U.S.E.-Americans are African Americans Too
I have thought about how and when to share my thoughts on U.S.E. What better day than the day when one of America's favorite pastime sports comes to grips with reality.
Today, Major league Baseball has elevated the status of the Negro Leagues. Now the Negro Leagues are considered a part of the Major Leagues. To be honest, I am not a sports fan by any means, but I am writing through my tears of joy. I am happy about this sign that things are changing.
In 1885, the National Colored Base Ball League was formed. Even then it was considered minor league baseball. Due to restrictions of their “contract”, this league was short-lived. There were several attempts in forming other Negro leagues that embraced the African American Baseball player. It was not until February 13, 1920, when the Negro National League was officially formed. This article is not about baseball, however. It is about being relevant in America.
Representation matters in everything. The African American community has been underrepresented for too long. As many are finding out, history has not been honest. Did you know how relevant the African American presence is in just about everything we encounter on a daily? In what I call the “bandaid” effect, our accomplishments are often prefaced with “the first”. The First Negro, First Black, or the First African American to do whatever, it’s like a safe disclaimer statement. At the end of the day, if we were born here, then we are American. Americans of African descent of course, but still American.
The history of America needs to be retold, revised, and the facts we didn’t learn in school revealed. America, the truth needs to be told. Now is the time for the bandaid to be pulled off and secrets shared. Transparency needs to become common practice in all aspects of history. It is about time and certainly long overdue.
U-Uplift
To uplift the diverse skills of African Americans throughout history is the first step in acknowledging the truth. Uplifting the presence and voice of African Americans when recognizing accomplishments is the right thing to do. This will plant seeds of possibilities for our young people. When someone is consistently told that they can’t, it suppresses the spirit. While this is not a uniquely African American problem, my community has often been told what we can’t do. Telling us where we can and cannot go, as well as what we can and cannot achieve has long been common practice. On so many levels, we have dispelled these antiquated notions. In fact, we have actually gone above and beyond what was expected of us.
S-Share
The dandelion effect is known as sharing. Why not share the accomplishments of African Americans in the past, as well as the present as American’s? Most people can see what race the individual is. My visually impaired friends are not concerned about what my nationality is. To them, I am simply a friend. Often a visual is attached to whatever is being shared. If not, technology has a way of enlightening us.
Sharing information is considered an introduction of an idea, a fact, an accolade, or a person. When introducing someone, is it considered polite or common practice to say - Here is my African American friend Teri? The people I associate with usually say “Here is my friend Teri”. When I introduce myself, I simply say, “Hi, I’m Teri”. Not to steal anyone’s glory but to each his or her own. I prefer to be defined by who I am — simply Teri, a woman who just happens to be of African American descent.
E-Educate and Empower
The wonderful power of education never ceases to amaze me. To educate by uplifting- as well as sharing- the beautiful things African American’s have done, bring me joy. It is a way to empower the generations who will outlive me to be whatever they want to be. After all, the African American was not always a slave. If we consider the history that was taught to the Boomer generation, we started as slaves brought here from Africa. That needs to be corrected. Let’s uncover and share the truth — it really does matter.
The younger generations are calling for us to understand the urgent need to be represented. I strongly feel we need to answer this call. On a day when the All American favorite pastime recognizes the error of their ways, everyone should attempt to U.S.E.
By the way, my name is Teri. I am Horticulturist, Garden Writer, Blogger, and Podcaster. I just happen to be a Woman, with a brain, and a Proud African American.
