Hello people,
Tonight I experienced the rebirth of a dying struggle. A struggle that has existed within my world, my people and my me...the struggle to organize, achieve and arrive...the struggle of this black race. So long has the urge been suppressed; the urge to grow and advance. As a people, we (the Blacks of America) have become so cozy in the confines of depression and oppression that the struggle to rise nearly died from repeated attempts of suicide, but tonight I saw a rebirth!
As God would have it, I ended up at a function hosted by the Trotter Group. For those of you as unfamiliar with this group as I was, they are a group of prominent Black Journalist and writers from around the country. Tonight’s lecture was a treat to my very soul. Over the last couple of months, I’ve felt misplaced…disassociated with myself. Trying to fit into this radio industry without shaving too much of my essence, and quite frankly, I don’t think it’s going to work, but we shall see. Anyway, the greatest part of me was satisfied this night!
With great pleasure, I accepted the wisdom of Attorney Ted Shaw, NAACP Legal Defense President. Mr. Shaw very eloquently reminded me of my purpose; my mission; my reason for being…and that is to be a guiding force for who-so-ever of my people will listen. He reminded me of the peril awaiting our children and the need to ring the alarm in the ears of the parents; he reminded me of the FIRE!!!
As always, I have to share the good news. I was introduced to a series of writings done by various journalist within the Washington Post all under the title of “Being A Black Man.” The Series was organized by the journalist as an attempt to depict the life, style and nature of the Black Man in ways known, but rarely shown? The series lasted about a year and due to its rave reviews was turned into a book, which, of course, I’ll be getting real soon.
I don’t know how many of you are familiar with this series, but I encourage you guys to check it out entirely, but in the meantime, I’ll be sharing some of the writings and components here and open each piece up for dialogue.
FOR STARTERS: The Chronolgy of Blackmen (1492-1644)
1492: Among the crew on the Santa Maria during Christopher Columbus's voyage to the Americas is Pedro Alonzo Niño, a black man. Africans also accompany Ponce de Leon, Hernando Cortes, Francisco Pizarro, Hernando de Soto, and Francisco Vasquez de Coronado in the early 16th century.
1623: William Tucker, the son of indentured servants living in Jamestown, is the first recorded black birth in America.
1625: A census of Virginia counts 11 black men among a population of 1,227.
1641: Mathias De Sousa, a free black man, is elected to the Maryland General Assembly. He had come to the colony as an indentured servant.
1644: Lucas Santomee, a black physician and one of the major landowners in what is to become New York, is granted a tract by the Dutch that stretched from modern-day Greenwich Village to Brooklyn.
Can you guys tackle the following question posed in the series?
"What Does It Mean To Be A Black Man?"
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
The Rebirth!
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15 comments:
Wow friend. I had to think twice about whether to even answer the question. It means so many things to so many people and I don't believe it can be completely captured by anyone.
Then I thought, everyone has an opinion and I can only speak on what it means to me.
It means, at times, being forced to dig down and find pride in your own ability, intelligence, heart, soul, history and legacy, to show it to a world that sometimes does not care, that does not value it and is often times trying to, at minimum, to control it and at maximum, trying to destroy it.
It means struggling, surviving, striving and succeeding despite both internal and external pressures both expected and unexpected.
It means determination.
Nice post, and nice response Sojourner G. I'll be back to read the rest of the responses.
Peace
Im with ya, but im optimistic, thanks to folk like chekih anta diop, david walker and folks like u of the new breed
Im with ya, but im optimistic, thanks to folk like chekih anta diop, david walker and folks like u of the new breed
Wow! That's a pretty deep question as it has many facets. It means many different things to many different people. Being a woman I'm not sure if I am qualified to fully answer that but I await others as they try.
It is the be the most envied, most feared and most hated man on planet earth.
That is part of it...
To answer that question wouldn't that mean that being a Black man is the same thing to every black man? Black is just a color... to leave out class or even what part of the world they come from would do a great disservice that question.
Thanks guys! Hello Andrew my dear,
well you're correct in that, "black IS just a color," and technically the wrong color to call my people, since we're BROWN... lol, but without the technicalities:
“To answer that question wouldn’t that mean that being a Black man is the same thing to every black man?
I don’t think the question lends to that thought at all. NOTHING’S really the same to everybody, now is it?
“to leave out class or even what part of the world they come from would do a great disservice that question”
In the actually series the question was asked to Black men ONLY, and they answered based on LIVING THE LIFE. Since I’ve asked that question here, “What Does It Mean To Be A Black Man?” It’s to be answered as it’s interpreted by the individual. If they’re of Island decent and that aspect affects their thought then their response would still be conducive.
This question can be answered by any and all…Black or Man or otherwise; we’d ALL have a reaction to the question because it produces thought about Black Men. Overall, Andy, I don’t think this question needs any add-on’s and there’s no distinctions to be made as far as background or ANYTHING. A white man will have an answer, an Asian women would have an answer and in some cases it may be the same answer given by a Black man…no distinction, no disservice…just a question.
Dayum JMW You foreva bringin the HEAT! What does it mean to be a black man? It's a shame but I don't even know HOWto answer that.
Black men are feared, but revered. Black men are hated, but are the most imitated men in America. I think that America realized the strength and possibilities of the black man early on and has since tried to surpress his masculinity and abilities...I love me some black men!
I don't think I could quite capture what I think being a Black man means to me in this little box, but after reading everyone's response I'd have to agree with all that's been said particularly Xcentric.
Every day is a struggle that's what I think of when I think of what it means to be a black man.
THANKS GUYS...
I know I didn't really answer this question, but keepen it real short: Being a Black Man = The Power to Rule the World RIGHT!!!! PLUS... pretty much ALL that's been said above...echoing op.d and xcentric...I LOVE ME SOME THEM (Black Men)
Wow, i think i have to agree with the others, i can't honestly answer that without walking in that black man's shoes...but as a black woman i think we feel, and need to feel where are men are at and sense where they are going. I wish one day all black MEN will share this with the young men that are growing up black, for many seem loss and don't know or care about the struggle. As i continue to raise a young black man, it is my duty to share with him history, and the pain, as well as the joy and reverance of being not just a black man, but a child of God.
Like others who are NOT Black men I can't answer it fully - but to ME I would guess it means to be the MOST FEARED/hated AND LOVED/Adored man walking EARTH!
U may want to check out the Blog:
(especially as a mother of boys;-)
BlackMaleAppreciation;-)
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