A Preview of part #4 (Final)
By: Errol A. Gibbs
This is merely an
introduction to the fourth and final issue in the series that I will publish in
the forthcoming issue of the Jamaican Xpress Newspaper. This article
will conclude the series of discourses i.e.: Defining and Understanding the Black Experience in the Diaspora. I hope
that you have had an opportunity to read the three previous articles. Following
are some brief highlights that I will detail in the forthcoming issue.
First, let me
preface my thoughts. I write from a perspective of one whose primary interest
is to help to build a better society. I highlight issues that have solutions
that are informed by spiritual, moral, social, intellectual, and physical underpinnings.
The solutions that I provide are practical rather than academic. Likewise, I am
always available to engage in dialogue from a position of mutual respect and
objectivity.
Anyone who writes in
the public domain may make a statement that needs correction. For those who
remain silent, they will not be a chance that they will offend anyone. If we
offend another (unintentionally of-course), we have an obligation to atone, apologise,
and correct the statement. This is my MANTRA. The upcoming article will focus
on the struggles, hopes, and aspirations of “Blacks” at home, and in the
Canadian Diaspora.
Just a few thoughts:
1. Black History should not only be about yesterday, but it must be
more intently about today and tomorrow, as well. The Black community has
received millions of dollars in funding over the past decades for both secular
and faith-based youth initiatives, however, our incapacity to develop
macro-level job sustainable infrastructure; employ Black graduates, and
mitigate the circumstances that place our Black youths (boys in particular), in
contact with the justice system, is quite troubling. We must foster more
inclusiveness in terms of greater volunteerism by Black youths.
2. We must encourage Black youth to seek to discover their higher
spiritual being, to engage with the church, and the church to engage with them
as well. We must encourage them to return to God’s original ideal
of the family as the home and school of altruistic love, which is living for
the sake of others; to have respect for parents, elders, and those in
positions of authority. We must encourage them to explore science based
education, because it is the basis of their economic survival, through
creativity and innovation.
3. Despite the
brutality of slavery, it is the English Evangelists under men like William
Wilberforce (1759-1833) who were probably the first to advocate for the
abolition of slavery. Also slavery was first and foremost an economic
necessity, and not racial. The question of race came afterwards. We are now
free to create families and raise children in 2 parent homes. Was this communal
behaviour affected by slavery? The Gospel dispensation has to be part of this
equation; by teaching, example, and outreach. It is of survival necessity for all
humanity.
4. As a people, we
tend to remain on the service side of the economic equation with fewer
graduates in science based education. This limits creativity and innovation,
thus we are unable to hold Licenses for Computer Programs, Copyrights, Trademarks,
Industrial Circuit Designs, etc, which is the basis of wealth creation. Sadly,
we have little capacity to hire our graduates or to offer them summer
employment or internships.
5. The strongest
bond between any two races seems to be between Black and White, such as
Religion (Christianity); Slavery (Master/Slave relationship); and the Law of
Attraction (opposites attract). The question is; can we re-visit these bonds in
the context of the challenges of the modern world.
6. Our material progress is exceeding spiritual progress,
and is impacting religious and family life. More importantly, the rapid changes
in the nature of our modern world calls for a view human life,
from a new vantage point; not just through political and economic prisms, but from
spiritual, moral, social, and cultural prisms as well.
Five
Foundations of Human Development (By: Errol A. Gibbs and Philip A. Grey) speaks
to the needs, priorities, and emergencies of all humanity. It is an exploration
of the search for meaning and purpose to human existence that seem to elude a
great body of humanity. Whether the discourse is “Black” history or human
history, the book will appeal to individuals of every religion, race and
culture. It speaks to the oneness of humanity; to unsolved human problems of
the past; problems of the present and emerging problems in the future.
7. There is a
tendency to let things get out-of-hand when relationships are fractured in
marriages, and between races and cultures. Often times we miss great opportunities
for quieted dialogue when some semblance of peace exists. We have seen fractured
relationships in so many countries around our world, within
and outside the culture. The world is becoming a boiling pot of
discontent. We can avoid emerging cultural clashes if we move on a path of
dialogue, and social, economic, and technological apathy.
Errol A. Gibbs
Tel: 905.875.4956
Email: egibbs1@sympatico.ca/Website: ffhdwritersinc.com
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