Win? Now what? Let the real work begin….
By: Avis Hatcher-Puzzo
Tags: Liberalism, Black Community, Racial Justice, Election 2020, Biden Harris

#avisbeingunpopularkinda

Okay, hooray!! Biden-Harris! Regardless of the dozens of lawsuits Trump has going now to contest the election results, one thing is truly clear. America is still divided ideologically. Yes, racially and economically, but it was founded that way, so when those who voted for Trump talk about making America great again and bringing it back to the way it was, of course they want it to stay that way because they benefit from their whiteness. The Trump, moneyed, conservative, white-first machine is clearly super strong and not going anywhere. But my concern is always for the black community which has been a pawn in this political game while being beaten down long enough. Let me point out that back in 2016, when Trump was elected, I mentioned to my students at the time that we blindly forgot that there was an ideological opposition to freedom and fairness for all Americans. We thought we had stomped it out our weakened it so much it was mute. Let’s be honest, we were so glamoured by Obama and everything he was doing and represented (not criticizing just stating facts) that we thought, of course everyone in the country is with us and is going to want to continue all this wonderfulness….then bam! we were smacked in the face by the reality of the “deplorables” (which was just stupid of Hillary to spout off and say that, tipping her hand that she believed she had it like that. She poked the wounded bear and we’ve been paying the price for that narcissistic slip of hers for 4 years). Their anger at being pushed out and schooled by Obama fueled their votes re; ideology and we had the nerve to be surprised they were still around. How about we not make that mistake again?

Meaning while we’re all incredibly happy for the Biden-Harris win today, going into 2021 systemic racism, which most conservatives don’t even believe exists, is clearly ingrained in white supremacy on both sides. Here me out. While I appreciate the Herculean social efforts to combat racism the left has waged for black and brown people in this country, we kinda can’t blame Trump and his ilk anymore. The black community in particular need economic independence so we’re not at the mercy of Trump-like corporations OR and here’s the key, at the mercy of the compassion and fascination of liberal leftists like Biden. Not trying to be popular here, because all of these movers and shakers in government are billionaires and I’m not interested in handouts based on white guilt for virtue points. Black people (American Descendants Of Slaves) are Americans, and like us or don’t, malign us or not, we have the right to not have to hope “others do right by us” so we can survive. Also, I’m not on the “healing, let’s all get along, reach across the aisle” train. Sean Connery rest his sexy soul said in The Untouchables, “what are you prepared to do?” That’s my question. I’m still salty about Bernie so, in my estimation, there is major work to do, and honestly, neither Biden (nor Harris) have proven their toughness to me yet.

I looked at the Biden-Harris plan for Black America. The fact that its titled “Lift Every Voice” is just obnoxious (why, why, WHY! do they always think we 1.) need to hearken back to the Civil Rights movement? Its 2020, well 2021. This is a completely different fight. Boomers, the 1960s are so very over, stop the references to the good ol’ heart-warming aw shucks days of black assimilation and realize the new generations of black and brown people do not want (or need) your moral admiration. The churchy poetic mentions are frankly, lost and too saccharin for what we face. Millennials don’t know what you’re talking about and 2.) it smacks of white savior-ism while pandering to our artistic celebrity members which you love to rub elbows with for the photo opp. Regular everyday black people don’t have an album dropping tomorrow, so the minstrel days are over bruh, the cornbread pan is empty. Stop only dealing with the billionaire celebs (or clean light- skinned journalists) while simultaneously dragging in the “oh lawdy lawd” helpless, poorest members of our community, and give real answers and solutions to those of us who don’t necessarily agree with or trust you. THEN I’ll have respect for your hand-shake gesture. Because if you only want the desperate broken hug from powerless black people who nod “yes massa” appreciatively then you’re scared of us who refuse to do that. And realize you knowing those helpless black people are out there, and bring them in so you can wave recognition and maybe a $20 at them to make you look compassionate, YOU as a lifelong government official and billionaire, are part of the machine that keeps them that way. And you need to figure out why, because our community is so much more than our entertainment culture, fashionable outfits and trendy vernacular that you drink up.

But Trump had a black people plan too. The irony here is the solutions are remarkably similar on paper to the Biden-Harris plan but of course the implementation would be vastly different, and no catchy black culture title. It’s just call “Platinum Plan”, which begs the question are these references to Lil Wayne’s Hustler Musik, 50 Cent’s Get Rich Or Die Tryin and Ice Cube’s AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted and The Predator? How very appropriate that these guys appeal to Trump’s side.

Both plans address the economic, educational and justice issues plaguing the black community which of course is so desperately needed. However, as we celebrate a collective sigh of relief, the elitism and academic haughtiness of the liberal left still has me hesitant. As there will definitely be more black and brown people involved and enthusiastic about solving these problems for our community, more so than with the Platinum Plan, the we-know-best attitudes and the white women coalition of savior-ism towards us is still a major challenge. The fact that both sides drafted a plan for the black community is insulting because there is no plan for the Asian or Hispanic community. Even the LGBTQ community had their OWN plan, and executed it beautifully, while journalists and others decide whether the tenets of the two “black people plans” are good enough or go far enough, and that’s troubling. Meaning do black people have a plan? I know ADOS has one which is excellent and is neither the Biden-Harris nor the Trump plan.

Note: I mention ADOS as having a plan, you don’t have to agree with everything they say or want (I get the word reparations is controversial) but at least they are a group that is rooted in the black community that have a plan. There are too many people that study, were from, or “notice” these problems from a far and have come up with a plan that is outside the actual people that this plan will effect. That’s basically my entire issue, with “black people plans”, well meaning or not.

See, Lil Wayne was not elected, nor does he speak for us, and well at this point, neither does Kamala Harris. Yes, I realize very controversial to say but not untrue. She’s part of the team I hope as some kind of spokesperson for us, but I really don’t know what her role in this is other than um…. being “black”? Seriously, as tight and contentious as this race was to win the White House, I love your Tims gurl but um…. how are you representing us and more importantly what are your policies toward re-earning your HBCU status? Black men are very nervous about your previous record, so help us out here. How’s that going to be different? Homelessness, black males suffer more in that area than anyone else so what’s the plan here?

Yes, as a nation and as a people we’re on top by an extremely small margin and this is not an Obama moment. This is a trench war, and we need to ask the very hard and complicated questions and demand actual implementable answers. Being nice is nice but there is serious work to do, we need to look to ourselves, our families and community to make sure we don’t just get Mr. Rogers’ talking points. I’m thrilled as we all are Trump is no more but the dems don’t have it like that, and I’m not going to just sit back and “hope” for “change” like we did before. The days of wordplay, imagery, symbolism and celebrity suavity is over. AME Zion Baptist church choir belting out civil right songs, the spoken-word dance performances by the MLK Jr. elementary school, or freedom murals of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, do not get us the systemic change we need to move forward. I’m not criticizing those emotional and social healing outlets but we need to hold those in power accountable otherwise they’re just well-meaning white allies who get in the way, even if they feel they’re doing us a favor by not being the opposition. Because if that’s how they end up treating us, then they’re just as ineffective…and racist as Trump’s people. As fundamentally, black AMERICANS we shouldn’t have to ask for rights, safety, economic and quality educational opportunities and HOPE they (either side) hear and do right by us. Dems, you won, so Joe quit smiling and waving, Kam take them Tims off (and your earrings if necessary gurl!) and both of you roll up your sleeves and in your 100 days get some serious work done for the black community. We need and deserve actions and real change in 2021. Can I get an Amen?

https://joebiden.com/blackamerica/

https://cdn.donaldjtrump.com/public-files/press_assets/president-trump-platinum-plan-final-version.pdf

https://ados101.com/black-agenda