Before I answer these compelling questions dream with me, if you will, for the brevity of this essay. Let’s dare to dream before Columbus staked his claims to the Americas. Were the Vikings the only ones who built large seafaring vessels to explore other countries that span the globe? As an African-American or as a Hispanic person, why do I need to provide archeological proof that the notion of either people could have been skilled at sailing the great seas? Why is the English ‘known’ to have the best Navy? Because some elitist had enough money to explore the waters for treasures or because some archaeologist dug up remains of an Eastern European culture and found a large boat dating before the arrival of Columbus? The point I am getting at is the reason why African-Americans and Hispanics should work together as minorities to address political, cultural, communication, and community issues is because, historically, that’s probably, what we did on a regular basis with other cultures. Before the disruption, rather than the discovery of Columbus, can we fathom in our brain-washed, misdirected, and miseducated minds, these two cultures, already, worked together—not only with each other but with other cultures as far away as China? I, for one, can take a quantum leap of faith, against all odds, and believe it is possible to think that Africans, African-Americans, and Hispanics did have an equal or greater level of intelligence to build great ships and used the stars, just like the English or the Vikings, to navigate vast waters and come into contact and trade, fairly, instead of trying to conquer other nations.As an attendee of the Untied States Air Force Academy from 1993-1995, I was blessed enough to be forced to take a military history class. Expecting the most boring outcome, this class educated me on the basis of conquering a people—eminent domain.Years before the laws separating church and state were implemented, the two worked as one, making the church more powerful than necessary. Ever heard of the religious Crusaders? They were military might commissioned by the church, supplied by state tax dollars, to force a certain religious belief on every people the military came in contact with. The WASP (White Anglo Saxon Protestant) powers in Eastern Europe that be, forced their beliefs on Africans in Africa and the Mayan, Inca, and Aztec cultures of the Americas. In other words, centuries before people were actually conquered, careful planning took place by the French, Spaniards (in Spain), and the English. I remember my text book at the Academy showing and illustration of a map of the world being divvied up to these powers that intended to conquer other lands. The old cliché of ‘one for you and two for me’ was well alive. This surveyed map of the world showed which countries would be divided up first, starting with Africa. Ever hear of the East India Trading Company? This was owned and operated by yours truly—England.Still not satisfied with conquering Africa, the Crusaders received orders to ‘visit’ the Americas. Ahhh!—another people to round up and conquer. What can be done to strengthen the relationship between the African-American and Hispanic communities living within the United States? For one, this essay could serve as vehicle of information and help piece together the chain of events in history which have left the two cultures in their existing state today. Frankly put, these two cultures are like infants left alone in the woods. They are parentless so that they do not know their identity. Many of the offspring from Africa and the Americas are without that connection back to their true roots. A lot of overwhelming Hispanics do not know that they come from the Native American Mayan, Inca, and Aztec Tribes. They do not know that they were on this land first. Some do know. But many generations do not know and that’s where books on people like leaders such as Chavez needs to be into the hands of those who do not know. As for the African-American people, books on leaders, such as Nelson Mandela need to be put in their hands. Many believe that today’s generations of minorities are already lost, so who is going to read? This is a good question. The answer is to put the images of these unknown leaders in places where there are the most youth. How does one accomplish this? Through the easiest mechanism known to mankind—art. Music and murals can serve as a messenger to the up and coming generations of ‘minorities.’ Rappers can put facts about great leaders into their music. Community centers like the local YMCA can put murals or pictures of great ’minorities’ on their walls. I really don’t like the word minority because at one time we were not a minority and England realized that from the reports its generals gave it. During those times, generations before Columbus, they knew they were outnumbered. So, over time, they acquired allies such as the French and the Spanish from Spain and left us in the state we ‘minorities’ are in today—lost and unaware—just like a babe in the woods.To answer the last question, Historically Black Colleges and Universities should continue to support the needs of African-American students and possibly the needs of the growing Hispanic and Afro-Hispanic population in the United States by collaborating with their libraries with schools such as the Air Force Academy. The Academy was 90% Caucasian, and I don’t believe much as changed since my attendance there. But institutions of higher learning which have at least 10% minority population should also collaborate with those which have a higher percentage of minority students because they are the ones with top notch information like the information from my Military History class. While minority students who attend other schools may not have an interest in Military History, the course can be cross-listed as a different course in order to peak the interest of the average student who has to take classes dealing with society or ethnic issues. So, any class dealing with issues relating to the evolution of cultures should be cross listed as some type of Sociology class or Ethnic class in order to get mainstream minority students educated about the meaning of their existence today. Lastly, maybe the Historically Black Colleges and Universities can advocate to start a Hispanic College or University since there is a growing number of Afro-Hispanic population. Although I suspect much opposition, that would be a powerful gesture. That would ensure that African-Americans continued their historically correct tradition of sharing with other cultures and not become like their conquerors and withhold information from someone who may need it—like their Mayan, Inca, and Aztec brothers and sisters.
Before Columbus . . .
