Before I started writing I viewed myself an activist. I came from a liberal background and was three months old at the time of the Newark riots. I remember my father crying because real estate agents refused to rent to blacks. My parents believed in integration and Civil Rights, and dreamed that one day I would follow suit fighting for the rights of the poor and oppressed.
As a youngster I never questioned whether mass movements were a good strategy. I was taught to be grateful and that I was lucky to grow up when I did. My parents went to segregated schools and were bitter that opportunities had been denied them, while I took for granted that I didn’t experience the indignities my parents did.
Although I loved my parents, they were bitter and they supported the black agenda. I saw how my parents responded to blacks that didn’t support reparations or affirmative action. They saw black conservatives such as Thomas Sowell, Walter E. Williams and Ben Carson as Oreos; black on the outside and white in the middle. Before I started writing I would dismiss people with opposing viewpoints as crackpots. However, a customer gave me a book by Thomas Sowell, Basic Economics, and something changed in me. He explained things I knew to be true but I couldn’t articulate, such as that people should be promoted based on ability, not race. He said that minorities should be held accountable and excuses should not be made for them. He said, if you want respect, do respectable things.
While liberalism is apocalyptic and depressing, I’m an optimist. I don’t believe America is a racist society but exceptional. I was born in this country and paid my dues to be a citizen. As someone that’s been to Africa, I have no desire to find my roots. Although my ancestors came here on a slave ship, I’m grateful that they did. Blacks in America have benefited by becoming doctors, lawyers, politicians and spokesmen, so I never understood why so many blacks still feel bitter and aggrieved.
My parents saw me as someone that didn’t appreciate the struggle for equality. Civil Rights allowed them to escape the mean streets of Newark. However, my parents didn’t understand that I was introduced to the dog eat dog world of capitalism. I understood human nature and thought equality is nonsense. No one can control your destiny better than you. When you try to be equal you have to give power to an authority that will the become your masters, making you dependent upon them for housing, jobs and food.
Liberals like determined outcomes; they want things safe and easy. I want to know where I stand. I don’t mind the marketplace. I thrive in the arena of competition. While some want doors opened for them, I thrive having them slammed in my face. I don’t want someone deciding for me what is adequate. I love challenges. If I’m bad at something I will do what it takes to be better, but please don’t give me special treatment because of past wrongs.
