Every February our country celebrates “Black History Month”. Its the usual celebration of our heritage and honoring those that trail blazed our road to freedom. Speeches by Martin Luther King and Malcolm X are replayed as reminders of our struggle. For that entire month, we remind the nation what it means to be black. After watching the news lately, We have only proved what it means to be fooled.

My heart sank at the news of the South Carolina Church Massacre. As if Eric Garner’s death at the hands of police wasn’t enough. Ferguson, Baltimore, Trayvon Martin, and recently Kaleif Browder, Headline a long list of examples of institutionalized brutality against African-Americans. Now, we have a pre-meditated act of terror against innocent African-Americans murdered at church. While institutional racism is nothing new, The South Carolina church massacre sheds light on the bigger problem that is at the core of it all. The Civil Rights Movement was pacified and we have gained nothing in 50yrs.

Many people see the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) as the leader in African-American rights and representation since it’s founding in 1909. The NAACP was highly involved in the organization of the Civil Rights Movement during the 1960’s and very involved in politics. Being highly involved in politics is a good thing. Many white politicians consider an endorsement from the NAACP a priority in securing the African-American vote. The problem here is while the NAACP endorses these candidates, The African-American community receives nothing from these candidates. You can go to any city and see the evidence for yourself. Especially here in Detroit.

I can easily blame ourselves for how we vote but I want the NAACP to be stronger with our voice. It’s been a year since Ferguson and another unarmed black college student is killed, protesters are arrested, and police brutality continue to plague our community. Be the NAACP of old. Lead us, organize us, force legislation! Official statements are useless. Holla if you hear me!!!

I wrote that back in 2015. Things are ten times worse now. It’s 2020 and now things can’t get any worse

– Kelly Greene

In school, there was no other month I looked forward to more than February. Finally, I get a chance to learn about my history. The people that paved the way and the ones that gave with their lives. Each story seemed to give me life no matter how many times i heard them. Why, because each one brought me closer to myself. For what is a man without his history? African-Americans only have 28 days a year for it to be nationally recognized. However, it has occurred to me over the past few years that I may very well be cementing myself in Black History. More importantly, I wasn’t the only one. Also, I believe you can join us.

If you look at African-America’s most notable figures, nobody had anything more than anybody else. Nobody had special powers or supernatural gifts. They came from an assortment of everyday backgrounds much like you or I and if things were equal, we may never have known about them. Yet slavery was a precursor to the road our people had to travel in this new country. Bound together by shackles, worked and bred like beasts, the road to freedom and equality would have to first be paid for with blood and sacrifice. Those ancestors who rose to pay that toll endured the worst. In the years after, more and more of our ancestors sought our rise in every avenue possible. Education, Business, the Arts, and Civil Rights. Our ancestors in these areas saw a need and addressed it. There were needs in our government as well and those before us addressed those too. Even though the color of their skin minimized their voice at the time, their words proved prophetic as our country still struggles with racism to this very day.

It is this very day that concerns us. It’s this very day that I want to bring to your attention. Today, is our day. There is still a need for those of us to take a step up. We have come a long way but we are not there yet. We are still being beaten and murdered by police. There is still economic and systematic Racism plaguing our community. There is a call for change that has remained constant in all aspects of African-American life in America. All that is needed is for you to answer the call where you are, in your profession, or craft. Our history is riding on the number of African-American men and women who willing to be the very best at what our culture needs right now. I am committed to making sure that my body of work adds to our culture and brings our people together. It is my goal that my work inspires the next generation of writers. My place in Black history is now. Will you join me?

Kelly Greene

The Rogue Negroe