Race is a social construct that does not exist but was created to oppress different groups of people and justify their mistreatment. Nevertheless, it holds real weight for many people in our society, with many people associating positive characteristics such as intelligence, or athleticism with certain "races" and negative characteristics such as criminality and poverty with others. "Blackness" falls on this made up racial spectrum and can often mean to people that they have gotten " the short end of the stick". This is definitely not true and so here are 10 reasons I am Black and proud and you should be to :
1. Black Africans lay the foundations for math, art and science through the Nile Valley civilizations of Egypt and Nubia. 2. Blacks have contributed immensely to every faucet of life- from math and science to art. Important inventions such as the traffic stop light (Garrett Morgan) , the elevator, potato chips (George Crum) and even ice cream come from the genius of black men and woman. 3. Even in the face of great adversity, blacks in the United States, South America and the Caribbean continue to create art that enrich the lives of all people: 4. Music genres such as Hip-hop, Rock n' Roll, Gospel, Jazz, Rn'B, and Blues music are art forms that were created from the depths and souls of black folk. 5. African Americans are constantly reinventing pop culture through their style and shaping vocabulary with phrases like "lit", "fleek", "slay" and "dope". 6. The continent of Africa after centuries of colonization is an emerging market and home to a vibrant young population 7. There is so much diversity among people of African descent. From the Caribbean to Afro Latinas to Africans on the continent. "Black people" are found on every corner of the map! 8. We are constantly leading voices in the fight for justice. For example, African Americans fought for the rights and freedoms such as voting and access to major institutions, that many immigrant groups enjoy today. 9. If I could describe people of African descent with 3 words it would be: flawed, valuable and oh so beautiful. “Watch us walk, watch us move, watch us overcome, listen to our voices, the sway. The resilience. The innovation. .."- Solange 10. Genesis 1: 27 affirms my worth as an image bearer made to show the glory of God. My "black" skin is not a badge of shame but a snapshot of the handiwork of God. As my peers would say "being black is pretty lit" Links for further research: 1. Africa's Great Civilizations by Louis Gates Jr http://www.pbs.org/video/2365943916/ 2. Hidden Colours ( I don't agree with the worldview of all the presenters but the content is accurate 3. How Africa Shaped the Christian Mind by Thomas C. Oden https://www.amazon.ca/How-Africa-Shaped-Christian-Mind/dp/0830837051 4.7 Medieval African Kingdoms Everyone should Know About http://atlantablackstar.com/2013/12/05/7-midieval-african-kingdoms/ Until the ink drips, Akua B
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AuthorMy name is Akua B and I'm a lover of all things Africa, natural hair and poetry... Archives
March 2017
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