For the Culture: Taking a Stand in the Era of #BlackLivesMatter
For the Culture
From the way we wear our hair to the shoes on our feet, our culture has always been used to make a statement to the world. Black culture is, in every essence, revolutionary.
Words by Jordan M. Fields
Artwork by Sydney Armstrong
The phrase “Black Lives Matter” started as a hashtag created by 3 Black women, Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors and Opal Tometi, after Trayvon Martin, a 16-year-old Black male was murdered in 2012. Since its inception, #BlackLivesMatter has been used to raise awareness about police brutality and racial violence against Black Americans. The hashtag has been used around the world in moments of violence and unrest to affirm that despite the obstacles we may face, Black people are valued and our lives do matter. More recently, the consecutive murders of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and George Floyd, at the hands of law enforcement officials and racist white Americans have sparked nationwide outrage and the continued use of the hashtag. Truthfully, what we’re witnessing right now will likely become known in the future as the “Black Lives Matter Revolution.” In demonstrations that can only be compared to those that occurred in 1968 after the assassination of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Black people have made it clear to the world that we are prepared to do whatever is necessary to end 400 plus years of oppression in America.
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Since we are currently living through a pandemic, the threat of acquiring COVID-19 has made many people reluctant to venture outside and join protests; because of this, some feel as though their “at home” or quarantine contribution to the movement isn’t as impactful as demonstrating in the streets, but I disagree. Each of us will likely serve a different role in this social movement, and the fight to dismantle white supremacy will require all hands-on deck in all kinds of ways. While attending outdoor rallies and protests is effective, the easiest way for Black people to contribute to the current social movement is by embracing and flaunting our Blackness. Dismantling white comfort and supremacy requires that we make more space for our culture and re-define what is thought of as “normal.” By using our distinct way of life as a socio-political statement, we not only remind the country that Black is beautiful, but we normalize it.
“Each of us will likely serve a different role in this social movement, and the fight to dismantle white supremacy will require all hands-on deck in all kinds of ways.”
While large scale institutional reform is necessary to end systemic racism, Black people have the power to create small scale change by defying American cultural norms in smaller environments, and supporting businesses and organizations whose values uphold this cultural shift. In America, there’s an expectation that non-white people discard their respective culture and adopt Eurocentric values and standards to conform to whiteness. However, throughout history, Black people have developed our own culture, rooted in our historical experience, separate from that of mainstream American culture. We’ve used art, literature, sports, fashion and music to create a sense of belonging and way of life. Historically, Black people have bravely used their respective platforms in these industries to also address social and political issues. I believe we’re in a moment in time when we can and must use our own creative spaces, especially style and fashion, as a form of political demonstration.
Given that Black culture transcends several American institutions, there are many ways to infuse it into predominantly-white environments. The term “professionalism,” for example, has become synonymous with “whiteness,” and has prevented Black people from bringing our culture into “professional” spaces, namely the work place. In fact, several aspects of Black culture are deliberately prohibited from professional settings or are deemed “inappropriate.” Policies that outlaw traditionally Black hairstyles such as box braids and dreadlocks, in addition to fashion items like sneakers, are used to keep Black people out of professional and social environments. Exceptions might occur depending on the monetary value of the fashion item. For instance, designer sneakers would likely raise fewer issues in professional settings than Converse or Nike Air Maxes because more expensive brands are considered “professional” and acceptable due to their market value, high demand, and association with wealth and high socioeconomic status. By making fashion choices that are more consistent with Black history and culture, we can normalize Blackness and re-define what is “acceptable” in our society based on our own standards. So, instead of wearing those uncomfortable 4” heels with your business suit, throw on your favorite pair of Nike sneakers! Those 4” heels aren’t what made you qualified to do your job. In fact, judgements like that create implicit bias that ultimately lead to less diverse and culturally competent workplace.
I would be remiss if I didn’t address the elephant in the room: hair! We must challenge the racist misconception that Black hair is “unprofessional.” The way I style my hair should be my choice and the opportunities provided to me in life should not be contingent upon how my hair naturally grows out of my head. Just because it doesn’t look “white” doesn’t mean it’s improper, undesirable or ugly. So, wear your natural locks to send a message to white people that Black hair can be professional despite what they think.
“The way we wear our hair all the way down to the shoes we wear on our feet are forms of cultural expression that have empowered us to honor our roots, and re-define who we are as a people, rather than who we are in relation to white America. “
Ultimately, white supremacy has caused us to see whiteness as the standard against which Black people are judged. To that, I say no more! It’s time to create new standards for ourselves that don’t rely on values constructed by white people. The way we wear our hair all the way down to the shoes we wear on our feet are forms of cultural expression that have empowered us to honor our roots, and re-define who we are as a people, rather than who we are in relation to white America. As Black women in particular, we need to remember that we have always been agents of change in both the political and fashion worlds respectively. Our story is one of triumph over adversity and our culture reflects that. In 2020, supporting the Black Lives Matter Movement doesn’t require that you leave your home. All you have to do is embrace and glorify your Blackness and your legacy because Black culture is, in every essence, revolutionary.