Say It Loud, I'm Black and I'm Proud!

Published on June 13, 2005 By foreverserenity In Blogging

I wanted to say more while responding to Little Whip’s blog entitled “Calling All Negroes”. Link She made some good and valid points, and the comments were pretty interesting and some cleverly funny!

As someone mentioned in their comments on her blog, (not a quote verbatim), why can’t we (all) be looked on as just a human being?

I agree, after all, I'm just a human being, a woman of color, of Caribbean birth (born in Jamaica), and a Naturalized citizen of the good old US of A. Need I go into my ancestry? Ok, I’m a descendant of the Maroons of Jamaica (who by the way were said to be from Africa, but they are Jamaicans first), I’m also of English descent, with a little bit of other "types" thrown in. So what am I?

Who cares! If it makes anyone feel comfortable to categorize and put me in a box, knock yourself out it doesn't really matter to me.

Let me state however, for the “PC” (as Little Whip says) of it, that I’m ever so grateful to all those (and even more for the “PC” of it) African Americans who have made strides in our history for me to live my life with the freedom I do. For the fact that I can drink from any water fountain I want and use any bathroom at any gas station when I need to (at least I hope I still can); for all the wrongs that they have righted and all the causes they have stood up for, I am one grateful, happy black woman! Thank you also to my mighty ancestors from the Island of Jamaica who fought for our freedom to be an independent country. Let it never be said that I’m ungrateful.

But if it makes others like me typecast me because I "sound white" and horror of horrors "you don't even sound Jamaican, I would never have guessed!", "Speak Jamaican for me". Yikes, I've heard it all. I am what I am, what I am. Should I walk around with a label on my back or on my chest? No way.

It just gets really tiresome when you're being judged because you're the color you are and not the person you are. It's time that we get over ourselves and stop typecasting. Do you want to hear a recent story of a lovely telephone conversation I had with a client recently? Oh it was very nice, very proper. When she saw me in person, wow, if I had a camera to snap the expression, LOL! The horror, I'm black! Now if I was to take this personally I would have a big chip on my shoulder!

Life is too short. Take me or leave me, I don't really care. But I do care enough because my children are going out in this world everyday, and they are even more mixed up than I am, they have to identify legally with what I am on the legalized forms that have the “African American” terminology and just because their mom is black (this rule in itself is outdated!) they’re often thrown into that category. Sometimes I just don't respond and other times I check all the boxes, just to get their goat!

Although there are still so many mountains to climb just because we’re so hang up on the color of someone’s skin. A person can’t just be a person; can’t just be talented without it being noted that they are Black. Why can’t it be, “that man who is very talented”; or that woman who is the president of the university”; or “that woman who was crowned Miss USA”; or that actor who was so good in that movie”?

So to end this long tirade, “Hi, I'm Donna, I like music, art, movies, theatre, museum-hopping, reading, watching television, spending time with my kids, meeting people, blogging, I'm a democrat (proudly so and that's my choice), going to the beach, partying, hiking, just plain having fun and enjoying life. I'm so varied in my moods and my opinions, not to mention my taste. Why oh why does it matter if I refer to myself as black, can't we just all get along?

Comments (Page 2)

Dr Guy

on Jun 14, 2005

Just came across this. Something for your Family back at home to be proud of!

ATHENS, Greece — Asafa Powell, of Jamaica, set a world record in the men's 100 meters Tuesday, clocking 9.77 seconds at the Tsiklitiria Super Grand Prix meeting.

Powell, who finished fifth at the 2004 Athens Games, shaved one hundredth of a second off Tim Montgomery's record of 9.78 set in Paris in 2002.

ParaTed2k

on Jun 15, 2005

dynamaso

on Jun 15, 2005

What a great piece, Serenity. I don't think there is anything wrong with acknowledging one's roots, but the idea of them becoming some sort of tool to be judged by is just stupid.

Cheers,

Maso

Dr Guy

on Jun 15, 2005

What a great piece, Serenity. I don't think there is anything wrong with acknowledging one's roots, but the idea of them becoming some sort of tool to be judged by is just stupid.

Very true. I just use em to explain when I do something stupid!

Hey! I amfrench after all!

foreverserenity

on Jun 15, 2005

Just came across this. Something for your Family back at home to be proud of!ATHENS, Greece — Asafa Powell, of Jamaica, set a world record in the men's 100 meters Tuesday, clocking 9.77 seconds at the Tsiklitiria Super Grand Prix meeting. Powell, who finished fifth at the 2004 Athens Games, shaved one hundredth of a second off Tim Montgomery's record of 9.78 set in Paris in 2002.

You know I saw this piece on my way out the door but didn't hear where the runner was from. Wow! Thx for sharing Doc!

Now, if the descriptor is used in conjunction with an insulting or degrading remark, I can see the problem. However, I like your attitude. Be Proud!!

You're right Ted, no need for anyone to be ashamed of who they are. It's only when what's being said becomes insultive does it becomes a problem. And no reason why we have to go around identifying what color we are because it's quite obvious to everyone who can see! A good attitude is the only thing to have!

What a great piece, Serenity. I don't think there is anything wrong with acknowledging one's roots, but the idea of them becoming some sort of tool to be judged by is just stupid.

Thanks Maso! Exactly...you said it all!

What a great piece, Serenity. I don't think there is anything wrong with acknowledging one's roots, but the idea of them becoming some sort of tool to be judged by is just stupid.Very true. I just use em to explain when I do something stupid!

I think we all do that at one point or another, it's the (fill in the ethnic blank here) in me!....

MasonM

on Jun 15, 2005

Very true. I just use em to explain when I do something stupid!

Hey! I amfrench after all!

Yep. I'm Irish/Apache. No temper here.

It just means I drink, but I get p*ssed about it.

foreverserenity

on Jun 15, 2005

Yep. I'm Irish/Apache. No temper here.

It just means I drink, but I get p*ssed about it.

Hee, hee, it's great when you can poke fun at yourself isn't it! Life's too short not to be able to take a joke!

MasonM

on Jun 15, 2005

Hee, hee, it's great when you can poke fun at yourself isn't it! Life's too short not to be able to take a joke!

As i said on another thread, as long as we can laugh at ourselves we will be perpetually entertained.

dynamaso

on Jun 15, 2005

Hey Doc,

Very true. I just use em to explain when I do something stupid

Oh, if you're applying the judgement to yourself, then I see nothing wrong with it. After all, if one is not qualified to poke fun at yourself, then who is?

as long as we can laugh at ourselves we will be perpetually entertained

Wise words, Mason and something I try to live my life by.

Cheers,

Maso

Dr Guy

on Jun 16, 2005

Oh, if you're applying the judgement to yourself, then I see nothing wrong with it. After all, if one is not qualified to poke fun at yourself, then who is?

Me Mudder?

dynamaso

on Jun 17, 2005

@ Dr. Guy... Of course, there are always exceptions, with one's mother being the highest on the list.

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