BlackNationalism101Class#9 Popularizing Black Nationalism Part6

Black Nationalism 101 Textbooks: Ten Lessons: An Introduction to Black History and Not Dark White: The 411 on Black Nationalism Instructor: Mba Mbulu

Class #9 [AudioVersion]

Read the Not Dark White Essay that follows. Be able to expound on the following issues.

(1) What reasons are given to support the claim that Black Nationalism is the easiest course of action for Black People in the United States?

(2) What is the importance of energy in a political setting?

(3) Is overcoming "internal resistance" worthy of Black People's attention? Why?

(4) Explain (a) motion and (b) resistance to motion.

(5) What is the importance of focus on the Black Nationalist movement in the United States?

(6) What other reasons are given that suggest thar Black nationalism is the easiest course for Black People in the United States?

Final Exam: Review the questions from each class and think about them in more detail.

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"Popularizing Black Nationalism" Part 6

We are Black People, We are not dark skinned white people. We need a Nation of Our own.

Black Nationalism is not only the most logical and reasonable solution to the woes of Black People in the United States, it is also the easiest course of action to follow. The reason for this revolve around three factors: (1) motion (2) resistance to motion and (3) focus.

There is enough energy within the Black community to generate the energy We need to achieve an independent objective like Black Nationhood. However, if We follow an integrationist or revisionist path, a lot of Our energy will be diverted because We will have to use it to overcome internal resistance to Our motion. That internal resistance will be generated by "liberal" white persons who still hold conscious and subconscious prejudices against Black People, and "liberal" white persons who maintain conscious and subconscious allegiances to the existing system. In spite of their complaints, "liberal" white people see their system from a completely different set of eyes and logic than Black People do, and in spite of their rhetoric, "liberal" white people see Black People from a different set of feelings and intuitions than We see Ourselves. If Black People follow a Black nationalist path, We will not have to devote critical amounts of energy at critical times to overcoming the internal resistance to progress generated by the counter-productive prejudices and status quo attachments of white persons.

Along the same line, by choosing an independent mode of struggle, Black People will make a clean break from a system that is anti-Us. By breaking away from it, the system will become an external factor that will have to be overcome, but it will not be an internal factor that will have to be overcome. That, again, will eliminates a source of internal resistance (internal resistance is the most damaging type of resistance), and enable Us to make use of the energy We generate to produce progressive motion.

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We must understand: Everything that is created takes on two reasons for being; that of its creator and an independent one of its own that develops as the creation evolves. Everything that is created also takes on two survival systems or two self defense systems; that put in place by its creator and that which evolves independently as a consequence of forces generated by its "mix," its actual functional operations. Black People who try to change the status quo from within as revisionists or integrationists will have to overcome the internal resistance generated by both of these systems of defense. Doing that would put a serious strain on Our "power supply," and might make Us too weak to bring about the changes We deem necessary.

In order to not be stuck where We are for two or three more centuries, We have to separate Ourselves from as many sources of internal resistance as possible. This is the fundamental reason why Black nationalists should not try to convince a person, of whatever color, to become a Black nationalist if that person prefers to follow a non-Black path. No matter how gifted that person may seem to be, if he or she will represent a source of internal resistance, it is best to not have that person in Our midst.

Before moving on, a couple of questions and answers might be helpful. Q: Why can't Black People get a reasonable African-American centric educational element fused into the public school system in this country? Ans: Because of resistance established by the system vis a vis white individuals. Q: If Black People find a loophole in the legal system and develop a way to reduce the judicial injustices done to Black People, what will happen? Ans: The system, vis a vis white individuals, will change the laws or redefine whatever needs to be redefined in a manner that invalidates the loophole that Black People made use of. There are thousands of other such questions that can be answered within the same scope of internal resistance generated by white people and their system. And the bottom line is, the system can always generate internal resistance that is legal and declare the "within the system" efforts of Black People illegal.

We have dealt with motion and resistance to motion. Now let's deal with focus and close out this column.

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When Black People take on an independent objective, that of Black Nationalism, it is clear to all of Us what We are seeking and easier for Us to focus Our time and energy around that single objective. If someone asks, "What do you want?" a Black person can quickly respond, "A Black Nation!" Being able to focus on a clear, single objective is a tremendous advantage for people who want to bring about some serious changes, but establishing a single, clear objective will be unlikely if We integrate Our struggle with the struggle of white liberals. The whites who are dissatisfied with the status quo are imaginers, not doers. They have not clearly defined neither what they want nor how they propose to acquire it. Additionally, they are not organized (which, in and of itself, is evidence that they are not that serious about bringing about changes yet). Instead of being organized, they are a loose scattering of concerned and well meaning but effectively inept dissidents. Working with them would generate such a huge cloud of ideological confusion (lack of focus) that We would not be able to see or think clearly enough to maintain or sustain an effective course of action.

To be effective, We have to be able to focus on a single objective. Since the Black nationalist struggle is a mass struggle, a single, clear objective is a huge advantage. We should not surrender that advantage under any circumstances.

Beyond the three factors of motion, resistance to motion and focus, a Black nationalist struggle is easier for the following reasons as well:

#1 Black People can more quickly become aware of and develop confidence in Our abilities if We function as an independent unit. Because We have been affected by white propaganda over the centuries, some Black individuals doubt the ability of Black People to function effectively without input from non-Blacks. The fact of the matter is that We don't need input from outsiders, and everyone will realize that as We progress toward Our objective. Realizing that We are capable will benefit Us after We have acquired independence because We will be more confident that We can make Our Nation the best Nation that it can be.

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#2 It is easier to establish a new system than to repair an old system that stands for everything that is the opposite of the new system. The fact of the matter is that America's system is not broke--- it is doing exactly what it was designed to do and it is doing it very well. America's system is not out of whack because it is designed to oppress and repress everything that is bad for big business, things like human rights, for example. What is good for big business is built into the fabric of the American system. What We need is a system where doing what is good for people is built into its fabric, and the American system cannot be converted into that kind of system.

You can't patch up a wood house by replacing some bad boards with a few bricks. You would end up with totally ineffective shelter. And We need not forget: even a good patch is still a weak point. An integrated movement calls for the mixture of so many as yet incompatible elements that it would, of necessity, be replete with patches. That would not bode well for success.

Remember: We are Black People, We are not dark skinned white people. We need a Nation of Our own.

END OF COURSE

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