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I came home from one of my discussions with Don Griffin and
studied some commentaries, hoping for greater enlightenment.
But as I got into the original Hebrew, I began to understand
what Don had been communicating. It was the Biblical drive
that drew me in to the entire topic.
At first I gently challenged Don to write a book about the
subject of "Return To Glory," but then he thought
it would be profitable for a black man and a white man to do
this project together, with a special target audience -
young African-American men, ages 12-25.
Don wrote the first half about the historical and Biblical
perspectives. For the second half, I interviewed 40-50
African American men, each over the age of 35. I wanted to
talk with men who had some perspective.
Each conversation started in a somewhat
awkward manner, because it was strange to have a white man
from a small town in Canada wanting to co-write a book for
young black men. After 20 minutes or so, I would ask a
question that seemed to open hearts to such an extent that
many conversations ended with tears and hugs - and deep
friendships.
The question that broke the ice was: "Do you remember
the moment when you realized that because of the color of
your skin the rules were somehow different for you in this
country?"
This question caused men to pause, sigh and then to embark
upon a clear memory of a story of what happened to them when
they were 5, 6, or 7 years of age. I was amazed at the
clarity with which each could relate to that event. It was a
moving experience for me.
My education is in the discipline of counseling and
psychological studies. From these stories I began to see a
developing theme - each one was struggling through the
grieving process. The Moment. Denial. Anger. Bargaining. The
Pit of Despair/Depression. Acceptance. The main challenge
was "Acceptance." What does that look like or feel
like? Is there anyone who has experienced it on a continual
basis?
Michael Ireland: What is your thesis or main theme?
Joel Freeman: "Return to Glory" calls for African
Americans to 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.
"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."
About the Authors:
Joel Freeman is president of The Freeman Institute, an
organizational culture change firm based in Severn, Md., and
facilitates many seminar programs, including "Dealing
With People Who Drive You Crazy!"® "A White Man's
Journey Into Black History"™ , "Diversity: The
Value of Mutual Respect" and "When Strangling
Someone Is Not An Option." He also coaches executives
in their personal/professional lives. Freeman has authored
three other internationally acclaimed books.
As founder and president of a counseling and human resources
consulting practice, Griffin has an M.A. in counseling, and
is an historian and popular public speaker. From Easton,
Pa., he brings a wealth of personal experience combined with
a unique ability to simplify the complex and communicate
with clarity to people of diverse backgrounds.
The video, "A White Man's Journey Into Black
History"™ is the story of Freeman's journey in
co-authoring that book. Freeman made this PowerPoint
presentation (with video clips) before a group of about 600
African American men on a Saturday morning at the First Baptist Church of Glenarden in the Washington, D.C. area. Several cameras were
set up and they decided to edit it down for the 140-minute
video. The response has been quite overwhelming, said
Freeman.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dr. Freeman's e-mail address is: joel@returntoglory.org.
You may log-on to http://www.freemaninstitute.com
or http://www.returntoglory.org
to find out more about the projects. Also, you may view the
other Assist Ministries article
about Dr. Freeman's visit to Nigeria.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A White Man's Journey
into Black History™ - Part 2
By Michael Ireland, Chief Correspondent, ASSIST
News Service
http://www.Christianity.com/assistnews
In 1997, Joel Freeman, a white man from a
small town in Alberta, Canada, with a Ph.D. in counseling,
who served as mentor/chaplain for the NBA's Washington
Wizards (formerly the Bullets) for 19 years ('79-'98),
co-authored the book, "Return To Glory: The Powerful
Stirring of the Black Man" with Don Griffin, an
African-American who has served as top human resources
executive in private industry in the New York City area for
a number of years.
A music CD about the book is currently in pre-production by
internationally known entertainer, MC Hammer. A
pre-treatment of the film version of the book (docudrama)
has been completed and will be
released this month by Virginia Beach-based Regent
University 's School of Cinema as an accredited project for
a select group of students.
Michael Ireland: Why turn it into a film?
Joel Freeman: This will be a fast-paced 45-minute docudrama
film. The Virginia Beach-based School of Cinema at Regent
University (CBN) is currently making the film version of
"Return To Glory" - with a release date of April
2003. Don Griffin and I are ensuring that the message of the
book is retained and Professor Ed McDougal is ensuring that
the production values are of broadcast quality.
There are so many visual images, which lend themselves to a
powerful presentation. Our main challenge is trying to
present everything we want in 45 minutes. How many, for
instance, have ever seen the actual image of Tirhakah, the
Biblical Pharaoh Hezekiah asked to help him in his battle
with the Assyrians (Isaiah 37)?
Plus, we are especially interested in providing a film that
will reach those who are illiterate. Niche evangelism means
entering the cultural door and then communicating truths
about the reliability of Scripture and the identity of the
Messiah.
Michael Ireland: Why is this topic so important?
Joel Freeman: Racism is the face you put on sin. We are
constantly reminded that racism still exists.
Michael Ireland: What are your goals and aims, and what
do you hope to achieve through the book and now, the film?
Joel Freeman: Our ultimate goal is to get a copy of the
video version of this film into every educational
institution in America, from middle schools to colleges.
Plus, we want to make this available to network
television stations for airing, possibly during Black
History Month.
Michael Ireland: How did God prepare you for becoming
involved in this subject?
Joel Freeman: Pastoring in urban Baltimore definitely
helped. Being raised in a small town (pop. 2000) in Alberta,
Canada, caused me to enter into the subject of racism with a
relatively blank sheet. Working
with many NBA pro athletes over the years has opened my eyes
to the effects of racism at all levels. Being raised by
wonderful parents who encouraged me to explore and be open
to learn new things was a great foundation for today.
Michael Ireland: How has researching this topic helped
you personally?
Joel Freeman: It has caused me to be so much more aware of
racism and also has given me a greater appreciation and
respect for diversity. Before getting involved in co-writing
this book, I was afraid of saying something stupid when in
the presence of a person of color, so I just kept quiet
about certain subjects. Not any more. I love risking. If and
when I do say something stupid, all I can say is, "You
can attack my head, but please don't attack my heart."
There is a whole chapter at the end of "Return To
Glory" entitled "A Message Especially For White
Readers" in which I mention more insights.
Michael Ireland: How has it helped others?
Joel Freeman: We have received many, many e-mails, letters
and phone calls from folks who have been touched by the
message of the book
and now the video,
"A White Man's Journey Into Black History." Both
Don and I are humbled by this. And it seems that the
response has transcended our target audience of young Black
men (12-25). We get enthusiastic responses from women, men
over 25, African Blacks, Caribbean Blacks, London Blacks and
Whites.
Michael Ireland: What is God saying to us through dealing
with this topic?
Joel Freeman: There is an invisible racial barrier that
exists among sincere Christians. Thank God for the
advancements and awareness that has permeated the Body of
Christ as of late, especially through Promise Keepers. I
know of White churches and Black churches that have done a
few Habitat for Humanity projects together, but who still
haven't seemed to genuinely crossed that invisible barrier.
It is the prayer of Don and me that these
book/film/video/CD/music projects will provide another way
for folks to understand and respect each other in a greater
way to the glory and honor of Jesus Christ.
Michael Ireland: Why should Christians pay attention to
this subject?
Joel Freeman: In Isaiah, Psalms and Zephaniah, God has
specifically mentioned that He has a special plan
specifically for Black people. If God is interested enough
to mention this some 2700 years ago through Isaiah, I think
that we should all be alert to how we can participate in the
fulfillment of the "Return To Glory."
About the Authors:
Joel Freeman is president of The Freeman Institute, an
organizational culture change firm based in Severn, Md., and
facilitates many seminar
programs, including "Dealing With People Who Drive You
Crazy!"® "A
White Man's Journey Into Black History,"
"Diversity: The Value of Mutual Respect" and
"When Strangling Someone Is Not An Option." He
also coaches executives in their personal/professional
lives. Freeman has authored other internationally
acclaimed books.
As founder and president of a counseling and human resources
consulting practice, Don Griffin has an M.A. in counseling,
and is an historian and popular public speaker. From Easton,
Pa., he brings a wealth of personal experience combined with
a unique ability to simplify the complex and communicate
with clarity to people of diverse backgrounds.
The video,
"A White Man's Journey Into Black History" is the
story of Freeman's journey in co-authoring that book.
Freeman made this PowerPoint presentation
(with video clips) before a group of about 600 African
American men at the First Baptist Church of Glenarden in the
Washington, D.C. area. Several cameras were set up and they
decided to edit it down for the 140-minute video. The
response has been quite overwhelming, said Freeman.
Dr. Freeman's e-mail address is:
freemani@comcast.net .
You may log-on to http://www.freemaninstitute.com
or
www.Truthcentric.com
to find out more about the projects. Also you may view the
other Assist Ministries article
about Dr. Freeman's visit to Nigeria.
-----------
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