Is Black Excellence a trap? Now, before you start pulling out your tomatoes to throw them at me, please hear me out. The Urban Dictionary defines Black Excellence as someone that is Black and portrays great qualities and abilities that make the Black community proud. By the very definition, Black Excellence is about making others proud. So, unless those qualities or abilities make the Black community proud, it’s not Black Excellence. I don’t know about you, but that sounds like a bit of a trap to me. Not sold yet? Here are a few reasons why I believe Black Excellence is a trap:
Black Excellence Conditions Us to Only Care About Some of Us
Black Excellence conditions us to only care about some of us, not all of us. Let’s go back to the Urban Dictionary definition – “Someone that is Black and portrays great qualities and abilities that make the Black community proud.” The very definition implies that we should only care about those that make the Black community proud. Wow. So what about those who society deems the least of us? Those who are battling homelessness, substance abuse, mental health issues, underemployment, or unemployment? Are we supposed to turn a blind eye to those of us who aren’t making the community proud? Focusing on Black Excellence renders those of us who don’t meet the definition invisible.
Black Excellence Conditions Us to Compare Ourselves to a Narrow Standard
Black Excellence also conditions us to compare ourselves to a narrow standard. If we’re constantly chasing making the Black community proud, we run the risk of feeling less than if we don’t meet that narrow standard. That’s too much pressure for anyone to live under. Also, can we be completely honest? What mostly gets celebrated in the Black community is excelling in entertainment and sports. Full stop. So, if this narrow standard of excelling in sports and entertainment is what is deemed as Black Excellence where does that leave everyone else? Where does that leave the grassroots community organizers fighting to uplift our community? What about the school counselors encouraging and pushing our youths to pursue their dreams? The current definition of Black Excellence is far too narrow in my opinion.
Black Excellence Conditions Us to Only Care About and Celebrate Us When We’re Winning
Black Excellence conditions us to only care about and celebrate us when we’re winning. If that’s not the textbook definition of a bandwagon rider. It’s easy to ride with folks when they’re winning, but what about when they’re not? Newsflash: we all need more support when things aren’t going well. Black Excellence teaches us when you fail, you’re yesterday’s news. That’s too much pressure for anyone to withstand. Not only is it too much pressure, but it’s also very unhealthy. We all experience ups and downs in life. We all need and should want people in our lives that will ride with us through the ups and downs of life.
Black Excellence Conditions Us to Believe We Have to be Perfect
Black Excellence conditions us to believe we have to be perfect. Why? Because when we mess up, no matter what our track record of excellence was, one wrong move nullifies all of that. Now, I generally don’t talk about celebrities on this site because I don’t think they’re particularly useful. However, the whole Will Smith Oscar scandal is a perfect example. Will Smith has had a positive 30-year career that has spanned music, television and movies. In one moment, all of that went down the drain because of how he responded to Chris Rock’s comment about his wife, Jada Pinkett-Smith. Black Excellence doesn’t leave room for a whole lot of grace. One wrong move and bam, you’re done. Who can withstand that kind of pressure to never make a mistake? No one. It’s very anti-Black to expect Black folks to be perfect in order to garner celebration and respect and then drop them the moment they make a mistake.
Black Excellence Conditions Us to Focus on Accomplishments Over Character
Black Excellence conditions us to focus on accomplishments over character. Almost every example I’ve seen of Black Excellence, the focus is usually on accomplishments and not character. Black Excellence conditions us to focus on performing versus being. I don’t ever recall seeing good character praised as Black Excellence. What does it say about our values, as a community, when we focus more on accomplishments than character?
Black Excellence Conditions Us to Only Care About, Celebrate and Respect a Certain Type of Black Person
Black Excellence is a trap because it conditions us to only care about, celebrate and respect a certain type of Black person. Unfortunately, Black Excellence doesn’t celebrate the everyday Black people in our community that make the greatest contributions to the community. It ignores the Black teachers who get up everyday to pour into our Black children. It ignores the Black grandmothers who step in and fill the role of parent in their grandkids’ lives. Black Excellence largely ignores the Black trades people, hairdressers, etc. Black Excellence causes us to take for granted the positive, day-to-day interactions, within our community, that makes our lives better.
So, how can we avoid the Black Excellence trap?
Recognize We All Have Value
Regardless of titles or station in life, we all have value. Just because someone isn’t on the 40 in Their 40s list or doesn’t hold a specific title or tax bracket, doesn’t make him/her less than. Recognizing the actual value of others within our community, regardless of their job titles, etc. is one way to avoid the Black Excellence trap.
Don’t Compare
One way to avoid the Black Excellence trap is to stop comparing. Comparison kills far more often than it builds. You’re a unique individual, so your path isn’t meant to look like anyone else’s. Don’t feel the need to live up to anyone else’s example or definition of Black Excellence. At best, only look to others for inspiration.
Define Success for Yourself
Another way to avoid the Black Excellence trap is to define success for yourself. When you’re operating off of someone else’s definition of success, you’re setting yourself up for failure. Again, you’re a unique individual. Your abilities, experiences and resources all help to shape your path. It’s unrealistic and downright problematic for you to expect the same outcome for yourself versus someone who’s had more resources, access and experience. So, stop comparing yourself to others and define success for yourself.
Do Your Best, but Give Yourself and Others Grace
Giving yourself and other Black folks grace helps you avoid the Black Excellence trap. We’re all human and we’re going to make mistakes. The only way to avoid mistakes is to either do nothing or never grow. If you’re trying and growing, you’re going to make mistakes, even when you’re trying to do your best. That’s life. So when you’re trying and growing or come across other Black folks doing the same, give you and them some grace.
Know Yourself, Define Yourself, be Yourself
You can avoid the Black Excellence trap when you know yourself, refuse to allow others to define you and are committed to showing up as yourself. When you know yourself and refuse to allow others to define you, you don’t feel the need to succumb to someone else’s definition of Black Excellence. There’s so much freedom and power in knowing who you are, but more importantly who you’re not. It’s not your job to live up to anyone else’s definitions or expectations.
Make Yourself Proud
Finally, focusing on making yourself proud is a way to avoid the Black Excellence trap. Black Excellence, by definition, is focused on other’s views of your actions and accomplishments. However, when you decide to stop trying to make others proud and focus on making yourself proud, the pressure to perform is gone. When you’re proud of yourself, does anyone else’s opinion really matter?
What are your thoughts on Black Excellence? Is it a trap or am I trippin’? Drop a comment below.
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