The Culture Warfare on the African American
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The Culture Warfare on the African American
The Insidious Role of Media and Government Policies in the Demise of African American Communities
In my previous article, “The White Redneck Origins of Black Hood Culture,” I uncovered a surprising revelation that many elements of “black culture” actually have European, more specifically, “European Redneck” origins. These range from wedding traditions such as “jumping the broom” to the soulful essence of our worship to the slang, promiscuity, and violence often associated with African Americans in media and society.
I was encouraged by the positive response, which motivated me to conduct further research on the topic of culture. This article aims to highlight how culture can be used as a weapon against a specific group of people and how that weapon becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.
Please join me on this journey as we explore the detrimental effects of cultural warfare on the African American community.
Within this article, the reader will learn:
How Black Culture propagated to us is really European Redneck Culture
The negative impact of Democratic Policies like Welfare and Feminism
Why Culture can trap African Americans in a cycle of self-destruction
The Lingering Impact of Blaxploitation Films on Black Americans
When examining the historical stereotypes attached to African Americans, it is clear that they have evolved significantly over time. However, it is also true that these stereotypes have harmed the Black community. One particular stereotype that has persisted over time pertains to violence, promiscuity, and laziness. Shockingly, researchers have found that these stereotypes can be traced back to a now-dead European culture assigned to Blacks through Blaxploitation movies of the 70s. This was the premise of my original article.
Many individuals may not be aware of what Blaxploitation films were. These movies emerged during the 1970s and were created for Black audiences. The films featured Black actors and actresses in leading roles, which was almost unheard of at that time. While this sounds like a victory for representation, the reality is that the movies were riddled with negative stereotypes that characterized Black people as violent, promiscuous, and lazy. These damaging portrayals were ingrained into the popular consciousness, which led to a widespread acceptance of these exaggerated narratives.
Unfortunately, the repercussions of these stereotypes are still felt in the modern era. African Americans continue to struggle with discrimination and prejudice that stem from these harmful stereotypes. It is worth noting that the Blaxploitation era is not solely responsible for these stereotypes, but they certainly helped perpetuate them in mainstream media.
However, some have argued that the movies were beneficial to Black people in that they allowed Black actors and actresses to take on leading roles. While it’s true that this was a step forward for representation, there is a school of thought that suggests that the perpetuation of harmful stereotypes was too high a cost for this small victory. These individuals argue that it would have been better for Black people to have never been granted these roles if it meant that they wouldn’t be painted in such a negative light.
For example, other roles could have been painted, such as the positive images from the Tulsa, Oklahoma days, before the bombings, or the Harlem Renaissance era. There was a plethora of options to choose from; however, the negative images were selected, reinforced, and put on the screen for all to see. This is the art of mimesis in effect. I discuss this in a three-part analysis of the books Brave New World and 1984. Still, the takeaway here is that by broadcasting an image or an idea to the population via the means of media, that idea becomes ingrained in society. Blaxploitation did that and continues to do that, and we still are dealing with the consequences today.
PS: Ask Google what the top “black movies are,” and you will come across this list from IMDB. Going through the list, one can see the themes in the movies as they range from hood life, sex, and violence.
How Feminism and Welfare State Have Deconstructed Communities
The implementation of government policies meant to assist African Americans has often been a topic of controversy. Many democratic policies have been designed with the intention of aiding the community, but some argue that these policies have actually hindered progress, specifically by degrading the family unit and ultimately breaking down entire communities.
One of the most well-known examples of this debate is the welfare state. While meant to provide individuals with financial support during difficult times, critics argue that welfare checks have led to a breakdown of traditional values within the Black community. The Moynihan report, published back in 1965, highlighted the negative impact that public welfare programs had on Black families. The report revealed that the increase in female-headed households and declining rates of marriage amongst African Americans were linked to the government’s welfare policies. As a result, many believe that these policies have caused more harm than good by essentially rewarding the breakdown of traditional family structures.
Another government policy that is often criticized for causing harm in Black communities is feminism. While the feminist movement has been celebrated for giving women equal opportunities and empowering them, opponents argue that it has hurt black families. Encouraging women to pursue careers and become self-sufficient has resulted in fewer women being at home to raise children. While some may think this shift is inconsequential, it is essential to recognize that having both parents at home can provide children with a stable and nurturing environment – things that can directly impact their future success. What’s also key to call out about the feminism movement is how it was an intentional strategy to get not only black women but all women into the workforce, which allowed more Americans to get taxed while destroying family unity by allowing the government education indoctrination system to now raise the children. I explore more about this in my article titled Who Are the Bad Guys and Elmo and a Rock.
The result of these policies is a breakdown in the Black community. Communities are built on strong families, and when the family structure is weakened, so are the communities. When a man is not at home, it is challenging for children to feel safe and secure. And this is done by a biological male. The balance of testosterone and estrogen, represented by the father and mother, guides the child as they are being raised. The effects of having a father absent from the home can be severe, with studies showing that children from single-parent homes are more likely to face emotional distress, struggle academically, and engage in criminal behavior.
It’s clear that these policies, meant to help African Americans, have had the opposite effect. Instead of strengthening the community, they have degraded the family unit and allowed for disarray. But unfortunately, this becomes seen as the norm, as part of the culture. And that is the ultimate trap of the culture war.
The Harmful Aspects of Clinging to Inherited Culture
Culture is an essential part of our lives. It defines who we are, how we act, and how we interact with the world around us. However, culture can also be a trap, perpetuating negative traits and reinforcing negative behaviors. As social creatures, these negative traits are then ingrained in us and can be difficult to overcome.
One aspect of culture that has come under scrutiny recently is the idea that culture is somehow immutable. However, while culture certainly has deep roots in history, it is not set in stone. In fact, cultures change and evolve over time, and our perception and interpretation of culture play a crucial role in shaping it.
This is particularly true when it comes to the culture that we have inherited. Here in the United States, our African American culture is primarily of European Redneck origins. However, we have made it our own. While we have adopted this culture, it is crucial to assess its origins and its impact on our society as it comprises several negative traits and behaviors, such as laziness, ignorance, and hostility towards anything that is unfamiliar.
The glorification of violence and aggression, a prevalent feature of European Redneck culture, can have serious consequences for our society. Similarly, the emphasis on consumerism and materialism culture can lead to unsustainable behavior and contribute to ecological destruction for the African American population.
Despite this, many people continue to cling to elements of our culture that are harmful, either out of nostalgia or because they simply don't know any better. However, this behavior only perpetuates negative traits and behaviors and makes it harder for us to overcome them.
One counterargument often put forth is that this culture has been adopted and modified to suit our needs, and therefore it is uniquely our own. However, this argument ignores the fact that even in Europe, where our culture originates, it has evolved and changed significantly over time. The fact that we continue to hold onto elements of our culture that have long since been discarded by their country of origin is a testament to the power of nostalgia and the difficulty of change.
In conclusion, culture can be both a blessing and a curse. While it is essential to our identities and provides us with a sense of belonging, it can also perpetuate negative traits and behaviors. As a people, we must recognize and confront this reality and work towards creating a new sustainable culture that helps us overcome our negative characteristics. Simply adopting and clinging onto a cultural legacy, which reflects neither our values nor supports our mission to progress, is not the way forward.
Conclusion
From the historical evidence of the “Rednecks” culture, the implementation of governmental policies like welfare and feminism, and a perpetual trap of negative behaviors from social approvals, it is evident that African Americans were purposely targeted with cultural warfare attacks. What's more disturbing is that as African Americans, we accept these as the norm, which further breaks down the stability of our communities, trapping people in a perilous cycle of violence and broken homes.
This has had disastrous effects on not only individuals but entire generations of people who were unfortunate enough to be indoctrinated into these false ideas of Black culture. It's a sad truth that mass media and government power continue to negatively shape public perception around people but it's essential for us to educate ourselves with facts so that we may help shape a future for all humans to thrive as one.
To accomplish this, we must be aware of these strategies before we fall victim to them. It is also necessary for us to reflect on our own cultures by asking questions such as: do we have any negative traits ingrained in our culture that need to be examined? Ultimately, only then can we begin civilizing our society with understanding and appreciation for one another.
Call To Action
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Questions to Reflect On
How has the pervasive depiction of African Americans in media and entertainment perpetuated damaging stereotypes and contributed to the decline of Black communities?
What is the impact of governmental policies on the African American community?
How can we create new cultures and traditions that will benefit the survival of the African American community?