(Re)Claiming Black Identity: WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE BLACK?

by University of Richmond on Thursday, February 4, 2010 at 10:34am ·

The Black History Month theme at University of Richmond this year is - "(Re) Claiming Black Identity: What does it mean to be Black?" Boatwright Memorial Library invites students, staff, and faculty to share our thoughts by posting favorite quotes & ideas on the subject on a white board next to the Main Service Desk of the library.

You can also post your ideas here by commenting below.

I'll start with this quote from Barack Obama, the first African American president of the United States:

"We need to internalize this idea of excellence. Not many folks spend a lot of time trying to be excellent."

Share your thoughts!

· Comment · Share
    • University of Richmond I feel most colored when I am thrown against a sharp white background. -- Zora Neale Hurston
      February 18, 2010 at 7:13am
    • Keon Monroe
      ‎"I guess being colored doesn't make me NOT like
      the same things other folks like who are other races.
      So will my page be colored that I write?
      Being me, it will not be white.
      But it will be
      ... a part of you, instructor.
      You are white —
      yet a part of me, as I am a part of you.
      That's American."

      -Excerpted from "Theme for English B" by Langston Hughes      See More
      February 18, 2010 at 10:04am
    • Ra-Twoine Fields ‎"Being Black is being me.... past, present and every future moment that we will conquer as we have conquered before...." -Anonymous
      February 18, 2010 at 12:43pm
    • Tamisha Binky Williams Grayson
      To be Black, in my eyes, means always being aware of who I am, where I am, and the perceptions that others have of me. I'm not sure if I'll ever be able to live a care-free life, no matter how much money I make or the status that I'm given..., because at the end of the day, being Black in America (not just African American, but anyone whose skin is naturally tanned- Jamaicans, Africans, etc.) means there are years of pre-conceived notions being placed on me from the moment one sets eyes on me. I'm confident in who I am, but feel most comfortable to be care-free when around other Black people because I don't feel like I have to be extra careful to ensure that I"m not being judged.See More
      February 23, 2010 at 6:47am
    • University of Richmond
      Thanks for having the courage to speak up everyone -- can be downright painful to talk about these experiences. But we must keep the dialogue going - without talking about the problems and bringing them to light, we can't even begin to find... resolution. We must keep going, keep thriving, keep striving until we're satisfied: "The sweltering summer of the Negro's legitimate discontent will not pass until there is an invigorating autumn of freedom and equality." -- Martin Luther KingSee More
      February 24, 2010 at 7:50am