The Father of Black Consciousness

Biko

Frederick Douglas. Rosa Parks. Martin Luther King Jr. Malcolm X. Crispus Attucks.  Harriet Tubman. SojournerTruth. Medgar Evers. I love Black History and hold all of these historical figures in very high regard. I also understand that our history , Black History, is richer, older, and far more benevolent and majestic than the bits of Black History taught as a part of the 1 chapter curriculum afforded us in Grade School. My history as an African American begins in Africa. The Continent. The home of the “Lost Ones”.

In the process of becoming aware I began to do a little more reading and it was interesting to see that the Civil Rights struggle here in the United States and the fight against Apartheid in South Africa were very similar. Not only in its purpose but its leadership and its most proactive and passionate fighters. You had your political fighters Dr. martin Luther King Jr. in the States and Nelson Mandela in South Africa.

On the other side of the coin you had the more radicle Malcolm X her in the U.S. and Bantu Steven Biko of SouthAfrica.

Biko is so far in my top 10  favorite historical figures. He’s been dubbed the Father of Black Consciousness and the Black Conscious movement. To be Black and Proud is a relatively new concept. Prior to the Civil Rights movement of the late 1950’s you could identify as Black but the idea of being Proud was not a thought. We didn’t outwardly proclaim the beauty of people, our colorful and rich culture, or our contributions to society. We had to be told that it was ok to let the world know how much we love being “Us” and fight for the right to be “Us “within and in spit of our respective societies; how strong we could be if we realizedout Worth. Bantu “Steven “

“Whites must be made to realize that they are only

human, not superior. Same with blacks. They must be made to

realize that they are also human, not inferior.

-Steve Biko

I can’t imagine the strength and courage it took to know that each time a statement like this was attached to his name represented a nail in his coffin. He understood that until Black people knew their worth they were doomed to live under the thumb of an oppressor. Much like Biko, Malcolm X spread the message that we are beautiful. We are smarter, stronger, and more beautiful than what white history and society has taught us we are. Most importantly they spread the message to the Black masses as well as the White. I Love it!!!

February is our month to shine as Black Folk but we should also dedicate additional time to learn about “Us”. Our story and History goes so much deeper that what we’ve been taught. Take the time to research Black World History. Learn about our history before slavery. Learn about the fighters who didn’t give a fuck. You know the one who after you learn their story make you more aware of our strength and where I lies.