Have you ever had that persistent itch on your back that you can never quite scratch adequately? Or when it finally subsides, it goes and sets up camp in between your toes? Well, such is the agony of a black person in society today. I’m talking about the Racism itch!! (Reading this must have made your toes itch, scratch it before we proceed)
For African and African origin communities all over the world, the biggest battle has been one against open racism. With all the globalisation and human rights movements that have mushroomed to date, open racism is gradually creeping into the shadows. Though it still itches (R.I.P George Floyd, R.I.P Breonna Taylor), a far more dangerous itch, like a hidden cancer, affects black people. Yes, the subtle not-so-subtle institutionalized racism.
Consequently, Black rights activism is our key focus today. One question I always get when I bring up this issue is, “how effective is activism in combatting this particular variant of racial discrimination if racial injustices persist in our society?” Are the key players listening? Can we pragmatically measure the progress?
Black rights activism is geared towards attaining equal participation and opportunity for all Black communities, as well as ending racial violence. It is a collective effort to fight for Black people’s rights through advocacy and agitation. To speak to the issue and not run from it. Though well-meaning and heavily supported these movements are, the rate of progress, measured by the lay black man’s impression, is quite frankly not high enough. This is not because the efforts are meagre but because of a largely rigid system whose foundations were built to favour and elevate one race over others.
“Until Black can feel like an opposite to White on the colour spectrum, and not merely a shadow to white, we have a long way to go!”
-original-
I would like to share with you a friend’s story. I had a 27-year-old African friend who resided near the New Amsterdam Public Hospital in the US. He had just graduated with his degree in cardiology. Packed full of potential, a beacon of hope for the people back home and their flag bearer too. Deep down, we knew that he was a door to great fortune coming, not only for him but also for us. His nephew idolized him. All were robust with joy as he was appointed the medical director of the hospital. As things seemed to be moving on smoothly, he was called to attend the congratulatory dinner. As he and his nephew returned home, he exceeded the speed limit by a few and cops swarmed his vehicle. They were commanded to fall on their knees. The whole scene was shadowed from the little nephew who was pulled back to the vehicle.
Just like that, someone’s story was written before he could even pull out his pen.
And so many are being affected everyday!!
As Ciara Taylor, one of the most notable activists in the USA says if we are serious about transforming our society, then we need to be serious about educating ourselves and our communities as we equip ourselves with the right tools to fight oppression, oppression which exists in our society clear as day.
Here’s what I suggest!!
In the words of Carol Moseley “defining oneself as opposed to being defined by others.”
Letting people define your capability basing on the colour of your skin will hurt this cause we are fighting for. The inferiority complex instilled in a majority of us by the indoctrinated education, religion and by our mirroring of foreign cultures shows that we also play a role in oppressing ourselves. WHEN I LOOK AT MY SKIN, I DO NOT SEE SETBACKS AND INFERIORITY, I SEE OPPORTUNITY AND SOMETHING UNIQUE TO ADD TO THE WORLD. Well we all should.
And yes, the world is not a movie, racism will still exist. But sometimes, I choose to make lemonade out of the lemons life throws at me. As the fight against racial imbalance is fought by those who do so, we in the crowd should chase opportunity and crave to impact in any way we can. So, shall we? #BLM
MEET THE CO-AUTHOR
Karuhanga Calvin is a budding young writer with a throbbing passion for seeing Black people thrive on a rather tilted global stage. Driven by his experiences as an African youth, he feels the need for the playground to be levelled. In the spirit of Black love, he brings to you this heartily penned article.
To submit articles, email me at odzjeffreyjr1@gmail.com
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