is black militancy a phase?

Question

So I am talking to a this guy I know about politics, religion, that sort of thing. And he is obviously leaning a little on the Black nationalist side. He is a young cat, about 20. He called himself hipping me to some real knowledge. But I have already been where he is. I think any black person that really dives into history of black peoples around the world can't help but fall into that militancy phase (you know the one where you reject all things white). He asked me "how do we overthrow the system." Unless we can build a few thousands M1 Abrams tanks and a few thousand f-22's strike fighters (and drive them) we wont be forcibly overthrowing anything.

I told him we stand a better chance of trying to gain power in the existing system than overthrowing it. He says Im a sell out. I say he is just in a phase and to holler at me when he done reading.

What do you think?

Answer 1

I would have to agree, but also state, I dont think Black Nationalism/militancy, is all anti white. You can be pro black, without being anti white, so that may vary for some.

But we all do go through a phase where we become so damn angry and not seeing a way out, that we want to just overthrow the whole damn system. He will grow out of it. I would have to say THANK you to Black Nationalism and Black Militancy for providing this outlet to the angry and confused black youth who are hurting. I think you handled this very well... I also think you should stay in contact with this brother and encourage him. Watch him grow and blossom...

Malcolm was a militant! And then he began to realize the importance of unity! He began to realize how there is strength in numbers, and though there are some evil and racist people out there, there are also those who are equally disgusted by racism. He was killed for that...

This kid, he is a kid, has a lot going on right now. Early 20's, take it from a 21 y/o, are tough. I'm an Africana/Black studies and political science dual major, and when I read about Attica prison, and Angola prison, and the rise and fall of the panthers and the brutal murder of Fred Hampton, Mumia Abu-Jamal, Assata Shakur, etc etc etc I get so damn angry... and I have to process that anger. Its not wrong to be angry, its not wrong to be mad as hell at racist whites, IT IS WRONG TO HATE ALL WHITES. That is the difference, and if you dont have those filters, you dont have people you can positively convey these emotions to, who can help you sort them, you end up bitter and angry at the world.... but you grow out of it, hopefully... and you dont adapt to the victim mentality, you dont use militancy to help foster your hatred... some do, but many of us grow up and learn to process this information and use it to our advantage to effect positive change.

Give him time... and continue to talk with him. He needs someone level headed. Be patient too... lol

Hope this helps.

Answer 2

It was just a phase for me. As a matter of fact - it was 7th and 8th grade. It all started when I did an oral book report on The Autobiography of Malcolm X. I was an angry young sister...really and truly. It didn't help that I went to an all-white school, had white teachers and lived in (basically) and all-white town.
My phase was over once I realized two things: 1) The social climate wasn't like it was back in the day. Yeah, black folks are still angry, but we severely lack a black leader (such as Malcom, Martin, H. Rap, Stokley, etc.). It was frustrating to realize, but we as a people were totally in a rut with a sense of complacency.
and 2) Holding hate in my heart was not healthy. True, white peole have done some horrible atrocities to many minority groups - especially ours - but harboring ill feelings turned me into a really negative person. Plus it made me just as bad as white racists who felt that way against blacks. There's nothing cool about being like that.
I would have to agree with you - it's often just a phase.

Answer 3

i very into my black culture and i too try to think of ways to better my community and try to follow through i don't know about the guns cuz then you are going in the wrong direction
i don't reject every white cuz not all black people are good and not all white people are bad as far as i'm concerned the american system is not catering to the black community's needs i think it's worth it to try and straighten up our own continent but i know others think that this is a worthless lost cause you're not a sell out you're just saying what you think will work

Answer 4

Yeah, I agree that it's just a phase. I think he'll grow out of the militancy thing after he tries to employ it in real life, and finds that it just isn't functional anymore.

Answer 5

I think you did good.
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He has to realize there are other ways to gain power. Black men already possess power...you can walk down the street and intimidate people...but he has to know this. Having a war will not solve anything. IMO
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Go, I: I often wonder if that's the reason Black history isn't taught in traditional schools.

Answer 6

I think the system has already changed. You can't move forward by immersing yourself in the past. The average person in the 19th (and previous) centuries was stark raving mad by our standards. Women were treated worse than blacks. Many black women were abused by black husband (as well as white husbands/wives) Does that mean that women can't love their male counterparts today? There was plenty of cruelity being metted out among groups in the past. But those people are all dead.

The past is only good for learning from. We chose our future. From my perspective in society, being black is not big thing anymore. No one really much cares. (I know discrimination is alive and well unfortunatly, but it IS changing in some places).

Answer 7

No not for everyone, I know a women that is in her 50s and she is still living like a Black Panther. Actually I don't know too many black males like that 20yr old dude anymore, even though he is radical and his thinking is kinda strange his courage is very commendable and I think we need more men like him, with his kind of courage, but with the exception of killing. I seem to feel like I'm the only black person around that will actually take action against racism when needed, many young men and women seem like cowards to me. Reason as to why I'm afraid of what the future might hold for our young generation, they seem lost to me.

Answer 8

i think that every government needs a little shaking every once in while because those in power tend to forget who allows them to be in power but nothing radical but as far as the Black Militants type and the Radical religious Black 10%ers they are all loons i mean if you look at the militants in Africa you can see that they dont want a fair government even within their own race so i tend to laugh at their ideology

Answer 9

r u talking about killing all of the white people? cause I am college educated and I am totally not understanding where you are going with this?

Answer 10

I think you are both right....