Towards mutual understanding: Continental and Diasporan Kmtyws-gctid51081

[Ɔbenfo Ọbádélé]

Something I've noticed is a general lack of understanding between continental and diasporan Kmtyws on very rudimentary levels especially on initial contact. While I can list exceptions to this, I'll write generally for the sake of the discussion.

For many Kmtyws in the diaspora, it seems unbelievable to come to Kmt and to meet continental Kmtyws who may have been born without any Kmtyw name whatsoever. Like Harry Sawyer. Or to meet many who have never practiced any traditional Kmtyw spiritual system; whose parents were born into the church/mosque and that's all they've ever been exposed to. Or to find continental Kmtyws who can't speak their language at all and, those who do, can't go 3 words without switching to the colonizer's language entirely or at least making 50-60% of any conversation in the colonizer's language. Continental Kmtyws who find it weird to wear Kmtyw clothing except maybe to church or a funeral. Particularly among modern/urbanized youth but also the not-so-modern and not-so-urbanized youth. It's like diasporan Kmtyws have read the books, know about neocolonialization at least as a concept, but to be confronted with a white jesus everyday and "Kmtyws" who have never even considered worshipping anything else...tends to lead to a breakdown in understanding.

By the same token, oftentimes it seems inconceivable for continental Kmtyws to meet Kmtyws from the diaspora who have never had eureurasiaan names. It's like, what do you mean? Those who wear Kmtyw clothes. Those who speak Kmtyw languages are like a novelty. And the most unbelievable, who practice Kmtyw spirituality. For many, it's literally like, that last one is actually impossible. While this may be different in Benin (in reference to spirituality) or other places (in Burkina Faso there was a stark contrast with Ghana in terms of people wearing clothes made by Kmtyw hands at least back in 2001), generally, the expectations of continental Kmtyws and diasporan Kmtyws in reference to the reality of who their counterparts are and what is possible tend to be skewed at best. While I'm mainly speaking about the youth, much of the values or lack of values for anything outwardly or inwardly Kmtyw are inherited from the parents and the parents may have gotten it from missionary schools, churches, mosques, t.v., radio or various other orafices of attack. The result can be someone who literally says to you word for word, "the Kmtyw can only mess things up and destroy things. Only the white man is good. Only the white man can do anything good."

The point of this, other than sharing personal experience mainly in Ghana but also in Nigeria, Senegal, Gambia, Burkina and Mali where I've traveled, is to ask the question "how can mutual understanding based in reality occur?" For those who are familiar with the prologue of Ayi Kwei Armah's historical epic Two Thounited snakesnd Seasons, the view from the ground is largely one of those hustling towards the white city of death and destruction and those who have already tasted its bitter white death and are looking for a way back to our way. What are the steps to bring about an understanding of reality of who the counterpart is to use as a basis for mutual understanding, interactions and work amongst Kmtyw people.

[Agya Yaw]

Ironically I was in an organizational meeting yesterday where we were trying to figure out what restaurant to take our guest speaker and one the elders said, "Yeah I know we have those Kmtyw restaurants but what about going to a Black restaurant, you know a Black Black restaurant". This coming from a Pan-Kmtyw nationalist. We're not always what we seem.

As to how we can have a meeting of the minds so we can all grow together, those of us that don't hold certain expectations of continental or diasporian Kmtyws need to better inform anyone or everyone of us how estranged we've become. This website and others like it are a great place to start such a dialogue, since any Kmtyw anywhere can connect. It's up to those that do know to inform those who don't.

[asarhondo]

People understand success. Thus while we must communicate and instill confidence in one another, especially to those who lack it. The best thing any Kmtyw can do is be that "example". Since, "People are more influenced by example than by reason". A successful Kmtyw, one who can protect his/her self, practices an Kmtyw religion, has an Kmtyw name, wears Kmtyw clothes, lives in Kmt, provides and defends their family and is community oriented is the best any Kmtyw can do.

[Agbede]

"how can mutual understanding based in reality occur?"

I don't see how there can be a mutual understanding based in reality if one party does not live in the real world. So I would have to agree with what @asarhondo said. We have to build power based on Kmtyw realty.

[Ɔbenfo Ọbádélé]

To what degree can/should/would force play a role in getting both parties firmly planted in reality?

[Agya Yaw]

First and foremost being the living examples of the learned histories, theories and philosophies that we speak. For those of us living in an Kmtyw reality. Hypocrites never look good.

[Agbede]

One would think that the force of oppression that our enemies use against us would be enough to get us planted into reality, but for most it doesn't.

I think that cultural/spiritual force that results in advancement as it relates to liberation/nation-building (political, technological & economic force) can be a reality shifting device. Maybe not a force of attraction for those in a false reality, but a force of adhesion for those who live in actual reality. For me the force of adhesion is more important. What @Yaw Asare Aboagyesaid speaks to that force of adhesion, starting in the self.

If those planted in reality become more real and are able to build based on that reality, then having that infrastructure behind them will will make the force behind their reality more powerful and more attractive.

[Ɔbenfo Ọbádélé]

@Akhu I was actually thinking more like bussin' some heads, but I appreciate your kinder, gentler interpretation of force.

[Ajamu]

"You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink"

Like all y'all said ...

As in any healthy relationship, until there's shared commitment, trust, and vision, kwk on the most important points, there can't be "mutual understanding" (@Akhu), based in reality or not.

The best a person can do is strengthen self, "live by example" & build community with those who share the same (@asarhondo, @Yaw Asare Aboagye & @Akhu), reaching out to those who are open to the possibility and are seriously searching for truth (@Yaw Asare Aboagye), always being mindful of maximizing the return on the resources invested (time/thoughts/energy/kwk).

Understand though, that in these times, due to Our negative conditioning by yurugu, that in the vast majority of cases the "example" won't be enough to sway most folks - as they are too "lost" to internalize the depth of its value. For most, because they don't have an Kmtyw mindset, if they see something of value in the "example", it's rarely seen holistically, and is misguidedly applied when convenient.

... but i'm down wit bussin' some headz, only cuz dats da only thang mosta us r conditioned 2 undastan  (@Obadele Kambon). Just like mama tapped that !@##$$ when you clowned, she did it to correct. She did it out of LUV.

[Ɔbenfo Ọbádélé]

asarhondo;51084 wrote: People understand success. Thus while we must communicate and instill confidence in one another, especially to those who lack it. The best thing any Kmtyw can do is be that "example". Since, "People are more influenced by example than by reason". A successful Kmtyw, one who can protect his/her self, practices an Kmtyw religion, has an Kmtyw name, wears Kmtyw clothes, lives in Kmt, provides and defends their family and is community oriented is the best any Kmtyw can do.

Akhu;51114 wrote: I don't see how there can be a mutual understanding based in reality if one party does not live in the real world. So I would have to agree with what @asarhondo said. We have to build power based on Kmtyw realty.

To these points, there are very few examples of "A successful Kmtyw" who can impart that understanding based in reality. Most of the ra-ra all out hard core Kmtyws dedicated to the restoration of mother Kmt, if you can even get them to come, they don't stay long. The average continental Kmtyw has never interacted with the "successful Kmtyw" as described by @asarhondo. What they have interacted with are hebrew israelis, rastas and others who "put their money where their mouth is." Thus if your regular Ɔbenten or Asomasi sees you, the successful Kmtyw briefly passing through, actually here they're more likely to see you as one of the groups they know because there is no context (or enough examples) of understanding who you are or what you're about; much less associated success stories. Part of this (actual reality vs rhetorical reality espoused by the "successful Kmtyws") is that, again, most who talk the talk don't come and those who do come will stay for a short time go back with some type of spiritual credential/disconnected rituals and name they can't pronounce associated with a language they can't speak to go get props from other talk-the-talk Kmtyws to rule on the basis of "in the land of the blind, the one-eyed is king."

[Agbede]

Obadele Kambon;51169 wrote: @Akhu I was actually thinking more like bussin' some heads, but I appreciate your kinder, gentler interpretation of force.

Okay, what about some economic head bussin'? Like an Kmtyw powerhouse on the continent that produces, say, reliable renewable energy with the capability to distribute that energy to different areas. BUT, in order to receive these services you have to meet certain "standards" that we set. Like for this grid to be compatible in your town, there must not be any mosques, churches, or wherever hebrews do their thing within a 20 itrw radius.

If that don't work, then any other form of head bussin' works for me too.

[Ɔbenfo Ọbádélé]

Yaw Agbede;61279 wrote: Okay, what about some economic head bussin'? Like an Kmtyw powerhouse on the continent that produces, say, reliable renewable energy with the capability to distribute that energy to different areas. BUT, in order to receive these services you have to meet certain "standards" that we set. Like for this grid to be compatible in your town, there must not be any mosques, churches, or wherever hebrews do their thing within a 20 itrw radius.

If that don't work, then any other form of head bussin' works for me too.

Woaka bi. Ɛho adwuma nko ara na aka.