In America there is an unspoken directive for any immigrant, even of the African Diaspora, that if or when you come here assimilate as best as you can and as quickly as you can in order to have anything remotely close to the American dream. America will allow one to achieve more than they could ever in their native land, if you assimilate and surround yourself with whiteness almost completely denying your culture or at minimum externally hiding it. I just have one question. With the state of the country today, was it worth it?
To the Asian Community, Indian Community, Hispanic and Latin Community, Middle-Eastern Community, African Community — any community that resembles an ounce of color (i.e. cannot pass as white)…was it truly worth it? I’ve always believed that if people of color would ban together whiteness as we know it couldn’t stand a chance. Unfortunately, many of you within Non-Black American or Native American communities chose to come to this land, take advantage of liberties you did not fight for and actively join oppressing the same people (Black Americans) who are the sole reason you could even exist here with all your liberties. You chose to step on the backs and necks of black people and gain your wealth and power by exploiting our communities. Establishing your businesses, selling products and foods that literally are pumping toxins and poison into our community as if you too believe you are above us. Almost never impactfully contributing to the communities that have afforded you the opportunities to send your children to PWI’s and move into newly gentrified areas of counties and cities because you dare not live in the community you enterprise in. To those whose natural hair is straight, you decided to silently weaponize that trait to differentiate yourselves from black people and people with clear African lineage, i.e. natural curly or kinky haired individuals. You’ve created extreme separation to prove to white people that you have something in common with them, by following their trends, adapting their dialect to your English — adapting all their ways to indirectly scream “accept me”.
I want to awaken you, not offend you. I want you to ask yourself what do you truly stand for. Is your soul worth it? Is the sacrifice of your culture worth it? Is it still worth it? We are truly at a crossroads in this country and the decisions we make now will determine a great deal of our future. Does assimilation sound like you are on the right side of history, with the programs, such as 8(a), SBA initiatives that help you, are all under attack. When many of you are losing your jobs and they’re being given to less qualified Americans? If you have any sense, you will answer that rhetorical question — “No”. Black Americans have always known what would happen when a small minded individual received this type of power. We knew collectively when we voted for Hilary and Kamala. Here are the facts. Until America does right by Black Americans, none of you will ever have the freedom you perceived you had when you arrived here for citizenship. Many of you are triggered by what is happening because you experienced something similar in your native lands. Now is the time to get on the right side of history. Regardless of your past choices, choose better now.
How? I’m glad you asked. If you have a business in black communities, hire black people. If you offer services to the black community, stop exploiting lack of knowledge by over charging and instead have integrity and help educate. If you don’t live in the community that financially supports you, contribute to organizations that invest in that community or better yet create community initiatives that revitalize that community. Judge less and invest your time and resources to the community. Please stop using fear or lack of safety as the excuse not to. If you felt that unsafe your business wouldn’t be there either. It’s a lazy reason that further means, “I believe what they say about you (black americans).
Black Americans are not perfect but we are and have been constantly targeted and exploited, directly and indirectly by our direct oppressors and over the past several decades your communities. We are healing. Constantly healing. So the next time you see a loud, abrasive individual in the ‘hood’ that pays you, understand that it is a learned and defensive behavior that is an indirect result of systemic oppression and generational emotional build up ultimately screaming, “LET ME BE!” I’m not asking you to tolerate abuse or violence of any kind, but before you judge…empathize.
It’s time all of you get on the right side of history. Collectively, you have moved selfishly thus far and everything you’ve built for your families and for the generations to come is in jeopardy. Reckon with the part you’ve played to cause this as an American citizen. If you’re not first generation but can admit your family has participated in the assimilation game to afford you the opportunities you have — you are not exempt and too can choose differently than they did. Unfortunately, assimilation will not only continue to cost you your dignity, culture, integrity and identity — it will also cost you everything you thought it was the key to — your livelihood and access to wealth and liberty. Have the wherewithal to face the mirror and ask yourself, — Is it truly worth it? And then, make the right choice.
