Lauryn Hill wrote about the heart and Carter G Woodson wrote about the head. In both cases miseducation leads to misery. In the internet information age there are more resources at the tips of our fingers then ever before. How are we using this wealth of data to improve the quality of life in the African American community? It is well documented that public school textbooks alienate African and African American accomplishments and conveniently omit contributions to ancient and modern society. This type of intentional inconsistency in learning materials is used to miseducate the next generation of free thinkers; black and white alike.

“No one is going to give you the education you need to overthrow them. Nobody is going to teach you your true history, teach you your true heroes; if they know that, that knowledge will help set you free.”

-Assanta Shakur

It was once illegal to teach a slave to read and right. Select text by African American authors have been outlawed throughout the years, such as the Autobiography of Malcolm X, narrated by Alex Haley. These laws were not enacted to help a group of authors sell more to their demographic and prevent the others from reaching their audience. No! These laws were put in place to prevent the spread of ideas and information. It is important that we encourage the spread of African diaspora ideas, ideology, and general information. The educational materials are available. The re-education must start now.

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The racial interactions in the Unites States remain as dynamic as they have ever been. African Americans and immigrants are forced to overcome abrasive interpersonal interactions, predatory financial practices, damning judicial decisions, and oppressive political policies. To overcome intentional interruptions of an entire ethnic community’s advancement, African Americans must increase our collective calculated efforts.

Since minorities are not afforded an abundance of equal (or greater) opportunities, African Americans often tolerate unprofessional behavior from colleagues and unacceptable messaging from companies. A cohesive community has the economic influence to demand public discouragement of this behavior and the power to enforce with financial repercussions. One individuals’ response to one instance rarely results in sustainable, systematic change. Civic duty is an arena where collective effort from the entire community will have calculated influence. African Americans can change the narrative in local municipalities by voting and serving jury duty more frequently. These action items may be perceived as inconvenient. However, they are critical in recalibrating the judicial scales, reforming the entire justice system, and refashioning political organizations. The information on how to organize, strategize, and advance our communities is available in African American literature.

In Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome by Dr. Joy DeGruy, the last chapter is dedicated to healing. She makes meaningful connections between modern-day race relations and historical happenings throughout the social and economic evolution of the United States. Dr. DeGruy addresses the next steps to emotional and social healing for the African American community. I found this book very insightful and impactful. I highly recommend Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome; more over, I would like to see this title considered for collegiate curriculums. Let me know your thoughts. In the mean time, stick together Intellects…

-Josh B!

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