Responsibility and Accountability With Our Words
"Afrikans shuold use the term 'Jegna," not mentor, when honoring those Afrikans who unselfishly put so much of their energy into training our youth to be adult warrior scholars. Because, using the European language out of which we speak and define reality, to call someone your mentor is to call him/her your rapist. Jegna is a word taken from the Amharic language of Nubia. It refers to those who are altruistically committed, out of an unqualified duty to their people and nation, to teach our children the art and science of a politically conscious adulthood. Or, as articulated by Wade W. Nobles...'Jegna (Jenoch, plural form) are those special people who have (1) been tested in struggle or battle, (2) demonstrated extraordinary and unusual fearlessness, (3) shown determination and courage in protecting his/her people, land and culture, (4) shown diligence and dedication to our people, (5) produced an exceptionally high quality of work, and (6) dedicated themselves to the protection, defense, nurturance and development of our young by advancing our people, place and culture.'" - Mwalimu K. Baruti (Read the full post here.)
While lesson planning for our summer program, I came across this quote on Revolutionary Daily Thoughts. As an organization, we had been thinking about what terms we should use to define ourselves and how they will apply to fulfilling the mission of JSSEW and Baruti has provided some definite insight. Language is a powerful tool, a tool that can simultaneously deny and empower agency for a group of people. Time and time again I feel myself completely shortchanged by the English language, unable to fully express my thoughts and opinions, bound by semantics and concepts that are tangential to the issue at hand. In my role, I want to ensure that I am not reinscribing our current oppression without presenting an alternative to the youth. I cannot deny how I was raised nor can I deny Maat, Maafa, or Sankofa. I want the youth to grow up in wisdom and knowledge but most importantly with the tools to enable them to THINK CRITICALLY, to CHALLENGE others and themselves, to INSPIRE with love and humility, and to LOVE.... their people.
As supporters of JSSEW what do you think?
Back to lesson planning for JSSEW.
