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Playing
devil's advocate, H. Lewis Smith, Founder/CEO of the
United Voices for a Common Cause, Inc., openly questions
the importance of the funerals, and rhetorically posed
that there are more pressing issues deserving of the
group's time and attention. Lewis' point: In order for
African Americans to rise above their current state
of complacency and reach their promise, all community
members, regardless of status and background, must consider
the task at hand -- burying the n-word -- a serious
issue, one of highest priority, and commit to exonerating
the demeaning expression from all vocabulary banks.
One may ask how removing the n-word from African Americans'
vocabulary is the single most important issue plaguing
the community today when other highly urgent and seemingly
more prevalent matters exist and manifest within every
pulse of the community. Such matters include: high incarceration
and poverty rates; increasing healthcare concerns; rampant
drug addictions; predatory lending; strong resistance
to restoring voting rights to felons; epidemic homelessness;
and continued poor school performances and conduct among
African-American students. The answer is simple: Treat
the cause, not the symptoms. These issues are merely
results of the mentality rooted in African Americans'
subconscious—the n-word is a cancer-packed, direct link
to African-American issues. Until African Americans
improve their mind state—ridding it of the cancerous
lifestyles and mentality perpetuating these negative
effects, the community will not be able to progress
as a whole.
Far too many African Americans take this matter all
too lightly. African Americans must stop smirking at
and acting nonchalant toward this situation, and consider
the seriousness of the call to action.
Can performing mock funerals prove effective in inciting
abolishment of the n-word from African Americans' vocabulary?
Unequivocally, yes, if African Americans believe these
sorts of exercises can help achieve the goal. One's
mindset is the key. If an individual believes in a certain
ideal, and trusts in his/her heart that the idea is
valid and effective, it will prove true.
Cognitive willpower takes form in the "Can Do" mentality:
Positive thoughts yield positive outcomes. On the contrary,
complacency is molded in the "Can't" mentality: Negative
thoughts lead to negative outcomes. People generally
harnessing negative thoughts do not realize the extent
and capacity to which they draw unfortunate situations
to themselves. For these individuals, when situations
do not work out to their liking or expectation, they
turn the responsibility outward and blame everyone else
for their ills and woes, when in reality, no one is
to blame for their particular situation except them.
For decades, the African-American's consciousness has
been submerged in a toiling, never-ending sea of self-deprivation,
and ultimately, self-destruction, at their discretion.
The minds of its youths were (and still are) exposed
to the poison and venomous lyrics of rap music and the
Steppin Fetchit antics of black comedians. Their sole
ambitions were to sell their souls and the souls of
their community for fame and fortune. No one cried out
in protest against these "innovations" in entertainment.
Rather, they either turned their heads and chose to
remain ignorant or separated from the exploitations,
or they bobbed their heads rhythmically to the degrading
tunes and snickered boisterously at satire-filled stand-ups.
The racist definition of a word infused in ignorance
and degradation—the n-word—was being used without impunity,
in an affectionate and endearing manner. Nothing was
said. Self-respect, pride, dignity and honor—intrinsic
assets ancestors and civil rights leaders fought so
hard to secure—were being trampled on and tossed out
the window. As long as African-Americans were disrespecting
and holding one another down with the derogatory "friendly
reminder," not a word was murmured.
Now, with an effort in place to discard the diabolical
n-word, and restore these invaluable, positive mindset
ingredients, people are springing up from various places
to protest the seriousness of the n-word and its adverse
effects on the mindset. Side-line naysayers who convey
skeptical and cynical attitudes toward the anti-n-word
movement are simply demonstrating their "Can't" mindset.
To affect change, one must first arouse the people's
consciousness. Mock funerals are stirring up thoughts
among people of all backgrounds and creating dialogue
about mind power, the negativity the n-word manifests,
and the importance of getting on board with the movement
to put this idiom to rest.
Although skeptics still exist, a large majority of African
Americans, and people in general, are responding positively
to the movement. Mock funerals are and will continue
to wake people up to the fact that the non-use of this
word is detrimental to a whole race's welfare.
In the 21st century, similar to a sleeping giant, people
are slowly but surely waking up to the importance of
the movement. As they realize the imperativeness and
urgency in achieving the outlined goal, they reach over
and try to wake others still sleeping on this mission.
Analogous to blasting a radio in a sleeping person's
ear, the mock funerals serve as a shock factor to immediately
and effectively open people's eyes to the situation.
"Woke"
individuals appreciate the mock funerals and understand
the significance of the mission; however, those still
sleep walking (in a delirious and confused state) find
this entire movement a waste of time, a ridiculous initiative
to pursue, and are boiling at the notion of slaying
their lil' ole precious n-word.
Every journey begins with a single step. Mock funerals
are the fundamental first step of a possibly long and
tedious journey. As with any worthwhile mission, though,
perils and obstacles are inevitable. African Americans
and supporters of the anti-n-word movement will achieve
the desired outcome by remaining committed to the mission
and continuing to relentlessly plow forward to the goal.
Looking back on the journey, the obstacles, which will
make the achievement all the more endearing and glorifying,
will be minute compared to the result. The West would
have never been settled had pioneers valued the naysayers'
skeptical attitudes and "Can't" mentalities.
The anti-n-word movement is long overdue, but there
is no better time than now to link arms and march for
healthy mind power and intellectual freedom. No matter
one's thoughts or feelings regarding the NAACP, Jesse
Jackson, or Al Sharpton, they have all elected to do
the right thing by jumping aboard an already-moving
train engineered by a grass-root movement.
Petty differences must be set aside. For once, the African-American
community must band up in efforts to heighten African-American
values and standards, take charge of their own destiny,
and stop serving as a doormat for the rest of the world.
The initial step is for African Americans to eradicate
the habit of defining themselves—a beautiful, intelligent,
self-actualizing people—with a racist definition that
stands for everything contrary to the African-American
ethnic group. Underestimating the necessity of eliminating
the n-word from all people's vocabulary is sheer folly,
and would be a mistake with catastrophic ramifications
for all.
About H. Lewis Smith
H. Lewis Smith, along with being the Founder/CEO of
the United Voices for a Common Cause, Inc., is also
the author of Bury that Sucka!: A Scandalous Love Affair
With the N-word. He has been a guest on numerous radio
shows, some of which include Dennis Snipes' 'FOCUS';
XM 169 The Power hosted by James Madison; and Da Breakfast
Club hosted by Tessa and Baby J.
CONTACT:
Sherriel Weithers
(310) 712-2662
admin@theunitedvoices.com
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