Coming from a family whose ancestors were slaves and uneducated, I have seen my family evolve into a bundle of success with owing their own business and graduating at the top of their class. This is why I think from the bottom to the top describes and continues to encompass the struggles and achievements of being black in America. Black describes a people that have endured slavery, persecution, discrimination, and even death due to the sole fact of the hue of our skin. As a people, we have made incredible strides and overcome painful trials and tribulations to rise from the ashes of inequality to level the playing field of justice within the last two hundred years. As a young, black woman in today’s society, I recognize the intricate value of being comfortable within my own skin and yet know that I must still persevere to make others outside of my race, as well as some within my race reach that same comfort level. I am bombarded with images in the media of poor, desperate, black boys and men destined for gangs, incarceration, misery, and death.
Images of young, teen-age black mothers falling into a vicious cycle of welfare, lack of education, joblessness and single parenthood permeate my life. The media tends to display and advertise what beauty and success appears to be through a set of “blue” eyes that illicit a cookie-cutter shape of that beauty – long hair, fair skin, small waists, keen noses, small lips and as near to white if not white as possible. The kaleidoscope of beauty that is the black culture is many times a distorted view of the truth when illustrated by the media. Being the descendant of kings and queens I cannot trace my heritage or roots back to Africa. I do not consider myself African-American because I cannot and do not relate to what that means.
The Essay on Looking Beyond “Black Skin, White Masks”
In recent years the world’s toleration for different cultures and races has increased, however in light of this, the issue of black and white has not faded. There is still a large division between both races due to the sentimental and resentful anguish that the past has brought. I recently read the essay “Black Skin, White Masks” by Franz Fanon, in which the author discusses psychological and ...
I believe we are a displaced nation and have been fighting for our place and identification since slavery. As a people, we have assimilated to the religions, lifestyles, and the judgements of non-black Americans to survive and succeed. I have heard arguments and debates that state we are a homeless people without true identity. Their are great people who have done extraordinary things to accomplish equality and affirmative action and yet as a people we still struggle with our identity – are we colored, Negro, black and / or African-American? When I think about black people, I think about strength, faith, and division. Faith to surpass the challenges and obstacles that being black is in our society and strength that represents the pride and determination to overcome those challenges and obstacles. I love the different shades that we are, the attitudes and personalities that identify us and the different shapes and sizes that paint a picture of our culture.
The stereotypes that are implied as well as those that are factual help make up our race because we either strive to meet those stereotypical images or to beat them. I am conflicted by the division that exists within my race and allows us to separate ourselves within our own culture. We have a tendency to identify ourselves based on complexion, “good” hair and eye color. I believe this occurs because of our inability to understand how long we have been bombarded with images not like our own that are supposedly representative of beauty, intelligence and acceptance in America.
We will not reach the mountaintop as a people and a race until we eradicate the false images that surround us and accept and promote ourselves as we are. Black to me is beautiful in every shape, in every size and in every shade. Black is inspirational, motivational, encouraging and some days, discouraging. I cannot choose the color of my skin but I can choose to be whatever I want to be in spite of the color of my skin. When Condalezza Rice speaks as the National Security Advisor to the White House, I see what I can and will be in the future – a successful, intelligent, beautiful woman with unlimited boundaries who is black. Black is who I am – from the bottom to the top..
The Essay on Black People and Racism
“There are hundred of races in the world. Unfortunately, for as long as human have existed, we have enslave those weaker, of those we perceived to be weaker than ourselves”(thinkquest). Racism is everywhere, and we often see it on the streets and schools. There are many short stories and poems that are termed as racist. “On Being Told I Don’t Speak Like a Black Person” by Allison Joseph, “ Sonny’s ...
