The Need for Kwanzaa’s Coat to be Christianity

Acknowledging and celebrating Kwanzaa was once a mandatory for me. I would literally get upset if a friend would not revel in the teachings with me. Even more disappointed if a friend displayed a hint of ignorance pertaining to Kwanzaa. Consequently, I believed it was necessary for people to know that Dr. Maulana Karenga was a FBI snitch during his reign as a Black Nationalist. That piece of information is not highlighted to discredit Karenga. I share it so that we are fully aware of what we support and hold in high regard.

The wandering of my spirit and excitement for Kwanzaa or any other black empowerment tool began its disappearing act years ago. Slowly, but surely I have begun an emotional detachment. A detachment that has intensified by simply watching the news or reading the metro/urban news sections of local newspapers. 

Understanding that black life has become one of constant chasing e.g. sad seekers of a faded Greatness, I have become insulated and jaded by the reality that we, as a collective, refuse to position ourselves to be more than a politician’s rarely utilized utensil.  

Our disappointing newsworthy occurrences are littered with heartbreak after heartbreak. Every single effort of The Collective is lost. It is gone. Washed away by and with the most popular pain medication of all, Christianity or some other form of mind-numbing spiritual generic. 

Those of us who want something more than what we have produced for and introduced to the world undeniably try our best to remain optimistic. That futile attempt has become a waste that leads to more anguish for those men and women who continue to extend faith in a rejuvenation of The Greatness…

Take some time reviewing what once elevated us to The Greatness, the Principles of Kwanzaa. Think about Dr. Maulana Karenga’s objective. Think about how and why he became an FBI informant…a used utensil for the purpose of violently dismantling The Black Panther Party. 

The last fearless assemblage of black leather jacket wearing elites that boldly rebuked what has permanently destroyed Black Americans, Integration. 

Then see yourself for what you might be…a Turncoat. Many of us have put on coats that are nothing short of heritage assassination. 

Umoja (Unity): To strive for and to maintain unity in the family, community, nation, and race.

Kujichagulia (Self-Determination): To define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves, and speak for ourselves.

Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility): To build and maintain our community together and make our brothers' and sisters' problems our problems, and to solve them together.

Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics): To build and maintain our own stores, shops, and other businesses and to profit from them together.

Nia (Purpose): To make our collective vocation the building and developing of our community in order to restore our people to their traditional greatness.

Kuumba (Creativity): To do always as much as we can, in the way we can, in order to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than we inherited it.

Imani (Faith): To believe with all our heart in our people, our parents, our teachers, our leaders, and the righteousness and victory of our struggle.

Now, I ask, what purpose is there in celebrating and acknowledging something so ancestrally sacred when we –black people- truly do not reflect what makes up our original existence? 

Note the words/phrases in the principles’ descriptions: collective, we, our people, community, together, and own. 

We are so far away from those words/phrases applying to us…let alone describing us. And, if I am wrong/off-base help me consider another truth…and if your response is, ‘This is what Kwanzaa is for...the principles are meant to guide us/to get us where we need to be.’ – please know that you are in a fairytale! You are among the confused Christian-hopefuls that believe Jesus is coming back…

We are the only group of people on the face of this earth still trying to ARRIVE…the only people trying to ARRIVE with the help of a repressive religion, Christianity. If we treated Kwanzaa as a religion…as Christianity - we would have been returned to The Greatness without a longing and desperation for Jesus!

Muata Nowe

Santa Claus is a Black Man and Jesus was a Brother Too

This time of the year brings on so much anxious anticipation. At one time in my life I was definitely not a Christmas celebrating type of guy. My children somewhat changed that. Being an uncle altered that too. Now, I am Santa Claus and Mr. Holiday Season Interior Decorator. Christmas infiltrates my home every year! All in all, I am of joyous spirit when the world celebrates the hypothetical birth of Jesus the Christ. Again…documentation supports that Jesus was not born in December! That’s if you believe Jesus was birthed…

Another truth, ain’t no overweight white man with a white beard flying around giving out toys. One last truth, Jesus and all his biblical confidants and antagonists were not Caucasian. Thankfully, my son, Bryce Emani, does not have to see images of a white Jesus every single day. His preschool does not encourage that pervasive mind-controlling fib. His mother and I found an academic institution that purports datum’s.

Bryce’s first bible has the image above on the cover. His classroom is strategically adorned with similar photographs and posters. Every inch of wall space is a reminder of the unabashed truth. I am so pleased that he does not have to grow-up seeing the lies I saw day in and day out. Instead, Bryce is colorfully adding to the truth with 

The Eurocentric message of Christianity is one that I have always taken issue with – but of late…over the past six years I have grown to embrace the moral and social tenets of what has been labeled a Gutter Religion. The ‘unbelievables’ are of no consequence to me any longer. I do vehemently reject the mis-directives that have shackled the minds of countless people e.g. Jesus walked on water, Moses parted the Red Sea, Jonah survived in the belly of a whale, Noah erected an ark, Moses magically turned a walking stick into a snake, etc. I do however; spend a lot of time brazenly sharing my understanding of biblical allegories and prophecy in a theological context. A rebellious framework that has often times been tagged as aggressively confrontational and hatefully insensitive. Nonetheless, Christianity with its remarkable brainwashing e.g.

has created an environment that encourages extreme criticism and merciless exposing…

http://exposingchristianitywithtruth.blogspot.com/

 

From Africa to the Pacific Islands the human mind has been a playground for European trickery and domination. In every way possible the suspiciously identified as Pale Face by Native Americans has manipulated the masses in an effort to whitewash significant elements of humanity. Even the skin complexion of ole Saint Nick has been used to strangle intelligence. Again, ain’t no overweight white man with a white beard flying around giving out toys.

Some actually believe that this ‘white lie’ is not harmful to a maturing psyche. It is! When everything from Santa Claus to Jesus is white, a significant and unwarranted amount of adulation is gained on false pretense. No white person can fathom the spiritual and cerebral impairment this has caused people of color. Along with the lie’s persistency is the white childrearing ego boost, ‘White is Right…White is Immaculate.’ By strategic design intentional and unintentional the white child grows up in a universal environment that projects superiority. White people consciously and subconsciously believe their race is beyond reproach…Better. The same belief is within the black race once the black person stumbles upon Enlightenment…the only difference: White people have the COLLECTIVE power of green, the dollar! 

The amazing solidification of The Lie has intensified the lowering of self-concept. This leaving black and brown people in an enslaved state of mind socially and religiously,

The religious dynamic –in my estimation- is the most destructive force within black culture. Unfortunately, one of our first leaders, the black preacher (male and female), are the present day wolves in expensive and flamboyant sheep attire leading The Wandering Hebrews of today, 

We ALWAYS Praying…

But, My Bryce…the youngest of my Menschen…will not be fooled or addicted to superficial prayer. Daddy makes sure of that! It starts at home,

“Bryce, pray for the less fortunate, not for yourself. Also, Jesus is black…Santa Claus is black. See…LOOK Bryce”,

 

Muata Nowe  

The Value of Confidence is Dignified - and Damaging?

“…I can promise that meeting with me will not be a waste of your time. I will make myself available at your convenience. You may contact me at 404.1111.1212 or payne0323@aol.com.  Thank you for your consideration.”-Brian E. Payne

That’s my Closing on/in my cover letter. A friend of mine shared her cover letter with me a few years ago, and I decided to ‘borrow’ the closing remarks. It tickled my interest then – and it definitely fits my personality now. So, it is my non-cliché Closing. It is my way of projecting confidence prior to meeting me. 

At one time in my life I was incredibly shy. I was so self-conscious…having a large head and dark skin can challenge your self-concept. I recall how I would position my head in such a way that would not reveal its enormity. Basically, I avoided the profile view. But, I never allowed my unappreciated spooky complexion to defeat me. Light skin has played out…well, not completely. Herman Cain is not liked by politically-leaning African Americans for one conscious reason and one subconscious reason: he is a conservative Republican and he has that coonish skin. 

Avoidance or some degree of it is extremely popular for teenagers and young adults. When we are that age we try to do everything right so that we are not ridiculed by friends and friends of friends. As we age, grow into maturation, we…well not all of us…become more confident in are physicality and in ourselves in general. Confidence grows and evolves…

Confidence is a subjective characteristic that’s typically gauged by others. Actually, one can be the most insecure person but project bold confidence – and that’s usually what people walk away believing: ‘She is so confident.’ But, truly, she may in reality be one of the most self-doubting persons on earth. Thus the reason our conclusions regarding confidence are subjective. 

Conversely, I am filled with a tenacious confidence. Not as a result of something invalid. No…I am self-assured because of the results I have produced academically, athletically, and professionally. So, when another friend indicated to me that she likes my cover letter - but has an issue with my Closing. She said, “It reads a cocky.” That ensued a pause…a double read…a stop! 

What did she mean “cocky”. Knowing my friend I know she is only trying to help. She wants me to gain employment. I certainly understand that. I appreciate her because she has been in my corner without any judgment of me for almost 20 years. We have also provided each other with affection and companionship for what feels like a lifetime. 

Perhaps, a HR Generalist, Hiring Official, a resume/cover letter Reviewer, or one of these faddish life coaches my find my Closing cocky - but in my two decades of reviewing over 1200 resumes and cover letters, hiring up to 90 job seekers, nominating and placing well over 500 Peace Corps applicants, and approving 25 plus men/women for employment - I have determined that self-assurance is valued in the workforce. I definitely understand that there may be some intimidation that some feel. I am a big black guy living in red Georgia! That in itself terrifies white and BLACK people! 

BUT I refuse to lower, adjust, or downplay my High Point and Howard University-groomed competency and country boy likability to appease someone sitting across the interview table from me. I just can’t do it. Sadly, in a moment of doleful desperation during this stint of unemployment I have. The sense of ego loss and shame from dishonoring Minnie Payne’s guidance (a larger than life Humanitarian Legend) that I felt while sitting there looking anxious is probably what caused me not to get selected. I shrank myself to appease an overpaid, fat, full of himself, bad breath black House Negro. 

When I left that make-shift interview I decided then and there that I would NEVER EVER ‘hide my confidence’ for anyone or sacrifice myself for any amount of money! Since that day I have been at peace: Jobless – Non-Salaried – and without a Plantation Job. Yes…I have a higher level of dignity…not perilous pride. 

I will remain unemployed if I have to belittle myself to work for and with men/women who do not appreciate what the Samson of the bible displayed: 

 

Muata Nowe

Waiting for Notification…but do I really want the Notification?

You wake-up every morning wanting it to be different from the other mornings:

See an email notification in your Inbox that's promising...a job that meets your skillset and experience.

You spend part of your day hoping your cell phone rings...rings with good news, not a Christian’s Good News (‘Hang in there at least you are living.’) Although appreciated…but:

A hiring manager on the other end preparing to invite you in for an interview.

You spend another part of your day praying that you will receive an invitation to interview via electronic message:

'We are pleased with your resume. We would like to invite you in for an interview. Is Monday, the 15th at 9:30AM good for you? Please respond via email. 

Waiting on that Notification can be extremely nerve-racking. So much is consumed in the notification: self-esteem, self-value, recognition, education/experience acknowledgement, and bill paying preoccupation. Waiting for Notification is nothing like the wait a sexually active person experiences after a HIV/AIDS screening…please get tested:

http://www.hivtest.org/

 

All the unemployed desire/want is some level of 'outside' empowerment. It helps when we, the nation’s 14 million unemployed, are acknowledged. All the unemployed want is a job! It would be great if the job was within the professional scope of his/her background. If not, a job outside of the resume scope will suffice e.g. day labor, raking leaves, trash pick-up. Most of us are not above what is deemed as ‘demeaning jobs’. A job…any job builds confidence and self-worth. It helps the one who has endured a lengthy unemployment period to massage their ego. Unfortunately, we –the United States of America- have created an environment where our identities are attached to our work. I say 'unfortunate' because in the throes of unemployment we –the job hunters- are desperately seeking 

NOTIFICATION. We live to work, and not live!

http://www.esd.wa.gov/uibenefits/fileweekly/extension/emergency-unemployment-compensation.php

 

Notification is what I received a month ago. Thanks to President Obama, EUC will benefit me. Emergency Unemployment Compensation was extended by President Obama earlier this year. I am thankful for the extension…guess my vote was with purpose! That’s about all I have received from my constitutional right. A right that many ignore. One time in my life I would ridicule those who do not vote – but of late (the past 3yrs) I have changed my tune…simply put, voting in a federal election does not make sense considering the deciding factor is usually the Electoral College. Nonetheless, I will vote again with annoyed trepidation. 

I need EUC…which is tagged as a handout by many Republicans considering I linger in employment uncertainty. Well, I am backstroking outside of my training…I do whatever it takes to make the ends meet - and with this new survival motivation that stems from my need to make money, I must admit that I am thankful that I am experiencing Unemployment at this stage in my life…it is another joyful opportunity to experience Humility and build Dignity. 

My ancestors picked cotton so that I could acquire the White Man’s prerequisites! Don’t be fooled everything that people of color reach for is what the pilgrim’s descendants approved. 

The task now is to keep mine eyes on the prize. I must not get too content. I must not stop searching for a job that will provide health insurance for my boys. I must not become lazy. Shiftless. A deadbeat. A societal burden. And, believe me it is relatively easy to fall into that pitiful place:

To NOT Wait for Notification

EUC in some ways is a double edge sword. On one end the unemployed need the extension to survive and on the other end the unemployed can become mighty comfortable for two years doing nothing to get back into the workforce. Nada! I am at ease - but not so comfy that I do not rise each day hoping for NOTIFICATION.

 So tempting…EVERY Morning

However, I must confess that it is quite enticing to just roll over and play with myself…it is safer too!

It is also easy to collect a check each week, to not have to worry about anyone from the Dept of Labor checking up on me, to not participate in any of the mandatory trainings/classes that the Dept of Labor indicated the unemployed would have to, and to never go back to the Dept of Labor for anything. All we –the unemployed- have to do is communicate with…well not communicate but listen to a voice automated system and press the right buttons on a smartphone. 

http://www.messagingservice.com/media/play-demo.htm

Automation Made Easy...just like today's Unemployment made easy by the United States Government…the government has no other choice…There be no jobs out der!

 

Muata Nowe

One thing I can count on in my Circle of Life are random opportunities to gain clarity with the help of a friend. A casual conversation can change my outlook…a viewpoint that has been a part of my DNA for the longest time can be altered with The Word…a wise word not a clichéd reformation of canonical scripture.


We get older and wiser. Then we experience, The Chance – not a preacher approved Godly retribution.

A Chance that forms as a result of the decisions that we make. It is one step forward with numerous steps backwards, and if we are stuck in the Learning Curve that learning constantly introduces we are not getting wiser. To be wise is to be Simple.


A reduced priced T-shirt from Target, a pair of aged cargo shorts that were pants in another life, and a pair of vintage black high-top Converse are classic items that scream, Simplicity.

This is what one of my best friends helped me concentrate on a few days ago, Minimalism. He said, “I am so tired of all this rhetorical verbiage that dictates what is necessary to Make It…all this emphasis on the American Dream…what is that anyway? It is simple for me…I want my life to be modest. Nothing more, nothing less.” –The Teacher


I am definitely in agreement! I am so thankful that I did not terminate not knowing that a life lived…really lived is one of Simplicity. The cars, houses, shoes, clothes, all this materialism consumes humans. Avariciousness occupies our thinking, our lives. This Occupation is a self-made trap that entices.

It is like a rat that knows if he steps forward to reach for the cheese he is going to suffer a major consequence, Death. It is as if the rat wants to die just to get a taste of the finer things, aged cheese. Human beings are the rats. We want, we desire, and we covet to the extent that we die chasing a Dream that’s fantasy; that was defined by men who were banished from Europe, The Forefathers. Inconsequently, it is a ‘thing’ that we will want to eliminate when we finally reach a state of non-Occupation.

The men and women who are occupying space, not a Cause, are commendable – but in the same vein they are hypocrites. Sadly, they have no idea that they are the stink bugs of Hypocrisy. They are Standing for what…? They are fed-up with elected officials ‘making it easy’ for the wealthy. I to some extent agree with them. However, I also remember bits and pieces of my Intro to Human Psychology class. Most of the Tent City Occupiers know that they would eagerly jump at The Chance to be rich. They would be just like this One Percent of people that they find pleasure in demonizing while taking pleasure in identifying themselves as the righteous Ninety-nine Percent.

99% is the latest and greatest fad. In my complex lifetime, there is nothing Simple about a fad. It is usually consumed by bandwagon folk who have no individuality. To be eccentric he/she HAS already embraced the Simple things.


I often times wish that I would have learned this years ago as an undergraduate student. I, many of us, were so green…we studied and passed our exams so that we could put ourselves in a position to make money: attain letters behind our birth certificate names. We stayed up all night fueled on No Doze memorizing so that we could ace the test or cheat to pass…this effort taken to be among the One Percent or at least in the class of The Middle and Upper Middle.

We certainly did not acquire student loan debt to become friends with Sallie Mae even though she periodically sends text messages laced with default threats. We did not acquire student loan debt with the hopes a liberal black president would bail us out. We did it to make money! With that same money many of us idealist Democrats would have – and some have – purchased the Mercedes truck and the oversized house…two items that we will never really own considering paying a tax on both means that at the end of the day: The Government owns the vehicle and the home.

Americans got it all wrong. Life is Simple, not tough. It only becomes complicated when we convolute our existence with outlandish expectations and outrageous STUFF. My friend, The Teacher, and I have vowed to downsize our lives in an effort to be like Jesus….

St. Lucia, Peace Corps Service 1995

Yes! Jesus was a simple man. Many of us pass the essence of Jesus day after day never realizing that Jesus is the one who looks poor. He could very well be a child in disguise...He might just be the boy in the middle holding a representation of maturation, a Birthday Cake or the girl to the right holding life, The Baby.

Muata Nowe

Crazy People are the Real Patriots

They maybe "disorganized". They may not have a solidified focus - but their voice must be heard. The present 'Occupation" that's taking place in various cities within the United States of America is a People's outcry that should get the attention of impotent politicians. From the White House to the Capitol Building there is significant failure. A failure that could be avoided if mostly white men and one mixed man would just put the country first. Put the People first! Unfortunately, they will continue to take the United States to hell. She has been on Her way...but over the past three years it is evident that The Speaker and his Crew are the Party that will go down as StoneWallers of policy that could advance the country...simply because the pigmentation of the President is BLACK. It is ALSO evident that The President and his Liberal Buds will go down as the Excessively Liberal Crew that has attempted to Change this nation for not the necessarily BEST. Most importantly, the men and women (MOSTLY WHITE – Blacks are too satisfied) are doing what we ALL should be doing: VOICING discontent. I appreciate these people. I admire them. I will join them soon! If all we ALL camped out on public property in protest, stop going to work, stop using public transportation, stop shopping, stop doing the things that keeps America going…We ALL will be better off. Join me in honoring the Change agents by reading the following statement from a man who was not AFRAID to step out! Step out on Faith…without a concrete plan…He just ACTED! He was crazy!


“Here’s to the crazy ones, the rebels, the troublemakers, the ones who see things differently. While some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do.” –Steve Jobs

Muata Nowe

God's Favoritism

 Yeah...Right...Really???

Amanda Knox is coming home NOT GUILTY…

The two American hikers jailed in Iran for breaking the law were set free… 

Troy Davis was legally killed by the state of Georgia… 

I am certain many prayers were sent up on behalf of all…but Troy's worldly body is food for the maggots! Just ain’t right!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What is a black life worth…divinely? I have said time and time again that God must have major issues with people of color…the dark people of the world. Just glance back over the history of the world. And, don’t say that I am blaming God for man’s injustices. I am stating a fact. Conduct the research…God does not like black/dark skin people.

Say it ain’t so!

Does God have it in for black/dark skin people?

And some say that we (black/dark) people reverence/adore this God the most...????

Muata Nowe

Troy Davis, The Death Penalty Reconsidered…Without a Doubt

 In response to the pending Troy Davis execution (7pm tonight – Jackson, Georgia) someone asked me, “How do you feel about the death penalty?” Damn…another question that reminds me that I am getting old. As I move closer and closer to my porch, rocking chair, tobacco pipe, never-ending glass of Fire Fly Tea…with Jesse at my feet and my boys taking care of me - I am becoming a little less abrasive and more compassionate. 

The Death Penalty…???

 Stephen Hayes

If a deranged lunatic savagely killed my mother, sisters, brother, children or baby mommas, I am certain without any doubt would be the aggressor in issuing the death penalty. I would do the killing. No questions asked. No taxpayer-paid board making the decision to terminate life or not. Of course, the guilt of the fool would have to be SOLID. No questionable areas. Unlike the lingering doubt that was not successfully factored into Georgia’s Board of Pardons and Parole decision to uphold the execution Mr. Troy Davis. The board,

http://www.seattlepi.com/mediaManager/?controllerName=image&action=get&id=1610587&width=628&height=471

My equally ferocious killing of the maniac stems from my Hebrew Bible embrace…well, parts of it. It is also reflective of my ability to be full of rage. As I read and participated in several blogs and Facebook discussion about what the State of Georgia plans to do on September 21, 2011 at 7PM, I am no longer consumed with the fury I felt a few days ago when I began my ‘highlighting’ of the Troy Davis case. Tuesday morning when I received word that he was denied clemency, I initially did not respond – but then I checked my phone. That question was in my Inbox: 

“How do you feel about the death penalty?”

 

I FEEL the death penalty could serve a good purpose if the world’s judicial systems were created to issue impartiality. I also FEEL I would be okay with a ‘live by the sword die by the sword’ punishment if the system was not diseased with favoritism. Let’s face it…Caucasians have benefited from an unjust process. Let’s face it…darker people of the world have been innocent victims of the inhumaneness of White Supremacy…a ruthlessly attained sovereignty that has a foundation of infinite inequality. Let’s face it…money and dynamic attorneys have and will continue to get the worst of the worst of hominoids off...and yes those people are and will be of any race. Money rules! But, it does mysteriously appear that when a black man legally earns/acquires significant wealth he is ‘scrutinized’ with a vigorous zeal to destroy. Troy may not have had enough money? Classism is the other noticeable elephant in the room.

Troy Davis will be lynched (I learned yesterday that the word lynch was not exclusively used to identify or define a hanging) also in part because the slain officer’s family believes that they will be at peace with a

carried-out death sentence. A black man has to die. The blood thirsty Dixie mob made its way into the 21^st century.

I am convinced ‘death issued’ by flaw-plagued and guilt-riddled humans will not and cannot bring peace. Even if I were to kill someone for brutalizing my family I know without a doubt that I would not be at Peace. 

Sadly and fortunately, peace will be enforced by man and granted divinely to Troy Davis come 7:15pm Wednesday, September 21, 2011. He -in all of this- Troy is the only mortal gaining what all of us seek:

Now that I understand that - I am relinquishing my selfish desire for Troy to be saved…he will be free – and thankfully I am one more step closer to Freedom. We die every day…

Muata Nowe