There has always been a divide of ideology in Black America. W.E.B. Dubois felt the need to highlight the plight of blacks and agitate the confines of racial injustice, while Booker T. Washington preferred that blacks concentrate on making a way for ourselves and refrain from bucking the status quo. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. preached peace and togetherness, while Malcolm X touted the need for self-preservation. Spike Lee's body of work depicted self-pride and honed in on police brutality. Tyler Perry has seen unprecedented success by conquering box-offices and creating a multi-million dollar business as Madea.
Needless to say, we won't always agree on how we should move forward, but it cannot be ignored or taken for granted that we do face issues today as a people. Funny enough, I've heard that we are not a monolithic group. Yet when it comes to poor health care, unemployment and high school drop-out reports we all seem to fall inline together. You can take the time to laugh, I'll wait....
The question of should there even be a Black Agenda has floated around as of late. My colleagues and I have exchanged passionate, constructive debate over the matter and my conclusion still stands. Given the history of black folks in America I can't recall a time when there wasn't a need for an agenda, even today. It is often ignored in media but the systematic racism and inequality is still too comfy in our society.
Please let me say that The Black Agenda is not based on the premise of exclusion but the need for empowerment. It is a plan and timetable set forth to recognize and improve critical areas within the black community. So, now that I have shared mine. What is Your Black Agenda?
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