I would not want to start off on the wrong foot in
expressing my sentiments right now; it seems while I don’t see any chains
around my ankles, I need some to be removed from my mind. A process of
decolonization some have called it- or else, I shouldn’t be referring to myself
as being black. The problem I face in answering the dissenters, is one of a
fundamental attribute I would personally love to see remain consistent in every
facet of my identity. For if my humanity is compromised in whatever area I
would love to ascertain my individuality- I guess I wouldn’t be comfortable
being counted among a people.
Simply put, if being Christian means exploiting a people through spiritual blackmail, then I wouldn’t want to be called that. If being an entrepreneur means to capitalize in every situation above the judgment of my conscience and at the expense of the helpless, then I wouldn’t want to climb whatever ladder we are encouraged to climb in the name of “hustle”. If being black really means identifying with an absolute hate for ‘breathing beings in skins without melanin’ then . . .well, I guess I am not black enough.
It really is quite a disappointing acceptance- but one I am
very comfortable with. Perhaps I have the wrong end of the stick in my
understanding, but that’s a good thing: the process of conceptualization gets
quite intricate the more one truly ponders and reflects in his heart and what
he has come to understand. People’s actions change when their minds and hearts
fail to remain the same. We are different, I suppose, because the more we
define ourselves, the more we realize how our minds and hearts are not fully in
agreement with each other. In this context, I would have loved to believe that
being black went beyond melanin. I guess in this aspect I am found among those
who believe that I am first human before I am anything else.
The dialogue finds characterization in redeeming, embracing and fortifying an identity still marred by experiences before my existence. A plethora of narratives exist in this regard, both written and oral. Yes, footage is not found wanting if one wants historical glimpses of a race oppressed, and an identity plundered. Icons and movements both living and dead have being established in contending with colonial evil. Nations today still seek deliverance from what is referred to as “the white man”, albeit socially, economically (or even politically in some arguable instances). Aluta Continua has been the vogue term in salutations now- there is a struggle indeed, and it still continues.
We have caught on to what the root of the problem is. Our plight
is in much memory of yesterday’s pain. A pain hard to forget because it affects
us today. Nobody teaches me to be black- it’s a reality I wake up to
everyday. Being black comes with much pain and no shame. We are conscious of
those who died before us and try to ensure that it was not in vain. Indeed
being black is an identity that comes with much pride. It fortifies what it
means being African. It’s worth embracing and strengthening daily. Truly in
this regard, it doesn’t take from my identity as a human being- in fact, it
expresses it.
In the process of having to share stories with others, I have appreciated the power of having an oral experience of gaining knowledge. Never quite has an emotive account been so effective at stirring my heart and mind on being black, than interacting with someone on a personal basis. Our identity is a living one. While we may read books from noteworthy brothers and sisters- I have accepted that nobody holds a monopoly on the identity. I truly cherish those who are able to conceptualise their personal identity through acknowledging their context and those they draw from. With that being said, it should by now be acknowledged that I do not claim to have all the answers (that’s why I blog in the first place lol). I don’t have a monopoly on what it means to be black- I still have much to learn really. But what I truly do want to equivocally distance myself from is any identity which leads to dehumanizing actions. That is actually the point I want to express today.
The ‘white man’ has really done an injustice to us. Yes, for ages his methods of dehumanizing have been without mercy or restraint. In fact, some today claim that they do not see themselves being defined as black for as long as ‘beings without melanin’ are still on our land. The struggle becomes one of an identity dependant on the defeat of another race- not just the structures of oppression, but totally removing whoever looks like the oppressor. Justification for this is found in the fact that the ‘white man’ employed the same mechanism in expressing racial indifference. Inhumane methods of self assertion are seemingly justified as needed to truly ‘reclaim’ what it means to be black. These are methods necessary not for social, political or economic equality- but simply to define ourselves as black: ‘whatever has no melanin, has no place’ is the maxim best defining this. I would really like to distance myself from an identity which solely finds expression in having to always refer to its “opposite”, in finding relevance. It’s really like feminists who define their struggle as one which seems to eradicate men. This is really a poor understanding of the plight in essence. It really suggests that women cannot be women until men are out of the equation. They forget that the aim was to never do away with men- but to establish an equal society for both sexes. It is a noble cause that even men are a part of. Just like the struggle against white supremacy is also not short of ‘beings without melanin’. I guess those who find justification in reverse oppression based on numbers will always exist. The logic suggests that elitism is the solution to elitism. It no longer becomes a struggle for equality- but one for maintaining inequality just with a different group in power. For me to agree with this is for me to still express a level of subjugation to the oppressor. It would be me accepting that his methods of identity are true. It would be me agreeing that the only way to define myself is through causing doing away with my counterpart. It no longer becomes a systematic disempowerment but one of dehumanization. To employ my oppressor’s methods and subconsciously adopt his complex, is agreeing that within myself, I am not complete. I guess I refuse to believe the only nature humans are capable of displaying along race (or sex) indifferences is one of savagery, domination and hatred.
In my liberty may I not be found distorting what is good, acceptable and perfect. What makes the enemy the enemy was not his skin colour, but his distortion of what it means to be human in a world of indifference. If being black means behaving like the oppressor- then I guess I am not black enough then.
Aluta Continua
#MelaninMondays
#AfricaDay
In the process of having to share stories with others, I have appreciated the power of having an oral experience of gaining knowledge. Never quite has an emotive account been so effective at stirring my heart and mind on being black, than interacting with someone on a personal basis. Our identity is a living one. While we may read books from noteworthy brothers and sisters- I have accepted that nobody holds a monopoly on the identity. I truly cherish those who are able to conceptualise their personal identity through acknowledging their context and those they draw from. With that being said, it should by now be acknowledged that I do not claim to have all the answers (that’s why I blog in the first place lol). I don’t have a monopoly on what it means to be black- I still have much to learn really. But what I truly do want to equivocally distance myself from is any identity which leads to dehumanizing actions. That is actually the point I want to express today.
The ‘white man’ has really done an injustice to us. Yes, for ages his methods of dehumanizing have been without mercy or restraint. In fact, some today claim that they do not see themselves being defined as black for as long as ‘beings without melanin’ are still on our land. The struggle becomes one of an identity dependant on the defeat of another race- not just the structures of oppression, but totally removing whoever looks like the oppressor. Justification for this is found in the fact that the ‘white man’ employed the same mechanism in expressing racial indifference. Inhumane methods of self assertion are seemingly justified as needed to truly ‘reclaim’ what it means to be black. These are methods necessary not for social, political or economic equality- but simply to define ourselves as black: ‘whatever has no melanin, has no place’ is the maxim best defining this. I would really like to distance myself from an identity which solely finds expression in having to always refer to its “opposite”, in finding relevance. It’s really like feminists who define their struggle as one which seems to eradicate men. This is really a poor understanding of the plight in essence. It really suggests that women cannot be women until men are out of the equation. They forget that the aim was to never do away with men- but to establish an equal society for both sexes. It is a noble cause that even men are a part of. Just like the struggle against white supremacy is also not short of ‘beings without melanin’. I guess those who find justification in reverse oppression based on numbers will always exist. The logic suggests that elitism is the solution to elitism. It no longer becomes a struggle for equality- but one for maintaining inequality just with a different group in power. For me to agree with this is for me to still express a level of subjugation to the oppressor. It would be me accepting that his methods of identity are true. It would be me agreeing that the only way to define myself is through causing doing away with my counterpart. It no longer becomes a systematic disempowerment but one of dehumanization. To employ my oppressor’s methods and subconsciously adopt his complex, is agreeing that within myself, I am not complete. I guess I refuse to believe the only nature humans are capable of displaying along race (or sex) indifferences is one of savagery, domination and hatred.
In my liberty may I not be found distorting what is good, acceptable and perfect. What makes the enemy the enemy was not his skin colour, but his distortion of what it means to be human in a world of indifference. If being black means behaving like the oppressor- then I guess I am not black enough then.
Aluta Continua
#MelaninMondays
#AfricaDay
