#africanroot | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

helmort · 6 months

Text

𝗔𝗿𝗲 𝗕𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗣𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗹𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆? (Photos from: Contemporary African photography prize 2023, Guardian)

Many of my friends with darker skin live in constant apprehension, fearing that "white people" might one day try to enslave them and feel forced into poverty because they are "black people." This fear is crazy because they still perceive themselves as "victims" stuck in the past. We often forget, as my friends do, about the wealthy and powerful individuals, politicians, musicians, actors, and entrepreneurs with dark skin in Africa and the United States, which serve as proof of societal progress over the past 50 years. We tend to generalize individuals with darker skin as only experiencing suffering: Why is this?

I believe that the Woke culture perpetuates this misleading rhetoric instead of addressing specific issues in particular communities and regions that affect only certain individuals for personal gain. Wokeism claims to advocate for all "black people" and employs a mindset similar to that of slave owners and racists in the 1800s. The racist mindset believed in the existence of a vast, singular "black race" that was inherently inferior, childlike, and incapable of making decisions. Poverty was considered a normal "natural" status for those with dark skin, and enslavement was seen as the only way to "save" them because the "benevolent master" was perceived as a fatherly figure obligated to help them. (With a whip, of course…)

So, if you have dark skin, what are you? You are just a person, like anyone else. Your skin is darker than some and fairer than others, but it's just a physical feature, similar to having green eyes or blonde hair. It doesn't condemn you to any curse, and, most importantly, it doesn't categorize you as part of the "black people." This term only provides a reason for racists to exist because there isn't a singular dark skinned person with uniform characteristics worldwide. Consider an African American from Chicago, a person from Somalia, and another from Mali. What do they have in common? Very little. They are physically different, their skin color varies, they have different religions, cultures, and languages.

So where is this "black people"? It doesn't exist; it's a mere construct.

If you have dark skin, show people who you truly are and break free from the mental chains of victimhood imposed by those who once oppressed you. Remember the wisdom of the ancient Greek philosopher Plato, who said, "Every king springs from a race of slaves, and every slave has had kings among his ancestors."

Anyway, That's all for Today! Check out these Pics and 𝗥𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗼 𝗟𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗣𝗼𝘀𝘁!❤️

💀☠️💀☠️💀

1 note · View note

byjenie · 1 year

Text

Happy National Superhero Day!

Today, I'm celebrating one of the most badass superheroes out there: Storm⚡️

Her incredible powers, strong sense of justice, and unwavering commitment to empowering women make her a true inspiration.

#storm #xmen #marvel #superhero #weathercontroller #africanroots #womenempowerment #genderequality #badass #illustration #art #digitalart #nationalsuperheroday #womens liberation #digital art #comic book art

1 note · View note

puertoricanflagsup · 1 year

Photo

Some Photos from Saturday What an amazing show yesterday at @hostoscenter by @danzafiesta keeping our culture and traditions alive and well. Please go follow them for more culture. . . . #culture #Bomba #danzafiesta #Prflagsup #puertoricansflagsup #boricua #NuyoRican #dancing #africanroots https://www.instagram.com/p/ClOhNEWOMFE/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#culture #bomba #danzafiesta #prflagsup #puertoricansflagsup #boricua #nuyorican #dancing #africanroots

1 note · View note

newmoonsunrise · 2 years

Text

Black Success, Black Love and Black Abundance. ✨💸💕

#black love #afrodescendant #africanroots

126 notes · View notes

skylarmoon71 · 3 years

Text

Leonardo x Reader- Oneshot (TMNT 2014/2016)

So in honor of black history month, I decided to write this Fanfiction.

As a black woman, it is important to recognize and be proud of who I am. And to all the beautiful black women out there, be proud and thankful for all we’ve achieved. I hope my readers will enjoy this little fiction as much as I liked writing it. There is also a little information about my hometown in this.

Enjoy!!

"Hey Leo did I leave my.."

"Right here."

Leo was holding your pack of hair ties in his hand. He smiled, and you flushed, taking it with a small thanks.

"You saved my life, I always lose these. Just bought them too." You were so excited for the movie night yesterday that you came right from the store with everything that you shop for that evening. So of course when you got home and couldn't find them, you assumed you left it with the turtles.

"Alright guys quit flirting." Raph buzzed passed, and at that moment you were thankful for your dark skin, because it would be that more embarrassing if Leo could see you blush. Leo brushed off the comment, just shrugging his brother off.

"Don't mind him, he's just mad cause Mikey beat him again in Mario Kart." you giggle, following Leo to the living room.

Easy days like this were nice. Saturdays were what you looked forward to. Friday nights you'd all get together and watch a movie, and Saturdays were reserved for pure relaxation. You moved over taking a seat next to Mikey, and his grin grew wide as he looked at you. You smiled, despite your slight confusion. "Do I have something on my face?" you chuckle.

"Nah brah, it's just your hair." your eyes widened, and you reached over wondering if maybe it was getting unruly again. "Oh crap is it crazy!" you asked, self consciously. You had it loose today, curls falling at the sides. It was puffy and curly at the same time. Almost like a kinky afro. Generally you'd pull your hair back in a high bun, or even a side one. But you couldn't find your ties earlier, and you were really not feeling it to comb through it today.

"Are you kidding! Your hair is amazing, everytime you come it's like in a different style." This time, you were surely blushing. "O-Oh..thank you..." It was no secret that you had untamed hair. You loved it though. Growing up there were people that made you feel a bit insecure about it. Most of the kids at your school had such tamed and straight hair, while you had curly kinky locks. At times it was a challenge styling it, and it did take a while on most days just to get it under control, but it's what made you, you. Your hair was your heritage, your strength.

Leo was watching you from his spot, and he couldn't help but agree with Mikey. It wasn't just your hair that was different, it was everything. He remembered the first time he asked Master Splinter about the differences in humans. He was a kid, probably nine or ten. He didn't know much but what he'd seen Donnie show him when they'd sneak to the surface to peek through the drains.

Looking back he realized just how everyone varied. Hair, skin, eyes. It was so fascinating to him. He loved it all. The diversity, to him it was incredible. As sad as humanity was sometimes, there were occasions that they would surprise him. The world was far from perfect, but there were moments where unity just inspired him to fight harder for the citizens.

You were a clear example of that. Meeting you was not just eye opening but also educational. He'd forever be willing to learn new cultures. So whenever you gave him or his brothers a small history lesson when they questioned something you did or said, he found that he was that more intrigued by you. They'd known you for just a few months, yet it felt like years of friendship. They were still learning more about you, everyday. Now that he thought about it, you weren't born in New York.

"(Y/N), you said you were born in the Caribbean right?"

The way your face spark to life never fails to make his heart pick up.

"That's right, I'm surprised you remembered that. Think I told Mikey the second time we met. He wanted to know why I talked so funny."

"Yeah, what was the name of your country again." Raph questioned from across the room. He was presently doing pull ups on the metal bar.

"Trinidad and Tobago. That's where I was raised, I moved here with my parents four years ago."

"Dude say that thing you did last time." Mikey called excitedly. You rolled your eyes.

"What thing?" Leo asked curiously.

"The way they say what's up is so cool. (Y/N) says it's english but it sounds completely different."

Now Leo really wanted to hear. His sapphire gaze turned on you, and you nibbled on your lip.

"I-It's isn't anything great it's just a greeting."

"I'd like to hear, if you don't mind of course."

You didn't mind at all. Leo was your weakness.

"Wais de scene."

"Seee!! You can't tell me that's english!"

Mikey was jumping up off the chair laughing and now so were you.

"You sounded different too." Leo notes. Your accent was different from the New York drawl he used too. It was nice.

"Can you tell us more." He really did love to learn, and maybe just between him, he kind of liked your native tongue.

~~~~~~

The boys were on patrol, so you figured you'd have more time to yourself. You opted for taking a shower. You'd gotten out a few minutes ago and now you were spraying your hair with olive oil as you ran your fingers through the curls. Your hand shifted to the small container of hair food, dipping in and placing it on your scalp, making sure to get it through the roots. You were glad Leo placed this mirror in his room. You had no idea why though. He didn't seem like the self absorbed type.

"I knew it would come in handy." His voice startled you a little. He closed the door on entry, and you dropped your hands. "H-Hey, I'm sorry I didn't think you guys would be back yet. I wasnt messing with your stuff or anything I just need to use the mirror and yours is so big so I thought why not and I-"

"You don't have to explain yourself, I asked Donnie to set it up here for you." you raised an eyebrow in surprise.

"Really?"

"Yeah, you're here a lot, and I know girls like styling their hair. I was hoping I'd finally get to see you actually doing it. I've always been curious about how you get it to look so beautiful."

He really did know what to say to make your heart flutter.

Damn that smooth talker.

"Gosh, are you guys on a mission to embarrass me today, you've been complimenting me since this morning and it isn't even my birthday. " you pulled your hair up into a high bun, reaching for a hair tie to keep it in place.

"Wait!" you froze, looking at him.

"S-Sorry I just...I like the way it looks when you leave it down. It's so puffy, kind of cute..." his words trailed off, and you slowly dropped your hand.

"W-Well I guess if you like it then I don't mind. " you couldn't maintain eye contact, so you turned to the items in front of you. Closing the lids of both hair products, you shift over to the sink you wash your hands from the oily substance. When you were done, you reached for the hand cloth, before you could grab it, Leo was behind you, and his hand rested gently over your palm. Your body stilled, pulse increasing.

"Leo.." it was said with so much uncertainty. You weren't sure how things got to this, heck, you weren't expecting it, but you weren't complaining. His hands ran down your arms slowly. With your back still facing him, there wasn't much you could do but hope your breathing wasn't too labored. You'd spent so long trying to keep your feelings for him under wraps. If nothing but to ensure you didn't risk your friendship. Right now though, friendship was far from your thoughts.

"I wasn't being completely forward earlier, it isn't just your hair that's beautiful. " Your heart gave a thump, and when he urged you around slowly, you couldn't bring yourself to look away from him. "Your hair, skin, eyes, lips.." the last word was said longingly, and you swallowed the lump in your throat. "It's a challenge for me sometimes, I envy Mikey's ability to just say what's on his mind. I can barely look at you for too long, otherwise I'm afraid how much harder it'll be for me to hold back." So he was holding back too, geez, and here you thought this attraction was purely one sided.

"What if I..don't want you to hold back Leo.." His blue eyes glimmered, and you swore your knees would buckle just from the intensity of his stare. His hand raised to your cheek, and you released a sigh. How many times did you imagine this scenario in your head. Hundreds? Maybe thousands.

"Then I won't." he closed the space with those three words, and you leaned into it. Leo's arms were secured around your waist as his soft lips covered your own. Your hands gripped at his shoulders, and you tried to keep them from venturing. If they strayed, you weren't sure you'd be able to trust yourself not to grope every inch of his taunt muscular body. The kiss started off slow, innocent even. It was your first one together. You were both trying to savor it. Having longed for this, it felt like a dream.

After a few moments, that tentative demeanor changed to one of dominance and hunger, one that needed to be satisfied. Leo backed you up, not breaking the kiss for even a mere second. Leo's hand around your waist moved to the small of your back, and you gasped when it landed on your butt. He heard the sound, pulling back.

"Should..I..stop.." he forced out between pants. You shook your head, diving back in. Leo groaned, giving your cheek an appreciative squeeze. The action made you open your mouth, and his tongue slipped in. You moaned, and Leo took another step forward, this time he turned, and you let out a soft sound when he fell back in the bed, pulling you with him. He barely seemed affected, taken by the sensations.

You straddled his body, parting to admire his hazed look. Your chest was still heaving, and you wanted nothing more than to join your lips again, but you just liked looking at him. Those azure orbs that were almost penetrating you. His hand ran up your thigh, and he smirked at the way you bit down on your lip.

"Did I mention that I like chocolate?"

You giggle, "I sort of figured it out hotshot." you snark back. You squeaked when he suddenly switched positions. You were now bound to the bed, literally. He pinned both your wrists, that confident smile never leaving.

"I also like being in control." That comment did wild things to your body. You didn't mind at all. He pressed into you, and you whimpered needy. "L-Leo.." you wanted him, needed him now.

"Don't worry, I'd never leave you all hot and bothered, no matter how arousing it is to watch."

"Stop talking and kiss me!"

"So bossy." He taunted.

"Leo!"

He leaned down, giving your neck a soft kiss.

"Save your voice, you're gonna need it."

You gulped, and Leo took your breath away before you could fully think about it.

You were in store for a very...busy night.

160 notes · View notes

kreyolpale · 3 years

Photo

SANKOFA magnets. They're $3.50 each. Slide in my DMs or email me at [email protected] for purchases or questions ☺️. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I can take me some time to be struck by an idea, but when I do there's usually a whole story behind it. In this case, my whole life feels like it's running parallel to my past, except this time, I'm better equipped and I have better understanding of why things became what they are. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ In the pursuit of my true self and giving myself unconditional love, I've had to do a lot of remembering, asking, mourning. The religious environment I grew up in definitely promoted a very different concept to salvation to me. I used believe that there was nothing good in ancient Africa, or that the history of black people pre-colonization was full of barbarism and paganism. I know so much better now that I've taken those deep looks at the past and gained new roots. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ The concept of “Sankofa” is derived from King Adinkera of the Akan people of West Africa. “Sankofa” is expressed in the Akan language asSankofa bird “se wo were fi na wosan kofa a yenki.” Literally translated, this means “it is not taboo to go back and fetch what you forgot”. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ “Sankofa” teaches us that we must go back to our roots in order to move forward. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ [Source: uis.edu./africanamericanstudies/students/sankofa] #wood #woodwork #woodburn #woodcraft #pyrography #handmade #art #project #kreyolpale #haiti #haitianart #sankofa #ghana #africanroots #mtlartist #mtlhaitians #forsale #razertip https://www.instagram.com/p/CULOAmqpZTa/?utm_medium=tumblr

#wood #woodwork #woodburn #woodcraft #pyrography #handmade #art #project #kreyolpale #haiti #haitianart #sankofa #ghana #africanroots #mtlartist #mtlhaitians #forsale #razertip

5 notes · View notes

blackmodelsunite · 3 years

Photo

@modellehcar0910 Thanks @r40photos for the edits Omg seeing myself in this way makes me feel so powerful! I am a goddess of my strength! I am proud of my growth n progress and it’s up from here!!! Super excited thanks to everyone for seeing potential in me when I didn’t see it for myself!!!! ✊🏾🥂 #blackmodel #africanroots #goddess #iamgod #power #powerfulwomen #strength #bornstrong #golden #rich #wealthy #positivethinking #growth #confidence #selfie #selflove #iamamodel #modeling #photoshoot #modellehcar #gold . . #blackmodelsunite https://www.instagram.com/p/CUr5tSQADLJ/?utm_medium=tumblr

2 notes · View notes

skittelzmusic · 3 years

Video

June 21 This is how we step into the First Day Of #Summer ; knowing we just observed #FathersDay , #Juneteenth , #NationalPuertoRicanDayParade & more in #June ! Tag @SnoopDogg if you think you can versus him in a dance battle 😂 . . #SummerVibes #PR #HectorLavoe #Salsa #Bomba #AfricanDrums #AfricanRoots #Indigenous #PhilippinesIndependenceDay #PrideMonth #Summer2021 #PuertoRican #Filipina #Mixed #Vacation #Comedy #Travel #DanceBattle #Verzuz #SnoopDogg https://www.instagram.com/p/CQaH_BBJX6C/?utm_medium=tumblr

2 notes · View notes

shabazzy75 · 4 years

Photo

#thekeys blm noantiblackracism africanroots blackamerican blackhistory selflove selfcare selfrespect truth artquotes blackartist

1 note · View note

nicholasbrooklyn · 5 years

Photo

African Origins of the Major Western Religions by Dr. Ben in stock now at Nicholas Brooklyn This critical examination of the history, beliefs and myths, which are the foundation of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, remains instructive and fresh. By highlighting the African influences and roots of these religions, doctor Ben reveals an untold history that many would prefer to forget. Visit Nicholas Brooklyn at 1396 Fulton St in Brooklyn, NY between New York Ave & Brooklyn Ave Shop Online at: www.nicholasbrooklyn.com Enjoy 10% off your entire retail online order by entering the following code during the checkout process: 10 PERCENT Want to place your order over the phone? Call us at (718) 858-4400 In the ‪#‎NYC‬ area? Stop by our #Bedstuy location! We also deliver up to a 3 to 5 mile radius. Nicholas ‪#‎Brooklyn‬: 1396 Fulton St (718) 858-4400 We're open 7 days a week. Hours: Monday - Saturday 10am to 7pm Est. Sunday: 12pm to 6pm Est. Wholesalers check out our wholesale website: www.nicholasreggae.com Friend us on ‪Facebook‬: Nicholas Brooklyn 🚨🚨 We love Yelp Reviews! 🚨🚨 Check us on Youtube: joelbenjamin528 Thank you for Shopping Nicholas! Nicholas Cultural in Harlem: 1978 3rd Ave Between 108th & 109th (646) 892-3122 #shopnicholas #nicholasbk #cultural #culture #drben #historian #africa #african #religion #africanroots (at Nicholas Brooklyn) https://www.instagram.com/p/B3kmp9FFfQ9/?igshid=1i1kmt9lmbodx

#bedstuy #shopnicholas #nicholasbk #cultural #culture #drben #historian #africa #african #religion #africanroots

1 note · View note

salsa-history-project · 5 years

Text

The Human and The Spirit

Recently, I have been learning a lot about salsa and its origins from the African perspective. I read an article recently called “Crossroads, Continuities, and Contradictions” by Brenda Dixon Gottschild, and from this article, I have learned quite a bit about “Africanist-based” movement is very poly rhythmic. This means that a lot of their dances have multiple rhythms and with each rhythm there comes a different movement of the body.

Trust me this is no simple task... I was able to participate in learning the rumba in my salsa class recently. From a woman who has trouble keeping up with just one rhythm and getting my body to move to just that one rhythm. I defiantly felt very overwhelmed when it came to the rumba. I mean come on there were like a million things for me to try to keep track of!

Put your weight here, move your feet there, make sure you are moving your shoulders. Wait have you added that body role though?

Don’t believe me give it a try. I was committed though so I kept trying to contort my body beyond its means. The one important thing to note here is the fun I had while learning the rumba. It felt silly and light hearted. I looked like a dork, so I was a smiling fool really.

That is when I was reminded that these dances that we were learning were not about having fun and looking silly. They were serious, when these dances are performed there are no smiles because the ancestors that created them were slaves. To fully show respect to them and that heritage the dancer had to embody that human, their spirit. As Gottschild wrote in her article, there is this uninterrupted flow during the dance where the performer literally believes that they are encompassing this spirit through their own mind/body/spirit.

‘When a practitioner says s/he “feels the spirit,” this is no mere metaphor’ -Gottschild

Another article I read recently that I feel is worth mentioning is “The Africanness of Dance in Cuba” by Graciela Chao Carbonero. This article emphasizes the importance of learning about the “African-rooted” legacy that has been carried down from the enslaved Men and women that made their way from Africa all the way to Cuba. If we look deeper into the steps and movements of different styles of rumba, we can see how many of them have originated from ritual steps.

How do all these dances relate to the dance of salsa? It turns out that the rumba is very popular in salsa music and therefor in the dance as well. There can be one rhythm being played and two partners dancing and twirling together but when the rhythm changes and multiplies eminently the dancer is now on their own dancing around each other. Now the performers are using their entire bodies and for that time being they are embodying that dance, that history, that deity with their full mind/body/spirit.

#mindbodysoul #rumba #salsa #africanroots #african dance

1 note · View note