Reparations and Vodou

I was listening to Tyler Perry's speech in Detroit this afternoon. It was inspiring, but it got me to thinking.

Doesn't America owe us a seat at the table? Why do we have to build our own wealth after we've built it for the rest of the country? Where are our reparations? Let me answer that question with this one;

Should you trust a gift from a criminal? If the reparations so many of us sought were to come from the hands of our Ŋɔliwo's oppressors, the United States Government and surviving Corporate Entities from the Slavery, Reconstruction, and Jim Crow eras, would you trust it or would you be looking for the strings? There is a moral obligation on the US Government and responsible entities to make equitable restitution but there is no benefit in its pursuit. As long as they owe me, I'll never be broke.

My moral obligation is to live like I know my behavior reflects on my parents reputation, like I know my decisions determine my children's potential, and my character is the largest jewel in my spouse's crown. If the government chooses to forfeit its moral obligations that's the Government's sin, I've no time to make it mine.

The modern African American has mostly abandoned faith for materialism and it should come to no surprise that this is the case. The only religions African Americans generally know are Christianity and Islam and both have failed them on this and every other front.

But, the vodounsi knows that the Bought Person is owed wages and a portion of the Master's inheritance as if he was the Master's oldest son and if the Master doesn't pay just compensation, the vodous will take all of the Master's wealth and his children's inheritance and give it to the Bought Person. MAMA TCHAMBA has told me this personally, and I believe this on faith.

So my people, don't beg the United States government to give you reparations. They know they owe us, we don't need to remind them. Instead, set about being good citizens, mindful of your moral obligations and industrious putting your mind, heart, and soul to the task of "building your own table" as Tyler Perry had put it, facilitating your needs, comforts, and moral duties. If the Government and guilty Corporate Entities choose to test MAMA TCHAMBA that's a "them" problem. I'm just going to make sure I did my part.