Amir
Portrait with Sara Stathas
Portrait with Nick Collura
I went on this trip in December. It was for young Black men and we learned about the past of Wisconsin and Milwaukee. There was a lot of unfair housing in Milwaukee. Also, if you were a successful, money-making Black man who moved out to the suburbs, they would run you out because that’s how it was. The Black Panther party that was in Milwaukee tried to fight for proper housing. Huey P. Newton inspired so many in this country with the Black Panther Party. They would give out food to their communities, health care, and educate us about our rights as an American to bear arms. It inspires me to do something similar - to help the community.
We also learned about Marcus Garvey. He comes from Jamaica and he started a movement to go back to Africa. It was called the Pan-Africa movement and it talked about going back to Africa to understand our roots, the culture, and to stop practicing self-hate and start loving your Black skin. Learning about that made me feel enlightened.
Most African-Americans my age don’t understand where we come from. There were kings and queens in Africa, dressed in ivory and cheetah print. We dressed beautifully. We had jewels that Europeans wanted. And it wasn’t just Africa. There were native kingdoms in South America, Central America, India, and Australia - all the places that weren’t touched by Europe yet. They were strong.
When we think of our past, we think of nothing but Martin Luther King, Rosa Parks and slavery. That’s what is put in the books. People my age don’t know any other history because when we’re in school, they don’t teach the full history. They only teach partial history. A lot of people my age hate school because the things we’re learning about don't involve us. That’s why we lose interest.
I don't know my exact African ancestry but I know that I come from strong African kings and queens and that I walk with my ancestors everyday.
My ancestors wake me up every day. They tell me to keep striving for greatness, to keep learning about my history so it doesn’t get repeated and I can teach others.
Milwaukee, 2020