Know Thy Self

Just a little something I dug up. Peace to my Brother W and his family

Does Race Matter?

The following commentary does not necessarily reflect the views/opinions of the author wholeheartedly. The purpose however is to encourage thought-provoking questions that challenge traditional “Western” views. The ultimate goal is to inspire the reader’s journey to know thy self


Does the ethnicity/racial heritage of key figures included in the New and Old Testament of the Bible (regardless of version or translation) matter? In other words does the recently exposed and often debatable assertion that significant individuals, such as Abraham, Moses, and Jesus have any effect on one’s view of religion, spirituality and themselves? This commentary will focus primarily on the impact on African-Americans.

Over the last decade, there has been a resurgence on the exploration of racial identity of the people included in the Bible. Of most popularity is the claim whether or not Jesus Christ was black. From Time, Newsweek, U.S. News, and several other books and sources of information there has been a floodgate of opinions and claims arguing both sides of the fence. Most of the claims are based on the culture and surrounding the environment of Jesus’ time, linguistic connection of names to African tribes and specific quotes from the Bible (“hair like lambs wool”). However, this commentary is not aimed at proving/disapproving Jesus’ ethnic heritage (as there are several compelling arguments for those who seek). Instead the focus is on the impact of the ethnic identity.

The consensus from the “Western” standpoint is that Jesus was white based on the majority of the pictorial illustrations witnessed in the churches, made-for-tv movies, and all throughout Hollywood (every movie made about his life to this point). Despite the logical and definite points brought to light, the key religious figures (representatives from Judaism & Christianity) have not made any statements either way. Or if there were, it has not been widely disseminated to the masses.

What is most intriguing is that many scholars believe that early Christian Europe has always known the racial identity. Leon Poliakov in 1996, John G. Jackson in 1933, and Sir Godfrey Higgins in 1836 were only a few of the scholars that claim the ethic origin of the key figures as black. Given the fact that Sir Higgins work is closest to the time period in debate, his theory will be used as an example. In Sir Higgins work, The Anaclypsis or an Inquiry into the Origin of Languages, Nations, and Religions that in the early churches of Europe “the God Christ, as well as his mother, are described in their old pictures to be black. The infant God in the arms of his black mother, his eyes and drapery white, is himself perfectly black.” [pg 7] If true, one can conclude that the Catholic Church has long acknowledged the African origin of Christianity and the black heritage of Jesus, his mother, and her people. Sir Higgins knew that this type of information would not sit well among his people in Europe and cause many to be uncomfortable. Therefore, he included in his arguments several irrefutable points. He sent his doubters to actual churches in Europe where the claimed images of the Black Jesus and his mother could be found: Cathedral-a-Moulins (famous chapel of the Virgin of Loretto); Church of Annunciata (@ St. Lazaro); Church of St. Stephan at Genoa; Church of St. Francisco at Pisa; Church at Brixen in Tyrol; Church at Padua; Catholic Cathedral at Augsburg; Church of St. Theodore at Munich; and even in Rome at the Borghese chapel of Maria Maggiore.

Due to the emergence of European racism and the fabricated perception of Africa by the definers of history (Europeans), this has been denied and most (some still today have them) churches removed these “black figures” of Jesus and his mother. To further make this denial and concealment believable, during the Renaissance period, a new era of pictures were drawn and put out in all of the churches and literature. The most famous being Michelangelo’s infamous drawing of Jesus based on his cousin who was used as a model. Well if race does not matter, why such a cohesive effort to hide this information from the masses? How would the world be changed if everyone worshipped a black Jesus?

Do you believe in God? Do you believe in Jesus? Do you believe that Jesus was God’s Son? Do you believe he walked this earth as a perfect example and died for our sins? One of Christianity’s general standpoints is that Jesus is the Son of God. Well if Jesus is the Son of God and all of your life you have come to accept the picture/illustration of Jesus the physical man on earth as white, then naturally you will view God as White! Even if you think that Jesus was black (and not really sure, hence will take the stance that it doesn’t matter) the constant images being portrayed have a sub-conscious impact on your view.

The fact is that the ethnic origin of Jesus and other significant individuals in the Bible does matter. The images we see have a significant impact on the inspiration and motivations of African-Americans. We aspire to become what we see, whether good or bad.

As a modern illustration of this point, let’s examine one area of discussion. From the mid 80’s to the early 90’s, there has been a major influx or “exodus” of African-Americans from California (especially the Bay Area) to Atlanta specifically for one of the AUC colleges. Why have so many young minds migrated to the south to attend these Historical Black Colleges? Were they new institutions? No. Where they the only ones available? No, although there are no Black Colleges on the West Coast. The primary reason in large part is due to images we have seen/been exposed to. The Cosby Show and A Different World whether you agree or not is directly correlated to this “exodus” It became cool to be young Black and go to college, particularly in Atlanta. In addition to these shows there were also complimentary images that re-enforced this idea, such as School Daze.

In conclusion, the racial identity of Jesus, Abraham, and Moses who were all Black is very important because it provides the inspiration and motivation of our people to emulate the lives of these people. This helps shatter the false notion that Black is not as good as white. Quite frankly, these days our youth do not have the likes of a Cosby Show or A Different World to show other options we all have in life. Instead, we are following the lives of BET, MTV and the entire hip-hop culture whether a positive or negative image. For other African-Americans the alternative option would be to “make it” as a professional athlete. Which is by far the #1 goal of African-American males today. Okay so let’s see, I can be a rapper/entertainer, athlete, illegal occupation, and…….? The educated masses and those with strong personal role models are well aware that we have more options than drugs, rapper, or sports. And it is not really the option aspect that is of concern. But knowing that the other options are attainable, realistic, and the motivation for success is undeniable. How many of us internalize this as a reality? We have to be proponents of the truth, continue to seek knowledge of self and pass this information to our youth!

W
04/25/05