STOP CRYING YOUR COLOR OFF!

STOP CRYING YOUR COLOR OFF!

There is one thing I just can't understand. Why are you crying your color off your face? Yes Oprah Winfrey spent her HARD earned money to help some African girls in South Africa, but what is the problem with that? Why are you complaining and making suggestions on what she should have done with HER HARD EARNED MONEY?

You claim you are "proud African people in the Diaspora" well, if you are "proud African people," why are you so upset about Oprah (another African child in the Diaspora) helping OUR motherland?! Why do you wish to deny Africa the bread of knowledge if you really love your African roots? Why do you complain when you too can always join the cause and contribute to our heritage? Do you know there are over 200.000 children soldiers just in one tiny part of Africa? Don’t you think it would have been a greater accomplishment for us to help educate these children and help them pick up a book instead of guns? Please don’t be bitter. The whole world would benefit from our progress. Just stop raining envy on this joyful parade? The girls are very happy for the school. Just remember, Oprah is spending HER HARD earned money-not your hard earned money!

See, this is what I call FALSE AFRICAN PRIDE. Some black people claim they love Africa but when someone black (born outside of Africa) gives a piece of bread to Africa, then, these people with False African Pride get upset and cry their color off their faces. They unveil themselves and show their true color. Yes, it's jealousy and self-hatred. They want to be the only child eating the bread of life. This is preposterous. We really need to change our mentality. I wonder, did we get such behavior from the plantation? or are we just lost as a people?

Some asked: Why did she build the school for just girls and I asked: WHY NOT?

Oprah has helped many throughout the years. However, in this particular project, she has decided to help South African girls and that is perfect with me. I don't see why we are ready to lynch her for this decision. Keep in mind, she is a woman and a woman is equipped to raise girls… If we give these girls the proper tools, they will have the chance to study hard and become strong and prosperous black women (like Oprah…). And if a brother or a sister has a problem with Oprah’s contribution to the South African girls, then, he or she should insert his or her love, talent, time, commitment and money and contribute to the helpless black boys in South Africa. It's that simple. We all can hop on the bus and contribute something instead of complaining of what others are not doing.

It is logical to say that one person cannot help everyone in life and even if one could help everyone, not everyone would be satisfied. Some say Oprah should have helped more than 150 girls but we all know she has helped many boys, girls, women, men and animals. Look how easily we forget! In this project, Oprah gave many girls the chance to apply for the opportunity to study. She sent out the applications and picked the girls who showed true commitment. She picked the girls who displayed strong leadership. Yes! That's what I call "getting in based on merit"

In places like Africa, Haiti and other "poor" countries women and children suffer so much. Look at the rape crises in South Africa? The girl child is decapitated at such a young age-sexually and spiritually and physically. Who will help these girls? As a matter of fact, during slavery, slave masters used to promote the brainwashing of the women slaves because they knew the fact that by nature, women are the natural teachers in humanity. Thus, today we need to encourage the education of girls EVERYWHERE. Our girls will grow up to educate their children, home, country and humanity.

In the William Lynch letter, he said, in order to control a race of a people, it is extremely important to brainwash the women because they will teach their children and men how to be passive and obedient. Hence, there would be less slave revolts and make more money from the slave trade. He declared, brainwashing the women and inserting fear in the heart are ways to maintain power over the race. See? Even then, the oppressors knew the importance of black women's role in teaching and molding the family. Today my question to you is: Do you know the TRUE power of the black woman?

Please let's rewrite history through proper education. Let's stop that separatism/tribalism attitude and let us come together to provide for our people EVERYWHERE. Kill the envious attitude and let's look toward the future as a people! Let’s contribute something. Stop the jealousy. For, with our people, it seems as if a person's best is never enough. Many spend their entire life on earth looking for the next brother or sister to bash.

But thank God for conscious black people who are on the move everyday towards a positive change. I say, while Oprah is doing her best for the girls right now, more of our brothers, sisters, businessmen, rappers and athletes ect…can also open up schools for black boys and girls...Not just in Africa but in the U.S, and in the Caribbean, to teach them how to be real men and real women leaders. They need to know how to acquire real pride because if we are proud of our heritage and STOP destroying each other with wars and thirst for power, we would be able to revolutionize our thinking. We would rise when outsiders finance wars in our land and we would no longer be "the black brothers and sisters behind the trigger." If we have real education about embracing the shadow of SELF, we would stand up and say NO to senseless wars and protect our land.

One black person can't save a race. Stop your Oprah bashing and give thanks for the blessings. Even Jesus Christ had disciples to help him spread the gospel; therefore, we all need to take part in rebuilding our heritage and spread goodness. God bless Oprah! There are so many other things she could have done with that money but she decided to educate humanity. I know Mother Nature is pleased but most of all, God is pleased.

And even if you won't stop crying your color off your face, life goes on!


©fania simon 2007

Obedience is Better Than Sacrifice
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