellectually capable is black people's most important possession. Acquiring knowledge and using our intellect to better ourselves are the most powerful and most useful acts we can commit to subvert a system that has kept us down.

My fraternal and maternal grandparents were quiet, determined subversives. I loved listening to them talk about the "days before welfare." I remember how these unflappable people put their families before everything else; how children dared not insult an elder inside or outside the home; how doing well in school was taken for granted; how "cutting up" in public and "shaming the family" were not tolerated.

Calling me old-fashioned and an Uncle Tom does not change this simple truth: If African-Americans are to succeed and enjoy the benefits of this rich culture, mature adults must persuade our children to strive to be admired for all the right reasons.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

A cry in the black education wilderness

[jocon307]

"lollygagging" One of my very favorite words. Good post.

MH, submitted for your approval, as always.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

My fraternal and maternal grandparents were quiet, determined subversives. I loved listening to them talk about the "days before welfare."

Education is the foundation everyone needs to succeed. It's time to put the train back on the track.

[Socratic]

"lollygagging"

I hear the the Heimlich maneuver is effective in cases like this.

[mhking]

Black conservative ping

If you want on (or off) of my black conservative ping list, please let me know via FREEPmail. (And no, you don't have to be black to be on the list!)

Extra warning: this is a high-volume ping list.

[Solamente]

Attitude is the foundation everyone needs to succeed.

[Tax-chick]

I remember how these unflappable people put their families before everything else; how children dared not insult an elder inside or outside the home; how doing well in school was taken for granted; how "cutting up" in public and "shaming the family" were not tolerated.

Good article. More white people should have these standards, too.

[gunnedah]

Needless to say this Gentleman will never be accepted by the Democrat Party and a lot of those of his color.But his article should apply to all races and then these problems would be minor. We should all strive for that of which he speaks.Excellent article.

[freeangel]

White culture and white Americans, Eminem, and a host of other substitutions could be made for the authors reasons of why this country as a whole needs to wake up and get back to basics before the sound of a toilet flushing can be heard 'round the world.

[T'wit]

>> The most subversive act an African-American child can commit in school is to demonstrate a mastery of standard, formal English.

Amen to that! I've long been convinced that language is a far more important factor than racial appearance in belonging to the group. To put it another way, people identify others with their ears far more than with their eyes.

[FrankR]

"Again, if these two men represent African-American culture, then I have major concerns with my culture. "

Not only these two men, but it seems that every African-American who has a microphone thrust in front of his/her face, attempts to re-define the Black culture in American, in his/her own, personal definition.

Just like the white culture, the black culture is divided into many groups, from the rich, to the ne'er-do-wells. The only problem is, our media lumps all of them into one big category, for their own purposes.

There are many self-described "black leaders", but they usually wind up being just another "Jesse Jackson", the poverty pimp we all know. It seems that the main purpose of a "black leader" - as we know it in today's society, is to cry "discrimination" and extort as much money from companies and the government as possible using this age-worn ploy.

There will ALWAYS be pockets of discrimination in the world, it goes on every day, between races, religions, national origins, sexes, and even between age groups. It's a natural, human, (and other species) phenomenon for people to gravitate towards people who are similar to themselves, or have similar interests.

In my experience - in the workplace, for instance - in work-social situations, such as parties, picnics, etc., it is more often than not, the black people who tend to "group up" first. They seem to prefer to be with each other, rather than group with the white people. This is perfectly normal, and, it shows prejudice runs both ways.

Defining the Black culture?

Why?

They don't need "defining"...they are alreay DEFINED...they are AMERICANS. Until we all start acting like Americans, as a united group, NOTHING IS GOING TO CHANGE.

Defining the "Black Culture" is a wedge between already strained race relations, and it just segregates even more. As, as human nature would have it, a culture defined as exclusive unto themselves, will only cause other race-based cultures to re-define and become more exclusive to themselves...thus widening the divide.

I think the question should be, are we all going to be Americans...or will the 48 contiguous states eventually become another "Europe" with 48 little countries, each with its own etnic population?

[G.Mason]

"There is no room in this country for hyphenated Americanism...The one absolutely certain way of bringing this nation to ruin...would be to permit it to become a tangle of squabbling nationalities." (Teddy Roosevelt speech, New York, 1915)

That was the wisdom then.

The wisdom now is, the _ _ _ _ _ race cannot be challenged in any way, shape or form, or those that do are racists. Even if the accuser is _ _ _ _ _.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Excellent points. A polite society is a civil society. We've become very course and it shows.

[WomanofStandard]

All I can say is that I sure admire Mr. Maxwell's intelligence!

[Cincinatus' Wife]

The pendulum is swinging back.

[Oldeconomybuyer]

The author has Warren Sapp wrong. As a football fan, I don't see his "nasty image, on and off the field". Intense yes, nasty no. And I see no evidence that Sapp has been an influence on anyone other than defensive linemen and quarterbacks.

As for black culture in general, I think he also has it wrong. I don't know the difference between Tupac and a six-pack, but to measure a given culture by a singer and an athlete seems a bit of a stretch. If you want to pin blame on a given individual or group, I suggest you look at the real "leadership" in the black culture. In my view Jesse Jackson, the NAACLP, and the Congressional Black Caucus have far more influence over the state of affairs in the black community than Tupac and Sapp.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Defining the "Black Culture" is a wedge between already strained race relations, and it just segregates even more. As, as human nature would have it, a culture defined as exclusive unto themselves, will only cause other race-based cultures to re-define and become more exclusive to themselves...thus widening the divide.

I think the question should be, are we all going to be Americans...or will the 48 contiguous states eventually become another "Europe" with 48 little countries, each with its own etnic population?

The LIBERALS penchant for grouping people to manipulate them, has grown old. Maxwell is one black American, among many, calling for an attitude adjustment regarding education because of its effect on quality of life.

[yankeedame]

...More white people should have these standards, too.

Oh, folks of all colors will once it starts to pay. But right now the money, and attention, comes from being a victum. As always,it's a case of "Follow the money".

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Worship of celebrity in our culture is very evident. The main theme I see repeated in articles similar to this one (LINKS at Post #1) is a call to parents to turn this around.

[Aeronaut]

The pendulum is swinging back.

I pray this is true. There seems to be a sub-culture of white youth that strives to be like the Tupacs and the Sapps.