The One Purpose This 12 months’s Essence Competition Was Thought of By Many a Full Catastrophe

Essence Competition of Tradition is a yearly celebration of Black tradition that individuals stay up for each July 4 weekend. It’s so in style that the film “Ladies Journey” made it a plot level within the movie. Normally, attendees go away raving about how a lot enjoyable that they had…however not this 12 months.

First there was a noticeable distinction that individuals observed once they arrived on the conference middle. Hardly anybody was there.

Then there was drama with the music. First Lauryn Hill carried out practically two hours late and got here out to a really small crowd…although for a change, the tardy efficiency wasn’t truly 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 Individuals and Africans that the competition placed on Entrance Avenue this 12 months.  

I’ve written about this earlier than. For years that has been a rift between Black Individuals (the decedents of slaves) and Africans (first or second era immigrants from the continent.) To African Individuals, the rift is generally one-sided as a result of we pay little consideration to the unfavorable feedback from our brothers and sisters from the Motherland.

However this 12 months’s Essence Competition has many speaking about it, as a result of what was as soon as a celebration of Black American tradition this 12 months become one thing else.

Many have rightfully identified that Caroline A. Wanga, a Kenyan citizen, is the present President & CEO of Essence Ventures. They indicate (effectively, 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 have fun world Blackness as an alternative of the distinctly American model of it.

There’s actually a must try to unite Africans and Black Individuals. We’re extra alike than we’re dissimilar. And we might be smart 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 individuals 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 Middle for Africana Research at a college, so I agree with the notion of attempting to unite Africans and Black Individuals. However Essence Competition will not be the place to attempt to do accomplish this.

This competition has traditionally been a spot the place the tradition of Black Individuals is well known. The arduous left flip into celebrating all Blackness is ok if you don’t pull again on the celebration of Black individuals in this nation. That’s the place this 12 months’s competition went mistaken.

The noble effort to attempt to have a competition that celebrates the gorgeous complexity of the individuals within the African Diaspora fell quick. Black Individuals felt not noted. Many are claiming they are going to by no means go once more.

Essence higher get its act collectively and be taught from what went mistaken this 12 months. 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 shall be little greater than a reminiscence.