Laff wit Da LordT: A Credo

Celebrating the Book of Clarence and the ability to believe.

Over the weekend, I enjoyed delving into Jeymes Samuel's latest creation, The Book of Clarence, where he skillfully intertwines historical figures with contemporary crisis conversations. His directorial debut, "They Die by Dawn" (2013), a Western short film, garnered attention for its unique fusion of historical narrative and modern flair. This marked the beginning of Samuel's journey into the film world, capturing the interest of both audiences and industry insiders. In 2021, he earned widespread acclaim with "The Harder They Fall," a feature film celebrated for its star-studded cast and fresh take on the Western genre. Samuel's film captivated audiences and received critical praise by seamlessly blending action, drama, and humor. I suggest you review his whole catalog before getting

offended or not being totally on board because it might offend your beliefs. Frequently, general belief systems are aligned with a broader dominant or majority cultural lens and do not allow cultural interpretation of synthesized foundational belief to encounter a more human perspective. After all, we should embrace Dubois's statements in which we explore art to express ideas and thoughts to propagate thought beyond the majority's ruling of what something is.   

Teddy Reeves, Ph.D. noted scholar affiliated with the Smithsonian, Stated, "This Film creates a space—out of centuries of erasure-for Black people to reposition ourselves back into an inherently African text. the film dares us to see ourselves as fully Divine in the midst of a system that continues-both then and now— to crucify our bodies, minds, creativity, swag, seasoning, and magic. yet, like the risen Christ, we continue to rise beyond the tomb to create new worlds and possibilities for ourselves and others. kudos to all that made this film a reality! "@Teddyrreeves

Sometimes, people try to control a character by creating a specific, well-planned story. This story can be retold and added over time to maintain control. For example, there's a common idea of Jesus, but different groups see him differently. This difference goes back to the Roman Catholic Empire and the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. The Roman Catholic Empire set specific dates that most of the world follows. At the same time, the Ethiopian Orthodox Church tells a different story. Considering the long history of the Ethiopian church and Rome's desire for dominance, the Ethiopian version might be more accurate. The main point here is that the influence of empires goes more profound than we usually explore. I could go into more detail, but the argument here is, damn, this empire occupancy bullshit goes farther than we care even to explore. 

To be fair, I am not an apologist, but I understand the cohesiveness of what this film may encounter with believers. So, I will go ahead and just let you know now. If what you believe can not be or has not been litigated within your personal reflection of what you believe, please do not spare your time reading this. Thanks, Mangement. 

If you continue on, please be cautioned that after 2 years of reading and listening to Lectures at Howard University School of Divinity and then driving home while talking to my friends on 295, 495, and 95. I have been on the journey of discovery by cultivating testimonies from the margins. Trekking the inertia and grey spaces of theological inquiry amongst a myriad of cyber arguments for far too long to announce that I have All the answers for you in this post because I don't. I have the bare bones of an argument I want to make down the road rather than precisely with this blog post. I'm not the master of all; I do not claim to be, but I do be thinking, and I think that the Book of Clarence is helping me. I intend to help those who might be where I am with some discovered logistics from traditional and unorthodox spaces. I am doing this to challenge the tragic melancholy faith traditions that leave us in an impenetrable cycle. 

SO Here We Go. 

The Book of Clarence by Jeymes Samuels is an artistic interpretation of Afro surrealist Expression to introduce alternative biblical narratives. It doesn't tamper with the biblical foundation of Jesus. Still, it adds a robust conversation of Jesus as a healer, Theologian, politician, Jesus movement creator, and Jesus as practical theorist of empire Practices. Jesus was a Tenured professor of the Roman Empire's systemic practice extinction.  

Afro-Surrealism emerges as a distinctive subgenre within the contemporary discourse of black creatives, engaging in a transformative dialogue that evokes insightful critique by revisiting historical narratives and contextualizing them within the present. This artistic movement involves sampling past stories and seamlessly integrating them with the realities of today. It's a profound exploration where old ways are revisited through a fresh perspective, allowing for the appropriation of symbols tied to 19th-century slavery, as exemplified by artists like Kara Walker, and 18th-century colonial imagery, as seen in the works of Yinka Shonibare. The origins of the Afro-Surrealism movement have been traced through the works of various artists. Henry Dumas, an artist, played a significant role in documenting the early stages of the movement. A decade after Dumas's death, Amiri Baraka memorialized his friend and celebrated the essence of witnessing the present within the movement.

The movement gained further definition in 2009 when D. Scot Miller penned a manifesto. In this manifesto, Miller describes Afro-Surrealism as a force entering the contemporary culture, likening it to a rowboat navigating without oars. The metaphor suggests a determined journey into the city, driven by the quest for clues that might unveil a cure for the ancient, seemingly incurable disease known as "western civilization."

So here we go, my G!

Here is the beginning of the credo. The Preamble of sorts. The in the beginning kind of thought. 

Life's a tricky puzzle, throwing challenges our way. Yet, it's crucial to stay upbeat and not let tough times take over. Laughter and humor are like secret weapons, helping us cope and stay strong. Even when things get rough, finding ways to add a dash of laughter to our lives is a must. Laughter isn't just about understanding; it's a way of poking fun at our struggles, showing resilience in the face of challenges. It's like singing songs and creating stories, myths, and legends. These weave together a tapestry of words and language, shaping our experiences into a unique and powerful narrative. Through the singing of songs, where echoes dance with the wind, and the birthing of our parables, myths, and legends, we unfurl the tapestry of our shared existence. In the rhythmic dance of words, the cohesive consequences of patterned dialect and language whisper the secrets of our collective soul, painting the cosmos with the hues of our shared dreams. We discover not only the beauty of our shared tales but also the power to weave the threads of our stories into a poetic narrative that transcends the boundaries of time and space. Creating the essence of humor that even what is attempted as a stumbling block becomes a space of comedic relief. 

The Film The Book of Clarence carefully and Skillfully walks around Jesus's narrative juxtaposed to Aaron McGruder's Black Jesus, a multiple-series sitcom written In 2014, a skillful modern interpretation of the Standard Jesus. "Black Jesus" often blends comedy with social commentary, offering a unique and irreverent perspective on religious and societal matters. The Book of Clarence does a reverse and plants Modern language, integration of the migration of West African dialects sprinkled with the spirit of Friday placed during the Life and times of Jesus. In jest, it is more than a notion that the background of any empire forces diversity to implant a reality that we have not embraced. That all of us niggahs are not the same, but we do encounter the same tactics of the dominant culture. 

 Generally, people who are presumed the Minority within one culture are often under a certain amount of surveillance. Drawing from Obri Hendricks' insights in "The Politics of Jesus," the film suggests that the deliberate imposition of minorities in positions of power establishes a power structure that contributes to the systemic decline of one community.

Additionally, it explores the continuous monitoring of a community, influencing beliefs, and determining who is portrayed as a hero or victim. The film delves into the dynamics of power, diversity, and surveillance within the context of societal structures. If you need any more Suggestions on where I'm trying to go with the essay. Not all of us who have experienced some level of oppression have the same background. Still, we do experience the identical monolithic expression of power. For us to experience a modern expression of a police state is a direct correlation to the oppression of the children of Israel. Helping one understand that Occupancy never changes. 

A few years ago, I was tasked with preaching on Good Friday, one of the seven objects of the crucifixion. Traditionally, it's always the seven last sayings of Jesus on the Cross. I was tasked with Preaching an obscure text found solely in the Gospel of Luke that has a remnant of remorse and creates a whole character of Jesus we have never publicly discussed. This passage depicts a moment during Jesus' journey to the crucifixion, where he addresses a group of women mourning for him. In his response, Jesus encourages them to weep for themselves and their children, foretelling a time of great distress. I had no plans to write this, But something made Me brush against the idea that perhaps Jesus was a bit more than what we have gleaned from the present canon we Have, and perhaps with this film began the long, slow progress to having a more holistic view of The homie Jesus. Not only that, but In the biblical narrative, Jesus forewarns us that many will say they are me, but they aren't. In the film, a character is traditionally given a bad rap because he doubts he has an opportunity to shine In the Film. The Book Of Clarence gives a more in-depth into the disciple Thomas, giving him a complex background and a twin brother named Clarence. Finally, the idea that we have to shame Thomas because he needed tangible evidence of the resurrection is more personified in the film. In fact, there is a Gospel of Thomas that was left out. The Gospel of Thomas is not included in the New Testament canon recognized by mainstream Christian denominations. It is considered part of the Apocryphal or Deuterocanonical literature. Gnosticism was a diverse religious and philosophical movement emphasizing hidden knowledge (gnosis) for salvation. Some of the sayings in Thomas reflect Gnostic themes.

 The real question from this film is why we can only have part of the story and who the keeper is. Not only that, but it is the ability for this to be a standard for the future that if we write us in biblical times, then what if your dominant narratives don't allow us to even dream of being in? 

Let me pull up a little bit. 

The Importance Of this film is the impact of seeing Oneselve In historical matter-of-fact Stories that tell us we belong. 

Jeymes Samuel's film, "The Book of Clarence," invites us to explore alternative biblical narratives. Through the lens of Afro-Surrealism, the film skillfully reimagines Jesus not only as a healer and Theologian but also as a political thinker and creator of a movement challenging the systemic practices of the Roman Empire. Samuel's artistic interpretation encourages us to embrace a broader perspective on historical and cultural narratives.

The film engages with the complexities of belief systems. It challenges the idea of a monolithic expression of power, drawing parallels between different communities' oppression. It prompts us to question the narratives imposed by dominant cultures. It encourages a more inclusive understanding of diverse backgrounds and experiences. "The Book of Clarence" delves into characters like Thomas, offering a nuanced portrayal that challenges traditional interpretations.

The film raises important questions about the selective nature of historical narratives and the role of those who control the stories we encounter. The significance of this film lies in its ability to provide a space for individuals to see themselves in historical narratives, fostering a sense of belonging. As we navigate the tapestry of our shared existence, "The Book of Clarence" invites us to question, reflect, and find humor in our struggles, creating a narrative that transcends time and space.

All in all, my G. Go see it cause we are all in desperate need of something in the canon to laugh. 

I have more, but this Is what I'll say for now. 

Lets Laugh now.