This evening I was cruising around the Black blogisphere. I generally go to a particular blog and then check out the blogs they read. So the first blog I went to was a blog that mostly posts about things that are negatively impacting Black people. Which led me to other blogs of the same ilk. I like to read those types of blogs because to me they are the modern Black media. I sometimes post about issues that are impacting the Black "community" as well, although I don't consider my blog one that primarily addresses those issues.Tonight though after reading the more active blogs, I came away with a feeling that many of us, African Americans, are living at least part of the time in a box created by others. A Black box if you will. I understand the importance of being aware. I also understand that there is a constant barrage of attacks on Black people in this country and around the world. But, when are we allowed to just be who we are as individuals? Is this what our lives, Black peoples, were intended to be filled with?
How much time can we devote to being Black before we lose our particular human individuality? What happens when our identity is so strongly tied to the amount of melanin in our skin?
This post is not by any means meant to criticize Black bloggers who focus on racial issues regularly. Also I am not talking about being post-Black. I am simply questioning if we collectively lose track of the millions of things that make us all unique in the universe?
I'm not sure I have anything but questions to ponder. No answers are coming to me. Just more questions. I just sometimes feel frustrated that we spend so much time focused on being on a defensive stance.
Who is doing what to us today. Where is the next attack coming from.
Is this the life (insert whatever higher power you believe in) intended for us? To be Black people ? Or was the intention that we would be human and live full lives based upon our individual characteristics?
What if we people of African decent had never suffered the atrocities inflicted upon us by Europeans long ago, who would we be? What would be our collective focus? If we had never been victimized because of our Blackness, how would we view our Blackness?
Today I read about some of the Jena6 kids attending the BET Hip Hop awards in Atlanta, and some supposed comedian/ actor who wore a noose around his neck at those same awards. I read about a group of Black bloggers who have formed two online organizations with the express purpose of coming together to effect positive change for Black people through blogging. I read about all sorts of issues and problems and soon to be issues. But I was left wanting more. I wanted to know more about the individual bloggers, about their hopes and dreams, hobbies, places they have visited, things that made them who they are.
Maybe I just have activism overload from reading those blogs tonight. Maybe I should explore other blogs. But my questions still remain. Is this what our lives were meant to be?
Are we living in a Black box of someone elses making?
8 comments:
Great questions. I don't think we are intended to live in a Black box. I don't think it's healthy either. Sometimes it can't be avoided, sometimes we get caught up deep in it, but we should always leave the top of the box open. But, some folks live in that box 24/7. I've known folks who only view the world from there, to the point that they can't enjoy anything without a Black connection. When you live there it effects your view of the world, makes it narrow. Even civil rights activists should maintain the ability to step away and just be human.
Hi Jackie,
Exactly, there needs to be an escape hatch on the box. I wonder what it's like to live in a country that is 100% Black. Do the dynamics of race change? I've never visited a majority Black country but I would like to experience that.
My parents are from a majority black country. it is very different experience from living in the United States. The way my relatives feel about themselves and how they relate to others is eye opening.
I am an American but I am moving out of the country.
Hi NYC/CR,
You are very fortunate to have a different perspective. I plan to visit a majority Black country, I think it will be very, as you said eye opening.
Thanks
Take me with you . . . I get overwhelmed too when I read certain blogs. I have even questioned my allegiance to "my people" because my posts are not as "us focused" as others. Thanks for articulating this for me!
I also fear the activism overload. This is partly why I don't listen to the news as much. Sometimes it can be too morbidly focused on the problems.
If you ever do visit a majority black country, i'd be curious to hear your take!
Lisa,
I think we all, in the blogisphere have a place. I hope you never change the focus of your blog, it's great the way it is.
Miriam,
I canceled my cable a couple of months ago, mostly because of all the negativity. It has truly been peaceful without cable, the really important stuff I still get from the internet and PBS.
I had a bad case of overload last night, it was really depressing.
I think that Black people are doing so many positive things, why not focus on that. That's one of the things I try to do on this blog, and the blogs I look forward to seeing each day tend to do the same.
My wanderlust has been acting up lately, so who knows I may end up in the U.S Virgin Islands or Grenada soon!
Post a Comment