Black History Month: What It Means To Be Black

I understand it is October and even though I am in America and they choose to celebrate it at a different time I still acknowledge that back home this is the month we have been given to celebrate our own history. Learning of my history is something I take very seriously and will no doubt be dedicating a number of posts to the subject. But I always try to let people know that Black History Month is every month, not just October.

Right now I am going to drop a poem that I caught last year during the BET launch last year for BHM. I saw Jason Nwansi recite a powerful poem of his entitled 'What it Means to Be Black' which really touched my soul. I put off doing this earlier because I felt the actual recital was so powerful and I wanted to upload the video but I could not find it. Luckily, when I was searching for the poem to paste onto this post I saw someone had finally uploaded the video on YouTube just a week ago. I don't know why it took so long but I'm happy someone finally did. Again I feel like divine intervention has a part to play on one of my posts. I feel like the Most High is really smiling down on me today.

Anyway I'll post both the video and written format of the poem:

What it means to be Black by Jason Nwansi

I was asked to write a poem on what it means to be black
But I don't think my words can encapsulate that
The rage that I feel when ignored by black-cabs
I don't think my words can encapsulate that
Constantly over looked coz my complexion don't match
I don't think that words can encapsulate that
And even though I'm non-threatening I'm still viewed as a threat
I don't think that words can encapsulate that.

Black, adjective, of the deepest colour
Relating to the human group having dark coloured skin
Presenting distressing situations in comical terms
Like the fools who make jokes out of racism
Marked by disaster, marked by despair Damilola Taylor left bleeding on stairs
The pages of my dictionary have casually stated
That black is full of anger and hatred
Maybe that's why I can't get a cab
And I keep getting stopped by police and that
Plus it's more likely that I'll be shot or stabbed
That's called NEO-RACISM where BLACKS hate BLACKS BLACK ON BLACK CRIME, rolling with nines
So solid crew got the blame for a while
Under represented in all institutions
LIBERALS LIP SERVICE and look for solutions

Forgive me for stating uncomfortable facts
But for deeper understanding we must look back
A whip sounding from silence a thunderous "CRACK!"
I don't think that words can encapsulate that
Lacerations that perforate this young slaves back
I don't think that words can encapsulate that
Sleeping in my own faeces with a plague of rats
I don't think that words can encapsulate that
In the belly of a slave ship that wont turn back
I don't think that words can encapsulate that
I've gone from a King to Cattle in the space of a week
No wife home nor land, I morn I weep, I'm weak
I'm feeling home sick so I cant eat, I'm meek
These Iron-cuffs have created sores that seep
I've been Robbed of my robes, given strange clothes,
This place is a market; I'm now to be sold
This man has his hands on my testicles
Traded besides a woman that I do not know
The sunshine radiates her skin just glows
She cry's all the time of a pain untold
Robbed of her Virginity, Dignity and Soul
I offered her comfort, her hands were so cold
I am FEAR-INSTILLED, Man's Property still BREEDING with strangers against my WILL
FORCED to behave or my blood will SPILL
The MASTERS A MONSTER I've seen him KILL
If I accept this now will this ever STOP?
In future will our Children be strangled or shot?
Decorations from Oak Trees for Villainous MOBS
Or will WHITE faces greet us and hope we've forgot
I was asked to write a poem on what it means to be black

But I don't think my words can encapsulate that