Why do African Americans think they have to prove something?



This was an honest innocent question that a fellow African asked during the hype of the Black Panther movie, and it occurred to me that some people might feel that way. On a side note, this is actually a late post. I had planned to start the year with the experience I had over Christmas of 2017 (which this post would share), but I didn’t. Instead, I put it in the back burner because I second guessed the relevance. SMH! But with the excellent movie that is Black Panther; the hype that people, especially black people, gave to the movie; and the innocent question that my friend asked, I said to myself, “It is time” in Rafiki’s voice.

Last Christmas, I visited Maryland and got the opportunity to see my brother and some of my friends from Covenant University. It was definitely a blast just being around people who love you and whom you love right back! Among the very chill things we did was visit the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, DC! If you are ever curious to know what this slavery thing that people talk about all the time is about, then this museum is the place to visit. Absolutely worth the free entry!  



As we walked through the various exhibition halls, I had goosebumps the whole time. There were times I teared up, times I laughed, times I had a serious face just reading stuff, but in all, I was in total awe of the history of the black nation in America.  I’ll itemize few exhibitions that stood out to me from that visit:


  •       The shackles with which the slaves were kept captive, for both adults and children
  •       A built-in train that revealed the segregation showing where blacks could sit and whites sit  
  •    A whole exhibition room that detailed the story of a 14-year-old boy, Emmett Till, who was annihilated by some white men because the wife of one of them reported that he, Emmett, flirted with her. There was a screen that showed the interview of his mum and relatives in present day, in a loop. His original coffin was also on display. This case played a pivotal role in the civil rights movement (This story left me the most shook!). 
  •      The progression in the media was depicted showing when exactly black people started to appear in movies and other forms of media 
  •    There was a fountain which they called the Fountain of Hope that the designers included to remind us that it is all in the past and we can move forward. It was rightfully placed at the end of the exhibition




(You can watch a more detailed documentary here)

So, why all of this?
To see all that and to see what Marvel did with Black Panther, is a huge step to moving forward. I never really understood how deep and important it was for black people to be represented in a movie until one day, during that same Christmas holiday, my brother and I were watching a movie and he said ‘Ahn Ahn, where is the token black guy?’ I didn’t even know that was a thing until I saw it on another random post on Instagram. Ever since that day, I found myself unconsciously looking for the black people represented in a movie, and how many they were. Visiting that Museum was a real eye opener and it helped me to see the situation in America very differently.

The way I see it…
Coming to America as a pure African, I had this attitude of ‘I’m not African-American, therefore, I can’t relate to the black struggle’. This wasn’t far from the truth. But what I lacked at that time was empathy (Note that I say empathy and not sympathy). And really, who am I kidding? In Nigeria, don’t we complain about how the Hausa’s have taken over government, or how some Yourbas don’t like the Igbos (or general animosity among the various tribes), or how even within the Igbo tribe, we have outcasts for reasons best known to our forefathers that have died and have even forgiven the misdeeds of the so-called outcasts? So, we all know that struggle to some degree. And just because I claim not to relate, doesn’t mean it isn’t someone’s reality that they live through every day. Does this mean that racism will end as a result of Black Panther? Hell Naw! See ehn, as long as there is a God and there is a devil, there will always be good and evil, love and hate, kindness and wickedness, you name it. So, whatever side you are on, make sure it is the side you want to be till the day you leave this earth because as it is, we will only learn the truth at the end of it all.


So, that’s it. I can’t say that I don’t relate anymore. I have seen the light! Speaks in tongues…LOL! But really though, I will never call it ‘Black sentiment’ or say ‘Hey, they need to get over it and move on’, because I now understand better. My respect for African Americans has become greater and all I can say is continue to shine, continue to be strong and be resilient. Enjoy the rave of Black Panther to the fullest and wear your Ankara with pride. And to my African people, respect and empathy will go a long way.


DISCLAIMER: All views expressed on my blog are my own and do not represent the opinions of any other entities whatsoever with which I have been, am now, or will be affiliated 

Comments

  1. Hey Lucia. this was a great read. I empathize with them and I respect them.

    ReplyDelete
  2. That's the way to go Madam YHP! I'm with you.

    ReplyDelete

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