The importance of being unapologetically black

By S.A. MillerThe term ”Unapologetically Black” has been used by a lot of people for a lot of years. The meaning is often based in the context in which it is being used. For some, it connotes boldness and a “take no prisoners” attitude. For others, the term suggests that, as a Black American, there is no requirement to answer to anyone for how you act, think or feel.For the purpose of this essay, I will define “Unapologetically Black” as having the mindset that respects, appreciates and cultivates the culture that is unique to African descendants born and reared in the United States over the last 400 years.African culture arrived on the eastern shores of North America in the 1600s with Africans captured and sold as slaves. In the land that would become the United States of America, the enslaved women and men brought with them a culture based in respect, pride, honor, faith, love, tradition, strength and perseverance. Slave owners forced the slaves to assimilate into European culture which meant that many aspects of African culture could not be openly practiced in the presence of the slave master. Nonetheless, African slaves never abandoned their culture, and remained prideful and...