Yawl Free or Nah?
Yawl still celebrating the history of African-American people this month? After the abolition of slavery in 1863 via Abe and the ratification of Congress, many of our people were suddenly free - though many didn’t find out till Juneteenth, in 1865, but I digress. While legally free, they faced a much desired but challenging prospect of actually living free in a country that had prospered from their labor, had grudgingly granted that freedom and regarded them as less than human. And, for the last 157 years this country has wrestled with the threads of racism and injustice that are woven deeply into its fibers. Seeing the shackles as I visited the National Museum of African American History and Culture took my breath away. It was the intent of the enslaver to enslave us from the cradle to the grave.
Yet, as a health educator, I have always marveled at the resolve of my people to push through the barriers erected for their defeat and destruction and still excel. These last few years have definitely challenged us to our core. I am especially drawn, however, to the overall health of my people and how that affected their survival.
Depending on whose story you believe, you can come up with several conclusions about our health. I tend to believe that while our lives on the plantations in this country were truly some kind of living hell, there were a lot of principles of living that if embraced in our “freedom” could truly make the legacy of “good health” something we could pass on to our children.
Think about it.The diseases of that time were likely mostly communicable and not chronic, lifestyle diseases. In order to be a slave of value you could’t be sick all the time. There were fields to hoe, cotton to pick, food to cook, babies to nurse, etc, etc, etc. And if history tells me right, because this country made so much money off of our labor, you were a liability if you were not well enough to work.
Think about it. When you lived on the plantation, you were up before dawn, worked hard all day, got plenty of fresh air and sunlight, went to bed at dark and prayed a whole lot. Some historical experts have discovered that the food fare was largely water with fatty meat and dried/milled corn in the winter and water and all types of seasonal plant foods during the crop bearing season. Wasn’t nobody ordering take-out of harmful processed food; the meat you did eat was probably kosher and the throwaway pieces that the master didn’t want; you only had just enough of it to flavor a POT for everyone and there was no way the master was gonna kill enough chickens for each of the slaves to have a plate of wings. IJS.
Think about it. In order to escape slavery, you had to WALK thousands of miles to freedom. There were no planes or trains that would accept your reservation and guarantee your safe arrival. Over the river and through the woods, following the North Star. Staying sensitive and perceptive to everything around you so that you wouldn’t get caught and beat and returned to the plantation. That would be kind of hard if you had to stop for insulin shots and diabetic meds and hypertension or heart meds. IJS.
Think about it. As it became apparent that we would have to fight for every freedom we had been “granted”, we worked as a people in a variety of ways to keep the pressure on. The events of the 40’s that culminated in the 60’s propelled us to take our situations into our own hands and through faith and hard work move mountains. And, the events of recent years prove that there is still a lot of work to do……seems like some folk want to turn back the hands of time.
Think about it. Today in the African-American community we are 40% more likely to be obese; 40% more likely to have a stroke; 30% more likely to die of heart disease; 50% more likely to be diabetic and 2x as likely to undergo amputation of toe, foot or leg; 40% more likely to die from breast cancer; 2x as likely to die from cervical and prostate cancer; 9x as likely to be diagnosed with HIV and 8 times as likely to die from it. We probably wouldn’t even qualify to be a slave. Yet, every day another confirmation of the impact of lifestyle choices destroys any excuse you make for being sick. We are free so we can access health care, learn what’s causing our poor state of health, change our choices and change our lives. Remember, genetics may load the gun, but lifestyle pulls the trigger.
Think about it. You cannot be your best or do your best if your health is compromised. And, while we are now “free” , many of us are still slaves to choices that only produce poor outcomes. Stop making excuses. Start making good choices. Stop blaming your family history. Start recovering your health. Stop waiting for someone to free you. You’re already free. Start acting like it.
Think about it. What kind of Black History are you writing? After all these years, are you really free or are you enslaved to some health destroying habits? What you gonna do? Who else you gonna free? Do it for the culture!! Do it for Harriet!! IJS!!
Be Free!! Cut That Stuff Loose!! Think About It!! Happy Wellness Wednesday!!
I’m Still Shoutin Ova Here!
Donna
“For I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvellous are thy works and that my should knoweth right well.” Psalm 139:14
“If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” John 8:36
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