Did ya’llknow that pouring out a little drink for the brothers who ain’t here wassomething our ancestors did in Africa? I just found this out the other daywhile reading “The Life of Olaudah Equiano.” That’s what the month of Februaryshould be about for all black people — learning things that we didn’t knowabout our culture and learning about the lives of our heroes and sheroes.
When Februaryis over, we should be so hungry for knowledge that we keep the ball rolling andBlack History Month becomes a year-round event. With that in mind, I came upwith a list of things I thought might help young brothers and sisters reflectupon and appreciate the beauty of who we are as black people.
First of all, we need to read. Over theyears, I have read quite a few books that have increased my understanding ofour situation and put a little knowledge in my brain. “Breaking the Chains ofPsychological Slavery” by Na’im Akbar, Ph.D. is one of those books which showedme that mental slavery is what black people are dealing with today, and inorder to break the cycle we have to recognize the symptoms.
I see themeveryday on campus.
Another great book is “Callous on MySoul” by Dick Gregory. This should be required reading for every high schoolstudent. You will not find this book in the bookstore (When you read it, you’llknow why.). You have to order it, but if you holler at me I might let you holdit down if you promise to return it.
I want allyoung sisters to read “Assata” by Assata Shakur, “Why I Love Black Women” byMichael Eric Dyson, and “No Disrespect” by Sistah Soulja. All young brothersneed to read “Make Me Wanna Holler” by Nathan McCall. I guarantee that you’llsee yourself somewhere in this book. We all need to read “Long Walk to Freedom”by Nelson Mandella. The least we can do is know his story after the sacrificehe made for black people in South Africa.
Next, we needto watch movies about our struggle for enlightenment instead of entertainment.Watch Bamboozled by SpikeLee. Go get Tupac Resurrection on DVD. Itwill inspire you, believe me. Watch his Malcolm X dinner speech and listen tothe way everyone who knew him talked about how he touched their lives. A blackman from the gutter affected the world and became a legend.
Watch Roots and then watch Malcolm X right afterthat. Definitely watch Panther. Pay closeattention to how Bookeem Woodbine’s character gets killed at the end. If Icould choose my death, that’s exactly how I would go out. Then, listen to someof our music that doesn’t make you want to get naked and shake your butt.Listen to something that will encourage you and cause you to hold your headhigh. Listen to some real hip-hop.
Listen to Fearof a Black Planet by Public Enemy and All Hailthe Queen by Queen Latifah (remember “Ladies First?”). Listen toDead Prez and Common’s Like Water for Chocolate. Listen to KRS-1 and Mos Def. Listen to some real soul music likeTracey Chapman and Nina Simone. Listen to some Aretha Franklin and MahaliaJackson. Listen to some Sam Cooke and Donny Hathaway.
Listen tosome jazz like Miles Davis and Roy Ayers and Thelonius Monk.
Finally, TURN OFF BET! The only thing worth watching on there is Free.
