Simone Anika Wilson: “What Is Black Culture?”

What Is Black Culture?

Black culture is color

Vibrant reds, bright yellows and burnt orange

Black culture is movement

Swaying, two stepping, twirling, and twerking

Black culture is art

The brush of Alice Patrick, and the voice of Leontyne Price

Black culture is sumptuous

Ox Tails, collard greens, macaroni and cheese, and red soda pop

Black culture is textured

Razor bumps, soft curls, and callused hands

Black culture is competitive

Basketball, track, football, tennis and golf

Black culture is ambitious

Billionaires, scientists, writers and even a President

Black culture is soulful

John Coltrane, B.B. King, Little Richard and the Queen, Aretha

Black culture is pain

Emmett Till, Medgar Evers, and Breonna Taylor

Black culture is strength

Middle passage, slavery, Jim Crow, and the Montgomery Bus boycott

Black culture is sexy

Denzel Washington in Glory, Dorothy Dandridge in Carmen Jones

Black culture is Proud

“I’m Black and I’m Proud”

Black culture is spiritual

Gospel music, Holy Ghost dancing, and ladies dressed in white.

Black culture is excellence

Valedictorians, Miss America, Grammy’s and Oscars

Black culture is America

Apple pie, protests, death and taxes

Black culture is me and I am a Black American

What are you looking for?