29 days of Black History: Part i. Steve Biko

Back stateside, many people are celebrating Black History Month. A month that honors heros, sheros, game changers and the like for their tireless and often graceful contribution to American Culture. Some would go as far to argue that there would be no American Culture without Black Culture but I'm not promoting a debate. I'm sure you have heard of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. but just like the slave trade wasn't the beginning of African American existence, Dr. King isn't the beginning of self-awareness, activism,eloquence or education. So part one of my mini-dedication to celebrate the many shades of greatness goes to :

Steve Bantu Biko

Steve Bantu Biko. Photo Courtesy  of Here

He is the man who coined "Black is Beautiful". Once a medical student, turned founder of the Black Consciousness Movement, Biko is credited for being a champion in the Anti-Apartheid revolution in South Africa. He stretched the philosophy of "I think therefore I am" by planting it in the minds of blacks that one must rid themselves of believing that they are inferior to another race. Hence the slogan Black is Beautiful, an attempt and turning point within the anti-apartheid resistance. This changed the way African Americans saw themselves after many years of being depicted and brainwashed to believe that they are sub-par human.  A son of the Eastern Cape, South Africa, Steve Biko died at the hands of police brutality in September of 1977. He was only 32 years young.

 Please take a look at this clip where Biko discusses removing racial divide and hierarchy. 

Source: Source 1  Source 2

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