It is time to get back the pride and it begins inside you and in your home. 

After abolitionists emancipated Africans and Blacks from slavery, such principles were internalized by African Americans because of a psychological desire to gain in social acceptance among the cultural mainstream. Termed The Brown Paper Bag Test, this anti-black ritual was common practice during the early 1900’s among upper class Black American societies and families.

Howard University in Washington DC. was among the many prestigious historically Black educational institutions which practiced colorism as a method of pseudoscience. As evidence, Howard University once required African American applicants to submit a photograph of themselves in order to ensure that new students met the social standards to achieve among Whites and other European Americans. Spike Lee’s innovative, yet offbeat, music-filled, contemporary 1988 comedy, “School Daze,” accurately depicts self-conflict struggles between lighter and darker skinned students on historically Black college campuses. As depicted in Spike’s movie, neither sorority nor fraternity groups would allow those whose skin tone was darker than a brown paper lunch bag admission into college societies.

The Brown Paper Bag Test also has guidelines for acceptance among the lighter ranks, which includes the “comb test,” a procedure that establishes one’s hair coarseness, and the “flashlight test,” which examines  facial profiles to make sure features are comparable to Caucasians. Such internalized hatred of the-self socializes the perception of standards among African-Americans at colleges and universities across America.

                        Here are some black inventors that I was exposed to by the assistance of a very intelligent black man that i was fortunate to be acquainted with recently.  Thank You Baerie Guy.

 I cannot believe that during high school, I did history for seven years and was not taught about the accomplishment of my ancestors. I remembered history was the  subject that made our class angry because we were primarily african descent. Many were glad that Paul Bogle and other national heroes fought for the abolition of slavery and the emanicipation of the race.

The only history I was exposed to was that of African greed, black betrayal, slavery and the Negro emancipation. I remembered my History teacher Miss Binns, firmly telling us tha Black people were crabs in a bucket. Always undermining their own endeavours and stymie the negro man’ success. Sometimes my class mates and i conceded that we hate being black. How could someone betray their own race to ingratiate the white man?

                      I was not taught about the Philosophies of Marcus Garvey, the sapient political dogmas of Emperor Haile. Few if any, black Jamaicans know about the Kemetics, who are the founders of our modern civilizations.  Few blacks know that civilization began in Africa with the University of Timbuktu and the Egyptian Civilization.

                 I have discovered, by a black afrocentric and negritude friend of mine that being an African Descent is not bad after all!!!!

Tall sky scrapers would not exist if it was not for Alexander Mills a black man who invented the elevator, and without it we would have great difficulty climbing numerous stairs.

               There would be few if any cars thanks to Richard spikes, a black man who invented the automatic gear shift. There would be numerous accidents on the roads if Joseph Gammell also a black man, did not invent  the Super Charge System for the Internal combustion engines, and Garrett Morgan invented the Traffic Lights.

Furthermore one could not use the rapid transit system because; its precursor was the Electric Trolley, which was invented by another black man, Elbert R Robinson.

The streets on which cars and rapid transit system would not be in operation due to paper cluttering if it was not for Charles Brooks who invented the street sweeper to keep the streets clean.

                   Did you know that the existence of written knowledge in papers, books and magazines of yesteryear should pay homage to John Love, who invented the pencil sharpener, William Purvis who invented the fountain pen, Lee Burridge who invented the type writing machine and W A Lovett who invented the advanced printing press. They were black men.

Even if we could write our letters, articles and books they could not have been transported by mail if it was not for another black man William Barry who invented Postmarking and cancelling machine.

William Purvis invented the Hand stamp and Phillip Downing invented the Letter Drop.

                 Our lawns would be dry and wilted had not Joseph Smith another black inventor, invented the Lawn sprinkler and John Burr invented the Lawn Mower.

                     Our homes would be poorly ventilated and cold if it was not for another black man Frederick Jones who invented the Air Conditioner and Alice Parker who invented the Heating Furnace.

Our homes would be dim and dark if was not for the genius of Lewis Latimer who invented the Electric Lamp, Harvey who invented the Lantern and Granville T Woods who invented the Automatic Cut Off Switch

 Our homes were filthy until another black man Thomas W Steward invented the Mop and Lloyd P Ray invented the dust Pan.

                  Walking into our homes barefooted would make our floors and carpets dirty if it was not for Jan E Matzelinger who invented the shoe Lasting Machine,

                     Walter Sammons who invented the comb to keep us well groomed and Sarah Boone who invented the Ironing Board to keep our clothes looking sharp at all times.

Do not forget another black man George T Salmon who invented the Clothes Dryer .

                 Remember that our food would start spoiling after a couple days if John Standard another black man had not invented the Refrigerator.

Every time you reach for some peanut butter remember Professor Carver who invented peanut butter.

When you need some granulated sugar remember another black man from Louisiana who invented granulated sugar.

A black man by the name of Robertson was the first one of the first individuals to make a motor car.

 He made 30 plus cars before he was forced out of the market due to racist discrimination by Ford Motor Company.

The classic Robertson Cars can be found in antique museums today.

                       Martin Luther King JR said by the time we leave for work each day we have depended on half of the world modern inventions in America because of the inventions that Black Men and Women made for us all.

Happy Black History Month!!!

I am Young Black and Powerful…

These negative thoughts usually lead to negative feelings, about ourselves and about others around us. Without even realizing it, sometimes we find ways to confirm these negative thoughts, so eventually we grow to believe that they must be true. It may get to a point where we don’t have a single positive thought in our head about ourselves or particular loved ones.

Due to our negative thoughts and feelings, we’re incapable of accepting compliments, and automatically believe someone is fibbing if they try to contradict our thoughts. For example, if you’ve spent your whole life telling yourself you’re fat, even if you aren’t, you’ve probably grown to believe this negative thought. Then someone may pay you a compliment by saying how thin you look, and you won’t believe them. You’ll think they’re just saying this to be nice.

Negative thinking is one of the main culprits of low self esteem, low self worth, low self respect etc. etc. Sure many of these issues start in child hood, but it begins a lifetime of negative thinking, and unless we break the cycle, we’ll never have a positive view of ourselves or those around us.

I am personally a woman who suffers low self esteem and negative thinking. Like many others, I’m unaware of my negative thinking, it’s just a part of my daily life, just the same as breathing. I know I’m doing it but not making a concious effort.

I’ve recently become aware of the fact that my negative thinking is not only affecting myself, but also my relationships with others around me. I think negatively about the relationships, thinking to myself “That person can’t truly love me, or find me beautiful.” This negative thinking spirals out of control and I begin to truly believe I’m not loved by anyone. This is mostly due to the fact that I have low self esteem and continue to tell myself I’m not worthy of love.

Believing you’re not capable of being loved will of course lead you to act in an unloving way. If you’re not loved, how can you love back?

When they say “It’s all in your head” they truly mean just that. The problems we have with ourselves and our relationships are all due to our negative thinking. Only we have the power to break this cycle and live fulfilling lives once more.

It starts by negating every negative thought we have in our heads, starting with ourselves. Yes, it’s going to be difficult at first, especially since you won’t believe the opposite of your usual negative thoughts. But keep in mind, the only reason you believe your negative thoughts is because you forced yourself to do so.

Whatever your negative thought is, just tell yourself the opposite.

If your thought is: I am fat.
Tell yourself: I am thin. (even if you aren’t, thinking thin never hurt anyone)

If your thought is: I am ugly.
Tell yourself: I am beautiful.

If your thought is: I’m not worthy of love, attention, affection… etc.
Tell yourself: I’m worthy of getting what I want and need.

The more you think about each positive thought, and the more you confirm each thought, the more you’ll believe it. Soon you’ll have a better view of yourself, more self respect and self esteem. You’ll also find yourself to be more confident and more successful in your relationships and other aspects of your life.

You’re the only one who has the power to change. It starts with you.