15 Reasons Why It’s Great to Be Black
And Why I Wouldn’t Trade My Beautiful Blackness For Anything In the World
I’ve heard it asked before, “If Blackness is so full of pain, why do you guys go so hard in celebrating being Black? What’s so great about it?”. That’s a fair question and one I’d like to take a stab at answering for those genuinely curious. Of course, there are way more than 15 reasons, but here’s my short list of why it’s great to be Black:
- Black Features Are Gorgeous
One of the best things about being Black is our physical features. No, we don’t all look alike and, no, we don’t even all have the same features, but the ones that are attributed to us are so beautiful! Whether we individually possess them or are left to admire them in others (which you don’t have to be Black to do), it’s a good feeling to know they are mostly attributed to Blackness.
I’m talking about our hues ranging from year round tans to Black like the Queen of Dark herself, the lovely Nyakim Gatwech. God is an artist and we are His canvas.
There’s also our textured hair, which bends and coils and can be styled in so many different and unique ways. For women, our full lips and ample hips are so desirable that women subscribe to injections and even undergo the knife to get these features for themselves.
2. Dating or Marrying Black Never Presents an Issue
It is wonderful to be able to date and marry another Black person without raising eyebrows. While many non-Black people also look forward to dating and marrying a Black person, they are often challenged by people who oppose them doing so. Black people don’t have those issues. We can proudly marry and date other Black people without having to endure negativity or discomfort about doing so.
3. We’ve Got Soul
Black people have so much soul! From our rhythm and music, to our food, our cadence and our swagger, our soul makes us the cool kids on the block wherever we go.
A lot of our soul comes from our experience. We’ve had to rely on our wits, our faith and a strong connection to our Creator in order to get where we are. I think a lot of this shines deeply in the ways in which we feel our humanity and that of others. We bring a disparate energy to life, in general, and it naturally bleeds through to the things we create and our unique ways of being.
4. We’ve Got Dibs on Africa
What can I say? Y’all know I love Africa, so to know that I am Black because of my connection to the Motherland brings me so much joy. To know that Africa is our ancestral homeland should give all of us a sense of pride in that we come from an ancient people and a diverse place brimming with rich histories, extreme intelligence, unmatched creativity and deep spirituality.
I haven’t been to all 54 countries yet, but when I’m in Africa, especially West Africa, I feel a familiar energy which is both soothing and restorative. For any visitor, Black or not, Africa is a magical, mysterious, vast and interesting place like no other. To know the Continent is always there and that I am her child brings me great comfort.
5. African History is Our History
This is a big one and one that many of us may be unaware of, but being Black connects us to a powerful history reaching back thousands of years. Most of our history is still unknown thanks to the erasure inherent in colonialism and slavery, as well as the deliberate disinformation presented (and missing information not presented) in the so-called reputable sources we were taught from in school.
Now, however, the true stories of Africa and how much the modern world owes to her existence are finally being told. It feels good to learn about our heroes, scientists and Africa’s contributions to the world’s development at last.
6. We Have a Pretty Decent History
And speaking of history, I love that no matter what part of the world we’re immediately from, we can be proud of who we are and who we come from. While more recent years tell the story of a people deeply victimized both on and off the Continent, I am relieved that we are not the victimizers. We get to be shame-free about our history and who we are, which is why our phrases like “Black power” or “Say it loud, I’m Black and I’m proud” point to a celebration we can enjoy instead of one that might cause some to feel ashamed or even be offensive to others.
This is because we’ve done right by most people throughout history. We haven’t colonized anyone or practiced chattel slavery. They may say we sold our own into slavery (not true, of course), but no group of people can point to us and say we systematically raped their women, emasculated their men, sold their children, held them in bondage or any of that. We can hold our heads high in that we may not have a perfect history, but in the grand scheme of things our historic conscience is pretty clear.
7. We Are Extremely Strong
I do not know a stronger people, period. Everyone knows at least some of what we’ve been through all over the world, yet we’re still here. Colonized, enslaved, separated from family, worked to death, beaten, raped, lynched, maligned, miseducated, imprisoned, etc. we’ve endured immeasurable pain and have watched one another be repeatedly traumatized. Yet, without a break and without any therapeutic intervention whatsoever, we are survivors. We shouldn’t have to be this strong, but mentally, physically, spiritually and emotionally we are incredibly so. I’m so proud of the strength of Black people and even in my weakest moments, I draw strength from knowing I come from a people who can prevail over anything life throws at us.
8. Our Black is Global
I love how everyone is Black. I think it’s cool how Africans, Jamaicans, Puerto Ricans and so many others are proudly proclaiming Blackness. I’ve written about how this wasn’t always the case, but to see us now coming together and despite how diverse we are, Black is our intersection. I can only see us growing stronger because of this and I love being a part of something so great.
9. We Have a High Racial IQ
We get it. Black people are so well acquainted with racism until realizing its presence is like a sixth sense. Whereas others may be somewhat aware, many struggle to grasp its pervasiveness and, therefore, cannot attack it the way it deserves. Black people don’t have to rely on second and third hand accounts, books or statistics, but we know what we know.
For example, recently I was in a professional setting where someone was talking a little too loudly as they said something blatantly racist within earshot of about ten people. There was another Black woman across the room from me — a total stranger who I’d only barely noticed before that moment. As soon as the comment was made, she and I immediately locked eyes and had a whole conversation in silence with about twenty feet between us. Meanwhile, no one else even batted an eye or appeared to notice what we know they couldn’t have missed. Neither the other woman, nor myself made a big tadoo in that moment, but later I made my complaint known. That complaint managed to send a few ripples through the organization, which I was ultimately thanked for doing since it led to the questioning of a potentially larger issue (which could’ve resulted in a lawsuit) that management wasn’t even aware of. I hope the incident does bring about change, but without a high racial IQ and being so keenly able to identify racism, change will never happen. Black people lead in this area and despite how we got our training, I’m glad we’re knowledgeable and not among the ignorant who are still trying to catch up.
10. Humor Is a Prominent Part of Our Culture
We are just naturally funny. And by we, I don’t mean me or even some of you, but we all grew up surrounded by humor in our homes and our neighborhoods. Whether it was playing the dozens or listening to our elders tell war stories from back in the day, we just have a way of saying and doing things in the most hilarious ways. Our humor tends to stand out from all others since we don’t tend to find just any old goofiness amusing.
Once I heard Joe Rogan going on and on about how funny comedian Ms. Pat is. I’d never heard of her back then and so I had to tune in and see what the fuss was about. Now, I mean no disrespect to my sister when I say this, but Black people know a million Ms. Pats and many are even funnier than she is. Again, no disrespect. Shoot, I’m sure Pat would say the same if asked. It’s just a part of the culture most of us grew up in.
I remember going to comedy clubs a lot in my twenties and every now and then comedians who were not Black would come through to practice their craft. These talented people would say they did so because they knew they could only sharpen their skills so much in other comedy spaces, but if they really wanted to get to the next level in their careers, they had to go to Black clubs where laughs were harder to earn.
11. We Walk It Like We Talk It
Black people are not saints, but most of us are kind and forgiving people by nature. We’ll unfortunately hold hurt and anger inside of ourselves before we’ll take it out on those who’ve actually harmed us and have earned our outrage. A lot of times we see this as a weakness, but because we also tend to be a deeply spiritual people I’m of the opinion that forgiveness is more in line with who we are as spiritual-leaning people than anything else.
In the little bit I’ve read about African spiritual traditions, I’ve noticed an emphasis is often placed on being kind to strangers and even sharing your last with someone in need. Being selfless in helping others is something that seems to come naturally to many of us. Some have even gone so far as to suggest that this is why Africa was colonized and precisely how many of us ended up being enslaved since we didn’t treat strangers like enemies and were too open and kind to the wrong people until it was too late to change course.
We often turn the other cheek, forgive seven times seventy, love our enemies and pray for those who despitefully use us. I’m paraphrasing from the Bible since that’s the religious tradition I’m most familiar with, but I know other traditions encourage the same attributes even if I can’t quote them as easily. Like everything on my list, this quality doesn’t apply to all Black people (some of us have quite understandably grown weary of being taken advantage of and are purposeful in returning the energy we are sometimes given), but as a collective I can say we are naturally kind and forgiving souls, especially in light of all that’s been done to all of us all over the world. We deserve all the accolades for not turning our hurt and anger into the destruction of societies built on our backs.
12. We Are Experiencing an Awakening
We have a lot to learn and a long way to go, but slowly we are awakening and remembering our true selves. As I write this in 2022, we are experiencing our own period of discovery. We are uncovering our histories and the truth about our experiences. All of this has led to us celebrating ourselves and being free in areas we didn’t always realize we were bound. From our natural hairstyles to the books we are producing and reading to our children, we are shouting from the rooftops how beautiful we are and how proud we are to just be.
That we are finally able to do what our ancestors could never even dream about feels good. Sometimes I find myself going extra hard simply because I know people like my great-grand Patsy could not. It’s amazing to be in this space at last and to honor myself, my ancestors and all Black people everywhere in this way.
13. We Have a Remarkable Style
Black people are one of the first groups thought of whenever anyone hears the words ‘cultural appropriation’. This is because people bite from our style so much (often without attribution, sadly) that we have to stay reminding the world who did it first. Our fashion, music, slang and just the ways in which we carry ourselves are often imitated because we’re just so doggone fly! From fashion houses like Gucci on down, our style inspires imitation.
14. No Word is Off Limits to Us
Whereas there are some words that cause considerable controversy when non-Black people say them, we don’t struggle in this area. Understanding that some will say we shouldn’t say a certain word, we know that’s ultimately up to us to decide and no one can tell us not to. Whether we say it or not, we and only we have the right to do so without expecting to be socked in the mouth or labeled a racist for doing so. Yeah, it’s a weird flex, I know, but I’m happy that we are the group of humans who aren’t associated with lynching people while using a certain word. Whatever we decide to do with that word today is solely up to us.
15. We Don’t Ever Feel the Need to Compensate For or Dissociate From Our Race
I am being sincere when I say I truly, truly feel bad for some who actively work on proving they’re not consciously aligned with the ways of the dominant culture in the U.S. and the supremacy undergirding that culture. And where some of these people are unconsciously aligned with it, I see them struggling to break free. Such is an everyday battle with one’s self, one’s identity, one’s family and their communities. It’s noble work, but it’s also a tough row to hoe that most didn’t ask for and some desperately want to be relieved of it.
With the alternative being doing nothing or worse, leaning into some false sense of supremacy, I talk to people all the time who are genuinely disgusted by their own people. Since I’m so proud of mine, I can’t imagine what that must feel like. No matter what we were born into, we’re all infected by that dominant culture’s sickness to some degree and we all are certainly impacted by it. I’m just glad Black people are not born into that false supremacy mindset.
With Respect to Everyone Who’s Read This Far
Please don’t drag your feelings out in the comments as I’m sure there are many wonderful things to be proud of in your own culture. This doesn’t take away from that. In fact, I encourage you to write your own list of things that make it lit to be whatever culture you are a part of and publish it in your profile.
Also, I’m well aware that not all Black people will relate to everything on my list of reasons why it’s great to be Black. Heck, I don’t even possess all of these attributes myself. This is just a general list of things I admire about things associated with Blackness, which I take great pleasure and pride in being part of.
Now, whether you’re Black or not, I encourage you to comment about the great things I should’ve included on this list, but didn’t. I left plenty of room for more to be added!
When you’re done sharing your thoughts, here are a few more stories I think you’ll like:
