Hey People.
The following is a letter I wrote to the Editor of Esquire Magazine.
It's a response to John Ridley's December 2006 article MANIFESTO OF ASCENDANCY FOR THE MODERN AMERICAN NIGGER.

John Ridley: Screenwriter for THREE KINGS, UNDERCOVER BROTHER. He also wrote BARBERSHOP THE SERIES on Showtime.

Read the Article.

John Ridley's rant about the unwillingness of poorer Blacks he deems as “Niggers” to succeed is a sad state of affairs. I certainly believe there should be a serious national discussion about poorer blacks in this country. And I certainly believe many of our inner-cities where poorer blacks live are suffering from black on black violence, a disregard for mediocre [if not bankrupt] public education, and a high-rate of teen pregnancy. But it is a stale mind that can only view these conditions as an eyesore. As a constant stab in the side of so-called accomplished blacks like Condi, Powell and Ridley. It's a cowardly man who blames a marginalized people [descended of kidnapped then dehumanized Africans] for their complete unwillingness to take advantage of all that our Civil Rights fore-parents laid out. [Ridley’s suggestion, not mine].

Where is Ridley's compassion? He is artist, is he not? Where is his understanding that some poorer blacks have a difficult time because they have darker skin; that they must constantly compete for social and financial recognition with lighter-skinned blacks or so-called more Anglo-looking or –behaving blacks. Look at Hollywood, Mister Ridley. Look at Hollywood.

Or what about that some black boys are targeted as children to fail. That at seven or nine years old they are policed, or harassed by teachers. And by the time they're twelve they are so traumatized by this consistent dehumanizing they give up hope and trust nothing or no one. I taught fourth-grade in California, I’ve seen it.

What about a group of people dealing with historical trauma and not having the skills,or resources to help overcome a society that views them as an eyesore, or an economic strain, or a means to entertain via athletics and broad comedy. It's one thing to point out the accomplishments of Condi and Powell as a way to separate the person from the crimes? I wasn’t sure of Ridley’s point here. But, hell, I come from accomplished people. My great-uncles were some of the first black students to study classical piano at Cincinnati's Conservatory of Music. My cousin was once president of Norfolk State University. My family are descendents of one of the few free families of color in the state of Kentucky prior to 1820. Teachers, barbers and musicians decades before Emancipation. Some even owned slaves that were NOT their family members. We are a people of many accomplishments and demons long before post-Civil Rights. And to give a litany of Condi and Powell's accomplishments just adds to a list already in existence: Booker T. Washington, Harriet E. Wilson, P.B.S Pinchback, etc.

I think Ridley misses the point of his own point. Is it a question that so-called “niggers” are willing participants in their own destruction? Maybe. Are so-called successful “blacks” deserving of praise even if they’re helping to ruin American democracy? Maybe. But what is clear is that all African-Americans are descended from an enslaved experience and most of us carry a legacy of trauma that we may or may not be aware of [including Ridley]. And that as long as we blame one for the other’s difficulty in being viewed as “presentable” to “The Man”, we will always be viewed as crabs in the barrel.

Yes, there are many problems in our society, and the economic and social conditions of poorer blacks is just one of them. But to suggest that poorer blacks are simply “niggers” with an unwillingness or an impulse to succeed in this country is one of the most elitist notions I’ve heard since Cosby and his rant about poorer blacks and their “creative” names.

Until next time,

Keith