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!
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