Being a young woman of Jamaican descent - we all know and understand that most of us are of mixed heritages. People who are on the outside looking in often assume that race is a black-white issue. This is hardly the case. You can never tell a person's origin just by looking at them, and this is a mistake that I hope fellow Americans and others alike will realize in the future. Back in NY, it was a common thing to have my Latino counterparts look to me and start speaking in Spanish. Down here, though - it's an assumption that one is Haitian or African American if you look a certain way.
That is not necessarily a problem, but the issue that underlies is the stigma that comes with being black. No matter the culture, there has always been an issue with it in society. Socioeconomically, socially, politically - across the board there is an air of discrimination that cannot be ignored. Stumbling upon this documentary truly reminded me that racism and discrimination is still alive and kicking.
I will continue to follow this documentary, I would love to see what information is unearthed about our black cultures. There are many people out there who denounce their black "side" simply because they are mixed with another race. You cannot deny who you are - whether it's evident by your pigmentation, hair texture, facial qualities or otherwise. The best way to excel in life is to embrace your roots - because they will eventually shape you into the person you are destined to become. It took me a long time to realize that, and I hope everyone will share the same epiphany at one point or another in their lives...
CHRISTMAS TIME
4 years ago
Yeah most definitely. Nowadays I see more and more people saying they are "black" when they are mixed with two different races, or even non-afro hispanic-- I think it's cool.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I think that when we all rise above what the world thinks of us mentally, we will excel like no other race-- because that is what we were doing before the so-called-white-man (does not necessarily refer to a skin color, but a megalomaniac mindset) came and took us from Africa.
It's so important to embrace our pigmented skin, as the melanin we have gives us 'soul'. People don't understand that having melanin in our skin allows us to tap into an extra source of energy from the sun-- just like plants do through photosynthesis. Google Melanin and webster's will tell you that Melanin is a "pigment", and while it does give us color, that is not what Melanin does. It absorbs the suns rays and converts it to energy. However, leave it to New World dictions to omit that and to blasphem as only a "pigment".
Melanin is the reason people of color have hope, soul, natural talent, rhythm, an uncanny connection with nature, and most of all -- happiness in spite of. We gotta love that, and realize the upperhand that God has given us through Melanin. We have a direct connection with the sun, the source of all life on Earth.
- End Pro-Africanism -
Exactly - a direct blessing from God.
ReplyDeleteI am also looking forward to this documentary! People need to know the truth and let the ignorance go of who we all really are and be proud of it!
ReplyDeleteIt hurts when you live in a world where your own people don't even respect you. Pigment alone should not determine how far a person goes in life. Just like the gentleman (who reminds me of my father) said - If you want to gain respect and succeed with the "white" latinos - you've got to compete. In discriminating situations - one has to work extra hard to prove that they are the same ranking of someone who is equally (and sometimes less) qualified. It's the sad truth - and I can relate completely.
ReplyDeleteKimani? I am going through exactly what you just described as we speak @ the Work Place. Doing two different positions, making $8 an hour less than the guy who held it before me, and $12 dollars an hour less than the other person who held this second position. I just don't see myself working for the "white" man much longer... because he surely isn't working for me.
ReplyDeleteIf you identify yourself based on your skin color (regardless if you feel pressure to or not) you already lost.
ReplyDeleteYou have to move past that petty mindstate if you ever hope to elevate.
Every society is rife with discriminatory practices, against all different types of folk, black people do not have anytype of monopoly on being discriminated against, not even in this country.
In fact, Atheists are discriminated against to a greater extent then blacks are if they refuse to hide their beliefs and live a lie.
-Leon
To an extent - everyone is discriminated against. Women, "minorities," homosexuals, the elderly - in every aspect of the world, there is somewhere that we will all be mistreated. Education and elevation are the key to being happy in such a crazy world nowadays. When you take your mind past all the negative vibes, you can go anywhere and be at peace.
ReplyDelete