If Adam and Eve Were Indeed Black: What's the Significance?
[Eve] Hers seem to be in all humans living today: 5 billion blood relatives. She was, by one rough estimate, your 10,000th-great-grandmother
It was in 1988 when this article first appeared: https://Newsweek.com published this breath-through expose, with some authority (specially concerning Eve's lineage): Trained in molecular biology, they looked at an international assortment of genes and picked up a trail of DNA that led them to a single woman from whom we are all descended. Most evidence so far indicates that Eve lived in sub-Saharan Africa. She is called the Mitochondrial Eve in that in studying, connections can be made.
The last chapter of my book ('Passages Through Grace') a final attempt is made to demonstrate why it should be made clear to people (and especially Black people) the importance of linking with their spiritual heritage on earth. The book from the beginning was predicated on the theme that we are all here for a purpose, and we all have make mistakes. (I would like to note that this writer elected to emphasize the spiritual relevance in this article).
Yet, the great hope is that the a God gave us a path to victory as we sojourned through life.
It is the story of the Biblical 'Adam and Eve' that I propose is more significant to the Black race now than many other true and noble stories. However, to make this story relevant, one must be able to accept two requisites: 1. Being that Adam and Even were indeed Black; and, 2. That both had fallen from grace.
If we believe in science—and the Baha’i teachings
do say that science and religion agree—then we
know that the oldest human fossils have been
found in the Rift Valley in Africa; and the oldest
mitochondrial DNA in our human genetic code can
be traced back to a small group of African women.
Scientists have conclusively shown that our
ancestors—the mothers of the entire human race—
were Africans
While there are many discussions about the magnificent history on earth of Black people ranging from the times of the Pyramids to most scholars agreeing that Africa is the place where all man originated, I find it an interesting oversight when the story of 'Adam and Eve' doesn't seem to connect in importance that portrays the primordial event that would determine all man's fate. . It's a touchy subject when you find apologists for slavery looking for reasons why Blacks became enslaved people.
Normally you find theories rooted in Noah's sons, where a curse was was cast on one because of his disobedience, or/and disrespect for the elder Noah. That curse would materialize through the ages by giving fuel to the 'slave' argument and for rationalizing it. Yet, the reader shouldn't become transfixed on just Blacks by attempting Biblical rationalization for adversity, but most people of the world can be associated, correctly or wrongly, with historical episodes in the Bible that served as harbingers of their fate in life's journey. Below is a better and succinct telling;
The Curse of Ham refers to the curse upon Canaan, Ham's son, that was imposed by the biblical patriarch Noah. The curse occurs in the Book of Genesis and concerns Noah's drunkenness and the accompanying shameful act perpetrated by his son Ham, the father of Canaan (Gen. 9:20–27). The controversies raised by this story regarding the nature of Ham's transgression, and the question of why Noah cursed Canaan when Ham had sinned, have been debated for over 2,000 years. The story's original purpose may have been to justify the subjection of the Canaanite people to the Israelites, but in later centuries, the narrative was interpreted by some Christians, Muslims and Jews as an explanation for black skin, as well as slavery.
Yet, it can be argued that whatever the motive for finding a reason - in the Bible - to harm others is misguided. But, this submission is not meant to concentrate on the 'slave' argument, as much as to help one to perceive that that it's possible that the first man and woman that God created were indeed Black people that fell from grace.
And, before the proud and arrogant may give a knee-jerk reaction or rejection to this profound dispensation of thought - so be it. Yet the reader should be reminded that even today Blacks remain shackled in a precarious position that is dictated by racism. Of course, most good people of the world would want liberation as the trials and tribulation of Blacks have been absolutely overwhelming for at least centuries based on racism. And, though there has been progression in overcoming this dark episode, this writer would propose actual complete overcome will never happen – simply because the world is unable to save itself and to create an absolute perfect situation for anything even if it tries (Not to say that we should never stop striving for good). It can be concluded (absolutely) that divine intervention must play the final determinant role.
So while Blacks should keep hoping marching and praying for a shift in attitudes that have been ingrained in the minds and hearts of many for centuries, the expectations should be tempered by reality, gratefulness can be a hard pill to swallow.
Without getting lost in translation, the thesis being argued here states that the primordial physical, mental and spiritual wealth of the Black race in history has been the foundation for the world. The problem is that the last one (spiritual) is the most significant, and most important contribution to mankind. Because the Black Adam and Eve failed from grace, God had to send someone who was qualified and holy to correct this great fall. This someone was in the person of his “only begotten Son” who was incarnated as a man named Jesus.
I advise that Blacks need to re-attach themselves to their significant role in this unfold miracle based on the suggestion that it was the created black man and black woman that first sinned against God (at least within the Biblical parameters) where all human souls were condemned to eternal death.
To make this connection would be a miraculous shift in recognizing one's purpose on earth. Man's soul is the centerpiece of God's divine mission on earth. His love for our souls was demonstrated by His utmost sacrifice when He sent his Son down.
The Book (mine) talks a about our misdirected desire for achieving our personal worldly “Bucket Lists' before we leave earth. Yet the real 'Bucket List' is making sure that I earthly journey is always aligned with being forever thankful for being giving a way-out of damnation, and explicitly regarding the significance for each of our individual and collective purpose in our short stay on earth. The world (Satan) tricked Adam and Eve in the beginning, and we should work while it is day that we don't get tricked again in our short stay on earth, or get caught wallowing in the grasp of evil before having a chance to repent and align with the gift of redemption.
As an individual that protests for equality and justice, I find myself compelled to continue. But, I also must be able to reveal the truth to co-warriors that the prize being obsessed in fighting against the demons of those possessed by racist demons is a noble cause. The commandment admonishes us to pray and love them - while beseeching God to be our 'rod and staff' as we go through the valleys of despair. This is not an easy task - it can take a lifetime, and in that truth our limited time is reinforced with a demand for selfless and unbiased compassion.
If Adam and Eve were black or medium brown, inbreeding
would have resulted in darker descendants and very rarely lighter ones.
In short, if Adam and Eve were black/brown everybody on earth today
would be black skinned and black haired and the only whites would be albinos.
Remember, He forgave us First.
In the last chapter of a book ('Passages Through Grace') a final attempt is made to demonstrate why it should be made clear to people (and especially Black people) the importance of linking with their spiritual heritage on earth. The book from the beginning was predicated on the theme that we are all here for a purpose, and we all have (and continue) to make mistakes.
Yet, the great hope is that God you believe in gave a path to victory as we quickly go through a temporal life on earth. Nothing in the world can, or should be able to blind the truth seeker from recognizing his/her higher calling - which is essence, is not earthbound.
It is the story of the Biblical 'Adam and Eve' that I propose is more significant to the Black race than many other true stories. However, to make this story relevant to black people, one must be able to accept to requisites: 1. Being that Adam and Even were Black; and, 2. That both they had fallen from grace.
“If we believe in science—and the Baha’i teachings
do say that science and religion agree—then we
know that the oldest human fossils have been
found in the Rift Valley in Africa; and the oldest
mitochondrial DNA in our human genetic code can
be traced back to a small group of African women.
Scientists have conclusively shown that our
ancestors—the mothers of the entire human race—
were Africans”.
But, this submission is not meant to concentrate on the 'slave' argument, as much as to help one to perceive that that it's possible that the first man and woman that God created were indeed Black people that fell from grace. And, before the proud and arrogant may give a knee-jerk reaction of rejection to this profound dispensation of thought - so be it. Yet the reader should be reminded that even today Blacks remain in a precarious position that is guided by racism. Of course, most good people of the world would want liberation as the trials and tribulation of Blacks have been absolutely overwhelming for at least a a one-half of a century based on racism. Though there has been progression in overcoming this dark episode, this writer would propose that it will ever happen – simply because the world is unable to save itself and to create a perfect situation for anything even if it tries.
I advise that Blacks needed to re-attach themselves to this significance based on the suggestion that it was the created black man and black women that first sinned against God where all human souls were condemned to eternal death.
To make this connection would be a miraculous shift in one's purpose on earth. Man's soul is the centerpiece of God's divine mission on earth. His love for our souls was demonstrated by His utmost sacrifice when He sent his son down.
The Book talks a about our misdirected desire for achieving our personal worldly “Bucket Lists' before we leave earth. Yet the real 'Buck List' is making sure that I earthly journey s is always aligned with being forever thankful for being giving a way-out of damnation. The world tricked Adman and Eve in the beginning, we should work while it is day that we don't get tricked again in our short stay on earth.
“If Adam and Eve were black or medium brown, inbreeding
would have resulted in darker descendants and very rarely lighter ones.
In short, if Adam and Eve were black/brown everybody on earth today
would be black skinned and black haired and the only whites would be albinos.”
This is not a time for necessarily prioritize Disneyland or that sea cruise, even though many may rightfully enjoy it as a reprieve or enjoyment, but a time for being guided by truth and reality – that is our only hope for not being ensnared again in the curse of the Garden of Eden and being bonded by its ageless morbid fruit that followed.
Remember, He forgave us first, yet we carry the precious weight that extends to all humans - our gratefulness in knowing this truth should emanate in how we see and love all people as we were able to attained ultimate forgiveness.
I believe we have a long history of people constantly mixing with one another and cooperating with one another and evolving into one great family. Milford Wolpoff
Notes:
-Were Adam and Eve Black, Russell Ballew, 1/2015, http://bahaiteachings.org/were-adam-and-eve-black
-If the Bible is Literally True, Adam and Eve were Most Likely Platinum Blonde Caucasians: Seun Ayoade JOJ Nursing & Health Care, https://juniperpublishers.com/jojnhc/pdf/JOJNHC.MS.ID.555689.pdf
-The Search for Adam and Eve, John Tierney, Newsweek, (1992). http://www.virginia.edu/woodsonof Ham./courses/aas102%20%28spring%2001%29/articles/tierney.html
- Curse of Ham. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curse_of_Ham
-Mitochondrial Eve https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitochondrial_Eve. The most recent woman from whom all living humans descend in an unbroken line purely through their mothers, and through the mothers of those mothers, back until all lines converge on one woman.
(The writer is a social scientist that is not claiming authority in any other area except by expert references by intelligent deduction. Thus, this article is not meant as scientific study, but as a general observation based partially on scientific matter.