Racial Equality

Original Son of Man · (#1 (**permalink**))

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I find it amazing how people can be somewhat taken aback when receiving my newsletter, most are silently well received, still the comment I get more often than not "very political, but well written, good, clear points."

Today, I share my thoughts on race relations and more specifically racial equality. Trevor Phillips you may or may not have heard, believes we are heading towards "ghettoisation."

Once again, I refer to my trusted dictionary.com.

Ghetto:

a) A section of a city occupied by a minority group who live there especially because of social, economic, or legal pressure.

b) An often walled quarter in a European city to which Jews were restricted beginning in the middle Ages.

c) Something that resembles the restriction or isolation of a city ghetto: "trapped in ethnic or pink-collar managerial job ghettoes" (Diane Weathers).

n 1: formerly the restricted quarter of many European cities in which Jews were required to live; "the Warsaw ghetto"

2: any segregated mode of living or working that results from bias or stereotyping; "the relative security of the gay ghetto"; "no escape from the ghetto of the typing pool"

3: a poor densely populated city district occupied by a minority ethnic group linked together by economic hardship and social restrictions

Hmmm interesting!!

Ghettos are of European origin formally walled quarters of a city where ethnic minorities due to legal and economic circumstances find themselves entrapped. Sound familiar?

Today there are no physical walls to the ghettos, more likely, a thin blue line.

Ghettos in the UK, just like the ones created in other parts of the world are over policed, different responses are given the inhabitants of inner city ghettoes of Hackney, Toxteth, Brixton, Soweto, Sao Paulo as opposed residents of Kensington, Chelsea etc.

The barrier to progression is no longer physical but a self perpetuating mental barrier. Ghettos are formed in the mind.

Don't believe me? So when it is reported that Diaspora African male children see education as being "un-cool" is this not a self perpetuating mental barrier to progression?

Some people look at so called "hoodies" and see a hoodlum; I see a youth with his head hung low, no sense of value or worth. Examine the demeanour the manner, the walk. Not one with head held high, proud, self assured. Don't believe me, take another look!

If you are still with me, have not turned away, great!! We are now getting into the meat of the subject matter, racial equality.

What is the meaning of racial equality? Racially equal. Not the manner in which others view you, but the manner in which one views ones self. To see ones self, ones race as being on an equal footing to other racial groups. Equality begins in the mind.

Mr Philips speaks of the under achievement of Diaspora African male children in the UK educational system. Think tanks are setup, costly solution seeking expeditions looking to improve the conditions for male Diaspora African children.

I wonder if Mr Philips as head of the Commission for Racial Equality, sees himself, a Diaspora African as being equal to the best here in the land?

What is it that separates a prince from a pauper? Is it his land, money, castle? No, take all of this away and he will still believe himself better than the rest. The difference is in his thinking! The proud way he views himself, his heritage, knowledge of self, ancestry. In one word HISTORY!!

As we move into Black History Month how many Diaspora Africans tell their children the truth of history?

Have we become too politically correct to stoke the fire of our youth to address the legacy of colonialism and slavery?

Are we afraid to see ourselves as men and women, stand up as other nations stand, address our legacy and demand reparations for the on-going destruction of African civilisation?

You see although so-called emancipation took place some hundred odd years ago. Today, the destruction goes on!

Negative imagery of Africa on television is a continuation of the mental destruction of African self worth!

Does the establishment really want to cure the ills that plague Diaspora African communities up and down the country? The gun violence, drug wars etc?

What is needed is for Diaspora African children to be given a positive view of themselves, something to feel proud of. When Prince Harry was seen to be going off the rails, what did the establishment do? They sent him to Africa.

A trip to Africa for every adolescent male Diaspora African would be a start. To let them see Africa first hand. Instil a sense of pride and belonging. Let them be proud of the birthplace of civilisation.

A visit to the Valley of Kings. Who were the builders of the pyramids, the inhabitants of ancient Kemet (Egypt), some may question the greatest ancient civilisation the world has known?

Oh yes, before anyone asks the question let it be at the tax payer's expense. Let us call it a down payment for reparations, a goodwill gesture; to repair the damage of hundreds of years of European destruction of Africans and African civilisation.

The trip should cover pre as well as post colonial Africa. The concentration camps, oops that's politically/culturally insensitive, I mean shanty towns, which in all but name and location resembles inner city ghettos.

I believe you will see a difference in some at least. Do you believe even the hardest streetwise 14 year old can fail to be moved when holding a malnourished child in his arms?

Maybe some of these young men may begin to value and cherish the opportunity of education they currently take for granted. Some may commit themselves to champion the African cause to rid the continent of poverty and misery.

Why not make it an experiment to begin with, surely enlightened Europe owe the children of her former slaves this much?

It is high time the children were taught the truth of who they are and where they are from. Henry VIII, Christopher Columbus and Sir Francis Drake simply do not cut it!

Or is it possible that an enlightened European/British born African child with a sense of worth is counter to western interest?

Peace, Love and Guidance

Original Sonofman

http://www.thesonofman.co.uk

PS I will be on Invincible Radio www.invincibleradio.comthe first Tuesday of every month alongside Redz on his show UK's Most Wanted 11p.m. - 1a.m. We will be talking on issues, some of which have been covered in my recent newsletters. Log on and interact with us, make and exchange points of view.

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