Black History Month just ended, and boy oh boy, was it a doozy! We lost a few influential people, dealt with foolish antics, but mostly celebrated significant accomplishments. What made this year’s homage to blackness so interesting was the disregard for acknowledgment and the ability to see. Often, Black people are faced with the daily task of owning our blackness in spaces that were not designed for us to every truly thrives or be successful. Week in and week out, we are surrounded in offices that tacitly let us know that we are the minority, we are different, and that we in some ways must assimilate to move forward. Simply put, this is draining. This concept is even more draining when you have to pay the black tax and walk thin lines during a time where you’re supposed to be celebrated – bring Black History Month back out for an appearance.
Let’s dive into the true essence of this critique. It should not be the expectation that blackness must be affirmed or celebrated in White spaces. I think most of us are beyond the sense of looking toward our racial counterparts for validation in areas we will likely never get it. However, low expectations should not negate mere acknowledgment. Honoring our work, our contributions, and our history (particularly during BHM) should be a minimum. A ton of us are doing great things across a myriad of spaces without so much of a thank you. How hard is that? How hard is it to include the same folks plastered across your website? There is always a diversity and inclusion initiative that lacks the verb of including. And the excuse of not seeing color is trash and disrespectful. Being Black is a part of the experience. When a person doesn’t see color, they do not see the person. The experience of personhood is in more ways than not defined by race. When you don’t see color (Black), you don’t see me!
Without “seeing” Black people as Black people, one minimizes the origin of thought and the utility of expression that makes our work and presence so poignant in any dynamic we are a part of. Why is any of this important? Disregarding Black people in spaces where they present is the willful ignorance of impact and productivity. This is especially degrading in spaces that are minority or black-owned.
What is the solution? The solution is to create spaces where Black folks can thrive. There must include a proactive initiative to take on the mantle to develop people in ways that they don’t see their blackness as a threat. Not one of us should have to tone down to fit in. Neither should we have to bend over or almost break to live up to being “seen.” Culture is a badge of honor. Blackness is not a mark of shame. Moving into self-reflection, I am planning on working on a project that creates this vision. I want to create a space for Black college students and professionals that fosters the development and cultivates our blackness with pride. I can be educated, gainfully employed, and still like my hot wings fried hard with a sprinkle of lemon pepper across the top.
I want to do this as a community! How do we build? How do we create this space? How would you see yourself participating? What would you invest in something like this? Respond to this email with your feedback because it’s a cohort of us that are tired of navigating these spaces without any reprieve—continuing to go on like this? Nah fam, I’m good!
The Dilemma and Triumph of Blackness