Black culture in popular culture

Black music

Black music is the soul nutrition of the world’s eternal nest. Black music is the nourishment that feeds the nation's entirety. Black music is the medication that repairs our sense of being so we can tap back into reality. Black music is the meditation, spiritual massage, mental yoga, and internal sauna of the universe. Black music is the soulful ointment — the vaccination and the mask of society. Black music is the vitamin D to keep you strong, the vitamin C to keep you well, and the therapy to keep you on track.

Black music is hydration to your soul when you hear Bad Boy / Having a Party by Luther Vandross. Black music is the soulful sustainment you feel once you play Yearning For Your Love by the Gap Band. Black music is the R&B rescue you sense once you listen to Weak by SWV. Black music is the all-time high you experience once you press play to Fire and Desire by Rick James. Black music is the hypeness you feel as you click on California Love by Tupac Shakur. Black music is the enthusiasm you experience as you hear Juicy by Biggie Smalls.

Black lingo

Black lingo is the “periodt” and “gurrl” you say to your homegirls. Black lingo is the “yesss” and “sis” you say to conversate with your peers. Black lingo is the “fasho” and “ya digg” you say to exchange words with other persons. Black lingo is the “ya heard” and “wasgood” you say to those surrounding you. Black lingo is the “what’s poppin” and the “no cap” you say in order to communicate. Black lingo is “finna” and “shook.” Black lingo is “ion” and “miss girl.” Black lingo is “doe" and “asf.” Black lingo is “chile” and “spill the tea.” Black lingo is “pressed” and “aggy.”

Ultimately, Black lingo is the uniqueness we bring to society’s way of delivery. It is the trendy articulation we bring to our nation. It is the specialized transferred expression amongst our people in this country.

Black style

Black style is lively prints, Nikes, and Jordans. Black style is head wraps, oversized tracksuits, baggy denim, overalls, and Timberland boots. Black style is gold chains, acrylics, huge hoop earrings, and leather jackets displayed on special occasions. Black style is the Reeboks, crop tops, chokers, high-waisted jeans, thick black belts, Pumas, and Adidas which you now call fashion. As a whole, Black style is made up of high-vibration prints and patterned frequencies amongst all beings.

Black movies

Black movies highlight our culture and bring us thrills, understanding, and enlightenment. Some Black movies, like Boomerang and Strictly Business, make us laugh. Others, like Set It Off and Boyz n the Hood, highlight our trials. Some focus on new experiences, like A Thin Line Between Love and Hate and BAPS. Black movies can bring understanding, like Eve's Bayou and Waiting to Exhale. Black movies can even show color in its most vibrant form, from New Jack City to Juice and Coming to America. All in all, Black movies are what bring excitement, enlightenment, understanding, and amusement to the film industry worldwide.

Black culture has been the blueprint for American culture for decades, from the Roaring ‘20s to now. Black style began with the flapper, fedora hats, suspenders, bow ties, black patent leather shoes, and ended with zoot suits. They soon took over the ‘60s: The Jackson 5 and Diana Ross displayed flowing robes, skirts, and jumpsuits. In the ‘90s, Black style expanded to plaid, denim, and layer patterns, African print, waistcoats, rich-hued sweaters, tees, tracksuits, bucket hats, and baseball caps. Black celebrities — Moesha, Sister Sister, Will Smith, Salt-N-Pepa, Snoop Dogg, Queen Latifah, and TLC — pranced around in these bold outfits.

Black style is such an important part of American culture. It is the seasoning that gives everything more flavor.

Anyla is a student at Walla Walla High School. She 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.