kemetkind said:
I'm a relatively new member here - this is a wonderful place in so many ways.
However, my primary goal has always been to do something that makes a difference outside of just partaking of the knowledge and sharing that goes on here.
Brother Ibrahim and others have mentioned maybe a business could be spawned by Destee community, and a very similar concept was put forth in last week's brothers only chat.
That said it appears to me in my short stay here a MAJOR obstacle is TRUST.
I could be wrong, but from my vantage point it seems like there is heavy suspicion between members based on what seem to be surface differences in political philosophy.
How can this trust be strengthened? Can it be strengthened enough in an online setting to support a collective business or institution that reaches outside of Destee?
Brother Kemetkind ... i have seen Brother Ibrahim's thread, but was not privy to the discussion that took place during Brother's Only Chat, but i do know a little about the trust issue you present.
That major obstacle, trust, or lack thereof, is probably something that is present (to some degree or another) where ever we come together. It seems to be built into us, but i know that's not true. I know it is because of all the conditioning we've experienced ... taught not to trust each other, further encouraged by personal bad experiences with a Sister or Brother, and the fact that a Sister or Brother doesn't think exactly like we do. Yes, i believe the conditioning we have all been subject to, plays a part, but we also bring our own personal fears to the table with us.
Is there any Black organization, working for the betterment of our people, under the system of white supremacy ... that doesn't meet everyone who enters ... with a healthy sense of cautiousness? Based on history, any of us doing such work, would be foolish to not be wise regarding such things. The challenge here, is to limit that cautiousness to a healthy level for the growth of the organization. Limiting it in such a way, as to not throw out the baby with the bathwater. How much experience do each of us have, in determining who is for or against us, while actually having any amount of real control in managing it? For those who have this type of experience, i'm sure you'll agree, it's not the easiest thing to do.
There have been a few times over the years, where a Member's identity, agenda, etc., have been wrongly questioned. It has happened, and i'm sure it will happen again. For some, this is the first time they've had the opportunity to come together under a roof that houses so many diverse, intelligent, opposing, and sound arguments regarding issues we've all pondered. This alone will cause us to question whether we can trust someone. For example (and there are many, but this one easily illustrates what i'm saying), how can a Muslim truly trust a Christian, and vice versa? This is what we're taught. Sisters and Brothers, their foundations of life, diametrically opposed. This is what is in us. So we should not be surprised when that which is in us, comes out.
Brother Kemetkind ... for me, this community is that place where we can come and have these discussions. We can learn what another Sister or Brother is experiencing, thinking, believing, etc., and compare notes. When i started this community, there weren't a lot of places on the Internet, that catered to us in a positive manner. My goal was to prove that those who say we can't come together peacefully and respectfully, are liars. These things have now been accomplished.
Now that this place is here, and has been for some time, i see other things we need to master. One of them is us actually trusting each other. Us being the Sister or Brother we claim to be. Us being willing to leave a little room for error, giving our Sister or Brother the benefit of the doubt, credit that they may possibly present information you did not know. Us remembering that those we talk with here, are not the enemy. Without this place being here, i may never have (to the same degree) been aware of these other challenges. This process (this community) is like walking up steps. We get past one step, only to find another there, growing stronger as we climb each one. I believe this improvement, gaining of strength, is a never-ending process. We should not let what is found on that next step, stop us from moving on up the mountain.
What ever can come as a result of this place being here, i'm all for it. I know i've not put any ideas on the table regarding what can be done outside of this place, in addition to this place, etc., because my challenge is just to keep this place here ... but know ... i am more than willing to do all i can to help any positive effort initiated from our home.
This topic, trust, is like so many others that i try to be. I try to be trustworthy. I try to present myself in a manner that makes it easy for people to trust me. I try to be real, honest, and carry myself in such a way that every Member knows, they can trust me. I put my whole heart on the table, everything out in the open, in an effort to facilitate the trust you speak of. I give a certain amount of trust, to every Member that joins us. I trust what they tell me. Once i find out that trust has been violated, it is no longer given. Fortunately for me, that hasn't happened often. This returns me to my often said comment, it all begins with self.
I'm no expert at creating trust. I don't know how to make it be present for every single person, other than suggest, that every single person be truthful and trustworthy. As i type this, i'm wondering about those organizations before us, or that are going on right now, and mastered this trust issue. How did they do it? How did the UNIA, NOI, BPP, BLA, etc., overcome the issue of trust within their organizations?
Much Love and Peace.
Destee