“…it should become clear why black people are or ought to be leery of meaningless coalitions—coalitions put together essentially for the purpose of maintaining a “united liberal image”; coalitions which do not and can not speak to the real needs of the black people.”

-Kwame Ture and Charles V. Hamilton, “Black Power: The Politics of Liberation in America.”, (1967)

“I think it’s time to watch the party die…”

Kendrick Lamar (2024)

Hey Kendrick, truer words have never been spoken when utilized in Black Americans’ fight for justice and liberation. 57 years is not forever ago. The discourse and reality for us is the same as it was for Kwame Ture and Charles V. Hamilton in 1967. Any images of liberation that are not connected to the real needs of black people should be questioned. They should be met with the same sentiments as the Viola Davis meme!

Brothers Ture and Hamilton wanted us to understand something essential. True liberation is only possible with guaranteed economic, social, and political power. Additionally, privilege and access must also be guaranteed. We should never accept a liberal agenda that awards and celebrates a few. Such an agenda pacifies and patronizes the many.

And the only way to make sure we gain the former and not the latter is to avoid motionless coalitions. These are more commonly known as committees, caucuses, conferences, conventions, and/or cohorts. The gatherings have good intentions. They aim to handle and engage with significant issues. Yet, they often get lost in the planning. Sometimes they are co-opted by some interest group engaged in pimplantropy.

From Unfruitful Coalitions to Courageous Collaborations

Pimplantropy involves groups and individuals who exploit organizations. They pursue the social mobility of a top-heavy executive branch that masquerades as philanthropy. Good happens, nonetheless, but a slow rate and leaves many in the end burnt, broken, and bereaved.

We must resist easy fixes and familiar alliances. Our goal is to create partnerships and collaborations. These should tackle the economic burden that weighs down black people, black families, black communities, black institutions, and black ecosystems!

And this means uncomfortable and uncommon affiliations and relationships. (Do I really need to explain this?)

Of course…

That means setting aside unfruitful and pointless beefs with each other. This is necessary for the unity and progress of the whole. Shout out to Kendrick Lamar!

See Kendrick had a problem…Shout out to Xevi. (IYKYK)

PG Version: Kendrick is affiliated and bangs with the Red Team. They often bang against with the Blue Team. Kendrick’s public beef with a common “opp” led to a concert that brought solidarity and unity between the two teams. He wanted to show the world that community is more important than what “set” you bang. (New York Times Version)

Black folk, we need to unite. We must stop banging on each other. We have to fight the common enemies of oppression and progressive access.

It’s time to put away the flags and pull out our receipts!

jUSTICE IS FINANCIAL

Receipts are the proof and guarantee of a deal. The receipt gives a person power and authority to retrieve something agreed upon by some measure of exchange. When we have receipts, we gain power through the terms of the deal. This ensures the distributing party provides what we have paid for to our satisfaction. With a receipt, if I am unsatisfied for any reason, I must get a refund within the deal’s terms. Alternatively, I can ask for an exchange of equal value.

Spelled plainly, liberation is a matter of economics!

If Blacks folk are going to get liberation, it won’t be due to partisan politicking!

We need to show America our receipts. We must take the power that is ours through blood, sweat, and tears. We face heartache and heartbreak with perseverance and persistence. The image of the Divine is welled deep in our being!

Until AFRICA IS FREE…

The struggle is not just for us. It’s about the liberation of all people. We all know that “until Africa is free, no African anywhere in the world will be free.” (Ture and Hamilton)

Our power is not just in receipts of promises and promissory but in current transactions of liberation.

Transactions with liberal and conservative allies who in doors of secret proclaim allyship, friendship, and common interest while denying public and institutional access to equitable resources.

Transactions with institutions who seek penitence for past due balances and bounced checks. Some have profited at the expense and experience of Blacks. Their customs and coffers have grown. Their land and legacies have expanded. Their reputations and returns have been built on such gains.

Transactions of skinfolk who used White access for personal gain at the expense of the kinfolk without giving back, bringing back, or having our backs.

It’s time to watch the party die.

Decline the invitation, put the black suit back in the closet, and pull out the black Forces.

Call up gang and ‘nem. Mobilize and make justice for our people. This is the only path toward true liberation! There is no political party, no liberal or conservative agenda, no amount of pandering and patronizing, no committees or cohorts.

We must use our shared resources effectively. Embrace the spirit of the 1955 Montgomery Bus Boycott.

We must invest and support black enterprise. Let us aim to embody the economic power and access of Black Wallstreet.

We must make strategic alliances and collaborations. Embodying the leadership of King and Malcolm.

Anything else is just politicking.