Connected Through The Disconnection

When I contemplated on the different topics that I'd post about, I began to shift the many indices readily available to my mind.  After considering many topics that I could have possibly delved into, I finally settled into this one: Have we confused technological evolution with that of human evolution?  Does technological evolution promise equivalent advances to the state of humanity shared by all in the world?

As I see it, we have an abundance of technology that appear to seemingly enhance the quality of life, especially those living in the Western hemisphere.  Even now, as I post this I'm watching Stephen King's, "The Shining" being streamed for free (courtesy of Netflix) via my Wii device.  Further examples of technology that we experience include the emergence of smartphones which allow one to access information and perform tasks that only computers were thought to accomplish at one time.  I'm saying all of that to say this: it seems that we have somehow confused the independence that technology provides, and have transmuted and therefore internalized the mechanisms of technology as something that will enhance our human attributes.  However, I want to give those reading a reality check:  MY FRIENDS, TECHNOLOGY HAS DONE QUITE THE OPPOSITE.

I have never felt more un-human than to go onto a CTA train/bus to see that everyone is "plugged in" to some device.  That no one is paying attention to each other...that it's almost a crime to make eye contact with a complete stranger...or to smile...or to be courteous...or to say hello to someone you don't know...ultimately to be human (or show human-like qualities) is not ok.

I in no way am saying that technology is the cause for the human disconnect, because we humans create the technology that we enjoy and experience.  However, it is a shame when technology serves as a wall that deflects true human interaction and genuine human experience.  Ideally technology should enhance the human experience, not replace it.  I can personally recount plenty of times being at the movie theatre, at a restaurant, or at a musical performance, and instead of enjoying the full experience of what was to come, I'm instead pre-occupied with who commented on my FaceBook status, who mentioned me on Twitter (including re-tweets), or who's texting me on my cell phone.  Sadly enough, there are those who wake up first thing in the morning, to reach for their phones or go online to maintain their constructed "cyber worlds" at the expense of their own waning lives and uncultivated relationships. 

So now I ask you, where do you fall on the technological spectrum?  How does technology serve you?  Does it serve YOU?  Or are you a servant of IT?  Does technology help you to express your humanity?   Or is it merely a medium which dictates the way you interact with others?  I actually wonder if the disconnection that technology has caused actually make us more human because there are so many similarly disconnected people?  What do you think?

Separation vs. Integration...Were We Better Off?

Sometimes when I look around the culturally diverse city of Chicago, I secretly envy the fact that many different sects (i.e. Indian community, African community, Polish community, Chinese community) are able to sustain their ethnic identity and nativity by establishing business and institutions that best reflect their community values and customs, which ultimately empower them as a race.  I oftentimes think what if Blacks never fought for integration, but rather access to better resources by which to empower their own  independently functioning communities?  As I see it it today, Blacks have no collective source of community, and can therefore be easily exploited by other races, as was shown in Chris Rock's, "Good Hair,"  who have no true understanding of the needs of the communities that they serve.  Although segregation was inherently and morally unsound, the confidence (AND TRUST) that it forged amongst Blacks was very beneficial during a time of psychological hardship; but this trust has now disappeared altogether.  Under segregation Blacks became the change that they wanted to see instead of being beckoned by the promise that someone else would deliver that change.  Collectively, Blacks were more self-sufficient and were able to contribute significantly more to the economic fabric of the country--it seems now that we are merely the consumers of a strategic marketing game that has been designed to exploit our insecurities concerning our collective selves.  Did we forfeit our trust in each other to gain access to the "American Dream?"

What's Love Got To Do With It?

I think that I want to say a little something about love and relationships vs. love in relationships.  For me, I have struggled with trying to define with what works for "me" without feeling like I'm circumscribing the standards of others in relationships to my own personal relationship.  While it's good to take advice (from those in "credible" relationships) it can be very tempting to try to mimick the actions of others to apply to one's own situation.  Sometimes, finding what works for one personally can be difficult as everyone has idiosyncratic elements that is not shared by anyone else on the face of this earth!  Personally, having no true model (or experience) of witnessing a  successful "BlackLove" relationship, I have grappled with trying to build a model that works; and it has NOT always been easy.  However, I refuse to use the lack of a successful "BlackLove"  relationship" model as an excuse to not try.  You always hear people say that "Black Love" is a beautiful thing (i.e. Jada Pinkett-Smith & Will Smith; Angela Bassett & Courtney Vance; Denzel Washington & Pauletta Pearson; and ultimately Barack & Michelle Obama).  However, do people really know the struggles that they overcame to make love work for them?  I want to hear your thoughts....what are some obstacles that you've overcome to make BlackLove (or love period) work for you???  Any advice to give.....I'm always listening. 

Claiming Ownership

It's funny that many thought that with the election of Barack Obama that somehow the "Red Sea" of injustice (and the issues associated with that injustice) would somehow disappear, and that African Americans would walk cleanly and effortlessly across on dry land. The unspoken pressure of the issues that plague the Black community (i.e. widening gaps in health, education, and economic class) were thought to be somehow lifted with the inauguration of President Barack Obama; sadly these issues presently remain. Ironically, Chicago (the city of Barack) has seemingly gotten worse with last year's slaying of the Fenger high school student, and many other CPS students preceding him. So then the question becomes, "Ultimately, where does the responsibility lie, and who is responsible for addressing these pertinent issues that disproportionately affect Blacks while statistically the minority?" Hopefully, this blog will afford the opportunity to those wishing to share thoughts and ideas on how to first identify the problem(s) plaguing "Black life" in America, and then lead us to taking individual responsibility for ourselves......inevitably changing the character of our community. I'm hoping to hear from you soon!