THE ISMs...Race, Class & Sex

O say can you see, by the dawn's early light, What so proudly we hail'd at the twilight's last gleaming, Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight O'er the ramparts we watch'd were so gallantly streaming? And the rocket's red glare, the bomb bursting in air, Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there, O say does that star-spangled banner yet wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

On the shore dimly seen through the mists of the deep Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes, What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep, As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses? Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam, In full glory reflected now shines in the stream, 'Tis the star-spangled banner - O long may it wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

And where is that band who so vauntingly swore, That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion A home and a Country should leave us no more? Their blood has wash'd out their foul footstep's pollution. No refuge could save the hireling and slave From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave, And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

O thus be it ever when freemen shall stand Between their lov'd home and the war's desolation! Blest with vict'ry and peace may the heav'n rescued land Praise the power that hath made and preserv'd us a nation! Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just, And this be our motto - "In God is our trust," And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

Complete version of "The Star-Spangled Banner" showing spelling and punctuation from Francis Scott Key's manuscript in the Maryland Historical Society collection.

Written in 1814 and set to music in 1931, subsequently becoming the National Anthem of the United States of America.

For those who object to this country’s National Anthem, they point to the third verse in which I underlined. This verse speaks to any enslaved person, who escaped slavery and fought for the British in order to seek freedom. In doing so, the verse asserts, they would not escape death. So the question that one could ask…If we are a land that has evolved to ‘Freedom and Justice for All’, how is it we have a or use a National Anthem that has these words?...Shouldn’t we have an Anthem that would depict the values that are spoken about today?...I’m just sayin’…

Brotha Kwabad, that’s so long ago…Let it go Man!...

My Father was a decorated Army Veteran of the Vietnam Conflict (Bronze Star and Purple Heart Medals)... My Paternal Grandfather was a ‘Sharecropper’ and My Paternal Great Grandfather lived during Chattel Slavery...Not so long ago…

My Mother is from Panama, another Historical Path...

Sharecropping - PBS

Sharecropping

12 inches from being enslaved

After the Civil War, former enslaved people sought jobs, and planters sought laborers. The absence of cash or an independent credit system led to the creation of sharecropping.

Sharecropping is a system where the landlord/planter allows a tenant to use the land in exchange for a share of the crop. This encouraged tenants to work to produce the biggest harvest that they could, and ensured they would remain tied to the land and unlikely to leave for other opportunities. In the South, after the Civil War, many black families rented land from white owners and raised cash crops such as cotton, tobacco, and rice. In many cases, the landlords or nearby merchants would lease equipment to the renters, and offer seed, fertilizer, food, and other items on credit until the harvest season. At that time, the tenant and landlord or merchant would settle up, figuring out who owed whom and how much

High interest rates, unpredictable harvests, and unscrupulous landlords and merchants often kept tenant farm families severely indebted, requiring the debt to be carried over until the next year or the next. Laws favoring landowners made it difficult or even illegal for sharecroppers to sell their crops to others besides their landlord, or prevented sharecroppers from moving if they were indebted to their landlord.

Approximately two-thirds of all sharecroppers were white, and one third were black. Though both groups were at the bottom of the social ladder, sharecroppers began to organize for better working rights, and the integrated Southern Tenant Farmers Union began to gain power in the 1930s. The Great Depression, mechanization, and other factors lead sharecropping to fade away in the 1940s.

Ism –

-A distinctive practice, system, or philosophy, typically a political ideology or an artistic movement.

Race-ism -

Class-ism

Sex-ism

(All Systemic)

These –isms affect the 9 Major People Activities –

Education, Entertainment, Economics, Labor, Law, Religion, Sex and War

-as highlighted and developed by Dr. Francis Cress Welsing 

Race –

-Socially constructed category of identification based on physical characteristics, ancestry, and historical affiliation or shared culture.  (Dictionary.com)

-Race-ism –

Is a systemic institution where a group of people (let’s call them ‘Group A’) impose their values upon other groups of people, affecting their everyday lives – (the aforementioned 9 major people activities).  In addition, other members of Group A, who may not have the means or desire to impose the aforementioned value system upon others, benefit from this systemic institution (this is called ‘White Privilege’).  Not fearing death, physical or verbal abuse upon a routine police traffic stop, would be an example of White Privilege.

 With said definition, African Americans cannot be Racist in the United States of America…& there’s no such thing as Reverse Racism…If someone hits you & you hit them back, is that Reverse Hitting?... For those looking to find ‘Black’ people as Racist, I’ll help you…try Zimbabwe in the continent of Africa. When the indigenous people of that country gained their independence from their European colonizers, they ordered the European ‘White’ Farmers to vacate the land that they occupied.  I’m aware that a counter argument is that wasn’t their land initially.  For the purpose of discussion, though, this would be an example of Racism, as it pertains to ‘Black’ people against ‘White’ people.

As it relates to the United States, the word you’ll are looking for is ‘Bigot’.  All can be/practice Bigotry.

Bigot-

-One who regards or treats the members of a group (such as a racial or ethnic group) with hatred and intolerance.  (Merriam-Webster Dictionary)

-A person who is utterly intolerant of any differing creed, belief or opinion. (Dictionary.com)

Class –

-A social stratum sharing basic economic, political, or cultural characteristics, and having the same social position. (Dictionary.com)

Class-ism

-Sharecropping helped to continue/cement a seemingly permanent lower class. So when this form of industry faded in the 1940s, what took its place to maintain/perpetuate the Class System…Lower Class Construct? Interesting Question…Segregation…Separate, but equal…Uneven disbursement of resources, although paying taxes…I’ll let that marinate… 

Sex –

-The sum of the structural and functional differences by which the male and female are distinguished, or the phenomena or behavior dependent on these differences.

Sex-ism –

Gender Bias

It took the 19^th Amendment in 1920 to grant women the right to vote...Women earning cents to the dollar for performing the same jobs as Men…People not able to envision a Woman as the President of this Country (as of 2016)…With the #MeToo Movement, we see that there are still major issues with how women are treated in this country.

Hard Pivot in the Paint, drop step, layup…

There’s a disconnection, as it relates to the Spiritual/Mental/Physical to the Source within the collective Body of this Country (Actually, this could be said about the Western Ideology).

This disconnection is due to the aforementioned paradigm that promotes consciously/subconsciously the false construct of White Supremacy, which, at its core is about separation ‘Linear’ thought.  This false construct promotes that anything of significance must  have emanated from Europe/Western/White People…Truth be damned!...As such, everything is the way it should be…Chaotic…A House (or in this case) a Country built upon lies, cannot stand or flourish…

Okay Brotha, What’s the truth?

The Truth, in its simplest form is –

The Creator/Essence/Universe/God/Allah manifests Spirit, which manifests Mind/Mental, which manifests Physical Body.

We’ve been mis-educated to think that God/Jesus (in the Sky) outside of you (for those who were raised Christian as I) manifests Body and Mind.

Most are familiar with  -

John 14:6 King James Version (KJV)

⁶ Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. 

We’ve been taught that Jesus (Y’Shua) is saying through him…Look again…He is saying ‘I AM’ the way…The Great I AM is the way…In the hands of Western ideology, who must worship people, they translate it as such…When in actuality, the only way (for those who subscribe to the teachings of the Christ Y’Shua) is through the Great I AM manifested in the Master Teacher/Savior Y’Shua…Also through Western Ideology’s need to make things of importance, masculine, you notice the word ‘Father’ in the verse…It should be pointed out that the first deities were depicted as Women…Africa…Motherland…Sounds Familiar…Germany…Fatherland…I digress

What is needed to be at peace with self within Self is the harmony of the Spirit/Mind/Body. The first step is to master one’s breathing, which in turn quiets one’s mind and heart (body) 

(See my very first Post entitled ‘Breathing’)

Spirit, Mind & Body

When truly in harmony, one would not be susceptible to Fear tactics ‘Invasion of the Brown People’…It’s the Democrats/Republicans who are evil…Conflicts would not be addressed with guns, etc.

I’m just sayin…

Hotep

GENUFLECT...Respect for the Fallen

Peace and Greetings,

The other day I was listening to the Joe Madison Show on SiriusXM’s Urban View and the topic was the controversy surrounding the NFL and its players’ silent protest of kneeling during the playing of the National Anthem.  One of his callers stated he was a football coach and that when a player was injured during a game, players from both teams would kneel.  He added that it’s considered respect for the fallen and that it’s also done in the military.  Mr. Madison told the caller the word for what he was describing was ‘Genuflecting’.

Genuflect - (Merriam-Webster Dictionary)

Etomology - Late Latin
Genuflectere, from Latin genu knee + flectere to bend

-To Bend the Knee
-To touch the Knee to the floor or ground, especially in worship

-To Kneel on one Knee then rise again as an Act of Respect

A short time after listening to the radio show, I observed a man wearing a T-Shirt with the American Flag on it.  Above the image of the flag were the words Respect and Honor.

Respect - (Merriam-Webster Dictionary)

-A relation or reference to a particular thing or situation
-High or special regard

Honor - (Merriam-Webster Dictionary)

-A showing of usually merited respect

-High respect, as for worth, merit, or rank
(Dictionary.com)

For the purposes of review, the aforementioned NFL Football scenario was started by former NFL Player Colin Kaepernick who initially sat during the playing of the National Anthem to protest against primarily African American Citizens being killed by police officers without having the opportunity of going through due process. This protest had (and still does have) its supporters and detractors.  One individual, Nate Boyer, a former active U.S. Army Green Beret Veteran (and former NFL Player), contacted Mr. Kaepernick and advised him that the proper way to respect the fallen (those killed) during the playing of the National Anthem would be to take a Knee. 

In an interview, Mr. Boyer stated "Soldiers take a knee in front of a fallen brother's grave, you know, to show respect. When we're on a patrol, you know, and we go into a security halt, we take a knee, and we pull security."

What does the aforementioned statement have to do with Mr. Kaepernick’s genuflecting you ask?

He was taking a knee for the fallen US Citizens who were murdered by Law Enforcement, while showing Respect & Honor to the Symbol of the Country in which it was occurring.

The Detractors, primarily led by Mr. Trump, stated that this form of protest was disrespectful to the Flag, the Military and just plain Un-American (I threw that last one in, was on a roll). I find it interesting how a narrative could be changed from the facts, re-mixed and rolled out.  More impressive (sarcastically speaking), are the many who have adopted said re-mixed version…

Of the many comments condemning Mr. Kaepernick's led protest, the one that causes me to half smile is “The National Anthem/The Football Game is not the place for this protest”.

Protest (Merriam-Webster)

-The act of objection or a gesture of disapproval
-a complaint, objection, or display of unwillingness usually to an idea or a course of action

In researching the definition of the word Protest, there wasn’t any reference made to the where, when or how one should be conducted.  In essence, its purpose is designed to make people uncomfortable.  Furthermore, it gives an opportunity for dialogue between parties.

Martin L. King, Jr.

“Nothing in all the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.”

One is the result of simply not knowing (Sincere ignorance)...The other is the result of being presented facts countering/correcting one’s position and choosing to double down on a false narrative (Conscientious stupidity)...Who ya wit, what say you?

Question

What would Jesus do, as it relates to this situation, which side would he support?

Exodus 20:3-5 KJV – Thou shalt not have no other gods before me…

Sooo, would the Biblical Jesus (Y’Shua) put the symbol of a country and its song before the killing of innocent people by law enforcement?  Would he support a re-mixed version of the truth just because it came from the head of a country?...Would he have a problem with those who were protesting against the killings of the innocent?...One can’t serve two masters, Homie…Holla if ya hear me Christian Brethren…

I am now genuflecting...my Brothas and Sistahs have fallen due to being Spiritually and Mentally killed (Walking Dead)…Causing the imbalance of their Spirit, Mind and Body Trinity…They now value an inanimate object, a symbol, more than that which is a reflection of the Creator…

I direct you to my previous posts that speak to and give suggestions on how to bring one’s Spirit, Mind and Body in harmony with the Creator…Master your Breath…

Until then, I’ll leave you with a piece I wrote in the early 2000s…

The Pledge of Allegiance

I pledge allegiance to God, the Essence of ALL creation…And to His righteousness for which he stands.  One Hue-man Family, superseding Ethnicity and Political boundaries, Respecting Diversity in Worship with Truth and Justice for All…God Bless the World…

Hotep

INVISIBLE FREEDOM or Visible Slavery?

A few weeks ago (July 2018), I ran into one of my Brothas in a Grocery store.  It was a great reunion for I haven’t been Blessed with his presence in over 10 years.  As we shared our life’s experiences since we last occupied the same proximity, he informed me of a musical project he completed in 2017.  I became spiritually and intellectually intrigued as he explained the concept of the Album and the motivation behind it.  Upon departing from each other and exchanging contact info, he Blessed me with a copy of the Album.  He asked, if I saw fit, would I Bless him with a post on my Blog incorporating the Album.

I need to pause for a moment and give some ‘Back Story’ about my Brotha.  I met Brotha Malik in Trenton, NJ at least 25 years ago.  My Brotha is a Master Lyricist who toured and recorded with Donald Byrd.  Of most importance, he ALWAYS supported my group Defiant Giants and had uplifting comments when we spoke.  Lastly, he would always impart constructive criticism as I grew into my space as a Performer.  Specific attention was given to Lyrics and Flow, as it related to being one with the Music and Presentation.  Love you Brotha, eternal respect.

The Title of the Album is ‘Invisible Freedom’ by Malik Turner.  If you would be so kind, check out his site that not only has this album, but his other projects, along with Video and Bio/Interviews.

https://www.malikturner.com/

Oh Wait, Malik, the album is a head banga.  My Fav tracks are Free, 360, Fight the Power 3K, Still Love Her, Virtuosity, Deja Vu and Two Thousand 35 (That’s damn near the whole album... LOL).  The Intro to the album and the interludes are all on point and consistently bridge the songs.  Great work Brotha, well done!

Let’s pivot, shall we, to the Title of the Album...’Invisible Freedom’

Invisible

(Dictionary.com)

-Not visible; not perceptible by the eye:

-Withdrawn from or out of sight; hidden:

-Not perceptible or discernible by the mind:

(Merriam-Dictionary)

-Incapable by nature of being seen

-Inaccessible to view

-Of such small size or unobtrusive quality as to be hardly noticeable

Freedom

(Dictionary.com)

-The state of being free or at liberty rather than in confinement or under physical restraint

-Exemption from external control, interference, regulation, etc.

-The power to determine action without restraint

(Merriam-Dictionary)

-The absence of necessity, coercion, or constraint in choice or action

-Liberation from slavery or restraint or from the power of another: independence

-The quality of being frank, open, or outspoken answered with freedom

-Boldness of conception or execution

Slavery

(Merriam-Dictionary)

-Submission to a dominating influence

-The state of a person who is a chattel of another

(Dictionary.com)

-Bondage

-The keeping of slaves as a practice or institution

Let’s examine the term, ‘Invisible Freedom’…When applying the aforementioned definitions, it could mean ‘Unseen or Hidden Liberation’ or ‘Independence that is not visible or perceptible by the eye.  Ergo, Invisible Freedom means Freedom that hasn’t been seen or realized.

If Freedom is Invisible, then Slavery could be Visible, yes?…Holy Juxtaposition Batman!...

When thinking of Slavery in this country, most have images of Chattel Slavery of Americanized Africans and all of the atrocities that are associated. That would be the obvious imagery. The given definitions of Slavery would support this ideology, but let’s take a closer look at the definitions of Freedom again.  This time let’s look at the opposite meanings.

-Being in confinement or under physical restraint

-Hindered or Incarcerated by external control

-Coercion/Constraint by choice or action

-Restraint from the power of another

-Not being able to be frank, open or outspoken without consequences

Given the above extrapolations, here’s a few examples in this country.

-The Native Americans having their land taken from them and currently on ‘Reservations’.

-Chattel Slavery of Americanized African Citizens

-Confinement of Americanized Japanese Citizens during World War II

-Fight for ‘Civil Rights’ during the 1950s to the Present for Americanized African Citizens

-Killing of Unarmed Americanized African Citizens by Law Enforcement

-Impediment of movement of Americanized African Citizens reminiscent of the need to have ‘Slave Passes’ during Chattel Slavery, i.e. Harvard Student, Dr. Henry Louis Gate’s situation which resulted in President Obama’s ‘Beergate’ and the arrest of two Americanized African Citizens at Starbucks in Philadelphia, PA

-Women earning less money while doing the same jobs as Men

-Professional Football Players being ostracized for protesting social issues

-Professional Football Players being punished for protesting social issues during the playing of the National Anthem

-Professional Athletes being chastised for speaking out against social injustice

-Government policies and practices that create obstacles for citizens, with the exception of the wealthy/rich

So, by saying Invisible Freedom, we may be saying Visible Slavery, Yes?

I looked up some famous American Slogans…The one’s that I will focus on are the following:

-Freedom Is Not Free

- “In the truest sense, freedom cannot be bestowed; it must be achieved.”
-Franklin D. Roosevelt

 “Freedom is the oxygen of the soul.”

-Moshe Dayan

I want you to let these marinate in your Spirit…I’m not going to make comments about them individually.  Let the God within you guide you…

How are you living your life, as it relates to your Spirit, Mind & Body?...Are you in Harmony with that which Creates, the Great ‘I AM’ and truly ‘Free’ or are your ways and actions those of someone who is manifesting ‘Invisible Freedom’, pardon, ‘Visible Slavery’?

All of us at various degrees have been/still are exhibiting Visible Slavery.  The question is what are you doing to be ‘Free’ from said exhibition?  What are you doing to be in harmony with the Creator, God, Allah, The Universe?  When I speak of being ‘Free’, I’m not talking about not having Debt, or not having to work for a living (there are those who are financially rich/wealthy and do not have to work and still exhibit aspects of Visible Slavery), I’m speaking of a Mindset emanating from the Creator, through Spirit to one’s Mind.  In short, ‘Being in but not Of the World’.  In essence, achieving a ‘State of Being’ in Harmony with the Creator where one’s every breath is subconsciously and consciously manifesting desires/goals/tasks through the Spirit/Mind/Body vehicle from the Source (The Creator, the Great I AM). Where conception of thought is manifested in the Physical Dimension.

A PSA is needed at this moment…There’s a saying that states “The Sun shines upon the Righteous and the Unrighteous.”  As it relates to this post, one who is Unrighteous can and does utilize the principle that I just described and can yield their desired results.  The Great I AM does not impede manifestation of desires/tasks/goals.  There’s another saying that’s appropriate here, “Buyer beware.”

Meaning, there are consequences, good and/or bad for things manifested.  Some call this Karma.

What are you doing to be Free within your life?  If you are unhappy with self-development, relationships with others, employment, business ownership, environment, etc., what are you doing about it?

If you’re looking for a starting point, “Master your Breath”.  You continuously see me bringing us back to this point. Everything in the Physical Dimension is affected by the mastery of/or lack thereof one’s breath.  This mastery puts one in harmony with the Great I AM and lines up (if you will) in perfect synchronization the Spirit/Mind/Body. I direct you to my very first post called ‘Breathing’.  If it doesn’t speak to you, then find a reading or class that educates on the mastery of Breathing.

The answers/remedies to all of One’s questions/desires should First be Sought from Within

Hotep!

THE WALKING DEAD…Enter 450 degrees Fahrenheit

450 Degrees Fahrenheit

Supreme Mathematics –

4 + 5 + 0 = 9

Culture/Freedom + Power/Refinement + Cipher = Born

4

The revolution (energy) of the combination of 1, 2 & 3 or Knowledge, Wisdom & Understanding-(Man, Woman and Child) adding Knowledge (1) creating the foundation or paradigm which is one’s Culture (manifesting Freedom) – the four cornered square with 4 right angles equating to 360 degrees (completion) enabling one to stand perpendicular to said square forming another right angle or standing upright.

5

The revolution (energy) of the combination of the aforementioned 4, (along with its elements) adding Knowledge (1) creating one’s Power (manifesting Refinement). The foundation of Culture/Freedom and Knowledge creates Power/Refinement…

0

The revolution (energy) of One’s Culture/Freedom (4) and Power/Refinement (5) (along with their elements) adding Knowledge (1) creating one’s Cipher (0) or completion - Collectively combined to manifest being Born (included are the mathematics of elements Equality (6), God (7) and Build/Destroy (8)) -  (9).

To One’s god self within Self…

Peace to the Nation of Gods and Earths…Thank you Emmanuel Shabazz for the Supreme Mathematics, Haneef Allah, Maj Dubar, Darren ‘Freedom’ Green for the continuing Lessons…Thank you Montsho, Allen Nadir Muhammad, Malik Muhammad, Aki Saad, James Gee, Baye Kemit, Brotha Hussain Haqq and special Thanks to Brotha Maurice ‘Raheem’ Mander who introduced and brought me to the Brothas, continuing my Education. One Luv!

Wait the Oven is ready, I was pre-heating…We at 450 degrees, let’s go…

Dead

(Merriam-Webster Dictionary)

-Deprived of Life – No longer alive

-Lacking power to move, feel or respond

-incapable of being stirred emotionally or intellectually

-No longer producing or functioning

(Dictionary.com)

-Not endowed with life: inanimate

Walk

Merriam-Webster Dictionary

-To pursue a course of action or way of life: conduct oneself

Dead Man Walking

-A condemned man walking from his prison cell to a place of execution

-Any person in a doomed or untenable situation

AL righty then…Trenton, NJ is the Capital city for the State of New Jersey and occupies approximately 7.5 square miles of physical space. In June 2018, it held its Mayoral Election, along with City Council positions. Here’s the Mathematics (numbers)…

For the Mayoral 2018 Election…Out of 39,731 Eligible Voters (Mercer County Clerk’s Office, NJ), 8,811 people voted or 22% (May 2018)…Due to no candidate receiving the required percent to win, there was a ‘Run-off’ Election in June 2018, which garnered a 21% voter turnout.

One may think that I'm about to focus on the 78% (Initial Election) or the 79% (Run Off) Election who didn't vote...Eh...I'm actually going to focus on the 22% and 21%, respectively who did vote...We tend to think that since we vote, we're good and others are lost & should not complain (I feel ya)...There's an additional point that needs to be made though...We who do Vote need to do more to reverse these abysmal voter turnouts...we need to engage, educate and implement on a daily basis our communities and not wait until the election cycle...We need to inform to show the value in voting and electing leaders from the local through federal levels...We need to illuminate the various areas that elected officials impact on a daily basis to our brethren who don't vote and are eligible...each one of us can do our part to invigorate the whole electorate so that the turn out should read at least 78% and 79% respectively...

HARD PIVOT

First was the inspiration, then thought manifesting the physical outcome…In order for something to come into being, it must start with an inspiration…The aforementioned election results followed this process, now it’s time to create another one…In other words, conditioning created the aforementioned mindset that manifested the results of the election.

Are you ‘Walking Dead’ as it relates to Your life, Your Spirit, Your Mind, Your Body? Are you engaging, educating and implementing life changing jewels into your life to have a better quality of said life? Are you of the mindset that since you’re in your 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, etc., employed, addressing multiple obligations, that your current life is set on course until you transition to the Essence? If so, where did you learn that mindset? Are you accepting of not being in the best physical shape because you are ‘so called’ old? Do you accept not recalling things because you are ‘so called’ old?...Interesting…Riddle me this, if God, Allah, The Creator, The Universe has no beginning and no ending…Has no age…& is within each of us, then how you old?...How are you accepting of the aforementioned?...If an attribute of the Great ‘I AM’ is creation from seemingly nothing, then how is it we don’t create a better self within Self?…Better Family?…Better Community?…Better Country?…Better World?...How is it that you aren't accepting that you god within God Body?...

Oh, I see you looking at the screen 'Side Eye' with my last question...Like “Hold on Brotha!'...I'll retort by asking, How is it that you're more comfortable with people calling themselves Thugs, Bitches, Pimps, Gangstas, Beast, Dog, a color (Black or White) Red Neck, Geek, Jock, Trailer Trash and Nigga versus god?...Who taught you that?

The Essence of all that we seek & desire should be sought from Within…Those who Govern, Control & Manipulate for selfish gains are in harmony with this truth…So, by design, we are continuously distracted with Noise…In order to manifest one’s true Power/Essence, one must learn to quiet self within Self (I direct you to my very first post entitled ‘Breathing’). Once One learns to master their Breathing & quiet self within the mist of this Chaotic Noise, then One is well on their way to addressing the aforementioned questions.

GOTTA GO, TIMER ON THE OVEN JUST SOUNDED, MY SPIRITUAL/MENTAL FOOD IS DONE

Hotep

MOMENT 2 MOVEMENT...The Proper Foundation

Peace and Greetings All, I pray you are well.

On my residential property, I have a very large tree that stands on one side of my driveway and has a 'root system' that extends underneath my entire driveway into my front yard (which is on the other side of the driveway).  An Arborist estimated that the tree was over 50 years old and could withstand the fiercest of storms due to the root system foundation. I think of this periodically as I conduct my Critical Thinking/Cultural Development workshops. I use the aforementioned as an analogy when developing an African Centered paradigm for the students. I tend to use the Jewish Culture as an example and how they were able to rebuild after enduring the Holocaust. They relied on their Jewish Centered paradigm (and still do) post the horrors of that experience. They, in part, are very sensitive to any images (or language) that depict their culture in a negative light (as they should).  Their foundation, like the root system of my tree, allows them to stand strong and withstand the fiercest of storms.

Moment -

-A very brief period of time (Merriam-Webster Dictionary)

-The present time or any other particular time (Dictionary.com)

-A definite period or stage, as in a course of events

Movement

-Abundance of events or incidents (Dictionary.com)

-The progress of events, as in a narrative or drama.

-A tactical or strategic shifting of a military unit (for our purposes, an ideology)

(Merriam-Webster Dictionary)

Of the many examples that I use to create and enforce an African Centered Paradigm, the most recent has been the movie, Black Panther. The movie is a great example of how imagery and the Culture presented could create a ‘Moment’, potentially producing a paradigm shift among Americanized Africans.

In listening to the Karen Hunter show on SiriusXM, her guests, staff and She were talking about Black Panther and its significance to the World, specifically to Americanized Africans. They spoke about how in two hours, this movie has done a significant job in erasing over 400 years of mis-education, propaganda and indoctrination…It truly reveals how IMAGERY is soo important.  

Check it!

This was the first time (at least that I can remember) when I saw an African Man Superhero who was Intelligent, Spiritually/Mentally/Physically Strong, Handsome, Wealthy and can Whup Dat Azz. T’Challa’s characteristics are equaled by the imagery of the Women characters (Shuri, Ramonda, Nakia, the Elder Tribe members on the Council and the Dora Milaje). The audience was exposed to beautiful African-ness, along with very healthy depictions of Men/Women relationships. Lastly, it gave an example of how to address and eventually overcome adversity when you have a strong cultural foundation that is predicated on one’s uniqueness.

The Movement…

Prior to the release of the movie, I did research on the Director and his vision in making the movie. In addition, I viewed movie trailers and photos of the characters. When engaged with Directors of Mercer County Community College’s Youth College (High School Students), they informed me that they were taking their students to see the movie and wanted me to prep them about the imagery they were going to see. In addition, I was asked to discuss the relevance of said imagery. Upon seeing the movie, I was asked, by the students, to have subsequent discussions/workshops expounding upon the movie and its application to each of us (I conducted weekly workshops until the end of their term – May). During this time, I observed the following (Just to name a few)…

-Professional Athletes and Entertainers giving the Wakanda Salute on Television

-Fraternities/Sororities, Churches and other organizations taking Youth to see the movie

-Senior/Elder groups attending the movie dressed in Black Panther gear

-Americanized African and African actors on talk shows promoting their own movies, talking about Black Panther

-My Five Year Old Daughter periodically chanting T’Challa while doing the Wakandian Bounce

-Every night, as I put her to bed and we would do our hugs, kisses and I Love you, she gives me the Wakandian Salute and says “Wakanda Forever”

-Critics lamenting about how ‘Black’ people were soo excited about a place (Wakanda) that doesn’t exist…

I chuckled with the last one for the Universe immediately Blessed me with the following…

First, there's a very REAL statue in front of the Philadelphia Art Museum of a fictional character (Rocky) that's visited by thousands of visitors every year.

Second, there's a very REAL ideology that has manifested into a system which has been practiced for centuries called 'White' Supremacy that is based upon a false (fiction) narrative...But I digress...

What this movie represents is an opportunity to have a paradigm shift from over 400 years of effective propaganda that produced Niggers/Niggas, Negroes, Coloreds, Afro Americans, Blacks, Bitches, Hoes, Gangstas, Buppies, Thots, Pimps, Hustlas, Ballas, Playas, etc., etc., etc…To that of a foundation based upon the uniqueness of self within the Universal Self...In short, instead of vacillating between Man/Woman and Animal, we would vacillate between Man/Woman and god…

Make it plain Brotha. I’m glad you’ve asked…Applying the jewels from Black Panther can help one to properly align one’s Spirit, Mind and Body…Instill a foundation that can help one to achieve their goals, be it Career, Education, Relationship (starting with self), Physical (exercising & dietary), Mental and Spiritual…WAKANDA FOREVER!

THE QUICKENING

THE QUICKENING 

 Peace & Greetings All, I pray all is well.

The Quickening 

 "The Quickening is the receiving of all the power and knowledge another immortal has obtained throughout his/her life. It is like the receiving of a sacrament. The power of the Quickening is the equivalent to a major electrical storm hitting...”

We are ALL Energy...Energy is never destroyed, it changes forms... 

The above picture is of Ms. Monica Weaver, the Provost and Dean of Mercer County Community College’s James Kerney (Trenton) Campus, My Friend, My Sister. After an approximate five year battle with cancer, she made the transition from this dimension to that of the Essence on April 1, 2018 (Easter Sunday). In my first post of this year, I briefly spoke of having my work status unjustly changed at Mercer County Community College (MCCC) to ‘On-Call’ (Mind you, I’ve worked at the campus part-time for 27 years prior to the change, with exceptional evaluations by the Supervisor who changed my status). Upon being notified of the change in November 2016, I called Monica as I left the meeting (this was a meeting with my Supervisor on an unrelated matter). From that moment, Monica worked on getting me back (I did mention that she was battling cancer?)...Her first action was to create a new position for me (Supervisor of the Trenton Campus). I was to relieve her during the evenings. Although she created the position, found the funding in her budget, was blessed by her Supervisor to conduct this action, forwarded it to MCCC’s Human Resources, politics kicked in and brought everything to a halt. Other variables were also in play, such as, dwindling student enrollment and overall budget issues at the College (I did say that she found money in her budget to fund the position?)... 

 Not to be denied, Monica waged battles to have me reinstated while feeling the effects of cancer fighting drugs and treatments, along with enduring hospital stays. She would also give me periodic updates and direction on tasks that I could perform to help the process. If she was out of touch for more than two weeks, she would apologize.

This would be a great time to mention that Ms. Weaver was a single Mother of an Intelligent, Kind and Beautiful Teenage Daughter who she adored, the care giver of her Father and a member, in various capacities, of many organizations. 


 At one point during the past Summer, I told Monica to let this fight go and concentrate on her health for I was concerned that this was taking too much out of her.

 Her response, “Thank you, I’m good. I apologize that you have to go through this!”...

With Monica from the onset and others who helped the process and were vital along the way (I am most appreciative of all who’ve helped me and I’ve thanked them all), I returned to MCCC in December 2017 in a better position than when I left, along with the incorporation of some of the duties that Monica had envisioned. Before I could reach out to Monica that I was returning, she contacted me to welcome me back...

Upon her transition, I felt the Quickening...In this carnation, I’ve felt it once before when my Father made the transition...

With many jewels in this post, the one I ask of you...When there is something worth fighting for,
Do you?...

Love you Sis, you can rest now...Well done...

Hotep

BLACK HISTORY...The Misnomer

King James Bible

Hosea 4:6

My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.

________

“Hmmm...Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today...Not for a fuuunnneralll, it’s tiiime for the Black Man and Black Woman, to resurrect our dead Black mindsss and reclaim ourselves to be a reflection of God once againnnn...” by Malik Shabazz, Defiant Giants - ‘Raise the Dead’

“So you wanna be a Negro, Bourgeois, Middle Class hero

 survey said, zero

Ya dead, decease, R.I.P. rest in pain, not peace

 cuz peace you have yet to reach

Ya see, Negro comes from the word Necros

 meaning dead, lifeless, comatose

Carrying the name of a corpse

 ya nothin but a Zombie, not a force, but a work horse

Calmly existing from day to day

 got a head stone, tryna make headway

Take off your slave clothes and grave wear

 face the East and say prayer

Erase ya fear

 then ya almost there

Next stage is ta raise your conscious

 accept the truth and reject the nonsense

Free ya mind and your body ain’t far behind

 back to life, back to divine...Resurrection”

 by Mercurator T.P.S., Defiant Giants - ‘Raise the Dead’

            “Deaf - You don’t hear the Truth

            Dumb - You don’t manifest the Truth

            Blind - You can’t see the Truth

            When you lost in North America...

Peace and Greetings All,

I pray all is well with each of you.  There’s a quiz that one of my mentors used to conduct during ‘Black’ History month with the youth (Middle School through High School)…

Mentor:           “Where do Black People come from?”

Students:         “Africa”

Mentor:           “No, Africans come from Africa, where do Black People come from?”

Students:         Silence takes over the room

Mentor:           “Where do Italians come from?”

Students:         “Italy”

Mentor:           “Where do Polish People come from?”

Students:         “Poland”

Mentor:           “Where do Black People come from?”

Students:         “America…Ah, their parents…Ah, God…”

Mentor:           “It’s interesting that you know where others come from, but not yourself…& there’s no such place as Blackland”

The purpose of the quiz was to start the discussion about the importance of knowing thyself.

Also, it was used to educate that every group of people identify or originate from a land mass.

Lastly, it was used to start to lay the foundation for the term African Diaspora (the connection of

Africans, regardless of birth place, to each other all over the World). 

Pledge is defined as (for our purposes):

-A binding promise or agreement to do or forbear – Merriam – Webster Dictionary

- A solemn promise or agreement to do or refrain from doing something – Dictionary.com

Allegiance is defined as (for our purposes):

- Devotion or loyalty to a person, group, or cause - (Merriam – Webster Dictionary)

-The loyalty of a citizen to his or her government or of a subject to his or her sovereign. (Dictionary.com)

Exodus 20:3-5 King James Version (KJV)

 Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
________

I think a PSA is needed at this point. We who are citizens of the United States of America and those who want to be citizens of this country should respect its Laws and symbolism. The question I ask to my Christian Brethren is shall that extend to Pledging Allegiance to said symbolism?

When will we make a pledge to ourselves to truly be in allegiance with the Creator, God, Allah, Buddah, the Universe, the Awareness, etc.?

When will we apply the aforementioned definitions to self to be in harmony with the Universal Self?

When will we align our individual Spirit, Mind and Bodies with the Universe to realize our individual Uniqueness/Greatness in order to appreciate others’ Uniqueness/Greatness?

Question...

How is it that one would pledge allegiance to a Flag (Symbol/False Idol) of a country, but not pledge allegiance to the Creator that dwells within citizens of said country that are being killed by authorities?  When I say pledge allegiance in this case, I speak to the correction of said injustice or support for those who seek to correct said injustice...Hmmm...Interesting...

I offer…

The Pledge of Allegiance

I pledge allegiance to God, the Essence of ALL creation…And to His righteousness for which he stands.  One Hue-man Family, superseding Ethnicity and Political boundaries, Respecting Diversity in Worship with Truth and Justice for All…God Bless the World…

Bluish is the Flame!

                                                    

I’m ya guiding light, shining bright

 Original man, lead ya right

From the day I was form, beast was torn

 g.o.d. in the flesh, Genesis has born

Resurrection, from present state

 Devil’s in-affect G, clock’n fates

Follow’n all his demonic ways

 paganism wit righteous holidays?

Parading round da Phallic so big and white

 no other building taller be code he’ll site

Oh monument, symbol of this land

 take another look, hooded Klan

Annihilation, of genetic kind

 be why, body, soul & mind

Thinking Iblis is underneath the ground

 be right in ya face, jus look around

Before we go, need to check the time

 divinely incline throughout the rhyme

In fact, we’re gods believe this

 doubts? Check Psalms 82:6...

by Kwabad (Warlord D.F.T.), Defiant Giants - Raise the Deads

________

King James Bible

Psalms 82:6 Context

I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High.

________

The Latest of the next sample of Greatness…

Kevin Grevioux – Creator of  ‘Underworld’ Movie Series

Ryan Coogler – Creed & The Black Panther (Writer & Director)

Maurice Mander – Surian Seed (Creator, Writer & My Brotha)

http://www.trentonian.com/article/TT/20170111/NEWS/170119935

Let us continue our practice of merging our Spirit/Mind/Body to manifest the Uniqueness/Gifts the Creator has Blessed within each of us...Master your Breath!...

Phambili! (Onward!)

Wakanda out!