Before you begin saying that I’m supporting someone with whom I wholeheartedly disagree, understand that I can say they have developed a brilliant strategy without saying I agree with their end goals. Hitler and the Nazis developed methods of conducting war, eliminating their enemies, and created a very effective propaganda machine. It doesn’t mean I agree with what they were doing, just crediting how they were doing it. Today’s progressives have adopted or developed a very effective method for creating division, promulgating half-truths, and convincing a large percentage of the population that they are victims. Its efficiency and success is admirable from a methodological standpoint.

In 1915 Carter G. Woodson and Reverend Jesse E. Moorland founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH) to promote the achievements of black Americans and others of African descent. I thought all people of African descent were black and all blacks were of African descent. Sorry, I digress. Their goal was to educate those about the successes of all people of African descent and those that helped change America for the better.

In 1926 they created a week long recognition of those that achieved great things in America. The 2nd week of February was chosen to coincide with the birthdays of Frederick Douglas and Abraham Lincoln. The idea was inspire schools and communities to feature lectures, performances, and establish celebrations to highlight the accomplishments of black Americans. Carter hoped it would motivate kids especially to understand that they can succeed even when there were tremendous obstacles in front of them.

More importantly to Carter and Moorland was the goal of celebrating those, like Abraham Lincoln, that helped to change the wrongs of America, such as slavery. Their goal was to create unity and understanding that discrimination and bigotry were human conditions. So was compassion and a desire for justice and equality. None of those traits were the exclusive domains of any demographic group.

That vision has changed over time. I acknowledge that we see or hear 30-60 second snippets from corporate media celebrating the African Americans that have achieved great success in our country, but more often their speeches, writings, and actions celebrate being a victim. They spout unfounded allegations of systemic racism, white supremacy, and elevate career criminals to the level of sainthood. Joe Biden was right about one thing; there are people that believe George Floyd is a more important figure for the new civil rights movement than Martin Luther King Jr. Floyd was a career criminal, preying on others and never taking a significant action to help his family or community. But because he was a victim of poor policing or bad actors, he has become one of the icons of BLM and the white liberals who feel guilty. In fact, if you want to be revered in those circles, you must be a victim.

I’ve seen several pundits complain that they were not taught about the Tulsa Massacre in school. Yet they don’t even mention that they weren’t taught about black Wall Street in Tulsa or Durham or NYC. Those that have controlled the narrative want to focus on who committed the wrongs rather than those that corrected the wrongs. Without those being taught realizing it, they are being taught not only to have a victim mentality, but they are also being taught that they cannot succeed without the “blessing” of some white person.

Those that became successful in Tulsa, NYC, Durham, and many other areas of the United States did so at a time when systemic racism was prevalent in many areas of our country. More importantly, they did it without getting permission from the white population. They embraced the belief that they can succeed in America. That opportunity is there for the individual to find a way to succeed. They embraced the same principles that successful people of all demographic groups embraced: I’m responsible for my own success or failure.

Let’s go back to celebrating those that made a difference, either by changing societal wrongs or by overcoming tremendous odds. Stop elevating victims simply because they were victims. You might be surprised by what happens.