Night Watch
As
a native Washingtonian I am particularly intrigued by December 31st
every year. However this end-of-year celebration is of particular interest as
it is the 150th anniversary of the declaration of the Emancipation
of those who were enslaved in the south. I use the word declaration here in
place of the word implementation for reasons expressed in the next couple of
paragraphs.
As
a black man who was born and raised in America’s first African American
publicly assisted housing project I have all sorts of assorted emotions about
this day. I find myself wondering what it may have been like waiting on the
edge of midnight in anticipation of freedom. I can only imagine the vast array
of feelings in the diverse enslaved communities. I’m sure the reaction of those
enslaved in Louisiana was different from those on the eastern shore of
Maryland. I’m certain those working the fields of Alabama peanut farms would
have different emotions than those serving supper in the big house of the
genteel Tennessee land baron.
I
am particularly intrigued when I think about those enslaved families who had
been born and raised right here in the Nation’s Capital. How did the offspring
of those who laid the foundation stone of the Capitol Building feel about
“Watch Night”? What was on the minds of the Stonemasons who built this great
empire? How much hope did the Seamstress’, the Sail-Makers, the Blacksmiths,
the Harness Makers and the Wagon Makers have as they sat in anticipation of
their emancipation. I wonder what the conversations might have been like. What
were they discussing? I wonder if they had hopes that their children and their
children’s children would one day live to enjoy the freedom that was promised
in that declaration. .
As
I sit here considering this 150th anniversary of that fabled night;
as a descendant of those who participated in that vigil, I can’t help but feel
just a tad bit of disappointment. This disillusion comes after realizing that
slavery has never been abolished in America. The 13th Amendment to the
Constitution provided a clause that allows anyone convicted of a crime to be
duly enslaved. This disappointment comes from learning that 1 in 9 black people
are still enslaved on plantations in these United States.
I'm disappointed because as of this writing these plantations are manufacturing 100% of all military helmets, ammunition belts, ID tags, bedding, blankets and other miscellaneous materials for state and federal government. I’m appalled that 93% of all domestically produced paints are made on these plantations. 36% of all domestically manufactured home appliances and 21% of all the office furniture fabricated in America is done so by slaves on these industrial plantations.
I'm disappointed because as of this writing these plantations are manufacturing 100% of all military helmets, ammunition belts, ID tags, bedding, blankets and other miscellaneous materials for state and federal government. I’m appalled that 93% of all domestically produced paints are made on these plantations. 36% of all domestically manufactured home appliances and 21% of all the office furniture fabricated in America is done so by slaves on these industrial plantations.
The
United States Prison Industrial Complex is nothing less than a megalithic modern-day
industrial slave plantation. America has more people incarcerated (per capita)
than any nation on earth. One percent of the 300 million citizens of the United
States are behind bars. That is, 3 million people are locked up in this country
and that is separate and apart from those who are on probation or parole. That’s
2 times as many as South Africa, 3 times more than Iran and 6 times more than
China. There are more 17 year-old black boys on slave plantations in this
country than there are on college campuses.
I
would posit that the slave trade has not and has never been abolished, but
rather, through and by the 13th Amendment, SLAVERY IN AMERICA HAS
BEEN REINVENTED. As a native son who has physically experienced being a
twentieth century slave in these United States, I must speak to my ancestors
here and say. “I apologize.” I apologize for not pursuing the education you
fought and died for. I apologize for not applying the principles you handed
down in your quest for freedom and I apologize for not obeying the 5th
Commandment and honoring my mother and my father.
I
would further posit that I am committed to abolishing slavery. I would advance
also that I am a 21st century Abolitionist. As an abolitionist I am
suggesting to all those interested that if you are serious about the abolition
of slavery. If you sincerely desire to see true equality in America then you
must support Kwanzaa. Today is the last day of Kwanzaa. Kwanzaa was created as
a result of and as a remedy to the most morally reprehensible and completely
inhumane periods in the history of human existence, which is chattel slavery.
If
you really want to help, find a black organization and support it. If you
sincerely want to make an impact employ the following:
Kwanzaa is the celebration
Where at
last our own we salute
Promoting Black
kinship
Family and
friendship
Connecting our
African roots
Umoja reminds the nation
To always
strive for unity
And remember
the grace
In the
African race
Till it
flows through our community
In Kujichagulia
We live with
determination
To create
for ourselves
And make for
ourselves
A life full
of these celebrations
Ujima ask the collective
To live and labor
together
To pool our
resources
And collaborate
work forces
Whether foul
or fair weather
Ujamaa guides our economics
Ask us to
cooperate
To destroy
slavery’s curse
We must buy
from us first
And our own
accommodate
Nia reminds us of purpose
And why we
were put on this earth
That we are
diamonds from coal
That it’s
time to unfold
And show the
world our true worth
Kuumba calls for creation
And emulation
of our Creator
That we
create and invent
With
deliberate intent
And prosper
God’s grand theater
Imani focuses on faith
Faith in
ourselves and our God
To know that
one day
We shall
find the way
Though stony
the road we trod
Though stony
the road we trod
1 comment:
The Ancestors Smile.
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