Universally Speaking
Rahim Islam
Rahim Islam is a National Speaker and Writer, Convener of Philadelphia Community of Leaders, and President/CEO of Universal Companies, a community development and education management company headquartered in Philadelphia, PA. Follow Rahim Islam on FaceBook(Rahim Islam) & Twitter (@RahimIslamUC)
Some people say: “Rahim, you’re so harsh and cruel against our people”; “you never speak about the good that Black people do every day”; and, “things aren’t as bad as you write about.”
I have to be honest; sometimes these critiques can be very painful when they come from genuine sources, especially our woman. When doing a quick read, what I’m writing could be perceived as “dumping” on the Black community that is already flat on its back.
I can assure you, if you read my articles carefully, that’s not my position.
My writing is not aimed at “dumping” on Black people, but to call attention to what has been done to us and what we could be doing if only we would acknowledge that were on our own.
I’m trying to wake up the Black community to the alarming socio-economic disparities that we face as a people (our approach must be based on our reality).
The White community holds a considerable advantage and privilege in the economic race due to gains from the sweat and blood of our ancestors (where you start matters), and I’m trying to wake up the Black community to the simple fact that “no one will do for us what we must do for ourselves (self determination).”
Some of the criticisms of my articles I can outright dismiss because I make the distinction from those who are just haters versus those who really care about our people (I’m very attentive to them).
I also recognize that those most offended by what I say are, in many ways, the very obstacle to the self-determination of our people.
Who am I talking about? I’m talking about the Black elite, especially those that have dissociated themselves with the plight and struggles of our people. Many of these well-to-do Blacks now hold positions of perceived power in a system that has brutally punished hundreds of millions of Black people for nearly 500 years.
You have no power except what they “lend” you (not give you) and then take back when you become irrelevant or if you have the audacity to challenge their authority. Wake up Black man!
I, like most of you, want to achieve success. Nothing is wrong with seeking power and opportunity to improve your and your family’s lives; but many of us have drank the Koolaide and have adopted a so-called post-racial position lie (we’re all on an equal playing field).
Today’s society is telling you, and you believe, that your success is based on your own hard work and determination and you, therefore, view the majority of your brothers and sisters that haven’t made it as being lazy and deserving.
You say both publicly and privately: “I did it so why can’t you?”
You must come to realize that your success, in many ways, is a pacifier to make it look like everything is equal when it isnot. So don’t be fooled to believe that your work is done.
When you see the very opportunities that you had becoming more impossible for those Blacks coming behind you, you must take some of level of responsibility because you didn’t/ couldn’t do enough to ensure that our gains are permanent. I will address this issue more in later articles.
Of all the people who should be supporting this message, those that have gained the most are not. Why? The fact of the matter is that your success is directly tied to the brilliance, dedication, and sacrifice of our ancestors. This is so easy to prove so I won’t even spend any time trying.
Just reflect on the past 50-60 years when we exploded with so many firsts (i.e. first Black Mayor, first Black State Senator, first Black police officer, first Black bank president, etc.)
We now have the first Black president. Coming from where we started, we’ve done some impossible things.
But there is a difference between being “African American” and being “Black.” Being “Black” means you place the wants, needs, and desires of your people first. It guides you in everything that you do.
We have many African Americans that have prospered but very few of them are Black. Every African American has the potential to be Black but you must prove it.
How do you support Black people? What do you do on a daily basis? Did our ancestors struggle and die for you to get yours and not worry about those still trapped in the legacy of slavery?
Some of our elite Blacks don’t like my writings because I attack their lifestyles.
They say “Man, slavery is history; get over it, like I did.”
I call these people “modern day slaves.” Please note that I believe this term to be appropriate from both an historical and factual perspective.
If it weren’t for the blocking and tackling that was done for you by our ancestors, you would not have been able to accomplish the things that you have.
You might say that I’m anti-wealth and anti-America.
Nothing could be further from the truth.I’m anti the minimization and the falsification of the facts about our people.
I’m pro Black people and the liberation of each and every one of them.
I’m pro Black power and many of you could never subscribe to this because you are consciously unaware of the struggles of Black people.
To have Black power you must have Black consciousness.
I have to be more honest than I’ve ever been because this is real.
We are in a war that we are losing because those that have achieved the most have adopted this self-hating attitude.
Some say: I’m doing my part; I give to Black causes; I gave to the NAACP; I adopted a Black child, etc. You can never do enough until true freedom is won.
I ask you: Where is the movement for the advancement of Black people in Milwaukee; Where is the movement for the advancement of Black people in this country?”
There is no movement; therefore there will be no progress.
So, the real questions for us are: Why is there no movement for the reparation and equitable participation of Black people in the so-called American Dream, which is extremely apparent for White Americans.
Who has the capacity to help our people the most – those that have benefited the most; those that have borrowed power; those that sit in positions of authority?
You have the skills and resources to contribute to the makings of a movement that will take generations to achieve any real success.
If we don’t do it now, we damn future generations to a permanent underclass in America.
I write about what I see and what I see isn’t good. I write not to offend anyone but to tell the truth as I see it.
I write to acknowledge the unbelievable strength of our ancestors and I have accepted the responsibility to speak out for them because there are too many of us that have gone silent. I write to speak on behalf our great ancestors who paid with their lives to fight against the oppression that entrapped Black people into the most bizarre inhuman conditions in modern history – and yet we don’t even talk about them or their struggles as if we are proud of them.
I will say what problems are systemic (go back to slavery) and are the legacy of American institution of slavery and which are self inflicted (what we do to each other).
We should erect the largest monument in America to honor those (known and unknown) millions of Black men, women, and children who paid such a heavy price to endure, persevere, and ultimately prevail allowing us, at least, physical freedom in America.
Please join us on Thursday, October 23, 2014 (5:30 pm) at the Universal Academy for the College Bound (UACB Renaissance – Webster Campus) located at 6850 N. 53rd Street for a Town Hall Meeting to discuss the issues facing Black Milwaukee with the goal of adopting an Agenda and Action Plan.
For those that are given much; much is required. Now is the time to consider how we give more to our dying community. Wake up Black Man!
“There comes a time when silence is betrayal” Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Black Unity – Progress through Organization!!