Black Lives Matter: Some thoughts on ANKH and Wearing Masks During This COVID-19 Pandemic

by Kenray Sunyaru

Thousands of years before there was a slogan ‘Black Lives Matter’, our Ancient Afrikan Nile Valley Ancestors had a supreme symbol representing that their Black lives mattered the ‘ANKH’ which means the ‘KEY of LIFE’. 

Our Ancient Afrikan Ancestors overstood and understood that their LIFE was KEY; that their Black lives definitely mattered’, that their lives were indeed ‘Sacred’ and ‘Immortal! Our Ancient Afrikan Ancestors came to realized that ‘ANKH’ the KEY of LIFE is 'LIFE' itself; that LIFE ‘emanates’ from LIFE, that LIFE ‘begets’ LIFE, that LIFE ‘sustains’ LIFE, and that LIFE ‘protects’ LIFE! 

From my philosophical-spiritual view the KEY of LIFE is Knowing, Breathing, Nourishing, Moving, Growing, Valuing, Appreciating, Respecting, Remembering, Venerating, Determining, Building, Preserving, and Defending.

Regarding the defending ‘Protecting’ aspect of the KEY of LIFE from a health perspective, our LIFE inherently protects itself by the way of its ‘immune system’ that defends itself from infections. In light of the current COVID-19 pandemic as Black folks we have been dying super-disproportionately from this potent infectious virus that causes multi-organ failure. 

Due to institutional racism and massively having pre-existing medical conditions (chronic diseases) that compromises our health which has weakened our immune system ability to protect us from COVID-19. 

To both protect and recover from COVID-19 we must boost our immune system holistically: spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and physically (diet, exercise). We must also protect our lives and others by wearing masks! 

Unfortunately, I see a lot of younger Black adults under 40 ignorantly and carelessly not wearing masks who are infecting others deadly. However I know some Blacks in this age group who say they are ‘health conscious’ not wearing masks.

These individuals diet and exercise to boost their immune systems to protect themselves from COVID-19 but don’t wear masks to protect themselves; in other words they throw a health punch but they don’t want to block an infectious punch, this is contradictory behavior because in a fight you have to 'punch' and 'block'!!

Black folks speaking from ‘ANKH’, when you are truly health conscious you know it is key to protect your LIFE from all health social detriments from racism to health illiteracy. Needing to wear a mask aint no conspiracy theory, we’re dying super-disproportionately from COVID-19 and it’s for real, just ask somebody who’ve lost love ones. 

For us right now during this coronavirus pandemic wearing a mask matters, it’s a key aspect in protecting Black lives.