After reviewing the newly released, National Urban League’s State of Black of America statistics, it bothers me that there hasn’t been much progression. Blacks are still being left out and left behind. We receive these updates every year but nothing changes. We have Million Man Marches, and speak-outs and protests but who’s really practicing what’s being preached?

The reality is Blacks are being rapidly outnumbered by Hispanics, immigrants and of course, Whites. Look at the immigrants and the Hispanics protest, listen to their voices. They are speaking louder and working harder to improve their communities and their social well-being. Their protests are being compared to the Civil Rights Movement.

Did we really think that affirmative action was going to be the solution to all of Black America’s gripes with the US? Until we evaluate what reality is and what this country stands for we’ll always be the “victim.” All Americans must realize that without African-Americans, there would be no America and that is a reality for all races, we can’t have one without the other.  

So where do we go from here? I understand that we need to bridge the gaps of racism, sexism, classism and all the other “isms” but that won’t happen until we change our state of mind. If we continue to complain and see ourselves as “victims,” then that’s what we will become. We are not oppressed! Dissatisfied or disappointed maybe, but not oppressed.

When is our country going to hold true to its name: the UNITED States of America? We have these empty proverbs like: united we stand, divided we fall, and God Bless America- If we were genuine about our intentions and our acceptance and respect for all people, there wouldn’t be crime, there wouldn’t be violence, and there wouldn’t be suicide.

But because we are so self absorbed and selfish, we encounter people who make remarks like "If you wanted to reduce crime, you could, if that were your sole purpose; you could abort every Black baby in this country, and your crime rate would go down."

And instead addressing ignorance head-on we blame one another and complain. Then when something else goes wrong, we hear comments like: “George Bush doesn’t care about Black people.” When does the foolishness end? If you want to make assumptions like that, go to hate groups that were founded on racism, for instance the Ku Klux Klan, now you can say that they don’t like Black people.

I’m tired of the hearsay I’m tired of the victim speeches, the hatred, and the ignorance. Lets get our minds right. Let’s take heed to what’s going on around us and make efforts to improve what we see.

Don’t sell your self short, yes you are only one person, but just remember it takes only one flame to start a fire!