I STAND TALL | An Inquisitive Mind

'I STAND TALL AS A BLACK YOUNG

WOMAN'

#ENDSARS

*If you haven’t already, please read my most recent post ‘Black Lives Matter, Forever and ALWAYS’

As my girl Lauryn hill says ‘music is supposed to inspire…’ - I am making it known that I agree with this statement (of which has had an influence on today’s post). Although, I also do believe that music is supposed to 'encourage', 'empower', 'educate' and even 'inform' us on what's going on around us.

Which is why in today’s post, whilst still in the hope of 'educating', 'empowering' and 'inspiring' you all during the celebration of ‘Black History Month’ … I will be sharing 10 songs of which empower me and of which make me ponder on what it means to be ‘Black’ in society.

BEFORE we begin though... I just want to say that as a Black young woman within the diaspora I am asking for you to please join me in praying for our world and especially for those in Nigeria at the moment.

Alongside, this please also pray for the MARGINALISED, those stripped of their most BASIC Human Rights, those who have CORRUPT authority figures/leaders , those who have lost their lives to POLICE brutality and as a result left their LOVED ones behind.... (If you are not religious- then please just educate yourself on these topics so as to have discussions and spread awareness with those around you).

Your SUPPORT (in whichever way possible) is needed at a time like this... irrespective of whether you are Nigerian or not.

So I ask you, will you be part of those creating change? #ENDSARS *.

5 songs that empower me …

‘Black’ by Innanet James.

Whenever I listen to this song, It makes me want to bop my head, swing it side to side and unleash my (small but healthy) afro for the world to see. Not only does it have a catchy beat to it , as well as there being an influence from James Brown’s song (‘Say it Loud’…), but through the use of his many ‘one liners’ Innanet makes me feel like magic as I sing along. As a whole the song makes me to reflect on what the eurocentric standards of beauty are and instead appreciate my ‘blackness’ - in regards to my features, my culture and my identity as a whole. As I can’t pick a favourite line from the song, all there is left to say is that … ‘I’m Black and I Love it !’.

‘Say it Loud’- I’m Black and I’m Proud’ by James Brown

This is not only a song to me but rather an anthem, of which I am proud to repeatedly 'Shout out' loud! This song empowers me so much so that I want to ‘Get on Up’ and 'Get down' like James Brown. Although, what inspires me the most is that James Brown sings the song accompanied by a bunch of young people - of which just highlights to me their sense of pride in their identity , as well as with them being unapologetically ‘Black and Proud’.

‘To be Young, Gifted and Black’ by Nina Simone

I appreciate the passion Nina Simone has put into her songs over the many years of her music career. With this being one of my favourite songs by her, I am glad to hear such a creative and powerful 'Black Woman' say such a bold statement - for all to hear!

Whenever, I hear this song I am glad to identify with being a 'Young, Gifted and Black Woman' (of which is a FACT!) This is something of which ‘we must begin ( and continue) to tell our young’, by highlighting to them that their ‘Black Identity’ is something to be proud of , for there is so much power in them and their futures - instead of disempowering them.

‘Superheroes’ by Stormzy

I know, I know that it has been a couple of months since the superheroes music video came out BUT it still has a positive influence on me (and has made me to like the song even more). Although...it may not be my favourite song from the album ('Heavy is the Head') it did reiterate to me that REPRESENTATION MATTERS.

When he says ‘...Black Queen your Immaculate’ - I don’t know about you but I know he’s talking to me! This song brings me nothing but good vibes, and helps me to reflect on the many 'Black people' in society of which have contributed to making such positive influences to the world as we know it! This being in regards to 'artists', 'writers', 'actors', 'activists' and the many others of which are 'Black and Proud'! This song acts as a reminder to me that although at times ‘…are burdens are heavy’ we should remember that ‘…we ain’t light weights’.

‘When You Are Who You Are’ by Gill Scott-Heron

This song highlights to me that as you accept yourself, your identity, whoever you ‘are’ - you essentially become much more beautiful. In relation to the ‘Black History Month’ theme, I am aware of the fact that I must be ‘PROUD’ to be BLACK… as this plays a factor in ‘who I am' and in ‘my identity’ (whether I like it or not).

5 songs that make me ponder and think …

‘PohLease’ by Kamauu

I like listening to Kamauu’s voice because I believe he has such a eccentric and quirky but unique vibe about him. When listening to this song, it makes me to think of Police brutality not only just in America but all over the world. Not all police are corrupt, but those of which that use their power for evil are very much 'scary'.

Kamauu states that the issue of Police brutality ‘...is a problem, not a black problem’ of which I completely agree with. This being because although police brutality is heavily associated with the Black community, it is important to recognise that it is not solely a ‘Black people' issue but a Human Rights issue within itself. Irrespective of your racial identity the question asked by Kamauu is ‘who police the police?’ which makes me to reflect on the ways in which certain members of the police go about things. The song ends with ‘they don’t have to kill …’of which Kamauu lists the names of those who have passed away by the hands of those in power. Although, it is upsetting to hear... it makes me even more passionate about the #BlackLivesMatter Movement and the intentions behind it. (It is not a trend but people’s actual LIVES).

‘Black’ by Dave.

When Dave says ‘…black is so much more than African-American’ – it reminds me of the fact that the Uk is not as innocent as they may proclaim to be. At times when people call out the Uk as racist, the common defensive comeback is that ‘No… we are much better than America’. Although... if you look at the facts and statistics this may seem ‘true’ in some aspects but in actual fact the Uk can also be seen on the ‘same’ level as America. (The only difference being that the Uk is subtle in some of the things that they say and do).

I believe that Dave is very smart to discussing the 'Black Identity' in regards to the Uk and then comparing it to that of those in America and other different parts in Africa. This then highlights to the listener the concept and Dave's understanding of Intersectionality . ( A reminder that not every Black person’s experience will be or is the same). This is then reiterated when he says ‘…we all struggle but your struggle ain’t a struggle like me’ of which highlights the topic of Intersectionality, privilege and ignorance when compared to other communities.

The line ‘Loud in our laughter…silent in our suffering’ hits me hard, this being because it highlights the fact that when things get 'real' many people no longer remember the contribution of ‘Black people’. Although....when certain 'trends', 'fashion' and 'music' is popping again many want to be ‘welcomed’ to the party.

It is evident that Dave is a socially conscious and talented musician of which is evident from the many FACTS he drops within the song. At the end of the day all I can say is ‘…Black is all I know and there ain’t a thing I would change in it!'.

‘Black Rage’ by Lauryn hill

GIRLLLL…! Ms Hill, is most definitely a force to be reckoned with, of which is very much evident in this song alongside her many others.Throughout this song Ms Hill discusses many heavy 'issues' of which highlights some of the reasons as to why members of the ‘Black community’ may be ‘outraged’ at the 'reality' of how they are often treated.

The lines that get to me the most are- ‘Black rage is found on blatant denial’, ‘…threatening your freedom to stop your complaining’ and ‘Black rage is found in denial of self’. These three lines give me the chills every time- ‘like woah is this what really happens’ !!!

I often find myself in disbelieve in regards to all that has happened over the many years – and of which is still occurring even now (with ignorance and discrimination still being very much evident). Although... instead of feeling sad - I instead feel inspired to want to make a 'change' for equality and social justice to reign.

‘The Story of O.J.’ by Jay Z.

Personally, I hate it when people use the ‘n word’ irrespective of their racial identity as I find it demeaning. Although, I find that as Jay Z took inspiration from Nina Simone’s ‘Four women’ song - I can just about tolerate the use of the word ( but I rarely listen to it anyways...).

I believe that the song aims to highlight that irrespective of one’s complexion ...whether you are 'light skin, brown skin or dark skin' you are seen as Black (in society!). Through this song the ‘trend’ team 'light skin, brown skin and team dark skin' can seem quite unnecessary , especially when using these terms to ‘cuss’ and ‘insult’ each other - as all parties are still ‘Black’! I mean I get it ....if you want to use these terms to empower one another, and yourselves then why not! - but not as a tool to disempower others in making them feel ‘ugly’ or ‘less than’. This then makes me to think about topics such as 'colourism' within society and the issue of 'skin bleaching' and the intentions behind it .

*I am not naive to the fact that colourism is such a broad and complex topic ... of which is an issue within many cultures*. All I can say is that 'YOUR BLACK IS BEAUTIFUL' ....irrespective of the shade of your complexion. (Black or not- YOU ARE still BEAUTIFUL same goes…).

‘Black America Again’ – by Common and Stevie Wonder

Well well… Common does not hold back from how he truly feels in this song. When I listen to this song I really reflect on what it means to be Black ,in any part of the world, even though he discusses this in relation to being an African-American man.

This song touches on so many important topics around 'Black consciousness' and the 'Black identity'- such as Cultural appropriation, Black on Black crime, Slavery, Colonialism, Mental health issues within the Black community, Systematic racism, Colourism and unfair/corrupt news against Black people (or shall I say indoctrination.)

Towards the end, Stevie Wonder blesses this track and repeats the line ‘we are rewriting the black American story’ with a jazz inspired beat in the background. This brings a nice close to the end of the song- as it leaves the listener with a positive message that a new narrative shall and will be portrayed.

As a whole, all the songs mentioned make me confident in stating that ‘I STAND TALL AS A BLACK YOUNG WOMAN’ in today’s society.

I’ve also created a collaborative playlist called ‘ I STAND TALL AS A BLACK YOUNG WOMAN’ based on the title of today’s post . This playlist is available on Spotify of which has all the songs mentioned

added to it (apart from ‘Black Rage’ by Lauryn hill – which is only available on Youtube) .

Please click here to listen and feel free to add any songs that empower you and/or make you to ponder on ‘Black history’ , ‘Black Culture’ and the ‘Black Identity’.