How a Small Island Gave Birth to Giants. Malcom X, Audre Lorde, and Amanda Seales.
#ADOS is a hashtag you will find on Twitter and Instagram that means “American Descendants of Slaves”. You will find many comments from cyber participants addressing their concerns for the wellbeing of their community, uplifting messages for those who need reassurance, but, unfortunately you will also find negative feelings expressed about West Indians, Afro-Latinx, and continental African immigrants and their descendants. These negative feelings toward people who look like them, work in their communities, and those who happen to be the victim of similar circumstances that were present in the history of the African Diaspora Trade, have lasting effects.
We all have a part in the hostile divide in the Black community, but we also have to possess historical reminders that we are all in this together directly or indirectly. There are many non ADOS contributions to the progression of Black empowerment including Dj Kool Herc and Shirley Chisholm. Those of West Indian heritage with American upbringings also continue to influence Black American culture. Three examples of this are Malcolm X, Audre Lorde and Amanda Seales. Three different life stories with Grenadian roots, three missions in history, all proud but understandably critical of US Americans.
Amanda Seales proudly shows her Masters in African American Studies as a badge of honor. She has been the most recent public figure who has vowed to elevate the black community by speaking up and educating them through entertainment and media commentary. Best known for her hosting role on “The View” she is also the creator of “Smart Funny and Black”, which is a traveling game show that focuses on black culture, history and creativity. This woman has been outspoken about many racial occurrences and injustices through her social media platforms and performances.
Audre Lorde was a renowned author, womanist, civil rights bad arse and the original Black unicorn. The “Sister Outsider” writer was a prominent voice on issues most relevant in 1970s America that consisted of questioning racism, gender inequality, and sexuality. She was an outspoken Black lesbian determined to live by her rules through her expressive poetry and essays on intimate subjects that was close to her heart. She was adamant on educating Black people using her writing in order to shine a light on the subtle injustices that occurred in society.
el-Hajj Malik el-Shabazz also known as Malcom X has become a historical symbol in the global Black community. He took his spirituality, grit and intellect to make his mark as a Black man determined to secure Black peoples’ liberation. As the voice for the Nation of Islam he gave Black people the encouragement to be self sufficient, to educate themselves on their African roots and fight for justice not only for themselves but their community without apology. As a global activist he traveled the world making many national leaders aware of the injustices of Black people in America. He was a complex man, who witnessed many tragedies in his life, but had strong Black women such as Betty Shabazz and Maya Angelou around him who he respected and empowered.
Beside contributing to the continuous efforts of enhancing Black excellence and social justice for the Black people of the United States, they all happen to come from the wombs of Grenadian women; immigrant women who sacrificed their way of life, left their homes in the West Indies, and started new lives in a foreign nation. With that decision to come to the United States, they gifted the world with three individuals who have lifted the Black community to new heights, being remembered in history as Black American crusaders. These Grenadian-American children are proud to be of immigrant parentage as much as they are proud to be part of the American black community. There is no denying that even from a small island like Grenada it helped give birth to giants.