Black consciousness is a philosophical and political movement that emerged primarily in the 20th century. It is centered around the idea of pride in Black identity, culture, and history. It also advocates for the empowerment of Black people, particularly in the context of their struggles against racial oppression, colonization, and systemic inequality.
Unfortunately, the objective of Black consciousness was lost when it evolved into an extreme form of Black nationalism, which mirrors the same racial hierarchy and divisive thinking of white supremacy. Furthermore, it focuses on ancient Egypt as a symbol of Black excellence and the birthplace of African civilization. As a result, the diversity of our African heritage has been marginalized by this movement.
So, how did I get into Black consciousness? It happened in June 2013, the month I lost my religion and found "consciousness." The only thing I can recall is watching the popular Zeitgeist movie on YouTube. This movie sparked a shift in my worldview about western Christianity. Ultimately, I researched some of the topics that this movie addressed and came across representatives of Black consciousness in the process. It did not take long for me to fully embrace the beliefs and principles of Black consciousness, which lasted for a good five years.
Soon, that fire burned out once I realized the truth about the Black “conscious" community. Although some of the information was informative, the "conscious" community exploited our pain in regards to history, and was full of contradictions. For example, in the “conscious” community, many figures or organizations promote a brand of awareness that often comes with a price tag—whether it’s for books, seminars, exclusive content, or other materials.
The Black conscious community also criticized the modern church for neglecting the Black community. Black consciousness leaders argue that some churches, particularly large ones, have shifted focus away from community needs, with too much emphasis placed on celebrity pastors and materialistic displays rather than addressing systemic issues like poverty, inequality, and violence. Some also point to the fact that many Black churches operate in economically distressed neighborhoods, yet may not engage deeply in practical efforts to improve those areas.
Although these points are valid, the Black conscious movement is no better. Just like mainstream Christianity, there is a gap between Black conscious ideals and tangible progress within Black communities. Harlem, once considered the mecca of Black consciousness, is a striking example. Despite its rich legacy of intellectual and artistic achievement, it faces many of the same issues that the church fails to cure. When confronted about why nothing has been done to resolve it, conscious leaders blame the system or a supposed agent who stifled their objectives. An example of this would be Dr. Umar and Tariq Nasheed.
For years, Dr. Umar has promised to build multiple infrastructure like a school, for Black children. This has not come into fruition. When asked about it, Umar gives an excuse that absolves him of responsibility, but puts blame on the system and supposed sellouts. He also advocates for nuclear families, but has yet to demonstrate one that serves as an example to the community. Tariq Nasheed is known for his hit series Hidden Colors. Hidden Colors is a documentary that explores Black history from a Black perspective. This series generated thousands of dollars, yet none of it was used to benefit our communities.
Last, I realized that the conscious community's knowledge of Christianity and its role in Africa is not entirely correct.
Black consciousness suggests that Christianity is a western religion and has no place in Africa. This is not true! In fact, Christianity has its roots in Africa. Many of the key early figures in Christianity were African or had strong ties to the continent. For example, the Egyptian city of Alexandria was a major center of Christian thought. Furthermore, the Coptic Church based in Egypt, is one of the oldest Christian denominations in the world. And last, the family of Jesus sought refuge in Egypt and resided there for several years until it was safe to return to their homeland.
As for the creation story, there are fascinating parallels between biblical narratives and Africa. The Bible suggest that creation, partically the Garden of Eden, has connections to ancient Africa. For instance, one river that supplied the Garden of Eden came from Cush. Cush is a region located south of Egypt, generally corresponding to modern-day Sudan. Cush was known for its powerful empire at various points in history during the 8th century. Its people were descendants of the son of Ham; one of Noah’s sons.
I eventually chose to leave the "conscious" movement because I had grown tired of the inaccuracies, double standards, forceful dogmas, and hypocrisy. Through this community, we acquired knowledge but no manifestation of power and change. Looking back, I am pleased I left.
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