So, I'm getting back into The Sopranos, thanks to a chance gift. I am watching one of the episodes about one of the characters' pride in the Columbus Day Parade (turns out he was Italian). I watched it and go to thinking: where has the black pride gone? I look around at different mediums and demographics, and I've noticed that many of them do not seem to be representing anything African-American.
I look in the music and movies, and I see it all over the place. Black musicians and actors trying to convey images of power and dominance via certain organizations like mafias and cartels. I looked at their association with mobs and tribes and whatnot and it just hit me. Why are we focused on being a part of a group that has nothing to do with black people? More than that, why must they be ILLEGAL organizations (with the exception of Indian tribes)? Do they believe that the history of Black America is THAT devoid of Afro-Am groups worthy of being emulated? The Mafia was started by Italian Americans to protect the interest of newly immigrated Italians, because the police weren't. You see the way mafia members view black people, and you know they don't really care for us, so why rush to become a mafia? Yet and still, we see Three 6 Mafia (congrats on the Oscar), Murder, Inc., Irv Gotti, etc.
This is not a strike against these musicians or their music, because I do enjoy it, but the naming is where my beef comes in. Let's do our homework and find Black organizations to emulate. Black Wall Street, for example. In fact, let's be our OWN group and start NEW long-lasting principles. Let us be originators and not duplicators. Power to the people.
-B
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This one is coming to you B from the Prez of Diva Savvy. It gives me great pleasure to find a young black MAN who is still very much grounded in principles. Your take on the organizations who reflect a part of our Black World who has no problem with demeaning self and will look you in the eye and say, "What's in a name?" and then wonder why the Black community is stereo typed the way it is.
Two days ago, you asked me about the roots of Diva Savvy. In conjunction with your post, I felt,also, that it was time for an organization of mature,educated, business-minded, professional, STRONG Black Women to present itself to our community. Our goal is to provide a foundation of strength and morals. With each day that passes, we have an opportunity to cultivate ourselves a little more. This is why the members of Diva Savvy have an obligation to surround themselves with positivity. One objective of members of Diva Savvy is to give and get a bit of new information each day; to reach into the strength of our strong Black past and bring back the full STRONG, BLACK WOMAN, and not just an "image" of what we once were.
Keep it real B. and keep an eye on Diva Savvy... we have a new world in store.
-Prez
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