Thoughts About Nation Building

Many Black Nationalists like myself talk about building a nation... This sounds like a noble task, but what does it mean, and what factors does doing so involve? These are the type of high-level questions serious Nationalists must debate/discuss in the 21st century as we struggle to survive and emancipate ourselves from the United States empire. This essay will briefly outline these concerns.

First, what is a nation? The word derives from the Latin term "Natio," which describes people, tribe or kin." in a modern sense, a nation is a large group of people that share a common language, culture, geography, kinship, historical experience, etc.. By that definition, Blacks in the U. S.. constitute a nation (albeit a dormant one). Clearly our definition needs expansion.

A modern nation is no mere grouping of similar people with similar values and interests within common geographic boundaries. Nations as we know them, have formal governing structures, and a common historical narrative, along with official institutions that regulate, monitor and enforce economic, defense, political and social operations.

We can agree that all of these national operations, while tangible, are in effect, based on philosophical and theoretical concepts. Of course, political pundits and corporate media networks will never concede this point. They want us all to drink the red/white/blue Kool-aid and believe that capitalism, the two-party Democratic Republican system, and the U.S. methods of education, healthcare, and justice are innate and organic. Lies. In truth, all of these are ideas and philosophies developed by white economists and political scientists which the nation adopted, utilized and sold to citizens as indisputable truths.

Those who speak of nation-building must develop new theories or modify existing ones. We must give serious thought to a number of issues, some of which I outline below. This abbreviated outline demonstrates just how complex and intricate is the project of creating a new nation. As you read over this, think about all the time we waste debating non-productive matters, when we have more crucial issues pending.

Healthcare -How do we create a system of training competent doctors, nurses, paramedics and other medical professionals? -We must create a network of hospitals, clinics and pharmacies. -How do we coordinate communications between them? -How do we make sure all citizens have adequate and affordable (or free) healthcare?

Government -How will our government be structured? -what are the officers and their responsibilities? -How do we guard against corruption? -How and how often are leaders elected?

Economics -What economic system do we use? -How form of currency do we use, if any? -How do we care for the indigent, elderly and disabled? -Do we tax citizens and if so, how much and for what purposes? -What are the natural resources at our disposal? How do we access and use these resources? -How do we prevent or address hunger, homelessness and severe poverty?

Education - What curriculum(s) do we use? -how do we identify suitable educational materials? -What system do we create to recruit and train competent teachers? -How do we fund and evaluate schools? -Do we use a public, private or mixed system of education? -How do we assist students with learning disabilities or academic deficiencies?

These are just a few general topics and questions.. We haven't addressed law, agriculture, foreign policy, housing, national defense or employment.

The point is that nation building is a complex process requiring sound theory and the creation of effective systems for millions of people... In addition to these things, we also must address how to promote shared national values and a national culture.

One day soon - after our irrelevant debates and often fundamentalist posturing subsides - we will get to the serious work of nation building.