Black representation matters!
Representation matters — it shapes not only the stories we tell but also how we perceive ourselves and our communities. As we delve into the significance of representation, let’s navigate through personal anecdotes that underscore the profound impact it has on self-esteem and racial esteem.
Growing up in Toronto, Canada, my Black History Month experiences were marked by a narrow focus on slavery. I vividly recall sitting on the classroom carpet with my legs crossed as the teacher rolled in a TV on wheels. The movie on slavery played, and my white classmates looked back at me with eyes of pity. This one-dimensional narrative did little for my racial esteem. Fortunately, my parents provided a broader perspective, teaching me about the richness of ancient Africa and the greatness of our ancestors. This diverse and empowering view shaped my high racial esteem.
To grasp the full impact of representation, we must unravel the false narrative imposed upon us. History books often tell a tale of when slave owners went to Africa, claiming they had to “save” and “civilize” us due to perceived lawlessness. This narrative, however, is far from the truth. Our ancestors in Africa had a civilized, diverse culture that included doctors, lawyers, and prosperous individuals like King Mansa Musa. The richest man to ever live and he looked like me. If I knew this, if many black people knew this growing up and it wasn’t kept from us, we would see ourselves and our peers differently.
Representation matters because it directly influences how we perceive ourselves and our communities. It’s not merely about seeing success but recognizing it in a form that reflects our own experiences. The book “Think and Grow Rich: A Black Choice” exemplifies this, featuring stories of black entrepreneurs who defied the odds and achieved success.
When Napoleon Hill wrote the original Think and Grow Rich he only interviewed white business owners and entrepreneurs. Napoleon a white man, saw the need for representation within the black community so he started to write another version of think and go rich where he planned to interview black entrepreneurs of that time, people like madam CJ Walker the first black millionaire ever. Unfortunately, Napoleon would die before he could finish the project and so the Napoleon Hill Foundation gifted the manuscript to Dr Dennis Kimbro who finished and published Think and Grow Rich a black choice.
As we explore representation, it becomes evident that the only places black people often see themselves, especially during childhood, are in sports and entertainment. This limited representation contributes to the gravitation towards these professions. The stories we encounter shape our aspirations, and for me, it meant wanting to be in the music industry. But seeing black men and women pursuing different paths was refreshing and inspiring.
This is why the movie The Black Panther was very important to black people I remember going to the theater wearing my dashiki and seeing many other black people in the same attire because this was one of the first time that Hollywood has portrayed black people in a positive light and it wasn’t just another movie about slavery which I am very tired of I still haven’t watched 12 years a slave because I’m just over it, black panther was a story of Triumph and it showed our true history although fictional it took a lot from our ancestors and how powerful we were as a civilization and the powerful gifts we had with inside us.
In the grand tapestry of representation, each story contributes to a collective narrative that transcends the limitations imposed by a distorted history. As we reflect on the significance of seeing ourselves represented in success stories, it becomes clear that representation is not just about mirroring achievements; it’s about rewriting a narrative that empowers, uplifts, and fosters a positive self-image.
So, as we wrap up this exploration, let’s not call it a conclusion but rather an invitation to continue reshaping the narrative. After all, the story is still unfolding, and each voice adds a unique thread to the tapestry of representation.
Challenge!
Try to watch this without crying! Good luck
Little black girls reacting to the little mermaid being black. :)
Peace and love
Andrew Tremendous Jones
