Mel Hopkins

LOL! Thank you! I grew up reading and watching Agatha Christie mysteries. I hated learning that one of her books was entitled The Ten little N-ers" But Jessica B. Fletcher ? I want her life! LOL ... I remember when Netflix licensed Murder, She wrote ... I binged watched every episode - some twice. Now, I fall asleep to her shows at night LOL! I love the performance! I don't know why I'm so weepy but I felt a bit nostalgic watching them perform. It appears there are several tribes represented in the dance segments. And one of those dance segments reminded me of the Djembe Nyabhingi drumming. I wrote about it in my book as it marks the moment when one of the women becomes an Obeah High Priestess and possessed by the spirit of Nyabhingi - According to some articles, women aren't allowed to play the djembe drums ... but the first Djembe drummers were allegedly WOMEN. The mythology allegedly traces it roots back to Women Warriors defeating German colonist who were attempting to conquer Uganda ... https://jah-rastafari.com/forum/message-view.asp?message_group=6450 https://www.africaresource.com/rasta/sesostris-the-great-the-egyptian-hercules/lioness-nyabinghi-priestess-queen-mother-of-africa/ "The African warrior Queen Nyabinghi was believed to be the reincarnation of the Lioness Kemetic warrior goddess Sekhmet. Queen Nyabinghi was known for playing her powerful, mystical trance drum. Her Ugandan female followers, called bagiwas, were so fearsome in victory that the invading colonialists had them branded as witches performing rituals with the drum. The drum was eventually outlawed. The Nyabinghi rhythms of resistance have long played a major role in Rastafarian culture."… The drum is therefore a divine tool of the Supreme Being, a womb or beginning of created life."The name Nyabinghi was a synonym for Sekhmet. Though the true details of her life has been subsumed in legends, Queen Nyabinghi was the archetypical Priestess-Queen of a province of Upper Kush (Ethiopia-Egypt), who rebelled against the oppressive life-denying evil regime which disrupted order and stability in the motherland through the instrumentality of foreign occupation, external manipulation and local collaboration. " As you can see, I was determined to let my daughters know who they are - and what black women really mean to this world. I even found the names of the heroines of that are left out of the traditional scriptures ... Noah's wife... the wives of the sons that were on the ark; Judith slaying General Holofernes ... I had to reference Talmud for that info... but these women figure into my story. I find the old testament scriptures the greatest occult book ever written and it serves as a foundation to my novel. The Testament of Solomon still scares me - lol I'm considering re-editing my novel to be a bit more conventional in storytelling and see if I can get a traditional publisher to release it this time. If you'd like to read it - before the changes; here's a link http://theleadstory.org/paperbacks/2755-2-paranormal-romance-excerpt/

@Chevdove No she's not my daughter! My youngest daughter sent me this story - sorry for the confusion. I wanted to share with you their perspective of the people they admire. But I'm glad I included the video of "the only" black woman trader in the last post. My daughters are usually "the only one" too - I was the only one too - and you mentioned you too were the only one... It is a difficult path but at the same time you find out who you are by what you choose to tradeoff. I used to tell my News coworkers " I don't have a phD in negrology (and I got that from quote from the film director Melvin Van Peebles) but being the only black female news anchor /reporter allowed me to give voice to a perspective that only I could share with the millions of viewers. When you are the only one YOU MUST remember your goals that brought you there in the first place. Journalist extraordinaire Malcolm Gladwell just did a podcast (Revisionist History) on "the only one" Sammy Davis Jr...and the part of his humanity he had to give up to be the only one. I tell you I was crying like a baby at the end of the podcast. Could be. My daughters date but their focus is on career and social life. AND they travel a lot. My middle daughter has a dual degree in psychology and statistics so she is preparing to go to grad school. The oldest is advancing in her legal career and it takes up a lot of her time. The youngest is focused on building a business (she hasn't said what yet ) lol and she has a steady beau. I don't think they get that from me - though. I tend to be in love with love and in the absence of a "GOAL MATE" , I'm immersed in my profession." WHAT DOES THIS MEAN??? (Ok I'm just being nosey) but it reads like The Loving V. Virginia Supreme Court Case @Chevdove nah, I don't think I do. You got this. I'm a journalist... I read a lot and my copyeditors/factcheckers keep me honest about providing source documents for what I think I know and write. lol

@ChevdoveI was 17 years old when my father died. I don't know what it is but black women back then modeled those in British monarchy - Those women seem to believe emotional outburst in public is unbecoming. Do you remember how Jacqueline Kennedy, Coretta Scott King, and I think even Ethel Kennedy carried themselves at their husbands' funeral? When I look back on those archives , it appears as some unwritten rule of conduct. I wrote about it in my debut novel "sleeping with a d-man", I wrote it for my oldest daughter before she left for college. In fact, my occult novel explores the role of women of African descent from times immemorial to the present. That's why I have all that research on mtDNA. (full disclosure - I needed to research it for my book) I wanted my daughters to understand how society relates to black women... which is counter-intuitive to our role as mother of all civilization. I was a "star" to my father so he balanced my mother. When he was gone my heart broke. He was the symbol of the "savior" I spoke about earlier in this thread. Black men and men in general play a huge part in parenting and cohabitation. The father supports the mother while the mother nurtures the children. The father is the physical strength in the family - and it's displayed in imagery as when you see the father help the son or daughter put a star on the christmas tree. It is such a beautiful symbiotic relationship. When the father is absent (emotionally, physically, financially et al) the mother has no emotional support. It is quite rare to see a mother display the balance necessary to raise an emotional healthy child. For example, An imbalance of Hypermasculinity and Hyperfeminity come to mind - such as when a woman allows her children to be sexually assaulted while she pretends not to see. But I digress. I was lucky because I had a huge support system for my oldest daughter (I didn't marry her father) and I was married before the twins came along ) Still I had a huge support system with my girls. Today, my oldest daughter has a Juris doctorate now and she's not married. In fact none of my girls are married . They seem to have wonderful social lives balanced with their professions. In fact, my youngest just sent me an instagram of the only female trader on the New York Stock Exchange she's a young black woman, shown here -https://www.cnbc.com/video/2018/06/13/lauren-simmons-is-the-only-full-time-female-trader-at-the-nyse.html I adore my daughters and I think they like me too (smile) They are loving and caring - So that could be due to their upbringing. my ex- husband believes I should write a book on how I raised, in his words "Three Aces" but the book is already written because I knew it would take a village to raise healthy adults; so I created one

@Chevdove LOL!!! I was just getting ready to edit to update it to say - not extinction of MEN - just the "Y" . One those studies indicated post modern humans created different sexes in other ways...

@Chevdove also when I was searching for my source documents - I saw the 2013 article of the man with Y-DNA that branched off from the modern humans - THE PLOT THICKENS! I started reading about mitochondrial eve and human migration back in 2005 - I follow up every so often because I find it fascinating. BUT I missed the development of the Albert Perry's Y-DNA dating back 340000 years! I look forward reading more research on this new development. Thank you for the update!

@Kalexander2 I blame it on black mothers - who would tell us, " Cry and I'll give you something to cry for". I wasn't even allowed to cry at my father's funeral. My mother said, "Don't represent your father that way"

@Chevdove As it relates to anthopology, the mtDNA mutates almost every 8000 years . The mutation here refers to assigning mtDNA haplotypes into halplogroups which is represented here in this phylotree ( A comprehensive phylogenetic tree of worldwide human mitochondrial DNA variation, currently comprising over 5,400 nodes (haplogroups) with their defining mutations.) http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0008260 Molecular Clock of the mtDNA hominid credit: van Oven M, Kayser M. 2009. Updated comprehensive phylogenetic tree of global human mitochondrial DNA variation. Hum Mutat 30(2):E386-E394. http://www.phylotree.org. doi:10.1002/humu.20921 Also, the mitochondria is not a chromosome such as the Y that recombines slightly or X that recombines with the other X chromosome and a little with the Y. (See this 2001 study on the question of mtDNA recombination https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1461814/pdf/11606549.pdf ) The Mitochondria are small membrane-bound structures contained in the cell's cytoplasm. It is responsible for generating energy needed for cell function. The mitochondria contains its own DNA and protein-synthesizing machinery. It reproduces by splitting in two to make a second copy of the DNA . https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-do-researchers-trace/ The offspring inherits the mtDNA from the mother. The father inherits his mother's mtDNA but males cannot pass it on. The Y only passes from father to son, whereas the mtDNA goes from the mother to both son or daughter. This link leads to an early study of Y-Chromosome mutation https://www.nature.com/news/2009/090827/full/news.2009.864.html . And yes, mutation is limited for the Y-chromosome because its the X that has all the genetic information to combine with the Y to form a viable human. Recent studies, previously stated the Y chromosome was on its way to extinction because it only recombines to provide genetic information for male reproductive organs - and had emptied itself of other genetic material. According the article (link) it has found a way to stabilize itself. https://evolution.berkeley.edu/evolibrary/news/140513_ychromosome https://www.hhmi.org/biointeractive/evolution-y-chromosome But as you know the origin of mankind was the X chromosome. According to studies, and the aforementioned article) there was no Y chromosome until about 180 million years ago. .

(((HUGS))) @Chevdove WOW, if this was a memoir it would be riveting because what you shared here rocked me! Your mother was sad she didn't give birth to sons? Oh snap, As you mentioned this took a terrible toll on you and your siblings. And if I understand correctly, she had your children taken away? See, this is what I mean about broken people. If your mom is broken - then how does a broken woman raise children and not break them too? In ways that she may not realize? I had to realize that about myself - there are certain behaviors that I developed in response to my upbringing. - My parents were loving parents to me - but they were broken too and that can't help but spill over into the home. I agree - if you let western society have their way, black women aren't even supposed to get pregnant ... We are made to feel ashamed for taking time to have babies in wedlock - and if we choose to be single parents -then...well that's unacceptable. I wrote a blog post about Bridget Jones ' Baby - because a black woman could have never starred in that movie, without all of society especially black america having the movie pulled before it aired LOL.... I remember when I was carrying my twins - and I had to go on bed rest; My woman Indian doctor, at the time, was reluctant to say mine disability papers lol... Even after the emergency room doctor ordered it. I found a black woman ob-gyn with quickness to care for me and deliver my girls. So yes, I absolutely understand. You have a very powerful story - I hope you've shared it already - and if you haven't I hope you find your voice.

@Kalexander2 , My thoughts? I haven't read the studies so I don't know if a bias exist. Once I select the studies, I compare and contrast everything I read if I haven't experienced it first hand.

Actually, I should have written Americas and since the native americans (mexico, canada and u.s.) are said to be from south asia , it would make sense to look at the information already in studies to see the migration patterns between Asia and Africa also if early humans were mostly matrilineal tribes then it stands to reason why today we trace migration patterns through the mtDNA. The mitochondrial DNA doesn't mutate that often. Allegedly my mtDNA is found in a haplogroup that is 80,000-104,000 years old traced back to east africa and ethiopians. So if there was a way to find the "african" origin of Asians (there is by the way - they came from my clade) then we can begin with the women in those groups to the first women in the new haplogroup... we could learn their language and religion -and then find out where they separated... So far, the mtDNA tells us that my foremother remained in east africa but my "daughters" crossed over into yemen to begin a new group (euroasians)... Still that doesn't give us the what their early community looked like - how they met up with the neanderthals et al ... because what anthropologist have reveal thus far, is those of us who remained in Africa didn't meet or mate with neanderthals but those who left out of Africa did...

@Kalexander2 maybe if we'd start here in America and look at migration patterns http://www.indigenous-americans.com/

@Chevdove. I read this earlier and had an epiphany, a coming to jesus meeting and experienced nirvana - all in that order. Thank you. Please keep in mind, I'm not saying your feelings and experience aren't valid, but what I'm about to write is based on my journey. And because of what you expressed, I can see now what I missed. From my perspective, the only difference I see between men and women are their goals. Successful opposite sex relationships arise from the two being goal mates. For example, If the mates' goal is to ensure the success of their offspring, then they will do everything together that is necessary to make that happen. You've written that black women were your oppressor but could they have also been your savior? What were their goals for you? You mentioned in a follow up " Did they hope that you would do more than be a mother and caregiver for the next generation? Did you go through your academic and professional experiences with the goal to be a mother and caregiver? (Hypothetical question, because although I have a fabulous professional life but I went through hell and high-water to raise my girls. They came first because raising powerful women was my goal. My ex-husband had the same goal - we just had different goals for marriage . (20-20 hindsight speaking, here). My ex-husband is german-french ancestry because right up until I met him; men of african ancestry had been "my oppressor." - I realized from reading your response - that was a lie I told myself. They weren't my oppressor -they just weren't my savior. If we're looking for a savior - chances are we're going to find a lot more folks looking to be saved. And they will most likely break our hearts. But I digress. I was heart "broken" by the time I met my first love, a black man. Up until him; I was a "player" in a game that was set up against women - but I didn't care because my heart wasn't in it. It wasn't my goal to be someone's property. It was my goal to... I actually had no goals. Coming to someone broken is a heavy load for the other to carry - especially when they may be broken too. We are so much like sheep - we hide our wounds in an effort to not be vulnerable - but we expect someone to care for our wounds that they can't see. I remained "broken" but expert at hiding my wounds. So anyone that wasn't like the one who didn't "save" me - was the hero. All this to say, we are all broken... no one is an oppressor ... We're just a bunch of broken vigilantes instigating and carrying out a bunch of mini-battles since the dawn of time- we are the anti-christ, the beast. This, I believe, is why the idea of a supernatural savior and the idea of a supernatural energy called LOVE is so appealing. We can access it but first we have to stop lying to ourselves about who the real enemy is. $0.02

@Kalexander2, I've read, (Pioneer- wait for it, wait for it Peter Drucker's "managing oneself" and he says the best way to learn something is to teach it. I'm learning so thank you. Speaking of which, @Pioneer1 and @Cynique offered answers to the question I barely formulated. From their insight, I believe If we can trace the earliest use of language AND religion practiced by a group we can determine their origin and migration of a people. I'm sure there are quite of few cultural anthropologists who know this but they've probably put their findings in a book - and the media gatekeepers have hidden it. . Friedan was speaking for and to women who were sheltered at the time and looking for a way to gain their independence. Specifically, those who, culturally speaking, hadn't found their way into the workforce. The majority of black women in America had been in the workforce since slavery - there was no need for us to find our way into the labor force - most of us were already there. The message wasn't for black women. One thing, I've learned as a journalist and marketer is "know your audience." While the West operates under the system of patriarchy - our struggles are similar but not the same.

I will defer to your assessment, @Pioneer1 according to our DNA we traveled as tribes and like every other animal on the planet - we followed the water... I also agree with Cynique - WHEN did we become two or maybe more distinct groups of blacks? Also, how and why did we change physically. Also language, as @Cyniquepointed out, played a large part in our movement; as it does today. The antiquity of the Tuareg Women indicates they were a matrilineal tribe ( it may indicate some were the original Hebrews.) The men followed the women. Anthropologist report women and men lived separately - even after marriage. Surprisingly,  Today, some reports indicate their lifestyle hasn't changed. Also the Berbers were nomads then and today so if some converted to Islam it would make sense how it would spread. If I had a chance to go "home"...it would be fascinating to research these questions. Especially in the libraries in Addis Ababa (Aside: The Ethiopians and Egyptians are still at it lol) What is so sad as it is empowering is that we are having these conversations and doing the best to piece our origin story together. It seems that the " fire-stick-inventing-conquerors" know our origin and history - yet co-opted and white-washed for themselves even though they know it originated with the first group of modern humans . Or did it? Maybe this has been one long extraterrestrial battle for superiority that we brought to Earth like in the marvel comics ....

@Pioneer1 Remember, I'm not wedded to this description of the moors. For once I can't even debate lol. I'm still piecing together what I've seen in Europe, South America and even Asia as it relates to the "moors" and what I've read and am reading. You may have hit on something. It may be the wording. Consider this article , I stumbled upon... Essays by Ekowa <- Link http://www.essaysbyekowa.com/Black Briton.htm Here's an excerpt. Wherever there is man or civilization there is the Black man. Wherever we have planted our seed civilization took root. Europe was not exception African had populated the isle long before Europe / Europa took its name: Europa (Greek Ευρώπη) was a Phoenician [black] woman in Greek mythology, from whom the name of the continent Europe has ultimately been taken. The etymology of her name (ευρυ- "wide" or "broad" + οπ� "eye(s)" or "face")[2] suggests that Europa represented a lunar cow, at least at some symbolic level. Who was the Lunar Cow? According to Gerald Massey in his book ' A Book of Beginnings' to the Egyptian origins of the British Isles': He has evidence that Stonehenge, the most famous ancient monument in England, was built by a Negro architect, named Morien. [That is the name MOR or Moor came from the ancient Egyptian]. The word 'Moor' is derived from Latin 'Maures' meaning black. Here are a few derivations on that name: From the same root we derive: Maur, Maurus, Marra, Moro, Morisco, Mohr, Moritz, Moor, Moru, Maru, Morelo, Maureta, Mauretania, Morocco, Maurice, Morien, Morin, Moryan, Moreto, and so on.� The Oxford dictionary definition: "The Moors were," according to the Oxford English Dictionary, "commonly supposed to be mostly black or very swarthy, and hence the word is often used for Negro." Black Irish and the tide of Ignorance Well, that's white folks at it again . When you find a black man you ha to label him inferior instead of looking at the whole context and understanding he is the basis for you civilization and culture..... " *** I haven't had time to source the information - but it might be fascinating to find "Moors" was a description of people who later just wore the name like a badge of nobility.

@Pioneer1 The author of the article I referred to would disagree. He wrote that folks who believe your view are misinformed about the moors. My world travels also point to the fact, that moors were first in europe and then were conquered. This is why it is important to read books but also travel the world to see for yourself. Further, according to historical reports Moors existed all throughout europe and africa They left their stamp in architecture and practiced all types of religions included none at all. Also when you look at Queen's artifacts (sceptre jewels et al) its designs are straight out of the motherland. , Also there's this article in the guardian. "It was initially assumed that Cheddar Man had pale skin and fair hair, but his DNA paints a different picture, strongly suggesting he had blue eyes, a very dark brown to black complexion and dark curly hair. The discovery shows that the genes for lighter skin became widespread in European populations far later than originally thought – and that skin colour was not always a proxy for geographic origin in the way it is often seen to be today" Still, since none of us were there; I tend to go with scientific proof... although I can be swayed stories that fit the narrative I subscribed to - lol

YES! I was just reading a story about the Moors in Britain and ultimately this was the outcome. According to the story, the Germans conquered the dark-skinned British {Moors) and took their land. It is what it is. The Germans conquered the "Blackamoors" and we have who we have Queen Elizabeth II - German in the house of Windsor. And then came Meghan to marry the six in line to the throne. Maybe what we can't accomplish through war - we can accomplish in love. I didn't watch the Umar video - but what if he is right? What if black women begin to marry men who currently hold the seat of power? Meghan isn't the first black woman to marry into a German "royal" family.

Is this dude an angel or a walk-in who creates things for rich people to profit from? Oh wow, just wow. black people are from another planet.

@Pioneer1 Your neighborhood??? "This forum is also known as “Cyniques’ Corner,” named for our most important contributor. " Heh, Heh, heh....

@Delano , You're welcome!

"Introduced Species" comes to mind. I don't have the studies handy right now but with the introduction of transgender women on the team, means cisgender women will eventually become faster... As with every sport - athletes work to beat times not humans. Prior to transgender women on the women's track teams. I suspect women's race times was much lower. Now, standby sh*t is about to get real. This story reminded me of Kevin Hart racing a co-ed from LSU

@Troy LOL!!! I Follow Hashtags not people! Outside of the people I know in real life, I don't follow people unless they follow me and ALSO have engaging content. That personal minutiae , and words of wisdom most folks posts gets on my nerves too! And I hate that facebook owns instagram.

@Delano sure.

LOL! @Pioneer1 I haven't been absent from the discussion board - I've been blogging here and the other day, I posted something in the readingblack.com forum.

@Delano, I missed the nonsense, thank goodness! But then again I've spent the last month learning about blockchain, bitcoin and cryptocurrency. Also, I've been looking into consciousness and habits (remember the link you shared about Rupert Sheldrake) - I can really see from Sheldrake perspective how life is a series of habits - not necessarily, innate behavior. I'm glad you shared that ted talk. Anyway, if you're tiring of culture and economy please do visit us over at that readinglack.com forum!