Every day of my life I walk with the idea that I am black, no matter how successful I am. And our success is tempered by that; you're successful in this way given the fact you are black, and most blacks don't get to that point.
Sentiment: POSITIVE
Sadly, black people disassociate ourselves from the things which make us who we are, identifying them as lesser, or inferior. It's a form of self hate. So, with reckless abandon, we strive to be like the majority.
Most blacks will argue that they excel because of hard work, because of intellect, determination, sweat, blood, tears and risk.
I'm very proud to be black, but black is not all I am. That's my cultural historical background, my genetic makeup, but it's not all of who I am nor is it the basis from which I answer every question.
There are so many people who have this idea of who I am because I'm black.
I'm here because I stand on many, many shoulders, and that's true of every black person I know who has achieved.
Certain black leaders would believe that you have to go through their prism: 'If I lay my hand on you, you're OK.' So many people have made a living off of the pimping of race.
I'm a black American, I am proud of my race. I am proud of who I am. I have a lot of pride and dignity.
One of the things we tell ourselves as African-Americans is if we work hard, play by the rules, we do start back a little ways, but if we can be twice as good, somehow we can escape history and heritage and legacy.
Merely by describing yourself as black you have started on a road towards emancipation, you have committed yourself to fight against all forces that seek to use your blackness as a stamp that marks you out as a subservient being.
I am black, and there's no getting around that, but being black doesn't define every aspect of my life.