The State of a Nation: The State of a Nation: Negro, Colored, Black, Afro, & African-Negro, Colored, Black, Afro, & African-

AmericanAmerican

A Biblical Perspective: Can These Bones Live?A Biblical Perspective: Can These Bones Live?

PART I: Past

HISTORYHISTORYConditions in the DiasporaConditions in the Diaspora

Causes and EffectsCauses and Effects

Conditions in the DiasporaConditions in the Diaspora

Scattered Scattered throughout the throughout the corners of the corners of the EarthEarth

Separated from our Separated from our familiesfamilies

Cultural Cultural identity/heritage identity/heritage ERASED/LOST…ERASED/LOST…

CausesCauses Our DISOBEDIENCE to the laws and statutes Our DISOBEDIENCE to the laws and statutes (Known as a nation that is “stiff necked and (Known as a nation that is “stiff necked and

rebellious people” –rebellious people” –Exodus 32Exodus 32 and throughout and throughout scripturescripture))

Our UNWILLINGNESS to be dependent upon the Our UNWILLINGNESS to be dependent upon the Creator for all things (The covenants or vows Creator for all things (The covenants or vows with Yah-with Yah-Leviticus 26, Deuteronomy 28) Leviticus 26, Deuteronomy 28)

Our REFUSAL of responsibility to be leadersOur REFUSAL of responsibility to be leaders(There was an expectation that we would be a (There was an expectation that we would be a

holy nation of priests/priestess and a peculiar holy nation of priests/priestess and a peculiar treasure unto Yah)treasure unto Yah)

EffectsEffects

Disproportionately Disproportionately represented in represented in prisonsprisons

Economic Unbalance- Economic Unbalance- Gross Domestic Gross Domestic Product (GDP) Product (GDP)

Disparities in access Disparities in access to adequate jobs to adequate jobs healthcare, andhealthcare, and

educationeducation

Race/ethnicity of persons (including children) living with HIV/AIDS, 2004

Incarceration Rates per 100,000 population (2010)

Part II: Present

PARALLELSPARALLELS

Biblical ProphecyBiblical Prophecy(In regards to our existing (In regards to our existing

conditions)conditions)

Biblical ProphecyBiblical Prophecy Deuteronomy 28- Blessing and CursesDeuteronomy 28- Blessing and Curses Ezekiel 8- Vision of AbominationsEzekiel 8- Vision of Abominations Leviticus 26- Blessing and CursesLeviticus 26- Blessing and Curses Psalm 83- Nations ConspirePsalm 83- Nations Conspire Nehemiah 9- Public Confession of Our SinsNehemiah 9- Public Confession of Our Sins Isaiah 2- Yah’s House is EstablishedIsaiah 2- Yah’s House is Established Jeremiah 1- Description of the Creation of Jeremiah 1- Description of the Creation of

Prophets/ProphetessProphets/Prophetess Jeremiah 31- A New CovenantJeremiah 31- A New Covenant Daniel 7- Chronological Timeline of Daniel 7- Chronological Timeline of

Dominant World PowersDominant World Powers

PART III: future

Nationwide MinistryNationwide MinistryUtilize Technology &Utilize Technology &

EducationEducation

Utilizing TechnologyUtilizing Technology

Internet, Radio, Television and Internet, Radio, Television and Newspapers Newspapers

For example:For example:http://www.blackpressusa.comhttp://www.blackpressusa.comhttp://blackcommentator.comhttp://blackcommentator.comhttp://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/about_overview.html http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/about_overview.html http://www.pbs.org/thisfarbyfaith/http://www.pbs.org/thisfarbyfaith/http://dmoz.org/Society/Ethnicity/African/African-American/http://dmoz.org/Society/Ethnicity/African/African-American/

News_and_Media/ News_and_Media/

C-Span Book TV: Book fairs and festivals i.e. Harlem Book Fair

EducationEducation

Using Music as a forum to re-educate ourselves and others. It is an important part of our culture. For example performance art via concerts (congregational) and plays where our music can be displayed.

Create website with links to other groups or individuals, advertisement of upcoming events/activities and provide information on various authors (i.e. suggested reading list)

Determine ways in which our culture can be

learned in various educational institutions i.e.http://www.temple.edu/isrst/Affiliates/CAJS.asp

Some more thoughts to consider Some more thoughts to consider on “Education”on “Education”

Unveil the complexities of the Unveil the complexities of the relationship between Yah, Israel and relationship between Yah, Israel and other Nationsother Nations

Explore the motivation or spirit of the Explore the motivation or spirit of the Children of Israel Children of Israel

How did we relate to the Creator? How did we relate to the Creator? How was that message conveyed? How was that message conveyed?

WHAT FURTHER STEPS CAN WE TAKE ??