Comments on: Martial mastery and the African origins of Shaolin

By: Werwolf

Werwolf — Mon, 26 Nov 2012 07:02:21 +0000

The fact that we are having a discussion about the AFRIKAN origins of Kung Fu proves that we have lost. That is the AFRIKAN way. It wins.

By: John Mulligan

John Mulligan — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 14:41:01 +0000

I don't think you know what ad hominem means Arch, and you still haven't made a point.

By: Arch.J

Arch.J — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 23:42:38 +0000

I never would and if you knew anything about historical development you'd know why. Your just further expounding on your ignorance of the subject and ad hominem attacks can't cover for it.

By: John Mulligan

John Mulligan — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 05:40:00 +0000

Arch, I have no idea who you are. But if you are African American, i.e., descended from slaves brought here in bondage in a great injustice, I challenge you to find an Egyptian national and convince him/her that you heritage is the same.

Afrocentrism = low self esteem.

By: Werwolf

Werwolf — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 03:43:43 +0000

Also: Columbus was AFRIKAN. WHY IS THIS NOT TAUGHT IN SCHOOLS
?

By: Werwolf

Werwolf — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 03:34:59 +0000

Egyptians invented books, omelets, the martial arts, trigonometry, and Turkey Bacon.

By: Arch.J

Arch.J — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 03:09:54 +0000

"Egyptians are Egyptian", this pretty much sums up the extent of your knowledge on culture and civilization. Please read a book before you say something so simplistically silly.

By: Arch.J

Arch.J — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 03:08:21 +0000

“Egyptians are Egyptian”, this pretty much sums up the extent of your knowledge on culture and civilization. Please read a book before you say something so simplistically silly.

By: Werwolf

Werwolf — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 00:46:45 +0000

Don’t be ignorant. Sub-Saharan AFRIKANS invented everything except AIDS, crack cocaine, and nuclear weapons.

By: Joseph

Joseph — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 00:38:55 +0000

Black is a color, not a race. This type of Afro-centric "scholarship" does nothing to advance the cause of people of African origin living in the diaspora, in fact, just the opposite. If Africans "invented" science, then modern researchers must use scientific methodology to advance their hypothesis. Just saying something doesn't make it so.

By: junya

junya — Sun, 11 Nov 2012 08:32:19 +0000

Do I understand this reasoning correctly? The justification for the claim of an African origin of Shaolin kung-fu is:

1. Legends say Bodhidharma originated Shaolin kung-fu.
2. Bodhidharma is believed to have come from South India, thus most likely of Dravidian ethnicity.
3. Harappan (aka Indus Valley) civilization seemed to have linguistic and cultural links to Dravidian.
4. Harappan civilization was "Black".
5. Therefore, Shaolin kung-fu is of African origin.

First, I don't understand what is meant by the claim that Harappan civilization was "Black". Does this refer only to skin color, or to linguistic/cultural characteristics? If "Black" just means skin color, then I don't get the jump from step 4 to step 5. Is there a claim that Dravidians and all other people of dark skin are African? On the other hand, if "Black" refers to linguistic/cultural characteristics, then again Dravidians would be "Black". But according to step 5, they therefore are of African origin. This is a remarkable claim. The African origin of humanity is accepted by all. But the jump to claiming that cultural achievements of Dravidians (or any dark people) are of African origin is a huge one requiring proof.

Or am I missing something here?

By: John Mulligan

John Mulligan — Sat, 10 Nov 2012 06:09:22 +0000

So are you saying that you want Sub- Saharan Africa to take credit for the Asian art of Kung Fu given that, according to you, Africans are the "true originators" of martial arts? Not only that, you are claiming that Egypt was "black" within the meaning of Sub-Saharan African? And further, that the people of India are in fact also Sub-Saharan African. And you being of Sub-Saharan African descent, can take pride, somehow, from this?

Look, we did this with the Olmecs http://sfbayview.com/2012/the-rich-heritage-of-af…. It's racist. You can't steal another culture and make it your own. Stop. Indians are Indian. MesoAmericans are MesoAmericans. Egyptians are Egyptian. Kung Fu is Chinese. The Chinese have their own rich culture and you have yours. Stop stealing.