Being responsible means taking the blame or credit for results in situations where one is in charge. Black Americans who embrace African traditions are responsible for whatever promotes the best for their children, their family, the community, and all human welfare.
"Doing right" in a spiritual sense and "doing the appropriate" in a "manhood" and community fellowship sense are about creating, enhancing, and maintaining harmony and unity.
Ancient Africans, according to my interpretations, defined "right" (i.e. morally good) as decency, dignity, respect, contentment, prosperity, and enjoyment; "appropriate," as having fitting relationships with and behaviors toward others during hard and good times.
"Right" and "appropriate" were the essence of all African religions. Ancient African behaviors and lifestyles, in all major aspects, were traditionally group-determined, rather than a matter of individual choice.
Hence, villagers determined much of an individual's self-identity. There was no separation of an individual's responsibilities from that of the community because everything done for the good of the individual was done for the good of all.
Traditional ancient Africans also had a responsibility to avoid evil (the morally bad). Evil, they said, is what brings misery, misfortune, disgrace, or fragments the family. Immoral conduct was held to be hateful to God.
Everything Europeans did to Africans in taking their land, possessions, history, and freedom was hateful and evil. Even more terrible was the ripple effects of self-destruction and self-defeating habits on the slaves' descendants, as seen in many of today's struggling Black Americans.
At the core of this evilness has been hatefully defining Black Americans through the approaches, methods, techniques, and manners that continue to brainwash vulnerable Blacks into believing false labels about themselves.
An example of such brainwashing is an unwillingness of certain Black people to take personal responsibility for their own future. Not being in control of one's life causes such mental turmoil that "escape crutches" (e.g. drugs, alcohol, sex) are used to relieve the tension of or to shed responsibility altogether.
Part of "manhood" is being like African griot storytellers who helped those in need to learn the proper coping mechanisms for adversity -- things like self-control, maintaining a sound family life, and the practices African ancestors used in resisting oppressive powers. Furthermore, it is all Black Americans' responsibility to not be a victim of racism but rather to thrive in spiritual, mental, physical, social, and economic realms.
One place to start is for all Black parents to take responsibility for educating their children. However, the "big picture" of the situation must be understood. Andrew (my grandson) told me about his instructional group experience with "tracking" in high school English classes.
First was the "standard English" group, consisting mainly of Black students, where only grammar was taught.
Second, mainly White students were placed in the "college prep English" group. It was characterized by a faster learning pace -- with more intensive writing, more reading, and more attention to summarizing essential points.
Third, in the "honors English" group, basically filled with White students, the work load (e.g. reading assignments) was even heavier, including the necessity for keeping a portfolio (a portable case for photographs, drawings, and materials).
Fourth, "behavior problem" students, primarily Black youth, were herded together, assigned the least amount of work, and awarded full academic credits. No one seemed to care that most Black youth were more focused on their hunger for food than a hunger for knowledge.
If they finish high school at all (and 50% do not), they are ill-prepared for the marketplace. In short, Black parents' school responsibilities include going o visit the classroom, talking to teachers, and performing home teaching to ensure their children are getting the education they need and deserve.
Joseph A. Bailey, II, M.D
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