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Watson and the Black mentality

“Integration,” a 10-letter word used often by Malcolm X to describe how Blacks try to fit into their world, bearing insults, enduring hatred and humiliation, physical and verbal attacks. I guess it is the norm these days for attacks on the Black race. The ball seems to have landed on the court of celebrated scientist and Nobel Prize winner James Watson.In high school, I read about Watson, one of the co-discoverers of the structure of DNA. Little did I know that I would be writing about his disparaging remarks. He was quoted in an article in the Sunday Times Magazine on Oct. 14 as saying he is “inherently gloomy about the prospect of Africa” because “all our social policies are based on the fact that their intelligence is the same as ours – whereas all the testing says not really.”

He claims to hope every one is equal but further argues, “People who have to deal with Black employees find this not true.” Watson also said not to discriminate on the basis of color. “There are many people of color who are very talented, but don’t promote them when they haven’t succeeded at the lower level.”

I am not an African American. I am an African in America, and I understand completely this Black struggle. It is a worldwide struggle. Read about Nelson Mandela, Patrice Lumumba and Steve Biko, and you’ll understand.

I laugh sometimes at Blacks who ignorantly try to distance themselves from their heritage. Funny enough, some Africans are guilty of this.

They deny their origin and claim they are from Europe or some Caribbean island. I have a remedy for these Black folks: They should listen to Bob Marley’s “Buffalo Soldier” or Nas’ “Black Zombie” to get some insight. I sum all of them up with one word: “stupid.”

“Stupid,” a six-letter word that describes the way our minds function most times.

“Stupid,” because they made you believe Africa is a place of heathens, cannibals, peasants and war victims, while they went to the University of Sankore in Timbuktu to learn from African scholars as early as 1581. “Stupid,” for the brainwashing of millions with their Christianity, while enslaving and killing millions of Black people in the name of religion. “Stupid,” for they made you believe in a blonde-haired, blue-eyed Jesus. “Stupid,” because most of us wait on Cornell West, Al Sharpton or Jesse Jackson to take action. “Stupid,” because affirmative action indirectly suggested something else.

Who is not guilty of being stupid? This is why I cannot fault James Watson.

“Guts,” a four-letter word that I admire in Jews, particularly Benjamin Disraeli. In a heated debate in Parliament, an Irish White referred to Disraeli’s ancestry in disparaging terms.

Disraeli responded: “Yes, I am a Jew, and when the ancestors of the right honorable gentleman were brutal savages in an unknown island, mine were priests in the temple of Solomon.”

Enough said.