Black Americans are older than the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade. Older than the Sub-Sahara Slave Trade. Older than U.S. Chattel slavery. Older than Jim Crow. Even older than America herself. As a people our history and lineage are filled with kings and queens. Generals and scientists. Diamonds, gold, and coltan. We are a people that are beautiful and diverse. Being black in America is like living with a gift and a curse at the same time. I was born into this world black, and I will depart from it as such. That's all there is to it.
The challenges we as a people face today are no different those of the past. I can't speak for everyone, but when I compare previous generations with mine, I can fairly say that we (millennials) are blessed. Juneteenth is a federal holiday. We had a black president and first lady for eight years. Besides musical artist and athletes, we have doctors and lawyers who look like us and represent us no matter where they are. This generation has become our ancestor's wildest dreams come true. It's our ability to freely express ourselves that makes us stand out (in fashion, art, politics, etc.). My only hope is that we continue to use our expressions to uplift and teach each other.
Politics (U.S. or global) is not one of my favorite topics to discuss these days, but here I will give you my opinions on a few things. We as black people in America should never align ourselves with Democrats or Republicans. Blue or red. Left or right. The only color that has universal significance is green (which stands for money and landownership). Green can get you through the door or it can get you kicked out the room. Green also has the ability to help one build generational wealth. On a global scale I do not feel as though everything that is happening has to have our hands in it. Whether it's the Israel-Palestine conflict or the Russia-Ukraine conflict, we as a people are not to turn a blind eye to suffering but are to observe and analyze every event that takes place. We must know who our enemies are and choose our allies wisely.
Diabetes, high blood pressure, PTSD, and depression are conditions that plague our communities. Some of these conditions are passed down while some are caused experiences. Before we can be superman and superwoman at our jobs, we must first make sure our health (mental, physical, and spiritual) is where it needs to be. Prosperity doesn't always come in the form of a promotion or money, but in good health. Health is wealth is a term that is coined in our society, but it's the truth. Proper diets, exercise, and healthy habits can have a lasting effect on breaking generational curses. For some of us our health is all we have. You only have one body and what you do with it determines how the rest of your life will turn out.
In this hour we exist between what happened and what is happening. Between what is possible and what is impossible. Between what was and what is. Between what is true and what is false. We as a people must come together despite our differences for the future of the race. Political parties or social status doesn't matter just one's contribution. Let's drop the labels and unite like a fist ready to strike a mighty blow.
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