In the wake of the initial brouhaha over race issues in the current presidential race - and the subsequent feeding frenzy on the part of the media and pundits thereafter - the McLaughlin Group invited two well-known "Black" personalities to appear on air to discuss the African American "elite" class from their unique perspectives.
For sure, it was an intriguing, lively, and insightful discussion.
To get the ball rolling - McLaughlin probed the two speakers right off-the-bat about a curious subject - exclusive private clubs for "blacks".
For example, he quizzed them as to whether inclusion in a "member only" club was essential to secure a place in the rarefied air of the upper-crust in America.
And - in the event that were true - from the horse's mouth sought to determine which organizations those might be.
I was surprised to learn there are a handful of "private clubs" that cater to select African American cliques. To gain entrance - a potential candidate not only needed a personal invitation - but was required to meet strict qualifications, as well.
The "Guardsmen" and "Jack and Jill" appeared to be two exclusive clubs at the top of the wish list for any black hopeful.
According to the founders of "Jack and Jill", the mission of their group is,
"To create a medium of contact for children which will stimulate their growth and development, provide constructive educational, cultural, civic, recreational, and social and service programs for children, and aid mothers in learning more about their children by careful study. It is also the goal to seek for ALL children the same advantages we desire for our own. And, to support all national legislation aimed at bettering conditions for children."
In sum, "Jack and Jill" seeks to raise community awareness of the needs of children, concerns within the African American community - and likewise - prompt action in respect to these and other pressing relevant issues when appropriate.
Through national incentives like health programs and collaborative partnerships with other organizations, local chapters of "Jack and Jill" allegedly make a difference in the lives of their members, as well as the communities they serve, according to insiders.
Obviously, said clubs are worth joining, if the advantages are there.
But what about the issue of "exclusivity"?
The guests noted that the clubs are not unlike those that exist in white communities or in any other ethnic group around the nation.
In addition to inclusion in prestigious organizations like those aforementioned, Blacks who seek a coveted spot in the upper reaches of the black community are required to meet other standards or "litmus tests" as well.
For starters, lineage is quite important.
For example - "Where your grandfather went to school" - is a contributing factor for "acceptance".
No riff raff, please!
In fact - when the subject turned to the issue of skin "tone" - the conversation got touchy on occasion.
In fact, a couple of McLaughlin's astute observations, appeared to rile the edgy guests.
For instance, when Lawrence Graham mentioned the "brown paper bag and ruler test", the pundit was given the old run-around when he sought to determine the origins of the "test".
Understandable - since the "test" created a "class" system within the Black community - according to critics.
Any Afro-American with skin "lighter" than a brown paper bag (and with hair as straight as a ruler) was accepted into the higher class - while those with distinctive negro features - were relegated to the lower strata.
Graham and Horton were adamant that white plantation owners created the test during a period when slavery was legal and prevalent in the south.
It was stated point-blank - as a matter-of-fact - that a light-skinned black was favored by slave owners for employment in the "main house" as service personnel to carry out menial chores.
For this reason, darker-skinned African Americans were relegated to the status of field workers - which ultimately - affected their standing in the community for decades to come.
Along with the trappings of "house" privilege - came spoils like education - for the lighter-skinned of the race.
As a result - this sector of the black community was able to "move up" - according to the scholars.
When McLaughlin suggested that the "class system" was perpetuated by the Black community itself, there was a heated debate on the issue.
At this juncture, the talk drifted to blacks who tried to "hide" their roots, to get ahead in what they perceived as a "white man's" world.
Graham noted that he knew one young man who took his College credit off his resume because it was known as a learning institution for black students. Then, he proceeded to slip into the community-at-large to "pass" himself off as white to strive for goals he thought were out of reach as a consequence of his skin color.
It reminded me of the Hollywood Movie - "Imitation of Life" - which starred film legend, Lana Turner (1959).
A socialite employs a black woman as a maid in her home.
When the daughter of the humble African American worker comes of age - and surmises her life as a "black" will be a stumbling block to her dreams - she runs away, lands a job in a nightclub as a dancer, then turns her back on her mother and her black heritage.
When the maid passes away, the mistress (Lana Turner) honors her wish for a dignified funeral service replete with horse-drawn carriage.
When the daughter hears of her mother's passing, she quietly stands on the edges of the gathering crowd in the street, to pay her respects as the procession passes by. Suddenly, she becomes so overcome with grief, that she spontaneously breaks through the mob and throws herself on the casket.
Whoa, what a powerful moment in the cinema!
I recall being all teary-eyed and emotional when the dramatic heart-wrenching scene sprang to life on the silver screen.
In spite of these Hollywood-style exceptions, the speakers were mindful of the fact that those who achieved elevated status and recognition in the black community were inclined to "give back" to the community with the express purpose of nurturing the culture along.
For this reason, Clarence Thomas (Supreme Court Justice) was chastised for not making any significant effort to "belong" to the Black Community or taking it upon himself to help others less-fortunate in his race.
Although the subject turned to those who "met" or "did not meet" the long-standing "brown paper bag and ruler test" - for some inexplicable reason (and in spite of the fact it was an obvious question) - no one chose to discuss Barack Obama's status in that regard.
Did the parties make a pact not to discuss the issue on-air prior to taping to avoid any controversy or bad press in the wake of such a pronouncement?
Curious, indeed.
In recent years, I've noticed that children playing in school yards and on busses around the nation - of all racial persuasion - appear to be comfortable in their skin.
Now that interracial marriages are accepted (and more the norm) I expect that somewhere down the rocky racially-charged-road - as the races intermix - there will be one distinct "skin color" on the planet.
As a result, racial conflicts will end.
I have a dream!
Lana Turner and Juanita Moore in "Imitation of Life"...