Acting in defense of themselves, Black people and Black women in particular have consistently refused the terms of oppression, discrimination and dehumanization. “We refuse” is similar to Black colloquialisms such as “nah,” “nope,” “not today, Satan” or my personal favorite: “Oh helllllllll no.”Resistance is how one responds to white supremacy; refusal is why. This story to me has always summed up the power of white supremacy: Choose a life of bondage or refuse and limp. Her response was not no, but never — a response that denied white supremacy its authority. James Brown’s “Say It Loud, I’m Black and I’m Proud” was a refusal to let white supremacy determine what is beautiful, inspirational or good.

Source: Los Angeles Times June 04, 2024 12:58 UTC