CHAPTER 1
HIDDEN FACES OF PREJUDICE
When the black man gave responsibility for his economic condition to the white man in the form of government, he also gave the white man (in the form of government) responsibility for solving the problem. Unfortunately black leaders have done little except sit and wait for government to solve problems in the black community through programs. Lost in the longing for more government dollars and favorable policies is the realization that nothing from the government is free. For every dollar given by government and for every policy and law, government exercises a measure of control over the recipient and those covered by the policy or law. Truth is decades of looking to government for aid, to provide jobs, to solve discrimination problems, and to provide a solution to virtually every problem faced by the black community has created an unparalleled dependency on government in virtually every area of life. Dependency destroys freedom and leads toward servitude and slavery, in mind if not in body.
This enslaving dependency has been masked behind a blinding loyalty to black leaders. To even hint that a prominent leader such as Rev Jesse Jackson, or Rev Al Sharpton might in any way be prejudiced is considered by most to be an act of treason! To dare besmirch the reputation of one of the pillars of the African American struggle is thought to be absolutely without merit. But it is obvious that there is a very thin line between pride and prejudice. In examining speeches that Rev Jackson has delivered, one finds that without exception, they have one central theme, the white establishment’s oppression of the black community. Everything wrong in the black community is attributed in some way to a cause stemming from white oppression. Logic and reason dictate that the white man did not cause all the problems in the black community. The truth is, blaming the white man is merely a convenient and readily accepted escape from accepting responsibility for an event or condition. The "blame the white man" line of reasoning is prejudicial reasoning at its worse. It would seem that the bulk of the work of black leaders has been so dominated by fighting "white oppression" that it has blinded them to any facet of the black struggle other than that of racism and prejudice on the part of white America. They have developed "tunnel vision." While the fight goes on against racism and prejudice, the actual causes of the problems of the black community are ignored and continue to cause destruction and death with no hint of resistance of even the knowledge of their existence. To the black leadership the root of all the black man’s problems is the white man. Though it would be silly to ignore the effect that white prejudice and racism has had and is having on the plight of black America, there comes a time when the past must be put to rest. The great tragedy of the black struggle is that for the past three decades, black leaders (with few exceptions) have indoctrinated black America with the pattern of thinking that places blame for and responsibility for correcting the black man’s problems on the white man.
Two questions must be asked. What is prejudice? What is discrimination? It is perfectly natural for Jews to desire to associate with Jews, for Indians to desire to marry Indians, and for Asians to help Asians. It is a matter of the heart, the mind, and the emotion. In fact, it is considered admirable for a black man to display these attitudes and feelings. But when does it become wrong? When is it wrong to chose to help those of your own race over those of another race? It must be acknowledged that the dominant one has inherent responsibilities in any situation. This is true whether it is the older brother helping a younger sibling, the larger helping the smaller, or the one holding the most power using that power to insure justice to all, not merely profit for self. Truth is, anything taken to excess becomes destructive. It is a good thing to help those close to you, to help your family, your community, your race, and so on. By helping those close to you, you receive strength and are able to reach out farther. Eventually you will be able to reach out to those of other races, religions, nationalities and so on.