This phrase, although attributed to Socrates, was found on many of the temples of learning throughout Egypt long before Socrates existed. This is a very important mantra for people of African descent.
I personally was in a state of shame of being from African ancestry during the 70's as a young teenager. but upon spending 3 months in Africa at age 19, all that changed. Books such as this are critically important for US in order to debunk the distortions promulgated during this millennium against people of color, and in particular people of African descent. Regardless of what popular (white) culture's response is to this type of discovery, the important thing for US is to study for ourselves who we are and what we have contributed to the development of the human race. Who cares what THEY think!!!! WE should be well aware of the extent to which THEY will go to remain the superior force on this planet (slavery, world war, historical distortions, genocide, cultural genocide, economic sanctions, etc..).
Books such as this and those written by Jochannen, Diop, Van Sertima, Bernal, Al-Mansour, and others, prompt US to re-evaluate everything WE were taught (programmed) to be true. The revelations exposed through the works of these writers, should be the foundation of learning for all of OUR subsequent generations.
What I find to be most interesting is the fact that since the works here prompt so much debate, why is it that we do not see not only some of the debate itself, but also some of the factual discoveries borne by the works of these authors on channels such as TLC, A&E, or Discovery. Since WE now have OUR own voice in the national broadcasting world, I think BET should pursue this area further so that more of our younger generation can gain knowledge in these areas. Black History should not be limited to one month, and should not be limited to the civil rights era especially when it spans thousands of years.
It is important that WE lift the veil of ignorance OURSELVES and really take a look at everything WE feel WE know to be true. One of my favorite misconceptions is that of certain aspects of the Bible. How many of you know that the 10 Commandments can be found within the 42 Negative Confessions of the Metu Neter, a holy book written long before Moses or the Bible.
WHAT HAVE WE BEEN TAUGHT, AND WHY?
Stolen Legacy is an excellent book to start questioning the current world order.