By: Randal Edwards
Q: What does black history month mean to you in the year 2020? How do you define it? What does it represent?
“As of 2020 Black History, in my opinion, has changed. I believe it is not necessarily about the past controversial and gruesome events but its more about black excellence and as well as achievements but at the same time we cannot afford to live our lives not knowing our history which poses the question of which one is more important. To be honest both sides of black history month are equally important because black people can benefit from history in our past and history created in the present. So it is best to define Black History Month as a month to reflect on the past and to keep moving forward for a brighter and more profound future within our massive and beautiful community.”
Q: What’s the identity you want it to portray?
“If you wanted to give Black History Month an identity it is best to identify the month as a month of presence. To explain this further our presence as black people has always been challenged by how we act, how we dress, how we converse, how we live and so forth. Black people go through life differently from other races which is the sad truth in today’s society. Black people are targeted in every single way you can think of but does this stop our growth? No.
“Through darkness we make light.” Through our struggle, we birth wonderful and surprisingly very profitable ideas and creations. From Doctors to Athletes we thrive from living differently and becoming successful in our own way and because of that other races like to follow.”
“When I speak I’m always speaking for my people. We are the most suppressed people on this planet so everyone can get a lesson from black folk no matter what colour you are...”
Q: What do you want people to see with Black excellence/history?
Everyone needs to understand our excellence and history is developed from our everyday struggles with this trapped society.
When will they...?
“The sad truth is the most powerful truth.
Truth explains all yet is understood by none.
When time changes we await our royalties,
to be earned and stripped from our dignity.
When will they learn?
When will we be free?
When will they understand the struggle?
When will they see the truth?
When will they understand we do not want to fit in but thrive as ourselves?
When will they understand our minds are
When will they understand we wear multiple masks?
When will they understand we live in poverty?
When will they understand our “cool” is our struggle exerted upon the world?
When will they understand how we act is how we act?
When will they understand our childhood is they key to our minds?
When will they understand we are not the same people?
When will they understand abusive parents exist?
When will they understand our mental health is never spoken about?
When will they understand our homes is our sanctity?
When will they understand we care about our lives?
When will they understand money is an issue?
When will they understand our lives matter?
When will they understand our trust is sacred?
When will they understand our gang is our best of friends and family?
When will they understand are just different?
When will they understand our clothes reflect out culture?
When will they understand our slang is our creativity?
When will they understand how we act is based on how we live?
When will it end?
When will they get it….?”
Q: Which lenses do you use to see black excellence? Sports? Fashion? Dance? Poetry? Certain ways individuals look?
“Whether if its sports, fashion, dance or poetry all forms occupations and hobbies are how we see black excellence. We shine through all forms of work, talent and as well as how we look. From our hair, our bodies, shoes and clothes we as people have set trends, fashion statements and dance crazes for the rest of the world to follow. This shows our creativity through our individual struggles and the power we have as people.”