“Everybody wants to be a nigga, but nobody wants to be a nigga.” – Paul Mooney

I’ve been thinking about this a lot, and how there is so much truth behind the statement. People love to appropriate black culture, but they never would choose to deal with the other side of being black.

Every time someone brings up cultural appropriation, it’s never taken as seriously as it should be. Working in the advertising industry I sit in meetings daily, usually the only person of color in the room, and various people talk about strategies and techniques on how to market or sell to the masses, but not even realizing they are bastardizing a culture that I grew up on and live daily. Fuck you and your Yeezy’s. Just because you listen to hip-hop doesn’t give you the authority on being an expert about MY “Culture.”

Black culture is a compelling experience indeed. Black culture the most emulated culture on earth, this is not just my claim, but tons of research will prove it.

Black culture was built on a foundation of the slaves coming to America, the mistreatment over the years in a country that we BUILT and MADE into the richest and most powerful on earth. Through the pain and growth, we created our sub-cultures which became GLOBALLY admired and recycled.

Black culture is the basis of American Pop Culture, I created VOYD to ensure a more accurate depiction of this cultures real influence. We will honor and tell positive stories that inspire and celebrate a culture that celebrates diversity and continue to change the fabric of this world.

We are just getting started.  Thanks for joining us.

Peace,

Jeremy Hodges

Stay tuned for PT 2. History of Appropriation