Do you believe that there is a monolithic "black america"?

Question

I think the NAACP and National Urban League do. While I have great respect and reverance for these organizations, why does it seem like they continue to look for a "black agenda" around which we can all unite with the fervor and passion of decades past, when in fact there's a need for multiple agendas. The problem is that we all say we want an "honest dialogue" about race, but we've been having the same old arguments for years -- affirmative action, inner-city dysfunction, overt and covert racism -- and we seem to be stuck. We need a new language, a new vocabulary and syntax.
I say this because blacks are now more powerful than ever. Census data suggests that there's a sizable cluster of educated, middle-class black households on par with whites, and another large cluster of disadvantaged black households that lag much further behind.
What are you thoughts?

Theamabh... : What the hell are you talking about? I'm black! AHAHAHA. I just know how to call a spade a spade.

Answer 1

I think you're absolutely right. We've never been a homogeneous group but, in the past, there was an egregious issue that everyone could agree on. Now, that is not the case. I think a great start would be a little honesty with ourselves. It seems to be that some blacks become upset with other blacks every time they make comments about the deplorable state of certain demographics in our community not because what they're saying isn't true but because they have this feeling that we shouldn't "air our dirty laundry" in public. Perversely, it's the ones who are complaining the loudest who really need to heed the advice being given.

This push for one agenda is really causing a rift in the black community because, as you already mentioned, the majority of us don't sit around making excuses about why we can't succeed but the very small minority that do are extremely vocal and the ones who are being captured on camera. The middle/upper-classes are really sick of being associated with that kind of behavior and mentality and, in my observation, are really starting to view certain communities in the same light as some whites. This is, obviously, counterproductive for everyone because we're dividing ourselves and those who need a hand up aren't willing to take it because they're so put off by the attitudes of those who are in a position to help. Conversely, a lot of those who are in a position to help are so disgusted by some they're becoming less willing to offer that help.

Answer 2

This is the Internet. It's usually pretty obvious when someone is trolling. However, a serious response to some of these questions gives one a chance to project a sane point of view and actually spread the good word regarding things like race relations. It does not necessarily imply that the person answering is actually taking the person asking seriously. However, there are times when a serious response is warranted, if for nothing else than demonstrate that all blacks/whites/whatever are not racist.

Answer 3

well i dont' think there is a monolithic black america anymore than there is a monolithic white america. black is not only a race it is culture and within that culture are many subcultures (west indian, carribean, southern american, african, panamanian, etc. you get the picture) just as white america has (italians, irish, swedish, turkish, etc.) and each believes it's way of doing things is the right way. Neither is wrong or right. The organizations that you speak of are oudated and need to step up if they intend to reach the masses. No one black person thinks and can speak for all black people. We like every other human being on earth are all unique and have our own thoughts, opinions, and views about the world, ourselves & our communities and no person can know what each and ever person in their race, culture and/or subculture is thinking and/or feeling.

Answer 4

There is absolutely NOT a monolithic "black voice". And organizations such as the NAACP- along with such self appointed black "representatives" as Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, Jesse Lee Peterson, and so on- perpetuate the fallacy that there IS. Black peoples' brains aren't conjoined. Like everyone else, black people have various beliefs, values, opinions, etc... Unfortunately, there are people in our society who buy into the falsehood that all black people feel the same about every issue or matter. And, in the event they discover that there ARE black people whose opinions aren't in keeping with those that they perceive as the norm, the stereotypes start flying- which has a negative impact on the ability of society as a whole to have dialogue in an effort to understand each other and solve problems.

To illustrate: My husband just joined this site today. Of all his answers I've read, and from what he has told me, he didn't post anything that could come remotely close to being misunderstood as making generalizations, being hateful, or attacking anyone's opinions. However, within minutes of participating here on Y!A, users were sending him messages calling him racist, an uncle tom, a sellout, not a "real" black person, and so on. I realize that this is "only the Internet," as many people say. But people have spoken to him in this very same manner in-person. Pathetic!

Answer 5

no i do not believe that there is a monolithic black america; however, i understand the approach of organizations who have been charged with attempting to exact changes in disenfranchised communities. if black crime is high, if black kids aren't learning in school, if black this, and black that...? who is supposed to attempt to address those issues with solutions? certainly not the american government! if the NAACP and URBAN LEAGUE are willing to set an agenda or attempt to answer the call that NOT EVEN I WOULD WANT TO TAKE ON, then, for pete's sake, let them! it's not fair to yap about the problem AND the people trying to make a difference.

Answer 6

It saddens me to think that back america may well need to go to a psychoanalysis's couch. Really: When will our black brothers stop saying that we are "The Lords of the earth and in the same breath say that everything that ever went wrong with us is because of some "white-skinned-devil"? Come on now, "Lords"... act like a "Lord". By the way, One Lord who calls another Lord "a so and so Fool" has recognized no Lordship in himself nor of the one he is calling "a fool"... To the couch with you!... Please, could some of our men stop the whimping ( yes, I meant whimping...not whimpering...and you do that too) Stop the madness for just a second and hear what you're saying? Why did you go to Pennsylvania Ave for the Million-Man-March?... Did you go to do repentance for dogging your "queens" or did you go to rant and rage again about what some "White Devil" did to poor little you?... or is it that your woman and kids lived on Pa. Ave.? Oooo well! Just stop and listen and hear yourself.

Thank you Madam, for the question. Did you notice how fast the brothers ganged up with The
Black Brother when there was a female involved?... Remember Anita Hill? Did you get any sense of respect for The Sisters out of that kind of carrying on? Notice now, years later, we're writing about the brave sister who endured cruel abandonement for years from so many black brothers? They knew they couldn't stand Clarence Thomas (after all he belonged to the Republican party and how dare a real brother belong to the Republican party); Yet they hated the black sister so much more than they did Thomas that they took his side... Sometimes, I wonder about SOME of our brothers... do they hate the female wound from which they were taken?... again: Please brothers, go to the couch and check out what's ailing you before this thing spread to our baby boys.
No, there is no monolithic voice among Afro-Americans... we are human (just like the rest) with diverse opinions... creativity and quality in our diversity. We should be aloud to express that diversity without being terrorized by members of our own race. Look at Miss Rice? Poor woman; such abuse from the likes of Harry Belefonte et al. She was absolutely brutalized on a Black Forum... yet she continues to do her job while black men, in particular, scandalize her good name... as we say in church... But that's all right ... Jesus gonna fix it afta while... Woe unto the black man who does such things. My applause for our strong real men who I feel are my heros as a black female... we still got some... For the others, I say: God can see all the way down to the joints and marrow and He's gonna fix it...In the meantime...Please visit the couch....

Answer 7

there is no monolithic 'black america'. It's silly when ppl think that all blks are the same, believe the same, and experience the same things. Blks are just a diverse as any 'other ppl'. I believe that social class plays a very important role. the middle class blacks may have diff concerns than lower/working class blks.

Answer 8

Yes, and we still have a long way to go. It would be a great move if Blacks started creating jobs here in the US while most private organizations are using cheap laborers in other countries. Think about the demand and control we would have. We could create our own diverse* jobs and break up that good ol' boy network that is crucial in the judicial/political system. Afterwards there will be no need for Affirmative Actions and other such organizations. By the way Affirmative Action is only there to give those a fair chance at getting job, it doesn't state "force hiring". Companies "force hire" only when they do not want to hear complaints, so...AA is not responsible for "force hiring".

Answer 9

I’ve heard people say that Americans have moved beyond race, but that isn't the truth. It's more like as if they have established a culture of institutionalized white masochism. It’s not that Americans have moved beyond race, it’s just that the whites have unilaterally surrendered.

Answer 10

there is a black america its called Africa