It’s a long story, but I have a close friend who lives in Nigeria, one of those places where slavers raided when taking free men and enslaving them.
Many African Americans (note the need for ongoing political correctness) descend from free men enslaved out of Nigeria.
My friend, Samuel, feels a kinship toward them.
One day, we were discussing Chattel Slavery, the Heart Stain of the Confederacy, and he said to me:
I understand why my brothers react so strongly to the word “Nigger” since it embodies all the pain of Chattel Slavery, but why don’t they just wear that as a badge of honor?
They are the Strong ones.
They Endured.
That idea absolutely floored me. It resonated with me because it was a great example of turning Darkness into Light.
He went on:
The stains of Chattel Slavery are on the Confederacy and anyone Lording over another.
But if we Niggers allow their stains to justify Hating them, then their stains becomes our stains, and our hearts are poisoned too.
Hatred never ceases by Hatred.
His wisdom was undeniable. Despite the fact Samuel is 25 years my junior, he was 25,000 years ahead of me in seeing into people’s hearts.
But he wasn’t done:
I admire my brothers in America.
I invite my brothers to join me in celebration of being a Nigger.
Nigeria has a long and glorious history of creating communities and doing good. That was Nigeria until it became a colonial pen, an open-air prison like Gaza, only larger.
He really had me excited at this point, but the pain of colonialism hit home. It’s just another form of slavery, just a bit better disguised, dressed up for the public so that we don’t see it for what it is.
I felt his voice rising, passion welling up in him:
If my brothers stood up, together, united, and bellowed at the top of their lungs, “I AM A NIGGER!” And wore that label as a badge of honor, the Haters and the Masters would be defeated. Beaten at their own game!
I felt I needed to share his wisdom.
I hope it touches your heart.
I’ve asked Samuel if I can share his picture. If you see it below, he agreed.
(A humble man, he seeks no fame. The Picture will need to wait.)
Wisdom is NOT Determined by Age
Samuel is 25 years younger than I am, a second son, really (I’m working toward his immigration if he wants to leave). Surprisingly, he’s torn about leaving Nigeria.
He loves his country, but it’s a low-grade prison where corrupt leaders must deal with grinding poverty and ever-present unrest that explodes every so often in a flash of bloodshed.
It’s a difficult place to raise a family. Can you imagine living where there is no 911? No police to save you if thugs pound on the door of your home? I understand why he’s ready to leave now.
But why would he ever have wanted to be there?
The story that changed everything for me
When he was in college, and still single, he demonstrated to me that he is a true spiritual master.
He showed me my own weaknesses and shortcomings.
The Worst of the Worst of the Worst
When Samual graduated college, he volunteered to teach at rural schools for a year, living on whatever pay was offered.
Most people who put themselves into this lottery (something I never would have done) hope for a plumb assignment in a safe and comfortable area (my bare minimum requirement).
By chance, he was assigned to one of the worst schools in a dangerous area run by a woman who didn’t like him, and the pay was barely enough to buy food.
Most people would have recoiled at this.
I certainly would have cried victim tears, which is why his decision and reasoning shocked me and made me realize just how far ahead of me he was.
He said:
If I had not taken that job, it either would have been filled by someone less skilled and caring than me, or it wouldn’t be filled at all, probably the latter. Either way, the young children, innocent and pure, they would have a poor education, or no education at all.
I couldn’t live with that, so I stayed.
Twelve months in hell — by choice.
My Master
Samuel,
With deepest and sincerest thanks, I honor you, my Master. Your wisdom, your choices, and your actions showed me my weaknesses. There is no greater gift.