Does the road to liberation have to be a lonely one?

[Abayomi Tarharqa]

For many of us, once we take the first steps along Liberation Road, we find ourselves becoming more enlightened in all areas of our lives, not just spiritually or politically. We take on an Afrikan World View and in doing so our lives change. We think differently, we eat differently (hopefully), we dress differently (perhaps) and we relate to others differently.
And it is precisely because we don't exist within a vacuum that problems may occur. The conditioning of our race means that many of those around us, friends and family, will not share our newly acquired Afrikan World View. You may find that you become isolated because of your 'extreme' views, family want to know why you 'keep going on about slavery.' If you're in a relationship your partner may not like the changes in you and it may lead to the breakdown of your union. Finding a new partner may also prove to be difficult as you become more particular about the qualities your partner has to possess.
What can we do to make sure that as liberation fighters we keep our sanity, we don't become isolated and our relationships stay strong, loving and healthy?

[Abayomi Tarharqa]

Tendai Mwari (Be Thankful Unto God)

Thank you, my brother, for your insight

[Dan Tres Omi]

Personally, I have made lasting friendships by seeking those who are like minded. You would be surprised as to how many people are conscious. When people first meet me, they have no clue. I can't lie, I do joke around alot but give me a second and we will build. It usually takes meeting that one person who will connect you with so many others.

My first lesson is that I found allies in people I initially assumed weren't down for the cause. Andre 3000 said it best, "just cause they got dreads don't mean they down for the cause/just cause they got gold fronts don't mean they down for the fall..."

Now we have the 'net, and we can find people from all over the world who think like we do.

When it comes to choosing our mates, again I was surprised to see how many sisters were down and wanted to be with a brother who showed and proved on every level.

[KaMau-Mau]

Andre 3000 said that? So, which side is he on? lol He is right though, seeing these brothers and sisters dressed to the 9, speaking their minds then they go back home to their wh...never mind....
I agree, finding like minded folks is the key because it is lonely, like being the stinky kid in school, only we smell like incense, oils and shea butter. What's funny about this life is when something does go down involving us being the victim, they seem to find us in our lonely world to get some insight, an opinion or to lead them. Its as if they know that there will be a time when we won't be there for them by choice or by what regulary happens to us...imprisonment, death or exile.

[Dan Tres Omi]

one more thing...

Alot of the folks that hated on me those so many years ago, currently look for me for advise on everything such as religion and health. So give them time.

[Marvyn]

Thank you for this post and to the people who have contributed to it.

My journey started with Martial Arts, learning self discipline helped me to "unplug" from the system, after that I started my walk along the road to liberation etc.

I was in my teens when I started this process and I am still facing similar challenges to the ones mentioned above now that I am in my mid twenties.

It is a path less travelled but I find comfort in the fact that my journey is to find truth and inner understanding.

Peace

MC