I grew up believing in social integration. I was the only Black kid in my kindergarten class, that pattern was often repeated over the years, and the perceived goal, at that time, for Black folk was social integration as the means to rise up and become better Americans. I wanted to be a better American, […]
Stop watching CNBC!
Over the last several years I’ve tried not to get into political discussions because the inevitably ended with discounting or derogatory remarks. I then proclaimed my posts mine with the statement I would share, own and appreciate my views of the world. That stated I moved to mostly posting comments from the Black media, informing […]
What Were Africans Doing In 1492?
I ran across this a couple of days ago and thought it would be an excellent addition to my John Henrik Clark, “The Christopher Columbus and the Afrikan Holocaust” section of the paradigm. Really, understanding Pre-Colonial Africa is imperative for our understanding of the myths that promoted not only the African slave trade but devastated […]
4,000 Years of African American History
4,000 Years, Not 400! Most African Americans descend from the half million Africans who landed on the shores of North America as captives during the trans-Atlantic slave trade. The vast majority came from Western Africa (shaded area below) whose history is a story of the rise and fall of many kingdoms and empires. Read […]
The Doctrine of Discovery, 1493
The Papal Bull “Inter Caetera,” issued by Pope Alexander VI on May 4, 1493, played a central role in the Spanish conquest of the New World. The document supported Spain’s strategy to ensure its exclusive right to the lands discovered by Columbus the previous year. It established a demarcation line one hundred leagues west of […]
Christopher Columbus and the Afrikan Holocaust
I initially thought that I would label this section “In the beginning” but Precolonial Africa is a who we are/where are a separate section of the Paradigm. I’ve become enraptured by Dr. John Henrik Clarke. Years ago I first obtained a copy of “Christopher Columbus & the Afrikan Holocaust” many years ago, the Barnes and […]
Africa’s Great Civilizations
In his six-hour – 6 part series, Africa’s Great Civilizations, Henry Louis Gates, Jr. takes a new look at the history of Africa, from the birth of humankind to the dawn of the 20th century. This is a breathtaking and personal journey through two hundred thousand years of history, from the origins, on the African […]
Etymology of a name
My name is Phillip Wesley Briscoe. I’ve always hated the name “Phillip”; but this was how my family, friends, and my home town knew me. In the second grade, I tried to get people to call me Wesley. I thought Wesley had more panache; Phillip Briscoe was dull. No one called me anything but Phillip […]
Do you mind if I vent?
I usually enjoy going to Puget Sound Veterans Administration. I enjoy watching the old timers and love the sense of camaraderie that binds us and sometimes I’m almost brought to tears with the sight of amputees and wheelchairs. Today, was not one of those days. I have Bronchiectasis an unresolved lung disease and I went […]
Black Economic Inclusion
For some time now I have been posting on Facebook videos from Dr Claud Anderson regarding PowerNomics, i.e., Black economic empowerment through Black aggregation. I’m relieved that there are young people who are beginning to understand that we need to move in that direction. As I do more research and try to make my blog […]
“Rose is a rose is a rose is a rose.”
Juliet: “‘Tis but thy name that is my enemy; Thou art thyself, though not a Montague. What’s Montague? It is nor hand, nor foot, Nor arm, nor face, nor any other part Belonging to a man. O, be some other name! What’s in a name? that which we call a rose By any other name […]
Positive Steps Forward
I’m taking some time off from social media. I haven’t seen much in the way in positive postings which I find uplifting. Religious/spiritual memes strike me as shallow. I don’t envision a white Christmas with a sleigh ride to grandmas. In addition, I find the political landscape fallow. On the other hand, I found a story […]
Why I’m going to jail!!
In the past several years at least two of my friends have been stricken with a muscle-debilitating disease. Your support is greatly needed. Pass the word maybe if I can go to jail you can find it in your heart to give a little.
Keep me out of jail!!
Personal Note: Exeter House, 4/3/2016
Most Sundays we have dinner with Louise’s mother at her retirement community. Over time, I’ve not only learned the names of some residents as they either join us with our meal or stop by to chat with Mary Louise but I’ve also come to look forward to familiar faces and I’m most saddened when some […]
Review of the African Slave Trade
Recently I had a very disappointing conversation with a former high school classmate about the current racial climate in the United States. His position was the slavery was a long time ago and Blacks should just buck up and get with the American program. Part of his defense was that Africans helped foster the slave […]
Argonne Rebels: Montgomery, AL Summer 1963
I can’t say I enjoyed growing up in a small Kansas town but I knew I was getting a good education, surrounded by family that loved me, and I learned to love clouds. My most enjoyable challenge was marching with the Argonne Rebels Drum and Bugle Corps., our local competitive drum corps was beginning to […]
Hunyuan Taijiquan 13 Shi with Master Chen Xiang
October 22nd-Cheng du
Early flight, 7:55 am. I not sure sleep was an issue. The hotel packed a ”to go” breakfast which made it as far as an airport trash bin. Airport security was quite intrusive, my pat down was as rigorous as some massages I have had but with no smile. Poor Ross was dismayed because they […]
No Guns for Negroes
After a malaise of several months I’ve finally gotten back to my Journal. The following had been my original political statement for my site which I’ve now removed but submit again for my personal edification. At the risk of being provocative, I’m going to post a video produced by the “The Jews for the Preservation […]
What did you call me?
I spoke to University Sunrise Rotary this morning about my personal view on race and thought I’d re-post this article in conjunction with that event. This article was originally posted July 22, 2013. It was a sunny Thursday morning, I parked my car behind my office; I felt good. My Rotary meeting had gone better […]
October 21st: The Great Wall
To be honest I was quite ambivalent about visiting the Great Wall. The most frequent question asked before I began this sojourn was “are you going to the Great Wall?” I put off the questions with, “this is a Tai Chi training trip and I don’t think the Great Wall is on the agenda.” In […]
October 20th: Chengde Summer Resort
The Mountain Vista Hotel was built on a grand scheme and maybe hosted some significant dignitaries at one time but now it is showing some signs of neglected maintenance. Our first clue was the shower was cold on the last day it warmed to tepid. After our mediocre breakfast buffet, I wondered the large lobby […]
Trip to Chengde- Saturday, October 19_
My ankle was sore today I didn’t make the walk to Temple Park for practice. The plan was for the troop to walk to the park and practice, lǎo shī suggested that I might consider remaining behind since the group needed to walk to the park, practice, and be back for lunch before our three-hour drive to […]
The Forbidden City-Friday, October 18
This morning we packed up and drove off to “The forbidden City”. The first two things we noticed was the throngs of people (tour group leaders with locator flags) and the smog. Although, several of us have Air Quality Index (AQI) monitor apps on our phones; I don’t think we had any real concept of the […]