The Benefits of Abandoning Black Excellence
We’re continually striving for excellence within frameworks shaped by systemic racism and white supremacy. We also highly praise individuals in the entertainment industry and in Academia as beacons of our excellence when they inadvertently uphold and reinforce the structures that marginalize and oppress us.
This recognition calls for a critical reevaluation of how the relentless pursuit of excellence can inadvertently contribute to maintaining oppressive societal norms and hinder progress toward accurate equity and liberation.
The recent mistreatment of the cast of The Color Purple, the resignation of Dr. Claudine Gaye due to exaggerated plagiarism claims, and the unfortunate suicide of Dr. Antoinette Candia-Bailey, the former vice president of Student Affairs at Lincoln University of Missouri, has many wondering, Should we abandon Black Excellence?
The recent events made three things emerge for advocating the abandonment of the concept of Black excellence. These reasons challenge conventional perceptions and shed light on the complexities and implications of striving for excellence within our community.
Of course, Black people are excellent, but the concept of Black excellence is deeply tied to systems of capitalism and white supremacy. The pressure to achieve excellence in these systems can lead to burnout, stress, and feelings of being unloved or uncared for.
The emphasis on accomplishments as the basis for receiving love or validation can be damaging, mainly when these achievements are used to define one's worth within systems designed to oppress marginalized communities.
It does so much more to abandon this concept as a collective than to root for the few who benefit from the class mobility of Black Excellence.
It allows you to foster your own self-love and well-being.
Abandoning the concept of Black excellence may create space for promoting self-love, well-being, and genuine personal growth within our community. Instead of defining success solely based on achievements or recognition, a shift towards valuing self-care, authenticity, and inner fulfillment could lead to a healthier and more sustainable sense of identity and worth among individuals in the community.
It reduces pressure and mental health strain.
By moving away from the rigid expectations associated with Black excellence, individuals may experience a reduction in the intense pressure and mental health strain often linked to striving for perfection within oppressive systems. Embracing a more holistic view of success and worth could alleviate the stress.
It makes us embrace diversity within Blackness.
Abandoning Black excellence allows for a broader acceptance and celebration of diversity within our community. Embracing diversity means moving away from the idea of Black excellence as the only measure of success. Doing so can create a more inclusive environment that celebrates people for who they are, regardless of how they measure up to external standards. Instead of focusing solely on achievement, we can value individuals' unique qualities, experiences, and contributions beyond traditional notions of success.
A paradigm shift in reevaluating the concept of Black excellence and its intersections with systemic oppression, authenticity, and mental health. By acknowledging the pitfalls of perpetuating oppressive systems, compromising authenticity, and sacrificing mental well-being in the pursuit of excellence, there is a profound call to abandon traditional notions of excellence in favor of a more holistic, inclusive, and compassionate approach to self-worth and communal empowerment within the Black community. Let’s let go of these standards and focus on community rather than the individualistic gains of only certain Black people.
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