YOUNG BLOOD & FRESH BLACK SKIN IN 2020
To be young, gifted and Black in 2020,TRAUMA or NO TRAUMA you may experience white supremacy delusion, micro-aggressions and the socio-racial hierarchy pyramid.
The experience of white supremacy delusion in 2020
Even after the murder of brother George Floyd, in pre-dominantly white professional environments sometimes there is a dictating of what is acceptable or what is respectable from white bodies towards young gifted Black bodies. In 2020, it’s very subtle. It can look like, a more senior co-worker’s laughing at the hairstyle of a young gifted and Black body simply because it’s something that they are not use to seeing. Laughing at someone’s hairstyle puts yourself above them and that is white supremacy delusion. It’s as if, in 2020 Black bodies are supposed to be subservient to white bodies.
Even if white bodies try to elevate themselves above others and try to determine what should and should not be by reacting to young gifted Black bodies behaviors or expression, the truth is that the mere presence of young gifted Black bodies that express their most authentic self is a form of resistance. Young gifted Black bodies need to continue on expressing their most truthful most unapologetic version of themselves every single day with pride, freedom and independence. You do not need validation. Break the standard. Break the mold. White bodies do not get to dictate what is acceptable or respectful.
The experience of micro-aggressions in 2020
After the Black uprising, in pre-dominantly white spaces, when you begin to hold accountable ignorance, unconscious bias, racial discrimination and institutionalized racism you may begin to experience micro-aggressions. Micro-aggressions are the small but relentless things people do to insult, to dismiss or to deny the experience or the feelings of a person.
In 2020, it’s very faint but still very dehumanizing. In our digital reality, micro-aggression in pre-dominantly white spaces can be seen in email communications. Being ignored in emails communications that promise a follow up that never happens is a form of micro-aggression. Whether conscious or unconscious the silence of emails can maintains attitudes, beliefs and behaviors that support the preservation of institutionalized racism and racial dominance. Especially when the topic of the email is on racial discrimination. The irony of not replying to an email on racial discrimination and/or equality during or immediately after the Black liberation summer of 2020 with all the tools created for follow ups is dumbfounding. Apathy is an enemy. Neo-liberal white-supremacy amnesia is also an enemy.
People that are not rooted in the preservation of systemic racism will not ignore the follow up they promised you, rather they will proactively communicate with clarity, honestly and transparency.
The experience of the socio-racial hierarchy pyramid in 2020
In pre-dominantly white settings, that contains other bodies of culture when a mistake happens try to notice who is blamed. And try to see if that person is fully responsible or even at fault. Often times the person on who the blame falls on is simply a reflection of the social racial hierarchy. The social racial hierarchy has wealthy caucasian are at the top, followed by middle-income caucasians, followed by low-income caucasians, followed by immigrants and lastly at the bottom of the pyramid: Blacks.
In 2020, it can look like, a collective blaming a young gifted Black body for a mistake that should be shared with other people but because the Black body is at the bottom of the pyramid they are blamed and are responsible for the repair of the damage that they only contributed partly to but must repair completely. The other bodies of culture (immigrants) involved are ignored.
White supremacy delusion and the socio-racial hierarchy will often dehumanize young gifted Black bodies, it will trigger self-hate amongst young gifted Blacks and it will not allow young gifted Blacks to fail. Expecting young gifted Black bodies to be perfect at all times is inhumane and toxic. Failing is allowed. Learning from failure is healthy. The oppressive systems in place can rob young gifted Black bodies of their humanity. Do not let it happen.
Experiencing white supremacy delusion, micro-aggressions, socio-racial hierarchy are moments of hardships that can be stressful, traumatic especially if it is ongoing. There is no lesson to be found in being traumatized. The onus is not on the young gifted Blacks bodies. The young gifted Blacks bodies in 2020 must heal and go against the current to believe that they are more than enough, they are more than just that token Black person.
Even if the young gifted Black body may not feel seen, heard, understood or appreciated, they are seen by the silent auditors that are champion children.They are heard by students from pre-k to university that are studying their every move to properly climb on top of their shoulders and beyond. They are understood and monitored by the ones who matter. They are supported by the purest souls who’s efforts have great impact. Last and not least, they are appreciated by their ancestors who fought hard for them to live a better life than they did. Just remember, it’s not a race, it’s a marathon young blood.
