I Wish I Wasn't Black
By MARK ALAN
()
About this ebook
This book is one man's ambition to show the American people, that people of color are not the enemy. To hopefully provide a vision for people of color, to rise above the situation their born into. Using a mixture of poetry and real-world perception. Mark Alan brings you a book about being black in America.
This isn't a book about self-racism. A book of a man trying to supersede expectations placed on black men without choice. Why does society negatively view black men regardless of their educational and social status? Is black America to blame for some of the backlashes they receive? Why does the color black automatically cause people of color to have an unfair playing field in the eyes of the world? These are my thoughts on something we need if we are going to overcome these obstacles in life.
Black Americans are shot by police at a higher rate in America. The numbers show we are shot twice as much as whites. Figures also show that twenty percent of people that are shot by police are unarmed. Half of them were black. All of those black men that survive being shot by police say the same phrase.
"I wish I wasn't black."
Read more from Mark Alan
Sleeper Cell: Made in America Book One Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsMother Nature's Angel Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
Related to I Wish I Wasn't Black
Related ebooks
The Black Girl Chronicles Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsBlack By Popular Demand: Is the American Black Living on Borrowed Time? Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Blacks Only: It's Okay to be Black Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsWake Up Black America, You Are About To Become Extinct.The True Intentions of The Republican Party For Black Americans Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsRaised as a Lie Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Blacker the Berry: A Novel of Negro Life Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsMadison Avenue and the Color Line: African Americans in the Advertising Industry Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5U Don't Define Me, I'm Free: The Blueprint for Freedom and Liberation: Volume One Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsI Love My People Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsRope and Faggot: A Biography of Judge Lynch Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsLetter to My Young Brothers Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Melanoid Chronicles: Enyclopedia Series, #1 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsBlack Male Frames: African Americans in a Century of Hollywood Cinema, 1903-2003 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsCoon Flakes: Musings of an Uppity Negro Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsAfrican Americans of Lower Richland County Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsGrowing up Vick: A Story of the Strength and Resilency of the Vick Family Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsIn Remembrance of Emmett Till: Regional Stories and Media Responses to the Black Freedom Struggle Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsWisdom: Blessings From Imperfections Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Lonely Warrior: The Life and Times of Robert S. Abbott, Founder of the Chicago Defender Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsBlack Women Will Save the World: An Anthem Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Girlz 'n the Hood: A Memoir of Mama in South Central Los Angeles Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Marrow of Tradition Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Last Blues Preacher: Reverend Clay Evans, Black Lives, and the Faith that Woke the Nation Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Crazy Nigerian Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSwallowed Tears: A Memoir Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSlave Narratives: A Folk History of Slavery in the United States. From Interviews with Former Slaves / Kentucky Narratives Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsWhen Rain Falls Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Schooling the Movement: The Activism of Southern Black Educators from Reconstruction through the Civil Rights Era Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
African American Fiction For You
Razorblade Tears: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Pomegranate: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Everything's Fine Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Lagos Wife: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Leave the World Behind: A Read with Jenna Pick Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Salvage the Bones: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Sing, Unburied, Sing: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Girl, Woman, Other: A Novel (Booker Prize Winner) Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Deep Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Other Black Girl: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Love Songs of W.E.B. Du Bois: An Oprah's Book Club Pick Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Queenie Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Lovecraft Country: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Cry, the Beloved Country Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Stories from the Tenants Downstairs Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5We Are Not Like Them: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Devil in a Blue Dress (30th Anniversary Edition): An Easy Rawlins Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Orgy: A Short Story About Desire Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Blacktop Wasteland: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Wild Women and the Blues: A Fascinating and Innovative Novel of Historical Fiction Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Good House: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Final Revival of Opal & Nev Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5You Can't Keep a Good Woman Down: Stories Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Perfect Peace: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Mrs. Wiggins Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Summary of Black Cake: by Charmaine Wilkerson - A Comprehensive Summary Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsFriday Black Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Not So Perfect Strangers Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Spook Who Sat by the Door, Second Edition Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Mama Day: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
Reviews for I Wish I Wasn't Black
0 ratings0 reviews
Book preview
I Wish I Wasn't Black - MARK ALAN
THE BLACK PROBLEM
THIS BOOK IS NOT ONLY my thoughts but the thoughts of many other successful black people in America. I am not frightened, to tell the truth, or express what’s on my mind. Someone needs to provide the world the insight of what many successful blacks feel. Many of us are in the same mind frame, but we need to change the way our culture is heading. If we don’t stand together and make a change. We will never see our culture progress and be strong and fight our full potential. We can no longer be silent about the issues that are holding us back. Let’s do it educationally and stay away from ignorant philosophy or sayings. It’s not America’s problem. This is the black problem.
Black people and African Americans are not the same. Black people come from all over the world and not just Africa. There are natives of Mexico that are black. Hattians, citizens of the Dominican Republic and some people from Belize are black by their skin color. Cubans have black skin also. Some people that only speak Spanish are black. Likewise, many people from South America tend to have dark skin. If any of these individuals are living in North America. It would offend some of them to be called African American. Black people come from many cultures but in America, were all classified as one. Many different languages are spoken by black nations. Even some are expressed in America, but still, we are all categorized as Black People. Like it or not. American or not, we fall under the same stereotype that America perceives us all. Being black. Instead of being classified as men, women or the ones that are born in America. True Americans. We are all black. No matter if you’re a democratic, republican, left side, right side, west side. Whatever your views or educational status are. It doesn’t matter. In America, again your black. Racism still exists, but we don’t have to let it persist.
Now African Americans are classified as a group of ethnic origins from Africa. Meaning total or partial ancestry from any of the black racial groups of the continent. Blacks from the Caribbean whose ancestors immigrated to the United States are also considered African Americans. According to American history, Caucasians were not natives of this country either.
So why don’t we call Caucasian Americans, England Americans based on their descendants? Black defines our color but not our character. It doesn’t represent our qualities as human beings either. Don’t blame the Europeans for the color of our skin but blame ourselves for the ignorance we have within.
Some would say they don’t have any affiliation with any African roots. Therefore, I am black. How do we know that all black Americans are natives of Africa? I think it is essential for people of color to know their roots. Yes, I am Black. But I wish America would see more than just a color. More of us being a positive force to be reckoned with. Finally giving us the equal opportunity that we rightfully deserve. So, who are we as a culture really? Who are we as a people? Why are we divided as a nation at the same time viewed poorly in America? Regarded only by our skin color so negatively. Whose fault is this? In my opinion, not white America but we blame them for our struggles. It’s time to change and stop this way of thinking. Yes, America made us slaves. Yes, there are still many racist white Americans, but we have had many opportunities to change the way we are viewed. These are the few questions we need to ask ourselves. For years blacks have been hated. But why do blacks hate other blacks? Why do we kill each other? More blacks die from other blacks than a black person being killed by a police officer. FACT!! We don’t see any protest about this. FACT!! It seems like it’s acceptable to kill your own but not adequate when we die at the hands of a white man doing his/her job. Justified or not. Let’s look at the bigger picture of being Black in America. Don’t hate or blame me for speaking veracity. I know most blacks will. Someone should keep it real. Someone should be honest. Black people have been discriminated, profiled, and treated unfairly but clearly, the direction our culture is going is scary. Let’s stop being afraid of Being black and start being proud again. For us to succeed. We must change the black problem in America.
Slavery is over, but I know it’s not dead. In thirty years, I'll be 60. My youngest now will be 30. The world will still look at him dirty. Black people will always be niggers. Martin Luther King will again be reaching for his dreams. Black people still won’t be working as a team. Most likely when I'm 60. I'd probably still wish I wasn't black. Black is the color that defines our history, but I won’t let it outline me. I am better than a color. More than a label. I will not permit being black keep me from my full potential. You don’t need to be rich and famous to be a success in life, but the black culture has always been focused on these traits. I am not ashamed of being black. I am ashamed of how America views the black culture. It is our fault why this stigma is following us for generations. Somehow, we must overcome to rise and change this great nation.
For years blacks wanted justice and peace. However, these same blacks are so negative in the streets. Blaming white America and grind their teeth. But don’t move their ass to get an education and use their feet. Blacks are quick to stand outside picket lines. Start riots with no purpose and commit daily crimes. Instead of getting off welfare and use our minds. Some blacks instead do nothing and waste their time. Nothing is ever given. You must take what you want. Either use your brain or use your heart. We must figure a better solution. We need a new healthy start.
I am not petrified of any law enforcement. I am not horrified of white men. I am terrified of black men. I will explain later why black on black crime will never end. Somehow, we still pretend and not see the facts that black lives are coming to an end.
For the rest of this book. I will use the word black
to describe people of color in America. This book was initially titled Black and Educated. However, being black and educated is not enough to get this point across. This book is intended to be a view of one black man in an educated way. To change our culture's perception of America. The insight into what many blacks feel but won’t say. So, this is my way. To shed some light on what maybe unspoken but obviously visible in America. I want to voice the opinions and thoughts that need to be addressed. Someone must do it. And for me. This is my best.
I have black skin. I check African American on my applications. Sometimes I feel checking black automatically disqualifies me from a job.
So, what’s black? I wish this color didn't define the man that I am. The man that I want to become. The men my children will be. But it’s the color that America sees. The color that I am but don’t want to be. Not that I’m unhappy to be. It seems like being viewed other than black will present more opportunities for me. It’s sad that these color lines still exist. Where black people must raise a fist. Unfortunately, America has come to this.
I am not trying to rewrite black history. I want to change the black perception. Change the views of blacks. Change the views of America. Hopefully, provide some insight. Black shouldn't confine us from greatness. We should define it. It's hard to define something when the definition is always changing.