9ETHER NEWS

Thank You to Readers

2006-10-30T00:00:00.000-08:00

Friends,

I thank you all for the insightful comments and encouraging words! It means a great deal to me to know that my most heartfelt thoughts on the subjects of politics, race, and religion have resonance. My intent is not to polarize, but to challenge the human race to face some hard truths.

We all have our respective strengths and weaknesses. The genius of the Universe is that no Mind has a monopoly on wisdom ...each has but a piece of the puzzle. Therefore, we must ALL work together to uplift humanity. Interdependence is the call from the Creator.

I think the world has much to gain from a morally resurgent Black race. We are a supremely creative and honorable people! I work to inspire us to recapture our former greatness for the good of all. It is our will and within our ability to do so.

The seeds are planted; let's keep growing and nurturing the 9Ether News community. Here, we can address issues that the mainstream media and social institutions dare not discuss. Mankind will only come together through the honest expression of our opinions in a genuine spirit of understanding. So, let the dialogue commence! (John 8:32)

Sincerely,
Darius Jones
Creator
9Ether News

Birth of a New Breed

2006-10-23T00:00:00.000-07:00

“Res non verba” (Deeds not words) – Latin maxim

This week I do not intend to be overly philosophical. As I write, my thinking is entirely inclined toward frank and direct discourse. I believe we are far too reliant on grandiloquent speakers who inspire us to fever pitch shouting and hand-clapping, and yet whose speeches are ultimately inconsequential, as we are not spurred to group-empowering action. I do not want to add to the problem. You see, if fiery oratory were an actual path to power, then African-Americans would be an unassailable force in this world. Upon last review, we are quite the contrary.

It is time to stop being entertained by personalities and start being challenged by leaders. Our collective energy and focus must be redirected from escapist “sermonizing” to the creation of a definitive platform for self-determination; a platform which comprehensively addresses the social, economic and political necessities of Africans in the Diaspora. Hope is not a plan of action.

Going forward, anyone who regards themselves our leader should have their ideals weighed in this balance. Stroking an audience with provocative remarks about Black power, without an actual roadmap of how to get there, is mental masturbation . . . nothing more.

We have been entirely too liberal in our definition of leadership. The time has come for us to figure out how we are going to feed, fund, educate and defend our posterity both in America and around the world. These are the deliberations of a people preparing themselves for the responsibilities of freedom and self-governance. Self-determination is serious business and plans for its realization should be left to serious people. The charlatans and demagogues have had their day. At long last, their places on stage shall be taken by more talented and diligent understudies.

Despite the feathers sure to be ruffled by such a pronouncement, I am hailing the emergence of a new breed of African-American men and women. The decline in our condition, by nature, had to trigger a commensurate rise. I see a path being carved through the wilderness for those who will lead the way. This new breed will be distinguished by their passionate resistance to servitude and all impotent states of mind. This vanguard will consist of those for whom ignorance, mediocrity, cowardice and dishonor are ultimate sins. These Brothers and Sisters are the tip of a sword just waiting to be unsheathed in these perilous times.

Throughout history the destinies of the various races have waxed and waned. Adversity has visited one and all. However, in the darkest hour, a small yet fiercely determined nucleus of those populations rose from the chaos to re-establish the sovereignty of their people. Stepping outside the African experience, one recent example is that of the resurrection of Japan after World War II. They were decimated by atomic bombs, military occupation, and onerous war reparations. Their proud and historic culture was humiliated. Yet, within forty years of that calamitous defeat, Americans were driving their cars in record numbers and buying their electronics to the tune of billions of dollars per year. Like the phoenix, Japan majestically rose from the ashes of Nagasaki and Hiroshima to become a G8 superpower in two generations!

Deprived of military might, the Japanese re-established dominance by channeling their energies into another phase of the power game – economics. They didn’t hold revivals or shout insults at people, they stacked chips! A reversal of fortune on this scale is not born from wishes; it is meticulously planned and executed by an audacious and intelligent people. In the 21st century, these are the types of inspirational lessons Black people should be learning on Sundays – and all other days, for that matter.

(I would be remiss if I did not point you to a comparable African example. Please read about Kwame Nkrumah and the victorious crusade for Ghana’s independence.)

Every race has seen its best and brightest grab the reins in times of awesome trial. Their sons and daughters have established plans, goals and quantifiable metrics on the road to self-determination. Once achieved, they drew a line in the sand and stood strong in its defense. Now, the world’s spotlight shines on the African-American. A cadre from within this country has got to rise from the chaos, step into the arena, and carry the mantle of leadership for Black people. We who accept this mandate must assert ourselves for the good of all.

In Atlanta, I am building an organization based on ideals that I have learned from leading African and African-American minds -- ideals of racial pride, right knowledge, and self-determination. The organization is called the Society for Sacred Achievement (SSA). The SSA is in its infancy: a journey of a thousand miles must begin with a first step. The end goal is to create an entirely self-sufficient community founded on the aforementioned principles. The successful lessons learned will serve as a template for the creation and linkage of similar ideological communities around the world. Regardless of their size, African-Americans must begin establishing institutions, businesses and communities that we control. A wise man once said it is better to be the head of a mouse than the tail of a lion.

Additionally, I am working to expand the reach of 9Ether News. If you are so inclined, please forward it throughout your network of friends and associates.

I know I am not a lone voice in the wilderness. An enlightened community of new breed Brothers and Sisters exists; we have only to find one another in the darkness. There is great strength in our unity. This is my clarion call to all those who long to start a new movement. I look forward to what we can do . . . together.

Captain of Your Soul

2006-10-16T09:00:00.000-07:00

“I am the master of my fate; I am the captain of my soul.” William Ernest Henley

Simply stated, I love black people. This I say, from the heart, with no caveats or conditions. In my eyes, we shine. Sure we have our challenges, but there is no end to the superlatives that come to mind when I consider our inherent greatness. Among the many, I say we are strong. We are brilliant. We are beautiful. We are creators. We are survivors! Our mettle has been tried by fire, and for 6,000 years it has withstood a mighty assault on body and mind. Yet, despite it all, our culture has remained deeply rooted in spirituality, honor, and communalism. Who else could have borne our burdens with such dignity and determination, even in the absence of all hope?

I am going to let you in on the world’s most closely guarded secret. We are truly a remarkable people, created to be the head and not the tail . . . if only we knew.

We obviously do not know, for far too often, our attitudes and actions reflect other than a profound love of ourselves and our kind. When I am out and about I observe Black people. It is a very educational exercise and one I highly recommend. When attending social gatherings, I use my Mind’s eye to see through what has been aptly called the “cool-pose culture.” This is a lifestyle of self-misrepresentation through posturing, braggadocio, and overt dependence upon fashion or material objects to validate the individual. Together, these false-fronts create a mask behind which we hide our pain, insecurities and frustration. African-Americans have become experts at “social camouflage.” However, many of us have not even begun to explore the source of these feelings of inadequacy. Today, let’s offer a first step.

Our collective quest for answers has been an earnest one; unfortunately, our inquiries and conclusions have often been far too superficial. The key to the dysfunctional behavior we exhibit lies in the many and varied complexes existing in the recesses of the subconscious mind. These recesses are also the domain of racial memory. Experiences that have had powerful emotional resonance in your life, and in those of your forebears set up shop here, beneath the level of conscious awareness. Your innermost feelings about yourself and others are profoundly colored by the psychological influences at work in this region of the mind. Further shaped by conditioning and more than any other factor, they determine how you see the world. Due to the collective and similar nature of our life experience, Black people share most of the key subjective markers upon which we interpret reality. All this is a fancy way of saying . . . we have the same issues!

Now, that we have established how we all are subconsciously bound by our shared experiences in this majority culture, let’s proceed toward overstanding.

I want you to relax and use your imagination for a moment. Go on, take a deep breath…relax. Imagine America 400 years ago, as the Indians and sea-faring African merchants knew it – beautiful and unspoiled. See the forests with evergreen trees towering above you. Hear the water rushing past as you near a crystal blue stream. Feel the lush grass under your feet as you walk over miles upon miles of pristine and undeveloped land. Smell the intoxicating aroma of nature at its best. Embrace this image . . . savor it.

Now, I want you to imagine the world outside your door. See the tall buildings dotting the skyline. Hear the cars whizzing by on their way to destinations unknown. Feel the hard pavement underneath your feet as you walk over miles upon miles of urban sprawl. Smell the intoxicating aroma of pollution at its worst. Juxtapose the two images and contemplate all that it took to bring this nation from one point in history to another. When you view it from this perspective, it truly becomes a monumental achievement. Be patient, I am going somewhere with this.

I want you to again consider the evolution of this nation over the last four centuries. Having done that, now ponder how much of this contemporary “reality” was conceived by African-Americans? I did not say built, I said conceived. Go beyond the obvious physical infrastructure; think also about the government, the educational system, and even western religion. It all leads to one conclusion – the American “system” is the manifestation of a dream borne of an alliance of minds . . . in which Black people’s played absolutely no contributory part. Don’t believe me? Point of fact: when the much idealized and revered Constitution was drafted, we were declared to be only 3/5ths of a human being. So, from its inception, America was created according to the worldview and preferences of a very select group of people . . . and no one who looked like me was seated at the table to offer cultural sensitivity training. Despite the passage of many years, we are still living, largely, in a societal construct that was not designed with our psychological welfare in mind. On the contrary, American society seems to have been designed with psychological warfare in mind!

Okay, why am I saying this? I am saying this because being a captive in someone else’s reality, and trying to give your life meaning according to their ideals can have a debilitating psychological effect. Think, for example, how we have pursued happiness according to its Western conceptualization. The supposed “ideal” is depicted for us everyday on our television screens. Yet, we are still a people in pain. The markers of success are reached, but the desired emotional outcome is not achieved. Some of the most financially successful Black people I know are the unhappiest, and some of the most beautiful women I know are frightfully insecure. Some of the most accomplished “players” I know are motivated in their sexual conquests by a gnawing emptiness inside. Being conditioned as we were, any lack of fulfillment in the midst of an abundance of material and carnal excess defies reason. “Why am I still in pain?” is the question on each sufferer’s lips?

My answer is that we have lost our traditional value system during our sojourn here. Timeless ideals of spiritual discovery and communalism have been abandoned in favor of those which offer sensual gratification. We are not a materialistic and overly libidinous people by nature. However, we have become so because we believe that is where happiness and fulfillment will be found. The resultant confused and dejected state is the cognitive dissonance between what is believed to be good to us – and what is actually good for us. When I observe my people, it is this bewildered “thought atmosphere’ which belies their otherwise impeccable outward appearances.

We are searching for something that only we can give ourselves . . . love and acceptance. Let us seize the initiative in this situation. Mind is the builder. You will continually hear me reiterate this statement. Having offered that reminder, I encourage all my Brothers and Sisters to go within and define success and happiness in more life-affirming terms. Develop what I call a “spiritual ideal.” Start with a visualization of your highest conception of yourself you can imagine: who you believe God created you be in your most perfect form. Become that person in your Mind, and then live in accordance to what you know it will take to manifest that reality. Don’t simply read this, do it! Be the Captain of your soul. True happiness will surely come as you progress along the road of your divine potential. Peace of mind then becomes an internally driven state as opposed to an externally dependent one. In doing this, you rise above the fray.

We live in a societal construct that is not our own and which offers little in the way of soul growth. Through the creation of our own Utopian ideal, we can establish a structure in which our lives can find deeper meaning and fulfillment. This is one of many steps on our road to racial redemption. Chase the material all you want; and you will find mirage after mirage. Build the Kingdoms within your own soul, and you will discover the purpose of your existence. Therein, lies all the happiness and satisfaction you would ever want.

Please keep this article in mind. I am going to expound on some of its key points in a multi-part series entitled, America is the Matrix. If you have not seen the movie, I encourage you to watch it. You must do so with your Mind’s eye open. It is ingenious! The original author is an African-American named Sophia Stewart. By use of metaphor, she made an illuminating indictment of our contemporary world. Check it out.

Compete or Die!

2006-10-04T22:09:00.000-07:00

I predict that many will take exception to this column. It drives a stake into the heart of continued African-American cries of victimization. Those weak in spirit have been warned. I take this opportunity to thank all my brothers and sisters with the courage to read on.

“Nature has made up her mind that what cannot defend itself shall not be defended.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

As a child, I enjoyed watching Wild Kingdom with my father. Without a doubt, it was my favorite show. If you never saw an episode, Wild Kingdom was one of the best nature series in the history of television. Much of what we see today on Animal Planet or the Discovery Channel was inspired by this pioneering program. Each week, a team of daring cameramen would focus on the survival strategies and social structure of animals in their natural environment. To a kid, it was the next best thing to a day at the zoo. As I grew older and more perceptive, it sparked great curiosity within me. I knew that something of deeper significance was playing out before my eyes. My father opened a door of discovery when he explained that humanity is locked in the same dire struggle for self-determination. The only appreciable difference he noted was that mankind makes its way in the world on two legs instead of four. Other than that, the two dramas are analogous.

In essence, all life is vying for continued and improved creative expression within given environments. Under highly competitive conditions, species secure or surrender their existence based upon strength, adaptation, and cooperative effort. Life in the wild is burdensome and feral – and predators are not charitable toward prey. In the trials of life, the powerful rise and the weak perish. Of note is the fact that there is no miraculous, otherworldly intervention on behalf of the victor or the vanquished. Appeals from the mighty and the weary, no matter how heartfelt, are futile absent determinative action.

Simply stated, evolution is a struggle. Its ways are cold and dispassionate. Survival is earned through effort and sacrifice, not cries of persecution. Dominion is obtained through sustained excellence and self-assertion, not hopes or wishes. There is no ambiguity on the natural path of cause and effect. Violate nature’s edicts and your demise is certain, heed them and be afforded greater control over your destiny. It is uncanny how closely the law of the jungle parallels the law of the land, isn’t it?

Our race would be wise to learn from nature. We would be even better served to harmonize with its evolutionary designs. Clearly, survival of the fittest is the moral of the story. However, we continually ignore what is patently obvious. The world in which we live bears a much closer resemblance to Wild Kingdom than any Divine Kingdom we learned about in Sunday school. Social dynamics move more in accordance with biological prerogatives than humanistic ideals. Take a moment to contemplate this statement.

As a people, our conditioning has largely caused us to reject nature’s direction. We somehow believe we supersede the natural order because we can always rely on “favor” or some other heavenly dispensation. Many think that Universal Law can be somehow suspended if you follow The Golden Rule. Worse, there are those who opt out of the struggle altogether, in the expectation of a paradise beyond, with streets of gold and feasts of milk and honey. Our religious sensibilities and belief in the virtue of victimization have set us in opposition to the basic reality at work in our world. If you choose, you can keep waiting on “jubilee.” I am going to listen to Mother Nature, who commands all her children, “Compete, or die!”

Show me evidence of an animal species which refused to do for themselves that still walks the face of the earth. If you cannot, I will then share with you with the alarming fact that 99% of all species that have ever existed are now extinct. Yes, it blew me away as well! If those odds are not indicative of an evolutionary struggle in your mind, then I cannot imagine how I could make the point more clearly.

Nature forces Her creations to fight for everything they acquire in life – because the effort teaches valuable lessons. It teaches them to how to make their own way in the world and to have the fortitude to overcome adversity. The pecking order of the animal kingdom is based on mastery of this ideal. Nothing is promised; everything is earned. The lion is the king of the jungle because he has demonstrated that he is worthy to wear the crown. What makes you think the rules of our existence are any different?

In 1859, Charles Darwin wrote On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, or The Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life. I agree . . . that is one a hell of a title. In this study of evolutionary science, the ‘survival of the fittest’ ideology was given its introduction. Darwin’s groundbreaking work on species and racial dynamics was not only read by biologists. Economists, educators, politicians, philanthropists and all manner of “social engineers” took stock of its revelations as well. They extrapolated Darwin’s conclusions and created racial theory, which they taught in all aspects of society: especially science, religion and education. The results of their caste structuring are still prevalent. We dare not speak about it in polite conversation. It has become politically incorrect to point out how certain people’s plights have been crafted according to their alleged inferiority. Instead, we prefer to wax poetic about everyone’s inalienable right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Despite its self-righteousness, I contend that the foundation of American society is much more akin to Darwin’s writings than anything Thomas Jefferson ever penned.

In our defense, Black people are operating from a competitive disadvantage. For 400 years, unjust laws maintained an illegitimate balance of power in this country. Slavery and Jim Crow were legal safeguards against African, then African-American self-determination. This manipulation amounted to an egregious corruption of natural law. Nowhere else in Creation is the social structure intentionally “rigged” to benefit some over others. Nature is the purest of all meritocracies. Its purposes and designs will not be flouted by those who cheat to win. Therefore, these anti-competitive laws could not stand forever . . . and they have not. Keep this idea in mind because I will return to it later.

Yes, our forbears carried the torch during the darkest of days. True self-determination was legally denied to them. The American economy was built upon their overt exploitation. So, unfortunately, the glass ceiling could not be broken during their lifetimes. Nevertheless, they lived with pride and dignity. Today, what is our excuse? The laws designed to keep Black people on the lowest rung of the ladder are gone. The playing field may not be level, but everyone can get in the game. Racism remains, and that will likely never change. So, what! You cannot fight what is in someone’s heart. Besides, they don’t have to like me, just give me the room to do my thing. And yes, we are afforded sufficient latitude to make power moves. Therefore, the only barriers between us and the control of our collective destiny exist within our own minds. A wise man once said, “I have seen the enemy and he is me.” Can you make a similar confession?

Brothers and Sisters, we live in a new day. We have freedom. However, too few of us realize that freedom is a chance for self-determination. It can pose awesome challenges because there is no one there to provide for you when you declare your independence. When you are truly free, you are forced to build a life all your own, on your own. Often, this has to be done with very little in the way of support or resources. Still, it must be done. Nature demands it! Black people must struggle for our place in this world, as does all life.

Centuries of oppression and false conditioning have made us weak-minded and far too dependant on the offerings of others. This goes against the laws of nature and invites disaster. Long after the Emancipation Proclamation, we are still essentially living a hand-to-mouth existence because we do not own or control anything. We work to enrich others and then take the little money we earn – and give it right back. Times get hard, and we clamor for more government programs and handouts. We complain and point fingers; all the while hoping someone will do for us what we should be doing for ourselves. Let’s face it, we have a disease of the mind and it is driving us toward extinction. While all life is endeavoring to evolve into what God created it to be, we are regressing into a state of extreme vulnerability. Just consider American-American high school drop-out rates. Then compound those with the staggering statistics on black male incarceration and teen pregnancy. The Creator must be deeply saddened by our failings.

Globalization, corporate downsizing, and wars fought for oil have fostered the most ruthlessly competitive era in history. The mega-rich are taking ever-larger pieces of the pie while the rest of humanity is locked in a veritable death match for the crumbs that fall off the table. Calling the world a jungle is no longer a metaphor. If you want to overstand what is going on in the news, look at it from the perspective of ferocious, group-on-group competition. Races, and their respective nations, are asserting themselves. Here is an example. Global terrorism is not about religious ideology, it is about one group’s resistance to another’s imperialism and theft of natural resources in a time of growing scarcity. Disregard the rhetoric about infidels and evildoers. This is a pitched battle between Eastern factions and Western factions for control of the world. Let’s tell it like it is! In the end, the strongest will emerge victorious. The thought of which is very disconcerting.

Obviously, we don’t see our place in the natural order in these dire terms because we are still begging people to help us. News flash: nobody has the time, resources or, more importantly, the inclination to lift a finger for Black people anymore. And why should they? It is time to take the teat out of our mouths and stop suckling off the world’s declaration of Black inferiority. Our people will continue to be the scourge of the earth until we shed our defeatist slave mentality. It all boils down to this. If you remember only one part of this message: remember . . . Compete, or die! The characteristics which define dominion in nature, define dominion within the human race as well. Defy this wisdom if you will, but do not lament the lowly existence sure to follow.

It is easy to be a slave once you learn how. However, anything you can do for Master, you can do for yourself. Reject this false culture of dependency! Can you program computers? Then program your own! Perhaps you’re a marketing genius. Then sell your own goods and services! Get off your ass, Brother! Use the gifts God has given you to stake your own claim in the world. It is time for Black people to stop being pimped! The only difference between the person in the Cadillac and the person on the corner is an empowered state of mind . . . metaphorically speaking. Where would your thoughts place you in this scenario?

I want so much to see our people respected. However, esteem will have to be earned. In the 21st century, the fiercest animals have all been thrown in the pit together. If you are a lamb, you won’t make it. Now is the time for the young lions to roar! Self-determination is the new racial mission. The world can keep its charity, we will establish our sovereignty Mother Nature’s way. Amen!

I thank my mentor Jaramoji Menelik Kimathi for his inspiration in my writing this message.

Let's Start a Movement . . . Forward 9Ether News to 9 Friends!!!

“So You Say You’re Black AND Greek?”

2006-09-27T10:30:00.000-07:00

My spirits are really high at the moment. I’ll tell you why. Today in church, an eleven-year-old girl came up to me and proudly said she was reading Stolen Legacy by George G.M. James. Kinaya, whose parents are my friends, is a very intelligent and conscientious young lady. Like many of our youth, she is a dedicated scholar and it is obvious that she has a very bright future. So, I was proud to learn that she has made such a powerful strike at the heart of false conditioning. As she matures into an adult, her concepts of self and kind will be enriched by the glorious truth of her African heritage. She will never be disconnected from the greatness of Black people. It is often funny how much we can learn from children.

For those who have not had the honor of reading George G.M. James’ groundbreaking work, I’ll sketch the broad strokes. Stolen Legacy is a masterful study of how the ancient Greeks were not the supposed architects of civilization they were credited with being. Wow, imagine that. The author provides irrefutable proof that the “enlightened” philosophies of Pythagoras, Plato, Aristotle and Socrates were all plagiarized. “Do you mean that the famed scholars I learned about in school were frauds?” you ask. Yes, they were, I respond . . . and I’ll give you three guesses whose sacred knowledge they jacked. Exactly . . . African people were the originators of their towering ideals.

In fact, many leading minds in Greek society were initiates of the great Egyptian Mystery Schools. These universities they attended were established for the study of Africa’s highly advanced religious and ethical systems. The foreigners were taken in and taught in the hopes that they could return to Greece and civilize their primitive nation. However, true to form, these eavesdroppers learned all they could and then used the knowledge to enslave their former teachers. Once understood and then twisted, this sublime instruction enabled the Greeks to elevate their aristocracy, control the teeming masses and then forcibly establish an empire on distant shores. Centuries after first coming to the banks of the Nile on all fours, Alexander the Great and his pompous countrymen returned to Egypt with their gilded swords drawn. After sullying our Holy Land, they desecrated and burned the libraries, looted of all their spiritual knowledge. This was one of the first steps in cutting us off from our ancestral wisdom and diminishing the world’s esteem for our race.

George G.M. James wrote:

We sometimes wonder why the people of African descent find themselves in such a social plight as they do, but the answer is plain enough. Had it not been for this drama of Greek philosophy and its actors, the African Continent would have a different reputation, and would have enjoyed a status and respect among the nations of the world. This unfortunate position of the African Continent and its peoples appears to be the result of misrepresentation upon which the structure of racial prejudice has been built, i.e. the historical world opinion that the African Continent is backward, that its people are backward, and that their civilization is also backward.

George G.M. James was an extremely honorable man and a remarkable scholar whose contributions to Black people have been priceless. Not surprisingly, he was ritually murdered for writing Stolen Legacy. The devices of oppression are not exposed without risk. Yet, seeing the light of discovery shining in little Kinaya’s eyes, I knew he had died a martyr’s death.

Unbeknownst to many, we are fighting the same battles our ancestor fought. The thought of which saddens me greatly. Our forebears bitterly opposed Hellenism, the forced indoctrination of indigenous populations with Greek culture and its many licentious customs. Africans saw the imposition as oppression and rejected it with all their might. They knew the truth of their history and refused to embrace it in its repackaged and corrupted forms. However, resistance to false conditioning wanes over time, especially when you have no organized power in a given society.

Before I move into the heart of my message, I must first acknowledge my membership in a Black Greek-Letter Organization (BGLO). I was initiated into a popular fraternity as an undergraduate. I joined because my father proudly encouraged me to follow in his footsteps. Additionally, I found appealing the association of a brotherhood and the collegiate social status it conferred. On balance, I saw fraternity life as a positive experience. However, for all the fun there was an insidious tradeoff. In retrospect, I feel as though I was mis-educated on a very deep level.

I am now disturbed by Black fraternities’ and sororities’ emphasis on Greeks as a model for an African-American organization, which promotes excellence and achievement. Who made the ancient Greeks authorities on such matters? If I had a time machine, I would convene a meeting of the various founders of the BGLOs and seriously inquire about the Hellenism angle. Was the misdirection their idea or was it fostered by an outside influence? Besides, how would a group of young people, only barely generationally removed from illiteracy and slavery, be well versed enough in supposed Greek “scholarship” to make it the centerpiece of their organizational philosophy and rituals? They certainly did not learn these Western lessons from their newly-liberated elders. I am curious about the truths of BLGO’s beginnings and not the myths. If Historically Black Colleges and Universities were established by Freedman’s Bureaus with the idea of “social engineering” in mind; why wouldn’t the most influential student organizations have been born of a similar intent? And if our institutions of higher learning carry the honorable moniker “Historically Black,” ought not our fraternal organizations at least be that? Think about it.

Maybe I’m not the brightest, but I do not see an empowering connection between the experience of African oppression and the Greeks whose thievery legitimized it. When we wear those unusual letters on our chests, it is as though we are expressing our undying gratitude for their exploitation of Mother Africa. One may say I’m a sensationalist; but consider the irony. What is worse is that we often allow ourselves to be bitterly divided in the name of these ridiculous fraternal rivalries. Does it really matter the color of your shirt? You were born Black and to the Blackness of the Universe you will one day return. Your color is what defines you. Be proud. Your beauty and power as an original child of the Most High is your truest source of strength . . . not ivies, not doves nor even elephants.

This whole thing seems to me a deliberate effort to keep those few Blacks who were allowed to be educated, distrustful and separated from one another. In this condition, their collective education would never amount to any real resistance to the existing world order. In the quest for social acceptance, we would police ourselves by conforming to ideals, beliefs and cultural mores diametrically opposed to our own. Fortunately, our predecessors did not entirely take the bait. These fraternities and sororities still have an overwhelmingly African-American character; even if their foundations are rooted in Hellenistic conditioning the ancestors abhorred.

Realize that if history bore any resemblance to the truth, college students in Athens, Greece, would be wearing Egyptian hieroglyphs on their chests and worshipping the mighty, Black kings and queens of ancient Kush and Kemet. Now, that would be a feather in the cap of poetic justice. Much of what we have accepted as doctrine is similarly as counterintuitive as the world’s elevation of Greek “philosophers.” Research is the weapon of choice in the war against “trick-nology.” George G.M. James, and many others, died so that we may know the truth of our history and achievements. The least we can do is honor their ultimate sacrifices by reading their work.

My words here are not meant to be an indictment of my brothers and sisters in Black Greek Letter Organizations. As I stated, my membership as well has been recorded for the ages. My arguments are simply food for thought. Consider them or reject them. I wrote this column to illustrate how our collective inferiority complexes have been artfully bolstered by forces outside our community. Let us preserve the beauty and fellowship that we enjoy in BGLOs. However, let’s revisit the Hellenistic poison pills that were placed in the rituals and philosophy. Any foreign ideas that weaken our resurgent Nation must be purged from our collective unconscious. Feel honored to be an African! Hold your head high!

Stolen Legacy by George G.M. James can be purchased at http://www.amazon.com/Stolen-Legacy-George-M-James/dp/0913543780. Make it a great addition to your library.

Unforgivable Sin

2006-09-20T00:00:00.000-07:00

Last week, in a suburb of Atlanta, two Black men committed a home invasion. The story begins like so many we have heard before. This one, however, really struck a chord with me because it illustrates the depths to which we have fallen. The house that was broken into belonged to another African-American, Rhonda Rucker; an airline employee, wife and mother of two. When the garage door was kicked in, she was at home with her youngest son, only three years old. The perpetrators ransacked the home and then did the unthinkable. Likely in sight of the child, they pulled a garbage bag down around the mother’s neck, bound it with a telephone cord, and then pumped fatal shots into her head.

The crime was discovered when her fifteen-year-old son came home from school to find his younger brother tied up in the closet and his mother sprawled across the floor, lifeless, in a bloody garbage bag. After committing this unconscionable act, what did the thieves take? A Suburban with 20-inch rims was stolen from the scene. Moreover, one of the suspects was taken into custody the very next day, during a routine police roadblock. He was joy-riding on a motorcycle registered to the victim’s husband. It was the typical capture of an inept criminal.

Every time I run this story through my mind, it sickens me. The crime was as brutal as it was senseless. If we can snuff out the lives of our women; of our innocent black mothers tending to their young, where will the barbarism end? Those with deep Christian sensibilities please excuse me, but, at this moment, my heart has absolutely no capacity for forgiveness in such an extreme cases of Black-on-Black crime. Even though self-expression comes easily for me, the depth of my disgust is beyond words when I am reminded of our inhumanity towards one another. Of all the dangers and challenges Black people face in this world, our greatest enemy sadly seems to be other Black people. We kill each other like there is no tomorrow. We disrespect each other like there is no worth in Blackness. With the boundless self-hatred we harbor in our hearts, we dishonor our Creator, who made us first, and in His divine image. This is insanity!

I keep waiting for the ignorance to bottom out. Surely, the pendulum has to swing the other way at some point. But I’ll be damned if this pendulum is not defying all laws of physics. We seem to be stuck on self-destruction. If I could ask God one question, it would be to know what it would take for my people to truly love themselves. If I knew that answer, I would shout it with all the passion I could muster . . . and I would shout it everywhere I could be heard.

Despite my frustration, I believe in utopias. I believe one day there will be a glorious Black nation where our people will live in harmony with Universal law as opposed to defeatist Western conditioning. Feelings of self-hatred will be overwhelmed by love of all Blackness. The family unit will be strong and communalism will uphold the social structure. Predators, such as those mentioned earlier, will be an extreme aberration; if they do take life from another, their existence will be forever banished from the nation. All will know that life outside this pristine community will be a fate worse than death. Once those golden gates close behind them, they will be stripped of the security of the nation’s communal bonds. For them, all will be lost. The ostracized will then wither in isolation as they are forced to learn how much Black people truly need one another.

Go ahead, call me a dreamer. But without creative imagination humanity will never reach its fullest potential. If we give ourselves the loftiest of ideals to live up to, every step taken toward that end will bring us to a higher state of Mind. Should you doubt the possibility of such a “community,” I encourage you to reconsider the limitations you have placed on self and kind. Beliefs are the source of our greatest strengths and our greatest weaknesses.

Based on our current predicament, such a community may be difficult, but not impossible, to imagine. Fortunately, there is nothing more powerful than an idea whose time has come. I believe the turning point is imminent. Where there is life for Black people, there is hope for Black people. I wish those two wayward, murdering souls had known this truth at the dawn of that fateful day.

Act as if the nation were real, because it soon will be. Our son is rising.

A Look @ Belief

2006-09-13T18:00:00.000-07:00

Have you ever reflected upon why you believe what you believe? By this, I mean have you ever applied critical analysis to your core convictions on subjects like race, religion, politics, morality, etc.? How did you arrive at the foundations of your worldview? This is a very important question and one that I hope you will give serious consideration, for it is known that beliefs are simultaneously the source of our greatest strengths and our greatest weaknesses. Where are your beliefs taking you?

If you are like most people, you became who you are through modeling the thoughts, opinions and behaviors of others. The notion that humans learn through imitation is a fundamental precept in psychology, and it becomes rather self-evident upon reflection. Why am I a Democrat? Well, because my parents were very active in Democratic politics; in childhood these ideals became mine as well. It was really very simple. There was no decisive moment when I chose my political affiliation. The adoption of my belief system was largely an unconscious process. It was only when I decided to scrutinize my general assumptions about life that I truly recognized how they came to be.

While we all tout ourselves as independent thinkers, we would be amazed by the degree to which we are influenced by those around us. Studies have concluded that over 80% of the population can be classified as conformists. By definition, a conformist is “a person who uncritically or habitually conforms to the customs, rules, or styles of a group.” There was once a powerful purpose behind this phenomenon. It assisted in pre-historic man’s upward evolution. However, over time this natural inclination has been perverted by those with designs on control and exploitation.

Here is a hard truth: for the most part, we believe what we are told to believe by those with power in our society. These individuals have the means at their disposal to disseminate compelling messages; messages, which through repetition take root in undiscerning minds. Who we pray to, vote for, and define as friend or foe is all shaped in this way. Think about it and you will recall how challenges to the status quo are stamped down and the prime program reinforced in their wake.

I contend that this time-honored strategy is what lies at the heart of Western civilization and the “beliefs” it was founded upon. The cost for this has been counted in life and liberty. Millions have fought and died in the defense of these “beliefs.” Humanity is bitterly divided due to these “beliefs.” Our centuries of servitude and oppression were justified by these “beliefs.” Yet, the majority never opens their eyes to the blind acceptance of their conditioning. As I have said on many occasions, our ancestral spiritual and cultural systems are diametrically opposed to the dictates of this individualistic and corrupt culture. Therein lays our strength.

Question everything. When someone is assailing me with their beliefs, I demand a factual basis for them. Then I inquire as to their intent in pushing them on me. Reconsider everything. Much of what we were taught as children was fairy tales designed to pacify us. Because my elders believed something does not necessarily mean I am bound to those ideas. My elders were taught the same “constructs” that I was forced to learn. Reject conditioning. Besides, my own research has shown me that much in history and religion has been deliberately misrepresented to the benefit of the few and the detriment of the many.

I cannot build my life on a foundation of lies.

Discovering truth is the key to freedom. Taking the initial steps can be frightening. However, with each new revelation, we break another link in the chain of our mental servitude. Be courageous. We are a greater people than we can now imagine. We deserve to know the truth of our history, traditions and sovereignty within the human family. This knowledge will unleash a divine redemption and transformation within our resurgent race. God willing.

Please share your opinions on my writings in the "comment" section.

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Individualism Breeds Fear

2006-09-08T00:00:00.000-07:00

“We are one, our cause is one, and we must help each other; if we are to succeed.” Frederick Douglas, 1847

I was recently asked if I am afraid of the consequences of my actions in starting this site. An elder cautioned me against the criticism of those in power and of challenging our people’s conditioned beliefs. He was not the first, and will certainly not be the last, to be wary of my crusade. In his defense, the historical record is clear regarding reformist thinkers. Theirs’ is usually a difficult path to tread. Every smiling face is not a well-wisher, nor is support of the cause unconditional.

Many among us are cheerleaders for change but few are comfortable with the attendant sacrifices. Those vested in this system prefer to observe the people’s struggles from the sidelines, where they can best hedge their bets. Then, rather than acknowledge their fear and all-consuming self-interest, they turn on the messenger to assuage the guilt of their hypocrisy. So, yes, I am fully aware of what I am doing, and for me there is no turning back.

Why are we afraid? If we look around and see a social structure that is inherently unfair, why are there dire reservations about saying so? The truth of such an observation is undeniable. Amongst friends, we rail about injustice all the time. So, why not give voice to our discontent in the larger society?

Our fear may derive from the recognition of our lack of power. When I say lack of power, I mean in terms of our ability to control our own destinies in this system. Subconsciously, you are aware that you are playing a game over which you have no real control. At this level of Mind, intuition reveals that the true nature of your existence is one in which you are entirely dependent upon white people. I know many recoil at this statement, but think about it. What other reasons can you offer for your silence? Something is holding you back. You are bound by your choices. Perhaps you reflect upon all that you have accomplished and acquired to this point, and you simply do not want to lose your lifestyle. You believe that “the man” will punish you for your disobedience by taking away your precious markers of status. Within this thought, is the tacit acceptance that you do not have the power to procure and defend your own resources. Fear results.

Our fascination with materialism further illustrates this point. Because we do not hold the mantle of real social, political or economic authority, we seek to define ourselves through conspicuous consumption. The unspoken mantra seems to be “I can buy; therefore, I am.” Spending billions, we have made this a pillar of our association with the dominant culture. By seeming to share in the spoils of excess, we feel validated. Yet once again, fear reminds that it all can be taken away in an instant if we get out of line. Right? The supposed prestige of “position” is the quintessential control mechanism. Seriously, can you name one material thing you possess that a person with more power cannot take away, including your freedom and your life? Rather than invite this possibility, we bow to the status quo.

As a race, the source of our greatest weakness is individualism. This concept of advancing self to the detriment of others is foreign to our traditional sensibilities. The ancestors affirmed, “I am, because, we are!” They knew the blood of a people carried the soul of the race. What affected one, affected all. We seem to have ignored this wise counsel. The erosion of our sovereignty is commensurate to the erosion of this sacred ideal.

We feel fear when we obsess over our own individual plight and fail to acknowledge our connection to others. Isolation is dangerous. By way of analogy, a gazelle that separates itself from the herd in order to have all the water for itself – that gazelle has genuine reason to be afraid when the lions hunger. He has mistakenly believed his attackers will respect his courage and initiative in rejecting his community. Instead, he is mocked for his arrogance and dies a lonely death. Divide and conquer. He is another victim of the delusions of grandeur; much to the chagrin of his fellow gazelles.

Critics argue, “Self-preservation is the first law of nature.” The architects of western civilization went so far as to turn the law of the jungle into the law of the land. However, man is the bridge between that which is animal and that which is divine. Higher faculties are supposed to guide our actions. Love of kind is supposed to animate our souls. The ancestors knew that our strength as a people was counterintuitive to individualist reason . . . so says the proverb,” Sticks in a bundle cannot be broken.”

Granted, we must provide for ourselves and our families, and can only do so within the system to which we belong. However, the Bible encourages us to be in the world, but not of the world. This white-dominated system puts demands on our time and talents; however, there should be no intrusion into our souls. We live in an abundant Universe. If you exercise creative genius, there are infinite ways to provide for you and yours. The only limits are those you establish through fear and self-doubt.

We must once again become a nation. Not in the geographic sense, but in the spiritual and communal sense. Nationhood is a commonality of values and an abiding love of kind. How can one be afraid when his/her actions are for a nation and not solely for themselves? The greatest joys in life come through our collective victories. When you watch our successes on television, do you not feel a vicarious sense of achievement? More often than not, don’t you root for the competitor that looks most like you? If your answer is yes, then you sense the connection. Now, and forevermore, honor the connection.

Material objects can be wrestled from my hands; however, dreams of liberation cannot be pried from my Mind nor can love of Blackness be snatched from my heart. The source of our power lies in the intangible forces we embrace and not the “status” and “pseudo-riches” we covet. The former offers freedom and a meaningful life, the latter perpetuates fear, individualism and servitude. As black people, we need each other if we are to reclaim our dignity and dominion over this world. Think about it!

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Mind is the Builder

2006-09-05T00:00:00.000-07:00

“We have outgrown slavery, but our minds are still enslaved to the thinking of the master race. Now is the time to take the kinks out of your mind, instead of your hair.” Marcus Garvey, 1923

Far too many people grossly underestimate the power of the Mind. This is a terrible mistake. In any endeavor, victory or defeat manifests first in thought and then in deed. A great sage once said, “Mind is the builder.” The wise know this and govern themselves accordingly. Their awareness insures they shall serve no master. The ignorant know not and face all manner of deceptions and hardships due to a lack of knowledge. They are condemned to serve any master with the wits and will to exploit them – and seldom recognize, let alone challenge their servitude.

Once upon a time, our original African spiritual system taught us that the Mind is the means through which we construct our reality. It revealed that the Universe is cosmic energy governed by creative intelligence. Such sacred knowledge formed our concept of God and enabled us to see ourselves cast in that powerful image. We sensed the unity of creation and our connection to all life. With this overstanding, we lived our lives in harmony with Universal law as it manifested through nature. Application of this wisdom created an enlightened culture and a communal social structure. In short, our Minds were in alignment with our inherently divine nature and all was well in the world. In this state, we were invincible. Mind was the key.

Ultimately, this original world order was overthrown. Weapons played a role, but psychology had weakened resistance before the first shot was even fired. You see, our power lied in the knowledge of the Universe and in remaining true to our intrinsic spirituality. Defeat came in turning away from our race’s time-honored blueprint for life on earth. We were deceived into the adoption of foreign beliefs; beliefs which held absolutely no power. Prior to being re-indoctrinated, our ancestors had no beliefs. We knew! To believe something is really to confess ignorance of the truth and to instead rely on false constructs, wishes and hopes . . . all impotent states of Mind.

Our spiritual systems proved the existence of Divine Intelligence and showed us how to align with its creative energies. Oh, but we turned our backs to truth when we grew to distrust ourselves and our traditions. At that point, we were primed for the cosmic flim-flam of the ages. Here is some of the kryptonite used on the African Mind.

• Our spiritual concepts were misrepresented and then derided as savage and pagan. But, it is this African knowledge which comprises the esoteric foundation of all western religions. How ironic.
• God ceased to be cosmic energy and creative intelligence; instead becoming a capricious man in the clouds whose only begotten son had blonde hair and blue eyes. Yet, the notion of God as a man is completely illogical and the Bible clearly describes Jesus as black. Mmm, classic mental deconstruction.
• Ham was supposedly cursed with blackness for his sins and this served as the justification for slavery. Notwithstanding, the remarkable properties of melanin insure our survival and such bestiality defies justification . . . despite theologians’ best efforts.
• We are also taught that African people never contributed anything to civilization. Bullshit! We founded civilization and gave life meaning. What have our detractors contributed beside plagiarism, deception and death? Check the historical record.

Our people must reject this destructive conditioning. It is poison to the souls of black folk. Its influence has led to generational self-hatred and debilitating inferiority complexes. These are two very powerful states of Mind! If Mind is the builder and ours are filled with incorrect information and self-loathing, what kind of existence can we expect to create? We occupy the lowest position on the racial hierarchy because we have internalized the most impotent beliefs about our history, our intelligence, our talents . . . our worth.

The test is to free our Minds; only then will true liberation follow. For starters, everything you were taught about black people in school – reject it! Challenge everything, even the racism inherent in Christianity. Recognize and renounce the rampant niggerization of black culture in the media. These were all designed to be psychological time bombs. Only truth can douse the fuse.

Our elders meant well, but in many ways they were conditioned too. Our generation lives in the Information Age. Don’t accept lies without scrutiny; know the truth about your greatest greatness. A return to overstanding is a return to our divine power source. The highest conception of who you were born to be manifests first in thought and then in deed. Clear your Mind for its creation.

I conclude with another quote by Marcus Garvey, a man whose brilliance I discovered only after disavowing what I had been conditioned to believe about him.

“God and Nature first made us what we are, and then out of our own creative genius we make ourselves what we want to be. Follow always that great law. Let the sky and God be our limit and Eternity our measurement.”

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An Open Letter to Condoleeza Rice

2006-09-01T00:00:00.000-07:00

Dr. Condoleeza Rice
Secretary
U.S. Department of State
2201 C Street NW
Washington, DC 20520

Dear Secretary Rice:

In keeping with my customary greeting, I hope this letter finds you in good spirits and at a time when all is well in your life. I normally write this line in correspondence without a second thought. Today I had misgivings. However, despite my feelings towards you and the Bush administration you serve; I shall speak honestly, but with the courtesy and respect due an elder. You are still my Sister. Therefore, my intent is not to denounce you, but to encourage you to search your soul for its vestiges of truth, justice and human decency. May what remains inspire you to find your way out of the abyss and become a force for good in our world.

From my observations, you are a fascinating and complex individual. I have read a great deal about your background in order to understand the person you have become. As expected, my research has left me with more questions than answers. I learned that you spent your childhood in Bull Connor’s Birmingham and that you were classmates with one of the girls killed in the infamous bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church. Normally, I can draw insights into the character of an African-American who has been a witness to such inhumanity. Yours is not as easily defined. While I can never know what is truly in your heart; by way of analogy, a tree is better judged by the fruit it bears as opposed to its tangled web of roots remaining hidden beneath the surface.

Dr. Rice, you have long been criticized for your lack of identification with African-Americans. Some of the criticisms throughout your career have been valid and some have not. I have even defended you on occasion. However, you must offer an explanation and an apology for your actions in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. As over 80,000 people (mostly African-Americans) endured the unendurable; you went to a Monty Python musical on Broadway (why not Dreamgirls?), played tennis with Monica Seles (why not the Williams sisters?) and went shoe shopping at Salvatore Ferragamo. It is unfortunate that the desperate pleas of your people could not pry you away from a few days of Manhattan merriment.

Clearly, someone of your exceeding intellect and political experience had to understand the gravity of this disaster and the symbolic role you would be expected to play. Dr. Rice, you are the highest ranking African–American in the United States government and the most powerful black woman in the world. Where were you when your people needed you . . . not the Israelis, not the British or even Evangelical Republicans, but black people wading in the water? There may never be a time when your voice could have had greater resonance. Yet, your silence was deafening . . . and still is.

Every black person I know, without exception, was riveted by the tragic drama that unfolded on their television screens. They sent money, supplies and even opened their doors to displaced families. In many ways, it was our finest hour. You see, the blood of a people carries the soul of the race – so we are all connected on the deepest levels. In truth, what separates us is insubstantial, but what binds us is unbreakable. This is the African conception of nationhood. Katrina reminded us all of that timeless wisdom. That is why your indifference to the plight of your brothers and sisters was as baffling as it was hurtful.

In your role as Secretary of State, you are charged with the responsibility of leadership in the area of United States foreign policy. I have paid close attention to what you have done under that mandate. Sadly, this administration’s conduct towards the disadvantaged in New Orleans is not an aberration. In fact, I see eerily similar scenes coming from Iraq, Afghanistan, Lebanon, Sudan and the Palestinian territories. The little man is being trampled underfoot, everywhere.

A very disturbing pattern is emerging and you are a central figure in its continued development. The charade is getting old. We are tiring of the whole “making the world free from the evildoers” motif. That is a fraudulent pretense being used to distract attention from the real agenda of hegemony, petroleum supremacy and the tyranny of fear. It is time to face what is really going on. So, I ask, as a black woman, how does it feel to be the spokesperson for an imperialist power? In a world where the majority of people are of color, you use your eloquence to make their suffering palatable to the elites you truly represent. What an unfortunate legacy for a child of the Jim Crow era.

Dr. Rice, use your power and position to get our world off this perilous course. You are in daily communication with those leaders hell-bent on destruction. No other person of color shares your authority and unprecedented access. Take a stand. As I said, the blood of a people carries the soul of the race. So, I know that in your private moments the ancestors call upon your noblest intentions. Heed their call. When you are given the next set of directives and talking points on African, Iranian, North Korean or Middle East policy, fully consider their implications. Do they serve the interests of a coterie bent on global conquest, or do they serve the interests of a human race desiring to live in peace? Search your heart for the truth. Let it lead your way.

Despite your busy schedule, I am confident that you will receive this letter. While I have only scratched the surface of what I hoped to share with you, I thank you for your consideration of my words. I look forward to your response.

Always know; you are a brilliant black woman, created out of all that is great in the Universe. Inherent in your DNA is the imprint of truth, justice, righteousness and harmony. In times of trial, feel these sacred forces come to your aid. May you always act in accordance, not with the dictates of man, but out of respect for the promptings of your own soul. Such is a leadership philosophy in line with the Will of our Creator.

Sincerely,

Darius Jones
Creator
9Ether News

Where is Our Artistry?

2006-08-29T12:00:00.001-07:00

“A people who ignore their artists are placing themselves in grave jeopardy. No society or culture can afford to ignore the most truly creative among them without detrimental effects.” Daniel Aldridge, 1988

Hypothetical Situation

Imagine you are on your way to the local university. You have been invited to participate in a focus group studying the positive and negative aspects of popular culture. Certainly, not the usual way you would spend a Saturday afternoon, but a good friend recommended you to the authors of the study. So, what the hell? You are a reasonably conscientious person and you welcome the chance to share your views.

When you arrive, you soon recognize that you are the only African-American in a group consisting of twelve people. Eight members are Caucasian and the others are Hispanic, Arab and Asian. The gender balance is fine, but the racial imbalance makes you slightly uncomfortable. After some awkward small-talk amongst the group, a professor comes into the room, introduces himself and announces the subject of inquiry will be an analysis of how black music impacts cultural standards. As the lights dim and the projection screen illuminates, you see the lead-in to what will be a montage of music videos.

“Oh, no,” you say to yourself, feeling somewhat apprehensive. This can go one of two ways.

1. The study takes the high road and features the many talented black artists, who have something to say – but whose work is largely kept outside the mainstream?
2. Or, they do exactly what you expect and devote two hours to the exclusive showing of rap videos.

All your worst fears are confirmed when the Yin-Yang Twins first appear on the screen and you hear the familiar, “Haaaaagn!” What follows is a barrage of misogynistic, brutish and profane images. See them in your Mind’s eye. Now, contemplate the thoughts that would be going through your head in that darkened room, as you bear witness to the debasing of African-American culture and artistry. It is funny how these videos do not seem as harmless and entertaining in mixed company. You are deeply embarrassed and scrambling to find a way to defend what you have just seen. However, the words escape you. Why? Well . . . because some things are entirely unworthy of defense.

The Case

I challenge anyone to disprove my conviction that we are the most brilliant and creative race in the world. We are the forbearers of all that is known to be scientific, cultural and artistic. Siphoning off our genius has been the path to advancement for our earthly cohabitants. Learn your history. Such has been the case since the dawn of civilization and such will be the case until the end of days. So, with that being said: why is the breadth of our creative genius being deliberately excluded from the mainstream media? There are a wealth of talented and conscientious artists that are doing their thing. Good music is out there; however, many industry chieftains consider its musicianship and penchant for positive messages a “bad investment.” Why?

No disrespect to the rap industry, but did African-American self-expression begin the first time someone recited rhymes over samples of original music? I have to ask, because if you turn on your television, you may very well believe this to be the case. My contention is that there is a veritable blackout on music and videos that do not perpetuate the prevailing negative characterization of the African-American experience.

It does not take much imagination to conjure up the well-worn stereotypes. Apparently, the lowest common denominator in thought, expression and behavior is in keeping with the “demise agenda.” Therefore, it dominates the cultural landscape. Its reinforcement is as constant as it is demoralizing. The glorification of “Niggerdom” is the new millennium noose – but this time around we are complicit in our own destruction. You see this, don’t you?

Case in point: forget the gangsta-lifestyle, bling, violence and all manner of boundless ignorance seen in some rap videos – that is much too easy a target. Instead, let us focus on a much more corrosive issue. Name another race of people that intentionally dehumanizes their own women on the world’s stage. Any answers? . . . Hello? . . . Exactly! In fact, most other races demonstrate excesses in the preservation and defense of feminine honor. Oh, but not the “original” man, at least, in so far as what is depicted in contemporary music and video. These images, over time, strip away every strand of dignity through which our women are viewed. We send other races the message that since we devalue our own – why not join in the desecration of the Black Madonna as well.

Yes, the superiority of the black woman’s beauty and stature is without equal in all the world. Yes, MC “lo-IQ,” I am with you 100% in the admiration of her goddess-attributes. However, there is a right and a wrong way to showcase one so sublime. Your way has proven to be quite carnal and unimaginative. If you lack the intelligence and artistic insight to do our sisters justice, then keep your songs in the studio and your film in the can, before your work becomes the standard by which we all are judged. A true artist would know this without having to be told.

We are a resurgent people, destined to reclaim our original glory. However, there are still collective demons yet to be overcome. Therefore, those from among our ranks who hold themselves out to be artists bear an enormous responsibility. Their works are seen to be symbolic of the soul of the race. Images shape our perception of reality. My hope is that our standard-bearers will illuminate what is best in us and resist the ease and temptation of resorting to chauvinism and buffoonery. Am I naïve in this expectation? If so, I’ll keep crusading as long as there is a need.

Ultimately, accountability lies with each of us. Will you allow your voice to be heard on this issue? Our honor as a people hangs in the balance. Choose life!

Darius Jones
Creator
9Ether News

9Ether News . . . Why?

2006-08-25T00:00:00.002-07:00

“A time comes when silence is betrayal. Even when pressed by the demands of inner truth, men do not easily assume the task of opposing their government's policy, especially in time of war. Nor does the human spirit move without great difficulty against all the apathy of conformist thought within one's own bosom and in the surrounding world. But we must move on.” Dr. Martin Luther King, 1967

Greetings. I hope this initial posting on 9Ether News finds you in good spirits and at a time when all is well in your lives. Better yet, I’ll take this offer of goodwill even further – may all my subsequent writings reach you at times when peace and optimism prevail. Since our lives are but manifestations of our most dominant thoughts, my prayer is that yours remain positive and life-affirming. Ultimately, the Mind is the architect of your reality. So, you see, there is a path to power for our people and it begins with the way we perceive ourselves and the world around us. Truth is the element which will bring both into greater focus.

Why 9Ether News, you ask? I created this site in order to combat the forces of chaos and confusion at work on the black psyche. Yes, there is a shadowy veil of ignorance and self-destruction that blinds our people. Some wrestle valiantly against it while others unwittingly fumble in darkness. Oft times, we numb our own minds through foolishly imitative behavior and/or traditional beliefs we dare not challenge. When that is not enough, there is the sometimes subtle, yet constant reinforcement of inferiority through the media. Regardless of their origins and tactics, these forces must face determined opposition. Such is the mandate of 9Ether News and its declaration of war on the architects of our downfall.

Hopefully, I am not alone in this crusade. Perhaps you, too, recognize that there is a yoke upon the soul of our race. Perhaps you, too, have had conversations about the decline in standards, the erosion of values and the absence of personal responsibility. At least, I hope you have. If such matters do not merit your consideration, then 9Ether News has reached you in error – and for that I apologize. My intention is to reach a critical mass of those who can rise above our conditioned complexes and embrace a dynamic new concept of black power. Being true to ourselves is the cornerstone. There is no shame in shining a light on what ails us. How else could a physician stop the spread of disease?

All that is not organic, meaning created for the benefit of man, withers under the light of truth. So be it. Prophecy must be fulfilled. The world has entered a cycle of upheaval, foreshadowing a return to the original world order. Many time-honored beliefs and institutions must be laid open for examination, and if need be, euthanized, in order for us to re-embrace a fuller conception of our divine nature.

Some will be with me; my words will sound Greek to others. So be it. DuBois charged a tenth of our people with the stewardship of the race. In our time, even those projections are ambitious. If it is time for the pendulum to swing away from ignorance and toward Overstanding – our numbers will grow. But, at its inception, 9Ether News is a lone voice railing against entrenched power and beliefs. My hope is that your continued interest in this site will feed a growing flame.

Thank you and please visit the 9Ether News community regularly, as postings are published every Tuesday and Friday. Also feel free to forward columns to friends and detractors alike. I have overcome my fears and thus welcome the ideological battles to come. (Matthew 10:34)

Darius Jones
Creator
9Ether News