Around What Does Your Revolution Revolve?

In my generation it seems to be fashionable, fancy, fun, and cutting edge to speak about REVOLUTION. I mean, after all, many of the most prominent figures in African American history were revolutionaries. It sounds cool to bring up in conversation or conjure up in a poem the names of Mary McLeod Bethune, Sojourner Truth, Harriet Tubman 0r Brother Malcolm and there's nothing better than feeling extra smart and enlightened in front of a bunch of lessors. However, I've gotta say that all the talk is meaningless if there is no action following the gum flapping.

Gil said that the revolution wouldn't be televised. Unfortunately, he didn't tell me that it also won't be on the radio, in the newspaper, in blogs, in community centers, in government agencies, in our actions, or even in churches. He didn't tell me that the revolution would be invisible. Left to our own devices my generation seems inspired to speak yet uninspired to act upon those words. We talk an amazing game, but have nothing to back it up. In thinking about many of the people I know who love to holler out the word, REVOLUTION, I can think of a small few, if any really, who are actually turning the revolutionary wheel. Almost nobody volunteers in their respective communities. Nobody is tutoring. Nobody is mentoring. Nobody is feeding the hungry. Nobody is caring for the elderly. Nobody is starting a business. Nobody is donating money. And so, I have to ask, if one is so damned revolutionary, around what does that revolution revolve? What is at the center of this imaginary revolution I keep hearing about?

We scream revolution every chance we get yet we can't even manage to get young brothas to pull up their pants and stop providing unsolicited peep shows to the unfortunate souls around them. We pump our tightly balled fists in the air while wearing a black glove but we can't wait to put our arms down so we can run home to watch the latest booty shakin' video on BET. We extol the virtues of the beautiful revolutionary black woman but can't stop ourselves from calling her a ho or bitch. So, again, I'm trying to figure out around what this revolution I keep hearing about revolves? Sure, lighting incense is nice. Wearing one's hair in it's natural state is great. Putting some black art up on the walls is chic. However, what does any of that mean when it's time for action?

If the goal is truly to be revolutionary, then we can shock the world by doing the unimaginable. We can shut our mouths and get to work. It's hard to be revolutionary when one is talking all the time instead of doing. Let's put down the facade and pick up the real work. Now that is revolutionary.