Black America in the 21st Century: Compete or Perish by Ron Daniels, Ph.D.

The Algerian reformer, social psychologist and revolutionary Frantz Fanon once proclaimed that, “each generation must, out of relative obscurity, discover its mission, fulfill it or betray it.” Now that we have crossed the threshold of a new century and millennium, a new generation of Black students, young activists, professionals and intellectuals must discover their mission if Africans in America and the world are to make further progress along the path to full freedom and liberation. The signs are that this task will be no less difficult than that faced by previous generations.

There is no question that DuBois' prophesy that the problem of the 20th Century would be the “colorline” (racism and white supremacy) proved to be valid. Present indications suggest that the “colorline” will remain a barrier to Black advancement well into the 21st Century. Though Africans in America have unquestionably made significant progress over the past 100 years, racism is still alive and well in this country. Perhaps nothing more than the recent disenfranchisement of Black voters in Florida and around the nation in the 2000 presidential election points to the continuing disrespect and disregard for Black people in this country.

After a period of major gains in shattering the walls of apartheid in the U.S., a venomous "white backlash" has relegated the plight of Africans in America to the back burner. Indeed, there is now a concerted effort by government at all levels to turn the clock back on Black progress. This is particularly reflected in the assault on affirmative action and the use of  “race based” policies to remedy past and present discrimination. Despite widespread evidence of racial profiling, police brutality and continuing discrimination in virtually every area of life, America is in denial about racism. Indeed, within much of white America there is the perception that Black gains have come at the expense of white people, and that it is now whites who are the victims of unfair treatment because of the “preferential treatment” afforded Blacks.

As this generation contemplates the challenges facing Black people in the new century, it must also face the reality that the demographics of the U.S. have changed dramatically in the last 50 years with significant numbers of other peoples of color, particularly Latinos and Asians, migrating to these shores in large numbers. In fact, based on the 2000 Census, Latinos have now surpassed Africans as the largest minority in this country. Though other people of color also face discrimination, as Dr. Claude Anderson contends in Black Labor White Wealth, Blacks remain the least preferred minority in America. Indeed, even among other people of color one senses a sentiment that the concerns of Black people are receiving too much attention. Hence Black people are not likely to receive much sympathy from other people of color as we continue our quest for full freedom. Finally, ready or not, Africans in America are affected by the new global economy where competition for survival and development is often fierce and unforgiving. As we enter a new century, all of these factors suggest that Africans in America must be prepared to compete if we are to progress and prosper. The question is will Black people in general and this generation in particular be up to the challenge?

In my view the answer to that question is very simple. Africans in America must resolve to compete or perish. The hard cold reality is that while we are well aware that the source of our oppression is white supremacy, simply citing that fact with repetition will not be sufficient to  achieve racial progress. In the 21st Century, Africans in America must consciously and calculatedly plan to prepare our people to compete to promote and defend our interests and aspirations.

The first step in this process is to cultivate a cultural, spiritual and mental toughness and tenacity that will not countenance failure. We must be deeply grounded/rooted in an understanding of who we are as a people, our history, culture and potential for greatness. And while we should not inherently be antagonistic to any group of people, it is imperative that African people cultivate the consciousness to be "of the race and for the race." The dictums “charity begins at home and spreads abroad,” and “love thy neighbor as thy self ” are certainly applicable as guides in our relations with others. We must also have faith that our ancestors and the creator are on our side as long as that which we aspire to and undertake is righteous and just.

It goes without saying that Black people cannot depend on Euro-centric institutions to impart the kind of consciousness required to equip our people to compete and succeed in the 21st Century. It is the responsibility of Black people to cultivate that consciousness in our families, the community, our churches and civic associations. The Black church can be particularly useful in this regard by operating after-school and Saturday school programs where young people can learn about our history and heritage while also acquiring some of the skills needed to compete effectively in public schools and institutions of higher learning. After school and Saturday school programs also provide excellent avenues for college students and young adults to render significant service to the community. Indeed, Black people need a pattern of self supporting social, cultural-educational, economic and political institutions which orient young people to the credo of committing time, talent and resources to the Black community and offer opportunities for youth and students to render service to the community.

Africans in America must also be prepared to engage the struggle for economic empowerment with a focus and passion unprecedented in our recent history. Economic development must become a priority that is a constant part of our consciousness. Black America must create as many avenues as possible to train as many Black people as possible in the principles, art and science of business development, management, maintenance etc. Black colleges and universities, Black churches, community based organizations and civic associations should also be involved in teaching Black people how to harness Black dollars to engage in and master economic development. Unfortunately, Black people still tend to “pay for what we want and beg for what we need.” We walk around with Tommy Hilfiger or BOSS emblazoned on our chest without asking the question what has Tommy Hilfiger or BOSS done for Black people lately in terms of investments in the Black community?

Youth and students can play a crucial role in assuming leadership in demonstrating that Black dollars can be a critical tool in the struggle for Black advancement. Black and Latino youth created Hip Hop culture and  a whole style of doing things complete with an array of clothing and apparel. The problem is that most of the manufacturers of Hip Hop apparel contribute little or nothing in terms of reinvesting in the Black community. Black young people could lead the way in sending a message to the manufacturers of Hip Hop apparel that Black dollars must equal Black empowerment. Ultimately, in addition to pressuring these uncaring companies, more young Blacks should follow the example of FUBU and create their own companies to manufacture and market those items made popular by Black culture.

Into the 21st Century, the next generation of leadership must understand that no one will listen sympathetically to our complaints about the lack of Black control over the nearly  $600 billion in Black consumer power or the lack of control over the businesses and economics in the Black community. The struggle for economic empowerment must also be linked to the struggle for reparations – restitution to repair the damages done to African people as a consequence of the holocaust of enslavement. Reparations can provide the much-needed capital for various economic development initiatives calculated to benefit Black America as a whole. For economic empowerment to become a reality, however, Black people must decide that we are going to control our economic destiny and take the steps necessary to achieve economic empowerment. An Economic Empowerment Think Tank could greatly enhance our cause in this regard. Who better to construct such a institution and initiative than the multi-talented Black students who are matriculating and graduating from colleges and universities in increasing numbers.

Finally, it is absolutely essential that Africans in America utilize the political process in its broadest dimensions to relentlessly and unapologetically promote and defend the interests of the National Black community. Political empowerment must go hand and hand with cultural-historical awareness, the development of self-supporting Black institutions and economic empowerment. The worse thing that could happen to Black people is to become discouraged and apathetic because of the debacle of Election 2000. Rather than become discouraged, Black people should resolve to intensify the effort to register the unregistered, vigorously fight for electoral reforms and march on ballot boxes as never before to articulate our interests. Black  youth and students can lead the way by helping to activate the millions of young people between the ages of 18-24 who are not registered and/or do not vote. In many respects the youth vote can be decisive in determining the outcome of elections all across this country -- and thereby the destiny of Black people.

Beyond voter registration and get out the vote efforts, however, the critical imperative in the vital arena of electoral politics and participation is to create a political mechanism, a Third Force, not tied to the Democratic or Republican Party which can reward the friends of Black people and punish our adversaries based on a progressive Black agenda. Africans in America urgently need a Third Force or Black-led political party to maximize the impact of Black voter participation.

As a new generation prepares to accept leadership in the Black Freedom Struggle, it is important to understand that Africans in America have made great progress, but there is still much to be done if we are to vindicate the blood and suffering of our forebears on whose shoulders we stand. What I have attempted to suggest in this essay is that given the reality of racism in American society and the changing demographics in this nation, the road for Black people will not be easy. On every front the message and warning to Africans in America is the same --- in the 21st Century, we must be prepared to compete or perish. This is the mission that a new generation must accept and master if African people are to once again step out on the stage of history as a “free, proud and productive people.”

Dr. Ron Daniels is a veteran social and political activist and the executive director of the Center for Constitutional Rights in New York City. He's also an accomplished syndicated newspaper columnist and the contributing editor for this 3oth Anniversary issue of THE BLACK COLLEGIAN Magazine.