The first and most insidious white lie is that white supremacy does not exist. Many in the dominant society would like Melanated people to eschews over 500 years of American history and codified law in what the great documentary filmmaker, Mr. Tariq Nasheed, refers to as the “500 Year Long Coincidence.” This is the notion that blatant incidences of racial discrimination by suspected white supremacists toward Melanated individuals are merely by happenstance and does not indicate a larger structural flaw in society. The acknowledgment of the existence of white supremacy is important because it affects every part of the Melanated individual’s life. Without the acknowledgement of the existence of white supremacy, esteemed social scientist, Mr. Neeley Fuller Jr. says nothing in the areas of economics, labor, religion, education, law, sex, entertainment, politics, or war will make sense to the Melanated individual. The non-acknowledgement of white supremacy will eventually lead the Melanated person into making unyielding compromises to the dominant society and down a lonely road chasing after the elusive “American Dream.”

“Meritorious manumission” is the second white lie the dominant society uses to subjugate Melanated people and is the assertion that if a Melanated person is “exceptional” enough, he or she may be granted a full pass into white society; thereby avoiding all laws and pitfalls that have been set to ensnare Melanoid people. This white lie leads Melanoid people into courses of actions that are harmful on both the micro and macro level. Melanoid people seeking meritorious manumission will often couch their actions in religious terms; placing allegiance of their faith above the well-being of their race. This is contrast to those in the dominant society that places the well-being of the system of white supremacy above any religious differences. Meritorious manumission is a white lie that is intended to cause confusion and force Melanated people to appeal to the morality in white supremacist. However, if white supremacists had morals, there would not be a system of white supremacy. This fact leads the Melanated individual to three equally important conclusions.

First, Melanated individuals must cease any form of financial patronage with non-Melanoid people. This means that Melanated individuals should not spend their money with those who do not look like them. Boycotting works, as study of the Montgomery bus boycotts shows, and is an act of ethnic and economic solidarity. Along with boycotting non-Melanated businesses, Melanoid individuals need to build their own businesses and do for self.

The Honorable Marcus Mosiah Garvey has shown that Melanated people can practice cooperative economics and build businesses that both empower and unite the entire African Diaspora. White supremacy was created with mechanisms in place to keep Melanated people economically subservient to the dominant society. Melanated people cannot and must not wait for wealth and resources to be given from white supremacist. Melanated people must take what is rightfully theirs.

In a system that is continually being refined, Melanated people have no choice but to practice cooperative economics and protect their families and communities by any means necessary. With the proliferation of violence against Melanated people by white supremacists and race soldier police officers, Melanated people must be fully aware of current laws and actively practice their 2^nd Amendment privilege. Also, Melanated people need to protect their own communities, instead of seeking assistance from the police, because white supremacy has been created to withhold justice from Melanoid people.

In the grand view, integration has come at the detriment of Melanoid people by making them economically reliant upon White supremacy for jobs and welfare. To become completely free, Melnaoid people must move to cities that have a large percentage of Melanated individuals, in order to effectively practice cooperative economics. The less interaction that Melanoid people have with white supremacists, the less white lies matter. In the words of the immortal Honorable Marcus Mosiah Garvey, “Up, you mighty race, accomplish what you will.”

J. Ali

In fact, the lion’s share of Black people’s ability to combat the systemic evils of racism/white supremacy are deeply rooted in building a thriving and respectable economic base. In doing so, we in Black Society are not only enabling ourselves to experience individual financial  success, but we also position ourselves to do business with other like-minded and thorough Black business owners, thus building a thriving Black Community in the process..reminiscent of the grandiose vision of Black economic empowerment originally spearheaded by Black leaders such as the Hon. Marcus Mosiah Garvey.

One man lives by the economic-centered principles of Garvey–a man by the name of Delxino Wilson de Briano. In August of 1994, Delxino and his wife Debbie Wilson de Briano founded TAG TEAM Marketing in Atlanta, GA. Even though the company’s title includes the word “Marketing”, there is no need for alarm–which is justifiable based on consumers’ long-held suspicions with companies that operate with such a moniker.

According to TAG TEAM Marketing’s website,TAG TEAM Marketing is a “Black-owned and operated marketing company that specializes in marketing the products and services of Black-owned businesses to Black consumers.” In a nutshell, this means that if you are a Black entrepreneur with a quality product or service to offer prospective customers, the the platform that TAG TEAM Marketing has provided is the perfect place for you to “set up shop” online.

As you can see by following this link, TAG TEAM Marketing’s online store offers a plethora of products that are Black owned, operated, and manufactured. From cleaning supplies to financial services, this virtual store for all things Black appears to be well on its way to becoming a one-stop shop for Blacks who possess the good intentions of spending their hard earned Black dollars with other Melanoid people.

For more on the founders of TAG TEAM Marketing, follow this link.

B. Clark

1. Marcus Garvey School (Los Angeles)

School Type: Co-ed & Pre-K/Elementary Private School

Head of School: Dr. Anyim C. Palmer

Website: http://mgsla.org/

2. NationHouse (Washington, D.C.)

School Type: Grade School

Head of School: Kwame Agyei Akoto

Website: http://www.nationhouse.org/

3. Timbuktu Academy (Detroit)

School Type: K-8

Head of School: Cha-Rhonda Edgerson

Website: http://www.timbuktuacademy.org/

4. Sankofa Academy (Houston)

School Type: Grade School

Head of School: Toni Imani Fisher

Website: http://sisterhoodcreations.com/sankofa_academy

5. Betty Shabazz International Charter Schools/Barbara A. Sizemore/DuSable Leadership Academy (Chicago)

School Type(s): K-12

Head of School: Frank Davis

Website: http://www.bsics.org/

6. Freedom Home Academy

School Type: Private Home School (Based in Chicago)

Head of School: Marcus Kline

Website: http://www.fhaintl.org/index.php

7. Little Sun People (Brooklyn)

School Type: Preschool

Head of School: Fela Barclift

Website: http://www.littlesunpeople.com/

8. ILE OMODE SCHOOL (Oakland)

School Type: Pre K-8

Head of School: Jahi Awakoaiye

Website: http://www.ileomode.org/draft1/index.htm

9. Imhotep Institute Charter High School (Philadelphia)

School Type: High School

Website: http://imhotepcharter.org/website/

 10. Kamali Academy (New Orleans)

School Type: K-12

Head of School: Dr. Samori Camara

B. Clark

The strong move silent, and the weak cause riots.

You’ve heard the old saying above, right? Of course, this isn’t indicative of ALL members of Black Society, because the occasional uprising is merely the voice of the unheard and downtrodden Melanoid people who seek outlets to vent their pent up frustrations with the injustices served by systematic white supremacy. What’s disappointing, however, are the Melanoid people who choose to participate in movements with ulterior objectives such as the Black Lives Matter movement, and “Hands up, don’t shoot”.

Over the course of our colorful history, symbolism HAS been used, yet it was used strategically. One prime example of this was when the Honorable Marcus Garvey’s UNIA opted to design a flag that would serve as a biting rebuttal to the dehumanizing song released in 1900, titled: Every Race Has A Flag But The Coon. On another occasion, Montgomery, Alabama’s bus boycotts in the mid 1950’s (in response to the Rosa Parks arrest) were a symbolic, yet action-based gesture that eventually crippled the local economy in the state’s capital city.

In 2015, many (not all) of our movements have been reduced to the level of empty promises and hot air-powered rhetoric. In spite of this, there is no one particular group in Black Society to blame, because this issue isn’t limited to just one group. For future reference, let us as Melanoid people be mindful about co-signing movements that may appear to be Black on paper, yet anti-Black in its truest essence. Movements with catchy slogans come and go, yet codes of conduct have true staying power.

Most of us are familiar with the significance of the month of February as it pertains to Melanoid people, yet very few are aware of the importance of the month of August. In an informative story featured on Black August, there are several items that are highlighted which cover the importance of the eighth month of the year in regards to Melanoid people. Events such as the birth of Marcus Mosiah Garvey, the Nat Turner-led slave uprising, and the March on Washington all occurred in the month of August.

With the month of August now in its early days, let us identify, study, and draw from the same revolutionary energy that has historically permeated this month by standing on the shoulders of the Black Giants who proceeded us. While it has already been mentioned that the month of August holds much importance for Black Society, it can also be noted that the month of August–like the rest of the year–gives us the reminder to never forget the greatness of our people regardless of the time of year, and how it can be replicated for future generations to be inspired by. Why wait until February to celebrate us? There is an ample amount of Black Excellence to be commemorated all year long, and in this case, let us start off the month of August right.

B. Clark