If there is a problem amongst our people that hinders our ability to progress, jealousy would be that problem, in addition to the many racial obstacles that throughout the years have held us back; yet many Blacks believe that our worst problem lies within ourselves.

On an individual bases this belief would be reasonable, however, collectively it is horribly flawed.

Individually, one can look upon another and judge that person's situation by measuring himself or herself against that person, but if the whole of that person were taken into consideration, the outcome would look different. For instance, if the standard is based on material things, and one has more than the other, then material things would decide the outcome.

However, if the situation were based on the person's character, then one person could outshine the other in that aspect. Without seeing the whole of any situation, there can never be no, one absolute factor that can determine success.

The problem with Black America where it pertains to judgment against his or her own brother is that we live as individuals in an individualist society, measuring ourselves against others according to individual successes. If we were to measure ourselves among ourselves as a whole, none of us would look any better than the other.

Blacks in America are in the same boat and none are any better than the other. We have been conditioned to look upon each other and judge according to possessions and not character. This conditioning came about through the practice of individual success as custom under the system of capitalism. From the days of competition of who could own the most slaves and how much profit they can gain from slave labor, to today's practice of stocks and bonds, it is all about self-accomplishment and individual status amongst society.

Blacks have adopted this mindset and while attempting to accomplish the "American Dream," has learned to look down on anyone they consider having or being less than themselves. This is not the true nature of the Black soul. The true nature is to pay close attention to everyone in the surrounding community and make sure no one lacks or goes without.

When one runs up against another Black whose mind is conditioned after this manner of thinking - individual successes against another's - they should never feel less than what that person would make them believe they are, but understand that if that person sees them as less, it is that person who has the problem and who lacks character and furthermore the might of unity, because there is no unity in individualism.

To unite the masses of Black America, we must denounce jealousy in this manner and teach our sons and daughters not to be jealous of another brother or sister who is trying to make better their lives. We must proclaim among the Black community that progress is not a weapon to use against your neighbor and to undermine the efforts of others.

We must make sure that we ourselves are not upset because the brother or sister down the street has this or has done that, but we must see their accomplishments as an addition to the building of the Black community in one way or another. There is no such thing as individual success if those around you feel less than you.

Unity is the goal. Once we unite we can excel. If we continue to allow jealousy to eat away at our ability to unite, we are doing nothing but carrying on the plan of the oppressor. Playing one another against one another is the act of the oppressor and when a Black mind has adopted this practice, they have allowed the oppressor to maintain control.

© 2005 By CR Hamilton