Being a powerful and VERY underestimated station in the world.
Black (ness)
The term "Black" has been associated with so many negative thoughts, attitudes and feelings. With the worldwide reach of social media the overly simplified outlook on Black people is gradually changing. More and more people are coming to understand that "Black press" has been "Bad" press for far too long. Black press is steeped in racial bias. We no longer accept your scapegoat role for us. We dont have to conform to your ideals.
Society's relationship with racism needs to end. And I believe it takes a village to change that relationship. We each have a stake in it. A duty to help change this narrative race before people. It should be people first PERIOD.
Even if your words or actions are small, they are not meaningless. They hold restorative power, believe it! Our circles of influence are not so small anymore.
We must continue to interceed in the places where we have a seats, where we hold power.
I know I am not thr first to say this nor am I alone in this conviction. More and more talented, Black people are reclaiming their voices about who they are, and who they aspire to be in this world. And setting up the next generation.
The grind is mind boggling.
At least for me, the drive towards proving stereotyoes wrong is because of black history itself. All the struggle, torment, nausea, pain, and fear. We've come too far to get complacent now there is still ground to be won.
Being black is so much more deeper than just skin. Being black sometimes feels like your whole body is a wound. A wound that cannot ever fully be healed because the trauma follows you. And there is a reopening of the race wound when someone gazes upon me who also recollects this black history. IT remembers that my lineage was not expected to make it this far, that we were "expendable", "savage"and "tools" not people, not equal, not worthy.
Blackness is my connection to the history of hardship and present injustices done to my brothers and sisters worldwide.
Blackness is the unimaginable strength and perseverance it took and takes for my people to survive & thrive through it all.
Blackness is a consistent internal fight with perfectionism, and rage. Blackness is the external relational drama of tokenism, competition. All the while contending with stereotypes, and the oppressive systems that uphold them.
Regardless of wealth, nationality, 'security', faith affiliations, Black people are all forced to start in a position that says we are unworthy, lowly, and "challenging". Moreover tasked with forgiving those stereotypes and living your life.
In my opinion forgiveness opens a way for true healing. Because forgiving someone/something that harms you is a humbling process. Reminds you to focus on the important things. Things to be grateful for. To thwart off bitterness and heavy chains.
Forgiveness is NEVER for the person who receives it, its for the person who gives it. This way we can have peace from those wrongs.
Please notice i did not say forget. Forgive your oppressor, and rememeber what happened before. Let it drive you forward out of its grips.
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us." -Hebrews 12:1 (NLT)
To my people who won't be broken, you inspire me everyday.
Kelsey
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