A NEW YEAR BRINGS NEW OPPORTUNITIES

The upcoming New Year, 2018, promises to be quite different from many that have preceded it. Of course, we can say this about any new year, but 2018 will be different in some important ways.

For one, Americans are facing one of the most challenging tax bills in recent history, one that removes the Obama mandate clause, and that will give huge rewards to the nation’s wealthy. It is clearly a thumb your nose at the poor and middle class move, and also is an unabashed, in-your-face gift to the richest of people while taking away from the poorest. It is, in fact, a “reverse Robin Hood bill.”

In addition to this economic attack, the nation’s policemen continue getting away with maltreating Black people. Even though people demonstrate and threaten to revolt, the beat goes on (pun intended) with some cops continuing to misuse their power by applying unnecessary force, even though people protest. Moreover, it is becoming more obvious that the people in power don’t really care about the rank and file, especially Black people and other minorities. This is evident in the way that Puerto Rico was treated in the wake of a devastating hurricane.

Actually, the overall climate of unrest in America is becoming more intense. It is just a matter of time before the cries of impeachment become a deafening roar. The obvious misdeeds of the current presidential administration are encouraging people to call for change, as the allegations of misconduct become more damning. It’s true that in this country you are innocent until proven guilty, but it’s also true that where there’s smoke, there’s fire. It will be only a matter of time before the truth of the situation is revealed, but until then, we are witnessing an unprecedented level of disrespect for the democratic process.

One thing is probably certain, and that is, many of the people who voted for Donald Trump stand to lose ground during his administration. The tax bill debacle is just one example of this, and judging by the current trend, there is more to come.

What all of this boils down to is this – it is time to take our destiny into our own hands, and this is true on an individual as well as on a collective level. Theoretically, this shouldn’t be too difficult for the Black community because we have the resources. What needs to be understood, and changed, is our attitudes.

While the community is focused on petty issues, like who divorced who and on the public “disses” of the recently fired Trump administration’s Black token, Omarosa Manigault – Newman, the world continues to force unpleasant changes upon the American people in general, and the Black community in particular.

The most important point to ponder, however, is that we CAN make a difference in the world; we CAN change things. If we want to get ahead, we must consider pooling resources while, at the same time, avoiding negative popular culture that denigrates Black men, women and youth. We should put more energy into nation building. We must overcome the self-hatred that keeps us divided. We must cast aside our superficial differences and band together for our collective good.

Since it is evident that we will be facing significant challenges during the upcoming year, we should also know that where there is crisis there is opportunity. With every rough patch that we must navigate, there is a new perspective that can be gleaned, one that can point the way toward accomplishment. In other words, to call attention to an old common-sense phrase, “every cloud has a silver lining.”

Basically, there is a cure for every situation, that can be found within the situation itself. As we move boldly into the upcoming year, we must remember this and seize every opportunity to help make the Black community, America, and the world a better place. We must develop the art of discernment so that we can distinguish between our enemies and our allies, no matter race, creed or color. There is strength in unity. A Luta Continua.

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