Us or Them?
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41fm7mW5GTL._SL500_AA280_.jpg

Could you imagine living in a world where every step you took towards your goal would instead result in the very opposite, a step away from it?
You want to eat, but instead you go hungry. You want decent pay to provide for your family but instead get minimum wage. You want to create a world of peace but instead inherit a world of deception, war and terrorism. What a horrible reality? Or what a horrible illusion?

We are taught to value our institutions, our Governments, Schools and Churches, when the vast amount of wealth and power in the world is held by those that live above institutions as well as control them in order to control us. Teachers hold the most important jobs on the planet- but are paid less than the average athlete that holds down the bench for your favorite team.
Where else would Entertainers earn more than Educators? In a backwards world.

Governments do not fear their people anymore, it is the people that fear their Governments.

We've been backwards for so long to the point where backwards makes sense. But have African people always been backwards? Or, have we been raised and groomed to be backwards by backwards people? Have we allowed ourselves to be deceived by the emotion of someone telling us we can't have something, therefore we want to have it- just because they told us we couldn't have it?

Think about that one.

You know? For example, it was better at the back of the bus? Always keep your enemies where you can see them. Didn't West Indian Archie teach Malcolm X never sit with his back to the door, always sit where you can see the entire room?

But, White folks said we couldn't have it, so we fought for it- not realizing these people are backwards to begin with. They can't help but to forbid us to do something that seems right in their backwards mind.

So we fought against segregation, we wanted our children to go to the same schools as Whites did, the ones with the clean books and clean desks. We fought because they didn't want us at their schools. But in retrospect, look at the conditions of schools today. Aren't the schools backwards? Visit your old elementary school, you might find that same book with your name scribbled in the back. Truth be told, had Blacks fought for their own schools instead of integration with Whites- we'd be in a much different America.

After all the fighting, some of us wonder why hardly anything has changed for us on a collective level. It's because we aren't forward thinkers anymore, we don't meditate on changes that are right for us, we meditate only on what Whites say we can't have- not realizing that when a backwards person says you can't have something, that idea is backwards to begin with.

We're like Cats fighting Dogs for their bones.

So when our Ancestors try to throw us lil' hints here and there...perhaps we don't pick up on them either, because we're not forwarding thinking.

Old Skool Hip-Hop. Two young Rappers named Chris- named their group- Kris Kross. What was the fashion style? Wearing their clothing backwards. Revealing the symbolism of the backwards mindset fed to their generation. Kris Kross? Our "Christ" consciousness is being "crossed" out.

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00000284P.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg

And while we would love to kill the notorious "N-word" - it lives on like a nyc cockroach. Nas says everyone is one. Sites like www.thedaily******.com keep the drama alive. But again, the people that used the word for something negative were backwards- has anyone ever thought about the coincidence of the word being a historic name of powerful Nubians/nahas of African and India? Nagas.

http://std.cpc.ku.ac.th/delta/deltacp/free/naga.gif

And since reality is an illusion anyway, what is backwards or forwards? That would depend on the direction of your mind. Millions of black people every year throw away millions of dollars trying to "win" millions of dollars. That is backwards... but we call it the lottery. 13% of the American population make up more than 80% of it's prison system- that is backwards. Self actualizing people should be able forward think. I'm thirsty, I'll go to the kitchen and get a glass of water, I'll drink it and I won't be thirsty anymore until later. Forward thought, it seems simple- until a White person tells us we can't have soda, koolaid or cheap alcohol. We'll pursue those only because we were told we couldn't have them. And that's backwards.

Now we must ask ourselves, how much of what we think and do goes into forward steps instead of doing what others say we can't? And who are the most Backwards People? Us or Them? If we are the most backwards, having a Black President wouldn't matter anyway.

A $500 car with over $4,000 worth of rims, over $2,000 worth of electronics on the insides, tvs, playstation3 etc - is backwards- no matter how you slice it. It seems humorous at first, until we realize we are using these same equations in all levels of human interactivity and development.

Us or Them?

Teachers hold the most important jobs on the planet- but are paid less than the average athlete that holds down the bench for your favorite team.
Where else would Entertainers earn more than Educators? In a backwards world.

...have we been raised and groomed to be backwards by backwards people?

Truth be told, had Blacks fought for their own schools instead of integration with Whites- we'd be in a much different America.

Old Skool Hip-Hop. Two young Rappers named Chris- named their group- Kris Kross. What was the fashion style? Wearing their clothing backwards. Revealing the symbolism of the backwards mindset fed to their generation. Kris Kross? Our "Christ" consciousness is being "crossed" out.

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00000284P.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg

And since reality is an illusion anyway, what is backwards or forwards? That would depend on the direction of your mind.

Now we must ask ourselves, how much of what we think and do goes into forward steps instead of doing what others say we can't? And who are the most Backwards People? Us or Them? If we are the most backwards, having a Black President wouldn't matter anyway.



Some very important and thought-provoking points made here Bro Meta. :bowdown::bowdown::bowdown:

We are the beneficiaries of this “backward” thinking you speak of which includes self-hate, and inferiority. What happened to the Afrikan adage “it takes a village to raise a child”? We’ve become backward and weak through a system of class divisions, individuality and separation on all levels of our development. We no longer look to the Ancestors but instead look to the media and look to what is seen as so-called “progress” of the anglo-saxon that deems whether we receive worldwide respect.

When we were unfathoming the mysteries of the universe and mapping out the constellations, Caucasians were living in caves in ignorance. And now our minds have been immersed in the abyss of ignorance. There are many of us who will say that our past and our ancestors serve no real purpose in today’s world. But all past serves as a compass to navigate our present and future. As John Henrik Clarke says, "The events which transpired five thousand years ago, five minutes ago, or five minutes ago, have determined what will happen five minutes from now, five years from now or five thousand years now. All history is a current event."

The spirit of our Ancestors resides within us and in all the universe. All is one and we are the same seeds as our Ancestors just in different seasons. In this soul-less materialism, we need to listen more to the messages of our Ancestors and move in the power of our great and mighty past because Caucasian thinking or so-called modern day thinking has surely rendered us backward today.

HTP!

So when our Ancestors try to throw us lil' hints here and there...perhaps we don't pick up on them either, because we're not forwarding thinking.

Question please Bro. Metasaience,

Do you consider wearing weaves to be one example of backward thinking? I am aware this will be seen as petty but I seriously have follicle issues. Case in point, this online forum for Black women I recently mentioned in another thread; all the Sisters have locs. I don't and have always been of the opinion that we are dealing with the spiritual and not the physical, but now, I am not so sure. I hate feeling like a fraud lol. Like the hardcore racist who was found to have an Asian wife stashed away somewhere.

peace,

Alexandra

I wouldn't consider wearing weaves as backwards.

Don't forget WEAVE-ing is an African tradition

http://www.princetonol.com/groups/iad/lessons/middle/Lessons/images/bunki-weave1.jpg

Just star researching what chemicals and materials are within the weave. It's just like the fruit and vegetable situation. It isn't the material itself but the chemicals and additives that are swarming throughout.

Queen Alexandra, now that is a very very good question! I would say, it would depend on your overall philosophy about life in general- the direction of your mind. If you are a naturalist for example, a weave shouldn't be an option. However, technically Erykah Badu used a weave to inspire millions of Black Women to twist and loc their hair, even while her hair was a wig. But her symbolism led to a level of consciousness that those Black Women would not have experienced without her influence.

I've always said there's nothing wrong with a weave or wig, if that look reflects your core desire as a Woman - then so beit. Even long braids still reflects African beauty. African Women invented the weaving process, in some cases it was spiritual too- braiding the hair of a deceased Elder into their own. But what would make it "backwards" is when your cosmetic artistry does not reflect the direction of your mind.

But hair style certainly has allot to do with consciousness.
I met a White Rastafarian once that told me to my face that "de white man is a curse pon de earth." What makes a White person with dreads and sandals start thinking Black and speaking with a fake Jamaican accent? Actually, most of them are usually Trustafarians.

http://slog.thestranger.com/files/2007/05/153610__pirates_l.jpg

While claiming to be a superior race on one end, Whites have more interracial breeding going on than any other people, and emulate other races more than any other people. Just about in every place where lynchings once took place, spiritual reality has turned such places into a breeding grounds for biracial babies. No coincidence there, but they don't teach stuff like that in Klan school. Whites have always been backwards. Why would you kill the most spiritually mastered people on the planet and not expect to be possessed by them later on? Even if they did oppress us for another 100 years, their history would still be dwarfed by African history, and their backwards thinking has guaranteed them their end.

Queen Soulosophy, because we've been so involved in backwards thought and lifestyle- when the Ancestors speak- and I'll be the first to admit it- they sound crazy!! There is so much information I would like to share that I don't because it sounds too crazy to me. Even beyond the madness I post already!

I try to go into meditation to allow my Ancestors to address my own actions and sometimes what the truth is often too simple. So simple its seems embarrassing because we didn't see it. The truth is not only subjective but reflective, but it reflects the place we cannot see. So the Ancestors guide us towards that unseen place, the part of us we cannot see. The truth is that "we" are only the puppets for our invisible selves. But as puppets there are many forces soliciting our minds for control. The invisible self is constantly in battle. Whites and Blacks only represent a spiritual reality that is going on, and this is one of many planes where such battles are taking place.

There are entities that feed off the energy of others and there are entities that "create" energy so that others can feed. Those entities are usually the Goddesses. Not all entities can create energy and this is based on their will and desire. The battle has always been about how to control the Goddesses and how to keep them under control. The Gods are responsible for preserving the energy the Goddesses have created. In most cases, the God/Goddess is one being, or collective of being in one body or Universe. The Human body does the very same thing the Universe is doing.

If the Human body was backwards we would eat from the same place we defect from. Could you imagine?

In a forward thinking world, the cars we drive would produce emissions that stimulated crops and cleaned the air. And our belief systems would cause ever generation to be much more intelligent than the previous. That would mean as we reproduce we would become closer and closer to the reality of our invisible selves.

A friend mention to me that the first month of the year is not Janurary(sp) but in the spring between March or April (sorry I dont know when spring sprouts lol) and that the calendar is off. Isnt weird that we have a leap year? Something is not right.

There is something else I have noticed that is backwards. It is when men complain about not finding a good woman. The woman is the reflection of the man.

Queen Jai, yes very backwards! But that's the system, that's why they change the calendar and create leap years to throw off the mind. As I said before, the true calendar we should follow has to do with the cycles of our Women, 28 days and following the lunar. But could Women imagine what would happen if someone said, look we are only using 18 day months for now on. It would throw everything off, even the Woman's cycle because the mind rules the body. And this is why we often say "there's not enough hours in the day" because naturally the days and months are adjusted depending on the cosmic activity. Electronic Clocks aren't suppose to keep time.

And a Man complaining about not finding a good Woman is like a fisherman complaining about not catching good fish. Change the bait, change the waters you fish in, heck- change the boat if you have too- and if you know another fisherman that catches good fish all the time- seek out his knowledge.

What is backwards is that Africans have become a nation of complainers. We complain and yet we have all the power in the world to manifest what we need.

Queen Jai, yes very backwards! But that's the system, that's why they change the calendar and create leap years to throw off the mind. As I said before, the true calendar we should follow has to do with the cycles of our Women, 28 days and following the lunar. But could Women imagine what would happen if someone said, look we are only using 18 day months for now on. It would throw everything off, even the Woman's cycle because the mind rules the body. And this is why we often say "there's not enough hours in the day" because naturally the days and months are adjusted depending on the cosmic activity. Electronic Clocks aren't suppose to keep time.

And a Man complaining about not finding a good Woman is like a fisherman complaining about not catching good fish. Change the bait, change the waters you fish in, heck- change the boat if you have too- and if you know another fisherman that catches good fish all the time- seek out his knowledge.

What is backwards is that Africans have become a nation of complainers. We complain and yet we have all the power in the world to manifest what we need.

NO DOUBT!!! But sometimes my menstrual cycle has a mind of its own so I just follow my bodys' warning of the flow. My boo and I would be a little off if we followed my calendar lol!

...it would depend on your overall philosophy about life in general- the direction of your mind. If you are a naturalist for example, a weave shouldn't be an option. However, technically Erykah Badu used a weave to inspire millions of Black Women to twist and loc their hair, even while her hair was a wig. But her symbolism led to a level of consciousness that those Black Women would not have experienced without her influence.

Eryka Badu is a truly conscious Afrikan Queen who inspires. Also, there are a lot of Afrikan Queens who are perhaps not so Afrikan conscious as Queen Badu but who also inspire a lot of our Afrikan Queens with their European concepts of self-definition.

... what would make it "backwards" is when your cosmetic artistry does not reflect the direction of your mind.

What does that mean because everyone has a philosophy that they follow in life regardless of whether we agree with it or not. If for instance I’ve grown up with white peers taking my definition of self from them and my philosophy is quite Eurocentric which shows itself in my "cosmetic artistry" such as wearing long blond wigs or weaves, then am I not following the direction of my mind regardless of what philosophy I follow? Its already been stated that backward thinking equals European thinking. So what would make it backwards is not when we follow the direction of our mind but when that direction goes against our nature or our natural self, trying to be someting we're not. As you've already stated ..hair style certainly has allot to do with consciousness. Nuff said!

HTP!

So what would make it backwards is not when we follow the direction of our mind but when that direction goes against our nature or our natural self, trying to be someting we're not. As you've already stated Nuff said!

HTP!


Question please Sis.Soul,

How about those among us who do not wish for anything on our person to reflect the direction of our mind? Case in point, I do not wear African attire, nor do I adorn myself with African jewellery; be it an Ankh or a Maasai bracelet. I suppose it’s the environment that I am in that has intilled in me the need to be inconspicuous; (like one Brother was telling me, Bobbi H went to an uber secret society meeting and was astonished to see his Postman there). With my 20 inch Premium Outre weave, am I going against my natural self and trying to be something that I am not? Does the term 'backward thinking' still apply in this instance?

Thanking you Sis!

Peace,

Alexandra

Ps - No tricksees, no straw-man argument presented here; I am genuinely interested in hearing a Black woman's view. Also, are natural (hair wise) or do you have Locs Sis?

Hmmm.
What is backwards? And who can call someone else backwards? That word rings somewhere in my head as a word used for those who think that they are far removed from those surrounded by them and greater then that of life (I need not go into lists I hope.)

As was stated earlier, whites are something like a "wanna-be" of the world... One cannot mimic another's culture and life perfectly, but I think if they get it down enough and populate within those terms, they re-write history and begin to think that they were the originators. Now for those that have been conquered in some way or another, such as the Africa as we know it, have generally become peoples trying to emulate whites. I don't know though if I can say that it is backwards, because as we have seen in history, if left alone for long enough periods, Africans become Africans in every sense of the word.

In the end, I think that we can't honestly say someone else is "backwards" due to the mental thinking that goes behind it. In order to think someone is backwards.. you have to believe you are "normal" or "ahead" and the circle goes on and on.

Queen Sistah Soulosophy- I once got into trouble with that one! A long time ago, and the Sistah had blonde dreads and was dropdead beautiful! Just as conscious and vibrant as so many of the wonderful Warrior Sistahs on Destee...so I try not to come off like the Brotha at blacktown.net. But you make a very strong point.

For me, the "direction of mind" boils down to this. For a long time the Elders in the South called me backwards because I wore Timberland boots. Being from NYC, that's our style. Summer, Winter, Spring, Fall- sure enough- look at that Brotha's feet- he has on Tims. Or some heavy boots. Why? And as the Elder Men in the South would say, there's no 6-12 inches of snow around here, why the boots? Are you going to war? Are you about to preparing to engage in combat? Do you work in construction- afraid to get a nail in your foot? Why the boots?

The boots at first are just a symbol of street maleness and unity and then overtime it becomes a ritual and then it becomes a comfort. But remember at first, the direction of the mind was unity? I wanted to blend in with my Brothas. I want to walk as they want talk as they talk.

Just the same, not all Teens are wearing their pants below their buttcheeks to symbolize homosexual availability. While that is where the symbol comes from, for them- it was first a symbol of unity wanted to be like their peers, and then it becomes a ritual/habit and then it becomes a comfort and part of their character.

A Sistah with blonde dreads could look in the mirror at herself and say, you know what- this is very backwards. The only people around me with blonde hair are Europeans, and they've caused my people pain for hundreds of years- so why would I want to reflect their symbol on my crown?- which is the hair.

But like I mentioned on another thread, blonde hair and blue eyes are not specific European traits, just symbols Europeans have used to declare their so-called supremacy.

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http://www.isabellagucci.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/rihannavsbeyonce.jpg

It's clear these barbie dolls aren't trying to reflect "African consciousness" true enough.

http://www.wildilocks.com/clients/albums/karma_blonde/000_0680.sized.jpg

This Trustafarian might be doing a better job of it?

http://www.ymib.com/files/ymib/june-08-ymib-kim-fields3.jpg

How about Kim Fields?

http://www.pbs.org/kcet/tavissmiley/images/a/6157.jpg

Nikki Giovanni?

I think it's about the cosmetic artistry, the ritual that goes into it. While we may not always be aware of the subconscious reasons we do things- me with the boots for example, sometimes those reasons boil down to be symbols we reproduce to create a form of unity with our peer groups or admirers- or even a form of rebellion against those that dislike us.

And even though I've said hairstyles has allot to do with our consciousness- why are some of the most intelligent, articulate and powerful Black Women- even in the movement of Black consciousness and Afrocentricity- Feminist Lesbian Sistahs with dreads?? I'm certain the Brotha from blacktown.net has an answer.

I concur Brother MS, what is with Blonde locs??! Plus the reaction at 6:33 is interesting to say the least. (Lol@ that lady who says ‘no more hanging off the bed to keep the style!’)

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But like I mentioned on another thread, blonde hair and blue eyes are not specific European traits, just symbols Europeans have used to declare their so-called supremacy.

I am glad you inserted that caveat because there are Africans who naturally have blue eyes and blonde hair. Before my Mother met my Father, she was being ‘courted’ by a dark skinned brother with bright blue eyes. Mind you, this is in deep rural Kenya, and not in the city. They are rare, but do exist.


And even though I've said hairstyles has allot to do with our consciousness- why are some of the most intelligent, articulate and powerful Black Women- even in the movement of Black consciousness and Afrocentricity- Feminist Lesbian Sistahs with dreads?? I'm certain the Brotha from blacktown.net has an answer.

Feminist and Lesbian aside, I would hazard a guess and say that all the above are the end product of their lifestyle. By this I mean, chances are, they grew up in family units which encouraged and nurtured free thinking, education and proper speech.


Ps - Is it unfair that I and a lot of females find loc’d Brothers to be more masculine, intelligent, emotionally developed and virile than their non-Loc’d peers?

However I take your point on unity; which is why I was wavering in my beliefs for a minute.

Peace,

Alexandra

That was a great video Queen Alex. I'm always inspired by Black Women who learn how to wear their natural hair in so many different styles, I think that truly reflect feminine genius. African Women have always been the masters of their dress code. But not to degrade our Black Women with straightened hair or euro-weaves, obviously we are reflecting a pathology that is already embedded in us.

And I would hope that not all Sistahs see Brothas with dreads as emotionally developed.

http://i.realone.com/assets/rn/img/4/3/9/2/13912934-13912936-large.jpg
http://staging.pluggedin.com/artist/images/LilWayne_115606_08062008.jpg

This is what Master Naba had to say on the subject.

Originally, dreadlocks were the mark of spiritual status, Dogon Priest and Kemetic Spiritual Master Naba Lamoussa Morodenibig of The Earth Center explained in an interview. Priests of diverse Deities were required, at least for a specific period of time, to have dreadlocks. For example, priests of Deities that are involved in the healing of the body and with procreation, such as Wsr, Heru, Theouris and Sekhmet, are required to have dreadlocks. There is a period of seven to thirteen years that a priest of these Deities must let their hair grow freely and devote themselves completely to the Deity. During this time, the priest has a role of responsibility towards the God and the temple. After that time period, if they want to cut their hair, a ceremony is done and they can remove their locks if they choose. Interest-ingly, for other Deities, like Aishat, one must shave every hair on their body when serving that God or Goddess. It depends on which God and temple is being served.

What is it about hair that is so important for priests and temples? It is a notion of purity. Hairs are huge emitters and receptors. When one is in an area, such as a temple, where the flow of energy must be tightly controlled, hair becomes either very helpful or very disturbant, depending on the energetic needs, Master Naba explained. Even when a hair falls off of the body, it does not lose its qualities, and it can become a big disturbance to the flow of energy. Even animals that are sacrificed are checked thoroughly for a specific type of fur. It is not every ram or cow that can be used in a ceremony - it is only a priest who can safely determine whether an animal is fit for sacrifice, and it is a heavy responsibility to do so. The untrained eye will think that any animal will do, but if there is one piece of the wrong kind of fur on an animal, it cannot be used!

http://thebutterflytribe.com/articles/historyofdreadlocks.html

It could be part of our super consciousness, dreads being a part of African spiritual society? Therefore Men and Women who wear dreads are treated almost like- Gods or Goddesses- even if they don't have that consciousness?
My Aunt has been a Rastafarian all of her life and I tell you- this Woman gets into more brawls with Men than Mike Tyson. When I used to have dreads I used to feel as if each loc was alive and had it's own brain. Almost like...

http://l.yimg.com/img.movies.yahoo.com/ymv/us/img/hv/photo/movie_pix/columbia_pictures/spider_man_2/alfred_molina/spiderman2.jpg

This is pretty much what any Black person with a healthy mind would feel like having dreads. So I cut mine off. Too much pressure. In another sense, you can't cut dreads off, they are still there- some Rastas believe that too. Sometimes when I dream and I look in the mirror I have very long dreads.

Keeping the head bald like what most Men are doing now- like myself is a symbol of detachment and sacrifice.

http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/0ghy42w0PP8on/610x.jpg

Buddhists do it to kill vanity. But for everytime a Man or Woman shaves off their hair, the energy of the brain is recharged and renewed. Sometimes Men did it to conceal their true age, no gray hair, or even to erase that unflattering bald spot-which is why LL Cool J, M. Jordan and Steve Harvey does it. Sometimes the bald head keeps Men/Women "young thinking" and underdeveloped too, that is if they never work on their level of consciousness.

The main point here is that African people have always used their cosmetic artistry to reflect their culture, inner selves, inner ideals, and even social status. Doing so is not backwards, that is actual forwards thinking. What is backwards is when we begin to use "style" for reasons that seem less productive towards our personal desires or ideals.

Hairstyles among the Yoruba
http://www.tribalarts.com/feature/lawal/

Kuroto, very true the idea of being "backwards" did come from people that thought they are forward and superior to Blacks. Winston Churchhill said about the Arabs- they are backward people that eat camel dung.

"Backward thinking" is one of those psychologies that Whites used to try to classify people, there is even a new science called "reverse speech" that is very interesting and Whites are also using this to "decode" what others are saying. And this is why I've made the argument several times about Black people and the English language, we should be using as many codes as possible and define our own languages and "intent" because sure enough Whites are always trying to decode us anyway.

Reverse speech- is built on top of the fact that the brain encodes "the truth" in everything we say. Actual, as we learn when we learn different languages, English is actual the backwards language. For example the way Yoda speaks in the movie Star Wars is the way most languages are spoken- as in - "to the bathroom I go" instead of "I am going to the bathroom"

Some will ask- what's the difference?

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What is the direction of your mind?

I feel terrible for hijacking this thread with my personal hair conflict, which has now mutated into a mini-crisis (lol) because of this comment;

“But not to degrade our Black Women with straightened hair or euro-weaves, obviously we are reflecting a pathology that is already embedded in us”.

Which follows on from this comment about Krumping (from the ‘The day Earth stood still' thread)

“ because it's authentic expression (in complete opposition to the bling-bling hip-hop culture)”

Brother MS, is it alright if I PM you about this, because I’d hate to hijack this thread any more than I already have.

I also wanted to say thanks for this most insightful response. I didn’t know hair had such spiritual significance. My friend has long locs and he promised to keep one, give one to his Mother, and one to me when he chops them off. After reading this, I am not so sure I want it. What do you suggest is the best way to (I am hesitant to use the word ‘discard’ or ‘dispose’ but cannot think of another word) Locs?.

This reverse speech technology is disturbingly intriguing. The first video is disconcerting! The second one – unsurprising (sighs) and what is most frustrating is that the reverse speech thought reforms in all Obama’s speeches were extremely effective because they were received by tense, angry people prone to strong feelings and to all or nothing thinking.


And this is why I've made the argument several times about Black people and the English language, we should be using as many codes as possible and define our own languages and "intent" because sure enough Whites are always trying to decode us anyway.

I have a question; by define, do you mean like Ebonics? Sorry, I don't know if that is a good example; I think I am missing something here.

Peace,

Alexandra

Queen Alex- I don't believe in hijacking a thread especially when the subject is metaphysical, somehow the conversation always tie into a truth that needs to be observed closer.

As far as Ebonics- Ebonics has been compromised. It's nothing "coded" in Ebonics because Whites have become just as fluid in Ebonics as many of us. Ebonics used to be like military code, Black Artists could say words like "punani" and "battyboi" on the radio and Whites never knew what they were talking about. This is however not the case today.

When I say we should speak in as much code as possible, I'm saying that there are drug dealers that know the feds have all their phone numbers tapped, yet can call each other with no problem. One might call his partner and ask him how is Grandmother is doing, or have a very dramatic conversation about the health of this Grandmother, never letting on that this "Grandmother" represents something else. And how would they know unless someone told them?

The truth is, African people have always talked in code. And if it's true that the brain can't lie, so the truth is coded into everything we say- then it make sense that the highest mode of deception is acting. Not everyone goes to acting school so they can perform on stage or make movies. Some do it so they can learn how to deceive people effectively.

Some of the most lethal African snakes know how to play dead. Deception has always been part of African military defense. And as the world becomes more and more polluted with spy cams smaller than coins? Employers are placing all types of cameras everywhere. Cell phones, computers etc., have become spy devices. We will have to learn again to become very good actors. Even if it means acting legally crazy from time to time.

Only chaos can rule this backwards world.

Dr. Jewel Pookrum has an excellent video titled the "Politics in Healing" (Thank you Bro. Tehutiblack for the upload) that details even further how we've become so backwards.

Watch parts 1-20.
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Greetings Sis Alex, please excuse the delay in my response to answering your questions. I know this thread is not about hair per se but still, it is all relative.

[FONT="Century Gothic"][SIZE="2"]Question please Sis.Soul,

How about those among us who do not wish for anything on our person to reflect the direction of our mind?

Impossible, because even if one wore nothing it would still reflect the direction of their mind. Everything we do or not do reflects the direction of our minds regardless of whether we wish to reflect such or not. We all make some sort of statement by how we dress and how we carry ourselves no matter how subtle. We are after all products of our environment though our environment, for the conscious minds, does not determine who we become. We follow some form of philosophy or belief, fashion or trend, etc, whether that be Westernized or Afrocentric, (or other) or we may even choose to create our own style simply because we want to remove ourselves from the so-called norms of society, in which case still reflects the direction of our minds.

Case in point, I do not wear African attire, nor do I adorn myself with African jewellery; be it an Ankh or a Maasai bracelet. I suppose it’s the environment that I am in that has intilled in me the need to be inconspicuous;

We are taught to “fit in” and conform. We become self-conscious and almost paranoid if we think or act differently (Independent thinking, after-all, is abhorred). Our thinking directs our actions and reflects the directions of our minds. If one chooses to wear, for instance, the Ankh jewellery, this may not necessarily be for fashion per se but for focus and intent as the individual makes their way through the many obstacles and negative energies in this realm of life.

With my 20 inch Premium Outre weave, am I going against my natural self and trying to be something that I am not? Does the term 'backward thinking' still apply in this instance?

LOL @ 20 inch Premium Outre weave. Now you know you putting me on the spot here right? To be honest with you Sis, if you do wear one then you have your reasons for weaving. As Bro Meta said, Eryka Badu made a positive and powerful statement with her wig. That was not backward thinking, on the contrary. I suppose the question for me is who are we and how do we see ourselves? Where do we take our definitions of Black women and men from? Our natural hairstyles have even ended up in courts under litigation due to ignorant and negative perceptions of such that such were not appropriate in the work place. Our ancient Ancestors wore many styles of corn-rows and braids etc as a means of self-expression, so for me to see that we still retain these styles, though it may seem small, is still a cultural victory of sorts. So, to answer your question in the best way without offending, personally, I would say yes it is going against one's natural Afrikan self and it is a form of backward thinking especially if we are taking our definition of beauty from other races. To me it shows how we have been taught to hate our natural selves.

Also, are natural (hair wise) or do you have Locs Sis?

I use to wear corn-rows as well as braids extensions back in the day because my hair was too thick for me to manage. Now my hair is locs-up, mainly, because I wanted to remain natural coupled with the fact that it is easier for me to maintain. Many people still think that because you have locs you are Rastafarian, so applying that same question to myself, am I being something that I’m not? No, because locs did not begin with the Rastafarian but with our ancient Ancestors.

I thought the following was interesting:

1444: Europeans trade on the west coast of Africa with people wearing elaborate hairstyles including locks, plaits and twists.

1619: First slaves brought to Jamestown; African language, culture and grooming tradition begin to disappear.

1700s: Calling black hair "wool," many whites dehumanize slaves. The more elaborate African hairstyles cannot be retained.

1800s: …Lighter-skinned, straight-haired slaves command higher prices at auction than darker, more kinky-haired ones. Internalizing color consciousness, blacks promote the idea that blacks with dark skin and kinky hair are less attractive and worth less.

1865: Slavery ends, but whites look upon black women who style their hair like white women as well-adjusted. "Good" hair becomes a prerequisite for entering certain schools, churches, social groups and business networks.

1920s: Marcus Garvey, a black nationalist, urges followers to embrace their natural hair and reclaim an African aesthetic.

1966: Model Pat Evans defies both black and white standards of beauty and shaves her head.

1970: Angela Davis becomes an icon of Black Power with her large Afro.

1997: Singer Erykah Badu poses on the cover of her debut album "Baduizm" with her head wrapped, ushering in an eclectic brand of Afrocentrism.

2006: Black hair care is a billion-dollar industry.

(Full article: http://terrencesays.blogspot.com/2006/01/combing-history-of-black-hair.html)

Regardless of what we choose to do or not do; to follow or not follow, these are all stepping-stones to evolving of our consciousness even if many of those choices seem backward in thinking.

Peace & Blessings!

and there is no way around the facts:SuN045:

[b]...when the vast amount of wealth and power in the world is held by those that live above institutions as well as control them in order to control us.

Governments do not fear their people anymore, it is the people that fear their Governments.

About 1915 there was a great migration of black Americas out of the South towards the North. Booker T Washingon died that same year. It was this person who constructed Tuskeegee to assist those same folk-type who were migrating form the south; to establish themselves as "craftsmen" in order that a statehood might be formed. A statehood needs craftsmen in addition to the legislative, executive and judicial branch. correct? He knew that the majority of black folk were not college material hence his school of trades was a great idea.

Q. How was his brain child received.
A. His collegue (e.g. WEB Dubois) called him Uncle Tom (e.g. the correct term is and talked his idea down and out. As a respected Negro in the community his words held weight. (e.g. Now that I know he was a Boule, I understand his premise for shooting BT Washington Down)

I can only Imagine what our world would be like if we'd kept solidarity by remaining grounded in the south. We were after all a majority you know!

Anyway -- to conclude we are actively engaged in backward thinking--the intellectual as well as the not so intellectual.

Q. Which is more hurtful: the intellectual or the not so in intellectual towards our culture?
A. The intellectual, because they should know better:thinking:

No longer are there chains...the bondage is inside.

Yes, our undoing is by design, for as you say it really should not matter that Obama is black --- hay-el we had established civilizationz loooog before the first caucasion had a shoe that lived in a house that had a roof on top of it. --- John Henrik Clarke Therefore, we know how to rule via "osmosis"....!

[COLOR=darkred]We only know what we know -- so if we don't know "collectively" then we will never know individually (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6Hfdz-sYhQ)

"Black Power, White Wealth" by Dr. Claud Anderson

Link (http://www.geocities.com/dabar_olam/January1st-JuliusCeasar.html) :SuN016:

A friend mention to me that the first month of the year is not Janurary(sp) but in the spring between March or April (sorry I dont know when spring sprouts lol) and that the calendar is off. Isnt weird that we have a leap year? Something is not right.

A friend mention to me that the first month of the year is not Janurary(sp) but in the spring between March or April (sorry I dont know when spring sprouts lol) and that the calendar is off. Isnt weird that we have a leap year? Something is not right.

something else to consider
<embed id="VideoPlayback" src="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?docid=-2794037162040728142&hl=en&fs=true" style="width:400px;height:326px" allowFullScreen="true"

and here is the link in case the video doesn't work
http://affiliate.kickapps.com/_Kamitic-Astrology/video/443821/35927.html

I can dig what you're saying in this thread.
Keep Educating the right way
We(i) tend to cling to this mentallity and it
is hurting the human race
lazy thinking...Looking foward to operating
from this source of strength.
Preciate You Posting Knowledge and Wisdom