Jonathan L. Best Meaning and Expression, Poetry

Existing as Words

Effort to showthat I was here. Writing these wordsthat I might exist.What life camefrom the page today?What future stilldo these words convey?Earning my beingto show I’m real.Whether that mattersit’s hard to say.Wishing for lifein all I compose. Wondering about wordsas time fades away.Each word bringsopportunities for eternal life. Photo by Amador Loureiro on Unsplash

Jonathan L. Best Meaning and Expression, Poetry

To Write Without Responsibility

Words, words, creators of worlds! The page, the page, it defines us still.Words that build and words that break. Funny things these are,these scribbles of language.The texts of life that we’re measured by. Words of gods and words of mortals,which prescribe action and belief,law and custom, right and wrong. Texts past and new, forever and … Continue reading To Write Without Responsibility

abjean Black History, Culture, Meaning and Expression, Spirituality

The Negro Spirituals as a Form of Theology in the “Invisible Institution” (Part 2)

Note: Part 1 is available here To begin with, the slaves demonstrated the same faith in God the liberator as the Hebrews did when they left Egypt; they did so by remembering and believing in His Word of promise. The Hebrews had no way of knowing if or how He would save them from Pharaoh … Continue reading The Negro Spirituals as a Form of Theology in the “Invisible Institution” (Part 2)

abjean Black History, Culture, Hope, Justice, Meaning and Expression

The Negro Spirituals as a Form of Theology in the “Invisible Institution” (Part 1)

While within the “invisible institutions” of the hush/brush arbors (the equivalent to a modern-day Black Christian church) preaching, dance, and prayer were common forms used as expressions of religion and the Black Theology of the slaves, the unique art form of Black music that the slaves developed, the Spirituals, was noticeably the most expressive form … Continue reading The Negro Spirituals as a Form of Theology in the “Invisible Institution” (Part 1)