Columbusing: Or the Fascination with Blackness without being Black

For the longest periods of time Whites have been able to take credit for many things they did not create or reintroduce them to the public. Christopher Columbus, a man who was credited for finding America although it was already inhabited by Native Americans and others, began this trend and College Humor recently published a video in which this trend has been named "Columbusing".

Music has been and will continue to be one of the most important forces behind African American culture. When looking at the history of African American music one can find plenty examples of ways in which White America and or artists have robbed us of our sense of origin. For example, Elvis Presley, also known as the King of Rock and Roll, rose to fame off of music that he did not create and imitated from African American artists such as Ike Turner and Arthur Crudup. Muddy Waters, a famous blues musician, wrote a song called "Rolling Stone" which would later inspire the group Rolling Stones to name themselves after this song. Not only was the name credited to Muddy Waters but the sound was as well. Many African American pioneers for Rock and Roll and Blues had many songs stolen just to become more "mainstream" to white audiences. This trend has continued to change the face of music to this day.

Years later when Hip Hop became one of the faces of African American culture rappers such as Vanilla Ice changed the color of Hip Hop. When Vanilla Ice first emerged in Hip Hop everyone was not so supportive of change; however, through the years white faces in Hip Hop would not be so repulsive. When Eminem rose to fame he was respected as one of the better rappers but even he admits that his race benefited his ability to be successful. He even stated in a song "White America": "look at my sales, let's do the math, if I was black, I would've sold half, I
Ain't have to graduate from Lincoln high school to know that". Although Eminem was a talented rapper his icon represented much more than just a white face in Hip Hop. Considering the fact that the majority of consumers of Hip Hop music are White Americans, Eminem helped these people feel more inclusive with the genre of music they loved listening to.

Today this trend is still present when looking at the emergence of White rappers in Hip Hop. Asher Roth, MGK, Mac Miller, Action Bronson, Macklemore, Iggy Azeala and others have been able to leave an imprint in Hip Hop in recent years and rise to fame. Rapper Macklemore was nominated for seven Grammy awards and took home four over other great African American artists including Kendrick Lamar. In the back of many people's mind this decision was equivalent to the Taylor Swift win over Beyonce which caused Kanye West's image to change after his rant. Regardless of if he deserved the award this victory proved that White Americans were changing Hip Hop once and for all. When looking at Miley Cyrus and her change in persona, TWERKING, has to be mentioned, for she motivated white girls across the globe to partake in the dance. Although twerking had existed in black culture for years, as soon as Miley Cyrus began to do it twerking made a comeback. Although white emergence into the culture is at an all time high, this doesn't mean our culture is being destroyed; however, we have to deal with the fact that OUR culture has grown to be DIVERSE, often without our input.

-Jeremiah the Messiah

What is a Black man on the 4th of July

This Fourth July is yours, not mine. You may rejoice, I must mourn. To drag a man in fetters into the grand illuminated temple of liberty, and call upon him to join you in joyous anthems, were inhuman mockery and sacrilegious irony. Do you mean, citizens, to mock me, by asking me to speak to-day? If so, there is a parallel to your conduct. And let me warn you that it is dangerous to copy the example of a nation whose crimes, towering up to heaven, were thrown down by the breath of the Almighty, burying that nation in irrevocable ruin! I can to-day take up the plaintive lament of a peeled and woe-smitten people! -Frederick Douglass

It is now 2014 and African Americans have grown to love the 4th of July as if it is the nation's Independence Day, although this holiday and it's meaning only applied to White Americans. The nation was able to build the country off of slavery but when challenged with taxes from Britain considered themselves slaves. John Locke, an English philosopher known as the "Father of Liberalism" who also invested in the Royal African Company which monopolized the slave trade, was totally against slavery when it involved men and stated: " All men by nature are equal in that equal right that every man hath to his natural freedom, without being subjected to the will or authority of any other man; being all equal and independent, no one ought to harm another in his life, health, liberty or possessions." Unfortunately, these were thoughts he placed upon men and at this point in time slaves were considered chattle. On July 4th, 1776 the United States were freed from the powers of Great Britain but it took close to 100 more years for White America to realize we were actual people and free slaves for reasons that did not involve our well being.

Today the Black community has adopted the 4th of July and it serves as a day of cookouts, family and social gatherings. Fireworks blast all night for the joyous occasion but in many communities these fireworks are replaced with gun blasts that take many innocent lives. Considering the fact that not too long ago our ancestors suffered on this day, the least we can do is live in harmony in respects to our great grandmothers and grandfathers. Many go out and buy new outfits just to wear for one day and often don't realize how blessed we are to even be able to walk freely. It is one's choice to celebrate this day knowing its history; however, one has to be aware of the evils associated with this day and count their blessings. Adopting everything for a sense of empowerment does not always work just like the use of the word "nigga" in 2014. To some its just a continuation to the mockery of our people.

 Standing there identified with the American bondman, making his wrongs mine, I do not hesitate to declare, with all my soul, that the character and conduct of this nation never looked blacker to me than on this 4th of July! Whether we turn to the declarations of the past, or to the professions of the present, the conduct of the nation seems equally hideous and revolting. America.is false to the past, false to the present, and solemnly binds herself to be false to the future- Frederick Douglass

-Jeremiah the Messiah