There’s an old
Southern saying that has been passed down
throughout the generations by Black folks that
is vanishing from our cultural vernacular: Mr.
Charlie’s ice is always colder. It is still a
compact and descriptive explanation of
internalized oppression. It comes out of the
post-slavery period where Black men competed
with whites in the ice delivery business. Some
Black folks who bought from the white iceman
allegedly believed that Mr. Charlie’s ice was
colder than the Black iceman’s.
Far too many
Black people have been conditioned over years
to believe they have no individual power and
therefore can never have collective power.
This false narrative has had a negative impact
on our approach to resistance from the days of
the Underground Railroad until now. The myth
is reinforced in many sophisticated ways and
has permeated our psyche. It has us believing
that resistance to our exploitation and
oppression is futile. It is a dangerous and
debilitating view that has a tremendous impact
on our ability to mount a serious offensive
for our liberation. It is a psychological
obstacle that organizers routinely face in
their basebuilding efforts to actualize
material power. Significant transformative
change is still possible in the
non-revolutionary conditions we have in the
U.S.
Three weapons
in our arsenal that are under-utilized are our
money, our vote/voice and our time. Their
power must be maximized in 2025 if we stand
any chance of beating back the current wave of
fascism.
Our personal
funds and tax dollars should be used to halt,
shape and redirect policy and practices. Black
people have long been trained to be consumers
which over time has only continued our
commodification. We often spend our money
without filters; we buy what the media tells
us to buy. This means megaprofits for the
corporate predators and no economic power for
us except as influencers to keep the
exploitation going.
Since the
November election that put a convicted felon
in the White House, spontaneous and planned
efforts are converging into selected boycotts
of stores and products. The National Action
Network, headed by Rev. Al Sharpton, is
calling for a national boycott of companies
that no longer support Diversity, Equity and
Inclusion( DEI). It seems that Target and
Walmart/Sam’s Club are rising to the top of
the list. Rev. Al also suggested a “buy-cott”
to support businesses that continue their DEI
policies such as Costco’s. This is a good step
in the left direction.
The other
aspect of the money game is being hawkish
about how the government spends our tax
dollars. We have a right and a duty to say how
our hard-earned tax dollars are spent. It’s
irresponsible on our part to throw money into
a big pot, then turn our backs on it without
questions. We must hold our government
accountable for spending. Trillions of dollars
have been funneled into the military
industrial complex so that the U.S. maintains
its global economic and military dominance.
This explains why human needs have been
totally neglected at home, why the national
infrastructure is in shambles and why the
federal government has turned its back on
relief from natural disasters.
Black people do
not have the luxury of being complacent or
reactionary. Every move we make must be
calculated and in concert with others
committed to stopping the rise of
authoritarianism and the dismantling of civil
and constitutional liberties. We cannot
continue to be collateral damage in the U.S.
ruling class’ conquest for power and
territory.
Our targeted
dollars, the amplification of our voices in
the public square and at the ballot box are
key elements of educating our people and
expanding our influence. Voters must be
informed about candidates and issues so that
our self-interests are not left in the hands
of our enemies. The vision for liberation and
the strategy for achieving it must be put on
an audio and visual loop. A reminder of our
collective purpose.
A convicted
felon is president of a deliberately divided
country. He survived two impeachments, gave
leadership to an insurrection and thumbed his
nose at multiple criminal indictments and
convictions. Still, he is not invincible.
The lie that
Mr. Charlie’s ice is colder must be debunked
before all that looks like true democracy is
in a freeze. We must put some fire under all
those who are aligning themselves with the
devilish plans of Project 2025, regardless of
their party affiliation or color. Harnessing
our money, our voice and our time should mean
consequences for them and advancement for us.
We have to show these thugs our mighty power
and bring on the heat.
