Slavery Knows No Bounds

Most of us are so possessive of our religions that we put on blinders. Like some of you, perhaps, I am aware that it was not too long ago that the term Christian was reserved exclusively for the (Western) white man. That is because, aside from the Ethiopians, Egyptians and Yemenis - of whom we (Blacks) in the US are not direct descendants really - Christianization of African (American) people is largely a process-outcome of European colonization here in North America, and in Africa since colonization (1880-1950) ... So too, it is for Islam, especially in the West of Africa, where the "aggression" was from many blacks themselves whom had gradually become culturally Arabic-Muslim.

However, this book recounts history around the Mediterranean between roughly 1550-1800 A.D. In this history the victims where those (white people) who dwelled in the coastal regions of the northern Mediterranean from Spain to Italy. Evidently, the perpetrators were by this time largely, though not exclusively (white people) of Turkic extraction. The point here is mostly for clarity. We can then easily change the title of the book to White Slaves and Turkish-Arab Masters.

I have long held that we (black and white people) in America exercise a peculiar identity with slavery. On one hand we react with a sense of shame over it, only seeing it as a useful bludgeon against attacks from racist (white) people. [Which seems to be less effective with each passing decade]. On the other hand we don't want to share slavery with the rest of humanity. As if to say, "Ha, you call that slavery? I'll tell you 'bout some slavery..." Now had I known when I was in middle school that other people around the world suffered a similar horrific and prolonged bondage, in effect if not in magnitude, as the Negro in America has, I would have felt less stigmatized and less defensive growing up. And of course I would have been better educated.

Three Things I learned:
1) Wide spread slavery becomes possible when a people are dispossessed by their nation (Think Rohingya today.); Or their nation is not strong enough to mount an assault against would-be enslavers (Think Libya today.)
2) Slavery is always a business. It is about obtaining cheap labor or economic ransom...
3) There is nothing inherent in religion that ends slavery, or even makes it more humane or tolerable. The perpetuation of slavery by religious (institutions and clergy-people) is a moral failing of the collective practice of their religion. We who practice must demand better of our kind.

Although the book's title plays on historical religious divisions and current day politics, I do recommend it. That is mostly because it adds a little known piece of the historical puzzle surrounding slavery and modern Western Muslim anxiety too. More importantly, perhaps, is that it raises further questions, and it leads the curious to further reading on the topic. 

Why Now?

The term "white supremacists" has been out of media parlance for decades. Mainstream news outlets and pundits almost never use it. Not for police and not for public elected officials. Although the term is more politically accurate than the word "racist" - another seldom used term - it has been mostly avoided since the seventies by all but community level justice-seeking minority activists whom are off media radar. 'White supremacists' tends to invoke a more intelligent examination from audiences, as opposed to the emotionally charged accusation, 'racist.' It causes some people to think critically about racial conflict and why it exist. And since American media is no champion of the popular intelligence, [Sorry PBS] why has it been enlisted suddenly?

Donald Trump's base has not changed their demographic profile or bellicose action since he started his campaign well over a year ago. Alternately referred to as "tea party, evangelicals, 'deplorables,' then alt-right," etc., the politics and rhetoric of his base supporters have not wavered since Barack Obama's presidency stirred unity. Remember those many people assaulted during Donald Trumps rallies? Confederate flags were carried then. Why are those people only now referred to as what many of them are no doubt, white supremacists? I think this exposes something more about how dangerous Trump is regarded by the entrenched political establishment in Washington D.C. than any greater threat or insult he portends for the body politic. He already accomplished a new (lower) standard with his campaign run. So, his conduct in office has not been a surprise to many of us. Nevertheless, the term 'white supremacists' has vilified both Mr. Trump and his base supporters, and set him in opposition to American values like no other reference has to date. Why now?

Out of the Park and Over the Fences!

Denzel Washington hits another home run! He nails yet another powerful portrayal of African- American men; the culture we manifest and the societies in which we live. Hats off for another award-winning performance.

Less Than Endangered

Sometimes two seemingly opposed arguments can be true at the same time. Take for example the current topic of Ferguson, MO and the events occurring in the aftermath of Michael Brown's death at the hands of police. The collective reaction of local people to what they immediately perceived as more racial injustice at the hands of their racially exclusive police forced triggered a national furor, but less of an analysis into incident. That must wait for a grand jury.

Our cable went down the day after it happened, and we went away on vacation for a few more days when the confrontation reached its height. So, I struggled to keep up on all the news angles including the images of riot and tear gassing. One thing became clear, however. Coverage went rapidly from the speculation and investigation into the reason Michael Brown was shot dead, to a wide ranging focus on issues including looting, and institutional racism in the police force, to the militarization of law enforcement and the perilous, seemingly bleak, future of black men in America.

Its this last issue that I will focus upon. Because in the days since Ferguson, MO became a hashtag, there have been countless videos posted and assertions made about police brutality against all people, but especially black males. Remember that I said that two seemingly opposed arguments can be true at the same time? I am not questioning police brutality or militarization. The jury is in on that. I am however, questioning the over-identification with victimization since the Eric Gardner and Michael Brown deaths. For example, a writer for TheRoot.com took the position that we should merely be teaching our boys to survive? Friends on Facebook are posting numerous video clips of confrontations between black and police. Almost, as if to say, "See, we are all victims." That is not true.

Slavery was the crucible that melded the identify of Africans, indigenous people (Indians) and Europeans (whites) into a single political identity known as black people. So, we who identify as black really had no choice.And in the 'Age of Obama' we still don't. Now that, for me at least is not a complaint. I like identifying as black. I see majesty in triumph. And that is the problem in the aftermath of #Ferguson in the climate of social media. Since my coming of age in the 1980s, I have experienced the Newsweek magazine assault, the whole 'black male endangered species' propaganda, the resurgence of black consciousnesses in media and literature, the Million Man March, and the rise and fall of Hip-Hop among other identity-shaping events. Despite it all, a significant portion of black maleness is excelling in all fields. This includes business, professionalism and arts and entertainment. That truth risks being obscured with a narrow-minded victimization mentality that events, like #Ferguson, help to grow.

My Iconography!

This is an image retrospective from my grossly neglected blog-space at SepiaMuse. It captures many of my sociological perspectives dating back to the early 2000s. Since the addictive ease in which social media, and Facebook in particular, has overtaken all my thought-response habits, I have ignored the blog. I really must find my way back to it; or at least integrate it with my Facebook platform. I have been wanting to do video blogging more as well. 

The South Inlet... Atlantic City

The Southern Inlet section of Absecon Island in Atlantic City, New Jersey has been suffering from blight since at least the early 1970s. It never benefited from the economic prosperity of the now bygone casino boom years (1985-1995). So, its continued erosion is unremarkable.