I was talking with an African American male and he mentioned “black fatigue.” I listened to him as he talked about how this was a factor in the African American community. After talking with this gentleman I remembered something I had heard a few years back. It isn’t “black fatigue” African Americans need to worry about. The agent of African American demise is “white fatigue.”
According to US Department of Education’s Education Resources Information Center (ERIC), “’white fatigue’ occurs for white students who have grown tired of learning and discussing race and racism, despite an understanding of the moral imperative of anti-racist and anti-oppressive practices.” For African Americans in the USA this is a key to their future. Younger white people have grown tired of discussing racism. This white exhaustion is taking place while a vast majority of African Americans are busy making social media posts about male/female relationships and chicken wings. Forget “black fatigue”. The fatigue that is going to kill African Americans is white.
“Black fatigue” is basically the everyday pressure an African American faces while living in the USA. Is ‘black fatigue’ a real issue? Yes. Any person of color with a lick of sense knows what the USA is about and understands this fact of life. ‘White fatigue’ is the issue that is going to put African American heads on the guillotine. Many younger white people don’t care that there are racist activities or practices. These will be the whites who will eventually run the USA. What kind of sympathy do you think they will have for the ignorant masses of African Americans?
African Americans need to look in the mirror before you start feeling pity for yourselves. Look at the images you have embraced over the last two decades. The embracing of what can only be called “coon” stereotypes. The nappy headed pickaninny look many African American males have adopted. Add this nappy head to the thug image African American males have grasped since the mid 1990’s and you have a hot mess. Don’t laugh African American females. Many African American females have adopted the image of Hattie McDaniels in Gone with the Wind. The fake hair, lashes, obesity, demeanor of many African American females leaves much to be desired. Why would white people want to hear anything about the plight of African Americans with the previous sentences in mind? African Americans have become the racist stereotypes whites always said they were. Success achieved.
African Americans need to stop being manipulated by white hands. There needs to be some form of accountability enforced in African American homes and heads. African Americans are so caught up with bashing each other that they don’t see the danger they are in. African Americans are so wound up in frivolous activities until they can’t see the sky is falling. White people are using terms like “white fatigue” to create an excuse to drop the hammer on African Americans. What are African Americans doing to counter? Your guess is as good as any.
African Americans need to stop looking to other so called “people of color” for assistance. Mexican people and even the Africans from Africa, are separating themselves from the African American. Oh, these other people of color will laugh and watch African Americans play sports. Betting on African American success in basketball, or making it rain on some African American female stripper is not coming to the rescue. African American people, you need to understand that you have no friends. Your greatest friends are each other. Stop hating, killing, and belittling your greatest asset.
The African American road to success is difficult. African Americans need to admit that they have been duped. Admit that the route the race is on in 2025 only leads to death. It is hard to do a 180 degree turn doing 120 mph. This is the task African Americans have to accomplish. If African Americans do not adjust, ‘black fatigue’ will be the least of their problems. ‘White fatigue’ will lead to Black Death.
Frank James IV © 2025
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. “Being Frank” is a bi-weekly column exclusive to the Milwaukee Times Weekly Newspaper.
