Moving Target ©

Obey the principles without being bound by them - Bruce Lee

I am absolutely a staunch advocate of an American being able to exercise their First Amendment right of the Freedom of Speech (Covered in greater detail later in this entry). I respect and vehemently agree with what Colin Kaepernick is doing. His protests in my opinion have done more to bring attention to the problem of Racism in America (because it’s not just about the murder/ summary execution of unarmed people of color – seemingly in larger proportions amongst African American men/ women), than any other “movement” or Civil Rights Organization has since the sixties. 

Now before you close your browser, hear me out for a second. I am the son of a US Army veteran that served his country in both the Korean and Vietnam conflicts. If he were alive today he would be standing by Colin’s decision to protest as well. The very nature of Military Service is to defend that right - that so many Americans take for granted - from dangers Foreign ……and Domestic. So many brave and selfless individuals have put their lives on the line (some even making the ultimate sacrifice) so that Colin can kneel in protest and also so that others can malign or vilify him for it.

The unfortunate thing about the level of hypocrisy on full display in America these days is that it’s really not a new phenomenon. The only difference now is that Bigots and Racists are now choosing to not hide behind their sheets and positions of authority. However, due to the emergence, popularity and transparency of Social Media; voices are finally being given to the voiceless. Now, of course there are Pros and Cons to anything in this universe. I wish we lived in a country where individuals understood how to express their dissatisfaction with something without being antagonistic, distasteful, marginalistic or vitriolic. Sadly…. That is just not the type of country (or world for that matter) that we live in.

Optics are more important than truth or justice in this country. There is a dangerous mindset of entitlement, duplicity and/or naivety held by those in positions of authority and influence in today’s America. Now don’t color me unpatriotic. I have a great respect for what America is supposed to be as laid out in the Constitution of the United States of America – Particularly in the first ten 10 Amendments commonly known as the Bill of Rights. 

To save you some time I’ll list them here for you (‘Cause I’m just nice like that):

• Amendment 1 (Five Freedoms)
• Amendment 2 Right to Bear Arms
• Amendment 3 Quartering Soldiers
• Amendment 4 Unreasonable Searches and Seizures
• Amendment 5 Protection for a Person Accused of a Crime
• Amendment 6 Rights of a Person Accused of a Crime
• Amendment 7 Civil Law
• Amendment 8 Bails, Fines; Cruel or Unusual Punishment
• Amendment 9 Rights not listed
• Amendment 10 Powers of the States and People

You’re welcome….

Now let me preface what I’m about to write with the following statement:

I never studied Constitutional Law in a scholastic or collegiate setting (Although, I have read and studied the US Constitution in its entirety). I am not here to debate the merits of the US Constitution in relation to the law itself. I am merely expressing a layman’s interpretation of how those who claim to be “Patriots” are violating the very principles that the Founding Fathers of this nation of ours intended.

As Author and History Teacher Floyd G. Cullop so eloquently put it:

The answer is simple enough…. because this Constitution is the most important thing in the lives of every person living in the United States. Your way of life is built around it, your government is based upon it, and your rights and privileges as a United States Citizen are protected by it.

To be ignorant of the Constitution is to be ignorant of all the things your country is….and of the truths its people have believed to be above all others in the relationship between human beings and government.

Now….

I just want to review a couple things about the preceding statement by Mr. Cullop.

While I agree with the statement in principle, anyone that has watched the news oh let’s see in the last 15 minutes and or at least anytime within the last 15 months know that there is a pretty sizable segment of the US Population that don’t share his sentiments.

Nevertheless, it doesn’t make his statement any less true. 

The prevailing theme being spouted by self- proclaimed patriots, the far right, Alt-Right, or the American Identitarian movement is they want to “Make America Great Again”. I find this to be a pretty interesting ideology. Now I’m not from the school of thought that America has never been great. It has. However, I am from the school of thought and of the mindset that you give credit where credit is due. 

Whatever do you mean, JT?

Why I’m so glad you asked.

Let’s examine the aforementioned statement for a second shall we.

“Make America Great Again”.

Your opinion about the statement depends on your experience or the experience of your ancestors in relation to this great country of ours.

For example, if your ancestors came over on the Nina, the Pinta, the Santa Maria or the Mayflower…. You may have a slightly different opinion of said statement as opposed to those individuals whose ancestors came over in the cargo area of a slave ship or were displaced by immigrants from Europe that decided hundreds of years ago to make this continent their home.
Those individual’s ancestors who were around for one history’s greatest land grabs (The Louisiana Purchase  - 1803 - was a land deal between the United States and France, in which the U.S. acquired approximately 827,000 square miles of land west of the Mississippi River for $15 million) or for one of  - there were numerous - the most hideous examples of the total displacement of an entire nation of people (In 1838 and 1839, as part of Andrew Jackson's Indian removal policy, the Cherokee nation was forced to give up its lands east of the Mississippi River and to migrate to an area in present-day Oklahoma. The Cherokee people called this journey the "Trail of Tears," because of its devastating effects) in the history of this nation may certainly have a different perspective on the aforementioned statement than those who share DNA with ancestors that were on the other end of those transactions. Oh…there are other examples, but there is honestly no sense in belaboring the point. You get it. Even Stevie Wonder could (Just don’t ask him to drive…. Oh…wait a minute…We did. On November 8th 2016) If you don’t, then that’s by choice…and that too is your right guaranteed by the United States Constitution. No matter how counterproductive and senseless that school of thought or mindset may be.

This country was discovered, colonized, built, expanded and enhanced by immigrants of different colors, cultures, religions, demographics and ancestry. Keyword: Immigrants. So when I hear certain segments of the US Population tell another group to go back to (insert country here) that sort of perplexes me. I mean if we’re going to be 100% honest about who’s really supposed to be here – I mean because “immigration is a such a horrible and toxic thing for this country”, hell the only folks that would be here would basically be people of color. Have you seen a Native or Latino American Lately? Not to mention that they weren’t the only people of color here prior to the arrival of European Colonists. I’m just saying …. And while we’re keepin’ it 100… I don’t recall a certain segment of the nation’s ancestors asking for a lift to this continent. Like Europeans visited Africa in the 18th century and were like, “Yo, we’re running this special on a cruise to America. You down?” That Transatlantic Slave Trade Vacation package wasn’t from what I hear all that appealing, but let some folks tell it though it was all the rage……

But I digress.

My bad……

Moving Target.

Right.

Amendment 1 of the United States Constitution (Five Freedoms)

“Congress cannot pass any law making any religion the religion of the United States, or take away the freedom to worship as one pleases. Congress cannot take away or restrict freedom of speech or freedom of the press. Citizens may protect themselves against damaging insults spoken or written about them by civil lawsuits, and no one may advocate (call for) the overthrow of the government by way. Congress may not take away the right of peaceful assembly (gathering of people). Riots or mobs may be broken up, since they are not peaceful. The right of petitioning the government for any redress (correction) wanted made by it, or any grievance (Complaint) made against it, may not be suspended.”

Simple enough right.

Now as you read that I’m sure a great many of you were like…. Wait a minute… there seems to an awful lot of that stuff being done today. I would have to say that I’m inclined to agree with you. I mean for example; I recall a certain US Congressman from Texas declaring war on the sitting President of the United States of America in light of citizens exercising their guaranteed 1st Amendment right in his state. 

Now again, I’m no Constitutional Lawyer or anything…. but I would say that’s a violation of a few different Amendments of the US Constitution. Pretty ballsy though right? I mean the dude gets points for brashness and audacity. The unfortunate thing about this kind of gross display of disregard for the tenants that truly make this country great is that it is all too common from a certain sector of the US Population who seem to be unsympathetic to the plight of those who suffer at the hands of their lack of accountability for their actions. A luxury that while affordable and amenable for some is a price that is unreasonably expensive for others.

Privilege and duplicity

Privilege by definition is a special right, advantage, or immunity granted or available only to a particular person or group of people. Do I really need to elaborate any further on this definition and how it relates to our current climate of racial divisiveness in America?

Eh, probably.

So here goes…..

A domestic terrorist bombs two cities and is apprehended to stand trial. A man draws down on police in a park in San Francisco is shot in the leg and apprehended to stand trial. A college student sexually assaults an unconscious woman and spends a total of three months in jail (while consequently a person of color gets the maximum penalty for the same offense). Meanwhile, a man simply in need of a battery boost, a man reading a book while waiting on his child, a caretaker for an Autistic man, a man that drops his wallet, a man selling cigarettes on street corner, a woman pulled over for an illegal lane change, a man with a concealed carry permit, a teenager with a BB gun (My bad two teenagers with BB guns), a teenager walking home from the store, a man playing his music too loud, a teenager attending a house party, a man shopping at Walmart…….sigh…… all unarmed and all either severely wounded or summarily executed by Law Enforcement officials, racists and a couple of rent-a-cops. 

Yet the punishment for all these instances of excessive force for the latter individuals (if any) never quite seems to fit the offense. 

Let’s just call it what it is. 

Living While Black (LWB) is more than a notion and at times can be hazardous to your health. I’ll leave it to your imagination to decide which of the aforementioned experiences relates to the LWB designation.

Oh we’re just getting started……

President Obama is ridiculed for his intelligence but the 45th President of the United States (He who shall not be named) is praised for his ignorance (Which is of staggering and unimaginable – at least for me anyway - proportions).

The same orange complected dude can literally alienate and verbally assault people during his bid for the Presidency, but a football player is called a terrorist (among other things) for taking a knee.

The KKK (aka the Laundry Mob) can lynch, assault, bomb, harass and outright disrespect the tenets of a document and a country that they swear allegiance to; while a Civil Rights organization attempting to obtain justice for the oppressed is labeled a terrorist organization (Pick one .... it’s a pretty lengthy list).

For those keeping score at home, those are clear examples of the conditions US Citizens exist under today and have existed under for a few generations now. Conditions not shared by the population as a whole. Unfortunately, a segment of the population is unfairly and unjustly considered exempt to these conditions by default based on their lineage and the color of their skin. 

I have one word for how this sort of mindset and duplicity can exist squarely next to sound logic:

Ignorance.

However, we are entering a season of enlightenment and increased consciousness. All is not lost. There has been a shift in people's consciousness. It's evident in people's responses to injustice now. I just pray that this movement doesn't fall victim to our traditionally short attention spans.

You want to become an effective Change Agent? Learn how to properly articulate YOUR experience. My parents and family members taught me that in both word and deed.

I’ve heard their stories and accounts of the past…..

Living in homes equivalent to Shanties, picking cotton until their hands bled (Both sets of my Grandparents were sharecroppers), walking miles to school only to be ridiculed along the way and to arrive to substandard facilities and supplies. Yet in spite of all that they persevered. My dad joined the army at 16 and courageously served his country in light of fervent discrimination in both the Korean and Vietnamese Conflicts, doing crowd control as Governor George Wallace stood on the stairs of Foster Auditorium at the University of Alabama as well as traveling the world (He was afforded the privilege of representing his country in 13 countries and while visiting 32 states during his years of service) only to return home to a country that sought to oppress him and everyone that looked like him. 

Nonetheless, their experiences taught them discipline which they thankfully instilled in me. It is perfectly ok to get angry and feel passionately about a cause, purpose or state of consciousness. The key is to make sure that you channel those emotions into something functional and productive. Anger and rage for the sake of anger and rage accomplishes nothing if it is not channeled or directed towards righting a wrong or eradicating injustice. I know MY history and stay in continuous study of the history of my people. I make it a point to seek it out and understand it simply because as the old adage says….Those who don’t know their history are destined to repeat it. I unapologetically love my people. I want so much for us. Unfortunately, I see every day how generations of oppression has taken its toll on the psyche of our people (If you haven’t guessed by now I’m African American).   In my humble opinion, that's where a lot of the individuals from my previous generation failed us. They became content. They thought their job was done. They somehow believed that we as a people had finally overcome....and unfortunately today we are reaping the harvest of their seeds of "contentment" and "complacency". 

My two cents

Understand that until there is a change in consciousness in the minds of the some of the citizens of this great nation of ours, there will never be a change in the state of things in this country. Also understand that there are some that are benefiting from the chaos and that they will do whatever is necessary to make sure that chaos and strife remains the status quo.

Honor the past and the sacrifices of those that came before, but realize that there comes a time when new solutions have to be explored for unresolved issues. Einstein’s definition of insanity and Ecclesiastes Chapter 3 speak to being insightful and adaptable. In order to effect change, you have to be willing embrace the prospect of opposition. Sometimes the only way to obtain the change you seek is to exit your comfort zone and be willing push forward when everything around you is attempting to keep you locked in the box they created for you. Now let’s be clear….. I am definitely all for civil disobedience for the sake of the greater good. Nonetheless, the Civil Rights Movement needs a reboot. A systems upgrade with a touch of Process Development. What worked in 1965 is probably not going to be all that effective in 2016. There has to be a plan for your protest in order for it to truly serve a purpose:

No more Marches without a plan. The Montgomery Bus Boycott worked because there were true leaders involved in and committed to ensuring that everyone that participated in the boycott stayed focused on the objective and that the goal was reached. 

No more Economic Boycotts without a clearly defined and reasonable timeline. Alliances, Money and Resources = true power in this country. Don’t be deceived, he/she who has any or all of the three aforementioned things makes the rules.

No more casting pearl before swine (Putting your hard earned dollar in the hands of people who despise you or seek your demise).

No more spreading info among your own without fact checking. There’s this thing called counter-intelligence and it is designed to confuse and distract. First homework assignment: Counter Intel. Look it up.

No more reactionary outbursts about things we aren’t willing to commit to ending not just in lip service but in action. 

No more destroying or slandering businesses in your own community. The only ones that suffer from a loss of community resources are the ones that live in that community. Channel your rage and frustration into something productive. 

Stop being predictable and easily distracted. Those who seek to keep you uninformed and impoverished are depending on your short attention span.

If you just have to have a slogan or #movement, pick one slogan and stick with it until justice is served. Then move on to the next one. What good is it to have multiple movements if you never accomplish the objective? Focused efforts yield effective and actionable results. Nevertheless, this also requires discipline and vigilance. It’s easier to hit a stationary target.

Stay unified. Those who seek to keep you uniformed and impoverished are depending on the infighting. It might sound cliche but it’s no less true: United we stand, divided we will surely fall. Take a page from other cultures (Standing Rock, the increased Latino Voter Turnout for the 2016 Presidential Election, the solidarity shown by our Muslim Brothers and sisters for those in need regardless of race, creed or religious affiliation). Sure they may dislike one another, but they will come to a challenge what they deem to be an indignity or injustice. 

It’s high time that we as a people learn how to agree without becoming disagreeable. It’s a fine line between a spirited debate and flat out argument. The difference between the two beginning with a willingness to listen and ending with the ability to properly articulate your position without resorting to disrespectful behavior or belittling someone. People now feel like winning the battle is more important than winning the war. Meaning they will go all out to “slay” this moment in time by any means necessary, not even considering the far reaching effects of their actions. A word spoken or action taken today can impact an individual’s or group’s life for generations. Is being “right” (Which is most of the time relative and a matter of opinion) truly worth altering destinies and destroying livelihoods? As I witness the aftermath of the 2016 Presidential Election, it appears so. We all have been witnessing the divisiveness and have heard the vitriolic rhetoric firsthand. Yet it was still not enough to allow reason and rationality have its day on November 8th. People were shot, pepper sprayed, verbally abused and intimidated simply for exercising their rights guaranteed by the US Constitution. This election was the perfect example of the status quo agenda taking priority over the needs of the people. The status quo being the privilege referenced earlier in this entry and not “Big Government” as the victorious party would have you believe.

The economically empowered and well-to-do have the ability and the resources to inspire as well as influence change. They have been blessed with the ability to bless others. Kudos to the ones that do what they can. Shame on the ones that sit idly by while death and destruction occurs. However, don’t be deceived. Your money and your “influence” doesn’t make you immune, it just makes you a larger target. As stated earlier, it’s better to be a moving/ active target than a stationary or inactive one. It definitely makes you much harder to lock onto or hit.

The word of God tells us that people (Believers and nonbelievers alike) are destroyed for lack of knowledge (Hosea 4:6). I try to educate and enlighten all who I come into contact with (Regardless of race, creed or color), but there is only so much one man can do.We all have a duty as citizens of humanity to spread love and do away with hate and those who would see us divided and living in fear. 

We all share this planet. Black, White, Brown, Yellow, Red, Orange and Rainbow. 

It’s about time that we started acting like it.