Categories: Operations

Black History: Perspective

Today’s society has seen unprecedented, historic achievements, where humans have interacted the closest with each other, businesses compete at speeds that boggles the mind, and anyone, anywhere can be reached in real time, anytime. The implications are astounding, yet the world we are experiencing today, would not have been possible without the contributions from the different ethnic groups, that has evolved out of the slave trade of our early history. It is this historic mark of atrocities that have served to heighten the awareness of immigrants as our civil movement seem to be only treading the waters meant for progress. While many play critical, progressive roles in seeking ways to move forward, others seek radical, intrusive, and sometimes questionable ways to chart a new course of action.

The most vociferous of these ethnic groups is the African American diaspora, seeking to forge a more equitable platform to launch the dreams of achievement, and the desire to gain and maintain a place in an ever-evolving society without doubting or quiddity, since many have not directly addressed their position on the issue of civil rights, and will hedge to blur the lines of commitment to stand firm on the issues of liberty.

The visions, and indeed the triumphs of slavery, are the revolutionary thrust and impetus that has afforded societies the opportunity to bask in the glory of their accomplishments, yet who is to say that chattel servitude will ever be entirely eradicated from the annals of our history. To attain such achievements, and to have left such indelible marks on an unforgiven society, are testaments to the dream, tenacity, determination, and ambitious pursuit for recognition and identity of self. Success and progress will forever be tainted by the poison administered during those turbulent years- several generations removed from the first exodus; over a lifetime of trials and tribulation that has now seen the fruition of efforts germinated to provide the catalyst for the modernization characterizing our society. The scars may not be seen, will never go away, although one thing is certain; they will always be worn with pride.

Ought not the Afro-American design for a specific reason, to exemplify the essence of our existence through the atrocities of life’s journey and defiance of seemingly acceptance by many to conformity of norms and systems. The black mind in most instance have been broken and scared to fight the ghosts and symbols of colonialist even when the power is there for the taking. How is my wellbeing and progress thwarted by images in stones and letters? How is my strength weakened by a spectral system that rise up to be radical in one moment for change, and in the next instance to hate and kill our brothers, sisters, and children? How do we argue and rise up for change when we are not truthfully represented by either political mandate?

The power of the black man and hence his future is not fortified in symbolism of past events, nor the desire to change rhetoric, but for the willingness to wear our color and heritage with pride, and to make it the mantra that drive our success and achievements. Does one remove the color of skin to become as the oppressor, or do we remove history as a way to embrace equality?

The very fabric of blackness and culture is interwoven with the consciousness of black design. We can no more endeavor to change the color of skin, than we desire to change the symbols representing our journey and history. To seek to do this is to seek to erase ourselves as a people, so let the blackness of our skin, our souls, our ideology remains as a testament to who we are. Let us seek to “emancipate ourselves from mental slavery” since none but ourselves can free our minds. The battle for equality will forever rage and remain relevant, yet our success must be measured by progressive activism of tangible means, not by the apparitions of historical figures displayed in stone, iron, or ink.