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Conservatism, Reaction, and the Elder's Responsibility: A Message to My Age Grade

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Conservatism, Reaction, and the Elder's Responsibility: A Message to My Age Grade Great Day, Fam. This one right here? It’s not for everyone. If you’re not at or approaching Eldership—defined in our tribe as about 55 years old and up—you might not feel all of this. But if you’re curious, or if you’re one of those younger souls already walking with wisdom, you’re welcome to keep reading. This message is for the Elders. For those of us who should know better. And yes—I’m including myself. Let’s Start With the Mirror I’ve got to confess something. I’ve been guilty. Guilty of being reactionary. Guilty of falling into the trap of conservatism. Guilty of romanticizing the past. Guilty of looking at our young people and calling them “soft”—as if we were born warriors, as if we didn’t have to become who we are through fire, failure, and guidance. Many of us Elders are stuck in a loop. We remember only the highlights of our youth—the toughest times we survived, the boldest moments ...

The Baba - Chapter 8 part IV

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Image via Wikipedia “Good question. Kwesi why don’t you answer that for him.” Kwesi looked at me very seriously, turned his chin so that he was looking directly in my eyes. “Young man a vision quest is a very serious thing. Do you remember in your initiation anything being mentioned about the Simba Nation?” “Yes…..Ha2tim was inspired to form the club by Simba. It is a camp that meets once a year, and it puts young men through a Rites of Passage. Everyone in order to be raised in rank past royal must assist in some fashion.” “Ha2tim received his first sweat lodge experience through Simba, and brought it back to us when we were financially and mentally able to handle it. We also found out about the vision quest through his research. The vision quest is a personal journey that is taken by someone to receive clarity in their life. It is in a sense a initiation by fire. We have five hundred acres here and for brothers in the Midwest this is where they come for their sweat lodge and f...

The Baba - Chapter 8 part III

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Image via Wikipedia “Jay, sit down.” I sat down and Simba took his place and Kwesi came and took a seat as well. “I’ve called some brothers here to help you through your ordeal. Kwesi is at the Master level and a few more brothers and sisters are on their way. I want you to eat and relax for a few hours while everything is in progress. “ “Yes, Sir…..” “You have questions?” “Yes.” “Well feel free to ask.” “First of all, where are we?” “We are in Southern Ohio at one of the families fish farms .” “What is done here?” “We grow fish , man.” Simba and Kwesi broke out laughing. “For what?” “To sell of course. We have fisheries and farms all around the country, and they pull in a lot of money for the family. At this particular farm we have five well stocked ponds that produce hundreds of thousands of pounds of fish per year.” “I have never heard of majestic fish farms?.” “Have you heard of Papa Joes, the home of the Secret lover Fish Boat?” “Hell yeah! When I was in my for...

The Baba - chapter 8 part II

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Image via Wikipedia “Angalia” Malik yelled and everyone stopped what they were doing and faced the stairs. I went along with everyone else. Simba was coming downstairs. “At ease Brother and thank you for the respect.” Everyone in the immediate area greeted him. “Jay come with me.” I followed him out of the patio door and into the garden. He sat on the bench and I remained standing in angalia. “Relax Jay, I brought you out here to talk with you. I want to explain what is about to happen.” “Yes sir.” I sat down next to him. “The family is at a crucial point in our development, and we need people around that really have the group’s best interest at heart.” “I understand Sir.” “The next step for you is to get clarity on why you were chosen, and for you to find your Nia.” “I know my purpose, and that is to serve the club and to build this nation.” “That is what you have been taught to say. Is that what’s really in your heart?” I grew silent because in a way he was right. Ever since I ent...

The Baba - capter 8 part 1

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Image via Wikipedia Chapter 8 When I made it to the Men’s House, it was time for workout . Every morning we are up for prayer, meditation, and workout. This morning Silace was leading workout. He had been in the Club four years and made it to the level of Royal. He was reaching for his promotion to Grand. He still lived in the Men’s house to save his money, for what I don’t know. He was upset with me for coming in late. We worked  out and ran 3 miles. After the workout everyone came in prepared for day and left. I waited for everyone to leave before I packed up my few belongings to keep questions down. At 7:55 Malik pulled up in a black Benz. I was waiting on the front porch. I was going to miss the house. I had spent the last six months communing with brothers from Gye-Nyame House. We did everything together, I finally found a home where I could call home and I was leaving it for what I had no idea. The best part of the Men’s House was the it was safe. I never had to worry abou...