Ijakadi is a Modern African Martial Art Movement purposed to uplift, empower, and liberate.
What makes African Martial Arts different than other forms of martial arts? Culture, Identity, and Method. Ijakadi was developed by Africans in America inspired by historical African Martial Arts rooted in African-centered values.
African Martial Arts focuses on celebrating the beauty of our people. Yes, racism and oppression are real and should not be ignored, but African Martial Arts teaches us the beauty of our Motherland far outweighs this current oppression.
Yet, through centuries of brutal slavery and colonialism, we've been largely cut off from our original culture, our identity. Many of us believe we are who we see in the media, thugs, gangsters, hoes, or just victims.
Is our history simply slavery and civil rights? Who were you before? Who stole that from your mind?
It is IMPOSSIBLE to take a cult which based it's teachings in manipulation and control and grow it into a church. It is IMPOSSIBLE to take something built on sand and MAKE it stand as a Christian church. And no one need reply, With God all things are possible. That is the incorrect context. Jesus wasn't talking about something based on sin becoming a valuable tool.
Love the Boston church. The teaching and preaching changed my life and continues to do so. I have friends of all races and backgrounds. I’ve been part of Boston church since 1987. It’s here that I learned to walk with God. Sorry that you and many had a bad experience. I hope healing comes to you and the others. Of course, we’re not the only church - but we are the church. You need a little help with your God complex. ‘They weren’t disciples?’ Who died and made you, Jesus?
I haven't seen, heard, or read one apology from any leader ever to the thousands who claim to have left hurt. That's a good indication that they won't changed and haven't changed. They still can't admit they're wrong or have done any harm.
Im a parent of an adult child that been in since about 20yrs old now 46. She and her husband kept it a secret until I FOUND OUT IN 2023 by a ICOC MEMBER THAT ESCAPED/ FELL AWAY AND FOUND ME ON FB FOR MY BUSINESS SERVICES. SHE was mutual friends with my daughter on FB. When she realized our mutual fb friend was my daughter she was more than happy to spill the beans. I suffered with that horrible cult abuse secrets for 2 decades. My daughter isolated, gaslit and socially abused me for 20yrs with DISTANCE & SECRETS. When i found out I FLIPPED OUT FROM ALL THE EMOTIONAL ABUSE. I WILL NEED THERAPY FOR YEARS BUT I FEEL SOOOOOO FREE THAT I GOT OUT. SHE DENIED EVERYTHING AND IT DIDNT MATTER. THE TRUTH WAS FINALLY OUT ABOUT THAT SOB CULT
With all the Christians that have been abused here, im surprised you havent started a new church, mabe ot can still happen because I can tell most "fall aways" still want to serve God, they just have trouble trusting people because of their abuse
Also The book of Proverbs talks about being overrightous and over wise. My twenty something year being involved with the church, they never shared this. Only concern about the "Mission".
Black people enslaved their own for centuries, you need to stop telling lies about slavery. A million whites from Europe were enslaved by the barbary pirates who were africans. Stop telling yourself comfortable lies.
Their was no holy spirit in church of Christ,controling conditions! Was baptise after i left and forgive all the people,that hurt me ,and was save by grâce of god! because they don't love you , juste contrôl And i'm save by grâce not by m'y work ! Thanks Jésus!
I really appreciate your video. I remember African American women members being told constantly that they were too worldly for wanting to do braids and nails or from wearing their hats and dresses from when they used to go to COGIC, etc. But the one that really sticks out to me was a lady who did a song as a "special." She was very soulful and put her heart into it. She was holding notes and belting so hard that her body would contort. I thought it was beautiful, so I was completely clueless when she was told she could never go onstage again because her performance was too self-focused, and it was about her own personal glory. They were completely tone deaf and seemingly unaware of different singing styles. (Though I know now it was just racist and I was too generous at the time in thinking they were ignorant.) I was grossed out. She ended up leaving shortly after that. I wish I'd had her backbone. I was in it a long time after.
Reach out to me dude, I’ve got a wild story with ICOC and interesting perspective on how we should treat this. Would love to be on the show, I’ve done a few podcasts and still have my old studio setup!
Thanks Caleb, sorry, but not in the ICOC video business. I spoke my peace and that’s all I have to say on the matter. Appreciate you reaching out though!
I was a member for 18 years and I'm still suffering from PTSD and a mild case of Stockholm Syndrome because of the spiritual abuse perpetrated on me by members of the ICOC and dare I say from the ICC. And after quitting the ICOC two years ago, I don't wish this the changes I went through because of them on my worst enemy and not even on Kip McKean and the founding fathers of both the ICOC and ICC. So, the answer is "No" they won't change unless they do more for people like me with mental illnesses and not go and recruit fools without friends and not give a false sense of family to those who suffer from past traumas.
Wow, Dashell, thanks for sharing your experience. It mind blowing to hear each individual experience and see how alone we all felt when we were traumatized. It really feels like you’re the only one and even though we all experienced trauma in the ICOC, each story is unique and each person’s pain is unique. Thanks again for sharing your story. I hope you have/will continue to find your voice to express what has been silenced for so long. I felt the same way you did and would not wish this pain on anyone. I was fortunate through therapy to find gratitude for my suffering as it made me who I am today.
10 years later since the letter. It has brought some good but still have a long way to go. I know of a couple of lcoc churches that still love to admonish. One of them were not understanding and graceful with disciples that had mental health issues. The young are teaching the old. Lots of conditional love. Also they treated the church like a business. What's best for Church Business. Esp among the Men
@@byronjasper2873 All good. I figured that’s what you meant. Time flies though. Hard to believe it’s been that long. My greatest fear though is 20 years later we’ll be having the same conversation.
No it's not likely to change on a systemic level. It would be extremely difficult to change as a whole... You tried to changing it as an individual, Henry Kreite tried to change it as an individual with authority and power within the church, the movements leadership group tried to change it by pulling Kip out of a leadership position and as a result the church fractured but did not change as a whole. Now people within the church can change; which might help individual churches but won't affect the culture of the church as a whole...that ship has sailed.
Great point. It's the systematic sins that affect the whole church. It's not individual effort of confronting sin and loving people that will make changes. There were a lot of good-hearted people when I was there, but systematic problems will gleam the same results.
Not sure why it took me so long to make the connection between colonialism and the ICOC church plantings...it clicked when I went to Peru and saw how the Spanish forced religion on the Incas, so many parallelisms.
Yeah, it’s a really interesting comparison and I don’t hear many making the connection. But understanding history is essential to having the proper perspective of the present. Many of us unfortunately don’t know our own history. Thanks for sharing your experience.
If they were about social cultural unity and diversity, they still would've had the Special Needs Ministry for those with physical and mental illnesses like me when I found out that I was suffering from mental illnesses.
In my case, when I quit two years ago, it was jumping into a void when I made, as the members would say, was an "Eternal Decision". I lost friends in the ICOC and almost lost familial relationships and friends outside the ICOC. If it wasn't for my older brother (who use to be a member of the ICOC as well), my therapists and friends in a different Christian religion and at Long Beach City College, I wouldn't have transitioned out if the church and let my art be my voice.
I quit the ICOC two years ago after 18 years of membership and am using my artwork to heal my pain as an Illustration major at Long Beach City College in Long Beach, CA. Plus, the majority of my art is displayed at LBCC's Disabled Student Programs & Services and at a clinic at the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health since the ICOC didn't want me to use my art for the greater good of the church. They wanted me to be their token mentally ill member.
100% on EVERYthing you’ve mentioned- I wasn’t in long either, I agree 25 yrs later…despite therapy, delphi-forums and time….it is still an emotional scar. I left on my own but I congratulate you on being disfellowshiped👏🏾🙌🏾🎉🏆THAT’s the way to go!!
Thanks Ms. Patty! Disfellowshipped is the way to go! Lol! 😂 I appreciate your kind words! I actually came back to ICOC after the Kriete letter, but too much to put in one video 😅 I’m glad someone remembers the Delphi forums too!
I experienced a lot of spiritual trauma and feeling like i've failed God. One of the shepherds told me I was being "disobedient to Jesus" by not agreeing to pay the amount of the money they expected members to pay each week and by not attending the frequent meetings every week outside of church. It was painful but I've healed a lot and have learned that a personal relationship with God should depend on any one church.
@@Ken.411 Thanks for sharing that. I know spaces have previously existed for us to share our stories, but there’s definitely not enough. I’m glad you’ve healed a lot and learned in the process.
