| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Monday, March 7, 2011
Black Reporter Rescues White Supremacist; Plus, Remembering Surreal Encounters With Qaddafi
Sunday, March 6, 2011
The Golden Fold Mentorship Program needs Men
Calling Men in the Hampton Roads Virginia area. The Golden Fold Mentosrhip program is scheduled to begin this month in the mentor training aspect. If you (or any other male that you are connected to who are over the age of 21) are intrested in volunteering your time for 1.5 hours per month then the oppurtunity is here. Reply to me at this email address ( imanifoundation@yahoo.com ) if you wish to participate in any manner. On March 13th & 27th from 4:00 - 5:30 we will have a mentor interest meeting/training at the Collective Arts Theatre inside of Pembroke Mall (2 doors down from the GNC store). We will meet in sessions with the boys who will join the program on the 2nd or 4th Sunday of each montth. The boys which will participate will begin their involvement in April 2011 as we will take a month to train for thier involvement. If you wish to volunteer your time on the 2nd Sundays then attend the meeting on 3/13/2011. If you wish to volunteer on the 4th Sundays then attend on 3/27/2011. The great design of the program is the small amount of commitment that each mentor will provide. All we really need yall' to do is show up and interact with the boys to help them better comprehend the material which will be presented to them in the educational component of each session. After the session is over one will not have to do anything else until one's next Sunday session. Low commitment / High output. Extend the invitation to any other men who you know who would make good mentors and wouldn't mind being involved. This project will encompass Omega Psi Phi members and other Men as we help the young heads. Seko 757-248-3820 |
Saturday, March 5, 2011
President Lincoln's racial views
New book sheds new light on Lincoln's racial viewsBy MATTHEW BARAKAT, Associated Press Matthew Barakat, Associated Press – Fri Mar 4, 4:04 pm ET
McLEAN, Va. – Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address has inspired Americans for generations, but consider his jarring remarks in 1862 to a White House audience of free blacks, urging them to leave the U.S. and settle in Central America.
"For the sake of your race, you should sacrifice something of your present comfort for the purpose of being as grand in that respect as the white people," Lincoln said, promoting his idea of colonization: resettling blacks in foreign countries on the belief that whites and blacks could not coexist in the same nation.
Lincoln went on to say that free blacks who envisioned a permanent life in the United States were being "selfish" and he promoted Central America as an ideal location "especially because of the similarity of climate with your native land — thus being suited to your physical condition."
As the nation celebrates the 150th anniversary of Lincoln's first inauguration Friday, a new book by a researcher at George Mason University in Fairfax makes the case that Lincoln was even more committed to colonizing blacks than previously known. The book, "Colonization After Emancipation," is based in part on newly uncovered documents that authors Philip Magness and Sebastian Page found at the British National Archives outside London and in the U.S. National Archives.
In an interview, Magness said he thinks the documents he uncovered reveal Lincoln's complexity.
"It makes his life more interesting, his racial legacy more controversial," said Magness, who is also an adjuct professor at American University.
Lincoln's views about colonization are well known among historians, even if they don't make it into most schoolbooks. Lincoln even referred to colonization in the preliminary Emancipation Proclamation, his September 1862 warning to the South that he would free all slaves in Southern territory if the rebellion continued. Unlike some others, Lincoln always promoted a voluntary colonization, rather than forcing blacks to leave.
But historians differ on whether Lincoln moved away from colonization after he issued the official Emancipation Proclamation on Jan. 1, 1863, or whether he continued to support it.
Magness and Page's book offers evidence that Lincoln continued to support colonization, engaging in secret diplomacy with the British to establish a colony in British Honduras, now Belize.
Among the records found at the British archives is an 1863 order from Lincoln granting a British agent permission to recruit volunteers for a Belize colony.
"He didn't let colonization die off. He became very active in promoting it in the private sphere, through diplomatic channels," Magness said. He surmises that Lincoln grew weary of the controversy that surrounded colonization efforts, which had become enmeshed in scandal and were criticized by many abolitionists.
As late as 1864, Magness found a notation that Lincoln asked the attorney general whether he could continue to receive counsel from James Mitchell, his colonization commissioner, even after Congress had eliminated funding for Mitchell's office.
Illinois' state historian, Tom Schwartz, who is also a research director at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library in Springfield, Ill., said that while historians differ, there is ample evidence that Lincoln's views evolved away from colonization in the final two years of the Civil War.
Lincoln gave several speeches referring to the rights blacks had earned as they enlisted in the Union Army, for instance. And presidential secretary John Hay wrote in July 1864 that Lincoln had "sloughed off" colonization.
"Most of the evidence points to the idea that Lincoln is looking at other ways" to resolve the transition from slavery besides colonization at the end of his presidency, Schwartz said.
Lincoln is the not the only president whose views on race relations and slavery were more complex and less idealistic than children's storybook histories suggest. George Washington and Thomas Jefferson were both slaveholders despite misgivings. Washington freed his slaves when he died.
"Washington, because he wanted to keep the union, knew he had to ignore the slavery problem because it would have torn the country apart, said James Rees, director of Washington's Mount Vernon estate.
"It's tempting to wish he had tried. The nation had more chance of dealing with slavery with Washington than with anyone else," Rees said, noting the esteem in which Washington was held in both the North and the South.
Magness said views on Lincoln can be strongly held and often divergent. He noted that people have sought to use Lincoln's legacy to support all manner of political policy agendas since the day he was assassinated. And nobody can claim definitive knowledge of Lincoln's own views, especially on a topic as complex as race relations.
"He never had a chance to complete his vision. Lincoln's racial views were evolving at the time of his death," Magness said.
"For the sake of your race, you should sacrifice something of your present comfort for the purpose of being as grand in that respect as the white people," Lincoln said, promoting his idea of colonization: resettling blacks in foreign countries on the belief that whites and blacks could not coexist in the same nation.
Lincoln went on to say that free blacks who envisioned a permanent life in the United States were being "selfish" and he promoted Central America as an ideal location "especially because of the similarity of climate with your native land — thus being suited to your physical condition."
As the nation celebrates the 150th anniversary of Lincoln's first inauguration Friday, a new book by a researcher at George Mason University in Fairfax makes the case that Lincoln was even more committed to colonizing blacks than previously known. The book, "Colonization After Emancipation," is based in part on newly uncovered documents that authors Philip Magness and Sebastian Page found at the British National Archives outside London and in the U.S. National Archives.
In an interview, Magness said he thinks the documents he uncovered reveal Lincoln's complexity.
"It makes his life more interesting, his racial legacy more controversial," said Magness, who is also an adjuct professor at American University.
Lincoln's views about colonization are well known among historians, even if they don't make it into most schoolbooks. Lincoln even referred to colonization in the preliminary Emancipation Proclamation, his September 1862 warning to the South that he would free all slaves in Southern territory if the rebellion continued. Unlike some others, Lincoln always promoted a voluntary colonization, rather than forcing blacks to leave.
But historians differ on whether Lincoln moved away from colonization after he issued the official Emancipation Proclamation on Jan. 1, 1863, or whether he continued to support it.
Magness and Page's book offers evidence that Lincoln continued to support colonization, engaging in secret diplomacy with the British to establish a colony in British Honduras, now Belize.
Among the records found at the British archives is an 1863 order from Lincoln granting a British agent permission to recruit volunteers for a Belize colony.
"He didn't let colonization die off. He became very active in promoting it in the private sphere, through diplomatic channels," Magness said. He surmises that Lincoln grew weary of the controversy that surrounded colonization efforts, which had become enmeshed in scandal and were criticized by many abolitionists.
As late as 1864, Magness found a notation that Lincoln asked the attorney general whether he could continue to receive counsel from James Mitchell, his colonization commissioner, even after Congress had eliminated funding for Mitchell's office.
Illinois' state historian, Tom Schwartz, who is also a research director at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library in Springfield, Ill., said that while historians differ, there is ample evidence that Lincoln's views evolved away from colonization in the final two years of the Civil War.
Lincoln gave several speeches referring to the rights blacks had earned as they enlisted in the Union Army, for instance. And presidential secretary John Hay wrote in July 1864 that Lincoln had "sloughed off" colonization.
"Most of the evidence points to the idea that Lincoln is looking at other ways" to resolve the transition from slavery besides colonization at the end of his presidency, Schwartz said.
Lincoln is the not the only president whose views on race relations and slavery were more complex and less idealistic than children's storybook histories suggest. George Washington and Thomas Jefferson were both slaveholders despite misgivings. Washington freed his slaves when he died.
"Washington, because he wanted to keep the union, knew he had to ignore the slavery problem because it would have torn the country apart, said James Rees, director of Washington's Mount Vernon estate.
"It's tempting to wish he had tried. The nation had more chance of dealing with slavery with Washington than with anyone else," Rees said, noting the esteem in which Washington was held in both the North and the South.
Magness said views on Lincoln can be strongly held and often divergent. He noted that people have sought to use Lincoln's legacy to support all manner of political policy agendas since the day he was assassinated. And nobody can claim definitive knowledge of Lincoln's own views, especially on a topic as complex as race relations.
"He never had a chance to complete his vision. Lincoln's racial views were evolving at the time of his death," Magness said.
Friday, March 4, 2011
757 Event - March 19th, 2011 from 6:00 - 7:15 PM - The Gathering (Planning Meeting)
March 19th, 2011 from 6:00 - 7:15 PM - The Gathering (Planning Meeting)
Planning support needed ! On April 16th, 2011 The Imani Foundation and Friends will host an African Centered community gathering called "The Gathering" which will consist on fellowship, food, and celebrating the achievements of our youth. On March 19th @ Pembroke Malls' Collective Arts Theatre (2 doors down from the GNC vitamin store) we will have a planning meeting. If you wish to assist this effort come to the planning meeting or contact amiradestiny@yahoo.com for more details. We need you in the place ! Once again ONLY CONTACT AMIRADESTINY@YAHOO.COM FOR ADDITIONAL INFO' OR TO CONFIRM. |
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Minister Farrakhan & Rihanna
No Beef: Minister Farrakhan Responds To Rihanna Tweets About Grammy Outfit It's only been a few days since the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan delivered his annual Saviours' Day keynote address on Feb. 27th at the Allstate Arena. As expected, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) released its rebuttal of the Minister's phenomenal four hour message and the pundits have weighed in on what he said regarding Muammar Gaddafi. Surprisingly, the largest "controversy" has involved music artist Rihanna, who posted two Twitter updates on her account responding to what she obviously interpreted as a "personal attack" from Minister Farrakhan during his speech. I went to read them for myself and took a screen shot of them. See below:   From there, myself and others tweeted at Rihanna, gossip bloggers, and Hip-Hop sites, inviting them to watch the full message by Minister Farrakhan because the enemy has taken advantage of this "controversy" for a bigger reason that most people cannot see. Minister Farrakhan has a history of ending beefs within Hip-Hop and is supremely loved by music artists across all generations. AllHipHop.com, headed by Chuck Creekmur and Grouchy Gregg, is a site that has always supported Minister Farrakhan and they stepped to the plate on March 2 to get an official response from Minister Farrakhan. We appreciate them!  Here is the story by Grandmaster Grouchy Greg Watkins and Nolan Strong titled: "Exclusive: Min. Farrakhan Responds To Rihanna Tweets About Grammy Outfit" (AllHipHop News) Minister Louis Farrakhan has been instrumental in resolving a variety of Hip-Hop beefs over the years, between rappers like 50 Cent, Ja Rule Beanie Sigel, Jadakiss, Common and Ice Cube. Now, Minister Farrakhan is squashing a growing divide between himself and R&B singer Rihanna, over comments he made about her Grammy outfits during his annual Savior's Day speech from Rosemont, Illinois on Sunday (February 27th), that was webcast around the world. "I saw my beautiful sister the other night at the Grammy awards. Rihanna. My poor sister, she's dressed almost like -with a pair of draws. And she got her legs wide open and just grinding away," Minister Farrakhan said during a portion of his annual speech. In response, Rihanna tweeted to over 3 million followers: "A minister says I perform filthy, sat + watched the filth, then called u SWINE for doin the same! Haa, Is that judgment in ur tone? I certainly don't think u are swine! But a holy man of God does!!!" A representative for Minister Farrakhan and longstanding member of the Nation of Islam told AllHipHop.com that Minister Louis Farrakhan would never disrespect Rihanna. "He would never say such about Rihanna herself, the person," a direct representative for Minister Louis Farrakhan told AllHipHop.com. "It was not the person, it was the general act and what it represents." To prove his point Minister Farrakhan provided a transcript and video of his comments about Rihanna's outfit, which was fodder for numerous media outlets, including Billboard, The Huffington Post, The Guardian and others. "The full text is offered, here, so that any evil or any ill- intended misrepresentation of his words regarding our Sister, Rihanna, would not incite our Sister or those who love her to respond negatively to the continuous effort to bring respect and the uplifting of our people," the rep told AllHipHop.com. Text and video is below: "…When the Mahdi (Reformer) comes, he kills the swine. It doesn't mean he just goes around killing pigs, but the demon in you is akin to the behavior of a swine. Now listen. Just see if it fits. Try it on. If it don't fit, it aint you (colloquial language for humor). Swine love filth. How about you?" "I saw my beautiful sister the other night at the Grammy awards. Rihanna. My poor sister, she's dressed almost like -with a pair of draws. And she got her legs wide open and just grinding away. "Ahhh, look at Rihanna, Go on, girl" If that didn't revolt you, you're beginning to be a swine. When you can sit down and listen to somebody and every 3rd word is you "m-f" this. And they start talking about the act that is done in private and they bring it out in the public and make (it) so low down and filthy ; and you're sitting there laughing at a filthy damn joke and then the next day you go to church and sing in the choir, you're a swine.. Swine love filth. How about you?" |
Black Ministers Apologize to LGBT Community; Plus, Has J-Hud Lost Too Much Weight?
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Rapper Wise Intelligent Talks "Illuminati" and Jay-Z
Wise Intelligent Talks "Illuminati" And Why Jay-Z's Membership Is Irrelevant by Paul W Arnold
posted February 28, 2011 at 9:46AM EST
Exclusive: The former Poor Righteous Teachers front-man breaks down the meaning behind his thought-provoking new music. Following the release earlier this month of his third solo studio album, The Unconkable Djezuz Djonez, HipHopDX reached out to Wise Intelligent so the lead emcee of one of the 1990s' most celebrated collectives, Poor Righteous Teachers, could explain the thought process behind his much talked about new single, "Illuminati" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4kd_KacJKMo link to the lyrics http://inthehereafter.blogspot.com/2011/02/wise-intelligents-illuminati-lyrics.html
Speaking to DX on Wednesday (February 23rd), the author of countless cerebral classics ("Rock Dis Funky Joint," "Nobody Move" and "Word Iz Life" just to name a few) provided some insight into two of the thought-provoking tracks included on the follow-up to 2007's The Talented Timothy Taylor. First, the New Jersey native who utilized one of the most seamless flows in Hip Hop history to drop jewels for the "Gods, Earths and 85ers" explained why Jay-Z and other rappers could not be part of the Illuminati. Lastly, Wise addressed lyrics from "Water Walker," explaining why "Obama is wearing a McDonald's uniform."
Wise Intelligent: I'm not dismissing inclusion, what I'm saying is it's irrelevant if they are. What would be the point? The Illuminati…goes way back to the Crusades, and way back before that. These people were about world conquest and world domination. And they've already dominated and conquered the world, and [so] there's no need to have a card carrying rapper member. What is the point? There's no point in it. What is the criteria? What would he be doing that would benefit an apparatus that has already conquered the world? I don't understand that; that just doesn't make sense to me.
Wise Intelligent: That's some powerful shit. I love Lupe Fiasco. I love Lupe Fiasco because he keeping it real, and that's what Hip Hop is for me. Hip Hop is the other side of the story. Hip Hop is not the official mainstream story that becomes the official story. Hip Hop is, Nah man, Amadou Diallo didn't have a gun; he had a wallet. Nah, Oscar Grant wasn't resisting arrest. Nah, Barack – c'mon Barack, you gave $800 million to the prison industrial complex. Why? When you know that there's a predatory system that targets inner city youth.
DX: Is President Obama part of the "wickedness in high places" you're speaking on in "Water Walker"? Wise Intelligent: This the thing with President Obama, for me, President Obama is just like a superintendent in a public school district that has been setup to fail. In other words, he's inherited a sinking ship. Better example: he's like all the black mayors in the inner cities around the country. Like here in Trenton, [former] Mayor Douglas Palmer…became the mayor of Trenton after the municipal budgets were already bankrupt, [and] after white flight and white people had fled out of the inner cities and shifted the funding from the inner city to these suburbs. So now the kids are not getting the funding that they need for adequate education and things of that nature. Now they redlined the whole inner city. Now that the white people left…all the banks and investors redlined the city, and now you can't develop the city any further than a mom-and-pop chicken shop. Everything's dilapidated. The public schools here in Trenton – we haven't had a new public school [built] since like 1932. I'm serious. It's like, yo, this school is like 85 years old. The school is almost a hundred years old. The high school here is the only high school in the city. So, we have to really pay attention to that. When the mayor took office it was already a wrap. The white legislators who control the legislature, they shift the politics. They shift everything to the suburbs. Everything went to the benefit of these new suburbs and gated communities that they built outside of Trenton, New Jersey. And that's what Barack Obama has done: he's inherited a sinking ship just like the mayors of Trenton, just like the superintendents of these black public school districts. They've inherited sinking ships that they can't fix. They can't fix it, because you have legislators who are above them. You have people who are above them who are not gonna allow it. When you look at the House [of Representatives], you have like 300 white congressmen to about 42 black congress people. So the interests and concerns of the black masses in America will not be met because they always will stack their vote against it. I don't care what happens. Just like with the crack versus powder [cocaine] laws, the mandatory sentencing, the Rockefeller [Laws] – all of these laws that came up before the house as unfair and unjust laws, they ruled against changing these laws back in I believe it was 1995. But when LSD was brought under the guise of unfairness, they said it's unfair. And a lot of white kids who predominately deal with LSD were let out of jail and shortened their sentences. And a lot of people don't know about that because that never made mainstream [news coverage]. And the reason that our community don't know about it is because they won't let my songs on the radio! And the mainstream Hip Hop websites won't discuss it honestly. Back to what Obama is…Obama has inherited a sinking ship. America is what it is; America was on this course since 1913 when they set up the Federal Reserve Bank. The economy was centralized then. And now we're seeing the results of that; we're seeing the results of that centralizing of America's economy. That's what Thomas Jefferson said: don't let 'em centralize the economy; we don't want a central bank here. He said the bankers are gonna ruin the country. And that's what happened. So, at the end of the day, Obama is wearing a McDonald's uniform. He comes to work, [and] he punches the clock. He can't come in there and say, I have this olive oil. We gonna fry these fries in olive oil from here on out. And they like, No! We ain't frying in olive oil. The people ain't complaining about fries cooked in 10w40 motor oil, so we're not changing it. This is what we're using. So, it's what it is. You can't change the rules at McDonald's. You gotta wear the uniform, punch in and punch out. For more info on Wise Intelligent hit up http://www.wiseintelligent.com
http://inthehereafter.blogspot.com
Purchase Wise Intelligent's new album, "Wise Intelligent Iz...The UnConKable Djezuz Djonez on Itunes @ http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/wise-intelligent-iz-unconkable/id417993305 |
Black Male Summit 03 12 2011
1st Annual EMBODI Summit Targeting Young African American Males EMBODI:
Empowering Males to Build Opportunities for Developing Independence Presented by the Norfolk Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Norfolk, Virginia - The Norfolk Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporatedis calling all male youth between the ages of 12 - 18 through-out Hampton Roads to participate in the 1st Annual EMBODI Summit on Saturday, March 12, 2011 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Ruffner Middle School, 610 May Avenue Norfolk, Virginia. The EMBODI program is designed to refocus the efforts of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., with the support and action of other major organizations, on the plight of African American males. Both informal and empirical data suggests that the vast majority of African American males continue to be in crisis and are not reaching their fullest potential educationally, socially, and emotionally. EMBODI is purposed to address these issues through dialogue and recommendations for change and action. Registration is FREE and includes lunch. Participants should leave the event with a deeper sense of self-worth, knowledge of career and education options available to them outside of sports, how to dress appropriately for everyday and special occasions, strategies for making smart choices, and more. Distinguished guest speakers will bring interactive topics to the forum such as, Overcoming the Odds, Dress for Success, Career and Educational Opportunities, Making Smart Choices, Teen Violence Prevention, and more. EMBODI guest speakers include: Mr. Seko Varner, Entrepreneur and Educator (Moderator), Mr. Bruce Copeland, LCSW, Norfolk Public Schools, Mr. Randy Green, Special Education Department Chair, Ruffner Middle School, Mr. Alton Jamison, Professional Speaker, Rev. Larry Wade, pastor of Westminster Baptist Church, Mr. Robert Williams, Tidewater Community College, and Courtney Smith, Norfolk Police Department. Registration for this event is required. Please register at: embodinacdst@yahoo.com. Please provide your full name, age, school, and a good contact number. For more information please contact Priscilla Thomas, Program Chair, at (757) 589-9460. Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., founded in 1913, is a private, non-profit organization whose purpose is to provide assistance and support through established programs in local communities throughout the world ( www.deltasigmatheta.com ). The major programs of the Sorority are based upon the organization's Five-Point Programmatic Thrust of: Economic Development, Educational Development, International Awareness and Involvement, Physical and Mental Health, and Political Awareness and Involvement. CONTACT: Priscilla Scott-Thomas (757) 589-9460 embodinacdst@yahoo.com The Norfolk Alumnae Chapter was charted in September 1929. The Chapter is committed to upholding the high morality, sisterhood, scholarship, and service within the African-American community that our illustrious founders envisioned. |
Saturday, February 26, 2011
African Americans Must Reclaim Black History Month - Mychal Smith
How did we allow it to devolve into a celebration of handpicked and anointed heroes, stripped of their historical relevance and made into hollow representations of themselves?I remember the first time I was called a nigger. It was during sixth-grade phys ed class, after a disappointing game of touch football. One of my white classmates took offense at my aggressive style of play, and I took offense to him shoving me in response. When I confronted him, verbally berating him with every curse word I knew, he retaliated by calling me a nigger. My fists clenched on their own as the adrenaline coursed through my veins and my steps became quicker, all thoughts of peaceful conflict resolution tabled for the moment. The only thing that saved him from an epic beating that day was a girl from another class witnessing my pursuit and swiftly moving to restrain me, my fists and my emotions. I recall another, less volatile, childhood memory that was instrumental to informing my ideas about race and racial identity. Conversations on myriad topics took place on the school bus I rode as a high school student, and race, as thorny as it may have been, was never excluded. There was a set of white twin girls who seemed obsessed with looking and acting "black," as far as they understood the concept. They had no shame in asking the black students what would be required of them to achieve their goal. They asked me -- but with hesitancy, because they presumed I was biracial: "You're not all the way black, are you? You don't talk like it." It's no accident that these memories come to me most vividly during Black History Month. Every year, as the first of February rolls around, it brings renewed discussions about the purpose, necessity (or lack thereof) and viability of Black History Month, conversations that are surely intensifying in the age of Obama. Attacks come from all angles. Some opponents believe it condescending to have only one month when black history is the national focus, while being ignored the other 11 months of the year. Still others, uninformed of Black History Month's origins, recite tired jokes about using the shortest month of the year to celebrate black history, which must have been a deliberately racist move on the part of white people. My personal favorites, however, are those people who simply don't believe there is enough notable black history to warrant an entire month of discussion. But I think I've come to understand the apprehensiveness toward Black History Month. It has nothing to do with the length of the month or the lack of interesting history to investigate; rather, it concerns the fact that -- as I did in the childhood stories I just shared -- African Americans have allowed white people to dictate the contours of blackness. The celebration of our history and culture that Carter G. Woodson envisioned when he founded Negro History Week has been not only co-opted but completely hijacked by pressure from mainstream white America. Yearly, images of handpicked and anointed heroes are trotted out in classrooms and other public spaces, stripped of their historical relevance and deep abiding commitment to the construction of black culture, and made into hollow representations of themselves. As a result, blackness is being defined and dictated to us by government and media -- institutions that have historically excluded voices of color -- instead of growing authentically from our bodies and minds. The name and image of Martin Luther King Jr. is now used to sell automobiles. Malcolm X's legacy has been reduced to the context-less slogan, "By any means necessary." W.E.B. Du Bois and Booker T. Washington have become known for little more than a debate that amounts to "bootstraps" vs. "the talented tenth," approaches to improving conditions for the black community, while the fullness of their legacies and nuances of their positions are lost. And as Danielle L. McGuire's book At the Dark End of the Street shows us, the narrative that we have come to accept about Rosa Parks being no more than a tired seamstress who refused to give up her seat on a bus because her feet hurt is disrespectful to her important work standing up for the human rights and dignity of black women. This happens in all mainstream discussions of history as facts and figures are diluted so that they fit seamlessly into a narrative that is palatable to a large number of people. Meanwhile, it is a narrative that does the least to incite true debate or threaten the privilege and standing of those in control of it. The process is particularly dangerous when it comes to black history because little attention or respect is given to the historic contributions of black people in the first place. To further diminish those contributions by reducing them to mere platitudes is contemptible. The worst part is that black people have been complicit in this process. How often do our scholars, invited to speak and make media appearances during Black History Month, allow the standard depictions of these historical figures to go unchallenged, perhaps to ensure that they will be asked to make more appearances in the future? How many T-shirts/mugs/pens/hats -- plastered with the words and faces of our most celebrated heroes (along with a few conspiracy theories) -- have been manufactured and sold for a quick buck on 125th Street in New York City's Harlem, with no further thought or discussion given to their true meaning? At one point this may have been acceptable as a compromise to ensure the exposure of black accomplishments to the wider world. However, passively accepting outside definitions of blackness can no longer be an option. We can and should reclaim Black History Month and use it to reimagine, redefine and shape anew what we mean when we refer to ourselves as black. We have to push to include those who have constantly been moved to the margins as a consequence of identity and archaic cultural beliefs. We have to work to be more inclusive of historical figures such as Bayard Rustin, the architect of the 1963 March on Washington, who is only recently becoming more well known as we begin to open up the historical "closet" where openly gay individuals have been forced to reside. There must also be room within the narrative to discuss the contributions of women such as Jo Ann Robinson, who was instrumental in organizing and doing the legwork needed to make the Montgomery Bus Boycott a success. It's important that we dismantle the "black heterosexual superman" narrative that too often has dominated the telling of our history. And it must be done on our terms, because self-definition is vital in the building and maintaining of a vibrant culture of which we can all be proud. This process shouldn't be confined to February, to be sure, but I see Black History Month in sort of the same vein as education: It should not take place exclusively inside the classroom, though those four walls can be used as a structure allowing for some of the most intensive and thorough investigations and sharing of ideas. But that happens only when we decide that it's time for us to reclaim ownership of Black History Month and, by extension, ourselves. Mychal Denzel Smith is a writer, social commentator and mental health advocate. Follow him on Twitter.
Like The Root on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter. |
Living In Black: Those Who Believe to the Point of Action
|
Tre9 launches "Youth Are Listening" Campaign to fight filthy songs
Something for the Conscious Community to consider: Can we or should we walk in solidarity with this campaigh ? Tre9 is urging the Christian hip hop community to take a stand against obscene music over the airwaves nationally, targeting "Make a Movie" by Twista featuring Chris Brown in the initial launch of the Youth Are Listening campaign. Tre9 would like to point out that the Christian hip hop industry is flooded with songs opposing explicit lyrical content, and would like to challenge artists to file this complaint with the FCC before writing another song. Youth Are Listening, let's stand with our brother in prayer and in action. |
Save The Date! March 12th Film Screening of "All The Ladies Say"
--- On Wed, 2/23/11, Happily Natural Day <info@brothermanifest.net> wrote:
| ||||||||||
KOCH BROTHERS rumored Anti-President Obama Campaign
On Fri, 2/25/11, Tahuti Taylor <tahutitay@hotmail.com> wrote: Brothers Charles and David Koch, with a combined worth around $35 billion dollars, are waging a war against President Obama. The Koch brothers are the majority owners in Koch Industries, America's second-largest private company with revenues of $100 billion in 2009, and 80,000 employees in 60 countries. Koch Industries main source of revenue is from the manufacturing, refining, and distribution of petroleum. They are major financiers of the Tea Party. They also are providing money to run anti-democratic ads. Do not allow your money to be used to sponsor the Tea Party. Don't buy these products! Pass it on to others !!! Products by Koch: Industry/Georgia-Pacific Products: Angel Soft toilet paper Brawny paper towels Dixie plates, bowls, napkins and cups Mardi Gras napkins and towels Quilted Northern toilet paper Soft 'n Gentle toilet paper Sparkle napkins Vanity fair napkins Zee napkins http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2010/08/30/100830fa_fact_mayer?currentPage=all |
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
You Can't Hate the Tree and Not the Roots
Alafia All,
by Malcolm X
You have to realize that up until about 1959, Africa was dominated by the colonial powers. And by the colonial powers of Europe having complete control over Africa, they projected the image of Africa negatively. They projected Africa always in a negative light—jungles, savages, cannibals, nothing civilized. And, naturally it was so negative, it was negative to you and me. And you and I began to hate it. We didn't want anybody to tell us anything about Africa, and much less call us an African. And in hating Africa and hating the Africans, we end up hating ourselves, without even realizing it.
Because you can't hate the roots of a tree and not hate the tree. You can't hate Africa and not hate yourself. You show me one of those people over here who has been thoroughly brainwashed, who has a negative attitude toward Africa and I'll show you one who has a negative attitude toward himself. You can't have a positive attitude toward yourself and a negative attitude toward Africa at the same time.. To the same degree your understanding of and your attitude toward Africa becomes positive, you'll find that your understanding of and your attitude toward yourself will also become positive.
"Our ancestors understood that no one has the power to steal your joy, peace of mind, nor opportunity to realize your greatest good, unless you give it to them, because no one can control what you think or feel but you. As we maintain our power, we realize that there is no reason to be resentful. The universe is just, everyone reaps what they sow. Our challenge to sow only good and good must return to us." Myers
"It's ok not to know, it's a shame not to want to know." Dr. Clarke
Ankh Uja Snb
Asar Gary
"Words cannot give wisdom if they stray from the truth."
Ancient Kemetic Proverb
by Malcolm X
You have to realize that up until about 1959, Africa was dominated by the colonial powers. And by the colonial powers of Europe having complete control over Africa, they projected the image of Africa negatively. They projected Africa always in a negative light—jungles, savages, cannibals, nothing civilized. And, naturally it was so negative, it was negative to you and me. And you and I began to hate it. We didn't want anybody to tell us anything about Africa, and much less call us an African. And in hating Africa and hating the Africans, we end up hating ourselves, without even realizing it.
Because you can't hate the roots of a tree and not hate the tree. You can't hate Africa and not hate yourself. You show me one of those people over here who has been thoroughly brainwashed, who has a negative attitude toward Africa and I'll show you one who has a negative attitude toward himself. You can't have a positive attitude toward yourself and a negative attitude toward Africa at the same time.. To the same degree your understanding of and your attitude toward Africa becomes positive, you'll find that your understanding of and your attitude toward yourself will also become positive.
"Our ancestors understood that no one has the power to steal your joy, peace of mind, nor opportunity to realize your greatest good, unless you give it to them, because no one can control what you think or feel but you. As we maintain our power, we realize that there is no reason to be resentful. The universe is just, everyone reaps what they sow. Our challenge to sow only good and good must return to us." Myers
"It's ok not to know, it's a shame not to want to know." Dr. Clarke
Ankh Uja Snb
Asar Gary
"Words cannot give wisdom if they stray from the truth."
Ancient Kemetic Proverb
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)