Category: Unfolding

Today I celebrate and reflect on 110 years of a rich and bold fraternal tradition of social justice. Inequality and social injustice have characterized American society across generations of human beings and served as pivotal factors driving the need for fraternal organization by students at Cornell University in the fall of 1905.

Peaceful forward movement by members of a society can occur with educational attainment. The founding jewels of my celebrated fraternal tradition embraced the necessity of education, yet confronted barriers of physical appearance and economic status. In response, a collective was formed that birthed success and achievement of the individual and advancement of the group. The struggle of generations yielded a conceptual framework upon which the voice of progress spoke. And, as the server evolved into the leader, the mundane became the profound. Upon this framework, initiates of brilliant mind have diligently marched onwards and upwards for social justice. From a foundation on December 4, 1906 came the tenacious lawyer who successfully argued Brown v. Board of Education before the US Supreme Court and architects that drafted blueprints for peaceful civil disobedience of which every person in the nation has benefitted.

As I reflect continue to reflect on this day, dutiful custodians of social justice are ever in need. Sadly, the words of Verter Woodson Tandy, an exemplary architect and jewel of humanity, hold the same meaning today as they did in 1937. He urged like-minded others to, “ Do something constructive so that your sons, your daughters and all who come behind them will be proud of you. We must fight till hell freezes over and then fight on the ice.”  

Moreover, consideration of the social progress that has occurred in our nation since January 1, 1863 is tantamount to hell freezing over.  Please take a moment of pause and think about that changes that have occurred with 153 years. African Americans and women can vote, children are educated in desegregated schools, people of different ethnic backgrounds can unite in marriage, and people of the same gender enjoy the union of marriage as well. Further, if you consider that an estimated 3,959 Black people were murdered in racial terror lynchings between 1877 and 1950 (read here) then the election of an African American person as President of the United States and African American family living in a home constructed with the help of labor by enslaved Africans speaks of remarkable progress.

The past (you) and future (children) converge in the gift that is the present, which is the only time wherein meaningful change can occur. Thus, I urge that you not permit the celebration of achievement to overshadow the abundance of work that remains. The need for growth continues. We have a dynamic relationship with our environment. Although our surroundings impact us in mind and body, we are also able to shape and mold our physical and mental conditions as well. Even as the lotus blossom of our collective society continues to unfold the work remains and now we fight on the ice. As you return to the details of your life, what present can offer to those who shall come behind you?

On Saturday April 9th, I participated in a 5K. I have enjoyed running since my early 20s, but this was my first organized race.  I finished in about 30 minutes and tremendously enjoyed the experience. Yet, during the weeks before the event I was apprehensive with my expectations. I do not consider myself to be the poster of fitness and that was the problem. As I reflected on my formative years as an overweight child, I feared social embarrassment that stemmed from internalized perceptions of fitness.

Fitness as a concept can be presented as glamorous and sexy (consider commercials with professional athletes or  muscular models advertising exercise devices).  It is thus reasonable for such images to be internalized as concepts that become “the standard” to which we tacitly compare ourselves. Moreover, it also reasonable that a person struggling with weight or body-image could subsequently and persistently demoralize themselves based upon this silent concept.  As an overweight child, jeers from other children and relatives proved detrimental to my self-esteem that persisted into adulthood.  I doubt that I am alone in that experience. These recollections have lived with me and as I waited for the race to commence I stood at the confluence of emotion, socialized concepts, and determination.

The sound came and the race commenced. I thought and with one step my run began. I did not stop and ran past emotion, internal short-comings, and external definitions of fitness.  Completing the race was decided in mind and the body followed. Once done, I decided against celebrating with other runners.  I accepted no high-fives and offered a simple, “thank you”, to congratulatory words. I drank water and grabbed a banana then hurried to the embrace of my family. The achievement was mental but the moment emotional and I reserved celebration for family. I felt no hunger and offered the banana to my oldest daughter.  My youngest daughter proudly adorned the headband I received at the finish line. During our moment of celebration, the words of my children impressed upon me the strength of an example. When my daughters asked if they can run races, I smiled. I did not think that watching their father run at age 40 would impact their behaviors.  I am pleased to establish tangible examples of fitness for them.  At home, my oldest daughter found a local 3K for herself and 1K for her sister. I was proud. We are now committed to running every weekend as they prepare for their first organized races.

I overcame emotional recollections and internalized concepts to participate in my first organized race. In the process I redefined fitness and achievement for myself and set an example for my children. They were more impressed with my participation than completion time or running non-stop. I urge you to set aside externally derived concepts and embrace the opportunity to define fitness and health for self. And if you decide to run, then race to leave misguided notions behind. Fitness is mental as it begins with a thought followed by one step.

As a young and occasionally defiant boy in search of adventure, my mother often quoted a bible verse instructing children to honor their parents for the benefit of longevity (Ephesians 6:2-3). In my youth, I took those words as an admonition against bad behavior.  Yet, as an adult, profiting from instruction by the teacher that is experience, those words also bear the larger greater context of honoring ancestral parents.  

   I recently read an article on a local news site about a former slave cemetery in Atlanta, GA. While, happy to learn of the existence of such a sacred and historical site, I find the site’s condition unsettling. In my opinion, honoring ancestral parents is living your life in a way that acknowledges their contributions to humanity and struggles within the human condition in recognition that your existence is a result of their toil. I further opine that maintaining final resting places of ancestral parents offers them a dignity in *death that they may not have been afforded in *life. There are many African American professionals, athletes, celebrities, and even pseudo-celebrities in the Atlanta area of financial means to maintain culturally significant historical sites. Is the disremembering of sacred sites a consequence of the quest to accumulate wealth outpacing the quest for knowledge? I refer to the essay penned by Dr. W.E.B. DuBois, “Of the Wings of Atalanta” (1903) that warns against distraction of golden apples along the course of a collective journey.  The words remain relevant today, “What if the Negro people be wooed from a strife for righteousness, from a love of knowing, to regard dollars as the be-all and end-all of life?” 

The transcendent halls of knowledge confirm the presence of African peoples in the Americas to have a rich and beautiful legacy testifying to the labor of an indomitable spirit. I am proud to share that legacy and know that “being black” is not limited to colloquialisms or fashion. The splendid history and cultural contributions from African blood in the Americas and throughout our world exceeds month-long celebrations, t-shirts, or hashtags. It is a record of perseverance and high-achievement regardless of condition or circumstance. Thus, Black history becomes a personal and daily celebration.  The ancestral connection is a chain fashioned from DNA-links that are alive with you. If you live and are the result of your ancestors, does it not follow that your ancestors are alive (in you)?  If you have genes (DNA) originating from your ancestors, then indeed they live as we are alive.

 Let us continue this deliberation of ancestral connections.  By genetic bequest, individuals are cosmic libraries of DNA-books holding immeasurable information to be explored by the consciousness of the inner student.  Does that make sense? In body we are custodians of these libraries, and by mental activity we open sacred pages to study the wisdom therein. In addition to benefiting from the wisdom, it is also our duty to contribute to the library and preserve the works of our ancestors.  The contributions are individual and preservation occurs by teaching younger generations. An example of my contribution is a love of music. I have been playing musical instruments for over 25 years and as a musician, I delight in diverse musical genres. I also study the works of foundational African American musicians in the genres of blues, jazz, gospel, folk, rock, R&B, etc and share this study with my children. Regarding these foundational cultural icons, I teach my children the significance of their cultural contributions, encourage my children to learn their works on their chosen instruments, and overall foster an environment wherein my children can study their legacy.  However,  cultural study is not limited to musical innovators. The dominion of the intellection is ever emphasized. Academic achievement in the classroom is mandatory and complemented by home study of the contributions to history, literature, art, and science by people of color. This month, in celebration of Black History, we have been reading a compilation of works by writers during the Harlem Renaissance. 

 I am in no manner, naive enough to think that neglect of historical sites or absent study of Black history in the home is intentional.  The stark reality is that some communities and people of color are socially and economically marginalized. For many people of color, concerns of finance, food access, healthcare, and social justice are dominant aspects of everyday life. And, in this context, it is difficult to contemplate African American cultural contributions when facing not having enough food to eat or whether you (or loved ones) will become the subject of a social media hastag.  To the reader, I know this is a difficult subject as questions of survival trump leisure study. Nonetheless, I ask that you continue to read because from this contemplation comes the realization of a brutal paradox.  The weight of daily struggles may preclude time for study and inward reflection to gain the strength and inspiration required to navigate dangerous waters. There is no doubt of the difficulties that people of color have encountered and still face today.  Notwithstanding those difficulties, people of color do not exist by chance, but are the direct consequence of ancestral success against obstacles.  The knowledge and wisdom to successfully traverse life’s obstacles are available in stories of old within our cosmic libraries.  As one continues to think that the study of history or listening to stories from elders is incongruous with the challenge of daily survival threats a cycle results. And, how can this cycle be broken?  Perhaps time to study wisdom and lessons of old is extant and let me be an example of how to find it.  I am reminded of Lao Tzu (Tao Te Ching)  who asserted that time is a created thing and we make time for what is important. My examination of time spent during a day reveals non-essential moments (watching television, idle time on the internet, or time in transit) offering no significant yield.  In effort to gain some yield from these moments, I decided to read or listen to audio books of varied topics. And, I emphasize the mental act of deciding.  So, where are moments in your life that can be repurposed? And, if the yield be the inspiration with wisdom that is applicable to quotidian toils then the time is indeed well spent. Every positive action, no matter how minuscule it may seem, has a beneficial outcome. 

  I close this reflection by reiterating the impossibility of confining the celebration of Black history to a calendar month.  Black history is human history predating written records.  And, Black history can be a hidden record shrouded from view by Eurocentric academic hegemony and candid racism. Indeed, contributions by people of African origin in the Americas and the world itself stretch the expanse of human activity, which cannot be limited to proper inspection in a month. The works and lessons are our forbearers should be as commonplace as eating utensils in the dwellings of people of color.  And, from experience, I believe these discussions to be routine in households of color.  As such, I have come to regard the dining table as not only the place of a family meal but also the ideal setting for discussion of daily life and reflection on lessons from ancestral parents.  I urge that discussion transform into action honoring ancestral parents as we become dutiful custodians and contribute to our cosmic libraries. Show respect for and honor your ancestors in the way you live each moment, treat your children, and represent yourself. The interest to maintain African American historical sites can arise from staunch appreciation of ancestral struggles and accomplishments. It is an individual task to create time for reflection on the lives of predecessors. Wisdom and inspiration helpful to current struggles may be gained from the action. I enjoin everyone to be honorable in action towards the self and ancestors in maintaining their resting places as well as preserving their legacy in our daily lives.

*I emphasize life and death as opposite concepts may yield fundamental knowledge. For example, hot and cold while opposite are fundamentally the same, temperature.  One my speculate whether life and death are also opposite manifestations of the same, existence.  Perhaps death is existence in a form that we do not comprehend.