I had intended to post something a little more elaborate for my final October blog; my belief is, if it’s not complete and up to standards than hold off until it is. The wonderful world of blogging truly does reveal who a person is, I always celebrate writing. It cleanses, reinvigorates and clears the conscience. It’s my drug of choice.

Instead, I’m going to talk about the over-used terms “Swagger”, “Swagga”, “Swag”. I actually have had this conversation with many people, mostly men; because it seems to slip into our thoughts frequently. Although, once I state my case, said men usually do agree with me. It’s ok, if one doesn’t agree with me; it actually encourages me more, because I’m a woman who enjoys a good debate.

Swag- The urban dictionary defines this as: how one appears, speaks or presents his or herself to the public. Our youth believe they’ve created this word, and it has just hit the streets, 3 or 4 years ago. Well that cannot be more incorrect. I remember hearing this word as far back as the 70’s. My personal opinion, Swagger was created by James Brown, The Godfather of Soul. Mr. Brown was an Iconic, Groundbreaking, Pioneer that not only gave black people encouragement to love ourselves, he also gave style to some of the white people that loved our music but didn’t know how to present it with flare. James gave all of us courage to speak our minds, to dance un-inhibited, and to carry ourselves with the pride of a King or Queen; now that’s “Swag”. An intelligent black man or woman is known for our unassuming zest for the Arts, and we always enter it with "Swagga". We live to perform, and we do it well. When our people speak, everyone stops to listen. We exude power, tenacity, passion and control, now that’s “Swagger”. Our hairstyles, fashions, and even word play have been copied often, because we know what “Swag” is. We have so much to be proud of in the black culture; we’ve given more to American Art than any other culture, now that’s what I call “Swag”.

I truly love the Black American Swag...(now lets put this word to rest)

L.E. Brown