It's Time We Redefine How We Use the Term "#BlackExcellence" in the Arts
Kevin Ray Johnson
I personally feel black artistry is at an all-time high even during this pandemic. I feel amazing black artists are coming from everywhere and it is such an inspiring thing to witness. I had the wonderful opportunity to be a Standby in Porgy and Bess at The Metropolitan Opera. To be in a show at the Met with all those amazing, seasoned, and talented black artists was the biggest honor and thrill of my life! It was the biggest embodiment of #BlackExcellence in my entire career and anyone who came to see the opera cannot deny that they were witnessing greatness.
Every single time I have witnessed #BlackExcellence trending, it is always when an amazing black artist is nominated for an award or wins an award, people share their speech, and just like clockwork, #BlackExcellence has returned. I completely disagree with how we do this because I personally feel Black Excellence begins when a black person chooses to pursue their craft and emphatically says in their heart "I'm gonna do this. Stay out of my way!". Even though the adversity they probably go through, they don't give up, they see that light at the end of the tunnel, and they do it! That, to me, is Black Excellence!
I really don't think it should only be recognized or acknowledged when an award committee gives a black person a nomination. In my mind that has an energy of "Good Job your black excellence now has our approval" and that, honestly, is not the mindset we should have. An award should never be an assurance for a black artist. It should be an added bonus to their long, amazing, and tough journey! Now don't get me wrong, 100 percent of the time they are TRULY deserved, and I will always be happy to see a black artist get their shine at award shows. I am, by no means, disregarding what an Oscar or Tony award means, nor am I trying to belittle or say "we should think we are above" any award given to a black artist because we aren't.
Going back to Porgy and Bess at The Met. At the first rehearsal, the moment I walked into that room, I instantly thought to myself "Wow this is a beautiful and inspiring thing to witness. I can't believe I am a part of this. This is truly Black Excellence!" I NEVER once thought "Man, this is great. I hope we get award nominations, so people approve of our Black Excellence". The reason why is because all these amazing black opera singers, dancers, and actors were not gonna be stopped in their journey to get on that Met Stage, and they embodied what #BlackExcellence should be about, and I think they all did that not when they were cast in Porgy at The Met, but when they all took their first voice lessons at the start of their careers and said: "Oh I'm doing this!".
So, all I am going to say is I truly hope one-day black artistry is treated as equally as white artistry. I truly hope we get our fair shake when awards season comes around EVERY YEAR (and not just the random token seasons that pop up every once in a while). But even if that never happens, please know that #BlackExcellence is ALL AROUND US, and we don't need award ceremonies or nominations to be the only time when we acknowledge it. Let us ALL start giving that shine the moment we witness it! I truly think when we do this, the rest of the world will take notice, catch up, and do the same. And if you do this already, then can I say as an aspiring black singer, actor, playwright, and blogger myself, I cannot thank you enough!