The Color Code Of Success

But what is "A Real Black Man"?
Is he one who had had the stereotypical childhood seen in every Blackploitation movie?
Is he one enveloped in a life of crime, single parenthood, poverty, drugs and gangs?
Is he one who is always the victim of "The Man" keeping them down?
Does he belong to a Baptist church, or attend a Muslim mosque or even hate religion altogether?
Does he run from success in order to retain his street cred?

Is he dark or light skinned.
Does he have be-bees and a dirty kitchen or a woolen mane?
Does he speak in Ebonics, SAE or a blend of both (and a little Spanish too)?
Does he date/marry Black women, white women or just fine women?
Does he just talk about helping others who are still living the stereotypical life, does he donate money to causes, or does he get actively involved?
Does he wear Robert Graham shirts or does he sport Roca Wear?
Does he live down in the hood or up in the hills?

Does any of this have anything to do with being Black?
Many Blacks use a Color Code of Success to determine ones credibility in speaking about "Black" issues (Which are usually just part of larger social issues.).
Were would "You" fit on the Color Code?
Are you too smart, rich or good looking to retain your street-cred?
Do you "Think you're white"?
Or are you too ignorant, disenfranchised and oppressed to objectively interact with others on a topic that you may not see as your own?
So you are now the authority on what is "Black"?

Is our self esteem so low that we get our feelings hurt by those whom we don't even know and who may disagree with our points of view?
Are we so busy fighting over crumbs that we fail to put the ingredients together to make a meal?
Are we hating on our own to the point of us failing to remain a group, race or culture?

So where is the cut off point of Blackness?
Is it just below white,
or is it only anything below slate?

Is our culture (Which isn't really our culture. Much of "Our" culture has been dictated by those who happen to be in charge at any given time. Culture is learned - it is not inherent.) limited only to the images seen on television, in magazines or in movies?
Or is there a broader definition?
And who gets to make this definition? Us? Them?

All I'm trying to say is that we cannot expect to succeed on a larger scale until we first succeed at learning how to succeed with our own.
We cannot treat others with respect until we first respect ourselves.