"Playing" Blacks

sThe sad state of black affairs is the trolling for black votes and misrepresentation of its importance to the state of affairs of this nation.

One thing was clear in the Democratic debates, the fact that blacks are simply aside but are also not being calculated in decisions, which will have a lasting impact.

For Republicans, people are so concerned with the data of the trickle down economic impact of this administration’s economic progress on different groups that the truth about the party’s history and progress from its unheralded efforts by and to help blacks is buried deep in its memory banks.

Voting is most important, but voter suppression efforts have never overcome the mindset of a people who believe their votes don’t matter, or that if they register to vote they will be tapped for jury duty or other civic responsibilities.

It’s sort of the same with the census where too many don't want to come out of hiding and be counted/ not understanding that census data is used to help calculate apportionment to municipalities and state government. Not being civic minded counts out too many people; we so sure that blacks are only 12% of the population.

If we aren’t counted who really knows the truth?

But while people are playing or trolling black folks and pandering for their votes, the reality for too many of us is that we too often are becoming our own worst enemy.

C. Delores Tucker, a civil rights figure of the 1990’s railed against degradation by the pornographic imagery of self and females in much of "gangsta" rap; yet the vile name calling sees no limit to its music awards which wash the mind, entrapping a new generation of young people.

Too many of our youth want to dance or be a star; or they are consumed with gender bending — while the ranks of doctors, engineers, and teachers still need replenishment with role models to ensure our future.

Both television and movies would have you believe that drug lords, pimps, buffoons, or wannabe’s are who we should be anchored by. As an example, an overbearing black character named Madea who is a black man dressed in women’s clothing.

So, why was radio's "Amos and Andy" more offensive than stereotypes now being displayed? We are being laughed at, and we are unfortunately going along with it.

Black history has been distorted by allowing people to choose our heroes for us rather than look to history to find them for ourselves. The first seven black U.S. congressmen were Republicans; they impacted the establishment of precedents from the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments, as well as the first Civil Rights Act of 1866.

However, we have yet to see a Black Heritage Stamp.

Could this be because they were Republicans?

What about Henrietta Lacks whose cervical cells formed the basis of human molecular biology work for the human genome cell sequence unlocking template for vaccines and a $350 billion dollar industry of medical wonders all without compensation to her family or recognition with the naming of an NIH building, or even one at Johns Hopkins University  — where her cells were taken.

Why are they not captured on the lexicon of what is important to this nation?

Then there is the story of North Carolina's Abraham Galloway who was one of the first blacks to meet with Abraham Lincoln in protest of the treatment of blacks, served as a spy for the Union Army — helping to turn the course of the Civil War.

Galloway led a life worthy of a James Bond production.

With the massive debts that today’s students are bearing, the disproportionate impact upon students of color pales next to the negative debt balance of our Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HCBUs).

Of the more than 130 HBCUs as of the 1930’s, slightly over 100 such accredited institutions survive today with many people asking the stupid question should they exist?

HBCUs have been gatekeepers of opportunities in higher education and the professions for black students. Yet many see their alumni as helping in their failings in not repaying their debts or demanding accountability for their excellence.

Enter one Robert F. Smith, a black billionaire, whose largess to his alma mater Morehouse College in forgiving their class of 2018’s debt, demonstrated that we have the resources to help right this wrong.

Another issue underlying the struggle of the HBCU’s is their indebtedness to federal and state governments in borrowing, to try to keep their doors open. Titles I, III and IX programs offer some venues for student support; however, it's their past debts borne out of a segregation imposed by governments acting as a compounding culprit.

For years, I have been trying to get Republicans and Democrats to forgive all such debts incurred before 1964 which aggravate these schools ability to demonstrate financial stability to accrediting bodies. It has been the Republican Party which has shown some willingness through its White House Initiatives to do something but it has not been enough.

The 1964 Civil Rights Act helped to render some past wrongs right but those debts before then are not likely to be recovered and should be forgiven rather than be a perpetual instigator and reminder of their previous repression.

This is only fair and this is not reparations.

We must chose heroes from history not just in the moment and our story must be accurately portrayed. Living black cannot be how others define us, but what part we are willing to play in telling our story.

As the 2016 election of Donald John Trump demonstrated, if every black person registered and voted, at 12% of the population the effect might not have been profound but at least our voices would have been heard. Though it is said often, those who do not appreciate or understand history are likely to repeat it.

I say those who do not understand civics and history will always be counted out.

Ada M. Fisher, MD, MPH is a licensed teacher, retired Corporate physician, former county school board member, speaker, , author of Common Sense Conservative Prescriptions Good for What Ails Us Book 1 (available through Amazon. Com) and is the NC Republican National Committeewoman. Contact through DrAdaMFisher.org. To read more of Dr. Fisher's reports, Click Here Now.