Black Athena by Martin Bernal: Exposing Racism of Western Scholarship

In 1987, scholar Martin Bernal published 'Black Athena: The Afroasiatic Roots of Classical Civilization,' a groundbreaking work that challenged long-held assumptions about the origins of ancient Greek culture. Bernal's research revealed a profound connection between ancient Greece and the civilizations of Africa and the Near East, particularly Egypt.
However, Bernal's findings were met with fierce resistance from many Western scholars. Why? Because they exposed an uncomfortable truth: that racism and Eurocentrism had distorted our understanding of history.
Reference
Black Athena : Afro-Asiatic Roots of Classical Civilization by Martin Bernal amzn.to/42rrx2o
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[@kijihigh6826]

I was told at a very young age that the Greeks were highly attracted to the black race. The Greeks saw the Black race as very beautiful. However because as colonialism and taking their spoils, they suddenly became inferior, although the Greeks integrated with them sexually....thus the mixing of the race and lighter skins. Everything black was buried and lost in history. The saga continues and now the truth is coming forth.

[@Bantu-King]

What’s ironic is that no archaeological activities are done in Ancient Greece. Where are their gods buried?

[@MOEZANDERS]

@@Bantu-King Alkebulan, Ta'seti,Abzu 🤗💯💪🏾

[@RoodBull_SAMA]

People love to pretend like there wasnt a concerted effort to erase any meaningful aspects/influences coming from Africa as a whole during that special period where a LOT of pseudo science was practiced to justify various atrocities. Techniques that are being used to this day, albeit with a different twist.

[@ImageOfGod7]

Nearly All of Their Greek Gods were of African Origin.

[@Weda01]

We simply don't know yet. Some Greek gods certainly have their similarities with some ancient Egyptian gods (so African), while other gods have more in common with either Mesopotamian, Phoenician or Hittite mythology.

[@roberth2627]

@@Weda01 But the Greeks themselves say that ancient kemet ( Egypt) had a profound influence on them..Also ancient Kemet is the oldest ..

[@Weda01]

@@roberth2627 It's true that ancient Egyptians also had a profound influence on Greece, but the written sources that mention it are from a time that Greek mythology was already well established. Because the mythology in its earliest stage is thought to have been passed on orally, we can't really give a definitive answer yet. Although ancient Egypt is one of the earliest civilizations, it is generally considered that Mesopotamian civilization was established slightly earlier.

[@roberth2627]

@@Weda01 Well, that is changing ..Thier is evidence that ancient kemet is a little older than in Mesopotamia . It has been a given that Mesopotamia was white or what we call today semitic,but ancient Sameria were dark skinned African looking people..White's have longed tried to push this Mesopotamia narrative as older & white ,but this is misleading..

[@Weda01]

@@roberth2627 I don't really believe that Mesopotamia is pushed as the older civilization because of a certain white ideology. I am curious about more developments, because I am aware that chronological discussion is still happening despite it being comparatively small at the moment.

[@Ithinkthereforeiam-ph9nb]

regarding “Athena” - originally it was a black meteorite that was prayed to… yes, they prayed to a black stone, similar to the one in the Kaaba. Later on the stone turned white , how I don’t know… but then the Greeks continued to pray to the white meteorite stone.

[@kijihigh6826]

We are once again taking center stage and using our minds intelligently. We are expressing ourselves on a much higher level. Knowledge is expanding and we are opening up our minds to find truth. Years ago there was disrespect and we were fighting with one another. Now we are showing dignity and kindness on these platforms. We are raising the bar. We are free and coming out of captivity. Our minds are releasing their chains. Ahhhhh how refreshing it feels. Truth, knowledge, freedom!!! A new era dawns and draws nigh.

[@Logik1002]

What can we say about the Carnavon Tablet No.1? “Let me understand what this strength of mine is for! (One) prince is in Avaris, another is in Ethiopia, and (here) I sit associated with an Asiatic and a Negro! Each man has his slice of this Egypt, dividing up the land with me. I cannot pass by him as far as Memphis, the waters of Egypt, (but), behold, he has Hermopolis. No man can settle down, being despoiled by the imposts of the Asiatics. I will grapple with him, that I may cut open his belly! My wish is to save Egypt and to smite the Asiatics!” ~ Kamose Inscription

[@Weda01]

I am curious, what do you think about someone like Molefi Kete Asante who disagreed with Bernal's work?

[@haywardmccullough2762]

He not like us! But that's why I research everything that I read! Asante didn't provide any kind of proof and evidence that Bernal was wrong!

[@Weda01]

​@@haywardmccullough2762That's fair, but Asante was not the only one that disagreed with Bernal's work as far as I know. Anta Diop, Maulana Karenga, Théophile Obenga and Ama Mazama are also known to have voiced opposition to Bernal's work.

[@djinnjax3274]

What was their disagreement?

[@Weda01]

​@@djinnjax3274 Anta Diop for example believed Mesopotamian civilization is older than ancient Egyptian civilization. Bernal was unable to demonstrate the direct ancient Egyptian origins of specific philosophical concepts according to Obenga. I don't fully know the details with Karenga and Mazama, besides their opinion that his work was too Eurocentric.

[@masehoart7569]

@@Weda01All of them could be criticised as well. The assumption that Mesopotamia was the cradle of civilisation was valid during Diop’s time. Meanwhile Karl Tuscherer has presented strong evidence that Egyptian writing predated the Sumerian one. Most scholars agree that both civilisation developed simultaneously whereas Mesopotamia is rather a modern hybrid term for successive layers of civilisations which borrowed from the former conquered people. Ancient Egyptian civilisation on the other hand is usually dated from the unification onwards but independently the two lands existed much earlier.

[@ankhmaathotep7913]

"The book Black Athena by Martin Bernal is the work of Dr. Ben Yosef A. A. Jochannan" Historian Phil True "Aristotle and Socrates never existed" Dr. Walter Williams

[@masehoart7569]

No, it is not. I have Dr. Ben’s work & Bernal’s - bought them 30 sth years ago - didn’t know they are still “in”. Bernal deconstructs the Hellenic civilisation & its achievements construct of science as a purely European construct. He points out loan words in the ancient Greek language painstakingly while Jochannan rather challenged Eurocentricity /Eurocentric historiography as a whole.

[@amazonia302]

Kemet is the Mother land of all ideas and beliefs.

[@a.thomas501]

First book I ever received from the Shrine of the Black Madonna.

[@rcck72]

Must be from the D

[@OtisDieng]

in fulani....ari means arrived...so larisa....mu..water ,sa...earth.......so larisa ...yes

[@HistoriaAfricana]

thank you

[@MOEZANDERS]

Canaan we're also some of the First, Africans to populate the Americas and became known as Native American Indians to my knowledge and my studies. How do I know this? I studied a book in junior high school. 1987 Virginia Beach, Virginia. The book had Native American phrases and sentences in it. The native american phrase for native american plains people's "in Death" To die; was said as " ill kurant kanon". Which meant " going back to canaan

[@winsterfrederick5617]

It's quite obvious that the Palasgians were black people and were forerunners of Greek civilization.

[@user-du6xz3dc3y]

Minoans were dark skinned and that is where the Greeks came from.

[@user-wh7fr9qe2s]

THE Historical Library OF Diodorus the Sicilian. BOOK I. CHAP. I. Told me everything I needed to know about the the so called Greek gods and their African origins.😂🙌🏾

[@kaleahcollins4567]

If heroditus is a hypcrit, then so is the bible. What i mean is they say they can't believe all he says because some things are fanciful theres alot of things in the bible that are deemed fanciful fiction yet many swear by it as full factual truths.

[@philthai99]

Love this.

[@HistoriaAfricana]

Thank you so much. The clowns are on auto drive right now. I think Bernal’s voice in this video is triggering a visceral response from them. Testing my ability to block and remove comments. I am up to the task. Ase!

[@drganknstein]

Everything RRRRRRRRRAAAAAACISSSSSSST

[@HistoriaAfricana]

Nkwasiasem

[@drganknstein]

@Neanderthal33 maybe for you it is but not for me, I'm normal.

[@galoobigboi]

This comment section is one big copium addicts reunion.

[@HistoriaAfricana]

Reactionary merthh head rebuttal. Aboa ɛnye wo ɛnwe! Kwasiaba!

[@truth9415]

your projecting pink boy

[@cantycanvas4150]

Also the Vikings were black. And Jesus.

[@HistoriaAfricana]

Kwasia ba!

[@cantycanvas4150]

@@HistoriaAfricana adɛn nti na woka saa?

[@HistoriaAfricana]

Vikings were not black.

[@yahwada649]

@@HistoriaAfricana Look up the black vikings

[@erosnectar5481]

Jesus was black! Not the Vikings!

[@spirituallevelofbeing7308]

The lands of Canaan and Egypt influenced Greece as did Greece influence the lands of Canaan and Egypt. The lands of Canaan and Egypt were Multicultural white, black and brown. If you think otherwise mabey look up the Gaelic mercenaries that were invited to Egypt. The Cannanites also took over Egypy and became the first non Egyptian rulers of Egypt.

[@spirituallevelofbeing7308]

If you look at Egyptian art regarding the canaanites you will find multiple skin colours and cultural differences as they were diverse tribes. Racism has no skin colour it's a human invention to divide us further

[@MOEZANDERS]

Canaan we're also some of the First, Africans to populate the Americas and became known as Native American Indians to my knowledge and my studies. How do I know this? I studied a book and junior high school. Virginia Beach, Virginia. The book had Native American phrases and sentences in it. The native american phrase for or native american plains "in Death" To die was said as " ill kurant kanon". Which meant " going back to canaan "

[@curtis-dj5bp]

The greeks that you ascribed to the greek civilization sttled in the area from 2000 bc. the first pharoah dynasty were already almost 1500 years old. Amost like the kemet civilization to the first greek settlers was as old as the ancient greeks to us. Are the founders of the british empire Nigerians and Arab? The UK is a multiracial society, that means that the first britons and founders of the british civilization were black, white and brown according to your logic.

[@kaleahcollins4567]

ALL THAT CAME LATER . REMEMBER KEMET WAS IN ITS 25TH DYNASTY WHEN ROME CAME TO BE.

[@user-py1jt2gi5s]

Ephesians 6 : 5 Why doesn't the New testament condemn slavery? Slaves obey your earthly Masters with respect and fear and with sincerity of heart Just as you would obey Christ the ownership over all slavery and slaves

[@2967_]

Because it was written by white supremacist. You don't actually believe in the New Testament, do you? Not one Book in that text was written by it's leader, Jesus. It was all made up after he died. The Church leaders loved power. They also made Jesus a blonde blue eyed man, which is literally impossible for that time period and region. Religious indoctrination is no excuse for being ignorant of history.

[@kijihigh6826]

@user-py1jt2gi5a....perhaps the New Testament does condemn slavery but it has been erased. Many parts of the has been translated from May languages to English which changes many aspects of the writings. Do not give up. We must continue to study, and learn from these videos which are finally pulling up the truth. Watch and pray! Remember the Bible was used to condone slavery although it did condemn it. It had been hidden.

[@leargy7043]

Have you ever seen an statue of of Athena up close?Cause she carries NO African characteristics.You don't have to steal other people's culture to build your own .

[@HistoriaAfricana]

Another pointless comment. Who mentioned the statue of Athena being black in this video? You either did not listen or have a low level of comprehension.

[@leargy7043]

@@HistoriaAfricana Just the title of the video is provocative and that is actually useless . You are claiming Athena is Black when Athena is born from the head of Δια,I do not have to watch a video that is clearly provoking and is trying to steal my culture.Also can you read ancient Greek ?

[@HistoriaAfricana]

@leargy7043 I can read Md ntr and I know your eminent scholars studied philosophy and science in Kemet. You cannot claim otherwise because your own teachers said they learned everything they know at the feet of black skinned people living in Kemet (what you wrongly call Egypt). Plato, Archimedes, Aristotle etc... The list is endless. Can you read md ntr? Western scholarship is a pathetic cesspool of lies.

[@nigelralphmurphy2852]

"Black Athena" has been heavily criticised and rejected by academics. They often highlight the fact that there is no archaeological or historical evidence whatsoever for ancient Egyptian colonies in mainland Greece or the Aegean Islands, and it is thus considered pseudo-archaeology. Academic reviews of Bernal's work generally reject his heavy reliance on ancient Greek mythology, speculative assertions, and handling of archaeological, linguistic, and historical data, though some scholars highlight his important work in shifting the paradigm on how we study ancient Greece,[1] as well as on the ways in which ancient Greece is often treated as "Western," without recognition of its significant relationships with the ancient Near East and Egypt, and its divergences from the contemporary Western world."

[@HistoriaAfricana]

We do not endorse their criticism of his work because he stated his sources and defended his arguments. They rejected Cheikh Anta Diop and Theophile Obenga for the same reason - racist western scholarship. You are preaching to the wrong crowd. My audience is full of matured black scholars. Go to your make belief white supremacy channels to spread your delusions.

[@HistoriaAfricana]

You made an ill advised comment a few seconds ago. I have removed that. Write like a scholar and not an emotional wreck.

[@djinnjax3274]

@@HistoriaAfricana Actually he has a fair starting point. This topic does suffer from conformation bias on both sides. You may want to engage the rebuttal the test the strength of your argument.

[@Weda01]

@@HistoriaAfricana I think he has a fair argument. Even Diop, Obenga and Asante had disagreements when it comes to Bernal's work. That's why I posted my original comment, to ask what your perspective was on this matter.

[@onpointdude2619]

@@Weda01 Which of Bernal's work did Diop disagree with it can't be Black Athena as it was published in 1987 and Diop died in 1986 so it wasn't this work surely?

[@soweseringmodousowe2719]

European chit African history and African economy

[@Ithinkthereforeiam-ph9nb]

“cheat” not chit

[@larsandrune]

😂😂😂😂😂😂 Okay 👍

[@HistoriaAfricana]

Aboa ɛnkye wo ɛnwe. Aboa ba!

[@user-nv9ct8zh8i]

Dharlomaigne , Hapsburgs were black

[@axi271]

What are your references?

[@masehoart7569]

You mean Charlemagne? The Habsburger dynasty? This is a ludicrous claim.

[@chiccngeorge3058]

And the Medici’s

[@ADM.II.]

No they were not 🤦🏾‍♂️

[@ADM.II.]

​@@chiccngeorge3058Nah.

[@pharaohmedjaylawofmedjay2680]

I don’t believe All Of Ancient Greece Was African But I Do Believe Africans Did Live In Ancient Greece Noble people in Some Way African They Trained With Ancient Greeks They Even Have African Man On There Pottery King Memmon He Was African He Has African Hair Very Nappy Curly Hair on The Pottery The Ancient Greeks Depicted Him So Well

[@chriskewe4238]

Are you going by your gut felling, when you say "I don't believe? Or your position is purely scholarly...?

[@AB-bb5vg]

Dude you can't handle the truth do you believe Jesus is wyt ? 😂

[@user-py1jt2gi5s]

Just because black was in slavery and were slaves does not mean everyone is black that's false teachings

[@HistoriaAfricana]

Making no sense.