The Glory of Africa Part 3
Africa is home of the rise of all of the human race. All in inhabitants of the world directly or indirectly has a definite, transparent connection to the Motherland of Africa. My past is from Africa and I will forever cherish and respect my own black ancestry. I'll always love my blood. Now, in the 21st century, we live in a more complicated world atmosphere. In the past few months, my mind expanded in numerous subjects pertaining to black culture. This growth has enabled me to be more opposed to the white supremacist system and its slick tactics. Long term, our people will be stronger and better, but we will have to fight evil in the process of becoming more enlightened in our consciousness. Here, more issues will be shown about Africans worldwide. I am an African that was born in America. We are the first people in existence. That is why we as black people have been strong, resilient, precious, and a gift to all of the human race. Real Black Queens and Black Kings have done excellent work for humanity in general. I will never omit nor omit these gems of truths. Since this is 2011, more information about our present conditions will be presented from education, relationships, and to life in general. With God's help, I will be a better human being myself. That's a promise. I'm nearing 30, so my perspectives on life are more focused like a telescope lens. My soul and heart are still though intact and natural. I am an African who happens to live in America.
The contributions and gifts of the black African people is found in a multiple amount of ways. The black soul is strong. These grifts are found in the means of creativity, music, architecture, intellectual pursuits, oratory, spiritual enlightenment, resilience against obstacles, the love of family, and other realms of human living. The future is here. 2011 is here. It's a new time with culture flowing, technology rapidly advancing, and more controversial coming up relating to politics, sexuality, race, class, and other themes. It's a great time to alive. It's also a time that we have that right to discuss more of the truth in a truthseeking type of fashion. This work is controversial and I like it like that. The reason is that I am controversial and I make no bones about it. It's important to keep my conscience clear, but it's time to lay the truth out there for as many people as possible to witness. Life isn't about being colorblind, but color respectful. Not to mention that the world can't punk me. The world can never limit or cripple the strength of a black man or a black woman.
The contributions and gifts of the black African people is found in a multiple amount of ways. The black soul is strong. These grifts are found in the means of creativity, music, architecture, intellectual pursuits, oratory, spiritual enlightenment, resilience against obstacles, the love of family, and other realms of human living. The future is here. 2011 is here. It's a new time with culture flowing, technology rapidly advancing, and more controversial coming up relating to politics, sexuality, race, class, and other themes. It's a great time to alive. It's also a time that we have that right to discuss more of the truth in a truthseeking type of fashion. This work is controversial and I like it like that. The reason is that I am controversial and I make no bones about it. It's important to keep my conscience clear, but it's time to lay the truth out there for as many people as possible to witness. Life isn't about being colorblind, but color respectful. Not to mention that the world can't punk me. The world can never limit or cripple the strength of a black man or a black woman.
Unsung Heroes
We know about Frederick Douglas, Harriet Tubman, and other great black leaders in history. The unsung heroes in some cases did more for black people than well known black leaders that we know from school, the newspapers, books, and other forms of communication. That is why the unsung heroes ought to be known for a regular person can make differences in our daily world. There is nothing wrong with being a regular black man or a regular black woman having love for your people in contributing to the advancement of black people in general.
Mary McLeod Bethune is an original black hero. She lived from 1875 to 1955. He became a great educator, a Presidential advisor, and did a lot of work for her people. She was famous for being a civil rights advocate and one of the msot influential black leaders in the world. She was the daughter of former slaves. Her parents desired greatly for Bethune to recieve and education. A Quaker woman gave her an office to attend school and she did. Bethune created a school for African American gifls in Daytona, Florida. In 1923, she became the co-educational leader of Bethune-Cookman Collge. Mary McLeod Bethune served as the collge President of Bethune-Cookman Collge until 1942. She united all major black women's organizaitons nationwide into the National Council of Negro Women. She fought against segregation and discrimination as President of the National Council of Negro Women for 14 years. There were many Presidents that sought her advice on issues that relate to the lives of black Amercians. Their names were Coolidge, Hoover, Roosevelt, and Truman. Franklin Roosevelt once appointed her as the director of Negro Affairs of the National Youth Administration. She was the first black woman to ever head a federal agency.
Ida B. Wells lived from 1862 to 1931. Both of her parents were slaves until after the Civil War. Her father James was a master at carpentry and her mother was Elizabeth (she worked as a cook for the Bolling household). Wells attended the Freedmen's Show Shaw University (or Rust College today) in Holly Springs. Her life was made up of a fruitful exercise of promoting freedom and justice for black people. She was a journalist, and an advocate for civil rights. Ida Wells was known for being vehemently opposed to the evil action of lynching. Springfield, Mississippi was the place of Ida Wells' birth. .He created the Negro Fellowship League. She was forced off a train for refusing to sit in the Jim Crow car permitted for only black people. She was awarded $500 by a circuit court. The decision was overruled by the Tennessee Supreme Court in 1887. This rejects caused Ida B. Wells to promote justice even more. She reported in 2 black newspapers, the New York Age and Chicago Conservator about the violence and justice being done by racists against African Americans (some of these people were pro-Democrat since the Democrats back then had heavy pro-Jim Crow forces in their ranks). In 1889, she became co-owner and editor of Free Speech and Headlight, an anti-segregationist newspaper based at the Beale Street Baptist Church in Memphis that published articles about racial injustice. In 1941, a low income housing project is named after Ida B. Wells (and the U.S. Postal Service issued an Ida B. Wells stamp back in 1990). She was indeed a strong. Ida B. Wells fought for women's rights like women's suffrage too. Women's suffrage dealt with allowing women the right to vote in America. It's hard to believe that women were even denied the right to vote, but that was a reality less than 100 years ago.
African Kings and Queens
For years, tons of black or African people have learrned about Kings and Queens for years. Some people may not know that much about them. That is why I will shown information on many of them for historical reference and inspiration. Their lives prove that anyone regardless of their color or background can achieve mighty achievements if they strive to do better. Life can be a means to achieve succeed. All peoples need inspiration once and a while. One King in Africa was named King Mutato. King Mutato lived in the 1400's. He reigned in the Empire of Monomotapa. HIs Empire covered many areas that are today known as Rhodesia, Kalahara, Mozambique, Transvaal, and as far south as South Africa. King Mutato made his political rule to exist in an effective fashion and he promoted economic development plus prosperity. This is why the Monomtapa used iron technology and allied crafts even before the Christian era.
Queen Nzinga was a real Queen and a real soldier for black people. She has been called Jinga and Ann Nzingha. She lived from the time of 1582 to 1663. In her lifetime (during the sixteenth century), the Portuguese stake in the slave trade was threatened by England and France. This cause the Portugusese to transfer their slave trading activities southward. They want to conquer the Congo and South West Africa. Then, they tried to conquer Angola. There was Queen Nzinga who was a great head of state, a military leader, and few peers in her time. Professor Glasgow of Bowie, Maryland exposed much of the achievements of Queen Nzinga's life. The professor described her life in these terms:
"..."Her extraordinary story begins about 1582, the year of her birth. She is referred to as Nzingha, or Jinga, but is better known as Ann Nzingha. She was the sister of the then-reigning King of Ndongo, Ngoli Bbondi, whose country was later called Angola. Nzingha was from an ethnic group called the Jagas. The Jagas were an extremely militant group who formed a human shield against the Portuguese slave traders. Nzingha never accepted the Portuguese conquest of Angola, and was always on the military offensive. As part of her strategy against the invaders, she formed an alliance with the Dutch, who she intended to use to defeat the Portuguese slave traders."
She was 41 in 1623. In that time, Nzingha was the Queen of Ndongo (in southern Africa). She wanted to be called King and lead armies in battled dressed in men's clothing. In 1659, she was 75. She signed a treaty with the Portuguese. She resisted the Portuguese's evil imperialist campaign among the span of most of her adult life. The great African woman died in 1663, which resulted by the massive expansion Portuguese slave trade. She is known for defending her own homeland from imperialists.
Queen Nzinga was a real Queen and a real soldier for black people. She has been called Jinga and Ann Nzingha. She lived from the time of 1582 to 1663. In her lifetime (during the sixteenth century), the Portuguese stake in the slave trade was threatened by England and France. This cause the Portugusese to transfer their slave trading activities southward. They want to conquer the Congo and South West Africa. Then, they tried to conquer Angola. There was Queen Nzinga who was a great head of state, a military leader, and few peers in her time. Professor Glasgow of Bowie, Maryland exposed much of the achievements of Queen Nzinga's life. The professor described her life in these terms:
"..."Her extraordinary story begins about 1582, the year of her birth. She is referred to as Nzingha, or Jinga, but is better known as Ann Nzingha. She was the sister of the then-reigning King of Ndongo, Ngoli Bbondi, whose country was later called Angola. Nzingha was from an ethnic group called the Jagas. The Jagas were an extremely militant group who formed a human shield against the Portuguese slave traders. Nzingha never accepted the Portuguese conquest of Angola, and was always on the military offensive. As part of her strategy against the invaders, she formed an alliance with the Dutch, who she intended to use to defeat the Portuguese slave traders."
She was 41 in 1623. In that time, Nzingha was the Queen of Ndongo (in southern Africa). She wanted to be called King and lead armies in battled dressed in men's clothing. In 1659, she was 75. She signed a treaty with the Portuguese. She resisted the Portuguese's evil imperialist campaign among the span of most of her adult life. The great African woman died in 1663, which resulted by the massive expansion Portuguese slave trade. She is known for defending her own homeland from imperialists.
21st Century Issues
2011 is a new era of time. There are issues of race, class, education, culture, health care, education, romance, etc. that are common in the black community. You can't really understand black culture unles you get a feel of real information that describes the diverse issues that acculuminate in the black experience. The black experience is worldwide. One constant among real black people is the love of black people. One important thing in the black experience is legacy. We should desire a possible legacy for us, our relatives, and our people.
We as black people have made great progress in the world. That is defined by many business, leaders, and others who made great contributions who are black. Yet, we still have a long way to go to build up the black family in an effective manner. One example is the turmoil going on in Haiti. There are real people making a difference in Haiti in helping the sick, giving aid, and so forth. Yet, Haiti experienced an U.S. military occupaton, and corruption is occuring by some U.S. corproations. According to the New Orelans based writer and activist Jordan Flaherty, there are politically connected U.S. corporations using their contracts to profit from the Haiti Earthquake. There are still disease infested areas and tons of homeless people in Haiti. There are 1,268 displacment camps and some have been forcibly closed.
UNICEF estimates that more than 1 million people – 380,000 of them children – still live in displacement camps. One problem in Haiti is that there is little building of adequate housing in Haiti. According to a study conducted by CUNY Professor Mark Schuller before both Hurricane Tomas and the outbreak of cholera, 40% of displacement camps did not have access to water, and 30% did not have toilets of any kind. Only 10% of families even had a tent, many of which were ripped beyond repair during the hurricane season; the rest were sleeping under tarps or even bed sheets. So, real people from across the political spectrum are calling for the internaitonal community to assist the Haitians to have real housing. Housing is an extension of human rights not just forcing people away from displacement camps. There should be real solutiosn for re-housing and protections for homeless people in Haiti. According to Haiti's Public Works Minister, of the 390,500 buildings destroyed by the earthquake in the capital, fewer than 1,000 have been repaired. So, Haiti's infrastructure ought to be radically improved upon.
Crime in America should be exposed to. The nature of crime has been a destructive force in the black community. This history of crime and crime enforcement is very complex. For example, not every black person in jail are guilty. Some crime laws are unjust or excessive. Michell Alexander is a female author that outlines an articulate reasoned view that the mass incareration of black people has been related to a reactionary backlash against black progress (what she deems as the New Jim Crow). This doesn't mean that every black person in jail is innocent or we have no personal responsibility in our lives, but it does mean that evil forces are in place (like institutional racism) that cause some problems in the world today. Back in the 1960's, the same white supremacist segregrationists like Senators McCellean, Erwin, and Thurmond would promote harsh anti-crime proposals (as a means to scapegoat minority citizens). They used this law and order rhetoic in order to establish a new, slick Jim Crow type of society. Now, much progress was made after the civil rights revolution gained steam in society. The problem was that civil rights wasn't used to address economic problems at the same time in a radical way. The Civil Rights Movement brought real social changes, but economic inequality ought to be addressed. For socioeconomic inequality mixed with racism causes problems in any community. You have to make economic reforms and civil rights reforms in order to make reasonable social reforms among the black community. The law and order deceptive rheotirc was popularized by President Richard Nixon (under the time of riots and widespread police harassment plus police abuse against citizens. Riots are wrong, but they are the voice of the unheard as King said. If you want to stop rioting, then you have to address why the riots occur in the first place. They occured because of the strangling conditions of poverty, oppression, and injustice occuring in various areas of America). This caused the FBI to use slick means to suppress dissent against mainstream governmental policies via COINTELPRO, Operation Choas, etc. Many reactionaries made no distinction between geniune protests, and real crimes (and that crime was caused by culture not by structural factors like socio-economic factors. Crime is heavily caused by socio-economic factors). From the early 1980's to now, globalization, the excesses of the Drug War, and deindustrialization harmed many black communities as well. The Drug War allowed unfair punitive sentences for crimes (like if you have mere possession of certain drugs, then you can get multiple years in prison). The get tough on crime rhetoric didn't solve our crime issues. It caused America to jail more people than any nation on Earth. The 3 strikes laws, bad mininum sentencing rules, and other bad policies aren't pro-black power at all. As the Justice Policy Institute has observed, “the Clinton Administration’s ‘tough on crime’ policies resulted in the largest increases in federal and state prison inmates of any president in American history.” Now, we have to provide real reforms. We should allow felons the right to vote nationwide after they have paid their debts to society. The war on drugs should end since the War on Drugs target poor communities of color in evil ways. Even when I was a child, I didn't agree with the War on Drugs. Three Strikes rules should end. Those out of prison should be afforded real opportunities to live their own lives in the pursuit of happiness. A radical change in the system ought to exist. As Dr. Martin Luther King mentioned:
“For years I labored with the idea of reforming the existing institutions of the society, a little change here, a little change there. Now I feel quite differently. I think you've got to have a reconstruction of the entire society, a revolution of values.” - M.L. King
We want our descendants to remember us by since anybody can go out with a spouse (but can you take care of that spouse), many people can make children (yet can you take care of that child and instill in that child real values to live by). Everyone knows that being an Uncle tom is a disgrace. These people include Jesse Lee Peterson, Pastor Manning, etc. Even Slim Thug made errors (saying that all black men should lay up with white women in memory of MLK). Slim Thug also made other stereotypes against black women too. Slim Thug is no threat to the system, because the system want people to act like him (since he embraces materialism without long term economic planning to benefit the community of black people collectively, wants females to be utilized as doormates, and he uses music & other forms of entertainment that degrades their own race). Black men have the right to love, marry, have children with, and cherish black women. Slim Thug is acting as a disgrace and his statements show how deluded Slim Thug is. Even if he was joking, that's still a foul statement to make. You wonder why Loyota Luckett left him. Loyota isn't perfect, but she has a lot of class.
People like crammasters expose the mentality of people like Slim thug in an eloquent fashion. The truth is that some interracial relationships (not all) are a product of the person of color having serious self hatred and low self esteem issues (regardless of class, wealth, or whatever). This black person with this mentality sees the white spouse (or a non-black spouse) as a figure of admiration to seek psychological or mental validation in a white supremacist system. In many cases, the non-black spouse exploits the black person (when tons of black women and black men have plenty of great personalities, charm, intelligence, and achievements). Some of these non-black potential mates intentionally target either the black person with low self esteem, the person with rich socio-economic status (in other words, if the black man or black woman was a regular Joe, 9 times out of times, these non-black people wouldn't be checking them out for romance at all), or the person that they perceive as malleable (or weak, regardless if it's true or not. I've seen this with my own eyes since I'm a great observer of human behavior. My mother is like that too). As crammasters mentioned, the establishment glamorize IR relationships above black love in order to promote covertly white supremacy (and try to destroy real black love. They use the low self esteem black person as a guinea pig in order to give that black person a false sense of self esteem). That is why the black community shouldn't support anyone that consciously chooses to degrade their own people (from the Internet, TV, books, music, etc.). Only a weak man promotes hatred or stereotypes against the same race of women as their mother, sisters, aunts, grandmothers, etc. A real self respecting black man will always cherish a black woman. Therefore, everybody should want their legacy to be as glorious and transparently legitimate as possible. That's all the more reason why real black men and real black women should continue to love each other. Love is love (you have the right to be in love with who you want to. You are a human being. I'm not a dictator and I am not a hater), but people should never exploit love as a tool of self hatred, bashing black women, bashing black men, or to be used an attack on Black Love & Black Consciousness. Although, with the conditions in the black community now, we should promote more black families and more black children to be born to grow the socio-economic & political base of black people in general. We don't have to lay up with people of another race to prove our equality or our value in the world. Personally, I prefer to be romantically involved with a black women. Demographically, Black women treated me with the most respect and dignity in my entire life. I have that connection with sisters that's unshakable and firm.
There is also a corporate culture that we ought to fight against too. This evil culture glamorizes killing people, anti-intellectualism (there is nothing wrong with being free to express yourself in unique ways, but there is no shame in wanting to have wisdom in your life), and glamorizing nihilistic behavior (from underachievement, etc.). The entertainment community use peer pressure to try to get black people (especially the youth) to go along with calling people slurs, to view a person different from you as inferior, sexuality being exploited, and promote drug/alcohol abuse. That is why people reject wicked music that promote these things. Especially for me, I'm too old to be P.C. Mentors should be made more avaliable, especially for boys to teach the right way to live a life. Young people should be taught more often to defend women, there is no long term value in being a player (that manipulates people in an illegitimate fashion), and being truly educated (in book and street smarts espcially) is no vice. There is nothing wrong with true music, true althetics, having humor, having a social mature outlook in life, and having true fun in one's life. Yet, we can't discount the need to be intellectually mature to handle the new realities that transpire in the 21st century. Not all white people are our friends. There are people like Rush Limbaugh, Chelsea Handler, and Bill Maher (on war on terror issues, he's 100% politically correct) using either hatred or condenscing rhetoric agianst black people. One way to promote this is to confront corportatists and others promoting garbage in the first place in a peaceful fashion. We should be in the streets, in the middle class places, and even in other places to tell the world that righteousness is so much better than social degradation. In our time, we can't be moral relativists. There are moral absolutes that should be promoted like: respect for your neighbor, no degradation of males or females, the perservation of the black family, the promotion of black love, the rejection of materialism (that is an offshoot of numerous centuries long white supremacist system), no sexual exploitation in a bad fashion, and the fight against white supremacy.
When people want black unity, people aren't saying we ignore our problems. One of the best ways to fight for black unity is to confront our issues from health to our economic status. When the black man and the black woman are united, it's a very powerful force. Regardless of the propaganda, the mainstream media pushes, the vast majority of black men and black women love each other very much. That is why only a small number of black men date and marry interracially. If a black man can't love and respect a black woman, then there is something wrong with that black man period. Now, it's important to support real black businesses too. The media and the elite constantly hates real black unity in the world. You will notice that they usually call other ethnic groups racist for doing this. Yet, businesses are to be taken lighty. If someone wants to create a business, he or she must have real qualifications, real strength, and real discernment to take their livelihood into the next level. We have to take our business skills to the next level in having assets, we have to be financially literate, and other forms of financial resources to compensate in an evolving market. Black people have the right to be self sufficient and not seek social/cultural validation from anyone else to create our own standards. Assimilating to a corrupt system leaves enslavement a real possible, but creating independent power will grow real power. We Africans can't have complacency since real crisis from education, HIV/AIDS, and to health are here now in 2011.
African Lifestyles
Sudan had their vote to see if separation and independence for south Sudan could be a reality. There are legitimate questions on both sides on this issue. One side says that if Sudan is split, more Western interests could carve up Africa even more in exploiting its resources. Another side said that if southern Sudan was a new nation, then the racism and attacks against animists plus black Christians would radically decrease in that part of the world. One thing is true. The suffering in Sudan is wrong and imperialists should not oppress black people in Sudan at all. This vote is important since it could be the beginning of a southern Sudanese nation free from oppression. Freedom sometimes involves separation. There are many examples of this. Algeria separated from French colonists to develop their own nation. America even separated from the British Empire to form the modern American nation. Not all separations are wise, but some are. The vote began on January 9th, 2011. "I grew up during the war, I suffered during the war," says Gabriel Anyuon, a 28-year-old Southern Sudanese from Jonglei state. "An independent Southern Sudan has been what our people have been fighting for. If we don't get 98%, we will get 95%. Separation is inevitable." There are about 3,393,000 registered voters in Sudan. This is big news in Africa. The referendum on Southern Sudan's independence follows the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) signed between the Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army (SPLA) and the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) in 2005. The accord, signed in Nairobi, provided for a six-year interim period to allow the Southerners to make up their minds on the best way forward. "I don't want to hear anything to do with unity. What unity when the Jallaba (the Southerners' pejorative reference to their Northern compatriots of Arab descent) killed my husband," said Ms Catherine James, 34. "I will wake up on Sunday and vote for separation," she added. If southern Sudan is a new nation, I hope it develops fast and becomes a huge power. Southern Sudan has most of its oil reserves and has fertile, arable lands. Radical Islam hasn't benefit Sudanese peoples neither the pro-Nicean Christianity either. Imperialists can't lecture me about anything and the agenda of the geo-political elite have been exposed for all to see. Even Brzezinski had to admit to that recently. A woman of 115 yrs casted her vote in Juba for the first time in her life. She asked the government of southern Sudan and the government of North to maintain peace in the country. Me and other brothers and sisters do wish the Sudanese black brothers and black sisters well in their journey of their nation. Even Darfur might break off Northern Sudan if Southern Sudan exists as an unique nation. We should be very careful that Europeans won't exploit Africa if Sudan is divided. All Sudanese are Africans, but to deny the genocide in Sudan is wrong.
The African Diaspora
The African Diaporsa didn't just exist in North America. It occured throughout the world. The African Diaporsa is like learning a new treasure chest of history, politics, and especially culture. Some of this information are facts that I have never knew before in my life until recently. The Diaspora spread African culture worldwide and developed new cultures along the way. This is similar to the exchange of ideas, languages, foods, cultures, and other parts of social interactions among the Old World and the New World. It's a function of human activity and human existence in general.
These liars and historical revisionists say that Africans sold Africans as slaves. That's a half truth. The truth is that some Africans sold each other in warfare. They usually sold each other during a war, which was still wrong. The European slave kidnappers and traders exploited Africa to use rival factions against each other as a means to conduct their slave trade more effectively. This occurs today when you have the pro-white supremacist crowd using propaganda to divide black people in factions. Yet, we know the people who created the ships, the auchon blocks, the designations, who design the trade routes, who have exploited the Transaltantic economic system for plunger & greed, etc. of the international slave trade. They were Europeans not Africans . Europeans used slave labor from Africans to build the modern Western hegemonic world today. Many corporations like AIG, Aetna, Lloyd's of London, JP Morgan Chase Manhattan bank, and others benefited form slavery. People like Harvard Professor Gates refuse to expose these things.
These liars and historical revisionists say that Africans sold Africans as slaves. That's a half truth. The truth is that some Africans sold each other in warfare. They usually sold each other during a war, which was still wrong. The European slave kidnappers and traders exploited Africa to use rival factions against each other as a means to conduct their slave trade more effectively. This occurs today when you have the pro-white supremacist crowd using propaganda to divide black people in factions. Yet, we know the people who created the ships, the auchon blocks, the designations, who design the trade routes, who have exploited the Transaltantic economic system for plunger & greed, etc. of the international slave trade. They were Europeans not Africans . Europeans used slave labor from Africans to build the modern Western hegemonic world today. Many corporations like AIG, Aetna, Lloyd's of London, JP Morgan Chase Manhattan bank, and others benefited form slavery. People like Harvard Professor Gates refuse to expose these things.
There are 2 million people who are of African ancestry from Peru. They are from African and Malagasy people who who sent to Peru as slaves. Many Afro-Peruvians have festivals like Verano Negro that celebrate their heritage. Slavery was abolished in Peru in 1856 by President Ramon Castilla. Even Costa Chica has a large black population in Mexico. There are also Veracuz and Yucatan in Mexico of course has a significant black population. There are tons of people with African ancestry in Panama. African slaves were taken to Panama during the translatlantic slave trade. Panama gained its independence from Colombia back in 1903. Afro-Carribean people assisted even in the building of the Panama Canal. Of course, Puerto Rico has a huge black African population in Loiza and Carolina. Loiza was populated with freed or escaped slaves that were taken to the island from Africa. March 23 1873 was the date when slavery was abolished in Puerto Rico. People of African ancestry make up 8% of Ecuador's population. Most Afro-Ecuadorians live in the Esmeraldas region, Valle de Chota and the Imbabura region. Afro Ecuadorians have made great contibutions from Marimba music, its people and the beautiful culture.
There are tons of Afro-Venezulans. Some of them live in Barlovento in the Miranda state. Even President Hugo Chavez of Venezueal has African heritage. I knew this before. The famous Afro-Venezulan singer Oscar de Leon has done music before.
There are tons of Afro-Venezulans. Some of them live in Barlovento in the Miranda state. Even President Hugo Chavez of Venezueal has African heritage. I knew this before. The famous Afro-Venezulan singer Oscar de Leon has done music before.
Solutions
Far too often, many people have written about issues in the black African experience, but didn't devise solutions to many problems. Even some people who have sincere intensions to help their own people have done this once before. There are tons of solutions to improve the black community. Yet, there are limitations on how much information that I can write on this issue. So, here are quick solutions that we can use to help black people to take that social consciousness and building real power to the next level:
1. FAMILY DEVELOPMENT: There are tons of great black families, but it is true that many single parent households have a father that isn't involved in their own chidren's lives. There are tons of examples of this. This is all the more reason for the black family to grow more thoroughly in order for black children to encorporate an authenitc self identity. So, any black man with children should have an active role in the lives of their children (even if they are no longer romantically with the children's mother). The black fathers should be been in their children's lives to build up structure and self identity among their children. Black fathers and Black mothers have a great value in the development of black children. We should never collectively bash black men, black boys, black women, and black girls either (as the white supremacist, corporate media does on a constant basis. The division and conquer strategy against black men and black women should cease. I know the tactics of these racist reactionaries since I've done my research for years). We have to encourage black people of any gender to be better with strength & confidence.
2. ECONOMIC GROWTH: Business and financial literary is the wave of the future, especially in the 21st century. So, black people in a higher level should encourage business development and create their own businesses to help their own people. Arabs, white people (in their ethnic groups of the Greeks, Polish, Italian, Irish, etc.), Hispanics, Jewish people, and other ethnicities have been doing this for years. We have the right to do this. Black businesses already exist now, so that is very fine. So, black people should learn trades to build up their own businesses in dealing with trade, technology, community development, legal services, and many services. We should unite with blacks in Africa, the Caribbean, South America, Latin America, Canada, Europe, and all over the world to build cultural and economic ties too. One site called http://eefortomorrow.com/About_EE.html is promoting local black businesses in America. This group is called the Empowerment Experiment Foundation or the EEF. There is a Black owned bank in Chicago as found in http://www.covenantbank.net/. We have to promote reforms in foreclosures, we have to make health care avaliable for everyone, and have fights to improve education & other infrastructure systems in the world.
3. WISDOM: It's fine to promote althetics, entertainment, and other forms of fun. These things are fun and there is nothing wrong with having a good time in life. Yet, anti-intellectualism is just as wrong as scapegoating Black men or Black women. Calling women outside of their names, condemning black men in a fraudulent fashion, and using slurs aren't apart of having fun. These acts are nihilistic and evil. There is nothing wrong with being althetic, being street smart, having a fruitful social life, and being gifted in comedy, but there is nothing wrong with being an intellectual too. There is nothing wrong with a brother or a sister with eecletic tastes in life either. Also, some of the intellectuals (both males and females) need to realize that there are plenty of black people that love them. There are a lot of black women that love smart black men and there are a lot of black men that love smart black women too.
It is a lie that black people don't like intelligent black people among both genders (or any professional or intellectual black person collectively wants to go out with a non-black person). I'm not talking about people going out with each other when they have no chemistry, no attraction, little things in common, etc. This is not what I'm talking about. You shouldn't go out with a person if there is no connection or real romantic attraction at all. I'm talking about treating a person as an equal (or treat that person with respect) even if you're not attracted to that person. Also, if someone is not attracted to you romantically, that doesn't mean that you're worthless, you're socially inferior, or they hate you. That is a normal part of human nature. You can still be cordial and friendly to people not romatically attracted to you and vice versa. You can still unite with people for black unity and black power even if a person isn't attracted to you. It's not a big deal. Also, an intellectual (who isn't a sellout) shouldn't be demonized if he or she doing the right thing in life either. So, an intellectual should desire love & marriage, but they need to love the person that loves them for sincere reasons (without desiring some fantasy that isn't going to occur anyway). Also, we shouldn't be superficial and obsess with someone's physical apparence for it will wither and die as years go by. We should judge a mate on character, responsibility, what that person brings to the table of the responsility emotionally plus socially, and honesty. As the Revolutionist from the UK wrote: "...You should never have to change your appearance (if you are happy with yourself) just to attract a partner, the person with you should accept you for who you are MORE than what you look like, or it will be a very superficial relationship that is doomed from the start...You should always be yourself; when you meet someone, they will be better able to asses more accurately, whether you are the right person for them or not, if you are pretending to be a bad-boy who oozes confidence, when actually you are not, it will be revealed at some point in the relationship, or you will go crazy trying to keep up the facade."
Likewise, a black man don't have to be a thug to be a man. A thug don't make contructive contributions in society or in the black community, especially long term. These people should wake up and change their ways. A black man should be himself with his unique style. You don't have to be in the middle, but exist beyond some spectrum in being independent. A black women should be herself without mimicking the crowd. Now, the wisdom involving education, learning about conscious issues, learning about science (plus technology, architecture, etc.) are great endeavors to achieve. A special emphasis on studying, mentor ships, and other academic pursuits ought to be taken to the next level, especially among low income black people. Just because a black man or a black woman is smart, doesn't mean that they are weak or trying to be white. Some of the greatest black civilizations in history (from ancient Nubia, Mali, Songhai, etc.) required a lot of brainpower and we shouldn't be ashamed of that at all. Our great black inventors and scientists have great brainpower too. Wisdom is more than intellectual growth though. Wisdom is using common sense to have respect for black men, black women, and black elders. Wisdom is making self improvement and spiritual growth a reality among black people as well. Wisdom and intellectualism are gifts indeed (in other words, we should have more inventors, scientists, researchers, engineers, doctors, lawyers, etc. in the black community). It doesn't hurt for us to learn various languages like Swahili, other African languages, Chinese, Spanish, French, Arabic, etc. in being a jack of all trades. Wisdom also includes that we should learn about our black brothers and sisters in Africa, Europe, Asia, Latin America, South America, Canada, and the world over. This doesn't mean basic knowledge, but real information about global black culture, history, societal structure, and the cultural diversity of black people internationally too. There should be emphasis on learning and intellectual pursuits, but we should balance that out with the interests in art, creativity, music, dance, and other forms of creative endeavors.
4. COMMUNICATION: Some black men especially have a problem with communicating their emotions to people. Therefore, we should communicate in a full manner about how we feel to people and not be withdrawn from emotional attachment within especially our own race. We need to reject disrespecting black men in an evil fashion and disrespecting black women in an evil fashion. Using the B word, the N word, and the H word isn't about getting back at "the man" neither is it about promoting black cultural liberation. These words are counterrevolutionary tactics to harm BM and BW emotionally. These words promote tensions and the lie that black people are these words. We are not these words. These words are beneath us. We are a strong people and forget using those words. Communication between black people should always be honest though. We as a people ought to never sugarcoat how we think verbally or with our body language. We have to keep it real to check someone acting in an inappropriate fashion (we all need legitimate correction from time to time) and encourage people doing the righteous thing. Real communication can end disputes and fights too.
5. RESPECT, ENCOURAGEMENT, & BALANCE (TO GROW MORE BLACK UNITY): Showing all black people respect is great way to live one's life. Regardless of what brother or a sister looks like, they shouldn't be disrespected publicly or privately. All black people should be respected and encouraged to do better in their own life experiences. This means giving greetings, helping brothers and sisters out in various actions, and living out the truth via deeds. A person can talk all day, but your fruits will bear out in the correct way via your deeds. If a person is cruel, their fruits will bear that out. So, it's important for anybody to never disrespect, harrass, or assault any human being at any circumstance. Balance is a key part of Black African culture. A black man and a black woman unified in common cause to advance justice, black power, and black unity is a threat to the establishment. I'll always break those chains of injustice, have love for all of the black sisters out there, and promote black unity for the rest of my life.
6. CONFIDENCE: There are many black people (both males and females) that lack self confidence. This exists from numerous experiences. It could be because of unjust treatment that they have suffered by some people, the propaganda shown by the mainstream media (that some black people accept, which I don't agree with), peer pressure, a harsh childhood, or other factors. Just because you have suffered unjust treatment from the past, doesn't mean you have no value or you ought to give up. You should never give up. Life is worth continuing forth. Life is beautiful. All people have worth. In life, we all go through ups and downs. Yet, through resilience and confidence, we can overcome injustices to be a better person. Now, it's very improve to promote confidence among any black person worldwide. This includes telling black people about their real, glorious history and contributions in world society. The showing of the unique value of being unique (in their personality, self worth, and being told the truth of never to be ashamed of their being from a physical plus emotional standpoint). Also, we have go to tell especially children how to stand up for themselves in a verbal way, not necessarily physical (since permanent violence never solves problems long term). In order words, we should verbally tell people (trying to mess with us) that I'm not afraid of you, I have dignity and worth, and you can't intimidate me. All people have the right of self defense in extreme circumstance, so I have no issue with self defense in extreme circumstances. The increase of social skill education or developing "street smarts" is another means to improve the confidence of black people as well. One great confidence builder is to use words to outline a person's strengths in life and cultural black history in an accurate way. There is beauty in black people in all of its skin tones, shapes, sizes, and personalities. This beauty ought to be cherished. Our mental consciousness should be strengthened to understand our glorious past and present. That can instill confidence. That is why I back down from no man and I use my body language of strength and confidence all of the time. Inspiring a suffering person to have confidence and that person transform into a more confident individual is one of the greatest things in the world to do. Dr. King said the following:
Dr. Martin Luther King gave more words of confidence for black people:
“As long as the mind is enslaved, the body can never be free. Psychological freedom - a firm sense of self-esteem - is the most powerful weapon against the long night of physical slavery,'' expressed Revernd Martin Luther King Jr. - ‘Where Do We Go From Here' – August 16th 1967, The Southern Christian Leadership Conference in Atlanta, GA.
Dr. Martin Luther King gave more words of confidence for black people:
“Nobody else can do this for us. No document can do this for us. No Lincolnian Émancipation Proclamation or Johnsonian Civil Rights Bill can totally bring this kind of freedom,” King determined.
“[The Black man] will only be free when he reaches down to the inner depths of his own being and signs with the pen and ink of assertive manhood his own Emancipation Proclamation.
And, with a spirit straining toward true self-esteem, [Blacks] must boldly throw off the manacles of self-abnegation, and say to himself and to the world, ‘I am somebody. I am a person. I am a man with dignity and honor. I have a rich and noble history.'"
7. REJECTING PROPAGANDA, LIES, & STEREOTYPES: The white supremacist system caused a lot the propaganda and lies about black people in general. That isn't a secret. So, black people shouldn't blame each other for all of the problems we have in our own communities. Our real role models are our relatives, friends, people doing great work in our communities, etc. Reality TV people, many sports figures, and many entertainment figures aren't our real role models at all. These folks are entertainers. So, we should always reject the lie and stereotype of Black men being called ignorant people, thugs, savages, and bullies (along with the lie of Black women being gold diggers, materialistic, and always wants criminals for romance) by the white supremacist, corporate dominated system. Hollywood can be a dangerous and even deadiy place for people. Some people are humilitated through a lot of self hatred. That is why we should never let Hollywood or popular cultural define our culture. WE DEFINE OUR OWN CULTURE WITH OUT OWN UNIQUE STANDARDS. We should control black financial, political, and educational institutions in the world. These evil stereotypes about both genders should be opposed and fought against tooth and nail. My race are a race of winners since we have made great contributions in society spanning eons of time. I'm not saying that all protrayals of black people ought to be some homogenated, fake Ozzie and Harriet type of stuff. Yet, it should be real, accurate, and fair. We also need to defend black women. If a black man doesn't, he isn't acting like a real black man in my eyes. WE SHOULD STAND UP FOR EACH OTHER. We should promote more accurate and positive images of black people (and support black people that do so).
8. INTERVENTION: It doesn't matter if you're rich or poor, we have no choice, but to help out our own people. If you're middle class or rich, you can use your resources to assist black people in a poorer neigbhorhood in various means (like mentorships, a civic league, gang intervention). Even if you're poor, you should be involved in helping your own communities by going to the local civic, speaking out about issues, communicating with your brother and sister in real fashion, etc.
Black Nationalism is another solution that can work wonders in improving the lives of African peoples. Malcolm X said it best about promoting Black Nationalism as well:
"...The social philosophy of black nationalism only means that we have to get together and remove the evils, the vices, alcoholism, drug addiction, and other evils that are destroying the moral fiber of our community. We our selves have to lift the level of our community, the standard of our community to a higher level, make our own society beautiful so that we will be satisfied in our own social circles and won't be running around here trying to knock our way into a social circle where we're not wanted.
So I say, in spreading a gospel such as black nationalism, it is not designed to make the black man re-evaluate the white man -- you know him already -- but to make the black man re-evaluate himself. Don't change the white man's mind -- you can't change his mind, and that whole thing about appealing to the moral conscience of America -- America's conscience is bankrupt. She lost all conscience a long time ago. Uncle Sam has no conscience.
They don't know what morals are. They don't try and eliminate an evil because it's evil, or because it's illegal, or because it's immoral; they eliminate it only when it threatens their existence. So you're wasting your time appealing to the moral conscience of a bankrupt man like Uncle Sam. If he had a conscience, he'd straighten this thing out with no more pressure being put upon him. So it is not necessary to change the white man's mind.
We have to change our own mind. You can't change his mind about us. We've got to change our own minds about each other. We have to see each other with new eyes. We have to see each other as brothers and sisters. We have to come together with warmth so we can develop unity and harmony that's necessary to get this problem solved ourselves. How can we do this? How can we avoid jealousy? How can we avoid the suspicion and the divisions that exist in the community? I'll tell you how..... Join any organization that has a gospel that's for the uplift of the black man. And when you get into it and see them pussyfooting or compromising, pull out of it because that's not black nationalism. We'll find another one.
And in this manner, the organizations will increase in number and in quantity and in quality, and by August, it is then our intention to have a black nationalist convention which will consist of delegates from all over the country who are interested in the political, economic and social philosophy of black nationalism. After these delegates convene, we will hold a seminar; we will hold discussions; we will listen to everyone. We want to hear new ideas and new solutions and new answers. And at that time, if we see fit then to form a black nationalist party, we'll form a black nationalist party...Let me explain what I mean. A segregated district or community is a community in which people live, but outsiders control the politics and the economy of that community. They never refer to the white section as a segregated community. It's the all-Negro section that's a segregated community. Why? The white man controls his own school, his own bank, his own economy, his own politics, his own everything, his own community; but he also controls yours. When you're under someone else's control, you're segregated. They'll always give you the lowest or the worst that there is to offer, but it doesn't mean you're segregated just because you have your own. You've got to control your own. Just like the white man has control of his, you need to control yours..."
-Malcolm X
Encouragement and Love
In closing, it's important to leave in a positive note. Encouragement and love for all black people is a great way to inspire people to move forward. When you get older, it's time to not obsess with the past in a vindicative fashion. The past should be utilized as motivation for us to improve ourselves, our families, and our race. As men, we have to be more responsible for our actions and not take the road leading into destruction. Life is hard, but life isn't impossible for us to suceed. So, I'll never hate my blood and I will always love my people, especially sisters who gave me my life literally.
Here are extra words of encouragement from Brothers & Sisters:
"...I appreciate this thread.
It makes me feel warm and wonderful!!!
Brothers, you are appreciated in our lives...
as husbands, sons, brothers, uncles, fathers, lovers...and most of all...OUR FRIENDS AND TEACHERS!!!!
Peace..."
-Donalia
___________________________________
COSIGNS....1,000,000%
YOU KNOW IT BRUH!
IT'S A BEAUTIFUL THING!
*I LOVE SEEING THAT SISTER ON THAT LEVEL...IN THAT PLACE...THE WORLD SEEING HER BEING TREATED LIKE THE QUEEN THAT SHE IS....AND HE CHASED HER...SHE DIDN'T JUST JUMP WHEN HE PURSUED HER...
AS IT SHOULD IT!
-The Moor
_________________________
In reviewing some of the many pages I've missed, I came across this little gem. Not long after my mother separated from my father she began dating this man that worked as a Naval cook. He could tenderize all cuts of meat like nobodies business. To this day I wish that I had asked for his recipe and the manner in which he cooked his meats.
That Pat Neeley is a man after my own heart. His love for his wife is obvious and inspiring. THat is Black Love in an open, honest, and respectful way.
-WowTheBoogieDown
________________________
I am glad to know there are many many black men out here holding it together and doing what has to be done for you to be come successful. I am genuinely happy for you and proud. Stay strong keep your head up and continue to strive for the best. Your blessings are coming just keep on keeping on.
-Kathy Kat
_______________________________
Thanks ladies, we have good people that want to provide the solutions, and I have said that many times and I want you to know that the respect is mutual, and there will be no negativity from me. I applaud this stance and we can make a go of having a good conversation with total admiration for what is good and meaty for the soul, and that is love and respect for each other. Thanks ladies for bringing me into this world, thats what you did, in the form of mother, and I am your brother, and you know that I could be your father as well, as we are born of the same means and I will not degrade any of you here. We all have problems, but its best to use the print with good words of hope, not dejection, but one of restoration, and also an ear of compassion, and a vial of happiness, which in turn will bring a case of unity, to bring a sky of opportunity, to show a chest of all that's best, in great admiration of those who rise above evil and never settle to be less.
Thank you all sisters that reminded me that there are good women like you out there, thanks for showing that you care, thanks for bringing the sunshine so real, thanks for giving me words of encouragement to heal. Here's a hand to show friendship for life, we both need each other, let that be the motto for our lives.
-soul brother in London
Soul Brother
_________________________
Black Men
I appreciate you.
Your Strength
Your Love
Your Power
Your Will
Your Protection
I know some people including some of us don't say it enough but I hope that's beginning to change. God made us from you and for you. You are Kings and It's time to take your place. I love you let's keep on pushing I promise to never letting go.
For my (Future)Husband, Father, Brother and Nephew. And to all of wonderful Brothers doing it every single day. Stay Strong We Need You
-LaTasha
Here are extra words of encouragement from Brothers & Sisters:
"...I appreciate this thread.
It makes me feel warm and wonderful!!!
Brothers, you are appreciated in our lives...
as husbands, sons, brothers, uncles, fathers, lovers...and most of all...OUR FRIENDS AND TEACHERS!!!!
Peace..."
-Donalia
___________________________________
COSIGNS....1,000,000%
YOU KNOW IT BRUH!
IT'S A BEAUTIFUL THING!
*I LOVE SEEING THAT SISTER ON THAT LEVEL...IN THAT PLACE...THE WORLD SEEING HER BEING TREATED LIKE THE QUEEN THAT SHE IS....AND HE CHASED HER...SHE DIDN'T JUST JUMP WHEN HE PURSUED HER...
AS IT SHOULD IT!
-The Moor
_________________________
In reviewing some of the many pages I've missed, I came across this little gem. Not long after my mother separated from my father she began dating this man that worked as a Naval cook. He could tenderize all cuts of meat like nobodies business. To this day I wish that I had asked for his recipe and the manner in which he cooked his meats.
That Pat Neeley is a man after my own heart. His love for his wife is obvious and inspiring. THat is Black Love in an open, honest, and respectful way.
-WowTheBoogieDown
________________________
I am glad to know there are many many black men out here holding it together and doing what has to be done for you to be come successful. I am genuinely happy for you and proud. Stay strong keep your head up and continue to strive for the best. Your blessings are coming just keep on keeping on.
-Kathy Kat
_______________________________
Thanks ladies, we have good people that want to provide the solutions, and I have said that many times and I want you to know that the respect is mutual, and there will be no negativity from me. I applaud this stance and we can make a go of having a good conversation with total admiration for what is good and meaty for the soul, and that is love and respect for each other. Thanks ladies for bringing me into this world, thats what you did, in the form of mother, and I am your brother, and you know that I could be your father as well, as we are born of the same means and I will not degrade any of you here. We all have problems, but its best to use the print with good words of hope, not dejection, but one of restoration, and also an ear of compassion, and a vial of happiness, which in turn will bring a case of unity, to bring a sky of opportunity, to show a chest of all that's best, in great admiration of those who rise above evil and never settle to be less.
Thank you all sisters that reminded me that there are good women like you out there, thanks for showing that you care, thanks for bringing the sunshine so real, thanks for giving me words of encouragement to heal. Here's a hand to show friendship for life, we both need each other, let that be the motto for our lives.
-soul brother in London
Soul Brother
_________________________
Black Men
I appreciate you.
Your Strength
Your Love
Your Power
Your Will
Your Protection
I know some people including some of us don't say it enough but I hope that's beginning to change. God made us from you and for you. You are Kings and It's time to take your place. I love you let's keep on pushing I promise to never letting go.
For my (Future)Husband, Father, Brother and Nephew. And to all of wonderful Brothers doing it every single day. Stay Strong We Need You
-LaTasha
Black is Beautiful
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