Afro Privilege- Or you may call it “Black Privilege”.
The Unknown unfair advantage, use it.
For this piece, I use ‘Black privilege’ to capture the extant narrative, but I personally prefer the term ‘Afro privilege’ embedded in Afrocentrism. While its sister phrase white privilege is endowed with opportunities for any Caucasian looking fella to leverage because of their skin colour, Afro/Black privilege is miles far away from the same definition. In fact, the premise of white privilege is underpinned by homophily (like prefers like or birds of a feather flock together), which notion if left unchecked could result in prejudices, biases and discrimination of the ‘other’. One could argue that the underbelly of Black privilege is racism (conscious and unconscious) primarily but not always.
An example is the loud parties, yet they are fun. Afro/Black people know how to revel in the moment and effortlessly touch the sky. The dancing and singing are electric whether in their churches, homes, weddings, clubs, beach and street parties. You will know something is ‘bangin’ under the sun and the roof ‘shakin’ if not ‘fallin’ in.
Secondly, Black women’s privilege lies in their hair. The sisters have a repertoire of styles to choose from such as Cornrow ‘Fro, Sleek and Classic Afro Puff, Small and Mighty, Coiled, Fluffed, Shape up, Rooty and the Curly Chic among others. Whatever the style, the sister will look stunning! Contrastingly, other ethnicities do not have that magical flexibility; it is a one size- fits- all straightened hair.
One day I was watching Dave Chapelle’s standup comedy and he said that he was on a plane and the hijackers could not kidnap him for a ransom because he was Black as no one would pay for a Black man. I laughed hard but on introspection, I realised this was Privilege that we get to live another day for free.
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Indeed, the impact of homophily resonates with Black Privilege. The reason stems from the fact that the former is potential bedrocks of discrimination, Black people are recipients of it. A familiar example of Black privilege is when you sit on the bus or train, which I have done several times in London and Dublin, and few dare to come and sit beside you. So, you get to enjoy the ride all alone legs widespread on many occasions. Until the bus seats are totally full, then a bold Caucasian will have no option but to disturb your peace. People would prefer to sit with those who look like them affirming Black privilege.
Similarly, I observed something about Black men not with women though. When the men pass each other, and their eyes meet in a crowd, they nod to each other irrespective of country of origin but the fact that they have the same skin tone. It is profound because I do not even know how this privilege started and its meaning, but I think it’s about respect and recognition.
While speaking to a friend about the same matter, she highlighted that Black people are never asked for directions by their Non-Black counterparts. Though not sure why, it saves you time to focus on what matters. Other instances where I have felt Black privilege is when you enter a shop, and all the cameras and security staff’s eyes follow your every step. I feel very secure in that Instance because I know nothing eerie could happen to me and if it did, God forbid, every staff member would dash to my rescue. In the end, I win!
While in Gravesend, a town in Kent, Southeast of England to visit a friend, a lad at the end of the road shouted “Denzel Washington!” but we did not pay attention until he said it again this time pointing at me directly and smiling. I was astonished because I didn’t resemble Denzel in a million days.
A similar incident with my Palestinian friend happened recently when he asked me if I had watched the Shawshank Redemption, and I agreed. He said in his strong Arab accent “Brother, you look like Morgan Freeman.” I was cracked to the floor. I asked him, “Do you guys think we are eggs?” It’s only eggs that look the same. Anyway, that’s Black privilege. Next time someone shouts at you “Wakanda Forever!” know it’s a Black privilege and reply, “Wolverine!”
This leads me to the noun ‘brother’ and the slang ‘bro’. It’s a common expression by people of other ethnic backgrounds to Afro/Black males. The noun brother and the slang bro are widely used as an affirmation of friendship or closeness and it’s primarily a Black Privilege.
Its origin, I have no idea, and I just go with the flow. Nonetheless, I have not noticed any other ethnic minority exponentially using it among themselves except with their Afro peers. However, on religious grounds, Muslims use the word brother a lot.
Although Black privilege unlike White privilege might be premised in homophily an antecedent for preconceived notions, biases, othering, racism and discrimination; not all illustrations subscribe to the latter. Yet, if so, I have learnt to disengage from the intentions of the actions that spiral into Black Privilege and learnt to find peace and fun in it. Yes, those actions are wrong however, shifting my mindset to re-shape those incidences into an unfair advantage is fair enough.
Let me know of any other illustrations of Black privilege you know.
