Well I have, I've been taking that picture for the past twenty-two years of my life. Each time I think I've got the right footage, life happens and distorts it. For some it could be a baby on the way, for others a new man or woman in their life, for others it's death. Although all races share this common picture of life, birth and death, only one culture has survived the beauty of American slavery.
Many sources would say, “Well the Jews and everyone else were slaves”, which I agree with, but they did not go through the helms of American slavery and neither did I. Yet I am a product of slave ancestry in America.
The beauty of the African American spreads far beyond the borders of America. Not just the physical beauty one can come to love and appreciate, but the beauty of our intelligence, spirituality and ability to overcome. These three factors of beauty are the most beautiful pictures an artist can paint of an African American.
God being the creator painted these picture centuries ago, even before the creation of Earth. He knew just how to create the African American, not too perfect, not too dark, not too light, and just right in his sight.
From the creation of the stop light, the cotton gin, the shoe, peanut butter, The White House among many of many beautiful things African Americans have done to shape this nation to where it is today. African Americans woman sacrificed their families to take care of others, so others can live an even better life than them.
Faith has been one of the most important driving forces in the African American community, it has been a leap frog for the creation of many backyard churches and home based ministries across the nation.
Very rare does mainstream America get to see and appreciate the African Americans I love and know past the videos; the African American mother whom is firm and disciplined, yet loving in every way. They don't get to see the father who makes up three jobs to take care of his three little girls, that's beautiful that's beautiful.
The beauty of the African American is about more than music videos, bling, and balling. Our beauty is about surviving a nation that counts you out the moment you are born. Our beauty is about staying out of prison, understanding that we will be racially profiled while driving a B.M.W. that we own.
Our beauty is about wedging the gap, creating a new era in life that will take our culture past this century into a new one that will be far greater than the last. With faith and love our beauty will forever be beautiful. Captured at many angles people would say that we are an unusual and unique people; I guess that's why we create today what everyone will be doing tomorrow. So be beautiful black people, be beautiful, and don't let anyone tell you different.
Thank You and God Bless!
