WHOLLY BLACKBOOK

We must begin to lay emphasis on the genuine novelty and the apparent distinctness of who we are. We are people of immense greatness, kings, queens, princes, and princesses, noble people of dignity; and we must emphasize this without prejudice, shame, or bigotry. For we are not the only race endowed with these attributes and certain uniqueness. Every race has gifts and abilities that are unique to that race and it behooves all of us to respect those gifts. Our differences are the glue that bonds us together as human beings. But our accomplishments as people of color can only be evident when we begin eliminating that which has kept us in bondage, that which is much stronger than the physical chains that once shackled us. These are the shackles of cynicism and mistrust that we have towards each other...We must trustingly forge together our abilities, talents, gifts, and visions for the future putting finally to rest the insidiousness of mistrust.