Congratulations! I have a question. Does IBSI exclude the Caribbean black diaspora in its mission? If so, why? I cannot identify as African or African American. It really hurts to feel excluded from both groups seeing as I definitely fit into African subgrouping but I am a Caribbean African, by way of slavery. I grew up in America but I hate how blacks identify themselves and others because it ALWAYS excludes me. I understand the racial history of America but see no room for this in the body of Messiah. Please do not ignore this question. I cannot commit to IBSI without knowing if I should be committing or not. I will make my decision based on your purpose. I cannot change my nationality and intend to respect African American heritage by NOT pretending I toiled here via my ancestors. I HATE people who pretend it is all the same experience. It is not!
IBSI is dedicated to strengthening the relationship between Israel and the Jewish people, and people of African descent through education and advocacy.
Thanks for answering. So basically, I could have applied but assumed the target market was African nationals and African Americans. I refuse to take a spot of an African American, in any context. I do not believe in that. I believe even if American blacks and Africans were your only target, per your calling, it is a lot! I believe in your mission and wish only that I had found you when BLM started. I would have backed you. I did not back them. But I also could not find the support I was searching for or an organization that was not liberal. Now that I have found you, I wanted to know HOW to explain IBSI to Caribbean people--also. Few Caribbean pastors understand the Bible with the proper Israelis mindset--past and present. It is clearly related to our isolation and our enslavement. We have such a different history but I believe Jamaicans need to learn how to relate to Jewish people and the Bible as your book describes. I also believe it is time for all African peoples to move on. I see my age range struggling with the Bible because of the presentation continuing to be historically inaccurate. Your book is one of the best I have read, thus far, to explain the legacy of African American churches, Jewish history and Africa in the Bible. It is a blessing. It also helped me see how easy it would be to explain my overall concern that African descendants--in Africa or dispersed--have a hard time interacting with the Bible in general. The chapters about Ham were perfect. So even if my question seemed odd, I actually wish you well. It is hard to phrase but I think you got my point. I read the article after posting that comment. I laughed at the Garvey part. I have yet to study Garvey and felt saddened to see your research reveals something else that will make it harder to explain why some aspects of Jamaican culture are so hard to change. Garvey is complicated. But, I will learn from you and explain to Jamaicans what I learn--hoping to bring Jews the comfort they need and the peace all Africans need to heal each other--in the diaspora and in the continent. The language on your site reads: African American and African nationals rather than including Caribbean Americans and Caribbean nationals. I would not be angry if it did not include us but wanted to make sure I understand it is not against us. Consider the wording to make it clearer. It is fine if you seek only African and African American participants; but if you feel led to include participation from all African descendants, Caribbean people generally understand America does not include us in African American categorization of black. At least, that is my experience here. Thank you for your time! Take care.
Congratulations! I have a question. Does IBSI exclude the Caribbean black diaspora in its mission? If so, why? I cannot identify as African or African American. It really hurts to feel excluded from both groups seeing as I definitely fit into African subgrouping but I am a Caribbean African, by way of slavery. I grew up in America but I hate how blacks identify themselves and others because it ALWAYS excludes me. I understand the racial history of America but see no room for this in the body of Messiah. Please do not ignore this question. I cannot commit to IBSI without knowing if I should be committing or not. I will make my decision based on your purpose. I cannot change my nationality and intend to respect African American heritage by NOT pretending I toiled here via my ancestors. I HATE people who pretend it is all the same experience. It is not!
From IBSI's Mission Statement:
IBSI is dedicated to strengthening the relationship between Israel and the Jewish people, and people of African descent through education and advocacy.
IBSI.org
Thanks for answering. So basically, I could have applied but assumed the target market was African nationals and African Americans. I refuse to take a spot of an African American, in any context. I do not believe in that. I believe even if American blacks and Africans were your only target, per your calling, it is a lot! I believe in your mission and wish only that I had found you when BLM started. I would have backed you. I did not back them. But I also could not find the support I was searching for or an organization that was not liberal. Now that I have found you, I wanted to know HOW to explain IBSI to Caribbean people--also. Few Caribbean pastors understand the Bible with the proper Israelis mindset--past and present. It is clearly related to our isolation and our enslavement. We have such a different history but I believe Jamaicans need to learn how to relate to Jewish people and the Bible as your book describes. I also believe it is time for all African peoples to move on. I see my age range struggling with the Bible because of the presentation continuing to be historically inaccurate. Your book is one of the best I have read, thus far, to explain the legacy of African American churches, Jewish history and Africa in the Bible. It is a blessing. It also helped me see how easy it would be to explain my overall concern that African descendants--in Africa or dispersed--have a hard time interacting with the Bible in general. The chapters about Ham were perfect. So even if my question seemed odd, I actually wish you well. It is hard to phrase but I think you got my point. I read the article after posting that comment. I laughed at the Garvey part. I have yet to study Garvey and felt saddened to see your research reveals something else that will make it harder to explain why some aspects of Jamaican culture are so hard to change. Garvey is complicated. But, I will learn from you and explain to Jamaicans what I learn--hoping to bring Jews the comfort they need and the peace all Africans need to heal each other--in the diaspora and in the continent. The language on your site reads: African American and African nationals rather than including Caribbean Americans and Caribbean nationals. I would not be angry if it did not include us but wanted to make sure I understand it is not against us. Consider the wording to make it clearer. It is fine if you seek only African and African American participants; but if you feel led to include participation from all African descendants, Caribbean people generally understand America does not include us in African American categorization of black. At least, that is my experience here. Thank you for your time! Take care.