MAFOOMBAY
It’s important that we all carve our own niche in this place. Explore what makes each one of us unique for that distinctiveness is what…
Blacknificent!
BLACKNIFICENT
[blak.nif.e.cent]
adj. Impressively Black; Exceptional
These short essays are designed to focus on the paradigms that signify what it means to being Black (in America). Our multi-faceted successes are on full display as this book will take you on a journey that begat on August 20, 1619, when “20 and odd” Angolans, kidnapped by the Portuguese, arrived in the British colony of Virginia and are then bought by English colonists, to the present-day idealism of wokeness.
What defines Blackness? There’s light-skinned and dark-skinned, house negroes and field negroes, Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. Dubois, and spiritual and trifling; across the diaspora, the divide is wide yet, we are still unified as we all seek that one common goal of equality and a satisfying life.
How much did that purposeful disconnection from our African roots affect us and are we a new breed of people ever since the horrors of The Middle Passage? Does our Blackness harm us, if so, then how can we transpose that curse and have it benefit us in sports, religion, our diets, education, wealth, and every other facet of life?
Chapter List:
PROLOGUE:
An ode to our ancestors that sacrificed and ultimately demanded rights that are civil; thank you for creating Black communities across the nation that instilled discipline, hard work, dedication, loyalty and leadership qualities to its offspring.
CHAPTER 1 – GO GET ME A SWITCH!
Violence is as American as baseball and apple pie but, are Black Americans inherently violent or have we just adapted to a violent society? And, are we violent enough?
CHAPTER 2 – CHITLINS, MY NIGGA
From bad to good – to great. The adaptability of Black Americans when faced with adversity is unprecedented and extraordinary. And, should we stop saying the n-word?
CHAPTER 3 – BLACKFACE
Is it really a bad thing? Context matters. A journey through the history (and future) of blackface.
CHAPTER 4 – UNEXTINCT
How much of our African(ness) do Black Americans still possess? Or, are we the newest breed of humans on the planet with no ancestral heritage to call home?
CHAPTER 5 – BLACK JESUS
Care to have a discussion on religion in the Black community?
CHAPTER 6 – EXIT STAGE WHITE: episode I
Chip and Baker, twins born separate and unequal in the time of slavery. When adversity strikes, they must make a decision that will not only impact their family but will change the course of history.
CHAPTER 7 – I’M OUT!
Drapetomania was a hypothesized disease described as a mental illness that caused Blacks to flee. And oh, did slaves flee!
CHAPTER 8 – READIN’ IN THE HOOD
The history of Black literature.
CHAPTER 9 – COPPIN STATE VS BOWIE
If we recognize our greatness, the polling together of Black athleticism can greatly change our condition and ultimately, America.
CHAPTER 10 – OFFICER’S DOWN: episode II
Why are so many of our young Black men being killed by the police? Officer Fifth has the explanation as he patrols and leaves his mark in the Black communities.
CHAPTER 11 – IN THE BEGINNING THERE WAS JACK
Don’t assume every Black person listens to Hip-Hop. The history of House Music is explained with an emphasis on its importance in the psychology of Black resilience.
CHAPTER 12 – FOLLOW ME
Isn’t it time for a new National Anthem? A new flag? A new Constitution? And a new America? Designed with a Black influence with liberty and justice for all.
CHAPTER 13 – THE CONVERSATION: a short story
If you had a chance to converse with your ancestor at the gates of the Cape Coast Castle, what would you say?
CHAPTER 14 – WHY OBAMA MATTERS
One day, he will be considered The Founding Father of America.
CHAPTER 15 – THE LAST BLACK MAN: episode III
White people will soon become the minority in America. But what about the Black race and its beautiful brown skin? Houmare intends to protect it.
CHAPTER 16 – REPARATIONS
You owe us. But how are we to be repaid?
CHAPTER 17 – GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE
Is our government doing enough to ensure that Black Americans are achieving the American Dream? No. Our elected officials need to create agencies to combat the racial discrepancies in housing, education, finances and criminal systems.
CHAPTER 18 – VOTE!
Voting is the essence of a true democracy. Remember, if someone fights so hard to take something away from you, it’s worth it to work just as hard to keep it.
CHAPTER 19 – A NEW AMERICA
What will America look like one hundred years from now? Diverse? Broken? Post Civil War II? The only thing that’s certain is one side will win. Will it be liberalism acceptance or conservative capitalism?
EPILOGUE
The definition of Blacknificent!