Tuesday, December 4, 2018

Why I Stand





From Freedom to the Killing Fields of Socialism
Book by Burgess Owens
Book Review by Jim “Gymbeaux” Brown, December 4, 2018
Note: Words appearing in Blue and Underlined are links to their respective web sites




For the record I was born in 1944 so I write this review with some knowledge and personal experience regarding the changes in race relations not only in areas where we lived but also across America.  Oftentimes those relations were not what you would call honorable or pretty.  I remember the U. S. National Guard killing four students at Kent State University during the turbulent 60s and 70s.

If ever America was desperate for a thorough discussion on race relations it is in 2018 when the country seems more divided than ever in my lifetime. 

If you read Burgess Owens’ book Why I Stand expecting a word, phrase, sentence, paragraph or even a chapter explaining why he chooses (and it is a choice) to stand for the National Anthem and the U. S. Flag, you will be disappointed.  He explains why throughout the 24 chapters of the book.

I was not surprised at some of the revelations contained in Owens’ book which is actually more like a history book.  A history of America YOU WON’T see in many if any history books or classes taught in our schools.  On the contrary, this is American history that has for the most part remained hidden from the public.  Just as I was NOT surprised by “some” of the revelations, I was totally surprised at others.

My biggest surprise was that a Black man wrote this wonderful book.  I can only imagine what other Blacks, men and women, would call him if they were aware of its contents.  But if they were aware, maybe they would begin to see the light.  Take any problem facing any two or more people and you would be fortunate to have a split decision, 50/50.  Yet in America today, over 90% of the Black community vote in block for Democratic Political Candidates and by extension the policies they represent.  This is the same Democratic Party that started the slave trade in America and kept it alive for over 100 years.  It’s the same Democratic Party that has used its political influence to maintain the American slave trade and to continue with horrific laws that never gave American Blacks a chance to share in the American Dream.  Therein lies the shocker.  Owens explains why this has happened and why it will continue to happen unless Black Communities become aware of just how Democratic Politicians and Democratic Policies have kept them on a modern day plantation by keeping them dependent upon the Government for their very existence. 

More shocking is how Owens singles out members of the Black communities who are elected to office and then legislate the very laws depriving other Blacks of their opportunity for succeeding.  Such laws keep everything in a status quo.  Owens explains the term The Talented Tenth that describes how some Black politicians and community leaders by their actions show that are the “elites” of the Black communities and they and only they know what is best for the remaining 90%.  To remain in power, they must maintain the types of legislation that has existed for decades that puts their collective thumbs on the scales of equality in favor of their legislative power instead of serving the people they are suppose to represent but don’t.  You will recognize their names.  Names such as Jackson, Waters, Conyers, Sharpton, Lee, and yes even Obama.

This is a shocking expose on race relations in America.  Who should read the book?  EVERYONE, WITHOUT EXCEPTION!  Would I read it again?  Probably.  Would I give it as a gift?  Already have!

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