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I would like to have my perceptions about the America's black dilemma analyzed because as a senior citizen, I like to solicit opinions from the younger generation in order to broaden my perspective. These are some of the images that my retinas capture, and they dwell in my head, begging to be interpreted. Take the evening news, for instance: When watching it, It's routine for me to see a staff of well-groomed blacks appearing on my screen: an anchor person, a weatherman, a sports reporter, all giving a credible accounting of themselves in the public eye. And on the same show it is also not unusual during the course of the latest news, to see a microphone thrust into the face of an inner city black woman, tearful and soft spoken, lamenting the death of her child by black thugs or white cops. There will also be an earnest black brother, decrying the violence terrorizing his black community. Neither of these 2 are loud and obnoxious, but just everyday folks trying to make it. The blacks reporting the news are in the company of other ones prominent in the various media outlets. Those whose records are topping the charts, and whose sports feats are exciting their fans, celebs whose activity is captured by the paparazzi and discussed by the hosts of magazine tabloid shows and social media outlets. TV actors starring in first rate movies,prime time dramas and situation comedies, many of which are directed by blacks. Just recently Blacks have been making names for themselves in the Olympics, their accomplishments being well publicized. When I make my regular excursions to WalMart, whose $!0-an-hour black employees are liberally sprinkled throughout the departments, stacking shelves, tidying up clothing racks, busily manning the check-out lines where I am greeted and serviced by black females resplendent in their long silky weaves or elaborate braided extensions, often blond or red in color, their fingernails artfully manicured, their noses pierced, their false eyelashes glued into place. Some are animated, other reserved, all are competent and polite. There will also be young black males in the mix, sporting their wild, spiked hair styles, respectfully addressing me as "Maam" - a collection of black folks who seem to be remarkably adjusted, all appearing to be anything but down and out. Yes, driving while black is hazardous to black males especially felons who. when stopped by cops, flee the scene because they have warrants and sometimes guns, all of which puts them at risk for being murdered into martyrdom. Equally hazardous is living while in an inner city neighborhood where intended targets and innocent bystanders alike are regularly shot dead by thugs aiming to avenge personal "beefs". These scenarios are the heads and tails of "the black lives matter" coin, a movement crippled by its empty slogan. And do black women really hate themselves? Ghetto sistas are very confident. They don't stress over their weight, and don't give a shit about what others think. Just ask them and they'll tell you. As for their flamboyance, they like to embellish their appearance the way tribal African women do. Middle class black women are returning to natural hair styles, carrying themselves with dignity and good taste whether thick or thin. Some of these women may use products to even out their spotty skin tone, as opposed to trying to whiten their skin. Most of all, I question whether black women of any class admire white women to the point where they hate themselves. IMO, they reserve their negative sentiments for those black men who prefer white women. Enlighten me, however. Tell me how my perceptions are being "manipulated" as so many critics like to declare. And are such accusations an attempt, themselves, at manipulation?

Yes, Virginia, Black or white, we are all being manipulated. As with anything else, there is a broad range in the impact this manipulation has on individuals. The some of the most severely impacted people, as previously discussed, never change an opinion, rejecting any new information, no matter how factual, that conflicts with what they already believe, while embracing supporting information, no matter how outlandish. Of course social media, and the media in general, tends to exaggerate this; which has more profound implications on the broader society (example: Donald Trump). People are complex and wear masks. What we know about others is a combination what they choose to show us and and how we perceive it--which usually is very different than what the person is actually like. Some people don't even understand their own motivations; they just react and do what others say, with out taking a split second to reflect... In the case of the outwardly confident "ghetto sistas," unconcerned about their weight loud and flamboyant; I've know a few over the years. If you get to know one or two you might discover their outward appearance could be a shield, a facade to help protect them from the hurt our culture heaps on them relentlessly. They may actually care more about their weight that they would ever let on. I've driven at least 1/2 a million miles and have been pulled over more times than I can remember. Most recently, about 18 months ago, for two moving violations in Harlem. I went to court because the citations were bogus. The officer presented first, and blatantly LIED about what I did. indeed the circumstances of my situation would have made, what he described, impossible. A good attorney would have probably gotten me off based upon this, but I was unprepared for the officer to lie and offered a less than optimal defense. The judge threw out one of the offenses and reduced the other. I wanted to fight even reduced penalty, but it would have cost me more time and money so I paid the fine and took the 2 points against an otherwise clean license. I say this to say there are MANY Black men sitting in jail because of similar situations. You can get arrested just for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. You can end up in jail waiting for a trial simply because you don't have any money for bail. You ultimately accept a plead deal, because you want to get out of jail, and don't have the resources to mount a real defense. So you take the charge to get out of jail, but now you have a record. You don't have to be a criminal to have a record, just Black and poor. Of course you'll now be perceived as a menace by the larger society, and your self esteem is shot because you've essential become unemployable unable to escape a life of poverty The real problem in our culture is that few of have any real sympathy for each other, because we can see beyond the sound byte or the meme. Personally this is one reason I don't watch a lot of TV and don't really do social media. Once piece of advice I got long before the rise of social media is, "If you don't have nine sources of information you are being lied to."

@CDBurns But be advised, that I am not always unaware that I am being manipulated, Because I derive a certain fiendish delight from provoking people, that's the price i pay. For instance: I play a game with Pioneer and the "dog" he patted on the head and who is now licking him in the face. And I should think it would be obvious by now that I am an argumentive person. @Troy I ask myself how much impact does any manipulation have on me and my lifestyle, and I can honestly say, not a whole lot. i have no intentions of not watching TV or not posting on social media or not eating or buying what I want - or not engaging in petty bickering. It ain't that serious. And if you will recall, I recently declared my declaration of independence from being black. It requires too much trouble to always be on guard. Those, of course, are my idiosyncrasies. Finally, I really do appreciate you two for allowing me to manipulate you into posting on this thread, and I would regard this as an example of the good that can emanate from manipulation. Your responses were very thoughtful and full of insight. Thanks for sharing.

I think people always show who they are no matter how hard they attempt to conceal it. Words, lack of words, actions, images all have the ability to undercut the image a person attempts to present. For instance if a person attempted to pass themselves off as something they aren't, I don't think many of us have a problem telling if that person is being truthful. Those who can't see through the facades are being willfully ignorant. They are choosing to accept the facade as truth because it allows them to be who they are although they aren't... get it? Media manipulates people. Music manipulates people. Almost everything we do is in an attempt to manipulate people. The manipulation can be adverse or positive, but everything we do is for manipulation. There isn't any avoiding this as manipulation allows capitalism to function and we all have to earn money. Those of us who don't have to earn may be in a better position to avoid attempting to manipulate, but I don't know many monks. Cynique, you are being manipulated by every response posted. Does the manipulation work? Yes, if you respond and even if you don't. You can't unsee information posted. So even if you don't respond the images, words, sounds have shaped you in some way. Manipulation by its definition is unavoidable. handle or control (a tool, mechanism, etc.), typically in a skillful manner: "he manipulated the dials of the set" synonyms: operate · work · turn · pull control or influence (a person or situation) cleverly, unfairly, or unscrupulously

Cynique "You seem incapable of doing anything other than suckin up to Pioneer, pathetically seeking him as an ally. LMAO" Lol....why don't you give her some competition! I personally don't have a problem with the concept of a Black "elite" as long as it's not based on superficial things like complexion and religious affiliation. I like the idea that like everyone else, we can also have nobility and a system of heirarchy that demands high achievement, high social standards, and other positive attributes. to aspire to. I just don't like how the traditional Black elite society have traditionally based their success on nearness to Whites in terms of behavior and even looks. But we should have our own standards, traditions of success, and systems that are unique to us. 　 CD I'm not sure I understand your point clearly enough, can you restate it differently or perhaps make it more simplitic? . Sara "They have NO power to effect changes in the lives of others, and only personal power to effect the course of their own.... unlike white "Elites." You're right. With the exception of actual BUSINESS OWNERS, most of the Black elite I've met have very little real power. They are well educated and have money, but outside of property few have real wealth or power/authority to change things either on their jobs or in society in general. They tend to have TITLES....but no authority behind the title. Most Black people of high positions don't even have the power to keep their own children out of trouble or provide jobs for them inside the company or government in which they operate. For example, a Black fire chief can't get his sons in the fire department or on the police department like most White chiefs or other White officials can and have traditionally done. Hell, he can barely keep HIS OWN job and he's nervous as hell that if he farts too loud he'll be forced to resign from it! Even most Black business owners who have power inside their own businesses have very little power in the actual INDUSTRY their businesses operate in. The Black man who owns his own barber shop or the Black woman who owns her own beauty salon STILL has to go to the Korean beauty supply store for their equipment !

I was pleasantly surprised to learn about Grant Harper Reid's grandfather the late great Leonard Harper. I had not known about his talents or show business acumen. Mr. Harper was a real treasure in the entertainment business having worked, choreographed and produced many well known performers and newcomers at the time. It is gratifying to learn that his talent, hard work and his legacy will now not been forgotten, and now honored with a renamed street for LEONARD HARPER WAY at 132nd Street & A, C. Powell Boulevard. Bravo Grant!

I think we have to separate the discussion of perception from the discussion on the reinforcement of stereotypes. If this was purely a discussion on the reinforcement of stereotypes you wouldn't have this back and forth from me at all. I am in complete agreement and I have been for over 20 years. When I was in grad school my professor told me I had to cut myself off from the story and just let the story be. I told him, Black people can't do that. When I write I represent the majority by default. My statement, which I created and I've seen everywhere since I've said it, Black people do not have the privilege of anonymity. The group is the person and the person is the group. Is it fair? No and it shouldn't be this way, but it is. The person who is able to distance themselves from their art and create has more opportunities. When you realize the power of your creations and you write with that in your subconscious, unfortunately it can constrain you and limit your reach. We are in agreement on the reinforcement of stereotypes, but perception is what it is.

LOL @ the end of that other thread. Man...I LOVE women. Cynique I concur with your observations as best I can given my age and experience. Like most cities with large Black populations, Detroit had a strong Black Elite. But as society started pushing for more integration and wealthy Blacks started moving out to mingle with White folks (who often had less wealth and even less class), these societies and organizations became less relevant. My family wasn't very highly educated, we were more working class and lived in a working class neighborhood, but my father had a lot of friends in the Black clergy. Going over their homes was like visiting royalty. Seeing how their wives would handle silverware (real silver) with white gloves. Seeing paintings and sculptures decorating the house and China cabinets and funny rugs...lol. Children talking about how their parents "laid out" their clothes for school and then laid out another set for playing or going to "communion" because they were Catholic or Lutheran where as most of the children I grew up with were Baptist or Methodist. Negroes weren't born Catholic but converted just to be "different" from the other Black folk. Boys who had never been in a fist fight....lol. These kids were Black but I had less in common with them than some of the White kids I knew growing up. A common belief is that the Black elite were all mixed or very light skinned, but I saw quite a few dark skinned people in upper class Black neighborhoods; but they almost always have light skinned wives. Another thing that I found interesting as I got older was that although most of these men had light skinned wives, most had dark skinned mistresses....lol. Or there first wife was dark skinned but they ended up divorcing them and their second wife was very light. CD It's not my belief that Leslie is creating a NEW generation of loud and foul mouthed women any more than gangsta rap is creating a NEW generation of criminals. Ofcourse these things already existed in the Black community as it has in EVERY community since time immemorial. But movies like Precious, Menace 2 Society, obnoxious Black comedians, and gangsta rap are used to tap into that negative elements that already exists and PROMOTE it in the Black community and PROLONG it's negative effects in order to cause social instability. When you see Black men constantly engaging in criminal and shiftless behavior or Black women being obnoxious and shameful, t not only kills the respect others have for you... It kills the respect and regard our people have for themselves. . What woman wants a man she has been led to believe is a criminal? What man wants a loud mouth woman with a foul attitude for a wife? We no longer want to work and live around eachother and seek to get away from eachother and find comfort around those we deem more appealing. And this is how many Black communities fall apart. Those with ambition and a desire to improve themselves.....leave. Think of the culture of a people like the culture of bacteria in a glass of milk. That glass of milk contains dozens of types of bacteria....some good....some bad. ALL the bacteria may be present, but depending on which type of bacteria is PROMOTED....it can make the difference between that glass of milk being fresh and drinkable, spoiled, turn into cheese, or turn into yogurt. It's the same with any community. All communities have all types of people in them, but depending on which element you decide to promote you can turn that community into a stable environment where people handle their problems indoors....or a violent ghetto where everybody is out in the street cussing and fighting while a few of the good people are hiding inside waiting on the first opportunity to move out. The media seems to like promoting the negative "bacteria" in our community to create social instability and economic stagnation.

Yes, I was responding to what you refer to as a "misunderstood" statement. And I must say, I was a little surprised by what you offered in your follow-up explanation above. Surprised because you are always so upbeat and say how much you love this country. What you wrote sounds like the words of an unpatriotic cynic like me. LOL I actually think that there are just as many white people who admire black style and panache and coolness and even try to imitate it as there are the blatant racists with a low opinion of blacks. Then there are the whites who are in denial about blacks being as lady-like and gentlemanly as they are. But like you imply, no point in dwelling on the subject. @Troy Guys like you and Chris and probably Pioneer are black "Horatio Alger" characters; you pulled yourself up by your bootstraps and became successful, but never lost your common touch. This is what makes you authetic and admirable. A long time ago I read the book, "Manchild in the Promised Land", Claude Brown's coming-of-age book about a young black man growing up on the mean streets of Harlem, and that was what introduced me to how the "other half" lives. I have always maintained that the black experience is diversified. I realized that the idyllic little interracial village where I grew up and whose self-contained community thrived while co-existing with the white majority, was atypical. And I've always considered my years at the Post Office equivalent to a finishing school, providing me with a test case to practice the observational skills I'd learned during my 2 years at the Univserity of Illinois, - educating me in the things that you don't learn in college text books. The local postal branch where I worked was a facility that was a microcosm of black life. Women who acted like Leslie Jones were quite common among the Labor force, and woman like Michelle Obama filled many of the clerical positions in the Management division where qualified black men were also prominent in the chain-of-command. And this dates back from the 1950s to the present. So i am not blind to black life in all its forms especially since I witnessed how my currently predominately black hometown fell on hard times and became rife with drugs, unemployment, petty crime, and even murders - all of which is why I have moved away to continue living my life of leisure in the tranquil environment I've grown accustomed to. As for music, I consider it the glue that holds black people together. When all else fails we still have a broad selection of sounds to renew our spirits. Rappers put black women down, but sistas still have their Marvin Gayes, and Maxwells to pamper their ears and soothe their souls.

I've known Grant for many years. Great guy. He used to do locations on movies back in the day. His book is an amazing tribute to his grandfather and we're fortunate that he did that work, so the history could be preserved. Also, he succeeded in getting a street named after his grandfather--Leonard Harper Way--which is pretty amazing.

I remember some very many years ago, when I worked in Harlem, Grant and I used to chat from time to time, because we are friends. One day he told me an amazing story about what he discovered about grandfather, Leonard Harper. He said that when he was researching about him, It was like finding a vast hidden treasure about black showmanship. The passion for finding more and more about his grandfather grew. He realized for the first time, that his grandfather was one of the greatest entertainer's in Harlem and the world. As the story about his grandfather unfolded, it became clear and evident that he was a leader, pioneer and centerpiece of the " Harlem Renaissance " . It only seemed natural for Dr. Grant Harper Reid to share his personal family treasure chest for the world to enjoy, in his incredible book that he wrote and entitled " Rhythm for Sale " . This book is share genius, as he tells the truth and nothing but the truth. By his grandfathers hand and spirit, he was handed down, entrusted and greatly blessed with a proud heritage of a generations worth of wealth, of ambition, talent and leadership. According to his grandson Grant, he lived for one purpose, and one purpose alone, and that was to please his beloved audiences. In befitting a Great Harlemite, a street was renamed in his Grandfather's honor at 132nd Street and Seventh Avenue. The street is renamed " Leonard Harper Way " . I had the privilege and the distinct honor to be invited by Grant to the street renaming ceremony, unvailing and reception. It was my pleasure to be in the presence of a wonderful family, friends, dignitaries, celebrities and the press. After the unvailing, Grant hosted a reception at " Lorraines Place " where everyone had a ball. In essence, the culmination of this book made the street renaming possible. As we were enjoying some fried chicken, we all shared a toast to " Leonard Harper Way " . Colin Wade