TheBlackList Concerns

BLUEPRINT FOR THE BRONX Breaking Ground, Building Together!!

noreply@blogger.com (TheBlackList Concerns) — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 22:16:00 +0000

Bronx Residents Call the Community to Action to Demand a Voice in Responsible Development and Address Increasing Poverty, Overcrowded Schools, Loss of Affordable Housing, Healthcare and Immigration

Bronx, NY)– The Northwest Bronx Community & Clergy Coalition (NWBCCC) will convene more than `1000 residents, or one hundred congregations, community groups, schools, and tenant associations to address the challenge of creating living wage jobs, schools, affordable housing, and social policies that benefit working families with Bronx elected officials. We want to begin to layout a blueprint for building a Bronx that is a powerful, vibrant, diverse community where everyone has the opportunity to participate in decision making, contribute to building the future and benefit from the growth and development of this great borough. Some of our specific demands include a community benefits agreement and good living wage jobs at the Kingsbridge Armory, four small schools to be built on the North Side of the Armory and affordable health care for all.

When: Sunday Oct. 25, 2009- 3pm

Who: Northwest Bronx Community and Clergy Coalition, Confirmed Elected Officials: Congressman Jose Serrano, Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrion; City Council Members G. Oliver Koppell, Joel Rivera, Helen Diane Foster, and James Vacca; State Representative Luis Diaz; State Senators Efrain Gonzalez and Jeff Klein.. Additional elected officials and their staff representatives are expected to attend.

What: Blueprint for the Bronx- Community Action to Win Change for the Northwest Bronx

Where: St. Nicholas of Tolentine Church
2345 University Avenue at Fordham Road
Bronx, NY 10468 (entrance at Andrews Avenue)

IN GABON: Bongo promised to cruch any civil unrest, the situation is therefore critical

noreply@blogger.com (TheBlackList Concerns) — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 22:17:00 +0000

On June 8th, President Omar Bongo died and the country entered in a transition period an which an interim President wos sword in in the person of Rose Francine Rogombe.

The new interim President who is a member of the state party PDG has to led the election process, the date set for the election to take place was August 30, 2009 even though the opposition indicate that a longer period was needed to properly prepare the election. Indeed, the electoral list whith count for the 800 000 electors for a population of 1 300 000 seems unrealistic and has not been updated properly.

The election process has been full of irregularities (i.e. problem with the electoral list, only a few days given to Gabonese people to register themselves, issues the day of the voter such as fraudulent registration of strangers, paralell voting booths, etc).

Despite all the request for a longer time to better prepare the election, the gouvernment maintained the election to take place on August 30, 2009. People still came in numbers on that date and a public count of the votes was made at the end with "proces verbal" signed by all authorized members of the dominant party and the opposition.
A copy of that PV was given to each candidates.

The results of the election was supposed to come out on september 2nd, the Gabonese people who feared their votes to be stolen spent the night with all the leaders of the opposition at the site of the CENAP, the organism in charge of collecting all the PV and indicating the winner of the election. This morning, some military people were sent to spread out the people doing the sitting at the CENAP including the leaders of the opposition. One of them Mr. Pierre Mamboundou was hurt, another one Mr. Andre Mba Obame is at an unknown location, we do not knwo if he is detained or not.

On the basis of the PV signed the day of the public count taking place at each voting stations around the country and abroad, Mr. Ali Bongo who is the son of the President Omar Bongo, representing the PDG came 3rd. Mr. Mba Obame complained yesterday that some PV were re-written to give false results. Today, we receid the news on TV that Mr. Ali Bongo was elected President of Gabon. The country is now knowing some civil unrests as results are contested. We heard that the site of the company TOTAL in Port Gentil has been put in fire, the consulate of France has also burnt (France is viewed by many as supportive of the power in place) and that three provinces might have stated they would do sessassion.

Mr. Ali Bongo has promised to cruch any civil unrest, the situation is therefore critical.

Karie

Posted by TheBlacklist

The Meaning of the Kingsbridge Armory Battle

noreply@blogger.com (TheBlackList Concerns) — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 21:13:00 +0000

The Meaning of the Kingsbridge Armory Battle
Neighborhood Retail Alliance
http://ourarmory.org/articles/detail.php?id=50

View the Original Article

As the fight over the development of the Kingsbridge Armory wends its way downtown, it is a good time to reflect on the meaning of the struggle-and its potential impact on the upcoming election cycle. In our view, the Armory fight symbolizes a great deal of what's wrong with the policies of Mayor Mike Bloomberg; and in uncovering some of the underlying meanings in the battle, we can also highlight some significant hypocrisies in the Bloomberg policy portfolio.

In the first place, Mike Bloomberg has been attempting-arguing against the evidence, in our view-to position himself as an environmental crusader. This posturing really emerged, de novo, in his promotion of congestion pricing. The concept was advanced in order to reduce carbon emissions and make New York a healthier city. The pedestrian malling of Times Square is just the latest manifestation of this environmental pretension.

In making the case for Mike the Green Crusader, the mayor wanted us to ignore his own personal life style; one that had multiple houses, a private jet, a helicopter and a boat in its lavish resume. Now none of this new found environmental fervor was really very persuasive to us, but Bloomberg managed to suborn enough enviro groups to give the entire congestion campaign the feel of a moral crusade.

Which brings us to the development of the Armory-situated in an area where asthma rates are conspicuously higher than the city's average. So what will this particular mall contribute to the already over burdened local traffic? Well, according to the developer's own study, traffic at key intersections will be-unmitigatable!

Here’s how the document outlined the severity of the traffic problem: “Under the proposed actions, a minimum of six intersections would experience unmitigatable impacts…The three intersections that would remain unmitigated are the intersections of West Kingsbridge Road and University Avenue, and West Fordham Road at its intersections with the Major Deegan Expressway’s northbound and southbound ramps.”

So, as we have said, in the congestion pricing debate, the mayor argued that we needed to reduce traffic in order to lower harmful emissions and improve the city’s air quality. What’s a particularly useful extrapolation from the mayor’s campaign is the manner in which his allies at the NYC Partnership-and Steve Ross of Related-yes, the same developer now looking to mall the Armory-was front and center; arguing in advertisements that congestion pricing would. The Partnership spent over a $1 million to “research and promote the plan.” (NY Daily News-6/24/2007)

One of the linchpins of the Partnership’s ads was the argument that reducing traffic would have a salutary effect on Black and Latino children who suffer disproportionately from asthma conditions that are exacerbated by increased traffic. So what we have with the Armory development, then, is a self-serving amnesia contracted by Ross and the city. You can’t be for a reduced carbon footprint while simultaneously promoting auto-dependent malls in areas where asthma rates are epidemic.

So, what's also unmitigatible here, is the gall of Mike Bloomberg and Steve Ross. You can't argue for the car cleansing of midtown-making the area safe for all of your limos?-while simultaneously building these auto dependent retail malls in areas where respiratory conditions are more severe than elsewhere in the city. Kingsbridge, then, symbolizes the hypocrisy of the Bloombergistas and the fight against the development becomes, ipso facto, a battle for the kind of reduced carbon foot print that the mayor has tried to claim as his epitaph.

But this isn't all that's wrong in the Kingsbridge Armory struggle-and we'd be remiss if we simply left the argument at this point. The approval of this project without any mitigating living wage agreement would also be representative of the mayor's consistently poor economic decision making.

As we have said elsewhere: "Another reason, is that the mayor, always ready and willing to promote large retail development, has successfully advocated a permissive policy of mall development that has sucked the life out of those neighborhood stores that are the lifeblood of a community. Here's why the advocates-as well as the comptroller-are dead on when it comes to their living wage battle. If you're going to continue to promote mall development-with its concomitant chain store proliferation-than minimally, these stores must provide the kind of living wages that families can live on. Otherwise, we have simply replaced the locally owned neighborhood business-ones that circulate dollars through the community-with a chain that removes revenue, and whose dollars fail to circulate in as healthy a manner."

And with retail store vacancies reaching epidemic proportions, the insidious and self defeating nature of this policy becomes apparent. Bill Thompson underscores this point: "Thompson said he thinks the city should be tying tax breaks into the creation of good jobs, “not just during construction, but after construction” as well. He added, “Some of the models [for linking tax breaks to post-construction jobs] that we’re seeing are not part of how the city thinks.”

So, in essence, the fight at the Armory dramatizes the serious faults inherent in the Bloomberg economic worldview-highlighting the inflated fallacies of his five borough plan. Which brings us to the supermarket inclusion question-in a kind of strike three and your out manner.

The city has a major supermarket promotion policy going through the ULURP process. In fact, the first City Planning hearing on this land use proposal will be on Wednesday, August 5th. The plan is meant to address a supermarket gap in so called underserved neighborhoods.The proposed supermarket/big box food use at the Armory is emblematic of all that is wrong with how the city is proceeding on this issue.

Over the past eight or nine years-the city has lost over 300 local supermarkets. So, if indeed there is a gap, than the gap has come as a result of the loss of existing markets. But instead of addressing the disappearance factor-the underlying causes of store closings-City Planning devised an elaborate plan for incentivizing new market penetration in areas it considers to be underserved.

What should be clear is that NYC is losing supermarkets; and that good public policy must address the underlying causes of the disappearance. The current supermarket initiative, however, appears to be a good answer to the wrong question-a non sequitor that won’t remedy the supermarket deficit that it purports to ameliorate.

Building a tax subsidized mega-food store at the Armory dramatizes the fallacy-and underlying false premises-of the city’s well meaning effort to assure better access to fresh food. To allow the Armory development to proceed with this use will lead to the diminution of the number of local supermarkets.

So, there it is in a nutshell. The Armory fight symbolizes the fallacies and faults of a failed Bloomberg environmental and economic development policy-underscoring the mayor's hypocrisy at the same time. If this project is to go forward at all, then, it must exclude any supermarket use that reduces the number of local food stores; and it must provide a living wage that will mitigate the fact that the community will be forced to absorb unmitigatable traffic conditions that will exacerbate the already higher respiratory disease rates that the neighborhood experiences. Its the kind of fight that could define the upcoming mayoral election.

© 2009 Kingsbridge Armory Redevelopment Alliance | 103 East 196th Street, Bronx, NY 10468
Phone: 718-584-0515 ext 316 | Fax: 718-584-0563

All Roads Lead to Juneteenth 2009

noreply@blogger.com (TheBlackList Concerns) — Thu, 21 May 2009 13:38:00 +0000

The National Coalition of Blacks for Reparations in America
Media Alert
Contact: Njere Alghanee, NCC
ncobrakazi@yahoo.com
404/587-2709

Atlanta, GA. NCOBRA, the National Coalition of Black for Reparations in America will convene its 20th Annual Conference in commemoration of Juneteenth (June 19, 1865), which became a celebration of jubilee for the enslaved Africans when the public notice of the Emancipation Proclamation of 1863 was finally delivered two years after it was proclaimed as an ending to slavery by President Abraham Lincoln on January 1, 1863.

Just as this proclamation of emancipation was to end slavery 146 years ago, today the residual effects of the past still plague modern day Africans born in America, who are the Afro- descendants that continue to experience disparities in education, health care, wealth / poverty, criminal punishment and human rights. “ As history is doomed to repeat itself ” , the debt of human respect, residual profits, and constitutional justice is due to the populations Afro-descendants who continue to languish on the bottom rungs of society in what is recognized as the ‘ most powerful nation in the world, the United States of America’.

Over 20 years ago, NCOBRA resurged a movement to revitalize the work of many Afro-descendants to demand reparations for the ’ genocidal war against Africans that created the Trans Atlantic Slave Trade, chattel slavery, Jim Crow, lynching, inhumanities, exploitation of racism, and economic discrimination imposed upon our people past and present. Meanwhile, recognizing that the reparations movement has experienced ebbs and flows, NCOBRA nevertheless is gearing up to approach the United States government in these progressive political times with steadfast determination to win reparations through continuing to educate , mobilize , and empower our people at conferences, community based forums, media consortiums, and mass protests.

The theme of this year’s conference is “ “ Freedom! Reparations! Equality! Respect! , which echoes the battle cry of generations of Africans who were subjected to the longest crime against humanity in the history of mankind. Plans include: National Youth Leadership Summit; The Sankofa Experience; Inter-generational Empowerment Workshops for Action Planning; Plenaries; Panels; Rallies and Cultural and Spiritual Tributes. Invited presenters and Guests include: Baba Hannibal Afrik, Atty. Adjoa Aiyetoro; Dr. Marimba Ani, Alvin Brown, Joyce Ann Brown, Rep. John Conyers, Atty. Mawuli Davis, Dr. Joy DeGruy-Leary, Aty Kweku Duren, Bog Money Griff, Dr. Leonard Jeffries, Dr. Maulana Karenga, Bro. Keidi of WLIB, Min Akbar Muhammad, Bro Ashahed Muhammad, Bro. Thomas Muhammad, Baba Kalonji Olusegun, Atty Deadria Farmer Paellman, Atty Rose Sanders, Atty Malik Zulu Shabazz, Baba Atty Dudley Thompson, Councilwoman JoAnn Watson, Dr. Frances Cress Welsing, Dr. Conrad Worrill, Baba Obadele Williams, Brothas Keepa, FTP ( Free the People), MXGRM ( Malcolm X Grassroots Movement), NBPP ( New Black Panther Party) New Black Panther Vanguard, Youth Views and Youth Speak Truth of WRFG Radio ( Radio Free Georgia) World African Diaspora Union ( WADU)+ Elected Officials, and local Dallas, Texas activists.

This 20th Annual Conference will take place in Dallas, Texas at the Mount Tabor Family Life Center- 3700 Simpson Stuart Road, 75241 ( Across the street from Paul Quinn College). The “ Sankofa Experience” will take place on Juneteenth (6/19/09) at a historically preserved site and will re-enact the Trans Atlantic Slave Trade, including the chattel era, auction blocks, and other horrific incidents experienced during the ‘Maafa’.

Media Check-in begins on Friday, June 19, 2009 at 10:00 AM. Contact : Sis. Njere Alghanee, NCOBRA National Co-Chair for more alerts, details. and interviews with presenters

Update on Pinnacle, the home of the Rastafari Movement

noreply@blogger.com (TheBlackList Concerns) — Thu, 21 May 2009 12:25:00 +0000

ROYAL RASTAFARI FAMILY

PINNACLE - UPDATE

Greetings:

June 16th, 2009 we’ll celebrate the Earth Strong (birthday) of the Founding Father of the Rastafarian Movement, Dr. Leonard Percival Howell at Pinnacle Groundation Site in Sligoville, St. Catherine. A press conference will be held that day to bring awareness to private and public sectors in Jamaica and abroad.

June 25th, 2009 at noon in the Spanish Town Magistrate’s Court the case with the St. Jago Hills Developers continues. Together, we will win as we protect the unity and promote the harmony.

In April 2009, Jamaica National Heritage Trust drafted a declaration for Pinnacle Site to be a National Monument, “Heritage Site.”Is this progress??? Some might say it is and some will say it is not.

I n I would like to think that it is progress. WE ARE NOT WHERE WE WANT TO BE BUT WE ARE NOT WHERE WE USED TO BE.

Give thanks to the Almighty Creator, the omnipotent, supreme one, my ancestors and all my Action Jackson brothers and Sisters who had a part to play behind and on the scene to make this a reality.

It is amazing, when we put our gifts/talents together we’ll all benefit for our good. I pray that we can work and focus on the goals ahead with conviction, respectability and continuity for the common good of our children children children.

“Love and “LIGHT”

Sister Catherine Howell
zungoo711@yahoo.com

For More Info and Bio on Hon. Percival Howell:
http://theblacklistpub.ning.com/profiles/blog/list?q=howell

And:
http://theblacklistpub.ning.com/forum/topics/global-news-release-on

Also on utterli:
http://www.utterli.com/u/utt/u-ODAzODE0Ng#utt-ODAzODE0Ng

PINNACLE HOME PAGE:
www.lphfoundation.org

About the Universal Negro Improvement Association & African Communities League

noreply@blogger.com (TheBlackList Concerns) — Sun, 10 May 2009 19:37:00 +0000

By H. E. Wesley Jr.

PCEC Director of Operations

The Right Excellent Marcus M. Garvey (1887-1940) was the founder and first President General of the Universal Negro Improvement Association & African Communities League. As such Marcus Garvey was a pivotal figure in the twentieth-century global African experience. The dramatic rise to international prominence in the decade from 1917 to 1927 propelled the Universal Negro Improvement Association and African Communities League (UNIA) to becoming the largest mass-based protest movement among Black people in the history of the United States, if not the world. The Honorable Cleophus Miller Jr. is the current President General of the UNIA Inc., and the PostColonial Cultural & Economic Conference (PCEC) is one of the ways he is codifying “Applied Garveyism in the 21st century. Using the 1920 International Convention of Negro People of the World as a backdrop .the UNIA & ACL will use PCEC to demonstrate that Africa is still the guiding star for the global African Family. PCEC is designed to formulate a package deal where the global African Family works as a collective seeking out a treatment that will reinstate the fact that Africa is for Africans, those at home and those afield.

Mme. M. L. De Mena wrote this editorial for the “Negro World” on October 17, 1933 that depicts this 21st century effort. Using her power as an ancestor, she speaks to you, and asks you to become involved. She reminds you of what it took in Garvey’s day and what is required of you today. She wrote --

“The sacred few, the noble few, the gallant few, who ... from a burning heart and languishing soul ... felt the true zealousness and sublimity of race consciousness. The fundamentality of nationhood, the infancy of a great commonwealth, operated and governed by Negroes in yonder fragrant Africa's sunny fields. Yea a modern heaven and refuge, a substantial environment, a solace wherein all Negro generations will be called blessed. This is our abiding faith, the eternal creed, the renovated religion, that now appeals and aches within the breast of our hundreds of million Negroes under the ethics of the Universal Negro Improvement Association.”

Isese Agbaye

If the PostColonial Cultural & Economic Conference is to become a reality the global African Family has to become informed about developing a new mindedness; a postcolonial new mind. It is not possible to change your way of thinking without having something to think about. His Royal Majesty Alayeluwa Oba Dr Adedayo Olusino Adekoya (Erinsiba 1) is the President-General, of the “Worldwide Isese Agbaye Community”. Isese Agbaye is offered herewith as a sort of appendix needed to serve three purposes.

1. “Worldwide Isese Agbaye Community offers the global African Community sources for many of the assertions concerning Africa’s past, her Holonomic whole system science of harmony, encompassing all disciplines from the science of religion to the religion of science.

2. PCEC is offered as an open ending linking a new beginning. The “Worldwide Isese Agbaye Community has the potential to expand on a few controversial points regarding the past, the present and the future.

3. Isese Agbaye provides a starting point for finding information as we focus more of our attention on long-term issues.

Whereas all this may be new to many of us, His Royal Majesty Alayeluwa Oba Dr Adedayo Olusino Adekoya (Erinsiba 1) put what is at stake this in perspective.

“I come here before you in absolute humility. After accepting and succumbing to the call of elders of our race to be an Oba, which happened after the successful participation of the team I led to the Orisa World Congress held at Ile Ife Nigeria in 2001 from where everything moved so fast that I almost got tired of catching up with them. I became the Oba Isese Agbaye there-after, and I later got my crown consecrated and blessed at the highest Obatala Shrine in the whole world at the Palace of Purity, Ideta, Ile Ife, the crucible where Obas are made from in Yoruba land and really in the world. This was when I was made the Oba Amero Obatala World wide by the World Obatala Council, Ile Ife, Nigeria. You, I believe have all made me what I am today and I thank you all. Though a very big challenge, I had tried my best to rise up to all expectations.

After successfully overcoming the various challenges we faced at home in Africa, Nigeria and the grace that all Isese bestowed on us which has made me to overcome all obstacles that ranged from humiliations, attempted assassinations, imprisonment for trumped up charges, economic isolation and various other social pressures, all of which were based on religious bias, ISESE AGBAYE, is today the only legally recognized religion in Nigeria. This is because section 10 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria clearly stated that the country is a non-secular state, and therefore all other religions, particularly the non-indigenous ones like Christianity and Islam could only operate through various associations, churches and organizations. ISESE AGBAYE on the other hand, while its members were expressing their fundamental rights to freedom of religion expression and association by which they thus decided to choose their own leader got challenged and the religion was taken to court technically became the only legally recognized religion in Nigeria the “Holy Land”. On March 05 2008, a magistrate court in Nigeria struck out the case against us in our favor for want of diligent prosecution. This has therefore made the case a reference point for citation thus entering the annals of the laws of the country. This is a great achievement and victory for all ISESE AGBAYE religion believers both at home, the Diasporas and for all mankind. The centuries of sending Africans to strange continents across the oceans and deserts were terrible. Though it may not be totally possible to fully comprehend the impact of the unfortunate events of the massive forced exodus that happened during that period, I could, based on my professional training and experience as a medical practitioner both at the western and traditional African practitioner’s levels understand through empathic skills, partake effectively and somewhat efficiently to a very high extent, in the pains and sufferings of the times, and, of this times too, such that one can be a part of, and in fact lead in the implementation of the solutions that will form the way forward.

I can appreciate the difficult situations we found ourselves in at arriving in the new continents spiritually and in so many other ways where very young inexperienced people were taken into slavery because what were needed then were able-bodied men that would work tirelessly for their masters. Very young women too were taken, as they were needed for procreation to produce more slaves as geometric profit for the buyers. The matured and aged were either killed or left behind to die for want. The opportunity thus offered by ISESE AGBAYE to re-link the people on the different continents stands to be fully praised, supported and encouraged by all. One should at this point give great credit to our ancestors who were able to maintain strands of the religion and spirituality in spite of all odds that they faced at those times. This has kept us going today. May their spirits continue to guide us.”

Why A PostColonial Cultural & Economic Conference?

1972 was a year that found the UNIA & ACL struggling with the prospects of a name change. The idea was, by changing the name to the Universal African Improvement Association some how everything would improve for Black people. The Reverend J. C Tucker (from Detroit Michigan) was one of those who stood up in opposition to the name change. Rev. Tucker said –

“What are the benefits that you expect to accrue by removing word, Negro, replacing it with African? The name of this organization is the Universal Negro Improvement Association. The operative word is improvement, and it is that word that you should focus. Your problem is defined by your economic and industrial standing in the world, therefore think on how to enhance the Negro, you will advance the African.” Rev. Tucker philosophized that Western civilization would forever victimize people of visible African descent regardless of what he or she called themselves, Negro, Nigerian, Jamaican, New Yorker, or wherever, until the African continent becomes a national whole, recognized for its political strength and industrial and economic activity. He said – “leave the name alone; Change your condition”. Rev. Tucker explained that he was not against the name change pre say, He said, “the UNIA & ACL and Black people in general, must come to realize that if we are to reach our objective of improving the Race, we must be able to look through muddy water and see dry land.” He said, “that sound like an impossibility to most of us but with faith in ourselves and our God, the UNIA & ACL. can and will reach our objectives. The motion was voted down.

The name remained the same and sadly so has our condition. With years to reflect, it turns out that changing the name of the organization was an example of instantaneous emphasis on short-term events; that leads to all kinds of hilarious misreadings. If the UNIA had changed its name to UAIA it would have proved to nothing more than an instantaneous reactionary activities.

Thirty-five years after Rev. Tucker made his proclamation in Philadelphia Pa, it is obvious the global African Family continues to latch on to neo-colonial rule. Indeed Black integrationists and agent tools of those who are expounding neo-colonial rule bitterly opposed the UNIA and Rev. Tuckers’ views. Their efforts have resulted in the blurring the pervasive reality that a Black skin is a Black skin and that being an offspring of a segmented continent, controlled and manipulated by others, dictates subnormal treatment even in areas where they form the numerical superiority. Integrationists accuse anyone with such views racists. Here we have a situation where the slavers or slaver sympathizer accusing the enslaved of racism.

Integrationists the world over, it would appear, have had some success in demeaning Marcus Garvey’s Race First policies selling them as racism. As such the global African Family in still view as the wretched of the earth. The PostColonial Cultural & Economic Conference (PCEC) is not designed to preaching racism. It interprets the Marcus Garvey philosophy to contain the key to the survival and prosperity of people of African descent. It recognizes that the Black people of the world must help themselves as a collective whole. It maintains that unless and until this is done, there will continue to be underemployment, discrimination and injustice abroad; and exploitation, penury and general deprivation on the African continent. PCEC offers to the global African Family a path to conscious evolution.

While changing the form and content of education would be a major step towards conscious evolution, much has to be done outside of the schools as well. PCEC is constructed on the principal that Black people must come together to strengthen family ties, thanking God that we have overcome slavery and colonialism in a manner of speaking. PCEC is designed to bring Black people together to bask in the African sun, singing & shouting songs of praise, while we remember the blood and anguish of our ancestors in making such an event possible. And on the other hand, plotting a course toward a collective effort, advancing the Race towards a progressive African millennial vision for the future.

But how do we begin to do that considering the fact that the African Family is not now current on major technological issues. Much of the technological issues are considered as progress but in fact are mad, senseless, unthinking trail to disaster. PCEC can advance the Race towards a progressive African millennial vision for the future by bring a cross section of the African Family together to debate the issues in the villages, in governmental arenas, the media (especially television), and intellectual circles. There are those among us who have the leverage, the education and interest to move the Black Race forward to a new postcolonial mind. For whereas there is no simple way out of the African dilemma, there may well be a simple, constructive way to proceed.

One thing we know is, Black people's ideas are not as fixed as others are. Historically Black People were forced to adopt and change as a survival technique. PCEC will enhance that survival technique by bring ancient and contemporary knowledge to the conference table; increasing the availability of positive thoughts and decreases the availability of negative ones.

Africa is excellent as the venue for the PostColonial Cultural & Economic Conference because of Africa’s exhaustless sources of vitality. She is indeed the “fruit” of the tree of life. Mother Africa will allow PCEC delegates to relax under the shadow of Africa’s leaves that have always been there for the service of the Black Race. Under the African sky PCEC will give the Black Race the opportunity to drink from the life-giving fountain assigned to the Black Race. We will bathe in Africa’s silvery spray, and be refreshed; walk on Africa’s golden sands, and feel that we are no longer exiles.

PCEC will allow Africans across the globe to exchange the cross for the crown, and feel that the days of our humiliations are ended. The Conference will allow the family to lay down the staff and take the palm branch, and feel that the journey is done. We must pull off the garments of our warfare and put on the robes of triumph, and feel that the conflict is ended and the victory gained. We will exchange the toil-worn, dusty raiment of our pilgrimage for the glorious vesture of our African-ness in total. The PostColonial Cultural & Economic Conference will offer a day of rest and triumph, and as Africans one and all say -- Let the promise be fulfilled which bears the train of matchless glories that Mother Africa, along with her scattered children deserve.

Yes we are talking about moving the postcolonial African mind away from our colonial way of thinking to a “new 21st century African mind. But in the process, we cannot sidestep certain facts i.e., the long-term impacts of Arab/Euro-American activities over the past thirteen centuries. On the other hand we cannot ignore the great African minds of old and traditions of African people who do not participate in the industrial society. Yes there are members of the global African Family who still-hunt and gather. Most of us are inclined to think that such family members are "primitive" and simply need to be introduced to mechanize agriculture to solve their "food problems." But is that all together true? In fact, hunters and gatherers and traditional farmers alike have superb, time-tested techniques for extracting food from hostile environments.

It is the belief that what we do today is always better than what we did yesterday, that all forms of “progress” are desirable, inevitable, and irreversible But to disregard our ancient father’s knowledge in trying to solve the all-important food problem is the height of ignorance & arrogance: One of the oldest recommendations of our ancient parents was “Know Thyself”. The current condition that the global African family finds ourselves we cannot afford to be ignorance & arrogance about anything.

Consider this -- hunting-and-gathering peoples have classically harvested a wide variety of the animals available in their habitats. Euro-American trained herders and farmers today have based their activities on a continually narrowing resource base -- a few species of domestic animals and plants. This specialization has both advantages and disadvantages. In Africa the dependence of herders on cattle -- animals not native to Africa-have been a major factor in the gradual transformation of habitable land into desert due to the destructive use of the land.

Imported cattle must have daily water in semiarid environments, so they must walk to wells or water holes. The daily trek uses energy that could be converted into beef, and the trampling damages already sparse vegetation and compacts the soil, making it less able to absorb water and more subject to erosion. The moist cowpats produced by cattle harden into a "fecal pavement" that further limits plant growth by smothering it. The pats heat up in the sun, killing the bacteria and fungi that normally break them down and release fertilizing nutrients. As grazing intensifies, the grasses and herbs the cattle prefer become less common, and less nourishing ones become more common, and the capacity of the range to support cattle declines. Partly as a result of these factors, the Sahara Desert marches inexorably southward, and people starve to death.

In contrast, most native African grazing (grass-eating) and browsing (shrub-eating) antelopes and other hoofed animals are much more efficient in their water use than cattle. Some native animals seem to get all the moisture they need from the plants they eat and never need to drink at all; others drink only occasionally. In either case daily treks to waterholes are not necessary. The native animals, conserving water by reabsorbing it in the hind end of their guts, produce dry fecal pellets, which drop through the vegetation and fertilize without smothering it.

Furthermore, the different species of African grazers and browsers eat different kinds of plants; for example, giraffes can eat the tops of thorny acacia trees that cannot be used by other species.

As a consequence of these differences, a mix of native animal species does not degrade a range physically or chemically the way cattle do. Observing this, and taking a cue from so-called "primitive" peoples, some Europeans have been experimenting with ranching not cattle but antelopes, giraffes, and other native African plant eaters.

On the Athi Plain of Kenya, there is a thriving twenty thousand-acre game ranch. Since 1978, antelopes, zebras, and giraffes have been harvested along with cattle. The cattle are being phased out to be replaced with a native bovine, the Cape buffalo. At the moment, having some cattle gives better control over the grazing regime, since the cattle can be herded from place to place where the range is ready for grazing.

David Hopcrafts says the ranch is more successful than he had hoped. The range is improving steadily, and the yield of meat is higher than could be obtained from herding cattle alone. Furthermore, the game animals are more resistant to local diseases than cattle, and large amounts of money aren't needed for pumps, pipes, dams, and other devices to supply water.

Switching gears again, while peeping into the past, maybe we need to bring Her Excellency Nana Yaa Asantewaa Queen of Edweso, Ghana into our PCEC discussion. Of her it was reported in the September/August 2008 NEW AFRICAN

"Then there is the matter of the Golden Stool of Ashanti," the (British) governor went on.

"The queen [Victoria] is entitled to the stool; she must receive it. Where is the Golden Stool? I am the representative of the paramount power. Why have you relegated me to this ordinary chair? Why did you not take the opportunity of my coming to Kumasi to bring the Golden Stool for me to sit upon? You must bring the Golden Stool for me to sit upon this instant!"

The assembled Asantes heard this speech, which was an anathema of anarhemas to them, in absolute silence. They a11 got up one by one and went home. In the night, the chiefs held a secret meeting in Kumasi. Among those who attended was Nana Yaa Asantewaa, queen of Edweso, near Kumasi. She listened quietly as the men explained how difficult it would be to fight against the British. Unable to hold her anger any longer, she stood up and said:

"Now I see that some of you fear to go forward to fight for our king. If it were in the brave days of King Osei Tutu [founder of the Asante nation], Okomfo Anokye [who aided Osei Tutu to found the nation by bringing down the Golden Stool from the heavens], and Opoku Ware [who did most to consolidate the Asante kingdom after Osei Tutu's death], our chiefs would not sit down to see their king taken away without firing a shot. No European could have dared speak to the chiefs of Asante in the way the governor spoke to you this morning. Is it true that the bravery of Asante is no more? I cannot believe it. It cannot be! I must say this: if you, the men of Asante, will not go forward, then we will. We, the women, will. I shall call upon my fellow women. We will fight the white men. We will fight till the last of us falls in the battlefields."

Nana Yaa Asantewaa understood the world had changing around her. She understood that changing the mindset of the men was not adequate to protect the masses. Picture Nana Yaa Asantewaa reaction if she was around to hear Franklin Delano Roosevelt the 32nd President of the United States; explain the New Deal that would in effect supply welfare checks to Black women who pushed their husbands to the curb. Thereby effectively destroying the Black Family. The idea behind Franklin Delano Roosevelt plan was to stop Garvey’s back to Africa Movement. (Remember that the ex-slaves were extremely industrious, many of the most progressive ideas in the United States of America were those coming from individuals of African descent. Think of it – what would Africa be like today if Garvey’s plans were allowed to succeed.) The welfare checks offered to Black women was part of Franklin Delano Roosevelt plan to disrupt the UNIA & ACL. He wanted to divert the minds of the ex-slaves away from Africa and self-reliance to welfare and abject poverty.

It would appear that the British governor and Franklin Delano Roosevelt were two sides of the same coin; proving that the only thing ex-slaves have to fear is Franklin Delano Roosevelt and his kin & kind. Today there is needs for the global African Family to review the life and times of Nana Yaa Asantewaa, and Marcus Garvey and seek out likeminded individuals-and formulate a PostColonial Conference. The idea is to plant the seeds for a new African mind and the develop a 21st century global African skills bank, that will overriding the default mind set instituted by offered by Roosevelt and British governor with their New Deal. Up till now a small amount of thought by the average African has gone into debunking the welfare mentality offered to the Black Race by Roosevelt, and reinforced by the United Nations, the World Bank, the IMF, and now the World Trade Organization.

The time has come for the global African Family to make an organized effort to educate all African minds to filter in what is good for the Race and, not filter out what is detrimental. , The default way of thought has to be overridden, especially in politics, culture and economic. African people must come to determine that Africa is for Africans at home and abroad. It sounds like an impossible task, but it is not.

The UNIA believes that you are one of the atoms which can be joined to the PCEC development team that will produce an implosion of consciousness among Africa’s children at home and abroad; thus facilitate solutions.

A final note -- PCEC was not formulated by a group of “grant writers” seeking funding from the World Bank or the IMF or the Bill Gates Foundation. The underpinning of this Conference, by necessity, has to be authentically African both culturally and economically. A successful PostColonial Cultural Economic Conference will demonstrate that together the global African Family is to accomplish much.

-- For further information --

PostColonial Cultural & Economic Conference (PCEC)

Universal Negro Improvement Association & ACL

UNIA Cleveland Ohio Address

UNIA Parent Body, 4447 Lee Rd, Cleveland OH 44128

The Honorable Cleophus Miller Pres. Gen. UNIA Inc.

Phone 1-216-310-4749

PostColonial Cultural & Economic Conference Raleigh Office

H. E. Wesley Jr., Director of Operations (PCEC)

E-mail: hwesley@bellsouth. net, Fax 1-919-834-7973

New York Offices

Kamau Khalfani, Field Director

24 Mill Street, Apt. 212

Paterson NJ 07501

Thelearningtree901@gmail. com

Mr. Byron Moore

Co-Director of Operations

Brooklyn, NY

Ms. Nefertari A. Ahmose

Minister of Information

Bronx NY

Nefertari_Ahmose@yahoo. com

Which Way Forward for the Black Left? A Critical Analysis of Obama’s Presidency & the State of Black Politics

noreply@blogger.com (TheBlackList Concerns) — Fri, 08 May 2009 19:22:00 +0000

Political Forum

In Commemoration of Hubert Harrison:
The Voice of Early 20th Century Harlem Radicalism

Which Way Forward for the Black Left?

A Critical Analysis of Obama’s Presidency & the State of Black Politics

Sunday, May 31. 2009
2 to 5 PM
St. Mary’s Church, 521 West 126th Street
(Between Amsterdam Avenue and Old Broadway)

New York City Council Proclamation Presented Posthumous to Hubert Harrison. Accepted by Harrison’s Family: Charles Richardson (Grandson); Ilva Harrison (Grand-daughter); & Yvette Richardson (Great Grand-daughter). (Remarks by Jeffrey B. Perry, Author of “A Harrison Reader”& “Hubert Harrison: The Voice of Harlem Radicalism 1883 to 1918”).

Panelists: Cynthia McKinney, Presidential candidate 2008 and former US Congresswoman; Glen Ford, Executive Editor, Black Agenda Report; Professor Tony Monterio, African American Studies Department, Temple University; Margaret Kimberly, Senior Columnist, Black Agenda Report; Nellie Bailey, Harlem Tenants Council; Invited: Author Adolph Reed, Jr (among his work 'Class Notes', and co-author of the forthcoming Renewing Black Intellectual History: The Ideological & Material Foundations of Black American Thought). Others to be announced!

*Tribute to the Lore & Legacy of Mamadou Chenyelu, Journalist, Publisher and Author of "Harlem Ain't Nothing But a Third World Country" who made his transition on April 4, 2009 in Silver Spring, Maryland after a long bout of illness.

For additional information contact: Nellie Hester Bailey 212-663-5248 or email: harlemtenants@gmail.com or nelliehester@yahoo.com. Visit websites:www.harlemtenantscouncil.org

Adisadel Old Boys Association Pre-Centenary Memorial Weekend Extravaganza

noreply@blogger.com (TheBlackList Concerns) — Fri, 08 May 2009 15:28:00 +0000

Dear Friends,

I am writing in the capacity as the Media Relations and Communication officer of the North America chapter of Adisadel Old Boys Association (AOBA) otherwise known as “Santaclausians”

As Adisadel College looks towards it's 100th birthday in 2010 it is worth noting that this institution has not only made itself felt but actually contributed its share to the development and progress of the nation in diverse ways.

Over the years, the School has turned out into the world a steady stream of keen, capable young men, filled with enthusiasm and dedicated to the service of the country and of mankind - men who have contributed and continue to contribute their quota to the enrichment of the life of the nation, in practically all fields of human endeavour. This can be attributed to the life-long preparations given to it's students through education.

In 1977, W. C. Tandoh rightly stated at the Speech and Prize Giving Day...

"Whatever a person decides to do in life demands preparation, the qualities of courage, zeal, dedication and devotion to duty. Each day is a new day that imposes on us new demands and new responsibilities; each dawn has to be faced with renewed vigour and determination. Our suitability for the challenges of each day rests on our sustained endeavours in the acquisition of knowledge and experience and on our preparedness to adapt and utilize them profitably to suit the varying circumstances of life..."

The remarkable visions of Adisadel founder, Rev. Nathaniel Temple Hamlyn will reach the centennial mark on January 4th, 2010. From its humble beginnings in 1910 with 29 students at Topp Yard in Cape Coast, the then SPG (Society for the Propagation of the Gospel) Grammar School now occupies a 4 kilometer square campus with almost 2000 students at Adisadel. Having lived by its motto of "Either the first or with the first", the achievements of the school and the making of Ghana are evident. There is ample evidence pointing to the fact that year- group awards of excellence as well as those of other Santaclausians have continuously motivated not only the staff to work much harder but also the students to burn the midnight oil.

Preparations are currently underway for a grand celebration of the school's 100 years of producing great men. The main centennial celebrations will be held on the school campus the weekend of July 17th and 18th. 2010.

We would like to take this opportunity to invite all well wishers of the school including members of this network to join us in this celebration. It is also worth noting that events are being planned all over the globe by Santaclausians in various parts of the world including USA, Canada and the UK.

Here in Washington DC please see embedded Flyers and additional information regarding the Adisadel Old Boys Association (AOBA North America) Congress to be held in Washington DC from May 22-24 2009. http://www.adisadelonline.com/

We will be most grateful if you will forward this announcement to your members and affiliates in the United States and Canada to attend this weekend extravaganza.

--
Samuel. N. O. Jacobs-Abbey
Programs Director/ Sub-Saharan Africa
Youth for Human Rights International
15198 Wentwood Ln
Woodbridge, VA, 22191
(571) 337-9185 (Cell)
samabbey@icchra.org
www.youthforhumanrights.org

TransAfrica Forum Action Alert: Human Rights Defenders Under Attack - Act Now!

noreply@blogger.com (TheBlackList Concerns) — Thu, 07 May 2009 14:25:00 +0000

TransAfrica Forum Action Alert on Behalf of Africa Action
History will have to record that the greatest tragedy of this period of social transition was not the strident clamor of the bad people, but the appalling silence of the good people",
Martin Luther King Jr.

Dear Friends,

Today the government of Zimbabwe rearrested Jestina Mukoko and 15 others on trumped up charges of "banditry, terrorism and insurgency". The arrest follows the appearance of Jestina and her comrades before a Harare Magistrate at which they were formally indicted remanded in custody.

We cannot be silent in the face of this outrageous attack on human rights defenders. The only crime committed by Jestina Mukoko, a long time civic leader in Zimbabwe and her co-accused is standing up against tyranny in Zimbabwe and speaking out in defense of human rights and democracy. As Martin taught us, it takes the silence of good people for abuses of this nature to persist. We call upon people of good conscience all over the world to add your voice in calling for the unconditional release of Jestina Mukoko and her comrades. Zimbabwe's compromised courts cannot be trusted to deliver justice to activists who have been targeted and victimized for their principled stand on human rights and democracy. There is no chance for these activists getting a fair trial under the unreconstructed judicial system in Zimbabwe.

State agents abducted Jestina and others back in October last year and they suffered torture and abuse in secret detention. Following loud protests from activists in Zimbabwe and around the world, Jestina and others surfaced form secret detention only to be released to the notorious Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison where they were held for two more months and only released on bail as part of a political deal by parties to Zimbabwe's new inclusive government. The re-arresting of Jestina Mukoko and other activists is a shame to the new inclusive government in Zimbabwe.

We call upon you to raise your voices again in support of these human rights defenders by taking the following actions:

1. Call the Zimbabwe Embassy to the U.S.: +1 202 332-7100

- and register your protest at the detention and ill-treatment of these human rights defenders and demand their immediate release.

2. Write to President Obama

- and ask him to pressure the Zimbabwe government to release Jestina Mukoko and her fellow activists

Click here to send a message to President Obama.

Reports of horrible conditions and abuse in Zimbabwe's prisons are rampant we therefore must act with speed to secure the release of these human rights defenders.

Please act now!

In solidarity,

Staff @ Africa Action
TransAfrica Forum | 1629 K Street, NW, Suite 1100 | Washington, DC 20006 |
Phone: 202.223.1960 | Fax: 202.223.1966 | info@transafricaforum.org
www.transafricaforum.org/

May 22-24 National Black Power Conference/ Atlanta/ Malcolm X Weekend

noreply@blogger.com (TheBlackList Concerns) — Wed, 06 May 2009 15:05:00 +0000

On Friday May 22nd Saturday May 23rd, and Sunday May 24th an historic conference will be held in Atlanta Georgia. Besides serious education, the primary purpose of the conference is to unify disjointed Black activists, organizers and leaders around a universal agenda of Black Power.

The 2009 National Black Power Conference is also an effort to consolidate a Black or African United Front (ie: Black Power Movement) to combat immediate and pressing problems in the Black Nation. We seek to lay a base for long term defense and development around the critical and well defined interests of our people.

The significance of this Black Power Conference being held on Malcolm X birthday weekend is in obvious homage to the prototype, dynamic Nationalist-prophet to whose legacy we humbly walk after.

If you are concerned about political prisoners, gentrification, gang violence or issues specifically pertaining to Black Women-the National Black Power Conference is for you.    If you are a Garveyite, follower of Malcolm X, Moorish Disciple of Hon. Noble Drew Ali, or love the Honorable Elijah Muhammad or any other great Black ancestor- the Black Power Conference is for you. If you are into teaching science, self defense, activism, spiritual matters, economic possibilities, politics, hip hop, arts and entertainment, education, history, culture, health or any real and present key issues in the Black Nation-The Black Power Conference is for you. If you are a college activist, student revolutionary or young person trying to find your role in the liberation struggle- the Black Power Conference is for you. If the treatment of ex- felons, police brutality, racism, or the status of Hip Hop, presidential politics or health is on your mind- the National Black Power Conference is for you. If you believe in building a nation of your own and doing for self the Black Power Conference is for you. If you want to hear conscious rap and see revolutionary conscious art –the Black Power Conference is for you. If you want to feel the spirit of a Black Men’s only meeting again or are trying to organize around Black Family issues- The Black Power Conference is for you.   If you are a Crip, Blood, Vice-Lord, El-Ruk’n, Disciple, Blackstone or other street organization who wants unity-this conference is for you.   If you are an activist, organizer, conscious teacher, revolutionary, military-defense person, nation builder, businessman, or just a brother or sister or parent that wants to see Black People Organized and fighting the good fight- the National Black Power Conference in Atlanta, Georgia May 22-24th is for you.

Come and Join with Dr. Leonard Jeffries (CUNY-NY), Conference Convener - Attorney Malik Zulu Shabazz (BPM-BLJ-NBPP), Professor Griff (PE), UNO The Prophet (Hip-Hop 4 Black Unity/NBPP) Dr. Khallid Al-Mansour, Chairwoman Njeree (NCOBRA), Kenny Gamble (Philly International), Dr. Charles Steele/Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), Rahim Islam , Sister Darnide Cayo (Artists Village), Winston Johnson (WINSONIC Technology), New Black Panther Party for Self Defense (NBPP), Nation of Islam (NOI), Sister Pam Afrika (Move/Mumia), Millions More Movement (MMM), Hon. Mukassa Ricks (SNCC/BPP/AAPRP), Dr. Ali Muhammad (Phila)/International Indigenous Society (ISIS), Reverend Kenneth Glasgow, The Ordinary Peoples Society (T.O.P.S.), All African Peoples Revolutionary Party (AAPRP), National Black United Front (NBUF), Professor James Smalls (OAAU-NY), Kofi Taharka (NBUF) U.N.I.A., Chief Kamara/Sankore African Study Circle, Minister Hashim Nzingha (NBPP-ATL), Minister Divine Allah (City Council Candidate, NBPP-NJ, 5% Nation of Gods and Earths), Sis. Amirah Sankofa (NBPP-STL), Bro. Hannibal Rushadeen (NBPP-NY) Nuwaubian Nation, D.J. Greg Street (V103), Black Lawyers for Justice (BLJ) Attorney Chokwe Lumumba, CEO Mike Roberts, Minster Bryan Muhammad (MMM-Ft. Worth TX), Minister Derrick Muhammad (Houston-MMM) Republic of New Afrika, Reverend Joseph Lowery, CEMOTAP, Dr. James McIntosh, Ashahed Muhammad (TEI-FCN NOI), Oscar Grant Organizers (Oak), Organizers from Paris, Texas, Malcolm X Grassroots Movement (MXGM), UHURU Movement (IDPDUM), Attorney Yusef Muhammad (NOI-BLJ), Minister Abdul Rahman Muhammad (NOI), Bro. Kalonge/National Action Network (NAN), December 12th Movement (D12M), Megan Williams (WVA), Youth Saving Youth, Soulvivaz Nation, Jericho, Minister Najee Muhammad (NBPP-ATL), Justice Ali (NBPP-Dallas), Obi Egbuna (Pan African Liberation Organization-PALO), Maroon Society, Attorney Mawuli Davis, Councilwoman Able Mable Thomas, Ed Brown (Brother of Imam Jamil Al-Amin), Bro. Hodari Abdul Ali (WPFW-Wash DC), Bro. Karim Ali, Million Father March, Black Riders Liberation Party, Original Black Panther Party (BPP) In all over 50 Black Organizations will be represented.

Organizers from Florida, Dallas-Houston-Paris, TX, New York, Washington D.C., Virginia, Illinois, St. Louis, Ohio, Michigan, West Virginia, Alabama, New Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Mississippi, Louisiana, Tennessee, North and South Carolina, Missouri, Arkansas, Maryland, California and many other states and even London and Africa will be present May 22nd, 23rd and 24th in Atlanta, Georgia at this historic first Black Power Convention in 30 years.

Dynamic weekend workshops includes: “Health and the Black Nation”; “Black Economics and Black Power”; “For Sisters only: Black Women and the liberation movement”; “Black Men’s only meeting: The Million Man March and beyond”; “Is Hip Hop the cause of the destruction of the Black Community?”; “Prospects for a United States of Africa”; “Black Liberation Theology: Can we all get along?”; ”Political Prisoners: Prisoners of War”; “Black Journalists on the frontline”; “Gang Summit”; “Self Defense and Black Power”; “Police Brutality: organizers speak up”; “Tips from the Black Nations top organizers”; “Reparations: Report from our Leadership”; "Black Music, Arts, Entertainment of Black Power" by the legendary Kenny Gamble; “Legal issues facing the Black Population”

Major events each evening include:

Friday 5/22 keynote by Professor Leonard Jeffries and new leaders, “Blueprint for Black Power and Message to the Next Generation”, Saturday 5/23 Town Hall meeting keynote by Conference convener Attorney Malik Zulu Shabazz, “The Black Nation in a Time of Hope and Trouble”, Co-hosted by panel of National Black Leaders. Sunday’s 5/24 panel: “Tribute to the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad” will feature pioneers and beneficiaries of the Messenger and his legacy. The closing address will be delivered by Dr. Khallid Al-Mansour, “Islam, Christianity and Judaism at the Crossroads: Where do we go from here?”

The cases of Imam Jamil Al-Amin, Mumia Abu-Jamal and Dr. Mutulu Shakur will be key issues in this conference, as these political prisoners are suffering in this hour from unjust incarceration. The case of Malachi Z. York will be highlighted also.

If you are into Black Music, Arts and Entertainment, several panels will fit your needs as well as conscious arts, hip-hop and poetry performances throughout the conference!

The conference will be an excellent venue for organizers and networking in the liberation struggle. If you are fighting issues in your local areas it is critical you make your way to Atlanta to link up with other brothers and sisters fighting these same problems.

Organizational booths and tables as well as vendors will be set up in the beautiful Black-Owned Crown Plaza Hotel in Marietta Georgia. The Crown Plaza Hotel, www.crownplaza.com/atlanta-marietta, who’s physical features offers many networking, organizing or relaxing opportunities, is just ten minutes from the Atlanta Airport and twenty minutes from downtown Atlanta. Rooms are just $79.00 per night, but group rates and multi-night discounts are available under the Black Power Conference.

For those whose financial situation necessitates other arrangements please call (404) 229-9983 for our revolutionary grassroots alternative conference housing. The fee for the entire conference is $25.00 for all three days or just $10.00 per day. No Black Man or Woman wishing to attend will be turned away. It is wise to secure your tickets ASAP by going to:
Blackpowermovement.org to reserve tickets and/or donate to our very progressive cause.

Background

The original Black Power Conventions, which were first held in Washington D.C. in 1966, Newark, New Jersey in 1967 and Philadelphia in 1968 were very successful. Original Conventions included immortal leadership such as the Rep. Adam Clayton Powell, Imam Jamil Al-Amin (H. Rap Brown), Honorable Kwame Ture (Stokely Carmichael), Imamu Amiri Baraka, Dr. Maulana Karenga, Rev. Jesse Jackson and other leading figures of the time. A wide range of organizations, varying from revolutionary nationalist to civil rights groups and leaders attended. In all, thousands attended and benefited.

These original Black Power Conventions were successful but ultimate ideals of the Black Power movement were never fully realized due to a vicious, multifaceted attack by the enemy, which included, but was not limited to the Counterintelligence Program (COINTELPRO), masterminded by the sinister FBI boss Jay Edgar Hoover. An over focus on political hopes, infighting within Black organizations and other corrosive internal problems also played a role in thwarting the nationalistic and noble objectives of the original Black Power Conventions and the movement in general.

This National Black Power Conference May 22-24th in Atlanta Georgia, the first of a series of national and international Black Power Conferences, will be held in Atlanta Georgia. Later this year in September (2009) a second, larger National Black Power Convention shall be held in New York City on the eleventh anniversary of the Million Youth March (9/5/1998).

Some may ask: “Who is it making such a call to convene such a conference and convention?” We answer, “We are the students and the children of Dr. Khallid Abdul Muhammad, the man responsible for Black Power being on the tongues of the people in the modern era.” Amongst many of his achievements, Dr. Khallid was the former NOI Supreme Captain, Min. Louis Farrakhan’s National Spokesman, Hip Hop lexicon legend, NBPP National Chairman, international revolutionary leader, lecturer, Master Teacher, et. al. One of Dr. Khallid Muhammad’s foremost accomplishments was that he put Black Power back on our consciousness and national agenda. He told his student, Dr. Malik Zulu Shabazz, “Brother, the primary purpose of the Million Youth March is to put Black Power, revolution and Pan-Africanism back on the agenda.” In making his word bond, Dr. Khallid Muhammad convened the Million Youth March in Harlem New York, September 5th 1998. The theme was, “Black Power into the year 2000”, and the logo was a strong Black fist with a Black glove supplied New York’s December 12th Movement (Million Youth March co-conveners). Dr. Khallid Muhammad effectively organized a coalition of nationalist organizations and leaders and the cry of “Black Power! Black Power! Black Power” was soon heard at rallies, lectures and in the streets all over America for the first time since the 1970’s. More than a sloganeer- as an organizer, Dr. Khallid Muhammad spearheaded the national growth and expansion of the New Black Panther Party. Under a Black Power, Revolutionary Pan-African/Nationalist ideology, Dr. Muhammad spread the New Black Panther Party from two cities to over 30 cities in just two years as Chairman. Thus, Black Power itself became concrete and reintroduced its invaluable presence in many cities and ghettos throughout the nation via a new generation.

We want to be clear: Dr. Khallid Abdul Muhammad resurrected Black Power and Black Nationalism in America and we always considered him and still maintain that was like a Black Power ‘Mujaddid’, or the great reformer of the Black Power Movement and Black Nationalism in the hells of North America. The New Black Panther Party is, and has been, the largest, leading proponents and practitioners of Black Power for the last 11 years.

Attorney Malik Zulu Shabazz, since he was an undergraduate student organizer at Howard University in 1988, has been Dr. Muhammad’s chief organizer and spokesman. Attorney Shabazz also is a successful successor in leadership to Muhammad’s chairmanship over the New Black Panther Party since the passing of Dr. Khallid in February 2001. For most of the great events and battles of Dr. Muhammad's career, Shabazz was the chief organizer, working and laboring and planning at his side to make his agenda successful. We who have been influenced by Dr. Khallid Muhammad have not given up the direct objective of making Black Power the primary ideology of the masses.

We, who are the most progressive New Black Panther Party leadership, are co-convening the Black Power Conferences because we see a serious need and desire to unit Black Organizations that are fighting in the liberation struggle. Everywhere we travel, we see new signs that Nationalism has taken root amongst a new generation. The Black Power Conferences of 2009 will seek to give a new generation of warriors and teachers a new voice and ultimately they will participate in a Black or African United Front or OAAU, Organization of All African Unity.

In December 2008, on the heels of the Barack Obama election, we initiated the Black Power Movement. Since that time we have seen an impressive response. Over 2000 persons have pledged support to the Black Power Movement. The National Black Power Conference in Atlanta May 22nd-24th will mark the opening agenda of the Black Power Movement and its 20 ministries. The Black Power Conference will make clear that there is another option for Black People other than pinning all of our hopes exclusively on what happens in the White House. Our solution is manifestly evident: We must organize, build our movement, build our nation and learn from the mistakes of the last 30 years. We must do for ourselves, end the division, and unite for the complete and total liberation of our people.

Call (202) 397- 4577 or (404) 424-3560 Blackpowermovement.org to get on board and register yourself or your organization. Email:blackpowerconference@gmail.com

DETAILS:

2009 NATIONAL
BLACK POWER CONFERENCE.

What:     2009 National Black Power Conference Update

When: Friday, May 22, Saturday, May 23, and Sunday, May 24, 2009
              (Malcolm X Birthday Weekend ) in Atlanta, Georgia.

Where:   Mike Roberts Crown Plaza Hotel, Marietta Georgia.
               1775 Parkway Place Marietta Georgia
                www.crownplaza.com/atlanta-marietta
                Rooms at $79.00 per night and lower.

Conference contacts:

Phone         (202) 397-4577 and (404) 424- 3560
Email:            blackpowerconference@gmail.com.
Websites:     www.blackpowermovement.org www.newblackpanther.com www.blfj.org

VENDING:     Please email blackpowerconference@gmail.com

Sponsor: Black Power Movement, New Black Panther Party, Black Lawyers for Justice

If you desire to attend or are an activist, organizational representative or leader we want to hear from you right away!

Posted by TheBlackList Pub
http://theblacklistpub.ning.com/?xgi=YJzq0g
Inventing an uncommon conversation about being free
==

Afrikan Liberation Day 2009 - Nkrumah@100 (1909-2009)

noreply@blogger.com (TheBlackList Concerns) — Wed, 06 May 2009 14:00:00 +0000

Afrikan Freedom means Defeating Neo-colonialism

Thousands of Afrikan people are expected to join in this year’s Afrikan Liberation Day (ALD) commemoration activities. They include a series of educational workshops during April and May; a demonstration outside the offices of Royal Dutch Shell Oil 16th June 2009; with the main event taking place on Saturday 30th May 2009 at 12noon in St John’s Church hall, Meeting House Lane, Peckham, London SE1 2UN.

The theme for this year’s Afrikan Liberation Day commemoration is Afrikan Freedom means defeating Neo-colonialism: Nkrumah@100. All activities will be geared towards exploring the crucial role of Afrikan people in ridding the world of the current economic crisis– a perspective that, so far, has received little attention in the mainstream media.

ALD will feature a programme of activities for children and youth including Afrikan drumming and craft workshops; cultural artists and performers including, Afrikan dancers, poets and singers. International speakers on the day include brother Kwesi Pratt editor of Insight newspaper and Sister Mawete Teresa of Moyo Wa Taifa Pan-Afrikan women’s network both direct from Ghana.

Activities will include a panel discussion and a broad range of grass roots Afrikan community organisations will be giving messages of solidarity. The day will also feature cultural Afrikan and Caribbean food, book stalls and displays. Entry is free.

A member of this year’s organising committee, Brother Omowale said:
“Kwame Nkrumah is one of the greatest Afrikan leaders of all time. In this the centenary year since his birth, we have a duty to ensure that his strategy of Afrikan liberation is told. Our ancestors suffered intensely under slavery and colonialism and we continue to suffer now. The world’s economic system is built on the theft of Afrikan people’s resources, and if we want justice, we must all learn the truth, continuously expose it and organise around it. Attending this commemoration may be your first step to organising yourself for a better future. Come along to the events and see for yourself.”

To kick start the commemorations there will be a series of pre-Afrikan Liberation Day Workshops where Afrikan centred ideas on neo-colonialism and the current crisis of capitalism will be shared and discussed. These will take place:
· On the radio: Sunday 10th , 17th , 24th May 2007 at 10pm on Galaxy Radio 99.5fm and www.afiwestation.com,
· 44-46 Offley Road: Oval, London SW9 0LS on Friday 8th , 15th , 22nd and 29th May 2007 at 6.30pm

Contact Details:
Afrikan Liberation Day Organising Committee on 07940 005 907 or panascf@yahoo.co.uk or www.pascf.org.uk

Editor’s Notes:
1. The Afrikan Liberation Day Main Commemoration: London will be held on Saturday, 30th May 2009, 12noon - 7pm at: St John’s Church Hall, Meeting House Lane, Peckham, London SE 15 2UN (Nearest BR: Queen’s Road Peckham). Entry is free and all ages are welcome (a youth programme will be available).

2. The keynote speaker will be Kwesi Pratt a Ghanaian political activist and journalist.

3. The Afrikan Liberation Day Demonstration will be held on Tuesday 16th June 2009, 4pm – 7pm at: Royal Dutch Shell HQ, Waterloo, London, SE1 (Nearest Tube & BR: Waterloo).

4. Afrikan Liberation day was founded in Accra, Ghana, at the First Conference of Independent Afrika States. The conference ran from 15th to 22nd April 1958 and the first day of the conference - 15th April was declared, by the eight independent states present, Afrika Freedom Day. Its purpose was to mark the first occasion in modern history when independent Afrikan states met to plan the liberation process for colonised nations in Afrika.

From 1959 to 1963 as the process of Afrikan independence intensified, Afrika Freedom Day celebrations were held in Azania (South Afrika), Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Britain, China, the USA and the USSR. In Afrika, as a result of organised mass struggles an increasing number of states became independent.

It was in the context of these world-wide and continental developments that the Fourth Conference of Independent Afrikan States took place from 22nd to 25th May 1963.

The Organisation of Afrikan Unity (OAU) was founded in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on the final day of the conference - 25th May 1963. Since that date, conferences of the independent Afrikan states have been held annually as OAU and now AU conferences.

The OAU inaugural conference was a continuation of the Afrikan political unification and liberation process spearheaded by independent states, not the beginning as has been interpreted by some.

Today, Afrikan Liberation Day Commemorations are being organized in Afrika and all over the world including London and Birmingham.

REMEMBER: Carlos A. Cooks, The Ideological Son of Marcus Garvey, May 5, 1966.

noreply@blogger.com (TheBlackList Concerns) — Tue, 05 May 2009 15:40:00 +0000

Carlos A. Cooks, "The Ideological Son of Marcus Mosiah Garvey."

Carlos Cooks stated that "The culture of a people is best manifested by the homage they pay to those who led with dedication and devotion to freedom and cause."

Carlos A. Cooks, A True Blackman
by Robert Acemendeces Harris.

If, as the new saying goes, "truth is [really] on its way" then, perhaps, Black People can finally also be back on their way. Which way? The way out of all of the confusion, contradictions and cultural degeneration that has retarded the liberation of our people these last few years.

Truth is not an abstract, it refers to sincerity, honesty, conformity to fact, correctness, exactitude, et cetera. Carlos Cooks was truth personified. It is also the truth that, if one man can be singled out as, the individual personality, most responsible for the resurrection on Marcus Garvey's philosophy and program then that man is Carlos Cooks.

Carlos Cooks was to Black Nationalism what John Coltrane was to the so-called avant-grade "jazz", and what Aretha is to soul music; the prime progenitor among their respective peers.
The main difference was the fact that during his life time, Cooks never receive his proper recognition. This was mainly because he was denied national coverage -- by white and "Black" press -- and was bound by an oath (the sacri) not to seek publicity for himself.

But since programs are often personified within certain individuals, and either live beyond or die along with their respective advocates, AJASS believes that -- if we are really going to re-establish truth in our Liberation Struggle, then more of our people should know about the relevance of Carlos Cooks.

Carlos A. Cooks was born on June 23, 1913 in the Dominican Republic and died May 5th, 1966 in Harlem. During his 52 years on this planet, he passed through a phenomenal experience by spending his entire lifetime dedicated to the liberation of Africa, its universal communities, and all its peoples. This fact alone puts him among the ranks of the Hon. Marcus Garvey and the grand patriarch of the, movement, Hon. Edward Wilmot Blyden.

It was Carlos Cooks who administered the Advance Division of the UNIA after Garvey's deportation. He fought psychologically and physically -- to uplift Mr. Garvey's name from the gutters of ghetto minds. Brother Frank Rockwood of the Harlem UNIA branch can attest to this truth.

It was Carlos Cooks who coined the phrase "BUY BLACK" as an economic solvency in the various African Communities throughout America. Attorney Cora Walker, who successfully engineered the Harlem Co-op market can vouch for that.

It was Carlos Cooks who found the first so-titled African Nationalist organization. Check it out with Brothers and Sisters of the African Nationalist Pioneer Movement, they will tell you.

It was Carlos Cooks whom the late Malcolm X told many of us, that: "I respect Mr. Cooks because he is real Garveyite, a true Black Nationalist!" Since truth is supposed to be the only way, ask Sister Betty Shabazz about this.

It was Carlos Cooks who kept Garvey's UNIA Red, Black, and Green tricolors displayed daily and nightly. Go on over to the African Market at 125th Street near Lenox Avenue, ask for Brother Frank Jones 'cause he can tell you about it.

It was Carlos Cooks who maintained an African Nationalist Legion, mentally prepared and physically ready to join the African Liberation struggle. I don't know if the rest of the officials of the Republic of New Africa know this, but I'm sure that Brother Herman Ferguson does.

It was Cooks who continuously advocated armed retaliation against the cracker beasts who viciously murdered our Brothers and Sisters in the South. Truth is supposed to be on its way, so ask Brother Robert Williams.

It was Carlos Cooks who designated August 17th -- the birthday of Marcus Garvey -- as the first Black holiday, official or unofficial. And if you ask James Lawson (privately), the Brother will probably tell you the truth, too.

It was Carlos Cooks who first perfected an oratorical art of street speaking from his step-ladder, all over Harlem, but, especially on 125th Street and 7th Avenue. Brother Ed. "Porkchop" Davis and Brother Charles Kenyatta can verify that as the truth.

It was Carlos Cooks who first formed an independent school, complete with a course in Kiswahili at a time (1954) when many of our people didn't even know where Africa was, never mind what Swahili was. Brother Al Vann, of the African-American Teachers Association, can educate you to the truth about this.

It was Carlos Cooks who first defined the difference between the terms Black and/or African as opposed to "Negro" and fought to have the latter word abrogated as a racial classification. You can even ask Richard Moore (author of The Word Negro And Its Evil Use) about this. Or you can read the documentation of this in "BLACK NATIONALISM: A Search For Identity In America" by Prof. E. U. Essien-Udom of the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. He printed some truth about this particular issue.

It was Carlos Cooks who organized the Universal African Relief to send tons of cloths and medical supplies to our struggling fellow Africans in South West Africa and Angola -- over ten year ago. Ask Brother Hage Geingob of SWAPO or any of the other Brothers representing the liberation forces in Namibia (Southwest Africa). Their case is based on truth.

It was Carlos Cooks who first initiated the concept of natural hair as an issue of racial pride through his ANPM's MISS NATURAL STANDARD OF BEAUTY CONTEST. But just about everyone who comes in contact with AJASS knows this because our programs are based on truth and, so, we always let everyone know just where we're coming from. (Don't bother to ask the folks running the "Miss America Beauty Contest.)

FOR MORE ABOUT CARLOS A. COOKS:
Carlos Cooks and Black Nationalism from Garvey to Malcolm
by Robert Harris, Nyota Harris, Grandassa Harris (Editor)
Our Price: $9.95 + $0.85 special surcharge
Paperback (March 1992)
Majority Press; ISBN:0912469285
There are no other books about this remarkable man,
This is it.
GET IT NOW!

Posted by TheBlackList Pub
http://theblacklistpub.ning.com/?xgi=YJzq0g
Inventing an uncommon conversation about being free
==

American Exceptionalism vs. Obama’s Idealism

noreply@blogger.com (TheBlackList Concerns) — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 19:46:00 +0000

Ezrah Aharone:

During his European debut, a reporter in Strasbourg, France asked President Obama if he subscribes to the school of “American Exceptionalism” as did his predecessors. Being the first Black president and known as a uniter, the question weighs heavy in irony since America’s self-grandiosity is tied to military aggression and presidential legacies that are littered with unapologetic ethnic and cultural indifference. Although not a common term, African Americans should form long lines like voting to get information whenever the subject of “Exceptionalism” is mentioned.

Frenchman Alexis de Tocqueville coined “Exceptionalism” in his 1835 book Democracy in America to describe the notion that America considers itself a superior and trustworthy nation that’s favored by God to play a special political, economic, religious, and military role in the world . . . Therefore, U.S. values and policies are presupposed by Americans as right and best for all nations to follow. Nothing is inherently wrong or unjust with any country espousing “Exceptionalism.” The problem and danger is when such views are pursued or imposed at the human or sovereign expense of others.

America’s brand of “Exceptionalism” took Machiavellian detours along the way for the worst. Yes, it verbally professes “Equality and Justice for All,” but at its core remains a prevailing Manifest Destiny for wealth, resources, and power that’s paved in blood and knows no bounds. Because of this duplicity, “American Exceptionalism” can only stand limited-level scrutiny before depths of contradictions and sensitivities are reached that this establishment prefers not to redress.

But all this is belied by “religious fluff” that cloaks what otherwise is inexcusable historical conduct engaged by both parties. Based on the puritanical overtones associated with its founding history and founding fathers, you would think America is spiritually incapable of human and civil rights violations that legalized enslavement and segregation to contrarily coexist with “democracy” for centuries, with impunity.

Today, the same arrogant nature of “Exceptionalism” allows America to “forgive itself” for the past and become an Evangelical arbiter that places labels of “evil” on nations with comparatively far less guilt. The U.S. government is also quick to holler “war crimes” against other nations, yet conversely doesn’t want U.S. soldiers, officials or mercenaries like Blackwater, subjected to possible prosecution for war crimes at the International Criminal Court – Even though Obama says “America does not torture.”

Politicians popularly say, “God bless America.” But it’s politically unthinkable to ever associate God with “punishment,” as did Mayor Ray Nagin of New Orleans who then had to apologize after Hurricane Katrina for saying, “God is mad at America . . . and doesn’t approve of Iraq.” “Exceptionalism” was also behind the denunciation of Rev. Jeremiah Wright and Black Liberation Theology. (Note how the media bleeps-out the word “damn” where he says “God damn America” in his infamous sermon . . . as though it’s too unbearable to broadcast on airwaves that are already filthied with commercialized vulgarities, violence, and sexual content).

Protestant theologies stem from yearnings within groups to relate and appeal to God to address their specific hardships. The only difference between Black Liberation Theology and any other “Protestant” theology, like Lutheranism or Methodism, is that the “Protest” is directed against flagrances of America as opposed to the Catholic Church or British Crown. So of course, according to “Exceptionalism,” Rev. Wright and Black Liberation Theology must be discredited in the mainstream. This establishment will not sit silent and watch a Black president relate or appeal to God in ways that deem them transgressors. They’ve studied Aristotle well-enough at think tanks and Ivy institutions to know that a government must always give appearances of “uncommon devotion to religion” so that “subjects do less easily move against” it.

All in all, “Exceptionalism” has thrived ever since their formative years when Euro-Americans were considered roving bands of “Rebellious Brits” who defied King George III. Although the Declaration of Independence and Constitution clearly weren’t intended to apply to Black people, the same political elements of “Exceptionalism” that assured our past exclusion are now actively revising history right before our very eyes, by propagating Obama’s presidency as the long-awaited ethnic fulfillment of the founder’s “real” intents of democracy and equality.

Being a great idealist and well-schooled articulator of universal aspirations, Obama admitted America was “imperfect,” but he smoothed-over the question as though “Exceptionalism” only applies to America’s greatness, and as though his predecessors were all as race-neutral as he. Like his predecessors however his job is to defend America; deviances against us included. Even a Black president doesn’t alter the reality that we as Africans have integrated into an already-sovereign European society . . . And because of the hypnotic sways of this thing called “American Exceptionalism” we find ourselves paying tribute to heroes, holidays, and history that otherwise would make no political or logical sense.

This article was culled in part from Ezrah Aharone’s 2009 book, Sovereign Evolution (Chapter 4: “The Cloak of Exceptionalism”). He is also the author of Pawned Sovereignty and a founding member of the Center for Sovereignty Advancement. He can be reached at Ezrah@theCSA.org.

Posted by TheBlackList Pub
http://theblacklistpub.ning.com/?xgi=YJzq0g
Inventing an uncommon conversation about being free
==

The 18th Black Book Awards for Excellence in Black Literature.

noreply@blogger.com (TheBlackList Concerns) — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 18:38:00 +0000

BLACK BOOK AWARD GIVEN IN NAME OF YAHHA ABDUL KARIM

Pioneering Independent Black Writer, Publisher and Muslim, Yahya Abdul Karim “joined the ancestors” in 2008. 2009 will be one of only three years his presence will not be there, when Black Writers gather at Khalifah’s Estate to “validate and celebrate” Black writers at the 18th presentation of Black Book Awards for Excellence in Black Literature.

Brother Yahya will not be there but his spirit surely will. He was especially adept at recognizing, helping and encouraging new writers. Now that gift will continue to be shared. The Black Book Award for The Best New Book of the Year will be awarded in his memory. This Black Book Award will be renamed The Yahya Abdul Karim Best New Book of the year in which it is presented.

BLACK LITERARY WEEKEND: FIRST WEEKEND IN JUNE

Black Book Awards are presented to Black Writers during Black Literary Weekend. Yahya was married to Sister Linda Richardson [her professional name]. And it is Sister Linda who will be asked to present this award to the recipient in 2009. Yahya was a legend in his own time. “I am older than Brother Yahya, but he is my role model in publishing.” Said the Founder and General Manager of the Black Book Awards, Publisher H. Khalif Khalifah, at introductions of Yahya.

Khalifah is instrumental in bringing into print more than 600 different titles over a 35 year over 35 and counting, career. Before Khalifah published his first book, Yahya’s “Afrikan Name Book,” and several others that was published by AFRAM PRESS, Yahya’s company, was already in print.

A SERIOUS AND PROMOTION OPPORTUNITY IN A FESTIVE ATMOSPHERE

The Black Book Awards evolved out of “The Harlem Literary Arts Festival” in 1977 and 1978. Two events Founded and sponsored by UBUS [United Brothers Communications Systems]. Legends John H. Clarke,Queen Mother Moore, Ben Jochannan, Preston Wilcox, Reda Faard Khalifah & Amos Wilson, Ali Rashed, Simon Bly Jr. and Poet Rich Bartee, were among those “attended and participated,” in the historic conferences. Never before had anyone ‘celebrated’ the work of “Self Published Writers” on such a high level. Indeed, at that time, if you were “self published,” your work was stigmatized, marginzed – and no bookstore or distributor would carry your book for sale in their establishments.

With the founding of UBUS Communications Systems, Khalifah “flag ship” organization, he led a direct attack against this stigma. When researched, it turned out that discrediting of books that were “self published” was done by traditional publishers. Traditional publishers are white, or Caucasian publishers. Established to serve white writers, exclusively, black writers not only saw African history abused, misused and distorted, it was IMPOSSIBILE to get Traditional publishers to published their work with truthful accounts. UBUS have worked long and relentlessly to overcome this debiliting, devastating situation.

“It became habitual with me; when I experience something in the liberation struggle of African people that is out of order; or know SOMETHING should be where there is NOTHING, I work to rectify the situation as if no one else is doing the job.” Said Khalifah, in an interview in at his home, at the birthplace of Nat Turner in Southampton County, Virginia.

Khalifah says he did not come to his methodology in the beginning: “ When I first enjoined the Struggle, I looked to help somebody who was already doing the job,” not finding them, he went to work. Then at Our Families Protection Association Street Barzaar in 1981, Khalifah met Yahya Abdul Karim. And as they say in Alabama, “the rest is history in the making.”

The 18th presentation of Black Book Awards will be on June 5, 6 & 7. All who commit and participate will receive Black Book Award Citations and automatically be nominees to win Black Book Award in several categories categories. Please go to www.blackbooksaward.com or call (704) 277-1462

More About The 18th Black Book Awards for Excellence in Black Literature.

The family, Friends, Associates and Buyers of Independent: Black Writers, Vendors, Publishers and Distributors are invited to “attend and participate” in the Validation and Celebration of Black Literature that is produced and sold “By, For and about Black People” June 5, 6 & 7, 2009 – Attendance is Absolutely Free! [The first 50 who commit to come will be scheduled to speak on a First Class basis] www.blackbooksaward.com

“Nominate” your book, or any book you deem worthy of recognition, validating and celebrating with Black Book Awards, as it has been bestowed upon Black writers since 1978, including the following: Amos N. Wilson, John Henrik Clarke, Henry N. Anderson, Federick Newsome, Paul Lawrence Banks, Lisa Muhammad, Mauriscio Henderson, Amin Muhammad, Barashango Ikamusa, Imari Abubakari Obadele, Johnita Scott Obadele, Shahrazad Ali, Reda Faard Khalifah, Frances C. Welsing, Eric Gift, Luther Warner, Gloria Taylor Edwards, Ida B. Wells, Carter G. Woodson, George G. M. James, Na’im Akbar, Yusef Abdul Salaam, Lumumba Odinga, Nana Butweiku I, C.R.O.E., Hodari Ali, Keidi Awadu, Yayah Abdul Karim, Tony Martin, Laila O. Afrika, Sherman W. Jones, Del Jones, Ahmad N. Yahim, Judy Carter (Amuntyt Khalifah), Muata Ashby, Nancy H. Sweet, Aleisa Muhammad, Omar Reid, Lula B. Edwards, Carol Barnes, Ben Jochannan, Preston Wilcox, Ahmad Daniels, Omar Tyree, James Magee, Lavinia Magee, Kamau Kambon, Muwiah Kambon, Terrance Jackson, Baba Zulu, Marva Cooper, Pierre Marie Fequiere, LABO, Julio Rose, Tom S., Curtis Cost, John F. Hachett, Kimberly Jones, Bettye Holmes Chansamone, John Moodie, Jessie Hall, Malik H. Jabbar, Anna Swantson, Edgar J. Ridley, William F. Browne, Latif Tarik, Areeb malik Shabazz, John Muhammad, Adib Rashad, Nathaniel E. Dozier, Ruth Rice Swann, Ada Sherill, W. Edwards Smalls Jr, Kendryck V. C. Allen, Frank Yancy, Lemuel Mayhem, Naimo Mu’id, Kelvin K. King, G. G. Henderson, Dalani Aamon, Sundiata Acoli, Erick Penn, Phil Valentine, Dr. Nalani CND, PhD, Baruti Bafele, Opio Lumumba Sokoni, Nilene (Omodele Adeoti) Foxworth, Cynthia Boyd, Barbara Booker Wood, C. L. Bonner, Maaxeru Tep, Brother Sayif and too many others to name who have received the only validation & celebration of its kind in the world [IF YOU DON’T SEE YOUR NAME HERE, FORGIVE US: IF YOUR INSIST CALL (704) 277-1462 and we will find space for you. Remember, everything is free except for food, the Nat Turner trail: booksellers, including writers and Vendors pay a percentage of sales [limited to 50].

THE NAT TURNER TRAIL

The third day of what is commonly known as “black literary weekend” is given to a Return Tour to The Nat Turner Trail. The tour is a Living History Lesson. It is conducted by Seniors Tour Guides, ALEXIS JOYNER & H. KHALIF KHALIFAH. For more information, go to; www.blackbooksaward.com – www.blackwritersalliance.com – www.khalifahfarmproject.com

Posted by TheBlackList Pub
http://theblacklistpub.ning.com/?xgi=YJzq0g
Inventing an uncommon conversation about being free
==

THE AFRO-ARAB BORDERLANDS – AMBIGUOUS RELATIONS IN THE SAHEL REGION OF AFRICA

noreply@blogger.com (TheBlackList Concerns) — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 21:47:00 +0000

BF BANKIE:

‘ There are sizeable Black African populations in south Libya, northern Chad and south Algeria – but less in the latter. I can hardly see any African-Arab Borderlands in 100-500-1000 years. The African people will be freed and taking a lead, turning the tables on the oppressors’. Garba Diallo –Mauritanian

‘Chad is a Black nation with a minority of Arabs in the northern and eastern parts of the country. Yes, southern Libya and Algeria are Black countries with millions of invisible oppressed Africans, but we do not hear their voices or see their faces’. Dr Jibril Abdelbagi - Darfuri

‘Despite the profoundness of the intercourse between Arab culture and Black, Bantu and Neolithic cultures, big or secondary, the relations between these two cultural worlds continues to be amongst the most unstable’. Prof Helmi Sharawy - Egyptian.

Those interested in African affairs would have noted the difficulties in following and understanding what goes on in the Afro-Arab Borderlands, hereinafter called the ‘Borderlands’, stretching from Mauritania on the Atlantic, through Mali, Niger and Chad, to Sudan on the Red Sea. This is not accidental but a deliberate conspiracy to conceal from Black Africa the goings-on by Arabian and western interests in this are of ambiguous relations. Fluency in Arabic give some access to the truth. Otherwise physical habitation over time opens the area up to comprehensive understanding. This is an area where African interests have historically been purchased ‘for a song’. Because of our weaknesses we now find our helplessness makes us the laughing stock of the global community as regards the on-going slaughter of Africans in Darfur. Not one African state has been able to raise a finger in defence of the Darfuri. Yet Darfur was proceeded by the 39 years of fighting in South Sudan, called ‘Africa’s longest war’, which war witnessed the same genocide, use of rape as a weapon, aerial bombardments , Mujadeen/Muraleen as witnessed today in Darfur. Africans remained silent during this tragedy. Something which Southern Sudanese will never forget or forgive. This text exposes the truths of the Borderlands. It was largely the work of the Bush Administration, Coleen Power and the white charismatic Churches in the United States which placed the world spotlight on Sudan, South Sudan and Darfur, leading to the issue of the International Criminal Court Writ (ICC) against Sudan President Bashir in March.

Along the Mali-Niger Borderlands, before colonisation, the Touaregs, were the sole masters of their region throughout the Sahara Desert. The coming of the European coloniser deprived them of their essential means of survival. Since then, and particularly after the self government of Mali and Niger, the Touaregs have continually rebelled against the regimes in the new states created by France, but with a clear objective in mind : the creation of a Touareg state, separate and independent. Between 1963 and 1990, several disputes took a tragic turn between the central government in Mali as well as in Niger, the Touaregs, and the sedentary populations. To better understand the hidden objective of these various disputes and/or rebellions, and the Touareg’s attitutude toward the newly independent states, one needs to consider several factors and to bear in mind that Touaregs are being settled today in Darfur in the villages from which the Fur, Massalit and Zaghawa have been expelled by the Khartoum government. The Touareg, a black people, are completely Arabised and Islamised, culturally, whereas the Darfuri retain their African identity. The Touareg are to all intents and purposes Arabs.

The liberation of the slaves

In 1905 the French aggravated the downfall of the Touaregs by ablolishing slavery, and formally liberating the Touareg’s slave, the Imrads and the Bellas. Subsequently, in 1909, instructions were given to the local French authorities in Gao, Mali, pertaining to the new status of the slaves and their social insertion. The instructions also demanded that both the owners and the slaves be treated equally from then on. For the Touaregs, any attempt by the local colonial authorities to implement these instructions meant the destruction of their society and they were not prepared for that. They were indeed hurt both in their wealth and in their prejudices. The French later realised that they could not free the slaves, either mentally or physically. Slavery was deeply embedded in the way of life of both parties – the masters and the slaves, as it is in Mauritania today( Poussibet 1979: 37-39 ).

In the late 1950s by the Act of Law 57-7-27 of 20th January 1957, published in its official journal, the French government attempted to create an entity to accommodate nomads called the Common Organisation of the Saharan Regions (OCRS ). The proclaimed objective of this project was to ‘ take all appropriate measures which could improve the living conditions of the populations in general, and of the Touareg in particular, and to ensure their economic and social advancement within the framework of a development, which would take their culture and traditions into account ’.The project therefore aimed to remove some administrative departments and communities from four Saharan countries all having nomad populations – Algeria, French Sudan (now Mali ), Niger and Chad – and to reorganise them into a separate nomad state. Bear in mind that in those times French west Africa encompassed most of west Africa and was administered as one entity. France was preparing to balkanise its empire, breaking it up into pieces, which would become Independent states, in effect deconstructing Pan-Africa. The territories concerned were :
Two departments of Algeria: Saoura and Oasis
Three communities of French Sudan: Goundam, Tombouctou and Gao
Two communities of Niger :Tahaua and Agades
Three communities of Chad : Ennedi, Bornou and Tibesti

Although the project itself was withdrawn for obscure reasons, it most certainly triggered in the mind of the Touaregs the idea of an independent state free of the domination of their former black slaves, namely the leaders of the Independent states of Mali, Niger, and Mauritania. In the Borderlands, unlike in Southern Africa, colour is of little or no importance. What counts is culture. A man may be dark black, as most Touaregs are, but will consider himself an Arab, due to his adherence to Islam and practice of Arab culture dating back hundreds of years. The Arab arrival in Africa predates by many hundreds of years the arrival of Europeans in Southern Africa. The Darfuri, although black and Islamised, are considered by Khartoum as insufficiently Arabised and inferiors, and are thus considered to be Africans and worthy subjects of genocide.

The use of Arabic in education, administration and state affairs.

In 1960 the notabilities and the chiefs of the Adrar took advantage of an inspection trip by the civilian Chief Administrator of Gao to explain their perceptions of and wishes for the future administration of Mali. More than anything else they insisted upon giving primacy to the teaching of Arabic over that of French, and securing equitable jobs/positions within the newly created administrative structures for community members who were literate in Arabic (Diallo 1960 ). It is obvious that the implementation of such measures meant the systematic exclusion of non-Arabic speaking ethnic groups. Thus governance and all other forms of participation in power and in the management of power in the northern regions would be the responsibility and the privilege of the Arabs, the Touaregs and the Moors of Moroccan descent.

The attitude of Libya

As soon as he came to power, Colonel Qaddafi, of Arabo-Berber descent, expressed his ambition to create a Saharan state which would include all the Sahelo-Saharan countries, especially those inhabited in their northern territories by the Kel-Tamasheq. In 1989, on the twentieth anniversary of the Libyan Revolution, it was declared that Mali, Niger and Chad were part of the Arab world. Meanwhile young nomads were receiving military training to go to fight in Israel, Lebanon and Chad. Some of them were later directed to Mali and Niger to organise themselves into liberation movements (Toure 1999 ).

In the mid-1990s, when Libya became a target of the French and the Americans, and because of the political and economic difficulties of the country, with the embargo and travel restrictions amongst others, this project was temporarily abandoned. Yet Libya encouraged the former combatants to organise themselves into a movement called the Azawad Liberation Movement.

The attitude of the French authorities in the late 1980s

The French authorities have played an important role in the pursuit of the Touareg rebellions. After the Baule Summit meeting of the Francophone Head of State in Africa in 1989, the proclaimed objective of which was ‘the democratisation’ of African states by all means possible, the French authorities found in the 1990 Touareg rebellion in Mali a unique chance to end the regime of the Second Republic in Mali. The rebels were therefore provided with humanitarian assistance, the most sophisticated communications tools and spies to convey their message throughout West Africa in general and in the Sahel in particular (Diakite 2006).

Secret meetings were held and receptions were frequently organised with the Touaregs ( Gaudio 1992: 6-7 ) and in 1994 France accused the political authorities of Mali and Niger of genocide against their Arab populations, namely the Touaregs. It is difficult to tell exactly when the different components of the larger Azawad Liberatiion Movement were formed. The following have, none the less, played a significant role in the Touareg rebellions:
The Azawad Popular Movement (MPA), based in the Kidal region and composed of all the Touareg ethnic groups, in addition to some Arabs and Moors.

The Azawad Arab Islamic Front, based in Mauritania and essentially composed of the Arabs of Timbuktu, the Kel antasser of Goundam, the Kuntas and the Cherifs, descendants of Prophet Muhammad

The Azawad Liberation Popular Front (FPLA), composed of the Shamanamas and other Touareg groups

The Azawad Revolutionary Army mainly composed of dissidents of the MPA and FPLA

The Azawad National Front

All these movements were later combined to form the Azawad Unified Front. For lack of an independent Touareg state, the leaders of these movements finally suggested that the three northern regions, Timbuktu, Kidal and Gao, which make up more than half of the total size of Mali, be granted a particular statute to facilitate their social and economic development.

Following difficult negotiations in Algiers under the mediation of Algeria, a National Pact was signed on the 11th April 1991 between the government of Mali and the representatives of the Azawad Unified Fronts and Movements. This pact was meant to put an end to all attacks and ethnic-related conflicts and facilitate the social and economic integration of the populations of the northern regions. The causes of the rebellions was the lack of consideration for Arab minority groups, social injustice towards the Touaregs, the attitude of the colonial administration before self-government and of the leaders of the first and second Republics of Mali ( 1960-68 and 1968-91 respectively ). These are often put forth by the technical and financial partners as the reasons for the development in the western Sahel and northern regions of the privileging of abusive Arabised minority groups over numerically dominant African ones. In other words, there had developed a form of reverse discrimination which might undermine all efforts made for peaceful cohabitation in the Sahelian communities.

The severe droughts of the 1970s and 1980s hardly hit the northern regions of Mali, Mauritania, Niger and even Burkina Faso, but the social and economic fabric of these countries degraded significantly. The armed conflicts which followed, commonly called the ‘Touareg rebellions’, contributed to the aggravation of an already chaotic situation. Urban centres in the north were quiet often attacked by ’armed bandits’ and tens, if not hundreds of thousands of people were killed or forced to migrate to neighbouring countries. Inter-community tensions rapidly grew among the different ethnic groups.

In its handling of the consequences of these long years of drought on the one hand, and of the rebellions of the 1980s and the 1990s on the other, the government of Mali, with the assistance of its bilateral and multilateral partners, tended to favour the Arabs and the Touaregs, to the detriment of the sedentary black communities. These communities had initially suffered from drought and the incessant attacks of the combatants of the different Azawad Liberation Movements and of the ‘armed bandits’ later on. This favouring of the Arab communities was the impression that the layman had of the food distribution organised by local government authorities with the assistance of non-governmental organisations. We should recall here that Prof Alpha Konare, former head of state of Mali, became Chairman of the Organisation of African Unity/African Union (OAU/AU). Konare had long exposure to the Afro-Arab conundrum as indicated in this research, in his home country, Mali.

The formation of the Gandakoy Movement on the 9th May 1994 is an illustration of the reaction of an black ethnic group, frustrated and frequently submitted to injustice, racial discrimination and/or exclusion. This movement represented an ethnic reaction to the suffering of the sedentary populations following the violent attacks of the Touareg rebellions. The failure of successive Malian governments to find solutions to these problems lead to the black sedentary populations taking the law into their own hands and resorting to arms. This movement obtained international media coverage. Gandakoy effected cross border communities in Mali, Mauritania and Niger.

In a news item dated 27th January 2009 headlined ‘ Conflict intensifies in northern Mali despite Algiers Accord’, it was reported that the Malian army had stepped-up its fight with the Touareg rebels in the countries northern region of Kidal. Despite Algeria’s mediation, the rebel leader Ibrahim Ag Bahanga stated that war in the ‘ only option’. Algeria has mediated for years between the warring factions inthis Borderland conflict. Nothing in this western news item indicates that, lik e the Darfur conflict in Sudan, the Touareg conflict finds its roots in the Afro-Arab interchange, which is found from Mauritania on the Atlantic through Mali, Niger and Tchad to Sudan on the Red Sea. This area of Africa has always been a low or high intensity ( hot or cold ) conflict zone. Whereas Arabia is on the offensive as seen currently in Sudan, and at the Qatar Summit, African reaction remains one of denial.

[Originally published as Special Feature
entitled ‘ New horizons for Pan-Africanism/African Nationalism ‘,
Windhoek, Namibia]

*B.F.Bankie, former Researcher, Kush Institution, Office of the President, Juba, South Sudan

Reference
Diakite.S (2006) Racial prejudices and inter-ethnic conflicts- The case of the Afro-Arab Borderlands in the Western Sahel, appearing in the book Racism in the Global African experience edited by K.K.Prah, published by CASAS, Cape Town, South Africa, text of a paper delivered at WCAR,Durban, 2001

Posted by TheBlackList Pub
http://theblacklistpub.ning.com/?xgi=YJzq0g
Inventing an uncommon conversation about being free
==

DECLARE South Sudan Independence Now!

noreply@blogger.com (TheBlackList Concerns) — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 15:30:00 +0000

HTML clipboard
Declare South Sudan Independence, Now.

by Anyar Ngang Alith

I have been contemplating about writing this topic for a long time. But something keeps me from writing it.　One of the days I　went to bed at 12:00 midnight and I dreamt　in my sleep that South Sudan had declared unilateral independence, and it had been recognized by a dozen nations in the region and internationally.

So when I awoke there was no such news, and I guess my brain　was screwed.

Now what? I would get into my favourite subject of all subjects in the world of politics today (South Sudan independence). Though politic is not where I am good at, I would try my best to put my ideas into intellectual perspective.

Nowadays if you listen to news coming out of Southern Sudan, and you do really care about that land, you feel depressed and demoralized. There South Sudan has the right to self declare Unilateral Independence and they haven't been able to do so.

If you have been listening to news coming out of South Sudan, it's depressing and demoralizing. There is tribal feud all over South nagging on every issue that arises.

For me, that is a bad taste. I would want a　government which is tough and decisive on issues coming out of post war Sudan. In Southern Sudan today, anybody can do anything they want and they know they will get away with it. Why? Because there is no rule of law. Government is there nominally. They are not doing anything per se. You are stabbed in the back several　times, slapped in the face 4 times and and nothing is done about it, until　the daywhen you fall and collapse.

Have I bored you?　 OK I promise I'll be done here. Here is what I want; GOSS should declare the independence of South Sudan now. Why am I advocating on this subject only?

It is because I want South Sudan to stand on its own feet without support from a third party. Today South Sudan can be pushed down from its unstable feet by the Sudan government. If we declare unilateral independence today, we will have a lot of benefits and solve our own problems too.

The benefits of unilateral independence are:

Stable South Sudan

Independent economy

Freedom from oppression

Constitutional right　

However, there would be problems that　we would have to tackle, for instance:　　

Tribal feuds

Corruption

Lack of qualified civil servant

Yet, all of the above　problems would need tackling from day one of independence　but am not worried about them, because we are already dealing with them. As long we get the benefits above, then am not going to spend my time worrying about them because we can solve them without interference from a third party (Sudan Government).

In addition, the Government of Sudan today is at it weakest point in their 20 years of mismanagement and genocidal war against the south. Today they are cornered and they are trying to survive. They are saving their regime from collapsing. But who is helping them to survive today?　

My guess　would　be GOSS, would that　be fair to say?

I hate to say that but then I would not like to shut up either because I belong to the South and am entitled to my opinion. If the GOSS declares unilateral independence, the GOS would be cut off from interfering in the South. They would not be able to support militias because they will have no supply lines.

There will be no southern politician hiding in Khartoum claiming to be representing us while　he's there promoting personal agendas and begging for welfare money.

Are you with me? I'm coming to conclusion. GOSS is not capable of toppling GOS, so self declaration of independence should be the solution to the South Sudan.　We will still have problems of Abyiei and Blue Nile, Nuba Mountain.　However, they are already problematic, but I guess GOSS has lose grip of those areas already and GOS is spreading deeper southward ( Malakal).

Let me say , we will　 get into that solution when we are free but not when we are squeezed southward which is the joy of GOS.

Furthermore, we will try referendum in those areas of Abyiei, Blue Nile and Nuba Mountains, and if voting does work, we will fight as two independent nations.　 We will lock in all the militia leaders and grumpy politicians in the south.

Above all we will be free. We will be moving to one direction. We will blame ourselves for our mistakes instead of pointing fingers to others. FREEDOM is not free, you fight for it. You earn it.

Written by Anyar Ngang Alith,
The New Sudan Vision (NSV) 　　

Wednesday, 25 March 2009 22:06

*Anyar Ngang is the moderator for

Rally for South Sudan Independence　website.
He can be reached at anyarngang@gmail.com

Posted by TheBlackList Pub
http://theblacklistpub.ning.com/?xgi=YJzq0g
Inventing an uncommon conversation about being free
==

A NEW BOOK: "Better Late Than Never," Excerpt

noreply@blogger.com (TheBlackList Concerns) — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 17:36:00 +0000

TITLE: Better Late Than Never
AUTHOR: Stephanie Morris
AUTHOR URL: http://www.stephaniemorris.webs.com
GENRE/THEME: Interracial Sensual Romance
PUBLISHER: Amira Press
ISBN: 978-1-935348-31-3
RELEASE DATE: April 10, 2009
URL TO THE BUYING PAGE: http://www.amirapress.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&amp...
EXCERPT RATING: PG-13

BLURB:

Kristen Smith loves to work with children and her life-long dream of opening her own childcare center has finally come true. Everything couldn’t be more perfect until her high school sweetheart walks through front door with his son in tow. Randy Stroud was the "one" that she has never gotten over. She has never understood why he’d ended their relationship but it was obvious that he’d moved and she was more than willing to pretend that she has.

EXCERPT:

Randy smiled to himself when he looked over at his three-year-old son, Wade. He was taking him to enroll him into the new day care center that had just been opened. Being the sheriff of Appling County was a tough and demanding job at times, but he loved it. The downside was that there were times when he was on call twenty-four-seven, but when he wasn’t, he spent all of his time with Wade. His son was his life. One of his deputies, Gary, had recommended the new day care. His sister had enrolled her children and had nothing but good things to say about the day care and its owner. She seemed to work very well with children. There were two other day care centers in Baxley, but Gary was a pretty reliable guy, so Randy was going to take his advice and look at the day care center. His mother had been watching Wade when he needed her to, but she was getting up in age, and she shouldn’t have to keep a rambunctious three-year-old, whether she enjoyed it.

He cut off the engine to his truck after he pulled up in front of the decorative building. It would appeal to the eye of a child. Hoisting his thirty-two-year-old body out, he walked around to the passenger side and opened the door to the back seat. Wade had been an excuse for him to get the larger truck he always wanted. Randy’s frame was too large for a car. It was dangerous for a child Wade’s age to ride in the front seat, even if he was in a car seat. So the double cab truck was the perfect solution. He unbuckled Wade out of his car seat, Wade hopped into his arms, and Randy shut the door to the truck. He made his way up the steps. Randy opened the door and stepped inside. It closed behind him but not loud enough to draw the attention of the woman who stood behind the counter. He grinned when he recognized her.

They had grown up together in Baxley, although she was four years younger than him. In high school, he and her older brother Max had been good friends and had played on the football team together.

“Morning, Zeb.”

She looked up in surprise then smiled.

“Good morning, Sheriff. Good morning, Wade. What brings the two of you to this side of town?”

“I came to see if I could enroll Wade into day care here.”

Zebbie gave him a concerned look. “Is your mom sick?”

He shook his head. “No, but the fact you just asked the question let’s me know I’m doing the right thing.”

Zebbie reached under the counter and pulled out a clipboard with paperwork on it. “Fill this out, and when you are finished, let me know.”

He nodded and walked over to the chair and took a seat. If he didn’t know any better he would say Zebbie looked nervous, although he couldn’t figure out why. Shrugging the thought off he turned his attention to the paperwork in front of him. Wade settled onto his lap, and he began to fill out the paperwork. They were simple questions like Wade’s age, if he was potty trained, and other questions to determine how much individual attention Wade needed. Once Randy answered all of the questions, he handed the clipboard to Zebbie. She gave the paperwork a once-over, then looked up at him.

“Okay, follow me to the conference room.”

They were led to a room with a large table and three chairs. There was also a small table with four little chairs and a large toy box sitting next to it. Wade eyed them with obvious hope and then looked up at him. Zebbie left the room, and Randy led Wade to the table where they could have a seat.

“You will have to wait to see if you can play with the toys.”

Wade nodded like he had all of the patience in the world, a deception that would fool any person who hadn’t been in the presence of his son for more than five minutes. While Wade was well behaved, it would dissipate. Wade ventured over to the smaller table and sat in one of the chairs. It resembled the set he had at home. Randy glanced down at his watch just when the door opened. He froze in surprise when he saw who stood there. It was Kristen, the only woman he ever loved and had never been able to tell.
* * * *

Shocked, Kristen stared at the man in front of her. She fought the instant reaction of wanting to rub her eyes to make sure they weren’t deceiving her. It had been six years since she had last seen him. Six years that she tried to forget him, and now, she realized it had all been in vain. She was more in love with him now than she had been when she was a teenager. He seemed to have become more handsome than she recalled. His brown eyes still held the mystery they used to, and his light blond hair was cut short, yet still long enough to show his hand had been raked through it several times despite the early hour. He looked taller. His shoulders were broader, and he it looked as though he exercised to stay in shape judging by the way his uniform fit.

Kristen gave herself a mental shake. What was she doing? Drooling over a man whom she shouldn’t be. Looking down at the paperwork in her hands, she used the distraction to collect her thoughts and herself. If she had read it before entering the room, she wouldn’t have been unprepared. It was too late to think about that now. She stepped farther into the room and closed the door behind her. Walking over to Randy, she held her hand out to him and hoped he would shake it.

“It is a pleasure to see you again, Mr. Stroud.”

Before he could react to her formal attitude, Kristen continued. “Wade is more than welcome to enroll at the day care center. I would like to explain some things to you about the operations of my center, and then you make your final decision.”

Her gaze drifted over to Wade, and another pang traveled through her chest. He was a carbon copy of Randy, and he should be their son but wasn’t. What made it even worse was that there was no reason why he wasn’t.

Randy had walked away from her with no explanation at all. After walking over to the little boy, she knelt beside him.

“Hi, Wade. My name is Ms. Smith.”

He gave her a brief look then looked to his father for approval. When Randy gave it, Wade smiled before speaking. “Hi, Ms. Smith.”

“How old are you, Wade?”

“Three.”

Kristen’s mouth curled upward in amusement. He was such a sweetheart. “Do you see the box over there?”

He nodded eagerly, and she grinned. She explained to him that it was full of toys he could play with while she talked to his dad. “But you must put the toys up when you are finished playing with them.”

He agreed to the bargain, and she stood. Once she was out of his way, he headed to the toy box. She walked over to where Randy was sitting and took the empty chair next to him.

“You are good with kids.”

“Thank you. Now to discuss the business of . . .” She stopped when Randy’s hand touched hers.

“How have you been?”

“Fine, now if we could get—”

“Talk to me, Kristen.”

She shook her head and tried to pull her hand back, but he wouldn’t let her. “There is nothing to talk about, Mr. Stroud.”

He refused to let her distract him with her formality. Instead, he leaned forward. “Yes, there is.”

“What is there to talk about?”

“You can tell me how you have been.”

“I already have.”

“Kristen, I know we didn’t end on a good note, but the past is the past.”

Her eyebrows rose in disbelief. “It may be easy for you, but it isn’t easy for me. You know me well enough to know that I don’t make the same mistake twice.”

“Kristen, we—”

She held up her hand. “A long time ago, you broke my heart, and it took a long time for the wound to heal. Needless to say, I don’t want to open the wound again.” She looked down at the papers she was organizing. Her hand trembled before she steadied it. “Now, if you want, Wade can stay today. I will just need you to fill out these forms and he can.”

As she handed the forms to him, she explained what they were. One was a medical emergency form giving them permission to take Wade to the hospital if needed. Another asked about his history of health and immunizations. The last form explained the payment that was expected and when.

“Do you have any questions?”

He shook his head, and she knew he was being dishonest. His eyes told her he was.

“Not at the moment.”

Kristen knew he had as many questions for her as she had for him, and none of her questions was related to the paperwork.

“Good, then fill out these forms and he can stay today.”

He remained silent, but she could feel his gaze burning a hole into her, and she looked up. “Is something wrong?”

He shook his head. “I was just looking at how beautiful you are?”

She wanted to disagree with him, but his heated stare told her he still believed it. Her curly dark brown hair fell a few inches below her shoulder blades. Randy had always loved her hair and in the past could never resist touching it. Today, she had pulled her hair back into a French braid, a style that complemented her creamy cocoa colored face. She stared at him with milk chocolate eyes she tried to keep devoid of emotion, and it was a difficult task. Letting Randy go after he broke up with her had been hard to do, and now with all of the emotions bubbling to the surface at the sight of him, Kristen wondered if she had ever really moved on.

Looking down at his left hand, she looked for a ring or a ring tan line, and when she didn’t find one, she frowned. From what she heard, he should be married. Was he divorced? She tampered down the excitement rising to the surface. Baxley wasn’t a small place, but with a population a little under forty-five hundred, a few major events still got around. Like it had when she and her sisters had moved to Baxley with their mother. To this day, they were the only triplets to have lived in Baxley.

She was pulled from her thoughts when he leaned forward and brushed his hand against her cheek. Her eyes widened with weariness, and she had to force herself not to pull away. She couldn’t let him know his touch affected her.

“Give me a chance, Kristen.”

She did pull away then. This was exactly what she didn’t want. Couldn’t afford to give into. She already suffered one heartache, and that was plenty.

“Give you a chance to what?”

He gave her a gentle smile. “I want a chance to make things right between us.”

Kristen shook her head. It was something she couldn’t allow to happen. She looked over at Wade. “I don’t think your wife would approve.” Randy held up his left hand. She furrowed her eyebrows together in puzzlement. She heard he had married six years ago, but she hadn’t heard anything about a divorce. “Are you one of those guys who doesn’t wear a wedding ring?”

His lips curled upward. “I’m not married, and I never have been.”

She remained silent. That only meant she didn’t know Randy like she thought she did. He always seemed to be the kind of guy that would do the honorable thing and marry the mother of his child.

“Then his mother wouldn’t approve of it.”

He shrugged. “I doubt she would even be concerned.”

The comment bothered her. How could he be so unconcerned about flirting with one woman while he was involved with another? Randy continued speaking, not giving her the chance to respond.

“I know I hurt you. I also know I made a mistake. It is a mistake I plan to correct. I wanted you six years ago, and I want you now although this time it is for keeps.”

Kristen pulled away and stood up. “Finish filling out these papers, and I will take Wade and show him the rest of the center.”

At the mentioning of his name, Wade looked up. Kristen walked over to him. “Would you like to take a look around?”

He looked over at his father, and when Randy nodded. Wade did the same. That Wade always wanted approval from his father before he made contact with strangers was comforting. She held out her hand, and he took it. “We are going to meet some of the children your age.”

She led him from the conference room to the main room. This was the room where the three-, four-, and five-year-olds spent the majority of their time.

“This is where you will spend a lot of time.” She explained this would be the place where he would improve his counting and alphabet, writing, and drawing skills. “This is also the place where you will take your nap.”

Wade frowned at the idea, which gave her the indication that naptime wasn’t his favorite activity, and she laughed as she led him out of the room. She showed him the kitchen where he would eat breakfast, lunch, and a snack. Wade’s face lit up at the mention of food.

“Now it is time to meet some of your classmates.”

She led him to a large room where all of the kids were sitting, waiting for story time. “This is where we come for story time. Would you like to stay and hear the story?”

“Yes.”

She led him over to his age group. “Good morning, everyone. This is Wade, and he is going to be joining us today.”

Everyone welcomed him, and his face lit up. She knelt down in front of him. “I need to finish speaking with your dad, but I will be back to check on you.”

He nodded, and she stood and took a deep breath trying to prepare herself to go back in to talk to Randy. When she returned to the conference room, he looked up briefly. She studied him when he looked down to add his signature to the last page. She blinked when he shuffled the papers back into their original order and handed them back to her.

“Would you like for Wade to stay today?”

“Yes. I will be back to pick him up at six.”

“That is fine. Our hours are five in the morning to six-thirty in the evening. If there is ever a time when you are running late, just call and let us know.”

He stood. “If I am running late, my mom or dad will come and pick him up. I put them down as the next of kin. They also have permission to pick him up when I can’t do so.”

Kristen smiled. “Okay.”

A strange expression materialized on his face, and she wondered what he was thinking. Curiosity coursed through her, and she fought it. She wanted to know, but she wasn’t going to ask. The last thing she should do was give him any indication there was any interest on her part. Instead she walked him to the entrance of her day care.

“It was good to see you again,” she replied casually.

He grinned. “It was good to see you, too.”

She wanted to stand there and watch as Randy got into his truck and drove off but knew it would be a bad idea. Instead, she turned and headed back into the day care. For the first time since Randy walked into, she allowed herself to react. Her knees gave out, and she collapsed against the wall. Randy had a way of making her weak in the knees. It was more than his sexiness. Randy always affected her in a way that no other man had. To be honest, she was surprised she was just now running into him. Kristen would never admit that she had been trying to avoid him. She had done a good job up until now. The only thing she wondered was if he was using Wade to get to her. She wasn’t the only person with a day care center. He had to have known this day care center was hers. Then again, she hadn’t placed any official advertisements. It hadn’t been needed. Word of mouth traveled faster.

Still, to have him show up with his son had hurt. When she found out about Wade several years ago, she had been upset. It bothered her that the son Randy had wasn’t with her. Wade should have been theirs. He would have been if Randy hadn’t called off their relationship. What had annoyed her even more was the fact that he had moved on. She hadn’t moved. She never had. There was no one else for her. She knew from the time she laid eyes on him. Randy was a good man. He had always been good to her. Even today she was puzzled as to why Randy had called their relationship to an end.

What irritated her now was he thought he could just walk back into her life and they could pick up where they left off. She didn’t like it, and she wouldn’t fall for it. After the way Randy broke her heart, he would have to prove that he wanted her back. Shaking her head to clear it, she groaned. She was going to hear it from her sisters when she made it home this evening, but it would be worth it because she needed their advice on this one.

See Stephanie Morris' profile on TheBlackList Pub

Posted by TheBlackList Pub
http://theblacklistpub.ning.com/?xgi=YJzq0g
Inventing an uncommon conversation about being free
==

Omoseye Bolaji, A Nigerian Author’s Exploits In South Africa

noreply@blogger.com (TheBlackList Concerns) — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 08:21:00 +0000

Every so often, we come up with unsung and unknown heroes of our land, people who have made contributions in various disciplines, putting Nigeria on the map and promoting the many positive characteristics of our people.

read more | digg story

African American Women's Health

noreply@blogger.com (TheBlackList Concerns) — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 13:51:00 +0000

African American Women's Health

This came my way. If you want to do a masters in Boston, concentrating on African American women's health, Suffolk University is offering free tuition. Thus far , Suffolk has only received 1 application for this program.From: Angelique Shofar

I am writing to you in hopes that you can help spread the word about this one-of-a-kind scholarship opportunity for a student to develop leadership in African American women's health. Despite our efforts to publicize the full-tuition scholarship, we have gotten literally only one application for this year, so we are reaching out to our networks, including our advisory board members, to spread the word. It's such a valuable opportunity for the right person, it would be a shame to let it go to waste.

Scholarship to Build Leadership in the Field of African American Women's Health The Master of Arts in Women's Health (MAWH) program at Suffolk University (Boston) is pleased to offer a competitive, annual, fulltuition scholarship to a student committed to working in the field of Black women's health. Funded by the Suffolk University College of Artsand Sciences, this scholarship is designed to develop leadership in an area that will contribute to the health and well-being of African American women and girls.

By virtually every marker of health and health care status, African American women suffer unjustly. African American women are less likely than white women to have health insurance and are more likely to be dependent upon the political vagaries of Medicaid policies. African American women confront particularly high rates of cervical cancer, diabetes, hypertension, breast cancer, HIV/AIDS infection, and maternal mortality.

For these patterns to change:
Government policies need to redress longstanding racial disparities in health care access. Medical institutions need to develop programs that improve patient care for Black women. Health care providers need to cultivate communication skills that show respect for the strengths and diversity of Black women and that acknowledge financial limitations that may interfere with health maintenance.

Community leaders need to work towards building environments that are safe and healthy for Black women and their families.Educators need to address how African American women can make the healthy choices that facilitate healthy minds and bodies.African American women need training in self-care and self-advocacy.

The MAWH Scholarship to Build Leadership in the Field of African American Women's Health aims to train gifted and dedicated students to work effectively in all of these arenas.

To apply for the Scholarship please submit by no later than April 15:

(1)The standard application materials required for the MAWH; to view, click below. >
(2) A substantive essay addressing: (a) What are the core health issues facing Black women? (b) How did you come to develop an interest in Black women's health? (c) What do you hope to learn in the MAWH program that will help you develop as a leader in the field of Black women's health? (d) What does being a leader in the field of Black women's health mean to you? (e) Describe your ideal job in this field!

Questions? Please see:
http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http://www.suffolk.edu%2Fcollege%2F13527.html
or contact:
mawh@suffolk.edu

Amy Agigian,
Ph.D.Associate Professor,
Sociology DepartmentDirector,
Center for Women's Health and Human RightsDirector,
Master of Arts in Women's HealthSuffolk University
8 Ashburton Place,
Beacon Hill Boston, MA 02108
Tel: 617-573-8487
Fax: 617-994-4278
aagigian@suffolk.edu

Motion for Emergency Injunction against 20016 Olympic Games in Chicago

noreply@blogger.com (TheBlackList Concerns) — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 15:22:00 +0000

Motion for Emergency Injunction against

20016 Olympic Games in Chicago

On Monday, April 6, 2009, Bob Brown, co-director of Pan-African Roots, filed pro se, in the Circuit Court of Cook County , an emergency motion for a temporary restraining order or preliminary injunction against Chicago ’s bid to host the 2016 Olympic Games.

The Chicago 2016 committee; Patrick G. Ryan, its Chairman and CEO; the City of Chicago ; Mayor Richard M. Daley; the City Council of Chicago and Alderman Edward M. Burke are named as Defendants.

Copies of the Emergency Motion, Complaint and requested Order were served on Defendants. A complimentary copy was sent to the United States Olympic Committee and the International Olympic Committee’s evaluation team which arrived in the Windy City on April 2d, for a site visit.

Mr. Brown argues, among other concerns, that the guarantee made by the Chicago 2016 committee and the City of Chicago in their bid book, that there will be no 1st Amendment-protected protests in Chicago and its vicinity one week before, during and one week after the 2016 Olympic Games is unconstitutional and unenforceable.

“There is no 1st Amendment-protected right or compelling state interest to hold an Olympic event in Chicago ,” Mr. Brown said. “But we do have a 1st Amendment-protected right to hold protests before, during and after the Games; and we will exercise that right!”

Mr. Brown also argues that the Chicago 2016 committee and all of its stakeholders are in knowing, willful and deceitful violation of the Chicago Slavery Era Disclosure Ordinance. They have failed to file, and/or committed perjury on, their Economic Disclosure Statement, which includes a Certificate of Slavery Era Business.

There are 205 National Olympic Committees in the International Olympic Committee. All of them except the United States Olympic Committee are owned, controlled and financed by their respective governments. All of them must file search and disclose their slavery era recrods if they are to receive any benefits, financial or material from the City of Chicago. At least 6 countries in Europe, dozens of countries in Africa, and every country in the Western Hemisphere were involved, in one way or another, in the Transatlantic slave trade and slavery.

“The Chicago Slavery Era Records Disclosure Ordinance is crystal clear,” Mr. Brown said, “failure to file an Economic Disclosure Statement and to certify that you have searched and disclosed any and all of your and your predecessor entities’ slavery era records, or lying that you did, is a crime in the City of Chicago .”

“No slavery era records, no Olympic Games in Chicago ,” he declared!

"We are honored to file this lawsuit on the eve of the Durban Review Conference which will convene in Geneva, Switzerland from April 20-24, 2009," he continued. President Obama, and the United States government, might boycott the meeting, unfortunately, but Bob Brown will be there."

Mr. Brown is asking the Court for declaratory judgment and injunctive relief. For more information and/or a copy of the filings, contact us at paroots02@yahoo.com.

The hearing was continued until 9:15 am, today, April 7, 2009 in Room 2301 of the Daley Center, 50 Wst Washington Street, Chicago, IL.

We invite all who in the area to stop by the courtroom, and observe "justice," Chicago-style!

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

For more information, contact
Bob Brown, co-director

Pan-African Roots
paroots02@yahoo.com
Office: (202) 544-9355

Prison and Penal Reform in the Turks and Caicos Islands - Britain's colonial prison responsibility

noreply@blogger.com (TheBlackList Concerns) — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 01:14:00 +0000

Prison and Penal Reform in the Turks and Caicos Islands

Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos Islands ( Advance copy – n.b. this is a pre-publication announcement and the original shall be released on the 6th April, 2009)

Courtenay Barnett has today transmitted his “Prison and Penal Reform in the Turks and Caicos Islands: A Position Paper for Improvements in the Prison System” to His Excellency, the Governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands ( TCI) for delivery to the Secretary of State in London, England . This scholarly work is a call to action for the British Government to fulfill a duty to the people of the TCI in regard to obligations existing under Article 73 of the United Nations Charter.

Mr. Barnett draws upon his personal experience as a defence attorney in the TCI, and his academic research to define the problems in the penal system as it currently exists and presents practical actions for mitigating them. There has been a steady rise in crime from 1986 to 2009 in the TCI, with a tendency toward more violent crimes, which can be traced to certain internal and external factors that have affected the indigenous population. As prison sentencing has increased, this increase in imprisonment has resulted in a shortage of capacity in the local prison facility. The simple choice given the Secretary of State is either to invest in building more prisons, or to invest in cost effective programmes that can reduce the need for imprisonment. The TCI is offered as a laboratory in a small controlled environment for testing policies and programmes designed to minimise recidivism.

The primary material factors contributing to the rising crime problem in the TCI are: colonial neglect; a highly skewed economic distribution accompanied by a desire for material possessions exceeding the earned income of many inhabitants; governmental and public administration corruption on the part of the colonial appointees and local elected officials; illegal migration; illegal guns; and illicit drug related activity. Realising that the TCI is not economically viable without external support, the people of the TCI have shown that they are unwilling to accept political independence. The well-being for the TCI therefore remains the legal obligation of the British Government imposed by Article 73 of the UN Charter, which states that as a member state having assumed responsibility for a territory must “…ensure, with due respect for the culture of the peoples concerned, their political, economic, social, and educational advancement, their just treatment, and their protection against abuses.” Hence, Mr. Barnett appeals to the Secretary of State for specific grants to address these issues as a matter of legal duty towards the TCI.
Addressing income earning potential for the population between the ages of 16 to 35, the age group most prone to engage in criminal activity, he suggests that Her Majesty’s Government establishes a non-political and non-partisan office of ‘Youth Commissioner’. The main focus of this position would be: implementation of a programme to assess and guide the individuals in that age group to purposeful academic training, job skills, and placement in income earning activities. The jobs envisioned can be directly linked to national development, whether they are initiated by the private sector or the government, thereby benefiting the society as a whole.

Mr. Barnett cites illegal immigration from Haiti as directly linked to the increase in illegal arms and drugs in the TCI. He makes an urgent request to Great Britain to fund maritime border patrol of the islands, engaging the US in assistance with this effort, but not ignoring the need to provide humanely for legitimate refugees. Further, he advocates working with the US to eradicate the sources of guns and drugs flowing through Haiti and elsewhere.

‘DIMET’ is the term he has coined standing for the principles to address reform in the prison itself: Define goals for the prison; Individually structure rehabilitation for the prisoner; Monitor discipline; Educate the inmate; and, effect Transitional justice for the prisoner after release. Mr. Barnett acknowledges that there will be individuals in every society who are violent and unrepentant and who therefore are not candidates for reform. However, for the rest, it is in the interest of the society to make every attempt to work with convicted offenders to keep them from engaging in criminal activity again after they are released. He advocates a structured programme, whereby the prison has defined goals with specific and measurable outcomes at the societal and individual levels.

The paper engages the British Government at the policy level. It questions the assumptions behind merely depositing undesirables in prison. It focuses on the historically derived racism which has led to British public policy neglect of the TCI. It reflects on the real issues underlying prisoners social origins and presents practical and just solutions.

Wilberne Persaud, former head of the Department of Economics at the University of the West Indies, said “A welcome eye-opening look at a problem, elements of which are much too common in our region ... perhaps exposure to a broader audience will force the authorities to act.”
It remains to be seen whether Her Majesty’s Government can appropriately and responsibly assist “the honest people of the Turks and Caicos Islands” to whom this paper is dedicated.

ERRATA
1. Page ii “a society . . . find” should be “a society . . .finds”
2. Page 10 "populous" twice on page 27 instead of "populace"
3. Page 19 reference to Binyam Mohamed as “citizen” is incorrect since he is a “resident” of the UK
4. Page 38 "sanitised" (sanitized in US spelling) is misspelled "sanistised".
5. The number 1 is used instead of capital I for the Roman numeral on:
Page 23, George III and Henry VIII
Page 38, William III
Pages 43, 47, 49, & 50, prisoner numbers
Only the first is a real solecism and the others might be excused for reason of typographical constraints
6. Page 32 “ on the police” should read “ harsh on the police”
7. Page 35 “ Chagossians” is misspelled “ Chaggosinas”
8. Page 41 “Bloom-Cooper” is misspelled “ Bloom-Copper”
9. Final correction: “ Change your mind and you change your outlook” - please read with that thought in mind.

N.B. Any findings of error can be forwarded to courtenaybarnett@yahoo.com. Critical comments and/or constructive suggestions are welcomed.
___________________________________________________________________________
Courtenay Francis Raymond Barnett is a graduate of London University. His areas of study were economics, political science and international law. He has been practising law for over twenty seven years, has been arrested for defending his views, and has argued public interest and human rights cases. His web site: www.globaljusticeonline.com

POSITION PAPERS: Britain's colonial prison responsibility
https://lists.riseup.net/www/d_read/theblacklist/Caribbean/%20Prison%20and%20Penal%20Reform%20in%20the%20Turks%20and%20Caicos%20Islands%20-%20Britain%27s%20colonial%20prison%20responsibility

IN STEP WITH THE DURBAN REVIEW CONFERENCE: Eyes on the Ground: Film Exhibit April 20th

noreply@blogger.com (TheBlackList Concerns) — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 00:17:00 +0000

Eyes on the Ground: Film Exhibit April 20th

Dear Activists and Friends,

As you know the Durban Review Conference will take place in Geneva, Switzerland from April 20th – 24th. This will be an historic week where the world community takes stock of the gains made since the UN World Conference against Racism in 2001.

Mindful of those in Geneva making voices of the people heard, The Drammeh Institute, in partnership with Al Santana Productions, would like you to join us at the film exhibit, EYES ON THE GROUND as an informal social gathering for those that could not attend.

This exhibit will feature Durban 400, directed by Al Santana, and show first hand, on the ground accounts of the Durban conference by filmmakers who shot historic images of global Africans struggling for freedom and self determination. Moreover, it will be an opportunity to reflect upon our strengths through this reunion, network, and meet old and new friends.

These clips may never be seen again in public.

Won't you join us for an informal social & discussion?

MONDAY, APRIL 20th, 2008

6:00 P.M. - 9:00 P.M.

Free admission and open to the public

LOCATION:

Art Gallery, 2nd Floor of the Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. State Office Building

163 West 125th Street at Adam Clayton Powell Blvd. (7th Avenue), the Village of Harlem

(Travel: A,C, D, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, Trains or M-7 Bus to 125th Street)

Municipal Parking at W.126th St. between Lenox Avenue & Adam Clayton Powell Blvd. Street parking free after 7PM

Light food & refreshments will be served.

R.S.V.P. by email:durban400doc@hotmail.com « For more information: (718) 737-1976

EYES ON THE GROUND, is a program of the Drammeh Institute, Inc., in partnership with Al Santana Productions.

Film Exhibition Space is supported in part by the NYS Office of General Services (OGS) and, the Museum of African American Cinema (MoAAC)

««««« You must have a valid photo ID to enter building. «««««

Durban Review Conference
For Updates: http://www/Twitter.com/dramedia

DUTCH RECOLONIZATION OF CURAÇAO MUST BE STOPPED. REFERENDUM 2009

noreply@blogger.com (TheBlackList Concerns) — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 05:14:00 +0000

DUTCH RECOLONIZATION OF CURAÇAO MUST BE STOPPED.
REFERENDUM 2009

REQUESTING INTERNATIONAL SOLIDARITY

Greetings Brothers and Sisters,

Here we are (again!) involved in a referendum nobody asked for to take place May 15. You know the situation 'cause you've been here. The puppet government wants the people to approve (not asking them if they agree or not) the December 2008 agreements they signed with their Dutch masters- without consulting anybody - that put back in the hands of the Dutch administration the vital areas of national life such as justice, public finances, education and control on good governance. So were going back in time instead of decolonizing.

The contradictions manifest in a much harder way now than when you & David came to support us in 2005. This set against the background that in this globalized era the remaining colonial powers are seeking to rapidly consolidate their control of "their" colonies in the midst of the crisis they themselves caused and making sure that no independence or national liberation movement will stand in the way of their industrial and financial capital to expand "their" markets outside their own national borders.

We see the USA administration opposing, jailing and plotting against Puerto Ricans fighting for independence. The UK government has declared more than once that it will under no circumstances recognize any government that proclaims independence in Montserrat, Anguila, Virgin Isles etc. We recently saw an arrogant Sarkozy ignoring the call for freedom that echoed through the streets of Guadeloupe and Martinique. The Dutch government is executing the same policy. In the year 2010 the Committee for Decolonization of the UN will cease to exist. So the great world powers have decided that those who are not independent by 2010, will never be because colonies will have ceased to exist by then because their own people have decided so in "democratic" referenda. Hence the May 15th referendum to legitimize the recolonization. The opposition parties here keep repeating their backwards position that the government should restore "what we had", which is of course a state of colony. They do not mention independence as an option "because the people are not ready for it", although they are strongly campaigning for NO in the referendum. The latter we support of course.

In this political - economic- social - cultural -spiritual unbalanced situation people tend to seek security more than ever. The ones promising to sooth the daily pain of hunger, incarcerated sons, pregnant teenage daughters, extremely high index of diabetes, blindness, amputations, obesity -due to malnutrition-, heart attacks and cancer, ever failing children in a oppressive and inefficient Dutch imposed school system, disoriented youth, chronical lack of democracy, oppression of the national culture & language if you only vote SI are more likely to get the votes. However, as dialectics teaches us, oppresion creates it own resistance. The number of people rejecting shameless Dutch intervention in their daily life is growing steadily at a never before experienced pace. The large crowds at the meetings, the call-ins on the radio talkshows, the strikes (busdrivers, health care workers, university students etc.) are evidence people are sick and tired of being trampled on and that the mental as well as the material circumstances favor a transformation or revolt. These subjective and objectives conditions should be turned into political action to bring down this corrupt system of exploiting people and there resources. Hence the mobilization and agitation propaganda required.

One particular point of concern is the huge migration wave from the Netherlands bringing rough settlers to "their" colony in the Caribbean. They come with the strong euro currency, buy land, manipulate humble country people into selling their property for a mere trifle, chase others from their property, bring in many Dutch students to "do their practice" here, but in fact work fulltime, also in mangement positions and companies "are sorry they have no place" for local students etc etc. The governments grants Dutch "investors" many privileges: they buy beaches and shut out locals or charge high entrance; unemployment has increased but offical numbes say it went down. Why? Because Dutch immigrants register as having found work and thus manipulate the unemployment numbers. They are coming in in crowds to vote for YES in the referendum, although they should be living here in order to vote, but who controls the apparatus? They themselves. In last elections we experienced personally the results of their tampering with the electronic voting machines, which will be used again in May. So vigilance is essential.

The Dutch government has already announced that regardless of the outcome of the referendum they will continue their "restructuring" of the islands. This means that the process they agreed for the smaller islands (Bonaire, Saba, St. Eustatius) to become an integral part of the Netherlands or a municipalty will continue. They have already executed part of their plans. The two larger islands (Curacao as the largest and St. Maarten as 2nd) will become as of 2010 an "autonomous country within the kingdom", or simply continuing colonialism in the next stage of imperialism: recolonization & denial of any independence, let alone national liberation reality. We simply do not exist as opposing political factor.
We are engaged in a intense process to promote NO. It is, as you can figure, tough with ignorance, bad education, poverty and fear guiding people. The local bourgeiosie is tapping into these issues to promote YES, telling people the Dutch government will pay the national debt of the country, build schools, houses, bring in money, finance progress etc. etc.

I have expanded to explain to you as interim chair of the GAC and, through you the GAC and others, the urgency of the situation and I am asking, on behalf of the Afrikan family in diaspora in Curaçao for your solidarity. We need all the assistance we can get to spread the word, to help us build an international campaign denouncing the deprivation of peoples'a rights by the Dutch government, a government pretending worldwide to be democratic and tolerant. (As the attached article shows the Dutch hypocrisy: Money laundering in Netherlands amounts to 18.5 billion annually: Amounts to 5% of Dutch GDP) We need to reproduce banners, folders, posters, T-shirts, stickers, we need funds to cover the media - mind manipulators par excellence - who are seizing the time and charging extra rates for interviews, adds and so on since we are covering everything from personal funds. We could use the help of Brothers and Sisters helping us to get a website especially for this purpose online, to design posters and other propaganda material, to write statements of support to be sent to the local media and other forms of solidarity.

My place is here at this crucial moment. So I won't be able to go to Geneva for the Durban Review Conference where I know you all will do an excellent job guided by our brave ancestors who resisted extermination and made it possible for us to be here today, a job for which you have my unconditional support.

Honouring the work entrusted on us by the ancestors
Joceline Clemencia
Chair Independence Party of Curaçao

Language is more than language
Instituto Kultural Independensha (Cultural Institute Independence)
drs. Joceline A. Clemencia, director
Tel./Fax (5999) 869-3443 Cel. (5999) 562-4122
jossy3011@hotmail.com

Mauritania-case study in Borderlands relations

noreply@blogger.com (TheBlackList Concerns) — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 14:22:00 +0000

BF BANKIE:

Location: Northwest Africa, latitude 25⁰ & 15⁰, longitude 17⁰ & 7⁰. Bordered by Senegal to the south, Mali to the east, eastern Algeria to the north, West Sahara to the north and the Atlantic Ocean to the west.

Main geographic features: The country occupies an area of 1,037,000 sq. km, of which 80 per cent is arid and 20 per cent semi-arid. It consists of a plateau, of which the highest point in 915m, and the Adrar Mountains in the north. Mauritania has 700km of Atlantic Coastline and 800 km of shoreline along the Senegal River.

Population: Estimated to be 2 million in 1988.

Ethnic division: Black Africans and Arab-Berbers.

National languages: Hassaniya (Arabic dialect). Pulaar (Fulani), Soninke, Wolof, Bambara and Imraguen.

Official language: Arabic, and as administrative language French.

Religion: 100 per cent Muslim of the Malekite Rite.

Date of Independence: November 28, 1960 from France.

Capital: Nouakchott.

Currency: Ouguia Mauritanie (UM)

Political System: At different times - one-party rule and military rule, plus contested multi-party system. Currently governed by a military junta.

Economy: Agriculture, livestock, fishing and iron-ore.

Literacy rate: 17 per cent.

Main problems: Racial division, slavery, political instability, serious environmental degradation caused by drought and desertification.

The geographical position of Mauritania makes the country a meeting point between Arab and African cultures. The interaction between these two cultures has bred tension within Mauritanian society and thereby generated a political tradition of intolerance and repression in the country.

Historically, Mauritania was inhabited by Black Africans (Diallo, G., 1989). Here was the setting for the most advanced West African civilizations: Ghana and Tekrur (Fulani) from around the 5^th to 12^th century A.D. Whereas the former evolved into the great empires of Mali and Songhay which survived up to the 17^th century, the latter developed into the theocratic Kingdom of Fouta Toro under the leadership of Oumar Tall who led the Fulani struggle against French colonial encroachment during the last decade of the 19^th century. The massive influx of Arabs from the north during the 13^th – 15^th centuries drove settled Black communities south toward the Senegal River, whilst the French colonial encroachment, beginning in the 1850s from the south, had the opposite effect (Gerteiny, 1981). The indigenous population was consequently hemmed in between the two invading forces from the south and north

Since its artificial creation by colonial France in 1960, Mauritania has been a playground for violent ethnic strife, the shameful practices of classical slavery, civilian/military authoritarian rule compounded by serious ecological degradation resulting from prolonged droughts and catastrophic desertification processes.

These four elements seem to have been mutually reinforcing to make Mauritania one of the least politically stable, most underdeveloped and heavily indebted countries among the least developed nations of the Third World. The arbitrary creation of Mauritania by the forcing together of two ethnically distinct and historically antagonistic communities makes any attempt to build a sense of nationhood and national identity a daunting task. This has been exacerbated by an obsessive determination on the part of the Arabs not to share political power with their Black co-citizens. The decolonization formula, as in Sudan, was that power was given to an Arabised minority to hold in check the Black majority. As in Sudan, such a prescription was a formula for tension and conflict. Mauritania and Sudan maintain close relations, based on mutual interests.

Mauritania is comparable with Sudan in that there have been bloody ethno-racial wars between the indigenous Black Africans on the one hand and the immigrating Arabs on the other. The Arabs began to arrive into both countries from the north following the emergence and triumph of Islam in the Middle East from the early 7^th century onward. The immigrants have been pressuring the original populations towards the south since that time. This has resulted in chronic north-south ethnic conflicts for political power and economic control within both nations. The Arabs have false assumptions of the superiority of their culture over that of the local, believing that there exists a culture vacuum, waiting to be filled by Islam/Arabization. This has been manifested by the forced Islamisation and Arabisation campaigns orchestrated by successive Arab regimes. As in the case of South Africa and Zimbabwe, the colonial powers left authority firmly in the hands of settlers in both Mauritania and Sudan.

Mauritania and South Africa/Namibia are similar in that:-

The color divide between the Whites and Blacks is clear in both places.

The Arabs in Mauritania call themselves Beydane (Arabic for white) as

the Boers referred to themselves as Blanke.

As the Boers claimed historical anteriority in South Africa/Namibia, so the

Arabs claim that they were the first inhabitants and the only true citizens

of Mauritania.

In both places the settlers used ruthless methods to gain territorial control through the forced displacement of the natives. Native territories are welcome as integral parts of the nations but the inhabitants of these territories are labeled foreigners.
The Bantu Education Act of 1953 in South Africa and Arabisation Acts Nos. 65-025 & 65-026 of 1966 were introduced in order to secure cultural hegemony through the education of docile Black servants.
Land Act No. 27 of 1953 in South Africa and Land Act No. 83.127 of 1983 in Mauritania were adopted to give settlers access to and control over the most productive parts of the native lands.
Banning and confining Blacks to remote villages is a method used by both regimes, and
Divide and rule policies are central in the maintenance of settler hegemony. South Africa/Namibia formed and armed Black vigilante militia whereas Mauritania constituted a Haratin (slave) militia group in 1990 (Africa Confidential, 1989; Amnesty International, 1990, numbering 6,000-8,000; Diallo, 1991b).

Mauritania consists of about two million inhabitants; 32 per cent free Black Africans of

Fulani, Soninke and Wolof ethnic origins, 28 per cent white Moors of Arab-Berber origin and 40 percent Black slaves known as Abid or Haratan, which apporoximates some 800.000 persons. The power nexus in Sudan and Mauritania has many similarities, being held by an Arabised minority. The slaves belong to the White Moors, who have monopolized the government in the country since the French colonial regime transferred political power to them in 1960. The White Moors have no intention or interest in abolishing slavery, because this may incite the slaves into challenging Moorish supremacy. Because of the massive sexual exploitation of female slaves by White male masters, the slave population has increased to become the largest single ethnic group in the country. Even though slavery was officially abolished on paper in 1960, 1966 and in 1980, slavery and the slave trade are still a living reality in Mauritania.

In the cultural clashes between the Moorish regime and free Black Africans, slaves have been used by the regime as a buffer and as death squads against Africans. Slaves have been organized into militia groups, which the authorities in Mauritania have used to massacre and deport Blacks to Senegal and Mali. As in South Africa in the Apartheid days, Black on Black violence is orchestrated. Slaves were recruited as soldiers to fight in the West Sahara War from 1976 to 1979.

Enlightened slaves organized themselves and established an emancipation movement called

‘El Hor’, meaning freedom. El Hor’s aim is the total abolition of slavery and the adoption of effective and concrete measures to assist slaves to become economically independent. El Hor was able to sensitize international opinion as to the existence of slavery in the country. In order to prevent a slave rebellion in the country, on the 5^th July 1980 slavery was abolished and Islamic Sharia law imposed. By virtue of Sharia law masters have a right to compensation for setting their slaves free. However nothing was done to free the slaves in any meaningful sense of the word. The slave masters are the same white Moors who control the state machinery. Emancipation was aborted. In the Mauritanian slave system masters own slave families through generations, as chattels. The Master’s right comes from God and he has the right to sleep with any of the female members of the slave families he owns. The slave cannot go to the Mosque if the master needs him. If the slave tries to escape he will be tortured. If the master takes his slave to, say, Dakar, Senegal or Bamako, Mali, the slave relationship subsists in Dakar or in Bamako. The author recalls, in his youth, in Banjul, Gambia going to shops owned by Mauritanians, the equivalent of Portuguese shops in Namibia, and seeing Black Mauritanians doing the lifting and carrying, overseen by their White Moorish slave owning masters.

The question is asked, why is the international community largely silent about slavery in Mauritania ? According to the Mauritanian, Garba Diallo, this is due to :-

‘ There is little inter-African communication on cultural or political issues. Otherwise, Africans would have realized that the slaveholders consider all Blacks to be either tamed or potential slaves. African complicity/silence in the OAU/AU has been purchased by Arabs, at the expense of those Africans living in the Afro-Arab Borderlands.
This problem is a part of the Afro-Arab cultural divide, which ranges from the Sudan on the Red Sea to Mauritania on the Atlantic Coast. This conflict zone has racial origins which have been evident for more than a thousand years. Both African and Arab leaders prefer not to talk about this humiliating and deadly north-south conflict within the south, because this would suggest a lack of solidarity within the Third World. The traditional ‘imperialist North versus exploited poor South’ attitude in international relations could not be sustained.
The legacy of trans-Atlantic slavery has left a collective and eternal guilt in the European mind, which makes it difficult for European nations to take a moral stand on condemning Arab slavery in Mauritania.
Most European writers who have been to Mauritania belong to the romantics who worship the magic of the desert and its rough and violent social order. This love for the desert and its feudal system helps to preserve the evil system in its racist form ’.

B.F.Bankie, former Researcher at the Kush Institution, Juba, South Sudan.

N’COBRA: Open Letter to First Lady Michelle Obama

noreply@blogger.com (TheBlackList Concerns) — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 02:06:00 +0000

Dear Mrs. Obama:

It is with highest homage and admiration to you that I write this letter. I am the Northeast Regional Representative, and Board Member, for the National Coalition of Blacks for Reparations in America. The Reparations Movement, of which N’COBRA is a member, implores you to start a national dialogue on a reparations accord for Blacks in America. This national dialog must be firmly rooted in the historical context of the “trans-Atlantic slave trade, and the “holocaust” of African enslavement in the United States which is anchored in the destruction of life, culture, and human possibilities.

Our ancestors were terrorized by injustices codified in the Constitution of the United States by America’s founding fathers and carried out by religious organizations, corporations, and units of government. Left unchanged, This collaborative will continue in perpetuity impacting African-Americans’ capacity to develop all of their human possibilities if reparations are not paid for the damage done.

Chattel enslavement, and the de facto and de jure racism that have grown from it, was not that long ago as opponents of truth and justice would lead the voting public to believe. As a distinct people in America, African-Americans, with a pre-determined social, economic and political status, have been “free” for only 144 years (1865-2009). This also means that 100 years of our so-called freedom (1865-1965) were spent trying to repair ourselves and seeking recognition as humans.

Our ancestors were “freed” dead broke, without brick, bread, or thread, despite, the promises made, while the enslavers were compensated for the lost of their chattel. Still, today, 44 years later, even with the election of your husband as the President of the United States of America, African-Americans are still not fully recognized.

Therefore, a true national dialogue on a reparations accord for Blacks in America is appropriate within this founding context of America. Reparations are the cross-road solution to these historical injustices and our current undeveloped human capital. This past due debt, left unpaid, will forever contradict the U.S. Constitution you know so well, as well as the Holy Bible you held and where your husband placed his hand to take the Presidential Oath of Office.

Congress passed, and President Obama signed, a stimulus bill to save large financial institutions and corporate America, of which significant amounts were used to pay bonuses to the very corporate executives under whose watch the current economic crisis has deteriorated. Now is the time for Congress and the President to come up with a stimulus check to pay for the damage done to Blacks in America.

There is no statute of limitations for this moral and economic debt owed. This is why America should participate in the United Nations World Conference against Racism, Durban Review being held in Geneva Switzerland next month.

I ask that you remind the President, in the ways only you can, that he has the wherewithal to make real the God-given words of our beloved servant-leader, Dr. Martin Luther King Junior, spoken boldly in 1963, on the steps of our nation’s Capitol, in his “I Have a Dream” speech,

“So we have come here today to dramatize a shameful condition. In a sense we have come to our nation's capital to cash a check. When the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir. This note was a promise that all men, yes, black men as well as white men, would be guaranteed the unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”

Dr. King’s 1963 speech is indelible as truth is,

“It is obvious today that America has defaulted on this promissory note insofar as her citizens of color are concerned. Instead of honoring this sacred obligation, America has given the Negro people a bad check, a check which has come back marked "insufficient funds." But we refuse to believe that the bank of justice is bankrupt. We refuse to believe that there are insufficient funds in the great vaults of opportunity of this nation.”

So I write this letter openly to remind the First Family that a reparations accord would stimulate America’s economy and give us upon demand the riches of freedom and the security of justice. And I close this letter with the reminder of the “fierce urgency of now.” Dr. King said it this way,

“This is no time to engage in the luxury of cooling off or to take the tranquilizing drug of gradualism...Now is the time to lift our nation from the quick sands of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood. Now is the time to make justice a reality for all of God's children.”

Thank you for your fidelity. It is with my fervent faith that I trust you will realize that God brought you to the White House, as First Lady, for such a time as this, to help with, amongst other things, the dialogue on a reparations accord and support for House Bill H.R. 40, sponsored by the Honorable Congressman John Conyers, Chairman of the Judiciary Committee.

For our ancestors and our descendents,

Minister Ari S. Merretazon, M.S.CED
Northeast Regional Representative
Board Member, N’COBRA
www.ncobraphiladelphia.org
215-850-1699