I have always had an appreciation for being black. It all began with the innocence of my childhood: from the big afro puffs my momma put in my hair to the beaded braids that I put in my own hair (which were secured with none other than aluminum foil…that was before we figured out we needed to use rubber bands!) to the fascination of seeing so many black people with different hues of skin to watching Soul Train on Saturdays and standing in the mirror with my sister to make sure we had all the dance moves right, I have always loved being black.
When I got to high school, I loved going to school with my people. I loved my white friends, too, but there was something about the way that I connected with my sisters and brothers that I just can’t explain. By the time I got to Spelman, I became particularly drawn to the stories of my ancestors. From Nat Turner’s slave revolt to the writings of Langston Hughes, the fascination I developed for learning my history remains in my heart to this day.
And then as I emerged in to a young adult and took a look around me, I gave thanks to my Creator for making me black. But I also stood in awe of seeing so many wonderful accomplishments of my people. From Dr. Johnetta Cole to Lena Horne to Bill Cosby to Don Corneilius to Michael Jackson to Mae Jemison to Barbara Jordan to Hank Aaron, I figured black folk had it goin’ on!
But I have to tell you of one stunning event that has changed my outlook on my blackness forever. That Tavis Smiley ought to be given a Nobel Peace prize for his genius of an idea to create America I Am. I mean, I really thought I had a grip on black history; but to walk into that museum and see the many displays of allllllll the contributions black folk have made to America had me in tears. I was absolutely mesmerized by what I experienced at the Atlanta Civic Center on September 20, 2009.
I, along with Evelyn Jackson, Dale Burney and Shakira Burney-Brown, took a group of youth from our church (Greater Bethany Baptist Church) to see the exhibit. And while I am never at a loss for words, I left there nearly speechless. I was in awe of the fact that we come from such a rich heritage. Yet, we were brought to America by the millions --- that’s what got me, when I saw the figures of how we were brought over in quantities of millions upon millions --- against our will, to build a country that still does not totally accept or respect us. If you don’t believe me, just watch out for the hate that is being bestowed upon our President. Now, if the commander in chief in this country --- who just happens to be a black man --- is consistently disrespected, then you should know that we’ve not come as far as we think we’ve come.
Yes, America has come a long way, but we’ve got a long way to go. And the distance that we’ve come was not without the blood, sweat and tears of Africans who were made into Americans. There is not one piece of anything we can look at in America without seeing a reflection of our heritage. America I Am undeniably answers W.E.B. DuBois’ question, “Would America have been America without her Negro people” with a resounding NO.
Now, this is not to say that I didn’t realize that we were valuable. Thanks to Ebony and JET Magazines, the Ebony pictorial history books, the films we watched in school about the Civil Rights movement and other educational experiences, I knew that we were a great people. But, to see all the artifacts from a 500 year period was just indescribable. The accomplishments that we have been able to make, despite our uprooting, despite the brutal injustices are enough to make one proud.
At the same time, I was overcome with emotion when I saw the shackles that slaves were bound in. My heart was heavy when I saw The Door of No Return because that was a symbol that our captors had no intention of ever returning us home to our rightful place or royalty and creativity. When I saw the whipped backs of my ancestors, I just didn’t know what to do. What on earth could we have possibly done to be forced to America to build a country that only despises us?
I haven’t figured it out yet. But what I have concluded is that no African American, regardless of where you find yourself (even at this very moment) has a reason to feel less than. When you know who you are, you don’t have to feel intimidated, you don’t have to feel incompetent and you don’t have to feel like you’re worthless. First of all, those feelings have no place in your life if you consider yourself a child of God. I know that because I know that God is incapable of creating anything that is worthless. I am of the personal persuasion that there is a level of value in everybody.
Black people have been served a raw deal in America, but that doesn’t mean that we have to stop being who we are. If you have dreams, go after them. If you have a great idea, bring it to life. If you have fears and inhibitions, put them to rest. My black brother and my black sister, I assert that you have the innate ability to do anything you put your mind to. Although America would have you to believe otherwise, sometimes you have to encourage yourself to believe that you really can achieve. I’m so glad that it took Tavis Smiley’s America I Am to help me remember this. But I wasn’t reminded just for myself; I was reminded so I could share the good news with you! Thanks, Tavis, for an awesome, humbling, informative and life-changing presentation. Now I believe that we can not only take ownership of the statement that says, “America I Am” from an individual’s viewpoint. But now black brothers and sisters all over the nation should link arms and decree, “America We Are.”
Amen. Well said. Thank you Alonia.
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