Printer-friendly copy Email this topic to a friend
Lobby Okay Activist Archives topic #4830

Subject: "On Self-Criticism & Love 4 The People" This topic is locked.
Previous topic | Next topic
Chike
Charter member
32916 posts
Thu May-08-03 06:43 AM

Click to send email to this author Click to send private message to this authorClick to view this author's profileClick to add this author to your buddy list
"On Self-Criticism & Love 4 The People"


  

          

1 Corinthians 1 ... *puts on "Ooh Child" by Five Stairsteps*

The prerequisite for being progressive in thought, action or anything else as regards the forward movement of people of African descent is a deep love for the people. My father met Kwame Ture once and was given an autograph that read "For our people we must have undying love." According to him, this became a guiding principle in his life (and he recently received an award for his community work). But whether it is stated explicitly or implicitly, the feeling Ture referred to is a necessary component of a black life lived productively.

What does it mean to truly love the people? Let's do a short thought experiment. Think of something that some people do that annoys the heck out of you, something that you absolutely hate. For example, maybe you can't stand people who spit on the sidewalk. Now imagine that by some incredibly weird fluke of nature, every black person in the world started spitting 24/7, inside or outside, horking and stuff. If at that point, you could truthfully say "I love black people" then you're at the point I'm saying we all need to be at. It's not that loving black people means an anything-goes cultural pride that entails loving anything that is commonly done. It is not contradictory to love black people even if all black people are living lives completely contradictory to what you stand for. And you retain the love while equally retaining your principled opposition to spitting.

But truthfully, if you love the people and you think all the people are messing up, it will be a pained love. There will be an element of despair in your love. Let's bring the discussion back to reality. There is no good reason to feel that we're all just messing up. There's actually tons to be proud of, and I won't justify that statement since someone who would feel it needs justification is really quite far behind in getting where they need to be (slowing us up). But the love I have described is a love that sees true potential. A love that sees true potential is struck with some of that despair when faced with the state of black unity, self-determination, collective work & responsibility, co-operative economics, and purpose. Of course, the word "potential" indicates that the love is characterized by faith that we can build from where we are toward higher heights.

Is self-criticism good? Recently, after having been disrespected by a brother who was overreacting to something he felt she did, someone I know muttered "Black people..." I was like, what's that about? Why are you connecting the fact that he acted ignorantly to his being black? She had an explanation for what made her say that, but my inital reaction was linked to every and anytime I've heard someone say "See, that's why black people don't have nothing..." or "You know what's wrong with black people?" And yet, I'm in no way against self-criticism. I practice it and I think it is necessary. A lack of self-criticism often indicates tailoring your comments for the eyes of others instead of speaking directly to black people when talking about black people.

But self-criticism must be rooted in love for the people. It is simple as that. Actually, in practice, it's not that simple - the line between self-hate and self-criticism can be thin and hard to discern. But begin with yourself. Explore whether you ever are down on black people because of the way the doctrine of white supremacy has infected us all, each and every one. Then apply an analytical eye to self-criticism by other black people... does it display a desire to see us do better grounded in belief that we can? Is it constructive or destructive?

Racism - and I mean the sneaky unconscious kind - necessitates that the individual battle for self-esteem and love of self encouraged by psychologists is replicated on a people-wide level by people of African descent.

You might ask, what about the principle of loving all people regardless of race, creed, colour and all that?

Good principle - but before you learn to love someone else as much as you love yourself...


  

Printer-friendly copy | Top


Topic Outline
Subject Author Message Date ID
i read it.
May 08th 2003
1
RE: i read it.
May 08th 2003
2
      well said...
May 09th 2003
3
      RE: well said...
May 09th 2003
4
      seems like activated universalism to me:
May 10th 2003
8
           very thought-provoking...
May 11th 2003
11
           lol
May 11th 2003
15
                RE: lol
May 11th 2003
17
           1 Corinthians 13:1
May 14th 2003
21
                RE: 1 Corinthians 13:1
May 14th 2003
22
                     You just proved my point....
May 14th 2003
23
                          RE: You just proved my point....
May 14th 2003
24
interesting...n/m
May 10th 2003
5
provoked my thought...thanx...
May 10th 2003
6
Love is love
May 10th 2003
7
RE: Love is love
May 11th 2003
9
Thank you...
May 11th 2003
10
      RE: Thank you...
May 11th 2003
14
i spit.
May 11th 2003
12
RE: i spit.
May 11th 2003
13
dope response
May 11th 2003
16
RE: On Self-Criticism & Love 4 The People
May 13th 2003
18
RE: On Self-Criticism & Love 4 The People
May 13th 2003
19
Thank you too...
May 13th 2003
20

Utamaroho
Charter member
17658 posts
Thu May-08-03 08:18 AM

Click to send private message to this authorClick to view this author's profileClick to add this author to your buddy list
1. "i read it."
In response to Reply # 0


  

          

.

a question: since love of "black people" seem sto be signified by skin color...at what shade would someone not "deserve" our "unconditional love of our people"? at what step of complexion does someone fall "out of range" for our love?

i ask this because aside from "image" and "visual" discernment, there are MANY factors...often the "cultural" and "behavioral" kind that dictate how we respond/react to people. color just seems like an easy way of avoiding the work of having to "critique" something else. work that often requires patience and wisdom.

i can see how instituting the Ture saying can help us "unite" in a sense...and this is a good thing. i must also though point out the fact of widespread immersion into a culture and way of life "not our own" in this modern time. an immersion that, too FREE ourselves from, will come about through insightful and intense analysis of what "WORKS" and what "DOESN'T". allying with someone simply on the basis of skin color is elementary to me. allying with others ACTIVELY LIVING AND DOING what it is you're moving towards is far more important.

...or maybe it's just that i see too many that are lost and unsalvagable.

Red, Black, Green

  

Printer-friendly copy | Top

    
Chike
Charter member
32916 posts
Thu May-08-03 03:40 PM

Click to send email to this author Click to send private message to this authorClick to view this author's profileClick to add this author to your buddy list
2. "RE: i read it."
In response to Reply # 1


  

          

>.
>
>a question: since love of "black people" seems to be
>signified by skin color...at what shade would someone not
>"deserve" our "unconditional love of our people"? at what
>step of complexion does someone fall "out of range" for our
>love?

It's not meant to be understood as based on skin colour. It's meant to be based on African heritage. Black people a.k.a. people of African descent. Heck, I'm light-skinned.

>i can see how instituting the Ture saying can help us
>"unite" in a sense...and this is a good thing. i must also
>though point out the fact of widespread immersion into a
>culture and way of life "not our own" in this modern time.
>an immersion that, too FREE ourselves from, will come about
>through insightful and intense analysis of what "WORKS" and
>what "DOESN'T". allying with someone simply on the basis of
>skin color is elementary to me. allying with others ACTIVELY
>LIVING AND DOING what it is you're moving towards is far
>more important.

The allying you speak of might be taken to mean one should keep one's circle smaller than "black people" (ideological ties within African-centered or otherwise politicized perspectives) or larger than "black people" (intercultural struggle to free all oppressed). I think you meant the former. Either way, both can be of value and amenable to love 4 the people. But both can also be dangerous and harmful to a self-generative and empowering love 4 the people. I'll explain:

Smaller circle: You talk about a "widespread immersion" we must free ourselves from. Such freedom comes largely through educational strategies. To strategize and implement ways to raise the level of consciousness among African peoples obviously means privileging collaboration with Africans that share your like mind as far as where our consciousness should be. Allying with others actively "living and doing" what you wish we all were can be understood as part of manifesting love 4 the people -it is the ideal manner in which one may develop ideas that can change ALL the people's situation.

Danger of smaller circle: Elitism. Looking down on Africans whose mind isn't at where yours is would be in my estimation self-hate, negating all your affirmation of pride in an African identity. In these modern times, we are in a continuing battle to forge a new identity, as our identity has been since the Maafa and colonialism a confused one rocked by the power of another's hateful ideology and practice (a practice that has perpetuated our suffering). If you think about black heroes, from the least to the most Pan-African or Afrocentric in thought, many have elements of their thought which can still be analyzed as manifestations of white supremacist ideology. It's a disease, man. We're all still growing.

Larger circle: If you see the value of black people fighting their oppression but don't give a damn about anyone else, that's a manifestation of white supremacy because you've learned to value yourself but have acquiesced to the dominant viewpoint as regards the suffering of others. If you don't see the value of strategic alliance with non-black people, then you're avoiding ways to further your progress.

Danger of larger circle: It's necessary to care about human beings of all types. But we can't afford to be caring about others more than we care about ourselves - which is why you gotta reserve that special love 4 the black folk. May our success in the fight for mental, economic, political and other types of freedom be that image of the mind that most brings a wishful tear to your eye.


  

Printer-friendly copy | Top

        
Quest4Knowledge
Member since Jun 20th 2002
2797 posts
Fri May-09-03 03:07 AM

Click to send email to this author Click to send private message to this authorClick to view this author's profileClick to add this author to your buddy listClick to send message via AOL IMClick to send message via ICQ
3. "well said..."
In response to Reply # 2


  

          


n/m


------

Fox has got nothin' on us.

Okayplayers guerilla love
and Quest4Knowledge bringing you fair & balanced moderation since 2003.

Make sure you know the guidelines before posting: http://okayplayer.com/guidelines

Not happy about your post being locked? Want a thread archived? See a post that shouldn't be up? Feel free to Inbox me at Quest4Knowledge or E-Mail me at KemeticSunrise@aol.com



---
In memory of my sig..

  

Printer-friendly copy | Top

            
Chike
Charter member
32916 posts
Fri May-09-03 12:16 PM

Click to send email to this author Click to send private message to this authorClick to view this author's profileClick to add this author to your buddy list
4. "RE: well said..."
In response to Reply # 3


  

          

thanks...

  

Printer-friendly copy | Top

        
Utamaroho
Charter member
17658 posts
Sat May-10-03 09:20 AM

Click to send private message to this authorClick to view this author's profileClick to add this author to your buddy list
8. "seems like activated universalism to me:"
In response to Reply # 2


  

          

"it is the ideal manner in which one may develop ideas that can change ALL the people's situation."

-being that ALL people are not alike and that some sort of homogeny of people would have to be in play, i don't see where this is realistic... i don't even see where it's ever happened in the past? it's usually SMALL groups of like minded individuals that SPARK change/revolution... not a group of people who try to attain some "universal" results. even if this is with respect to ONLY black people, i must again warn of the MULTITUDE off ideologies that "we" hold and that to think that what one person/group/ideology can or WILL work or work better for ALL people is not in accordance with history or its reality.

i say this to point out the fact that MOST people like to find like minded individuals for a REASON. if nothing more than to save time in ones' actions to get quicker or greater results. this discernement of WHO you want to work with, and for what purpose takes very REAL criticism of the people in and around you. it's the very reason why you don't ally with people who are AGAINST you or your ideals. it has nothing to do with skin color, otherwise if what YOU and your squad is doing is RIGHT and VALUABLE, then others of your similar color would be doing it to, right? obviously there is something that steered them away from that "rightness" or blinded it to them in the first place. the thing is...that might happen to be the very "thing" that defines them, that they hold dearly to, that they LIVE for. so for example...trying to ally against chritian oppression on the continent with christians who will be hesistant to "go the distance" against their own, is futile. likewise... one would not ally with someone whose profits and goals are aligned with a purely capitalistic lifestyle if socialistic goals are you aim. if a person holds close to them the things you're trying to destroy or free others from, their skin color makes little difference...and a more intense mode of thinking and critiquing must come into play. as sad before, this takes patience and time, and in this (western american culture) people are MUCH too lazy (and maybe a bit stupid) to put in the effort to effectively SEE the benefits of such advanced critiquing.

READ "Negroes" by Mwalimu Baruti.

i see what you mean by elitism, but that only holds true if you look DOWN on others. from what i can tell you of military warfare...one should RESPECT your opponent and see them as worthy adversaries...not as something to look down upon, black skin or white.

Red, Black, Green

  

Printer-friendly copy | Top

            
Chike
Charter member
32916 posts
Sun May-11-03 10:00 AM

Click to send email to this author Click to send private message to this authorClick to view this author's profileClick to add this author to your buddy list
11. "very thought-provoking..."
In response to Reply # 8


  

          

>-being that ALL people are not alike and that some sort of
>homogeny of people would have to be in play, i don't see
>where this is realistic... i don't even see where it's ever
>happened in the past? it's usually SMALL groups of like
>minded individuals that SPARK change/revolution... not a
>group of people who try to attain some "universal" results.

It may be small groups but I fail to see how these historical groups have shunned an ideal of universal change. A relevant example might be liberation struggles on the continent... obviously led by the few and obviously intended for the benefit of the many. Then you get people like Nkrumah who, committed to Pan-Africanism, desired to see the liberation take place not just for the many of his nation but for the entire continent. And if you read the writings of Julius Nyerere, you'll see how he envisioned change for Tanzania in the context of change for Africa, and change for Africa in the context of the entire world.

>even if this is with respect to ONLY black people, i must
>again warn of the MULTITUDE off ideologies that "we" hold
>and that to think that what one person/group/ideology can or
>WILL work or work better for ALL people is not in accordance
>with history or its reality.

This is an interesting claim - so it's not just (as most people would admit) that it's hard to reach the necessary consensus with the appropriate compromises that would unite all people - it's fundamentally impossible?

>example...trying to ally against chritian oppression on the
>continent with christians who will be hesistant to "go the
>distance" against their own, is futile. likewise... one
>would not ally with someone whose profits and goals are
>aligned with a purely capitalistic lifestyle if socialistic
>goals are you aim. if a person holds close to them the
>things you're trying to destroy or free others from, their
>skin color makes little difference...

The most useful debate takes place on a foundation of basic unity...

We fight against things that oppress us strategically. The fact that we disagree over issues of religion and political economy should not preclude (and in practice has not precluded) black organization. If your personal fight ends in the destruction of Christianity and capitalism, all that means is as we accomplish certain goals irrespective of those issues, you will rejoice but retain a belief that there are still battles to be fought. Obviously, you would not participate in activities which you feel would propagate those things which you are against. But why should this be considered the necessary outcome of alliances with black Christians and blacks who do not oppose capitalism (note: certainly if they are "capitalists" in the most proper sense, they are unlikely to be working with the requisite level of love for the people, as they will place money above the people)?

And of course any opposition to ideological beliefs among us should spring from a (you guessed it) Love 4 The People. That is, you think it hurts us and so you oppose it. If it we're just a case of "I don't personally subscribe", then you should have not any issue with accommodating those who do subscribe.

>READ "Negroes" by Mwalimu Baruti.

Haven't heard of this before, I'll try and keep and eye out for it.


  

Printer-friendly copy | Top

                
k_orr
Charter member
80197 posts
Sun May-11-03 01:33 PM

Click to send private message to this authorClick to view this author's profileClick to add this author to your buddy listClick to send message via AOL IM
15. "lol"
In response to Reply # 11


  

          


>It may be small groups but I fail to see how these
>historical groups have shunned an ideal of universal change.

http://breddanansi.tumblr.com/

  

Printer-friendly copy | Top

                    
Chike
Charter member
32916 posts
Sun May-11-03 05:01 PM

Click to send email to this author Click to send private message to this authorClick to view this author's profileClick to add this author to your buddy list
17. "RE: lol"
In response to Reply # 15


  

          

I mean hey... you know...

if you by chance feel the desire to explain...

feel free.

lol...

  

Printer-friendly copy | Top

            
FoundationIV
Charter member
1512 posts
Wed May-14-03 04:46 AM

Click to send email to this author Click to send private message to this authorClick to view this author's profileClick to add this author to your buddy list
21. "1 Corinthians 13:1"
In response to Reply # 8
Wed May-14-03 04:49 AM

          

"Love is patient and kind; love is not jealous or boastful; it is not arrogant or rude. Love does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrong, but rejoices in the right. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.."


When you base anything, even love, on a system of RACE, you are enabling that system. Race is wrong wether you love it or you hate it. Everyone can run around and say it's necessary but it's not. It "feels" to us like we "need" it because we benefit from it or we fear it (or both). So, when you selectively apply something as powerful and uncontrollable as LOVE to a system of utter evil you are doing yourself and everyone else a dis-service.




  

Printer-friendly copy | Top

                
Chike
Charter member
32916 posts
Wed May-14-03 05:45 AM

Click to send email to this author Click to send private message to this authorClick to view this author's profileClick to add this author to your buddy list
22. "RE: 1 Corinthians 13:1"
In response to Reply # 21
Wed May-14-03 05:45 AM

  

          

Um, people of African descent are not evil.


  

Printer-friendly copy | Top

                    
FoundationIV
Charter member
1512 posts
Wed May-14-03 06:51 AM

Click to send email to this author Click to send private message to this authorClick to view this author's profileClick to add this author to your buddy list
23. "You just proved my point...."
In response to Reply # 22


          

Most people don't know the difference between RACE and ethnicity.
There are PLENTY of books on it. Scientifically, RACE is a sub-species, of which, humans have none. But it is an attempt to make everyone believe that there is. "Race" classifies people by physical attributes, which in the eye of the beholder, can get a lot of people in a lot of trouble.

AND, the RACE we are talking about is a Euro-American made system. It never existed before the colonists.



Now I know in part; then I shall understand fully, even as I have been fully understood. So faith, hope, love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love".

  

Printer-friendly copy | Top

                        
Chike
Charter member
32916 posts
Wed May-14-03 08:36 AM

Click to send email to this author Click to send private message to this authorClick to view this author's profileClick to add this author to your buddy list
24. "RE: You just proved my point...."
In response to Reply # 23


  

          

>Most people don't know the difference between RACE and
>ethnicity.

I proved your point? But I thought you were responding to my original post. And in my original post, I spoke of people of African descent. Don't think I mentioned the word "race" ONCE.

  

Printer-friendly copy | Top

Ms_MynTight
Member since Jun 01st 2002
4073 posts
Sat May-10-03 04:53 AM

Click to send email to this author Click to send private message to this authorClick to view this author's profileClick to add this author to your buddy list
5. "interesting...n/m"
In response to Reply # 0


          



"we lift our voices...to say thank You...for Your goodness"

"If ya dont know...now ya knnnooooww"/ C. Wallace

Everybody's got a lil light unda the sun....

  

Printer-friendly copy | Top

TheProdigiousPoet
Member since Aug 12th 2002
4969 posts
Sat May-10-03 06:15 AM

Click to send email to this author Click to send private message to this authorClick to view this author's profileClick to add this author to your buddy listClick to send message via AOL IM
6. "provoked my thought...thanx..."
In response to Reply # 0


  

          


Don't Duck

P.S.A.L.M

http://cashmonet.blogspot.com/

http://www.myspace.com/hollisterholliday

  

Printer-friendly copy | Top

Nettrice
Charter member
61747 posts
Sat May-10-03 09:05 AM

Click to send private message to this authorClick to view this author's profileClick to add this author to your buddy list
7. "Love is love"
In response to Reply # 0


  

          

What makes the difference is emotional awareness. What is the difference between love and fear...fear of ideolodical commitment, ethics, etc.? I've met people who say thay have an undying love for the people but have a strong hatred for themselves, whether it's because of their own oppression, emotional pain or something related such as skin color, economic status, etc. Some of these people still see themselves as victims and not as empowered human beings.

Self-criticism comes from lack of self-worth, from fear. This is what an oppressive society will do, it will condition many of us to have the minds of victims or slaves.

I have a unsual aversion of people who spit on sidewalks and throw trash on the streets but it goes back to what I stated above. Some of the Black people who do this are stuck in a cycle, a self-fulfilling prophecy that to them makes public spitting and polluting trivial compared to an overwhelming since of adversity or hopelessness. I don't hate the person, I hate the act and the fact that this oppression exists. I have love in my heart, regardless.

I am reminded of a ride on the El in Chicago, from the Englewood neighborhood on the southside to grad school downtown. I was sitting with my back turned, minding my own business, when this young Black man sat in front of me, blocking my view. I saw from his attire and jewelry that he was in a gang (GD). He puffed his chest, looked as menacing as he could before asking me if his presence bothered me. I said no and looked at him right back, deeply into his eyes. It was not the response he expected. He demanded to know where I was going. I told him and what took place after that was a discussion that revealed who he was as a human being. As I answered his questions he told me more about himself until he became a young person who felt trapped and wanted to go places.

The fact was that I listened and I shared my story with him. The fear, anger, hate, whatever disappeared because I think he know I loved him despite his angry posturing. He was not a threat to me. There have been other situations, as well. My best friend and I often say to the other, "Well, that's your people." Usually, I respond with a sigh, "Yep and that's why I love them.", not "Well, I love them anyway." I love them because I have self-worth and I feel a connection to their pain because I went through it. I was conditioned just like they were/are and I overcame a lot of that conditioning.

Every opportunity I get I tell people why I don't spit or pollute the streets. It's the same reason I don't pollute my body. Some Black people ask me why I even bother but I'd like to think for some that my type of love is inspiring and helps them to rediscover that love in themselves.

<--- Blame this lady for Nutty.

  

Printer-friendly copy | Top

    
Ms_MynTight
Member since Jun 01st 2002
4073 posts
Sun May-11-03 12:40 AM

Click to send email to this author Click to send private message to this authorClick to view this author's profileClick to add this author to your buddy list
9. "RE: Love is love"
In response to Reply # 7


          

great response
from Englewood? I hope so....
guess they just make'em lke that out ther

"we lift our voices...to say thank You...for Your goodness"

"If ya dont know...now ya knnnooooww"/ C. Wallace

Everybody's got a lil light unda the sun....

  

Printer-friendly copy | Top

    
Chike
Charter member
32916 posts
Sun May-11-03 08:11 AM

Click to send email to this author Click to send private message to this authorClick to view this author's profileClick to add this author to your buddy list
10. "Thank you..."
In response to Reply # 7


  

          

for an exceedingly beautiful reply. It blessed this thread.

>Every opportunity I get I tell people why I don't spit or
>pollute the streets. It's the same reason I don't pollute
>my body. Some Black people ask me why I even bother but I'd
>like to think for some that my type of love is inspiring and
>helps them to rediscover that love in themselves.

This is the attitude, y'all... non-judgemental, though unwavering in commitment to correct principle, selfless and infectious love. May God bless us each in our striving to cultivate this.

It's not airy-fairy to feel like you can change the world. Because the truth of the matter is, you are always having effects on pieces of the world, whether family, friends, or acquaintances... now that you realize you do it all the time, think about how changing the world must come with a certain level of responsibility. How would you like to shape what you have the power to shape?

  

Printer-friendly copy | Top

        
Nettrice
Charter member
61747 posts
Sun May-11-03 12:34 PM

Click to send private message to this authorClick to view this author's profileClick to add this author to your buddy list
14. "RE: Thank you..."
In response to Reply # 10


  

          

>... non-judgemental, though
>unwavering in commitment to correct principle, selfless and
>infectious love.

Love is really about non-judgement and not caring about the outcome. It's the path, the process of healing and helping that counts. It's not always easy, either.

>How would you like to
>shape what you have the power to shape?

I have a supervisor who feel threatened by me because I am ascending with or without his support and I am a woman. He is a Black man with a huge ego. I love him anyway. He tried to stress me by telling me the multimedia center I built was in trouble and I needed to bring in additional $$$ to sustain it despite the fact that it is the only department that makes additional money from grants, in addition to other revenue.

From the jump, I let it be known that this center was my contribution to this pre-dominantly Black community and a highlight for the organization that hired me. In turn, this same org and the staff should have supported the center but they did not. It seemed as if I had to fight just to keep the center open but time after time the grants kept rolling in. Also, people began to take notice. Turns out is wasn't the center I was sustaining but it was my vision. My vision is what I shaped and found support for.

Exactly, one week after my supervisor's mandate I got a call from AOL/Time Warner Foundation inviting my own youth program to apply for a special grant for up to $100K. AOL/TW heard about me from others across the country and wanted to give props to my program. What a great feeling! Also, a digital artist in Italy wants to start this program. My vision, heart and soul is what I use to start these programs and find resources to support/sustain my projects. I am already where I need to be and my intention is to continue to forge new ground and shape things as I go along.

<--- Blame this lady for Nutty.

  

Printer-friendly copy | Top

urthanheaven
Charter member
626 posts
Sun May-11-03 11:01 AM

Click to send email to this author Click to send private message to this authorClick to view this author's profileClick to add this author to your buddy list
12. "i spit."
In response to Reply # 0


  

          

on the sidewalk. out the window. etc. mostly because of the inordinate amounts of poisons that build up in me need to be expelled and not reconsumed in my lower respiratory system resulting in a lung infection. it became way too much of a hastle and ultimately wastefull to use tissues. nasty to carry a hankerchief. etc. so black as i am i spit. i do understand that it is offensive but that doesn't bother me as much asthma and harsh lungs from dealing with the everlasting polution of babylon. if i lived in the sticks i would spit in the grass.

i am working on my health constantly. as for my dietary practices i am a lacto ovo pescatarian. i eat fish and of the sea but dont deal with any harsher meats or eggs....

all this is besides the point.

i like the tone of this discussion. the micro vs the macrocosmic love of self and thus black people and ultimately self again through a deep love and understanding of where we stand based off of the journey of our ancestors. we all face the future from a wide and diverse past. go back far enough to the vanishing point and we're all life from africa. go ahead far enough and we all arrive at the same conclusion. go back/forward even farther and you strike infinity. the everlasting horizon.

to love yourself comletely you have to love your parents your ancestors black people humans life existance and then everything the all the ultimate. god.

dealing with the divisions and the complexities that can arise out of this equation is a mission, but i believe it is a mission worth while.

i'm black. i spit therefore i am....


  

Printer-friendly copy | Top

    
Nettrice
Charter member
61747 posts
Sun May-11-03 12:21 PM

Click to send private message to this authorClick to view this author's profileClick to add this author to your buddy list
13. "RE: i spit."
In response to Reply # 12


  

          

>on the sidewalk. out the window. etc. mostly because of the
>inordinate amounts of poisons that build up in me need to be
>expelled and not reconsumed in my lower respiratory system
>resulting in a lung infection.

The spit I am talking about is on benches where people sit and other places that come in contact with skin (or spewed/sprayed into the air). I guess my personal revulsion comes from the fact that I got spinal TB back in college and it almost took me out of the game for good. I was traveling via public transportation in the urban areas and being exposed to all kinds of illness. Now I carry hand sanitizers and purify my air whenever I can...that's the reason for my earlier reply on the topic. Anyhoo...

...for the nine months I was on the TB medicine I lived on the top floor of a community art center on the southside of Chicago. I taught art to young folks 2-3 times per week while I went to grad school. I never stopped my community work but I was seriously ill. It was all about love and purpose. One of the things that I remember was how safe I felt living in that center with the gangs and craziness outside. People looked after me and I helped them. I barely thought about the pain of my TB.

<--- Blame this lady for Nutty.

  

Printer-friendly copy | Top

    
Chike
Charter member
32916 posts
Sun May-11-03 04:58 PM

Click to send email to this author Click to send private message to this authorClick to view this author's profileClick to add this author to your buddy list
16. "dope response"
In response to Reply # 12


  

          

This especially shows that you have a perspective on the situation similar to mine:

>to love yourself comletely you have to love your parents
>your ancestors black people humans life existance and then
>everything the all the ultimate. god.

  

Printer-friendly copy | Top

Chike
Charter member
32916 posts
Tue May-13-03 01:31 PM

Click to send email to this author Click to send private message to this authorClick to view this author's profileClick to add this author to your buddy list
18. "RE: On Self-Criticism & Love 4 The People"
In response to Reply # 0


  

          

up once.

  

Printer-friendly copy | Top

ppg_2311
Member since Jun 26th 2002
1978 posts
Tue May-13-03 01:56 PM

Click to send email to this author Click to send private message to this authorClick to view this author's profileClick to add this author to your buddy list
19. "RE: On Self-Criticism & Love 4 The People"
In response to Reply # 0


  

          

Modifying Chike's comments here would be spoiling things. All I can say is "Thank you mkhaya(fellow African)" for an insightful commentary.

Come Barack ! (Hawuzwe !)
Nyamazana ! (Hawuzwe !)
Come Barack ! (Hawuzwe !)
Obama ! (Hawuzwe !)

  

Printer-friendly copy | Top

    
Chike
Charter member
32916 posts
Tue May-13-03 06:27 PM

Click to send email to this author Click to send private message to this authorClick to view this author's profileClick to add this author to your buddy list
20. "Thank you too..."
In response to Reply # 19


  

          

Taught me a new word... now, what language is that? I guess it's obviously a South African language, but is it Zulu? Xhosa? Something else?

  

Printer-friendly copy | Top

Lobby Okay Activist Archives topic #4830 Previous topic | Next topic
Powered by DCForum+ Version 1.25
Copyright © DCScripts.com