“We pursued the shadow, they have obtained the substance; we have performed the labor, they have received the profits; we have planted the vines, they have eaten the fruits of them” - Maria Stewart. Upon reading this quote, I was mind-blown. It was so powerful, so honest and so absolutely necessary. Black people have helped to make this country what it is. Black people have worked so hard to advance a nation that attempted to slaughter them. Black people have made the best of the hellhole they found themselves in.

Yet in still, Black people receive no praise. Their efforts are ignored. Their actions are stolen. They are robbed for their discoveries, their creations, and even their culture. Too often, the successes of black people never get the recognition they deserve and are typically mentioned in a one-liner in the middle of a paragraph dedicated to Black History Month. Do I need to talk about rock & roll? As soon as I begin typing r-o-c, I am bombarded by Elvis pictures and biographies. However, it takes deep diving to even see a page about Rosetta Tharpe the actual pioneer of rock music.

Our history is being systematically erased, our present actions are being stifled by negative propaganda and racist coverage and our future is looking extremely gloomy. How can one be hopeful if corn rows are being referred to as “Kardashian Boxer Braids”, Dashiki’s are now “vintage tribal dresses” and the only people allowed to be black are the people who shamelessly appropriate our culture and have the power to manipulate our history without any second thoughts.

However, as black people, we play are part in this erasure. Like many people – I was brainwashed. I did not know anything about my people other than the lessons planned for the February portion of a school year. I used to be ashamed of my background and my history because the media and those around me convinced me that it was a crime to be black. I felt I needed to assimilate to “white Americanism” to thrive. Being black was only cool in the hood, but my Ebonics and African inspired style was counter-productive in this country.

I didn’t know the greatness I came from. I was blind to the creativity that came with my melanin. I accepted what society told me about my culture not understanding that while I was trying to rid myself of all the things that I am someone else was plotting to be everything I am. Now I see. Everyone hates us but they want to be us. The lip injections, the butt implants, dabbing, swagging, box braids, friend chicken, rap music, dashikis. Everyone wants to be black but no one wants to be black.

It is up to us to empower ourselves. We need to free our minds from mental slavery. We need to “reject negative, untrue images of blackness”. We will go into extinction if we allow society to tell us who are, where we came from and where we can go. I am pleased to see that although we are witnessing the largest period of cultural appropriation and black hate is rampant, my generation and those that came before me are mobilizing and educating themselves. Yes, there are some people who continue to relish in their ignorance. It is our job as a whole to liberate ourselves. The shackles are invisible but they are still there. However, each and every one of us have the key to liberate ourselves and take control of our own destiny. Collectively, we can continue the work of the people who came before us and advance our people. We need to begin with ourselves and then unite in greatness!Journal Entry #3

“We pursued the shadow, they have obtained the substance; we have performed the labor, they have received the profits; we have planted the vines, they have eaten the fruits of them”. Upon reading this quote, I was mind-blown. It was so powerful, so honest and so absolutely necessary. Black people have helped to make this country what it is. Black people have worked so hard to advance a nation that attempted to slaughter them. Black people have made the best of the hellhole they found themselves in.

Yet in still, Black people receive no praise. Their efforts are ignored. Their actions are stolen. They are robbed for their discoveries, their creations, and even their culture. Too often, the successes of black people never get the recognition they deserve and are typically mentioned in a one-liner in the middle of a paragraph dedicated to Black History Month. Do I need to talk about rock & roll? As soon as I begin typing r-o-c, I am bombarded by Elvis pictures and biographies. However, it takes deep diving to even see a page about Rosetta Tharpe the actual pioneer of rock music.

Our history is being systematically erased, our present actions are being stifled by negative propaganda and racist coverage and our future is looking extremely gloomy. How can one be hopeful if corn rows are being referred to as “Kardashian Boxer Braids”, Dashiki’s are now “vintage tribal dresses” and the only people allowed to be black are the people who shamelessly appropriate our culture and have the power to manipulate our history without any second thoughts.

However, as black people, we play are part in this erasure. Like many people – I was brainwashed. I did not know anything about my people other than the lessons planned for the February portion of a school year. I used to be ashamed of my background and my history because the media and those around me convinced me that it was a crime to be black. I felt I needed to assimilate to “white Americanism” to thrive. Being black was only cool in the hood, but my Ebonics and African inspired style was counter-productive in this country.

I didn’t know the greatness I came from. I was blind to the creativity that came with my melanin. I accepted what society told me about my culture not understanding that while I was trying to rid myself of all the things that I am someone else was plotting to be everything I am. Now I see. Everyone hates us but they want to be us. The lip injections, the butt implants, dabbing, swagging, box braids, friend chicken, rap music, dashikis. Everyone wants to be black but no one wants to be black.

It is up to us to empower ourselves. We need to free our minds from mental slavery. We need to “reject negative, untrue images of blackness”. We will go into extinction if we allow society to tell us who are, where we came from and where we can go. I am pleased to see that although we are witnessing the largest period of cultural appropriation and black hate is rampant, my generation and those that came before me are mobilizing and educating themselves. Yes, there are some people who continue to relish in their ignorance. It is our job as a whole to liberate ourselves. The shackles are invisible but they are still there. However, each and every one of us have the key to liberate ourselves and take control of our own destiny. Collectively, we can continue the work of the people who came before us and advance our people. We need to begin with ourselves and then unite in greatness!