We Have Got To Do Better

I look around at my people and I have to say I'm not impressed. Not everyone is letting me down though. There are those out there who actually have the sense to do something with their life. Those with goals and ambitions other than breaking into the music game, playing professional sports, being the trophy on the arm of the neighborhood hustla, or becoming the ultimate video vixen. Not saying that there's anything wrong with those professions if that's what you choose to do. But why is it becoming socially acceptable in our community to strive to be these things. By any means necessary. Then my people get into these fields and totally take us back 5,000 steps.

You got the rappers out there telling how the hood is so cool and how it's so important to be down. The last time I checked the hood was not some place I would praise or a place where I would ultimately demand respect for because I was from there. I'm not knocking the hood. I have family members who are from the hood. My dad is a hood boy. But where is my dad at now? He lives with his wife of 23 years, raising and caring for his three children and now his grandson, in a two story house in a somewhat suburban neighborhood, driving a nice truck, provided his wife with a nice sports car, his children with their first and second cars, and spending most of his time now caring for horses. My dad did not let the hood take him over. He didn't automatically assume the position of being "ghetto" and getting stuck in a situation that he could get out of with a little effort. Most hood people think just because they're from the hood that that's where they always have to remain when there are other options. If my people would only start teaching their kids that an education is important, appearance is key, and that respect comes full circle then maybe we can start to change things around. But no. We let our kids (who can't spell their own names, can't speak proper English, or can't pinpoint the United States on a map) go out knowing every word to 'Pop, Lock, and Drop It,' 'Lipgloss,' and every other countless song and dance there is. I know plenty of little kids who can't even tell me where they live but tell them to do the Souljah Boy and they will tear it up. We have these rappers and singers out here talking about rollin', smacking b*tches and hoes, and bustin' a cap in someone's ass because they stepped on their fresh new kicks that everyone must strive to get since everyone in the world can afford them. I really hate when some rappers and singers talk about how much cash they have, how many diamonds are on their necks, how many cars they drive, and all that but then ask them to give a speech or explain something of educational value and they wouldn't be able to do it. I'm sorry, I might not have all the glitz and glamour, but I'm real happy about my education. I think there should be standards for some people who go into the music industry. Music stars are icons and are looked up to and some people just shouldn't be given a platform to be looked up at.

Sports figures. You have some greats out there. Jackie Robinson. Michael Jordan. Ken Griffey Jr. Rodney Peete. All respectable Black professional sports players. Then you got the Michael Vicks of the game. I know you all have probably heard all about him. Fighting and killing dogs. Animal cruelty all over the board. You have organizations out there who frown upon people who wear fur jackets and test medicines on animals and here he goes participating in the demise of these creatures. You have all this money and you can't find something of good moral values to do to occupy your time? Please believe if I had some pro football money, $37million to be exact, I would be traveling all over the place, handling my business, taking care of my family and friends, and helping out with all kinds of charities and foundations. But he wants to fight some dogs. Because it's so fun to see animals with razor sharp teeth dig their fangs into each other, clawing and scratching until the death, And if they don't win you go and kill them. Oooohhh... Sign me up. That sounds so exciting. And now look at you Mr. Vick. Your team is asking for $22 million of their money back. Sucks for you. But I can't talk to bad about him because he found Jesus yall. Yes. In light of all that is happening to him he has found Jesus. Hooray! But isn't that always these big ballers call to Glory. The minute they get caught up in something THEN they find Jesus. Whatever.

Now for my ladies. I am seeing more and more crazy tail hair styles. I'm seeing more and more inappropriate outfits. I'm seeing more and more disregard for being a lady. And some of these, unfortunately, are the mother of children. I have a neighbor, I don't know how or why, but she has a little boy and I feel so sorry for him. I mean, I just feel sorry for him. There's just too much to highlight about his mother that it would take me all day. But just to say some people shouldn't be parents. But I bet he'll know how to Two Step in a couple of months. Exercise is always good. But my ladies, my sistas, because you know we gotta put an 'A' at the end of something if we want it to be considered a black thing, is it too much to ask to have a little class. I love my friends. All of them are responsible, level headed, well presented, and respectable young black women. It's so interesting going to the club with them. My friends spend time picking out their outfits. Making sure they look nice, fit correctly, and is, therefore, appropriately assembled so as to make them appear as respectable as they possibly can be. Dress like a hoochie and be treated like a hoochie. Dress like a lady and be approached by the gentlemen who actually think they have a chance of gaining your attention. I'll go out with my friends and walk into the club and it's like wow! Booty shorts galore. Mini mini mini mini mini mini skirts. Clothes that are just way too tight. Hair colors that'll make a rainbow jealous. Gawdy jewelry. It's just a mess. And can't leave the fellas out when talking about clothing because it seems that 100XL shirts, 75x125 jeans, and fitted caps are the acceptable gear for ANY place they have to go. Can I see some pants pulled up and worn on the waist that actually fit. Nice polo and button down shirts. It's not appropriate to be street ALL the time. Just try to be taken seriously dressing that way and see how far it will get you. I respect those who can be street but at the same time know when to turn it on and off.

I'm real sick of black people who down those black people who are actually trying to be respected in this very fickle society of our's. We already have to fight so hard to be respected, get certain positions, and to be taken seriously because of our counterparts whose mission seems to be to ruin everything for the rest of us. Sure I may wear my clothes the right size instead of wearing clothes fit for a 300 lb man, talk properly instead of yo yo yoing and knawmeaning all willey nilley, walk with a sophisticated confidence instead of like one of my legs is shorter than the other, and care about my education and my advancement in the career world but does that have to mean I'm acting white? Does that have to mean I should be subject to scrutiny? And what kills me even more is that my people think they can get away with saying mean and hurtful things and if you have the backbone to say something back and stick up for yourself then they wanna get mad. Don't dish if you can't take it. That brings me to a story my friend told me not too long ago. It was about this couple who was going into the store together. Another guy came up and approached the girl and she had to let him know that she was there with her boyfriend. The boyfriend stepped in and politely let the guy know that they were together. WHY did the other guy shoot them? I mean, can't take rejection much. And we're talking about a black man here and a black couple. We have got to do better. All people have to do better but I would really like for my people to try just a little bit harder. Can we take after the Jewish community please. Because they came over to the United States and tore it up. We need to look out for our own. Build each other up instead of tearing each other down. And let's stop killing each other please. PLEASE. Killing is wrong regardless.

I just want us to continue what our ancestors started back during the Civil Rights Movement. We have already moved into a time of more equality but there is still so much more than can be done. And the only way we can succeed is to stop giving ammunition to those in power, because there are not many of us up there in rank in the United States, to look at us and believe that taking a chance on us will bring some undesirable consequences.

We have got to do better. For the sake of our future as a people. Because remember, what one of us does reflects on the whole lot.