We, All the Blacks in America, Need To Stick Together!

The Black community is the largest and the most influential minority community in the history of American culture. This is supported by several and very substantial examples. For instance, NBA wouldn’t be what it is without the Black community; there would not be a genre called Hip-Hop without Black people, and politics wouldn’t be what it is without the influence from Martin Luther King Jr and other Black community members like him. Therefore, several African American associations in the USA have been institutionalized to represent and safeguard the interests of this community that is so steeped in American culture that it is no longer possible to speak about them separately.

The Black community of today

The African American community in the USA has been through storms and floods, metaphorically speaking, to achieve the identity they have today. They have been forced to relocate and group together into tightly knit communities so as to even be safe in their homes. They have suffered incriminating and singled-out glances at their workplaces and been the subject of “special” treatment by their superiors and colleagues. Their education and professional lives have been riddled with the need to prove themselves and sometimes end up with nothing to show for it. However, against all odds, this community has made an indelible mark in American culture, and not just through one individual but through a generation of individuals, each better than the ones before them.

Historically “Black”

The funny thing is there are certain activities that are practised all over the world and are considered an “American” activity, but these activities are historically and sometimes presently spearheaded by the Black community. For example, jazz music would never be the same without the African Americans who yearned for freedom so much it reflected in their music and even in the way they perceived music, giving rise to this eccentric and free-flowing musical genre.

Black Associations

However, there are many times when the novelty has worn off, this community has once again sunk into the trap of stereotypes and need a hero once again to shepherd their interests. For this reason, numerous Black associations have sprung up all over the country to shepherd and cater to the interests of the community as a whole.

For instance:

• The African American Planning Commission (AAPC) addresses issues of homelessness within the communities we live in.
• Miss Black USA provides educational opportunities to outstanding young women and to develop the whole woman mind, body, and spirit.
• National Association of Black Hotel Owners, Operators and Developers (NABHOOD) works to increase the number of Black People that own, manage, and operate hotels, increase vendor opportunities, and executive-level opportunities jobs for minorities.

National Association of Blacks In Criminal Justice (NABCJ) members consist of criminal justice professionals such as those in law enforcement, courts, social services, religion, academia, and other community interests as well as students and community leaders.

At Blacks United, we seek to reconnect with our heritage and our roots and provide a collective representation for the Black community. Our purpose is to create cohesion and to unite the community across all platforms and walks of life. This is essential to not repeat the mistakes of the past ad ensure consistent forward movement. Join hands with us as we reach out to the isolated members of our community and let them know we stand with them.