#TreasuresOfDarkness Day One: Isaiah 45:3

#TreasuresofDarkness is a collaboration between many peers that I know and some whom I have come across along this journey.

Re-reading this scripture verses and this insight, is really one of empowerment, because what emulates is that My People are the hidden gems in the entirety of Creation:

“I’m African-American, I’m African
I’m black as the moon, heritage of a small village
Pardon my residence
Came from the bottom of mankind
My hair is nappy, my ****is big, my nose is round and wide
You hate me don’t you?
You hate my people, your plan is to terminate my culture
You’re fuckin’ evil I want you to recognize that I’m a proud monkey
You vandalize my perception but can’t take style from me
And this is more than confession
I mean I might press the button just so you know my discretion
I’m caught in my feelings, I know that you feel it
You sabotage my community, makin’ a killin’
You made me a killer, emancipation of a real n***”

These words are going to be shocking for a whole lotta (yes, using improper English on purpose, but that’s why I love my people-we the realest) people who are reading this but it’s February.

African Descent/Diaspora History Month.

Which means we are the Blackesty, Blackest this month.

And this is one of the times of the year, when we are Real.

Unapologetic Black.

So when I heard this song, there is truth buried within and clearly defined throughout. It fuels me when I have had to deal with racist, oppressive nonsense. It fuels me when I feel I have had to rip apart layers and attempt to explain why certain things not only throughout our society are racist as hell, but have to rationalize why YES, there is STILL generational trauma from the systemic oppression and violence heaped upon our people.

And then, this Line:

“Church me with your fake prophesizing that I’ma be just another slave in my head
Institutionalized manipulation and lies
Reciprocation of freedom only live in your eyes”

The worst suffering that my Ancestors and Elders have ever experienced, is within church walls.

It was the Church, whom co-signed onto these slave expositions to Africa

It was the Church, who empowered priests to baptize my people BEFORE dragging them away from their authentic lives, to be cast into hell on earth, enslaved

It was the Church, who allowed white supremacy groups such as the KKK inside church walls and prophesy hatred during worship; the benediction not being one of peace, but of calculated genocide as My People were hung as strange fruit while church goers gathered to watch our lives drain away, sitting on checked picnic cloth and eating chicken.

And there will be people in this wider expression of the Church, who are going to read this-be angered with me for my theological outlook and discredit my entire existence; label me as this angry, intense Woman of Color who just needs to “get over it” or “pray more about it” or “just get to know people because we are not all bad” or “just try to relate to people more”.

The only way I will ever relate to anyone is through honesty.

Genuine Honesty

And that, we both are practicing active listening.

Which means that YOU will have to listen to my story. Even if you may not understand fully, you need to SEE me, and all of my People, as vital and human and the pain we carry, is real. It affects us to where we struggle with self care and with mental health wellness and wholeness.

Without further ado: Sharing Prophetic Words from my co-conspirator Lenny Duncan: https://medium.com/@lennyaduncan/treasuresofdarkness-day-one-isaiah-45-3-f9b1e14bbc15#.rfg9o5xk7

Peace.