by Troy D. Curtis
“Follow in the footsteps of your ancestors, for the mind is trained through knowledge. Behold, their words endure in books. Open and read them and follow their wise instruction. For one who is taught becomes skilled. Do not be evil for kindness is good. Make the memory of you last through love of you. Multiply the people whom the city shelters, then God will be praised for your donations.”
It is an unfortunate reality that collectively we as people of Afrikan descent do not pay the proper respect to those who came before us in the manner in which they deserve. In a time when the majority of our children are literally living in a “state of emergency” it must be evident to the cognizant observer that the former religious expression is no longer applicable to the survival and continuing existence of a people who are the descendents of the architects of civilization and God-consciousness.
Our children’s deteriorating condition results from the transgression that exists from our failure to return to the ways to commune with God that understood we are one with the Universe and our actions are reciprocal and should reflect as such.
It is imperative for our children’s healing that we call upon our Ancestors and ask for their assistance and guidance. But we have been taught by this society not to remember them. This lack of respect resides in the fact that we were force fed a culture by spiritually immature people whose way contrasted to the original spiritual belief systems that our Ancestors possessed. Therefore we have been induced to forget the cultures, accomplishments, and names of those who gave us life. Many suffered through unimaginable horrors yet we are the living testimony of their knowledge of God. Their innate spiritual essence fortified the family which in turn solidified the community. That combined strength was able to survive slavery, rapes, murders and many other human rights abuses.
In this day our children face many problems but one specific cyclical infection is rampant in our community. The “babies having babies” syndrome has diluted many of the “old school” lessons of raising children that aided in our survival. Many of the young parents today refuse to follow the ways of the past and are creating degenerate future generations. It is heartbreaking when many of our children are more concerned with playing video games all day or walking around in a smoke filled haze instead of developing the skills to become better parents to their offspring.
Ancient wisdom written by our fore-parents from Africa approximately four thousand years ago in The Book of Kheti says, “Follow in the footsteps of your ancestors, for the mind is trained through knowledge. Behold, their words endure in books. Open and read them and follow their wise instruction. For one who is taught becomes skilled. Do not be evil for kindness is good. Make the memory of you last through love of you. Multiply the people whom the city shelters, then God will be praised for your donations.”
It is because of our Ancestors that we strive to become better people. Their presence in our lives will help us build great individuals, great communities and great nations. We love our children, we love our Ancestors and we cannot fail either of them. Let us become the bridge so that the two may unite to rebuild the family for those yet to be born.
Have You Read These Yet?
