It is my luck in life that I had the privilege of going to a
Historically Black College and University, Jackson State University. Now nearly
a decade after my graduation and one year living in Accra, I see the true benefit
of being a majority in a society.
When I was in college, I never wondered if the white guys in
the class didn’t talk to me because I was black and I never thought someone
received a better grade than me because he was white. When I decided to go
natural my classmates didn’t immediately rush up to me and ask why I cut my
hair or could they touch it. Going to an HBCU was an empowering experience.
Now since I live in Accra, I find myself with the same sense
of freedom. Here I don’t wonder if I was passed by for an opportunity because
of my skin or hair texture. The glass ceiling doesn’t seem nearly as thick as
it did in the States and I never have to hear my white counterparts make slick
racists jokes, and it’s all because blacks are the majority.
Having these experiences have made me realize the confidence
you get from being the majority of the population. When everyone around you looks
like you, you dream a little larger. You feel that if you missed an opportunity
or were passed over it is because you didn’t prepare enough; because when you
are the majority there is no need for a scapegoat. It makes it easier to
determine when someone is laughing with you versus laughing at you, because
hell, who would be foolish enough to insult a man who makes up the majority.
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| Guess who posted this....an African |
I have learned that being a majority also makes it ok to
joke about your weakness, as a culture, without being ashamed. It makes it ok
to enjoy art with black faces and red lips. It gives you the ability to laugh
at stereotypical portrayals of yourself and it makes you feel like it’s ok to
appreciate art that some in your culture find offensive.
But then again, like I said, it’s good to be the majority.
Until Next Time. Smooches.
Well said. In keeping with the majority theme - do you ever realize how liberating it is to realize that "melanin-efficient" people make up for 90% of the global population? Making us the global majority and no where near the minority.
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