Hey y'all. 👋🏽☺️💛 I gave up Black Excellence and I'm not going back. I'm not interested. If you would like to hold onto it, be my guest. For me, it's too heavy and fragile to bear. If some of these comments (the disrespectful and nasty ones [I've deleted quite a few]) reflect how Black Excellence is protected over the sacred lives of individuals, or if it represents the people claiming and pursuing it, I don't want it. Ive tried to respond to all of the comments, but honestly, it's too much. Some folks want to misunderstand and misrepresent my ideas and beliefs (and a lot of y'all didn't watch the whole thing anyway). This video is my own opinion about my own life's experiences. I'm not changing my mind about it at this point in my life. I have achieved Black Excellence (the grades, the job, the money, etc.) and realized that I don't want it, nor do I want to give up what it requires; my peace. The only prescription that I have is SELF LOVE AND LOVE FOR OTHERS. That's what this entire video is about. Loving yourself and others beyond what you can do for other people, beyond your money, beyond your perception of "worth" and "value". You are worthy. You are valuable. You always have been. Don't let chasing status, money, and mere people who are insecure themselves, Convince you that you are not enough, yet. You were born enough. You were born worthy and loved. Love yourself. That is how we start the revolution. See the sanctity in the life of others. That is how we love our fellow man and that is how we change the world. If you'd like to further understand where I'm coming from, check out this video: ruclips.net/video/NFCy1UBG4fc/видео.html I love y'all. Much love and joy to you. ☺️💛🌺
Cognitive Dissonance, is what negative commenters are suffering from watching this video. It takes little to trigger panic. I love Nobel Laureate Ms Toni Morrison’s ‘You’re not your job. You are the person who you are!' Keep up the good work. 👍🏾The World needs these kinds of messaging. 🤎
@@AleciaRenece I think your message of self love and love of others is well-meaning, but doesn't the world need Black brain surgeons, astronauts, and scientists? Pursuing excellence is a worthy endeavor for people of all races.
@@thomasorchard This was exactly my thoughts when I watched this. I feel like alot of blacks, (and blk men in particular) are settling in life and that bothers me, as a blk man. I feel like we could revise or change how we view black excellence, maybe a common ground could be reached. I do appreciate the video tho
YES, yes, yes! I was literally having a conversation with someone about the same topic. When we were enslaved & on the auction block, things like our ability to endure, & earn money for the white power structure …determine our value. And we still maintain that value system for Black people today. A lot of Black millionaires are valuable because they’re able to produce billions for their non Black investors, suppliers & employees. I am worthy to myself & OK with not being “valuable” to this predatory system.
I love this. As a black man, in a predominantly white career field, I stay to myself. I hold the most credentials and have the highest degree amongst them all. I dont feel the need to fit in nor do i play the games they want me to play. Stay Black and dont let Black leaders convince you to be subservient!
I appreciate educated blk ppl like you cause it's rare to find like a big foot or a unicorn. The others are depressing, competitive, and can't just have a simple conversation
This is reminding me of my time in high school. I was in an AP English class, and I got reprimanded by one of the "black achievers" for not doing enough; that I made the community look bad for not striving for Harvard or something. It made me feel bad when I was younger, but now I'm like, "Damn! I couldn't be ordinary AND like to read?"
Note how they said Harvard and not just college. We put pressure on the black youth so be overachievers for the purpose of beating stereotypes. Black kids can never just be average and happy, they always have to be the best.
I work in an environment filled with examples of “black excellence”; highly credentialed and accomplished black folks. Black female doctors and administrators and I was so proud of them and inspired by them until I discovered that they’re dismissive and sometimes downright rude and not nice. I was hoping to be in community with these women because they look like me but they treat me like I’m less than them and it can only be attributed to the fact that I don’t have an advanced degree. It makes me sad and angry because we’re also surrounded by a lot of toxic w*hiteness so I have to contend with that and my own people othering me. It’s really disheartening and reaffirms my inclination to keep to myself. Sometimes I really hate it here.
I hate to generalize but people who obsess over having wealth and status, are often not very nice people, have poor moral compass or, at worst, are psychopaths and narcissist. Those people you described sound downright miserable. 😬😬😬
Sorry you've had to experience that. No excuses, but I think part of the reason is the women are deeply damaged having jumped through multiple hoops and having given up too much of themselves in an oppressive system. That's one of the worst things about this so-called black excellence. Striving for access, acceptance, etc., you can literally loose so much of what makes you a kind human being.
"Black excellence" to me is a Black person who is a respectful, spiritually grounded, good and decent human being living Right Path regardless of their educational or financial status. That's all.
Exactly because many people, like Harriet Tubman & Rosa Parks didn't have much wealth and power yet they were beyond exceptional in my opinion. I would rather have less but be bold and brave like them
This is so real. Everyone around me only talks about money and status and becoming billionaires. I don't care about any of that. I just want to travel and live a great life that's not tied to monetary gain. The black community likes to one-up each other. Let you make $1 less than someone and they'll look at you like a peasant. The chains used to be made of metal, but now it's made of societal expectations.
@@abimaellopezmaylord27lopez7 why do y'all always go dramatically straight to poverty, like middle class and lower class doesn't exist... Come on, now. Why y'all acting like I said I want people to be poor or struggling? I didn't. I said I want people to love themselves and others... That's it. Everyone who rejected Black Excellence, who is generous, kind, helpful is NOT on the street. And if people who are chasing "Black Excellence", were more generous and kind, there'd be less people on the street... So... Yeah.
@@AleciaRenece Notice how the first thing these people talk about is immediately tied to material and economic power, status, and gain… They cannot fathom thinking about anything else.
That’s why I don’t straighten my hair with a perm to avoid going bald. I went back to school for my Masters degree in Health Administration but it didn’t help me advance in my 30 year career. Tired of the system.
I couldn't agree more! I'm so tired of overachievement, hustle culture, rampant consumerism, blatantly superficial goals and lack of emotional intelligence in most of society. I'm happy to be authentically mediocre living my best minimalistic life. However I don't agree with the system being broken. It's working exactly as it was meant to. The rich keep getting richer, people persist in their slave mentality, people killing themselves to achieve things that don't matter at the end of the day.
All black people start from ground zero and I don't understand how when they think they have "arrived" to look down on other black people. I get genuine love when I go to the "hood"
Thank you!!!! Just conveniently erase or pretend to not remember the memories of the humble beginnings....as if they never even happened. Like, they were always at that "arrived" level. Smh.
My biggest problem with "black excellence" is the pressure that's put on us since we were little kids. Parents always told us to be exceptional and perfect at all times. It's a heavy weight to carry, especially as a Black child. It's a cycle we MUST break
I always told my kids growing up that the measure of their worth was not in how well they did in academics. If they were "C" students, I told them to be the best C students that they could be. It's about personal excellence, always doing your best, but not in competition with others.
@@notthatvashti8127 good advice! whenever my kid gets an A on an assignment I know they cheated because they aren’t excellent. I always put them back in their place.
THAT PART..."People don't have to die to be celebrated!" Struggle love for a struggle lifestyle is for the birds. I like God's blueprint of resting and trusting 😌.
I was so tired of being put down by my own community, I moved to an all white community (small town). I don't really mingle, but I live in peace and unbothered. My own people were very hard task masters and way too critical. Life is just too short to be bothered with the additional mess.
Same! I moved to very small town in countryside. 97% non blk. I don't socialize and mind my business. People here are polite and leave me alone. That's the best I can hope for I guess
@@AleciaRenece Thank you for that! Your channel is so healing for those experiences, you are recreating our community, we all are we must talk about these things. We have been colonized and we must reclaim who we are. Your music is basically like magic it's healing, what is a spell really? Is it not music? Putting our intentions into words and then using it to inspire others?! When I was going through my worst depression and could not sleep I would listen to your songs and gave me solist.
@@tessfromtheu.s256 woooooooow! I am HONORED!!!! And humbled and RE-INSPIRED! Tess. Thank you so much for being so gracious, generous and supportive. 😭💛 I really needed that encouragement. Much love and joy to you!
This was an _immediate_ like just off the intro; especially 1:25. My core friend group was full of Black doctors and executives who would pout if we ever did anything that wasn't Instagram-worthy or expensive. Highly critical & churchy humor. I chalked it up to being in our late 20s for a long time until we got good and grown in our mid 30s and I realized they were just trying to get as close to white as possible while hiding behind philanthropy focused on us. Finding out/closely observing what someone's idea of success and happiness is something I do *UPFRONT* these days. As important as HBCUs are, they can be a breeding ground for that unkind, exclusive, competitive behavior. 🧐
I feel this so deeply. Societal expectations are becoming the literal death of young black women & men. As a 23 yr old I feel so alone as I want to better my community and help my peers. Everyone else just wants to be rich & half the time it’s by taking other black peoples money. I really like how in your video you talk about how dehumanizing other black people are over hair, clothes, educational backgrounds, and $$. All to better align w/ white standards.
Alecia, I was screaming at the phone, saying, "Come on Alecia". The FACT of us trying to impress our oppressors! That hit me hard. This is the real message. This is a Malcom X and John the Baptist message.
You mentioned John the Baptist who is one of the holiest saints and then talked about the "oppressors'" Narrative which is Marxian and Satanic. You can't Love Jesus and be a revolutionary at the same time. Satanism and Christianity are not compatible.
You are a rare black woman sis! I'm so glad to see someone that look like me, speak with such honesty. The kind of honesty that is much needed in black society!
I’m experiencing this right now. I was so excited to be working with a black female doctor just to find out she an oppressor as well. 😔 I have been verbally abused and insulted several times ,on top of dealing with colorism. SMH it’s heartbreaking. 💔
My gynocologist was like that she was also a black woman who didn't go through the stripping of the actual identity so she had her true last name(I love my dad and my granddad very much but do I look like John Smith?) and it seemed like she thought I was too needy or it was something I asked her to get me some and she said okay but never came back with it. I don't hold on to negativity so I don't quite remember it was well over a year ago but I remember her undertone was almost like snide like I had my nerve and she didn't even know me. That's another reason why I hate the type of questions that they ask you to fill out on the paper cuz it seemed like somebody could get a preconceived notion and be low key judging you offer the shit you went through
Can we talk about the thinly veiled classism underneath the Black Excellence rhetoric?? I've gotten to this point in my life where I dont think black Liberation will ever happen until these conversations are genuinely concerned with uplifting our people who are suffering the most- dealing with poverty, drug addiction, homelessness, etc. Black excellence has increased visibility for some of the most resourced Black folks among us but what about the rest....??
EXAAAAAACTLY!!!! It is ABSOLUTELY rooted in elitism and CLASSISM for SURE! I'm right there with you. How can we serve those struggling, invisible? And the people who are, don't get enough resources or support. It breaks my HEART. We definitely have to talk about this!
Uplifting other people is admirable, but it doesn't lead to happiness because people have the choice to lead their lives in any way they want. What's the antidote to black excellence? I think it is living how you choose to live and doing what you want.
@@TheRedstateBluestate The elitism and classism find in black peoples predates slavery and is old as time. As for the field slave/ house slave distinction, it is - I think - a fiction that we've reduced and latched onto.
I was born with a chronic illness, l tried to pursue black excellence at one point. I knew in the back of my mind it was impossible for me, so l finally gave up to take care of myself healthwise. People don't even consider my situation. They are like we don't believe you're that sick! So l feel left alone and to myself, because not being physically strong is part of me. l am mentally strong and enjoying my life regardless..l stay away from negativity at all cost.
I totally understand your flight. I am very smart. Made all A 's through out school, deans list, etc. I have a spinal condition that makes me pain 24/7. Excruciating pain. Bending over just to walk to the bathroom pain. I was still expected to be the best no matter what and if I fell short, there was a failure guilt I had to feel. Smh
This was really interesting, I have a completely different idea when I hear the word "Black Excellence". It's refreshing to get out of my own echo chamber and hear different perspectives. I realized early in the video that you define Black Excellence differently from me. I don't connect it to capitalism, greed, trying to be the oppressor, or exploiting my Black peers in the process. I view it as being the highest version of myself while taking pride in my identity as a Black person 👑 I guess everything is how you define it. It was great getting your perspective on it
Agreed. I align more with your view on “Black excellence” than the RUclipsr. Nonetheless, nice change of pace to my day to at least hear her opinion on her anecdotal life view. 👍🏽
Same. But I can see w hy that perspective of Black excellence would make you want to be done with it. Cuz Alecias description of it sounds exhausting & basically like slavery by another name. I'm glad that there are so many of us who are done with hustle work hard culture while loving & valuing ourselves on a personal level. That to me is excellence. Though/ of course/ I still have love for my Black people who haven't yet gotten that. I know one day we're all gonna see our worth besides what we can do & how much we can produce, while still fulfilling our personal joys & supporting one another
I was putting my 9 year old to bed and we were talking about Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos. When I started to say that one was "worth" $60B he asked "what do you mean worth? These aren't slavery times..." Again. He's 9. Brilliant insight!
I feel my black excellence has always been to be my best representation. My narcissistic parents would put me down if I was less than a star student. After 30 I finally started to realize the oppressive chains I had from them and started pushing to define my success intrinsically instead of based on what position I can obtain. I just want peace ...I dont see any reason to be defined by outside influence, but my parents had a strong hold on my mind due to fear they instilled into me to have security and stability based on my ability. Im just chilling now. Started a business and figuring it out but not going to kill myself. Its humbling to beat your own path and make your own value based on work ethic and skills ..and things you enjoy ...not some grading system or tax bracket ...so many easily put me down, but still I rise BIOOTCHES...edit: people even judge my current yt profile photo, which I was wearing my hair this way when I was in the corporate office because I hated always being noticed for my hair changes. I pretty much keep it natural,...but people who don't understand our hair and melanated people who don't appreciate their hair simply make it uncomfortable to be noticed for your hair. They dont understand us and these environments are toxic to mental health. I was in biotech/pharma field and the few melanated people knew we were the only ones and it takes a toll. Long story short. It takes a toll to be melanated in whyte spaces. This life we live is not normal and natural ...we need to strive for nature. Not cubicles and factories. Profits profits profits. No ...I want peace
When I think of “black excellence” I believe it’s like black Wall Street. We had our own business, hospitals, banks, boutiques, etc. We built and thrived in our own community away from white institutions. We strived to be the best in our own community and family. We took care of ourselves, family, community, and business. It didn’t matter the accolades you had because everyone played apart in building each other up. Honestly, that’s the ideal black excellence.
Yeah but they think trying to have a business and making resources for your community is trying to be like your oppressor. What they don't get is how a successful community is made and how to protect that community. This is why non-black people use us the way they do and don't have any respect for us. Another win for the oppressors.
I’m glad I stumbled upon this video and it caused me to look back on my life (I’m 30). From as young as I can remember, my mother would always have my sister and I focus on our appearance - never leave the house looking crazy, always do your hair and put some kind of makeup on, make sure your clothes are presentable, even if you’re just going to the dollar store. My sister is six years older than me, so she was molded to be this perfect example for me to follow, however, I came out of the womb walking my own path. “Laurin, why can’t you be more like your sister and make better grades in school?” Little did she know I was bullied from elementary through high school. My mother even made me use bleaching cream to get rid of blemishes on my body from chickenpox 😕 one day I finally realized that my mom was disillusioned and pushing us, her daughters, to be the image of black excellence. I never cared for the idea; I’ve seen what it does to this community and it absolutely disgusts me. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this 🙏🏾
I avoid the Black bougie crowd like the plague. I'm especially wary of those who are members of Greek organizations (along the theme of impressing the oppressors). Kept my nose to the grindstone, took care of business and finally moved out of suburbia back to my rural roots where I'm at peace once again.
If you get up every single day working hard for your own dreams and are accountable and responsible for the things you need to be accountable and responsible for, that to me is black excellence. We underestimate the blessing of being safe and happy. The extra stuff is great and some of it, I aspire to have, but contentment is key.
As soon as you said “I’m pushing away black excellence”, I said in my head (Yeahhh, black capitalism) and then boom you pulled the words right out of my head queen. I just wanna say this is exactly why I left my HBCU. I felt so out of place at my school even with everyone looking like me. Everyone has to be on the up & up. Like if you are in school and you choose not to really involve yourself in anything then your seen as less than worthy of success or praise by those who did join a club (SGA, Royal Court, GREEK LIFE, etc..). Which to me is bananas because it’s supposed to be a place to build each other up. It just started to get agonizing to be somewhere like that and If I had known then I would have done college online and called it a day. (Just my opinion but I do believe within my life everything happens for a reason so hey only the Most High gets the journey🤷🏽♀️)
Great video! I gotta tell ya, 3 years ago my health totally crashed from stress, being overworked underpaid worrying about reading other people's minds and while I was in a coma being unresponsive for a month i was able to regain most of my health but realized that the system does not care about you. After two days the position I had closed (it was a temp position). Now I just work my 8- 5 and don't call me on weekend! People who participate in this don't care about you! I see it now and frankly, I'm like I don't care. Life is too short and money ain't tall enough!
I love that! "Life is too short and money ain't tall enough"! Yeeeeeeeeeees. And I am SO sorry that you went through that. That makes me SO angry and sad. 😔 What I am glad about is that you now choose yourself, your health and joy. Thank you.
@@AleciaRenece i know a black married couple also the couple had high grades in college and their 2 year old daughter knows how to count to 100 but My brother and i are not smart like my parents 😢
When you mentioned people wanting to be the ones on top oppressing others I immediately thought about the Black bourgeoisie of Hollywood and the music industry. Love your content ❤
I remember having this exact conversation with my friend. We talked about how othering Black Excellence is because we weren’t- both of us were very average growing up, and we both felt like we didn’t matter much unless we were running ourselves ragged to be overachievers. Thank you for this video, you said everything much more eloquently than I ever could.
@@AleciaRenece but South Koreans are the smartest people on the planet because education in South Korea is strict and happy people shouldn’t be homeless
I never seen a poor person be viewed as "High Value"... The only real "High Value" persons are those who serve Yahweh/Yahusua truthfully and will enter his kingdom. Ain't no such thing as High Value in the Lake of Sulfur
Thank you for this. The concept of earning our worth through money/possessions/social status/performing white supremacy is so ridiculous but ubiquitous. You explained it perfectly. We were all born worthy.
As a black man with no kids at 29 I look back and see everything you saying all I ever knew was work and it only got me a few pats on the back and a lot of envy from people...Look live your life the best way for you
Black people as a collective suffer from imposter syndrome as well as stockholm syndrome. We've been enslaved so long we love to stay close to our oppressors. We don't heal because the majority of us see mental health and emotional health as a joke or a way to gain more views and likes on social media when we don't even actually do the work. If more black people healed we would be way less willing to accept living by their system and actually disassociate with white people in general. Sadly most of us run from emotions our whole life so change like this requires more healed people speaking out like you did in this video. Thanks for your contribution 🙏🏾💯.
True. If we participate in the scam, we give up so much for so little. When I was younger, I used to wonder, ‘Why do I have to hang a second moon in the sky (do the impossible) to access the same opportunities white people access rolling out the bed in the morning?’ I refuse. That’s an adverse health event waiting to happen… the anxiety, fear, stress, and vulnerability. Not available for that. Also, it begs the question, 'Why do black people have to be "excellence" to have an above average standard of living when other people can be "average" and have the same...' and for how long do we agree that's okay?
Oh wow!!! This is poetic and profound!!! 💛💛💛 And I completely agree!!! Thank you so much for bringing up thr health risks attached to over doing. So many of us have heart issues, shortened life spans, mental health issues because of that stress. They're requiring us to be super human and continue to save the world. But at what cost? My goal in life is to live a beautiful, well-rested, easy life. That would be the ultimate tribute to the people who came before me. 💛💛💛
Because these other people have an economy. We don't have an economy of our own so consequently we are beholden to them. Black excellence is supposed to be geared towards our liberation and independence from White Supremacy.
Unfortunately the opposite of black excellence has become apathy, ratchet behavior, ghetto fabulous. Black excellence seems to be defined currently by the “Reality Shows”. Black women in garish makeup, clothing with European labels, claims of how they getting their coins, which is supplied by the European change purse..
Glad I watched this! I just heard of "Black Excellence" and "Black Mediocrity" a few years ago. And I just want black people everywhere to realize you don't have to go be the "biggest", "most influential", etc to feel that you have meaning in this life. Your existence enough matters and the things you do throughout life is for your journey and only yours. Like my Caribbean grandma always taught me was to enjoy the moments in front of you. She didn't have everything in but she had what she wanted that made her feel excellent. Most of the things we "want" is actually things you never thought you wanted until you saw it showcased and I had to take a step back myself and realize that just because I don't have everything that other black people have doesn't mean I'm not just as excellent as them. I trust God's path now for my life and whatever I gain is excellent no matter how big or small it is. Love this video and the other points you made.
I used to feel this way, however I feel different now. Loving someone just because they are black is not a good idea. There definitely needs to be standards and conditions on love.
Hi Alecia. I’ll start be saying I can see your point, though I do not agree with giving up on Black Excellence. Welcome to the REAL WORLD. Everyone doesn’t and shouldn’t get a trophy. We can be black AND successful. We can be black and build wealth, with a purpose. You mentioned in a similar video last year about what would happen if a certain wealthy billionaire gave away all of her money to black people, we’d all be uplifted. Unfortunately, it would never play out that way. For the majority (do to lack of real financial education), that would be money thrown to the wind with very little benefit to our people. We (as a whole) don’t think strategically. We (as a whole) won’t give up “instant gratification” for “long term gain”. It’s not to say we can’t get there. We’re just not there YET. And while its a beautiful thing that you place the totality of our people as a priority in your life; our people for the most part will never give YOU a second thought… because we’re just not there YET. Life is so short and precious. Where do you want to spend the major of your limited time? Leaving a legacy for you & yours and hopefully having it slowly expand exponentially, trying to help our people as you move forward; or put the weight of our people on your back right now and stay where you are (whatever that might be)? Just food for thought… 😊
Hi there 👋🏽💛... I live in the real world... And it's sad. Lol. Why do we have problems with challenging the way we do things? Why do we just lie down and take things without questioning the intention and why? I'm all for A Black Excellence that is not classist, ableist, etc. I just want people to love themselves and others. That's it. That's the video. 💛
It will also depend on what you call "legacy", the weight and longevity of that legacy. If legacy is, to you, defined on monetary values, history has shown that among all human nature (all races, cultures, societies, class, age, gender, any form of its diversity) that in the real world sometimes so called legacy is inappropriately distributed, there are extreme greed and other problems destroying the continuity of that. Some other times it is managed as you described the case of a billionaire distributing it. Some other times again, the beneficiaries are not that interested in perpetuating that legacy. This cycle reminds me of "Animal Farm" by George Orwell, fighting for our intrinsic values to hold strong to find that our humanity against others wasn't enough.
@@switzjon8405 never going to happen but we do need to stop begging and start building...for ourselves. If only we liked each other enough for this to happen ☹️
Thank you for this. I'm sitting in my room crying and having a breakdown because I'm struggling under societal and familial pressure to do more because I'm not enough. My family always pushed school and career as the ultimate thing to aim for. Well I'm a grad school drop out massage therapist. It only requires a certificate so it's not enough for my African father. I'm too smart and wasting my potential. But I love it and am good at it. I realized today it's been 10 years since graduating high school. I'm nauseated. Life is not what I thought. My family fed me a fairy tale. I have no regrets about choosing the career that I have. It has allowed me to support myself and live on my own since my early 20s. It also is how I met my husband. But I am very likely going back to school next year for another certificate because I was in an accident that required surgery and cannot massage at the same capacity I used to. I'm going to LVN school. But once again, that's not enough. I've been told to do RN and then NP school. No consideration as to tuition cost or stress/time commitment involved. I've learned I don't handle stress well. I've learned I don't give a fuck about prestige. I've learned I don't want to be exhausted. I've seen what stress does to people. Stress kills. Those high paying jobs typically also come with high stress and/or long hours. It's not for me. For. The. Fucking. Birds.
THIS!!!! That’s why I’m trying to get myself to a certain point with ownership so that I can work at a coffee ☕️ shop part time or something similar and just come allllllllll the way *out* and I that makes me happy. The older I get the more I want to be by my damn self if it means not being bothered by people who aren’t really in my corner to begin with 🤷🏽♀️ I honestly just want to sell bath 🛁 salts and keep it cute.
There's levels to this. We all abide by some social conditioning one way or another because we live in a world ruled by those in power. I would.love to walk around butt naked and be free but it's considered public indecency.
I understand what you are saying Sis. It goes much deeper than titles and professions. We seek to play the game of 'Black Excellence' in someone else's Matrix with no sincere collective desire to create our own holistic and balanced paradigm. The rejection comes from someplace deep within that can see through the illusion of this profoundly disingenuous reality. We should all step back and challenge everything we have taught and been conditioned to believe if it does not show itself to be truly and sincerely edifying to our people. I think we have 'settled' for slogans and superficial systems like "Black Excellence"(as one of many false narratives we have adopted... there are plenty more) because it is easier than dealing with the evils that truly challenge us. Peace, Wisdom and Insight to you.
💛🌻🌺☺️ That makes me SO HAPPY that you resonate with this! My heart is for people to love themselves and others. We can't keep doing things this way and expect to thrive. 💛💛💛
@@AleciaRenece absolutely! I hope more and more Black people get to this place. We need it more than ever; our planet will not survive and neither will we, if we insist on following in the self-destructive footsteps of yt people. We need to divest and tap into our ancestral knowledge, into our own knowing (and not the indoctrination we've been fed since infants). Like you said, we need to redefine what joy, success, love etc looks like for us. That's the only way we'll survive. Thanks for the beautiful content.
Girl!!! This video post is spot on. Thank you. You have expressed my exact sentiments. I mean being African and living in West Africa, this "Black Excellence" is corrupting our society slowly.
My frame of reference concerning Black excellency is doing my personal best at the level God has gifted and blessed me. I’ve never equated it to wealth. However, I love your commentary on this subject! 🖤
"people don't have to die exceptional to be loved". I really loved that. The term black excellence never sat right with me and I'm glad you made this video
Thank you for the live it's the constant reminder to remember how divine we created we really are as individuals as a whole and the lie that's been spread that's why I'm moving to Thailand cuz I see the LIE America is like living with your narcissistic husband it's way too much thank you for your love and your support
Yeeeeeeeeeees! First of all, CONGRATULATIONS! ☺️🌻💛 That's exciting! And honestly, the narcissistic husband is a GREAT analogy. This is an abusive relationship 😭🌻
Thailand will not help. The classism is highly pronounced as is racism. Cost of living is significantly lower which is nice if you have an adequately paying job.
Thailand is beautiful. I haven’t been in almost 20 years. The Buddhist undercurrent deeply ingrained there makes a lovely society. I would’ve stayed longer if I had a way to support myself. If you have any pointers how to make money while living there please let me know. I always wonder how people expatriate- I would love to.
Alecia you are one of my favorite youtubers. I am 13 years old and you are such a breath of fresh air and so inspiring. It makes me feel like I'm not crazy or alone. I feel like the topic of race makes a lot of people uncomfortable, especially on RUclips.
i enjoyed this because i have been thinking over everything “black” and one thing i can say is that we (generalized) are out of control. black people do not celebrate other black people for simply being black! black excellence focuses on what is seen at face value and quantitative measures. never mind actually knowing the person’s intentions. no one expresses black excellence to individuals who are actually genuine. one can be excellent within. my mother sees success/happiness as a value rather than mindset. she believes that me graduating, being married with a kid, and all of my other accolades deem me as successful/accomplished. i had to tell her that true happiness/success cannot be seen rather than felt. we are worthy and a piece of paper is just something that indicates money/business relations. not that it is irrelevant because it can indicate one’s resilience/dedication but in reality people are only concerned with doing things to appear as though they are higher than anyone else, secretly.
It’s crazy how much I resonate with this yet I’m still recovering from it. I grew up with neglectful, narcissistic parents, so education was the only way I could get any sort of benefit from people. Then when I got into a top engineering university program, I burnt tf out and blamed it on myself. I was pressured to finish school to “beat the odds”, but it’s a system that didn’t benefit me at all. I’m a self care content creator now, so my version of success is more aligned with what I want rather than just the fancy job.
I dont see anyone as my oppressor. Thats an Intereting take. I feel free. Although I dont take these institutions seriously, i just extract and move in silence. No emotion needed. ❤
Although this is a different perspective of black excellence than what im used to, I see and understand why this perspective exists and realized i have lived it myself. I'm grateful I learned sooner rather than later that it's my own definition of things that matter and I am free to have my own definition of success, happiness, and excellence that are self fulfilling and empowering. And on the same coin, I'm free to transform any mass societal beliefs that are not serving to something that does serve me. It has brought me peace and contentment by far. And it hurts my heart to see some close to me still struggling towards a perceived goal or standard that isn't from their heart or in their truth.
I’m so glad I’m not the only person who feels this. As a black men I’ve been told ALLLLLL my life to do above and beyond. I have a bachelors degree and honestly I can say I’m content. I’m tired of people telling me to go for my masters and do this and that. I DONT WANT TO. I don’t want to get it until IM ready. I’m not going to go back to school just to impress black women and it doesn’t make me any less ambitious. I just am content with my life right now and that’s OK. With that being said don’t let this discourage you from overachieving just make sure that’s what YOU want to do. Life is too short to overachieve all your freaking life.
Black excellence is what it means for the individual.. Being able to wake up in the morning and continue to have the mindset that I AM going to be GREAT.. Keeping a warm heart and a smile on our face inspite of all our trials and tribulations, is excellence within itself... to me that is...
I'm latino and the things she is saying are facts. Latinos are all too familiar with the game of exhaustion. We work ourselves to death in demeaning and dehumanizing jobs but we always forget to work for ourselves. We attempt to claw our way to the top in sacrifice of our culture, that once we do, we become unrecognizable from ourselves and where we come from that we completely sever our ties with how we grew up. This is how the system is set up, our existence is conditional . If we deviate at all from our "place" we are marginalized and ostracized. Great video💯
WOW!!! "Our existence is conditional". That really struck me. So heartbreaking and profound! Thank you so much for sharing this with us. Much love and joy to you! It's really showing how all consuming this system is. 💔
listening to and reacting to this sort of content is deeply cathartic for me because it echoes so many sentiments i've had since the start of my 20s and felt so sad that no one else felt the same way. it gets so annoying when other black folks try to tell me how to live my truth. thank you for sharing, i just wish i had another black friend to discuss this with
I don't know how I came across this, but THANK YOU. OMG. Someone FINALLY articulated my current evolution in a way that MAKES SENSE. I'm great with words, but they've fail me EACH time I try to explain where I am now. This is a scary, yet exhilarating place to be because once you realize these truths - you can NOT go back. You can't plug back into the matrix. Listening to my story, my history, my reality - come out of your mouth is truly mind blowing! I almost broke my index finger subbing you, sis!
As a Middle Eastern American I can relate to this phenomenon. I've come to realize that the problem is not that ME people are suppressing their own culture to be accepted by white society, but rather that most of them just don't know or care enough about their own culture and are actually glad to live in a country that doesn't oblige them to live up to it's values. They're quite content at being the rats in the rat race. If you go to any country in the Middle East or Africa or almost anywhere else, the average person can't really separate their culture from their own wishes and desires. Its only in 'melting pot' societies where these nuances become evident. There are torch bearers and muggles among all people. I now recognize the excellence in people, ie the capacity of their mind, heart and soul, and know that no matter their skin color these are my people 🙌
Everytime we speak in our issues here come some other group intervening. No other group get this type if behavior but Black Americans. It takes away from the message the our ppl
“They’re fighting so hard to be the one on top” WHEW! This reminds me of all those “women empowerment” meet ups, that are really rooted in mean girl realness. It’s almost shocking to me how hard so many black ppl have a sense of entitlement and have made themselves think they’re on a pedestal s that can’t be overthrown. Me and my friends talk about this all the time, about how certain groups here in Chicago are pretentious, condescending and impossible to relate to. I’m the number one person who actually DOES believe in black excellence, but to me, black excellence means everything BUT the capitalistic ideology. I wholeheartedly am rooting for everybody black. I 100% am committed to becoming a millionaire not so much for myself, BUT to help others around me. I have no interest in feeding into this “way of life” every black person seems to clamor towards. I’m ALWAYS supporting black businesses unprompted and encouraging others to do so, I’m ALWAYS being a bridge to someone getting a better opportunity. I’m ALWAYS thinking of ways to help black ppl on a macro scale. The reality is, it takes more than just me tho. I only have the bandwidth to reach and truly help who I can right now. I strive to get financially stable to be able to teach 100 others the same. I believe with the mindset shift and financial means, we can reach sooo many more. I am hopeful, but not ignorant. I know the reality is everyone can’t go, but that won’t stop me from helping where I can and believing in the power of God and work.
I really enjoyed this. division between families, classism, cultural,religious, traditional clashes and tribalism, disability status, even within family, Always been the black sheep, I pray everyone success in their relationships, always experienced group nonsense, cuz I craved community, had lots of anger in the past and I/We have to relax a bit and speak up sometime when it isn’t comfortable. I really appreciate this.
I ❤ this video! Thank you!! I had to cut off a close friend over this. My words exactly, "I value ppl over money". They think that Black folk are asleep but they don't realize they are trying to become the very system that has worked against us as you clearly pointed out. Thanks for this ✊🏾
Only 5.38 in but, the facts I've learned from you is insane. I didnt even know "sucking of teeth" originated from Africa. Shit I didnt even know this was common among the community. I went on a short research binge on it. It made me appreciate our culture more. Thank you!
It’s all about perspective.. rich or poor, we all have the potential to be ‘excellent’. I couldn’t care less the definition society gives ‘black excellence’. My humble opinion.
I'm someone who just wants ppl to do right in life. Work on healing their hearts so they can be a better person and better to others. What's the purpose of all the accolades and materialistic things if you're just going to be a horrible human being 😥
I really think this is such a beautiful and open minded message. You do not have to be a genius or in some commodifiable way exceptional to have value as a person.
I love this video Queen💯 very well said. I’m an entrepreneur and I still can’t relate to hustle culture. What about inner growth, being creative, making a real impact on our communities? Things our people unfortunately don’t think about
Hi @Zay Appling - fellow entrepreneur here, and I feel the same about growth, creativity and making an impact on my community. I know it’s hard, I’m 14 years in on this journey, but one thing I took away from this video and the comment section is that people ARE thinking about these things. Just wanted to encourage you too and hope you don’t lose hope.
I am struggling. I gave up working for the system. I’m fighting to not care what people think of me. My inner growth is way more important in this lifetime to me, I realized. I am thankful to have a roof over my head for my children and myself. I understand that everyone will have that if they gave up their jobs. This definitely is a true struggle worth it I hope so. As soon as o started to question myself, this video popped up so thank you 🙏🏽
I'm from Chicago and we are the ground zero for Black Excellence: everyone here is chasing Oprah and Jay Z in terms of "who bought the newest trinket/vacationed in the new "it" locale/purchased the newest model 'fill-in-the-blank'" or who got credit for doing/creating something first. Black Excellence is the subjugation of the Talented Tenth as a caste system. Instead of using our time positions to elevate others, the Black Excellence crowd revels in the bragging rights.
@@ThePhoenix3712 we caught the message, I just gave MY opinion about how I view Black Excellence. Please don't bring that "fake social media sensitivity because you don't agree with me " here. Disagreement doesn't mean people don't understand what was originally stated. If you interpret information that way, you are a part of the problem re: communication amongst the generations.
I enjoyed this! We all must dig deeper like this sister. Black excellence IS a lie Being Black IS even a lie. We were Africans before our interaction with the European. Ethiopians and Kemites before that. We DO have to produce resources for our families. But we must seek the truth and find the way we want to move forward on our own terms.
The term "high-value man" is deliberately meaningless because what each person finds valuable (or worthy) is subjective, i.e. one man's treasure is another man's trash.
I hear you about the bonnet thing, but then I think about the male version of that in pants sagging, and I can't stand to see it. It looks sloppy and silly and reminds me of thug culture.
When I think of the male version, I think of durags. I hear you, but I think we've been trained to think about Black things as Thug culture. Men wearing durags is men protecting their waves, braids, etc. I don't think about gang/thug culture at all. I just think they're trying to look good for wherever they are going later. You know?
There are some interesting points here, but overall this is an inherently misguided argument. I respect you as a sister though and in the random off chance that we ever speak in the future, this would be a very entertaining topic to debate/discuss in more detail.
Can't have excellent while avoiding wisdom accountability and knowledge. Everything starts with the spiritual, and alot of black people are spiritually bankrupt. But a clue👉🏾 Deuteronomy 30.
As I just started to learn to love the blackness within me, I was searching for role models of black excellence just to have a goal. But then I discovered your channel, and then I understood what does « black excellence » imply. It was just the same disgusting internal racism within me. Why would I still be only celebrating « successful » black people only? Why do they are the only ones that deserve my admiration and respect. All my life was I trying to fit in a whiteness culture that don’t want me to be part of, that don’t recognize me as their people, so why do I lost my time, energy and health to fit to that? Why do I am so shame of my origin, my skin colour? Why do I need to criticize my own people? Thank you for educated me and made me realize all the bs that was in me. I try to be a better human being and people like you are truelly teaching good things. Thank you.
This is a good argument. Agree or disagree, it is well reasoned. It’s giving Audre Lorde - the masters tools and define ourselves, it’s giving Fryes oppression, it’s giving economic critique. I’m here for it. Thanks for sharing your perspective sis.
True, been saying this for years...One black person (usually a celebrity) done something crazy does NOT represent the whole community and put us down. I tell black and non black folks "them celebrities do not represent nor speak for me." They are not my voice
What the disagreers are not gonna understand is that Black excellence is not bringing the excellence, talents out of every individual, its suppressing it. The "successful" people we see are buck broke, sold out, suicidal and treacherous.
Sis you just spoke to my soul with this. So eloquently stated, I couldn’t have said it better. Cheers to having a strong sense of self. We need now l more people like you in this world. 💯
I partially agree with these things. Especially when it comes to self worth. Our worth is not contingent on what we do/make. I don’t really think “black excellence” is negative though. This is a cultural issue and, to me, has nothing to do with black successful people. It has more to do with inherent/subconscious toxic ideas relative to the individual. I think ambition is a good thing, and I think it’s awesome when black people beat the odds. I think it’s terrible when black people elevate themselves above other blacks based on what they’ve accomplished, aka- elitism. The opposite of this is “I’ve struggled more than you because I’m poor and my identity with poverty makes me blacker than you yuppies”which is also common rhetoric meant to push others down. Everyone will have a different life and that’s fine.
Absolutely. I think you and I are saying the same thing. 💛 Elitism and pride and arrogance (on either end) are not helpful or healthy... And come from a feeling of not feeling enough.
There’s nothing wrong with black excellence. Yes it means pressure, it means trying to over-achieve. It’s cruel as a result. But it’s the name of the game. No one can do anything about it. It’s a capitalist world already, its been a capitalist world before you were born, hell…your ancestors were traded for money by capitalists. If you stop trying to compete now, you will fall off grid and the competition will go on. The ‘majority’ you mentioned also have to deal with this, that is the only life they know. That’s how they got themselves to the top. We’re woke now from our long slumber and we’ve figured out that we had better get on our marks and show them who can run a race. They know and we know that they’ve got nothing on us, especially now that the playground is level. We will compete in this race, yes…no backing down now. Your voice is the kind of voice they’re hoping will spread amongst us. We refuse to become complacent while they race to the top. The tables are beginning to turn on them, what are you talking about. There’s no quitting now. Whoever fall dies. Its black excellence all the way. If you feel threatened by people around you succeeding and don’t wish to keep up the fight to be ahead of them, you should ask yourself why you feel that way. No one is saying you have to keep on the same level with anyone else. No one is saying anyone should look down on anyone regardless of their status in life. That’s a whole different life moral. which is up to any individual and their walk with their creator. You want to be in a happy place in your heart where when you are weary and out of steam; you can happily hand over the baton to the other person and cheer them on to victory; for a victory of one of us is a victory for all of us. Another brother or sister doesn’t have to be playful or nice with you for you to be proud of them. Stay strong, and much love ✌🏾
Hey y'all. 👋🏽☺️💛 I gave up Black Excellence and I'm not going back. I'm not interested. If you would like to hold onto it, be my guest. For me, it's too heavy and fragile to bear.
If some of these comments (the disrespectful and nasty ones [I've deleted quite a few]) reflect how Black Excellence is protected over the sacred lives of individuals, or if it represents the people claiming and pursuing it, I don't want it.
Ive tried to respond to all of the comments, but honestly, it's too much. Some folks want to misunderstand and misrepresent my ideas and beliefs (and a lot of y'all didn't watch the whole thing anyway).
This video is my own opinion about my own life's experiences. I'm not changing my mind about it at this point in my life.
I have achieved Black Excellence (the grades, the job, the money, etc.) and realized that I don't want it, nor do I want to give up what it requires; my peace.
The only prescription that I have is SELF LOVE AND LOVE FOR OTHERS. That's what this entire video is about. Loving yourself and others beyond what you can do for other people, beyond your money, beyond your perception of "worth" and "value".
You are worthy. You are valuable. You always have been. Don't let chasing status, money, and mere people who are insecure themselves, Convince you that you are not enough, yet.
You were born enough. You were born worthy and loved.
Love yourself. That is how we start the revolution. See the sanctity in the life of others. That is how we love our fellow man and that is how we change the world.
If you'd like to further understand where I'm coming from, check out this video: ruclips.net/video/NFCy1UBG4fc/видео.html
I love y'all. Much love and joy to you. ☺️💛🌺
Too heavy & fragile too bear🧹
Cognitive Dissonance, is what negative commenters are suffering from watching this video. It takes little to trigger panic.
I love Nobel Laureate Ms Toni Morrison’s ‘You’re not your job. You are the person who you are!'
Keep up the good work. 👍🏾The World needs these kinds of messaging. 🤎
@@Linda_Lineo_Mvusi thank you so much. That really means a lot to me. It's really discouraging reading some of these comments.
@@AleciaRenece I think your message of self love and love of others is well-meaning, but doesn't the world need Black brain surgeons, astronauts, and scientists? Pursuing excellence is a worthy endeavor for people of all races.
@@thomasorchard This was exactly my thoughts when I watched this. I feel like alot of blacks, (and blk men in particular) are settling in life and that bothers me, as a blk man. I feel like we could revise or change how we view black excellence, maybe a common ground could be reached. I do appreciate the video tho
“People don’t have to die exhausted to be celebrated”. So true!! 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
YES, yes, yes! I was literally having a conversation with someone about the same topic. When we were enslaved & on the auction block, things like our ability to endure, & earn money for the white power structure …determine our value. And we still maintain that value system for Black people today. A lot of Black millionaires are valuable because they’re able to produce billions for their non Black investors, suppliers & employees. I am worthy to myself & OK with not being “valuable” to this predatory system.
@@taginefc3189 yall better say that fcking again & again! A whole ass message!
Would you be willing to share the load with a man? We are not meant to go through life alone.
I love this. As a black man, in a predominantly white career field, I stay to myself. I hold the most credentials and have the highest degree amongst them all. I dont feel the need to fit in nor do i play the games they want me to play. Stay Black and dont let Black leaders convince you to be subservient!
This I agree with.
Do you feel safe around the black women at your job? I'm learning that leadership, no matter their race, are dangerous! Stay up ✊🏾
I agree
That is best in the career world if you ask me. Don't give into the internal drama. Also, black is a color. You're Hebrew. Peace and blessings..
I appreciate educated blk ppl like you cause it's rare to find like a big foot or a unicorn. The others are depressing, competitive, and can't just have a simple conversation
This is reminding me of my time in high school. I was in an AP English class, and I got reprimanded by one of the "black achievers" for not doing enough; that I made the community look bad for not striving for Harvard or something. It made me feel bad when I was younger, but now I'm like, "Damn! I couldn't be ordinary AND like to read?"
Note how they said Harvard and not just college. We put pressure on the black youth so be overachievers for the purpose of beating stereotypes. Black kids can never just be average and happy, they always have to be the best.
Let me be ordinary for a change - LOVE THIS
“Fighting to see who can be the most exhausted” 😩
But, foreeeal! It makes me SO sad. 😔
Bay 👏🏾 be 👏🏾 that part got me!
Lol
😂😂 sad yet true
I'm done with you☺️
I work in an environment filled with examples of “black excellence”; highly credentialed and accomplished black folks. Black female doctors and administrators and I was so proud of them and inspired by them until I discovered that they’re dismissive and sometimes downright rude and not nice. I was hoping to be in community with these women because they look like me but they treat me like I’m less than them and it can only be attributed to the fact that I don’t have an advanced degree. It makes me sad and angry because we’re also surrounded by a lot of toxic w*hiteness so I have to contend with that and my own people othering me. It’s really disheartening and reaffirms my inclination to keep to myself. Sometimes I really hate it here.
I hate to generalize but people who obsess over having wealth and status, are often not very nice people, have poor moral compass or, at worst, are psychopaths and narcissist. Those people you described sound downright miserable. 😬😬😬
Sorry you've had to experience that. No excuses, but I think part of the reason is the women are deeply damaged having jumped through multiple hoops and having given up too much of themselves in an oppressive system. That's one of the worst things about this so-called black excellence. Striving for access, acceptance, etc., you can literally loose so much of what makes you a kind human being.
I think the word you are going for is: kind. They probably were nice but they weren’t kind; and kindness is what you’re looking for
@@twistedbabydoll85 a lot of black people are nice but not kind; same for the others.
@@sunshinesunflowerz1647 No, they’re neither
"Black excellence" to me is a Black person who is a respectful, spiritually grounded, good and decent human being living Right Path regardless of their educational or financial status. That's all.
Exactly because many people, like Harriet Tubman & Rosa Parks didn't have much wealth and power yet they were beyond exceptional in my opinion. I would rather have less but be bold and brave like them
The spirit of excellence over black excellence
Hello its not just about money
I love this comment. Well said🙏🏾❤️
@@lboogy85 👏👏👏
This is so real. Everyone around me only talks about money and status and becoming billionaires. I don't care about any of that. I just want to travel and live a great life that's not tied to monetary gain. The black community likes to one-up each other. Let you make $1 less than someone and they'll look at you like a peasant. The chains used to be made of metal, but now it's made of societal expectations.
Real talk right here ⬆️
Real shit
@@SaintNarquis not really because no one wants to live in the streets and people that are not smart end up homeless
@@abimaellopezmaylord27lopez7 why do y'all always go dramatically straight to poverty, like middle class and lower class doesn't exist... Come on, now.
Why y'all acting like I said I want people to be poor or struggling? I didn't. I said I want people to love themselves and others... That's it.
Everyone who rejected Black Excellence, who is generous, kind, helpful is NOT on the street. And if people who are chasing "Black Excellence", were more generous and kind, there'd be less people on the street... So... Yeah.
@@AleciaRenece Notice how the first thing these people talk about is immediately tied to material and economic power, status, and gain…
They cannot fathom thinking about anything else.
That’s why I don’t straighten my hair with a perm to avoid going bald. I went back to school for my Masters degree in Health Administration but it didn’t help me advance in my 30 year career. Tired of the system.
The system did help my friend because my friend is smarter than the kids in her college
I couldn't agree more! I'm so tired of overachievement, hustle culture, rampant consumerism, blatantly superficial goals and lack of emotional intelligence in most of society. I'm happy to be authentically mediocre living my best minimalistic life. However I don't agree with the system being broken. It's working exactly as it was meant to. The rich keep getting richer, people persist in their slave mentality, people killing themselves to achieve things that don't matter at the end of the day.
My friend from South Korea feels better when she went to Harvard because South Korean schools are very strict
Exactly, Satanic design.
All black people start from ground zero and I don't understand how when they think they have "arrived" to look down on other black people. I get genuine love when I go to the "hood"
Facts
That shit lame as hell
Thank you!!!! Just conveniently erase or pretend to not remember the memories of the humble beginnings....as if they never even happened. Like, they were always at that "arrived" level. Smh.
My biggest problem with "black excellence" is the pressure that's put on us since we were little kids. Parents always told us to be exceptional and perfect at all times. It's a heavy weight to carry, especially as a Black child. It's a cycle we MUST break
Preach sister! How do you break the cycle? I tell my kids that they are mediocre at best.
I always told my kids growing up that the measure of their worth was not in how well they did in academics. If they were "C" students, I told them to be the best C students that they could be. It's about personal excellence, always doing your best, but not in competition with others.
@@notthatvashti8127 good advice! whenever my kid gets an A on an assignment I know they cheated because they aren’t excellent. I always put them back in their place.
@@mscar7609 I'm sure they're excellent in their own way sis.😅 Keep encouraging them to be their best selves at whatever they're great at.
It is a heavy weight to carry. I think that’s part of the reason I still have to unlearn being perfect.
THAT PART..."People don't have to die to be celebrated!" Struggle love for a struggle lifestyle is for the birds. I like God's blueprint of resting and trusting 😌.
Yeeeeeeeeeees, Malcolm! Same here!!! 🌺🌻☺️
Resting and trusting 👏👏🙌
💯
God truly wants us to be loved and to love and be at peace. He’s showing me that and it is mind blowing.
That's what I'm doing now!
I was so tired of being put down by my own community, I moved to an all white community (small town). I don't really mingle, but I live in peace and unbothered. My own people were very hard task masters and way too critical. Life is just too short to be bothered with the additional mess.
I'm so sorry 😔💛 I'm glad you found a place for you to live well and thrive. 💕
I think you should mingle there.
I seriously doubt there are ONLY WHITES in that town
some of them are on reservations
Same! I moved to very small town in countryside. 97% non blk. I don't socialize and mind my business. People here are polite and leave me alone. That's the best I can hope for I guess
Goals!! I want to do the same thing
Peace of mind is key sister!! Neely fuller recommends black ppl to move out the way like you did for our safety
Black excellence creates an atmosphere of back stabbing because there can only be one. I have experienced this first hand by another black woman.
Exactly!!! I completely agree. And I am so sorry that happened to you, Beautiful. 😔💛 *BIG HUGS*
@@AleciaRenece Thank you for that! Your channel is so healing for those experiences, you are recreating our community, we all are we must talk about these things. We have been colonized and we must reclaim who we are. Your music is basically like magic it's healing, what is a spell really? Is it not music? Putting our intentions into words and then using it to inspire others?! When I was going through my worst depression and could not sleep I would listen to your songs and gave me solist.
Me too. 😒
Competition is one of the biggest pillars of capitalism. We fight that with collaboration and cooperation
@@tessfromtheu.s256 woooooooow! I am HONORED!!!! And humbled and RE-INSPIRED! Tess. Thank you so much for being so gracious, generous and supportive. 😭💛 I really needed that encouragement. Much love and joy to you!
You have to be twice as good, to get half as much. Isn't that what we're told.
We definitely are! And I reject that notion. I want ease, joy and freedom. 🌻☺️💛
We live in a white Country do you expect any different?
This was an _immediate_ like just off the intro; especially 1:25. My core friend group was full of Black doctors and executives who would pout if we ever did anything that wasn't Instagram-worthy or expensive. Highly critical & churchy humor. I chalked it up to being in our late 20s for a long time until we got good and grown in our mid 30s and I realized they were just trying to get as close to white as possible while hiding behind philanthropy focused on us. Finding out/closely observing what someone's idea of success and happiness is something I do *UPFRONT* these days. As important as HBCUs are, they can be a breeding ground for that unkind, exclusive, competitive behavior. 🧐
I feel this so deeply. Societal expectations are becoming the literal death of young black women & men. As a 23 yr old I feel so alone as I want to better my community and help my peers. Everyone else just wants to be rich & half the time it’s by taking other black peoples money. I really like how in your video you talk about how dehumanizing other black people are over hair, clothes, educational backgrounds, and $$. All to better align w/ white standards.
*BIG HUGS* I completely understand this! 💛💛💛
Alecia, I was screaming at the phone, saying, "Come on Alecia". The FACT of us trying to impress our oppressors! That hit me hard. This is the real message. This is a Malcom X and John the Baptist message.
Yes 🙌🏾 it is That God She is speaking on this
You mentioned John the Baptist who is one of the holiest saints and then talked about the "oppressors'" Narrative which is Marxian and Satanic. You can't Love Jesus and be a revolutionary at the same time. Satanism and Christianity are not compatible.
@@cfdmedicmikerelfambo688 but what about biracial children or white fáciles adopting black children ?
...still gonna be a ninja!!!
Yes
You are a rare black woman sis! I'm so glad to see someone that look like me, speak with such honesty. The kind of honesty that is much needed in black society!
Very rare
I’m experiencing this right now. I was so excited to be working with a black female doctor just to find out she an oppressor as well. 😔 I have been verbally abused and insulted several times ,on top of dealing with colorism. SMH it’s heartbreaking. 💔
Facts I experience this as a black paramedic for a fire department
I hope things get better for you 🤎
I’ve learned that you don’t [know] individuals until you interact with them & discover who they really are. 🧐
My gynocologist was like that she was also a black woman who didn't go through the stripping of the actual identity so she had her true last name(I love my dad and my granddad very much but do I look like John Smith?) and it seemed like she thought I was too needy or it was something I asked her to get me some and she said okay but never came back with it. I don't hold on to negativity so I don't quite remember it was well over a year ago but I remember her undertone was almost like snide like I had my nerve and she didn't even know me. That's another reason why I hate the type of questions that they ask you to fill out on the paper cuz it seemed like somebody could get a preconceived notion and be low key judging you offer the shit you went through
Thank you all I hope the best for y’all as well. I’ve finally completed my year so I’m on my way out. ✨🙏🏾
Can we talk about the thinly veiled classism underneath the Black Excellence rhetoric??
I've gotten to this point in my life where I dont think black Liberation will ever happen until these conversations are genuinely concerned with uplifting our people who are suffering the most- dealing with poverty, drug addiction, homelessness, etc. Black excellence has increased visibility for some of the most resourced Black folks among us but what about the rest....??
EXAAAAAACTLY!!!! It is ABSOLUTELY rooted in elitism and CLASSISM for SURE! I'm right there with you. How can we serve those struggling, invisible? And the people who are, don't get enough resources or support. It breaks my HEART. We definitely have to talk about this!
@@AleciaRenece Love your video. I think the elitism and classism go back to slavery- the field slave and the house slave.
Uplifting other people is admirable, but it doesn't lead to happiness because people have the choice to lead their lives in any way they want. What's the antidote to black excellence? I think it is living how you choose to live and doing what you want.
@@TheRedstateBluestate The elitism and classism find in black peoples predates slavery and is old as time.
As for the field slave/ house slave distinction, it is - I think - a fiction that we've reduced and latched onto.
@@AleciaRenece i don’t see the mayor of Chicago helping black people in Chicago and i don’t see white celebrities helping white homeless people
I was born with a chronic illness, l tried to pursue black excellence at one point. I knew in the back of my mind it was impossible for me, so l finally gave up to take care of myself healthwise. People don't even consider my situation. They are like we don't believe you're that sick! So l feel left alone and to myself, because not being physically strong is part of me. l am mentally strong and enjoying my life regardless..l stay away from negativity at all cost.
I believe you sister. You matter.
Whew I hate the feeling of being dismissed or unheard and I’ve found that, that’s strong within the black community.
I totally understand your flight. I am very smart. Made all A 's through out school, deans list, etc. I have a spinal condition that makes me pain 24/7. Excruciating pain. Bending over just to walk to the bathroom pain. I was still expected to be the best no matter what and if I fell short, there was a failure guilt I had to feel. Smh
This was really interesting, I have a completely different idea when I hear the word "Black Excellence". It's refreshing to get out of my own echo chamber and hear different perspectives. I realized early in the video that you define Black Excellence differently from me. I don't connect it to capitalism, greed, trying to be the oppressor, or exploiting my Black peers in the process. I view it as being the highest version of myself while taking pride in my identity as a Black person 👑 I guess everything is how you define it. It was great getting your perspective on it
Agreed
I agree with your view of black excellence. I’m pretty sure that’s what it refers to anyways
Agreed. I align more with your view on “Black excellence” than the RUclipsr.
Nonetheless, nice change of pace to my day to at least hear her opinion on her anecdotal life view. 👍🏽
Same
Same. But I can see w hy that perspective of Black excellence would make you want to be done with it. Cuz Alecias description of it sounds exhausting & basically like slavery by another name. I'm glad that there are so many of us who are done with hustle work hard culture while loving & valuing ourselves on a personal level. That to me is excellence. Though/ of course/ I still have love for my Black people who haven't yet gotten that. I know one day we're all gonna see our worth besides what we can do & how much we can produce, while still fulfilling our personal joys & supporting one another
I was putting my 9 year old to bed and we were talking about Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos. When I started to say that one was "worth" $60B he asked "what do you mean worth? These aren't slavery times..." Again. He's 9. Brilliant insight!
What an amazing and insightful little boy. Protect his peace and mind at ALL cost. He is going to be a shining star of a man
I feel my black excellence has always been to be my best representation. My narcissistic parents would put me down if I was less than a star student. After 30 I finally started to realize the oppressive chains I had from them and started pushing to define my success intrinsically instead of based on what position I can obtain. I just want peace ...I dont see any reason to be defined by outside influence, but my parents had a strong hold on my mind due to fear they instilled into me to have security and stability based on my ability. Im just chilling now. Started a business and figuring it out but not going to kill myself. Its humbling to beat your own path and make your own value based on work ethic and skills ..and things you enjoy ...not some grading system or tax bracket ...so many easily put me down, but still I rise BIOOTCHES...edit: people even judge my current yt profile photo, which I was wearing my hair this way when I was in the corporate office because I hated always being noticed for my hair changes. I pretty much keep it natural,...but people who don't understand our hair and melanated people who don't appreciate their hair simply make it uncomfortable to be noticed for your hair. They dont understand us and these environments are toxic to mental health. I was in biotech/pharma field and the few melanated people knew we were the only ones and it takes a toll. Long story short. It takes a toll to be melanated in whyte spaces. This life we live is not normal and natural ...we need to strive for nature. Not cubicles and factories. Profits profits profits. No ...I want peace
Some people will work themselves to death to pieces and never experience peace.
When I think of “black excellence” I believe it’s like black Wall Street. We had our own business, hospitals, banks, boutiques, etc. We built and thrived in our own community away from white institutions. We strived to be the best in our own community and family. We took care of ourselves, family, community, and business. It didn’t matter the accolades you had because everyone played apart in building each other up. Honestly, that’s the ideal black excellence.
Yeah but they think trying to have a business and making resources for your community is trying to be like your oppressor. What they don't get is how a successful community is made and how to protect that community. This is why non-black people use us the way they do and don't have any respect for us. Another win for the oppressors.
‼️‼️
No joke, I got a Citibank ad during this video that actually mentioned “black excellence” and “black Wall Street” 🤦🏾♀️
I’m glad I stumbled upon this video and it caused me to look back on my life (I’m 30). From as young as I can remember, my mother would always have my sister and I focus on our appearance - never leave the house looking crazy, always do your hair and put some kind of makeup on, make sure your clothes are presentable, even if you’re just going to the dollar store. My sister is six years older than me, so she was molded to be this perfect example for me to follow, however, I came out of the womb walking my own path. “Laurin, why can’t you be more like your sister and make better grades in school?” Little did she know I was bullied from elementary through high school. My mother even made me use bleaching cream to get rid of blemishes on my body from chickenpox 😕 one day I finally realized that my mom was disillusioned and pushing us, her daughters, to be the image of black excellence. I never cared for the idea; I’ve seen what it does to this community and it absolutely disgusts me. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this 🙏🏾
I avoid the Black bougie crowd like the plague. I'm especially wary of those who are members of Greek organizations (along the theme of impressing the oppressors). Kept my nose to the grindstone, took care of business and finally moved out of suburbia back to my rural roots where I'm at peace once again.
If you get up every single day working hard for your own dreams and are accountable and responsible for the things you need to be accountable and responsible for, that to me is black excellence. We underestimate the blessing of being safe and happy. The extra stuff is great and some of it, I aspire to have, but contentment is key.
Preach!
This EXACTLY how I live. I appreciate your words 💚
LOVING your "unpopular" opinions! Proud of you Alecia! 👏🏾🙌🏾🤗
Awwwwwww! Thank you so much!!! 💛🌻🌺
As soon as you said “I’m pushing away black excellence”, I said in my head (Yeahhh, black capitalism) and then boom you pulled the words right out of my head queen. I just wanna say this is exactly why I left my HBCU. I felt so out of place at my school even with everyone looking like me. Everyone has to be on the up & up. Like if you are in school and you choose not to really involve yourself in anything then your seen as less than worthy of success or praise by those who did join a club (SGA, Royal Court, GREEK LIFE, etc..). Which to me is bananas because it’s supposed to be a place to build each other up. It just started to get agonizing to be somewhere like that and If I had known then I would have done college online and called it a day. (Just my opinion but I do believe within my life everything happens for a reason so hey only the Most High gets the journey🤷🏽♀️)
It’s the opposite for me and I didn’t fit in because prople don’t like me and people at my college didn’t care if I hated something
This!!! Same reason why I left my HBCU. It was a toxic place and I couldn’t bear it
Great video! I gotta tell ya, 3 years ago my health totally crashed from stress, being overworked underpaid worrying about reading other people's minds and while I was in a coma being unresponsive for a month i was able to regain most of my health but realized that the system does not care about you. After two days the position I had closed (it was a temp position). Now I just work my 8- 5 and don't call me on weekend! People who participate in this don't care about you! I see it now and frankly, I'm like I don't care. Life is too short and money ain't tall enough!
I love that! "Life is too short and money ain't tall enough"! Yeeeeeeeeeees. And I am SO sorry that you went through that. That makes me SO angry and sad. 😔 What I am glad about is that you now choose yourself, your health and joy. Thank you.
@@AleciaRenece i know a black married couple also the couple had high grades in college and their 2 year old daughter knows how to count to 100 but My brother and i are not smart like my parents 😢
When you mentioned people wanting to be the ones on top oppressing others I immediately thought about the Black bourgeoisie of Hollywood and the music industry. Love your content ❤
Thiiiiiiiiis!!!
That's why I don't give them a dime of my money
You're speaking nothing but truths. This "black excellence" is often gate-keeping(hardly ever disguised). Thank you!!!❤️👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
I remember having this exact conversation with my friend. We talked about how othering Black Excellence is because we weren’t- both of us were very average growing up, and we both felt like we didn’t matter much unless we were running ourselves ragged to be overachievers.
Thank you for this video, you said everything much more eloquently than I ever could.
Much love and joy to you! 💛💛💛 You matter. You are exceptional because you are you. There is no one just like you. Love yourself. You are worthy. 🌺🌻💕😘
@@AleciaRenece but South Koreans are the smartest people on the planet because education in South Korea is strict and happy people shouldn’t be homeless
There’s a big difference between “high value” and “high earners”. Some people mistake them for being the same thing.
Come on now! 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
I never seen a poor person be viewed as "High Value"...
The only real "High Value" persons are those who serve Yahweh/Yahusua truthfully and will enter his kingdom.
Ain't no such thing as High Value in the Lake of Sulfur
Thank you for this. The concept of earning our worth through money/possessions/social status/performing white supremacy is so ridiculous but ubiquitous. You explained it perfectly. We were all born worthy.
As a black man with no kids at 29 I look back and see everything you saying all I ever knew was work and it only got me a few pats on the back and a lot of envy from people...Look live your life the best way for you
Much love and joy to you! 💛💛💛
This is outstanding teaching!
Thank you so much! ☺️💛🌻I'm so glad this was helpful!
Black people as a collective suffer from imposter syndrome as well as stockholm syndrome. We've been enslaved so long we love to stay close to our oppressors. We don't heal because the majority of us see mental health and emotional health as a joke or a way to gain more views and likes on social media when we don't even actually do the work. If more black people healed we would be way less willing to accept living by their system and actually disassociate with white people in general. Sadly most of us run from emotions our whole life so change like this requires more healed people speaking out like you did in this video. Thanks for your contribution 🙏🏾💯.
True. If we participate in the scam, we give up so much for so little. When I was younger, I used to wonder, ‘Why do I have to hang a second moon in the sky (do the impossible) to access the same opportunities white people access rolling out the bed in the morning?’ I refuse. That’s an adverse health event waiting to happen… the anxiety, fear, stress, and vulnerability. Not available for that. Also, it begs the question, 'Why do black people have to be "excellence" to have an above average standard of living when other people can be "average" and have the same...' and for how long do we agree that's okay?
Oh wow!!! This is poetic and profound!!! 💛💛💛 And I completely agree!!! Thank you so much for bringing up thr health risks attached to over doing. So many of us have heart issues, shortened life spans, mental health issues because of that stress. They're requiring us to be super human and continue to save the world. But at what cost? My goal in life is to live a beautiful, well-rested, easy life. That would be the ultimate tribute to the people who came before me. 💛💛💛
🎯🎯🎯
👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
Because these other people have an economy. We don't have an economy of our own so consequently we are beholden to them. Black excellence is supposed to be geared towards our liberation and independence from White Supremacy.
Unfortunately the opposite of black excellence has become apathy, ratchet behavior, ghetto fabulous.
Black excellence seems to be defined currently by the “Reality Shows”. Black women in garish makeup, clothing with European labels, claims of how they getting their coins, which is supplied by the European change purse..
And that's why I stay to myself. As much as I want to commune with my people, when I do, I am quickly reminded why I self isolate.
💛💛💛
Glad I watched this! I just heard of "Black Excellence" and "Black Mediocrity" a few years ago. And I just want black people everywhere to realize you don't have to go be the "biggest", "most influential", etc to feel that you have meaning in this life. Your existence enough matters and the things you do throughout life is for your journey and only yours. Like my Caribbean grandma always taught me was to enjoy the moments in front of you. She didn't have everything in but she had what she wanted that made her feel excellent. Most of the things we "want" is actually things you never thought you wanted until you saw it showcased and I had to take a step back myself and realize that just because I don't have everything that other black people have doesn't mean I'm not just as excellent as them. I trust God's path now for my life and whatever I gain is excellent no matter how big or small it is. Love this video and the other points you made.
I love this so much. 💛💛💛
I used to feel this way, however I feel different now. Loving someone just because they are black is not a good idea. There definitely needs to be standards and conditions on love.
I mean... I hear you. I don't disagree. 😊 I think I'm communicating something else, though.
Hi Alecia. I’ll start be saying I can see your point, though I do not agree with giving up on Black Excellence. Welcome to the REAL WORLD. Everyone doesn’t and shouldn’t get a trophy. We can be black AND successful. We can be black and build wealth, with a purpose.
You mentioned in a similar video last year about what would happen if a certain wealthy billionaire gave away all of her money to black people, we’d all be uplifted. Unfortunately, it would never play out that way. For the majority (do to lack of real financial education), that would be money thrown to the wind with very little benefit to our people. We (as a whole) don’t think strategically. We (as a whole) won’t give up “instant gratification” for “long term gain”. It’s not to say we can’t get there. We’re just not there YET. And while its a beautiful thing that you place the totality of our people as a priority in your life; our people for the most part will never give YOU a second thought… because we’re just not there YET.
Life is so short and precious. Where do you want to spend the major of your limited time? Leaving a legacy for you & yours and hopefully having it slowly expand exponentially, trying to help our people as you move forward; or put the weight of our people on your back right now and stay where you are (whatever that might be)?
Just food for thought… 😊
Hi there 👋🏽💛... I live in the real world... And it's sad. Lol. Why do we have problems with challenging the way we do things? Why do we just lie down and take things without questioning the intention and why? I'm all for A Black Excellence that is not classist, ableist, etc. I just want people to love themselves and others. That's it. That's the video. 💛
It will also depend on what you call "legacy", the weight and longevity of that legacy. If legacy is, to you, defined on monetary values, history has shown that among all human nature (all races, cultures, societies, class, age, gender, any form of its diversity) that in the real world sometimes so called legacy is inappropriately distributed, there are extreme greed and other problems destroying the continuity of that. Some other times it is managed as you described the case of a billionaire distributing it. Some other times again, the beneficiaries are not that interested in perpetuating that legacy.
This cycle reminds me of "Animal Farm" by George Orwell, fighting for our intrinsic values to hold strong to find that our humanity against others wasn't enough.
"Fighting to sit at a table that doesn't want us"... That part! 🎯👍🏽🙏🏾✌🏾
So do you quit?
@@switzjon8405 no! You build your own table.
@@maxdminimalist715 FACTS! Sadly, we do too much in fighting for it to come to fruition.
I've been seeing this alot as well, do you think it's best we all re segregate again?
@@switzjon8405 never going to happen but we do need to stop begging and start building...for ourselves. If only we liked each other enough for this to happen ☹️
Thank you for this. I'm sitting in my room crying and having a breakdown because I'm struggling under societal and familial pressure to do more because I'm not enough. My family always pushed school and career as the ultimate thing to aim for. Well I'm a grad school drop out massage therapist. It only requires a certificate so it's not enough for my African father. I'm too smart and wasting my potential. But I love it and am good at it. I realized today it's been 10 years since graduating high school. I'm nauseated. Life is not what I thought. My family fed me a fairy tale. I have no regrets about choosing the career that I have. It has allowed me to support myself and live on my own since my early 20s. It also is how I met my husband. But I am very likely going back to school next year for another certificate because I was in an accident that required surgery and cannot massage at the same capacity I used to. I'm going to LVN school. But once again, that's not enough. I've been told to do RN and then NP school. No consideration as to tuition cost or stress/time commitment involved. I've learned I don't handle stress well. I've learned I don't give a fuck about prestige. I've learned I don't want to be exhausted. I've seen what stress does to people. Stress kills. Those high paying jobs typically also come with high stress and/or long hours. It's not for me. For. The. Fucking. Birds.
THIS!!!! That’s why I’m trying to get myself to a certain point with ownership so that I can work at a coffee ☕️ shop part time or something similar and just come allllllllll the way *out* and I that makes me happy.
The older I get the more I want to be by my damn self if it means not being bothered by people who aren’t really in my corner to begin with 🤷🏽♀️
I honestly just want to sell bath 🛁 salts and keep it cute.
I agree!
There's levels to this. We all abide by some social conditioning one way or another because we live in a world ruled by those in power. I would.love to walk around butt naked and be free but it's considered public indecency.
WHEW 😥 need to replay this about 3 times for this to really sink in I haven’t heard it this well said!!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
💛💛💛🌻🌺
This is a WORD. Masterfully expressed. Thank you.
Thank you so much! ☺️💛 I'm so glad you enjoyed this!
I understand what you are saying Sis. It goes much deeper than titles and professions. We seek to play the game of 'Black Excellence' in someone else's Matrix with no sincere collective desire to create our own holistic and balanced paradigm. The rejection comes from someplace deep within that can see through the illusion of this profoundly disingenuous reality. We should all step back and challenge everything we have taught and been conditioned to believe if it does not show itself to be truly and sincerely edifying to our people.
I think we have 'settled' for slogans and superficial systems like "Black Excellence"(as one of many false narratives we have adopted... there are plenty more) because it is easier than dealing with the evils that truly challenge us.
Peace, Wisdom and Insight to you.
Exactly!!!!! Magnificent realism in your words, unfortunately only to a small portion of black people.
Preaching!!! I love this. If COVID taught us anything, figuring out what makes us happy and loved is the key to life.
Absolutely. 💛🌺☺️
EVERY WORD SIS! EVERY WORD! Beautifully said 💐💐💐
💛🌻🌺☺️ That makes me SO HAPPY that you resonate with this! My heart is for people to love themselves and others. We can't keep doing things this way and expect to thrive. 💛💛💛
@@AleciaRenece absolutely!
I hope more and more Black people get to this place. We need it more than ever; our planet will not survive and neither will we, if we insist on following in the self-destructive footsteps of yt people. We need to divest and tap into our ancestral knowledge, into our own knowing (and not the indoctrination we've been fed since infants). Like you said, we need to redefine what joy, success, love etc looks like for us. That's the only way we'll survive. Thanks for the beautiful content.
You’re not a benefit if you’re the only one benefiting 🙌🏽 whew
Girl!!! This video post is spot on. Thank you. You have expressed my exact sentiments. I mean being African and living in West Africa, this "Black Excellence" is corrupting our society slowly.
My frame of reference concerning Black excellency is doing my personal best at the level God has gifted and blessed me. I’ve never equated it to wealth. However, I love your commentary on this subject! 🖤
I love that! As long as you have your own inner understanding of what that is for yourself, I'm all for it! 💛☺️
@@AleciaRenece amen!! Your message was manna and I totally understand your stance and agree wholeheartedly ♥️
Also, if msha be great to find a decent man to marry ?
Or go where they are?
"people don't have to die exceptional to be loved". I really loved that. The term black excellence never sat right with me and I'm glad you made this video
I appreciate every part of these sentiments. Thank you sista for loving our people so much. 🙏🏽💜👑
Awwww Yaaaaay! I'm so glad you enjoyed this! And I am SO grateful. 💛💛💛 Much love and joy to you!
@@AleciaRenece 🤎
Thank you for the live it's the constant reminder to remember how divine we created we really are as individuals as a whole and the lie that's been spread that's why I'm moving to Thailand cuz I see the LIE America is like living with your narcissistic husband it's way too much thank you for your love and your support
Yeeeeeeeeeees! First of all, CONGRATULATIONS! ☺️🌻💛 That's exciting! And honestly, the narcissistic husband is a GREAT analogy. This is an abusive relationship 😭🌻
Thailand will not help. The classism is highly pronounced as is racism. Cost of living is significantly lower which is nice if you have an adequately paying job.
Thailand is beautiful. I haven’t been in almost 20 years. The Buddhist undercurrent deeply ingrained there makes a lovely society. I would’ve stayed longer if I had a way to support myself. If you have any pointers how to make money while living there please let me know. I always wonder how people expatriate- I would love to.
Alecia you are one of my favorite youtubers. I am 13 years old and you are such a breath of fresh air and so inspiring. It makes me feel like I'm not crazy or alone. I feel like the topic of race makes a lot of people uncomfortable, especially on RUclips.
i enjoyed this because i have been thinking over everything “black” and one thing i can say is that we (generalized) are out of control. black people do not celebrate other black people for simply being black! black excellence focuses on what is seen at face value and quantitative measures. never mind actually knowing the person’s intentions. no one expresses black excellence to individuals who are actually genuine. one can be excellent within.
my mother sees success/happiness as a value rather than mindset. she believes that me graduating, being married with a kid, and all of my other accolades deem me as successful/accomplished. i had to tell her that true happiness/success cannot be seen rather than felt.
we are worthy and a piece of paper is just something that indicates money/business relations. not that it is irrelevant because it can indicate one’s resilience/dedication but in reality people are only concerned with doing things to appear as though they are higher than anyone else, secretly.
Or be happy that you are not taking drugs and sleeping on a tent
Or be happy you help others
It’s crazy how much I resonate with this yet I’m still recovering from it. I grew up with neglectful, narcissistic parents, so education was the only way I could get any sort of benefit from people. Then when I got into a top engineering university program, I burnt tf out and blamed it on myself. I was pressured to finish school to “beat the odds”, but it’s a system that didn’t benefit me at all. I’m a self care content creator now, so my version of success is more aligned with what I want rather than just the fancy job.
Top engineering programs used to be for MEN
these boys need to be pushed more.
Black women should relax in their feminine
I dont see anyone as my oppressor. Thats an Intereting take. I feel free. Although I dont take these institutions seriously, i just extract and move in silence. No emotion needed. ❤
1:38 completely agree. Before I get too deep though - I think black excellence is a coping mechanism.
Agreed!
Although this is a different perspective of black excellence than what im used to, I see and understand why this perspective exists and realized i have lived it myself. I'm grateful I learned sooner rather than later that it's my own definition of things that matter and I am free to have my own definition of success, happiness, and excellence that are self fulfilling and empowering. And on the same coin, I'm free to transform any mass societal beliefs that are not serving to something that does serve me. It has brought me peace and contentment by far. And it hurts my heart to see some close to me still struggling towards a perceived goal or standard that isn't from their heart or in their truth.
I’m so glad I’m not the only person who feels this. As a black men I’ve been told ALLLLLL my life to do above and beyond. I have a bachelors degree and honestly I can say I’m content. I’m tired of people telling me to go for my masters and do this and that. I DONT WANT TO. I don’t want to get it until IM ready. I’m not going to go back to school just to impress black women and it doesn’t make me any less ambitious. I just am content with my life right now and that’s OK. With that being said don’t let this discourage you from overachieving just make sure that’s what YOU want to do. Life is too short to overachieve all your freaking life.
Black excellence is what it means for the individual.. Being able to wake up in the morning and continue to have the mindset that I AM going to be GREAT.. Keeping a warm heart and a smile on our face inspite of all our trials and tribulations, is excellence within itself... to me that is...
I'm latino and the things she is saying are facts. Latinos are all too familiar with the game of exhaustion. We work ourselves to death in demeaning and dehumanizing jobs but we always forget to work for ourselves. We attempt to claw our way to the top in sacrifice of our culture, that once we do, we become unrecognizable from ourselves and where we come from that we completely sever our ties with how we grew up. This is how the system is set up, our existence is conditional . If we deviate at all from our "place" we are marginalized and ostracized. Great video💯
WOW!!! "Our existence is conditional". That really struck me. So heartbreaking and profound! Thank you so much for sharing this with us. Much love and joy to you! It's really showing how all consuming this system is. 💔
listening to and reacting to this sort of content is deeply cathartic for me because it echoes so many sentiments i've had since the start of my 20s and felt so sad that no one else felt the same way. it gets so annoying when other black folks try to tell me how to live my truth. thank you for sharing, i just wish i had another black friend to discuss this with
Let’s not talk about travel oppression and the passport stamp Olympics…
Yes!!!! Look if I get a chance to travel out of the country with my family that will be amazing and if I dont I will still be happy 🤷🏾♀️
I don't know how I came across this, but THANK YOU. OMG. Someone FINALLY articulated my current evolution in a way that MAKES SENSE. I'm great with words, but they've fail me EACH time I try to explain where I am now. This is a scary, yet exhilarating place to be because once you realize these truths - you can NOT go back. You can't plug back into the matrix. Listening to my story, my history, my reality - come out of your mouth is truly mind blowing! I almost broke my index finger subbing you, sis!
As a Middle Eastern American I can relate to this phenomenon. I've come to realize that the problem is not that ME people are suppressing their own culture to be accepted by white society, but rather that most of them just don't know or care enough about their own culture and are actually glad to live in a country that doesn't oblige them to live up to it's values. They're quite content at being the rats in the rat race. If you go to any country in the Middle East or Africa or almost anywhere else, the average person can't really separate their culture from their own wishes and desires. Its only in 'melting pot' societies where these nuances become evident. There are torch bearers and muggles among all people. I now recognize the excellence in people, ie the capacity of their mind, heart and soul, and know that no matter their skin color these are my people 🙌
Everytime we speak in our issues here come some other group intervening. No other group get this type if behavior but Black Americans. It takes away from the message the our ppl
“They’re fighting so hard to be the one on top” WHEW!
This reminds me of all those “women empowerment” meet ups, that are really rooted in mean girl realness. It’s almost shocking to me how hard so many black ppl have a sense of entitlement and have made themselves think they’re on a pedestal s that can’t be overthrown. Me and my friends talk about this all the time, about how certain groups here in Chicago are pretentious, condescending and impossible to relate to.
I’m the number one person who actually DOES believe in black excellence, but to me, black excellence means everything BUT the capitalistic ideology. I wholeheartedly am rooting for everybody black. I 100% am committed to becoming a millionaire not so much for myself, BUT to help others around me. I have no interest in feeding into this “way of life” every black person seems to clamor towards. I’m ALWAYS supporting black businesses unprompted and encouraging others to do so, I’m ALWAYS being a bridge to someone getting a better opportunity. I’m ALWAYS thinking of ways to help black ppl on a macro scale. The reality is, it takes more than just me tho. I only have the bandwidth to reach and truly help who I can right now. I strive to get financially stable to be able to teach 100 others the same. I believe with the mindset shift and financial means, we can reach sooo many more. I am hopeful, but not ignorant. I know the reality is everyone can’t go, but that won’t stop me from helping where I can and believing in the power of God and work.
I really enjoyed this. division between families, classism, cultural,religious, traditional clashes and tribalism, disability status, even within family, Always been the black sheep, I pray everyone success in their relationships, always experienced group nonsense, cuz I craved community, had lots of anger in the past and I/We have to relax a bit and speak up sometime when it isn’t comfortable. I really appreciate this.
I ❤ this video! Thank you!!
I had to cut off a close friend over this. My words exactly, "I value ppl over money". They think that Black folk are asleep but they don't realize they are trying to become the very system that has worked against us as you clearly pointed out. Thanks for this ✊🏾
Thiiiiiiiiis!!! 💛💛💛
Only 5.38 in but, the facts I've learned from you is insane. I didnt even know "sucking of teeth" originated from Africa. Shit I didnt even know this was common among the community. I went on a short research binge on it. It made me appreciate our culture more. Thank you!
It’s all about perspective.. rich or poor, we all have the potential to be ‘excellent’. I couldn’t care less the definition society gives ‘black excellence’. My humble opinion.
I'm someone who just wants ppl to do right in life. Work on healing their hearts so they can be a better person and better to others.
What's the purpose of all the accolades and materialistic things if you're just going to be a horrible human being 😥
I really think this is such a beautiful and open minded message. You do not have to be a genius or in some commodifiable way exceptional to have value as a person.
Thank you so much! This is exactly the message. Thank you for hearing my heart and understanding. 💛🌺
Facts!!!! " The Game is rigged."
I love this video Queen💯 very well said. I’m an entrepreneur and I still can’t relate to hustle culture. What about inner growth, being creative, making a real impact on our communities? Things our people unfortunately don’t think about
@@JustThinkingAboutIt bro get lost I understand how the world work i don’t need your lecture respectfully😂
Hi @Zay Appling - fellow entrepreneur here, and I feel the same about growth, creativity and making an impact on my community. I know it’s hard, I’m 14 years in on this journey, but one thing I took away from this video and the comment section is that people ARE thinking about these things. Just wanted to encourage you too and hope you don’t lose hope.
@@christine9220 I’ll never lose hope I can assure you that Christine!🖤
I am struggling. I gave up working for the system. I’m fighting to not care what people think of me. My inner growth is way more important in this lifetime to me, I realized. I am thankful to have a roof over my head for my children and myself. I understand that everyone will have that if they gave up their jobs. This definitely is a true struggle worth it I hope so. As soon as o started to question myself, this video popped up so thank you 🙏🏽
I'm from Chicago and we are the ground zero for Black Excellence: everyone here is chasing Oprah and Jay Z in terms of "who bought the newest trinket/vacationed in the new "it" locale/purchased the newest model 'fill-in-the-blank'" or who got credit for doing/creating something first. Black Excellence is the subjugation of the Talented Tenth as a caste system. Instead of using our time positions to elevate others, the Black Excellence crowd revels in the bragging rights.
You must haven't caught the message, DAMN IT ALL !!
@@ThePhoenix3712 we caught the message, I just gave MY opinion about how I view Black Excellence. Please don't bring that "fake social media sensitivity because you don't agree with me " here. Disagreement doesn't mean people don't understand what was originally stated. If you interpret information that way, you are a part of the problem re: communication amongst the generations.
I enjoyed this! We all must dig deeper like this sister. Black excellence IS a lie Being Black IS even a lie. We were Africans before our interaction with the European. Ethiopians and Kemites before that. We DO have to produce resources for our families. But we must seek the truth and find the way we want to move forward on our own terms.
The term "high-value man" is deliberately meaningless because what each person finds valuable (or worthy) is subjective, i.e. one man's treasure is another man's trash.
I hear you about the bonnet thing, but then I think about the male version of that in pants sagging, and I can't stand to see it. It looks sloppy and silly and reminds me of thug culture.
When I think of the male version, I think of durags. I hear you, but I think we've been trained to think about Black things as Thug culture. Men wearing durags is men protecting their waves, braids, etc. I don't think about gang/thug culture at all. I just think they're trying to look good for wherever they are going later. You know?
@Alecia Renece The Artist Oh yea I forgot about durags😆 You're right about that. The saggy pants, though, cringe😖
Two gazes I no longer care about - the white gaze and the male gaze. Toxicness
There are some interesting points here, but overall this is an inherently misguided argument. I respect you as a sister though and in the random off chance that we ever speak in the future, this would be a very entertaining topic to debate/discuss in more detail.
Can't have excellent while avoiding wisdom accountability and knowledge. Everything starts with the spiritual, and alot of black people are spiritually bankrupt. But a clue👉🏾 Deuteronomy 30.
Pride comes before the fall. Pharoah seems to come out with a lot of black people in leadership. Turn to Yah and He will make your paths straight
As I just started to learn to love the blackness within me, I was searching for role models of black excellence just to have a goal. But then I discovered your channel, and then I understood what does « black excellence » imply. It was just the same disgusting internal racism within me. Why would I still be only celebrating « successful » black people only? Why do they are the only ones that deserve my admiration and respect. All my life was I trying to fit in a whiteness culture that don’t want me to be part of, that don’t recognize me as their people, so why do I lost my time, energy and health to fit to that? Why do I am so shame of my origin, my skin colour? Why do I need to criticize my own people? Thank you for educated me and made me realize all the bs that was in me. I try to be a better human being and people like you are truelly teaching good things. Thank you.
This is a good argument. Agree or disagree, it is well reasoned. It’s giving Audre Lorde - the masters tools and define ourselves, it’s giving Fryes oppression, it’s giving economic critique. I’m here for it. Thanks for sharing your perspective sis.
True, been saying this for years...One black person (usually a celebrity) done something crazy does NOT represent the whole community and put us down.
I tell black and non black folks "them celebrities do not represent nor speak for me." They are not my voice
What the disagreers are not gonna understand is that Black excellence is not bringing the excellence, talents out of every individual, its suppressing it. The "successful" people we see are buck broke, sold out, suicidal and treacherous.
Academia does this, ( I’m a PhD student and it’s hell)
@@kendramorancy4893 i think the comment meant successful black people that help the elderly or black chefs
Sis you just spoke to my soul with this. So eloquently stated, I couldn’t have said it better. Cheers to having a strong sense of self. We need now l more people like you in this world. 💯
That's so sweet of you. 🥹🌺💛
I partially agree with these things. Especially when it comes to self worth. Our worth is not contingent on what we do/make. I don’t really think “black excellence” is negative though. This is a cultural issue and, to me, has nothing to do with black successful people. It has more to do with inherent/subconscious toxic ideas relative to the individual. I think ambition is a good thing, and I think it’s awesome when black people beat the odds. I think it’s terrible when black people elevate themselves above other blacks based on what they’ve accomplished, aka- elitism. The opposite of this is “I’ve struggled more than you because I’m poor and my identity with poverty makes me blacker than you yuppies”which is also common rhetoric meant to push others down. Everyone will have a different life and that’s fine.
Absolutely. I think you and I are saying the same thing. 💛 Elitism and pride and arrogance (on either end) are not helpful or healthy... And come from a feeling of not feeling enough.
There’s nothing wrong with black excellence. Yes it means pressure, it means trying to over-achieve. It’s cruel as a result. But it’s the name of the game. No one can do anything about it. It’s a capitalist world already, its been a capitalist world before you were born, hell…your ancestors were traded for money by capitalists. If you stop trying to compete now, you will fall off grid and the competition will go on.
The ‘majority’ you mentioned also have to deal with this, that is the only life they know. That’s how they got themselves to the top. We’re woke now from our long slumber and we’ve figured out that we had better get on our marks and show them who can run a race. They know and we know that they’ve got nothing on us, especially now that the playground is level. We will compete in this race, yes…no backing down now. Your voice is the kind of voice they’re hoping will spread amongst us. We refuse to become complacent while they race to the top. The tables are beginning to turn on them, what are you talking about. There’s no quitting now. Whoever fall dies. Its black excellence all the way.
If you feel threatened by people around you succeeding and don’t wish to keep up the fight to be ahead of them, you should ask yourself why you feel that way. No one is saying you have to keep on the same level with anyone else. No one is saying anyone should look down on anyone regardless of their status in life. That’s a whole different life moral. which is up to any individual and their walk with their creator. You want to be in a happy place in your heart where when you are weary and out of steam; you can happily hand over the baton to the other person and cheer them on to victory; for a victory of one of us is a victory for all of us. Another brother or sister doesn’t have to be playful or nice with you for you to be proud of them. Stay strong, and much love ✌🏾
🗣🗣🗣You better preach!