False Bravado

Caucasian American actor, comedian Gary Owen (a liberal-minded individual who has been married to an African American - Kenya - for the past 17 years), had this to say about Gayle King's attempt to get retired WNBA legend Lisa Leslie to make disparaging remarks about the late Kobe Bryant.

"Has anyone noticed a shift in energy since Kobe passed away? I felt it... Between Ari Shaffir and Gayle King, I just want people to realize what can happen when Black people really come together... cause look, you ain't talking about Kobe, not our hero... Kobe is a worldwide hero..."

Gary has a point, but first of all, 21st-Century African Americans typically unite for the wrong, insignificant reasons (not minimizing the passing of Kobe, but anger and sadness are what made many Black folks lash out at Gayle King). Little known comic Ari Shaffir's self-described 'dark humor' led to his egregious comments about Kobe's demise. His ignorance fueled by hate will serve as the nail in his coffin for a less than mediocre career. And no matter how pissed we are at Ms. King, depression and heightened anxiety will not bring Kobe, Gigi, and the 7 others back.

Second, collective progress and Black accomplishments are attained through LOVE, not hate. Because of the collective sadness that engulfs Black America, we have lashed out at another Black person and it serves NO purpose.

We should have come together to lend support to the family of Trayvon Martin. We should have been livid over his murderer going free. To make that tragic situation worse, no one from the Black community had much to say to Trayvon's killer. But the KKK, Skinheads, and other hate groups had Zimmerman's back, and still do to this day.

We should have supported Bill Cosby, we didn't. Remember "America's Dad?" The same guy that donated millions to HBCU's, including $20 million to Spellman. We haven't heard a peep from any of those colleges Cosby so graciously supported. Many Black folks, male and female, turned their backs on Bill. African Americans and members of the "MeToo" movement should be incensed that Weinstein is not in prison. Cosby is incarcerated for being convicted for 1 rape over 30 years ago. While Weinstein has not and will not see a day behind bars for his myriad rape accusations by many well-known (and not so well known) entertainers.

What we're dealing with is misplaced bravado... no more, no less. Black folks are quick to criticize and chastise our own... but perpetually AFRAID of White folks!