There are some things that if you want to say them you must be very careful or you will be labeled and, perhaps, libeled.  Trent Lott got into trouble because he forgot he said a lot of things earlier that he regretted saying during a party where he was having a great time.  However, I am not at a party and all the news that keeps popping up about the implied messages sent out to the world, Mr. Lott said just a few words that made me think of this thing I am going to say.

“I hate to say it”, but Black Americans need a lot of help and could use a voice like Dr. Martin Luther King again.  Mr. Lott does not represent Conservative hinterland America but he managed to tar all conservatives and labeled them as racists just as he, himself, deserves that title.  In addition, Black America does not get the respect it deserves (and I hate to say this, too) because I think Latino Americans have captured the stage.

Just think about it. We still have segregation.  We still have poor educational prospects for Black children making the walls of public schools bulge. We still have Black people – despite many tangible advances – at the bottom of the totem pole. Native Americans used to be there but they could use some available tools to live better lives.  They have preferential tax benefits, places to live at “government expense”. They also have this thing called “Gambling Casinos” where the potential is great for a good portion of them despite many still being sacrificed to the God of Investment who allows manipulation by outsiders living as far away as the Far East. 

Black people have not reproduced themselves as fast as Latinos have.  Moreover, Latinos cross the borders of the United States in unstoppable numbers. They now outnumber Blacks. They have advanced themselves into positions in greater numbers than Black Americans. Good for them but what about Americans of African descent?

All the years of striving and all the political maneuvering has not yet helped African Americans to become fully American in the eyes of Mr. Trent Lott and the very large number of other Americans who think he got it right. It does not take another Dr. King to lead them nor does it take the conversion of the bigots to make this possible.  It does take the vast majority of Blacks – the African Americans themselves - to find the rhythm, the music to get them in step TOGETHER and find the voice that we will hear.

I hate to say this, but it will have to be the American descendants of Black Africans who do it for themselves or they will remain in that least position on the pole.