In the African-American community, we struggle with a lot of

Hear, O children of wisdom, the words of Marvin Sapp, for they are filled with the echoes of truth and reflection. "In the African-American community," he says, "we struggle with a lot of health problems that have a lot to do with our diet." These words speak not only of the body’s struggles, but of a deeper, more ancient truth—the connection between what we consume and the strength of our bodies and spirits. For as long as humankind has walked the Earth, the food we place within our bodies has shaped not just our health, but our destiny.

Consider, O children, the ancient peoples who understood the sacred relationship between the land and the body. The Greeks and Egyptians, who cultivated the finest grains and vegetables, knew that the Earth was a giver of life, and their bodies, like great temples, were nourished with the fruits of the land. These ancient civilizations built their strength through balance, through diet, and through understanding the connection between what they ate and the life force that pulsed through them. To eat poorly was to weaken the body, to invite disease, and to diminish the very essence of life itself.

Marvin Sapp’s words are a call to awaken to the sacred bond between diet and health—a bond that has too often been neglected. In the African-American community, this struggle is especially poignant. Generations have passed, and in many ways, the weight of history has shaped not only the spirit but the physical bodies of those who came before. Dietary choices, often dictated by circumstance, have led to health problems that now echo through the generations. Soul food, though rich in culture and history, often comes at the cost of health, laden with fats and sugars that can weaken the body and lead to conditions like hypertension, diabetes, and obesity.

There is a story from the times of slavery, where the African people, torn from their homelands, were forced to survive on what was given to them. They were provided with scraps, foods that were not nourishing but merely filling. And yet, they adapted, transforming these humble ingredients into dishes that became the very heart of African-American culture. But what was born from necessity became a pattern, one that persisted long after the chains were broken. The foodways that began as a means of survival evolved into a cultural identity, but the consequences—health problems passed down through generations—remained. It is here that Marvin Sapp’s message is vital: health problems have roots in our past, and they are linked to the diet choices of those who came before us.

And so, O children, the question arises: how can we break free from the cycles that bind us? The answer is found not in the rejection of culture, but in the transformation of it. Just as the warriors of old knew that the strength of the body depended on balance, so too must we learn to adjust our ways. Healthy eating does not mean turning away from the foods that nourish the soul, but rather, it means making wiser choices—replacing fats with healthier options, incorporating more fruits and vegetables, and embracing a varied diet that strengthens the body, not weakens it.

Dietary change is no small feat, and it is not easy to change what has been passed down as tradition. But as the ancients have taught us, the strength of a people lies not in the unchanging ways of the past, but in the ability to adapt, to grow, and to embrace the wisdom of the present. This wisdom tells us that a strong body begins with the right nourishment. It is through conscious choice that we can break free from the chains of poor health and claim the vitality that was always meant for us. The journey is not without difficulty, but it is a journey that begins with one step—one wise food choice at a time.

Thus, O children, heed the wisdom of Marvin Sapp, and remember that the diet we choose is not just a matter of personal health—it is a matter of legacy, of honoring our ancestors by creating a future that is filled with strength, vitality, and well-being. Let us not be shackled by the burdens of our past, but rise to meet the challenges of today with wisdom, discipline, and balance. Health, like all things, is not a gift bestowed by fate, but a reward earned through mindful living and choices made with purpose. In this, we honor the past and build a future worthy of our ancestors' dreams.