(Editor’s note: This week’s Signifyin’ contains several comments from readers about last week’s column in which Mikel Holt discussed Black life in Milwaukee during the 60s and 70s. As most were submitted through social media, the names have been excluded.)…
Brother, your column on the ‘good old days’ (December 13, 2023) was right on target. But your glasses were smudged, cause you leaned toward positive memories, rarely mentioning the state of apartheid we lived under.
The time we grew up in also included legal segregation, inferior schools and a consensus fear of police–even after the racist city council passed a law that gave us the right to file a complaint. For us, the MKE police was the occupying army.
MKE was Johannesburg, South Africa. The factories needed our labor, so we were tolerated. But when jobs ended, everything went downhill.
The best thing ‘bout the sixties was there was more unity, a positive social structure. Segregation was closer to separation. We supported more Black businesses, not just cause we had to. The church was strong too.
It was a unique time to grow up in; we had more common interests, and collective goals. As someone once said—maybe you—and then we falsely believed the civil rights war had been won.
*****
Mikel, I noticed you have gotten more conservative as you aged.
That’s not an insult, as most people see the world through those lens when they gain wisdom.
You’re right to seek a more Africentric/cultural foundation, but that foundation was and is to the right of moderate. Many elements of our West African culture are viewed as being ‘conservative.’
Sex is not a monopoly game; and homosexuality is viewed as a major sin. On the flip side, West African culture is grounded in strong families and communalism (not to be confused with the political concept). Number one is that our brothers and sisters in the (Motherland) stress unity—’I am because we are.’ America’s culture is based on individualism and materialism.
I don’t think there’s as many Black power/Africentric advocates out here. That means you’re spitting into a strong wind brother….
*****
‘Morality’ was the single thread that ran through your assessment (last week) as you rhetorically compared the days of ‘ole with the sorry state of Black progress and growth today.
It was so evident (even if not intended) that I’m considering your column as a future sermon on morality.
A friend I unsuccessfully solicited to join my church once said ‘God left the Black community 40 years ago.’ I responded that ‘God hasn’t left. Instead, we abandoned God.’
The proof is in the pudding: During the era you referenced, the Black community was strong (or at least stronger) because the church—God—was our foundation. On Sunday mornings, our churches were overflowing with children at Sunday School. Their parents joined them for services.
They lived Christian lives, and followed scriptural foundations starting with nuclear families. Black families dined together, and each meal started with prayers.
Obviously, I’m generalizing, but you cannot deny that 80% of Black families were headed by two parents, man and woman. They were married before God and committed to His tenets.
Today, it is the exact opposite.
What is the difference?
We abandoned those morality tenets that helped us overcome obstacles. We no longer sought to please God, and follow His commandments, including fidelity, honesty and love for our neighbors.
The sexual revolution led to a redefinition of the family—excluding men– and social dysfunction.
Back in the 60s, girls were taught to respect themselves, to view their bodies as temples. Out of wedlock births were frowned upon. Men were taught to respect and defend women, not to exploit them for personal gratification.
The tide turned when we stepped off that platform and embraced the White god of liberalism.
The church must take much of the blame for this tragedy. The Black church was once the cornerstone; today it is a business. Too many ministers are performers, entertainers; ‘insurance salesmen’ someone called them.
I recall you once saying we are like the ancient Hebrews who rejected God and were forced to wonder in the desert for 40 years. God ordained those who disobeyed and rejected His mandates would never see the promised land. Their innocent children would benefit from their punishment.
I hope and pray that is not the case today, although I recognize it is probably too late for those who are already lost. I pray I’m wrong.
*****
For a moment I was envious of the 1960s. But the more I thought of it, a world without the internet, cable, and employment opportunities beyond factory work is not very appealing.
Plus, y’all had openly racist police (more than today), political exclusion and segregated schools. You were taught to hate people because of their sexuality, to march in lockstep to patriotic B.S., pledge alliance to White Supremacy and to ‘stay in your place.’
Naw, y’all keep that.
*****
As usual, your column was entertaining, informative and thought provoking. Plus, it introduced scenarios and situations worthy of study. Things may have been better back in the day vs. the dysfunctional reality of today, but was it better? A case can be made your generation led us to this mess.
*****
….when did the transition occur? In 1976, or when King reached the mountaintop? —Hotep
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