Submitted by Jerilyn Bridges, Nov 1, 2006 09:33

Mr. Black from the upper middle class. I think it is you that have the misinformation problem! I am an African American from the lower class. You would be surprised how liver our views are! But then, I hardly expect you to have a conversation with me or my kind!

Most upper middle income African Americans are ususally appalled to find that lower class blacks are college educated. Most of us have given up on the church being anything but a greedy parasite intent on taking money. We attend and leave it there. Here's a shocker for you: some of us are not even Christian! We have left that religion to our parents to reform and guard.

We keep our own statistics and do not bewail the demise of the Black family! We cry over the death if the Black village! While you read Sharazad Ali, We read Bell Hooks. Our single daughters usually become single mothers as much through adoption as well as birth! We are so scared of state intrusion that when we find ourselves on a welfare list that we did not apply for,our first reaction is to go down to the Social Security OPffice and cry identity theft before realizing that that statistic and list are part of some calculated bit of propaganda ment to brainwash us into the need for a man, church,Republican Party, etc. Our single-mothers demand a PHD. But will settle for a Masters degree. We are not unanimous in how much education our mates need. We're not unanimous in out need for a mate yet! Remember, we have our own statistics and have no problem quoting them. It drives the Moniham folks crazy that we quote Gloria Stienman-and her husband .

We drag the UN crime statistics to every " black-on-black crime meeting". When we deal in facts, the meetings end early with comments like" these people don't want help". Our response is usually" these folks are up to Something."

So, What are you and the upper-middle class up to? Remember: my brother is a lawyer, my sister is an officer in the navy, and my mother is a PHD. and I teach the mentally handicapped.

Chose your words carefully.

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