Slave Mentality

Slave Mentality: Whom Shall I Fear?

Elder Daniel Osbie


I was at work the other day when one of the African American managers asked one of the 18 year old African American employees to take out thee garbage. The problem with that was that it was after closing time and there is a strict policy on the job concerning going outside to the dumpster after dark. Rightfully so, the 18 year old told the manager that he was not going outside to the dumpster especially considering some of the recent crime that has taken place in the area. It is safe to say that there was slight tension but it all blew over. The following week the same 18-year-old employee was scheduled to get off at a certain time but one of the Caucasian managers wanted him to stay an additional two hours. Frustrated, the young man came to me and voiced that he did not want to stay. I replied that I understood so he just needed to let the manager know. His reply shocked me, concerned me, and I must admit angered me slightly. His reply was “I don’t want to, I’m scared.” Now being in management myself I could have easily went to the manager myself and let her know that he did not want to but I felt that would have not been in the best interest for this 18year old African American male who is about to start a new adult life in society. I told him that as an adult and an employee, it was his responsibility to speak up for himself and tell the manager himself. As the night carried on the situation grew. When the manager would come the young man’s direction, he would literally drop his head and walk away in the other direction. Infuriated by the fact that this young man is on the verge of setting African Americans back forty plus years I pulled him to the side. I asked him had he ever heard the term “Slave Mentality” and he replied no. I explained that when the African American, Male manager asked him to do something, he did not hesitate to voice his frustration and was bold enough to tell the manager that he would not do it. However when the Caucasian, female manager asked him to do something, he voice to me his fear, hung his head down, and walked away. At that moment, he turned his back on me and walked away refusing to hear anything else I had to say. This is really something to ponder, after Harriet Tubman, Frederick Douglass, Martin Luther King, Malcolm X, and even Barack Obama, there are still African Americans who fear Caucasians. Now it must be made clear to the audience reading this that I am not racist. I love all of God’s people regardless of color. However I am aware that I live in a society where although not always in the open, I am still judged not by the content of my character but the color of my skin. However, Psalms 139:14 reminds me that “I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” I have rights and privileges given to me by God and if need be regardless of who tries t take those rights and privileges away from me, I must stand up for those rights. Authority should be respected regardless of color, but Authority must give respect regardless of color. Moreover, if I am comfortable enough to stand up to those who are just like me, I should also be just bold and comfortable enough to stand up to those who may be different because of race, social or financial status. Psalms 27:1 says, “The Lord is my light and my salvation, Whom Shall I Fear?” A West African symbol that I hold very dear is the “Gye Nyami” symbol, which means “Except for God.” It recognizes the supremacy of God, there are none great Except for God, there are none righteous except for God, and there are none that should be feared Except For God. It is past time that we realize that we as African Americans as well as all other people are created in the image of God and we are entitled to walk within the boldness righteousness, and BOLDNESS of God. Moreover, if God, in His entire splendor, gives you the right to “Come Boldly to the Throne of Grace,” then we truly should have no problem going before any man with boldness and confidence.