Have you ever wondered who those depraved people are that scribble profanities and pornographic art on the walls of public toilets? And just who are those crazy people who persistently blow their horns (10 cars back) in traffic jams? I also often wonder where do all of the abusive parents, child molesters and other repulsive predators hide? We have yet to meet one in person. In fact, it’s very difficult to find politically apathetic African-Americans, who are too lazy or crazy to go to the polls and exercise their hard won right to vote.

And the most niggling question of all is: where are the African-Americans who simply can’t come together to solve their community’s problems? Yes, you’re absolutely right if you detect sarcasm. The word “niggling” probably tipped you off. But please don’t read too much into our using that bothersome term. On the other hand, we are Texas’ widest circulated newspaper with a Black perspective that speaks editorially for African-Americans. Therefore, we are obligated to not only identify, but notify our people who talk the talk but fail to walk the walk, that it’s time to look into the mirror. Need we ask what do you see? Not who do you see, but what do you see? What we’re really asking is, do you see the problem or part of the solution? In case you’re wondering where we’re going with this, let’s use “The Shadow,” an old radio program we enjoyed when we were “Negroes,” or “Colored People,” as an example. Back then, we had to use our imaginations to see what we were hearing. If you’re too young to remember the radio program, check out your nearest video store.

A movie of “The Shadow” was made a few years ago. The program’s opening theme was, “Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of man? The Shadow knows.”  Those of us old enough to remember those words (followed by a sinister snigger), probably missed the implications of The Shadow’s assertion, because paranormal phenomenon had yet to become popular. But the radio program really has nothing to do with why we talk a good game, but fail to walk it anyway, so we won’t leave you hanging about The Shadow. The Shadow’s story is too long to detail, but suffice it to say that Lamar Cranston was an evil drug lord who was converted into a good man in Tibet. He was taught how to use his psychic powers (to detect evil that lurks in the hearts of men and the ability to transform himself into shadowy super hero), by a Buddhist priest. The Shadow got into the heads of evil men, who talked a good game and made them take an introspective look at themselves.  Consequently, the Shadow made them walk what they talked. With that said, one has to wonder how differently citizens would act if they knew that someone had the power to see the evil that lurked in their hearts. As farfetched as our example is, the truth is we do have an equivalent of The Shadow lurking in us.

It’s called a conscience or moral barometer. Ideally, nobody knows what’s truly in your heart but you and God (if you’re a believer), so it’s easy to play games and even fool people you interact daily with. On the other hand, there’s a problem when we begin fooling ourselves. Yes, we’ve heard the charge that disenfranchised African-Americans, who have more reasons to vote than any other group, are the least likely to participate in America’s one-person, one-vote Democratic process for years. However, since demographics is one of Acres Home Citizens Chamber of Commerce’s primary concerns, we find it very difficult to validate that upwards of 70 percent of voting age African-Americans are poor, politically illiterate, or apathetic. Then again, if that is the case, it definitely should be incumbent upon those of us, who understand and value the political process to educate, rather than denigrate our less enlightened neighbors. Conversely, we simply can’t assume that being poor or even uneducated, automatically translates to unproductive, or politically uninvolved citizens. Truthfully, statistical data suggests that there are more incidents of child abuse and/or molestation in affluent neighborhoods than we have in the ‘hood. We failed to get the figures on the handwriting on the toilet walls in impoverished neighborhoods, as opposed to the more affluent enclaves.

And, when people foolishly blow their horns in traffic jams, we’re inclined to believe that they’re stressed out or in a hurry to get somewhere to take care of important business. If so, maybe we should also rule out our unemployed or welfare dependent people for that transgression. Nevertheless, why speculate about who isn’t doing what?  One thing for sure, is that YOU know what you’re doing. So the question is: Are you walking the walk you so conscientiously talk? We aren’t meddling or finger pointing.  We’re just curious to know if you’re doing what you’re supposed to be doing to take care of your home, children, community and civic duties. If not, we are equally curious to know why you aren’t walking what you talk? And since we can’t depend on The Shadow to look into your heart, we can only take your word for what only you know.

You’re the only person who knows why you’ve never showed up at City Hall to question what happened to federal dollars targeting your community. Only you know why you have never made a school board meeting, although you swear you’re concerned about your children’s education. You also are the only one who know why you don’t participate in advocate groups and organizations that deal with issues crucial to your community’s development and progress. In retrospect, you are the only one who know why most of the churches in your neighborhoods have so many empty pews on Sunday, although many profess that that they dearly love the Lord. What I’m saying is, we constantly hear you talking, but seldom see you walking. So, the question is, why don’t YOU walk what you talk?

AFFIRMATIVE ACTION must be taken by African-Americans to seek retribution against public officials who oppose reparations.