I was assisted in writing this post by a bottle of Wapisa Malbec 2017. A rich 95 Point, high-altitude Argentinian from Patagonia. Complex and flavorful. Inky and dry. Full body structure. Leading with ripe cherries, jasmine, black currants, and oak. A sustain of plums, apple, vanilla, and toast. Light tannins, moderate acidity. Closing with smoke, vanilla, and walnuts. Long – plush finish.
“One of the greatest handicaps among the so-called Negroes is that there is no love for self, nor love for his or her kind. This not having love for self is the root cause of hate (dislike), disunity, disagreement, quarreling, betraying, stool pigeons and fighting and killing one another. How can you be loved, if you have not love for self? And [with you being in] your own nation and [you in] dislike [of] being a member of your own, then what nation will trust your love and membership? – You say of yourself, “I love everybody.” This cannot be true. Love for self comes first. The Bible, the book that you claim to believe says; “Love the brotherhood” (I Peter 2:17). “Love one another” (John 15:17). Love of self comes first. “The one who loves everybody [other than his own] is the one who does not love anyone…”
Elijah Muhammad (“Message To The Blackman”)
Some people speak in inappropriateness to the detriment of their own goals.
I am not sure if I understand this. Maybe not this. OK? But, the way I was raised, I do understand, that depending on the potential positive or negative impact to one’s household – some home conversations can be spoken about with others outside of the household; and some conversations should stay in the house. Understand?
It would seem to me at this point in the reparations movement that the total focus should be getting our hands on the bag – policies – set-asides. What happened to that? Look, I am no geneticist. But every single person that can neatly fit under the broad terminology of “Foundational Black American” is either bi – tri – or quad-racial. Both old and new mixes. Just to keep things real fucking simple. And some of us do indeed have some Native American genetics, some of us have pre-slavery period Black indigenous genetics, and only some of us have Black never-enslaved Freeman genetics. True. Yep! This is great stuff to know. And!!! Possibly undeniable history? OK. This is also great stuff to keep between and to yourselves AT HOME.
Think Strategy Family.
At this point – I have to ask: “What is the ultimate goal in publicly discussing this?”
Because I have to bottom-line ask: “Is this ‘Indian’ talk getting us closer to the bag or not?” I am sure that a good number of the people reading this post have at one time or another; lied on various applications; dressed up resumes; intentionally omitted certain aspects about oneself in interviews to make it past certain barriers. Right? So why in this instance are certain groups within the reparations movement digging up and broadcasting information that can possibly mitigate or extinguish our reparations demand? Is this talk about some “high” in declaring yourself as “Indian” – OR securing the bag? What can you take to the bank? “Indian-ness?”
In this Freedmen’s Reparations Era – what do you think will spend Family?
When reparations does happen – those conversations could have thousands of us self-eliminating ourselves from eligibility. Ammunition. I think you forget that white reparations oppositionists are absorbing every word and possibly developing a shutdown strategy based upon these public conversations. At many times in our racial history we have been denied rights and benefits through racist strategies of legally added complexity. This time, WE are handing over workable complexities that can be weaponized against us by our enemies(!?). We must overcome strategic blindness (ours). One of our historic downfalls as a people is us talking too much.
YES – talking too damned much. Scenario: Just like The Bureau of Indian Affairs has white people working there, The Bureau of Freedmen Affairs will have some white people working there as well. Just a reality of federal administration. You are standing in line, this >I< close to getting that $350,000 or more wealth gap closure check cut, drawn from the United States Treasury, and placed in your hand. The white intake clerk requests a sworn establishment of lineage. You answer: “Indian!” The clerk then directs you to the line that will be escorted to The Bureau of Indian Affairs. You can make your demands there. How will that conversation go?
Ahh…
So LOOK: If you believe you are an Indian – Cool. But I would suggest you lose Dane Calloway for a minute before he fucks up your money. OK? I support your “Indian-ness” or “Indiginous-ness.” OK? But if your official paperwork as of now says – Black, Negro, Colored, African American, AND if anybody ever at any point in your life has ever called you a “Nigger” – that right there should temporarily be your eligibility standard. Let’s focus on the money Man!!! Do you understand?
If you want to be an Indian – be an Indian. But at this time, I would say: “Keep your mouth shut.” And make sense for yourself. Let us work in unity with the specificity Reparationists that are trying to get the bag for all of us. AND LET’S GET THAT FUCKING CHECK. Once you get that check – you can buy all the feathers you want. Get a peace pipe. Yes! You got some fucking money! Then you can get that peace pipe poppin’ with some real good shit. Got a backyard?
Amazon sells all kinds of teepees – some are fireproof…
I can’t tell anyone what to do. Just consider what I’m saying here. That’s All.
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FREEDMEN ABSOLUTE 