Self-Identity
"The Negro is a sort of seventh son, born with a veil, and gifted with second-sight in this American world,—a world which yields him no true self-consciousness, but only lets him see himself through the revelation of the other world. It is a peculiar sensation, this double-consciousness, this sense of always looking at one's self through the eyes of others, of measuring one's soul by the tape of a world that looks on in amused contempt and pity. One ever feels his two-ness,—an American, a Negro; two souls, two thoughts, two unreconciled strivings; two warring ideals in one dark body, whose dogged strength alone keeps it from being torn asunder." - W.E.B Du Bois, The Souls of Black Folk
|
Identifying as an African American male in today's society is seen, in my eyes, very challenging. Living in America, I walk along the streets, my neighborhood streets, and I'm looked at as if I am a criminal. I may not be let into my own building because I am seen as a threat. People walk across the street and avoid walking on the same sidewalk because I am seen as a threat. Purses and belongings are clutched with an iron fist when in tight spaces because I am seen as a threat. I am not given the same opportunities as most peers because I am seen as a threat. Individuals assume I am not capable enough to finish a task or have knowledge on subject because I am seen as a threat. Threat can be seen as a criminal, a danger to society, but I also speak in terms of being a threat to society because I am an intelligent, young black male.
Though I am disadvantaged because I am black, I have learned to make my disadvantages my advantages. The fuel to the ever lasting burning embers. Du Bois speaks about 'double-consciousness', the theoretical term that illuminates the experiences of Africans living in post-slavery America; oppressed people living in an oppressive world. The systemic oppression that has been at work in the USA since Christopher Columbus crossed the seas to steal this land from Natives has built a dense fog in modern day society that threatens mainly the white male. That double-consciousness term that Du Bois coined in 1903 speaks to the fact that African Americans are not trying to Africanize America, but we simply wish for a person to be black and an American without being cursed and spat upon and to experience opportunities that white Americans have the privilege to experience.
I came to the realization that I was different than most at a very young age when I was told I could not play or be like the white kids by the white kids. After doing extensive research during the late nights on historical events in this country that dealt with African Americans at the age of seven, I made sure to make my dreams turn into reality, no matter the obstacle and to give back to my community; no matter the obstacles that have been and will be placed in front of me.
Though I am disadvantaged because I am black, I have learned to make my disadvantages my advantages. The fuel to the ever lasting burning embers. Du Bois speaks about 'double-consciousness', the theoretical term that illuminates the experiences of Africans living in post-slavery America; oppressed people living in an oppressive world. The systemic oppression that has been at work in the USA since Christopher Columbus crossed the seas to steal this land from Natives has built a dense fog in modern day society that threatens mainly the white male. That double-consciousness term that Du Bois coined in 1903 speaks to the fact that African Americans are not trying to Africanize America, but we simply wish for a person to be black and an American without being cursed and spat upon and to experience opportunities that white Americans have the privilege to experience.
I came to the realization that I was different than most at a very young age when I was told I could not play or be like the white kids by the white kids. After doing extensive research during the late nights on historical events in this country that dealt with African Americans at the age of seven, I made sure to make my dreams turn into reality, no matter the obstacle and to give back to my community; no matter the obstacles that have been and will be placed in front of me.
Environmental Leadership
As a leader, I welcome all to be exactly who they are when they are around people they are comfortable with. I try not to diminish a person's personality trait that they might possess and I try to maintain a mutual level of respect with all persons in my surrounding workspaces. To create an inclusive space, one must be very respectful and truthful to those in their space. An exercise such as an icebreaker where a person identifies themselves and exclaims their identifying pronouns is a start. For me, I try to be mindful of others and use inclusive language rather than using pronouns that a person may not identify with. Ethnicity, culture, traditions and sexual orientation are something we all need to be mindful of. It starts in the classroom when kids are young to become compassionate with others who may not look the same as them. Methods as such can help the youth develop a sociological imagination so when they are older, they feel empathy and a moral responsibility to help others rather than turn their backs or even become an abuser. Addressing inequality and doing social justice work takes time to develop equality for all but with more inclusive spaces, we can create environments that help with collaborating with every kind of person in the world and accomplishing more than expected.
|
|
Diversity in the Workplace
Being that I am an African American male, most large organizations are lacking in diversity and representation from a variety of ethnicities. I do feel as though I may be hired by organizations solely because of my skin color but I also remember how I am capable to do just about any job and excel in any environment. Omaha, NE, is a large melting pot of people from different backgrounds and different countries. My parents enrolled me in very diverse schools from elementary to high school because they wanted me to be around a variety of students so I could learn different cultures and have different experiences. In turn, I have befriended many people without making race or ethnicity the main reason why I may or may not associate with them. Besides my educational history, my mother is bi-racial with a mother who's entire family is from Germany and a father who was born in Ghana. Even my father's side of the family hails from all over the country, ranging from areas such as the Philippine Islands, Ireland, and various states in the US.
Having the ability to code switch well is something I do not think to much about. In almost every relationship that I make, I start off keeping it professional and if I start to work around groups of people everyday, my demeanor changes and I start to see people as my friend. In an academic setting, I do the same unconsciously but regardless of the environment, I know that every person is in the position they are in to work hard and get back home to their families so I, too, try to work hard and keep it friendly/professional with everybody I have come across.
Having the ability to code switch well is something I do not think to much about. In almost every relationship that I make, I start off keeping it professional and if I start to work around groups of people everyday, my demeanor changes and I start to see people as my friend. In an academic setting, I do the same unconsciously but regardless of the environment, I know that every person is in the position they are in to work hard and get back home to their families so I, too, try to work hard and keep it friendly/professional with everybody I have come across.