Black resistance, ingenuity, and striving exist in an endless cycle that has fed Black existence in America and, by extension, America itself. Despite this fact, there are entities within America that seek to do us harm as they find ways to continuously disrupt, co-opt, and exploit this cycle. Our resistance, ingenuity and striving shapes America while we are constantly defending ourselves against policies and practices that attempt to destroy us. Resistance, ingenuity and striving has always been central to Black history and culture, long before our arrival in America, America has only forced us to sharpen and refine these elements to combat the greater racist society.

In its infancy, when America sought to separate itself from its colonial mother, it was Black resistance that played a major role in severing the umbilical cord. George Washington recognized in 1775 that the outcome of the Revolutionary War would be determined by which side armed Black people the fastest. It was Black resistance to enslavement that was the motivating factor for many Black people to enlist in the American war effort. Obviously, the entirety of Black people did not benefit from our participation in this war. Nonetheless, we played an invaluable role in putting America on the path to independence and growth. Speaking of growth, America doubled its size in 1803 with the Louisiana Purchase. This would not have happened without Black resistance in Haiti; the very geography of early America was shaped by our resistance. Black blood has been shed throughout the history of America, and that blood is pumped from the heart of resistance. Our resistance is not solely limited to combat, but it extends to societal issues in shaping America. Black people’s ongoing struggle for freedom and self-determination and forcing America to live up to its promises has challenged America to be better. Our existence holds a mirror up to the face of America, and it often does not like its own reflection. Civil, voting, and human rights have all first and foremost been championed by Black people. Sadly, after the battles have been fought, our sacrifices do not equal the spoils of our resistance. Generally, our work, words, and legislative acts have tended to benefit other groups to a greater extent than it has us, yet we are still a major architect in the design of this country’s growth. Other groups have taken our strategies, iconic figures, terminology, imagery and slogans to further their own causes without sharing the rewards that come in the aftermath of America’s advancement, yet we persist.

Black ingenuity is another extension of our best selves. Once again, Black genius has been on full display throughout our history on this planet long before the Middle Passage. We erected the pillars of civilization on which the world stands. However, our brilliance in America is a marvel unto itself. Our genius has come to light during some of the darkest times in American history. Our list of innovations and creations in America is seemingly endless. From products in the home, to the far reaches of space, our creativity and inventiveness cannot be dismissed. There has not been a century of America’s history that has not been improved upon by technological achievements from the Black mind. In other areas of creativity, the Black mind is yet again a bottomless well that America has drawn from. Various forms artistic expression has either been created by or greatly improved upon by Black people. We have provided America with its soundtrack, draped America in our fashion tastes, and our linguistic creativity has forever changed the language of America. If only America’s appreciation for Black creativity equaled its appreciation for its creators, we would be in a far better circumstance.

As far as striving is concerned, we strive because we must. With all that we have accomplished we must continue to strive because for all that has been taken from us, for all that we have given, our efforts are often interfered with, derailed, or simply stolen. Our striving has contributed to the making of America as we are constantly creating and building to not only improve our lot and build for our families, but to protect and insure our future. Striving for us is both a luxury and a necessity born of our life and experiences in America. Certainly, we strive for greatness, as any people would but we also strive to simply exist. We strive to exist without abuse, corrupting influences, and to control our own destinies. In doing so America has benefited from witnessing our examples of strength, courage, and determination as it has incorporated it into the fabric of its own being.