Mary: Family is the cornerstone of the
who get really sick or definitely ill, and then
African-American survivorship experience.
decide to change. I have others who will
Talk more about the historical context for
never get it. My duty is to provide the infor-
why we choose foods that may over time be
mation in the most compelling way and pray
making us sick.
that God will open the
Debra: The whole
mind and hearts of the
country (USA) has a
listeners. We, meaning
problem with providing
African Americans do
healthy nutritious food
not get it that that we
to people, however it
are in a very serious
is often worse in our
position.
communities. And on
Mary: Debra, do
top of that, everyone has
you really believe that
some type of emotional
African Americans do
connection with food.
not understand the
In the African-Amer-
importance of making
ican community it is
healthier food choices,
Heart 2 Heart Conversations Tour at
Beebe Memorial Cathedral
much more. We have a
good nutrition, and its
stronger connection with
relationship to illness
food because it is a time of fellowship with
or disease? Dr. Haynes, Senior Pastor of
the people we love, support and happen to
Friendship West Missionary Baptist Church
be comfortable with. I believe our connec-
in Dallas, Texas often talks about the impor-
tion is much more emotional.
tance of knowing our history because if we
Then you put on top of that, when we
do not know history, we will tend to repeat
wake up in this country as African Ameri-
it.
cans, we wake up to oppression, we do not
Debra: Well, I try to remind African
see it, but it hits us in so many different
Americans that our nutrition problem is
ways. I believe that oppression is why we
systemic. It is part of a culture of greed. I
have obesity, high blood pressure and/or
know we have to be able to make money but
hypertension. Our lived experiences with
when you use it to suppress people and lie to
oppression are coupled with the choices that people that is when there is an issue for me.
we have and make.
I think we need to understand the world we
Fortunately, in my presentations,
live in and how we are seduced, and not for
events, and workshops, I have people come
what is best for our communities and fami-
up to me and tell me that they have changed lies.
this and that because I convinced them that
There is a subtle way in which I try to
change was necessary. I have met people
remind Christians that the enemy seeks to
20 HimPower May/June 2019