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.