The question "Am I black enough for you?" is arguably one of the most controversial topics discussed within the black community. It always seems to be a battle, a sort of cultural stronghold when trying to figure out how “black” your fellow friends, community members, or relatives really are. It's no secret.
Within mainstream media such as, internet forums, music videos, newspapers, and in popular television series there seems to be only one theme that is maintained. That theme being, “The Black Stamp.” This stamp, of course, is physically fictitious but still carries weight when addressing our colored counterparts. This stamp, also known as, “The Black Card” is a label used within the black community to attempt measuring people of color of their “blackness.” It is primarily used in disputes or during uprisings of cultural deviance.
For example, when Raven Symone, the used to be Disney Channel star of the then hit series, “That's So Raven” referred to herself as dark-white it immediately caused backlash due to her act of denouncing her black counterparts. An act of cultural deviance that sentenced her to scrutiny and shaming by a majority of people within the black community, showing little remorse. Since the incident, she has not only had her black card revoked.
As much as I want to sympathize with her, I can’t because acts of “Shedding” your blackness are acts of betrayal and I, for one, don’t like to be double-crossed. To clarify, I am not insinuating that she owes me or anyone anything, but as a black childhood star during the early years of predominately white-sitcom Disney Channel, she was bestowed the moral obligation of being a role model. A representative figure that was expected to take pride in being a Black-American/ African-American… NOT… dark-white.
However, celebrities in the media are not the only ones that are threatened with the potential of having their black card revoked; each black man and woman is at stake, myself included. Yet I will not encourage the action of “Black Card Removal.” Especially, if the action itself is further initiating harmful stereotypes of black men and women and of people from different ethnic backgrounds.
To add further clarity on this, ask yourself the last time you thought a black man or woman was not abiding by the stereotype of what many would consider a “typical black person.” Have you ever encountered a black man that liked metal? Or a black woman that enjoyed country music and horseback riding? Most would question their upbringing, their geographical location, and every possible factor that may have influenced that person to reject the stereotype. Let it be acknowledged, that the individuals that continue to dismantle stereotypes and ill-informed perceptions of black people are to be applauded. Always.
Also, let it be known that black men and women are not to be labeled by stereotypes or are obligated to justify their blackness to anyone. Not even to another black person. That this make-shift stamp is acting as a catalyst to further divide our community instead of accepting each black individual’s unique persona. You can’t measure someone's level of blackness by their actions… you just can’t. Only through DNA and even then it only takes a drop of black to be black.
Not to mention that black is very broad, for example, Black-American, Black-African, Black-Caribbean, Black-South American, Black-Hispanic, Black-Natives, and many more. It must also be noted that being black should not be the only thing that defines a black person. There is more to a black individual than the complexion of their skin and the origin of their heritage.
Lets just all agree to get rid of the stamp altogether. Let's make some happy hashtags instead, how about this… #BlackDiversity. To further encourage those to define themselves while loving themselves for what they are holistically.
