What Is the State of Black America? Many self-inflicted wounds This is an OPEN LETTER to Black America. A short version was published in the Tennessee Tribune (6/26/26-8/5/26 edition) in time for the National Urban League’s (NUL) annual convention. This, a longer essay. In the words of the late Teddy Pendergrass, “Wake Up, Everybody!... It's time to think a new way!” Indeed in 2026, Black America faces fiercely-re-energized racial aggression, and threats to the civil rights for which our past-leaders marched, bled, and some died. As Black people, we must look at what they—yes, White America, and the powers-that-be—are aggressively doing to harm us; but this comes to say that we also must look at what we are doing to ourselves: our “self-inflicted wounds.” I’ve been up close with our Civil Rights patriarchs and matriarchs. I’ve seen and studied their hard work at difficult times in this country, and we are in difficult times now. It’s time for Blacks to get serious and stop the BS: booty-shaking, for one. So here am I: A product and student of the Civil Rights Movement, a physician, and one whose social conscience is pained by much of what I see of Black life and “culture.” I provide a few comments; and I question, “What is the state of Black America” when it comes to fashion, attire, language, music, respect, relationships, education, and health? These topics are absent from the list of NUL presentations, but it’s time some things are said. First, a bit of history: Ophelia DeVore was a model, businesswoman, and pioneer of the “Black is Beautiful” movement. She encouraged pride in the presence and beauty of Black women. She started a charm school so we could learn etiquette and proper “self-presentation.” And the late singer, James Brown sang, “Say it loud: I’m Black and I’m Proud!” But today, how do we act, what do we wear, and are you proud of what you see? Consider this an “Open Letter” to Black America; and I will step on some toes, so take off those Jimmy Choo’s and Christian Louboutins. I pose these thoughts and questions for your contemplation, for such a time as this. Attire: Ladies, why are Black women wearing stretch pants so tight that they show every crack, and every curl? In proper attire, body curves can show without a view of every cellulite bump. Just because something is made in your size does not mean you should wear it. Do you not have friends to say, “No, don’t wear that”? Where is your common sense, and your sense of pride, decency and decorum? Stop dressing like hoochies, and yes, many, looking like a street-walker. Just as house slippers are for the house, pajamas and sleep bonnets are for the bedroom, for sleeping. They are not to wear in public at the airport, grocery store, post office, or even Wal-Mart. The packaging for the bonnets indicate “for sleep.” But interestingly, some packaging shows a Black female face with full-face makeup, fake eyelashes, lipstick, and earrings, as if to wear the sleep caps outside. No. The marketers are playing you. Stop it. Men: “Pants on the ground” hanging off your butts is prison-culture, in which imprisoned Black men signal to others that their butts are essentially open for business. Stop it. And women, why would you date someone dressed like that? Where are men’s pressed shirts, pants, a belt and some shoes? Hair: In 2019, Unilever championed the CROWN Act—Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair. This was to prevent race-based hair discrimination in the workplace. But the Act did not give you license to not comb, brush, wash, style, groom, shape, and care for your hair! Men and women have resorted to being most unkempt; and, dermatologists are seeing so major fungal and bacterial infections, nasty scalp sores, and other scalp conditions under filthy hair. Why are Blacks wearing all this Crayola-colored hair, especially blond—weaves, wigs and extensions? For one, if God meant for us to have blond hair, He would have given it to us. Secondly, why don the very hair color of the very people (White women, in particular) who have oppressed us for centuries? What message are you sending, that you want to be like White women? And yes, I know, it’s America, and you can do what you want, or you ‘want to’ wear that color. But what is the wider message? Black women are tripping about the risk of gynecological cancers from a relaxer/perm—chemicals applied to the hair for a few minutes to give a smoother, more manageable style and appearance. I’m a gynecologist; I understand that concern. But, to men and women who think they are donning “protective” styles, you need to realize that there is even greater risk of cancers—including lung cancer—from all the bundled hair bought in tons that is touching your scalp, neck, even down some backs for months. All that bought hair is treated with methylene chloride, benzene, even lead. Which is worse, a few minutes of perm exposure, that is quickly neutralized and washed off your scalp, or months of constant skin contact to carcinogens? Reports indicate that Blacks spend between $5.6 billion to $9.4 billion dollars on hair products, including expensive bundles of human or synthetic hair. You are not spending all that money on relaxers and hot curlers. And, who produces that hair? Non-Blacks, mostly Koreans and other Asians.Also, with all the tight braiding and twisting of your (and your children’s) natural hair to wear braids, locs, twists, “crochet,” and “yarn” techniques, you are causing traction alopecia—baldness due to the tight pulling of the hair that damages the follicles. At this rate, millions of Black children will be bald and have to wear wigs by time they are in their early teens. We laugh at Whites who bake in the sun to get a tan, yet we know they’d likely rather die if they had the deeper skin tones they seek. It’s just as laughable—painfully so—to see so many Black people donning blond hair. Why? Go beyond, “because I want to” and look at the social implications and message you send, donning the hair color of our oppressor. In far too many areas—attire, speech, music, conduct—Blacks have gone from class to trash. It needs to be said, and it is harming us. We are harming us, holding ourselves back, keeping ourselves down.General appearance: Black people, do you even know what you look like anymore? Why all the fake hair, fake eyelashes a mile long, looking like butterflies; fake fingernails long like talons, deforming Brazilian butt lifts and more? Celebrity culture and viral posts on social media have poisoned the minds of impressionable humans, and Blacks have jumped on the train. We have beautiful shades of skin, and had butts and boobs before J-Lo or others were known. Some Blacks now look ridiculous; so fake. Somebody needs to say it. Stage acts: Let the “beehive” swarm, but, I blame Beyonce’ for much of what I see, her and others. I truly applaud her strong work ethic, with a knowledgeable team to draw the crowds. But all the unnatural blond hair half-way down her back, all the booty-shaking burlesque moves at every turn, has affected Black minds. We have “Baby Beyonce’” contests with little girls shaking their butts, and so many women feel they have to make over-sexualized moves and constantly “twerk” in order to be accepted and appreciated. Stop it. In many ways, I respect Jennifer Hudson. For one, she has true vocal talent and doesn’t appear half-naked to sing. She doesn’t have to. She can stand in a paper sack and blow the house down, a la singers in days of yore: Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin and others. Luther Vandross didn’t have to; and even today, Smokey Robinson doesn’t have to show his butt crack to get a swoon from the audience. Music: Black music has gone from “Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch, and My Cherie Amour,” to “bitch, ho, slut, and whore.” Why are any of you buying, embracing, and dancing to these words, this filth, the “lyrics” that debase you? Earlier this year, I was stunned to read that the AKA—Alpha Kappa Alpha’s—South Atlantic Regional Conference had invited “Trick Daddy” (given name, Maurice Young) to be their guest performer. I was not familiar with him (I don’t listen to “crap” music), but his recorded “lyrics” are vile, vulgar, and misogynistic. How did he even get invited to perform in front of women who hold themselves out to be classy, decent leaders for Blacks and the community? Are people not thinking anymore, lacking common sense? Recently, “Lil Wayne” performed shirtless, with a bunch of tattoos, his 'pants on the ground,' showing his underwear, and spewing explicit “lyrics.” Is this really the state of Black America’s music talent? Some voiced complaints about him, but others—including women—wrote online that they didn’t have a problem with any of what he said or did. Also, Usher recently dropped his pants to show his naked butt crack to concertgoers; why? What has happened to Black people’s sense of decency and decorum?I am reminded of the theme from the movie Mahogany: “Do you know where you’re going to? And the Staple Singers song, “Respect Yourself.” Medical professionals—doctors, nurse, phlebotomists and others: You are tending to persons in need of care, compassion. Present yourselves as professional caregivers. You are not before them to be ghetto-fabulous fashionistas. Sick patients do not need your fake hair hanging in their faces while you examine them, nor have your talon-like fingernails clawing at their bodies, or trying to draw their blood. I’ve even heard of fake eyelashes and fake nails being found in sterilized surgical instrument trays, left behind—fallen off—and packed for sterilization from the previous operation. Yes, we are facing nasty, energized racist times from White America. Blacks must return to family, faith, and focus. We as Black people must get serious about who we are, what we represent, how we represent ourselves, and what we can do. When we apply ourselves to good hard work, and discipline, we go far, in every area—science, law, sports, and more. But we’ve gone backwards in so many ways. Black America, do your part to right the wayward ship. Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King and the other leaders did not march, bleed, and die for “folk” to be acting a fool like so many are these days. It is painful to see. And unless we stop the hemorrhaging in the Black community, our community will continue to spiral down, not only at the hands of Whites, but also at our own. Submitted with love and concern,Melody T. McCloud, MD, Distinguished Alumna of Emory University School of Medicine, an obstetrician-gynecologist, public speaker, media consultant, and author of Black Women’s Wellness: Your Guide to Health, Sex, & Phenomenal Living.