"I AM THE BLACK WOMAN" is a short video presented by Jeffrey Emile, a current student of Andrew University, to the general public on September 19th, 2016.
As Jeffrey’s senior thesis project,
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"I AM THE BLACK WOMAN" was a project that he dedicated his sweat, blood, and money into. Jeffrey and his team had nothing but high expectations of I AM THE BLACK WOMEN," therefore this short video was advertised and promoted as a powerful message that needed to be shared and witnessed last week to everyone through the use of social medias: twitter, facebook, Instagram.
Although the short video was presented at his school, the short video is now available online to those who could not be witnesses of this young man’s excellence in present. I AM THE BLACK WOMAN can be televised on youtube and its own website,http://www.iamtheblackwoman.com.
Knowing fully well that he can choose any thesis for his senior project, he decided to share with his classmates, professors, and his outside audience in bringing awareness on an issue that our own society frown upon Black women: her hair. This Eurocentric society that we live in, belittles the beauty of black women through music, art, cosmetic, the dress code in the work field, television shows, movies, and others. Therefore, there are not much room for black women to breathe, let alone to stand strong in unity even when our society turns our own people against each other.
Instead of informing and raising these black girls and black women as images of God’s greatest and beautiful creation because He created them as well as everyone else in His own images, they are constantly reminded of one of the many issues they faced with in their lives: “their hair is a disgrace and a mess unto those who laid eyes on it”.
Instead of black men and black little boys growing up to tell black women and black girls that they are not their hair and that they are beautiful with and without their hair, they are trained to unconsciously scrape and tear down the same women who are their family, who raised them, who saw them grow, who sheltered and loved them, and birthed them.
In a society that preached diversity yet disregarded black women on many occasions: women are paid far less than men and women of other demographics with the same jobs and same experiences; there are various Sarah Baartmans who are seen by the world as freaks; there are multiple unheard cases such as Sandra Bullocks who died in prison; and we are now giving Serena Williams the respect that she deserved in a sport that she has long dominated far beyond any man or woman who played this sport.
Bringing back to I AM THE BLACK WOMAN, a black woman’s hair is one of the many issues that caused a division among the “diverse community” that we all live in (Is this really the home of the free?).
I could only imagine that some people fear for Jeffrey’s wellbeing in having the conviction to reveal a powerful yet a controversial issue that we have in today’s society. The fear that the white audience could turn the other cheeks and walk away with deaf ears and disgust instead of listening with open hearts. The fear that he could be kicked out and not be acknowledge for the work that he has done in this video. As a former cinematography assistant intern, I truly know what it takes to make a video of this magnitude. It takes tremendous amount of hours and planning considering that he is also a senior currently waiting to graduate. I have never done what Jeffrey has accomplished under the same circumstances or related topic.
There are too many thoughts that people of colors have the rights to be concerned for this young man’s safety.
But Like God’s strongest soldiers, Jeffrey carries himself as a man with a message to share to the world on a platform that he has been granted to tell to the world for the greater goods.
And that he did, my friends….
Reached the hearts of his audience through his video and open up a dialogue for everyone to talk and share their feelings. He has granted, if not a lasting ground, temporary ground for everyone to show love to one another and appreciation to one another.
His opening act began, I AM THE BLACK WOMAN, was amplified by words of resilience, grace, beauty and authentic because that was this video is about: these strong, loving, gorgeous, and original women are awesome in their own right and only they have the right to define beauty for themselves; no one else can.
I shout to you, black women, with joy and happiness, “YOU ARE MUCH MORE THAN YOUR HAIR. YOU ARE ALL THAT I AM BECAUSE OF YOU, I AM HERE AS A STRONG INDIVIDUAL”.
Riana Mitchell lifted this video with her gifted voice and mind as a poet in her own right. I could not be any prouder that Riana is growing into what fits her well: a poet. Jeffrey and Riana created a video that included other participants to make a powerful message.
I am proud to leave the video with love and short of words because I am a part of black women. I was raised by a family of black women as the only man in the house. I witnessed seeing these women realized that they are more than their hair therefore, they have gone natural and embrace themselves for who they are: not their hair.
I am glad that I have known these two gifted people before I transferred elsewhere. So I thank Riana for her beautiful words and Jeffrey for bringing this masterpiece altogether.
You have helped me remember what I wanted to do as an artist and for that I am forever grateful for this video. I advised everyone to watch the video for more insight and understand it.
I AM A BLACK WOMAN!
"Now you understand
Just why my head’s not bowed.
I don’t shout or Jump about
Or have to talk real loud.
When you see me passing it ought to make you proud.
I say, it’s in the click of my heels.
The bend of my hair,
the palm of my hand,
The need of my care,
'Cause I’m a woman phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.
-Maya Angelou
