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Tree Concept for Assessing Black History |
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A tree is a useful model to illustrate different planes of existence within the cosmos; to know where to place products of prioritization; to represent how the world works; and to assess Black history.
An apple tree's components are the parts of its evolved seedâ€"roots, trunk, branches, leaves, and apples; the tree's soil matrix; and the sap Substance-- the spirit of God and nutrition for the tree's health. In the way the world works, the tree's parts are linked and function together in harmony and unityâ€"the definition and display of Wholism. Each tree component represents a different plane of existence and bearing its own unique laws. Because the nature of the seed is from the spiritual plane, what springs from it is real.
The forces acting on each part of the tree are very different, as shown in the soil's influence causing the seed to serve one purpose and the roots to serve another. The same is true of the environmental forces on the trunk, leaves, fruit, and soil. Meanwhile, unique events are happening at each level and within each component. For example, the single root growing out of the seed is its taproot-- and from it branches secondary roots. Yet, within the trunk are "rings", with the oldest occupying the center. Neither are the enemies of each part alikeâ€"groundhogs attack the roots and birds attack the fruit.
In assessing Black history, prioritizing available information is done according to the purpose intended. one purpose is using the seed to determine how the theory, process, or the pattern got started. Another is the practical purpose of focusing on the apple. The former enables you to determine on what level of the tree does a given person in Black history fit. For instance, Dr. King fits at the seed/matrix level because his seed concepts shaped the direction of the USA society toward desegregation. Dr. King's approach-- the active non-violent resistance to evil-- avoided attacking the evil-doers.
In the late 1960s, militant Black youth-- backlashing against Dr. King's seemingly "passive" approach-- took advantage of his efforts in having oppression somewhat lifted off Blacks. They were then able to develop a wicked branch which poisoned the fruits of desegregation's progress. To gain more militant power, these defiant youth (who are also a part of Black history) copied the Euro-American gangster style of acquiring guns in hope of gaining "respect". Unfortunately, they showed "manhood" by way of gang warfare.
Malcolm X represents another way to utilize the tree concept. His youth was of a bad fruit nature--as a pimp, a dope pusher, and an armed robber. By trying to act and look like White males (e.g. straightening his hair)â€"both leaf manifestationsâ€"he demonstrated an enslaved mind. But upon evolving into a constructive lifestyle, his first branch decision was to lay out a new belief system, based on that of the Black Muslims.
The next improvement was of a trunk nature whereby he overcame intellectual ignorance by studying every word in the dictionary and reading widely on many subjects. His root advancement, in the early 1960s, was to establish his own self-identity and advocate Black pride, Black self-reliance, and Black power ( mainly by means of economic and voting togetherness). Shortly before being killed in 1965, he reached a seed level by adopting the African concept of wholism (i.e. all God's creations are linked) and advocating world brotherhood.
Until recently, "Black power" lost momentum but fortunately today's Black Americans are returning to fan the embers of the progress made in the 1960s. Still, there is too much focus on leaf problems-- and not enough on root and seed problems. For example, we need wise elders to tell us what to teach Black youth about Black historyâ€"i.e. root knowledge. Also, we need to listen more to what they say about the root and seed solutions rather than talking so much about the leaf solutions. Starting today, we ought to take action based on the principle of what is in the best interest of Black youth â€"now and in the future.
website: jablifeskills.com
Joseph A. Bailey, II, M.D.
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