I am happy to report that my book, published June 28, 2008, just received a book review by the prestigious Midwest Book Review. The review is repeated in its entirety below. This is a very important objective review of my book and I appreciate it that the Midwest Book Review has chosen my book to feature. The Midwest Book Review is a totally professional online book reviewer and is not based on any fees or any consideration whatsoever paid to Midwest Book Review. To me, this makes the review all the more important.
To order the book, go to my website: http://lentonaikins.com and click on Products.
MIDWEST BOOK REVIEW
JULY 2008
VOLUME 7, NUMBER 7
TOP PICK
The Black Studies Shelf
While African Americans Slept
Dr. Lenton Aikins
Zit Publishers
16654 Soledad Canyon Road #265, Canyon Country, CA 91387-3217
9780980159400, $14.95, www.zitpub.com
The rap culture, hip hop – meaningless things in the bleak overall picture of the black race in America. "While African Americans Slept: Leadership by Parasites" is an examination of the modern cultural elements in America through several chapters on a topic by topic basis, speaking on such topics as Diversity, Parenting, Assimilation, Racism, and the main topic – the failure of leadership in Black America after the death of Martin Luther King Jr. A deft examination of the American culture, "While African Americans Slept: Leadership by Parasites" is a top pick for community library black studies collections.
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Senator Obama, Good Judgment?
There has been much talk, mostly coming from Obama himself, about judgment—touting his and disparaging the judgment of his opponents. Senator Obama uses the judgment to support or oppose the American War in Iraq as a litmus test of good-bad judgment. Those who supported the war showed bad judgment and those who opposed it showed good judgment. Senator Obama opposed the war; therefore, he has good judgment.
His various opponents, from Senator Clinton to Senator McCain, principally, have tried to turn the tables on the Senator and accuse him of flip-flopping and not having good judgment on a number of issues. None of these efforts by Obama’s opponents have stuck.
Up until now, I have disregarded Obama’s opponents efforts to question his judgment.
However Senator Obama’s recent action of permitting his children to be interviewed by Access Hollywood and his subsequent statement that he regretted doing so now places his judgment in question—at least in my mind.
Consider this: here’s a virtual nominee for his party stating that he regrets something that a sophomore in a political science would have known not to do.
Doesn’t Senator Obama know he’s running for President of the United States?
Doesn’t he know that every thing he does is going to call his good judgment into question?
Doesn’t he know that there are no dead (cold) mikes when you’re giving an interview? A candidate for a public office should know that and should conduct himself or herself accordingly.
Allowing your young children to be interviewed shows a lack of good judgment. Having the courage to admit such a mistake does not sanitize the mistake or reduce the gravity of the mistake—it just makes it worse.
Not even Chelsea Clinton (who is about 28 years old) was allowed to be interviewed during her mother’s (and father’s) campaign. That showed good judgment on the part of the Clintons—although I did not approve of the press giving adult Chelsea a free pass. I am a supporter of Senator Obama and always have been, but can't give him a pass on this one.
His permitting his just turned 7 year old and his 10 year old to be interviewed did not show openness; it showed a lack of judgment. Period. End of story!
###
His various opponents, from Senator Clinton to Senator McCain, principally, have tried to turn the tables on the Senator and accuse him of flip-flopping and not having good judgment on a number of issues. None of these efforts by Obama’s opponents have stuck.
Up until now, I have disregarded Obama’s opponents efforts to question his judgment.
However Senator Obama’s recent action of permitting his children to be interviewed by Access Hollywood and his subsequent statement that he regretted doing so now places his judgment in question—at least in my mind.
Consider this: here’s a virtual nominee for his party stating that he regrets something that a sophomore in a political science would have known not to do.
Doesn’t Senator Obama know he’s running for President of the United States?
Doesn’t he know that every thing he does is going to call his good judgment into question?
Doesn’t he know that there are no dead (cold) mikes when you’re giving an interview? A candidate for a public office should know that and should conduct himself or herself accordingly.
Allowing your young children to be interviewed shows a lack of good judgment. Having the courage to admit such a mistake does not sanitize the mistake or reduce the gravity of the mistake—it just makes it worse.
Not even Chelsea Clinton (who is about 28 years old) was allowed to be interviewed during her mother’s (and father’s) campaign. That showed good judgment on the part of the Clintons—although I did not approve of the press giving adult Chelsea a free pass. I am a supporter of Senator Obama and always have been, but can't give him a pass on this one.
His permitting his just turned 7 year old and his 10 year old to be interviewed did not show openness; it showed a lack of judgment. Period. End of story!
###
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Guess Blog Book Review: While African Americans Slept
The following is a book review of While African Americans Slept: Leadership by Parasites.
The Book was officially published on June 28, 2008. For more information Go to: http://lentonaikins.com/. I requested permission to publish this blog because I believe that criticism is a prerequisite to improvement and progress. I thank Mr. Livine for permission to publish this blog.
July 01, 2008
The African-American Disorder: Failed Leadership
How does a white man of a certain age review a book by a black author commenting about the black experience? One wonders if my own racial identity and life experiences will cause me to overlook the ingrained sense of suffering or misfortune of others merely because I lack a common cultural framework? Or as a friend told me, you may sympathize with the author’s position, but surely you cannot empathize with the conditions he describes. Which made me question the reason that I wanted to mention the book in the first place.
The book is titled “While African Americans Slept” and carries a subtitle “Leadership By Parasites.”
Which piqued my curiosity as I have often harbored ill-will for certain black leaders like Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton who seem to mount never-ending and often self-serving media campaigns; loudly proclaiming the perils of being black in a white society and the need of society to redress historic racial wrongs. And then doing absolutely nothing of lasting value to elevate the very people they are seeking to help. All the while pocketing money from unknown sources for honorariums, consulting and expenses and then jetting off to the next media-covered protest. In many cases their advice can be summarized simply by repeating: “do as I say, don’t do as I do.” Or in some cases, by an implicit mantra of “pay me or there will be big trouble.”
As a technologist who deals with a great variety of people who work in a binary world, knowledge, whether obtained by formal schooling or self-teaching, and accomplishment are a given. As with society in general, people are valued for what they produce and what they contribute to the team. There is a minimum of racial animosity as everybody is treated exactly the same: like crap, especially as they fight unrealistic deadlines based on idealistic, impractical expectations and woefully inadequate budgets. People who do not perform under pressure are weeded from the group and from our consciousness as we strive to complete our mission. You are either productive or you are gone!
So with some inherent bias against those who are not motivated to achieve and better their own condition, I will attempt to describe this painfully honest book and why I believe that the book is important to the discussion of race in America.
In the here and now …
I do not understand how anyone can point to historical transgressions against a class or race of people and use that as a basis for personal behavior and action, or should I say inaction, in today’s modern world. In short, I do not understand the concept of victimhood and a person’s sense of entitlement based on indignities encountered by one’s ancestors. Encountering such attitudes makes me want to scream “get on with your own life – you are responsible for you, not society and not the state!” Perhaps that’s just the result of an entrepreneurial streak within my character or the product of two loving parents who encouraged me to find my own way.
In one way, Dr. Aikins points out a critical difference between my experience and that of someone growing up in a black environment. That is, I had a built-in support mechanism in place – whether it was my parents, my relatives, our neighbors or our community. I had the innate knowledge that people were rooting for me to succeed where many blacks encounter no support, familial or otherwise, and others are, at best, indifferent to their efforts. My accomplishments did not come at the expense of others and I did not require any critical commodity which was hotly contested by others seeking the same thing. Again, possibly because I was entrepreneurial at a young age.
Segregation and balkanization by design …
But I do understand that America has been balkanized by its political and social leaders for the sole purpose of creating dependent individual constituencies that can be more easily manipulated into ceding power to so-called community leaders as well as contributing time, effort and money to their cause. By creating entitlements which sap one’s self-esteem and productivity and create a need to keep those political parties and politicians who hand out the goodies in power, lest the money cease to flow. The very same politicians who have seemingly corrupted many black leaders with “walking around money” and appointments to minor positions of community power.
The painful truth …
The book’s author, Dr. Lenton Aikins is a well-credentialed professional with a wealth of subject matter experience. However, in writing this particular book, I fear that his message may be greatly overshadowed by the propensity of those in positions of leadership and power to denigrate the author or disregard the message; especially since it seems to run counter to what I perceive is the accepted wisdom within the greater community. A message that is simultaneously truthful and painful. Especially to the black community which has suffered the indignity of having leaders who are more interested in their personal prestige, power and profits than they are leading others to a more fruitful existence.
A challenge to fellow blacks …
Dr. Aikins dedicates this book to his fellow black men and calls upon them to stand up and act like men when it comes to traditional family and social values. At the same time, he decries a lack of personal responsibility on the part of parents who have essentially allowed their children to run wild; without the significant nurturing or guidance that will prevent them from perpetuating the past and resulting in a life that may not be considered to be well-lived. A life of personal anguish, strife and mounting discontent with an enemy that can only be seen in a mirror.
Multiculturalism and diversity …
Like most people who have never considered the matter, I have often confused the concepts of diversity with that of multiculturalism. However, Dr. Aikins makes an important distinction.
“Diversity does not require everybody to see things the same way; just that everybody looks in the same direction and the same goals.”
“Multiculturalism holds that all cultures, all people and all languages are equal and deserve to be given equal treatment in our society.”
An important distinction which I had never considered before reading Aikins’ work. Therefore, reflecting upon these concepts, I can see where the United States is treading a dangerous path. By adopting a position of diversity one can be inclusive of all peoples; whereas the adoption of multiculturalism may lead to the destruction of our current society as we know it. Mostly by treating everyone and everything as beige, by accepting wrong or harmful practices merely because some particular sect may support them. By ignoring that illegal aliens and others still bear allegiance to their homeland or culture while proclaiming false allegiance to ours.
Aikins’ loudest criticism seems reserved for those who dare consider the plight of illegal aliens as being equal to the historical plight of Africans who were forcibly removed from their world and brought here as slaves. And for those elected leaders who are allocating attention and resources to others while ignoring our legal citizens who should have a prior well-established claim.
The bane of illegal immigration …
Dr. Aikins rails against illegal immigration. But where I note that the overwhelming numbers of illegal aliens are destroying our healthcare, educational, judicial, social, cultural and retirement infrastructure, Aikins points the further devastating effects that the tide of illegal aliens has wreaked on the black community. Especially in the areas of illegally confiscating lower wage positions and the severely crippling the ability of government agencies to offer additional support required for subsistence to its legal citizens.
Aikins believes it is both unfair and unwarranted of the government to take this mass of recently-arrived illegal aliens and raise their wants and needs above those of legal, law-abiding citizens, especially the indigenous blacks who are disproportionately affected. With this I strongly agree. I look at a depressed area such as South Central Los Angeles and wonder why we are pouring billions into foreign aid while our own people fight for jobs and the basic necessities of life. I imagine that the situation is much the same in Detroit and other areas where mainstream industry and commerce has left a decaying morass of shuttered buildings and discarded trash.
There are any number of solid social observations and prescriptions in this book which I wholeheartedly recommend to those who want a rational perspective on racial issues in America. Amazingly, at least to me, Aikins’ make a case for the draft, where young men are exposed to a variety of racial and ethnic situations, an environment in which discipline reigns supreme and rank and privileges are bestowed mostly on merit. (And above all, begins to understand the concept of loyalty to ones’ country. – my words)
I believe Dr. Aikins has made an extremely strong case for his position there has been a massive failure on the part of black leaders to come to the aid of a people in desperate need of appropriate leadership. A position, if sincerely considered, may point they way out of the self-imposed ghetto mentality that impedes black progress today.
The N-word …
However, not all is sweetness and light as I strongly disagree with Dr. Aikins about the use of the dreaded and despised N-word. He believes that the word should never be spoken; by blacks, whites or any other person as its hateful connotation sends the wrong message both to the user and those that hear the word spoken. Here I disagree. Not that I advocate using the N-word, but that I do not see the point of investing any word or symbol with such power that human nature almost demands that it be used to provoke a reaction in another person. By empowering either words or symbols with devastatingly hateful meaning, I believe that you have granted another person a measure of control over your emotions. Possibly to the extent of causing one to lose focus, all sense of reason and embark on an ultimately self-destructive path as one seeks to further escalate the confrontation.
Assimilation or acculturation?
After reading Aikins’ book, I also find myself reconsidering the path by which one is accepted as an equal member of society. Dr. Aikins apparently believes that assimilation applies more to people who arrived in the United States by voluntary choice.
“The assimilation model has not worked for African Americans. But who can argue that it was ever intended to work for African Americans? It has only worked for groups that came here voluntarily, because they have been and are able to hold on to their language, religion and trust among themselves at the same time they are developing social, educational, economic, and political ties with the majority community.”
Then Dr. Aikins goes on to point out a major difference between these ethnic groups and blacks.
“The immigrant groups see their immigrant communities as positive and identify with them. They do not refer to themselves with negative stereotypes and hateful words coined to refer to them as African Americans do.”
He goes further to note that these immigrants take pride in their group whereas African Americans seem to take pride in escaping from their group.
And with the fervor of an academic sociologist or political scientist, Aikins goes on to describe the process of acculturation which continues to work for immigrant communities but seems to be ineffective in moving blacks toward social acceptance.
The parasites: the failure of black leadership …
While Dr. Aikins’ notes the corrupt nature of many black leaders, it appears that his greatest angst is related to the failure of today’s so-called black leadership to demonstrate true leadership, to set the high moral standards required to elevate black self-esteem, to support broader economic initiatives for devastated black communities and, most of all, to stand up for the black community which is being pervasively overrun and disadvantaged by the onslaught of illegal immigrants.
Why you should buy the book …
I cannot begin to understand the plight of a single black working mother whose life is a series of tradeoffs – none of which are pleasant to contemplate. Or that of a young black man who suffers emotionally at the thought of being stopped by a police officer. Therefore, I do not and can not appreciate all that Dr. Aikins explains. I get the broad strokes, but not the nuance that comes from a common experience. So I can hardly do justice to this book with a short review.
I have read this book three times. And each time I see something new, something that makes me challenge my assumptions … and causes me to rewrite this review. I see any number of places where I disagree with Dr. Aikins’ conclusions, but that is what makes for a healthy discussion within the community and between people seeking solutions to social problems.
But I need to say, in the final analysis, there is much in this book that makes it necessary and worthwhile reading for black leaders, black citizens – and anyone else concerned with returning America to a productive society. A society where contributions are valued for their inherent worth rather than judged by the skin color of the contributor. A society which features an equality of opportunities rather than legislatively mandating an equality of outcomes.
-- steve
While African Americans Slept: Leadership By Parasites
Author: Dr. Lenton Aikins
ISBN: 978-0-9801594-0-0
LCCN: 2007942418
© 2008
ZIT PUBLISHERS
July 01, 2008 at 12:04 AM Permalink
Digg This Save to del.icio.us
The Book was officially published on June 28, 2008. For more information Go to: http://lentonaikins.com/. I requested permission to publish this blog because I believe that criticism is a prerequisite to improvement and progress. I thank Mr. Livine for permission to publish this blog.
GUESS BLOG BY STEPHEN RICHARD LIVINE
PUBLISHED ON HIS BLOG ONECITIZENSPEAKING.COM ON JULY 1, 2008. The entire blog follows without edding or further comments:
July 01, 2008
The African-American Disorder: Failed Leadership
How does a white man of a certain age review a book by a black author commenting about the black experience? One wonders if my own racial identity and life experiences will cause me to overlook the ingrained sense of suffering or misfortune of others merely because I lack a common cultural framework? Or as a friend told me, you may sympathize with the author’s position, but surely you cannot empathize with the conditions he describes. Which made me question the reason that I wanted to mention the book in the first place.
The book is titled “While African Americans Slept” and carries a subtitle “Leadership By Parasites.”
Which piqued my curiosity as I have often harbored ill-will for certain black leaders like Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton who seem to mount never-ending and often self-serving media campaigns; loudly proclaiming the perils of being black in a white society and the need of society to redress historic racial wrongs. And then doing absolutely nothing of lasting value to elevate the very people they are seeking to help. All the while pocketing money from unknown sources for honorariums, consulting and expenses and then jetting off to the next media-covered protest. In many cases their advice can be summarized simply by repeating: “do as I say, don’t do as I do.” Or in some cases, by an implicit mantra of “pay me or there will be big trouble.”
As a technologist who deals with a great variety of people who work in a binary world, knowledge, whether obtained by formal schooling or self-teaching, and accomplishment are a given. As with society in general, people are valued for what they produce and what they contribute to the team. There is a minimum of racial animosity as everybody is treated exactly the same: like crap, especially as they fight unrealistic deadlines based on idealistic, impractical expectations and woefully inadequate budgets. People who do not perform under pressure are weeded from the group and from our consciousness as we strive to complete our mission. You are either productive or you are gone!
So with some inherent bias against those who are not motivated to achieve and better their own condition, I will attempt to describe this painfully honest book and why I believe that the book is important to the discussion of race in America.
In the here and now …
I do not understand how anyone can point to historical transgressions against a class or race of people and use that as a basis for personal behavior and action, or should I say inaction, in today’s modern world. In short, I do not understand the concept of victimhood and a person’s sense of entitlement based on indignities encountered by one’s ancestors. Encountering such attitudes makes me want to scream “get on with your own life – you are responsible for you, not society and not the state!” Perhaps that’s just the result of an entrepreneurial streak within my character or the product of two loving parents who encouraged me to find my own way.
In one way, Dr. Aikins points out a critical difference between my experience and that of someone growing up in a black environment. That is, I had a built-in support mechanism in place – whether it was my parents, my relatives, our neighbors or our community. I had the innate knowledge that people were rooting for me to succeed where many blacks encounter no support, familial or otherwise, and others are, at best, indifferent to their efforts. My accomplishments did not come at the expense of others and I did not require any critical commodity which was hotly contested by others seeking the same thing. Again, possibly because I was entrepreneurial at a young age.
Segregation and balkanization by design …
But I do understand that America has been balkanized by its political and social leaders for the sole purpose of creating dependent individual constituencies that can be more easily manipulated into ceding power to so-called community leaders as well as contributing time, effort and money to their cause. By creating entitlements which sap one’s self-esteem and productivity and create a need to keep those political parties and politicians who hand out the goodies in power, lest the money cease to flow. The very same politicians who have seemingly corrupted many black leaders with “walking around money” and appointments to minor positions of community power.
The painful truth …
The book’s author, Dr. Lenton Aikins is a well-credentialed professional with a wealth of subject matter experience. However, in writing this particular book, I fear that his message may be greatly overshadowed by the propensity of those in positions of leadership and power to denigrate the author or disregard the message; especially since it seems to run counter to what I perceive is the accepted wisdom within the greater community. A message that is simultaneously truthful and painful. Especially to the black community which has suffered the indignity of having leaders who are more interested in their personal prestige, power and profits than they are leading others to a more fruitful existence.
A challenge to fellow blacks …
Dr. Aikins dedicates this book to his fellow black men and calls upon them to stand up and act like men when it comes to traditional family and social values. At the same time, he decries a lack of personal responsibility on the part of parents who have essentially allowed their children to run wild; without the significant nurturing or guidance that will prevent them from perpetuating the past and resulting in a life that may not be considered to be well-lived. A life of personal anguish, strife and mounting discontent with an enemy that can only be seen in a mirror.
Multiculturalism and diversity …
Like most people who have never considered the matter, I have often confused the concepts of diversity with that of multiculturalism. However, Dr. Aikins makes an important distinction.
“Diversity does not require everybody to see things the same way; just that everybody looks in the same direction and the same goals.”
“Multiculturalism holds that all cultures, all people and all languages are equal and deserve to be given equal treatment in our society.”
An important distinction which I had never considered before reading Aikins’ work. Therefore, reflecting upon these concepts, I can see where the United States is treading a dangerous path. By adopting a position of diversity one can be inclusive of all peoples; whereas the adoption of multiculturalism may lead to the destruction of our current society as we know it. Mostly by treating everyone and everything as beige, by accepting wrong or harmful practices merely because some particular sect may support them. By ignoring that illegal aliens and others still bear allegiance to their homeland or culture while proclaiming false allegiance to ours.
Aikins’ loudest criticism seems reserved for those who dare consider the plight of illegal aliens as being equal to the historical plight of Africans who were forcibly removed from their world and brought here as slaves. And for those elected leaders who are allocating attention and resources to others while ignoring our legal citizens who should have a prior well-established claim.
The bane of illegal immigration …
Dr. Aikins rails against illegal immigration. But where I note that the overwhelming numbers of illegal aliens are destroying our healthcare, educational, judicial, social, cultural and retirement infrastructure, Aikins points the further devastating effects that the tide of illegal aliens has wreaked on the black community. Especially in the areas of illegally confiscating lower wage positions and the severely crippling the ability of government agencies to offer additional support required for subsistence to its legal citizens.
Aikins believes it is both unfair and unwarranted of the government to take this mass of recently-arrived illegal aliens and raise their wants and needs above those of legal, law-abiding citizens, especially the indigenous blacks who are disproportionately affected. With this I strongly agree. I look at a depressed area such as South Central Los Angeles and wonder why we are pouring billions into foreign aid while our own people fight for jobs and the basic necessities of life. I imagine that the situation is much the same in Detroit and other areas where mainstream industry and commerce has left a decaying morass of shuttered buildings and discarded trash.
There are any number of solid social observations and prescriptions in this book which I wholeheartedly recommend to those who want a rational perspective on racial issues in America. Amazingly, at least to me, Aikins’ make a case for the draft, where young men are exposed to a variety of racial and ethnic situations, an environment in which discipline reigns supreme and rank and privileges are bestowed mostly on merit. (And above all, begins to understand the concept of loyalty to ones’ country. – my words)
I believe Dr. Aikins has made an extremely strong case for his position there has been a massive failure on the part of black leaders to come to the aid of a people in desperate need of appropriate leadership. A position, if sincerely considered, may point they way out of the self-imposed ghetto mentality that impedes black progress today.
The N-word …
However, not all is sweetness and light as I strongly disagree with Dr. Aikins about the use of the dreaded and despised N-word. He believes that the word should never be spoken; by blacks, whites or any other person as its hateful connotation sends the wrong message both to the user and those that hear the word spoken. Here I disagree. Not that I advocate using the N-word, but that I do not see the point of investing any word or symbol with such power that human nature almost demands that it be used to provoke a reaction in another person. By empowering either words or symbols with devastatingly hateful meaning, I believe that you have granted another person a measure of control over your emotions. Possibly to the extent of causing one to lose focus, all sense of reason and embark on an ultimately self-destructive path as one seeks to further escalate the confrontation.
Assimilation or acculturation?
After reading Aikins’ book, I also find myself reconsidering the path by which one is accepted as an equal member of society. Dr. Aikins apparently believes that assimilation applies more to people who arrived in the United States by voluntary choice.
“The assimilation model has not worked for African Americans. But who can argue that it was ever intended to work for African Americans? It has only worked for groups that came here voluntarily, because they have been and are able to hold on to their language, religion and trust among themselves at the same time they are developing social, educational, economic, and political ties with the majority community.”
Then Dr. Aikins goes on to point out a major difference between these ethnic groups and blacks.
“The immigrant groups see their immigrant communities as positive and identify with them. They do not refer to themselves with negative stereotypes and hateful words coined to refer to them as African Americans do.”
He goes further to note that these immigrants take pride in their group whereas African Americans seem to take pride in escaping from their group.
And with the fervor of an academic sociologist or political scientist, Aikins goes on to describe the process of acculturation which continues to work for immigrant communities but seems to be ineffective in moving blacks toward social acceptance.
The parasites: the failure of black leadership …
While Dr. Aikins’ notes the corrupt nature of many black leaders, it appears that his greatest angst is related to the failure of today’s so-called black leadership to demonstrate true leadership, to set the high moral standards required to elevate black self-esteem, to support broader economic initiatives for devastated black communities and, most of all, to stand up for the black community which is being pervasively overrun and disadvantaged by the onslaught of illegal immigrants.
Why you should buy the book …
I cannot begin to understand the plight of a single black working mother whose life is a series of tradeoffs – none of which are pleasant to contemplate. Or that of a young black man who suffers emotionally at the thought of being stopped by a police officer. Therefore, I do not and can not appreciate all that Dr. Aikins explains. I get the broad strokes, but not the nuance that comes from a common experience. So I can hardly do justice to this book with a short review.
I have read this book three times. And each time I see something new, something that makes me challenge my assumptions … and causes me to rewrite this review. I see any number of places where I disagree with Dr. Aikins’ conclusions, but that is what makes for a healthy discussion within the community and between people seeking solutions to social problems.
But I need to say, in the final analysis, there is much in this book that makes it necessary and worthwhile reading for black leaders, black citizens – and anyone else concerned with returning America to a productive society. A society where contributions are valued for their inherent worth rather than judged by the skin color of the contributor. A society which features an equality of opportunities rather than legislatively mandating an equality of outcomes.
-- steve
While African Americans Slept: Leadership By Parasites
Author: Dr. Lenton Aikins
ISBN: 978-0-9801594-0-0
LCCN: 2007942418
© 2008
ZIT PUBLISHERS
July 01, 2008 at 12:04 AM Permalink
Digg This Save to del.icio.us
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
A Synopsis of While African Americans Slept
This blog contains a Synopsis of my book: While African Americans Slept: Leadership by Parasites (2008) by Zit Publishers, Inc. The book may be ordered by going to my website at:
http://lentonaikins.com
“What is the Responsibility of Real Black Leadership?
The responsibility of black leadership is to lead by providing vision, strategies
and tactics that will enable African Americans to maintain, prosper, and achieve the objectives of full acceptance and rough equality. These objectives must include not losing the gains made and forging forward with only one thought in mind: no permanent enemies and no permanent friends, only permanent interests of the African American people.” (103)
The stark reality of the failure of black leadership, post Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., is explored in this chapter. It focuses on the harm that over dependency by black Americans on the government has caused them. It discusses the failure of black leadership and leadership groups to discuss the harm that illegal immigration has caused blacks in general and in particular the harm wrought upon black communities in inner cities. An extended discussion is undertaken of the historical position of black leadership in the face of even legal immigration—uniformly opposed to it for economic reasons. The chapter laments the fact that blacks are the losers in all standards when it comes to affirmative action and calls for the either the abolition of affirmative action or the return to the original intent of it. I attempt to point out the insanity of applying the remedy of affirmative action to wrongs that do not even exist. I place the blame on black parasitic leadership for not confronting these issues.
Chapter 7: The `N-Word’ While African Americans Slept: Group Denigration:
“I came from a world where we were taught that the `n-word’ was an abomination, a curse put on us by white racists. The use of this word was frowned upon by most blacks. Even those who used it never used it in the presence or earshot of whites. Not so today. The defamers and denigrators of the African American people now come from within, not without.” (p-147)
As I point out in this final chapter, black parasitic leadership did nothing to oppose, reject, and renounce the widespread denigration and defamation of their race, their women, and children. It took two white men (Imus, “nappy head `hoes’” comment and Richards, “n-word” use) to shame-up black leadership to even comment at all publicly about black thugs’ denigrating, defiling, and defaming black Americans in general and black women in particular. As I point out these thugs have, with the approval (silence) of black parasitic leadership and pusillanimous African American intellectuals, have sold out their entire race for a fast buck. The one saving grace of these thugs is that they showed black Americans that the capitalistic system works if you know how to use it.
Little did these black pimps, thugs, and fellow-traveling intellectuals realize or care about the fact that this irresponsible, disrespectful, thuggish behavior gave “cover” and “approval” to whites to use the most despicable word in the English language in reference to black Americans—insulting even from the grave leaders who fought and died to protest the type of treatment that the thugs and their fellow travelers now embrace.
###
Note: I am available for speaking engagements, participation in social and political analysis on panels, radio and television venues.
Lenton Aikins, Ph.D., J.D.
Contact me at:
http://lentonaikins.com or
E-mail me at: lentonaikins@wildblue.net
Do you know of someone who has a website or an E-mail who may be interested in this book or interested in booking Dr. Aikins as a speaker? If so, please feel free to forward this Synopsis to him or her. Thanks
http://lentonaikins.com
While African Americans Slept: Leadership by Parasites
A Synopsis
Chapter One Introduction:
A synopsis of each chapter begins with a verbatim quote of the first paragraph of that chapter or a significant portion of the first paragraph.
“Our kids have been allowed to butcher the English language, allowed to worship a trinity of hip hop, a prison culture, a culture of violence, allowed to grow up in an environment where problems are solved by violence and murder, allowed to grow up harboring disrespect for their own children, women and men, allowed to grow up without inculcating in them a civilized value system, allowed to grow up worshiping material wealth and threats and admiring the fast buck artist, allowed to grow up in an environment where survival too often is based on brute, nihilistic values, where the good student is accused of `being, thinking, and acting white,’ where single mothers try to control their children based on “time out” theories of white suburban psychologists, and allowed to grow up living in an environment where life is nasty, cruel, brutish and short.”
(p. 7)
In this introductory chapter, I explain the problems facing black Americans, what the goal of education should be and then discuss what the philosophical goals of African American leadership should be. I end the chapter with a call for accountability of African American leadership.
Chapter Two: Diversity vs Multiculturalism:
“Want to destroy a great country? Here’s the way to do it:
Adopt multiculturalism as a mantra, require the government to place every language, every custom of every immigrant on equal footing with America’s and every language on equal footing with the English language, sanctify every group that speaks a different language or has a different culture, custom, and mores and award them with a Certificate of Multiculturalism Equality, require every state to adopt bilingualism, biculturalism, and multiculturalism as state policy, adopt dual citizenship as a national policy, declare anyone a `racist’ who thinks there is such a thing as an illegal immigrant, force every grade school student to shout—after saluting the flag--`nadie es illegal’ [nothing is illegal] and declare multiculturalism as the official government policy in relationship to non-English speaking people.” (p-12)
In this chapter, I explain the distinction and difference between the concept of diversity of groups within a polity, where each group is permitted to maintain its customs while maintaining sole loyalty to America and multiculturalism where loyalty is to the group, not the nation. Diversity has been our national policy, albeit not without conflicts, since the Civil War Amendments to the Constitution. Multiculturalism on the other hand places loyalty, language, and custom above loyalty to America first. I explain that diversity not division is and should be the goal of America, but that multiculturalism inevitably forces division because it posits primary loyalty to one’s tribe, group, culture, language, and traditions above putting America first. Our universities have confused, contorted, and conflated these two terms. I explain that we must embrace diversity without division while eschewing multiculturalism. It is important to note that multicultural is not the same as multiculturalism. The former is a reality, e.g. diversity, while the latter is a nationalism of fools by domestic, internal groups.
Finally, I provide a personal example of the destructiveness of multiculturalism.
Chapter 3: From Assimilation to Acculturation:
“The model for success in America has always been racial assimilation. All groups that have come here voluntarily have been and are being assimilated. The assimilation model has been praised, and understandingly so, because it has worked well for those for whom it was intended. It was never intended to apply to African Americans: The Thirteenth Amendment was passed to free the slaves and end involuntary servitude; the Fourteenth Amendment was passed to grant the former slaves citizenship and to forever bury the monstrous Dred Scot v. Sanford 60 U.S. (How.. 19) 393 (1857) case which held that `Negroes free or slaves could never become citizens of the United States’; and, the Fifteenth Amendment was passed to politically acculturate the former slaves, but not to racially assimilate them….” (p-29)
Chapter three discusses the traditional model of and for acceptance in the United States for all Europeans who came to our shores voluntarily. The difference between traditional assimilation (racial) and modern acculturation is explained and contrasted. I posit that the traditional racial assimilation model has been replaced by the acculturation model which basis acceptance on education, money, attitude, and lifestyle. I explain that this does not mean that racism is a thing of the pass but that it is not determinative of success of black Americans as in the past. I provide examples of this fact.
Chapter Four: Child Rearing, Acculturation, and Freedom:
“Proper child rearing is the cornerstone upon which love is built, discipline born and respect based. Proper child rearing is the key to African Americans’ cultural acculturation. Improper child rearing begets self-centered, selfish, violent, mentally deformed children who grow up unable and incapable to conform their conduct to the basic requirements of civilized society—and unable to delay immediate gratification….” (p-46)
Chapter 4 expands on the thesis that child rearing is the key to helping black Americans advance. It discusses the many past barriers, explains how slavery, Jim Crow, segregation and discrimination affected African Americans, especially black men, and their present lack of respect for the law even though the law now helps them more than it hurts them. I explain that there is no time for excuses and that black leadership has lost its way in its failure to help black Americans extricate themselves from their problems.
Chapter Five: Missing: Proper Training and Taming Needed:
“I never thought I’d see a movie that demonstrated precisely how African Americans might end the failure of two generations of parasitic black leadership, take responsibility for their own youth, their upbringing, discipline, comfort, assistance and love. That movie is Madea’s Family
Reunion. …” (p-80)
Chapter Five further develops and explains Chapters 3 and 4 by discussing the connection between proper training, proper discipline, proper love for one’s children, and proper attitude toward self, the government and the community.
As the reader will soon figure out, this book is part social science, part social critics, part political analysis, and part autographical. These themes are weaved into the discussion in virtually every chapter in this book.
Chapter Six: Leadership by Parasites:
A Synopsis
Chapter One Introduction:
A synopsis of each chapter begins with a verbatim quote of the first paragraph of that chapter or a significant portion of the first paragraph.
“Our kids have been allowed to butcher the English language, allowed to worship a trinity of hip hop, a prison culture, a culture of violence, allowed to grow up in an environment where problems are solved by violence and murder, allowed to grow up harboring disrespect for their own children, women and men, allowed to grow up without inculcating in them a civilized value system, allowed to grow up worshiping material wealth and threats and admiring the fast buck artist, allowed to grow up in an environment where survival too often is based on brute, nihilistic values, where the good student is accused of `being, thinking, and acting white,’ where single mothers try to control their children based on “time out” theories of white suburban psychologists, and allowed to grow up living in an environment where life is nasty, cruel, brutish and short.”
(p. 7)
In this introductory chapter, I explain the problems facing black Americans, what the goal of education should be and then discuss what the philosophical goals of African American leadership should be. I end the chapter with a call for accountability of African American leadership.
Chapter Two: Diversity vs Multiculturalism:
“Want to destroy a great country? Here’s the way to do it:
Adopt multiculturalism as a mantra, require the government to place every language, every custom of every immigrant on equal footing with America’s and every language on equal footing with the English language, sanctify every group that speaks a different language or has a different culture, custom, and mores and award them with a Certificate of Multiculturalism Equality, require every state to adopt bilingualism, biculturalism, and multiculturalism as state policy, adopt dual citizenship as a national policy, declare anyone a `racist’ who thinks there is such a thing as an illegal immigrant, force every grade school student to shout—after saluting the flag--`nadie es illegal’ [nothing is illegal] and declare multiculturalism as the official government policy in relationship to non-English speaking people.” (p-12)
In this chapter, I explain the distinction and difference between the concept of diversity of groups within a polity, where each group is permitted to maintain its customs while maintaining sole loyalty to America and multiculturalism where loyalty is to the group, not the nation. Diversity has been our national policy, albeit not without conflicts, since the Civil War Amendments to the Constitution. Multiculturalism on the other hand places loyalty, language, and custom above loyalty to America first. I explain that diversity not division is and should be the goal of America, but that multiculturalism inevitably forces division because it posits primary loyalty to one’s tribe, group, culture, language, and traditions above putting America first. Our universities have confused, contorted, and conflated these two terms. I explain that we must embrace diversity without division while eschewing multiculturalism. It is important to note that multicultural is not the same as multiculturalism. The former is a reality, e.g. diversity, while the latter is a nationalism of fools by domestic, internal groups.
Finally, I provide a personal example of the destructiveness of multiculturalism.
Chapter 3: From Assimilation to Acculturation:
“The model for success in America has always been racial assimilation. All groups that have come here voluntarily have been and are being assimilated. The assimilation model has been praised, and understandingly so, because it has worked well for those for whom it was intended. It was never intended to apply to African Americans: The Thirteenth Amendment was passed to free the slaves and end involuntary servitude; the Fourteenth Amendment was passed to grant the former slaves citizenship and to forever bury the monstrous Dred Scot v. Sanford 60 U.S. (How.. 19) 393 (1857) case which held that `Negroes free or slaves could never become citizens of the United States’; and, the Fifteenth Amendment was passed to politically acculturate the former slaves, but not to racially assimilate them….” (p-29)
Chapter three discusses the traditional model of and for acceptance in the United States for all Europeans who came to our shores voluntarily. The difference between traditional assimilation (racial) and modern acculturation is explained and contrasted. I posit that the traditional racial assimilation model has been replaced by the acculturation model which basis acceptance on education, money, attitude, and lifestyle. I explain that this does not mean that racism is a thing of the pass but that it is not determinative of success of black Americans as in the past. I provide examples of this fact.
Chapter Four: Child Rearing, Acculturation, and Freedom:
“Proper child rearing is the cornerstone upon which love is built, discipline born and respect based. Proper child rearing is the key to African Americans’ cultural acculturation. Improper child rearing begets self-centered, selfish, violent, mentally deformed children who grow up unable and incapable to conform their conduct to the basic requirements of civilized society—and unable to delay immediate gratification….” (p-46)
Chapter 4 expands on the thesis that child rearing is the key to helping black Americans advance. It discusses the many past barriers, explains how slavery, Jim Crow, segregation and discrimination affected African Americans, especially black men, and their present lack of respect for the law even though the law now helps them more than it hurts them. I explain that there is no time for excuses and that black leadership has lost its way in its failure to help black Americans extricate themselves from their problems.
Chapter Five: Missing: Proper Training and Taming Needed:
“I never thought I’d see a movie that demonstrated precisely how African Americans might end the failure of two generations of parasitic black leadership, take responsibility for their own youth, their upbringing, discipline, comfort, assistance and love. That movie is Madea’s Family
Reunion. …” (p-80)
Chapter Five further develops and explains Chapters 3 and 4 by discussing the connection between proper training, proper discipline, proper love for one’s children, and proper attitude toward self, the government and the community.
As the reader will soon figure out, this book is part social science, part social critics, part political analysis, and part autographical. These themes are weaved into the discussion in virtually every chapter in this book.
Chapter Six: Leadership by Parasites:
“What is the Responsibility of Real Black Leadership?
The responsibility of black leadership is to lead by providing vision, strategies
and tactics that will enable African Americans to maintain, prosper, and achieve the objectives of full acceptance and rough equality. These objectives must include not losing the gains made and forging forward with only one thought in mind: no permanent enemies and no permanent friends, only permanent interests of the African American people.” (103)
The stark reality of the failure of black leadership, post Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., is explored in this chapter. It focuses on the harm that over dependency by black Americans on the government has caused them. It discusses the failure of black leadership and leadership groups to discuss the harm that illegal immigration has caused blacks in general and in particular the harm wrought upon black communities in inner cities. An extended discussion is undertaken of the historical position of black leadership in the face of even legal immigration—uniformly opposed to it for economic reasons. The chapter laments the fact that blacks are the losers in all standards when it comes to affirmative action and calls for the either the abolition of affirmative action or the return to the original intent of it. I attempt to point out the insanity of applying the remedy of affirmative action to wrongs that do not even exist. I place the blame on black parasitic leadership for not confronting these issues.
Chapter 7: The `N-Word’ While African Americans Slept: Group Denigration:
“I came from a world where we were taught that the `n-word’ was an abomination, a curse put on us by white racists. The use of this word was frowned upon by most blacks. Even those who used it never used it in the presence or earshot of whites. Not so today. The defamers and denigrators of the African American people now come from within, not without.” (p-147)
As I point out in this final chapter, black parasitic leadership did nothing to oppose, reject, and renounce the widespread denigration and defamation of their race, their women, and children. It took two white men (Imus, “nappy head `hoes’” comment and Richards, “n-word” use) to shame-up black leadership to even comment at all publicly about black thugs’ denigrating, defiling, and defaming black Americans in general and black women in particular. As I point out these thugs have, with the approval (silence) of black parasitic leadership and pusillanimous African American intellectuals, have sold out their entire race for a fast buck. The one saving grace of these thugs is that they showed black Americans that the capitalistic system works if you know how to use it.
Little did these black pimps, thugs, and fellow-traveling intellectuals realize or care about the fact that this irresponsible, disrespectful, thuggish behavior gave “cover” and “approval” to whites to use the most despicable word in the English language in reference to black Americans—insulting even from the grave leaders who fought and died to protest the type of treatment that the thugs and their fellow travelers now embrace.
###
Note: I am available for speaking engagements, participation in social and political analysis on panels, radio and television venues.
Lenton Aikins, Ph.D., J.D.
Contact me at:
http://lentonaikins.com or
E-mail me at: lentonaikins@wildblue.net
Do you know of someone who has a website or an E-mail who may be interested in this book or interested in booking Dr. Aikins as a speaker? If so, please feel free to forward this Synopsis to him or her. Thanks
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