HOTEP A PLACE FOR POSITIVE BLACK PEOPLE TO CONNECT
MAGAZINE
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BEHIND THE 7
THE PROBLEM WITH BHM
IT’S SIMPLE MATHMATICS
We have hit that point of the calendar year when we focus on the Super Bowl, but not this year! Right!?
Every year we celebrate Black History Month but now its about the party and BS things have clearly gotten out of hand?
We can’t afforded the luxury of social security. We must begin investing to secure our future.
COLLECTIVE LOVE AND THE COME UP Most people spend their entire lives searching for a means to gain, retain and maintain things but there is so much more to life.
HOTEP MAGAZINE NO. 0119
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EDITORIAL
HOTEP MAGAZINE
CONTENT
Are We Who We Say We Are? Do we truly want collective economics? This question has become a mystery only to the African American in the United States. - ASE
HOTEP, Collective Love and the Come Up. They say no romance without finance. You can have both!
THE PYRAMID TEXT
Ever wonder what the markings are that line the tombs of acient pharaohs? Lets take a look what what the markings were intended for!
THE POWER OF BLACK LOVE
If you’re single, you may feel all is lost, or at least that’s how it looks. Just remember that our collectiveness has kept us whole since we got here
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FACEBOOK: LITERALSUBSTANCE
I know yall not watching the Super Bowl. Just in case you forgot, here is a PSA reminder!
Every year we celebrate BHM and our glorious past, but a whos gain?.
ITS SIMPLE MATHMATICS We can’t afforded the luxury of social security. We must begin investing to secure our future.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT (MONTHLY REVIEW)
A look back at the event head-liners from this past month.
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FIND US ONLINE:
BEIND THE 7
THE PROBLEM WITH BHM
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e continue to scream for freedom and collectivism but our actions protrude a false narrative. Social media created a culture for “social media revolution” with fads, likes and frivolous social reputations. Are We Who We Say We Are? I n the community we travel to events, exchange business cards or flyers but never reconvene to sit and discuss strategy on how to change our future. If we were truly about changing our condition, we would utilize the social media to strategically schedule demonstrations to create finance collectively to rebuild
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Though we may change with the times; our purpose shall remain deeply rooted in service, love and liberation.
TWITTER: @LITSUB INSTAGRAM: @LITERALSUBSTANCE
our areas. However, our judgement has been clouded by selfishness and vanity. Plainly put it is the invisible culprit called the “EGO” which is in control within our community. Are We Who We Say We Are?
Until, we suppress the social media revolution and focus the energy in the real world, our lives will continue to be misused for another person’s gain.
in the next 20 years with your child, nephew, niece or grandchild in the states. What will they say about you when they are reaping the fruits of our labor? One thing is for sure whether that fruit is tasty or rotten to the core it will be a result of your actions or the lack of in the present. Are We Who We Say We Are?
Peace and Black Love
HOTEP MAGAZINE
We must mobilize together or die trying. Picture the future
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LETTER FROM THE GRASSROOTS
BEIND THE 7
How consistency trumps sporadic burst of motivation in the long game of life Dear Mr. Cooper: Please forward the following to Mr. Kaepernick. More power to you brother and for all the (haters) people who are buying your jersey to openly destroy it. Thank you for being a man of intelligence and tell your distributors that the price has just been
increased by whatever price you see fit and if that’s not enough, keep on increasing it until they stop doing such a despicable act. I remember when foreigners did the same thing to our American flag back in the late 1980s, and what
did “America lovers” do to them--Nothing! But to you they are overtly hideous to you. Colin, you have spoken your peace, given them a response as to mission; therefore, you do not have to say anything
else to social media, news, or any other media outlet, unless the price is right. Keep your name and your heritage intact. Show who you are to the world and live a life that will leave a great impact on us now and those that are coming in the future. Sincerely,
THE WRITER OF WRONGS
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ANCESTRY
THE PYRAMID TEXT
Spells and incantations designed to free the ka(soul) from the body and help the soul ascend toward the heavens THE PYRAMID TEXTS ARE A COLLECTION OF ANCIENT EGYPTIAN TEXTS FROM THE TIME OF THE OLD KINGDOM.
The oldest of the texts have been dated to between ca. 2400–2300 BC. Unlike the later Coffin Texts and Book of the Dead, the pyramid texts were reserved only for the pharaoh by his scribe and priests. Comprised of spells and incantations designed to free the ka(soul) from the body and help the soul ascend toward the heavens, to eternal life among “the imperishable stars” which were the emphasis of the afterlife during the Old Kingdom. These allusions, as with all of the inscriptions, were intended to help the soul of the pharaoh in his transition from earthly life to the
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afterlife (known as the Field of Reeds) where he would live eternally. The Field of Reeds was a mirror image of one’s life on earth but without sickness, disappointment, or - of course - death. One would live eternally the life one enjoyed on earth but, first, one had to elude dark spirits which could lead one astray and pass through the judgment of Osiris and the Forty-Two Judges in the Hall of Truth. The pyramid texts mark the next-oldest known mention of Osiris, who is considered the most important deity associated with afterlife in the Ancient Egyptian
religion. The text also relates information about the role the specific pharaoh played in the life of Egyptian civilization, specific accomplishments, and perhaps even details on the pharaohs personality. The gods were clearly on the side of the king in his struggle to free himself from the former home of his body and find his way to eternal joy. The spells delineate all of the ways the pharaoh could travel, including the use of ramps, stairs, ladders, and most importantly flying. They are invoked as his allies against the forces of darkness and chaos (evil spirits or demons) and as guides in the unfamiliar realm which followed life on earth.
MY PROBLEM WITH BLACK HISTORY MONTH
STAY WOKE
THE STATE OF BLACK LOVE IN AMERICA
What began as Negro History Week in 1926, is now a watereddown, compilation of notable blacks. To schools across the country, it’s not so much the story of black history; but a who’s who of Black history. Black History Month not only because it gives corporate America an excuse to look fake righteous, but because it leaves many of us bitter and wounded. February has become a time for mega-
corporations like McDonald’s to get extra black in its consumer marketing and for Nike to sell specially patterned sneakers for $200.
Is the media is the enemy of Black men and women in the context of relationships FOR EACH EXAMPLE OF A POSITIVE BLACK FAMILY PORTRAYED IN THE MEDIA, THERE ARE SEVERAL LOUDER, MORE CONSISTENT IMAGES OF DYSFUNCTION.
Turn on any television station, you’ll see a variety of programs that show you just how bad it is to be Black and in love. The
The problem is that no one seems to be interested in changing the narrative. The media shows Black women as either desperate and/or are the last choice as a lifelong partner. The media portrays Black men as hypersexual dogs that lack self-control. These stereotypes and harmful generalizations are
abundance of negative imagery of our community creates a sickening cycle. All Black men are not Stevie J. All Black women are not desperate and seeking. This isn’t most Black people’s reality, we all know this.
continuously being shown by the media. According to a 2013 report released by NPR, Black men are looking for long-term, relationships more than Black women. Another study supports this claim, and even factors
in the effects of mass incarceration on Black relationships. These two studies reveal is the grand impact of societal issues on Black love. Reducing our problems to men simply wanting to be promiscuous and women being weak, vulnerable and undesirable oversimplifies the truth and keeps us divided. We have
to stop seeking validation from pop culture. I challenge us to stop viewing each other as such simply because you’ve come across a few potential mates that are no good. If we can do that, then maybe, just maybe, we won’t need researchers to tell us what we already know about ourselves.
Let’s All Pretend Slavery Didn’t Happen Month is a terrible name for a month. But you do see where you’re coming from.
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BLACK LOVE MATTERS
THE POWER OF BLACK LOVE Black love has become an avalanche: Each time something is thrown at it, it only grows greater, stronger, and more intense.
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lack love in America should be dead and gone by now. Everything was done to prevent it. It is the purest form and most glaring example of the strength and resilience of our love.
The structure of slavery was such that love, and other ideologies, would not flourish. Families were separated, mothers and fathers were killed, men, women, and children raped. Marriage was forbidden unless sponsored
by a white person, and then, only in certain states. White supremacy has tried its best to kill black love, because it is a threat to the oppression. White supremacy tries to make “black love” an oxymoron, a fantasy. The assault on black love only made black love stronger. We love hard, family and others, because of spirit knows what it’s like not to have it. We create ways to ensure our children know they were loved. During slavery, Black love developed on a spiritual level, because we often didn’t have the chance to show our love in person.
The idea of black love is in direct contrast to how America views blacks. Black bodies are mere conduits for enhancing white supremacy agendas. Through slavery, Jim Crow, Regan and Clinton, black love persisted. Black mothers and fathers were taken killed/hanged. And yet, black love persisted. Through over-policing and killing of black men, black love has been tried again. And yet, persists. Through survival black love, has become a beast. It can’t be stopped.
DOLLARS AND SENSE
ITS SIMPLE MATHMATICS
Our generation will not be afforded the luxury of social security. It has become increasingly important for us to begin investing now; to secure our future.
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ccording to the Census Bureau, African Americans will become the third most populated race in the United States, behind
European and Spanish races. In African tradition; the family has always been the corner stone of building clans, tribes and nations.
The Western philosophy of family has been set up to promote the idea of Planned Parenthood, mass incarceration of blacks, and increased LBGT influence in the African American Community as - “Making America Great Again”. As a result of being enslaved here in America, our traditional African concept of family has diminished at an alarming rate along with our general numbers in population. How do we solve this problem? Through collective economic empowerment. We need to control our money and use it as leverage to bring about real change to these issues.
“SAVE A LITTLE, TO GAIN A LOT!”
“It’s Simple Mathematics”. What is saving for the future? Some individuals obtain higher education and are still faced with the obstacles of understanding how to save a little. Basic principles of saving for the future in these economic times are as simple as one, two and three. (1) Report all receipts when filing taxes. (2) Save $20 every pay period. (3) Limit your non essentials to 5% of you income Literal Substance Editorial
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“Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.” James Baldwin
Ryan Smith Bey
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RICHELIEU DENNIS: ESSENCE IS 100% BLACK OWNED AGAIN
ANGELA DAVIS DONATES HER WORKS TO HARVARD UNIVERSITY
BUN B ANOUNCES NEW ALBUM RELEASE ‘RETURN OF THE TRILL’
Its been over a decade since the famous publication has been soley Black owned. Reade More
Iconic and legandary to say the least, but why now? Why Harvard? Read More
We are less than a month away of a return of the trill vibes from Bun B. Read More
EDITORS
Chrystallynn Block Kenya Williams Bey
CONTRIBUTORS Cory Evans Frankson Collins iiiyana J. Muse Kam Thomas
HOTEP Magazine is published by the Literal Substance Inc. Company (662) 448.3646. For subscription, send $60-1year to: HOTEP Magazine, PO Box 10236, Houston Texas 77081. Payment must accompany subscription request. All material covered by 2014 copyright. No material herein my be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher.
NEXT ISSUE RELEASE DATE: FEBRUARY 2019
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