In light of Black history month, I decided to interview our Black community here at Pearson to find out their views on race, specifically what their race means to them, as it is imperative to assimilate various and varied views on matters of social concern. The concept of race is a social construct that sets divisions among individuals in societies based on the amount of melanin they possess in their skin. The concept of race is also related to classifying humans based on the geographic location they originate.
Jean Yves believes that being Black is a representation of his identity as well as that of his country. Thus it influences the way he acts as he does not want to fuel but rather change the stereotypical representation of Black people as a violent and uncultured breed, which means a lot to him.
To Tende, it means having a beautiful culture to celebrate, especially concerning art, music, and life. He also sees it as recognizing an equally dark and struggle-filled history and the sense of community that arose afterward.
Taye sees Black as having a rich culture, coming from a place where one knows they’ve got each other’s back (brotherhood). To him, it is a very rich experience as the Blacks have to put in more than the usual effort and overcome uncommon obstacles to achieve their goals.
Adau feels that being Black, especially as a woman, means constantly needing to protect oneself. Despite the alluring gift of camouflage in the dark, she still needs to yield a weapon of self-defense wherever she goes.
To Apphia, Black is her color and identity as it comes with her culture “loud in our laughter, silent in our suffering,” she quotes Dave as she explains, critical but accepting of ourselves, laughing with each other about each other.
“My tradition has shaped me more than my race.” -Ama-e Witbooi’s response was shocking as she claimed that being Black meant absolutely nothing to her. She recognized it as a social construct stating that her culture is nothing specific to the Blacks; thus, being Black has in no way determined the person she has become.
“Blackness has evolved into a showing of strength, excellence, and connection to a new culture that reflects not only 400 years of slavery and 500 years of struggle but also our roots, bridging the gaps between continents and people, which is a really beautiful thing, an inner light in Black people, dare I say.”
-Iman
Nanoa believes there is very little underlying difference between races; thus, all that exists of Black people are stereotypes and misconceptions. “There is no one way of being Black,” she says. However, she believes Black people are more straightforward and expressive.
I conjecture that being Black is a scientific wonder. Why? You might ask. Well, Black is technically not a color but rather the absence of color. Whereas for Black people, it is the presence of more melanin in the skin, and this bizarre absence-causing presence seems like some scientifically paradoxical wonder. Moreover, being Black is being able to convert solar energy to vitamin D. How cool is that?
The best, in my opinion that I have intentionally saved for the last was Amour’s response. She decided to rip out her adapted piece from Theresa William when posed with the question-
You are so Black,
When you smile,
The stars come out.
You are so Black,
when you are born,
The gods come out.
Black is not black,
When it is wrong and
black when it is right
Black is pyramid and mathematics
Black is melanized and magic
Black is televised in need of drastic,
Black advancement,
Black enhances,
Black with chances,
Black with privileges,
Black with pride,
Black on purpose,
On the black-hand side
Black and beautiful
Black and Blessed
And highly favored
Black and so much more
And nothing less
Black and educated
Black is brilliant
Black is strong
Black is resilient
Black is infinite, like hip-hop or space.
Black is grace
Black is love
Black is tough
Black is me
Black is not something we get to choose
But it is something we get to cherish
Something we get to wear, and we get to rock
with honor.
I am black, just like my ancestors.
Adapted by Amour.
Spoken word by Theresa William
It was quite a remarkable interview process as I discovered varied views on race and that being Black means different things to different people, even within the black community.
The Black Author of the Month
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