Category: Cultural Reflections
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Perfect Political Systems as a Trap in Republics
I had recently edited and added points to a piece I think strongly explains my views in Where Authority Lies: Republicanism, Liberalism, and Progressive Morality: Here, it helps to not think of Democracy as a God, or perfect system. Be careful. “Perfect systems” belong to the autocrat, divine monarch, technocrat and utopian. Why do we want…
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Frederick Douglass’s Travels to Italy and Egypt (1886-1887)
Reflections tying classical worlds to Black American history and Douglass’s rhetorical strategy in engaging with classical antiquity and critiquing aspects of Catholic ceremonial from a republican, Protestant perspective. In the waning days of September 1886, Frederick Douglass, the abolitionist and statesman set sail from New York aboard the steamer City of Rome, beginning an extended…
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Six Topics: Apoliticism, Russian-Ukraine War, Artificial Intelligence and Rebellious Writing Styles
SPOOKED THEOSOPHISTS AND SOCIETAL CONSEQUENCES OF INACTION I hope you do not think I have veered off topic discussing politics and religion. I have combed through some thoughts in an old article challenging the concept of Apoliticism and the history or understanding of Apoliticism in the Theosophical Movement; and two of the intersecting contexts surrounding…
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Civic Republicanism in the Haitian Revolution: Toussaint Louverture and His Influence on John Brown
There is nothing I write about unconnected or unrelated to my life and studies in my personal life. Within the digital space of my work, I am working on, e.g., a comparative analysis between John Brown, Giuseppi Mazzini, Henry Steel Olcott and Helena P. Blavatsky on the approach, strategy and issues (even flaws) of adherence…
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Introduction to Black Republicanism: Five Early Figures, Wheatley to Douglass
In the late 18th and early 19th centuries, a small but influential group of Black intellectuals engaged deeply with Greco-Roman classics and the ideals of classical republicanism. This engagement was multifaceted in that they drew on ancient texts to demonstrate Black intellectual capacity in the face of racist denials. This challenged e.g., claims by Thomas…
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I Need A Roof — Mighty Diamonds
“I need a roof over my headI need a roof over my headAnd bread on my tableAnd bread on my tableThis love in my heartIt′s love for everyone(Remember Garvey say)Remember weh Garvey say, sayTime a go dread out dehEverybody a go run now(Remember Garvey say)”
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Feeling Soul — Bob Andy
“To be true to one another.To be kind and gentle to each other.To give your best when it’s asked of you.To do what you have to do when you’re supposed to. You’ve got to feel it.You’ve got to feel the soul down inside of you.You’ve got to feel it, mmm.” 🎶
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Sun Shines For Me — Bob Andy
“I am rich ’cause the sun shines for meI never cry ’cause I know that the rain falls for meI feel like a king, though the salary I earn is thin, thinI realise money’s not all, there are other things”
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Natural Facts — Cornell Campbell
“My heart beats on a solid foundationSo I always love my country’s fellow manI’m proud to know I’m black‘Cause it’s a natural factWhether you are white or blackTo me it’s just the sameLord knows I’m not ashamedOf loving my fellow man.”
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The Lost Meaning of Republicanism in Modern America
Americans often appear indifferent to “Republicanism” (meaning the classical republican tradition) because the word has been almost completely hijacked in everyday language by the Republican Party. When most people hear “republicanism” today, they think of the Grand Old Party, Trump, culture-war talking points, or at best vague slogans about “limited government.” The deeper philosophical tradition…
The American Minervan 