- Jun 8, 2004
- 3,210
- 64
Sekhemu said:Actually this reply was meant to as response to Ike, not you Sip. Sorry about that, I had to go back and edit it.
Long answer short,
the best way to anwer your question would be for you have experienced what it is to have been initiated in to an ATR.
Additionally, as brotha Sam alluded to, most African Americans do NOT support enterprises owned and operated by members of ATR's. Couple this with the fact there simply aren't as many practioners in comparison to Christianity and Islam to support our businesses.
However, there is one very important point that is being overlooked. Initiates and Priest follow the path that is laid out before them by the creator.
If they learn thru divination that they should in fact go into selling hand bags at the Fulton mall in Brooklyn, then you can best believe that's what they'll be doing, conversely if they came here to teach some Africans how heal thru herbs, roots and the elements, then this is what they are supposed to do.
Brother Sek, long time, brother! Peace and Blessings to you, my man!
I hear you and feel you on your response... That is what I am interested in... Understanding the real benefits to the community of African Tradional, as opposed to the larger organized religions... Granted, the ATR's have not been around as long, nor do they have the visibility of the Christians and Muslims, but this does not mean they should fly under the radar while we pillory Christianity...
From my vantage point, ATR's will gain a greater foothold in our communities based on their works... I don't believe people reject an ATR based on some natural hatred, or even brainwashing... If that were the case the Nation Of Islam would never have become the force it became - and among African American southerners who made up the vast majority of muslims in the 1950's and '60's...(smile!) The Honorable Elijah Muhammad was, himself, a southerner, and were it not for him, he organization would have died on the vine... Additonally, I posted some stuff in the culture forum about African villages which practice ATR in South Carolina, and Virginia... Add to that, that the Republic of New Afrika was Mississippi Attorney Chokwe Lumumba's brainchild, I would not put it past African southerners to take to the traditons of Afrika, particularly the elders(smile!)
Peace!~
Isaiah