Akilah Davis/ Staff Writer
It seems as if each article I write goes on to inspire my next, but inspiration does what it wants. I recently read a column in the Miami Herald written by entrepreneur Brian Brackeen, in which he expressed his “blackness” or “lack thereof.” He wrote that he had a lost an editorial opportunity because he didn’t have the background or upbringing the media loves to glorify and highlight about black folk — the one that speaks of immense struggle and hardship.
Because of this, Inc. Magazine, an editorial initially willing to profile him, killed his story and his spread because they claimed he wasn’t “black enough,” as if there was a such thing, He had come from a stable, middle-class family.
According to his column, 75 percent of black people aren’t poor. Seventy-five percent of black people grow up in stable homes, like myself here in Fort Lauderdale, and Brackeen, who grew up in Philadelphia. But our 75 percent takes a back seat to the 25 percent of us who do, unfortunately, experience hardship, and instability in childhood homes.
Why not represent our demographic accurately, if not equally, at all. How does having a background of drugs, abuse, alcohol, legal troubles and the like make you more black than that of stability, education, and safety? Why does circumstance define how black you are.
There are so many obstacles thrown in the path of the black individual. Besides not being treated equally amongst society, black people also face stigmas within their own community.
There is this constant notion to highlight the smaller portion of those that fail to represent us at the height of our culture and potential. Instead, we are portrayed as troublesome “overcomers.”
It’s not fair to say a man isn’t “black enough” because he owned his truth or was able to become successful and make a way for himself beyond trying to “make it out.”
T is for truth — as in tell all of it; even a portion of the truth is still a lie. We black people are way more than the media makes us out to be. Of course we can exceed, overcome and go beyond such trepidations.
But whether we face them or not, our culture is superior to gangsters, drug dealers, felons, and addicts. We are superhuman. We can do anything. Including succeed with success being the only incentive.
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The opinions presented within this page do not represent the views of Panther Press Editorial Board. These views are separate from editorials and reflect individual perspectives of contributing writers and/or members of the University community.
Photo taken from Flickr.
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