Same Coin, Different Sides.

You do not create unity by stripping away individuality.
There are celebrations of independence all over the world. Acknowledgment is a key development tool, often used to highlight an agenda to negatively impact others.  We are cousins, not siblings.

Black(not in the Crayola context) has been expanded to encompass everyone with native African DNA. The issue is not simply the expansion of who is included as black. The issue is the intentional erasure of its original intended demographic(Trans-Atlantic Slave Descendants). To be clear there is no call to stop addressing all African descendants as Black. There is a call to be respectful of Black Americans, who are historically, and on a global scale responsible for advancements for others only to be pushed out and overshadowed as innovators. Ex. Legislation(Every Civil Rights Movement), Beauty Supplies, Country Music, Kpop, Street Wear, etc.

Time and time again Black Americans are loudly disrespected by those we should feel the most comradery from. A plausible explanation would be not only the conditioning to focus on degrading Black Americans but also jealousy over America’s independence from Europe(the hate isn’t aimed at the Caribbean, just North America). There’s no denying that we are treated differently by nonblack groups(which is done on purpose, to divide us), there are opportunities created by Black Americans that we have to fight to not be cut off from in favor of others, including Black people not of the Trans-Atlantic slave trade.

There are two times a year meant to celebrate, highlight, and uplift the achievements of Black Americans. Black History Month(celebrating the progress and achievements of Black Americans) which is shared with Lunar New Year during the shortest month, and Juneteenth(celebrating freedom in the last slave state) which is specific to North America. Again, to be clear, it’s good to learn and celebrate the history and achievements of other black people, however, when there is an event or celebration specifically held for Africans and/or Carribeans, Black Americans don’t take them as opportunities to overshadow. Ex. Twice a year when the Black-Owned lists come out, every single list has less than five, if any at all Black American brands.

All I’m asking is for a little respect. -Aretha Franklin