I sit back right now, currently where I am, as a woman, as a BLACK woman and I am proud. And I always have been. Even before I knew what it meant to be black and proud. Even before I knew my ancestry (partially) fused with my innate greatness, I knew there was something brewing inside that was ready to spill and overflow. Ready to whistle on demand with excitement and pride and elation. But somehow the liquid inside that pot always seemed to evaporate. It could never just boil how it should, without taking the loss of now only being half full. But the power and the goodness in that is that it's something left in there even if you don't get the full cup you originally desired. Way before it scorches to the bottom with disappointment and hopelessness. Luckily, I believe we have enough control to know when to cut the stove off.
I know me talking in parables right isn't helping but it will all make sense. I will be sure indulge in my theory that there is no hopelessness in us (black women and men). Right now, we can probably sound off a millions things, (as we've been consistently for years) of all the problems within our community and the current state of our community in regards of the blatant systemic oppression from white America and believe me you it is disheartening. I cannot tell how many times I have seen Facebook statuses/debates/arguments feuds (as well as in person) on the topics of race, oppression, etc and there being so many white apologists coming from my own brothas and sistas.!! (hashtag staleface). I cannot count how many times I have heard and seen my brothas and sistas constantly compare "black on black crime" with "white on black crime" as if they were one in the same, not knowing the sourced origin "black on black crime." And I won't forget how many times I have seen and read about mothers, fathers, brothers, aunts, uncles, and grandparents losing their loved ones and feeling "hopeless" wondering how it "got this bad," why does life to be this way, utterly claiming no future for us all. And when your elder feel this way, you know it's bad,
It has hurt me IMMENSELY. I may not have cried for every black man or woman, young or old, that has tragically lost their life,and I'd be lying if I said I did. But was I OUTRAGED? Yes. Was I FRUSTRATED? Yes. I was FED UP? Hell yeah! But was I hopeless?...No. I know I may seem crazy for having opposed emotions but my heart and my spirit won't allow me to feel that way. No matter how depressed I may have ever felt, or how rock bottom I have crashed, I cannot say that I have felt the bottomless pit that is "hopelessness." We are far to powerful for something like that to occur.
I"m sure all the blood sucking media drenched stories and over magnification of black men and women per gun violence may paint a pitiful portrait but let me explain some things. #1 We are the only race of people historically, that I know of, (other than those of Jewish decent) that have truly survived and thrived (is still surviving) the genocide of their people. #2 We wre the FIRST of race people here on earth. So no matter how you look at it, even if the other races don't want to admit it, somewhere far in the beginning of their lineage, there is African blood. And that's beautiful. #3 During the interruption of our greatness, "slavery," we are the only ones to have revolted against our oppressors. Only some centuries later to become the majority. While being classified for decades statistically as the minority. #4 We are the only race of people that develop businesses for the betterment of OUR community as opposed to the white conglomerates that capitalize off the (poor) working middle class as a means of capitalism...and greed. (and systemic oppression). No matter how unsuccessful our black owned businesses may seem we make sure that enough of support, love, values, and finances flourish back into our own. #5 Most of our ancestry has some association to royalty. This royalty of which, still reign true to tradition today. (Trust me, I know, I met a Queen in 2013 on my study abroad trip to South Africa and learned all about it. Be jealous.Be very jealous.)
Now if these things alone I have listed alone won't make you PROUD to be BLACK, to be YOU, then I don't know what will. Oh wait, yes I do. How about most of the world's inventions that we commonly use today were invented by someone like you?!!!. (The air conditioner, the cell phone, the first locomotive, streetlights, hair relaxers, and trust that is JUST to name a few!!!). Now if none of what I am stating to you is getting your wheels turning and igniting a fire in you then you do your OWN research and you can look up everything I have said as well. I'm just the messenger anyway. But if you are ever feeling doubt and feeling as though you can't make it and there is no hope then you come to me and I will uplift you, enlighten you and give you what you need. Hope is our weapon and our gift. I believe that that is one of the very things we never really have to worry about. Because through it all, we are still pushing and going and developing and hurting and loving and hoping. Now are we perfect? Hell no. None of us are and ever will be, but there is a special kind of SOMETHING in us that continues to tap into that hope. That is what helps us in the morning, that is what helps us to be better parents, friends, spouses, etc. That is what helps us from (well some) from "crooning and cooning" as I like to call it, through life. And it continues make us like our dark skin a little better, make us appreciate our broad features, make us want to become a little smarter, a little wiser, and makes us want to grow so that our nature as a people can be that much more precious and unique.
Never give up. Never give in. There is power and beauty that you hold within. I know that is one of the most cliche things I could have ever said in all of this but I mean it. I promise you, one of the many things your history, your ancestry/lineage will make you appreciate is YOU. And what you and your people stand for. It will also help you in identifying with your true self; the man or woman God has destined you to be and not how this world will lie, shape, and perpetuate you to be. I hope, always, that in this thing called life you keep hope alive, not just for yourself but for us. We are one. Your hope may be just enough to save someone.
Power.
I know me talking in parables right isn't helping but it will all make sense. I will be sure indulge in my theory that there is no hopelessness in us (black women and men). Right now, we can probably sound off a millions things, (as we've been consistently for years) of all the problems within our community and the current state of our community in regards of the blatant systemic oppression from white America and believe me you it is disheartening. I cannot tell how many times I have seen Facebook statuses/debates/arguments feuds (as well as in person) on the topics of race, oppression, etc and there being so many white apologists coming from my own brothas and sistas.!! (hashtag staleface). I cannot count how many times I have heard and seen my brothas and sistas constantly compare "black on black crime" with "white on black crime" as if they were one in the same, not knowing the sourced origin "black on black crime." And I won't forget how many times I have seen and read about mothers, fathers, brothers, aunts, uncles, and grandparents losing their loved ones and feeling "hopeless" wondering how it "got this bad," why does life to be this way, utterly claiming no future for us all. And when your elder feel this way, you know it's bad,
It has hurt me IMMENSELY. I may not have cried for every black man or woman, young or old, that has tragically lost their life,and I'd be lying if I said I did. But was I OUTRAGED? Yes. Was I FRUSTRATED? Yes. I was FED UP? Hell yeah! But was I hopeless?...No. I know I may seem crazy for having opposed emotions but my heart and my spirit won't allow me to feel that way. No matter how depressed I may have ever felt, or how rock bottom I have crashed, I cannot say that I have felt the bottomless pit that is "hopelessness." We are far to powerful for something like that to occur.
I"m sure all the blood sucking media drenched stories and over magnification of black men and women per gun violence may paint a pitiful portrait but let me explain some things. #1 We are the only race of people historically, that I know of, (other than those of Jewish decent) that have truly survived and thrived (is still surviving) the genocide of their people. #2 We wre the FIRST of race people here on earth. So no matter how you look at it, even if the other races don't want to admit it, somewhere far in the beginning of their lineage, there is African blood. And that's beautiful. #3 During the interruption of our greatness, "slavery," we are the only ones to have revolted against our oppressors. Only some centuries later to become the majority. While being classified for decades statistically as the minority. #4 We are the only race of people that develop businesses for the betterment of OUR community as opposed to the white conglomerates that capitalize off the (poor) working middle class as a means of capitalism...and greed. (and systemic oppression). No matter how unsuccessful our black owned businesses may seem we make sure that enough of support, love, values, and finances flourish back into our own. #5 Most of our ancestry has some association to royalty. This royalty of which, still reign true to tradition today. (Trust me, I know, I met a Queen in 2013 on my study abroad trip to South Africa and learned all about it. Be jealous.Be very jealous.)
Now if these things alone I have listed alone won't make you PROUD to be BLACK, to be YOU, then I don't know what will. Oh wait, yes I do. How about most of the world's inventions that we commonly use today were invented by someone like you?!!!. (The air conditioner, the cell phone, the first locomotive, streetlights, hair relaxers, and trust that is JUST to name a few!!!). Now if none of what I am stating to you is getting your wheels turning and igniting a fire in you then you do your OWN research and you can look up everything I have said as well. I'm just the messenger anyway. But if you are ever feeling doubt and feeling as though you can't make it and there is no hope then you come to me and I will uplift you, enlighten you and give you what you need. Hope is our weapon and our gift. I believe that that is one of the very things we never really have to worry about. Because through it all, we are still pushing and going and developing and hurting and loving and hoping. Now are we perfect? Hell no. None of us are and ever will be, but there is a special kind of SOMETHING in us that continues to tap into that hope. That is what helps us in the morning, that is what helps us to be better parents, friends, spouses, etc. That is what helps us from (well some) from "crooning and cooning" as I like to call it, through life. And it continues make us like our dark skin a little better, make us appreciate our broad features, make us want to become a little smarter, a little wiser, and makes us want to grow so that our nature as a people can be that much more precious and unique.
Never give up. Never give in. There is power and beauty that you hold within. I know that is one of the most cliche things I could have ever said in all of this but I mean it. I promise you, one of the many things your history, your ancestry/lineage will make you appreciate is YOU. And what you and your people stand for. It will also help you in identifying with your true self; the man or woman God has destined you to be and not how this world will lie, shape, and perpetuate you to be. I hope, always, that in this thing called life you keep hope alive, not just for yourself but for us. We are one. Your hope may be just enough to save someone.
Power.
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