BLAQ

BLAQ: introduces the term Blaq to specifically name descendants of enslaved Africans who built America, distinguishing this group from the broader Black diaspora. The author argues that, like Haitians or Nigerians who have clear cultural identities, Blaq Americans deserve their own distinct recognition based on their unique history, culture, language, and experience shaped by surviving slavery and systemic oppression in the U.S.

The “q” in Blaq marks this distinct identity—a declaration of a specific American Black experience that includes creating culture from chaos and enduring centuries of betrayal and resilience. The work responds to ongoing efforts to erase or distort Black history, especially in certain U.S. states.

It also explores the complexity of Pan-Africanism, recognizing Africa as a diverse continent with histories of conflict and participation in slavery, complicating simple narratives of return or unity. The author addresses disputes over identity and reparations.
The lived reality of Blaq Americans—caught between identities, facing systemic racism and cultural erasure yet rooted deeply in American soil where their ancestors rest—is central to this work.
Ultimately, BLAQ is a poetic and historical declaration of identity and cultural reclamation. It calls for recognizing and honoring the distinct Blaq experience and contributions in America amid ongoing struggles to erase or diminish that legacy.