MAFOOMBAY

Every Black person in the United States carries within them the weight of collective trauma and the strength of ancestral resilience. We grapple with the dual realities of celebrating cultural richness while confronting social injustices. From the disproportionate impact of poverty and incarceration to the pervasive effects of racial profiling and police brutality, the Black experience in America is marked by both triumphs and tribulations. 

Despite the diversity within the Black community, there’s a unifying bond forged through shared struggles and aspirations for equality. This collective consciousness fosters solidarity and resilience in the face of adversity. It’s a consciousness that transcends geography and socioeconomic status, connecting Black individuals across generations and regions. 

If you can relate to these acts – you’re Black.

BLACKNIFICENT!

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KIZZY SPITTING IN THE CUP 

When Roots, the mini-series premiered, it captivated America by bringing the horrors of slavery to households across the country. Based off the true saga bestseller by the same name, Roots’ premiere was a game changer. 

It begins with the capture and kidnapping of Kunta Kinte who’s ultimately brought to America, and ends with the birth of Alex Haley, the author. Kunta had a daughter and named her Kizzy. Kizzy was the same age as her master’s daughter Missy Anne. They became great friends, not unheard-of during slavery, for it kept Missy Anne busy and gave her someone whom she could practice her future slave-owning skills on. 

Illegal, Missy Anne taught Kizzy how to read. 

Kizzy was a pivotal character in the series. As she was Alex’s first descendant born on American soil so in addition to learning the American customs, she was constantly taught the customs of her African heritage. Ironically, she was his only lineage who was born and died a slave. 

When Kizzy became a teenager, she met and fell in love with Noah. And when Noah became adamant about escaping bondage, at first Kizzy resisted but, when she realized his seriousness, she, with her writing ability, forged his pass. 

Noah escaped, got caught, and told on Kizzy (after being beaten nearly to death). Kizzy’s punishment was to be sold. 

Previously, when Missy Anne and Kissy were becoming friends, Missy Anne genuinely remarked and vowed never to let anything happen to her best friend. So, during the ruckus of when Kizzy was being dragged from the plantation, Missy Anne looks on with disgust and ultimately does nothing for Kizzy. 

Nearly 50 years later, by happenstance, Missy Anne’s carriage stops by Kizzy’s new plantation. She was thirsty. Upon “fetching” Missy Anne’s water, Kizzy recognized her and spoke it but Missy Anne feigned indifference and dismissively denied Kizzy’s claim. 

Next scene: Kizzy turned, spit in the cup of water, carefully handed it Missy Anne, then watched her drink every drop. 

Now that’s some Black shit!! 

THE OJ VERDICT 

“We the jury, find the defendant O -(she stuttered) renthal J. Simpson, not guilty.” She had like three more sentences to read but niggas aint hear shit after that ‘not guilty.’ What! And actually, white people either.  

Niggas aint give a shit about OJ; it was the ‘not guilty.’ Years of injustice destroying Brown People and just once, we heard ‘not guilty’ to a Black defendant. Nothing, and I mean nothing else mattered. Not even if he did it. Eye to eye, every Black person could relate to this. 

“Now YOU know how it feels!” to everyone who was pissed. “Y’all so stingy y’all can’t even let us have this ONE! The way YOU feel, that’s how WE feel all the time!” 

That verdict was truly a display of America. 

HARRIET TUBMAN 

I’m just waiting on my $20… 

DENZEL TAKING THOSE LASHES IN GLORY 

Glory’s one of my top 3 all-time favorite movies. And you’d think for this scene but it’s actually when, at the end, he yelled back at his fellow troops, “Come on!” When they were trying to take the fort. 

And then I recall the scene when he was flogged nearly to death…. 

He took those licks. 

Fuckin’ America…. 

MARION BARRY WINNING RE-ELECTION 

“I’ll be goddamned. Bitch set me up!” 

This is Black on so many levels… Marion Barry was the trifling first cousin, the militant uncle, the slick preacher, and the caring son – all in one. He was Black Black. 

He: 

• Advocated for civil rights and social justice, particularly for African Americans. 
• Supported initiatives to improve economic opportunities for marginalized communities in Washington, D.C. 
• Worked to increase affordable housing options for low-income residents. 
• Implemented programs aimed at reducing crime and improving public safety in the city. 
• Invested in infrastructure and urban development projects to revitalize neglected neighborhoods. 
• Was a prominent figure in local politics, encouraging political engagement and participation, especially among minority communities. 

But he also was: 

• Arrested in 1990 for drug possession in an FBI sting operation, famously captured on video where he was heard saying, “B**** set me up.” 
• Convicted of a misdemeanor drug possession charge, leading to a six-month prison sentence. 
• Faced allegations of corruption and mismanagement during his tenure as mayor, including accusations of cronyism and financial impropriety. 
• Criticized for his personal conduct and erratic behavior, which sometimes overshadowed his political accomplishments. 
• Accused of perpetuating a culture of corruption within the District government during his time in office. 
• Despite his contributions to civil rights and social justice, his legacy is often tarnished by his personal scandals and legal troubles. 

VOTING FOR OBAMA, JUST BECAUSE… 

It’s still unbelievable that the United States had a Black President. Voting for Jesse Jackon back in the day was more of a symbolic gesture, and no one really questioned your Blackness if you didn’t vote for him. But, with Obama, things were different. Regardless of your policies, similar to the OJ verdict, (we didn’t care about OJ), it was a slap to the system’s face that Black men can benefit from the same institution that was designed to hold us back. President Obama represented the opposite end of the spectrum that American society tried to portray so yes, we voted for him just because… 

A CHANGE IS GONNA COME SONG 

It should be a ritual that every Black person, upon turning 18, should download (you have to own your own copy) and sit and listen to this song. 

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Being Black in America encompasses a myriad of experiences and consciousness shaped by historical legacies of slavery, segregation, and ongoing systemic racism. It entails navigating a society where we often face discrimination, microaggressions, and unequal treatment. The consciousness of being Black in America is deeply rooted in a shared history of resilience, struggle, and cultural heritage. 

What other events would you add to this list?