What if there were a drug that could chemically induce feelings of upper-classness? It would be a lot like crack. Our society actively cultivates, encourages, and promotes self-actualization, immediate gratification, and unabashed self-indulgence. Even the most minor pains are quickly, even casually, dismissed with pills and other aids to produce an easy lifestyle absent from struggle.

   Advertising campaigns specifically targeted at African-American communities attempt to delude us into thinking that smoking or drinking will make us more prestigious, smart, attractive, or popular. Research has shown that we as African Americans spend an inordinate amount of time in front of the television set. Therefore, we are disproportionately exposed to television's grandiose, yet false, and ultimately harmful message: that grave personal problems can be efficiently resolved in thirty minutes or less. All of these dynamics contribute to the presence of what is unmistakable, " a drug culture." Consequently, the provision of recovery and rehabilitation services to drug dependent Africa-American men and women are "stuck" in an environment undeniably influenced by the prevailing drug culture.

   Through God, our spirituality, our African American culture base and the community involvement we can save ourselves and our children at risk. The need for an Afrocentric philosophy is so great that it is impossible for me not to insist that you turn to God, Culture and Community ministry on the worldwide web. Historically, it is without precedent, combing the elements of philosophy, science, history, and mythology to give us the clearest perspective on that peculiar and particular group of people called the African-American.

   The question most often encountered is why? Why the need for an Afrocentric philosophy? Why should Africa be at the center? And my question is why not? Who else would you want to have at your center? Africa belongs to an African or African-American or African Brazilian. It does not take away from the universality or humanity of man to have a particular culture or history to stand as one's center since all cultures share certain universal traits; but, they do not necessarily resemble each other. Afrocentricity resembles the black man, speaks to him, looks like him, and wants for him what he wants for himself.

   In response to the overpowering drug culture and for safe journey through the Americas. Come to your own center and become free of this westernized culture of self-destruction.

Pastor Pernell Johnson, God, Culture and Community Ministry is a ministry of recovery from addictions and its related disorders.