BEING BLACK IN A WORLD THAT HAS ITS PREFERENCE.

Lets mull over this for a few minutes as I try and paint this backdrop.

Being Black in a world that evidently prefers white.

Not by default, don't get it twisted but rather by a Belief System that crept into the world and into the minds of people with the silence and stealth of a hungry cat...In just under 500 years ago. You see unknown to many, the centuries beyond what we now know as modern history, our motherland was in a class of its own. Self-sufficient, functional, and with enviable systems that governed not just hundreds of tribes but a whole continent. History books confirm that Africa was one of if not the richest continent with everything it needed and much to spare. To say the least, we were doing just fine. (Some might add "and minding our business"... but I choose to leave it at that ) This was up until its questionable 'discovery' -and no not discovery of a whole continent, that would be stupid to even say out loud - but the discovery of its vast mineral deposits, endless gold and diamond mines, oil, wildlife, and overall charm, everything the outside world could only dream of. Above all, the discovery of a people too welcoming, too giving, too forgiving who in the spirit of upholding moral uprightness gladly swung its doors wide open. With that, the perfect scene for the greatest example of human greed was set.

Enter the scramble for Africa and with it the intent of complete bankruptcy of an entire continent. In just a few years, Africa was on the ground hunched over, writhing in pain, her beloved children scattered all over the world. Stolen from their home not to taste greener pastures, but to build worlds they would never get the freedom to enjoy. The motherland lay bear every part of her in shambles from the north, south, east and west. Struggling to breathe while trying to make the abrupt transition from thriving to fighting for survival. Failing to grasp the reality that she was never going to be the same again. That even the promise of freedom would still leave her in chains, chains of exploitation. All this while still nursing the biggest heartache of all time..her stolen and murdered children never to find their way back home. How was growth and rebuild ever supposed to be possible? Within her, there was no chance and to the outside world, her name and image were forever tarnished. The dark continent occupying the lesser end of the human race spectrum. The extras in a movie that had its lead characters clearly marked...there to be seen and not heard. Existing merely to be at the disposal of all others. To be content with the leftovers in the name of 'charity and goodwill'. To accept what was shoved at her and not say a word in defense..because that would be suicidal. And hence the aforementioned Belief System. The preference was inevitably established.

That being the backdrop, allow me to paint the current reality

Being Black in a world that predominantly prefers white

This means that more often than not you'll have to tread more carefully, be on your guard lest what you say, or do be held against you. Quite sadly sometimes, what you don't say or don't do will still be held against you. You'll find yourself in situations where even in complete knowledge of who you are, you unconsciously tend to justify yourself a bit more than is necessary, you know, just to dissipate any confusion. You'll navigate life knowing that eyes will be on you and get used to being looked at a certain way. You'll understand that because of preconceived notions, you'll have to explain certain things that in a normal world would need no explanation. Remember, the Belief System. Often times you'll have to defend yourself or those that look like you either subtly or aggressively if need be. You'll know that your plans and dreams matter just as much as the next person. But it'll be clear that sometimes it takes more than just having valid aspirations and that this extra requirement will only be skin deep. Melanin and all its intensities will have to find its way to the back of the line. Others already had their god ordained head-start...(who is this god anyway?). But amidst all this, you'll still find strength in knowing that your rather 'flawed' existence cannot be defined by man and his distorted perceptions, but by the ultimate source of life... The Great Equalizer.

That being said, I dare visualize the future.

Being Black in a world that mistakenly prefers white

This state racking up a few years of practice, we all understand the urgency for change. Having found a voice that now more than ever can't be silenced, this narrative will have to be re-told. This preference will have to be revised. Gone are the days where silence upheld honor. No! not for this matter, not for Racism. Beliefs can be blatant liars and blinding agents when left unchecked. They build systems where there's no telling the level of damage, in this case, the complete tear-down of an entire Race. Being black will not be a reference to disadvantage or worse yet, a curse. Being black will be a picture of beauty, diversity, creativity, intellect, brilliance to name but a few. In a world where we are not only claiming our rightful position at the table but demanding that our voices be heard until we all have a civil conversation. Until the chain is broken, the building blocks felled and the foundation destroyed... the root of all this messy madness. Might be the journey of a thousand miles, but the few crucial steps are in.

Being black in a world that embraces the human race in its entirety, not just in thought but in action. Where the color of our skins won't cause a divide but an appreciation of diversity and genuine curiosity. A world that recognizes that maybe we are all a little different but that's perfectly fine. That's the space I envision for myself, my children and generations to come.

Being Black in a world. End of story.