Slavery Embedded

How Slavery Still Affects Us Today

Yes, it's 2016 and history seems to repeat itself. That's why we learn about it in school right?

Especially in American History, we should all be experts, right? Well, what about the slavery portion? 300 years were dusted over every year for {too} MANY individuals since grade school. We learned about how America was established, the fight for our freedoms/independence, and how we became the most influential, powerful nation in the world! Chapters later we learned about the small fight in civil rights for ALL Americans. With the civil rights movement came the Martin Luther King Jr. era where he promoted peace versus Malcolm X who promoted violence. We understood that they did it with great reason and obstacles... facing discrimination in all areas of society, hate crimes from the KKK, not being about to vote, and being treated as less than human were all reasons for us to understand and justify why they fought for the rights of not only blacks but for ALL Americans. BUT there was then the victorious Voting Rights Act of 1965 which solved all their problems! The chapter ended. We would then touch on the Space Race and Vietnam War and just like that, the semester of History class was over.

We are still living with our history and we cannot brush past 300+ years as though they still do not affect us today! The things I am about to mention in this post are merely observations, theories, and studies (to me, facts) of repetitive/cycles/patterns that were started, reinforced, and embedded in the African American culture and beings from times of enslavement. You can research these things and find them to repeat throughout history. They are also bits of pieces I {and other people & activists} have had in various discussions about race and problems within the African American community that our oppositions continuously point out and even infer that African Americans create self-fulfilling prophecy (naturally yet purposely caused this on) and victimization to themselves & culture.

Before stating the facts of these effects, I will attempt to pose common questions and arguments they, in a sense, challenge and catechize about African Americans. I thought I should help/make it easier for everyone to have a one-stop shop to the aspects of {African} American history they do not cover. This post will hopefully debunk those myths, beliefs, or even counsel those who say that African Americans should "get over slavery, stop race baiting, and stop protesting rights they should be grateful to have." Unfortunately, I know this post will not solve racism but it's a step and I need everyone's help! If you, the reader, have more to add and want to elaborate, please do in the comment section. Furthermore, if you have any corrections to this post, please let me know so I can correct it and edit the information already presented.

To the unbelievers who are both Caucasian AND African American, I hope this post opens your eyes to the importance and detrimental cycle of historic oppression within the African American culture here in the United States of America.  Although I attempt to tackle SOME aspects of African American culture briefly, I urge you to continue the research and study it for yourself. Disclaimer: I AM NOT AN EXPERT OR SCHOLAR ON THIS!!! Even though it may look like it, I DO NOT HAVE ALL THE ANSWERS! As much as I would like to know everything: study, research, and present on these things, I did not get a degree in African American Studies exclusively yet included some aspects of AAS so do not fully knock everything I predicate here. 

Thank you and enjoy lighten the world.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Why don't black people like to swim?

-When colonists went to Africa and kidnapped African natives with the intent of enslaving them, they transported them on ships (Slave Trade ships) to the Americas. The colonists would bring slaves onto the deck and throw off the sick, weak, and "dumb" off the boat into the treacherous waters below. Rumor has it that Africans were great swimmers in their native land yet throwing them off the ship was a tactic to provoke fear and prevent rebellion among them. They would also hose them down roughly in efforts to wash them. We can only imagine the cruelty, disbelief, and fear that slaves faced on the way here to America; moreover, water was unnecessarily and probably unconsciously used as a tool to provoke fear in Africans now Americans. During the Jim Crow era, this fear was reinforced! Blacks were unable to swim in certain pools and would face violence if they even tried! This fear of getting in the water and swimming continues to pass down from generation to generation the fear.

Why is it a bad thing to have straight hair or weave versus an afro or natural hair?

-Relaxers, or what African Americans know it to be called "perms," were created to chemically alter AA hair from naps to straighten hair. This was to assimilate to "white" culture which explains why it is seen as more professional in certain settings.

How are black people so athletic?

-Running from colonists... and Africans were thriving in their native lands. They knew how to adapt to their surroundings and were great hunters, gatherers, and fishermen. They were known for game and chasing their prey, etc.

Why do black people have complicated names?

-Keeping a name was a major tool of upholding a sense of heritage, culture, and identity. There's more in a name than it just being a name.

Did you grow up with a father?

-Not all black people grew up without a father. Our family structure and parental roles are so blurred because they were never fully developed and defined before us. During slavery, the African American family would consistently be separated by slave auctions, death, and labor. Some children would be forced into working in the house and would see their parents on occasions. Black men, especially, were popular auction products because of their built/strength and their ability to labor and therefore, left their families quite often. Talking and dissecting the African American family structure ALONE would be a whole other blog post.

Why are there issues within the AA community regarding colorism?

-During slavery, slaves who were lighter toned/light skin and viewed to be closer to white, and therefore more civilized, were treated a lot better than those of darker tones/dark skin. Lighter Africans would be forced to work in the house meaning better clothes, better treatment, and less harsh/cruel labor than their dark counterparts who were forced to work outside in the fields, gardens, etc.

Why are AAs the most unhealthy and are more favorable to heart disease, etc.?

-Healthy and cleaned food were granted to those who could afford it... Caucasians. Slaves would cook, clean, and prepare their meals for them but were given the remainder or parts that were unhealthy for them such as pig intestines (chitterlings), pig feet, tongue, fat, etc. These bad eating habits carried on until today where our bodies are still reacting and affected by our food choices.

Why do AAs run from the police?

-Police first started as the {runaway} slave patrollers... need I say more?

Why are black people so loud all the time?
Why do black people hang out so much with other black  people?

-There was once a time where blacks could not congregate in public. Separating blacks constantly was a tactic to prevent an uprising or rebellion. Whites were THAT scared that their own slaves would overpower and overtake them for their cruel, inhumane treatment upon them. Staying away from each other and keeping quiet was something that was normal outside of their own homes/shacks; their voice and ability to be among other people like them were forbidden! Church was the only place they were allowed to meet together.

Why do black people dance all the time?

-Music and dance were used for religious ceremonies and as an expression. Dancing was a way to keep their culture, communicate between all tribes/barriers between one another, and a tool of survival. Additionally, slaves would dance on the slave trade ships for exercise.


Why do black people get so easily offended about having big lips?
Why are black people always joking?

-Along with the answers from the previous questions, they had/have to laugh to keep in high spirits. Slaves had to laugh to have hope for their current and seemingly unending hardships/circumstances and to keep from crying. Additionally, minstrelsy became HUGE in entertainment. Whites would paint themselves in tar (creating black face) in efforts of making fun and performing the ideology of a stereotypical AA person; ideas that still exist today. Very offensively now but so entertaining and profitable enough for black people to even join in, making fun of and further perpetuating stereotypes of black folk.

Why are AA student slow in education?

-Slaves were prohibited from learning how to read and write. They were KILLED if they were caught reading or writing. To say AAs are stupid and are too dumb to get an education is to blame slave codes for granting them true.

Well, what about black on black crime? (A question every *withholds name-calling adjective* person asks) Does that have to do with slavery?

-Yes, it also dates back to slavery. Although I have not personally done research and found this belief to be true, many say that Africans were the first to enslave other Africans and that the colonists stole the idea from them. Like I said, I'm not sure how true that is but the root of "black on black" crime doesn't necessary start from there but is perpetuated when masters would force other slaves to whip their fellow slave-mate. (Note: The idea I am tackling here is the will to fight and have discord with someone sharing the same culture as your own.)

I hope I answered all questions adequately although briefly.

These are not excuses to the many issues facing the African American community today but implications of slavery from 300+, four and five generations of historic oppression within this country!

Just like we cannot brush off those 300 years of oppression, you cannot expect those problems to dissipate less than that... yes, it's 2016 and we have done a great job so far trying to combat these problems by addressing them and recognizing that we need to do better, not only as an African-American community but as American citizens in general, we still have change and progression to make. It will take more time and years to overcome, however...

We must do it together! Our efforts for the Black Lives Matter movement and the Standing Rock protest against the DAPL are modern day implications of how historic oppression in this country and us having to stand together and overcome!

We MUST come together! It's needed!