Last night I attended a private screening of The Boys of Baraka. The movie started at 7 and we got there at about 7:05. The place was packed and we were warned that there may not be seats for us. We pressed on anyway and we found seats.
The movie had started and I was immediately drawn to it because I recognized the streets where the movie was being shot. East Baltimore…the real East Baltimore was on the screen.
As the movie progressed, however, I was getting a bit uneasy at some parts. I was starting to get that feeling that I get when I watch Alex Haley’s ROOTS. Many African Americans know what I’m talking about. That rising anger, frustration, and rage created by cinematic injustice with historical significance. It was “Johns Hopkins Night” so of course the majority of people in the room didn’t look like me or the boys on the screen. I was uneasy at their laughing and snickering. I was beginning to take it personal. In addition, the administrators of the school were by and large White people. So, what’s wrong with White People? Nothing’s wrong with some of them. I’m just sensitive to that patriarchal attitude that some of them display when around brown skinned people that they think they’re better than.
I’m going to stop there. I really didn’t mean to go into all of that, but the film really brings it out and those who have an eye to see it pick it up almost instantly.
Finally, I was glad that the facilitators of last night’s private screening have the intention of making Boys of Baraka more than a movie. Yes, it’s good to hear the “success stories” of the 40 boys who made it, but what about the 86,960 others in the Baltimore Public School System who are told to excel academically with out-dated text books, aged facilities, limited technological opportunities, and some culturally ignorant teachers. Of course during the Q&A after the movie, I stood and asked the facilitators what they were prepared to do about this injustice. They are collecting the contact information of those who come to the movie and have an interest in participating in some roundtables. More talking huh? People LOVE talking…love analyzing the problem 100 times…love commissioning studies of problems that citizens already know exists. (sigh) While I’m doubtful that these roundtables will help, I’ll participate if contacted and try to encourage more action and less talk.
I’m honestly bored with Board Meetings and perturbed with non-stop Planning Sessions. There is too much work to do.
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When I was in undergrad, I was always excited about attending any type of event that black folks would be exchanging their ideas about significant issues. But as I matured, I realized that the time we were spending analyzing and sometimes reanalyzing the problem, in addition to formulating supposed solutions, we could be out working. There’s so much work that needs to be done. And we can’t wait on the crowd of scholarly brothers and sisters to join us. We have to walk away from the panel discussions, round table events, and board meetings with a resolve in our heart of the action that we will take. Yes, we can do more as a group. But one person can change the entire path of a child that’s on the wrong path.
This weekend, I spent my time helping young people fill out their federal financial aid forms and applications for college. I don’t have any children. But I have an obligatory responsibility to help all those that I can help. If we start being honest with ourselves, we will discover that there’s always someone around us that needs our help. While we are yapping and enjoying the sounds of each other’s voices, there’s a blind person that needs you to read their mail, an elderly woman that needs a ride to the grocery store, or a person in a wheelchair that needs their floors swept and vacuum.
This upcoming weekend, I will attend Tavis Smiley’s State of the African American Union. I, in a way, am not looking forward to it. My tolerance for talk, inflated by faith, but no works, is completely diminished. The only reason why I’m going is because if I’m not there, I will be at home watching it on C-SPAN, mad at myself for not going. So, I might as well see all of my favorite “talkers†in person. (smile) Plus, I’m always hopeful that we will one day replace our words with action. Or maybe I should say, couple our words with action. Cause we’ll never stop talking. (smile) I’m hoping that this event will prompt someone to get busy. It can happen. It was a panel discussion that motivated me to get busy.
Your comment has really encouraged me. I share similar feelings about us “talking the talk” at board meetings, rountable discussions, etc., yet failing to follow-up our talk with actions. I recently had to take a step back at my church because I was so frustrated with us failing to really be committed to the community surrounding our building. I’ve taken some heat for voicing my opinion, and at times have regretted sharing my opinion, but I also feel that if I didn’t say anything, we would remain in the same stagnant state of being for the duration. Now for me, I am actively pursuing community service activities that I can do on my own. I would love for my entire church family to join me in my endeavors, but if they won’t, I have to move forward by myself, and that’s alright with me.
That’s the same way I feel. I’m a part of so many groups that have the intention of impacting communities, but most of the groups do too much talking.
I came to the same “As For Me And My House” conclusion that you did. I have to do what God has given me the passion to do and that’s volunteer and participate in outreach missions.
If you’re in the Baltimore area, let’s connect and work together.
I had a very interesting night. The Tavis Smiley Show taped a live broadcast, honoring the life and legacy of Congresswoman Barbara Jordan. There was certainly a lot of talking going on. But one thing they talked about was how Barbara Jordan was a servant to the people. They noted how she definitely had the gift of gab, but she also served others. I was certainly inspired by the way she lived her life. I was motivated to do more for humanity, one person at a time. I’m not just talking either. LOL
Somehow, the lady that was sitting next to me was more concerned with how Tavis looked in his suit than the thought-provoking discussion that was taking place. She commented on how fine he is, and how she wished she could get into his pants. As the taping of the show proceeded, she leaned over and inquired about his age and marital status. I don’t think she was listening to what the man was saying at all.
I was utterly annoyed by her refusal to open up her ears and heart to what was being imparted tonight.
It made me wonder how many people actually listened to what was being said. Who was there to see Tavis Smiley? Who was there to get a good look at Sheila Jackson Lee? Well, I can’t speak for the others in the crowd. But the lady next to me was certainly there to see the celebrities. After the event, I was brainstorming on what I could do to improve the condition of brothers and sisters in my community. She was talking about how Tavis would be a good husband. Interesting…
Well, as for me, waking up in the morning is definitely on my “things to do†list. After I manage that feat, I am going to sit down and start trying to map out the best way for me to truly impact my community. I’m especially interested in issues that effect children/youth and the chronically ill and disabled. Please pray that God gives me some direction on what it He would have me to do.