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I’m Glad I Had a Church Upbringing


The University of Life throws trials and tribulations at every man, woman or child from time to time, regardless of who we are, our backgrounds or where we come from; but we still move forward, learning the lessons along the way and become stronger for it. We know and understand, deep down, time will tell what we learn through the years, our higher selves inform us, what we interpret is our truth.

I was christened at a Methodist Church in Birmingham. When my parents moved to another area in the city a few years later, they joined the congregation of the Holy Family Roman Catholic Church. I can still remember our family ritual every Sunday. Mom would wake my brother and me at 9.00 am. We made our way bleary eyed downstairs to be welcomed by the smell of breakfast being cooked. We would bathe, get dressed into our best suits (that our mom had tailored for us) and put on newly polished shoes. We all looked slick! The one thing I hated about this ritual was we were never allowed to eat breakfast before attending church service. All we were allowed to consume was a cup of tea. Mom used to to say in her authentic Jamaican patois: "Is the best way to praise de Lord. For the food we eat, every breath we take and for roamin' dis beautiful heaven call Earth..." So we piled into mom's sporty Ford Anglia for 11 'o'clock Mass which lasted for an hour. 

Every week in church, my eyes would roam around and stare at the walls, ceilings and altar as the priests conducted the service. In every Roman Catholic Church, there were pictures portraying Jesus carrying his cross with captions the story of his crucifixion. On the ceiling were pictures depicting God in his Kingdom of Heaven surrounded by his army of angels. At the altar; painted carved statues of Mary and Jesus, and hanging as though suspended freely, was a huge crucifix with a wooden statue of Jesus nailed to it. 

When I was eleven, I was given my first bible. I recall being surprised at its thickness. You see, I was unaware of how many books were in the Old Testament (66). When I attended Sunday School and occasionally listened to the priest's teachings, they only referred to the gospel of Matthew. "Why is that?" I wondered. So, I started to my bible from Genesis to Revelation; not every single word, but I read it nonetheless. 

The stories that fascinated me most was Samson, with his locks, which were the source of his strength and how Delilah betrayed him. King Solomon, his wisdom and his glorious reign over Israel who were the envy of the world; and Makeda Queen of Sheba who yearned so much to meet the wise King, she set out from Ethiopia to travel to Israel. 

I was becoming disillusioned at the age of fifteen with what I was being taught in church. Around that that time my brethren and I had formed a sound system. We entertained in and were regular visitors of the reggae dance hall scenes during the mid to late 1970s; absorbing and reasoning with each other about the musical Bible of Rastafari being played. 

Jamaican Rasta singers like Road Taylor sang the lyrics in his tune Ethiopian Kings: "King David, he was a black man, King Solomon, he was a black man of Africa..." Winston Rodney aka Burning Spear released a song called Columbus and sang: "Christopher Columbus is a damn blasted liar..." referring to Columbus claiming he discovered Jamaica. Further on in his lyrics, Burning Spear questions Columbus' declaration: "What about the Arawak Indians and the few black man who was around her before him?" And Bob Marley sang: "Get up stand up, stand up for your rights..." (videos at the end of this article). 

The dance hall became my church, my centre of learning about my African ancestors. I came to the conclusion that the church had sold me the idea that the likes of King Solomon, Makeda, Samson and Jesus were white. 

One Sunday morning before church, I announced to my mom I wasn't going to attend church any more. Well, World War III almost broke out! She said all kinds of abominations and atrocities was going to happen to me because of my decision. But I'm still here and still learning about my ancestral past. My mom soon came round and began to see where I was coming from. We spent many Sunday evenings together listening to my Bob Marley albums and through his lyrics, she recognised Bob was speaking his truth. 

After further reading, what the church had omitted, Rastafari taught me, black people in the bible as well as in Coptic literature are among the most famous figures. Ancient African people's existence and experiences are recorded in the Bible and in many cases, large amount of information were written by black people and are addressed specifically to them. I learnt it took the Queen of Sheba six months to travel from Ethiopia to Israel. She and her entourage loaded 797 camels and asses too. A clear indication of her wealth. Furthermore, in the time of Solomon, Israel was a nation of people who were mixed, not just dark people, but black in features as well. Delilah gave birth to Samson's son Menahem after Samson died in the act of destroying the Phillistines' temple. Years later, Menahem became King of the Phillistines. Finally, Samson, John the Baptist and Jesus were Nazarenes, who stem from the old Hebraic laws of non-defilement; no trimming of hair, no shaving of beards. 

This prayer I learnt from when I was small makes more sense to me each day my knowledge increases: "God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference."
Everyting  Bless.


Uplifting Reads





The Kebra Nagast: The Queen of Shebaand her only sonMenyelek (Forgotten Books): Available @ Amazon




 The Wisdom of Rastafari (ForgottenBooks): Available@Amazon
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Comments:
Jenna Pope from Southern California 
Beautiful article! Very interesting. I love to hear about history that includes the contribution of ALL people...not just Caucasians. Well written my friend!  
dmop from Cambridge City, Indiana 
A religious, strict but loving upbringing can only do one good after all. We will each receive Gods word in the way he intends us to receive it. I went through the same thing with my mom when I declared that I didn't want to go to church every Sunday any longer. It was a battle and I feel she was disappointed in me, but I still have faith in God, I just had to find my own way to his message. Great article and interesting. 
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Conversing with my thoughts  
by Norman Samuda Smith - September 2012


Dear Lord

So here I am at 4.00 pm in the shade in my Father’s garden in Sacramento California, staring at the lemon trees. The sun is burning down on the valley at 96 degrees, conversing with my thoughts, my ramblings. It’s just me and how I feel now and again, and every so often, day by day. Sometimes I tell myself I should keep some of the chaotic messages in my head to myself, that’s why at times I mess up with nuff tings, but at the moment, I’m just full of all kinds of emotions and belief pulling me this way and that.Being here with family who see sometime I don’t wanna talk, then I do, then I smile, then I don’t, bless dem, they all say it’s OK. So with me being in the cocoon of family, I just feel it’s nice to be carried, looked after, pampered and have no responsibility for nothing or make any decisions for this short time I’m here. If I could live my whole life like this, making no decisions, having no responsibility, I’d be happy, but in reality when get home to the UK, I am the head of my family, (the Birmingham tribe), I will be needed to give advice when needed etc, etc…Be the rock.So me having the responsibility of being the head of the Samuda-Smith house when I get back, when at the moment when I left, I was having problems looking after me, and when my babies happened to need me and I couldn’t provide what they needed of me, made me very scared and insecure, not whole, a failure.My dad tells me all I have to do is pray. Well I pray every day, always have done and this is where I’m at – right here, right now, that’s what you have done for me. Thank you Lord for me waking up every morning to face the craziness and deal with what each day brings; but most of all for being right here, right now in my Father’s garden.In my Father’s house I am a superstar. I am entitled to say what I have to say, so forgive me Lord for throwing this energy on you. Who else should I throw it to?In the grand scheme of things, out of all the confusion in my mind, I want to write everything and every project I have in mind. So if writing everything and every project is the positive things that surfaces from out of all the bullsshh…I guess I’ll stay focused on that and see what happens, take what comes. Forget about the must do’s and not to do’s the negative can throw in to stall my forward motion; I’ll do it my way, the Normski way. Cos at the end of the day, what I’m getting from this rambling session I guess is, writing what I wanna write is what I was born to do, cos Lord, I was elected by you to do it. 
Amen.

Comments: 
Michael Gooding from Oakland California 
Hello Cousin. 
Nicely written.
In your father’s house you are a superstar. May you recharge in your father’s garden so that you can be forthright as the head of the Samuda-Smith tribe in Birmingham. 
What did your Mother say? That every decision you make will be the right one? That is profound. Try not to melt before you get back home. 
Carl Wood from Birmingham West Midlands 
I enjoyed your article Norm – I had Frank Sinatra’s ‘My Way’ in my head as I was reading it! J 
Greg from Sacramento California 
Normski! 
You CAN be carried, looked after, pampered. Just let go and let God. It is as simple as that. And you are NOT a failure. Injured in battle perhaps…but by no means a failure. So as long as you are trying and doing and making an effort and fighting you cannot be called a failure. Keep on writing Norman. You give voice to so many others who struggle to find meaning in the chaos. We love you Norman 
Your brother - Greg 
Jasmine Johnson from Birmingham West Midlands 
Awesome…Inspiring…So well written. While I was reading it, there were moments when I felt I was talking; we all come to this cross road at some time in our lives. We are human-beings. 
Brotha Chaz Walker from Oakland California 
Greetings Brother Norman 
Nice piece sir. I feel yah bro. Your words ring very true. You are a King bro. 
Respect. 
Maeve Clarke from Birmingham West Midlands 
Just read your piece Norman and some of the comments that follow. You are a superstar for so many people, it’s just that you don’t always see it. Glad your family are making you feel that way and hold on to that feeling.Big hug. 
Jermaine Samuda Smith from Birmingham West Midlands 
Deep and interesting thoughts Dad. 
Muriel Newton from Philadelphia Pennsylvania 
Norman. 
I thought it was good and direct! - and you are fine. 
Peace and blessing, your sister 
Muriel 
Crazed Novelist from Hampton Georgia 
It’s good for everyone to just “let it out” and this was the perfect avenue to do so. You seem like a man of faith and I hope that that faith carries you and lifts you up when times get hard. I may not share your faith, but I do understand how powerful it is and how it only makes a person stronger. Good luck with everything. 
Aubrey 
rasta1 from Jamaica 
Nice play of words. I have to give your expression much thought because of your hidden messages. Very deep.
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Survival and Ambition - Are they friends or enemies?
The alarm clock kicks off at 6 am. Your arm blindly reaches out from under the duvet to stop it making its unwelcome noise. Part of you is saying when you find it and stop it buzzing; you’re gonna throw it across the room. If it smashes into numerous pieces you won't give a damn; but your logical side says it's senseless to do that. You'll only create unnecessary expense and you'll have to replace it. So you roll onto your back and gaze at the ceiling, wishing that you didn't have to go into work. You begin to think what kind of story you can spin to your boss as to why you're not coming in. Nothing convincing comes to mind. You submit to the inevitable, you got to go in. So you crawl out of bed and drag yourself to the bathroom. In the shower, the water revives your spirit a little, but you can’t help thinking you wish you didn’t have to go through this every day routine to attend your ‘9 to 5’, the ‘daily grind’, ‘working for the man’. 
During your travel into work, either by car or by public transport, you’re already wishing the day away. 5 pm couldn’t come any quicker. You want to go home and just chill in front of the television. You feel like you’ve tried hard to achieve the things that are most important to you. Yet despite all your efforts, it seems like everybody else is moving smoothly through their lives without the same resistance and opposition. So why is it more difficult for you? Are you doing something wrong? Are you missing a vital point? – And the questions keep coming, but you can’t find the answer. So you get weary before the day has even begun, trying to work it all out and you begin to lose hope. Now you’re wishing you didn’t have to try so hard. If there was a formula for success, you pray for it to be unveiled to you, and you promise with all your heart to honour it the best way you can. 
At work you plod through the day on automatic, wondering about the things you want to achieve. You see yourself in your dream job. Maybe setting up and running your own business, or writing that novel you always talked about; the endless possibilities, like driving your dream car, or living in your dream home. Everything is sweet. When reality kicks in, you slump back into the darkness when you realise you’re still here, anticipating all the hard work you have to do in order to reach that happy place. 
So what’s the issue here? In these troubled times you’ve heard it said time after time, you should be thankful you have a job. However, you’ve gone as far as you can with your 9 to 5. You’ve out-grown your post. Your duties are continuously tedious, you want to leave, but if you leave, how would you survive? There’s no safety net in the guise of a regular income. How would you pay the bills? But you’re not happy at work, so why don’t you leave? Well, that’s easy; fear. 
Well it’s time to change your way of thinking. Instead of coming home in the evenings and rooting yourself in front of the television and moaning about how life is treating you unfair, do some exercise and pursue your passion. If it’s writing that novel, write it. If you want to start up your own business, start scribbling your business plan. You don’t have to leave your job straight away then panic because you don’t have the funds to take care of you. Instead of calling your job the ‘9 to 5’, ‘the daily grind’, ‘working for the man’, or ‘the plantation’, how about calling your employers your sponsors and plan your exit strategy. Your dream is the real you, your calling. In these troubled economic times and even when the good times reign supreme, always be thankful for what you got, especially when you’re getting paid. Your ambition becomes your career, your passion, your love. Devote yourself to your idea, struggle on it, and make it happen. Overcome your fears and smile. Life is about expressing and celebrating you. Mother Earth becomes heaven when you release your fear and the greatest gift you give to the universe is being who you really are.
Bless.
Comments: 
Yvonne Brissett from Birmingham West midlands 
Hi Normski 
I enjoyed reading your article. It is positive and inspiring 
Yvonne x 
Carl Wood from Birmingham West Midlands 
Hello Norm, 
Very good article. I like your final thoughts at the end – very positive and uplifting J 
Keep it up! 
Carl. 
LaTwyne from Philadelphia Pennsylvania

Great article! I needed that J
Springs from Birmingham West Midlands

Yo Norm 
RE: Survival and Ambition – Are they friends or enemies?
Good article my brother. I see you’re a motivator as well as our local Afro-emotional needs writer. 
Anyway, people’s (me included) motivation in life comes from having a life DREAM (whether that dream be a conscious one or otherwise).
Usually, that dream (chosen or otherwise) has some reference to how people go about living their life’s reality – now. Some as your article suggests have dreamt of having a paid secure job and they successfully attain that. Congrats!
The challenge there is when they’ve attained their dream (a paid secure job) they’ll need a new big(ger) dream to motivate them to want to live out the next version of themselves within a new DREAM position.
The old dream of a paid secure job brothers and sisters has been attained already. Hence those out there who live an energy draining bored kind of lifestyle or career.
But, as you highlighted, most spend their spare hours zoning out and hating the clock. I for one can recognise a man (YOU) living his big(ger) DREAM by using the hours of his day as stepping stones (action steps) to becoming that best selling author…G’wan! 
Oh, about the title: Survival and Ambition – Are they friends or enemies? 
For me, survival is an experienced reality (imagined or otherwise) one lives. Ambition is the process that gets one from Surviving to Thriving to just sharing the wisdom. 
Lilieth Gilpin from Horn Church Essex 
Great article Norman; keep them coming. 
Mandeep from Birmingham West Midlands 
Interesting read, you might have to come in and speak to some of my other clients! Motivation is a huge factor.
JP from Birmingham West Midlands
Yes Normski
Nice article – You’re flowing.
Crazed Novelist from Hampton Georgia
Very inspirational. Not only am I afraid to leave my day job, but I’m comfortable and I love it! That’s the problem. I so want to work in the writing field yah know…follow my passion, get my career started. It’s not a matter of fear that I don’t go forward, just a matter of uncertainty and the necessity to move forward.
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We Should Call Black History Month Black History Yearby Norman Samuda Smith

In 1973, my friends and I entered our Social Studies class, settled at our desks and waited for our teacher to start the lesson. He handed out some text books and told us to turn to Chapter 5. The title of the chapter…SLAVERY. He began to speak from the premise that the British Empire once ruled one-third of the world, how Africans were taken from their homeland as slaves to the West Indies and forced to work hard on the plantations and how the slave trade was part of the reason which made Britain prosperous. He went on to explain what life was like on the plantations, the slave master, the overseer, the punishments. The white pupils began to laugh and arrogantly boasted that their families could have owned our families back in the day. Then came the N word and remarks of us being sons and daughters of slaves. Well, the atmosphere in the classroom became heated; arguments and fights broke out during and after that lesson, and I witnessed many of my friends make sure those white pupils never used the N word, or called us sons and daughters of slaves again.
In hindsight, the reaction to the information received on both sides of the racial divide that day was not surprising. For some of my friends, hearing about slavery in that lesson was their first time. For me, I was lucky enough to be told of this by my Mother from an early age. She was a great story-teller and boasted that she was and I am an off-spring of the Maroon Nation of Jamaica, as was Jamaica’s national heroes Nanny of The Maroons and Marcus Garvey.
The history of the Maroons in brief goes like this: During a volatile period in the West Indies, the Spanish were the first colonial rulers of Jamaica until the British decided they wanted the island. So when the British waged war against the Spanish for control, the Spanish freed the slaves in an effort to cause havoc. This decision back-fired on them, because the slaves created confusion to both armies. Many of the slaves dispersed and formed their own communities in the Trelawny, St James and St Thomas parishes of Jamaica, at night; they raided the plantations for food and weapons. 
When the Spanish realised they were not going to hold on to Jamaica, they fled to Cuba, leaving the British in control of the island, but now the British were left facing the resolve of the Maroons who fought the British army (The Red Coats) for 94 years to preserve their freedom. In 1738, Cudjoe (Mountain Lion Chief of the Maroons) and Red Coat Colonel Guthrie signed a treaty at Petty River Bottom. The Maroons achieved their right to govern themselves and autonomy from British rule, a treaty that still exists today.  In 1975 when I left school and was going to the popular reggae dance halls around town, the reggae artists of that era became my history teachers. Burning Spear, Bob Marley, Bunny Wailer, Peter Tosh to name a few, encouraged me through their music to read more history books and learn about our glorious past. They and my mom ignited my passion for history and the ongoing importance of sharing Black History. 
Fast forward to 2012 and a meeting I had recently with people who for years have worked in education in Birmingham. They told the story of their experiences of Black History Month in schools they have worked in. Most white teachers pin our s/heroes on the school notice boards with no commentary of who they are. So when the children stroll by and take a look, they don’t know who these people are or what their contribution to history was; plus the teachers see it is an excuse to ask black teachers to cook some West Indian cuisine, play reggae music and have a party. On top of that, slavery is still taught in schools, nothing is taught of the Kings and Queens of Africa, before, during and after slavery. So today’s black pupils are experiencing the same reactions I experienced 39 years ago. 
I know that the Ma-afa (Maafa: Swahili, meaning holocaust or great disaster) is important and should never be forgotten, however my questions are: Why don’t the schools teach what our ancestors have brought to the world for example: Astrology, Algebra, the Pyramids, the Traffic Light, the Ironing Board, the Elevator and…oh yeh, the mobile/cell phone? – So has Black History Month done its job? – Do we need it anymore?
I say we should get rid of the title Black History Month and re-name it Black History Year, cos as far as I’m concerned, Black History is with us every second, minute, hour, day, week, month and year.
I’m not a historian saying that this is the book that started it all for me. I have a sense of place and culture, and if you like, the music that I ‘n’ I listened to in particular, and a powerful oral history tradition through my mom, not forgetting my dad and reggae music reinforced this. 
I bring this article to a close and tease your thoughts about Black History Month and how it should be central to all our histories – a 365 day thing – not one month. 

Everyting – Bless
Comments:
Chaz Walker from Oakland California
Nice article brother, I agree, Black History Year, not month

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So you want to write a novel? Well write it then 
by Norman Samuda Smith
I have been asked asked many times what motivated me to write my ground-breaking novel Bad Friday. I always answer it was a dream that did it. Sometimes I get a variety of interesting glances; a few of them assume I'm crazy. 
When somebody says to me they want to write a novel, but they don't know where to start or what to do, I always say, somewhere in the core of your mind which inspires you to voice your wish, there is an idea, the seed of that idea emanates in a dream; whether you are sleeping or awake.
When I woke up from my dream and decided to write my novel, I knew what my story was about from the beginning to the end. I then chose how long my novel would be, proceeded to set myself deadlines and what time of the day I was going to write. I was 19, unemployed, living with my parents and had a lot of time on my hands. During the day I would go job hunting at the job centre and then spend my afternoons at the Job Preparation Unit at my local community centre. So I decided my novel will have six chapters. I will spend a month on each, and I will write from 12 midnight to 6.00 am Monday to Friday, weekends were optional.
I managed to complete each chapter in 21 days. Then I gave each episode to my youth worker (who was an ex-school teacher) to read. Within three days she would return them to me and made me aware to avoid cliches and repetitions. She also encouraged me to make more use of the dictionary and introduced me to a thesaurus; tools that would help me avoid simple words, explanations and descriptions. 
I finsihed writing my novel in six months, part of my dream manifested. I didn't know how to go about getting it published. I put the manuscript under my bed and there it stayed for 4 years. My priority at the time was to find a job, play semi-professional basketball and have fun. I didn't recognise writing as a career. My novel was published by providence. I came across a newsletter published by a community arts shop in the area where I was living. They announced they were looking for a novel to publish; it had to be written by a writer who lived locally. I fit the bill. I went home, dragged my manuscript from under my bed, blew off the dust and presented it to them. Two weeks later, they notified me they wanted t0 publish my novel. The rest is history...  
 The Plan
  • When you have the feeling to write a novel, don't ponder, go for it and make a plan.
  • Set deadlines, how long will it take to write it, 6 months, 1 year...
  • What time of the day are you going to write? - Morning, afternoon, evening, pick a time that sits right with you.
 Don't know how to start?
  • Try this free writing exercise: Set a stop clock for 5 minutes. Grab a pen and paper. Start the clock. Without any punctuation or editing, write down everything that's in your head about your novel idea. Times up! Stop writing! Read it. Does it make sense? Probably not, but it will. Put it down until tomorrow. Pick it up, read it again, pick the sense from non-sense. There's your idea. Your blueprint. If you like, your synopsis. You've now started.
  • Decide how many chapters you want in your novel. If it's your first novel, make it 6 to 12 chapters. Too many will confuse you. Using the same free writing procedure, write what happens in each chapter. You've now completed your storyline.
  • Decide how many characters you want in your novel. If you are a novice, 4 to 6 characters are enough. More than that, you will get confused. Create and develop your characters. How tall they are, what colour are their eyes, how old are they etc. Also consider where your story is based. If it's your first novel, always write about where you know, the environment, the smell of the air, all that.
Those are the basics of writing a novel in a nutshell. Below I've highlighted some suggested books which I found quite useful. They have some of the methods I've explained briefly in this article in more detail. Enjoy your reading and happy writing!
Suggested Reading
 


Amazon Price: £ 11.55



Amazon Price: £ 12.88




Amazon Price: £ 5.80




Amazon Price: £6.99

Comments 
CrazedNovelist from Hampton Georgia 
Very clear and concise. You've definitely got the point across

ericsomething from Carleston, USA 
Normski, that's about how I did mine (now sitting on disk while I make three rounds of agents). First draft: Slam it down. Fast. It will suck. OK, that's what you want. A suck-O first draft can be edited, but unless you can get that down you always be an 'aspiring' novelist.
Good stuff all around though. Inspiring and clearly put. It can be done. Even if you can only squeeze an hour's worth of writing per day, that's plenty. Suck-O first drafts rock!

Cyndi10 from Georgia USA
Good read about your experience in publishing your novel. It definitely is an inspiration to get busy.

dmop from Cambridge City Indiana 
I have many ideas that could be novel lengthif I would just discipline myself and do it. I have many first chapters, but always get side tracked on some other idea. Your article is fantastic in outlining the steps necessary to follow through, I am taking notes. Now if only I can dedicate myself and make the time to realize a complete story with characters, places and events. I voted this across the board and I shared it with my followers.

Grim Master from Below the Earth
Very intriguing. I'm aspiring to be a writer still. Now I want to read your novel.

Inspiring Writer from Birmingham, UK 
Great stuff. Makes me feel like action not just talk! Thanks.

Jenna Pope from Southern California 
Crisp and clear, I like it! 
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