When I look in the mirror, I love what I see. Don't you? Being black is something special. In America, we are considered a minority because we are the less represented, making up about 12 percent of the population. People get minority confused with inferiority. Just because there are fewer of us, doesn't mean we are any less. We have worth. We are important. We are just fewer in numbers. Living in a country that was created for and by the majority, the minorities often suffer and these small voices become neglected.
#BlackLivesMatter is an initiative to amplify the voices of the neglected. We so deeply need this right now. The fact that this movement gets so much backlash and disrespect is yet another insult from the majority demonstrating their ideas of inferiority toward us. We have been fighting for our lives since we were dragged across those waters. We went from old spirituals to gangsta rap music, trying to find an outlet to express and mourn our continuous struggle. The majority loves our creativity and talent. African Americans run pop-culture, sports, entertainment, etc. Yeah, they love our hard work, they always did. As long as we are making life more convenient and pleasurable, then we "is special." But when we want the same convenient and fair lives, we're the outraged and racist ones!
We are tired of the neglect. Neglected schools and communities, the lack of opportunities and the unconcern for our lives has gone on for way too long. Without being taught, black people will never know their worth or beauty. We are born in a world already prepared for us to maintain a lower level. We must constantly go the extra mile, work a little bit harder, or prove ourselves worthy in order to achieve any kind of success for ourselves and our families. Not many of us have wealth passed down through generations that would allow us to do something as simple as attend a university. Maybe because our ancestors didn't buy and sell humans to make themselves rich and give those humans no profit.
This brings me to my next point, our strength. We are such strong people. We are the visionaries in this country. We create our own doors since none are ever left one open for us. For example, one of our most valuable initiatives, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, a place where we are accepted and assisted in order to earn degrees that allow us to compete in the competitive workforce. Imagine our world right now without HBCU's (ahem...Wendy Williams). We'd be even less represented in the professional workforce and even more considered inferior.
The list goes on and on. I could rant for days but I won't because ranting needs action behind it. I just wanted to remind each and every black person out there that we are a beautiful people. We are a strong people. We will continue to open doors and knock down barriers. We are magical. We do not need a confirmation from the majority. We have overcome so much and will continue to overcome. God didn't create liberty and success for only people with white skin. We are all his people and the sooner we realize that, the sooner we will get off our behinds and take what's rightfully ours. We matter to ourselves and we matter to him. Forget what the majority rules.
