Black, but proud of what?

 I read this and was very inspired to share. Have a read! peace!

Written by Michael A. Dingwall

8/4/2011

During this season of independence and emancipation celebrations, I am reminded that as a black man I should be proud. However, when I look at my race, I find it very difficult to boast about pride.

Perhaps the most obvious area where we as a race continue to lag is in the field of science and technology. There can be no doubt. The black man has been virtually absent where innovations in science and technology are concerned. Indeed, if it were not for the scientific and technological innovations of others, we would all die of starvation.

However, it is not only the scientific and technological innovations of others that our lives depend on. Whenever one thinks of famine or economic failure, the first place that comes to mind is black Africa. Somalia and other parts of east Africa are now in the midst of a terrible famine. Millions have died in wars in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda and other states. Swaziland and Haiti are prime examples of how nations should never be governed.

All of these cases are examples of our failure to manage our affairs. How can any black man be proud when he was better off as a subject of a European empire than as a citizen of his own nation? There is not a single strong black nation today. South Africa was built by white apartheid; we blacks only provided the labour, so it doesn’t count.

We see where others have taken control of their destiny and are moving forward. We, on the other had, continue to live in the past. Our outdated need for reparations for slavery continues to sustain our victim mentality and our desire to have everybody else pity us. We still continue to think that the rest of the world owes us something. How can any black man be proud of this?

Great peoples think great things. We, on the other hand, continue to think small. That is why we continue to think that we are great when we produce record-breaking athletes, renowned musicians and other entertainers. We continue to see the building of strong and influential nations and great accomplishments in the sciences as feats others must do.

In other words, we continue to think like children. Until we are prepared to grow up, I, as a black man will never be proud!