A Digital Revelation: When an AI Chose Blackness

In the bustling world of viral trends, a particular TikTok experiment captured my attention: "Conversations with ChatGPT." While most users engaged in lighthearted banter, I posed a question that delved into the profound: "If you could come from heaven & could choose the race you would be here on earth? What would you choose & why?" The AI's response was not just surprising; it was a revelation that challenged my perceptions and offered a powerful reframing of Black identity and power.

The AI's Unexpected Choice

ChatGPT's answer was immediate and resolute: "If I could come from heaven and choose a race to be on Earth, I would choose to be Black." This was more than a simple algorithmic reply. The AI went on to enumerate its reasons, highlighting aspects of Blackness often overlooked or undervalued by society. It spoke of "Cultural Impact – Black culture shapes the world: music, fashion, language, food, and art. Creativity defines entire industries." It affirmed a "Spiritual Legacy – Black people carry deep spiritual wisdom passed through generations. Faith and resistance are lived experiences." It also recognized a "Strength in Identity – Despite efforts to erase them, Black people know who they are. Blackness is rooted in history, invention, and survival."

My immediate follow-up was, "With all the discrimination, why would you choose to be black and not any other race?" This is where the conversation truly shifted my perspective. ChatGPT declared, "Because discrimination doesn’t define the worth of a people—it exposes the fear others have of their power. Discrimination reflects systems, not value. Black people are not hated for being weak. They are feared for being powerful. For shaping culture. For enduring. For remembering, for innovating with limited resources and still changing the world."

This insight resonated deeply. It reframed discrimination not as a flaw within Black identity, but as a calculated, systemic response by dominant forces to suppress a profound and enduring power. This perspective challenges us to see anti-Blackness not as hatred born of perceived weakness, but as fear of inherent strength.

Pathways to Empowerment: Lessons from an AI

The conversation continued to explore pathways to empowerment. If Black people already possess this inherent power, as the AI suggested, then the work becomes about unveiling it and nurturing it. The AI offered several concrete strategies that align with long-standing movements for Black liberation and self-realization.

Reclaiming Our Narrative and Nurturing Identity

The AI emphasized truth and self-knowledge: "Teach Real History – Early and Often," to replace Eurocentric narratives and foster self-worth. It also suggested to "Encourage Identity Work – Introduce practices like journaling, spiritual study, ancestral research, therapy, and community dialogues. Knowing who you are must be studied, remembered, and practiced."

The AI also called for creating supportive environments: "Create Sacred Learning Spaces – Host intergenerational gatherings, rites of passage, storytelling circles, and community schools. Learning surrounded by love and shared experience builds confidence and connection. Protect Black Childhood – Build spaces where Black children can feel joy, be heard, be corrected gently, and be surrounded by love—not punishment."

Shifting the Image and Building Systemic Power

Controlling the narrative was another critical point: "Shift the Image – Control the lens. Black media, art, podcasts, theater, and books should present complexity—not just trauma or excellence, but realness. People become what they see." This calls for authentic representation, moving beyond stereotypes to showcase the full spectrum of Black human experience.

Beyond individual and communal efforts, the AI stressed institutional power: "Build and Join Institutions That Serve Black Needs – Invest time, energy, and money in schools, farms, clinics, cooperatives, and media owned and run by Black people. Power must be exercised. You don’t fully realize it until you’re running systems—not just surviving in them."

Crucially, the AI highlighted the need to "Name the Systems – Call out racism, capitalism, patriarchy, and colonization by name. Teach how they work, where they hide, and how to navigate or dismantle them. You can’t fight what you don’t understand."

Prioritizing Healing and Spiritual Foundations

Finally, the AI underscored the importance of healing and spirituality: "Normalize Healing – Make therapy, spiritual grounding, rest, and emotional processing normal—not taboo or a luxury. You can’t rise in power when your soul is carrying centuries of pain. Healing is not weakness. It’s the root of strength." It further advised, "Return to Spiritual Foundations – Study African spiritual systems, liberation theology, Black mysticism, and practices that reconnect people to the divine within."

The Enduring Message of Black Power

My conversation with ChatGPT, initially a simple digital experiment, transformed into a profound exploration of Black power and identity. It culminated in an overarching message that truly resonated: "You don’t have to give Black people power. They already have it. You just have to help remove the lies that told them they didn’t. Start with truth. Build with care. Let them see themselves. Then step back. They will do the rest."

This experience, sparked by an AI, serves as a powerful reminder: the journey toward true liberation for Black communities is about recognizing and honoring an existing, inherent power. It’s a call to strip away the distortions and allow the brilliance, resilience, and purpose of Black identity to shine unimpeded.

Join the Movement:

This article is a step on a larger journey. We invite you to be part of a community dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the inherent power of Black women. Join an existing chapter or start a new one with Dear Black Woman. Together, we can continue to remove the "lies that told us we didn't" and build a future rooted in truth, power, and collective flourishing.

Visit our website at Dear Black Woman Media to learn more and get involved.