Escapism is a mental diversion by means of entertainment or recreation, as an "escape" from the perceived unpleasant or banal aspects of daily life. - Wikipedia
Witnessing for years a black man recreate his father and mother's hurtful past, I couldn't help but wonder had he recognized what he was doing. Did he know that trying to play toxic roles that they created for themselves was not therapeutic? They were divorced. These people had used non-blacks to help them escape their past pain. They had took on yet another identity, not their own, in an effort to hide past disappointments. But running from one's self, background, environment, and more did little to bring peace to the former couple who went on to marry non-blacks. The young man who saw the foolishness of parents had taken his own identity and wrapped it up in what he thought was best for him with his mother's stamp of approval. He too would attempt to run from his black wounded self.
Some African Americans have done something like what has been described when it comes to personal and professional relationships. If the person, place or thing is unpleasant and one is tired of having to battle with he, she or it, then the question arises, "What should I do?" Typically, the one accusing others of running when things get heated in relationships, at work, and elsewhere, ends up being the runner. After one has found safety in a wicked non-black group, large costly house, expensive automobile, immoral sex, or something else that causes additional headaches, he or she no longer deals with deep-rooted issues. The focus is now on the person, place or thing they are using to escape one's unpleasant past life. Although the side effects of previous pain are apparent, the stubborn and self-righteous man, woman, or child is not going to address them. "Leave me be! I just want to laugh, cry, have fun looking at someone or something else...don't make me look at me! Okay?" The Runner cries.
For so long, many African Americans have run from those black conscious thinkers that remind them of their differences from others, and why they must separate themselves from worldly thinkers, idol worshipers, immoral activities, and the like. But the "I know everything" types will continue to wallow in their mess justifying their ugly ways while attempting to recruit others to take a swim in their filth.
Looking to despicable music, video games, movies, and senseless printed media to escape responsibilities, the African American nowadays does little for the body, mind or soul especially after receiving one's most coveted degree. Tossing back a few too many drinks and smoking up this thing and that one only causes one's mind to contort into nothing more than a zombie over time. A walking dead man or woman can't remember much, is unable to articulate well, will not stay faithful in a relationship, is not a good parent, has trouble focusing on tasks, and is unable to accomplish anything worthwhile from all his or her partying over the years. There comes a point when one just can't escape from truth anymore! He or she has to look at the person looking back at him or her in the mirror. It is then that self-reflection will make one view his or her life decisions.
Society's evil delights entrap, debilitate, and cause chaos in the family home and in other places. Sure, they look good, feel nice, and do other things that attract the weak-minded, but you know it is all smoke and mirrors when you can't do much else with these evil delights except ask for more. Those who have spent anytime feeling like a prisoner in a relationship or have been to prison, know what it feels like to have one's freedom taken away. Entertainment and guilty pleasures restricts minds--imprisons them so that they can't think of anything more than to get one's fleshly needs met, sometimes by any means necessary. Take a look at example after example of celebrities who thought that by using their money to buy things in an effort to escape their pain they would be happy only to find their darkest secrets exposed for all the world to see.
Deep thinking is absent when one is high off a substance, a new purchase, another relocation, a new love, and other things. Those that "been there, done that" know that many African Americans are weak to substance abuse, gambling and shopping. Unfortunately, these same people will take those weaknesses and capitalize off of them. They could care less about one's problems. For some haters, they hope the African American family self-destructs. They have no problem leading the sheep to slaughter to fatten their wallets. If one's mind is unconscious he or she will keep right on doing devilish things that will eventually cost lives.
This is just something to think about for those who love sipping, puffing, and watching all things ugly on TV and the Internet--life is too short, welcome yourself back to reality.
Nicholl McGuire shares insightful audio/video here.
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