Manifesto for African Americans

We value ourselves as fully worthy, complete, and whole, by virtue of simply being human.
We require no confirmation or proof, through accomplishments, of this fundamental given.
We accept this given about ourselves and live consistent with it.
We view ourselves, both individually and collectively, as bearing the major responsibility for changing our
condition.
We recognize and acknowledge that empowerment, individually and as a people, is earned only through
expanded personal and group responsibility and accountability for our success, and full participation in the
global society.
We live true to our ability to realize our potential as a people and our acknowledged contribution to America's success and the success of the planet.
We view our ethnic cultural diversity as an example to the world of how the rich integration of cultural
heritages has evolved into a beautiful, proud, and spiritual mosaic.
We value and embrace the diversity of colors, physical differences, modes of expression, points of view, and personal choices of all those who choose to be classified as African Americans.
We recognize and realize our natural potential for contribution to the evolution of global diversity and
human equality across the planet.
We value the opportunity for full participation in the totality of American society and acknowledge the fact that opportunities presently exist which are unprecedented in American history.
We further acknowledge that these opportunities will require diligence, persistence, and commitment that will test us in ways which are presently not required for other Americans.
We individually and collectively must transform our focus from what has not been available, as a reason for limited participation and dedication, into a focus with intensity upon that which we choose to achieve—here and now.
We recognize that a major step in our full realization of the “American Dream,” is our mutual support for each other, economically, politically, educationally, emotionally, and spiritually. We must recapture, as a people, our fundamental African-based values as a source of self-love and self-respect.
We must form networks for mutual economic and political support in order to achieve success, so that we might more effectively contribute to American and global harmony.
We acknowledge that the concern for ourselves, as African Americans, is an intermediate step en route to the ultimate achievement of global cultural integration.
We view cultural integration as a context where all people of the planet are valued, accepted, as humanly equal, and involved in mutually supportive activities.
We are ultimately committed to the creation of a global mosaic that is founded upon a set of human values which transcend our individual or group differences.

William A. Guillory, Ph.D.