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Community, the U.S, God & ‘Truth’ ~ Joshua St Luce

Updated: Sep 13, 2023

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By Joshua St. Luce. 31/05/2020


“When the winds of change blow, some people build walls and others build windmills.” ~ Chinese proverb

Synopsis (sort of)


1. I believe one should often civilly disagree-to-agree with their counterparts. It is often too risky for the masses to think they are right as we may all be wrong simultaneously. Hard ‘truths’ and honest conversations eventually bring clarity and I rather you disagree with me than I be silent, with no thought for you to challenge. This writing has a narrative for the next generation from the 'Black' Community to "look within" rather than without. While at the same time taking an honest look at history and current affairs. One should attempt to read this with an open mind. Thus, finding your own conclusions after you have finished the whole 'article'. Love to all! Joshua, what's your own personal definition of 'all' just so we are clear? Good question. All humans under the sun.


"It would be better for me... that multitudes of men should disagree with me rather than that I, being one, should be out of harmony with myself." ~ Socrates

George Floyd, 'Systemic Oppression?' & Looking Within


2. What happened to George Floyd on the 25th May 2020, may he rest in peace (1974-2020). Occurred as I was scrolling through Twitter for my daily ‘news’ when suddenly, there was the familiar face of hate staring back at me as I patiently, yet anxiously waited to get the full context of the situation. Initially at first glance, I thought it was just the regular excessive-force-used-type of police brutality, as increasingly witnessed in the United States from over the past decade via our television or mobile devices. However, this was not to be the case. In fact, this time around I was consumed by a feeling never experienced before which I believe gave birth to my first written 'article'.


Many people, both ‘Black’ and from other ethnicities struggle with the notion that in 2020, one can be denied certain privileges or be a 'victim' due to a racially biased system. Some such as Thomas Sowell say it should be fact-proven. While others believe the contrary, stating that we should still consider isolated situations to prove this even if the Jim Crow era is over in the U.S. in particular, or the fact that the U.S. and/or the U.K. are not operating under an Apartheid system like that of South Africa between 1948-1991. Below is a Tweet from Larry Elder conveying the former argument. Followed by a Tweet from Professor Leslie Thomas QC, expressing the latter perspective. Indeed, the two narratives are based in different jurisdictions and laws but incidents like the video shared by Leslie Thomas QC involving the police traffic stop are obviously not exclusive to the U.K. alone, one can argue they are more prominent in the U.S. Watch this video of James Baldwin speaking on Police Brutality, refer to minute 16:30.


Whether the mens rea of the Officer (who’s name I rather not give any of my energy to) was screaming ‘I intended to kill’. I will not be the judge to. One thing I do know, the masses have put it upon themselves to become the judge. Define one's request for justice? I believe the line is too thin in these situations. On one side of it, you should be civilised while on the other, you can’t contain your feelings of anger. I am not condemning or justifying, but merely going to quote Marin Luther King in this given context, “a riot is the voice of the unheard”. One thing I want to stress to some of you is that as quoted by Will Smith, “racism is not getting worse; it is getting filmed.” When I saw George say he was unable to breathe and was unresponsive some minutes later into the video. One could not feel anything but an urge for questions and honest discussions which need to be had.


Taken from Twitter handle @OfficialMLK3

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Moreover, I decided rather than repeating history and feeding trauma. Why not look for alternatives? Why not look within and see how we as a 'people' can become stronger and not allow trauma to overcome us, but find our own 'truth' and plan for the future to give our children a less traumatic, anxious life. In the quest for 'Justice', our ancestors rioted, protested, voted and much more. What even is this thing we call 'Justice', which breaks up and disappears like a dandelion into the summer's invisible air. Does man ever really have the capacity to fully provide this? Be careful with your answer, because justice could mean Reparations to some, then on the other end of the spectrum in my own words, "here, you can now vote". Though, this is not why I wrote my first ever article. Look up the definition of 'Justice' and you will see Ethics, Rationality, Law, Religion, Equity, Theology and Philosophy all linked to it. In similar ways, 'Justice' has little 'branches' like the same dandelion I speak about, which often disappears once you pick it up, into the summer's invisible air! I actually think we should be running towards, searching and be in quest for 'Truth'. Therefore, I want the next generation to be in quest for this precisely.


Joshua, you're 'capping' with all these fancy words. You’re entitled to your opinion but please watch the below video. It’s exactly what I’m saying to you like the gentlemen is telling this sixteen-year-old! See below from Lecrea's Facebook page.


Honest Discussions (paras 5-15)


3. Inspired by the shirt I’m wearing in my picture below. If we civilly critic each other’s beliefs on the 'African Diaspora' (Afro South Americans, Caribbean's, Central Americans), the ‘Hood’, the ‘Black' Family Structure, 'Africa', 'Black' Economics and COMMUNITY. We will reach closer to our ‘truth’ sooner rather than later. I don’t fear having discussions that are thought-provoking, especially with the younger people around me. I grew up close to my younger brothers because I knew to whom much is given, much is required. I’ve seen the benefits of having open, honest conversations and where required redirecting them. This was beneficial to us even if we aren’t perfect. Additionally, most of the time the ‘Mandem’ want other options, role models and new visions, but silence will not provide that. At 24, I myself search for more Role Models, Mentors or other ‘Father Figures’ in my ‘Community’, so I’m not patronising. I’ve tagged most of you in this as I’ve seen you from years back (a ‘younger’ - below my age group) raised by what I call an 'Invisible Community', turn into a man. For the first time in my life since being exposed to these police brutality videos through social media, the emotion I felt this time was different to the others. I could only express this feeling by what I’m going to talk about within this ‘blog-turned-article' addressed to my Invisible Community in the UK. Essentially, I contend that we need to place Literature in the same category as Entertainment, in order for us to reveal our 'True' Community and develop the 'Family Structure'. This perhaps applies to the U.S too. The Moynihan Report released in March 1965 caught my attention and will be discussed to support this, I insist you check it out. Also, does the Welfare State, originally formed for good intentions, have a negative impact on the modern day Family Structure? (Joshua, why the quotations all the time? I like to look at the meaning of words and where they originate from, see paragraph 20. regarding the origin of the name 'Africa').


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Religion & 'Truth' (paras 16-22)


4. The other half of this 'article' involves a question I often asked myself last week ~ Does the U.S truly represent God as it is commonly believed? Dwelling on the definition of God as I type this. I straight away think of Justice (interesting) & Righteousness. Ask yourself, considering all the events we have seen over the past decade via social media, do you see these 'Godly' values in their system?


At the same time, in the midst of my own anguish, the U.S system and overall reflection of this planet we call ‘home’. I have reminded myself through looking at different checkpoints in history, that injustice was always present and someone was always gifted it. For instance, allegedly, the term Slavery is derived from Slav. The Slavs originating from Eastern Europe were enslaved during the ninth century AD, let alone Hebrews spending four decades enslaved in Ancient Egypt or the plight of the Irish in modern times. Even Mansa Musa I had slaves. Few empires were ever built without some form of external labour, mostly forced. Factually, the concept of having servants was around ever since. However, one should ponder and consider whether the great thinkers of those ages placed justification of enslaving others on the superiority of one, and the so called inferior nature of the other. According to 'Darwin, race and Gender',"Charles Darwin was convinced that evolution was progressive, and that the white races—especially the Europeans—were evolutionarily more advanced than the black races, thus establishing race differences and a racial hierarchy."Recent literature from anthropologist Robert Bennett Bean entitled, ‘Some racial peculiarities of the Negro brain', has been said to echo racial undertones. Please find time to watch this video from Discovery Science titled, 'Darwin, Africa, and Genocide: The Horror of Scientific Racism'. A YouTube channel I have subscribed to for some time now.



According to an article in Battlefields.org, Alexander Hamilton Stephens, who was an American politician who served as the vice president of the Confederate States from 1861 to 1865, said this in his Cornerstone Speech. "Our new government is founded upon exactly the opposite ideas; its foundations are laid, its cornerstone rests, upon the great truth that the negro is not equal to the white man; that slavery, subordination to the superior race, is his natural and normal condition.” However, thanks to the outrageous judgment in the Dred Scott v Sandford 1857 case and ‘Uncle Tom’s Cabin’ published in 1852 by Harriet Beecher Stowe. The Civil War between the North and South was given some extra fuel to reverse such dehumanising statements, beliefs and ideologies from the South and/or Confederates. Thank God for Abraham Lincoln’s bravery in that era to abolish slavery through the Emancipation Proclamation. Perhaps it is time to abolish mental slavery, which is racism, from the minds of all men under the sun.


“The reason why the souls exhibit this exceeding eagerness to behold the plain of truth is that pasturage is found there, which is suited to the highest part of the soul; and the wing on which the soul soars is nourished with this.” ~ Plato

This then leads me to look at something even greater as far as Philosophy and Religion is concerned. I want to explore and look at my own definition of what I call, the ‘Absolute Truth’, inspired perhaps by Ravi Zacharias (God bless his soul, 1946-2020). King Solomon said “there is nothing new under the sun.”Therefore, what is the real truth in this life? I go on to discuss a rather religious narrative due to events in the U.S. Essentially, rather than just provide some Theory, Reports and Statistics like I’ve done as you soon read about Community, ‘Fatherhood’, the ‘Black’ Family and Trauma. I wish to engage in conversation and give thought-provoking ideas on 'Africa', the ‘Black' Community's Economics, God and ‘Truth'. However, please do read on at your own will. Everything in my subjective view is expressed out of love and respect for all in this place I call ‘home’.


Taken from Twitter handle @OfficialMLK3

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The ‘Black' Community in the U.K. and Embracing Literature


“If one should desire to know whether a kingdom is well governed, if its morals are good or bad, the quality of its music will furnish the answer.” ~ Confucius

5. Joshua, define Community in the sense of us ‘Black’ people? You see, the truth is I can’t. We are perhaps the only people in the 'West' who, as a minority and according to statistics have been brought-up in an ‘urban’ environment, (which includes in many parts, or rather could be extended as the ‘Hood/Ghetto’), expected to be naturally understanding of one another, by an invisible assumption. When I consider my Albanian, Columbian, Mexican, Filipino, Turkish, Jewish, Indian and Chinese friends. Birthed from my own personal experiences in life, they have in their possession somewhat a defined ‘National’ Community. This is my own subjective view.


6. However, 'Africans' and the Diaspora, with the exception of my Somali friends who I believe have a Community (correct me if I’m wrong of course), are most of the time raised under this invisible assumption of identity, without much emphasis on our different Nationalities. So is this Community to you? Is that the Community I speak of which needs to improve? Yes, the truth is I believe we have subconsciously accepted the term ‘Black’ over our own individual Nationalities within the ‘Black culture’ itself. Is there anything wrong with this? No. However, it does make things harder in a practical sense, to create a similar concept like a China Town or Jewish hub. Therefore, I refer to it as the 'Invisible Community', masking itself as 'Black Culture'. Reading this again after finishing (para. 20) perhaps we are just too diverse as a 'Black' group and what is needed is for the 'African' Diaspora...to implement compulsory DNA ancestry tests and finally claim our 'African' heritage as a whole 'people'? This might sound crazy but it's just a thought.


7. According to the ONS 2011 census: There is a total of 1,904,684 'Black' people living in the UK making up around just a small 3 per cent of the overall population. At the same time, almost 97 per cent of these reside in England. The exact number was 1,846,614, while the majority are in England's larger urban areas, with most living in London (1,088,640). View the spreadsheet here. This enforces how impactful we are through our Entertainment or Sports....wait something is missing....Literature, Science, Law and so on. Who has ever heard their boy say he wants to go to Space one day?... Before I continue this rhetoric, I must justly argue this point, are we really missing in these ‘fields’ of society or does the media choose to ignore it and portray us limited to one or two things? Personally, I feel we must use our impactful, trend-making, ‘Black culture’ to our advantage and change the narrative. I will leave this quote from Confucius here again for you to conjure up your own definition of its meaning:


“If one should desire to know whether a kingdom is well governed, if its morals are good or bad, the quality of its music will furnish the answer.” ~ Confucius

At the same time, another perspective one can have on this topic is that it although it is just to say we need more representation in certain echelons of society, we must remember we make up just 3% (perhaps changed now) of the overall population. What I am trying to convey here is that statistics and narratives are always hard to navigate, express and define and may well be impaired when compared to those of larger social and/or ethnic groups. All I will convey to you is to keep working hard (next generation).


See the below video from Lebron James' Instagram account, posted on the 5th of June.



Ultimately, going back to my rhetoric, our ‘culture’ must really embrace Literature. I say this because this is the foundation of most Filmmakers, Company Directors and Billionaires.... (Joshua, most famous Billionaires/Millionaires were college dropouts. Yes you’re right. They dropped out of Harvard and the likes. Also, as I often tell my younger brothers. We have to be ever learning. Finding time to read, research and meditate on multiple subjects. There is no such thing as finished learning. The books around us is all you need if you don’t want to go/can’t go).....Cont. Most films we watch were once fiction/non-fiction books. We always talk about ‘they don’t show our history’, well let’s do it ourselves by reading about it, processing, then making it a tangible commodity and product we can make money from. For instance, let us send someone to the Moon or make a super-brain, flying, time-traveling scientist too who looks like us. Things like this are important to our subconscious minds. Rather than being told we can only be the ‘villain’ and not the ‘hero’. Take control of your own life and let us become ‘saviours’ too. See the below LinkedIn post from Daniel Oyolu. As I said earlier, "we must use our impactful, trend-making, ‘Black culture’ to our advantage and change the narrative."




























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Fix the 'Black' Family Structure


8. Going back to this ‘Invisible Community’ I speak about. As you can see from statistics in the 2011 census, we all live particularly in the 'larger urban areas' without separated defined National Communities like a China Town for example. However, as I said, without intending to repeat myself, we must still persist with creating our own version of a ‘Black’ Community. The U.S not exempt. It’s too late to change the generation above us so it’s in our hands. This should be determined by becoming better ‘Father Figures’, looking after our women, having less self-hate and liberating our minds by embracing Literature. In order to fix the ‘Community’, I really believe we need to start in our individual families first. WATCH the below video of Actor and Star Wars star, John Boyega, briefly speaking about us LOVING OUR WOMEN at point 1:15 of the video. Taken from Twitter handle @JNETTEKWAKYE. I had to come back to edit the 'article' and add this in.



Quoted from the Moynihan Report, published in 1965 by Daniel Patrick Moynihan.... “The fundamental problem, in which this is most clearly the case, is that of family structure. The evidence—not final, but powerfully persuasive—is that the 'Black' family in the urban ghettos is crumbling. There are indications that the situation may have been arrested in the past few years, but the general post war trend is unmistakable. So long as this situation persists, the cycle of poverty and disadvantage will continue to repeat itself.”

9. When I was doing research on his report, Mr Moynihan published it inspired that Civil-Rights Legislation alone would not produce Racial Equality. At first he succeeded in getting President Johnson’s ear. However, this was premature as he was caught up by the Vietnam War. The Atlantic mention in their article, “The Moynihan Report became a lightning rod for civil-rights activists upset with Johnson’s lack of action or attention.” Can I blame President Johnson for this? Perhaps not. Who knows the future? Who even knows what tomorrow holds? Perhaps he was more focused on Unemployment rates and Crime within the ‘Black’ Community? Ironically, staying on the topic of Crime, taken from David Reedman's book titled, 'A Man's Greatest Challenge......being a Father'. Below are some outdated, not the latest, statistics related to the correlation between 'Fatherless' homes and its impact on the broader United State's society (not just the 'Black' Community).


  • 85 per cent of children with behavioural problems come from fatherless homes;

  • 71 per cent of all high school dropouts come from fatherless homes; and finally

  • 85 per cent of all youths in prison come from fatherless homes.


Obama spoke on this issue back in 2008, here is a quote from the transcript taken from Barack Obama's remarks at the Apostolic Church of God in Chicago: “children who grow up without a father are five times more likely to live in poverty and commit crime; nine times more likely to drop out of schools and 20 times more likely to end up in prison." One could argue that President Johnson did not realise he could potentially decrease 'Black' Crime and Unemployment by giving priority to the 'Black' Family Structure. Unemployment, Fatherhood and the 'Health of Black Families is a non-stopping cycle. Men-have-to-be-Men-to-be-Men. Does Systemic Racism impact our Unemployment rates? Is 'Systemic Racism' real? (Refer to paragraph 11 where I mention some 'Family Breaking' methods used in both the Arab and Transatlantic Slavery of commonly referred-to-today as 'Black' people, back then more 'Africans').


10. All I am trying to emphasise here is the importance of the Father and/or a 'Father Figure'. As I contend throughout this ‘article’ looking for our ‘Truth’, I’m convinced everything starts within the Family Structure and perhaps it’s time to look at Mr Moynihan’s Report closer as a Community, or rather, our intertwined family! HATS OFF TO THOSE SINGLE MOTHERS WHO HAVE TRIED ON THEIR OWN, TO BRING THE BEST OUT OF THEIR CHILDREN, ESPECIALLY SONS.


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What caused the 'Black' Family breakdown?


11. I must acknowledge the Welfare State and its link to the breakdown of the modern day ‘Black’ Family Structure in the past 60 years or so in the ‘West’, as believed by writers such as Jason Riley. In his Book 'False Black Power', he agreed with Herbert Gutman’s view that it is not enough to blame the break down of the ‘Black’ Family Structure on Slavery and Jim Crow, contrary to scholars such as WEB Du Bois, E. Franklin Frazier, Kenneth Stampp and as alluded to in my writing, Daniel Patrick Moynihan. However, personally, one can contend that the Welfare State is not as impactful as the intergenerational trauma or adopted behaviours from Slavery. For instance, the Caribbean Diaspora does not necessarily have such access to Welfare State benefits as those in the U.K. or the U.S, but why then have we seen a culture where fathers left their children or had a child out of wedlock. Therefore, I can link our 'Trauma' back to the Arab Slave Trade, which is often forgotten or unknown by us for ‘lack of attention’ to Literature perhaps.....then the Transatlantic Slavery which is of course well known. In between both events, my ancestors were illegitimately castrated, forced to leave their wives after having a child with them and many more ‘family breaking’ methods. Have you heard of William Lynch? Or the William Lynch speech? The Willie Lynch syndrome? Taken from Ethnicity facts and figures on Families and households, from Gov.uk. Published and/or updated last year. Below are statistics for 'Black Family households taken from the 2011 census, for England and Wales.


  • “18.9% of Black households were made up of a single parent with dependent children, the highest percentage out of all ethnic groups for this type of household; the lowest percentage was found among Asian households, at 5.7%”;

  • “38.1% of Black Caribbean households were made up of one person (the highest percentage among Black households), compared with 25.4% of Black African households (the lowest percentage)”;

  • “Black African households were most likely out of all Black households to be made up of married couples or civil partners (with or without dependent children), at 26.2%, while Black Caribbean households were least likely to be, at 17.5%”.


According to an article by Rachel Dekel and Hadass Goldblatt, called ‘Is there intergenerational transmission of trauma? The case of combat veterans' children’ , published in 2008. “Clinical observations and empirical research have shown that the consequences of traumatic events are not limited to the persons immediately exposed to the event, and that they often affect significant others in their environment such as family, friends, and caregivers. Such effects include a variety of post-traumatic manifestations such as intrusive imagery, heightened sense of vulnerability, difficulty trusting others, and emotional numbing. A variety of terms have been used to describe this phenomenon, one being secondary traumatic stress.”

I personally feel it is correct to form a narrative that Slavery effected the 'Black' African diaspora's Family Structure. For instance, ‘Black’ African households, not the diaspora, were more likely to be made up of married couples than 'Black' Caribbean households at 26.2%. This is not to say attention should not be given to the overall health of the ‘Black’ Family Structure, as seen with the 18.9% of ‘Black’ Families made up of a single parent with a dependent child, the highest out of all other ethnic groups in the United Kingdom! Ultimately, on the topic of the ‘Black’ Family Structure. I agree with both sides of the argument - the impact of the Welfare State and intergenerational Trauma passed down by both the Arab and Transatlantic Slave trade. We need to stop being divided whenever we have a common goal and be considerate of one another in order to heal and move on forward. There are many sentiments from Jason L. Riley and Herbert Gutman that I indeed agree with. Essentially, one could say the Black Family Structure, specifically in the ‘West’, has been impacted, and not necessarily ‘’destroyed’’, by the two - the Welfare State and Slavery.


12. All I'm trying to attest here is that we require more communion. This can be achieved by looking within and not just current external factors. The so-called 'aggression', 'self-hate' and 'numbing attitudes' towards each other has a root that needs identifying. As you can see from the research above. ‘Secondary Trauma’ is quite possibly real, I say 'possibly' as this specific field of research is still fairly new, and the Welfare State could well be a new phenomenon which does indeed impact not just 'Black' families, but other ethnic groups. However, now we know this potential ‘truth’, we should think twice about how we view each other and understand that 'behavioural' patterns could be passed down. We are more intermingled than we can imaging and are a big family with common feelings, which requires many a healings.


13. Knowing this history will liberate your mind. I always say to myself, I was raised 50% by my parents and 50% by the media. I wish it was 45% my history and 5% media (Sports/Entertainment). Let’s try to be great Men and Women of the future, despite the fact that many of us are in these ‘urban’ areas (myself included), with at the moment, 'Invisible' Communities. When I say our ‘Community’ in the 'West', I am not just generally talking about a group of ‘Black’ people living together who need to improve the system of Role Models, 'Father Figures' and Mentors. I am potentially referring to a combination of our own Business Establishments; Banks, Food or Retail Stores, Hair Salons, Gyms, Restaurants, Sports Stadiums or Teams and Barber Shops. Now that would be something I would call 'Justice'! However, in order to reach that phase, we need to first develop the Family Structure and remove the ‘Invisible Cloth’. In other words, TRUTH. Joshua, do you have a prototype or example of this in the 'West'? Yes, the Greenwood district of Tulsa (referenced in para. 14 below). If you want more on 'Black' Economics, make sure to read paragraph 14 and 15 where I engage you in a few thought-provoking realities.


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'Black' Economics, Religion & the U.S


14. Martin Luther King and Malcom X both had religious views from one end of a spectrum to another, but also shared a common goal. However, what was the outcome? Did they find our ‘truth’? I wonder if they ‘disagreed-to-agree’ we’d have the answer? Or perhaps they did find our ‘truth’. I often ask myself, what was the Promise Land Martin Luther King made reference to in his speeches? How did it look to him? I have not done as much research there, so I should not assume. Also, our ‘Communities’ in the 'West' were reasonably healthy before the 70’s/80’s (have you heard of the Tulsa Race Massacre in 1921? This was a thriving 'Black' Community in Greenwood, Tulsa, known as 'The Black Wall Street'. There were many other healthy 'Black' communities around the turn of the early 20th Century. Please do research. Embrace literature. It's YOUR history and funny enough. It happened on the 31st of May 1921 - date of publication). Though some could say our 'Communities' were only ‘healthy’ because our backs were against the wall and all we had then was each other due to Jim Crow for example. Is that still the case? Or does it turn on and off depending on what’s happening around us (thought-provoking)?


'Black Economics' in the 'West'


15. Before his untimely death. Martin Luther King, as well as being against racial injustice, was pushing against economic 'injustice'. Essentially saying that 'Black' people should boycott large companies in the 'West' to be really heard in the face of the injustices faced as a ‘people’ at the time. According to Martin Luther King, this was the language ‘they’ would understand when we cried out for 'Justice' and 'Equality'. Before I continue, for more on the topic of ‘Black Economics', I advise to do some further research on American Journalist, Jason Riley. He recently published a book entitled, ‘False Black Power’.


According to an article from Nielsen “African Americans spend $1.2 trillion annually. With $1.2 trillion in spending power, African-American consumers are an important population for smart brands that want to grow market share and brand preference. More importantly, the data advocates that Black consumer spending already significantly affects the bottom line in many sectors and industries, and brands can’t afford to lose favour or relations with them without potential negative impact." That speaks for itself. On another note to add to this, generally speaking away from suffered 'injustice' in the 'West', 'Black' people need to naturally invest in ‘Black’ owned businesses regardless. This should be done within our ‘Communities’, which I contend is invisible at the moment in the U.K and perhaps in the U.S. This then leaves more room for us to consider emotionally and physically investing into 'Africa'. Staying on the topic of investing in 'Africa'. I said this week that "an 'Africa' with a strong Economic, Health Care and Education system Nationwide, is a Black wo(men) respected globally." I was actually just echoing the thoughts of Ghanian President, Nana Akufo-Addo, in his speech relating to this subject. I admire him for this as he has displayed great leadership and honesty on the surface of it. I insist you watch this video below:




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God and 'Truth'


16. From a biblical perspective, God said ~ “My people perish for lack of knowledge”. I have been searching for this knowledge and still searching, but along the way I am certain I have found the Absolute Truth, not from man, but in Yeshua/Jesus. However, does this mean I still lack some knowledge? Cassius Clay transformed into Muhammad Ali because he won an Olympic Gold medal for ‘his country’, while individuals turned around and told him he could not sit/eat within the same restaurant or worse, attend their ‘Churches’ because of his skin (watch his interview on this). Did you know George Floyd was a Christian? According to this article from the Daily Mail, "George Floyd was involved in Christian ministry work and tended to take young men under his wing." A bit like how I'm trying to help you. The future! How should I feel!? One thing I believe, the Absolute Truth is more real than any man’s personal ‘truth’, even if he tries to TWIST the Absolute Truth. “Servants obey your master......” was uttered to my ancestors out-of-context from the Bible and lies. You know why they were easily lied to? Slave masters deprived them from *Drum Rolls*......LITERATURE. Yes. It was literally almost illegal for my ancestors to read. Any intelligent ‘slave’ (Kings/Queens, rather) who could do so, faced ‘consequences’. Am I saying Muhammad Ali (God Bless his soul, 1942-2016) didn’t know the Absolute Truth? No, I don’t know. I’m saying, times like this leads to many unanswered questions in our minds. Thus, adding more Trauma.


17. “I am the way, the truth and life....” overcomes all else for me, it answers my questions of Why, What, Where and How. Even the ‘When’, life is eternal through Yeshua/Jesus. King Solomon, purportedly one of the wisest, wealthiest men who ever lived and the man who embraced/loved 'AFRICAN' women (there was Queen Sheeba of Ethiopia, an ancient Egyptian Pharaoh’s daughter and most likely other 'African' women, which is another interesting discussion in itself)....wrote this ~ “So that you incline your ear to wisdom and apply your heart to understanding. Yes, if you cry out for discernment and lift up your voice for understanding. If you seek her as silver and search for her as for hidden treasures; then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom, from his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.”


18. Joshua, 'Christianity' came from the 'West'...The term 'Christian' indeed, but Yeshua? People can rightfully say the 'West' ‘gave’ me my faith. The problem I have with that theory is Ethiopia, through the Ethiopian eunuch in the Bible (book of Acts); were freely, with consent, not forced, introduced to what I call the Absolute Truth long before Europe. Generally speaking, Ethiopia has some very interesting history.The Ethiopian Eunuch was actaully practising Judaism before converting to Christianity, as per Got Questions. This was before the Roman Catholic Church coded the ‘Dum Diversas’ or ‘Romanus Pontifex’, essentially starting the Transatlantic Slave Trade. For more on this topic, see African Laborers for a New Empire: Iberia, Slavery, and the Atlantic World.


The U.S


19. I have connected a strong religious narrative to this ‘article’ because the United States was supposed to ‘represent’ God through Righteousness, Freedom and 'Justice'.....but clearly these ‘adopted’ values are non-existent at the moment. When you look at the below picture of the 'founding' fathers of the United States of America. What does it mean to you? The sculpture includes heads of Presidents; George Washington (1732–1799), Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826), Theodore Roosevelt (1858–1919) and Abraham Lincoln (1809–1865).


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Do you know when the first 'slaves' or rather, enslaved 'Africans' were taken to the U.S? In 1619. Do you know when the United States was officially 'founded' or formally recognised on paper as a Nation? 1776. What are you trying to say Josh? They were there before the Declaration of Independence of thirteen British colonies. Keep in mind I told you in this half of the 'article', I wanted to engage in conversation with you rather than slap Statistics, Theory or such. I intend to make things a little thought-provoking.....This is an article from The Guardian titled, '400 years since slavery: a timeline of American history'. If I knew I was here some years before a Nation was written on paper. No matter what trauma I've been through, I'd persist with holding my head high and say. "This is my Nation too. We both came here on ships in very different circumstances, for very different purposes. However, within our many differences...there are many hidden similarities!" What do you think Blues and Soul music was birthed from? James Baldwin was quoted saying, “I am one of the people who built the country, until this moment there is scarcely any hope for the American dream, because the people who are denied participation in it, by their very presence, will wreck it". Watch this video below from 7:10~.



When you hear “let’s make America great again”. At what point in their history is this statement in reference to? I'm just trying to give you some new, civill, thought-provoking perceptions. See the below video from Ava DuVernay's Twitter account. This is why we should not repeat history through riots or protests - 'new' ideas should be birthed surely? Quote me on this....We need to search for Truth, not 'Justice' (reference to the end of para 2). There is now looting in the US from people who have other motives than genuine 'Protests'. Let's find a smart, civilised method to 'shake' off the TRAUMA. I'll say over and over again. I believe it's TRUTH (reference to para. 13).


What then is the ‘Truth’ Joshua? I’ve heard this all before!


20. Well good. Ultimately, until ‘Black’ people in the 'West' specifically, find our ‘Truth’, which I believe is COMMUNITY birthed from a stable Family Structure. Trauma will take its place. We shouldn’t even consider forcing ‘Buying Black’ or investing in 'Africa', until we remove, as I call it our 'invisible' cloth. Just my opinion(s). Perhaps this leaves room for talks regarding the question, Do we need a United States of 'Africa'? I’m personally not too sure about that. According to the World Population Review, “It's estimated that 27% of the world's countries are located on just one continent, Africa”. That’s the highest percentage with 54 countries. There is beauty in its diversity and differences. This could well be the reason why ‘Black’ is so hard to define. With a very large and diverse population, it is harder to comprehend in many ways, not just socialistic (reference to para. 6). Remember what I said about Martin Luther King's views on economic 'injustice' and his thoughts on how to gain that 'justice'? Well....perhaps once we can maintain the 'Black' Family, we could then have a steady foundation to build on (reference to para. 15).


On another note. Was 'Africa' always 54 countries? Or is this due to colonialism? Our ancestors over a thousand years ago perhaps had a different name for ‘Africa’ itself. Do research on ‘Alkebulan’, meaning 'Mother of Mankind' or 'Garden of Eden'. The Greeks referred to 'Africa' as ‘Libu’, later on the Romans ‘land of the Afri’. Biblically, modern day ‘Africa’ was actually referred to as ‘Ethiopia’. Check out the Hebrew-Egypt connection mentioned in Random Facts after paragraph 31. I personally think the 'Land of Ham' was used at one point in History going by his sons and where they ‘settled’ (Cush, Mizraim, Phut and Canaan). Why I’m I saying this? Well, because the more you know the less chances (His)tory has to suppress you. Rather, let 'True' History liberate. Why do you think we have places in the world called ‘NEW-Zealand’ or ‘NEW-Guinea’? Those many explorers sure made a 'new' discovery (capital cities like ‘NEW-York' among others included). King Solomon said, “There is nothing new under the sun."

21. However, I must emphasise this point - the most important one to me. Echoing what I shared in my 'blog' related to ‘mans Absolute Truth’ where I contended 'all we have is what we think will work'. In current times of the same TRAUMA I mentioned early in (para. 11, 12), where I feel lost, lied to and emotionally dead like many others. I’ve discovered that I don’t just know the WAY (when I’m lost), I know the TRUTH (when I’m lied to) and the LIFE (when I feel emotionally dead). That’s through Yeshua who says ~ “I am the way, the truth and the life...” Have an open mind about this philosophical statement. Personally, applying my own logic to this world and its ways; makes me feel hopeless, weak and confused. Second Timothy 3:7 says "Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth."


“The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing." ~ Socrates

For a being to say they are the Way, Truth, Life and be relevant centuries after death and resurrection, this must be the way. My subjective view. There have been numerous great men/women in history but we all have imperfections, weaknesses and shortcomings. Yeshua said, “Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are.” How do you define this statement? What does it mean to you?


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22. What am I saying? Yeshua is my ultimate Role Model and Father Figure. Man makes weapons of mass destruction for his ‘protection’, that’s a thin line. Man makes Law to ‘protect’ himself and years later abolishes that same Law and says it’s to ‘protect’ himself?! Who holds the truth? Who can give it to me? Who can give me Justice? Is it something I take or is it given? Who can promise me eternal life and salvation? Where-else can I find peace of mind? Where is the location to it? How do we explain our purpose here? We have all experienced that feeling right? How do I prepare for tomorrow? Who has figured out the puzzle of life? If you have, what is the answer? Joshua, does my walk of life require perfection? No. I’m far from perfect, but I believe one could follow and look up-to perfection, in Yeshua. There is ‘Black’ Truth and Absolute Truth. I don’t stand for just one side between ‘Black’ or ‘White’ as ALL are equal, BUT I definitely chose my ‘Black’ Truth. Moreover, I chose the Absolute Truth. Let us replace Trauma with TRUTH.



'Realness'


23. Dear brother (sister I love you too), I've had a heavy heart all week after the events we have seen and even thinking about you, your future and how you were raised by this 'Invisible' Community like myself. I want the best for us. At the same time, irrespective of our personal Beliefs, 'Truths', Upbringings and Challenges. Let's always have the future in mind. We are the tomorrow of the world today. The 'intertwined family'.

24. I don't intend to sound repetitive (para. 20-22), but allow me to be even more open with you. My father and I love each other but we frequently disagree-to-agree! Often times, I'm still misunderstood. The feeling I get from him is like the mirror of how Society views me. Ultimately, though I may get provoked, King Solomon’s words have recently reminded me to apply wisdom. Furthermore, in my subjective view ironically, I feel Society has attempted to 'raise' some of us because they think we are 'fatherless'. Society thinks it's doing the correct job, but it's rather only escalating the 'situation'. Can I blame society for this approach? Perhaps not, but I do believe subconscious behaviours need to be spotted. What's your point Joshua? Well, let's change that narrative for our future! Fix the 'Black' family. As you can tell by my tone in this 'Blog', which has slowly turned into an article over the past 3 days, I despise the 'Invisible' Community. Growing up I searched for the mentioned accessible Mentors, Role Models and 'Father Figures' within my 'Community' other than my own father. However, I only found these in Entertainment. I want to be the change if there hasn't been one already. I will never stay silent or ignore my younger generation. Remove the Invisible Cloth!


25. I insist you read Proverbs chapter 10. One of King Solomon's Proverbs regarding The Wise Son. Here's the first verse "A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother." Now even if you didn't have an 'earthly' father. Yeshua can be that. You may rightfully say this is 'my' subjective personal truth, but to me it's not just my truth. It's 'my' Absolute truth which I said overcomes all else to me.

26. Considering this is essentially my first 'article', I have revealed a lot of my hidden nature to you readers today. A man often told he has few words to outer, which in my opinion is due to holding many thoughts in the mind. Well, here is just a little part of what I hold up there in my contemplations. I believe I have found my Absolute truth. I hope you do too.


27. As you can tell from reading this article, Joshua has a bit of knowledge on 'truths' relating to his 'Black' people. The thing is, I never allow this to make me HATE another man, rather, I hate his actions and try to see possibilities of searching for the 'Truth' together. I believe no man under the sun can truly define 'Justice' - 'Justice' has to be a supernatural, higher being. Something greater than 'man'. King Solomon said "The fear of God is the beginning of all wisdom." What I need, is for you young Men and Women to come up with 'NEW' solutions (see what I did there with 'new'). I'll start by saying COMMUNITY, then developing 'Black' Economics.....but 'Black' Family Structure comes first.


As per paragraph 4. I have reminded myself through looking at different checkpoints in history, that 'injustice' was always present. Someone was always gifted it. Yeshua said ~ “You will know the truth and the truth will set you free.” I’d be lying if I said I didn’t feel free right now.

In the name of 'Freedom of Expression'


28. At your own will and consent, take time to ponder upon and read what is now an 'article' from me. It’s a little longer than first planned but that's because on Friday evening, I didn't know what Saturday would bring. Anyway, my only intention is to make it thought-provoking. 29. I am expressly stating that I’m not forcing any ‘Belief’ and/or ‘Doctrine’ here. Just exercising my right for Freedom of Expression, Belief(s) and putting the situation in the US into a wider context for some of us to think deeper. Especially about Community. Notwithstanding the fact that you all have every right to reject what I’m saying. 30. The brutality I’ve seen in the US has hit me harder than it usually does. Perhaps it’s due to lockdown and working from home that I’m more in touch with my thoughts? Who am I lying to. The honest answer is, it’s because the knee to the head represented the 'idea of Supremacy’, Racism, arguably Systemic Oppression and Hate from the ‘Officer’. Then the ‘Black’ Community’s trauma was seen when Mr George Floyd’s (God Bless his soul, 1974-2020) cry-out to breathe, fell on death ears. This is why I believe it shook me this hard. George looks like me. He’s a man. I’m a man. 31. I believe there is good in every individual under the sun, irrespective of 'Race', Religion, 'Colour' and Gender. However, our imperfect nature leaves us prone to create Systems and Ideologies that are actually against nature itself. In finale, on one hand I could be wrong on many points here like embracing the ‘Black’ Community/Diaspora concept. After all, it’s my personal subjective ‘truth’. Or, on the contrary. I could be right. Who knows the ‘truth’? ps. Three events inspired me to search beyond the ‘injustice’ of my ‘home’ and have more hunger for what I call the wider Absolute Truth. I felt a very close connection to George Floyd, Bill Withers and Kobe Bryant. The Civilian. The Music Artist. The Sports personality. In between each death in 2020, I was lost, felt lied to and was emotionally dead, but Yeshua is my refuge. May they all rest in peace.


Here are three videos related to this article:


- A message to you. The next Generation

- (Bob Marley song at end).

- Interview with Nonye TV regarding my reasons for BLM & my article.



Just the song (Bob Marley - Redemption Song).



Random Facts: My first name in Hebrew (Yehoshu'a) means "YAHWEH is salvation. Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, Moses & the Israelites and Mary/Joseph all had an interesting relationship with 'Egypt' over a thousand years ago. Joseph, Jacob's son, was actually made Prime Minister over Egypt at one point. Who knows what Egypt's geographical size looked like or covered (think about para. 20 and origin of 'Africa'). Also, this is the first article I've written in my 24 years of life. Honestly, I had a strong pull, weight on my shoulder and a heavy burden all week to write something or express my thoughts. However, it's all in Yahweh's hands now. Joshua lead the children of Israel after Moses in the Bible (who figuratively represents my past 'heroes' in MLK, WEB Du Bois and more). It's been 400-401 years now since the first 'slaves' arrived in the U.S. I find it uncanny how this feels so similar to the Jews in Egypt who spent 400 years there in 'bondage' too. Interestingly, Joshua also lead the NEXT generation of Hebrews into the the Promise Land. It may sound harsh but the change I’m asking for in this article can only be made possible by YOU. The FUTURE (remember I mentioned earlier in paragraph 14. What was the Promise Land MLK made reference to in his speeches?).You have now read 31 paragraphs of an article published on the 31st of May 2020. Tulsa Massacre happened on 31st May 1921. Strange right? I only just realised the 31 paragraphs coincidence. Joshua, what are you getting at bruv? I think that just sums up who I am, to think deeper and I believe you should too!


Perhaps your name means and stands for something significant? Even if you personally think otherwise. Always invest in yourself, look within and see what you are, have and could be! I believe real CHANGE will finally take place as the U.S and the World is seeing the 'truth'. Also, since you have now read the whole 'article'. Hopefully, welcome to the new era of the 'Black' Community (specifically in the 'West') I wish to embrace. You are on your way to higher heights. Know who you are. Do not let another man define you. THERE IS GREATNESS WITHIN YOU!



Taken from Twitter handle @OfficialMLK3

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Reference list (I never intended to get all formal with you but as I said this 'blog' has morphed into an article. Here are the Scholarly Journals, Articles/Reports and a few Websites in there that you can check out if you encounter thought-provoking areas in this 'article'). Otherwise, I have placed ALL links in the article itself.




  • Dekel R, Goldblatt H (July 2008). "Is there intergenerational transmission of trauma? The case of combat veterans' children". The American Journal of Orthopsychiatry. 78 (3): 281–9. doi:10.1037/a0013955. PMID 19123747.






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