I listen to the broadcasts by African American talk-show hosts on XM-Radio. Most notable of the hosts are Joe Madison (‘The Black Eagle’), Warren Ballentine (‘The Community’s Lawyer’), and Rev. Al Sharpton (‘Keepin’ It Real’). XM-Radio is facilitating a tremendously valuable service to our African American Community in that it enables the African American population to hear the things that are vital to their existence in America’s society.

It is exhilarating to hear voices from all over the nation talking to the same point at the same time. This common source of information has been denied to us for generations. When some piece of ‘new’ information was introduced to someone in our community, the typical response has always been, ‘Where did you hear that?’, or ‘Who told you that?’. Credit is..., or has been...given for originality of thought.

XM-Radio has raised this cognitive bar in a paradigm shift.

It pains to me when I hear a person call-in, and have difficulty expressing themselves in terms of their/our identity. I hear the struggle in their voice. I hear the pain in their frustration with the effort...., and there is nothing I can do to help. I feel like I should be able to do that. Somehow, I feel responsible.

I know that is a generational thing. Most of the callers are younger by at least a generation. But I can’t reach them. They can’t hear me muttering their identity...,as I perceive it, admittedly...to relieve the stress I’m hearing.

It is a good thing that XM-Radio is doing. I will have to learn to live with my stress...my pain.

PEACE

Jim Chester

Not to pry, Mr. Chester ...

But .. could you give an example or be a little more specific about that "difficulty" of which you speak??

quote:

Originally posted by EbonyRose:
Not to pry, Mr. Chester ...

But .. could you give an example or be a little more specific about that "difficulty" of which you speak??

Ohhhhhhkay.

It's hard for me...to explain the 'feeings' I sense in others.

I guess the easiest explanation is to describe it as the 'stumbling'...'hesitancy'...in assigning an identity to themselves, and/or others like themselves.

Sometimes the person will use a different term several times in the same paragraph.

I am reluctant to try to assign more to the description for fear of being perceived as being 'pejorative'.

I realize there are several terms that can be used to achieve agreement on who is being referenced.

Hopefully, however, this helps you get my point.

PEACE

Jim Chester

This message has been edited. Last edited by: James Wesley Chester,

African Americans for African America
http://iaanh2.org


African American
Pledge of Unity

We stand, Together, after left alone in a land we never knew. We Bind ourselves, Together, with the blood and will of Those who have gone before. From the Bodies of our Ancestors thrown away, from the Pieces of Ourselves left to perish, We rise as One, a New Body in a New Land, a New People in a New Nation. Of Common Mind, Body, and Spirit, By Declaration of our Amalgamated Individual and Personal Authorities, We Are African America.

© James Wesley Chester 2004; 2008

You are who you say you are. Your children are who you say you are.