Don’t Sweat the “Minor”ity Stuff

World ChangersOriginally penned May 10, 2007, but just as relevant today. See my note at end of article.

I’ve come to believe there is no greater power than that which flows from the mouth into the Universe. It takes words to order a hit. It takes words to communicate a need. A certain preacher named his church World Changers. I’d like to say, there is no bigger “world changer” than the power of words. Words. The most powerful conception given to us.

But what happens when those words are used to belittle a people, to make them think less of themselves and, in perpetuating those myths and stereotypes, to live out those words?

I attend lots of meetings, long grueling meetings. I cannot begin to count the times I’ve heard Blacks and other non-whites referred to as “minorities.” Many times I have heard this from the mouths of these very people.

If I have one pet peeve, it is the fact that I’m implicitly cajoled to embrace the belief that I am a “minority,” when just typing the word leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

But I understand the pretext of instilling this word within my thinking from the time I am a youth lacking understanding, until the time that I am old and gray and supposedly filled with wisdom.

It is used to lead me to mistakenly believe that everything I do is on a “minor” scale. It is used to lead me to mistakenly believe that I should depend wholeheartedly on the “majority” leadership for my growth and development. It is used to lead me to mistakenly believe that I am in need of a hand-out and a hand-up, because my people possess little in terms of comeuppance and intelligence.

Words are powerful. They damn sure are. So powerful that for me to call myself a minority as I address others in meetings, is a sure sign of how I see myself. Minor, in the grand scheme of things.

But I’m here today to say that I cannot see myself as a minor character in this role we are birthed to play. I cannot see myself in need of leadership and guidance by those who speak democracy, yet live bloodthirsty and savage lives.

I am no more “minority” than the sun in the sky or the moon at night. I am no more minority than the oceans raging waters or the earth’s rich black soil. I am a human, first and foremost, and in that beauty, that incredible beauty and complexity that man will never, ever completely understand, I stand as a testament of someone who cannot be downgraded by some population number provided by a “Census Bureau,” created by those who wish for me to think less of myself to assist them in maintaining their privilege.

So, understand when I say I cannot be downgraded by the words of those who wish to maintain power by belittling my power, my contributions and my numbers. I cannot be downgraded by a people who have to label everyone else to make themselves seem more important than they really are, when I am creation in its most beautiful state—hell, its original state.

A state these people strive to get to every day, with their silicone butt implants, collagen-injected lips, and tanning-bed romps. A state they’ve spent billions researching and have yet to achieve naturally.

So, when you speak of minority and I look around and see that incredible sea of browns, darker browns, creams, cinnamons, and the ever-changing kaleidoscope that is the man and woman of color, I know you cannot be speaking of me or my people. For you see the power of words tells me there’s nothing minor about me.

Just imagine how this world would change, if all my people felt the same way.

Nandi’s Note: The term “minority” should be viewed as just as, if not more, psychologically damaging than the term “nigga” due to the fact that it is widely accepted by those who are labeled as such and the fact that european-run institutions have traditionally appeared to be non-offending and “politically correct” when using this term to define a specific group. Its wide acceptance has made it a euphemism perfect for disguising its true meaning, which is similar in stature to “nigga.”

The term has become so widely accepted that the majority of the targeted group feels no aroused anger at its use to describe them and frequently use the term in describing themselves and those of their group. In essence, the term minority has done nothing more than assisted europeans in their desire to define this group as niggas without the consequences and repercussions.

It has also worked to keep the targeted group under a belief system of having an insignificant and minor role in the economic and social ownership and structure of this country, thereby making its use more dangerous than that of nigga which usually only evokes temporary, emotionally charged anger when coming from the mouth of those seen as an enemy, but which is heavily embraced when coming from the mouths of those within the same group.


Tags:

Comments

2 responses to “Don’t Sweat the “Minor”ity Stuff”

  1. Sherrice Thomas Avatar

    “My people.” That feels so right. Thanks for the enlightenment!

    1. Nandi Asase Yaa Avatar
      Nandi Asase Yaa

      Sounds like an answer you’d been seeking, doesn’t it? 😉 You got me back into the kitchen, it was the least I could do. LOL

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *