Welcome to African-American

                  (and everything in-between the hyphen)

                                            Month!

B.L.A.C.K. (Believe. Love. Act. Care. Know.)

February is an important month to celebrate and remember all the contributions our fellow African-Americans have made for us to be independent, prosperous, and successful. We are a determined group of people who hope to be treated and viewed the same as our  non-A.A. counterparts. We are a proud people who have endured many tremendous obstacles in order to be considered equal in society.

There is so much we take for granted in regards to A.A. achievements. We often forget where we originally came from and the struggles it took for our ancestors just to survive. All the stereo-types and mindless nonsense about A.A.'s that have been doctrined into society needs to be eliminated in order for African Americans to prosper, be successful, and proud of our diverse culture.

African/American influence, culture and rhythm can be strongly defined and heard in various music, including Hip-Hop, Salsa, and much more based on the instruments played, rhythm, and style. Yet, we still are looked down upon and are often used for our contributions. Any person can have an attitude, be loud, etc., but why does it have to mostly be associated with blacks?

Being "black" does not mean you are black. It is just a word used to simply, even wrongly define the color of our skin and who we are; the reality is that we are so much more than that. Skin color and features are irrelevant to an individual's character. We come from such a diverse, unique culture that is combined with and influenced by Mother Africa, America, plus the mixed parts of our ancestry that is not as dominate as our African ancestry. Yes, blacks can have European (Spanish is also European and included) blood and ancestry that is not as noticable or dominate in our appearance. Nontheless, we do not deserve to be limited or judged based on our ethnicity or characteristics.  

We are a proud, yet humble and resilient people in our struggle to identify in such a prejudice, racist society. Do not forget your history and the parts that make us who we are! 

*Feel free to explore other pages and sections of mine related to African/American culture

Original Poem by Me:

B.L.A.C.K. (Believe. Love. Act. Care. Know.)

What does it mean

to be black?

Does it mean that you are African?

That your skin color is black

or darker than everyone else?

Does it mean you have short hair?

Nappy hair? Or both?

Does it mean you only listen to rap and R&B?

Does it mean you prefer watermelon, collard greens, 

and other types of stereotypical food?

Does it mean you have no culture,

identity, or history?

A lost culture full of twisted history

that seems to leave you

behind everyone else?

No. Some of your roots are in Africa

if you are African-American. 

But I can't trace

my roots back to Africa.

So where does that leave me?

Right here in the Bronx.