In the Service of our Ancestors and African Love,

Listen Seeker, I come in peace,

“A counselor who understands proverbs soon sets difficult matters aright.” — African Proverb

Ava Duvernay, a film maker, and Iyanla Vanzant, a ‘psychologist’, wouldn’t publically fight one another because they rely on white people’s money and white folk don’t need them to fight. Tariq Nasheed and Umar Johnson are unbought brothers who have put out great products and commentary over the years. Our people should be doing everything to resolve their conflict; instead of what we are doing: trying to tear them down or ‘expose’ them. Please read the following and assist me in the proper response of getting these brothers at ease.

On Behalf of Black People, I Apologize to Umar Johnson and Tariq Nasheed

By Onitaset Kumat

Our people saw a conflict between two brothers and not only didn’t we look for ways to constructively resolve it; but we looked for ways to egg it or exploit it.

This conflict is a very, very simple one. In Africa, we had said “Hold a true friend with both hands” and we also said “A matter dealt with gently is sure to prosper, But a matter dealt with violently causes vexation.” Umar’s angst relates to the former proverb; Tariq’s the latter. I’ve been in both situations.

For those who don’t know me, there’s a reason. I’m not as effective at marketing as either Tariq Nasheed or Umar Johnson. I don’t engage too much in current events and I’m a genuine Pan-African Nationalist who loves his people and has authored books and articles encapsulating that love and I recently started a podcast to communicate Black Solutions for our Black Problems. In my book “The Pro-Black Compendium,” I included this list of proverbs I published on my website “African Blood Siblings” that discusses Conflict Resolution. I encourage Tariq Nasheed and Umar Johnson to review this list (whether on the site or in the book) and also I encourage other readers to share the relevant quotes from the list with Tariq Nasheed and Umar Johnson.

But in the meantime, I want to give some clarity to the situation between Umar Johnson and Tariq Nasheed. Namely, I had been organizing Black people for years, but as my organizing waned, one of my most trustworthy brothers turned against me based on the hearsay of one of his newfound friends. I managed to sway him away from his betrayal, but it was exhausting and ultimately the damage was done. Brothers hold each other with ‘both hands.’ That Tariq didn’t and said Umar’s school was something to ‘charge to the game’ was in fact not holding his brother (especially when his brother was going through what he was going through.) Now, some will point out Boyce Watkins played a role in this and he may (and there’s a reason.) But what’s also fascinating for those who don’t know is that there’s a Youtuber named Javen Bullets ETERNAL who is claiming to have showed Umar Johnson Tariq’s video with added interpretation of him being dissed with the hopes of getting Umar Johnson and Tariq Nasheed beefing. Whether he can claim success in getting the beef public, only Umar can say. But it’s worth a lot of consideration moving forward. See here before it is taken down (Tariq Nasheed’s video calling Umar Johnson was taken down already): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nx3kix2_vf8&feature=youtu.be

As to Tariq Nasheed’s side, shortly after I was first married, my uncle-in-law drunkenly approached me and told me I better take care of his niece lest he’ll whip my ass. We were at a family gathering and I never even met him or her cousins before. But it certainly ran through my mind to beat this man in front of his wife and kids. I controlled myself though and told him “Ok.” Later on, my mother-in-law told me to ignore his threats and said it was just his personality. I.e. Umar’s threats are very disrespectful and infuriating; but sometimes we also have to realize that Charm isn’t taught but in a few books and sometimes our people are rough in communication. But it’s a big whatever. Tariq Nasheed was disrespected to be sure. But for what it’s worth it’s something to be expected.

Black people in general, we need to work on resolving disputes and conflicts, rather than trying to call each other frauds or ‘expose’ each other. It’s crab in the barrel. Tariq Nasheed produced a wonderful series and Umar Johnson shined on it. I’ve read many say that “Hidden Colors” brought them into consciousness and many should appreciate the positive that both of these brothers have brought to the people. Are either perfect? No. Is anyone? Maybe. But I believe not only do we in general owe Umar and Tariq an apology, but to be proactive, we should apologize AND include a relevant proverb to set this conflict behind us.

Remember, “He who forgives ends the quarrel.”

Thank you for reading,

And if you need a proverb or message to send either. Please send them on twitter, instagram, youtube or wherever these. You can find additional proverbs here (or in The Pro-Black Compendium): https://africanbloodsiblings.wordpress.com/2014/08/23/a-collection-of-proverbs-for-african-nationalist-conflict-resolution/

To Umar Johnson:

“A matter dealt with gently is sure to prosper, But a matter dealt with violently causes vexation.” I apologize on behalf of our people https://africanbloodsiblings.wordpress.com/2018/01/02/on-behalf-of-black-people-i-apologize-to-umar-johnson-and-tariq-nasheed @DrUmarJohnson #DrUmarJohnson #BlackCommUNITY

To Tariq Nasheed:

“Hold a true friend with both hands.” I apologize on behalf of our people https://africanbloodsiblings.wordpress.com/2018/01/02/on-behalf-of-black-people-i-apologize-to-umar-johnson-and-tariq-nasheed @tariqnasheed #tariqnasheed #BlackCommUNITY