Black hippie, bougie tendencies...say it loud

Prior to experiencing AfroPunk Fest, I can honestly say that I couldn't visually identify with what a Black hippie was. Many believe we are extinct, I say we are evolving with the times.  At age 16, I used to listen to The Village People and many other artists who were apart of Woodstock. I found people who I could identify with. I was at an age where I was exploring who I was, trying to figure out my sexuality, my place on this earth, and what it meant to be Black. I didn't consider myself the average black teen.  My thoughts and actions were focused on social issues, walking barefoot, exploring my sexuality and most importantly the Black Power Movement.  In my opinion, anyone who expresses love, has an expanded consciousness often extending to how they dress and carry themselves can identify with a hippie. 

While I detest being called bougie, I must live up to my bougie tendencies and call others out. You know, the one's who believe that hood Black folk only eat Grippo's but will gladly eat yours. The ones who buy labels only at the grocery store but have no money for toilet paper, the ones who say they don't eat pork but slide in a piece of bacon or 2, the ones who have intellectual books on their shelves at home but never read one,  those who believe that light skin is better than dark skin...(I will leave that topic for another discussion), you can't stand Tyler Perry, never drink house liquor at the club, you celebrate Kwanzaa...or you find being called BOUGIE is offensive. I'm sure you can relate to at least one.

Anyways, regardless of how you identify, there is a place for you. Be wild, be free...be you!