Essence Competition of Tradition is a yearly celebration of Black tradition that folks sit up for each July 4 weekend. It’s so well-liked that the film “Ladies Journey” made it a plot level within the movie. Often, attendees go away raving about how a lot enjoyable that they had…however not this yr.
First there was a noticeable distinction that folks observed once they arrived on the conference middle. Hardly anybody was there.
Then there was drama with the music. First Lauryn Hill carried out almost two hours late and got here out to a really small crowd…although for a change, the tardy efficiency wasn’t really Miss Hill’s fault.
Then there was the Stephanie Mills debacle. She was so underwhelmed by the professionalism of the competition that she wrote an open letter decrying the organizers.
However let’s be actual…everyone knows what everyone seems to be speaking about: The stress between Black People and Africans that the competition placed on Entrance Avenue this yr.
I’ve written about this earlier than. For years that has been a rift between Black People (the decedents of slaves) and Africans (first or second era immigrants from the continent.) To African People, the rift is usually one-sided as a result of we pay little consideration to the damaging feedback from our brothers and sisters from the Motherland.
However this yr’s Essence Competition has many speaking about it, as a result of what was as soon as a celebration of Black American tradition this yr was one thing else.
Many have rightfully identified that Caroline A. Wanga, a Kenyan citizen, is the present President & CEO of Essence Ventures. They indicate (properly, say with their chest) that her being on the helm of the corporate is why the competition took a extra Pan-African flip and tried to rejoice international Blackness as an alternative of the distinctly American model of it.
There may be actually a have to try to unite Africans and Black People. We’re extra alike than we’re dissimilar. And we’d be sensible to do not forget that.
Marcus Garvey, Stokely Carmichael and W.E.B. Du Bois all talked passionately in regards to the want for Africans and Black folks in America to see their destinies intertwined. Du Bois wrote that neither communities would overcome anti-Blackness with out the assistance of the opposite.
I’m the affiliate director of a Heart for Africana Research at a college, so I agree with the notion of making an attempt to unite Africans and Black People. However Essence Competition shouldn’t be the place to attempt to do accomplish this.
This competition has traditionally been a spot the place the tradition of Black People is widely known. The onerous left flip into celebrating all Blackness is okay if you don’t pull again on the celebration of Black folks in this nation. That’s the place this yr’s competition went improper.
The noble effort to attempt to have a competition that celebrates the gorgeous complexity of the folks within the African Diaspora fell quick. Black People felt overlooked. Many are claiming they may by no means go once more.
Essence higher get its act collectively and be taught from what went improper this yr. Persons are writing obituaries for the quintessential July 4 cookout. In the event that they don’t repair it fast, quick and in a rush. this celebration of Blackness will likely be little greater than a reminiscence.
Straight From
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