My generation grew up with Tarzan—and, later, Jane, his companion—flying through the jungle, from tree limb to tree limb, yelling like a crazy man. Of course, we were on Tarzan’s side no matter who the enemies were, e.g., the animals and those “savage Africans.” Tarzan was our hero.
When I became mature and conscious, I put away childish things. When my eyes really became opened and my mind sharper and clearer, I could discern the racism and imperialism manifested in many ways and forms. I began to explain and teach the real meaning of Tarzan and “Tarzan-ism.”
Be careful of a history-enlightened, psychologically informed and conscious mind. It could keep you suspicious of everything white. James Baldwin once said, “To be a Negro in this country and to be relatively conscious is to be in a rage almost all the time.” We don’t need to be in a rage that could destroy the bearer. We can channel the energy into constructive ways while staying alert. Granted, it is not an easy challenge!
There were two dominant themes that characterized all of the Tarzan movies: one, the Africans’ fear of Tarzan, and two, the Africans’ dependency on Tarzan. There were three ways in which the dependency was demonstrated: survival, protection and unity.
In the movies, whenever Tarzan was present or heard swinging through the trees, fear and awe were conspicuously shown on the faces and trembling bodies of half-naked Africans. Sometimes, they would drop their primitive weapons and run. Thus, it was inculcated deep in our minds to fear whites. The policies and programs of white institutions, systems, traditions, slavery, segregation, apartheid and colonialism further enhanced the fear.
Now, when fear was instilled in us, it spilled over into other areas. It could be a ghost or leaves shaking in the wind or anything at all. Remember Stepin Fetchit, the old movie actor who always seemed fearful of something and needed white protectors? Vaguely, I recall a movie called “The Canterville Ghost.” I think Fetchit, Bill Robinson or Mantan Moreland was in it. There was a scene where one of the abovementioned actors was fearful of a ghost. While he stood trembling, eyes bulging, little white 6- or 7-year-old Margaret O’Brien bravely tried to reassure the fearful Black actor that everything was alright. Of course, there were other movies, pieces of literature and television programs that reinforced the same themes of fear and dependency.
What was the message? The answer: Whites are our protectors. As long as we are nice—and recognize and obey their superiority. Additionally, Tarzan would even show famished Africans how to survive on roots and herbs, again showing how much whites loved little Black Africans. They protected and provided for them. What was the message? Answer: Black people are dependent upon whites to protect them and provide for their material needs.
Finally, whenever Africans had a dispute or went to war, Tarzan would intercede. Sometimes they called him, and other times he interjected himself. Hence, Tarzan became necessary for Blacks to settle their issues.
Across the years, I observed Tarzan at work. He doesn’t wear loincloths, and Jane isn’t scantily clad beside him anymore. They wear business suits, robes, uniforms, etc. Tarzan and Jane don’t swing through the trees anymore. They swing from corporation to corporation, from City Hall to governor’s mansions and presidential palaces, from courtrooms to jails.
I often said to Black men, particularly those who were hauled before judges on charges of domestic violence and/or non-support, “Alright, you’re living out the script written by white men. You can’t or won’t take care of your family. You have to go see Tarzan to settle your disputes.”
“What do you mean?” they asked.
Well, according to the movie, that’s what happened to your African ancestors when they could not settle their disputes. They called for Tarzan. When you can’t take care of your business, you have to go see Tarzan. He doesn’t wear loincloths. He has a robe on. There are other areas where we fear or are dependent or quarreling among ourselves, and some of us are still looking for or sending for Tarzan.
Now, there’s a new twist. Everybody knows about all the domestic violence in the National Football League, and that it is mostly Black men who are the purveyors of said violence. Well, Tarzan—Mr. Roger Goodell, the president of the National Football League—sent for, guess who, Jane—and not one Jane, not two Janes, but three Janes. Would you believe it? Three white females!
Tarzan gave the three Janes the instruction to get these Black men straight because they don’t know how to take care of their business. So teach them, and teach us how to get them corralled and dependent on us Euro-ethnics.
Germane to our subject, there was a fascinating development when Donald Sterling, the president of the Los Angeles Clippers, made a racist statement about Black people. He was forced to put his team up for sale. It was reported that Magic Johnson indicated his interest and named some whites who would be with him in the purchase. Oprah Winfrey also said she was interested, and she had some white friends who she would bring to the table.
Now, I could not help but wonder why Johnson and Winfrey can’t get together if they didn’t have enough resources. (It’s hard to believe that they don’t.) And if they didn’t want to invest the amount of money required, why couldn’t they have involved Black friends (I assume they have Black friends)? I’m just asking, respectfully.
It does seem our rich, famous and/or powerful are reluctant to form corporations or conglomerates among themselves, as is done by others. I wonder why. It does seem to support my call for a cultural revolution. In the meanwhile, Tarzan and Jane still live.
Remember the abducted children of Nigeria. Remember the people of Darfur, Kordofan, Abyei and Blue Nile.