How Important are terms like "Overstanding," "Innerstanding," "Understanding," etc. Towards the Growth And Development of Afrikan People?

[Ka'Ba]

Quite frequently over the years, I've heard Afrikans use and defend the use of some of these terms, very often ranking them in various "orders." I'm curious to know your thoughts and observations, justifications and explanations, etc.

[Azania Speaks Power!]

Htp! Greetings!

Asante sana for sharing your observations and posting this opportunity.

It is my 'feeling' that language is an expression of the mind AND mind set of a person. The mastery of language is a powerful tool -- even if the language is not of your recent creation. [Since ALL people and language originated with Afuraitkaitnit/Afurakanu (Afrikans) then ALL language is a derivative thereof].

As we utilize language and words to convey our mental, emotional and even physical states of being it is to our best advantage to speak into being those things that we WANT and/or INTEND to be who, where and what we are. . . .

I'm not familiar with the 'orders' to which you speak however, I do respect and most often use the terms for I recognize their power in deprogramming the mind. . . .

Looking 4ward 2 Speaking a Higher Freedom of Thought with you, Azania Speaks -- POWER!

[Ka'Ba]

Modupe' for the response, Brother... In reference to the "orders," I've sometimes heard folks rank those terms. For instance, they'd say that "overstanding" is better than "understanding" b/c the latter implies inferiority, etc.

Although there is a place for hierarchy, I've been a bit wary of and careful about the frequency with which folks tend to do that as it tends to divide and distract one from the matters at hand. It also implies, in this context, domination over the "other," as Mama Marimba Ani frequently discusses. I'm not sure if my legs are inferior or subservient to my arms, torso, etc. simply b/c they are under them...

[Mr. Muhammad]

Salaam (Peace) to all...

My honest opinion is that sometimes we behave just like little children who are competing for attention or popularity. Sometimes, these words are used to signify a sort of "elitism" which suggests that "if you don't use this lingo, you're not in the 'in crowd' ".

I don't have a problem with people using these words, if they feel the words better express their ideas; but when we use them to suggest "I'm deep...and you're not"...I think that's silly and childish.

As for me, I have no problem using the word "understanding" across the board, because I realize that Truth will always be above my personal interpretation of it, therefore, I will always seek to "stand under" Truth.

When I have become the Master of Truth, then, perhaps I can say I "Over Stand"...but that is a reality not yet attained for me. So I am content to "understand".

Peace...

RM

[Ka'Ba]

Mr. Muhammad...

I think that what you and some others have indicated is that it is the meaning that matters most, as we know that that (meaning) is the purpose of language; to convey a message.

While I don't have much of a problem with the use of these terms -- given the fact that we as a People have a long history of creativity with words -- I do find that the "blacker than thou" stance that some take in reference to them (which you pointed out), interesting at best. I've been pleased with the responses which have been entered thus far, as they don't seem reflect those views which I've found "interesting."

My grandmother, who was not an "educated" woman, was one of the most effective communicators I've known. As you know, The Honorable Elijah Muhammad (who, like my grandmother, was from GA) was not the most "articulate" person, but his WORK and WORDS still reverberate to this day, due to the meaning of his message...

KA

[Dan Tres Omi]

While i use the terminology found in the title of the post, in the end, our actions will speak for ourselves. We can read as many books, attend many lectures, mediate and float, but if we are not out on the front lines uplifting our community, it doesn't matter.

[JC Callaway]

Bro. Dan Tres Omi, I'm with you on this. After being in-and-out learning institutions most of my life, and hearing great communicators use these words, the best word is: WORK. Action does speak louder then words. Naturally, we need language to communicate our concepts, ideas, visions, etc.,etc.

[Jose "Jay" Bronze]

In the beginning there was the word... then came script
Then followed the confudion over the meaning of it.

I'll defend these words too. But theyr meaning depends on the use of it at THAT moment.

We flow like the river inside.
Y' know what I'm sayin'?!

JayJBee
"I got a little blog on 'The word'"

[Keidi Awadu]

Great topic. I use and would encourage the use of these "new reasonings." The mind is a very complex construct. An important part of which is the subconscious mind, wherein lie a myriad of conceptualizations gained from a lifetime of exposures. How often it is said that "we only use 10% of our mind." In actuality we use 100% of our mind -- That's why it's OUR mind. Yet there is much more.

While studying the sciences of hypnotism and Neurolinguistic Programming (NLP) I came to "overstand" how hypnotists deliberately distort "normal" language and syntax in order to force the client's subconscious mind to bring comprehension to the message being delivered or sought. Because there are so many words that would/wood sound so/sew similar, the trained linguist will often insert seemingly out-of-place or ambiguous terms into a sentence which/witch will send the mind/mined into it's deep recesses to bring order to/two the communication.

While I have greatly simplified this process, it DOES work and it DOES quite often trigger a much greater logic calculation then could be done in so few words otherwise. And, as well, by using ambiguous terms it is intended that dual meaning be brought to a communication whereupon the mind of the client is forced to make a value judgment on which meaning is more appropriate for the client's self interest. This is the very reason that those using these new/knew "reasonings" use them.

Thus, by deliberately distorting the (already distorted) language impaled into our minds by our historic oppressors, we are also challenging their surface logic and conclusions. Short of reacquainting ourselves with our own historic cultural languages, this is one way that we can begin to rip our people out of the normative logic that has been acquired within the social construct of our mental colonizers.

Eye trust that you overstand where I'm coming from?

[Jose "Jay" Bronze]

I just recently realized this.
Called it 'The word'.
Been playing arround with words for all my life.
Been producing Hip-Hop music for about 20 years, and tho peeps been telling me I should 'drop a line' some time, I never did. To me it always seamed there was more to words. Something sacred.
Used to joke relating to the return of the son of men/Jesus: 'Bronze feet? Hair like sheep? A tung like a sword? Everyone in the world would see Him?... He's a African rapper with 'nappy' hair. I mean. Look how wide spread and popular Hip-Hop is getting nowadays?!?'

Cross references, thesauruses and more(!) between 'dialects' and languages I grew up in inspired and encouraged me to hold on.
Here I am, 2008, feeling like the 100th monkey reading posts like yours.

He's here, isn't He?
The word, He's back.
The lie... will die.

JayJBee
"A revelation to I... What do you see?"

[Original Sista]

My mother told me that words have power, I too agree and use this terminology to reinforce positive thought and energy. I especially like "innerstanding", since we speak this foreign tongue & lost some of our culture during the process. I believe by using this terminology will be able to awaken our ancestral knowledge and be more receptive to the energy.

[Ka'Ba]

Very keen insights, Brother Keidi... What's more interesting to me is that just about 7-8 hours/ours ago, I/eye thought about closing this discussion since it was started over a month ago; "something" "told" me to leave it up because more needed to be added.

I have long ago learned to listen to that "something," no/know matter how subtle (and this was a VERY subtle "message"). I think that you've added to discussion quite significantly, as usual, and I'm looking forward to more insights.

Good things often come in time. I have gained from every single answer to this query. As Ancestor Amos Wilson said, very often the things that we think (or post) about the least are the things that affect us the most!

[sis.slaine]

yes words are powerful but our tool the month is an orsome piece of equipment. that can be used for good and ill resoning. and many other feeling we may care to mension. all of the words you listed above, do you feel they would actually could stop the development of an african mission to find,develope,love, build Towards the Growth And Development of Afrikan People?