The Constructs of Racism

Institutional racism in America is perpetuated through the constructs of religion, culture and communication. Institutionalized racism results primarily in a skewed perception of self by the victim. In America religion and culture have become symbols of the perceived superiority of the european mindset. Because of the effects of racism, people of color; especially a great number of African-Americans, identify themselves through a European mindset in terms of their religious beliefs, cultural edifices, and icons. Thus if anything or anyone challenges that mindset, the aforementioned African-Americans will react as negatively and vociferously to and against that challenge as would the white racist.

We see the aforementioned reaction anytime an African American stands up against the status quo. When Dr. Martin Luther King took up the banner of civil rights in the 1950's, there were only a handful of Black churches and organizations that stood with him. An example of that fact is that out of the hundreds of black churches that existed in Birmingham Alabama in the fifties and sixties, only 14 allowed Dr. King and all of the other civil rights leaders and organizations to meet in and use their facilities. This ratio was par for the course throughout the south.

When Muhammad Ali and Malcolm X began to teach and live the NOI's version of Islam, so-called black leaders joined white apologist in condemning both men as black racists and accused them in engaging in hate mongering. When Jim Brown, (who was arguably the greatest running back in NFL history) abruptly retired from the NFL at the peak of his physical ability, (due to his lack of freedom to pursue an acting career) he was roundly criticized by whites and blacks alike for his perceived arrogance. Other African-Americans from Marcus Garvey to Dr. Huey P. Newton to Minister Louis Farrakhan faced the same criticism and contempt by their own people for stepping outside of and/or challenging the status quo of institutionalized racism.

The constructs of skin color, class, racism, and religion is what defines modern white culture. These constructs were/are created to define who whites were in relation to who they "perceived" others to be. Color definitions as defined by and through a european/white mindset, and the resulting institutional racism borne from a sense of cultural and intellectual superiority established within that mindset has been used to marginalized people and cultures of color.

The fact that institutionalized racism still exists in America can no longer be used as an excuse to not move forward by those of us that know better. We cannot continue to sit upon the sidelines watching the socio-economic destruction and the spiritual debasement of our people. We who call ourselves enlightened must begin to engage and discuss; and then we must act.

We must engage, discuss, and act from an African-Centered Mindset. That means we must embrace those things we have have in common and stop bickering over the few things that keep us separated. We must also redeploy our assets and rebuild our communities through education, communication, and commerce. We must agree not to impede the progress of those that we may have philosophical or religious disagreements with as long as they bring assets we can all utilize and build upon. This is the African way. Live it, embrace it, and prosper from it!