Back in slavery days, the Mandingo slaves were, at the same time, both the most beloved and the most hated slaves in America.
The Mandingoes are really Mandinkas. Originally from Mali, the Mandinka gained their independence from previous empires in the thirteenth century, and founded an empire which stretched across West Africa. During the 16th, 17th and 18th century as many as a third of the Mandinka population were shipped to theAmericas as slaves through capture in conflict. A significant portion of the African-Americans in the United States are descended from the Mandinka people.
Anyway, the Mandingoes were loved because they were the smartest, they were the strongest, they were the fastest, they worked harder and they fought harder.
The Mandingo slave even bred better and parented many Mandingo babies.
The devilish slaves masters and wicked overseers hated the Mandingo because the Mandingo would never forget his ancestors, never forget his homeland, never forget his past, never forget his history and culture and never forget his African religion.
Even though the Mandingo was hated he was respected and looked up to and called on to help the slave master when the slave master needed the best help he had.
But the main reason the Mandingo was respected is because the Mandingo would never settle for the status quo, he would never give up, he would never bow down, he would never buck dance, he would never snitch, he would never punk out, he would never sell out and he would never suck up to his enemy and oppressor.
The Mandingo refused to be controlled!
There are Mandingo-spirited people of African descent walking around today with that same Mandingo attitude. They risk their careers, their income and even their lives but they will never refuse to stand up or speak out about misconduct, mistreatment, exploitation and oppression.
These modern day men and women are necessary and vital for world progress and peace. Where would we be if everybody gave up the fights for the ending of global war and conflicts, world peace, environmental protection, affordable health care, more and better jobs and for more loving relationships?
We all have a role in each other’s success and well being. We need people that can’t be controlled by evil intenders and we need a few people willing and able to act straight Amos and Andy if a situation called for it.
Don’t let your boss, your banker, your lawyer or any non-Black “benefactor” choose your community leader, your community voice, your community economy, your community spirit or your community politics or pick and choose your role models.
Follow, support and encourage the people in your community that are not afraid to do what is right and are willing to fight for causes you both believe in.
Follow the sisters and brothers in your community that have the Mandingo spirit.
