Afro-Phobia
iiti m Htp (Welcome In Peace)
It’s been quite some time since my last article, a’lot has happened over the span of a few months since I last wrote an article. I was initiated into the Shrine of Jhuty Heru Neb Hu under Seba Mfundishi Jhutyms; that was a pivotal moment in life.
So lets dive into my thoughts and get into the subject of discussion Afro-Phobia. First let me start off by breaking down the word. Afro is short for the word Afrikan and Phobia is Phobia of course.
Lets define the word African/Afrikan.
noun
Af·ri·can | \ ˈa-fri-kən also ˈä-\
1: a native or inhabitant of Africa
2: a person and especially a black person of African ancestry
Now lets define the word Phobia.
noun
Pho·bia | \ ˈfō-bē-ə \
1: an exaggerated usually inexplicable and illogical fear of a particular object, class of objects, or situation.
2: exaggerated fear of
3: intolerance or aversion
Throughout history there has been an unprecedented attack on the culture, morality, spirit & lives of people of Afrikan descent. In ancient times in our most glorious of sacred and technological land in Afrika is named km.t/Kemet .
km.t
The definition of km.t: {The Black Land, Egypt}. For those who don’t know Egypt is a Greek word. Our ancestors named the land mass km.t, which means the black land. (Mark Vygus Dictionary, 2015, pg 782)Western civilization attributes philosophy, culture, mythology, ethics, high intellectual civilization to the Greeks. Greeks came as humble students, then as invaders, also the Persians, Romans, Arabs came as invaders. Little do some realize, these people got their knowledge, wisdom, philosophy and spiritual concepts from Afrikans in the Hapi (Nile) valley of North Afrika.
History & science tells us that Afrikan descendants presently descend from African Homo Sapiens 200,00 years ago.
“Human life emerged in Africa 5.5 million years ago, based on fossil finds. This find at Lake Baringo (4.2 million y.a) was a revelation, revealing that modern humans are all one species originating from the same source. Literature for the last half-century has posed that Africans are not humans in any respect, not withstanding the complete string of present day human being fossil finds found only in Africa. There are five specimens of the African humanity which gone through a sequence of evolutions and revolutions spanning 5.5 million years to graduate to what’s called modern day Homo Sapiens Sapiens. What exists today as what is known to be human is the fifth species, is Homo Sapiens-Sapiens” (African Time Vol 1, Tdka Kilimanjaro Ph.D, Ife Kilimanjaro Ph.D, Yahra Aaneb, 2016)
“The first three of the five hominid chains never removed themselves from Africa. The last two however, migrated throughout and out of Africa to various continents because of climate struggles. The five species varies in physique, brain size, facial structure, and the place and time of their distribution”. (African Time Vol 1, Tdka Kilimanjaro Ph.D, Ife Kilimanjaro Ph.D, Yahra Aaneb, 2016)
“Differences in appearance have been stimulated by environmental climates. Being that the stages of human development began in Africa, which is an equatorial region, the mothers and fathers of modern human life were developed with Black skin as a protection against the sun rays. During the migration to various continents is when the physical appearances gradually changed in humans in order to adapt to opposing continent climates. Some Blacks inhabited Europe and traveled across northern Asia into Siberia while other groups went into India & China and headed south to inhabit Indonesia and Australia. Those that went north crossed the Bering Straits And traveled north into North America.” (African Time Vol 1, Tdka Kilimanjaro Ph.D, Ife Kilimanjaro Ph.D, Yahra Aaneb, 2016)
“Researchers have used DNA comparisons to advance the theory that humans first evolved in sub-Saharan Africa, then migrated to other parts of the world, rather than evolving simultaneously in different regions. The DNA of Africans is more genetically diverse – and thus older- than other groups of people”. (African Time Vol 1, Tdka Kilimanjaro Ph.D, Ife Kilimanjaro Ph.D, Yahra Aaneb, 2016)
“The chain of hominids is made up of five human species.The first three never left Africa. The last two reached such a level that hey could not only spread over Africa but leave Africa with their industries to people other continents. Therefore after verification it appears that the African species were always older than those of other continents and other parts of the world”. (African Time Vol 1, Tdka Kilimanjaro Ph.D, Ife Kilimanjaro Ph.D, Yahra Aaneb, 2016)
“Modern HSS(Homo Sapiens Sapiens) moved out of Africa by the way of Isthmus of Suez, the Straits of Gibraltar, and the Horn of Ethiopia where it meets South Yemen.
HSS populations that left Africa split off in different directions eventually inhabiting Asia and Europe. We know this based on:
1) The concrete fossil evidence discovered in Africa.
2) Recent findings based on the study of mitochondrial DNA in evolutionary biology.
3)The sequence of chronological dates.
4) Documented human migratory routes out of Africa; all five primary stages of humankind originated in Africa and were all Black”.
The complete series of fossil specimens which document the five stages of hominid formation were found exclusively in Africa.
1: Australopithecines/AA: 4.2- 2.5 mil years ago
2: Homo Habilis/HH (Tool Users): 2.4-1.6 mil years ago
3: Homo Erectus/HE (First specimen to emigrate out of Africa): 1.8-0.3 mil years ago
4: Homo Sapien Neandethal/HSN: 250,000-30,00 years ago
5: Homo Sapien Sapien/HSS (Existing Specimen/Modern Day Humans) 200,000yrs – present
(African Time Vol 1, Tdka Kilimanjaro Ph.D, Ife Kilimanjaro Ph.D, Yahra Aaneb, 2016)
I felt it was imperative to get into human evolution for those of my readers who may not know this information. Due to the religious dogma and constructs of Western Religion, Afrikans abroad and in the diaspora fail to understand human evolutionary process, connected to science and biology. We’ve been fed false fairytales and narratives of the bible/torah/quran chronology which makes absolutely no sense in context of biology, evolution and linguistics for that matter.
As we know, other races of people evolved from original Afrikans. Due to geographical circumstances the other races have genetically & phenotypically mutated. This is why one can find various haplogroups and even various blood types. The Afrikan man/woman is the original and thus all are related. But what came out of Afrika and eventually mutated, then came back was not the same culturally, spiritually, nor phenotypically. We must understand the complexity in that statement.
Fast forward to present time, the modern day Afrikan man and woman in the diaspora and home abroad have challenges that still plague us. Challenges due to the centuries of oppression and historical genocide. Arab slave trade in Afrika, Afrikan holocaust of millions of Afrikans in the Congo due to belgium and leopold II. Trans Atlantic Slave trade & human trafficking, kidnapping and more holocaust. We have been systematically stripped of a culture, identity, rightful family names & heritage. We have been taught to hate our phenotypic features. We have been infiltrated spiritually by missionaries who gave us false prophets like Jesus/Muhammad, while hoodwinking us to leave our Indigenous spiritual systems, teaching they were evil in the long run.
In return they’ve gained our sacred teachings and understanding of nature, while taking our land, which produced an abundance of natural resources.
“In recognizing the relationship between consciousness, culture and science, our current thinking suggest that culture is the basis of consciousness; and a people’s consciousness reveals itself in the science and paradigms created by that culture to assess and evaluate itself. Hence, culture becomes the necessary and sufficient condition for understanding the natural human process of a people, as well as their liberation from domination”. (Seeking the Sakhu- Foundational Writings for an African Psychology, Dr. Wade W. Nobles, 2006)
“In effect, as a reconstruction of culture, science and its paradigms are essentially methods for reflecting man’s sensation of his own experimental reality; i.e., consciousness. In sensing one’s own experimental reality both internal-subjective, and external-objective, consciousness becomes equivalent to awareness”.
“ It is important to realize that when one uses the sciences and paradigms of another culture, one adopts their consciousness and implicit meaning of reality. In doing so, one also limits the natural capacity of the indigenous culture to act or react in relation to nature and the material and spiritual conditions defined by it”.(Seeking the Sakhu- Foundational Writings for an African Psychology, Dr. Wade W. Nobles, 2006)
“It is our contention that culture is the thing which naturally resists its own oppression. Culture is, therefore, the mechanism for continuing the history of a people. The oppression of a people is an act designed to remove them from history. That is to remove them from the process of history itself. Hence oppression only becomes complete when the oppressed become infected with or internalizes the ideological premise, or cultural meaning of their oppressor.”(Seeking the Sakhu- Foundational Writings for an African Psychology, Dr. Wade W. Nobles, 2006)
Culture is very fundamental to the advancement and preservation of Afrikans in the diaspora and home abroad. Most people claim they’re Afrikan, yet they don’t embrace the culture. It is often rejected by phrases such as:
- That’s that Black stuff.
- Afrika is poor.
- Afrikans abroad, don’t like Afrikans in the diaspora of America.
- I can’t give my children Afrikan names because the europeans won’t hire them.
- I can’t practice Afrikan spiritual systems because I was told(brainwashed/lied)that it was evil by europeans & arabs alike.
Embracing Afrikan culture in its pure form and concept has often been rejected due to fear of what other groups and races may feel. And in some circumstances our own ignorant people in our same race might remark negative. Our culture has been so looked at with fear and phobia, that some have coined the phrase “Unapologetically Afrikan”
Unapologetically Afrikan means that one doesn’t apologize, regret, change up, or have doubt about anything culture wise, in Afrikan context.
Go tell an Asian person from China not to practice their culture, they’ll probably be ready to fight you. Tell that same person that Chinese names sound stupid and their children wont get a job. Tell them some parts of Asia are poor, so don’t travel there. Tell them Buddahism is evil, so leave that alone. You will get laughed at, ignored, or probably upset the person.
As of recent there has been an influx of people using the term new Afrikan. What is a new Afrikan? In Afrikan culture we’re taught to always remember our Ancestors. To state one is a new Afrikan is basically saying forget about the past and others who are not here.
“ For many who use it, new Afrikan is a designation for those who want to honor being Afrikan without giving up their european ways. Claiming this new blended, de-culturalized identity for themselves allows the rationalization of incorporating what is not Afrikan (such as feminism and homosexuality) into their being as normal and acceptable. They have become something new (an automatic positive in their eyes) and different (another out of context positive)”.(Centered-Building Afrikan Realities, Mwalimu K. Bomani Baruti, 2009)
“Their loss of true identity is concealed behind some concocted fabrication of a new, all inclusive, genderless opressionless humanity (auto-correcting of persistent european flaws) that is in an almost psychotic denial of its self-evident Europeanization in blackface. Even as a sane ideal, this new human is an impossibility within the bounds of european culture”. (Centered-Building Afrikan Realities, Mwalimu K. Bomani Baruti, 2009)
“Obviously, despite these apologetic attempts to make our physical and cultural rape appear benign, there are no new Afrikans. We are our Ancestors. Under any assault we are still the oldest of humanity. If we are to use the term new Afrikan, then it must be reconceptualized to fit this understanding”. (Centered-Building Afrikan Realities, Mwalimu K. Bomani Baruti, 2009)
To imply or use the term new, means that one wishes to move away or separate from that which is old. As I stated above in traditional Afrikan culture we practiced remembering and giving praises to our Ancestors, who became venerated ones.
People laughed at Malcom X when he dropped his last name, then he eventually changed his name altogether. Even though Malcom technically gave himself another enslavers name (Arabs) his mind and heart was in the right place. He just didn’t understand the full context of history pertaining to Afrikan people. So we can’t hold that against him, he was a great champion for our race, may he rest well with the Ancestors.
“Carrying the surnames of those who enslaved your ancestors is a constant reminder of a lack of self-determination, a badge of conquest,” and that “… wearing them without question is tantamount to accepting the enslavement and all of its violations of our Africanity”. (As I Run Toward Africa, Dr. Molefi Kete Asante, 2011)
“The baggage became heavier each time we were called by names that were not ours”. (As I Run Toward Africa, Dr. Molefi Kete Asante, 2011)
“Mature people give themselves names from their history and culture; others are like pets that are given names by humans”. (As I Run Toward Africa, Dr. Molefi Kete Asante, 2011)
“Naming is a religious experience because it grants us access to the mysteries of creation”. (As I Run Toward Africa, Dr. Molefi Kete Asante, 2011)
Carrying the names of people who kidnapped, mass murdered, tortured & raped your people is an insult to those who this was originally forced on. Even in traditional Afrikan culture, one’s naming ceremony was very special and celebrated occasion. Some would argue that it is disrespectful towards their parents to change their name to a cultural appropriate name. I say it is even more disrespectful to the Ancestors that pre-date your parents not to do so.
In Afrikan culture giving honor and respect to one’s Elders was the appropriate thing to do. Just because one is old in life does not make him/her an Elder. There’s a difference between olders & Elders.
“Elder as an Afrikan designation, identifies persons of an advancing age in the community who have accumulated a vast working knowledge of their people’s traditions(normalized, spiritually deduced, functional beliefs and behaviors). “ We could rephrase this to say that an elder is one who is learned, practiced and passionately committed to, the way of our people. And because of a lifetime of demonstrated commitment to these principles and practices, such worthy individuals are sought out for the active, dynamic wisdom that has maintained the traditional integrity of our families, community and nation in the face of the forces of time (change) and circumstance”. (Centered-Building Afrikan Realities, Mwalimu K. Bomani Baruti, 2009)
“Elders are considered beyond reproach and held in the highest esteem. They are conscious men and women of character who recognize their accountability to the community. They speak in a communal, not individual voice. They know the value of quiet contemplation and listening, a valuable knowledge gained through life experience”.
“Among Afrikan people, Elders are greatly honored. Their reputations precede them. The evidence of their character is found in their lives full of Afrikan work. Their wisdom is highly valued, for Afrikans believe it an act of prudence to follow the wisdom of the wisest among us to keep us sane and together. Ourstorically{Historically} Afrikans spend a lifetime in pursuit of a character deserving of the honor of eldership. Eldership like ancestralship is earned”.(Centered-Building Afrikan Realities, Mwalimu K. Bomani Baruti, 2009)
So in context, merely reaching a certain age does not qualify someone to be given the title Elder or Nana. It is a title that is earned and given to one by the community of people of the Afrikan community. An Older does not meet the criteria and is often excluded due to various factors such as mental maturity etc.
“The older person who lacks common sense is referred to as useless (opanyin jyangen)or foolish or stupid (kwasiampanyin)”.
We must get back to cultural practices as a race of people, for far too long we have adopted the cultural mindset of those who have long infiltrated the core of our very being.
“European culture can never be self reliant it must control or exploit someone else for its wealth or life force, like cancer it needs a host. Without others there is no possibility of European power. Europe itself is barren, depending on the natural resources, creative talent and spiritual wealth of others for existence”. (Spiritual Warriors Are Healers, Mfundishi Jhutyms, 2003)
In conclusion: we must return to our cultural practices, spirituality, traditions, heritage, customs, mindset and guiding moral principles. For without it we are nothing but bastardized images of those who sought to strip us down to their perceptions, interpretations, ignorance and hatred. We must be and remain un-apologetically Afrikan in every facet of life. For we are the original people as noted. For there is no shame or care when other races or creeds of people openly represent and practice their culture & identify who they are, openly & proudly. We must do the same!
For the very concept of “Sankofa” is upon us as a people! The meaning of Sankofa is; return and get it, the concept of learning from the past. Sankofa word comes from the Twi language of Ghana (San-to return; ko-to go; fa– to fetch, to seek and take)
Sankofa is often associated with the proverb: Se wo were fi na wosankofa a yenki which translates to; It is not wrong to go back for that which you have forgotten.
Read that as many times as you’d like and engrave this concept into the minds of your family, community and youth. It is not wrong to go back for that which you have forgotten, it is not too late to undo the practices that have been forced upon us. It is not too late to dive deep into your culture and learn about the ways of your people before intervention.
We must no longer act with the pretenses of fear and phobia, to be who we always will be and that is a Mighty Afrikan Race!
Until next time these are my thoughts and I hoped you enjoyed reading them!
Sources.
African Time Vol 1 – Tdka Kilimanjaro Ph.D, Ife Kilimanjaro Ph.D, Yahra Aaneb – 2016
Seeking the Sakhu – Foundational Writings for an African Psychology – Dr. Wade W. Nobles – 2006
Centered-Building Afrikan Realities – Mwalimu K. Bomani Baruti – 2009
As I Run Toward Africa – Dr. Molefi Kete Asante – 2011
Spiritual Warriors Are Healers – Mfundishi Jhutyms – 2003
Egyptian Medew Neter Dictionary – Mark Vygus – 2015
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well stated. what has been done can never be forgotten or our condition will worsen through our complicity. and the parameters of what it means to be Afrikan must be reiterated until all excuses fall, we appropriately deal with all enemies (within and without) who would have us betray our Ancestors and we become who we are. this statement is the kind of succinctness we need to be able to offer the frontliners. Abibifahodie.
dwA Seba for your input, we must stay consistent in our efforts, I am honored to have Elders like yourself who has given me the inspiration and courage. Abibifahodie
Hetepu, Hetepu,
Dua Duau,
NS-UR-RA-CH-M-CH-II-M-“HOTP”
Well spoken and very comprehensive. I thoroughly enjoyed reading your thoughts. Keep up the good works my NAGA/Shm-su-hrw’s/N-sut-Bitii’s/Hm-T’s/Sba’s&Sba-t’s/Mut-Natar-t’s. (Ankh Udja-Snb.)- (Ubn-Nfr-Iqr-Pa-Nbu-Nrw-Ma’at) “RA-NB-UR-TCHR-RA”