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In reply to the discussion: I am A WOMAN BLACK AFRICAN AND ALSO AMERICAN WITH MY FAMILY ROOTS DEEPLY [View all]nolabear
(42,082 posts)I read it after the ability to say what I want left me. I dont think even now I will try to match your eloquence. But as a total outlier to both my family and culture of birth (Mississippi White 1960s Liberal was pretty slim pickins) I have had to live with some damn sober thoughts about people and places I love.
We are likely bound by culture, you and I. And the reason why is that your people created so much of that culture. I do not say this lightlylife in the American South, the Gulf Coast and New Orleans in my case, was damn near unsurvivable without the wisdom and labor of your ancestors or someone like them, brought here as chattel but depended on for everything. And the benefits of your strength and creativity in the face of unbelievable cruelty and suffering have, yes, made this country.
I live in the cool, somewhat delusional PNW now. We have an easy time of it and vote well. At least in the urban and urban adjacent areas we do. Theres a shocking dearth of Black folks here. I imagine its because it was made liveable so late the diaspora didnt have much effect, and racism kept so many out of the industries that created it. Its nice, but I miss my conflicted love of the South. At least the struggle there is out loud. And damn is the food and the music and the painful outgrowth of what my people did to your people a balm.
Im sorry. Im sorry for what was wrought upon you and those you love. Frankly, I think those phenomenal survival skills might just save us again, if weve got the guts and the brains to stand with you and learn. Hey, a girl can dream. ❤️
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