I woke up this morning with a brain full of "words I never said". A discussion with a loved one last night about America's freedom of speech, which he feels is as loose as a ho-ho-ho, lead to the disclosure of my semi-radical views. (I believe freedom is subjective, but that alone is an entirely different discussion) His response to my views? "This ain't the 60s!!!" After trying to discuss how being radical is still needed today, to no avail, I politely removed myself from the phone conversation. Now, now…I can hear you say, "You did what? The Nina I know is not a quitter! Why didn't you give him a piece (peace) of your mind?" When I sat in silence and broke down all the reasons why I didn't, the bottom line is that I was hurt, confused and baffled.
Check the positive:
Let's just be clear, to know me is to understand that I tend to have a pro-black point of view. Not racist, but pro-black; further more I'm very pro-black woman. My idea is that until the black woman is lifted, many other issues will continue to occur. See Stokely Carmichael: "Why are we sent to defend our Motherland but taught not to defend our Mothers?" and another quote on a t-shirt I've had since college that says something to the effect of "Wise is he that understands the complete freedom of a race depends on the freedom of its women." This logic can easily be debated, just know that it's my conclusion after all of the reading I've done, discussions I've had and things I've experienced as an open, educated and well-traveled African American Woman. I've rocked a fade, a fro and corn rows. I protested against the Chief in college and was VERY active in the community (receiving the community service award), something I continue to this day and plan on doing more of. This is me, I embrace change and allow my mentality to expand to encompass many positive and progressive views.
Check the Affirmative:
Many do not know that I come from a family of radicals. On my mother and father's side, my ancestors (who worked hard and paid for their freedom) fought in the civil war to free their family members. Fast forward to my grandmother's family, the Bufords, who were a well respected family in Arkansas. While they were not well-off, the Bufords owned and worked their land, land that my family still owns today, and didn't take crap from anyone (black or white). The stories that surround the violent encounters and opposition they faced for being so independent as Blacks are endless. Fast forward to my uncles that were a part of the Black Panther, or other family members that briefly joined the NOI, not because they didn't know who they were, but because they wanted social change. The church I called home for so many years, was lead by a pastor that marched with Dr. King. I was raised, and am still advised, by parents that voice their opinions in boardrooms, teach in less fortunate communities when they can teach in the more well-to-do suburbs, adopt children to raise them in a safe and loved environment, or as CPD are forced to do desk jobs because they love their job but refuse to be corrupt. This is only a small part of my lineage, but I own it and respect it.
Things I should have said:
I am positive these things do not readily show in my personality upon first encounter. Radical, by definition, is a person that advocates thorough or complete political or social change. While no one in my family sits on the political edge, I was raised by people that push the social envelope. Not just for their family, but for Blacks, their community and humanity as a whole. I will not and can not be anything else. My children will observe, learn, respect and take responsibility for their legacy. No, it is not the 60's, but the -isms do exist: Racism. Classicism. Hylicism. Immoralism. Pessimism. Sexism...and the list goes on. I will teach my children to learn and understand all things, with the intention to embrace what is of positivity and reject that which is negative. They, like me, will practice Agapism: ethics of love! One of my favorite quotes by Youssou N'dour states: People need to see that, far from being an obstacle, the world's diversity of languages and religions and traditions is a great treasure, affording us precious opportunities to recognize ourselves in others. While I hope I didn’t offend anyone, the reality is that this is ME.
THIS IS MY LINEAGE. I respect you and yours; so I ask the same in
return.
Stay mentally and spiritually open, embrace change and stay read up!
Peace...
Nina B.
