Don’t miss out on history because the people didn’t look like you. People of African descent have made significant contributions to society. This month is an opportunity to look at those achievements and celebrate our people.
This month’s shirt Everybody’s History
Common Era history would have you believe that there is no history from the continent of Africa that would require chronicling.
I disagree.
There is rich valuable information that can be determined from this history. It just needs to be presented so that each individual can make up their own minds.
We have established through a biblical context that people of African descent have been viable since history keeping began. After walking the road with Jesus and Simon of Cyrene, we move to another part of the continent and a little later in time.
Between the 2 and 3rd Century AD, the Kingdom of Aksum (which is now present-day Eritrea and northern Ethiopia) traded gold and ivory into Middle East, India, and China. This was a wealthy civilization that thrived for centuries. They also exported frankincense, myrrh, emeralds, salt, and live animals. It established economic strength, noted in the image as the coin, which held the image of its leaders.
Meanwhile a tribe of about 4,000 people in 200 AD grew to about 26,000 by 800 AD in a settlement in Northern Nigeria. They developed a method to grow rice using tools made of iron. This system would become a game changer later in history. It is noted in the image as white mountain. The other mountains represent gold and copper which were also items other nations wanted.
Different tribes throughout the continent of Africa would gather their natural resources and trade them with countries around the world. Although many of the tales will never be told, Africans began globalization by 150 BC as notes from Chinese Courts tell of ambassadors from Ethiopia bringing goods.
By 1000 AD, Madagascar was part of the route to trading with China through the town of Kilwa on Tanzania. Archeological digs in the town reveal Chinese porcelain.
Stereotypes of people from African countries show them as primitive uneducated people who didn’t know how to manage their own lives, less alone build booming economies. For a very long time they have been the innovators that make the world a better place.
Madam CJ Walker was not born with a lot of opportunities. She was the first child her parents had that was born free of slavery. When both parents died she was young and was raised by her sister. But the woman born Sarah Breedlove was able.
Sarah married young and had a child. She was determined her daughter would have all of the things she never had. She started out doing the things she knew to do, but later learned new things. She was able.
A woman who grew up without parents, without a formal education, and all of the other things we are waiting on became very successful. She was able.
Tell yourself. You are able.
I will never forget the first time I heard an instructor tell the class that the first person to successful sale products door to door was some Caucasian man in the 1950s. He obviously had never heard of Sarah Breedlove or Annie Malone, women who became millionaires by selling their products door to door. They started as far back as 1890. Breedlove became Madam CJ Walker who sold haircare and grooming products.
You can visit my shop at UPP Creative
These Sistas have stumbled across on some animation that makes them cheer. What on earth could make them excited that doesn’t involve good food, sexy men or free airline tickets? Listen.
Episode We The People
This week we are celebrating Black History and Love! As part of Black History Month we listed movies that tell stories of black love. Regina and I have put together our list of the top Black Movies to share. We have added some altered movie posters of our favorites. What are your thoughts?
People of African descent have made significant contributions to society. This month is an opportunity to look at those achievements and celebrate our people.
This month’s sweat Everybody’s History
Common Era history would have you believe that there is no history from the continent of Africa that would require chronicling.
I disagree.
There is rich valuable information that can be determined from this history. It just needs to be presented so that each individual can make up their own minds.
We have established through a biblical context that people of African descent have been viable since history keeping began. After walking the road with Jesus and Simon of Cyrene, we move to another part of the continent and a little later in time.
Between the 2 and 3rd Century AD, the Kingdom of Aksum (which is now present-day Eritrea and northern Ethiopia) traded gold and ivory into Middle East, India, and China. This was a wealthy civilization that thrived for centuries. They also exported frankincense, myrrh, emeralds, salt, and live animals. It established economic strength, noted in the image as the coin, which held the image of its leaders.
Meanwhile a tribe of about 4,000 people in 200 AD grew to about 26,000 by 800 AD in a settlement in Northern Nigeria. They developed a method to grow rice using tools made of iron. This system would become a game changer later in history. It is noted in the image as white mountain. The other mountains represent gold and copper which were also items other nations wanted.
Different tribes throughout the continent of Africa would gather their natural resources and trade them with countries around the world. Although many of the tales will never be told, Africans began globalization by 150 BC as notes from Chinese Courts tell of ambassadors from Ethiopia bringing goods.
By 1000 AD, Madagascar was part of the route to trading with China through the town of Kilwa on Tanzania. Archeological digs in the town reveal Chinese porcelain.
Stereotypes of people from African countries show them as primitive uneducated people who didn’t know how to manage their own lives, less alone build booming economies. For a very long time they have been the innovators that make the world a better place.
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