Is The Black Family Dead?

As I sit here among my extended family, I can't help but reflect on the rich traditions of the black family. Regardless of ones social economic status, locality, or background of the African American family, there is a hubris of rich tradition that exist during the holidays.

Food

During the holidays, walk into any African American home and a sweet aroma will connect with your nostrils and stimulate your taste buds. Traditionally, the matriarchs could be found mentoring the young ladies to ensure consistency and congruency of recipes passed down from the sages of the ages. Rich dishes like turkey dressing, macaroni and cheese, potato salad, sweet potatoes, greens and homemade cornbread are some of those dishes you'll find resting in the bellies of relatives. 

History indicates that food is deeply interwoven in fabric of African American culture. Slaves would meet up on the plantations in a potluck type fashion. Each family bore their favorite dish as the men would discuss historical plantation relics and the women would share their struggles, strengths, and strategies of survival.  It didn't matter, that their teenage son was beaten by master or Johnny was hung while attempting to flee to the north to escape the perils of plantation life. Life was hard, but food made them temporarily suspend the disparaging conditions that existed in their lives. 

Today, tracings of our rich traditions still exist as families gather in a central location over large pots of food with family.  Although, it's more difficult to collectively meet due to the expansive and more fragmented families, many people still make concerted efforts to fellowship with the family during the holidays. 

Family 

Family was and still is the centerpiece of the African American tradition. If your family is remotely close to mine, it consists of more characters than Disney's Frozen. My family is filled with dysfunctional behaviors and contagious laughter. As I around, uncle Leroy is outside smoking Newport shorts. Aunt Essie has spiked her tea with the beverage pulled from the purple bag. She is simultaneously rocking from the Bobby Blue Bland and tipping the red cup. Eventually words will fly and so will tempers, but all of it is done with  unconditionally love for one another. You know your cue to leave is when uncle and aunt start overtaking one another and you've eaten your second plate. 

Fellowship

The fellowship is marked by even more rich traditions. First, dominoes could be heard miles away as drunk uncle Joe slams the table to claim his 25 points in the third house to win the game. On the other side of the room you hear an occasional smack and slap followed by "noise talking." Two things can pervasively be found in African American American households; baking soda and playing cards. Whether your game is spades, biz whiz, or pity pack, fellowship wouldn't be complete without a set of cards. While parents are cursing wildly, kids can be seen with the one toy they were allowed to take to the family's home. The holidays aren't complete without the men crowded around the television to view the holiday basketball or football games. 

There is nothing like holidays.  No matter how dysfunctional, no one else from the outside can talk about us because you'll get shot! There is simply nothing like family. Enjoy your family while they are still here. 

Is family dead? Not a chance! 

Be blessed! 

Pastor Rich