Black People vs Intellect & Honesty

August 8, 2011 by MaBlerh

I have written quiet a lot on my grievances with Black people and the way most of them think and I don’t recall touching on this particular issue that does grate my cheese.

It is connected to an article that I have written in the past concerning the PHD (pull him down) attitude that seems to govern our people. To be frank, Black people have an issue with intellect and honesty. In my life I have had the privilege of interacting deeply with most races and this privilege has exposed me to a lot of issues that are holding us back as a people.

On the issue of intellect and honesty, I am one of those people that take pride in the fact that I have a thirst for knowledge and a fascination with honesty in the form of frankness. If I hear of something that I have no knowledge of, I run to the internet and read up in order to upgrade myself which is why I have an informed opinion on most subject matters and I am not selfish not to share my knowledge when in a discussion. When it comes to honesty, I pride myself in the fact that nobody in my life is unaware of where they stand with me. I am not one for hidden agendas because I hate the thought of misrepresenting myself. Having said that, I am not the type of individual that serves honesty with malice as I feel that takes away from the fact that you wear your heart on your sleeves and puts you in the bitchy category which is an unattractive quality.

Now back to Black people and the issue that I have with them in this regard, as I mentioned, I have shared dinner table conversations with all races. In doing so, I have noticed that when you impart knowledge among Indian and White people there is a sense of gratitude and appreciation. When you are frank without being rude to a White or Indian person there is also a sense of gratitude and appreciation. That sense of appreciation is from the thought that you did not go behind their backs and gossiped but you had the respect and courage to tell them personally how you feel.

With MOST Black people it is a different story, honesty is viewed as disrespect and inappropriateness. There are certain lines that I have only heard from Black people. Lines such as; “ukhuluma ngoba ufunde kakhulu. (You are talking because of this education of yours)” or “ucabanga ukuthi ungcono (you think you are better than me)”. Black people have a way of making you feel bad for the fact that you are smart and intelligent. They have a way of redefining humility as being meek and a dim version of which you are. It is as almost to say, it is okay to be smart as long as you don’t exhibit it in my presence. Which is why in all of Nelson Mandela’s quotes, the one that I appreciate is, “You are not doing anyone a favour by being less than who you are.”

I have noticed in my life that 90% of people that have decided that they do not need me in their lives all state the same reason that I think I know it all. It is not that I speak rubbish or the fact that I am wrong in the things that I say to them; it is the fact that I think that I know it all. Instead of having the balls to challenge my views and hopefully help me learn from them or vice versa; their response is to hate me. This kind of attitude serves nobody any good and it is the reason why Black people on public debates, even here, opt to attack you instead of your views.

Whenever you say something that most Black people do not agree with, their initial reaction is to sling mud at you instead of breaking down your argument and showing you where you might possibly be wrong. This is born out of the attitude of responding with, “ukhuluma ngoba ufunde kakhulu”. It is a sad unwillingness to learn from one another and the appreciation of honest opposing views. Sadly, we now have a government that works in the same principle, If you say anything against the ANC, the response is to expose dirt and publicly discredit you as a person without responding to the valid points that you made and because this country is filled with Black people that are enslaved by the mentality that I’m addressing here; we are quick to focus on the person’s dirt instead of the issues that they brought to the table.

Back to Black people and their hatred for honesty and intelligence; this is something that we all seriously need to work on. There is so much that we can learn from one another if we listen to each other without initially thinking that the other party (excuse the pun) is out to get us. I honestly learn a lot from the smart people around me, when I meet someone smart, my initial reaction is to extract as much knowledge from them as possible in order to be upgraded the next time I find myself in a debate with other people on the same topic.

Whenever someone approaches me and tells me (without malice) how they feel towards a view that I have expressed or something that I have done, I listen and appreciate as we are living in a world where people are fake and eager to tell you what you want to hear due to hidden agendas that they may have.

These are just one of the things that are hindering our growth as Black people. Change is needed.

By Mablerh ©

From what I can gather, perhaps Mablerh repeats these topics because they never get adequately addressed. People resort to ad hominems or other fallacies of argument because they simply do not have the requisite intellectual muscle to respond to the argument. If the primary purpose of arguing is to gain the asset of one’s interlocutors, then we fail to do that when, as Mablerh correctly states, because it is far more convenient to attack the person rather than the stated argument. That said, however, while I think Mablerh makes a valid point, he leaves himself vulnerable to yet another fallacy – that of composition. I do not believe that the disdain for intellect is necessarily monopolised by any cultural / ethnic / racial group. There is nothing to say that if one is black, then they, almost by definition (which can be implied from the argument), will resort to the types of responses that the author suggests when confronted in an argument. In my humble experiences, it is a chronic illness of our generation that creeps in like a cancerous malignant tumor and consumes our entire ability to reason based on rationality and sound logic.
Of course, people are different. I can give you countless examples of willingly ignorant white or Asian people but to then credit that ignorance to an entire race – an identity, mind you, that has no scientific basis – is simply ridiculous.

I would also add that how one approaches an argument bears a lot on how others will respond. Naturally, there will be those people who are immune to reason but I am willing to bet that 90% of those people MaBlerh talks about are willing to be persuaded. One cannot approach people with an air of arrogance or “know-it-all” precisely because it turns people off and makes them defensive. I can imagine that MaBlerh has engaged many smart black people who do not exhibit the traits he so despises (and for good reason). Furthermore, perhaps one would be advised to first approach people humbly and with reverence to try and gain their assent. Should they choose to be ignorant, one should let them wallow in it.

In order to adequately respond to this article, we perhaps need to ask ourselves why we have such disdain for intellect and pedagogy. Is it our educational system? Are we simply replicating some of our ill-learned representatives? Have we not equipped ourselves, through reading and constant engagement with others, to address often controversial topics? Or are we simply to afraid of looking /sounding stupid?

I am simply posing these questions because I believe answering them is crucial to actively teasing out this argument.

Peace and love

facebook on Mon, 8th Aug 2011 2:27 am

With politics Mabler, there in no time to entertain a debate knowing very well that u are at fault.
U have to attack the oppositions and try by all means to discredit them.

That’s the nature of politics. Everywhere.

I find your example in that regard irrelevant.

RexonaABC on Mon, 8th Aug 2011 3:00 am

While I agree with some points in your article, it worries me when you say Black people, it sounds like all of us are like that, maybe if you have said some black people *hiding*.
I think what you are saying also depends on the people/crowd you hang with. I am somehow blessed/have had opportunities to stay abroad for sometime, but when I go back home I always try to find a certain ground when I engage in a conversation with some people because I have to remember that some of them, have not been lucky enough to have been exposed like me, or not even left the village they were born at. So it is expected from me that I may say or do things they may not understand, therefore it does not make them haters.
While I agree that sometimes people are carried away by emotions and throw unnecessary personal attacks to the authors, I somehow find some of your articles ekare li re fosta hore ‘we’ must agree with the content *no pun*. One thing I learned in the journey of life is we can’t make everybody happy, and not everyone will agree with our ideas. Having raised my opinion, looking forward into reading your next article.

Not attending on Mon, 8th Aug 2011 3:55 am

Black People vs Intellect & Honesty

Mabler – are you talking about Black South African or Black people worldwide?

From where am standing I have learned quite a lot about white people and other race; trust me we have a lot in common.

“Black people have an issue with intellect and honesty.”

White people are worse in my view. I’m actually convinced that Black South African people do better in this field. White people don’t take honesty very well. They’re so sensitive; you always have to be careful when one needs to be honest.

“With MOST Black people it is a different story, honesty is viewed as disrespect and inappropriateness.”

This, Marbler, has nothing to do with race. I live, work and socialize with whites/Indians/Asians…everyday. Honesty and being straight forward without any hidden agendas earned me ‘Mr I know it all’ kinda dude, mostly by white people, I just found out by chance. So am I suppose to judge them collectively by their race or as individuals?

Moreover, would I be right by saying: “With MOST White people it is a different story, honesty is viewed as disrespect and inappropriateness,” based on my experience? Again Marbler, this has nothing to do with race.

You give examples about your mates, but have u actually done a proper research about other races on this issues? Again, for me this has nothing to do with race. People are just being ‘normal people’…

“we are living in a world where people are fake and eager to tell you what you want to hear due to hidden agendas that they may have.” SPOT ON! Regardless of race differences.

My suggestion to Marbler: get one of your mates (Indian, White, Chinese…)to write a piece about issues of their respective races, surely there must be some, or you do it for them since it sounds like you have more knowledge about them.

P.S…Is there anything that Black “South Africans” do better than any other races, Marbler? Would be an interesting read.

MissT@T on Mon, 8th Aug 2011 5:07 am

Welcome bk Sir ! Love ur truth
yes change is needed & it wil start wit me!

Jahara on Mon, 8th Aug 2011 6:21 am

Morning bloggers.

INTELLECT
If people have a problem with INTELLECT it might be because when u are around them u want to converse about issues that they arent well informed on. Example: i cant talk about the Joburg Securities Exchange when im around people whose highest qualification is matric and they work as hairdressers. They will obviously cringe whenever im around & soon someone’s bound to tell me ”u think u know it all”.

Whenever around people,talk about issues that u know they are well informed on,then u will see just how much u can learn from them. & if ur close acquintances are hopeless at every issue u raise,then why are u still around them? For ur intellectual maturity u have to surround urself with knowledgeable people,no matter how intimidating they may be.

HONESTY:
If the people u surround urself with hate honesty,then it is time to let go! We live in a society where people distort the facts about reality & are living fairy-tale lives. These people are sick. The best thing u can do for them is to teach them to accept themselves,accept their situations,& strive to be the best they are. ”GOD HELP ME TO CHANGE THE THINGS I CANNOT ACCEPT & ACCEPT THE THINGS I CANNOT CHANGE”. Simple.

If ur close acquintances live a fairy-tale life,then u are also a fairy in their lives. Do u want that? No? Then change it!!

I think this is a problem across all races,not only blacks.

Love,
J

TheSushiQueen on Mon, 8th Aug 2011 7:58 am

Mablerh, this post is quite similar to the one called “This Song is not about you..” I remember cause it was the first article I read on JC and that was what made me come back to this site.

I can tell you are very passionate about this topic, hence you are always talking/writing about it.. So I would have appreciated a new, fresher perspective..

Everyone search Mablerh’s brilliant post “This Song is not about you” this was the first time he spoke about this issue.. sadly this post is just a repeat of that..

fabulicious on Mon, 8th Aug 2011 8:09 am

TJO TJO TJO! @Hillary_ SmithMazibuko……. So many bombastic words! *Runs to fetch an oxford dictionary fast!!*

fabulicious on Mon, 8th Aug 2011 8:12 am

i have a feeling many nebulisers n \_ will be dishes out today!
On that note i appreciate this honest piece, sumthings r hard to swallow shem n honesty is one of them

DexterSUPERIOR on Mon, 8th Aug 2011 8:13 am

Mablerh you need to distance yourself from the group of black people you hang with. You’re always looking for something negative to say about your own. If anything you sound as if you’re ashamed of your colour. I refuse to be painted with the same brush. You haven’t met every single black or white
person for you to come to such conclusions. Stop putting other races on a pedestal. It’s more of a personality issue than it is a black one. Change your friends.

snapshot on Mon, 8th Aug 2011 8:38 am

Funny how I knew its Mablehr before I saw the authors name.

Funny how I searched myself whilst reading the article,comparing myself with the black person depicted on this article.

Funny how I realised I’m not like that at all,@Mablehr please pray for ur circle of friends.

@Ndesheni happy birthday love,u r blessed

fabulicious on Mon, 8th Aug 2011 8:45 am

@TheSushiQueen……i’ve gone to the article ”that song is not about you.”
Ya yona its pweeety identical to this one jus different headings

Lela on Mon, 8th Aug 2011 8:48 am

I’m too lazy to read this article but nje bloggers please pray for me I’m becoming more and more racist especially when I see articles like thia.

@2li on Mon, 8th Aug 2011 8:58 am

I knew gore Mablerh had written this before I even saw his name at the bottom. It seems that you’re always defending yourself and the opinion that you think people have of you ie you’re educated and opinion. I can assure you that you’re not the only educated person on this site, yet you’re often under attack. If people who don’t know you or each other have the same opinion of you, then maybe you should take it as a sign to work on yourself and not make generalisations on a whole race.

kimmo on Mon, 8th Aug 2011 9:00 am

lazy to read,
morning all!

legobricks on Mon, 8th Aug 2011 9:04 am

Hi Mablerh

an element that I picked up from this letter/post is a “them and me” attitude.

I do think for a moment that when you wrote this there was maybe a hint of self hate as well, maybe a side of you that does see itself as black. I say this with love because I feel perhaps that this is written from a perspective of someone who has a black mask and perhaps a white skin.

The colonised mind sees itself as different from people it shares a skin colour with and assimilates perhaps a white master overview of certain individuals ie previously oppressed masses.

1ove

Biskiti on Mon, 8th Aug 2011 9:05 am

Yhuuu Hilary nton-nton uthi ama interlocu-whattt?…lol. Such beeg words on a monday morning! Medullaoblongatha, Modimo!

Rexona you summed it up nicely, i just beg to differ on the “I somehow find some of your articles ekare li re fosta hore ‘we’ must agree with the content *no pun*”

Mablehr, i also love Mr. Mandela’s take on the dimming of your lightbulb issue… “You are not doing anyone a favour by being less than who you are.”

Zeal on Mon, 8th Aug 2011 9:09 am

Best comment I’ve read so far goes to @NotAttending!! And I love your suggestion…”P.S Is there anything that Black “South Africans” do better than any other races, Marbler? Would be an interesting read.”

Biskiti on Mon, 8th Aug 2011 9:12 am

I always lol when people say such “I knew gore Mablerh had written this before I even saw his name at the bottom.” For Pete’s, sake his name is written below the title of teh article.

Haapy Birthday Ndesheni, i wish i could come eat your cake hle, phela it’s been a while since i had one.

Lustagp on Mon, 8th Aug 2011 9:18 am

all races Mablerh….man this topic is too hectic for a babalaaaz day tjo!11

Pana on Mon, 8th Aug 2011 9:24 am

I’m starting to worry about your circles dear author

kzn_girl on Mon, 8th Aug 2011 9:30 am

Hi JC Bloggers

The first thing I would like to say is that I understand Mablerh has his own option but I have also read previous work by him and I now have come to MY conclusion.

Mablerh, you seem to have an underlying problem with your skin colour. It is not possible to find your own nation so worthless and never capable of doing anything right . In all your work, this is reflected in your own words.

Let me advise I Am not sure which BLACK people you are refering to. My group of friends( some black and other races), constantly engage in topics that revolve around this and I have never heard a black person say “wazi kakhulu ngoba ufundile” maybe it is because they are educated anyway.

Can we go pass this self-hatred already…. as in my previous comment: Yes Baas – we will never see ourselves worth anything if we still hang on to this mentality.

Katlegs on Mon, 8th Aug 2011 9:32 am

Good morning every1!

I think the title of the piece should read: Black People vs Intelligence & Honesty.

I’m black and I can’t relate to this article in the least! These are not race issues but issues with the individuals who you have come across. Please do not paint us all with the same brush. It is discriminatory & racist. I also do not understand the iuse of the word word “them” when you are also black.

Girlscout on Mon, 8th Aug 2011 9:36 am

First thing i thought while reading this article is, kanti what kind of people does Mablerh hang with?????????
I’m a self proclaimed ‘ms-know-it-all’ and on the contrary my black friends appreciate that about me, they call me at odd hours of the day to ask about things they have no clue about and I enjoy that becuase that’s me.
At work I surround myself with all sorts of people, some I learn from while the others learn from me. They know i’m frank and have made it clear that when they’re looking for honest remarks they know who to go to and these are black people. Our cleaners (abantu abadala) have no problem coming to me as young as I am to cry about their ailments, I assist by by advising what they should do.

So maybe Mablerh you need to change your crew and change your approach.

mamamia on Mon, 8th Aug 2011 9:41 am

morning JC

Interesting perpective @MaBlerh

mamamia on Mon, 8th Aug 2011 9:44 am

The herd mentality is underwhelming.

mamamia on Mon, 8th Aug 2011 10:07 am

None of us are as smart as we think and many of us are not as honest as we would like.

DexterSUPERIOR on Mon, 8th Aug 2011 10:07 am

@mamma, what do you mean by ‘herd mentality’?

facebook on Mon, 8th Aug 2011 10:08 am

@Biskiti, on the mobile fone the name of the author is written at the bottom of the article.

Monei on Mon, 8th Aug 2011 10:09 am

@Biskiti,i think they mean from the home page- the writer isnt visible from the pics/logos.

Nna the first thing i thort when i read it is , ayeye- hes gona get it for another “blacks r like this”, despite the one “MOST black ppl” bit. I’m sure these ppl are aware that u write of ur experience and what u know but it is clear that the people would like a bit more research or wider experience with ur ppl.

Nna i cant take away ur experiences from u and appreciate u sharing. Tho it would be nice to know what about black ppl u like, if anything- or sumthing positive nje. once in a while.

Biskiti on Mon, 8th Aug 2011 10:12 am

Oh…lol. Thanks Facebook. Apology to the masses!

Jellytot on Mon, 8th Aug 2011 10:18 am

Guys its not only about talking and imparting your “knowledge” you must also learn to listen. sometimes that is the time when you learn the most. and if there are people always telling you that you taslk too much, obviously you are hanging around the wrong people. and remember, empty tin cans make the loudest noise.

mamamia on Mon, 8th Aug 2011 10:19 am

@Dex, well almost every second comment is whingeing about Mablerh’s article. *YAWN*
and i quote from the author himself –

“Whenever you say something that most Black people do not agree with, their initial reaction is to sling mud at you instead of breaking down your argument and showing you where you might possibly be wrong”

I think he ground everybody’s nuts by comparing blacks to whites and indians who are grateful for info…oops lol.

Well mablerh can’t speak for whites now, since we not white, or are there? can the self proclaimed whities pls raise their hands and CORRECT the status quo of intelligence and honesty. hahahahaha!

Vodkas and nebulisers would go down so well right about now!!

Biskiti on Mon, 8th Aug 2011 10:20 am

Haa haa Monei. “Tho it would be nice to know what about black ppl u like, if anything- or sumthing positive nje. once in a while.” You know what they say about bad news…

Pule on Mon, 8th Aug 2011 10:22 am

I’m still too hungover for this sort of hectic article.
can we have something lighter?it is a monday morning.

Monei on Mon, 8th Aug 2011 10:35 am

@Lela, i will kp u in my prayers.

but i agree with the personally attacking ppl in debates. seen it on JC before. normally happens when ppl are too emo to respond to the argument (or maybe ill-equipped to). but nna all i do is ‘blacklist’ (my list of out-of-favour ppl) those ppl,i.e. remember not to bother debating or have controversial talks with such ppl.

Mmaditaba on Mon, 8th Aug 2011 10:42 am

LOL @Lela i’ll pray for you!

The people who are opting to “Yawn” are just proving Mablerh right, how about you try conversing your different opinion without feeling the need to ridicule the writer,that way we tackle the article not the writer!

Hillary wow eh you’re fosting us to take out our Oxford dictionaries maan. LOL, phela some us blacks haven’t the slightest bit of intellect ,simple English would have done the trick.

*goes to read again*

Monei on Mon, 8th Aug 2011 10:43 am

eish Biskiti, i’m one of those that likes bad news to come with good news (the bad first then the good to console me).atlst i’m an escapist that accepts that reality bites.

Vesa on Mon, 8th Aug 2011 10:54 am

Not Attending….I couldn’t have said it better!

Mabler, your circle of friends’ can’t be representative of all races.Some of these things are human traits and have nothing to do with a particular race.

I know for a fact that, there are different groups of people that I hang with and I know what to talk about when I’m with them. I can’t be talking about a blog to my friend in Rusties who doesn’t even have internet access let alone know how to use a computer. So it’s all about knowing who you are with and engaging at their level.

On honesty, my honesty at work has made me very unpopoular and sometimes with family and friends. Again, it’s not about blacks vs Whites vs Indians. It’s human nature

DexterSUPERIOR on Mon, 8th Aug 2011 11:08 am

The article did not write itself. It’s also not a fictional piece. He wrote it from his personal point of view so it’s inevitable for us to tackle him. He must just be a strong man about it.

pswithlove on Mon, 8th Aug 2011 11:34 am

@MaBlerh

while i appreciate your observation, i think you should stop comparing black people to other races so you can truly see black people for what they are and not for what they are not compared to other races that are seen to be better. i don’t necessarily think PHD (pull him down) is a black people thing cause i can bet you a R100 that (though not proven fact) this phrase was invented by the very white people that you claim don’t exhibit this tendency. I think the reason you observe this in black people is because you are black and honestly you spend a good 80% of your time in their presence than you do other races.

I think if you ask anyone who is successful about their success they will tell you there where those closet to them who did not believe in them, those who tried to bring them down regardless of race.I am therefore lead to believe that Eric Miyeni was right to say that some people wake up in the morning and hate what they see.

You my love i think have issues with being black (it’s not an attack just an observation) because you always find something negative to write about black people. Only when you start appreciating who you are will you truly see that black people though not perfect are trying to be the best they can be…

posh on Mon, 8th Aug 2011 11:37 am

I agree with a view that it is important to assess your audience and communicate at their level without making them feel stupid or being offensive. The tone in your honesty is key too. Some people are harsh with a streak of arrogance.

Know when to dish out advice and when to keep quiet and let your friends deal with their issues on their own at their own pace and trust them in that they will do the right thing eventually.

posh on Mon, 8th Aug 2011 12:05 pm

I’ve cut ties with one friend who was honest, very smart and streetwise, good with advice but arrogant and rude….

I have observed that it is not uncommon to find that honest and bold people come across arrogant…they can be extremely helpful but can as well tear you into pieces with their ‘honesty’

Wisdom to know when to be honest, display your knowledge and when to back off or keep your views to yourself is key..

Nola on Mon, 8th Aug 2011 12:41 pm

@Mablerh I agree fully with what you said I always feel like I have to dumb down my thoughts when I’m around certain black people cause I fear being called a snob a know it all etc

Wild Island on Mon, 8th Aug 2011 12:53 pm

@ This kind of attitude serves nobody any good and it is the reason why Black people on public debates, even here, opt to attack you instead of your views.

u mean la ku JC “the here part” ?
@Back to Black people and their hatred for honesty and intelligence; this is something that we all seriously need to work on..i agree 100%..kennete eo shame

twiggs on Mon, 8th Aug 2011 1:13 pm

Eish Mablerh and his same incessant topics! @ Rexona and Dexter… I fully concur with you This kid is hanging out with the wrong crowd.

YolandaMeslane on Mon, 8th Aug 2011 1:28 pm

I always believe that whoever you talking to, it is not what you say but how you say it. This could be the reason why although I am opinionated I have yet to be told that I think I know everything.

Solomon.Mahlangu on Mon, 8th Aug 2011 1:28 pm

This article was not well researched, basing such strong perceptions on your experience with mates of other races is inaccurate Marbler. I really think you wanted us (your readers) to respond in a bizzare manner or maybe you are pulling an-Eric Miyeni on us. In this article you 1st describe how you are not part of the black people who dont like intellectual knowledge when you tell us how you respond to new information and then you go on and tell us about how MOST black people respond to new info. So Marbler, tell me, if most of your black friends are so stupid why are you still hanging around them? have you ever met a black educated person who behaves in that manner? i tel you now even a black person with matric does not behave like that, not where i come from. If you will come with an opressive aproach to people and make them take what you say without questioning it, they will respond badly and if your honesty is destructive as true as it is, people will shy away from you.

As a child i went to a township Primary School, and the English they taught us was sooo poor, but I took it upon myself to learn from friends and immitate them when they spoke. As a result i learnt quickly and later on became a well spoken young man. This is proof to me that as BLACK as i was i was hungry for information , so were my other school mates. I am currently under a mentoship program with about 90% black young engineering technicians and we have what we call disscussion Fridays and WE (black people) came up with that idea. I sure have come across black people who tell me i think i know it all but i have also met white people who have told me such.

This is not a matter of race and i personally am getting bored of reading negative pieces about black people. We will never prosper as people if opressive writers like you do not change their attitude towards their own. You havent even given us statistics that would be relevant to these false allegations, I really think if you had the money you would go for plastic surgery and become white, since it is such a previllage to interact with white people and have them apreciate what you have to share.

mamamia on Mon, 8th Aug 2011 1:31 pm

Now that I have food in my stomach, I can debate the topic.

*munch munch*
*slurp sluuuurp*

Dark chocolate on Mon, 8th Aug 2011 1:56 pm

Hola everyone. I’m new, well been silently blogging for a while. I have chosen to “come out” because of all you intelligent black people on this blog (who can challenge my small mind) *hugs all the intelligent blacks*.

I’m dark chocolate: a proudly (dark)intelligent black person. (only difference between me and the actual dark chocolate is that I am sweet.) *hides*

We (black people) all make the “black people” jokes. But it really is not wise to make general statements like these-NOTED-NO MENTION OF ANY EXCEPTION! That is why your fellow black people are now attacking wena and not you article. It seems like you are the only exception to your general statement-that aint smart black person! *blows kisses to all the hurt black people, MY PEOPLE!*

thabo4real on Mon, 8th Aug 2011 1:59 pm

@Malbre eish! With due respect, did you sit down to plan and think deep and do research on that piece. To me that is not a well thought out article because it is riddled with simple common unfounded generalisations on why black people are not successful. Instead of looking at historical as well as present critical political economic factors stalling the development of black south africa, you go on to extoll the virtues of other races. Do you measure a person’s progress(iveness) through their level of tolerence to your yapping at dinner table? Maybe was an opinion piece, but thats one from a person with an inferior mentality. At JC i had come to expect thought provoking and debate inducing reads from informed and critical people. Way below standard ironically from ‘umuntu ofunde kakhulu’.

mamamia on Mon, 8th Aug 2011 2:02 pm

Tjo di contradictions tsa mo. People saying they want something positive about blacks yet when given an opportunity to praise anything black, people would rather dish dirt, criticise and see no good.

check how peeps are deriding the author for an observed opinion within his circle.
We get suffocated by our own smoke sometimes.

Why was Erick Miyeni fired? Because his bosses did not believe in the dubious intelligence of his readers. lol.
Judging by the hate that woman received, it might be likely that her house would have been burned at one point or another.

@JoneighGALAXY on Mon, 8th Aug 2011 2:04 pm

I know that this is the author’s opinion but, indecency, lack of appreciation for intellectualism and honesty are traits that can be found across all demographix. Speaking of honesty, the gross generalizations in the article just question your level of intellect. #JustSaying

mamamia on Mon, 8th Aug 2011 2:08 pm

leading me to another point….

Remember that saga in Soweto when a councillors house was burned? With kids in the premises.
Remember that incident when an unknown man was necklaced in front of police because of xenophobia? Whether he was illegal or not we will never know!
Remember that time when the city workers striked? they purposefully made the streets of the city dirty by tipping over trash bins.
Remember that time when Andries Tatane was shot with ‘apparently’ a rubber bullet and died on the street in front of recording cameras? The police were there.
Remember that time when health workers striked?
Remember that time when teachers striked?
Remember the time when people were protesting service delivery? School libraries were vandalised/trashed even cars attempting to leave the area.
Remember that time when the trains used to run late? The passenger carriages were burned.
Remember that other strike? The one where people found to be going to work were thrown out of moving trains, murdered.
Remember what happened when taxi drivers used to strike.

What is the common thread with all the above?

When the above is happening, do any of you honestly and logically think, yah this is intelligent OR justified what WE are doing?

I suppose these very people I mention above are not you or me since we are smarter right? Unless if the intelligence we are talking about is the intellectual property of the likes of MBA certified holders, opinionated columnist, artist and visionaries, engineers, scientist and street philosophers, piping cigars and zol while sipping on cognacs and the latest version of Johny walker.
Maybe intelligence has degrees of variations.
I don’t really know anymore.

Estee IV WP on Mon, 8th Aug 2011 2:23 pm

i’m sure, there is a stack of other things that blacks are good at, this African pessimism thing, is not doing any favours for the black folk, I’m still waiting the day, when a white person would write generic trash about his race and not individuals…I’ll take this a step further and say, only black person would use his personal experience to label an “entire race”

Aranja on Mon, 8th Aug 2011 2:30 pm

Hi family please help, which shop in Jo’burg can I get a blazer with chains or spikes on shoulders or just high padded shoulder blazer #sorry to be out of topic

Dark8lord on Mon, 8th Aug 2011 2:39 pm

This article hits home. Keep it up Mablerh, Dj Cleo recycles beats all the time(and then wants to be a b***h when metro doesn’t play his songs and he doesn’t get nominated for a SAMA), why can’t you recycle words?

Lustagp on Mon, 8th Aug 2011 3:11 pm

the fact is this is done by all human race not blacks only…
mhhhh recycle words for what purpose kanene cos DJ Cleo does it for his fans who actually buy his CD’s….dont you think Dark?

Mediocrity on Mon, 8th Aug 2011 3:13 pm

Greetings!!

Chris Rock said, in one of his stand ups:
“Niggers like NOT to know”
“wanna hide some thing from a black person- put it in a book cause niggers dont read”
“niggers’ll show love to a nigger who just got outta jail than to a nigger who just got his masters”
“niggers got a policy against ‘snitching’ ”

Just to mention a few. Alot of satire and sarcasm is used {by black people} to address just how “ig-nant” some black people can be. LOL even Mandoza sang “umto mnyama aka funi ukbona umto mnyama a ya phezulu” *pardon my dilapidated Zulu* #i’mdone

TheSushiQueen on Mon, 8th Aug 2011 3:24 pm

Wa Bona ne.. The part where the author says “I have an informed opinion on most subjects” Really? I can’t..

Anyway, mara why does no one ever write about what is RIGHT in the black community? Even in american blogs (AF-American target audience), they seem to go on about what is wrong (never right) in black society.. What is it that we are doing right? That’s a conversation that needs to be had..

PS BS how come there isn’t female centered topics for us to discuss? Its women’s month.. Just a thought..

Dark chocolate on Mon, 8th Aug 2011 3:38 pm

YA, black people (Me think its only some)dont like to read-so I have heard. I hear we don’t like to read even instructions. Apparently “some” black people buy new things, break them and only afterwards do they try to fix them by reading the instructions (e.g assembling something). Maybe its true, but we (some) black people do a lot of good things too: like sharing salt and oil and fake hair with our community *Smile, come on*

Dark chocolate on Mon, 8th Aug 2011 3:53 pm

My last comment on this topic: I hate to admit it, but yes, its true, SOME black people do what the author alleges, and it is indeed very unfortunate that sometimes some black people like (intentionally or not-maybe cause of lack of exposure, threats or whatever)to put other black people down. Some always try to find something negative about their black sister or brother (fake, white girlfriends and all). I cannot speak for white people cause, unlike the learned authour, I am not exposed enough (though I have been all around too-maybe its because I am black ). We do need to change though, cause these small things do actually matter!

So, cheer up. This was a good/controversial topic which got us sweating (good for those few black people who don’t believe in the gym!*hides*).
Unfortunately, these things (which we all know some people do, makes us different and indeed special. But for H…. sake, someone please write/acknowledge all the GREAT THINGS BLACK PEOPLE DO-MORE OFTEN. BIG UP OURSELVES (I know its sooo last season, but still-big up all great black souls!)

FentseStar on Mon, 8th Aug 2011 4:16 pm

Mablerh…yawn! LOVE YOUR OWN *done*

Estee IV WP on Mon, 8th Aug 2011 4:18 pm

Dark Chocolate, what I will never accede to, is the fact that whites are perfect, because they are far from it, these guys do gossip about each other after a couple of wine glasses, I have been the *Eric Myeni’s book title* on numerous occasions … which is obviously proof they do it among themselves if they are sober, I’m a firm believer that alcohol, does not make you do things, you’ve never done before, it just makes you bolder LOL

pswithlove on Mon, 8th Aug 2011 5:22 pm

The greatest colonization is the colonization of the mind. I have an africanist for a dad so he borrowed a book a couple of years ago by Ng?g? wa Thiong’o called “Decolonising the Mind” i would recommend it to anyone especially @Malbre and anyone who thinks like her.

pswithlove on Mon, 8th Aug 2011 5:27 pm

grammatically correct version: lol

The greatest colonization is the colonization of the mind. I have an africanist for a dad, a couple of years ago he borrowed me a book by ngugi wa thiong’o titled “Decolonising the Mind” i would recommend it to anyone especially @Malbre and anyone who thinks like her.

Ora on Mon, 8th Aug 2011 5:55 pm

yah hei black people ke sono ka lona.

softnfree on Mon, 8th Aug 2011 6:08 pm

Mommy , Dexter and Monei you 3 are special, u killed me thrice
Dumelang Kaofela!

@Mommy said
Well mablerh can’t speak for whites now, since we not white, or are there? can the self proclaimed whities pls raise their hands and CORRECT the status quo of intelligence and honesty. hahahahaha!

Vodkas and nebulisers would go down so well right about now!!

@Monei says:
but i agree with the personally attacking ppl in debates. seen it on JC before. normally happens when ppl are too emo to respond to the argument (or maybe ill-equipped to). but nna all i do is ‘blacklist’ (my list of out-of-favour ppl) those ppl,i.e. remember not to bother debating or have controversial talks with such ppl…………………………GOLLING.. Kanti kunje? abantu ba ya blacklistiwa??? #DIES#

Jahara on Mon, 8th Aug 2011 6:23 pm

Kwaaaaaaaaaa….
@PSwithlove,its not Malbre,its Mablerh. & replace that ”her” with ”him” in ”….& anyone who thinks like her”. Kwaaaaaaaa. I had to. (@_@)

Oh,im getting that ”decolonisation of the mind” book. By the way,JC Book Club,u can book-mark it as well….huh?

JC i looove u……tltltltl

*xcuze me,im a happy soul*

Jahara on Mon, 8th Aug 2011 6:30 pm

@Softy i also coudnt stop golling at @Monei’s comment.
I hope im not black-listed by u @Monei. Come to think of it….why is it called ”black-listing”? Was it bcoz blacks were doing it all wrong again? Somebody help. Why not white-listing? Where is @Nkey? We need answers mama….

Lela on Mon, 8th Aug 2011 6:31 pm

Ditto @Pswithlove,without having read the article all i can say is,more than a lot of many other issues,the colinised mind of many black people is what makes me racist.

Jahara on Mon, 8th Aug 2011 7:24 pm

@Pswithlove….yoooo nana thanks neh. I just downloaded the ebook ”decolonising the mind” & took a few minutes to browse through it….

@Mablerh,honey,do urself a favour & get that book. If what iv read on the comments is anything to go by (that u are always negative towards blacks & compare them to whites), then this book will liberate ur mind.

Tjoooo…& the fact that when u address blacks u say ”they” not ”we”….its all written in there….

Oh,even to those of u who always critisize other bloggers’ english….get urself that book.

Wow. Highly recommended read.

cebsyy on Mon, 8th Aug 2011 10:45 pm

I must say im really touched by this article and all of the comments and I must sa all stated above is true ,taking into consideration dat some have experienced it and some have seen it happenning….WAT is happenning ryt now with some of the comments is axactly wat THIS ARTICLE is about.ppl need to stop be so emotional abt a convo,lets only exchange view not scratch each others opinion….THANK YOU

LOVE U ALL JC BLOGGERZZZZ

Makami on Mon, 8th Aug 2011 11:42 pm

Our stories r nt da same,neither r they simple. Some r more privilaged thn others. If u hv bn blessed wit a good education n the skill 2 enable u 2 display ur intellect, good 4 u. Dnt rub other ppl’s faces in it. The way in which u impart ur knwledge wit other individuals in a conv wil determine their reaction 2wrds u. It all has 2 do wit the way the honesty comes across. 4 an average South african, sounding smart is the least of their concern, puting bread on da table is the primary motive.

L.S.N on Tue, 9th Aug 2011 2:36 am

A very touchy subject, by Mablerh.

I think that race has nothing to do with anything, and that not all black people are dishonest or lack intelligence. I also know that not all Indians or white people for that matter are more clued up on things than any other race out there!

There are many black people that do wonders everyday and that is what we should be highlighting. Negativity brings nothing but hatred and it blinds people from seeing what is most important.

I would’ve loved to read about good things that black people are doing and not about something that does not build us as people.

Thank you for your post Mablerh. I am looking forward to your next post that is going to be great uplifting and positive

noma4 on Tue, 9th Aug 2011 3:54 am

Mina I am not educated, but but I agree that its not about the colour of one’s skin. I have met many WHITE Afrikaaners (sp) that really hate other WHITE english speaking people, my dad’s friend (who was afrikaaner) used to reffer to his sister inlaw as the “English whore”, so hayi kuphuma ngomuntu as an individual

RexonaABC on Tue, 9th Aug 2011 6:16 am

@Jahara and Pswithlove thanks guys for the book, it’s downloading as i write, am gonna read it at/on the beach next week.

Pule on Tue, 9th Aug 2011 11:31 am

I share the sentiments that Blessing’s piece is a crass generalization and defeats the salient points in his arguments.
However i am more worried by the fact that proponents of the decolonizing minds for black people always arrive at a conclusion that a decolonized mind must some how accept mediocrity from fellow blacks.
If you question the failure and utter ineptitude of fellow blacks in postions of authority you are told to decolonize your mind and be liberated.
Why must i accept mediocrity,failure,corruption and ineptitude simply as products of a decolonized mind?
I believe that the gospel which the likes of Ngugi Wa Thiongo and other Africans have preached for decades are being used to justify mediocrity.
Mediocrity is alien to the African spirit and must never be justified,irrespective of our past.

mysista on Tue, 9th Aug 2011 4:44 pm

Honesty like truth is rather subjective.I do not hold the view that honesty is the best policy, I think honesty is a policy YES, but the BEST policy, I don’t know so much! That depends, on a lot of things, chief of which is intention…

Like what is your intention in being ” honest” are you doing it to hurt or to help, If you are being honest to hurt, that is perfectly OKAY , within your rights, just don’t get it twisted in your mind that the intention was to help.

About darkies not appreciating intelligence! Well my experience is a bit different, I find that we black people love an intellectual from all fields, whether that be a master criminal (Igintsa) or a perticularly clever polititian like uJuju,

Kodwa mina into engibhora about some black intellectuals, is these highly learnerd(sp) black that insist on boring my Xhosa behind on topics that I have zero interest in like for eg , umuntu ang’thsele ngama lending & borrowing legislation we World Bank??? I’m like “how is that of any interest to my broke black behind, I’m not even paying i Edgars account wena uyeza uzongibhora nge World Bank, So I’m like thula tu, ng’cela ungang’bangeli iscefe nesdina!

ChilledVibes on Tue, 9th Aug 2011 7:20 pm

Isn’t this a bit one-sided and overly general though? For one, we may concede that you are smart and intelligent but who’s to say what you value as ‘intelligence’ must be everyone’s cup of tea? Ufunde kakhulu, sharp. Dis waar… but book-smarts are not the only type of smarts available. Maybe your being characterised as a know-it-all is as a result of an obvious bias towards certain interests and maybe you do actually look down upon other vocations.

I also don’t think it’s sensible to label all Blacks. Just because you’re Black too doesn’t give you the warrant to just run your mouth any which way.

MissAN on Tue, 9th Aug 2011 9:01 pm

Lol @ Estee WVP I just found Eric Miyeni’s book at the library and just began reading and couldn’t chuckle but think of @ Mablerh ‘being the only black at the dinner table’ when he tells us about his dinner conversations with Whites and Indians *and I recall @Mablerh writing an article about him hating them*

I have a curious mind by nature,I love knowing thing,tasting new things,seeing new things,I am different kind of black! I fully agree with a blogger that said,however ‘fundile kakhulu’ you are,know what topics to speak with whom,sure you meet the odd black ex-convit *whom I met and is chess master* who wanted me to explain to him currency appreciation and depreciation,how it affects the economy and interest rates. I was so impressed by this ‘uneducated’ guy,that wants to understand and know when they talk about the R/$ exchange on the news. I drew him graphs and explained,however willing I am to share with info but there are things that people are not interested in or to know and I certainly doubts this is a blacks only problem.

@ Mablerh,these dim blacks on JC have diagnosed you with all sorts of self-hate issues. I suggest,if you haven’t,add to your list of education ‘Advance Statistics’ then you will know that there group of black,white,purple,gay,poor,rich people you come across in your life do not represent the entire population and therefore you can not conclude that your findings are true about that group of people. If I remember kahle you wrote an article where you addressed stereotypes people have about gays, why must we accept that not all gays are premiscous yet you have concluded BLACK people don’t like honesty or straightalk and just know bulls and bears to be big and dangerous animals and nothing to do with the economy *cues Janet Jackson This song is about you*

MissAN on Tue, 9th Aug 2011 9:52 pm

Woowi forgive ama errors on previous comment.

To the few bloggers that are do not have herd mentality,the majority of us that disagree with @Mablerh,I think we,me personally we can not relate with what he is saying! Most people on JC know alot,they’re curious therefore we simply don’t identify with the blacks @Mablerh is talking about,I can’t say much about being frank as I don’t personally know.

Sure,you get people that think you think you are better simply because you know your rights,can hold an argument hand down against the majority. For Petes’ sake, even whites always want to put that kaffir in his place because he thinks he knows everything. The point really,is not us always being against @ Mablerh’s unattainable high standards or us being typical blacks,always playing the man and not the ball. Sure,I think he is a bright spark and writes very well but does he always have to be THE smartest,THE most refined,THE most civilised,THE only black after excellence,THE one with right opinion to an issue,THE one with THE best education?

Its not so much its his opinion and each to his own but really now,@Mablerh mybe your standards are just TOO high and people around you and as far as JC will never measure up. Its like you always trying to convince us of your IQ,excellence,pedigree,etc not even Vuyo will be good enough for you. Go to Havard or something because clearly your circle of blacks friends and acquitances bahlule ukufunda ubu intelligent and honesty despite going to Model C and Private schools or tertiary. I am not making excuses,whether what you say is true or not,there is something called cultural differences. Your Asian friends will not have the same being frank thing going on than an Asian in Japan,people will always do and approach things differently.

I am starting to wonder,anyone with the info,kindly share. Was @ Mablerh a Dux Scholar? Got a full house in Grade 12? Got a cum laude degree in some never heard of Engineering degree? Please do tell.
Not that I say Minnie Dlamini is an airhead,a blogger said this and hey my mind is allowed to wonder,judging by her presenting skills on Live,oh well. Never confirmed,but Mablerh is her manager and relative, I wonder what type of conversations they have.

@Mamamia you good with making up dialogues,entertain me.

ice_princess on Wed, 10th Aug 2011 2:44 am

#deathby hillary & her BIG words!! Normal english words would’ve actually made me continue reading your comment cc.
It kind of gave me the feel that had I been standing & talking to you face to face, I’d actually come across as the so called black “unintellect” person that Mabler’s article is referring to.
Hence as the previous comments have stated, I take it that when you are communicating with people, you look at the type of people you’re with or situation only then can you get a feel of the type of conversation that need to take place. I can’t be an engineer & expect that when I’m with my friends who don’t know the 1st thing about engineering, hold a conversation about it & that it’ll end well!
I feel that every conversation has its place & time.

boitsss on Wed, 10th Aug 2011 7:20 am

It seems like in almost all ur articles u have something bad to say about blk ppl nd something gud to say about White/Indian people.

I don’t know which white people you’ve been chilling with but coming frm a background where I’ve always been in schools full of white ppl nd always been in the minority I don’t think white ppl r that open minded, I’ve heard them make the most appalling comments about blk ppl just bcoz they didn’t take the time to learn about us nd our culture.
Nd I honestly do believe that blk ppl r the most open minded ppl bcoz we live in so many different worlds n get to learn so much from these different experiences which helps us have an open mind… Nd as 4 white ppl, I don’t know how u can say they r open minded wen majority of them have lived in SA all their lives n never visited a township, wen most of them would rather learn French than an african language. Instead we always c tourists in townships … Don’t get me wrong there r gud white ppl out there just like there r gud nd bad blk ppl.

Estee IV WP on Thu, 11th Aug 2011 11:34 am

(“,) things are heating up here. just so that we’re clear, I was not attacking Mablerh per se, all that I demand, particularly when I read a piece on sensitive matters such as race, is balance. Let me not feel like I’m reading a draft of a Vervoerd speech that never saw the light of day

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Black People vs Intellect & Honesty

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