Black Male's Perspective on the Sickness of 'I' Over 'WE'

 by KenRay SunYaru

Black folks, our current dominant relations of 'I' rampant individualism ‘you do you and I’ll do me’ self-absorption is not advantageous for us as an oppressed people to solve common problems and progress.

On a daily basis I see self-absorption 'individualistic preoccupation and entitlement gone wild' in young Black adults. I see young adult Black males walking around with ear buds in their ears ‘zoned out’ listening to rap music not paying attention while they’re walking constantly almost getting hit by vehicles and often times being hit; they have the arrogant disposition of 'I dare somebody to hit me'.

Moreover I see young adult Blacks males self-absorbed driving at high rates of speed listening to loud rap music ‘texting too’ in a preoccupied zone state zipping down residential streets totally ignoring stop signs with no regard for human life.

Also I see young adult Black women walking around zoned-out on their cell phones interacting ‘constantly talking and texting’ with social media along with constantly taking ‘selfies’ of themselves 'I look so good' totally oblivious to what’s going on around them; many of these young ladies recklessly speed drive too while interacting with social media.

Young adult Black males and females rampant self-absorbed individualism is a reflection of normalized ‘Narcissistic Personality Disorder’ (NPD) a mental sickness of arrogance and selfishness ‘Me, Myself, and I’ in which people have an inflated sense of their own self-importance; a deep need for excessive attention and admiration.

People with Narcissistic Personality Disorder have the following signs and symptoms which can vary:

*Have an exaggerated sense of self-importance; they are superior and can only associate with equally special people

*Have a sense of entitlement and require constant, excessive admiration

*Expect to be recognized as the best even without achievements that warrant it

*Exaggerate achievements and talents

*Be preoccupied with fantasies about success, power, brilliance, beauty or the perfect mate

*Monopolize conversations and belittle or look down on people they perceive as inferior

*Expect special favors and unquestioning compliance with their expectations

*Take advantage 'manipulate and exploit' others to get what they want

*Have an inability or unwillingness to recognize the needs and feelings of others

*Be envious of others and believe others envy them

*Behave in an arrogant or haughty manner, coming across as conceited, boastful, and pretentious

*Insist on having top shelf - the best clothes, jewelry, cars, etc.

People with narcissistic personality disorder have trouble handling anything they perceive as criticism, and they can:

*Become impatient or angry when they don't receive special treatment

*Have significant interpersonal problems and easily feel slighted

*React with rage or contempt and try to belittle the other person to make themselves appear superior

*Have difficulty regulating emotions and behavior

*Experience major problems dealing with stress and adapting to change

*Feel depressed and moody because they fall short of perfection

*Have internal feelings of low self-esteem, insecurity, shame, vulnerability, and humiliation

Indeed rampant Black individualism 'individualistic preoccupation and entitlement gone wild' causes defeating and destructive competition over cooperation; it fosters major selfishness that facilitates divisiveness, distrust, disorganization, overwhelmed 'me against the world', crime, alienation, depression, anxiety, and substance abuse; it undermines and breaks down family and community relationships; it facilities misplaced rivalry and violence.

Black folks We must understand clearly that we don’t suffer from racism as individuals! Our historical progress against white supremacy was due to ‘WE’ cooperation. Indeed we must realize that the advancement of an oppressed people like us is based on the progress of the majority of us and not a minority of rich individuals amongst us.

We must realize the majority of us have become sick with rampant individualism; the current racist 'white backlash' including voter suppression has been met with less resistance due to our individualism; yes rampant individualism keeps us 'divided and conquered'.

We must 'rebuild' by healing and breaking down this rampant individualism and Narcissistic Personality Disorder; instilling within ourselves a sense of humility and a greater sense of togetherness ‘Unity’. We must consistently promote cooperation around us and constantly find commonality in struggling against racial oppression for self-determination.