Preface to my comments: There are many African-Americans (a.k.a. Black people) who focus on slavery desiring reparations and do not look at Black history from a different perspective. Christians, who happen to be of the darker pigment, should remember the written words of Jehovah, the children of Israel were lead into captivity and endured the hardships of slavery , a.k.a. bondage, for 400 years. American slavery lasted 246 years ending in 1865. One hundred sixty years later the American Negro, not all, behave as if they cannot move forward because of the past. “The White man” cannot keep a free man, of any color down.

John 8:36 (KJV)
If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

I believe faith and hard work is the key to the success for any individual; not everyone will be a millionaire but, at least in America everyone has an opportunity to live a good live. Christians should have the confidence that God will supply the needs of His children.

John 10:10 (KJV)
The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

One fact that many people of color fail to factor in to their theory of how White people keep them down is the fact that there are over 2 million Black millionaires in America (according to Google). In addition, Google, states there are 16 Black Billionaires in the world. I firmly believe race is not the reason people of color are not successful.

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I am on a journey of understanding and knowing my family history. I have knowledge of most of my family going back to the mid 1800’s, what I did not know was the story behind the name. It is rewarding to me to discover my passion for God and serving is part of my “heritage”. I was able to share with my granddaughter, who plays the guitar (I think, or is it the drums?) that her great, great aunts and uncles were musically inclined, my brother plays the saxophone, I am learning to play the lyre and her mother plays the violin. Not only that, my great grandfather encouraged all of his children to go to college, my father has a degree, my mother attended college as did I and many of my family members have degrees ranging from Associates to Phds’ not belittling but acknowledging, we also have individuals who obtained certificates of completion or diplomas associated with a particular career. I would classify this as a family tendency. My family history is one of faith, music and education, we also are landowners; what we are not are oppressed people of color.

I was reluctant to use the popular Ancestry website but once I started I became very excited. I am blessed to have elders over the age of 80 still able to speak of the past. As I gather the names and dates associated with both my maternal and paternal family I am also able to attribute family traits to those names. Knowing Black history, the real history also helps me appreciate my family history.

Recently I came across videos on YouTube regarding Black men who served in the American Revelation and the Civil War, I knew Black men served in the Civil War but not the American Revolution. There were also educated people of color during those times. At the time of the civil ware there were 34 states, 19 were free states and 15 were slave states. In addition 25-30 percent of southerners, slave states, actually owned slaves that means 70 to 75 percent were not slave owners. If 30 percent of the men, women had no rights back then, of the 15 slave states owned slaves and 70 percent of the White men of the 15 slave states and (for the sake of argument) 99 percent of the White men in the 19 free states did not own slaves; how do people come to the conclusion that White men are bad. I would add, there were Black individuals that owned slaves (for whatever reason). Like family history many people of color do not know White history or Black history, they only know what people tell them.

Americans of all colors come from a family history of survivors. A woman I knew told me of how as a child, in America, she had to go to the Japanese internment camp, during World War II, even though she had been adopted by a White family. You may not think: that was not slavery, but if you were that child being taken away from the family you knew to be with people you didn’t know for an indefinite period of time, what would you call it? Africans were enslaved all over the world, we just know about the USA. I was reading a book recently that talked about Swedish slaves, they were referred to as bond servants, I have yet to figure out the difference. I would suggest that many individuals throughout history had their freedom taken away from them and they were forced to submit to an individual who was allowed to treat them like property. Slaves, indentured servants, bond servants; all can be set free or die while being held captive. Unlike other countries, many Black Americans focus on the pains of the past and do not work towards a productive future.

Philippians 4:8 (KJV)
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

There are individuals who have mastered the art of convincing people they are oppressed because of another group of people. Scripture tells us to focus on: what is true, honest, just, pure, lovely and a good report not what “they’ say. Poverty pimps, individuals who profit from individuals not succeeding are not true, they are unjust, tainted, unbecoming, and have nothing positive to say. Poverty pimps are individuals with non-profit organizations created to help certain groups, particularly African-Americans, they also speak from the pulpit misrepresenting the word of God. Even colleges and universities can hinder the success of “African-Americans”, by lowering expectations in obtaining knowledge. In grades K-12, the focus is not learning academics but social lifestyle alternatives.

In reading my Bible as I research my family history I am learning the legacy my ancestors left behind. When the children of Israel prepared to enter the promised land they reviewed their history, they remembered how God brought them through difficult times. Remembering that God brought my family from various parts of the world so that I would be here today is something to celebrate. No White person stopped me from being me and this is the legacy I will leave my grandchildren. My family history is a history that includes a work ethic, a hunger for education and a relationship with God through faith in Jesus- Amen!

Psalm 139:13-16 (KJV)
13 For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb.
14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.
15 My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
16 Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.

Written by Marsha L Floyd
Wednesday, January 8, 2025 7:01:52 AM
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