For my project, I had two parts.
Part #1: Presentation (not shown on website)
I felt as though no matter what, some aspect of myself was never enough. In America, I wasn’t always seen as being Black enough, so I’ve always felt like a stranger to Black culture (even though I was raised in and around it).
I thought that maybe going on this trip would somehow help me feel… more Black and more connected. However, when I came to London, I found out that I might be too American and not African enough.
I left with a lingering question that went from “How can I become more connected to Black culture?” to “What does it mean to belong?” Even though this is a question everyone must answer personally, my conclusion is this: regardless of whether I feel like an outsider looking into my own culture (and essentially my own identity), I know that I’m not alone AND that I have the choice to choose how I want to see myself in the world.
I am no more or less of what people think that I am. I am who I am, and that’s all that’s needed. I find comfort knowing that there’s someone else who feels that way (whether they look like me or not), and that’s enough to know that I belong.
Part #2: Artwork
The second part of my project is this:
The fact that in a world that continues to reject the contributions, creations, and importance of the Black diaspora, I was always surrounded by it, even while being in a completely different country.
Then it clicked, and I had an epiphany.
Throughout a large portion of history (potentially all of human history), Black folks continue to be the originators and creators of our current reality. And that there is a deep-rooted, spiritual connection between the entire diaspora that keeps us connected beyond our phenotypical and geographical traits.
That’s what led me to create this poem and this digital art piece (more like a 90% done WIP). I hope that regardless of what culture/nationality/race you come from, it resonates with you in an intimate way – whatever that means for you.
Read More:
“What Does It Mean to Belong?” is part of a larger UWM Post special project titled “Movements of Black Life: A Comparative Study in the UK.”