I Am Black: Translated

Nayland Blake
Artist, Educator
Born: Manhattan, NY
Live: Brooklyn, NY

The state of New York says I am black. Right on my my birth certificate. My race is my father’s race, as my first name is his. When I say I am black, I say it to show that all race is a system of description made up by governments and ideologues. That all identities are constructions, and that our duty in life is to strive to see each other beyond assumptions. I am proud that Africa is in me, but Africa gave birth to us all. Heritage should be a well we all drink from, not the knife we use to cut ourselves apart.