I would rather be a member of this [Afrikan] race than a Greek in the time of Alexander, a Roman in the Augustan period, or Anglo-Saxon in the nineteenth century.
Interpretation
The speaker values their own race and culture above historical privileges associated with other cultures.
Edward Wilmot Blyden emphasizes the importance of racial and cultural identity by expressing a profound pride in being part of the Afrikan race. He suggests that even if other races experienced periods of significant historical privilege and influence, he would still choose the deeper connection and significance of his own heritage.
In practice
In a speech celebrating multiculturalism and diversity, this quote can be used to underscore the importance of cultural pride.
Part of me always felt like the other, the outsider, the observer. My father had two sons with his second wife, who I didn't meet until my late 20s. I was always on the periphery. In Madrid, I was the only Turk in a very international school, so I had to start thinking about identity. All these things affected me.
I now realize that I am a gay man before anything else. Other gays may think they're a Jew first, or black, or a banker, but I'm gay.
I always assumed that my otherness was a curse - that I would be held back by my Asian and queer identities.
I am trying to make my accent so it won't bother anyone, but I am not going to drive myself crazy trying to pretend I am an American girl when I am from Colombia.
I was a mixed black girl existing in a westernized Hawaiian culture where petite Asian women were the ideal, in a white culture where black women were furthest from the standard of beauty, in an American culture where trans women of color were invisible.
I'm of African descent and my sister looks completely black, but I didn't look black. I was the super-nerdy kid who was also willing to fight.
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