I want to take a brief moment to let all nerds of color out there know that our subculture is being scrutinized by the mainstream media. It is essential to understand that before anyone outside of our community try to pigeon-hole us into a “type”, we as nerds must stick together and support one another in each of our respective ventures. Through social media, I work diligently to promote and connect with as many black nerds that I know with other black nerds. It is because of the fact that we are a subculture within a subculture that it is of major importance that we are represented in a respectful and distinguished manner.
Since BGN was launched last year, I have had the opportunity to converse and socially engage through social networking with several blerds who carry a myriad of interests. I’ve talked to cosplayers, coders, graphic artists, animators, bloggers, authors, film geeks, afropunks, fashion nerds, comedians, and so much more! The nerd of yesteryear has disappeared. We are more than pocket protectors and glasses. We are an amalgam of various eccentricities and idiosyncratic behaviors. It is because of our uniqueness and our lack of conformity, that we are allowed to embrace our nerdiness and wear it proudly.
My goal of BGN is to highlight every single type of nerd out there, and not stick to an archetype that simplifies us to other communities. There is nothing simple about us. We are complex, diverse, multifaceted human beings.
If you are a black nerd and know of other black nerds in your community, I urge you to start a Meetup Group. Take the opportunity to learn about more blerds in your town. This would afford you the chance to not only make new friends, but to start working together to achieve each of your individual or like-minded goals. I ask that you also penetrate the message through social media about who we are and that you are in fact proud to be a black nerd or if you desire #blerd.
Only we can truly represent our subculture and not leave it to anyone else outside of the blerd community to determine it for us. If a blerd asks for advice or help about a book, starting a non-profit, launching a blog, advice on starting a podcast, or any other kind of content creation to get their voices heard, it is our duty to lift each other up and help one another in every way we can. We truly do have to stick together, because no one else will be willing to help us.
I love the camaraderie in the nerd community. We have such a strong network and support system among us, that advising that we should support one another is in some ways stating the obvious. However, I want to reinforce that in the black community (which is often divided) we have to stay true to who we are as nerds and stand tall. Love and support goes a long way and the best success in the world comes from helping others to be successful.
NERDS UNITE!
J.
