Reflections and Projections

First, this painting by artist, Jonathan Green ("Horizon"), is a direct reflection of my who I am. I cannot tell you how often I am enamoured by the clouds and birds in the sky. The lovely azure scenery always grabs my attention, if only for a moment. It is God's splendor - His creation. How can I ignore it?

Well, this semester is coming to an end, and I'm getting ready for summer. Students are dropping off their final papers and I am listening to either their accolades or their worries. Meanwhile, I am thinking about writing for the summer. Even writing on this blog has been a new accurance in the past couple of days. Overall, this year has been good. Of course, I have my loose ends to tie and relationships to nurture and build, but it has been good. Every year, my goal is to become better as a teacher; so, I must read and study. That's the thing about teaching - we are perpetually a student. I love it though.

I have plans to further my studies with another degree. I'm looking into different programs here in Maryland. My goal is to do something that I find interesting. At first, I considered going into Education and Leadership, but that wouldn't hold my interest. No, it has to be about the things I love, which include literature, language, and culture. Besides, that's all that I have discussed on this blog. That's what Morphological Confetti is all about. Anyway, I have something in mind, but we will see. I'll keep you posted.

Well, today's weather is unseasonably warm and the skies are clear here in Maryland. As the song writer said, "...I think I'll go outside for a while...to take in some clean fresh air." Take Care and enjoy your day. ~Peace

Great Imperative Meme

I have been tagged by Geoffrey Philp concerning the “great imperative.” He is asking the question, what is the great imperative of my life? This is a great meme because it really made me think. As Arsenio Hall would say, it’s one of those things that make you go…hmmmmmm? Well, everyone gather around.

My greatest imperative in life has always been knowledge of self. I have always wanted to know who I am. This quest for knowledge started as a child when I would ask my grandmother dozens of questions about our family and the existence of God. My grandmother could talk about God all day, but family knowledge went back only a few generations. I would gain knowledge of and fall in love with the knowledge of my African ancestry after I was honorably discharged from the Navy in 1988. I was living in New Haven, Connecticut in the spring of 1988 when I entered a shop that sold African inspired books, incense and art. I inquired about some of the things I saw there and the shop attendant began to speak about Africa and the African American experience. I listened intently and held onto every word as he continued for what seemed like an hour. In the end, I was amazed at how much I didn’t know. I left that shop with a renewed sense of self and a thirst to find out more. I’d like to think I was reborn that day. I felt proud. I felt African. I felt powerful!

It’s amazing what knowledge of self can do. In retrospect, that moment helped me to understand the system of slavery in early America and why the US government felt it necessary to strip the captured Africans of their names, languages and overall knowledge of culture. They understood that knowledge was/is power. They knew that knowledge would only impede their mission to exploit and enslave the African. So, my great imperative has been to spread the knowledge that exists in the African Diaspora as often as I can. This blog has been a great catalyst for the dissemination of that knowledge. It has been a blessing. This leads me to something far greater; I can do nothing without the goodness and grace of God. He guides my spirit and gives me direction everyday. He leads me to the knowledge and grants me the wisdom to present it. So, I give thanks. I open this tag up to anyone who wishes to share their “great imperative.” Thanks again, Geoffrey. I enjoyed this. Peace~

Art by: Jonathan Green, Tales, 1988

Oil on masonite, collection of Richard Weedman