The Audacity To Hope

What I have learned as a Black woman is that you can do your job to the best of your ability, outshine others, but still struggle more than others to reach the top? Why is that? Is it because I am seen as a threat to management? Am I too direct and honest? Or is it because black intelligent and hard working women that are direct and honest are viewed as a threat? What happens if you don’t excel and overachieve? What happens if you hide your intelligence and just do enough to get by? Why then is a black woman viewed as lazy and inefficient? Where is the middle ground? Both examples will lead to the underutilization of my talents, both examples will prevent me from being promoted, so what to do?  Also, what about the race card? Why play it when ultimately it is impossible to prove unless there is a neuse hanging up in the office, or racist words written on the bathroom wall.  Does prejudice and racism still exist? Why is it viewed as minorities making up excuses for their own shortfalls? Why is the societal view that everyone has the same opportunities, but some don’t choose to take advantage of those opportunities? In my case I have the opportunity to advance in my career and have prepared to take advantage of this opportunity. But, management is shaking their head, they do not understand why I would want to advance, they just don’t care that I want to take advantage of every opportunity that this society offers me. Because I work hard, excelled in school, and give 100% everyday, management does not understand why I feel that I should be promoted? They are disgusted that I could have a sense of entitlement. How can a black woman have a sense of entitlement? How could a black person have the audacity to want more for herself and her family? How could people of darker skin have the Audacity to Hope?

Protesters in Ferguson, MO raise their arms in the streets and will not be moved. Photo by AP

I do not want to go on writing without an update on the protest events in Ferguson, MO after the over-killing murder of Michael Brown. I continue to follow this town and speak on the horrific injustice that occurred on that day as the host of Raleigh Live ( a television news show that airs on Raleigh Television Network every Tuesday at 5pm) https://www.facebook.com/toomuchtvinc.

And on live internet radio this Tuesday, September 23, 2014 the entire nation is invited to join the discussion on effective education as a solution to social ills at 6:30pm EST. LET YOUR VOICE HEARD AND DIAL (347) 637-3889 OR ON THE INTERNET @ http://www.blogtalkradio.com/candidcandice/2014/09/23/effective-education-as-a-solution-for-healthier-communities

What Happened to Michael Brown?

Michael Brown

Our President stated, “We should comfort each other and talk with one another in a way that heals, not in a way that wounds.  Along with our prayers, that’s what Michael and his family, and our broader American community, deserve.” I wondered to myself “Is he angry?” I thought “Did the President have the conversation he suggested with his own family? with his own cabinet?” Did he explain to his girls what happened to Mike Brown and more importantly why?

This is by no means a slight of the office, but I asked myself “What would I do if I was president of the United States and I heard that a young black man was slain by a police officer…..again…. in 2014?” I guess I would start by actually having the conversation with white people, specifically, those in power.

The New York Times’ Editorial Board does a superior job detailing Ferguson city’s long racist history entitled, “The Death of Michael Brown: The Racial History Behind the Ferguson Protests.”  Michael (not Mike anymore) is referred to as Mr. Brown throughout the editorial in an extremely respectful way. The language of the by line  suggests that the traumatized people of Ferguson are protesting the “death of Michael Brown” and not looting or rioting or at war with police. Why is it so hard to say that “Ferguson’s historic racist racism continues and it is a more than likely that a white cop would shoot an UNARMED young black male repeatedly and allow his body and blood to stain his block?”

Aren’t  some people tired of talking about it already? Are some hoping this “thing won’t drag out like Trayvon?” Justice was not served then, and I don’t think anyone expects a town and PD with a recorded trail of discriminatory and exclusionary practices to deliver it now. The ruling on Trayvon’s murder continued the precedent that black men–people don’t matter because if a neighborhood watchman (sad face) justified for killing out of fear, then obviously a police officer is justified for killing the same.

Can we just talk about this a few more weeks, months, year? Can we God? Oprah? Phil? Berman? Everyone? discuss the fact that the white people in charge, making laws for Ferguson Missouri and other pockets of the U.S. hate people because of the color of their skin and this hate is killing, eradicating lives. Let’s talk. Really, about a historic hatred of black people masked with fear, especially a fear of black men, and what that means for my son.

My prayer continues for the mental health of my people, Michael Brown’s family and friends I pray Jesus, let not our hearts be troubled may we believe in God and also in you for you are the way, the truth, and the life as no man comes to the Father, but by you. All that mourn as you said Lord will be blessed and comforted as weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Platform for conversation Candid is Candice radio: More on What Happened to Michael Brown?