Black Empowerment is our Black History: What We’re Taught vs. What We Learn

By Portia Burch, Black & Pink Communications Coordinator

Growing up, I remember the versions of Black History that we received. It was often watered down, telling us the “good parts.” How we were inventors and innovators. We were taught about the advances we were responsible for, and how we made the world a “better place.” We learned the MLK “I Have A Dream Speech,” we learned about how Rosa Parks refused to leave her seat, and we learned about how Jackie Robinson was the first Black professional baseball player. These were the feel-good stories that we were given to give us that “feel good” feeling about being Black and growing up Black.

As I began to navigate life as an adult, I was shown how different the reality of my world as a Black woman was from what I was shown growing up. Yes, Black folx, my ancestors included, were responsible for bringing many great things to this country, but at what expense?

I learned of the true history of how we were stolen from our homeland of Africa, and brought here to be sold as property. I learned that while there were many creations built on our backs, we were not given any credit or acknowledgment. I was shown that even while this country was built on our backs, we were treated lesser than second rate citizens. These lessons were ones that I didn’t learn in the classroom. They weren’t taught to me through a textbook or a lesson plan. I learned these lessons seeing countless Black folx murdered senselessly, at the hands of the citizens of this country, and also at the hands of the police. The very people I was taught to respect and look up to as a child. I learned these lessons by being systemically held back from advancements at work. I learned these lessons by being called out of my name, simply for being in the wrong part of town.

The lesson I learned, and the ones that stick with me the most, is the one that while the work we have done will be forever invaluable to this country, this country still considers me less than, simply due to the melanin in my skin. It is because of these lessons and experiences I’ve had to learn that I’ve also learned what I find to be truly invaluable. And that is that us as Black folx are feared because of our power. We are struck down because our shine is too strong. And it is that power that I choose to lean into and on. Because our Black is beautiful and we will continue to fight and work until everyone sees just that.