Black Americans need New Pair of Crutches

Searching for who I am and why God put me on earth, I have no faith in man teaching why I should be proud to be me. When God feels I need encouragement, He pats me on the back. When man feels the need to encourage me he pats me on the head.

I am a Black man proud to be named after a White man, sir-named Allen. Lawrence Allen, a close friend of my parents at a time of great tension between races in the 1950s speaks for itself.

Due to a birth defect, I have never been able to walk, which strangely gives me a unique perspective on the issue of race relations.

In the fifty plus years that I have walked on crutches, there are times when I need to replace a worn out pair. Unless Blacks in America realize they too need a new pair of crutches, Blacks will not advance in America. I view the worn out pair of crutches for the Black race in America as being the term African American and Black History Month.

Currently, the Black communities of America are on the U.S. Federal Register, list of Endangered & Threatened Species. But how did we get there?

Imagine if you will, at a time when Blacks were at the peak of Black power in the 1970s a paradigm shift of approach between Whites and Blacks.

The conversation might have sounded like this:
Whites: You want to be called African American? Okay but we will not be giving you any power.
Blacks: Okay!

Whites: You want the month of February to be dedicated to the accomplishments of Black people? Okay but we will not be giving you any power.
Blacks: Okay!

Whites: You want a Black president? Okay but once we do, we will not be giving you any power.
Blacks: Okay!

I have never referred to another Black person as "African American." I simply view the term as, separating me from others of African decent. Never mind the fact that I have never been to Africa; nor do I plan to visit. Anyone attempting to educate me should know, I am firm. If I want to be reminded that I come from Africa, I will look in the mirror. If I need to be reminded that where I was born, Denver Colorado, is still a part of U.S. territory, I will Google it.

I am an American, which quite frankly comes with a bit of shame. Nevertheless, it was the 1972 or 1976 Olympics, I remember rooting for a White American, over his African opponent. To this day that has not and will never change.

However, I do have a great love for the entire continent of Africa. That love, which includes my desire to see and assist it advance in the area of human rights is based on heritage.

I view Black History Month; among other things as tantamount to the "Special Olympics." Let's face it, the Special Olympics were created for individuals with mental or physical disabilities, not capable of competing on the same level as "Normal" Olympians. Therefore, you will never see me celebrate the ritual of Black History Month even though I do view Blacks as needing crutches.

Despite the obvious challenges of being Black in America, I welcome the challenge to compete. If White people, due to fear, need a head start to compete with me, then so be it.

I am willing to bet my crutches that no Black person in Africa or America was among the "Ashamed" who sent hate mail and death threats to Tommie Smith, John Carlos or even Peter Norman. The gesture of standing on a podium during a ceremony proclaiming "Black Power" with clinch fists and black glove resulted in the two Black Olympians being kicked out of the 1968 Olympics.

Let's admit it, referring to Blacks as African American has not transferred a bit of genuine respect to Blacks in America. Furthermore, since declared in 1976, Black History Month has not resulted in the advancement of colored people. Nor has having a Black president helped any Black man other than the one currently residing in a big White house.

Do not get me wrong, I am annoyed when Black people tell me that, "This Black president has done nothing for the Black man." I disagree! President Barack Obama is currently the most powerful man on earth. Showing Blacks we, can be powerful too, is all the help I need in asserting my power. The legendary singer James Brown said it best, "I don't want nobody giving me nothing, just open up the door, I'll get it myself."

Black people need to get rid of its old pair of worn out crutches. Being referred to as "African American is a term that unintentionally separated Blacks from others of African heritage. Moreover, one would be hard pressed to prove Blacks have benefited from this term.

The other crutch that needs to be replaced is, the one that has Blacks in America relying on the feel good stories of "Black History Month." Looking at the state of Blacks 46 years after congress declared the month of February as such, one only need look at the current expressions of today's troubled Black youth. They know more about Blacks in history than most but in dress and talk it seems as though many of these same young people cut class.

A new pair of crutches, one made of, Black Power will carry the Black race to the mountain top, by insisting on being referred to as Black. Despite what anyone tells you, it worked well in the long run for both, Tommie Smith and John Carlos, who went on to teach young people real Black power.

The other crutch is made of Black Future Month; which is actually eleven months long. This paradigm shift on how we view and carry ourselves is all the power we need to climb to the mountain top, like any other normal walking person.