TO BE A KING

Today July 6, 2022

Originally posted on my previous blog

As I was walking up to the store, there was a young Black man coming the opposite direction. 

Something that usually happens when two people of color passes each other is; once eye contact is made there is usually some form of acknowledgment.  

Younger urban guys would greet each other with a nod or with a simple, "What's up?" 

Whether it is a simple "Hi" or just a smile, there is always some gesture to let the other know,"I see you. You are here and I acknowledge you."

But more than that, there is a sense of "I appreciate your presence."

And even though by nature we'll say hi to everyone regardless of their familiarity; That acknowledgement between each other has a much deeper sentiment.  There are many reasons for that.  Some are obvious.  Some are not so obvious.  But it is something that is a part of who we are.

As he got closer, I gave him a nod and said,"What's up?"

He replied,"What's up King," as he balled his fist in the air waiting for a fist bump.

I have gone through a few decades and with each generation the Black community has used various terms of endearment.  I have heard, Brotha Man, Player, Dawg, and My N*gga.

Dawg, Player, My N*gga even "That's my boy," have all been terms that we have used: terms that in some form have been seen as negative and self deprecating.  Even to this day I will sometimes call my close friend "my boy."

This adoption of these terms didn't  come solely from the Black culture itself but from White society that saw us as the N word, less than human, not real men but "boys." 

Now with this generation, I see a different term often used.  I hear a lot of people using the term King and Queen to acknowledge each other.  I must say it feels pretty damn good to hear. 

When he called me King, it literally made my day.

Stepping out of my daze of elation for a moment, I raised my left arm to meet his fist bump.  

"No your right hand,"  He said with a giggle.

Regardless of my culture and my background I will always be alien to certain trends and gestures.  I am probably at least two to three generations into this guy.  I remember when a generation was 20 to 30 years now 10 years is considered a gap.

Anyway, I raised my right fist for the friendly acknowledgment.  As he walked pass me I noticed his hair.  He had long locs with these awesome jewelry pieces on the tips.

"Wow! I like your locs," I yelled out.

He turned with the biggest grin and shouted, "You said it right! You are a King for real!" 

Back in my day, locs were called dreadlocks or dreads.  Most people even other Blacks make the mistake between dreads and locs. I had locs in my hair for years and never knew until a lady kindly corrected me.  I believe the thing that made this young King so thrilled is that I had the respect to acknowledge his crown appropriately.  And in doing so, according to his response, I made his day as well.

All of this means absolutely nothing to someone who is not a person of color.  And all that may be taken from this is this weird post about Black hairstyles and how Blacks approach each other which is tragic because it is small conversations and expressions like such that can open up a deeper understanding as to who we are.

Blacks, Latinos, Asians and every other ethnicity is expected to assimilate to the Eurocentric point of view.  It is just what needs to be done to survive.  

There is no expectation for Whites to assimilate to any other culture therefore there is really no interest to learning about other cultures.  But in the slim chance that someone who is not Black is reading this, I hope if one gets anything from this; it is something valuable. The most valuable message:

We are Kings. 

I’m not claiming we are better.  But I am saying we are Kings.   Capital K. 

This is declared because all too often we are not seen.  Often media, history and the powers that be would rather continue to attempt to erase our contribution our accomplishments and our existence out of the public eye.  But a King will always be heard wether you can see us or not.