Being gay is a White Thing and so not African, yeah real Black people would never be gay! Time and time again, people who don’t know they got damn history say stupid shit like the above statement. Black people have forgotten that we learned homophobia NOT homosexuality from European settlers and colonizers. In order to say being gay is Un-African means that gay people would never exist in Africa. This is wrong because Africa has a wealth of queer history that is unspoken of and in many tribes the LGBTQ community was seen as gatekeepers to the spiritual realm as they were seen as being touched by the Gods. 

“African history is replete with examples of both erotic and nonerotic same-sex relationships. For example, the ancient cave paintings of the San people near Guruve in Zimbabwe depict two men engaged in some form of ritual sex. During precolonial times, the “mudoko dako,” or effeminate males among the Langi of northern Uganda were treated as women and could marry men. In Buganda, one of the largest traditional kingdoms in Uganda, it was an open secret that Kabaka (king) Mwanga II, who ruled in the latter half of the 19th century, was gay.”-Sylvia Tamale

The interesting here is that there are pre colonial terms for homosexuality in Africa but somehow being gay is not of African origin. This is because people hate the truth and acknowledging such history means that Africans will have to acknowledge that they have been wrong for centuries, but people inherently do not like to admit when they are wrong. Being oppressed people sometimes turns the oppressed into oppressors themselves. Even the acknowledgement that there was a gay king in 19th century Uganda is an open admission that being gay is not foreign to Africa.

“In many African societies, same-sex sexuality was also believed to be a source of magical powers to guarantee bountiful crop yields and abundant hunting, good health and to ward off evil spirits. In Angola and Namibia, for instance, a caste of male diviners — known as “zvibanda,” “chibados,” “quimbanda,” gangas” and “kibambaa” — were believed to carry powerful female spirits that they would pass on to fellow men through anal sex.”-Sylvia Tamale

The fact that being gay was seen as being sacred which is very similar to how native tribes in the America’s viewed two spirits. pre colonial Africa was actually very progressive for its time period. However the Arrival of European Christians spelled doom for all the progressive views of pre colonial Africa and their openness with their sexuality. When the europeans came to Africa, they imposed strict colonial Anti-sodomy laws that Africans would eventually adopt as being their own history.

“ the new religions, many sexual practices that were acceptable in precolonial, pre-Islamic and pre-Christian Africa were encoded with tags of “deviant,” “illegitimate” and “criminal” through the process of proselytization and acculturation. It is ironic that an African dictator wearing a three-piece suit, caressing an iPhone, speaking in English and liberally quoting the Bible can dare indict anything for being un-African.In the Buganda Kingdom, part of modern-day Uganda, King Mwanga II was openly gay and faced no hate from his subjects until white men brought the Christian church and its condemnation. Though King Mwanga is the most prominent African recorded as being openly gay, he was not alone.” Bisi Alimi

It is amazing to me that so many Black and African people hold on to the traditions of their white and Arab colonizers. I think that it’s important to note that King Mwanga 2 was doing well with  his subjects until white Christians arrived meaning that Europeans are responsible for homophobia on the African continent.

Similarly, prior to the 1940s, The Black/African American community was more accepting of the LGBTQ community even while holding Christian Beliefs because at that time the verse leviticus 18:22 was actually translated to a Man shall not lie with a young boy( Pedophilia not Homosexuality) but during the 1940s the word homosexuality was more wide spread and added to the bible and this allowed the Catholic church and other christian denominations  to hide pedophilia and white churches started condemning those they saw as sexually immoral (LGBTQ+) and those Black Christians started doing the same to gain acceptance from White Americans. It failed! so many younger Black Americans believe that Homophobia is a product of colonialism/white supremacy thinking. There have been many Black Queer figures in Black history who have been written out of the history books.

“Marsha P. Johnson was an activist, a prostitute, a drag performer and, for nearly three decades, a fixture of street life in Greenwich Village. She was a central figure in a gay liberation movement energized by the 1969 police raid on the Stonewall Inn. She was a model for Andy Warhol. She battled severe mental illness. She was usually destitute and, for much of her life, effectively homeless.” – Sewell Chan

Marsha P Johnson was a Black  AMAB woman, who led the LGBTQ+ Rebellion in Stone Wall Inn of New York City. However, when you look at pride parades today there is no mention of her anywhere for the most part and the white washing of queer history is very prevalent and the white queer community does not want to acknowledge Marsha P Johnson’s legacy and therefore the U.S. Queer movement would seem as though it was white gay men, who liberated us when it was trans women of color. 

“Johnson was a key figure in the disturbances that followed a police raid at the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar on Christopher Street, early in the morning of June 28, 1969. Many legends have grown around the event — often characterized as a riot, but more recently described as a rebellion or uprising — but the evidence suggests that Johnson was among the “vanguard” of those who resisted the police, according to David Carter, the author of “Stonewall: The Riots That Sparked the Gay Revolution.” She was 23 at the time.”-Sewell Chan

Honorary Mention

William Dorsey Swann

My point is here that the original homophobes were European/White and Christian. These were and are people who believe they have control over the rights of others. These are the same people that enslaved Africans.It is heartbreaking how Black and African people continue to hold on to colonial legacies that have continued to harm and mentally enslave us until this very day. Even the gay rights movement has been hijacked by white queer  community when all they do is take credit for something they have 0 credit for. This is too so queer or straight white people are hell bent to change any historical fact that does not favor them or to control others and their true history.  It is beyond time that Black and African people remember the sacrifices of Queer Brothers and Sisters. Love You and Thank You for reading.

WORKS CITED

http://america.aljazeera.com/opinions/2014/4/homosexuality-africamuseveniugandanigeriaethiopia.html

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/sep/09/being-gay-african-history-homosexuality-christianity

Hold Mayor(Copfoot) Lightfoot and other Chicago officials accountable,

I am tired of the bullshit and disinformation Chicago officials have been spreading in regards to the protest, riots, and looting. The vast majority of protests throughout our city  have been peaceful, numerous, and multiracial. Instead of marching with us our elected officials (except a very small few)have chosen to actively ignore the brutality, the murders, and injustice committed by the Chicago Police Department. The Chicago Police Department have still killed and injured several protesters during this time. I think that this fact being ignored is very dangerous and Mayor Lightfoot’s call to put more officers on the street will only escalate the already heightened distrust and pain between communities and police. It is a dangerous response to this crisis.

The Chicago Police Department is well known for the terrorizing and mistreatment of non-white communities. Mayor Lghtfoot has as a Prosecutor let murderous cops of the hook as she was also responsible for handling the Rekia Boyd’s case and literally was angered by a father in pain and abruptly left the meeting in one of the most heartless ways.I will be posting links to the corruption of that is light foot at the end of this post.

In the midst of a Pandemic, our government only gave people a one time check of 1200 dollars, and an increase of 600 dollars in Unemployment expected to end in July, which many people still have not seen their benefits kick in. When you consider these factors, can you really be angered by looters when people are expected to get by so little and especially in communities where there are no real job opportunities and those working in those communities mostly did not look like that community. To the leaders of Chicago yall are fucking jokes and only care about our votes. You use pretty words and language to spread your messages of complicity. We the people of chicago see through your unveiled bullshit.

When aldermans lie and feel comfortable lying about the fact that a Pregnant Black woman was killed by the Chicago Police Department we have fucking problem. When our mayor talks about turning old abandoned school buildings into police academies, but not mega homeless shelters, not affordable apartment complexes, not trauma centers, not modern mental health facilities, or newly design schools we as a city have a fucking problem.

Adding more officers on the ground will not help nobody but only see an increase in people getting hurt, harmed, and killed. Police are for asset protections, they do nothing to actually help people. They are here to serve and protect the interest of white supremacy. If you want to stop the rioting, the looting, and the protest? Start with the root cause dismantle the systems that uphold white supremacy, address the 450 years of trauma experienced by Black people in America, address the effects of redlining in our city, otherwise step the fuck down so real leaders can step the fuck up.

Intra-communal Violence NOT Black on Black crime. The phrase Black on Black on crime is actually a racist trope that has been used to discredit racism faced by Africans(Black people) in America. I am using the phrase intercommunal violence instead of Black on Black crime because these problems persist among all racial and ethnic groups whom  communities have neglected for decades. You are more likely to die by the hands of someone, who looks like you because of living in close proximity and it has absolutely nothing to do with race but rather survival and competition for resources. The most Important resources that can reduce or maybe hopefully stop violence are education, mental health, decriminalization of small and petty crimes, decriminalize marijauna.

“The “what about black-on-black crime” rejoinder usually is meant to imply that African Americans are indifferent to the thousands of young black men — and increasingly, black children — who are slain every year in gun violence. It insinuates that black people blithely accept killings by our own that have racked some communities for decades and take to the streets only when white police officers are doing the killing.”- Shirley Carswell, Washington Post

The idea that Black People are inherently just violent towards each other is misleading because it only focuses on one element of a complex issue and giving off the attitude that Black people do not protest violence within our own community is als very misleading as there are many protest and programs that have been created by Africans in America to fought the plague of gun violence.  However, the plague of gun violence in inner city communities have left many Africans( Black Americans) in America with severe PTSD, which is not good living among a community where mental health is a taboo subject. This in turns perpetuates a cycle of Gun Violence. The resources that Black Americans need to have bright and vibrant communities are drained through the defunding of education, mental/physical health care, career opportunities, and housing. 

In America, if Black people were given true access they need there would be a major drop in gun violence. When you neglect and criminalize a community for decades that community self destructs as a means for survival of the fittest. Education is the door to create better and innovative leaders that can find creative solutions to complex issues. The better education you have the more chances you have to build a career and also create opportunities for others to improve themselves and thus their communities. 

I believe that education and empathy will eventually lead to a major drop in crimes in the Black community. Having access to a high quality and affordable education will lead to a better understanding of community needs. This will eventually create jobs and access to more affordable housing plans. This in turn will keep funds within the community as people from the community control the means of their own production, which means that the need to fight to survive goes down drastically.

Having a better understanding of how mental health works is key! mental health worsens under extreme circumstances. When you don’t have access to the things you need for survival coupled with mental health, people will become irrational and do what they think they need to in order for survival. Some people pick up a gun and turn to violence as a result of their conditions and thus crime is a more major mental/public health issue. This is why the need and call for more quality social workers over police has begun to grow louder. Social workers are much better trained to deal with mental health than police so they should respond to distress regarding things such as addiction, suicidal, and other distress people. They are trained to deal with various mental health scenarios. If  Africans in America (Black Americans) understood and educated themselves about the psychological effects of poverty, their overall view on how to change the community would most likely change. The sad part is there is still a long way to go to understanding the complex issues of Intra-communal violence regardless of race but hopefully this conversation can be a real starter for true change and progress.

Media has had a significant impact on the culture here in the United States and how society has chosen to depict different groups or individuals.  One of the main groups who have suffered very dreadful and harmful portrayals from media have been African- Americans. According to the authors of the book, Ethnic  and Racial Images  in American film and television,A Historical Essays and Bibliography, “Afro-Americans have been impacted by media more than any other group. In the early 20th century,  either black americans or white people dressed in black face would be referred to as darkies and would call shows representing black people “local color stories of the south”which appeal to the Unity of the Anglo-Saxon majority”(Miller and Woll 39). Media has given African-Americans a horrendous view for many years now and even until this very day African Americans have been met with insensitive treatment through media portrayals. This type of unfair representation in media has given African-Americans a type of backlash of stereotypes from the dominant culture that Blacks are ghetto, uneducated, thugs, and law-breakers which has in turn destroyed the overall image of black people in america. 

African-Americans have been impacted by media, in many cases for the worst, but there have also been many positive outcomes thanks to media and the fight for equality here in the united states. The author of the book African American women and Sexuality, Manatu, writes about how the media from Rap videos to television shows to Movies have unfairly and unjustly degraded Black women. Media has created an injustice that tells  Black women since their younger ages  that they are nothing more than sluts and whores and how they should feel ashamed of who they are as a people. Movies such as Boyz in the Hood, Menace to Society, Tyler Perry productions have added to the problems in which televised media has chosen to portray the black community as being uneducated, welfare babies, single mothers and deadbeat fathers. Media has downgraded the black community to a point that black children have the hardest time seeing anything good come out their lives and internalized the media’s view of the black community. There are many literatures works out there that have been  written to discuss the large doses of media bias. The Author Maynard speaks on the image of black man in film and had it help produce the many racial biases of the United States. MacDonald’s took a more analytical approach to help engage how the media affects race relations. Woll and Miller took things from a stance that reviewed how all oppressed groups and the impacts media has had on those groups today. 

Using historical facts and evidence from modern times within the media,  I will examine all of historic backgrounds from the time  that african americans were not allowed a single chance on television to how african americans are portrayed now. I will be utilizing information from sources that utilized basic knowledge of the subject matter, reviews in depth history, and analyzing both the positive and negative effects of media within the black community and what that means for the community now and the future impact of how african americans are viewed as a whole. Many examples will include what’s going with the black community now and why that is and how has the media contributed to this atrocity or blessing.  I will give specific examples from today’s world from the talks of police brutality, to poverty,social class, education, and the many inequalities around the nation that affects black people around the world.

At one point, african americans were not even allowed on the big screens and a white person dressed in blackface would portray african americans in a stereotypical light. This is because it gave the anglo saxon american  majority an overwhelming sense of pride because the mockery of the black race help them to embrace their  superiority. “there was once a man by the name of Stepin Fetchit who represented the troubles of african  americans as being lazy and stupid”(Maynard 1). This explained when blacks were allowed on the big screened they were only given the parts that unfortunately either gave them jobs as house maids, criminals, ignorant, and low lives who could not do anything. “Stephen was a black man who was consider to be very stupid and help the justification of what was wrong with black people”(Maynard 2). The degrading of the African American population help to keep them oppressed and silent as an entire group of people and if they were to fight injustices that they would be beaten or lynched for challenging their superior. However, the african americans who played these roles were nowhere near to fitting those stereotype many of them were very wealthy and hard working individuals. 

On almost every television channel, there is a news station reporting on the issues of the black community and how african-americans are more likely to go to jail than receive a college education. “The movie, radio, newspaper and library  are the most important agencies for communication to spread  information and ideas in the american society”(Maynard 3). Thanks to these series of communication tactics, the news  and other forms of media have called protesters who fight injustices  thugs, looters, and criminals. This type of portrayal gives african americans a bad name all around that they are no good for nothing  thieves, smoochers of government programs, and murderers. The image of african americans to overwhelming majority is one that is not particularly favorable. This creates a significant challenge for african americans because these images will make them look like hypocrites. People will try and use the terminology “what about black on black crime” which unfortunately creates the illusion that the plant is the problem but what about the roots? The issues that are faced in the black community are a result of systemic oppression.

“Black americans have been seen as lazy and were thought to never make it in their lifetime”(Maynard 3). “In order to obtain the necessary fame black actors adopted distorted racial characteristics”(MacDonald 3) . Many Americans look at these  things as sad and unfortunate reality for black people across the country, which tells people that black people have an unpleasant way of life and that are inferior to the majority race. The media bias has given african americans a poor reputation as a group of people that people of color lack in education and that the situations they are in is their own fault for not taking advantage of the opportunities that have been given to them.  those opportunities have been taken from african americans and  are not equal to the opportunities that their white peer groups would be able to obtain easily and that is such a long stretch from now because african american public schools are underfunded. The chances african americans are given to escape crime and poverty are actually very slim. As a society, this shows us that we have to look for the truth individually or we will be highly misguided with false realities that only seeks to destroy an entire community.

“The actors cultivated stereotypical accents of black americans which had been attending for a white audience”(MacDonald 3). This helped the media with the unfortunate degrading of the entire black populist based on few individuals. The media wants to give people a narrow minded viewpoint to the point that even other african americans follow blindly to what is being said which only in turns hurts the community even more than usual. The media follows what will give them the best ratings and that is the downfall of underrepresented communities and the black community continues to be hit the hardest. this because blacks have been seen as inferior since coming to United States as slaves. In the media, there is a heavy bias to favor light skinned blacks over darker skinned blacks, which has created and ongoing tension between the two different groups of african americans. If you have notice that most famous african americans on today’s Television happen to be mostly lighter skinned. 

“The Modern day form of communication seem not to be getting that there reporting skills have created a misguided view for african americans”(Maynard 3). This form of ignorance creates the stigma that Black people in poverty are  the cause for their own problems because media tells african americans to stop being lazy and go to school. This ignores the fact that african-americans are still provided with low quality educational options. “Many of the instructors would not teach which causes high stress  escalating the unfortunate drop out rate which disportionately affects the black community”( and as a result African Americans resort to a life of crime as a way of survival”( Temple Smith Soc101) thanks to the lack of realistic opportunities that would have given them that extra push they needed for them to be economically stable, educationally equal, and have higher standards of living. The media bias has continued to ignore the side effects of the oppressions that black people are still impacted by until today..

Though the media has been essential to downfall of  the black community, the media has actually been essential in the fight to equality for african americans.without the media,this world would not have  known of the many great civil rights leaders such as Dr. Martin Luther King, Malcom X, Rosas Parks and Thurgood Marshall. Martin Luther King was a leader of many great movements that took place in the south from the bus boycott to the civil rights movement in 1964. “Things were seemingly improving for african americans and racial barriers were being lowered”(MacDonald 7). “By the 1950’s entertainers were reporting  that even  in the south -where there were the most black americans and traditionally the most segregated section of the nation-change was proceeding at a crawling pace”( Macdonald 7). This information  creates the story of how the media was source of hope to black americans from across the nation and how it lead a more promising door to to equal rights and equality for all americans.   African American were starting to gain momentum as they were allowed more on opportunity within the halls of fame in Hollywood which in turn marked a new era for both hope and a continued struggle for justice, peace and harmony among all. 

With this information, it could be concluded that media has played an unfortunate role in the way people have been told to view black americans. The media bias has created a world where people are always afraid that a black person may rob them so they would cross the street or hold on tighter to their belonging. We must hold the media accountable for their actions and how they have been a tool to keep the oppression an ongoing struggle for many communities across the nation. We can not depend on the bias media that operates through country and thus we must seek truth for own eyes or we may put ourselves in a trap that would make us part of the problem.  When we find the the truth we must present that truth to the world for only then will we be able to win true equality. 

The Media could be used for both justice and injustice and it is up to us the viewers, freedom fighters, leaders,and educators to call out the media when they are wrong. The media has harmed many but we too have a voice and we should used that voice to combat the bias reporting of the media because of all the damaging effects the media seems to have on multiple communities throughout the world.but we can also remember the positive sides as well; we have to just remember we do have a voice to change the media and society’s image. 

Works Cited 

MacDonald, J. Fred. “The Promise.” Blacks and White TV: African Americans in Television since 1948. 2nd ed. Chicago: Nelson-Hall, 1992. 3-10. Print.

Maynard, Richard A. “Anything But A Man-A Historical Survey of the Black Stereotype on Film.” The Black Man on Film: Racial Stereotyping. Rochelle Park, NJ: Hayden Book, 1974. 1-3. Print. 

Woll, Allen L., and Randall M. Miller. “Afro-Americans.” Ethnic and Racial Images in American Film and Television: Historical Essays and Bibliography. New York: Garland, 1987. 39-177. Print.

Manatu, Norma. “Introduction and Overview.” Introduction. African American Women and Sexuality in the Cinema. Jefferson, NC: McFarland, 2003. 1-8. Print.
Tieman, Kathleen A., Ralph B. McNeal, Jr., Morten G. Ender, and Betsy Lucal. Hope College Soc 101 Intro to Sociology. N.p.: Pearson, n.d. Print.

The relations between Africans and the Diaspora is a very complex one that has become very much over simplified. Africans and Diasprans have both been negatively impacted by the legacies of colonialism, white supremacy, and slavery. However, these two groups could not be more different in the ways they have interpreted their history and how these destructive legacies led to lives of turmoil for generations to come. Both sides have been nearly white washed and have their traditions stripped away from them because of white fear. Many Whites fear African traditions because these traditions would inspire uprisings from time to time White people beat Christianity into African peoples. We have been convinced that our ancient traditions were of the devil and have been taught to value european features over our own. For nearly 600 years, Africa suffered and paid greatly under European colonization. Europeans also bought and kidnapped Africans. They brought them to the new world known as America for centuries. This would cause a divide of Afro-descendant people for generations.

We as African Americans are suffering from a major identity crisis and we long to be more connected to our roots. However, many have gotten it wrong and call themselves hebrew israelites because they believe they are the true jews of the bible. This complete hogwash and I want to roll my eyes so badly because of how Anti-African. They are individuals who obviously don’t understand history. More on them in the next article. 

“The problem stems from deep misconceptions, sometimes fueled by the U.S. media. Astonishingly, many African-Americans believe that Africans are backward and primitive. Some make crude jokes about Africans or do not acknowledge the great contribution Africa has made to the world.” -Jacob Conteh

In America, Blacks have been seen as inherently violence and lazy, Africans typically do not want to be associated with such negative stereotypes and thus push their American cousins away. Similarly, America has also pushed an agenda that missionary work is about going to Africa and supporting poor and helpless Africans creating this dangerous narrative that all Africans live in a dystopian society full of poverty and disease. In many cases, I have seen Black Americans have negative portrayals of Africans. I think both sides are guilty are driving a wedge between us when we should know better than to trust anything american much less hollywood. 

“A fundamental difference between African Americans and African immigrants is the way they react to racism and discrimination. African Americans usually see racism as the main cause of poverty among their people. They are also quick to point out instances of perceived racism, even in circumstances where it is ambiguous, unclear or more complex than simple racial bigotry or discrimination. A classic example is the currently large African-American population in prison. Most African-Americans feel that the only reason there are so many African Americans incarcerated is their race. They blame police discrimination and lawmakers who make laws weighted to punish blacks. For Africans, after suffering many years in civil wars, military coups and other problems, they are happy to be in a country that offers them freedom. They are ready to integrate into the American culture without getting involved in the lingering racial conflicts. They do not typically get involved in the ongoing civil rights struggle – and that has angered many African-Americans” -Jacob Conteh

Many African Americans feel that Black immigrants do not truthfully understand our plight with slavery and how the injustices of past actually shape our present and will continue to shape our future but in the same light Black Americans might not never the struggles that Black Immigrants have gone through and I believe that a conversation without harsh judgement from either side is needed if we truly want to be united and be liberated from the colonials shackles that hold us all back.

“Tensions between black Americans who descended from slavery and black immigrants from Africa and the Caribbean are not new, but a group of online agitators is trying to turn those disagreements into a political movement.”-Farah Stockman

Being a descendant of Haitian and Black American ancestry these tensions are very real and some people from both sides of my family have had many issues with each other but similarly there have been love on both sides and I think if we only focus on the negative relationships we will never hold a strong connection. This ongoing beef between Black Americans and Black immigrants has to stop at some point but it’s up to all us. I have been attacked by all sides but I still love my Black people no matter what because I know we ain’t all like that.  We attack each other more than we listen to understand and there is a quote I always go by United we stand but divided we fall.

Our own ignorance, biases, and displeasure with one another will be the ultimate end for us as Black People( Immigrant or not) in America and it is time to start understanding each other with less judgement. We can do so many great things if we are one.  Be open and willing to learn other perspectives and don’t think you are right about everything. We have to learn humbleness and humility.

                                                              WORKS CITED

/www.theglobalist.com/african-americans-african-immigrants-differ/

http://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/08/us/slavery-black-immigrants-ados.html?_ga=2.79690388.1816957131.1598085811-1888125673.1598085811

Born: Ihejiene Daniel Eberechukwu

Other Names: Blaise ( Roman catholic Name)

Date Of Birth: 16th August 1998

Place Of Birth: Owerri, Imo State , Nigeria

Hometown : Uturu, Abia State, Nigeria

Blaise Daniel is a fast rising Nigerian Singer-Songwriter, Dancer, Record producer and Photo Model. Born and raised in south-eastern Nigeria, he had his early education at Start-right Early Childhood Learning and Development Center in the city of Owerri, Imo State. He went ahead to further his Primary and Secondary education at the Madonna schools; a catholic missionary institution in the same city.

Despite studying science in school, Blaise Daniel is an enthusiastic lover of visual and performing arts. In Primary school, he had attempted joining several Dance groups, but was however eventually kicked out too soon due to his inability to keep up with choreography. Born into a catholic family of 4, he joined the school choir as early as the age of 9. Blaise Daniel’s interest in music developed as he eventually wrote his first song at the age of 10 with his brother. He subsequently advanced and developed his musical abilities in Secondary school as he joined the high school choir towards the end of his last years in the school. Coming from a music loving family , he was heavily influenced by Artistes like Michael Jackson, Celine Dion, Chris Brown, Shakira and more.

Despite being called ugly while growing up, Blaise Daniel first fell in love with Photo Modeling when he was taken to a photo studio for a Photo shoot by a friend in 2014 ; and since then , his interest in photo modeling strengthened . Currently, he’s working on a self – produced music project , as it is slated to be his first major release.

We Welcome Another Brother from Nigeria to LAP it is empowering to embrace our Blackness and Africanness.

Rachel Marie Bryant was born on September 21st, 1997, adopted by her auntie and grandparents after the passing of her parents. She attended Harold Washington but plans to transfer and pursue a degree in nursing starting January 2021.

 Rachel had these headshots done as a way of empowering herself to build both her confidence and self-esteem. She wants to boost herself being a young Black Woman and always being surrounded by so much negativity, many models have their own styles and Rachel is no exception. Each of these head shots captures her own uniqueness from her body language and mannerism.

“If I can ever model outside of the United States, it will definitely be somewhere around the Caribbean or Africa in countries like Jamaica, Belize, Haiti,or Kenya, I especially love the Caribbean. I love supporting my own. I am one of them. I love being able to see myself in the industry. If School doesn’t work out, I want to show that Black People come in different shapes, sizes, and shades. You can be comfortable in your own skin and embrace yourself  no matter who you are or what you do. I want to be a role model for my community and anything is possible when you support others like you.” -Rachel Bryant

Rachel Bryant is someone that I personally know and she is one of the sweetest and strongest persons that I know. I hope you all can one day get to know her like I do ❤

Prince Sonychris Ebuka Williams was born August 1st 1999 to the chief and Mrs Choice Williams in Lagos state where he attended primary and secondary school. Soon after he later relocated to Imo state Imo state in the Eastern part of Nigeria where is currently studying Banking and Finance.

Here Prince Sonychris is wearing traditional Ibo wear called Isiagu, which translates to “the Lion’s Head”. The beads around his neck are worn mainly by people from a royal background. Many people from Ibo tribe mainly live in the Easter parts of Nigeria and according to Sonychris are a people that respect culture and tradition.

People who wear the Isiagu Clothes in Igbo Land are generally well respected and held in high regards as Igbo people generally respect their traditions.

Below we can see the Prince wearing a traditional Buba that is usually associated with Nigerian Yoruba tribes.

Prince Sonychris is showing that that he can be versatile and how he can represent the various tribal groups in the beautiful country of Nigeria.

Nigerian is a country full of beautiful people and Unique traditions and I believe that Prince Sonychris models this fact very well.

            It’s 7:00 am in Chicago Illinois, at the wake of dawn a young man awakens from his slumber and it’s a lovely day and birds are chirping away as a natural alarm clock. The young man whose name is Cale is getting ready for a very special trip to Western Africa to meet with his lover Ayodele. Cale has been preparing for months for this trip to see his boyfriend Ayodele and the day is finally here.Cale sits up and then springs out of bed and runs toward the restroom where he turns up his Afro-Beats of Burna Boy, Davido, and Tiwa Savage. He turns on the shower and He does not step out until about an Hour later because the music makes him lose track of time. This is a story of romance unlike ever before. Cale is about 5”9 kinky hair and a lil chubby with flawless melanin skin with some facial hair.

Cale: *phone ringing* Hello, I would like a taxi to Chicago O’hare Airport for 1:00 PM

My Address is 2020 S. Heaven Street Chicago IL 60708. 

Taxi Agent: Sure thing sire we have your Taxi Ready and at your door by 10:50am please ensure that you will be ready by then as Taxis will wait no longer than 5 minutes for a pick up.

Cale: That sounds good and thank you so much for taking my call today and have a great day! *hangs up* well time to brush my teeth

*Phone ringing* 

Cale: * Brushing teeth and running towards phone and sees call from ayodele*

Cale: *Answers Phone with Video and Blinded with a beautiful smile.*

Ayodele is about 6’1, slim  with flawless skin where his melanin gleems like Gold and teeth that can outshine the sun itself.

Ayodele: I am so excited for you to come Bae, I have been Anxious to see you

Cale: *Smiling and Blushing* I can not wait to see you in the next 20 hours

Ayodele: I love you

Cale: I love you so much more *makes kissing face*

            Cale is wearing Black slacks with a Blue button up collar shirt and Black dress shoes. He has a classic wrist watch on his right arm. He smells of the new burberry cologne he had just bought about a week ago. *Honk* * Honk* The Taxi is waiting outside and Cale grabs his suitcase and passport and off to the Airport he goes . * Beep* Text Message from Ayodele: Your arrangements have been made and we all good to go for your arrival. Cale has now made it to the Airport and is checked in with all of his items. He is waiting until he is on his plane to Lagos Nigeria

Mama Africa 

Ayodele meets Cale at the Airport and takes him and his belongings to the Hotel to freshen up and get ready for a day of excitement at a gala that they are planning to attend. 

Ayodele: *Buys  some hot wine to get Cale high upon his arrival*….waiter!!! Bring me a jar of ale

Cale: Why thank you Ayodele, *takes a few sips* this wine is amazing. 10 minutes later bust out all my best dance moves Starts doing Gwara gwara and shoki

Ayodele: *Smiles*just sits and watches from a corner and screaming from behind tie em up!!!

Ayodele:   grabs Cale from behind and flags down a cab  and when we get back to ur hotel I’ll just make    some coffee to bring you back 

Cale: why am I so sore, I feel like I tore several muscles.  what happened baby

?

Ayodele: *Handing over Coffee* yeah you got drunk and was dancing like a maniac…(rolls eyes slowly)

Cale: Thanks Bae, also one more thing could you start a bath for me hun

Ayodele: (walks to the bathroom)Runs a warm Bath  for Cale, go have your bath *Waits for 20 mins Cale ain’t you done??? 

Cale: Yes I am, I will be out in Just a minute  putting on my night clothes. African Beauty is playing  in the background. Cale comes out of the Bathroom and Ayodele is there  and they stare deeply into each other’s eyes. Ayodele pulls Cale Closer and they begin kissing  for few seconds and there is a pause 

Ayodele: I am Going  to make you some food okay dear? it won’t be much but you will enjoy it I am sure

Cale: that sounds good sweetie, I would like some water if that okay as well

.Ayodele:  No Problem my Hubby*Serves Cale with Water,  fried rice and salad..hope you like it, it’s my specialty love *

Cale : *takes bite* Omg this so good bae thank you so much . Seriously, why are you so perfect?

Ayodele: yeah…*rubs Cale hair (smiling sheepishly) * You know that I will forever love you right hun?

Cale: I Know and I love you so much and I would walk the moon and back with you for an eternity

Ayodele: There are so many places that I want to show  you, so where do we go to tomorrow dear?

Cale: wherever your heart feels it wants to take me, as long as I am by your side that  is what matter most to me right now

Ayodele: huh (surprised), wow I seriously love you and I just love how we are meant for each other. you are my soulmate and Okay let me take you to “pleasure pack” for a picnic.

Cale : That sounds like an amazing idea love and I would love too

Ayodele: Do want to go swimming dear? if not, that’s a

Cale: I could try but I am not very good at it at the moment and I still need more practice. I will be safer with you by my side helping me.

Ayodele: Okay…I can swim But you can just sit and enjoy some ice cream when am done we can  take pictures

Cale: Okay..Love I will be waiting here for you watching your Majestic swimming skills. *whispers* Omg he swims so eloquently how did I get blessed with such an Angel.

Ayodele: I am tired of swimming now let’s go take some pictures together *extends hand* 

Cale:  Okay my love * Grabs Ayodele’s hand

Ayodele and Cale *walks away from beach  holding hands and Cale kisses Ayodele on the cheeks

Ayodele: Could you turn around for  a few seconds , I have to do something

Cale: *smiles* I sure can  anything for you my love

Ayodele: *Down on one Knee with a small in Hand that holds a ring* you can  turn around now my love 

Cale: Okay…*turns around  and tears begin to fall*

Ayodele: Cale, I love you  so much ever since we began talking I always felt that we had a connection rather that be our love for Africa , our beliefs, or whatever brought us together , you are the one I want to be with for the rest of my life and have a family and so I ask you Cale  Baptiste , we will you marry me and become my husband.

Cale: Yes, I would most certainly be my African king and  I am delighted to join with you and become your African King. 

 Both: Hugs and Kisses

Cale: I wrote a poem for you as a Gift and I think it’s a good  time to share it now, 

When I am loving you.

When I look into your eyes

I am transported into another dimension

Death is not needed for me to go to heaven

When I look at your smile 

Even my darkest days can’t stop me

I’ll always win with you by my side

When I hear your voice

It is as though I have been lifted by a thousand angels

Your voice is sometimes the only comfort I need

When I see your confidence 

You walk and talk with a grace that makes the people shiver

You give me the goosebumps of joy and pride

When I  am loving you 

There is no other place that I would rather be

Your warmth and smile is all that I need

Ayodele: that was so beautiful Baby and I love it and I can not wait to be together forever

Cale: I feel the same and I am so excited we are taking these steps finally

Let me start by saying this, I grew up on the south side of Chicago in the Englewood neighborhood. This was not an easy life as my community struggled due to poverty, gang violence, under resourced schools and lack of job security. I have seen children as young as 9 years old handcuffed by police. Their charges were being Black in America.

Now don’t get me wrong I love all people but I ain’t no damn fool either. At least, I ain’t no more. Growing up, I definitely had the belief of seeing the good in people regardless of race. Yeah, I believed in the white washed Dr.King but not the real one. However, it was all I knew.

For much of my earlier life, I was told that I sweet or that I was so nice. I was really just a people please really and because of that I was taken advantage of many times. I allowed people to do things toward that made me highly uncomfortable.

Fast forward express, I am now in High School. This would be the first time in my life that I encountered White people on a daily basis. I thought to myself damn Dr.King dream came true and I couldn’t be more wrong. There were some racial tension between students and staff. Many White teachers made generalizations about the very black students they came to work with, but can you say when your school was founded due to a white saviors complex.

Many of my white teachers thought that Police were justified in the way the treated Black Teenagers, however, doing much of my time in High School, I suffered from an identity crisis where I began to hate everything black including myself. This was a stressful time as a transitioned from a straight “white” man, I mean that in the most ironic way, to a very proud gay black man.

In College, I began my real journey of self exploration and expectations. The orientation directors and leaders were so nice and friendly, my dumb ass was like awwn ,White people,are so great. oooh we, I was a mess. Many white students would say racist shit because I was the complacent black friend. C’mon, you are not black I would hear. Or can I touch your hair as Rachel rubs my head without my explicit permission. That feeling of being uncomfortable came back to haunt me and I would just sit there and allow micro-aggressive behavior to taunt day in and out. I began to grow extremely irritated with the white people I was around calling out their bullshit became a daily fucking battle.

Omg..my life would be so much better if I were black. Why are Black people so ghetto? You only got in because you are black! Why do call yourself Black, wouldn’t it be better to say African American, I know that I feel more comfortable with African American says the white guy, who no one ask for his opinion. Why is there no White Student Union?

The ignorance behind these statements makes me want to rage and that’s damn sure what I am going to do. I don’t give a fuck about looking like an Angry black man. The stuff that I have gone through and seen happen towards others that look like me is a living fucking nightmare. Growing up where I went days to probably weeks with out food in my stomach. Parents working 2-3 Jobs at a time not able to be there for their children when they needed the. people trying to make make a living anyway they could. there has not been a lot we could do as our communities have been destroyed for generations after generations through racist polices that affected our housing, schooling, and employment opportunities. This stills goes on today even in 2020!

Lets be honest, White People my existence makes you uncomfortable because when you look at me, I am a reminder of the horrors and pain that your Ancestors inflicted on mine. you tell my people to get over slavery because you know as well as we do that it left a mark of Generational Trauma. You hate us because you know we will not rest until we get the justice we deserve. you know that one day that we all will shake the world from African-Americans to Haitians to Nigerians, you know are power in Numbers is massive, you know you need us more than we need you. your comfort is depended upon us being complacent but those days are crumbling and will fall. We will resist, We will fight, we will be proud, we are Black, Our African spirit will rise again!