2 Reasons why we haven’t advanced socio-politically

By: Dr. Samori Swygert

Dr. Boyce Watkins wrote a great article for the website Financial Juneteenth. He discussed 5 reasons why he feels black men haven’t advanced over the last 40 years. I want to add an additional car onto his train of thought.

I’m postulating that 2 big reasons most socio-political movements within the black community fail are due to 1) an addiction to money and consumerism 2) the increasing focus on individualism versus community oriented efforts.

Why do I feel these 2 reasons are responsible for incomplete socio-political achievements in the black community? I’ve taken time to survey the numerous movements, marches, boycotts, vigils, prayer breakfasts, and protests. The duration of action, or the staying power of our efforts are typically ineffective because a substantial portion of us are not willing to sacrifice, endure discomfort, and be inconvenienced for a protracted period of time.

Addiction to money and consumerism

The addiction to consumerism and patronage debilitates any and all efforts when trying to accomplish goals. The Montgomery Busboycott was only successful because the African American demographic in that area refused to ride the buses for several months. This resulted in the crippling and dismantling of the transportation authority in Montgomery, Alabama. Our ancestors were committed to the cause in lock-step fashion. Were they inconvenienced? Did they have to make due through bad weather? The answer is yes to all of the above questions. However, their temporary sacrifice led to a permanent change in the bussing policy.

We must be completely committed and dedicated to boycotts and divestment of funds in institutions, facilities, and stores that either exploit, disrespect, or permit the subjugation of our people. This is exactly what the Anti-Defamation League does, the same thing the LGBT community does, and etc. Sure a store or brand may sell your favorite shoes, handbag, suit, sneakers, jewelry, cuisine, liquor, and etc. However, is that material item worth your human dignity?

Are we willing to financially empower the very people that seek to keep us subservient and noncompetitive? Can we tame our appetite of consumption? Fashion designers will spew an assortment of disrespectful intolerable comments about blacks, but some of us will still patronize their goods as if they weren’t talking about us, just to look fly.

We can’t give any credence to black entertainers, “purchased politicians”, or media-types. They have slick explanations why they won’t support boycotts and divestments. Many of them are defectors because they have endorsement deals or contractual obligations with these companies. Thus they will never offend the companies responsible because their money is at risk. Their loyalty is to the hegemony, not their heritage. Companies will create various incentives and bait to lure you away from your agenda. The moment we acquiesce and succumb to the allure, we demonstrate that our humanity is for sale.

This was illustrated with the California NAACP leader with Donald Sterling. He wasn’t able to forgo his addiction to cash. Also, we can have an excellent movement and all it takes is some dumb bought and paid rapper to go against the grain that co-opts the mind of impressionable youth that will side with him, but his only intention was to get paid by his corporate DON.

Individuality versus Community

This compromises and undermines any potential movement or progress as a group. Smart individuals understand that politics is a game of numbers. Show me your vote count from City Mayor to the President of the United States. I’ve seen us self-destruct and politically implode because of temporary short-sighted issues. We focus on the small issue which divides and derails us from achieving the main goal. When we lack solidarity and cohesiveness, we weaken the urgency and seriousness of our message.

Parents may disagree but they must show a unified front on house rules to the children. The parents then mitigate and resolve the other issues in isolated private time.

The LGBT and Latino community are highly successful to their goals because they’re unified, uncompromising, and relentless to their commitment to task. A dedicated and unified front forces their issues and agenda to the forefront of a nation’s itinerary.

This focus on self will weaken our collective voice politically, and economically. The focus on self dissolves our community and makes us susceptible to predatory and oppressive entities that seek to dominate us. Many socio-politico factions champion our regression to the “good ole days”, which weren’t good for us at all.

In closing, I feel we need to identify the major things we can agree on that will propel us forward by economic first, and secondly by politics. We are in a very fragile state of existence. Gentrification is happening all over the country, civil rights achievements are being reversed regularly, the prison industrial complex is booming, black unemployment is still at a critical level, college costs are rising, and global competition is at critical mass. We must put aside our ego, help our brethren, be receptive to help, appreciate help, be ready to sacrifice pleasure for an extended period of time, and MOVE!