Posted by villagechief
Commentary, H. Lewis Smith

H. Lewis Smith – It seems relatively fair to say that most Americans are law-abiding citizens who believe in equal justice. However, the same notion cannot be wisely applied or assumed for the American justice system and a segment of America’s society in general. Is there a double standard of justice in America—being that if [...]
Posted by villagechief
Commentary, H. Lewis Smith

By H. Lewis Smith – On February 13, 2012, renowned actor Laurence Fishburne will narrate a PBS documentary, Slavery By Another Name. The documentary will show that slavery in America did not end in 1865 with the Emancipation Proclamation as the majority of people have been led to believe. Rather, with the federal government’s quiet [...]
Posted by villagechief
Commentary, H. Lewis Smith

During the 1960s Black America was vibrant, sagacious, intolerant, circumspect and self-respectful the positive attributes were endless. Today, we find it acceptable to be referred to as the n-word as if it is some sort of badge of honor to be worn; we sit by saying nothing while drugs, misogyny, saggin pants, crime and violence [...]
Posted by villagechief
Commentary, H. Lewis Smith

Laurence Fishburne will be the narrator of an upcoming PBS documentary about black workers in the post-slavery South. The film, titled “Slavery by Another Name,” is based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning book by Douglas A. Blackmon. Blackmon’s composition is a powerful account of how America surreptitiously maintained slavery under the guise of peonage and forced [...]
Posted by villagechief
Commentary, H. Lewis Smith

Monday, October 03, 2011, on ABC’s The View, much to Barbara Walters’ surprise, Sherri Shepherd does not like to hear the n-word flow from her or any other white person’s mouth. Barbara Walters was a bit taken back in that in reporting news happenings that involve use of the n-word, Sherri would be offended if [...]
Posted by villagechief
Commentary, H. Lewis Smith

by H. Lewis Smith – Upon Barack Obama’s election to President of the United States, euphoria, jubilation and an aura of disbelief simultaneously enveloped the Black African-American community. Perhaps, it could even be said that many saw him as a Messiah and the primary power-holder to make life and living better for Blacks. Seemingly, Black [...]
Posted by villagechief
Commentary, H. Lewis Smith

“History does not refer merely, or even principally, to the past. On the contrary, the great force of history comes from the fact that we carry it within us, are unconsciously controlled by it in many ways, and history is literally present in all that we do.” – James Baldwin Baldwin’s proclamation that “the great [...]
Posted by villagechief
Commentary, H. Lewis Smith

By H. Lewis Smith – The enslaved Black was stripped of his heritage so that no parts of his ingenious, dignified, self-reliant, culturally-aware and proud African background could influence his life in America. His personality, behavior, and self-image were re-shaped exclusively by the unique form of American slavery. This system of degradation birthed the exact [...]
Posted by villagechief
Commentary, H. Lewis Smith

By H. Lewis Smith – “Wake up everybody, no more sleeping in bed, no more BACKWARD thinking, time for thinking ahead…Wake up ALL the teachers, TIME to teach a new way. …When you teach the children, teach them the very best you can. The world won’t get no better—if we just let it be…WE got [...]
Posted by villagechief
Commentary, H. Lewis Smith

By H. Lewis Smith – Whenever the “massa” gave the enslaved black man something, no matter what it was, he took it—whether voluntarily or by coercion. Sadly, no matter how demeaning or dreadful the thing may have been, he had no choice but to accept the token, allowing it to become a part of his [...]