The Black on Black Crime has been plaguing the country for decades. Some will argue that the “War On Drugs” was a war camouflaged with the intentions of attacking the black community with autonomy. The fact remains that ever since the “War On Drugs”, there have been more black men in prison then there were in homes or in college campuses (or post-secondary eduction) up until 2002 (look below). It’s as if black people are the only ones in the U.S. that abuse drugs. African Americans comprise of 80 to 90 percent of all drug offenders sent to prison. However, white youth for example, have about three times the number of drug-related visits to the emergency room compared to their African American peers. White on White Crime occurs just about the same as Black on Black Crime but, we are made to believe that we create the bulk of crime. Homicide statistics prove that 84% of white victims are killed by Whites and 93% of black victims are killed by Blacks (The Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2011).

The collateral damage occurs once you are convicted of a crime. Crime conviction makes it very difficult to get approved for housing, student loans, and even obtaining voting rights. There are over two million blacks in America that can not vote and I am one of them (1.5 million x felons couldn’t vote in 2010/23% of them were African American). How is it possible for blacks not to feel or think of ourselves as outcasts, disenfranchised, and criminalized in an Equal & Justice For All system?

Ladies & Gentlemen, we have a system built with abstract freedom and equality that is only equal on paper. The quintessence of this country was built on deception, slavery, strong armed robbery and was whitewashed with a charade of values, moral decency, and prosperity. There are more African Americans under correctional control today—in prison or jail, on probation or parole—than there were Africans enslaved in 1850, a decade before the Civil War began (a battle over what to do with the African Queens and Kings that were kidnapped and forced into harsh labor).

Moreover, blacks were not included when billions of dollars of land grants (started in 1850) were given out by the government to all whites (under President Grant). There are claims that we were ineligible for grants since we were given a free ride to America on slave ships. For example, in 1889 the Oklahoma Land Rush, the KKK, terrorists, and lynch mobs intimidated our ancestors from even trying to claim some of the free land. The local authorities refused to protect them. Come to find out, the land was worth billions of dollars because it was rich with petroleum and mineral reserves. History is present today in the way it’s impacting the black communities financially and nation wide. Blacks were given a bad hand to begin with. You better believe that this money was passed down from generation to generation within the privileged white families.

Nonetheless, I am graced by God not to be one of the black men that represent 35% of the prison population. As of March 2014, one out of every thirteen African Americans can not vote. Majority of the black community has been incarcerated (or on parole/probation) and feel as though there isn’t anything they can do about it. “It is what it is,” is the common phrase that you’ll hear on a regular basis. This tells us that there is a generation of folks that see the future as hopeless for them but, there might be a chance for their children. Unfortunately, this isn’t a realistic point of view since statistics show us that if you’ve been incarcerated and have children, your kids are six times as likely to end up in the criminal system, as well. Children can only live by the example that we give them.

Solution To The Curse of Incarceration: African Consciousness

I know I felt some disparity twelve years ago, but THANK GOD for the “Business Mentors” that helped me become an entrepreneur, author, and filmmaker.  The one thing that Black folks must do is get rid of that slave plantation mentality, “Master is going to look out for us.” We as a people need to stop depending on a system that is criminalizing our communities, therefore, criminalizing our future as well. We have our own identity, culture, and spirituality. Our ancient ancestors were Queens & Kings. That means that we have a royal bloodline running through our veins. We can accomplish anything that we put our minds to.

Let’s build, support, and encourage more businesses within the black community with an African Conscious agenda, which is an instrument of power and intelligence. Support programs that teach our community an African true identity, global and economic (untold) history of America. We must build a nation within this nation just like the Cubans (Little Havana), Chinese (China Town), Japanese, and Mexicans have been doing since day one in America. I love that they love their ethnicity to the point that they only support their own and aren’t viewed as racist.

Let’s share information with blacks around the world. Marcus Garvey was a genius at sharing African Consciousness across the globe with the Negro World newspaper. He also had the first all black owned and operated cruise ship, Black Star Line (very impressive). All these years, decades, and centuries we’ve been interjected with Euro-centric consciousness in schools, churches, and propaganda, which has caused us to hate ourselves and love European culture. Ask yourself this question, “How well has this worked out for us, thus far”? My point exactly!

It’s time for us to get down to the money, power, and African Consciousness. Dr. Amos Wilson, author of Black On Black Violence (awesome book) and Awakening The Natural Genius Of The Black Child (another fabulous book), explains our situation so eloquently. But, what I love most about his books and lectures is that he provides tangible solutions. We’ve spent so much time and energy trying to obtain the right the vote, sit in the front of the bus, and be accepted by white America that we’ve allowed the corporations, foreign immigrants (Arabs, Chinese, and Koreans to set up stores, such as liquor/corner stores in our community) and politicians to steal our wealth and minds. It’s time to stop trying to get with the program and create our own programs that enhance our minds, body, spirit, and FINANCIAL STATUS – protect our own interests. In years to come we’ll see a vicissitude in our position in the world and a significant decrease in Black on Black crime due to the love for ourselves which will reflect in the love we will show to our Black Queens & Kings!

Be Blessed and hope to hear some of your comments via social media. Like This? Please share this!

by King Kevin Dorival on March 2014.

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