Let's talk about it, Black and White. "What it is like to be an African American Woman"

A educational event to learn about the African American history and culture.

Conversation topic

"What it is like to be an African American Woman, in the All American World." Join us as we celebrate the African American Women in Seattle, WA. "Black women, the most unprotected and unloved individuals on the earth. The only flower that grows unwatered."

*African American vendor space available. 13 years of age or older please.

Q&A PANEL

SHAVONNE BLAND - EVENT CREATOR, CERTIFIED LIFE COACH

LOYAL ALLEN JR. - Event Facilitator - ASSOCIATE DEAN OF STUDENT FUNDING SERVICES HIGHLINE COLLEGE

DESHAWNTE DANCER - ESQ. ATTORNEY AT LAW

COLINA BRUCE - DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION PARTNERSHIP FOR SEATTLE UNIVERSITY YOUTH INITIATIVE

MIKAH BROOKS - FRESHMAN HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT

"TIA NACHE" YARBROUGH - SPOKEN WORD ARTIST, SPS ASST. PRINCIPAL

Thank you to everyone who attended Part 1 and Part 2 of “Let’s talk about it, Black and White.” These event were a success and over 100 people came out to support. The first conversations was so good, we only had time to adress the first two questions. Part 2 we continued the conversation, and dicussed the sterotypes of African Americans. Part 2 conversation was my (Shavonne Brooks) version of an African American History Assembly. I

encourage you all scroll through netflix, for black history flims and/or Roots (2017 version on Hulu). 

https://www.youtube.com/watchv=6uISVXCVeFI

Pt. 1 questions for the conversation,

1.) Why does the word nigger offend African Americans? What is the root? 

2.) How does racism affect the school district? 

Pt. 2 questions for the conversation

3.) What is colorism and how does it affect the community?

4.) How can we work together as a community and break the cycle?

Conversation topic; Sterotypes of African Americans

What is Colorism? Prejudice or discrimination against individuals with a dark skin tone, typically among people of the same ethnic or racial group."colorism within the black community has been a serious emotional and psychological battle" So let’s talk Colorism. Let’s discuss African American history. Let’s make history, for African Americans. Together we ARE stronger. 

Definitions of Black and White - White and black are excluded from this definition because they do not have specific wavelengths. White is not defined as a color because it is the sum of all possible colors. Black is not defined as a color because it is the absence of light, and therefore color. Black and white are not colors.

In the English language, the word nigger is an ethnic slur typically directed at black people. The word originated in the 18th century as an adaptation of the Spanish negro, a descendant of the Latin adjective niger, which means black.[1] It was used derogatorily, and by the mid-20th century, particularly in the United States, its usage by non-African Americans became unambiguously pejorative, a racist insult. Accordingly, it began to disappear from general popular culture. Its inclusion in classic works of literature has sparked modern controversy. 

Because the term is considered extremely offensive, it is often referred to by the euphemism "the N-word". But it remains in use, particularly as the variant nigga, by African Americans among themselves. In dialects of English (including standard British English) that have non-rhotic speech, "nigger" and "nigga" are pronounced the same.

Did white people create the word nigger? I don’t know. However, people from the African American community did call each other nigger in the 1920, and we still use the word nigga today. No matter which ending you choose, it is a word used to describe an African American.  It’s our word. Not yours, white America has taken enough from our culture. *my thoughts only  :-)

 Let’s live life in color, because black and white aren’t colors!