Happy Birthday Dr. Ben ! 12/31/2011

30 December 2011

Greetings Family,

On Saturday December 31, 2011 Dr. Yosef A.A. ben-Jochannan will celebrate his 94th birthday.  There is small party planned for him. We wish to thank those of you who have responded to our requests for support and made contributions to his well-being.  Dr. Ben is grateful, and both Janie and I are personally grateful.  Thank you.   

We know that many people care about Dr. Ben and want to do what they can.  Some of you have stated that Dr. Ben needs a Paypal account.  Other have expressed their desire to send or bring food and supplies.  Many people have asked for Dr. Ben's location and contact numbers so that they can interact with him directly.  Allow us to respond. 

There is no official Dr. Ben Support Group that we are aware of.  There is no staff.  We have lives of our own.  Janie and I are just trying to make Dr. Ben as comfortable as possible and see to as many of his needs as we can while respecting the wishes of his family and guardian.  And foremost among his family's requests is that we be low key and allow him to rest as much as possible.  So we have not given out his physical address and phone number and will not do so.  There is no Paypal account.  Janie has floated the idea to Dr. Ben's attorney but gotten no response. As for the delivery of food and supplies, perhaps that will be viable once he leaves the nursing home. 

Family, most, if not all of the contributions that have been sent to Dr. Ben have been accompanied by cards, notes and letters expressing gratitude to Dr. Ben for the work that he has done and the impact that he has had.  We encourage you to continue to send them.  If you can't contribute financially, please send a note anyway.  Janie will share those already received at the party on Saturday.

Checks should be made payable to: Dr. Yosef ben-Jochannan.  Mail checks and cards and notes to: Dr. Ben, c/o Medina, P.O. Box 290, Bronx, NY 10467-0290.

Finally, I have been asked to edit a Special Issue of the Journal of Pan-African Studies on Dr. Ben's life and works.  Very soon I will issue a general call for papers.

Thank you sisters and brothers.  Thank you for your interest, your patience, your generosity and your love.  Thank you for your efforts to honor and support this great man.

If you have further questions Runoko can be reached at 323 920-6055 or via the Internet at Runoko@yahoo.com or Runoko@hotmail.com

In love of Africa and Africans,

Runoko Rashidi and Janie Medina

Why are we stuck on Rituals ? - Brother Jesse

The Lost Principles of Kwanzaa

It's bigger than lighting a candle...

All rituals have a principle that is to be extracted and applied, but sometimes the principles get lost, overlooked or outright ignored in the midst of us celebrating our respective "holidays" in the various religious sects. Being overly ritualistic does not make us more enlightened nor will it improve our depleted morality.

Plainly: If we're not practicing what we're preaching or living in accords with the essence of the rituals, then it's all in vain; merely a feel good moment resulting in a hollow existence.

Kwanzaa is no different.

 

According to its founder, Dr. Maulana Karenga, Kwanzaa is an African American and Pan-African holiday which celebrates family, community and culture. Started in the midst of the Black Liberation Movement in the 1960s, Kwanzaa has since been celebrated every year from December 26 – January 1.

 

Some people call it a "fake holiday" started by a so-called "fraud" and "criminal" individual. Yes, I've heard and read the criticisms for years. I'm not writing this to argue, however, I think Dr. Karenga has done and continues to do a lot of good for Black people. It's funny how everytime someone Black attempts to do anything to promote unity among Blacks, they are labeled "racist", "separatist", and "divisive."

Heck, I've been called this by Houston Belief readers since I started blogging for this site. (smile)

 

The founder notes in one of his past writings that, "Kwanzaa is a cultural holiday, not a religious one, thus available to and practiced by Africans of all religious faiths who come together based on the rich, ancient and varied common ground of their Africanness. Kwanzaa was not created to give people an alternative to their own religion or religious holiday."

 

The name Kwanzaa is said to be derived from the phrase "matunda ya kwanza" which means "first fruits" in Swahili. Dating back to the times of Ancient Egypt, we're told that our ancestors held many first harvest celebrations.

 

Dr. Karenga had three desires when starting Kwanzaa: To reaffirm and restore our rootedness in African culture; to serve as a regular communal celebration to reaffirm and reinforce the bonds between us as a people; and to introduce and reinforce the Nguzo Saba, which means "The Seven Principles or Values" in Swahili. What's wrong with encouraging that?

 

The Seven Principles of Kwanzaa are:

Umoja (Unity): To strive for and to maintain unity in the family, community, nation, and race.

Kujichagulia (Self-Determination): To define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves, and speak for ourselves.

Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility): To build and maintain our community together and solve our problems together.

Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics): To build and maintain our own stores, shops, and other businesses and to profit from them together.

Nia (Purpose): To make our collective vocation the building and developing of our community in order to restore our people to their traditional greatness.

Kuumba (Creativity): To always do as much as we can, in the way we can, in order to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than we inherited it.

Imani (Faith): To believe with all our heart in our people, our parents, our teachers, our leaders, and the righteousness and victory of our struggle.

 

During the week-long celebration, each day is highlighted by one of the principles. If you attend a celebration in the community, you may see decorations such as a candle holder with seven candles, corn, African baskets, beautiful cloth patterns, communal cups to pour libations, and the red, black and green flag. When giving gifts during Kwanzaa, its encouraged that it includes a book. Yes, a book. Not Air Jordans or iPads.

 

You will be greeted by someone saying "Habari Gani?" which is Swahili for "What's The News?" The response would be whatever the principle of that day is.

 

When I first started attending Kwanzaa events back in high school, someone always expressed the importance of us practicing the Seven Principles the other 51 weeks of the year. They also stressed the importance of us not allowing the spirit and sense of family, community and culture die on the morning of January 2.

 

I believe these are principles we all strive for in some way no matter if we're Black, White, Hispanic, Asian, Christians, Muslims, Jews, Atheists, Buddhists, or Non-Denominational.

 

Lastly, when you're headed down the highway to a destination you come across many signs telling you that your exit is a certain amount of miles or exits away. Do you stop at the sign? No, you keep going until you get to where the sign is pointing you ultimately to, right?

Why are we still stuck on rituals?

 

http://blog.chron.com/brotherjesse/2011/12/the-lost-principles-of-kwanzaa/

 

(You're welcome to follow Brother Jesse Muhammad on Twitter, "LIKE" his Facebook page, or visit his award-winning site Brother Jesse Blog)

From the vaults ! 1989 Kwanzaa event in Hampton Roads Virginia

Members of the Uhuruu AACS organization conduct a television interview to promote their new Kwanzaa celebration which was one of the first in Hampton Roads Virginia. This group later became the organization which gave birth to The Imani Foundation of Virginia.

 

View the video here: http://vimeo.com/34319203 

 

Happy Kwanzaa !

12/28/2011: Your Black Celebrities

Your Black Celebrities

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Merry African Christmas ! Sankofa

africaninformation@yahoo.com

Paule-Sylvie Yonke

Balafon Communications

Re-branding the image of Africa

212-510-8512

www.petersmap.com

PIXS- Merry African Christmas! Sankofa

MERRY AFRICAN CHRISTMAS! LOVE AND PEACE TO YOU, YOUR LOVED ONES, AND TO THE WORLD Every culture on earth has their own sacred stories and sacred texts which tell the story of their people, the story of their fears, their hopes, their beliefs, their God, their philosophy, their morality, their lessons, and their wisdom.  . The sacred stories and the sacred texts tell the story of a people, of their Creator, of the Creation, and they give the people guidance for living a good and happy life here and in the hereafter. .  The Annunciation, Conception, Birth, and Adoration of the Child, 1538-1501 B.C. We shall find that the gospel history was 'written before' from beginning to end. The story of the divine annunciation, the miraculous conception (or incarnation), the birth, and the adoration of the messianic child, had already been engraved in hieroglyphics and represented in four consecutive scenes upon the innermost walls of the holy of holies in the temple of Luxor which was built by Amenhept III, a pharaoh of the eighteenth dynasty. In these the maiden queen Mut-em-Ua, the mother of Amenhept, her future child, impersonates the virgin mother who bore without the fatherhood, the mother as the solar boat, the mother of the Only One. . The first scene on the left hand shows the god Taht, the lunar Mercury, the divine word or logos, in the act of hailing the virgin queen, announcing to her that she is to give birth to the coming son. In the next scene the god Kneph (in conjunction with Hathor) gives life to her. This is the Holy Ghost or Spirit that causes conception Kneph, being the spirit. Impregnation and conception are made apparent in the virgin's fuller form. Next the mother is seated on the midwife's stool, and the child is supported in the hands of one of the nurses. The fourth scene is that of the adoration. Here the child is enthroned, receiving homage from the gods and gifts from men. Behind the deity Kneph, on the right three men are kneeling and offering gifts with the right hand and life with the left. The child thus announced, incarnated, born, and worshipped was the pharaonic representative of the Aten sun, the Adon of Syria, and Hebrew Adonai, the child-Christ of the Aten cult, the miraculous conception of the ever-virgin mother personated by Mut-em-Ua http://www.masseiana.org/ngbk13.htm .  Don't let fear of (hell), inquisition, excommunication or ostracism, prevent you from doing sankofa, meaning going back and fetching what you have left behind. Go back and learn or re-learn the ancient sacred stories, texts, and wisdom of your African ancestors, and see how easily they reconcile with what you already know and believe. . "Se wo were fi na wosankofa a yenkyi" : It is not wrong to go back for that which you have forgotten, Akan proverb, Ghana - Above: the Sankofa bird, turning its head backwards and taking an egg off its back . .... .... Left and center: the ankh. It means "key of life", and it was held by Kings and Queens in Ancient Egypt. It represents life, health, strength, happiness and family, with the woman (loop), the man (vertical line), and the child issued from their union (line across). The Christian cross was modeled after it - Right: Ashanti doll, symbol of life and fertility .   Left: an Osiris Pillar of Senusret I of the 12th Dynasty. Right: the coffin of Ahmose Nefertari (18th Dynasty), holding on to dear life http://www.touregypt.net/featurestories/ankh.htm .  Click and explore the African sacred stories below: .      The Pyramid Texts Samuel A. B. Mercer, translator [1952]. The oldest sacred text in the world that we know of, dating back to 3100 B.C.E. Legends of the Gods: The Egyptian Texts by E. A. Wallis Budge [1912] Translations of key Ancient Egyptian myths. Includes the De Iside et Osiride of Plutarch   The Egyptian Book of the Dead E. A. Wallis Budge, translator [1895]. The best known Ancient Egyptian sacred text, which describes the journey into the afterlife.   Egyptian Mythology and Egyptian Christianity Samuel Sharpe [1863].   The Kebra Nagast translated by E. A. Wallis Budge [1922] The legendary history of Ethiopia.    Myths of Ífè by John Wyndham [1921] The Yoruba Speaking Peoples by A.B. Ellis [1894] Myths and Legends of the Bantu by Alice Werner [1933] The rich traditions of the Bantu.   The Religious System of the Amazulu by Henry Callaway [1870]   Stolen Legacy by George G.M. James [1954] Did the Greeks steal classical philosophy from an Ancient Egyptian mystery tradition?   The Negro by W.E.B. Du Bois [1915] A great introduction to Black history by a noted African-American activist and scholar.   The World's Sixteen Crucified Saviors by Kersey Graves [1860] What is the meaning of so many similar hero stories from around the world? An early study of comparative religion. . http://www.sacred-texts.com/afr/index.htm . . By Thomas Blackshear     Happy Holy-days! Merry African Christmas!   Sylvie

 

"You cannot plow a field by turning it over in your mind" Unknown

Paule-Sylvie Yonke

Balafon Communications

Re-branding the image of Africa

212-510-8512

www.petersmap.com 

 

 

757 Kwanzaa on JANUARY 1, 2012

As this year by western estimation draw down, this is to wish everyone a successful Kwanzaa Principles Observances and participation...While preparing my own Self Examination (Final Judgment/Self Accusing Spirit, or whatever adaptation of the teachings of our Ancient Kemit Ancestors, it is truly a time for reflection on the reality of our Positives and Negatives: so we can work to show forth the best that is in us; and continually strive to evolve the negatives to the positive end of the scale.

     If you are in the area, come to the Nat Turner Library: we'll be conducting a tour of the Nat Turner Trail between 2 and 4 pm; and of course on the day that e formally celebrate our holiday for this season: the Kwanzaa Principle of IMANI, Sunday January 1, 2012 12 noon to 6 p.m...................Khalifah

KWANZAA CELEBRATION AT  NAT TURNER LIBRARY

PRINCIPLE OF IMANI,  JANUARY 1, 2012

 

BY The Newport Newservice

DECEMBER 20, 2011

THE NAT TURNER LIBRARY: DREWRYVILLE, VIRGINIA – The Nat Turner Library is hosting an "open" celebration on the last day of Kwanzaa, January 1, 2012: All contributors (www.natturnerlibrary.com), supporters and Patrons of the products and services of UBUS Communications Systems are invited to attend and participate.

UBUS Communications Systems was founded in Harlem, N.Y. in 1973 as a multiple, independent, media business/cultural expression. In the 1990's, a tradition was established as "open house" on the first day of the New Year: Imani Day.

This year will feature a surprise special guest, but all children, as well as adults who'd like to participate are given time at the microphone.

WIDE RANGE OF GUEST COMING TO CELEBRATE

AND TO BE ON NAT TURNER BIRTHLAND ON NEW YEAR'S DAY

            Family, Friends, Patrons & etc. are coming from far-away places to bring in the New Year; Alike Hazziah & her daughter Ahyanna: Charlotte, N. C.; George & Alesia Stone with family Louisburg, N. C., Deja Khalifah-Jenkins, New York City; and of course the Tidewater cities in Virginia will be widely represented: Constance Singleton and her writer Daughter Chrystal ("Bullet Proof Rose"), among them will be there.

            The "Open House" will be from 12 to 5 P.M. Call 434-378-for directions. Admission? Free Will offering accepted at the library, but preferably in advance or  www.natturnerlibrary.com – the street address for GPS systems the library is: 26070 Barhams Hills Road  -  Drewryville, VA 23844. But it is best to come I-95, if coming from North of South to Virginia; or within the Tidewater, Virginia area, come via 58 East or West towards the above address, then call 434-378-2140.  

Los Angeles Kwanzaa Community Events

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****DATE CORRECTION*****  We Welcome You to The Upcoming Kwanzaa Events At KRST Unity Center of AfRaKan Spiritual Science.

KRST Unity Center of AfRaKan Spiritual Science Presents Kwanzaa Celebration & Candle Lighting Ceremony Friday, December 26, 2011 Purpose (Nia) 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. & Naming Ceremony & Community Karamu (potluck) Sunday, January 1, 2012 10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Friday, December 30th 2011 KRST Unity in conjunction with the Kwanzaa Collective celebrate the Principle of Nia (Purpose) from 6:00p.m-8p.m. at KRST Unity 7825 S. Western Ave. Los Angeles 90047 323-759-7567 This event is open to everyone in the community. We'll celebrate the candle lighting event with drummers, singing, dancing, recognition of the leadership academy, and lots of great food. ************************************************* Family... Calling all cooks! Service Helpers and Kitchen Helpers!   January 1, 2012   KRST Unity Celebrates the last day of Kwanzaa with an African Naming Ceremony and community Karamu (potluck). 10:30a.m. -1:30p.m   Live Drumming, Singing, Dancing, Children's Program, and Spoken Word   In preparation for the potluck and fellowship after the celebration and ceremony, we are sending out a request for everyone to bring a dish of food, fruit, dessert, beverage, chips & salsa, guacamole, beans, rice, salad, casserole, main dish, side dish, vegetable dish, vegetarian dish, raw food dish, rice dish, ANYTHING to help enhance the celebration! The only way to celebrate in fellowship is for everyone to participate in some way. We also will need volunteers to help setup and then clean up. Please respond to this request, and let me know if you will attend as well as help make the fellowship a welcoming event.   7825 S. Western Ave. Los Angeles 90047 323-759-7567 email: krstunityoutreach@yahoo.com

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