I Am..Education

    The great Marcus Garvey once said, “Free yourselves from mental slavery, none but ourselves can free our minds!”

 

     With that being said, racism is much deeper than slavery and segregation. Though the chains, whips, and shackles were removed 100 years ago, mental slavery still persists, especially within the black community. There are so many issues that are overlooked and not discussed. For example, many fail to acknowledge the internalized prejudice that prevails within the subconscious of the black community. Growing up as a black female, I’ve faced numerous challenges.

 

     I wasn’t afforded the same opportunities as those who were of fairer skin; I would have to prove myself constantly, often producing exceptionally just to be considered on par with the average work of my peers. For years, the same sentiments haunted me. “You’re pretty for a black girl”, “You talk like a white girl”, or the ever popular “I’m surprised that you’re not ghetto like the other black girls that I know” would play over and over in my mind. In the black community, such remarks have been tolerated so, that they become commonplace.

 

      It sounds bizarre, but it is just the reality. It almost seems as if ignorance is applauded in modern society. Being told that I was “pretty for a black girl” was supposed to be received as a compliment. In my mind, it was as if the insinuation that black and attractive were considered mutually exclusive, and that my very existence as a beautiful black woman was an anomaly, was supposed to flatter me.

 

     Those that would comment on my vernacular, as if my skin deemed that I was incapable of articulating thought, blew me away; as if my skin had anything to do with my mental capacity. To correlate whiteness and intelligence just furthers my point. As black women, our very existence is convoluted. No matter how many of us succeed, innovate, and attain the American dream, the expectation of what we are supposed to be, the manner in which we are supposed to present ourselves will always stand. We could all be classy, self-made, brilliant, and enterprising, but every single one of us would still be considered “exceptional”. 

 

     I am not what society deems as “ghetto”, dumb, or ugly. I am a young, promising, intelligent black female. My skin color, my roots, nor my nationality should determine how far I will go in this world. My integrity, humility, intelligence, and ambition should be the only factors in determining my future. I have fought to hold these beliefs, in the midst of everything around my dictating otherwise.

 

     For a great deal of my childhood, I believed that to be black was to be the caricature painted by pop culture. It was the stereotypical black female who relished in hip-hop culture, fried chicken, and an obnoxious (and comical) bravado. But as I grew up, I came to the understanding that who I am as a person has nothing to do with my race. Black culture is much deeper than what the majority perceive it to be. It is wealth, resilience, unwavering authenticity, it is pure and beautiful, full of soul, and it is integrity and empowerment. In my estimation, my blackness is inherent royalty.

 

     I use to accept the preconceived notions based upon my color, people assuming they knew my life’s story upon looking at me. Now, I refuse to allow other people’s perception of me affect my growth and self-esteem. I create my own path and on that path, I see success. I will not be barred from accomplishing my dreams and goals. Women of color face tremendous barriers. In order to push past these barriers, we must be aware of the strikes we have against us pertaining to racism and misogyny. In our case, ignorance is NOT bliss.

 

     Overall ignorance, both internal and external, continues to stifle the black community. Therefore, I have taken it upon myself to continuously educate those on black culture, systemic oppression, and institutionalized racism. In keeping with the theme of education, this is why I see college as an integral part of my success, personally and occupationally. Educated is one of the largest motivating forces in the world, let alone America. I look forward to instilling this pride in education and love of knowledge in the coming generations.