Black Freethought

Comment

Comment by Ralph Dumain on January 19, 2010 at 1:38pm

And thanks for such a frank answer to such a personal question.

Comment by Hobo Sarah on January 19, 2010 at 1:33pm

Hello Ralph and thank you for the question. It is a very complex issues to which I have given a great deal of thought starting with is it even OK for me to take this child from his culture when I am so clearly not of it. I believe that a child should not be denied a home due to race or where they are born and I think that, hopefully, a child in an orphanage (one facing great poverty) with no biological family and special needs would have a better life with me than in that situation and it does sadden me that they will have to give up some of who they are for basic human comforts like food and health care and frankly my own selfish need to adopt (I don't want bio kids) and all I can do is my best. As far as differentiating between the two cultures (I said African because I am not 100% comfortable giving out such personal information as his country of origin and tribal ties online) I think they are vastly different particularly considering that within each culture there are differences and neither are a homogenous well defined thing that can be blanket applied. What I meant to say and perhaps should have been a bit more clear is that I want him to, since he will be raised and live in the U.S., have contact with the U.S. Black culture and be as much a part of it as is possible. In order to accomplish this it means more than going to cultural days and purchasing Black dolls it means making it a part of every day life and your life style, the good and the bad. I hate to sound like a white girl cliche but luckily I have very close African American and Black (I differentiate because I like to use the terminology that others use for themselves when referring to them) friends who have self-defined themselves as Aunties and Uncles. However as an Atheist I face an additional challenge because a lot of what I see, and perhaps if I am incorrect you can correct me, in Black American culture revolves around religion. As far as trying to keep them in touch with their Western African/Birth culture, particularly being so far away, comes down to travel and education. The more I know and the more often we can visit, the more I can share with him. Since he will be an American I suppose I should refer to it more as keeping him in touch with his heritage as opposed to being ingrained in the culture itself. The truth of the matter comes down to who he is. I am American Indian and my culture was very important to me and being a part of it was essential to who I was but my brother, same blood-same family, could not care less about it so while it is essential that my son learn, be involved, and be comfortable with who he is the reality is that in the end he may not even have interest in it at all and may prefer... I dunno, video games (I sure hope not but...). In the end, I want a happy, healthy, adult who follows his own passions and loves in life. I hope that is clear. I know I can be long winded and convoluted but this is something that I have given so much thought to that it is hard to synthesize it down into an online comment. Thanks!

Comment by Ralph Dumain on January 19, 2010 at 12:46pm

This group is open to all non-disruptive individuals on an equal basis. I'm curious about something in your statement, Sarah. You wish to keep your adopted African son connected with both his African culture (I assume this means his nation of origin) and Black American culture? What do you think these two cultures have in common? And what do you think a connection with Black American culture actually means? And how would one keep a child connected with his country of origin thousands of miles away?

Comment by Hobo Sarah on January 18, 2010 at 4:47pm

Hello,
I am not black but my son is (adopted from Africa) and it is very important for me to do everything in my power to keep him connected with his African Culture, the American Black Culture, and strong ideology and roll models withing those cultures as well as my own personal morals. As an American Indian/White chick who is also a Secular Humanist it means I have some work ahead of me! I hope no one minds that I joined this group and plan to lurk around and read what people say!

Comment by Steve LOWE on January 13, 2010 at 5:10pm

African Americans for Humanism Conference
Washington, DC
May 16, 2010
http://www.centerforinquiry.net/aah-dc

Comment by Ralph Dumain on January 12, 2010 at 8:39pm

I once asked Robeson's biographer Martin Duberman about Robeson's religious beliefs. He was defensive & cagey in responding; I don't recall his answer, though. Robeson does make reference to Providence; Duberman suggested that Robeson didn't take refuge in the Bible, but who knows? A friend of Robeson's the black communist Lloyd Brown, did say that he (Brown) was culturally religious (if I recall correctly), and he may have wanted to create the impression that Robeson was, too. I wish I knew more. Many black lefties were on the down low about religion. Others you never heard of, maybe not so much.

Comment by J.Muntu on January 12, 2010 at 8:29pm

How could I not sign up when I saw you had a picture of "The Man" himself, the autodidact, the man who graces the wall in my living room- Hubert Henry Harrison. That is a great look for the groups logo. His is a story of great inspiration to me,which had made me wonder how many other greats like hisself that I was not aware of J.A Rogers and Paul Robeson (not sure of Robeson's religious beliefs but defintely a freethinker). These are people the youth need to hear and know about. I have the utmost respect for waht Dr. King did but its alot deeper than that. We need to pisk our own heros instead of being told who to celebrate. I digress, but just a thought.
Anyway thx for the welcome.

Comment by Daniel the Apostate on December 31, 2009 at 9:10pm

Happy New Year to all of the members of Black Freethought. Have a happy, healthy, prosperous 2010!

Comment by Shanna on December 7, 2009 at 2:54pm

Oh wow, I am so glad to have found this site. I am sure many can relate to my excitement. Hope to meet many of you for awesome discussions and thoughts. Peace!

Comment by Scronny on December 5, 2009 at 5:35pm

hey everybody

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