By Seven-S.O.S.
IF YOU look around today you will see many people who appear to be discontented with their Blackness. The amount of Black women and in some cases Black men who are resorting to “bleaching” their skin is very disheartening. I know we live in a fashion conscious society, but we should not let the dictations of fashion manipulate us to change our natural appearance. Black women spend millions of dollars on skin lightening products annually. Not to mention the ones who choose to buy colored contact lenses. Nothing is odder than a black woman with blue eyes, bleached skin, and a blonde weave, and I see of lot of women fitting this description. It is imperative that our people, Black people educate themselves on the history that we as Blacks have. We do not need to impersonate or imitate any other race. The Black race is a unique, diverse, and multi-talented race. Within the Black race exists all shades of Blackness, light brown, brown, medium brown, dark brown, black, dark black, jet black…nonetheless…it’s Black…beautiful Black.
When we as Black people embrace our Blackness, we are embracing the memories of our ancestors, the great warriors, kings, and artists of Africa. We are embracing the struggles that our forefathers went through during the dark years of slavery. We are embracing the journey that men like Martin Luther King, Marcus Garvey, and Lynden Pindling took to fight for the rights and freedoms of the Black people.
Brothers and Sisters, when we embrace our Blackness, we are embracing all of the achievements that our Black brothers and sisters have achieved. Did you know that Black men were responsible for inventing the air conditioning unit, the bicycle frame, the cellular phone, the clothes dryer, the door knob, the electric lamp bulb, the elevator, the guitar, and so much more.
Let us embrace our Blackness by reading works written by Black writers, writers such as Langston Hughes, Maya Angelou,Toni Morrison,and also our own Bahamian writers. Let us embrace our Blackness by celebrating Black music, watching Black movies and plays, supporting Black art and culture.
So what if you are dark black , with thick lips and a broad nose…that is beautiful…that is you, and you are Black, and you should be proud. If your hair is nappy, so what, that is Black, and you are Black , be proud and embrace your Blackness.
As Black man of African ancestory, I am so proud. When I think of the Great Motherland Africa, with all of its mountains, and beautiful landscape, the different languages, cultures, and customs, yet one Blackness..it is an honor to be Black, and I embrace my Blackness and you should too.♦bf
June 23rd, 2010 at 9:52 pm
come on now, everyone has bleached their skin one time or another, for more than one reason for example: discoloration, blemishes, dark circles, scarring ect! please, dont act as if you dont do it too… come buy a batch, you know you want it!