When I hear the words Black History I really can’t explain the feelings and thoughts that run through my mind. There is so much to these two words that a month is not enough to celebrate the beauty, culture, strength and determination that lead up to these words.
A people of passion, a people of love, happiness, hope and survival, you see Black History is made up of people like you and me. People who believed in the strength that makes us what we are, the determination to overcome whatever odds may be in our way, people who knew and know that we are more than the color of our skin.
Look at a clock and think of Benjamin Banneker, eat a potato chip and remember George Crum and when you see beautiful black hair think of Madame C.J Walker who became the first black female millionaire by creating and marketing black hair care products.
Being black is not only about third world countries with poor healthcare, education, low standards of living and unstable political atmospheres. Presidents that want to rule forever and systems riddled with bribery and corruption. It is more than a system that strives to show most of our men in jail by a certain age, our women pregnant and struggling by sixteen, and our demographic poisoned by diseases such as HIV aids. Being black is to know that we are born a statistic, but fighting back and succeeding in the face of adversity. Black is overcoming, dreaming, achieving and succeeding despite the limitations that have been set on us. Black is not only saying that we can, but actually doing it.
Black History did not evolve by letting anything stand in our way or giving up. Black is Strong, Black is Bold, and Black is Beautiful, why should we think any other way. Black is what we want it to be and not a determining factor for defeat, but an under lying armor for ambition, greatness and success. Black transcends so many continents and ages, Black has always been and will always be a prominent part of history. Black is a legacy of wonder and strength. There is no shame in being born so why should there be shame in being black.
Black is what I embrace, Black is what I am, Black is who I am, there is nothing else I can be for Black is great. Black is you and I. Let us celebrate this beautiful month but remember that we are more than a month, more than a year, generation or decade. We are a lifetime.
Adele Ako- Bryant.
