By Devin McCrorey
Every year, the holiday season rolls around, bringing with it family, gifts, good food and unbridled joy. For most people. In my case, the holiday season brings a bunch of debates with people regarding the reasons I don’t celebrate most holidays. My arguments range widely from having no interest in celebrating the same holidays that our ancestors were forced to adapt under the threat of physical harm from slavers; to a desire to disassociate myself from European customs in attempt to connect with a precolonial identity. But despite the passion and precision of my arguments the same questions come every year and I have to try to make it clear once more: I do not celebrate Christmas.
For anyone who has a family member with the same mindset as myself, here are some non-Christmas gifts that you can give them that show respect for their beliefs.
Most Black people who choose not to celebrate Christmas consider themselves seekers of knowledge. Gaining knowledge of the history of Christmas and the historical events surrounding the story of Christ can only really occur with study. So, a book or set of books would be perfect. One of the best books I’ve read that really enlightened me on the extent to which European conquerors tried to hide the real history of Black people is George GM James’ book “Stolen Legacy”. The author, Mr. James, was a Guyanese-American historian born in the late 1800s and died in 1954. In “Legacy” James presents a clear case to support the argument that the corpus of ideas called Greek philosophy is a misnomer. According to James, Greek philosophy is largely derived from Egyptian philosophy. The travesty of this is that the Egyptians and by extension pre-Egyptian ancient African thought is never credited for its contribution. James offers a powerful blow to topple the edifice of Eurocentric intellectual superiority. Through this book, readers can become more familiar with Black genius and its impact on the old and new world.
The ankh is an Egyptian symbol that looks similar to a Christian crucifix. However, there are two major differences. First, the ankh has a loop to replace the upper arm of the crucifix. Also, the ankh is a symbol of life, where the crucifix is a reminder of the torturous death of the Hebrew Messiah. Many wear the ankh as a necklace, or us it as a decorative accent on clothing or on the walls at their homes.
In hieroglyphic (the proper term for which is medu neter) one can see the ankh as an image connected to anything associated with sustaining life, or for life itself. For example, images of the sun would often be adorned with the ankh. Water and wind would also bear the image of the ankh. In drawings of notable figures being resurrected from the dead by a god, the god would often be seen presenting the corpse with an ankh to re-instill life into the body.
The ankh can also be seen as a symbol for divinity. In early images of Imhotep, a renowned physician, Imhotep is seen as a man, simply dressed with a shaven head. Over the centuries, the people of Egypt began to deify Imhotep and worship him as a god. When this happened, Imhotep began to be depicted as a man in royal garb, holding the ankh in his hand. This clearly shows that the ankh was an indication of his status a divine being. Thus it works for those that believe in the inherent divinity of Black people.
For many people who are distancing themselves from European tradition there is typically a desire to make use of plants in the use of ritual and medicine. I recommend sage. Since ancient times, sage has been used as medicine and in magical rituals. Sometimes simultaneously. For example, sage is often used to “purge” negative energy out of a space that is reserved for prayer, meditation, or spell work. This necessary in order to focus one’s spiritual energy on the ritual without bringing unwanted energy into the space. And according to modern science burning sage kills about 94% of airborne bacteria. It also releases negative ions, which is reported to be connected to putting people in a positive mood.
I’ve used sage in the past. I always enjoy its thick aroma and the sense of calm it induces in my living space. It is definitely a plant that is a mandatory part of a botanical collection.
Lastly, I would love to recommend Tariq Nasheed’s “Hidden Colors” film series. These movies deal with global Black history, revealing details that have been often been concealed in white media and the educational systems. For the neophyte that is new to the journey for truth and identity or the initiate who has been studying for years, this DVD series is amazing. There are five films in the series, the latest having just come out a few months ago. It was so controversial that the United Kingdom actually banned Nasheed to keep him from screening the movie in that country. The films cover subjects that range from the history of early America and Black people’s role in it, to the Moorish Empire of Northern Africa, to famous historical figures throughout Europe that are depicted as white in modern times, but were actually Black. Nasheed is a highly informed historian and an eloquent speaker. These films also feature other great teachers in the Black community, such as Francis Cress- Welsing, Rev Phil Valentine, Kaba Kamane, Umar Johnson, and others. This is a phenomenal series, to say the least. And it’s completely Black owned, produced and distributed.
For the woke grouch at the family function this year, such as myself, I know these gift ideas will absolutely impress.
