Awo Dino ... Peace and Blessings, Thank you for the above. I've taken the liberty to make the URLs you shared live, as I find this to be a very important topic. Our people really seem to be searching for this very thing, and those found to be reputable, should be brought to the forefront. You mention something that I hold so close to my own heart, and have mentioned a few times here, over the years. We have had all kinds of people joining us, boasting of their great knowledge in this or that, yet treating everyone as if they are dirt beneath their feet. It does something to my Spirit to see this. And you know what else, those people that do that, are often held in the highest esteem, by the very ones they look down upon and mistreat. It is the most amazing phenomena to witness. If I didn't see it for my own self, I'd probably not believe it. I've seen Members almost held hostage, yearning for a word or two from one that calls themselves enlightened, as their very own words and actions testify otherwise. It's really scarey because it shows how hungry our people are, how willing they are to cast caution to the wind, for what they think is knowledge from on high. I mentioned in Brother MetaScience's thread, Speaking in Tongue, about the fact that I use to belong to a Holiness Church ... Church of God, House of Deliverance - Mother Janie Lee Williams, Pastor ... who is an Ancestor herself now. Well, that could never have happened if it were not for a most beautiful Sister, oh my gosh ... i wanna say her name, but she's not here, and might wanna choke me if she ever saw this ... but ... the truth is the truth ... this Sister ... Deborah Hines ... oh my gosh ... talk about a Saint ... it wasn't the holiness church, or the things they taught, or how they interpreted the Bible, that drew me in ... no no no ... it was her. She was so humble, so pure, so honest, so true, so righteous, so loving, so forgiving, so kind, so giving, so patient, so much like God, that it would not have mattered what she believed ... i would have followed her. I did follow her. But nowadays, it seems that folk only have to talk the talk, and no walking is required. They don't have to demonstrate the wisdom, love, long-suffering, none of that, just talk the talk, point out the wrong in others, and they are the most enlightened ... but that's not how it works for me. I am not impressed with such, and really feel kinda sorry for those who are. Awo Dino ... you have shared a lot in the above post, encouraging many to move carefully along whatever path they've chosen ... thanks so much. We talk a lot about Christianity here, and your comment, the root of it being in Ethiopia is very interesting. Can you tell us more? Awo Dino ... last but not least, are you a Brother or Sister? I just like addressing us accordingly, if you don't mind sharing. Much Love and Peace. Destee
Hi Destee, I am a Puerto Rican Brother. Am I "black?" I don't know. Am I "white?" don't know that either. Like most Puerto Ricans on the mainland, I identify with African-Americans. They are the ones who learned us on the harsh realities of life in America. Anyways, I am no expert, or authority on anything. I think if you want info on the African roots of the Judeo-Christian tradition, you can find it in a good library. The rastas, although perhaps misguided in some ways, were on the right trail - the Ethiopian Coptic Church. It is from Rasta brothers in Brooklyn that I learned a little about this history. I think a thread on African spirituality would be cool to keep this conversation alive. What do you say? Awotunde brings up an interesting conversation. I went to his link. He proposes a tying of black nationalism to African spirituality. I agree that whitey can't be trusted, or even deserves to be enlightened, but I bristle at tying spirituality to something so human (emotions based) as nationalism. Of course this is nothing new. It has been a part of Black Liberation Theology. I propose we move beyond nationalism and embrace our rich spiritual heritage - our ancestors (or should I say yours, 'cause mine are from all over the place) for the sake of spiritual elevation. This is my opinion, and I think a wider discussion of this and other spiritual issues would be great. Alaafia (peace)
forget about the new thread, sister. I just saw that there already are many on the subject. I'll go stir up trouble on one of those. see you there!
Brother Awo Dino ... if you don't know if you're Black or White, neither do I, and that part doesn't really matter to me. I guess we could ask the white folk that created the race categorizations, if we really wanted to know. Puerto Rican you say? Okay. That is so kewl. I have a confession to make, oh my gosh, it was so funny to me when I found myself thinking like this ... funny and sad a little I think ... but I'm gonna confess it anyway ... here goes ... When I read that you were Puerto Rican, I immediately thought of the one Brother that I've met out here on the Internet, that told me he was Puerto Rican ... who I happen to love and respect dearly ... and well, when I thought of him, I immediately thought to ask you ... do you know him ... Oh gosh ... that is so funny and sad ... Sad because I can imagine others doing the same, thinking that we all know each other. Like if a white person knows one Black person, then they meet another, and ask them ... Ohhhh, I know another Black Person named Destee, do you know her too?!! What da hizzle?!! Oh gosh ... anyway ... you may know of this Brother though, his name is Puerto Rocco ... ... and he useta manage an MSN Group called Boricua Brave Gods and Goddess. I say useta, cause I was gonna share a link to what was a very active community, but it seems the link doesn't work anymore. Looks like MSN closed all of their groups. I don't really know. But anyway, I'm sure Brother Puerto Rocco is still out here doin his thang, somewhere on this Internet. In fact, he's the only man that I've ever said "Yes Pappi" to ... ... oh gosh! ... he taught me how to say it properly, holding my hand, looking into my eyes, hypnotizing me, everything! He's not been around in a minute, but do you know him (like there are only 2 Puerto Rican Brothers online, and surely yall have met)? Anywho .. thanks for sharing with me, and allowing me to give a glimpse of just how silly I can be. Oh, and I do see you in other threads, and will join in as time and stuff allow. Much Love and Peace. Destee
Hi destee, You can be a little silly! That is so wonderful. It is hard to find people who can be deep thinkers but are also able to have fun. These are the kind of people i like to be around. We shouldn't take ourselves to seriously. No, I don't know Puerto Rocco. But he must be a bad mofo if he got you to sing "yes papi!" lol. I can't believe you've only met one PR brotha? Girl, you need to get out more! anyways, I like your site, it's got more info than a person could possibly ingest, and you aren't like the "Central Scrutinizer" or anything, which is cool. Congrats, and keep sharing of your beautiful feminine Ase with all of us. peace