The Nebuchadnezzar magazine

-Roots.

The titular show, cast with LeVar Burton, as the main lead, speaks volumes about enslavement in America.

The show, presents the story of Kunta Kinte, an African man who hails from “The Gambia.”

The account of the story is of a man who, raised on a plantation, exemplifies an experiential knowledge of his people, and subsequently those who trade him in amongst his people.

The coalition, as is described in the work, recounts his journey from enslavement to a reclamation to Personal freedom, despite the allegiance of his captors.

For Kinte, it took a crossing over the Threshold.

Nathaniel Hawthorne put it most amply in his work: “The Scarlet Letter” when he wrote,  “No man, for any considerable period, can wear one face to himself and another to the multitude, without finally getting bewildered as to which may be the true.”

In Hawthorne’s work we are introduced to Pearl, the daughter of Hester, a woman akin to Offred in Margaret Atwood’s “The Handmaid’s Tale.” As a child, she speaks to her mother, mirroring not the nature of her transgression in question esoterically, but through her own expressive, and often child-like interpretation.

Pearl, speaks of the disparity between her family and society in Hawthorne’s work…like a duality of consciousness posited by W.E.B. Dubois, relegated as “Double Consciousness.”

Interestingly, enough I’ve had a pearly disposition as of late. It is Interesting that the main protagonist of Hawthorne’s work represents the state of our affairs.

Our modern world encapsulates a pronounced social order. A dichotomy by which we must elope and be present in the world.

Patriarchal in its understanding, we understand this. That we hold our Men to a standard. This standard is a bond of which we understand as the highest understanding of our Order.

Donald Trump is quite the loon. He is a Peter Pettigrew.

In so doing, we must respect Our Women. Our Minerva Mcgonnal. Yes, these Women we must respectfully understand.

Harry became a Wizard, from a Muggle.

He changed Tribes.

Now the question is, what happens when we change tribes?

We all know what happens.

A shift of allegiance, I posit, from the framework of the Other – gives schism to the moral fabric.

For one the feeling is well is founded. It is a survival instinct. From an anthropological perspective tribes have served a purpose. They have defined our existence, and they have represented what we have all stood for communally. 

There is a man that rises to the top, and because of his uniqueness and ability for conflict resolution, he is crowned.

I do not see that with the MAGA community.

As despots, thrown about by the winds and current of change, a sole pariah finds himself drawn in via a tributary of their own insight. Then when the vein is picked, the main River draws blood.

Be very careful MAGA community.

A rivulet trickles into a stream.

And for that, you have been warned.

Narcissism at it heart is due to a deep-seeded insecurity. The fear of being ridiculed – the fear of feeling lesser: of ostracization; of being tarred and feathered as a social pariah.

One thing notable with these types, which I see even in myself, is pride. It is the temptation to put on a display of air. A puff of the chest.

Or, we may say an over-compensation for what is lacking.

This is what we deem, Hypermasculinity.

Hypermasculinity, is the weak man’s imitation of strength, for a man of integrity and honor does not need to impose his character with machismo. He does not need to put on airs.

In the words of Tyrion, from Game of Thrones,  “Any man who says ‘I am the king,’ is not truly the King.”

An honest man does not need the World to heed him. He heeds his word.

Such a man merely exemplifies it in his actions and what he says. There is no front.

It has taken me much introspection to discover this. It has required me to take a good hard look in the mirror as to what I am and what I could be.

To my point, The MAGA movement has gotten strong traction with both Latin-American and black men. Along with the men’s self improvement movement, podcasts, and novel platforms of communication, MAGA are soon becoming the biggest node for information outsourcing throughout the world.

However, a fixation as to these things is not what is important. There is a problem, affixed on the recognition of the self. The truth is, it is not the idolization of an ideal that Men should uphold.

In fact, it is truth. It is: honor. This is Bushido. This is the way of the Samarai. (Ok, use the force young grasshopper).

I admit that in my past I have not been honest. I have not been truthful. And by irony, that concept is self-reflexive.

But I choose to reclaim my own narrative, and that is what I choose to be. A new person.

The MAGA movement, while a recalibration and revival of traditional ideals, fails tremendously in its supposed mission. As an individual present amongst their number, the rage is palpable. Tantalizingly perceived in the nervous system.

The excitement, while invigorated and relatable is akin to the rousing of the anti-human and separatist movements.

But it is a tribe. And for that reason only adherents feel a sense of belonging.

Anyone can tell you a myriad of reasons why communal rousing is unifying.

MAGA for what it’s worth has the traction for a reactivation of a subconsious belief system upon which this country was founded. It blares to those hearing a Call for a return to center.

For a return to our roots

If we want to fix America, we have to return to our roots. We must listen to our fathers and mothers: to heal our Boys to Men.

-And surprisingly this takes humility, the antithesis to Pride, and ego.

This requires an acknowledgement of several things.

First, is knowing that as human beings, as we are, we need to reconcile with our place in the stream of time.

It’s 2025. We live in a Capitalist economy with socialism as the penumbrella. As idealistic as we want to be, America is a business. It has ticked, and tocked as the greatest machine of our time.

But the beauty of the machine is its internal structure.  As a world engine this machine is composed of individual parts, that MUST work in tandem for calibration.

Oil is needed for the Grind ahead. What is deemed as “oil” we may see.

To quote the philosopher Auguste Comte there are three stages to current Collective Consciousness, described as Positivism by which society comes to a relevatory understanding. This, is “the theological stage, where we derive comprehension from supernatural or religious beliefs; the metaphysical stage, wherein these explanations are formed by abstract or metaphysical notions and philosophical principles; and the positive stage, where knowledge is derived from empirical or quantitative observation and the scientific method.” 

Now, at this nexus, I believe we are in what Comte calls the First and Second stages respectively. Betwixt and between the physicalism, and the esteemed spiritualist perspective.

One thing I believe is that while we are in the process of understanding one would do well to understand the importance of grassroots in the economic framework. 

EDM, a genre of music by which we may hear an ephemeral spirit, is one of the most interlinear waves to have hit the music scene.

In 2023, I went to the Great Beyond, a small EDM festival in Michigan. I was novel to the music genre, but after hearing Avicci – I was in.

I met people from all over. Amidst the smoke, and the lights and the pizzaz I was drawn to one union unifying point.

Community. It’s in our soul.

Music, I believe, is an atavism. A sound wave that resonates through time – across cultures,and across  time streams. It draws and unites people.

A guy from Africa, or the Maldives can be awe-struck.

This encapsulation of music is feast, pregnated on the supposition of Capitol.

I have seen selling music, in our day and Age, requires two things.

It requires providing 1.) a product valuable enough of mass consumption, and 2.) petitioning to an establishment, or “Order” as the main vehicle for distribution.

We have to foster and help one another in selling our product, namely the ideal of prosperity for anyone. Relegating personhood, and communal concern – not for a select few, but a freedom for everyone.

And when I mean anyone, I mean anyone.

Thus, we must use our Market value, acknowledge it in terms of value from those who capitalize on it. It is a destiny to Petition to the principle matures of our society, in a way in which will benefit not only their own self interests, but also that of our own ratio, wise on a global scale.

(If the Oligarchs, do not comply with this we send out Luigi and his league on their ass. Just kidding. I didn’t get you before Luigi, but I get you now.

(I get you now man. That’s a very antiquated way of exacting community justice. But I hear you.

-I’m sure Will Smith would like to have a Word.)

But it’s important to Market yourself for the benefit of your growth. It’s important to take an active stand for your growth, and do so in such a way that protects your peace while helping others.

Set boundaries for yourself and stick to them. And above else give yourself grace for the times you’ve erred against yourself.

We are living in an age where we have the choice to Transcend. It is important for us to choose wisely.

To resume Comte, the current Republican ideal of making America greater, from the MAGA crowd  is a rage. 

They too, are a mob. Those who aren’t a part of this appeal recognize that beyond the group think and the brainwashing is the notion to recalibrate. A recalibration or as I believe an opportunity to return to center. To return to ourselves.

I posit an emphasis on the family unit. Without it, we erode as a nation and as a society.

When White America catches a cold, Black America catches pneumonia.

Enter COVID.

We might have to queue the Band, as it marches on.

We must think about these things, when speaking to our neighbor.

(Thank you, Mr. Rogers!)

Well it’s the same as that from both the micro and the macro. Rich and poor. There’s been a shift, a shifting allegiances, and those willing to help out for the prosperity of their greater man will be the new Parties.

Codename: genius.

(Kanye, you’re funny. Just get better, k?)

For this change to take place, We’re going to need psychologists, we’re going to need doctors, lawyers, and businessmen. 

We’re going to need engineers. We’re Going to have to build back better, and I think if we are to petition to the misguided zeal of certain de facto groups within it would require a more macroscopic view of public health, subsequently classifying politicians in a subset of personality traits so the public can better handle them…

But most importantly, we need Artists. The ones that help inspire us, the ones that endure, and give us clarity when we can’t find any ourselves.

Likewise, at the head of every business is a visionary. Often, these types work in tandem with a pragmatist. Examples include Steve Jobs, and Wosniak for Apple;Leonardo Di Vinci, and his craft artisans, Osho and the Rajshnishees.

Essentially what we are seeing in America today is a pragmatist (of which many say is misguided), Trump with “Make America Great Again,” and an unspoken collectivist ideal (which some may say is outdated.)

There are Revivalists, as well who I anticipate will crop up soon.

And there are Opportunists (Musk), who intend to profit from a recognition of supposed demand.

The end result is that everyone wants a piece of the pie, and yet actual skillets are lacking especially in STEM.

The age old method of decrying unfairness from the streets and the rooftops can be regarded as both fanfare and antiquated. While truth cannot be discarded from the vantage point of its unyielding effectiveness, it takes on veritable forms. And these, including free speech, have all been snuffed out.

Now then, we must posit action, and follow through. One must apply a modicum of knowledge and execute that in the real world in a pragmatic way. And more than ever one must be discerning.

Free speech has been snuffed out in favor of a cultist leader. The veritable impact of working in an economy down to the blue collar worker has been one relative to anyone who has done a labor intensive job.

It is based on rewards.

You get a lunch break, after investing labor, you get a pension for devotion or loyalty. You get aRaise for consistency, and furthermore a bonus as praise.

When we talk of Pavlov’s dogs, we learn that a bell is enough to incite the salivary glands, to expect food. Even if the stimuli for food is not present.

But, even more importantly now, is the importance of learning self-discipline. Of not ignoring the beckoning, but heading it.

Veritas Invicta.

So then…

What I posit is if a felon can become President, why not a felon – provided they are seeking to make their lives “Great Again,” should be able to become a nurse. With this, if than atTempt, They should be able to even become a doctor.

What applies to the King applies to the Pauper. Contrary to Nixon’s proposition, “if the President does it, it is a crime.” 

Because if the Republican party posits itself as the party of Lincoln. If it position itself, as the unyielding sanctitude to their Judeo-Cheistian belief system, then they must acknowledge that their allegiance to power, and money supercedes their belief system.

And it is that hypocrisy, to blinds them to the suffering of others. And yet the veil cNnot be pulled if one is unwilling to do the work.

Unless there is a grassroots campaign to remind America who she is, she cannot flourish. It starts with the visionaries, not the ones with an agenda.

It is an amalgation of all we have known, and humility to say otherwise. In fact, we are currently in the Prodigal son parable of our nation’s narrative, healing and making it apparent to the rest of the world.

We have to succeed in this quest.

As an adolescent world power we must understand our mass psychology is only as great as the youngest, and we cannot move ahead without the other. If we are to believe that America is great, we are to believe that we are in a Developing Adulthood phase. Comparable to the rest of the world, we are youthful.

Yet it is our unyielding determination in the prosperity of others that continues to inspire and incite everyone from around the world.

At the helm of these conversations are supposed media conversationalists, controversial YouTubers such as Amala Ekpunobi, and  revivalists such as humorists and comedians, who have gone so far as to say, what we cannot say, in what cannot be said.

People help the people. Birdy said it best. But above all, help yourself. Give yourself grace, space and needed time internally to do the work to heal, to do the work to acknowledge truths you did not want to accept or could not until they were made evident.

And above all grow.

I speak to you now from what I see.

-As always, remaining politically neutral.

Book pending

-“If you can’t fly then run, if you can’t run then walk, if you can’t walk then crawl, but whatever you do, you have to keep moving forward.” -Martin Luther King. 

And no I haven’t lost sight of the Dream.

Copyright 2025. Kumquat Inc.

Eric-Anderson Momou, has been published in Litro Magazine and elsewhere.

-Editor of the Nebechadnezzar, a non-fiction journal discussing topics of mental health, fanfare, and diplomatic hypergamy. 

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