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We can embrace being Black, but only with the understanding that the
most fundamental portion of being Black is being African. The most
fundamental portion of being African is being balanced. Balance comes
to us based on where we start our study.Some people start studying history as Africans, and others start studying as Blacks. In both groups, many seem to concentrate on Black and/or African achievements without proper perspective. Without proper perspective--which involves an understanding of how an African or Black person arrived at their achievements--one can only marvel at the end result without having adequate information as to how these people arrived at the achievement.
We can trace many great inventions as well as math, science and art to Black people, but we will still have only a cursory attachment to those achievements as long as we fail to fully embrace an understanding of who those people were and how we are connected to them. That is why it is extremely important to embrace and celebrate the original consciousness of the African people, as opposed to the achievements of these people after they arrived in America.
We should eventually free ourselves from titles and move toward consciousness, but the evolution has to begin somewhere. Black History Month, which began as Black History week is a great concept, but it should continue to evolve as our consciousness evolves. It should be year round, and the celebration must be a constant inward journey of our self to the root of our existence, beginning with the re-evaluation of the modern African under Western thought.
Yes, Black people, it is time for us to plan on creating Black History. That begins with defining ourselves.
- Darryl James is an award-winning author and is now a filmmaker. His first mini-movie, Crack, was released in March of this year.
- James’ latest book, "Bridging The Black Gender Gap," is the basis of his lectures and seminars.
- Previous installments of this column can now be viewed at www.bridgecolumn.com. James can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
