Us

The first Ebony magazine that was published was published in 1945. Many know that the word ebony is used to describe an African American because of their skin color. Ebony is actually a specific type of wood, by definition Ebony is 1.heavy blackish or very dark brown timber from a mainly tropical tree. African Americans also identify as “black” because of the racial binary; whatever white is, black is not. On the cover of the first Ebony magazine is six white boys and one boy of color in the middle. The expression on the white boys faces are happy and excited, the expression on the black child’s face is not as ecstatic. I feel some type of way that there are white kids on the cover of the first ebony magazine that is published; because I feel that white people should not be on the cover of a magazine that’s     meant for the black community.

As the magazine continues to grow throughout society you see a consistent pattern of African Americans consistently on the cover of the magazine.  Later down the line you see John F. Kennedy on the cover of the magazine which is important because he was a huge apart of the civil rights movement. A lot of peolple were affected by his death just like how we were effected by the death of Martin Luther kind and Malcom X. Ebony magazine over time is now something that is a contribution to the African American communinty. It's offensive to have white folk on the cover of a magazine that's not meant for them. It just shows how they will always have some type of superiority over us. Even on the cover of our own magazine the headlines would also be offensive and diminishing of the black culture. Like on the cover of the 1971 issue the headline is "The Black Male" and the photo is only a shadow of a figure of a black man, leaving the image black and blank and the 1982 issue with the headline "what every black woman should know about black men" , I mean what is there to know? About our own people. It's like a mocking of our existence our character and our ways. 
Now in days the Ebony magazine covers are more positive and uplifting. Highlighting the accomplishments and growth of our communities throughout the years. The magazine is filled with fun facts, ways to take care of our hair and health and ways to progress and get involved in the comminity and activities around us. Informing us about who really is a threat to us which in reality are law enforces like the police. Perfect example. Oscar grant shot in his back by police officer who walked free. If a black person even looks at a white person it's an issue which is ridiculous. Another example, Trayvon Martin, seventeen year of African American male shot dead by a neighborhood watchman! Who does that?! He smiles in his mug shot and he walks out the court house free. When there are African American men that are locked up just because the prison can make more money off of them being a cell mate. Yesterday I watch MIA music video to her song Born Free. There was a lot of heat thrown at her because of how she did her music video. She got the idea from a real life genocide that happened in 2009 in Palestine (I think) but instead of the people being executed being people of color, she instead had white people being executed by people of color in her video which rose hell in the industry. But people fail to realize she did it to show that what happens to US is real. White people don't care unless it happens to them, they don't care about us. They don't. 

Being Black In America

      What does it mean to me to be black in America? 

       I really dont know where to start. being black in America , is truly a blessing in disguise, but it can also be a burden. I carry the fears and worries from my mom and dad, who carry the fears and worries from their parents and so on. But I also carry the pride from not only my families past but also my historys past.
      But it isnt easy. I worry about my future and my family; to be more specific my younger brother Andrew. He is eleven years old and he is getting ready to be promoted to the sixth grade. Him going to the sixth grade and me going to the sixth grade will not be the same. Children who are in the sixth grade are acting too grown for their own good, but what many fail to realize that being grown means "taking responsibilities for your actions." Im afraid that Andrew wont be ready for middle school because he is not ready for what about to his way as a young African American male in Oakland. Im worried that he will be the next Alan Blueford. Its not that Im necessarily setting him up for failure, but deep down I am truly worried about him growing up and making it. Only because he's black. I do believe he is already born with a target on his back and I know he will be taken advantage of and dismissed because of his ethnicity which is not fair. I know that the answer to my question is suppose to be about me, but this is me. The things that I worry about and cross my mind when it comes to the people I care about is me. I am an African American living here in America! But I am also an older sister, a daughter, a friend, niece, granddaughter, cousin and so on.
      It took me some time to accept me for who I am. I remember when  I used to wish that I was born differently so that my life would be easier. I did not wish to be white, because Ive always had this envy towards white people. I almost despised them for what they've put my people through. What was done to my people was unjust and unforgivable. But from what my people have been through I learned that we have mighty strength, courage, and beauty. Not many can survive the struggle we survived from, our legacy and history is one that not everybody can say that they are apart of. What happened to the people from our families generations ago made us who we are today. And I love who I am today. I love the fact that I can introduce myself and a young African American woman who is from Oakland. I love the color of my skin (not because Im "light skin"), my hair, my body, the woman who birthed me and the my father who helped, because without them I would not be here today. I can honestly say that most of my knowledge didnt even come from a classroom, it came from the experience of the life Ive been living. I am living life as a young black woman but I am also living the life as an American as well.

This Image

     I believe that the image below is an image of the growth of African American society that has been overseen by the media. What is publicized by the media, (the news, television shows, radio, etc) is a reputation that the main stream wants their audience to believe as something that is real. For example, shows like "Love and Hip Hop"is something we all watch for entertainment, we take effort to keep up with the show every week, but we tend to miss out on each other and whats happening around us in our communities, which isn't fair. How often do we see a group of college graduates from the African American community being publicized on the news, or shown as an achievement on the MTV or Vh1 network? Why is it that the media wont publicize the positive growth of the African American community? Because its not like these things arent happening. The graduation rate in the last six to ten years has increased, and the unemployment rate has dropped a few.

      This image is meaningful to me because it symbolizes a change that was once underestimated and seen as impossible for us, but now is very possible. At one point in time we were seen as nothing more than slaves and workers. We were seen as illiterate, stupid, unable, and more. We were not taught how to read, write, and how to use proper grammar because we didnt even have the right to an education which is why this photo is so beautiful. Three brothers and sisters graduating from college, taking one more step into becoming better people, and another positive change in our community. 

      I understand that going to school is not for every one, but doing something with your life to get further and ahead is always better than doing nothing. As a community if we recognized change, beauty, and power within ourselves as individuals, we will be able to see those things in each other and if we are able to then others will be able to.