Historically, Black Historical past Month within the U.S. presents Ok-12 college students and others a surface-level, cliff notes version of the lives of a handful of individuals. The total impression of Black folks in America is mostly ignored, with solely contributions of a choose few, normally between the Nineteen Twenties and Nineteen Sixties, making the lower.
Nonetheless, there isn’t a world historical past with out Black Historical past; extra particularly, Pan-African historical past, a historical past that features Black folks from historic Africa and their members of the worldwide Pan-African diaspora.
Students like Dr. John Henrick Clarke, Dr. Asa Hilliard, Dr. Cheikh Anta Diop, Dr. Ivan Van Sertima and numerous others have proven that assertion to be true by way of their scholarship.
So, as badly because the contributions of Black folks in America must be prolonged far past the standard parameters, the main focus should go worldwide to do Black Historical past Month justice. And it should prolong past Black folks’s arrival on these shores.
To that finish, the Defender gathered important items of Black Historical past – African proverbs – which were used for eons to order the steps of members of the Pan-African international neighborhood.
The objective: To see if and the way such historic knowledge sayings converse to the wants and points Black persons are dealing with in 2025. In different phrases, can these components of Black Historical past impression the standard of Black life at this time?
Right here’s what these interviewed shared by means of African proverbs and their modern relevance.
“A lion doesn’t cease for barking canine—it is aware of its energy.”
Native activist and member of the Nationwide Black United Entrance (NBUF) Krista Folade Madzimoyo contends this proverb comprises a strong lesson for Black folks in 2025.
“With Trump again in workplace, racism and oppression are louder than ever,” mentioned Madzimoyo. “However we should not be distracted by concern and division.”
Madzimoyo views this knowledge saying as a name to motion to silence a lot of the politically divisive and anti-Black noise coming from the nation’s capital.
“Now could be the time for unity and motion. As a substitute of reacting to each assault, we should construct actual energy—financial independence, neighborhood protection and cultural and political energy. The barking will proceed, however lions don’t reply to noise. Lions transfer ahead and take what’s theirs,” added Madzimoyo.
“Irrespective of how fantastically the hen dances, it by no means pleases the hawk.”
Dr. Earle Fisher, pastor of Abyssinian Baptist Church (Memphis), is nationally recognized for his progressive political activism and use of African proverbs, together with the one listed above.
He sees a direct correlation between the animals of the proverb and Black folks at this time.
“So many Black people really feel they should pander to the oppressor with a purpose to progress,” Fisher advised the Defender. “However they fail to comprehend nothing we do will suffice for them to see us as worthy of full humanity.”
“The kid who just isn’t embraced by the village will burn it right down to really feel its heat”
Famous West African Elder, griot and creator, Malidoma Somé Ph.D., shared these phrases concerning the significance of neighborhood: “With out neighborhood, you can’t be your self. The neighborhood is the place we draw the energy wanted to impact modifications within us. What one acknowledges within the formation of the neighborhood is the potential of doing collectively what’s inconceivable to do alone.”
Somé mentions this level in a number of of his best-selling books, together with “The Therapeutic Knowledge of Africa” and “Ritual.” He makes the connection between a lot of the brokenness present in Black life, and particularly with Black youth, to the absence of neighborhood (the village).
Although Somé handed away in 2021, his interpretation of the village burning serves as a reminder to Black folks concerning the work required at this time and into the longer term.
“A roaring lion kills no sport.”
Christopher Whaley, DJ and host of “The Soul Brother Present,” contends this African proverb greatest describes how we must always transfer by way of these difficult socio-political instances. Whaley’s rationalization of this proverb’s present relevance additionally serves as a call-out to not be impressed or intimidated by loud, over-the-top political directives and govt orders.
“Success isn’t present in noise or spectacle, slightly it’s constructed within the quiet, by way of regular, intentional effort,” shared Whaley.
