#BloggingWhileBlack: I’m Rooting for Everybody Black

Stop, Drop, and Roll

It’s like fire shut up in my Black bones.

Sometimes as a writer, you get an idea that you simply can’t shake.

You go to sleep with the topic on your mind. It wakes you no differently than a shrill alarm.

Hit the snooze button and heat the kettle.

I had an inburst (if I can use that word) and this tea is my only relief. How do you take yours?

Athletic Prowess (The Making of a Black Blogger)

Blogging, I’m finding out is a lot like life.

Leaping successfully over a few hurdles doesn’t mean the meet is over.

My first blog was about releasing all of the insecurities that hindered me from pursuing my passion.

I didn’t expect to be bombarded with emotions throughout this journey.

In overcoming my initial fears, a lot of my armor came off.

Sometimes I miss the false sense of security their heaviness offered.

The making of this naked traveler is a marathon. Each discomfort makes me long for a sprint!

I want to compete without feelings but where would that leave my desire to win?

Erykah Badu (Black singer) said it best, “I’m an artist and I’m sensitive about my (expletive).

Black Power

My blog’s title came from a comment a Black actress (Issa Raye) made at the 2017 Emmy Awards.

She was being interviewed on the red carpet and was asked who she is rooting for to get the prestigious award.

She replied, “I’m rooting for everybody Black. I’m betting on Black tonight!”.

Her comment caused an uproar and it stirred the thin veils that had allowed Blackness to peek into Hollywood.

Tread Carefully

Many felt her comments were anti-White.

How dare she reserve her support for Black people who were still sitting at the high chairs in almost every arenas table?

How dare she want us to have an actual seat?

You can be pro-Black without being anti-White!

The Minor Leagues

This blog will not attempt to prove that I’m not a racist. If you don’t know me by my actions, I am not responsible for your judgments!

I would be amiss if I didn’t acknowledge the daily support from the blogging community (which is majorly White).

For the most part, I have been welcomed, encouraged and motivated to be the best blogging me.

I’m a helper by nature and I’ve strived to return the favor in the most integrous way possible.

Life as a Black woman has given me much hands-on experience with the “minority” label.

Blogging (and everything else) are extensions of my over-qualification.

I’ve used this as motivation even while feeling conflicted.

Sometimes I just want to forget my Blackness.

“Make Believe”

I’m proud of my skin color and heritage but society constantly sends alerts of inferiority.

These incidents are based on contrived lies but that doesn’t lessen their effect.

I want to be seen as just a human being.

That phenomenon occurs so rarely that my melanin has now turned into a cause.

I constantly feel like I have to magnify my hue’s beauty in order for society to change it’s thwarted mind.

Whenever I leave my comfort zones, I subconsciously brace myself for “anything”.

“Hispanics” Only?

I remember moving into a predominantly Hispanic neighborhood.

On the first day, an older Hispanic woman blocked the stairway to my 2nd-floor apartment.

On a good day, I can understand basic Spanish words.

At that moment, she was speaking really fast and flailing her arms as if to say I wasn’t welcome.

She stepped aside as I got closer.

I was found guilty based on being a young Black female.

She didn’t know me. We never spoke.

There was my skin color being used, yet again, to condemn me.

If she expected constant visitors, loud music, criminal activity, violence or orgies she was disappointed.

Ironically, the men welcomed me with open arms (literally in most cases).

The Usual Suspects

The picture below was taken at a Trayvon Martin rally. The homemade poster read, “I am not a suspect”.

As a Black person living in America: “age ain’t nothing but a number”.

Tamir Rice was 12 years old when he was shot dead by police. He was guilty of being a Black boy holding a toy gun.

This took place at a park in broad daylight.

Black people don’t get the privilege of being the recipients of “de-escalation techniques” that officers are trained for.

They shoot first (and if by some miracle you survive) ask questions later!

Sadly, the picture is not an exaggeration of reality!

My Humanity is a Movement

I too feel like a suspect. My Blackness is seen as a fear inducing threat.

Every time I get in my car, I realize like Sandra Bland, I may not make it home that night (or any other).

Being Black has turned into a myriad of hashtags hoping to make a racist society “see” us.

There’s #blacklivesmatter, #myBlackisbeautiful, #Blackgirlmagic, and #drivingwhileBlack to name a few.

Most of the initiators of these causes may say the “positive” hashtags were designed to be pro-Black. They are reminders to like ourselves again after generations of degradation.

That’s partially true. I say, it all boils down to hoping we are seen beyond the negative connotations surrounding our skin color.

Art Imitates Life

Tuesday is one of the days I make use of my t.v.

From its inception, I have watched This Is Us.

It’s a family drama intermingling race and identity.

It’s currently in its 4th season.

The first two seasons had me bawling through each episode.

The show’s Facebook page would even suggest keeping a box of tissues handy.

A Sobering Reality

“Randall” is a Black boy who was adopted into a White family at birth.

A few clips depict him as a preteen navigating a complex identity crisis.

He’s come to the realization that he doesn’t always “fit in” or “belong” in the Caucasian circles that are the norm to his family members.

When They See Us

On a day of golf with his dad, Randall shares these frustrations.

To his dad’s credit, he thought his love and acceptance was enough to shelter his Black son.

He attempted to reassure Randall by saying, “When I see you, I don’t see color.”

That statement has always bothered me.

It feels like a dismissal, regardless of intent!

It’s a different story to not judge me by the color you do see.

Color Blind?

Randall gave the best answer possible to his dad. “Then, you haven’t really seen me”.

I was surprised when my eyes stayed dry.

That wasn’t the writers’ objective!

No more tears. They were getting to the even better stuff!

This is Us has 4 writers. Two are Black ( according to Google).

I want to believe they played a role in these scenes.

The show really got the message across and it resonated.

I’m rooting for everybody Black!

In Living Color

Sundays are reserved for The Affair.

For the final season, veteran Black actress (Sanaa Lathan) was added to the cast.

Her character was promoted to principal at the school where one of the leading actors (Noah) worked.

The pair seemed unsure if their attempt at an interracial relationship would work.

Both of them appeared to struggle with true intimacy.

The Help

In one episode, there were many racist undertones in almost all of the scenes Sanaa was in.

At a repast, she was “mistaken” for “the help”.

In another, ‘Noah’s’ daughter praised her “coolness” in being his dad’s first Black girlfriend.

In the midst of this, Sanaa’s character was facing a demotion involving sharing her principal role with a White male colleague.

Her bosses felt like she was coming on too strong and the White co-worker needed to be “the face” of the school.

She could remain in the background “continuing her excellent job at administrative work”.

Sounds like code for “angry Black woman, stay in your place” to me.

Wake Up!

At first, I felt as if the writers were overemphasizing the Black struggle.

I came to the realization that watching the previously all-White cast had given me a reprieve from Black issues.

The introduction of a Black character was a cultural shock. None of the White characters had ever faced these struggles.

I had to snap back to “reality”.

These were real difficulties Black people face in both their personal and professional lives.

I wished this state of affairs were overstatements!

I’m rooting for everybody Black.

Black on Black Crime

Racism is painfully traumatic. You find coping mechanisms and you deal!

I believe the worse type of bias is the one that happens from one Black person/entity to the next.

I was scrolling through YouTube and came upon a video about boycotting a Black-owned cosmetics company.

Apparently the company gained its popularity through the help of “unknown” Black beauty vloggers.

After becoming profitable, they are being accused of only spotlighting or catering to viral White vloggers.

The Black vloggers complained of feeling disposed of and treated contrary to the brand’s mission.

I was sad and disappointed.

I’m now seeing top Black influencers represent the brand.

Hopefully, they’re treating the “little” Black people better!

Family Matters

My cheerleading extends into the blogging world!

Black Bloggers, I’m rooting for everybody Black.

Will this sentiment be reciprocated? Most likely not!

I have yet to see it with few exceptions!

If you’re a Black blogger, why is it that you don’t root for everybody Black?

The same could be asked of disrespectful Black companies.

The psychological effects of slavery never ended. That much is obvious.

The roots are deep and one blog will not cure all!

I still need answers!

Could it be that you too have bought into the “I see no color” rhetoric?

Are you carrying generational strongholds that “White is better”?

Majority rules. Maybe you’re afraid to stir the waters?

Is your Blackness a badge of shame?

Have you inherited a Stockholm syndrome where you can only be cured by an elixir of “Whiteness”?

Bet on Black

You may not care about giving another brown hand an assist.

You’re focused on individual success and the route you’ve determined will get you there!

Black bloggers are not my competition and neither are they beneath me.

I may evolve ten times over as a person. My Blackness will always be constant!

Sometimes the disinterest from Black bloggers will bother me! I’ve accepted that!

I was raised on the Biblical principles of giving without expecting anything in return.

I’m working on the application part!

If I don’t bet on Black, who am I waiting on to do it for me?

Still, I Rise

I don’t need sympathy! A little empathy might help!

I’m just a farmer sowing seeds. I hope the land is tilled enough to receive them.

“I’m rooting for everybody Black” shouldn’t be a controversial statement.

It should burn deep in the bones of every Black person.

I’m sounding the alarm in my small way. Will you hit the snooze button or spring to action?

Black people, we need oxygen, heat, and fuel!

I’ve added logs to the fire because it’s cold.

~Poof…Bee Gone

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