Style United: Proud to be African in America
to be nobody but yourself, in a world that is doing its best, night and day, to make you everybody else, is to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight; and never stop fighting. - ee cummings
We live in a society that divides everything and everyone into black and white terms. I find this disheartening and ineffective when it comes to bridging gaps and creating community. We all come from various groups, background and cultures and as a client shared with me a few months ago, “It’s the things that makes us different that makes us all alike.” That really hit home to me. Part of my journey into personal style is embracing more of my African heritage and what makes me unique as an individual. I already feel sad I don’t have much of an African accent anymore. Due to trying to fit in and keep from being ridiculed, I sought to fit in and in that, I lost my accent in the process which I wish I have now today.
No one is white, but we have a mix of cultures and ethnic groups in this world, such as: Polish, French, Yugoslavian, Scottish, Irish, British, Australian,etc. No one is black, as we are a mix of Ghanaian, Nigerian, Cameroonian, Sudanese, Afrikaans, Kenyan, Somalian, etc. Each group has unique values and traditions that are beautiful to learn about, respect, understand and embrace. A friend of mine shared this video on Facebook which I thought was really insightful as it shares the image issues African women face in their struggle to find their sense of self and identity in a world that immediately wants to put them in a box, slap a label on it and ship it as a statistic case. Check out this video with these beautiful young women from various African backgrounds as they’ve all come together as one to share their stories.
If you are of African descent and are ready to find out exactly what part of Africa your ancestors are from, with technology today, this is now more possible than ever. Check out www.africanancestry.com and join Blair Underwood, Spike Lee, Maya Angelou and India Airie just to name of few who have found the link to their culture, tribe and heritage. My father told me years ago that you cannot know where you are going until you know where you came from and I find that this is true. Knowing who you are and where you are from gives you the platform to stand on so you move forward with boldness and confidence. Seek to discover your ancestral roots today. Those who sought to deny you of your culture and heritage will not win that fight.
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