As a US female citizen of African descent, I have suffered heart breaking oppression ever since I was old enough to leave the sanctity of my parent’s home. Traumatic implications of this experience remain continuous. comprehensive, compound and complex. Yet, I have learned not to be intimidated by oppressive dominant societal practices that existed, and still exist, since the genesis of my people's arrival on these shores.
I know that the perceived genesis of Black Americans in this country was, and often still is, that of servitude and submission. However, I am equally confident that it did not define my ancestors just as it does not define who my people are today. Most importantly, I am convinced this is why we are experiencing cruel attempts, yesterday, today, and even tomorrow, to keep my people in our places. It is more than inspiring to see Black Americans manifesting in real time the scripture found in (Romans 12:2).
WE WILL NOT CONFORM TO THIS WORLD.
WE ARE TRANSFORMED BY THE RENEWING OF OUR MINDS.
I am persuaded that the African American struggle in this country, is the price we pay for being a model of deliverance, through the power of the Creator, the name of Christ.
One of the most challenging questions I have studied in the Bible is extracted from Psalms chapter 137.
"HOW CAN WE SING A SONG IN THIS STRANGE LAND."
Black Americans are answering this question. We have flourished in this country from slavery until today. The struggle for our liberation has been incredibly horrific. Yet we have never ceased to sing our songs of victory.
Historical, as well as, contemporary scenarios of savagery, threaten to cloud perspectives with hopelessness, relegating only the testimonials of W.E.B. Du Bois’ “Talented Tenth” to tell the story of overcoming. Yet, as I listen to the everyday struggles of many echelons of Black Americans, I hear a universal story of victory. This does not mean that we are unaffected by the nightmares of oppression. What it does mean is that we are not deterred. Our songs are varied as our collective chords harmoniously inspire unconditional joy, fortitude, and hope reflecting the profound power of our African and African American culture.
Regardless of systemically levied oppressive attempts to strip and/or challenge every vestige of our self-respect and safety, we have courageously participated as citizens of these United States of America. Our ancestors, enslaved on their voyage to America, sang the songs of Moses in his instruction for oppressed people.
We have been singing these songs of resilience ever since, exemplifying our resolve that has existed in our community from then until now. I, along with others, have concluded that collectively African Americans, never internalized a subservient role. Although we yielded, we never did and never will succumb to oppression. It was, and often still is, a mask used to protect our descendants even today.
As our story of United States citizenship metaphorically evolves, we realize it was the tribe of Judah that went into exile more than 400 years ago in these United States of America. The month of February is particularly dedicated to remembering such through a sampling of African American songs/stories of resilience.
During this period, we especially remember Moses’ command, not to forget the songs that were sung by us and to us as we represent our ancestry flourishing in the pit of hell, beginning with slavery and haunting us even today. Our story of resilience, sung universally and individually, is why we continue to grow in strength and power as a people of perseverance, endurance, and success.
Our history as African Americans represents a harmonious and powerful song flavored with oppression as a function of displacement, tyranny, rape, murder and so much more. We will keep singing until the storm of racial hatred, and bigotry perpetrated upon our people, as well as all people of these United States of America, is dissipated.
Remember, nothing could stop the Tribe of Judah from bringing forth human salvation through the person of Jesus the Christ during their oppression by Rome. As well, nothing can stop us from bringing forth the salvation of this country in the Name of Christ!
THIS IS OUR STORY. THIS IS OUR SONG. WE TOO SING AMERICA.
HAPPY BLACK HISTORY MONTH AND BEYOND (365/24/7)
Blessings,