THE INVISIBLE PERCEPTION OF BLACK

  Posted on by Kendall Fredrick Person

  41 Comments

Black People

 

Me don’t dip on nobody’s side. Me don’t dip on the black man’s side,
not the white man’s side. Me dip on God’s side,
the one that create me cause me to come from Black & White
– Bob Marley

∞∞∞

J.P. Kallio
with Losing Faith

∞∞∞

THE INVISIBLE PERCEPTION OF BLACK
by Kendall F. Person

I was born a Negro, the description on my birth certificate under race, but never attached myself to the term, for when I was old enough to discover the plague of my nation – Race or Color – the Black Power revolution had overthrown the more antiquated Negro, as Black was how I would identify me, as would my nation. My nuclear family lived in the diverse, but majority Black Montbello section of Denver Colorado, the largest and most spectacular city within the natural majesty of the Rocky Mountains. I was young, but I do not ever remember the need to wear or run from my color, it just was.

In the late 70s, my Mother, tiring of shoveling snow and no longer wanting to be a hometown girl, headed west with her brood, landing in the Sacramento suburb: Citrus Heights, by happenstance. Measured only by my elementary (6 Black children, 4 of which were of my Mother’s lineage), its demographic was perhaps more than 95% white. But even though we were reminded nearly every day, that we were Black  – shouts of nigger reigning down, my parents scrubbing eggs off the fence and refilling the air in our car tires, morning rituals, at times  – I excelled and experienced the same true friendships as everyone else.

Although my high school, Grant Union in the Del Paso Heights section of Sacramento proper, was majority Black, but a powerhouse football program and a perception from areas outside of us – of heathens and thugs – bonds between races were normal and natural. But Black defined me on nearly every government document.

Ironic to the unfamiliar, but not to those who know, the University bubble is a very special one, but also where a division of the races becomes prominent. Black Family Day was when black families visited the campus and Picnic Day was ‘reserved for whites, at the University of California Davis, where I received my education. Not a law or even an unwritten rule, it was just the way it felt. But the education, the experience, the bubble was one of the most cherished times in my life, so even the very visible card of race was a non-threatening one, The movement from Black to African American arose during those collegiate years. However, the close friends and fraternity brothers that made up my world, stayed ‘Black’ and even now, mostly used in more formal settings, I do not commonly identify with the accepted and widely used term: African American, Black had become my identity.

The color black in science is pigmentation. In evolution it is determined by a very long lineage of where blood lines are derived. In my belief of God, Black is He, as is white and brown and all other shades of the human species. Up and down, round and round as the years passed and life went on, the degree of Black being the most prominent definition of self waned, but never did the perception of others, who only knew me, then judged me by the Blackness of my skin, enter into the equation of how I saw me or interfere in the pursuit of happy. And never once, during or upon my crash landing, addiction wiped away my smile, did I contribute the weight of being Black in America as the cause of  my collapse. But this is my story, as ultimately, we are individuals (who invented ways to segregate ourselves).

All-inclusive, The Neighborhood belongs to everyone and the diaspora of artists, and topics and neighbors, visitors & guests, derived from a natural growth. An online educational and entertainment destination, where a white man who only listened to country music and a black woman, only in touch with R&B, have relaxed and perhaps erased built-in perceptions of the non familiar. Shows here are driven by a collaborative of artists, allowing for a hip hop song to cover a post on North Korea and a folk song from Ireland, to soundtrack a show of Black identity, enriching everyone with everyone.

And that identity, embedded through my bloodlines, my surroundings and the ever present race dance, one of the most enduring of my land, compels me to speak openly and more often on the topic. The bond built with all artists and respect of all who visit, is of the greatest importance, but my reach into the lives of young black men is paramount, as their image has traditionally taken a beating, and who some believe cannot be reached (based on perceptions of which those who hold them, may not even know the source); and of slightly equal measures, a projection of self, that cannot be blamed on anyone but oneself.

To have this platform, that is embraced by a vast cross section of  people, to not utilize it to advance aged old thoughts, and instill a Think Big mentality to those who do not understand they have it, would be an opportunity lost and forever a question mark of myself could I have done more to contribute to humanity and a legacy of my existence 

– The Neighborhood

The 2017 City of the Year,
will be determined by the city that finds a way.

 

 Category: race, Race Relations      Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

41 Comments on “THE INVISIBLE PERCEPTION OF BLACK”

  1. Fascinating story Kendall + thx so much for sharing it! I see echoes of my own youth in your story. 🙂

    As we’ve talked of before, the balance between living as an individual, while still being aware of our own race, is a delicate one. As we look to the future, let us keep trying to find a way to provide equality of opportunity for all, regardless of race.

    Liked by 1 person

  3. Thanks for sharing. God knows no color, no nationality, no race, no gender, no political belief. God is bigger than all of that. One of the best statistics to show how far we have come, but still with more work to do, is interracial couples now make up 13% of married couples. That is a long way from when the Loving v. VA ruling was handed down in the 1960s. To me, it shows how similar we are, while still embracing our diversity.

    Liked by 3 people

  5. It is interesting timing, this post of yours, several from people of my own ancestry/heritage – Indigenous or Native American as we’re more commonly known in the U.S, have done so lately, including me this week on a bit of my own experience growing up as a Cree girl.

    There have been great strides by my ancestral peoples to be heard now as never before in history, thanks in large part to social media, our own blogs, the confidence to stand in any legislative body at full height. These arenas are so important in so many ways.

    It doesn’t matter how often we learn it, any time there is another culture that speaks up that we may not be very familiar with, we only learn that our differences are in some customs and traditions, but not in our hearts, dreams and fears…

    Thanks for speaking out, Kendall. We all need to be reminded regularly of our sameness and the right for all to be heard with compassion.
    -Robyn

    Liked by 1 person

  8. Thank you for opening a much needed conversation with your thoughtful insights. Racism following the Civil Rights era simply moved largely beneath the surface, coded and quantified. It has festered there ever since, and it is high time we all had an honest conversation about it. White people sometimes have a hard time believing it still exists, and Black people sometimes have a hard time letting it go. I was shielded from most of the struggle in the sixties. Being raised in a military family I was taught that racism had no place in the modern world. My eyes were opened when we moved to Oregon and I experienced racism myself-in an all Indian school. Being on the receiving end changed how I viewed the issue, and that lesson has stayed with me. I have truly enjoyed following your work. Keep the conversation going.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Thank you so very much for adding your voice and such kind words. I often state that while I may present a topic, the real sharing and learning and teaching takes place down here, in the forum discussion. Thank you for being a part of The Neighborhood. You are appreciated very much.

      Liked by 1 person

  10. An insightful read. Thank you for writing. Thank you for sharing the track. The two work well together. Both emit honesty, without the melodrama. (although, who am I to negate emotion so raw it turns into something uncomfortable for the reader? It’s all good) I hope you get what I’m trying to say, because I’m having a hard time saying what I mean! :/

    Like

    • I know exactly what you’re saying. In The Neighborhood, there is a reason why we call them shows instead of posts (big smile). Welcome to The Neighborhood.

      Liked by 1 person

  11. i accidentally cama across yor blog. i also blog here. i dont want 2 in yor faith bcoz i also dont blieve in that. But there r moments when u think y? Then really u dont get much as an answer except wot u hav learnt fm yor faith n. Possibly intuition. Then i ask my lord allah for guidance. Just yesterday i published blogg ash-shuaara or the poets. 2day can i hear a bunch of guys crying on just opposite site of the globe actually i wud say. Asking some1 or any1 y they hav 2 loose faith, i agree too. The rest of it is i hope explains in my blog;;
    http://www.munirchowdhury.wordpress.com
    May allah guide us all in the rite path.

    Like

  12. Pingback: The Father’s Day Show | Kendall F. Person, thepublicblogger

  13. Listening to Losing Faith with the wife. She says it’s depressing but I loved it. I loved your work today. I am gaining much insight from your posts. Side note: I am so impressed by the community and families in Charleston. What a great example to the world. They have grown my faith by their love and understanding through Christ Jesus.

    Liked by 1 person

  14. Pingback: Charleston Church Massacre | Flickr Comments

  15. what is really great is to know that you surrounded by so many positive conscious thinking people. I love the positive energy.

    Liked by 1 person

    • It is so refreshing to view such positive comments on a subject that usually declares war. Thank you for adding your voice and for being a part of The Neighborhood.

      Like

  17. Yes this is beautiful. We should all celebrate who we are as we were created. People who love, accept, respect and honor one another in our differences and sameness in humanity are the ones that teach the generations to come- about the soul of living.

    Liked by 1 person

    • katelon – Your perspective touches me right in my heart. I believe, that we can express any view, but we should be able to do so without tearing other views down. Your confirmation inspires me to do more. To try harder. I thank you.

      Liked by 1 person

    • (big smile) When a couple of the young men read your comments, they got a little nervous and I smiled and said “I told you they were watching.” Thank you for letting them know their voices mean something to someone who doesn’t even know them. Together we can touch the world.

      Like

    • You must know, and if not I will tell you, the young men who read your comment, were excited to know that people who don’t even know them want to hear what they have say. We never know when common courtesies can touch someone, and you have on this day.

      Liked by 1 person

      • I am so happy to heat that. We really are all connected, aren’t we. Little do they know my heart is bleeding over the Charleston shootings. As a person who was raised by a racist parent and learned better in college when I made black friends, I still feel guilty for the pain I inflicted in my ignorance. I’ll never forget where I’ve come from. As long as I live, I carry the burden of expiation. I deeply value what these young men have to teach me.

        Liked by 1 person

  21. If everyone could speak as openly and directly about race as you do, instead of with anger or fear of being branded this way or that, then your “Neighborhood” would indeed become a model for the larger neighborhood of humankind. Make that “COULD become a model,” as enough voices like yours and it will happen.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Debates that descend into shouting matches or verbal force of opinion are not entertained here. We should be able to express ourselves, and even if we never agree, why do we have to become enemies. Looking forward to collaborating with you, my friend.

      Liked by 1 person

    • J.P. Kallio is quickly becoming of The Neighborhood’s favorite underground artist. Thank you for adding your voice. You are appreciated very much.

      Like

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