Ne.w Bl.ack
Where do I even begin…
So…latest thing people are complaining about is Raven-Symo.né comments about defining herself as an American.
And in true Black social media fashion, people are upset because she’s defining herself using her own words based on her own experiences.
Conundrum for these celebrities like Raven, The Smiths, Pha.rrell, Mr G…all of them recognize that they’re Black, but they want to be defined based on the content of who they are, not on preconceived notions of who they are based on a shared history of Blackdom.
As usual, Black people are saying they’re “running from themselves”, “self hating”, “forgot where they came from” etc.
Calling them “N.ew Bl.ack”…
Couple of things:
1. I’m 100% positive everyone listed in that group above is aware that they’re Black.
None of them were always famous. Some may have gotten famous at a young age, but I’m sure they’re aware of what being Black means in America and have been reminded of their Blackness in obvious (and likely frequent) ways.
2. Everyone in the group listed above has intermittent privileges based on their fame/money.
Black people are really good about reminding each other that they’re still Black no matter how much money, power, fame you have. Social media especially makes the “privileged class” accessible in a way that hasn’t been possible before. Jaden has a twitter just like you. Pharrell geeks out about meeting famous people sometimes like you, Mr. Gl.over gets lonely and thoughtful sometimes with twitter rants just like you.
But they’re not REALLY just like you.
They might have started out like you, but once your basic needs are handled and you don’t have to worry about how to pay for your life or where your next check will come from, you free up a lot of brain space to think about other ideas and concepts.
Like “yes I’m Black, and that’s part of my identity, but I’m more than just the color of my skin.”
“I like boys and girls and that’s okay. I like people. People are awesome.”
“I want to headline a heavy medal group and make music I like…and I want to support my kids’ creative expressions because I worked hard so that they could be able to without fear.”
“I want to define myself based on my own thoughts, feelings and accomplishments. I personally was able to pursue my dreams through my hard work and taking advantage of opportunities. I think Black people DO have a ton of opportunities they don’t take advantage of…sometimes it IS because of systematic oppression, but more often, it’s because of perceived internal boundaries that aren’t even there.”
“Am I gay? I don’t know, maybe. I haven’t thought about it. I don’t think about kissing dudes or anything, but it’s part of the human experience.”
All that was me paraphrasing stuff that group has said at one point. I don’t think any of it is particularly shocking or really even unique or anything. They are their truths. They have the right to think these thoughts….and also the privilege of accessing a consciousness usually limited to people who are free from material motivations either because they have the money to get whatever they want, or they have achieved a level of consciousness to not concern themselves with fitting themselves into boxes that makes other people comfortable.
A lot of, if not most people define themselves based on external definitions. They find comfort in being part of a larger group and sharing common thoughts and customs. Others define themselves based on their own ideas. They find comfort in being true to themselves using their own thoughts and values as the measure of who they are and as the basis of their character. Still others do a combination of both….
But none of these ways of going about life are wrong…just different.
It’s so annoying to me when people project all their whatevers onto someone to try to put them in a box or to discredit their lifestyle because it’s not how they live.
With people having things to say about “Ne.w Bl.ack” people, or commentary about Blackish or conversations about Urbance…or even people side eyeing me for liking the random things I do.
Question for everyone : “What makes you think the best that [I] can be is a reflection of you?”
Fantastic question and he wasn’t even talking about Black people.
People are who they are. Them being different from you because they had different experiences doesn’t make them any less valid in their Blackdom or gayness or nerdiness or whatever label. They are [Their name].
Who are you to tell them any different?
…
Yes I realize I’m doing the same thing they are, side eyeing them for being basic closed-minded sheep having a different set of values than me…
But I’m just sayin…
