June 19, 1865 was a day that should be etched onto every African American soul. This is the day people celebrate in honor of the last slaves being freed in the USA. 161 years ago slavery was officially over in the USA. If this was the case, why are many African American people still acting like slaves?
African Americans are free. The US government has even made June 19th a Federal Holiday. Why are many African Americans still in some form of slavery? Why does such a vast number of African Americans act like they are still under Master’s thumb? The answer is so simple it is complex. The African American was physically freed, but never mentally freed. Many African Americans are still slaves in the mind.
Let’s get right down to cases. In the 1800’s African Americans were bought and sold on the auction block. In 2026 African Americans are still bought and sold on evolved auction blocks. These auction blocks are now called trade blocks, or drafts. I can hear the outrage from sports fans around the country. “These people are making millions of dollars. You crazy.” Crazy like a fox. The stud slave made his owner money via being rented out for various duties. White owners also staged fisticuff events that generated money and entertainment. Many of these stud slaves often had high status on the plantation. These slaves received the best shack, better treatment, and the pick of the females. Some even got a horse. Translate those benefits into 2026 and you see the similarity. The prize pro athlete often has a big house, starlets, Bentley cars, etc. Can you see the slave residue?
The insane part of the previous example, is that African American slaves dreaded their child being put on the auction block. In 2026, many African Americans pray to Jesus that their child can be on one of the various pro sport draft blocks. Manipulation of the mind is a hell of a thing.
This exploration of the prize buck has evolved in 2026 to include the African American female. Various sports have conquered the African American male mind and have now gained a foothold in the African American female mind. Rise of female pro sports leagues have driven African American parents of many female offspring insane. Before many African American female children can understand they are female, their lunatic father puts a basketball in their hand. This is especially true, if the man wanted a son. The African American female child is made to live out the father’s hoop dream that he never achieved. A classic case of misspent frustration. Often this same hoop crazed parent is shocked, or confused, when his daughter changes their gender, or prefers a lesbian lifestyle.
The previous paragraphs depicted physical manifestations of slavery in 2026. Now let’s get to the crux that enables slavery to thrive in today’s USA. The conquering of the African American mind. The physical enslavement of African Americans ended in 1865. The mental enslavement of African Americans is in full effect in 2026. Here are a few examples. The way an African American male can causally kill another African American. The way African Americans easily exploit their women in all facets of entertainment. The way the African American male has adapted feminine hairstyles and dress over the past 20 years. These are all examples of mental slavery in African Americans.
Free your mind should be the rallying cry of all African American people. The dependency on the white power structure inhibits this to a point. One simple thought can change the African American conundrum. The thought, “I live here in the USA, but I don’t have to buy into everything society dictates.” This thought enables an African American person to live and prosper in the USA and not be overwhelmed mentally by the constant barrage of mental slave enticements. An African American person can do their job, live, enjoy life because they are observers and not participants.
Think and be free. Stop acting like a slave.
Frank James IV © 2026
beingfrankwithfrank@gmail.com
The opinions expressed in this editorial are those of the writer and not of the Milwaukee Times Weekly Newspaper or HT Group, LLC, its staff or management. “Child Watch” is a weekly column available at https://www.childrensdefense.org/child-watch-columns.
