How many people of color have heard a friend, a co-worker, an influencer, or a community leader say, “I am just a privileged white guy or girl?” Did it make you wonder, “If they are privileged and white, what is the color of my privilege, our privileges?” Many have historically and continue to obtain benefits from those pre-existing disparities that give them a better “starting point” in life with white privileges.

*White privilege is a phrase that captures the idea of “obtaining biased benefits that lead to life gains” and “securing unfair advantages”. This term emphasizes the idea of gaining benefits through biased or preferential treatment that most certainly results in personal and lifelong gains.

Some want to believe that character, work ethic, and strong family dynamics are the determining factors in everyone’s life. Now Breaking News, we have the Professional Basket star, Caitlin Clark, who “Time Magazine recently named as Athlete of the Year,” acknowledged her white privilege and hoped to be part of the effort to elevate Black women.”

The factors related to white privilege will unquestionably improve anyone’s chance to succeed; however, it’s outrageous for anyone to pretend or believe that the color of one’s skin has no bearing on their life experiences or successes in life. White supremacy, the mother and father of white/light privileges is a global phenomenon. It creates racial inequalities that affect the social and economic conditions of Black People and people of color in America and across the globe.

It is a historical fact that from the very beginning, based on the color of our skin alone, racial discrimination and the denial of privileges experienced by African Americans/Blacks have been different from that of any other group in America. African descendants of American Black folks have systematically been forbidden the basic rights, opportunities, and privileges that others have been afforded simply based on the color of their skin.

Africans and African descendants have endured one of the cruelest from of RACISM ever known to the main kind. Hence the barbaric system known as “The Peculiar Institution” was born. Our ancestors, who were considered only 3/5 human beings, consistently resisted enslavement; therefore, our demands for impartiality and full participation in American society have continued to this day. Although our strategies have varied, our collective goals of full freedom and equality remain unchanged.

African Americans/Blacks, for far too many years, have been governed by systemic racism which has never valued our contributions or our lives. Moving forward, we will break the cycle that has created, among some of our brothers and sisters, a type of self-hatred, self-deception, and suppression of our progression. The concoctions used to maintain this hard-core racist scheme of turning us against ourselves were/are supported by governments, mainstream media interests, and the global business elites.

Traditionally, individuals and groups have traveled the world spreading spiteful hate of African-Americans/Blacks specifically and Black people, in general, without accountability. The mainstream media, through its articles, books, movies, etc., continue to be complicit in the continued efforts of de-legitimization of our existence with their venomous messages.

Moreover; every immigrant before their arrival on America’s shores is awarded a set of Privileges, based primarily on color. The Color of their Privileges instantaneously Exceeds those afforded to African-American/Black people whose stolen labor, to a large degree, built this nation. Additionally; most immigrants arriving in America by airplane, ocean liners, or on foot, understand the attachment and meaning of the famous N-word. Immigrants are instructed to disengage from, and not befriend, African-Americans/Blacks; the group that is afforded the less humanity, and has been allocated the least amount of Privilege.

It is in our best interest to fully understand that the concept of white supremacy, which birthed white privileges, is a doctrine without moral or scientific authentication. We must fully comprehend the social and economic impact that the diabolical levels of misinformation and misinformation that is perpetrated against Black lives. Consequently, African-Americans/Blacks must no longer participate in the continued aiding and abetting of our demise. We are on the path of taking back our “Stolen Legacy”: Hence, we will never accept the racist ideas inferring that Melaninated skin, in some unexplainable way, gives others the right to minimize our humanity. Note: Global Educational policies have contributed to the construction and reinforcement of white privilege.

Starting Today, Africans/Descendants must enthusiastically celebrate the end of emotional duplicities and financial terrorism that is intertwined with barbaric and unjust policies. Most importantly, as we move forward; everything that we should control, we will control. By seizing total power over our monies and our minds; we will diligently work to connect High-Income Earning African/Blacks with the causes of comprehensive Black liberation.

We are a glorious people who have given so much to the world in the way of culture, religion, science, mathematics, and grace (etc.); therefore, we will not remain silent and endure self-imposed genocide by not demanding privileges that others are given just because of the color of their skin.

The Fierce Urgency for Justice and Sustainable Liberation requires us to enthusiastically re-evaluate our relationships with ALL entities that work against our interests. Therefore, Africans and African descendants Black people must critically assess the attitudes and actions of companies and individuals and not patronize any institution that continues to disrespect Black People, Black Prosperities, and Black Lives.

I am going to close with this question: If we can all agree, based on statistical current, and historical data, that whiter/lighter skin has an artificially higher positive outcome, when and how are we going to realize economic and social justice and global equity for all?

                                                                                                    ©Mansour Id-Deen Revised December 17, 2024

Nigeria must stop its addiction crisis before it takes hold in the country. The first step is to determine the source of the drugs being shipped into the country. Are they coming from Europe, the Middle East, the U.S. or elsewhere? Once Nigeria determines the source country (s), it must move quickly to coordinate joint forces and efforts to end the trade.

The illicit drug trade is one of the most destabilizing factors for any government anywhere in the world. These are two main reasons for an attack of this nature on your Nigeria. The first is an economic disruption. By flooding a country with illicit drugs, outside entities can undermine the local and national economy. This can lead to increased crime rates, overburdened police, and healthcare systems, and a general decline in productivity and economic stability.

A second reason is to call political destabilization. Illicit Drug trafficking can be used to fund insurgent groups or corrupt officials, weakening the government’s ability to maintain order and governance. This can lead to increased corruption, erosion of public trust, and ultimately, political instability.

Nigeria, by any means necessary, must heighten border Security: Strengthening border security measures, such as increasing the number of border patrol agents, using advanced technology for surveillance (e.g., drones, sensors), and conducting thorough inspections at ports of entry can help intercept illicit drugs.

Nigeria must expand International Cooperation: Collaborating with other countries to disrupt drug trafficking networks, share intelligence, and conduct joint operations can be effective in reducing the flow of illicit drugs. This includes working with neighboring countries to secure borders and dismantle transnational criminal organizations.

Nigeria, more importantly, must increase Public Awareness and Education: Educating the public, from the youngest to the oldest, about the tremendous dangers and destruction of illicit drugs. Nigeria must promote awareness campaigns to reduce demand. Programs that focus on prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation can help address the root causes of drug abuse and reduce the market for illicit drugs.

In closing, I would ask my Nigerian Brothers to review the devastating effect the “targeted illicit drug trade” had on African descendant communities throughout the United States during the 80s, 90s, and early 2000s. It devastated the family structure, disrupted the local economic base, destroyed the healthy level of homeownership, and brought about the beginning of gentrification throughout the whole of the African descendant communities.

Yes, flooding our communities with illicit drugs was intentional and it came in from outside our communities to destroy and take over what was inside. Therefore, my Brother and Sisters, stop the flow of illicit drugs now. You must understand who the perpetrators and victims are and deal with them accordingly.

A point of caution, as it relates to marijuana, it is an herb that comes from the Cannabis plant, which is classified as a herbaceous plant. The leaves, flowers, and stems of the Cannabis plant are used for various purposes, including medicinal, recreational, and industrial uses. The legal status of marijuana varies widely depending on the country and even within regions of a country.

In some places, marijuana is considered an illicit drug, meaning its use, possession, and distribution are illegal. However, in the United States, many states have legalized marijuana for medical use, and several have also legalized it for recreational use. If not laced with some form of chemical substance(s), its use is non-threatening. Therefore, you would want to produce/grow it from African soil, the richest soil in the world! You would want to research Nigeria’s historical relationship and the global relationship with marijuana. May the Most High continue to bless all of my African Families.

The marijuana plant has a variety of non-medicinal uses:

Marijuana cultivation and use on the African continent goes back thousands of years. The legal status of marijuana varies widely depending on the country and even within regions of a country. In some places, marijuana is considered an illicit drug, meaning its use, possession, and distribution are illegal. However, it has been legalized in other areas for medical and/or recreational use. In the United States, many states have legalized marijuana for medical use, and several have also legalized it for recreational use. If not contaminated with a substance (usually harmful or toxic), its use is non-threatening. Therefore, you would want to produce it from African soil, the richest soil in the world!

The marijuana plant also has a variety of non-medicinal uses:

Industrial Hemp: The fibers from the cannabis plant can be used to make textiles, ropes, paper, and biodegradable plastics. Hemp is known for its strength and durability.
Food Products: Hemp seeds are highly nutritious and can be used in foods like hemp milk, protein powder, and hemp oil. They are rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.
Building Materials: Hemp can be used to create eco-friendly building materials like hempcrete, which is a sustainable alternative to concrete.
Biofuel: Hemp can be processed into biofuel, providing a renewable energy source.