The War Diary
#1045 - What Black People Need Right Now
Battlefield Entry: Chicago; 7/5/2025; 3:30 a.m.
Though this nation is faced with uncertainty and despair, we as Black people, the descendants of those who were here before this country gained its own liberty, must not quit.
Not now. Not ever.
Never give up.
Never tap out.
Never bow down.
Never backtrack.
Keep your eyes on the prize.
Keep holding on.
Keep moving forward….
We need to know who we are, where we’ve been and where we are headed.
We need to find our collective will. What is it in the 21st century?
We need a winning attitude. Think positively, though it may be hard. We can win. Say it. Hear it. See it. Believe it. Do it. Achieve it.
We need to love again. Love hard. Try to love unconditionally when it pertains to an oppressed people. Yes, it will be hard; but know that people under duress at times act against their own progress and best interests. It is the nature of struggle, be it personal or collective. Love those who can be loved; leave behind those who have made their choice to stay with those who subjugate and abuse the majority of us. Leave them where they stand. But love…
We need a Black Vanguard: A group of people leading the way, rooted in what has worked historically and by upgrading the strategies, technology and tactics that secured our victories. We need leadership and leaders of strong moral character and intellect who can inspire, motivate, encourage, guide, strengthen, shepherd, reprimand, organize, fight and advocate. And, we need to support those persons with what we have and any we can.
We need new ideas, new organizations and a new national overground and underground organizing effort. As a college student and Black Student campus leader, I sat in a workshop taught by Kwame Ture. He told us over and over and over: Organize. Organize. Organize. Years later, Rev. Jesse Jackson, Sr, hammered the point home in a staff meeting: We all have our lanes (of expertise), but ultimately we are all organizers. People are motivated by their own self-interest, he said. You’ve got to meet people where they are. Organize.
We need to avoid following any group whose activities are funded by any foundation, university or entity that we did not create, and we do not control (financially and otherwise). If this “Black leadership” group is headquartered inside any PWI (including schools, churches, non-profits, think tanks, etc.), you may want to avoid them. Some could be plants, and our people (particularly the youth) will wind up using all of their knowledge, talent and energy only to find out they’ve been on a treadmill---moving but going nowhere.
We need to get back to asking people “Who are you? Where did you come from and how did you get here?” No more “leaders” emerging from “influencers” who spend their time citing slogans on white-controlled and white supremacists financed social media cites. There are six degrees of separation---and if don’t nobody know you, how did you wind up on CNN speaking on behalf of the people? Nobody springs to the front of the line overnight. Our most trusted leaders come through our continued and connected movements for justice, liberation, freedom and economic independence. If the same people (groups, organizations, etc.) who demonize your community and downgrade your grievances are giving awards to “new leaders” who seemingly come out of nowhere, be wary. However, do not jump to conclusions about intent. Just be cautious of those who pop out and immediately turn into your drum major. Where are they taking you?
We need less reactionaries and more second-order thinkers. These people go beyond the immediate consequences to consider the ripple effects of decisions and actions taken. A second-order thinker listens, analyzes, asks contextual questions, and then finally after the group has decided on a direction, asks “and then what….”
We need clarity. Understand that in all of this political and social confusion the roots of it lies somewhere. Identify the source of confusion. Break down the problem. Refine the problem statement and then you work TOGETHER to determine a SOLUTOIN to that well-thought-out problem. Refine the solution. Identify variables within the solution. When you’re good to go, implement, analyze, refine and institutionalize. Make justice the status quo.
We need an independent Black political movement and party. The work was begun in 1972, and it was derailed less than 24 months later. The platform exists and it has not changed. It is time for Black people to stop repping Democrat, Republican, Green Party and all of that. Those who are willing, those who can, must proclaim their Black political identity and operate as a strong, disruptive and corrective political force in the U.S.
We need to collectively understand politics. In short it is the activities associated with the governance of a country, state, county, city or area; it is the conflict among individuals, groups or parties with or seeking to achieve power. In plain folk: Politics determines who gets what, when, how much and by what means and how often.
We need to come into understanding and agreement: The American two-party political system dominated by Democrats and Republicans is really a one political system devoted to the preservation of white interests and white power. One is heads and one is tails. If you find a quarter on the ground and you see George Washington’s head, do you throw it away because you don’t like his cherry tree-chopping ass? It’s the same thing, with nuanced differences. Malcolm X warned our parents and fore parents. One is a wolf, and the other is a fox. One side wants to kill you quick and the other likes to kill you slow. Einstein said if you keep doing the same thing, expecting different results, you are basically insane. Republican-Maga-Democrats-Progressives….same coin, with nuances. Some are bank notes, others are coins. All currency. Think for yourself. So, take this or leave it.
We need to remember what Frederick Dogulass said: Power concedes to nothing without a demand. It never has and it never will. He told us that with struggle there will be casualties. There will be hard times. You must make demands and be prepared to fight to achieve them. The good news is what Black people demand tends to make all of society better, safer, more productive, more democratic, and more compassionate. Make some demands at your march, rally or “Day of Protest.” Avoid spending energy on protests events that are thematic but lack clear, cohesive demands and a STRATEGY in place to achieve them.
We need to stop calling for a “A Black agenda” every election cycle. The influencers, pundits, professors, and people say this as every election cycle. How many “Black Agendas” are we going to write, There’s in books, white papers, on websites, in music, poetry and on the sides of walls. The agenda ain’t changed since 1619. Look it up.
We need to ignore the “vassals” and the “militant pawns” who talk the talk and dress the look, but secretly are those with Black skin but White hearts. Ye shall know them by the fruit they bear. Open your eyes.
We need to step away from the individualism promoted by the oppressor, co-opted preachers any other group that seeks to scramble or confuse our collective identity or encourage you to think of “self” first. We must place community over individualism, morality over expediency and people before profits. You can’t be rich living next door to the poor. And, you know why.
We need to avoid ethical bankruptcy that has creeped up in many of our political, community and other types of “leaders.” Avoid electing and riding with people who are prone to lies, deception and who seek fame and glory. Even if their intention is pure, their roots are corrupt. We do not fight lies with more lies; you fight lies with truth.
We need to avoid the mercenaries among us. If someone gloats or brags they are a “Mercenary” understand this is what they are saying to you: “I am a solider of fortune. I fight on the side of anybody or any cause that will pay me. I am not your friend. I am loyal to no one but myself. If I have to push you over a mountain cliff in order to get paid, I will. If I am to cheat you in order to get paid I will. If I have to lie to your face in order to get paid, I will. I have no empathy for you or your cause. I am without compassion. If you want me on your side you must pay me what I demand but if the other side pays me more, understand, I will turn on you. I exist only to satisfy my needs. If I must kill the innocent, I will. If I must cheat an honest person, I shall. I am a mercenary, not a revolutionary, and money, sex, celebrity, influence--or whatever the price of my bill—is what rules everything around me.”
We need to build for our people as we build for ourselves. If you are graduating from universities, schools of thought, training programs and getting all of these high-fluting certifications, use it to BUILD your people and your neighborhoods and your collective wealth. Stop using your talents to aid your oppressor. This is backward thinking.
We need to commit to a mantra. Maybe try this one: Our successes, be they great or small, has been won without willful wrong to a single human being, and without inner compromise or self-abasement. No human can look me in the eyes and say I have ever wronged them for my own profit; none can charge that I have smiled on them in order to use them or befriend them to make them my servants.
We need to act in the spirit of agape (universal) and philos (brotherly) love. Set aside arrogance, re-examine collective priorities, resist rampant materialism and hatred of any individuals. Hate the behaviors, the policies, the conditions. And move aside all and any who stand in the way of our collective progress---no matter who they are.
We need to think, critique and analyze all information. If you cannot think—then shut up and allow those of us who can do so. Find your strengths and tap into those. Everyone has a place. There is no big I and little U. We are equal unto GOD’s sight and together we shall prevail.
We need to remember the incarcerated. Many will return to the communities they left—changed, maybe broken, maybe lost. Embrace. Surround. Support. Reconcile. Repair relationships. Strengthen and then guide our ex-felons, ex-cons, ex-incarcerated brothers and sisters so they may assume their rightful place in the struggle. Not everyone will be a new Malcolm X, but everyone has the opportunity to change, to grow and be better.
We need to stop belittling one another on the white man’s platforms, be they podcasts, social media apps, in corporate or alternative media. Take your personal grievances and disputes to your pastors or to someone who can assist your emotional and psychological growth. Stop generalizing “all Black men are…;” “Black women all…” or “these Black youth…” or “The reason WE can’t do this…” and ANY OTHER negative feeling you have about yourselves and your people. Whenever you begin to generalize your grievances, change the word to “I.” Personalize your comment. Instead of “Black women can’t find no man because…” say, “I have made myself unavailable to Black women I know because…” Instead of “Black men are dogs…” say, “The Black males I know (such as my father, son, husband, nephew, uncle, boyfriend have been dogs to me because…” I bet you’ll stop generalizing then. We are not a monolith—and just because one does something or exhibits negative traits does not represent ALL. Cut it out!
We need to know that each of us has a personal responsibility to the social order in which we live. Each has a role in ensuring that the society in which one lives is healthy, whole, just and equitable for all.
We need to support one another more and more often. Take out a paid subscription to somebody’s stuff. That $10 that was going to McDonald’s Corporation or to buy a blunt can go to a friend who has something going on. Use your disposable and consumer income to help build your local and Black neighborhood economy. Visit each other’s businesses. And businesses advertise in Black media (newspapers, on radio, on digital, whatever). Circulate your dollar among your people whenever you can. Pick one day each month to “Buy Black” or to visit an art gallery or support something cultural in your community. Who’s your plumber? Who’s your painter, your grass cutter, your dog walker? Visit a Black owned restaurant (even if you can cook that at home).
We need to say “THANK YOU” more to each other. That person didn’t have to…. This group doesn’t have to…. Say thank you—even if you’re one of those, “It’s their job….” Types. Thank you does not hurt. Thank you does not injure. Say thank you. Say ‘good job.” Say “I appreciate you” sometimes. Write a letter saying thank you. Send a text saying thank you. Make each other feel appreciated and not just needed. Gratitude is an attitude.
We need to protect our children. Save the children. Protect them at all costs. Protect them with our lives. Correct them. Show them discipline rooted in love not punishment. Shelter them in our institutions (cultural, religious, arts, education, political, social, etc.) Leave none of them to suffer. Stop calling them YOUNG NIGGAS (Yns). Do not embrace their lostness; their feeling of abandonment; or their ignorance and need that rewards them for debasing themselves in public, in music, in film, in TV, in AI, in whatever. Love. Protect. This is our duty as adults and elders. Leave no Black child, teenager, young adult behind---and if they got YN PARENTS embrace their asses too. Go get them. SANKFOA!
We need healing, individual, familial and community. We need to remember that the people on the other side of electronic devices are human beings. We need to talk to one another again---face -to – face. We need cookouts, family reunions, Bid Whiz, talent shows, church meetings, plays, fashion shows, comedy shows, community classes, workshops, counseling sessions, peace circles, community walks and activities that bring us together in safe and productive spaces. Talk to one another. The pandemic has scrambled our communications antennas. People are angrier now and quicker to feel insulted or abused. If they call---answer the phone. Don’t take 18 hours to return a simple text. Stop ghosting people. IF you don’t want to deal with them, say it, but don’t treat people as if they are invisible. Some people just need connection. Others need correction. Some want compassion or a listening ear. Trauma is real. Hurt is real. Don’t be mean. It is okay. People lose mothers, fathers, children, relatives, loved ones to violence. Others lose people to natural causes---the family bread winner or matriarch---and this can disrupt lives. Heal.
Find the tender spaces----and heal.
Much love to you…