black Issues
Written by Kassia Morton
WEAR YOUR CROWN
“From the crown of your head to the soles of your feet.” This statement has been said numerous times during prayers for healing of the whole body. But what is your crown? Your crown can simply be described as your hair. Hair has often held deep significance in the Bible, with popular stories about Samson and the sinful woman who washed Jesus’ feet with her hair. Hair has also been very polarizing in Black culture with horror stories containing hot combs, bumped ends, and tons of hair grease. When it comes to hair, or our crowns, we must understand the significance and in turn, wear it proudly.
Samson and the sinful woman are two notable Bible characters that involve their crowns. Samson’s hair was a symbolic dedication to God. Judges 13:3-5 (NLT) says:
“The angel of the Lord appeared to Manoah’s wife and said, ‘Even though you have been unable to have children, you will soon become pregnant and give birth to a son. So be careful; you must not drink wine or any other alcoholic drink nor eat any forbidden food. You will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and his hair must never be cut. For he will be dedicated to God as a Nazirite from birth. He will begin to rescue Israel from the Philistines.’”
As Samson’s prowess became well known, the source of his strength was of grave importance to Delilah and the Philistines. Through a series of tests, Delilah finally wore Samson down to reveal the source of his strength. Samson’s strength left him when his hair was cut. The strength was gone not due to the loss of his crown, but through the disobedience of God’s decree. When the angel of the Lord appeared to Manoah’s wife, it was expressed that Samson’s hair should never be cut for he would be dedicated to God as a Nazarite. The spirit of the Lord left Samson, but returned to fulfill his destiny in eradicating the Philistines through the destruction of their temple filled with Philistine rulers and about 3,000 people.
The sinful woman’s story is different in the sense that her hair was used as an expression of worship. Luke 7: 36-39 (NLT) says:
“One of the Pharisees asked Jesus to have dinner with him, so Jesus went to his home and sat down to eat. When a certain immoral woman from that city heard he was eating there, she brought a beautiful alabaster jar filled with expensive perfume. Then she knelt behind him at his feet, weeping. Her tears fell on his feet, and she wiped them off with her hair. Then she kept kissing his feet and putting perfume on them. When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, ‘If this man were a prophet, he would know what kind of woman is touching him. She’s a sinner!’”
This woman’s worship was looked down upon because of her past. Her act of worship was pleasing to Jesus because she gave all of what she had to Him. This unnamed woman worshiped Jesus with a reverence the Pharisees could not comprehend nor accomplish. Importantly, her crown was used as part of her worship to Jesus.
From these two stories we are able to gather that there is a spiritual significance to our crowns. This significance has not always been accepted in all settings. Black hair has been a polarizing topic because many people have felt the need to straighten it using chemicals, and cut it to be accepted in professional and educational spaces. Within the past few years, black people have been engaging in their own natural hair journeys, growing out their natural curls (crowns). How many times have we read or heard stories about children being suspended for wearing locs or braids? How about black people being told their hair is “unkempt and unprofessional” in its natural setting? In order for people of color to feel comfortable wearing their crowns, The CROWN Act came to fruition. “The CROWN Act, which stands for ‘Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair,’ is law that prohibits race-based hair discrimination, which is the denial of employment and educational opportunities because of hair texture or protective hairstyles including braids, locs, twists and bantu knots.” The CROWN Act is law in 14 out of 50 states. Legislation was needed to prevent from being discriminated against for the way our hair naturally grows. With more help, this act can become law in all 50 states.
Our crowns are sacred and should be treated as such. We must learn to be proud of our hair and all the beauty it represents. Let us hold our heads up high for we are made in His likeness and image. So go off, and wear your crown!
Health
Written by Yvonne Charles
LUPUS
Lupus is an inflammatory disease caused when the immune system attacks its own tissues. (Inflamation is pain, redness, and swelling)
Medically, Lupus is referred to as SLE (System Lupus Erythematous) which is a chronic disease with no cure in sight, and does not differentiate between children and adults.
Lupus, however can be managed with ongoing treatment but with multiple problems affecting the entire body and its organs during the process:=
-Butterfly-shaped rashes on the face and bridge of nose.
- Disability due to dis-functioning joints.
- Dialysis due to kidney failure.
- Brain lesion as a result of side effects from Vital medication.
-Cardiac arrhythmias (irregular heartbeat), inflammation developing in the heart, and much much more issues. The Lupus Foundation provides support:- Lupusresearch.org.
There is a Lupus walk every year on Lupus Awareness Day on May 10th.