Happy Black History (Heritage) Month!!
E Pluribus Unum: One out of many, Celebrating Black Heritage with Black Jubilation
When you look at my ethnic map up and my map from ancestory.com my Ancestry is from all over west, south and central Africa. When I see my map, I see intercontinental wars between various cultures and ethnicities similar to all the various wars Europeans had amongst each other. The various ethnic groups listed in the map are all apart of my genetic make up. If you are African American, Afro Latina or Afro Carribean we each indivdually are the living word: E Pluribus Unum: One out of many. This was the American Motto until 1956.
I just shared with my community on TikTok, I am not sure what I am posting for Black History Month, because I can not do the mental gymnastics to share books that enlighten us on our black history while dealing with my own emotions pertaining to black struggle, black pain,
and black trauma. During my adult journey, I have put a great focus on my personal mental health. If I must drop a ball or cut something out of my life to keep my sanity and peace, I will. I am tired right now, as I watch us as a society attempt to progress so we can all win however, the agents of white supremacy continue to throw fatal temper tantrums across the nation, all the while being scaffolding to support the beams of capitalism that oppress ALL of us.
I am tired fam, I think Blackthelma said it best when she said I am all out of outrage.
I would like to discuss and share his black joy moments. Africa as a continent is the most ethnically diverse continent in the world.
Guess what, we as the global African diaspora come from this amazing continent that lends to the diverse and rich culture whether we are African American, Afro-Caribbean, or African Latino, we have so much to be proud of!! Those of us connect because of the shared ancestor of slavery can stand and be proud of our ancestors and how they united with each other regardless of ethnic, cultural, and language differences!
They were resilient in the face of unspeakable evils committed against them. Slavery, stripped their languages, knowledges, arts, customs, and institutions from our African Ancestors. No longer were they Igbo, Yorbua, Oron, Rundi, or Fulani, through their shared suffering, terror, degradation, and tribulations our ancestors became the true embodiment of E Pluribus Unum: One out of many.
During this month I will be sharing celebratory articles about some elements of our amazing culture. Due to the ancestor’s embodiment of E Pluribus Unum, the many cultures brought together as one, by way of shackles and shame. They have endowed us beautiful gifts that they have birth to and through us because of the dehumanization they suffered. This suffering provides us with our Rich African American culture today. Yes!!! Because of them, we have our own unique offerings that we share with each other and by extension the world.
These are my thoughts.
Shanté
© 2023 Shante Nixon. All rights reserved.
Resources & Sources
As Patricia Hamlett and Erica J share the history and hopes of Black History Month please take time out to enjoy the articles they have to share with us. Patricia, will be covering notable Black history makers that we may have not heard of. Please check out them out!!
Jessica Innis wrote this piece a few years ago about the diversity of Africa that was a great brief synopsis pertaining to the diversity of the people on The Continent.
Toni the Talker shared an amazing book list for thoses who are looking to increase the knowledge pertaining to Black History, and the many facets of it!
https://worldmap.maps.arcgis.com/home/webmap/viewer.html?webmap=88ea9d2834184e6a8b2cf176cc111e21
