The Meaning Behind Josh Howard's Statements

As a child who was ordered to sit down during the pledge of allegiance to the flag, I understand Josh Howard's comments. It has to do with the residual anger that comes from having enslaved ancestors. Do people live in the twilight zone or what? You know what I think it is? I think that americans are in a state of denial when it comes to reality. We know why he does not care for the national anthem as black people. It has nothing to do with being unpatriotic either. It is the mistreatment of blacks that has persisted to this day. But it makes no sense to make belligerent outbursts like that.

African-Americans helped build this country along with everyone else. It hurts to have no claim to any land even if you descend from the founding nationalities. The Indians who were on this land when it was pioneered. The Europeans who settled it. The Africans who slaved over the cotton & tobacco fields of America. I am an african-american with pictures of three generations of my maternal grandmothers in it. They all were Chickasaw. Do I receive any compensation as the descendant of an american indian tribe? No! They make it too difficult for you to do so. There is so much bureaucracy involved that I have decided not to bother. I know very little about my family history which used to anger me. But from what I can discern in family pictures there is european in my bloodstream as well. I don't know the story behind that but it's there. Of course, I have no idea which part of West Africa my ancestors originated from. It is a mystery that I am trying to undertake. First, I have to go to Mississippi to do that & get to know my relatives.

Sadly, all the africans I have met are distant & seem to want no part of me. I have dated quite a few men from Nigeria & other parts of Africa. There is disdain & disgust in their conversations with me about blacks in America. One guy told me that we are ,for the most part, underachievers. I felt like he thought I was lower than him because I am black & not african. It was disappointing & it made me angry. I wanted to rediscover my african roots. What is my true culture? As an african-american, our culture had to be recreated. Although I look african, I am not accepted by them because I have no tribal connections. Where do I go when I go to the land of my ancestry? I don't know my ancestry which has hindered me in school projects & in life period. Why is it so hard for me to build my family tree? It's because America was not the land of the free. It was the land of the defeated. The home of the slave.

The national anthem does not have the lyrics that every american can identify with. Specifically "the land of the free" because of the history of slavery. Those words are still like a slap in the face. Remember, we were likened to cattle. Blacks were possessions in the minds of many americans. Heathens who needed to be enslaved. Blacks weren't the "we" hailed at the twilight's last gleaming". That song was made by & for white countrymen. There was a lot of literature out there saying that we were less than human. It is painful for african-americans to this very day.

That is the reason Josh Howard said "Fuck that, I ain't singin' that". He feels like blacks can reject a song that was never intended for them anyway. Maybe he's feeling a little cocky because we finally have a black presidential candidate. Who knows? The point is blacks were not free so who is this patriotic song directed to? Not all americans because blacks didn't count, remember? This kind of attitude hearkens back to the not so distant civil rights movement & black power era. It's hard to call someone un-patriotic when you know the history of America. Josh Howard does not seem like he has much black pride though. He seemed like he was just trying to be provocative & illicit anger. I do not think he is trying to be the next civil rights leader. But I like that he supports Barack Obama.

Check Out " Traces of the Trade" For Accurate American History!

Traces of the Trade » Home
I had to post this follow-up to the entry regarding reparations. Silas Muhammed has some validity in his diatribe against Barack Obama. He discussed reparations & his disdain for Obama because he does not support it. Many may wonder why that is still an issue. I think I found a great documentary that reveals the answer. The producer/director of this film is Katrina Browne. This is the story of her white forefather's extensive connection to slavery. It is called "Traces of the Trade" & just follow the link to the website.

This film traces the DeWolf family's history as the largest slave-trading family in U.S history. Myths about slavery are dispelled when it is revealed that Katrina Browne's ancestors were Northerners. I believe in doing research to back up what I am saying. In my next posting, companies with a history in the slave trade (JP Morgan) will be listed. The descendants of those in the business of owning & trading slaves have benefited greatly. U.S history & economy lessons never discuss the existing corporations that were part of this brutal history. You will only learn the real story through viewing documentaries such as this.

How can black americans reconcile themselves to the fact that the effects from slavery on whites is far different than blacks? Slavery has played a role in the financial status of many white families of America. The ones from " old money" are sometimes from " slave or blood,sweat,& tear money. These families are no different than the children of murderous mafia dons or drug lords. Your money is blood money. It was acquired under the most inhumane conditions that one could imagine. Please watch this film no matter what color you are. It explains the dissent between blacks & whites that persist until this day. America cannot restore the traditions, cultures, community, or anything else that was lost in slavery. But in order to move on, you must know your past. There is a lost sense of pride in knowing your ancestry when you are an african-american. It is similar to those who have been adopted & are desperately seeking their real identity. Except all the records concerning your family have disintegrated into the dust long ago. That feeling of total loss & being incomplete as a person is present in many descendants of slaves. Meditate on that & check out this film.

How Black Muslims Really Feel About Barack Obama For President! Silas Muhammed Speaks!

So Obama's a Muslim, huh? If so he certainly is not a black muslim. They obviously are not a part of the african-americans who support him. According to the media reports, there is speculation that he is a muslim. Reverend Wright was a huge detraction which almost cost him the democratic nomination. Sean Hannity questioned his patriotism because of this.

Louis Farrakhan has been linked to Barack Obama in this desperate attempt to brand him as a threat to American ideals. Let me ask those who believe that to watch Silas Muhammed speak. In this video, he reveals a sentiment that is shared amongst those who have the same mindset. Those black people who want reparations & accountability for the still lingering effects of slavery do not support Barack Obama. He is not a descendant of slaves so therefore he cannot identify with most african-americans. This is how they truly feel. How come the different factions within the black community is never covered in the media? We have muslims, christians, black hebrews,etc... So, when you say that african -americans will overwhelmingly vote for Barack Obama who are you referring to? Obviously not all.

I am the descendant of slaves who does not seek reparations for past evil deeds. I want accountability & for those who profited from slavery to share the profits with the slave descendants. That's not going to truly repair the past but it would be an acknowledgement of wrongdoing. The american indians have been compensated for the genocide that occurred during the establishment of America. The mistreatment of african-americans was not deserved & needs to be rectified. Even in this day & age, we are viewed as less than. Why? Because of slavery.

Whether or not Barack Obama supports reparations is not going to make my support waiver. I remember Malcolm X's demise & I have serious doubt about the sincerity of black muslims. This is a political organization that has it's own motives. What was the point of the Million Man March? If you are going to tear a black man down in his greatest hour of need, you shouldn't have bothered! Barack Obama is the best choice for president & Silas Muhammed knows it! He is a politician who cannot afford to pander to just blacks. This is not a black or white country. It is a collage of races & he is a collage of cultures. He was born in Hawaii, schooled in Indonesia, & gained political experience in Chicago. This man is mulitcultural which is good for America. We need someone with an objective view. He's got it.

He is not a white man or black man. He is a composite of both. Just what this country needs. Someone with no racial baggage. Whites & blacks have that due to slavery. I do not think that he does not understand slavery. He is an educated man married to a woman who is probably a descendant of slaves. If Barack Obama is lily white as he is portrayed in this video, how does Michelle Obama fit in? She is the epitome of a strong black woman. So much so that she has been stereotyped as being militant! Is she a puppet on a string? Is she not black enough? Please, Silas Muhammed! Stop trying to prevent a positive image of a black man from emerging onto the international stage!