The Walt Weekly Podcast

The Strategy of Divide and Conquer

Merriam Webster defines divide and conquer as: to make a group of people disagree and fight with one another so that they will not join together against one

The strategy of divide and conquer goes back to Julius Caesar even further than that. It is a tool used by those in power to maintain the status quo. This is done both militarily and socially. It fosters fights within groups. Keeps them distrusting each other.

The Walt Weekly is apolitical. Which means we look at any issues through the lens of “what is the threat or benefit to the Black American and other minorities”. This is clearly reflected in our Mission Statement.

However, the time has come for us to call out those Black conservatives that push the politics of the extreme right wing of the Republican party. You can be a democrat or republican as a Black person but it is tantamount to being a traitor. Imagine what our ancestors would say if they knew that whites had surrogates pushing an agenda detrimental to Black people.  I guess this is nothing new. Throughout history there have been these types of people. Usually, in the case of slaves, they would spy and enforce the wishes of the master to get favored treatment. We refer to them has house n****s.

How I Met Stokely Carmichael

When we arrived in Conakry, the capital and checked into one of their best hotels, the desk clerk recognizing  me as an American, informed me that Stokely Carmichael was a guest. I gave the desk clerk a tip and asked him to tell Mr. Carmichael that I wanted to meet him.

The following day, I was given the room number and time. Boy, can you imagine that I was meeting The Stokely Carmichael one of the founders of the Black Panthers. I was ecstatic and nervous.

Upon entering the dim room, I believe his wife was sleeping; I noticed he was wearing a white African outfit. we sat on the couch and proceeded to talk. He informed me that he was now known as Quamé Touré which was a name given to him by the president of the country, Pres. Sekou Touré.

We had a lively conversation talking about my gold business and what had happened to him. He asked me how I was coping in the US.

He was very clear about the following positions :

• Black Americans should have their own country
• It should be somewhere like Texas or California
• We should fight to get it

I immediately disagreed saying that we should pursue wealth. How can we fight a war with no money?  The focus should be on the accumulation of wealth and the education of our children.

He was a separatist but was willing to listen to my position. In other words, we agreed to disagree. He did not try to change my mind. He was very kind. He could have loudly blown me off.

I thanked him for meeting and praised him for what he had done. I also told him how proud I was to meet the “Man”. I then wished him well and left to go up-country to buy this high purity gold dust. It was 93% pure by the way.

After checking out of the hotel, and before going up-country, I went to stay with the Tolbert’s. The two sons, who escaped Sergeant Doe’s coup and murder of their father who was the first president of Liberia and other members of their family. This is a story for another time.

Quamé Touré aka Stokely Carmichael died on November 15, 1998.

Here are some quotes from Mr. Touré:

• There is a higher law than the law of government. That's the law of conscience
• The secret of life is to have no fear; it's the only way to function.
• Before a group can enter the open society, it must first close ranks
• Now, then, in order to understand white supremacy we must dismiss the fallacious notion that white people can give anybody their freedom

The Jay Z and NFL Deal - Why No Kaepernick?

Why are we disagreeing with each other over Jay Z’s deal with the NFL?

The NFL announced the new deal with Jay-Z and Roc Nation on August 13. Together, the two organizations say they will collaborate on various social justice initiatives, as well as Super Bowl halftime shows. The same week, TMZ also reported that Jay-Z was exploring potential part ownership of an NFL team.
 
Kaepernick has not played in an NFL game since 2016.

How did Kaepernick get into the equation? The media put him there. This continues to divide us and maintain the status.

Black Home Ownership Has Fallen To Its Lowest Level in 50 Years

I was shocked, dismayed, hurt, and above all had this feeling of dread when I heard that Black American home ownership has fallen to its lowest level in 50 years. According to The National Association of Real Estate Brokers, the passage of the Fair Housing Act in 1968 helped remove legal discrimination in housing purchases. Even though discrimination was rampant, blacks were able to buy homes in their neighborhoods.

I couldn’t believe what I was reading. So, I continued my research and came up with this:

• Black Homeownership ended in 2016 at 41.7 percent
• This is down from almost 9% since 2004 according to the US Census Bureau

Why We Can't Protest Effectively

It has always puzzled me why we have not been to able effect change utilizing our right to assemble and protest peacefully. Why is that other groups can come together and protest and produce change or compromise?

He Finally Went There: Go Back to Where You Came From!

How did you feel when the president went there? It was only a matter of time. You may have notice that I have refused and will continue not to say the name of the current occupant of the White House. It has also been my experience that overt racism was a sign of insecurity. Smart and confident people don’t resort to such primitive behavior. 

Growing up in Eastern North Carolina during the 60’s, racism was open. A white kid could call me the n-word and I responded with cracker. We knew where we stood and moved on from there. Now being the head of the country is another problem all together.

In an earlier episode of this show, I was very clear when I said that Black Americans did not come from Africa. We may have blood lines back to the Continent, but after being snatched away by force and separated and made slaves, this country is as much ours than any white man. Our blood runs through the fabric of this country. Without us, No country.   

I Still Can't Believe It

We need to acknowledge that we slant towards white businesses at our own detriment. Why is this bad? Because this money leaves our neighborhood and increases their wealth at the expense of ours. Think! Wealth brings better homes, education of our kids, and the transfer of wealth to our kids and grand kids. It also provides skills and jobs and gives us more than just financial strength but Political strength.  

The burden of correcting this problem is not only with the customer. It also falls squarely in the lap of the service provider. I ave found that the short-term gain is more important than establishing a reputation for quality performance. Why do we continue to do this?

Being Black In Corporate America

What are you going to do when they come for you?

I have been working in Multinational Corporations for more than 30 years

From 1 Wall Street to Tokyo, Japan, as I rose up the corporate ladder, the less Black and other minorities I saw. This got to the extreme in most instances. I was the only Black person in the room

What you have to understand is that the higher we go the less we are represented. As they say, it is lonely at the top.

 This occurred throughout my career

Being good at what you do does not prevent them from cutting you when there is a Reduction in Force. To be perfectly honest, Last Hired, First Fired

 Knowing your value and being dedicated to exceptional performance is the key to longevity

 Know that you are the best, and prove it!

What ever you need in your toolbox, BS, MBA, Certification, get it. This serves to level the playing field a bit

Survival: I Have Had An Epiphany

Do you laugh at those people who test their abilities to survive off the grid by intentionally going into hostile environments, build shelters, store food and arms, and train their children to be able to defend their homes with weapons?

Folks I had an epiphany and I don’t see anyone, with the exception of white people taking action.

What did I realize? We have failed to do those things that gives us the best chance of surviving a catastrophic event.  

Do you watch movies and TV shows depicting pandemics, species ending meteor strikes, military invasions, and major storms?

 

Are we ready to contribute to the protection of our country, home, family and property? This is food for thought. You decide whether you ignore this or start taking action to survive.

 

The possibility of a catastrophic event is real. Some planning is required. Take baby steps. Get to stepping!

The Mission

Changing mindsets