DC Talks

According to the History Guy Website, many a successfully planned slave rebellion was thwarted by turncoat Negroes who could not stomach the overthrow of the White master.

   In Gloucester County, Virginia in Sept. 1663, there one of the first major conspiracies unfolded for a possible slave rebellion.  The plot by Black slaves and white indentured servants was betrayed to the authorities by one who was close to the rebels.  Several plotters were captured and beheaded.

   In 1800, history records the account of Gabriel Prosser's Rebellion.  Prosser, a blacksmith, and his brother Martin, a slave preacher, planned a major rebellion in Virginia.  They recruited at least a thousand slaves to their cause and built up a secret cache of weapons in anticipation of marching on the state capital of Richmond.  When the day of the revolt arrived though, a violent storm washed out the roads and bridges leading to Richmond.  The rebels broke up, but Prosser was betrayed by one of his followers.  The state militia captured Prosser and he and many of his followers were hanged.

   Just 22 years later, Denmark Vesey's Uprising occurred when Vesey, a free Black man living in South Carolina, detested slavery and took great inspiration from stories of Israelite freedom from bondage in the Bible.  He began organizing for a major rebellion, which would take place in 1822 in the city of Charleston.  He and his followers organized into small cells independent of each other.  This way, if a single cell was detected by the authorities the other rebel cells could survive.

   Vesey’s plan was rather simple.  Armed slaves would position themselves outside the houses of whites at night.  Then, other slaves would start a major fire in the city.  When the white men exited their homes to fight the fire, the slaves would kill them.

   Unfortunately for Vesey and his followers, someone betrayed them before they could launch the attack.  One of Vesey's companions, who knew the whole plan, turned him in to the authorities.  Vesey and the other leaders were hung, but the immensity and ingenuity of the plot terrified southern slave owners.

   In every movement and during every struggle, There Is Always One “Sell-Out Negro” or group of Negroes that spill their guts in exchange for favored preferences or “30 pieces of silver.”  In Paris, Texas, where Black children are being disrespected, miseducated and mistreated in the school system, the newspaper wrapped its arms around one Black woman, who in the words of the newspaper said, “What we all need to hear.”

   On April 18, the newspaper reported that “Marva Joe” said what we need to hear.  The only “we” in that statement was “Whites in Denial about the real conditions going on in Paris Texas.  What she said should either shock you or remind you of the kinds of “Sick Negroes” we have living amongst us in Paris, Dallas, Houston, Tyler, Austin, San Antonio, Lubbock, El Paso and all points in between, who would stand against their own people, point fingers with the enemy and totally blame the Black community for the conditions that exist today in Black families and neighborhoods.

   But, as DC Talks, you be the judge…

   There are two things she sees wrong.  First, she has observed that Paris does not need Dallas and Fort Worth Black activists stirring up problems in the community.  She particularly took issue with a report published in the Dallas-Fort Worth edition of African-AmericanNews & Issues.

Joe, who is Black, is a former Paris Independent School District trustee and currently substitutes for the district.

   “We all know what is in that newsletter is not true,” according to the newspaper’s account of what Joe said.  “People not only in Paris saw that newsletter, but people around the state saw that newsletter and maybe around the country.”

   Joe, also an alleged community activist, expressed her opinions about outside activists becoming involved and addressing the Black condition in Paris and Lamar County.

   “Really and truly they need to stay in Dallas and Fort Worth and work over there,” she said.  “For them to come here, a small town and school district, we don’t need them picking on us.”

   She went on to say, “I just wanted to come and give the school district my support.  You all know me.  I believe in doing the right thing.  If I see something wrong, I will be the first person to say it is wrong.  The school district is doing a good job except there is not a lot of parent involvement, and I think that is what we need to work on.”

   THERE IS ALWAYS ONE…that the White powers in a community will always hold up as the one voice who allegedly speaks for the community.  There is always one who will cower, support and allow themselves to be used to propagate the great “white propaganda” that has poisoned our community and youth for generations.

   If the education system is so great in Paris, show us the successes of Black children over your dropout rates.  Print facts on how many Black youth are being disciplined compared to White youth and show me your graduation ratios.  Better yet, if equality is not an issue, break down your unemployment statistics in Paris and Lamar County and show me that it is the place to be because our Black men have good jobs without having to resort to other means to support their families.

   Share the statistics on the number of arrests, convictions of African Americans versus Whites and how those cases are all processed fairly and equally in the “Land of Oz.”  Can Joe, the school district, chamber of commerce, the commissioner’s court, the District Attorney or the newspaper produce those “pie in the sky” figures?  Joe speaks up for Paris and the school district because she continues to benefit and take money from “Pharaoh’s house.”

   It is easy not to bite the hands that feed you and support things with blinders on when you are getting yours to the exclusion and harm of your people…that is if the silver-haired, golden-throated diva considers herself to be Black in the first place.

   The Paris newspaper and the White community have indeed found its “one”…  It is time for a soul searching investigation.  We across this state are fighting a struggle that includes the need to examine who the real enemies are.  Many of them have the same skin color you and I were born with.  Some of them represent us in Congress, in Austin, on city councils and county commissions, in corporations and in law enforcement across the Lone Star State.

   It’s not about helping the Black community; it is more about help self and “cronies.”  Others don’t hold public office, but have children that play with our children, shop in the same stores, attend the same churches, live next to us and sit in the same public meetings with us.

   However, a closer look reveals that they live a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde life.  One minute they are with us at rallies and meetings, but like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, they turn on you and tell all, especially if they are rewarded or receive a boost in their “personal economy-lifestyle.”

   History probably would be different if many slave rebellions would have been successful.  If only that one person would have been identified, exposed and isolated.

It was Jesus who said, “the tree is known by the fruit it bears.” (Matt. 7:17)  It is easy to see who in the community and in government is really working to heal the ills that plague the Black community if we would but awake, open our eyes wide and focus.

   When you look, you will see clearly those who are standing with the enemy and fighting against the freedom and justice for Black people and those courageous enough to stand up and speak out for real justice, fairness and equality.  In the midst of this serious struggle, are you able to identify “The One” who is more focused on his or her personal economy and status with the “powers that be” than those boldly standing up for freedom, justice and equality.

   There is not only “bad fruit” in the proverbial basket of this struggle, but also some that is very “rotten” and “smelly.”  We need strong leaders who will not bend or compromise truth.  One loose lipped, Jekyll and Hyde traitor can ruin the best laid plans. Ask Prosser and Vesey…

   Before we grow as a people, we must identify, mark and isolate those among us who do not work for us and who mean us no good.  It’s 2006 Black America, Do You Know Who Your Sell-Outs Are? ... And you know what I mean.