A war is an active conflict where two opposing forces engage in battle to impose one’s will on the other. IN EVERY WAR, THERE IS THE CONFLICT THAT YOU SEE…AND THE CONFLICT THAT YOU DON’T SEE. In this case, the unseen conflict is with propaganda, mind control and perception management. We see the heartbreaking socio-economic condition of Black people, but we don’t see the psychological programming that steers us headfirst into it. Every breath you take, you are engaged in a war for your mind, your spirit and your soul. If you fail to see it as a war, you have already lost.
The propagandists’ aim and objective is to occupy unused space in your mind. If you do not fill your head with light, you subject yourself to their darkness. As a people, our high melanin content makes us sensitive to information. Melanin makes the brain work faster and function quicker. This renders us most vulnerable to master media manipulators. The goal is twofold. The first is to make merchandise of you. The second is genocide, because once this capitalist system can no longer make a profit off of you they no longer have any use for you. This is not conspiracy theory. This is what the Bible calls the “battle in the sky.” The sky represents your mind.
Everyone’s thought process is affected by this world’s propaganda machine. In a recent lecture, I performed an interesting exercise with my audience. The entire audience closed their eyes. I gave them an assignment to monitor the image that popped up in their minds when I called out certain words.
I screamed, “WELFARE QUEEN!” When they opened their eyes I had a photo of a poor White female on a big screen. Most of them associated the term with a young Black female with lots of children. However, 40% of America’s food stamp recipients are White, while only 25% are Black. Then I screamed, “CRACK HEAD!” Most of them saw the image of a young Black person even though 20% of all White people have admittedly used cocaine compared to 10% of Blacks and Latinos. When I screamed, “JESUS”, they all saw an image of a Caucasian on a cross. And when I screamed, “DOPE DEALER”, most of them saw a young Black male. I showed them a picture of Ronald Reagan. In less than 7 minutes we proved that none of us escape the propaganda machine. The only way to defeat it is to create our own.
TELEVISION
The objective of the TV is simple. Its job is to TELL YOU WHAT TO THINK….period! The television is a masterfully designed vehicle specifically designed to transmit ideas. While it appears that the television screen is stationery…it actually “flickers.” However, it flickers so fast and with such hypnotic precision that you don’t see it. The objective is to put you in an altered state of consciousness. It is in this state that the individual is most receptive to mental programming. A person who watches an enormous amount of television becomes a living, walking, talking, breathing conduit for others’ ideas. It’s call television “programming” for a reason.
Just as the dentist gives you this anesthetic called “Novocain” in order to numb your mouth before performing oral surgery, the television numbs the mind and gets it ready for “social surgery.” If the programming is negative propaganda, all they have to do is use the power of repetition and before you know it, your conscious mind has handed the baton to your subconscious mind and you are now “certified sheep.” Too much television is a sure way to become a “propagandafied mummy.”
SOCIAL MEDIA – Let’s say you don’t watch television, yet you use social media religiously. If you think you are immune from the propaganda machine, you are sadly mistaken. Just as the television screen flickers and rocks you into a state of suspended consciousness, the LED light on your iPhone or android phone…does the same thing. Social scientists say that the average American checks his or her phone within 15 minutes after waking up. WHY? We have become like zombies.. When you slide up and down your timeline, there is a snake charming effect that keeps you stuck. This is why you can pick up your cell phone at one o’clock and scroll until 5 o’clock and not even realize it. It is because you are in a suspended state of consciousness and time is passing you by. What are you consuming? Mostly propaganda.
Freeing your mind from this culture of perception management takes discipline and deliberate action. You must first create a filter in your brain that can help you to process information properly. The only way you can fight a lie is with the truth. You must read enlightening books, meditate, and consume positive and enlightening programming while being mindful of the foods you eat. Fill your head up with light and you make it very difficult for darkness to enter. Remember, whatever you put on your mind the most is what wins. The key is to limit your exposure to all mediums that you know are being used for mind manipulation. Cut the snake off at the head.
PROPER PROPAGANDA
In a previous Forward Times article I introduced 7 Propaganda Techniques used by mass manipulators to control the masses. Here is how we can reverse engineer those techniques and employ them for the rise of our people.
1) BANDWAGON TECHNIQUE – Convince our brothers and sisters that Black liberation is the trend and anything counter-revolutionary is lame.
BUY BLACK, SUPPORT BLACK MEDIA, PURSUE SELF KNOWLEDGE, OPEN BUSINESSES AND DO FOR SELF. Since our people are quick to jump on the bandwagon, let’s make it a liberation bandwagon.
2) LOADED WORDS TECHNIQUE – We must make a habit of using emotionally charged words that describe the beauty of who we are. Words like BLACK POWER, BLACK LOVE, “KINGS & QUEENS” and NO MORE BLOODSHED. Strong movements require strong language.
3) REPETITION -We must be REPETITIVE in the propagation of our ideas.
4) NAME CALLING – Just as they use words to evoke FEAR, we must use words that inspire courage.
5) TRANSFER – BE BOLD and VOCAL about promoting what is Black-owned. If it’s a Black owned or manufactured product tell somebody about it every chance you get. Transfer good feelings and images associated with your experience with your people.
6) GLITTERING GENERALIZATIONS – Speak in general terms when promoting Black ideas or products. Repeat affirmations like “Black people, Black youth are the most powerful generation we’ve ever produced”; and “Buying Black is liberating.” This is a great way to combat negative stereotypes.
7) TESTIMONIAL – We must stop empowering celebrities, leaders, intellectuals, entertainers and athletes and letting them get away with using their influence to promote THEIR products and not ours. We must use our collective voice to FORCE THEM to promote ideas that uplift the consciousness of our community.
In order to reverse the negative effects of the propaganda machine, we must own our own media and be unashamed in the promotion of our own ideas. We should be sick and tired of being controlled. It’s time for us to take control.
(Deric Muhammad is a Houston-based Activist/Author. Website: www.dericmuhammad.com)