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Throughout history, every race of mankind had to fight to gain his freedom, except the Black race. It's hard to be a historian when one has only graduated sixth grade, but I've learned enough t know that we are the only people who relied on others to gain our human independence. Case history: Nigerians are/were far too aggressive to be taken into slavery, so the Irish Europeans went to the western coast of Africa where the natives were known to be a lot more docile and therefore easily taken into custody. (Which is why many of you who know Nigerians probably have a hard time getting along, b/c there is no blood connection there as you might think. But, if you choose to go visit the Ivory Coast, like Ghana, for example, you'll realize that you have dual citizenship automatically -- b/c they still recognize you as one of their own and 400 years has not been enough time to break that bond.) Bound, separated from tribe and family, and huddled in together in masses for an unforeseen journey. And, here's my problem: I'm part Cherokee (my great-grand dad was 100% Cherokee), you rarely see any Native Americans anymore because THEY ALL DIED! They would rather fight 'til their death in battle than to surrender their land or families to the White man. If I were going to celebrate ANYONE in my lineage it would be those great warriors. On May 5, those of Mexican heritage will "celebrate" their revolution -- because they "fought" and "won" their battle against the French. WE celebrate the reading of a proclamation that "gave" us our freedom -- and even after receiving the "freedom speech", were STILL held captive until compassionate White folks fought our battles for us. It's called the Civil War. One of my clients is the Buffalo Soldiers Museum in Houston, who are so very proud of their contributions made fighting for this land -- I say they should have turned the guns around and joined w/the Indians. Besides, many of us have Indian blood b/c those who were captured were retained with the other captives -- Negroes -- and had each other to sleep with. So why not fight together if you ended up sleeping together? But that was then and this is now. So, fast forward to the end result: the "new" Negroes -- combining natural, brute strength of the Black African man mixed with a never surrender blood of the Native American = Black Americans. If THAT'S what we celebrate then I'm on board! In fact, I'll be the ring leader of that circus -- but that's not what Juneteenth is all about. So, go ahead and enjoy your "we shall overcome" church songs, barbecue, red soda water and outdoor family fun -- it's all good. And, Happy Juneteenth to YOU!
Posted By: Craig Amos
Friday, June 19th 2009 at 12:09PM
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Correct me where I'm wrong; I'd love to know, bro.
Friday, June 19th 2009 at 12:38PM
Craig Amos
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Been married twice, both to beautiful caramel colored "sisters". Only dated White once. Love the skin I'm in. Better than the next bother? No way. There are tons of brothers & sisters I come in contact with on a daily basis that blow my mind. I've been publishing a Black business directory for three years now and host a couple of Black business summits a year, so I almost have to come in contact with them. It's what I do. Do I get a little pissed at what I often see as a pattern in our community? Yes, no doubt. Take my rants any way you see fit. I oftentimes am just trying to get people to think outside the proverbial box.
Friday, June 19th 2009 at 2:08PM
Craig Amos
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Just returned from a wonderful two-hour swim w/my handsome, smart, 100% Black son ;) and, like you Clark, I'll delve into this a little further later. But first and foremost -- before anyone else reads this and gets the wrong impression -- when I make extreme claims like THEY ALL DIED! I don't mean that literally -- it's usually a feeble attempt at humor or sarcasm. Clark, this isn't the first time you've taken something to the extreme. Okay, okay, okay, not ALL died, but plenty did. If you ever travel to places like Santa Fe that's even printed in the city's visitor's guide right today. And, of course I know they ALL didn't die, even my siblings are listed on the Cherokee stroll (which closed just before I was born in 1964).
Oh, and the same response is true about the Blacks that "did nothing" -- again, not to be taken as a literal claim that NOT ONE BLACK MAN did anything to secure his freedom. But collectively I'm right. Otherwise there would be no argument.
And Mozell, you're right about one thing: I DON'T tell the folks at the museum how I truly feel, the same as I don't tell nearly ALL of Black clients -- we're far too predictable and I'm not that stupid. So, I play their games b/c I know their responses even before they say them. There was a potential client who I met on this board, but b/c of my Agnosticism, lost the chance at her business. She's probably reading this right now. That's unfortunate b/c I've got the most awesome Black business directory ever put into circulation -- and she's not in it b/c her religion calls for her to be a separatist. My stance is take a step back and look at reality -- not what we want to believe is reality. I can handle the truth a lot of us can't.
"In a room where everyone thinks alike, no one's thinking." -- unknown
Friday, June 19th 2009 at 6:57PM
Craig Amos
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Oh, and before I run ... just re-read one of Irma's responses -- "stick my chest out"? How the hell did you summarize that response from mine? You people got me twisted. Don't let the tie in the pic fool you.
Friday, June 19th 2009 at 7:02PM
Craig Amos
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Irma, you must not have read the post just before my reply about my women's skin color. You'll see why that response was necessary. As far as the tie goes, that one just sailed over your head. Not surprising.
Saturday, June 20th 2009 at 8:40AM
Craig Amos
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I still say Juneteenth is an odd holiday. How can you "celebrate" the day that you found out you were no longer a slave? Not being a slave is the very definition of being a human being. I think its more proper to "commemorate" the day that everyone was told that humans could no longer be condsidered property.
Saturday, June 20th 2009 at 8:42AM
Craig Amos
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Craig , if you chosen not to celebrate that's your own choice. Other will celebrate and find reasons of freedom was a fight. It wasn't just handed over, and many black soldiers gave thier lives for freedom...freedom of choice that has allowed slaves to become legally free in the democracy of America. Freedom you and I live today. Your choice is yours and not one can take that away!
Saturday, June 20th 2009 at 2:52PM
MIISRAEL Bride
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Just returned from watching "The Hangover", so let me chime in one last time here. But first, I gotta commend this site for making these great interactive debates possible. It's quite awesome to get an unexpected education from people I never would have had the opportunity to meet otherwise.
Clark, you're a very smart guy and anyone who reads your comments can assess that, so I know you know when a person isn't being so literal when they say things like "they all died" or "read more than ONE BOOK" -- you've GOT to understand that that person is attempting to make a dramatic statement. Which is what comedians do -- they go to the extreme to make a point very clear. But, this is classic -- it proves my original point beter than I did:
"Now, I will agree with you on Juneteenth, in that I don't think its something to celebrate either, for the same reason. Juneteenth is not like V-Day for us; sure, its noteable as a historical marker and maybe even a milestone, but its less an accomplishment for us as a people and more "something that happened" along the timeline towards the ultimate goal." Exactly. That's what it's more proper to "commemorate" than to celebrate" means. Thanks for clearing that up. :)
And finally, while it may seem that I'm a critic of our race, I am actually one of its biggest supporters. I am very proud to be Black -- wear it as a badge of honor. My dad was one of the most articulate, bad-asses that ever lived (and a former Black Panther) whom I adored, and wouldn't want to be anything other than his son. My son is perhaps the brightest, most naturally gifted Black kid I've had the pleasure to be around; I wouldn't take anything in place of being his dad. What I don't like are the masses of others that make me wish THEY weren't Black. Back in the day, Black folk would say, "you shamed me and you shamed yourself" -- the politcally correct approach today is to say it doesn't matter b/c we're all in this together -- but it does matter. And we should take greater pride in our culture and more importantly, future. I also don't need false affirmations to make myself or my offsprings feel "proud" about ourselves. Often times our race is too defensive to see our own failures and weaknesses. And in the case of slavery, there were physical weaknesses that allowed it all to happen to begin with that no one seems to acknowledge. I accused others, too, for slavery for a very long time, but the reality is, our so-called strong Black African MEN allowed themselves to be taken into bondage, their families torn apart, their women s*xually assualted by other men; didn't educate their own b/c someone told them not to -- facts are facts. So when I hear these old, tired excuse of "we was not allowed to read" I f-ing cringe. We should have been educated by our OWN standards 400 years ago when they first arrived! And some Blacks will still tell you today that we aren't "free". Maybe not members of BIA.com but I've witnessed this personally from someone I know. If that isn't a clear case of Blacks having a slave mentality in 2001 I don't know what is.
Argue away these pointless blogs -- I still say Juneteenth is an odd holiday, and as for me and my house, we're going to treat it as any other day.
Saturday, June 20th 2009 at 4:24PM
Craig Amos
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Cool. Peace.
Sunday, June 21st 2009 at 6:22PM
Craig Amos
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Craig, you were the one who mentioned color, not me and what does a tie have to do with any thing except just more assumptiions fitting emotional an out burst.
I do notice how you gather or believe that we know that you mean the exact opposit of what you say(smile) Me, "I' say what I mean because "I" believe it my duty to help erase the need to misinform, miseducate in any way form or fashion.Plus my word is my bond as the expression goes..
"I" joined in to help try and protect the White man from distroying those pine nut treesin Navada. "I" helped counsel some alcoholics in the four corners for a few summers...and you Craig????????
And, by the way your telling what color you like your women is as degrading as it can get. Which is what got that response about putting out your chest.It reminds me of being picked on certain CONDITIONS at a slave marked..."this female I pick, because..." "..this female I reject, because..."! How positive for a proud Black man to still carry on this kind of behavior in the 21st century while offering themselves up as a role model for our youth(smile, but not meant as a joke)No Craig, your actions speak louder than a picture that may or may not be one of you...just one more right-wing belief about my people and yes my grandmother was Cherokee...small world, huh?She was also a medicine woman light skin and waist long curly hair...she chosed not to pass...
Thursday, April 10th 2014 at 6:47PM
ROBINSON IRMA
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Craig, welcome to all of us on this site to the real world...Now I will ask if any thing you said about bondage has ended here in this century that was not done during slavery in America... some examples of a rose by any other name is still a rose:
1. abuse to our females and males by the legal/moral police.
2. resisting some of the freedoms that is offered to us via schools and even our parents by trying to show our youth how not to repeat our mistakes of the last generation
3.some of us being our own worst enemy by using any excuse we can find to blame others / to put them down in order to life our selves up.
I bring this all up because we are dealing with human behavior which means one size has never and will never fit all.I celebrate my birthday, my daughter does not celebrate birthdays and we respect each other as individuals. But, for me at least if it makes that person happy then do it...live your own life and never allow anyone but you to be in control of your life for you.
And like you, I learn so much on this site, but then this is how with dialoge there is never an opening for war(smile)thanks for this blog Craig and lov ya...
Thursday, April 10th 2014 at 6:47PM
ROBINSON IRMA
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Thanks again Clark for putting 'selective' memory on the spot although tunnel vision tend to only see what it wants to see...A HISTORICAL FACT(smile)
Thursday, April 10th 2014 at 6:47PM
ROBINSON IRMA
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And, if I may add, ropes hanging in Jena on a tree in a school yard in a 'white only' area is not a joke to me either...
I will also say once again I am proud of all BIA has done to have an affet and an effect in the making of this country!(smile)
Without the bad we would have no idea of how to balance the good in any: social, legal, moral environment in America.This is why at least for me as today is tomorrow's history, I am grateful that we can all have a say in this matter of Juneteenth to celebrate or to not celebrate it, because it is a form of educating our youth and peoples of all diversity...
Thursday, April 10th 2014 at 6:47PM
ROBINSON IRMA
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Clark, thank you for weighing in on the Native-Americans as it has allowed me to calm down enough to talk about how much of an insult this is to the honor of Native-American's proud history!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Native-Americans had no way to be prepared for such inhumanity to man as what the White man brought to them. The movies and the White man's history has too well and falsely taught us that the Native_Americans were terrorist and not an honorable people fighing against the distruction of not just themand their culture, religious beliefs , individual freedoms, but of Mother earth .
It was not the gun that won the west, but alcohol.the Indians and the slaves fought side by side against their White opressors then as they continue to do now; this very second!
The Native-Americans are asking all of us to support them in trying to put and end tothe distruction of even their pine trees in Navada>(their only source of survival) but because this is not seen on mainstream media, but in schools few of us know about this.even fewer of us know that the Indians are getting back their lands slowly but surely by way of the courts.The Indian nation is a soverign nation which we fail to take not of now do we not?
It is just too hurtful for me and those like me who would rather learn from the facts and truth not by gossip and emotional out burst, because short term pleasures always leads to long term pain!!!!!Our president in the next eight years will continue to help thise people gain some political poweres and we know nothing about this. What a pity, but we would rather play the blame game, pity for a people who are too proud to even take tis route them selves. they never have and never will do this, so WAKE UP and eith come to help them or get the h--- out of their way slowing them down, with this red herrin!(SMILE)tHEY DO NOT NEED IT....
We have our computers right before us and jet we still would rather take the easy way out planing the blame game feeding off hate with the full aide and comfort of Prejudice(sefined as ignorance)as our main guide.
thank you for this blog Crain as we need education and dialoge by any means necessary in our quest for YES WE CAN(smile)
Thursday, April 10th 2014 at 6:47PM
ROBINSON IRMA
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Oh, and Craig, may I gather from your comment to Mozell that when White people tell you, "Some of my best friends are Black", that rather than take this as a put down you stick your chest out?!?
Thursday, April 10th 2014 at 6:47PM
ROBINSON IRMA
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Craig, where in the world(or out of it)did you get tis information from?
I know that peoples since maybefore SCHOOL in America was invented or even America itself existed were making histoy recordings...Or do you dispute the writting in thiose caves were by people?That slavery was not made a legal and religious LAW after White people could so easily run away had something to do with Chatel slaver in America?
that there was no form of slavery any place in the world or Africa before Africans were made slaves long after a lot of Africans wer e already in tis country. do you say the African-Americans did not have slaves or that the slaves who made historic recorded and taught today is not to bebelieved because they did not attend school?
What are you trying to say or the point you are trying to make with tis blog?Are you in a debate with we should only believe the African-American and native-American history that is written by the conquor or the white people with major major degrees that is is direct opposition with what our past and present...
Now tis is not a challenge on your freedom of speech nor thought, only asking you to please explain just a litle better and maybe offer more than emotional proofs...Truty /reality/logic,etc.
Thursday, April 10th 2014 at 6:47PM
ROBINSON IRMA
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You are missed at BIA, Craig
.....the African American Family needed your Insight and the Writers on this BLOG...WOW
MIISRAEL, Clark and Mozell...they were Minds that ... GAVE ... thought!
....."In a room where everyone thinks alike, no one's thinking." -- unknown
"Now, I will agree with you on Juneteenth, in that I don't think its something to celebrate either,
Juneteenth is an odd holiday. How can you "celebrate" the day that you found out you were
no longer a slave?
Not being a slave is the very definition of being a human being.
I think its more proper to "commemorate" the day that everyone was told that humans could no longer be
considered property....."
....OR the day someone had to tell you WHAT the newspapers recorded 2-3 years before
"cause slaves NEVER were given an Education .... could not read ... not close to the written word"
Friday, June 19th 2020 at 1:49PM
robert powell
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Wow Robert, this is a great find. Thank you.
Friday, June 19th 2020 at 3:03PM
Steve Williams
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