A lack of space precludes a long discussion on how the divided and confused English Colonialists won their freedom and established the Republic of the United States of America. Nevertheless, any smart ninth grader should know enough American History to explain how our nation was established.

Yet, when you   listen to Black leaders offer solutions, you’ll often hear, “Our biggest problem is that we can’t come together.” As much sense as that cliché makes to today’s miseducated generation, it’s really nonsense. Strength in numbers notwithstanding, common sense dictates that large gatherings of confused and frustrated people, more often than not, translate to bigger problems.

On the flip side, we just got through celebrating the life of Rosa Parks who is credited with single-handedly bringing 1950’s Black America together. Conversely, if you read last week’s African American News & Issues you already know the mainstream media’s version is a lie. The Montgomery victory was similar to the colonialist’s surprising triumph (FYI: In Boston in early summer of 1765 a group of shopkeepers and artisans who called themselves The Loyal Nine, began preparing for agitation against the Stamp Act. As that group grew, it came to be known as the Sons of Liberty. And grow it did! These were not the leading men of Boston, but rather workers and tradesmen. Their ranks did not include Samuel, John Adams, and other radical members of the legislator, who could not afford to be too closely associated with violence.

Neither could the secretive Sons of Liberty afford much public exposure. However, amongst the members were two men who could generate much public sentiment about the Act. Benjamin Edes, a printer, and John Gill of the Boston Gazette produced a steady stream of news & opinion. -Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.) Surely, the revolution would’ve failed without Edes and Gill, who provided lines of communication. And,  without communication unity would’ve been impossible.  If  you’re thinking that the  printer Ede’s circulars and Gill’s newspaper   only brought the like minded colonist “TOGETHER,” you’re falling into the same trap that 2005 Black America is being held captive. Truth is, although  the nine  protesters evolved to 8, 000, they were a  small minority of  the colony’s  2, 200, 000 plus population. 

We Must Understand, if the key to the colonist’s victory was secrecy and  the exclusion of wary  politicians, we shall never overcome. Sadly, looking at Black America objectively, it becomes obvious that allowing politician’s special agendas to divide and confuse our community is our biggest problem. For instance, ideally  Sen. Rodney Ellis should’ve supported Rep. Slyvester Turner, who was more qualified than an unknown Bill White, but  people’s choice. Yet, because of Black people’s propensity to consider politicians leaders--rather than representatives--they called the shots. Nothing person, but Ellis was identified as the primary culprit. Truth is, however, our community and its political leader’s failure to communicate negated a united effort. Consequently, without communication there could be no unity.

 And there shall never be any unity as long as our religious leaders are more fractious than the “sell-out” historical civil rights advocacy’s leaders  that were co-opted by corporate America. Conversely, if you want to talk togetherness, check out the Sojourners Magazine’s April 2005 article (Black Baptist Power): “Ten thousand African-American Baptist ministers, lay leaders, and activists met in Nashville in January (2004),  for what has been hailed as a watershed gathering. The meeting marked the first time that the four prominent American black Baptist conventions, representing a community of 30 million people, met together.” Need we say again that Black people have no problem “COMING TOGETHER?” Unfortunately, together isn’t UNITY.