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" I fear none except God". Omnipotence of God.
As a black woman are you proud of your identity?
Yes; though that wasn't always the case growing up in a society where white-ness is the ideal standard of beauty and goodness and my black-ness is vilified. It was a deliberate act of seeking out and emulating positive black images of excellence until I developed my own.
Did you think enough is being done to encourage to cultural/ethnic identity in the country?
No I don't, but to be fair I'm not aware of all that is actually being done currently. It has been my experience that I have been exposed to very few initiatives that promotes African heritage with high standards of excellence. There always seems to be a lack of overall thoroughness where preparation for things run by or mean't to celebrate black culture stands.
As a woman what changes will you implement to help with cultural/ethnic identity?
As a woman and a single individual my goal is to represent as best as I can. You can't give what you don't have; with that understanding I'm constantly seeking out ways to add to myself so that I have something to pour out. Starting with my faith, being a believer and follow of Jesus I'm aware of the high standards that I'm called to in all areas of my life, whether I'm designing or simply stopping to give a stranger directions. I'm required to be the salt and light of the earth. Because of this I know where my worth, my value, my beauty and my talents comes from; I'm the daughter of the King and that makes me Royalty; every good and perfect gift comes from God and it's up to me to nurture and develop these gifts so that they continue to grow in value!
Do you think these are good values (cultural/ethnic ) to pass onto children?
I absolutely do, representation matters and is integral to the development of positive esteem in children, especially in their formidable years. It does wonders for them to see people who look like them not just in the areas of interest but excelling in them, leading in them! They will not have to waste years wondering if they're strong enough to break into certain industries because the path will already be laid before them, their affirmation coming from persons that look like them so it's no longer a stretch of the imagination to see themselves also in positions of luxury and authority that doesn't have anything to do with crime! Just look at what the Black Panther movie has already begun to do for our children
What does emancipation day mean to you?
For me emancipation day is a reminder, a day of reflection; on what was stolen, how far we've come since then and all that there is still to accomplish in the future. We haven't even scratched the surface, the best is still to come!