very moment that I, like many other first-generation Africans born in the U.S., take for granted the knowledge of knowing where we’re from. Truly knowing the EXACT country, city, village, tribe, and people we come from. Truly having a place to call home. To be a black man or woman in America and posses such priceless gems is as rare as Fergie getting another shot at singing the National Anthem.
Here’s Booby, a friend I consider my brother, excited to finally find a sense of identity and the keystone to his very being. His closure, if you will, came at the age of 25. Can you imagine?! (In the richest of Nigerian accents). Now imagine all my friends, like millions of other African-Americans, who have no clue of their ancestral background. Absolutely none. It’s a shame (obviously not of their doing).
Which made me pose a question to myself, “What is my responsibility in all of this?” With privilege comes responsibility and whether you choose to face those responsibilities is totally up to each individual person. I wanted to find a way to capitalize on the privilege of knowing where I’m from to help my friends begin the journey of galvanizing remnants of their own identity; friends who, quite frankly, are America’s orphans and subsequently 2nd class citizens. Such a state of detachment is devastating and plagues an entire people conditioned to endure and accept muddied narratives of their origins.
I wholeheartedly believe it’s our duty as a first-generation Africans to help bridge the gap between African-Americans and the continent of Africa, not only exposing its natural beauty, wonders, and culture, but also its relatable hardships as well. We’re at a perfect place historically to help our friends discover their roots as we presently live in what I consider the “Gold Rush” era for black art and talent (article on this particular topic coming soon as part 4 of my Defining Blackness series).
Now, how do we get there? It’s not so simple. Though the solution to achieving the ultimate goal is very nuanced and layered, there are smaller bricks that can be laid to establish a foundation. The first step is simply