The Framework: Structure for the Black Community

By Andrew Raybon

This succinct overview of black experiences and realities serves as a guide to take rather complex circumstances and translate them into a series of lessons. Andrew Raybon pulls from his life experiences, ranging through various social classes, to encourage communities of color to reframe our objectives and responsibilities to each other. Heavy

• Language: English
• Publisher: Andrew Raybon
• Release date: Nov 17, 2020
• ISBN: 9780578766546

Andrew Raybon

Andrew Raybon is a service member who is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Human Services with a Concentration in Psychology. Andrew has always been interested in the black community, while also trying to figure out his role in the grand scheme of black unity and progression. After years of military service he prepares for a career change and finally finds his pathway. The Framework: Structure for the Black Community is the culmination of his life experiences translated into short and concise lessons for people of color, with hopes that we recognize the power in our combined effort. Andrew meticulously considers some of the most polarizing thoughts and ideas impacting the black community to create a new school of thought that can be embraced by all. The concepts he seeks to outline are deeply moving and symbolic of the way he chooses to live his life. His studies inform him immensely and that provides the foundation of his work. Transformative thinking and unique social spheres have allowed him to create an identity for himself, and in turn he hopes to use that experience to inform communities of color.

Book preview

Preface

The intention behind this book is to create a road-map for people of color, particularly for those in the black community. This book will include lessons learned, highlight common fallacies, address racism, and uncover the gravity of our actions and inactions. Much of the information that will be presented is not new. There have been thousands of brilliant people of color who have come before me, explained the conditions in which we live, and paved the way for us to maneuver successfully. I still, however, find it beneficial to create a guide that enables us to push toward the future and find ways to reach new levels of success and discernment.

At times it can be a bit overwhelming to consider the plight of our people comprehensively. To be clear, there is no shame in this. It is the responsibility of the leaders among us to use our positions and intellect to navigate these situations to benefit the community at large. Every voice of reason must be heard, and we must find innovative ways to continue the work of our ancestors through our talents and tenacity. This, in part, is my aspired contribution. There are many issues we face, and as we turn the page to a new decade, there must be a more strategic plan to address the issues commonly seen throughout our communities.

One extremely troubling event that highlighted the deep racial tension in this country was the murder of George Floyd. This event in and of itself remains unacceptable, particularly because of America’s stature and standing in the world. The eyes of the world were opened in new ways at the cost of yet another black man. This event has rekindled underlying racial tensions that have remained constant, although these tensions have been newly inflamed.

The current condition of our country is deeply troubling. We are among the most capable countries in the world, yet we witness division on a daily basis. This division, especially in some parts of the country, has reached a level of normalcy. It would be mortifying for the United States, which is among the most successful civilizations in the world, to collapse largely because of racial tensions, radical extremists, domestic terrorists, and blatant ignorance. For this reason and many more, it is imperative that we address these issues smartly, proactively, honestly, and as a nation. Adversaries are reluctant to inflict harm upon us, but we can certainly inflict harm upon ourselves.

George Floyd’s death was sickening, as were the deaths of countless other black men and women in this country. To have an opposing position on this matter shows a fundamental lack of human empathy. It is unequivocally wrong to witness an American citizen killed by a public servant and protector and yet fail to see the blunders associated with the way in which these events unfolded.

In my experience, the general fallacy, particularly with the thoughts and opinions of blatantly ignorant individuals, is that race in no way, shape,