The word “Hotep” has gained a lot of traction online in recent years. By definition, Hotep means peace—like a greeting. To have Damon Young of Very Smart Brothas tell it, Hotep is the Egyptian version of “What’s good?”
Now the word represents a very specific form of male performative pro-blackness that is anti-everything except limited black masculinity. So when did Hotep take a turn and land in the sunken place where trolls dwell? Who knows?
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But just in case you were considering dabbling in Hotepery, here’s what you need to get started.
The Hotep Starter Kit
- a vat of ash
- a beard with no mustache
- a copy of the fictional Willie Lynch letter
- an attache to carry around all of your conspiracy theories