Are We There Yet?: The Ultimate Challenge

By Martin L. Davis

How many of us have to die at the hands of our own people before we say enough is enough to black-on-black violence? How long will we continue on this path of self-destruction? How long will we continue to live our lives in a position of weakness and ignorance?

In Are We There Yet?, author Martin L. Davis provides the blueprint for what people of color need to do to change their standing in American society and throughout the world. It delivers a blow-by-blow, step-by-step, challenge-by-challenge outline that speaks directly to the heart of the ills black people face today. It addresses how black Americans can correct those ills internally, without outside help or influence.

Complete with concrete directives, initiatives, and challenges to the black population, Are We There Yet? clearly dictates that black Americans take responsibility and be accountable for their actions and inactions. Davis maintains that following the multiple directives and challenges collectively will guarantee a dramatic and positive change in our communities, our place in American society, and better interaction among one another as a people.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Archway Publishing
• Release date: Jul 29, 2014
• ISBN: 9781480809239

Martin L. Davis

Martin L. Davis is a community organizer, youth mentor, career development coach, inspirational speaker, and political activist. He has more than twenty-five years of experience dealing with troubled youth in urban areas throughout America. Davis and his wife have four children. This is his debut book.

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Copyright © 2014 Martin L. Davis.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

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ISBN: 978-1-4808-0922-2 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4808-0921-5 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4808-0923-9 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2014912568

Archway Publishing rev. date: 07/17/14

CONTENTS

Preface

Introduction

Challenge 1     It All Starts And Ends With Love Of Oneself

Challenge 2     You Bought Into The Lie

Challenge 3     The First Black President

Challenge 4     Why Are We Killing One Another?

Challenge 5     Drive-By Shootings: A Punk-Ass Move!

Challenge 6     Over Some Stupid Stuff!

Challenge 7     What Did You Gain? You’re Still Struggling!

Challenge 8     The Knockout Game—When You Thought It Couldn’t Get Any Worse

Challenge 9     A Game Changer—How About We Respect One Another?

Challenge 10   They’re Laughing At Us

Challenge 11   Making Friends Or Enemies?

Challenge 12   There Are Rules To This!

Challenge 13   Things Our Ancestors Died For Yesterday Are Killing Us Today

Challenge 14   The Koch Brothers’ Vote And Your Vote Are Equal

Challenge 15   Owning And Supporting Black Businesses

Challenge 16   The Nike Challenge

Challenge 17   The N-Word: It’s Time For Retirement

Challenge 18   Now Really! This Is How We Spend Our Dollars?

Challenge 19   We’re Our Own Worst Enemy

Challenge 20   I Don’t Have To Hate Your People To Love My People

Challenge 21   Making The Best Of A Bad Situation

Challenge 22   All Things Being Equal

Challenge 23   Double Standards

Challenge 24   Know Your Enemy

Challenge 25   Modern-Day Slavery: The Big House To The Warehouse

Challenge 26   Be Brilliant!

Challenge 27   Our Own Think Tank

Challenge 28   Manhood—My Word Is My Bond

Challenge 29   A Healthier You

Challenge 30   Fear Of A Black Planet

Challenge 31   Religion—The X Factor

Challenge 32 Step Your Game Up!

Challenge 33   My Dreams Are Reality In The Making.

Challenge 34   Don’t Just Speak About It—Be About It!

Final Dedications

Resource Bibliography

The Author:

To my loving wife, Mary, and my four incredible sons, Jason, Jeffre, Bryan, and D’Andre. To my mom and dad (John R. and Marie L. Davis), who have been married for more than fifty-two years and have given me guidance and support my entire life. I’m so proud to have you as my parents, and I admire and want to duplicate the love you share as a couple. Thanks for the love and support you’ve always given me throughout my life. To my brothers—John, Donald, and Scott—and my brother from another mother, Ed House; all of you guys in some way have made me a better man, and I love and appreciate you for that.

I live and work in the Chicagoland area, and the issue of black-on-black violence prompted me to want to do something to make a significant difference in our communities. As John E. Lewis said, If not us, then who? If not now, then when?

To all my friends, family, neighbors, associates, and people I have yet to meet, I hope I make you proud.

PREFACE

FIRST AND FOREMOST, I WANT to take the time to thank you for taking the time to pick up and read my book. I want to let you know that I wrote this book in a manner as though I were having a conversation at the local barbershop on a Saturday morning. The barbershop is one of those sacred places for men of color to get together and share our thoughts, goals, issues, and concerns on relationships, politics, family, and religion—you name it. Nothing is off-limits at the neighborhood barbershop; we have some heated debates within those four walls. (Whew! If you only knew.) But it’s that one place where brothers congregate and network, and there is a brotherhood and camaraderie there that I can’t say I see many other places outside of a church, temple or a mosque. So my thoughts, comments, observations, challenges, and recommendations are written down in my book as though they were an actual conversation between some folks waiting to get their hair cut and myself. Over the years, many of these conversations have actually taken place at the barbershop, and those conversations definitely helped me in structuring this book. So in the end, my goal is to make certain that you, the reader, will get actual recommendations, directives, and challenges so that, if and when they are diligently implemented into our way of life, we can begin to solve the many problems facing people of color.

Now the best part, unlike many other books where the author is just complaining, pointing out the obvious, spewing negativity, and simply documenting the plight of the black man and woman, I decided to present concrete directives, initiatives and challenges to our people. My book clearly dictates that we take responsibility and be accountable for our actions and inactions. If we follow the multiple directives and challenges collectively, I can guarantee that we will see a dramatic positive change in our communities and our place in American society, and better interaction among one another as a people. We will be more influential in politics and in corporate America. In this book, I will direct you to various reference materials that will enlighten, educate, uplift, and hopefully motivate you to become a better human being. If I’m successful and you read this book in its entirety, you will ultimately feel better about yourself, your people, and your new role in society. You will become more knowledgeable regarding the history of our people, our heritage, our culture, our footprint throughout the world, and the remarkable contributions people of color have made to civilization.

The reason why I chose the title Are We There Yet? can be explained very easily. I simply want to ask people of color the following questions and see what their reactions and responses are.

1) Are we done waiting for someone else to save us, and as people of color, do we finally realize that only we can save ourselves?

2) Are we to a level here in America where we can stop making excuses, stop placing blame, and start unifying and pooling our resources as a people for the greater good of our people?

3) Are we to a point yet where we want educational excellence and economic upward mobility for all of our people? Are we ready and willing to create, support, and primarily patronize black-owned businesses, banks, schools, and services?

4) Are we tired of degrading, distrusting, and killing one another on a daily basis?

5) Are we willing to step up and take on my challenges, do the hard work, and make the necessary changes in our lifestyles and our mind-sets to effect positive change for all people of color?

6) Are we simply sick and tired of being sick and tired? Have enough young people been killed through gun violence and black-on-black crime to warrant a change in our behaviors?

7) Are we to that point where we are willing to hold one another accountable and raise the expectations of our people and refuse to take no for an answer when it comes to being respected and recognized as equals in America?

Are We There Yet? Take the challenge.

INTRODUCTION

HOW LONG WILL WE CONTINUE on this path of self-destruction? How long will we continue to live our lives in a position of weakness and ignorance? How many of us have to die at the hands of our own people before we say enough is enough to black-on-black violence? How long will we complain about the way we’re ignored, mistreated, and neglected by our government officials and police departments before we decide to take an active role in the political process? How long will we remain the highest unemployed group before we decide that higher education, group economics, and entrepreneurship are our best methods to combat our high unemployment rates and high incarceration rates? When will we stop degrading, distrusting, and devaluing people who look just like us? When will people of color finally take control of our own destiny and stop relying on anyone else to save us? Are we there yet?

Well, you have the book with the answers here in your hands. I’m sorry to do this to you, but with this book, I just took away all of your excuses. All you need to do is read it, accept the challenges, make the commitment, apply the directives in your lifestyle, and take personal responsibility and accountability for your actions from this day forward.

Take the challenge!

CHALLENGE 1

It All Starts and Ends with Love of Oneself

IF YOU DON’T LOVE YOURSELF, it’s impossible for you to properly love someone else.

Self-awareness, self-pride, self-respect, self-esteem, knowledge of self, self-motivation, self-determination, and I can go on and on.

If we don’t have self-worth or value in ourselves, we’re destined for failure, or at least we’re destined to be unsuccessful and never live up to our true full potential. Lack of self-worth will permit others to treat you any way they choose. You will allow yourself to be disrespected, misrepresented, undereducated, underpaid, mistreated, devalued, and regarded as a second-class citizen. This is all because you don’t realize your self-worth. You don’t have pride in yourself or the people who look just like you. You simply don’t respect yourself or value yourself, because you have bought into the narrative that you are inferior, or even worse, you’re worthless.

Just look at the way we treat one another within our own households and within our own communities. Our interactions with one another on a daily basis prove my theory to be correct. We’re quick to steal from one another, hurt one another, and kill one

Reviews for Are We There Yet?

[t1bnotown · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This was an interesting story of two brothers being forced together and then choosing to come together. I think the older brother gets more out of the experience than the younger brother does, but I also think he's ready to get more out of it. I think the younger brother will get more out of future experiences because of it. I liked the format- it was very informal and short and switched perspectives often, but it worked and kept things light and quick.

[cheryl_in_cc_nv · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I love getting to know something about brothers & the young male point of view. I have sons, but I don't really understand them, especially the details of their r'ships with one another, and how much (or little?) they resemble other young men. I appreciated that Danny & Elijah have a lot going on inside, and they do care about each other & wish they'd get along better, but don't really talk much or know how to approach each other.

The scene at the Pantheon is, of course, key - that experience, rather than a lot of talking, is what worked the magic of uniting them. Though of course Ari and Julia were catalysts, too.

Of course the book is beautifully written. Serendipity is a narcotic."
And the illusions to old & newer pop culture are interesting.
I am charmed by Cat and would like to get to know her better.
And of course it's a short book, but not necessarily a quick read because there's a lot there, to be read carefully, and to savor.

But all along, especially when I was trying (and failing) to understand Julia, made me feel like I was reading a retelling of a myth or a classic. Something about two brothers and a random encounter with a messed up girl just felt *L*iterary to me. If you recognize the theme, please comment!"

[satyridae · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I generally dig anything Levithan writes. This was no exception, though I didn't want to marry it the way I did some of his books. I loved the oblique way the story of the two semi-estranged brothers unfolded, I loved the odd girl who shows up in the middle of their trip, and the end was perfect. Very enjoyable, indeed.

[herewithoutyou_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

It's been a few years ago that I read this and still I can remember one definite feeling this book gave me: wanderlust. I wanted to pack a suitcase and go explore a country I've never been to before.

Furthermore, as I'm a single child, I enjoyed reading about the sibling relationship in this book and I'm really glad that I picked this up!

[amaraduende · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Something about the transition between what was happening and the brothers making up didn't quite work... what made Daniel realize it was silly to buy ties for his bosses and make a new list... ? I don't know. It didn't quite work. But it was still really enjoyable. :)

[francescadefreitas · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Two brothers are tricked by their parents to taking a holiday in Italy together.There were moments of beauty in this story, and I had moments of empathy for both Danny and Elijah. But the story was a little slow, and lacked the joy I've come to expect from David Levithan. It was pleasant, but not a favourite.

[koalatees · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Sixteen-year-old Elijah Silver and his brother Danny Silver are complete opposites. Elijah is a dreamer and believes Danny is too serious. Danny enjoys his work and believes Elijah does not take life seriously. It’s no surprise that Elijah and Danny do not get along well. In order to help mend their relationship, their parents trick them into going to an all-expenses paid trip to Italy. How will two brothers who don’t get along spend so much time with each? At first, Danny would sleep in the hotel room, while Elijah would explore Italy. Then, Elijah meets Julia, a twenty-year-old from Toronto. Then, Julia makes a move towards Danny. This is the first novel I’ve read by David Levithan, and it will certainly not be the last. To be honest, at first, I was not sure if I would like Are We There Yet? I was not used to reading from third-person point of view. However, the more I read, the more I realized that it worked. In fact, it really worked. There is no way I could like the novel as much as I do right now if it was written in first person.One thing I enjoyed about Are We There Yet? was how Levithan showed the brothers’ relationship with each other. I feel like he really captured what it’s like to be brothers in writing. While I was reading the novel, I couldn’t help but wonder if Levithan had any brothers. I will do some research later. :) (edit:// I looked, and yes, he does have a brother.) Another thing I liked about Levithan’s writing was how he delved into Danny’s and Elijah’s minds. It did not feel like Levithan was writing about how they felt. It felt like he knew, like he was reading their minds. That’s not something most writers do.

[callmecayce · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Levithan does it again. Are We There Yet? is a brilliant and beautiful story about two brothers who don't really get a long. In a lot of ways, this reminded me of the relationship between my sister and I (though we get along much, much better than Danny and Elijah). The story, told in alternating points of view (Elijah in one chapter, Danny in the next), explores the relationship between the two brothers as seen through the eyes of both boys as well as an mildly omniscient narrator. The boys are tricked into going to Italy (together) by their parents. Levithan writes of their relationship beautifully, having each boy dissect why they believe the relationship doesn't work. Their paths intertwine as they rave from Venice to Florence and eventually Rome. Along the way, they meet and fall for Julia, a Canadian visiting Italy. But what makes this book so good is the qy Levithan describes things -- the art, architecture, the way the boys see the city, the way the boys feel. While I wasn't a big fan of Wide Awake, I think that Are We There Yet? proves that Levithan is a truly fantastic author.

[edspicer_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

David Levithan continues to develop as one of the finest, most versatile authors writing today. Are We There Yet? explores the emotional distance and the psychic connections between two brothers, Elijah and Danny.The brothers are manipulated into a trip to Italy by their parents. Elijah and Danny do not have much in common. In fact, they don’t much like each other. Danny thinks Elijah is lazy (“The moment shifts; Elijah is still happy, but it’s a different happiness. A daylight happiness, a lightbulb happiness.” p. 5) and Elijah knows that Danny is a snob (“People at work pay attention to Danny Silver because he single-thoughtedly saved the Miss Jane’s Homemade Petite Snack Cakes account.” P. 7). They begin as tourists together and learn to become travelers. “We are like freshmen, Elijah thinks. The incoming class of tourists….He wants encounters instead of plans—the magic of appearance rather than the architecture of destination.” (p. 50). “It takes a traveler, not a tourist, to search for something deeper. Travelers want to find the wavelength on which they and the city connect.” (p. 62). Danny and Elijah reflect on their relationship guided by Elijah’s magic and Danny’s architecture. Eventually they find through memories and experiences something deeper. Their relationship is no longer touristy; they are travelers. Like A Room on Lorelei Street, this book is filled with luscious language and a mood so palpable that we swear we smell the pasta cooking. Another must buy for those who love language that sings.