I am a 20 year old young woman who wants to do everything I put my mind to. The Black community is my heart and soul. I love us. I am just still trying to figure out just what to do. And how to do it. With horrible dry humor to go along with it. Whatever '“it” is. I’ll let y’all know when I figure it out. In the mean time, here is my attempt at philosophy.
There are so many titles and identities from Black people who all deem themselves to be “pro-Black.” What happens when you can find something in common with most, if not all ideologies? I believe in God. I read the Bible (not as much as my mother would like but thats for another day). Am I a Christian? But when I say I don’t like white people and would probably agree with voluntary separation between us, I’m not so holy anymore. That is probably sinning to them. Love thy neighbor and all that jazz.
I hate labels. I agree with ADOS/FBA (only sometimes though. very rarely) because they have points! We deserve reparations. We need to gatekeep our culture. But at the same time, Pan-africanism is the ideology that made our radical figures who they are. You can’t quote Malcolm and hate Pan-africanists. You just cannot. I can’t hate someone who looks just like me because of the country they came from.
When it comes to religion, I grew up C.O.G.I.C. Yes that one. Hand clapping, foot stomping, tongue talking, Church of God in Christ! My great grandfather the Late William O. Blakely was a bishop. There was no room for being interested in different denominations or God forbid another religion. I couldn’t wear a denim skirt to church because it was too casual. I wonder what they would say if I told them the sabbath is on Saturday. I will scare my grandmother one day by greeting her with “As Salaam Alakium.” Jokes. (not really).
There are so many religions, practices, and spiritualities in the world that are older than what I have been taught. It would be ignorant and dangerous for me to dismiss everything in favor of Cesare Borgia. (I hope yall catch that one cause I am dying). Whether you are a Christian, Muslim, Israelite, Spiritualist, or practice voodoo and hoodoo. I admire you. Nobody knows what’s real until you die anyway. I had to unlearn the belief that everyone who is not a christian will burn in the fiery pits of hell.
As I have realized, I am unable to put a label on myself. I don’t know what I am per se. I know what I believe in and advocate for. I believe in the Black community’s ability to unite across religious divides. I am an advocate for Black children. I am an advocate for Black people who are or want to become self sustainable. I am an advocate for Black people taking advantage of the system that is set out to do them harm, and becoming greater than they were.
I am an advocate for Black people who grew up in the hood. And are still there. I grew up in Gary, IN. I’ve witnessed things that I probably need therapy for. I know poverty. Ive been to 8 schools. Lived at 10 different addresses. I’ve praised and danced and watched my mother give her last in the offering basket for a ticket out of poverty. I’ve lost cousins to gun violence. I am still not over it. My grandparents and great grandparents helped raise me. I advocate for those like me. The “hood” stereotype is not accurate. Everyone is not a gang member. It’s not a war zone for most. It is an economic situation. People forget to show their humanity when it comes to poor folks.
Now on to what I am not. I am not an advocate of cops. Even the Black ones. I am not an advocate or ally of feminists. I am not an advocate of anti-blackness. I am not an advocate of Democrats or Republicans. I am not an advocate of integration, representation, or intersectionality. I don’t believe in POC solidarity. I don’t believe in Israel. I am not an advocate of Misandry.
I could write a book about all the things I abhor. Racism is really a big one. The common idea I like to put off as a myth is that racism is just ignorance. It is not. Why is it so hard to believe that people can hate us solely for our skin color? They’ve fought wars over seasoning. Racism is hate. They hate us. there is not getting rid of it. Sensitivity training, anti-racist books for babies, safe spaces, and critical race theory won’t change that.
I abhor anti black men and anti black women slander. These gender wars are horrid. They show that they hate themselves. I am a Black man stan. I love them so much. Black men are not weak. They are not violent. Black women are not too hard to handle. They are not too masculine. We really need to heal. Black children are preyed upon and need to be protected.
Whew I feel like a long winded preacher at a church anniversary service. This is only the beginning to my legacy as a philosopher. Subscribe. Share. Give me feedback. I am always a student ready to learn and accept criticism.
Virgin Mary Perspective
This is lit. I do have an idea that can help the black community tremendously if you’d want to hear it I’m down to share.
SAY SO! Nice to formally meet you HVM. Several points were made here, and this is only the beginning.