To stand steadfast and love Blackness in these political times: a comparative reflection from Ghana to the US and back again

Abstract

This article casts a critical eye on the political moment in the US and the world, ushered in by the election and governance of a person who, in my opinion, enacts openly racist, sexist, authoritarian and narcissist views in both his decisions and being as the US President. The author argues that this is also a moment to stand in steadfastness about Blackness and Black identity globally, as an affirming and loving counter-narrative and way of being. Marshaling the recent presidential elections in Ghana and Dr. Martin Luther King’s sermon on lessons learned from Ghana’s independence in 1957, the author reflects on the global Black condition and meanings of steadfastness in these troubling times.

Keywords:

• Black identity
• Ghana
• power
• US elections
• steadfastness
• love
• Martin Luther King