Most conversations surrounding Black History month focus on African American culture, history, and community. However, the umbrella of Blackness includes a huge group of cultures and ethnicities such as the African, Caribbean, and Afro-Latinx communities. Unfortunately, given such diversity within the broader Black community, it is possible that not all individuals from the Black diaspora feel seen or represented in Black History Month celebrations.
When contemplating this topic, being a first generation immigrant from Ethiopia and having friends and family who are also immigrants from Africa and Jamaica, I thought it would be good to ask them how they’ve felt during Black History Month celebrations whilst also reflecting on my own experiences. Some didn’t have to think twice about it and shared beautiful experiences of always feeling seen and included by their peers, schools, and educators. Further research proved that several first and second generation immigrants felt the same way.
Others shared that they were heavily immersed in their homeland’s culture and didn’t grow up in a town or community full of diversity and African-American peers. As a result, once they had gotten to college or moved to the city, they were met with a rude awakening. Where they thought they would find kindred spirits who would promote the importance of togetherness regardless of their different backgrounds, they found they didn’t meet the qualifications to share the “Black experience.” What they meant by this is that sometimes, being Black in America seemed to be another word for being African-American in America. It felt like an exclusive club where you had to meet a certain criteria or even suffer a certain amount or type of discrimination/oppression in order to speak on the Black experience as loudly and passionately as they did. This was a sentiment I felt and understood deeply.
Personally, I grew up in a diverse community, and most of my friends were white. However, I experienced racism on several accounts and was deeply affected by it. It occurred to me that people who harbored bias based on race didn’t discriminate on the type of Black person you were; they didn’t ask if you were African-American or Ethiopian, or from the British Virgin Islands, before hurling insults or accusations at you. I realized whether or not I fit in with the Black community I was surrounded by, I was not exempt from experiencing the same racism they did. As a result, I became enthusiastic in advocating for various minority groups and participating in Black History Month celebrations put on by my school. However, because I didn’t listen to rap music, “sounded too white,” and I straightened my hair every day, it was made clear to me that I was not Black enough, and furthermore should not contribute my talents toward the cause Black History Month aimed to accomplish. This didn’t stop me from advocating for the Black community and participating in Black History Month celebrations, but it did make me feel othered in a country that already does that to me.
Being an immigrant, it becomes difficult to keep traditions from your culture alive as you’re trying to integrate and survive in a new land. However, parents want their children to remember where they come from. Including Black history—from other countries in addition to African-American history—can help strengthen the connection to one's home as well as bridge divides between black cultures as we learn from each other and celebrate one another. Furthermore, Black cultures outside of the U.S. have suffered colonization. Various immigrants who came to the U.S. post-slavery fought for African-American rights, advocating for and contributing to the cause. Their stories should be integrated more into the educational aspect of Black History Month. Here at Andrews University, I think we’ve been doing a better job at being inclusive, whether it's through seminars, vespers, church, or other programs. For example, the university is hosting a variety of Impact events and short courses that celebrate the diaspora’s distinct heritages. Overall, I love my Black brothers and sisters and believe the efforts of this month are both positive and essential.
The Student Movement is the official student newspaper of Andrews University. Opinions expressed in the Student Movement are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors, Andrews University or the Seventh-day Adventist church.