Posted 22 July 2009 - 09:39 PM
This documentary made me think about events that are happing now in my own life. The question in my head still lenger. What does it mean to be Black and living in America? I can easily answer that question since I am Black myself and have experience acts of prejudice. Also that I live in Florida which is a southern state. On the law books if you have 3/4 Black in your gene pool you are consider Black and must be register Black for race.Now that we have a Black President which made American history people I feel becoming more racially ingnorant then ever. Many political people argue that Barack Obama only speaks those of the Black community fail to forget he is the president. When he address are nation it's the AMERICAN people not just Blacks.Obama attitude is that all Americans become more envolve in well being of this nation. That includes Asian, Whites, Middle Eastern, Native American, etc... This nation is built on people but if the poeple do not care to act then the nation will fail. Those of the Black community have always fight to have an existence in this nation. It seem to be the African spirit to fight but its in every man.
I think about Africa and how much the mother land suffers many don't care. Her children fall victim to a disease that shows no mercy. Africans living in South Africa unable to go school. The only thing that is stopping them is being able to afford a uniform or books. Yet White settlers who are not native are able to afford these accomindation. There are many African activist fighting the rights for South African poeple but why? This is their nation why are they fighting rights to have education and live on their land without poverty?.Just as Africans are helping to make a cause others are damaging. fascist governments and brutal rebel leaders that commits acts of genocide for profits in order to gain power.So many Africans fall victim to their own fellow man due to constant struggle for total control in of land and/or diamonds. Since the days of slavery Africans were willing to sell each other and place them in chains for currency. Despite the misery those who live in Africa and poverty never stop fighting. Never gave up hope and faith of life better then whats in front them. One point Blacks in America had the same attitude but slowly began to lose focus. The civil rights movement was chance to give Blacks a voice. That are ancestors would not be forgotten and their struggle to survive.That will be carry on into future generation. Marthin Luther King walk to White House and made the famous speech "If I Had A Dream." This was time when Blacks in US were willing to stand up and not give a damn about being knock down. Malcom X and Black Panther were ready to fight the good fight even if it means a quicker way to death. This type of passion hardly exist in the Black community today. There is this down fall effect of Black youths willing to settle for nothing and becoming a nothing.
It is true kids born in inner city ghettos or poor families are more likely not to attend college or finish high school. I sorta blame the media and the glorification of "thug life" or living "ghetto" in mainstream media. Hip hop has always been on the controversy of being more of an antagonist to Black community then a protagonist. What means to be Black in American can be define on how Blacks view themselves. I'll admit to throwing in racial slurs and behaving in the stereotypes that plague the Black community. I don't allow that to be my only point of view in life.Not all Blacks are thugs sell drugs and hustle on the streets. Just because you were raise in the ghettos or lower class family is no excuse not to seek out education. Many Blacks use this as a handicap. A reason to blame then to over come like those of the past try to do. I feel specially young Blacks who lose confidence is willing to take the easy way out.I don't wanna become a damn statistic on a piece of paper.I don't want people out side the Black community to view being "ghetto-ish" is being Black.
I see an influence of Black culture on far eastern countries like South Korea and Japan. I feel that Asian hip hop artist only get the trend that is hip hop. Instead of going futher down into roots were hip hop has grown from. Asian cultures are rich with tradition and customs past down by generation they to have experience of prejudice in America. They to have been place under watchful eye of racism and felt the cold wind of social discrimination .While during the gold rush Chinese immigrants came to America in hope of better life they to experience the same level of hateful discrimination that is happening to Hispanics immigrants today.Those who were Japanese or Asian living in the United States were place in concentration camps during WW2 by the American government in fear of revolt in loyalty to Japan. There is prejudice from Asian towards Blacks. What I find ironic is that Asian all are people of color. In fact Asians have more facial similarities to Blacks then Whites. I feel the ugly "White is Right" exist in Asian communities all over.I hope Asian youth will end the prejudice of the past and learn about Black culture. It is nice that you except hip hop but the African community has more substance.Those who are Native to Korean and Japan that live in countries were Africans make less then 1% of the population take the time to explore more.You are online in forums of those in your community willing to connect to others who are the same. listen to Kpop and Jpop artist who are influence by Black culture music. take time learn about the civil leaders that isn't then and now.
Being Black in America seems to be a never ending struggle.Being Black and existing in this world is just as hard.Blacks are consider to be the less superior race in the gene poll yet we are every where. From plains of Africa,to hills of Europe and tropics of south America. Blacks exist in all cultures and left a memory behind. The new age world is forgetting this and is becoming more closed off. With web hosting and cell phones we have many ways to communicate and yet we still create walls to shelter are selves.I don't like being taken as stereotype when I meet somebody.I don't like feeling unhappy in my own skin. My family is Hispanic and Black have a sense of pride that I haven't still learn yet. I don't wanna look at my brown skin and feel like an alien in this world.I belong here just like every one else.My skin is beautiful my heritage is wonderful.I don't need to pick sides but stand up for my rights.I guess to me that is what it means to be Black in America living day to day. What it means to be Black in this world discovering new people and cultures different but the same as mine. I just hope people of my generation will end the prejudice that divide us and stand more united.
Learn More
Black in America Part 1
http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2008/black.in.america/
Black In America Part 2
http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2009/black.in.america/
I hope you enjoy this and view Blacks in your community or find Blacks in your community that is making a difference.How you can become a part of the change or become an influence in your own community.
