EGYPT REVEALED
A White Man’s Journey into Black History – Part 1
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.
Michael Ireland: Why did you co-write the book?
Joel Freeman: I had pastored for 18 years, with many of those years in Baltimore City. During those early years, I didn’t have a clue about the effects of racism upon people of color. In 1979 I began to work as the mentor/chaplain for the NBA Washington Bullets/Wizards (’79-’98). Over the years, I had many frank discussions with a number of African-American pro athletes about some of the subjects mentioned in the book, but I still didn’t have full picture.
In 1993 I left pastoring in the traditional manner, taking my pastor’s heart into the business world. In 1994 I started my own company, The Freeman Institute. Our company has three arenas of expertise: executive coaching, long-term organizational culture change and seminar programs addressing diversity, leadership, teambuilding, and stress management. We work with Heads of State of other countries, corporations, music/entertainment industries, government agencies and faith-based organizations. “Dealing With People Who Drive You Crazy!”® is the favorite seminar.
In 1995, as the human resources director of a large milk company near New York City, Don Griffin invited me to facilitate a number of leadership programs. Between sessions, Don and I began to talk about various subjects. Very quickly we both discovered our mutual love for the Lord and great respect for the Bible. Don began to share some insights about Ancient Black History as it relates to the Bible. This was stuff I had never heard before, especially when he shared about a prophecy in Isaiah, directly mentioning people from beyond the Rivers of Ethiopia who were tall, smooth of skin and awesome (to be feared) from the beginning.
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.
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“A White Man’s Journey Into Black History”™
All of the Kings and Queens of Africa have been invited to attend a convocation
in Benin, West Africa — August 2002. Dr. Freeman will be a keynote speaker at this event.
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 700-750 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.
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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.
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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 52-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 2002. 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 52 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.
MC Hammer’s next album is about “Return To Glory.” He has already talked with folks like Kirk Franklin, Boyz 2 Men and others about this CD. His stated plan is to time the release the music CD with the release of the film.
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 700-750 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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