Photo by Obi - @pixel8propix on Unsplash
Black cookouts
Black cookouts are the ice chests and rectangular shaped tables you see in backyards and parks. Black cookouts are the aprons, spatulas, tongs, oil bottles, scrapers, slicing knives, trimming knives, and heat resistant gloves around the barbeque pit. Black cookouts are the pounds of foil, trays, folding chairs, paper plates, and plastic forks. Black cookouts are the games of dominoes, rolling dice, poker, spades, crazy eights, and gin-rummy. Black cookouts are the Bud Lights, margaritas, Hennessys, Patrons, Cirocs, Casamigos, Jello shots, and lemon drops. Black cookouts are the Cokes, Sprites, Caprisuns, Fantas, 7-Ups, and root beers. Black cookouts are the ribs, pork chops, chicken legs, hot dogs, and hamburger patties. Black cookouts are baked beans, potato salad, coleslaw, pasta salad, deviled eggs, collard greens, fried cabbage, homemade cornbread, macaroni and cheese, and corn on the cob. Black cookouts are the electric slide, bunny hop, cha cha slide, cupid shuffle, wobble, hit the quan, juju on that beat, crank dat, the humpty dance, the percolator, walk it out, the K-wang, the tootsie roll, watch me whip and nae nae, you’re a jerk, cat daddy, stanky legg, teach me how to dougie, blow the whistle, get low, pop lock & drop it, swag swurfin, laffy taffy, knuck if you buck, choppa style, back that azz up, a bay bay, lean wit it rock wit it, It’s Goin’ Down, Right Thurr, wipe me down, and salt shaker. Black cookouts celebrate food, drinks, games, dances, and music that's completely Blackity Black.
Black shows
Black shows establish family unification, including: Good Times, The Cosby Show, and Family Matters. Black shows display healthy father-son relationships, like Sanford and Son. Black shows exemplify strong bonds in the community; for example: A Different World, Martin, The Jeffersons, and That's My Mama. Black shows demonstrate the ins and outs of what a Black household looks like, including: Everybody Hates Chris and The Steve Harvey Show. Black shows are those that prove true friendship can come about, like in shows such as: Living Single, That's So Raven, and The Jamie Foxx Show. Black shows are what makes you laugh, even on a gloomy day. For instance: The Bernie Mac Show, The Parkers, The Boondocks, and The PJs. Black shows convey the point of view, the perspectives, ideas, and narratives of the Black experience.
Black gospel/Black church
Black gospel forms a sacred and metaphysical connection to our Black Jesus. Black gospel gives you the feeling of the holy ghost through praise. Black church is the spirit of guidance through prayer, the tiny cracker and dark red juice we ingest, and the tub of water we encounter as we lean backwards into baptism while washing our sins away. Black church is the praise dancers that symbolize and gesture the anointing — stretching and pulling their muscles to their fullest capacity; leaning, jumping, twirling, spinning, pointing, stomping, and tapping the highest heavens; calling out to God and communicating to him through motions, completely letting their outer flesh go, releasing any friction, being in the moment, and forcing their inner child to converse with their savior. Black gospel singers wear robes that drape loosely, with a touch of soft silk and free functionality, as they clap, slide, and sway. The choir members filled with sopranos, altos, and tenors test their pitch and vocal range, pounding on their tambourines to the song's beat. Black church is the mime dancers who paint their faces white, wearing white gloves, and all-white, long-sleeved dresses, with their lips and eyebrows painted black, who use their eyes and mouths to silently express their gratitude to their Black king, and use their hands, arms, and legs to speak life into others. Afterwards, the band comes into play. You can hear the clarinet, keyboard, snare drum, bass guitar, piano, rhythm sticks, and violin rise. The praise breaks erupt, as members of the church run through the aisles. They fall to their knees, jump to their highest capacity, skip, and scream out to the angels. They speak in tongues, they shake their hands, they erupt with cries of glory, as their spiritual gravity awakens. Black church is the thin circular cardboard fans on wooden sticks. It is the gold metal bowls that we pass around for offerings. Black church is everyone dressed in their Sunday best! Black church is the pastor's right hand going over you as he prays over your hardships. Black church is the holy water that the Black pastor flicks onto you and uses to draw a small cross onto the middle of your forehead before you exit the house of worship. Black church is the Bible scripture Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ which strengthen me.” Black church is The Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6:9–13. Black gospel is “His Eye Is On The Sparrow”, “I Give Myself Away”, “It’s Working”, “Break Every Chain”, “The Best In Me”, “Never Would’ve Made It'', “Take Me To The King”, And “Something About The Name Jesus”, the songs that help us conquer every obstacle. Black gospel is John P. Kee, Yolanda Adams, The Clark Sisters, CeCe Winans, Donnie McClurkin, Lashuan Pace, and Shirley Caesar.
Black church is the spiritual nest for our soul — what we can call home. It reassures the mind and provides closure to the spirit. Black churches are Black gods like Alekwu, Sango, Inkosazana, Nana Buluku, Ngai, Sho’risdal, Heka, Mamlambo, Achaman, and Mawu-Lisa that represent Black spirituality. Black church and Black gospel cleanse the soul. They give it instruction and refuge. They replenish and restore the joy that we yearn for.
Anyla aspires to become a poet, short story writer, and essayist speaking about racism against Black people, current world problems, and hot topics. When she writes, she does it with purpose and passion. Anyla feels destined to touch others with her words, and wants to be known as someone who takes a stand and impacts lives with her writing.
