"You will not exit this
gripping book this same way you came in," says
all- time professional basketball superstar Julius (Dr. J) Erving
about the recently released book Return to Glory, which highlights
significant accomplishments of African descendants since the dawn of
civilization, exposes racist distortions and cover-ups of those
achievements, analyzes examples of African American success stories
and offers a process for individual healing, hoping and
cross-cultural understanding.
Return to
Glory calls for African Americans return
to their pre-slavery historic greatness. It is written in a
reader-friendly format with "time out" questions at
each chapter’s end for reflection, personal analysis and
application for action. Aimed at informing, building self-esteem,
and mentoring black young adults as future leaders, Return to
Glory is believed to be the first such book directed at this
important "neglected generation" audience
co-authored by a black man and a white man.
Co-author Don
B. Griffin, who is African-American, has been the top human
resources executive for a 350 million dollar corporation in the
metro New York area, an historian and public popular speaker on
Christian living and biblical applications for contemporary family
life. Joel A.
Freeman, a White man with a Ph. D. in counseling, has been
chaplain for the NBA’s Washington Bullets / Wizards for 19 years
('79-'98), is president of The
Freeman Institute™ management consulting firm in Maryland,
coaches executives in their personal lives, and has authored four
other widely acclaimed books. Plus Dr. Freeman facilitates a
seminar
program entitled: "A White Man's Journey Into Black
History".
Entertainer and educator Bill
Cosby says, "Return to Glory offers young people an
opportunity to see history and themselves in a new light. By
exposing the deception is that we have come to accept as truth, Joel
Freeman and Don Griffin challenge young people to think about who
they are and what life is truly about." Dr. Ben Carson, Joe
Frazier, Tony Campolo, Tony Evans, Bishop Porter (Promise Keepers),
Lenny Moore, Melvin Forbes and many others have enthusiastically
endorsed this book project.
The 184-page
reader-friendly book, subtitled "The Powerful Stirring of
the Black Man", is available in general market and
religious bookstores and
through the Internet
-- an American book with a unique international message.
Return to Glory
is an essential tool for helping solve America's pervasive and
vexing problems of racism. "Far too few men and boys -- both
black and white -- are aware of the true nature of African-American
heritage and of their immense potential for personal greatness in
years ahead".
Don Griffin’s
first half of Return to Glory begins by calling the
historical "theft" of black historic contributions
to civilization "the greatest rip-off of all time" because
their true history was, in effect, stolen. He verifies that black
Egyptians were the first people to invent science, engineering, and
writing and to discover medicine, architecture, astronomy,
agriculture, and much more. Yet, the heinous practice of slavery was
justified in later years by a massive campaign of fabrications and
deceit about black intelligence.
After citing highly
credible "eyewitness" sources such as Herodotus and
Diodorus for historical verification of accomplishments by black
Africans, Griffin (15 pages of research notes in the rear of book)
documents how "racism played far too big a role in the
writing of black and African history."
In the book’s
second half, Joel Freeman analyzes and describes destructive effects
of racism on both the individual and in the American society. He
takes the Return to Glory reader through a logical process
of addressing racism: recognition, denial, anger, despair,
resilience, and finally, developing a personal strategy for
overcoming it. He describes and analyzes several experiences of
successful African American men who have triumphed over racism by
strong faith in God, resolve, education, hard work and family
loyalty. Freeman asked these men about "The Moment"
when they first realized they were considered "of less value"
by some people just because of their skin’s color. Each man could
recall, that moment -- an early life experience -- with
painful, vivid detail.
In the final
chapter, Freeman suggests that White readers give another copy of
Return to Glory to a Black friend or associate as a statement of
willingness to initiate improved understanding, empathy, healing and
dialogue.
The book calls for
trust in and obedience to God and commitment to spiritual values to
enhance self-worth as the first step for a "return to glory"
of Blacks’ splendid and historic past. An excellent mentoring /
education tool.
The
45-minute film version of Return To Glory has been completed
in the DVD format. Our goal
is to donate a special DVD version to every juvenile detention center,
prison and school (Middle, Junior High, Senior High, College,
University) in America. Our youth need to be educated. We want to do
our small part to help with this education. How can you help?
In August, 2002 all of the Kings and Queens of Africa were invited to attend a
Pan African Conference in Benin, West Africa. Dr. Freeman
participated in this event. This convention opens the door
to distribute the international PAL video version
of the film to the entire continent of Africa. With the French and
Portuguese translations this will be possible. How can you help financially
to facilitate this remarkable opportunity?
If after reading
the book you would like more information about participating in the
funding of the distribution of this film in your region of the
world, check out the
open
letter
inviting your participation. Also you can check out the web
site (click below) totally dedicated to the making of this film.
By the way,
Dr Freeman's books are currently in 28 foreign translation editions.
Check out the open
letter inviting you to
participate in more of these foreign translation projects.
Foreword----Doctor's
Orders (by Julius "Dr J" Erving)
PART
I -- THE BLACK MAN:
HIS PAST RESTORES / HIS PRESENT FACED / HIS FUTURE HOPE DEFINED
1. The
Greatest Rip-Off of All Time
2. Homeboys You Will Never Forget (Part I)
3. Homeboys You Will Never Forget (Part II)
4. What's God Got to Do With It?
5. They Can Dance, Too
6. Too Legit to Quit
7. Lord, Don't You Care?
8. Down, But Not Out
9. Come Out With Your Hands Up
10. What's Up With The Cover-Up?
PART
II -- ROAD TO GLORY
THE MENTAL, EMOTIONAL, AND SPIRITUAL ROAD MAP TO WHOLENESS
11.
Comfortable With the Music Off
12. Culture Shock
13. The Ultimate Inward Trip
14. Black Rage, Black Power
15. Let's Make a Deal
16. The Pit of Despair
17. Young Warriors
18. Arms Too Short to Box With God
19. Grass and Concrete
20. Boyz to Men
21. Doing Violence to the Victim
22. Fields "Black" for Harvest
Warriors With a Purpose; Hall of Fame
The Admiral, David Robinson
A Message Especially for White Readers
Notes
Selected Bibliography
"Return
to Glory offers young
people an opportunity to see history and themselves in a new light.
By exposing the deceptions that we have come to accept as truth,
Joel Freeman and Don Griffin challenge young people to think about
who they are and what life is truly about."
-- BILL COSBY, ENTERTAINER & EDUCATOR "The book you
now hold in your hands is the product of much research. I encourage
every African American to read this powerful book. Don and Joel have
captured the essence of the pain of the black experience in America
and have given us a road map to wholeness. You will not exit this
gripping book the same way you came in. I also encourage every
non-African American interested in racial healing to read Return
to Glory. It will enhance their understanding of what people
of color deal with on a daily basis."
-- JULIUS (DR. J) ERVING, FORMER NBA STAR "Don Griffin
and Joel Freeman have courageously revealed some little known facts
that I think are relevant to the psyche of all Americans. With the
ever-rising tide of suicides among African American males and other
societal reflections of low self-esteem, this work is very timely
and should provide all of us with pride and a desire to work
together for the good of our entire society."
-- BENJAMIN S. CARSON, SR., M.D., DIRECTOR OF PEDIATRIC
NEUROSURGERY, JOHNS HOPKINS HOSPITAL "Return to
Glory packs a powerful punch! It’s a must-read book for
the youth of today. It tells it like it is from the root to the
fruit. It’s a true champion."
-- SMOKIN’ JOE FRAZIER, BOXING CHAMPION "Return
to Glory takes African Americans on a high speed trip to
consciousness, history and self-worth…The work should serve as a
component for the rites of passage to every young African American
male who is in search of their heritage and destiny. With every
turning of the page the reader is brought closer to
enlightenment."
-- JAMAL-HARRISON BRYANT, NATIONAL YOUTH AND COLLEGE
DIRECTOR, NAACP "Joel Freeman and
Don Griffin have dared to navigate, those of us who really care
about truth, through the often uncharted waters of race and healing.
This well-written collaborative effort will do much to fill the void
that is keeping a community from reaching its full God-given
potential."
-- DR. TONY EVANS, SENIOR. PASTOR, OAK CLIFF BIBLE
FELLOWSHIP "It’s about
time we had a book like this! It is going to be hard for some of us
to read this because the truth is always hard to face up to in real
life. But this is a real life book about how a nation conceived in
liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created
equal have dealt with their African American brothers. Understanding
what is wrong is the first step to reconciliation and hope."
-- DR. TONY CAMPOLO, PROFESSOR AND AUTHOR "We whites
have done terrible things to black people, and racial friction in
America is part of the price we must pay. It does no good to blame
our ancestors; if we in this generation would only do what is right
and just, friction between the races would end quickly. But how to
change deeply ingrained patterns of thought, that is the problem.
The place to begin is knowledge. To the extent that we know the
truth, we are freed to change our ways. Return to Glory
offers illuminating insights into the past. The book will do more
than boost the self-esteem of African Americans. It will enlighten
us whites and, one may hope, free us from the tyranny of ignorance
and prejudice and cruelty."
-- DONALD COLE, HOST, OPEN LINE, MOODY BROADCASTING
"Outstanding,
Intriguing, Informative! This dynamic book will serve well in
reaching our young minority men. Thank you Joel and Don!!!"
-- BISHOP PHILLIP H. PORTER, CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD,
PROMISE KEEPERS "Return To Glory
packs a powerful message. Regardless of your race, you cannot read
this entire book and remain the same."
--CHRIS WEBBER, NBA STAR "One
of the most impactful ways that we can invest in the future of this
nation is by investing now in the development of African American
young people. This book makes such an investment. I applaud Joel
Freeman and Don Griffin in undertaking this very vital
project."
-- DR. RALEIGH WASHINGTON, V.P. OF RECONCILIATION, PROMISE
KEEPERS "After
a few generations away from Africa, losing one’s culture means
taking or killing the root of the tree, which deadens the tree. But
God, the author of truth, will always reveal that which is hidden --
African History and it’s influence on the world. There has been a
fight to regain the lost image of a rich history and gain the
dignity of a nation that through its people were, in this country,
forbidden to be African and not allowed to be American. Don Griffin
and Joel Freeman have added another piece to the puzzle of all the
hidden pieces that God is putting together. Thank you Don and Joel
for this treatise!"
-- LENNY MOORE, NFL HALL OF FAMER "Return
to Glory is an idea whose time has come. I believe that the
work will be an effective tool for not only enlightenment to African
American youth, but also healing in the church. Don Griffin and Joel
Freeman have brought to the kingdom for such a time as this."
-- DR. CLARENCE WALKER, AUTHOR & PROFESSIONAL
COUNSELOR
"Return
to Glory is an informative, thought-provoking book that
everyone should read with openness."
-- MELVIN FORBES, PRESIDENT & CEO, ACI
The glory days of
boxing in the Heavyweight Division, I still remember it well. One
event in particular I will never forget. A great African American
boxer by the name of Muhammad Ali stuns the sporting world.
It’s 1974. The
"Rumble in the Jungle." Everyone in the jam-packed stadium
in Zaire, Africa, is sitting on the edge of history. Ali is a 4-to-1
underdog. Foreman seems invincible. Some are thinking Ali will be
lucky to escape with his life.
Eight
tension-filled rounds later, the place flips out. The upset happens.
Ending the fierce battle with a crushing right, Ali defeats George
Foreman by a knockout! During the post-fight interview, Ali looks
into the camera, proclaiming to the world, "I am the greatest
of alll tiiime!" He was some fighter. I think he is deserving
of the title, "The Greatest!" He declared it many times
and then backed it up with his unshakable mental toughness, with his
trademark "Rope-A-Dope," and with his fists. I respect
that.
Other fight fans
think Mike Tyson, Joe Louis, Joe Frazier or others deserve that
title. So, you can imagine, I have been in a couple of lively
discussions over the years on whom truly deserves to be called
"The Greatest."
The greatest?
Let’s turn a sharp corner here. How about the greatest rip-off of
all time? What’s that all about? The book you now hold in your
hands contains research exposing what we (Don and Joel) believe to
be one of the greatest rip-offs of all time. Like the greatest in
boxing, this is a hotly debated topic.
We warn you. This
is a challenging, probing book. Study it carefully. You may read
stuff that you’ve never heard or considered before. You may be
rocked by emotions that will land you on your back momentarily. You
will be invited to change your way of thinking in areas you may have
never explored before. Sometimes the ride may get bumpy. One thing
is for sure – you will experience a powerful stirring in your
heart. Bottom line. As in most things, you will have to make up your
own mind. But all we ask is one thing: Read the whole book
before you make up your mind.
The title of this
chapter begs the question: Who got ripped off? Would you believe
that YOU did? That’s right. People who rip off folk tend to target
certain victims. In a larger sense, the victim we’re talking about
is an entire race – black people all over the world.
But what was
stolen? Important question. The missing item is a large segment of
their past, a glorious past – an ancient history that belongs to
them but which was craftily snatched and given to others.
To remove the
legacy of an entire race from the minds of the masses is a
tremendous act of deception. We call it "the greatest rip-off
of all time."
RECLAIMING
STOLEN GOODS
About two years
ago, I (Don) was awakened to the truth of the glorious past of my
people. I discovered some things that blew my mind. In my research,
I unearthed the surprising truth that the first and greatest
civilizations designed by humans were the inventions of the black
man. The genius and creativity of black people go back to the dawn
of human history.
How did school
treat you? Did somebody say you couldn’t be a scientist, engineer,
or author of books? I hope not, because your ancestors were the
first to invent science, engineering, and writing. But that’s not
all. Blacks were also the first to discover medicine, architecture,
astronomy, engineering, agriculture, banking systems, and much more.
Instead of being a
debtor to humanity, black people were the foundation, the very
spring, from which civilization as we know it has flowed.
Mind boggling,
isn’t it? If you are like me, the first time you hear it, it’s
easy to be skeptical. In fact, you may be dealing with some serious
doubt right now. I
simply don’t believe this. This is just another form of African
American propaganda. These guys are trying to pump up the sagging
self-esteem of black readers.
As an African
American you may have been so brainwashed by white-controlled
educational systems in this country that it is difficult for you to
accept the truth. Hang tough, because we are going to pile the
evidence right before your very eyes.
We are aware that
mental roadblocks keep some readers from seeing the truth. Prepare
to have your mind blown. We will spend some time laying down the
evidence revealing your past glory. We will also describe the reason
for the black man’s fall from such a high pinnacle. Then, the good
news: God’s plan for a majestic "Return to Glory."
Before attempting
this project, we read a lot of books and did a lot of research on
this and related subjects. Later on you will be meeting some of the
many black brothers we interviewed. They have a lot of insights
regarding this area. Many people (black and white) are indirectly
involved in this book. To them we are indebted, and to them we will
always be grateful.
THE
TRUTH WILL ALWAYS RISE
Someone once said,
"the truth, crushed to the ground, will always raise its
head." Thank God that this is happening in this generation. The
things you are reading in this book about black studies are part of
a movement of God. Professors and scholars are revealing the truth
about ancient black history. Black preachers across North America
are talking about the marvelous way God used black folk in the
Bible.
Congratulations! If
you have gotten this far, you probably are a seeker after truth. You
can now avail yourself of several other books on this subject. It is
our hope that Return to Glory will encourage you to get busy
with your own study.
As you read, some
questions and reactions will begin to percolate in your head and
heart. Don’t worry. When this happens, you are joining the company
of many before you who have asked similar questions. Why would
anybody purposely distort the history of my people? What’s the
point? What do I do with the anger I feel churning in the pit of my
stomach? What’s up with the cover-up? What can I do to correct
this deception?
In addressing these
and other important questions, we (Don and Joel) will be like a
well-balanced offensive machine. Working on the outside, I (Don)
will be on the court busting down lies and deception with sweet
jumpers from 3-point land. I want to hear you shouting and cheering,
as the ball hits nothing but net.
My brother, Joel,
will be waiting anxiously as we take the game into the trenches.
He’ll be banging the boards, posting up, and rejecting garbage as
he helps us through difficult struggles on our return to glory.
Are you ready for
us to take you on a journey? Let’s jump into the time machine.
We’re going beyond roots. Beyond Kunta Kinte. You are about to
meet some serious homeboys. Homeboys you will never forget.
Time
Out
Think back on
the statement about blacks being the fountain, the very
spring, from which civilization as we know it has flower. What
is your immediate internal response as you read this?
Do you
consider yourself a seeker after truth? Would your closest
friend describe you as such? Why?
What are your
expectations as you start this book? If you say you have no
expectations, why don’t you?
If you are not
of African descent, what are you thinking and feeling at this
point?
If you would like to
participate in making the film version of Return To Glory, click
here.
By the way, Dr
Freeman's books are currently in 28 foreign translation editions.
Check out the open
letter inviting you to
participate in more of these foreign translation projects.
Want
To Send This Page to a Friend?
Netscape -- Right Click & Select
"Send Page"
Internet Explorer -- File / Send / Page by Email
For more information
please visit an overview of
RETURN TO GLORY
Check
out the Cultural Diversity Links Native
American Indians Latinos /
Chicanos / Hispanics Asians and Asian Americans African
Americans European Americans Multiracial and
Inter-racial
"You will not exit this
gripping book this same way you came in," says
all- time professional basketball superstar Julius (Dr. J) Erving
about the recently released book Return to Glory, which highlights
significant accomplishments of African descendants since the dawn of
civilization, exposes racist distortions and cover-ups of those
achievements, analyzes examples of African American success stories
and offers a process for individual healing, hoping and
cross-cultural understanding.
Entertainer and educator Bill
Cosby says, "Return to Glory offers young people an
opportunity to see history and themselves in a new light. By
exposing the deception is that we have come to accept as truth, Joel
Freeman and Don Griffin challenge young people to think about who
they are and what life is truly about." Dr. Ben Carson, Joe
Frazier, Tony Campolo, Tony Evans, Bishop Porter (Promise Keepers),
Lenny Moore, Melvin Forbes and many others have enthusiastically
endorsed this book project. 
"Return
to Glory offers young
people an opportunity to see history and themselves in a new light.
By exposing the deceptions that we have come to accept as truth,
Joel Freeman and Don Griffin challenge young people to think about
who they are and what life is truly about."
"The book you
now hold in your hands is the product of much research. I encourage
every African American to read this powerful book. Don and Joel have
captured the essence of the pain of the black experience in America
and have given us a road map to wholeness. You will not exit this
gripping book the same way you came in. I also encourage every
non-African American interested in racial healing to read Return
to Glory. It will enhance their understanding of what people
of color deal with on a daily basis."
"Don Griffin
and Joel Freeman have courageously revealed some little known facts
that I think are relevant to the psyche of all Americans. With the
ever-rising tide of suicides among African American males and other
societal reflections of low self-esteem, this work is very timely
and should provide all of us with pride and a desire to work
together for the good of our entire society."
"Return to
Glory packs a powerful punch! It’s a must-read book for
the youth of today. It tells it like it is from the root to the
fruit. It’s a true champion."
"Return
to Glory takes African Americans on a high speed trip to
consciousness, history and self-worth…The work should serve as a
component for the rites of passage to every young African American
male who is in search of their heritage and destiny. With every
turning of the page the reader is brought closer to
enlightenment."
"Joel Freeman and
Don Griffin have dared to navigate, those of us who really care
about truth, through the often uncharted waters of race and healing.
This well-written collaborative effort will do much to fill the void
that is keeping a community from reaching its full God-given
potential."
"It’s about
time we had a book like this! It is going to be hard for some of us
to read this because the truth is always hard to face up to in real
life. But this is a real life book about how a nation conceived in
liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created
equal have dealt with their African American brothers. Understanding
what is wrong is the first step to reconciliation and hope."
"We whites
have done terrible things to black people, and racial friction in
America is part of the price we must pay. It does no good to blame
our ancestors; if we in this generation would only do what is right
and just, friction between the races would end quickly. But how to
change deeply ingrained patterns of thought, that is the problem.
The place to begin is knowledge. To the extent that we know the
truth, we are freed to change our ways. Return to Glory
offers illuminating insights into the past. The book will do more
than boost the self-esteem of African Americans. It will enlighten
us whites and, one may hope, free us from the tyranny of ignorance
and prejudice and cruelty."
"Return To Glory
packs a powerful message. Regardless of your race, you cannot read
this entire book and remain the same."
"One
of the most impactful ways that we can invest in the future of this
nation is by investing now in the development of African American
young people. This book makes such an investment. I applaud Joel
Freeman and Don Griffin in undertaking this very vital
project."
"After
a few generations away from Africa, losing one’s culture means
taking or killing the root of the tree, which deadens the tree. But
God, the author of truth, will always reveal that which is hidden --
African History and it’s influence on the world. There has been a
fight to regain the lost image of a rich history and gain the
dignity of a nation that through its people were, in this country,
forbidden to be African and not allowed to be American. Don Griffin
and Joel Freeman have added another piece to the puzzle of all the
hidden pieces that God is putting together. Thank you Don and Joel
for this treatise!"
"Return
to Glory is an idea whose time has come. I believe that the
work will be an effective tool for not only enlightenment to African
American youth, but also healing in the church. Don Griffin and Joel
Freeman have brought to the kingdom for such a time as this."
