Mr Ejike Okpa amongst Bilateral Chamber Trade Mission delegates, led by Bilateral Chairman, Mr. David L. Phillips, meet with H.E. Dr. Abdul Hussain Ali Mirza, Kingdom of Bahrain

I do not want to be like anyone else. I want to be me. I want to be responsible and accountable for my actions. In US America, we are pushed and pulled into the culture of hero-worshipping such that many inadvertently are drawn into modeling their life based on processed information about someone. I ask God to help me to know more about myself, since he created me. So far, He has not disappointed.
 
Black communities home and abroad are either grappling with racism as in the case of African-Americans, or with tribalism in the case of sub-Saharan Africans. Take the case of Somalia where no other language or tribe exists, they are presumably one tribal family. It is one of the most dysfunctional nations on the planet. So even when the degree of homogeneity and or blood congruity is high, the outcome is still lousy and despondent.
 
The black person whether well-educated or barely educated falls into the category of self-pity. The leadership in Africa somehow believe that the west in cohort with former colonial masters are still pulling the strings and holding them back. Becoming pure victims of their own imagination and self-inflicted poisons, Africans damage their economies.
 
I refuse to become a victim of other peoples’ experience and history.  I often ask – what do you want done to elevate or alleviate the situation? I get a blank answer or ‘let’s pray about it’ and while at it, maybe you can support my non-profit. Unsurprisingly, 80% of businesses formed in Texas by blacks are for non-profit. I ask, whose profit are they looking for in order to be rewarded with non-profit monies? I get a stare.

When I ran for Mayor of Dallas, most African-Americans asked me to seek Pastors and black leaders to help, calling them black leaders. I asked who they were and each time, the answer had different names. But when I ask, who are the leaders of WHITE people, I get a stare and a  ‘what do you mean?’ look. It is a sin to be independent and think for oneself in my community. But again, I must be ME or there is no ME. We have yielded our mental capacity and self-drive to group identity, factor and influence – monolithic.
 
What is the value of group identity if all it does is make some wait behind or in-line so that the so called leaders decide for them? The herd mentality and culture of ‘us’ versus ‘them’ has robbed the community asset of individual strength which when supported by collective backing makes things happen. Martin Luther King did not say ‘WE’ Have a Dream.’ He said, “I HAVE A DREAM.” Where is the ‘I’ in the sense of the present day black/African whether on the continent or in-country US America? It has been diluted because the so called black leaders are riding in glory on the back of a people that have foolishly and sheepishly handed their destiny to them, undermining their collective existence.
 
Many a Moses in black communities claiming to have been to the mountain top come down with tablets that contain nothing collateral to enhance the lives of those looking for deliverance. Until my answer for ‘white leaders’ is delivered/given – since by default we unduly compare our lives to what ‘White folks’ are doing or getting, I have decided walk into the wilderness and do what the meaning of my last name Okpa stands for – fend for myself and bring home whatever I catch. I believe God is an impartial creator. Therefore, I must show up and compete for what is available.
 
I will collaborate and cooperate, and when necessary, yield, but will not out of timidity and sheepishness join just because I am black and ought to behave in a certain way. I rest by deploying what Warren Christopher was told when after law school he sought a mentor. The mentor told him, "Warren – jump into the stream of history and swim as fast as you can." That was all he told him. Does that make sense? Never get to a traffic light that is green and wait for some driver to signal you to pass. Doing so may lead to fatality.
 
By Ejike E. Okpa II
Dallas, Texas.