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| We
Must Understand Watchers must do more than watch Roy Douglas Malonson |
| We were at one of those dog and
pony shows that concerned citizens commit themselves to because they're dedicated to
making their neighborhoods better, when the keystone speaker said something that caught
our attention. "We must be watchmen on the wall," he espoused dramatically.
"We must keep an eye out for enemies, so that we will know when to become warriors
for our people." African-American News&Issues' readers are very aware that we aren't the least bit shy about admitting that over 350,000 free copies (of one of the most colorful and informative, not to mention widest circulated newspapers in the state with a Black perspective), makes us the most vigilant watcher on the wall and strongest editorial voice for Black America. And, for that reason, the first thought that popped into our collective heads was that the speaker was obviously using a popular cliché, as so many of us tend to do when we're trying to energize audiences with clever rhetoric. However, we must confess that AAN&I is just as guilty of perpetuating the misapplication of those terms, insofar as they have long been a staple in our old African warrior's columns and articles. In fact, he has updated the gender biased appellation watchman, to a more political correct "watcher on the wall." We'll also plead guilty for promoting the overworked warrior label. Consequently, we recently received quite a bit of negative e-mail when we called Mike Tyson a warrior, since it has become a heroic designation. An acerbic letter to the editor spoke volumes about how quickly people buy into popular misconceptions, although they have no idea what they're talking about. The letter queried, "How can you possibly call a thuggish rapist like Tyson a warrior?" Although we have glorified the designation warrior to translate to fearless and relentless people doing great work for society and God, a warrior really isn't a very nice person. They can't afford to be, since war is hell. But that's another story entirely, so let's climb back on the wall and explain why watchers must do more than simply enjoy the view. Denial aside, if the speaker in question had ever demonstrated the slightest characteristic of being a watchman on the wall for African-American's underserved, disenfranchised neighborhoods, we wouldn't have taken his inference personally. But, We Must Understand, a good watcher on the wall ideally precludes surprises. The self-aggrandizing public servant referring to himself as a watchman on the wall, not only has never (to our knowledge) warned his people of impending problems, but also is always lost in action when they're fighting the system. On the other hand, he definitely is an insider, who can be found swilling at the public troth. If certain elected officials, or anointed public servants and/or community representatives, who fail to inform us in time to proactively strategize to deal with the problem comes to mind-- we're on the same wavelength. Surely, you were edified by our recent editorial that explored reasons why African- Americans have always been accused of being "a day late and a dollar short," or reactive instead of proactive. If so, you might be interested in a little watcher on the wall history and what they're expected to do, before and after they spot trouble on the horizon. Need we explain that the world has never been a peaceful place to live, therefore there always have and always will be people who find themselves isolated with enemies surrounding them? The race card notwithstanding, African-Americans appear to fit that description in 2002 America, since we've been profiled to be abused and misused more than any other ethnicity in the land of the free. Okay, we won't complicate this discussion with denial or even differing philosophies of those who insist that "we are not a monolithic people" who all think alike. Instead, let's cut to chase and put some watchers on the wall. AAN&I's researchers discovered that the body of the wall was the key part of an embattled people's defensive system, rather than just a construction surrounding them. Consequently, the best walls were not only the first line of defense, but often became a community within itself. It was surprising to learn that the best watchers on the wall were also the bravest and best fighters. After warning of an approaching enemy, the watcher then became a long-range marksman with the missive of their era. Usually the watcher, who was the most familiar with the wall, also became the commander who deployed the warriors who joined the fight on the walls that usually included a number of secondary structures and devices. On the inner side of such walls, placed at small intervals, were arched doors called chuan doors, which were made of stones. Inside each chuan were stone or brick steps leading to the top of the battlement. On the top, on the side facing the enemy stood 7-foot high crenels called to-kou. On the upper part of the to-kou were large openings used to watch and shoot at attackers. In essence, the wall is crucial to a people's survival, therefore the watchers on the wall must do much more than just watch, or even warn of impending danger and recognize Trojan horses. They must be dedicated to defending their community. But here is the clincher. The encamped community that depends on the wall for communication and protection supports those watching and manning the wall so they never have to worry about anything but defending the wall. If you haven't figured out where we're coming from, perhaps, we need an example: African-American educators (watchers on the wall to assure our children are properly educated) would be foolish to warn the Black community of danger on the horizon, if they are ignored. It's even worse, if they are second-guessed and ostracized like the late Elizabeth "Liz" Spaces, who found herself fighting a lonely battle, without reinforcement or support. We Must Understand, watching on the wall is a dangerous undertaking at best, but it's downright self-destructive when an unsupportive, brain-dead community tends to ignore our warnings, while "Judas Goats" sell out for 30 pieces of silver and open the gates for Trojan horses. |
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