Diversity

"When we're talking about diversity, it's not a box to check. It is a reality that should be deeply felt and held and valued by all of us."-Ava DuVernay
 

Let me say this, I knew that this would happen. I knew the numbers wouldn't compare. I knew that Brown faces would be hard to receive. I knew that "it's a man's world." I just wanted this time to be different. I wanted that on the eve of International Women's Day that we would support Ava. I wanted us to support diversity. I wanted more than just Barbie dolls and merchandise. I wanted my daughter to go see a movie with a lead that looks just like her. I wanted the inclusion riders. I wanted to believe that we wanted diversity too. 

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/a-wrinkle-in-time-ava-duvernay_us_5aa27655e4b07047bec58d99

Black Power

The term "Black Power" was popularized by Stokely Carmichael and Willie Ricks during a speech in 1966. However, Richard Wright's book entitled Black Power was published in 1954. Since then, there have been several terms that celebrate Black Empowerment, (#BlackGirlMagic, #BlackGirlsRock, #BlackLivesMatter, #BlackisBeautiful, #ImBlackandImProud, #BlackPride, #BlackExcellence). All of these terms resonate within the Black community. 

I finally saw Black Panther. I posed with my fist in the air next to signage. I dressed in all black. I encouraged my daughters, mother, and mother in law to do the same. We posed with our stuffed T'Challa beaming with pride. Representation matters. Gianna and Jai'Lynn will remember that three generations of their family went to see Black Panther on a school night. They will remember the Dora Milaje. They will remember the pretty little girl in the bathroom with dashiki. They will remember Shuri, the STEM genius. 

Black Power is about representation in the global marketplace. It is about economic, social, and political empowerment. It is about positive media representation. It is about reclaiming our time, our talents, and our heritage.