RAISING A BLACK MAN IN AMERICA...

Navigating the world with black skin is a story as old as black slavery in this country. Yet, a movement called Black Lives Matter had to be formed for Black people and allies to fight anti- Black racism.

The plight of our black citizens still has to be pummeled into our white privileged heads that all is not right with the world.  This is UWL's 3rd year to hold a Social Justice week and the first 5:30 session was a panel of 3 UW-L university professors from different disciplines referencing quotes from one or more works of American author, journalist and educator Ta-Nehisi Coates: Between the World and Me, We Were 8 Years in Power and the Black Panther comics.

The first to present, Richard Breaux, from Ethnic & Racial Studies referred to this cultural critique and political awareness as a gen X- er  in an autobiographical way of comparing himself to Coates as middle class, 1970's age and although raised on different coasts both fathers had a connection to Black Panthers and love of reading specifically The Black Classic Press which Coates's father founded. Both have sons with whom they had to have 'the talk'.

Dr. Breaux's second theme was patterns of 2, ie :double Dutch jump rope, twice as good double consciousness.  Citing examples of knowing which blocks were OK blocks and which to avoid, who had your back, having a certain swag that was not too much nor too little and using specific language in different situations. His  appreciation of the 90's Self Destruction rappers whose lyrics gave insight to the 60's ie "Ballot over the Bullet." As for double consciousness of a Black President Obama even distinguishing his Blackness and White Americanness. Presidential behavior demanded the duality.

Second presenter Dr. Uttara Manohar  provided an International Communication perspective of personal relations of life and privilege from Between the World and Me how the readers have a window into this world of communication between a parent and child, protecting while also validating identity and collective self worth.  Black parents have to 'provide an armor of advice' with 'the talk'.  To illustrate the complexity of a black male childhood we listened to a TED talk  Raising a Black Son in America. (The powerful link is below.)

And Manohar's last objective was how we can learn to be an ally especially with micro-aggressions. It is not our place to minimize concerns but to listen and feel these personal reflections of anger, giving support and validating their existence.

Our third presenter Tom Jesse from the English department sought out Coates's work to include on his class syllabus. Besides the other 2 books he also chose issue #6 Black Panther, the Marvel comics and spoke to us of its layered story telling.  Dr. Jesse's selected quotes included the element of contrast; hope/ hopelessness and the presence of acceptance/rage. 

I have written before about being 'unapologetically' Black with  empowering anger which doesn't have to be destroying to make change. Anger that arises out of injustice which is moral is called righteous indignation. In remembrance of the loss Martin Luther King this week in Memphis, may righteous indignation reign.

In summation the panel's message was to read Coates if we haven't already. Special kudos and thanks to professors Jesse, Manojar and Breaux for their insight and time. 

 * LINK: RAISING A BLACK SON IN AMERICA
No one can be authentically human while he prevents others from being so. Paolo Freire