This is what I try to explain to Black atheist and Black people who divide with each other based upon religion. Whether or not God is real doesnt matter right now. What matters is knowing our people are the creators, and main characters of these writings. What matters is referring to the system that works best in our life or community.
It does make a difference. Positive images can not be down played, and should be taught to kids early and often. Not the pro-black we were kings nonsense, but letting them have a proper perspective of our place in history.
I remember being taught I was a slave from K to grade 5, and then I learned about Martin Luther King, Malcolm X, Egypt etc in junior high, and all I thought to myself is my people are strong. So young impressionable minds are sitting ducks to these negative portrayals off our people.