The Full Has Nevah Been Told  

I was listening to the last Sunday's broadcast, when I realized that I ended it with a frequently used phrase from t he debates I used to participate in when I was living in Atlanta.  "Study all things, hold fast to what is good" is a paraphrase of 1 Thessalonians 5:21 which reads, "Prove all things, hold fast that which is good." (KJV)  This is important as a guiding principle in my life and in the lives of others who devote their lives to disciplines such as black studies and theology.  It is an expression of the desire to know truth rather than believe what is taught.  To explore for oneself, rather than accept what others say.

This desire, however, can be a source of frustration for students in your average classroom.  Especially black students who are conscious of the fact that our story is being told and shaped from a eurocentric viewpoint. To those studying history in a traditional classroom, I have the following advice to offer:

Memorize, but don't internalize what you are being told.  In other words, for the sake of making the grades required to pass the classes you are taking and move on with your lives, make every effort to answer the questions on the test based on the info given in the class.  I know it is difficult when some schools still teach that Columbus discovered America and before that, noone knew that the earth was round.  Still, it is important for your future that you attain a degree or certification of some sort.  If history is required, and that class is all that is offered, take it and move on.

Of course, I was one of those students who had a hard time with certain aspects of my education.  I never did see eye to eye with my psychology teacher on methods of treatment of mental illnesses, or even the definition of the words 'mentally ill'.  Still, I can regurgitate the theories of Freud, Piaget, and all them other dead white dudes in my sleep and pass whatever tests I am given based on their works because my agenda was primarily to get out of that class and never have to take it again.  Same held true for Old Testament Survey, Church History, and several other courses where I did not always agree with what was taught. 

Now for a few announcements:

Thank you to all who have downloaded and listened to the broadcast so far.  I've been getting great feedback, despite the difficulties I've had with the switchboard. 

I did not schedule broadcasts for Wednesday or this coming Sunday because of a death in my family.  I am taking some time to pause and reflect on what this person meant to me, and to the direction I have taken in my life.  However, I do look forward to speaking with you all again next Wednesday when our guest will be Akua Grant, aka Lady Blacktronika.  She spoke on the last two broadcasts, but this time we will be featuring her music and talking to her about her artistic endeavors.  We will also be talking about the origins of house music, its departure from its black roots, and the efforts of underground artists to bring it back full circle.  This is one broadcast that you will not want to miss.

Also, in future broadcasts we will be discussing the works of Molefi Asante, Cheikh Anta Diop, and others who have contributed to afrocentric thought.  My father has agreed to speak further on the contributions of Moorish Science to black thought.  So, if any of you are interested, continue to watch for upcoming segments.  If y ou have any questions, feel free to send me a message here at blogtalkradio, or at my email address ishamariablanca@yahoo.com.