Once again we arrive at the shortest month of the Gregorian year, February, which ironically incorporates Valentine’s Day and more recently, Black History Month. The former the celebration of Love, the latter the cerebration of Life itself–which for all began nearest to the equator where the least amount of heat was required to warm humanity in its infancy.
Historically, as man matures, also begins separation–by color, nationality, intellect, language and any other progressive divides one can muster to feel superior to someone else. In fact the most current theories of human development are based on the works of Western European and American scientists and therefore reflect study of the White, middle-class (and mostly male) population–a minority of the human beings on the planet! These studies largely reflect the population groups immediately surrounding the scientists themselves. Yet we hear constant reference to Blacks and other non-Whites as “minorities” although the non-White population of the earth far exceeds the White and always has since the beginning of time.
Also subliminally inferred with the term minority is inferiority, a point too many Blacks choose to argue while other nationalities entering this nation including Africans tenaciously strive to and prove untrue.
“In the beginning, God…” we read from many religious scriptures, and that God is Love. Therefore, “From Africa with Love!”
I’m sure that most have heard the expression “Black Love,” but only Black centenarians, their predecessors and immediate descendants can remotely understand its depth. Black Love is the love of family, Black or White that one is an intricate part of, whether by birth, inheritance or ownership. The Black slave loved the White babies she nursed from her breast, knowing full well they would grow up to hate, abuse and enslave other Blacks. Black Love is loving for God’s sake, leaving judgment and abuse of it to the Creator of us all. Black Love is synonymous with pride, dignity, tenacity and trustworthiness while leaving judgment, retribution and reward to our Creator.
Black Love is sacrificing one’s self and possessions (of which there once were very few) for the wellbeing and advancement of others, regardless of circumstances. In the segregated classrooms of yesteryear, students were taught Black (Negro) History in elementary and secondary schools and colleges by Black teachers who instilled in them pride, dignity, hope and motivation. With the advent of forced desegregation, however, Black principals immediately became Black History, followed systematically by Black teachers. The results, neither Black nor White students of today are well versed on the innumerable contributions by Black scientists, astronomers, inventors, educators, etc., prior to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., except through individual initiative.
We have been people programmed through history to view difference as good or bad, right or wrong and therefore instinctively resent, resist and feel threatened by it. Through Black Love we could place less emphasis on the genetic roots that divide us, and more on the spiritual roots that unite and elevate us above our multiple prejudices. Only through Black Love can we, through modern science and technology, come together respectfully as citizens of One World, and members of One Race–the human race!
According to the Baha’i Holy Scriptures for this advanced stage of mankind’s maturity, “As the black pupil brings sight to the eye, so too shall the Black people bring religious sight to the world.” (Investigate! –1-800-22-unite)
