November 11th, 2024

Recently, I wrote about the importance of understanding the meaning of works of statuary and the iconic messages they convey.

Most high school students who take art history learn who Michelangelo was. These students also learn that his statue of Moses holding the tablets inscribed with the Ten Commandments is curious because it depicts Moses with two horns growing from his head.

For centuries, Western scholars have puzzled over, and written about, why the famous Italian artist placed horns among Moses’ wavy locks. But it is without question that Michelangelo’s artistic expression relied upon the Latin Vulgate version of the Bible’s Old Testament, translated by Saint Jerome from the Hebrew text, which says in Exodus 34:29 that Moses’ “face was horned from the conversation of the Lord.”

Even though Saint Jerome was a highly regarded biblical scholar of the 4th century who produced a version of the Bible that was the most commonly used for more than a thousand years, Eurocentric scholars have maintained that Michelangelo’s placing horns on Moses’ head was due to Saint Jerome’s mistranslation of the relevant passage. These Eurocentric scholars have declared that the proper translation of that passage should have been, “light was shining from Moses’ face.” And in modern times, the Vulgate translation has been discarded and Exodus 34:29 speaks of Moses coming down from the mountain with a radiant face.

Elon Gilad, a feature writer for the Israeli newspaper Haaretz, has written, “Saint Jerome, who made the translation called the Vulgate at the end of the 4th century, would not have made such a crude mistake.” He continues by stating,

“… Jerome must truly have believed that Moses came down from Mount Sinai with horns, and not radiant. Since Jerome was living in the Holy Land at the time and consulted with Jews when working on his translation, he must have been informed by them that Moses indeed had horns. This may be a bit hard to believe, but we in fact know that some Jews did believe that Moses was literally horned.”

But this makes no sense – unless you stop looking at it from a European perspective.

If Moses did not have wavy curls on his head, and instead had hair more like the tightly curled frizziness or kinky hair found in Africa, he could have had what appeared to be horns on his head when he came down from Mount Sinai.

In the 1960s and 1970s, many Jewish youths proudly wore their frizzy hair in a puffy style termed the “Isro,” and resembling the “Afro” that was popular in the Black community at the time. Those youths who were able to style their hair this way could do so because their hair was more like Africans’ hair than most Europeans’ hair.

The biblical narrative of Hebrews living in the Egyptian corner of the African continent presents a plausible explanation. Moses likely had kinky hair. He was born on the African continent and descended from people who had lived there for 430 years, according to Exodus 12:40.

And having kinky hair that looked like horns coming out of his head would not have been enough to frighten the Hebrews, the majority of whom probably had kinky hair as well. Anyone, like me, with kinky hair of enough length sees these horns in the mirror after first waking from sleep. Moses’ horns were a sign to the Hebrews that he had been asleep and talking to God in a dream state.

In many ancient cultures, dreams were considered divine. Ancient Egyptians believed the dream world existed between the realms of the living and the dead, frequented by deities and spirits. Dreams were how people communicated with the gods and received prophetic visions – ripe with divine intervention, teachings and sage advice from beyond. The Native Americans of the Eastern Woodlands traditionally believed that dreams were the single most valuable source of guidance both in spiritual and practical matters. And those of the Hindu faith, as well as Australian Aboriginals, have dream-based celestial origin traditions. Years before Moses and the Exodus from Egypt, Hebrew tradition held that God had communicated with Jacob through a dream where angels ascended and descended to and from heaven.

Moses, and the other Hebrews joining in the Exodus, had been raised in ancient Egypt where it was believed that dreams were like oracles, and it was thought that the best way to receive divine revelation was through dreaming.

So, it would not have been a stretch for the Biblical text to state that when Moses descended from Mount Sinai with divine laws, it frightened the Hebrews because they knew from his “horns” that he had been talking to God in a dream state.

Michelangelo and other Renaissance Italians were familiar with the kinky hair of the African Diaspora. The tragic story of the 16th century Moorish general of Venice made its way all the way to England and inspired Shakespeare’s play, “Othello.” But Renaissance artists had a penchant for modeling heroic figures after themselves. Michelangelo even created a depiction of God on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in his own image, or that of a European male.

So, in sculpting the famous statue of Moses, giving a man born in Africa the appearance of a European, Michelangelo erased the important possibility of Moses having kinky hair and, instead, depicted him with horns on his head.

There is a long history of kinky hair being seen as an undesirable aspect of one’s appearance. The belittling of kinky hair can be found stretching back for centuries in European culture. Quite often Italian clowns wore red kinky wigs. Kinky red hair in Renaissance Italy could imply that one was shamefully descended from both northern Franks with red hair and African moors with frizzy hair.

This belittling exists to this day in the iconic Bozo the Clown whose red hair is so frizzy it sticks out like horns. And the most important inference of Bozo’s hair sticking out like horns is that he is lazy and has been sleeping.

This commentary is not intended to take away from any belief system, but the intent is to point out how one statute exemplifies how Western perspectives can distort history and upend cultural traditions. We should all be mindful of what art is saying and how it is saying it.

 

Oscar H. Blayton is a former Marine Corps combat pilot and human rights activist who practices law in Virginia. His earlier commentaries may be found at https://oblayton1.medium.com/  

October 16, 2023, HOUSTON, TX – Congressional Candidate Amanda Edwards has raised over $1 million in less than 4 months, a substantial sum that helps bolster the frontrunner status of the former At-Large Houston City Council Member in her bid for U.S. Congress. Edwards raised over $433,000 in Q3 of 2023. This strong Q3 report expands on a successful Q2 where Edwards announced just 11 days after declaring her candidacy that she had raised over $600,000. With over $829,000 in cash-on-hand at the end of the September 30th financial reporting period, Edwards proves again that she is the clear frontrunner in the race. “I am beyond grateful for the strong outpouring of support that will help me to win this race and serve the incredible people of the 18th Congressional District,” said Edwards. “We are at a critical juncture in our nation’s trajectory, and we need to send servant leaders to Congress who can deliver the results the community deserves. The strong support from our supporters will help us to cultivate an 18th Congressional District where everyone in it can thrive.” Edwards said. “Amanda understands the challenges that the hard-working folks of the 18th Congressional District face because she has never lost sight of who she is or where she comes from; she was born and raised right here in the 18th Congressional District of Houston,” said Kathryn McNiel, spokesperson for Edwards’ campaign. Edwards has been endorsed by Higher Heights PAC, Collective PAC, Krimson PAC, and the Brady PAC. She has also been supported by Beto O’Rourke, among many others. About Amanda: Amanda is a native Houstonian, attorney and former At-Large Houston City Council Member. Amanda is a graduate of Eisenhower High School in Aldine ISD. Edwards earned a B.A. from Emory University and a J.D. from Harvard Law School. Edwards practiced law at Vinson & Elkins LLP and Bracewell LLP before entering public service. Edwards is a life-long member of St. Monica Catholic Church in Acres Homes. For more information, please visit www.edwardsforhouston.com

As September 13th rolls around, we extend our warmest birthday wishes to the creative powerhouse, Tyler Perry, a man whose indomitable spirit and groundbreaking work have left an indelible mark on the world of entertainment. With his multifaceted talents as an actor, playwright, screenwriter, producer, and director, Tyler Perry has not only entertained but also inspired audiences worldwide, particularly within the African-American community, where his influence and role have been nothing short of powerful. Born in New Orleans, Louisiana, in 1969, Tyler Perry’s journey to stardom was a path riddled with adversity. Raised in a turbulent household, he found refuge in writing, using it as a therapeutic outlet. This period of introspection gave rise to one of his most iconic creations, Madea, a vivacious, no-nonsense grandmother who would later become a beloved figure in Perry’s works, offering a unique blend of humor and profound life lessons. Despite facing numerous challenges, including rejection and financial struggles, Perry’s determination and unwavering belief in his abilities propelled him forward. In 1992, he staged his first play, “I Know I’ve Been Changed,” which, although met with limited success, was a pivotal moment in his career. Unfazed by initial setbacks, Perry continued to hone his craft, and by 1998, he had successfully produced a string of stage plays that showcased his storytelling prowess.

Calling all teenage student-athletes! If you have dreams of playing college soccer and wish to represent an HBCU, the HBCU ID Camp is your golden opportunity. From 8 am to 5 pm on November 11-12, Houston Sports Park will transform into a hub for aspiring male and female soccer players. Coaches from HBCUs across the nation will be present to evaluate, scout, and offer valuable feedback. Moreover, they might even spot the next soccer prodigy to join their collegiate soccer programs. This camp is not just about honing your soccer skills but also a chance to connect with the HBCU soccer community. You’ll learn the ins and outs of what it takes to excel on the field and in the classroom, which is crucial for a college athlete. The HBCU ID Camp is an excellent platform to network with coaches, learn from experienced athletes, and take the first steps toward your college soccer journey. To secure your spot at this incredible event, don’t forget to register [here](insert registration link). Space is limited to 120 participants, so make sure to reserve your place before it’s too late. It’s time to turn your dreams of playing college soccer into a reality.

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