Nigeria
Nigeria is a very special part of black African history then and now. Nigeria is one of the greatest countries in the world. Nigeria today is a great land with a great history plus great culture in the Motherland of Africa. It borders the Republic of Benin to the West, Chad, Cameroon, and Niger. Nigeria's motto is "Unity and Faith, Peace, and Progress." Individuals already know about the largest ethnic groups in Nigeria being the Hausa, the Igbo (which make up the large ancestry of African Americans today in 2012), and the Yoruba. Half of the nation is Muslim and half of the nation is Christian. Most of the Muslims reside in the north and most Christians live in the south. Regardless of what creed a brother or sister embraces, they deserve dignity and respect. So, the brothers and sisters in Nigeria ought to end that religious conflict as soon as possible. We are all one and there is no need for that. Regardless if we are Christian, or Muslim, or animist, or whatever creed that we follow, we are black people deserving of equality & justice point blank period. So, I will not fall for the enemy's tricks and we know who the real enemy is (and it isn't our black brothers or our black sisters at all). Likewise, Nigeria is a blessed nation with a lovely disposition. There were human habitation in Nigeria even in 9,000 B.C. where people lived and traveled. Nigeria is very special, because it has the highest population of people that's black in the world. It has over 170 million black people. That's a lot of people and a blessing in the eyes of the Creator. It has heavy oil reserves in the nation including other resources. Goodluck Jonathan is the current President of Nigeria. He succeeded Umaru Musa Yar'Adua to the office in 2010. The President is the Head of State, he's elected by popular vote to a maximum of two four year terms. He is the head national executive, but his power is checked by a Senate and a House of Representatives. Both houses are combined into a bicameral body called the National Assembly. The Senate is made up of 109 seats in its body with 3 members from each state and one from the capital region of Abuja. The Senate members are elected by popular vote to 4 year terms. The House has 360 seats and the number of seats per state is determined by population. Nigeria is influenced by Customary law (or by traditional norms in Nigeria), Common law, English, and Sharia law (which is used only in the predominantly Muslim north of the country). Nigeria has been very visible in fighting for the interests of the African continent. For example, Nigeria fought against the apartheid regime in South Africa. Nigeria is the founding member of the Organization for African Unity (now called the African Union). Nigeria funded anti-colonial struggles as well in Angola, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe. Nigeria today has a mixed economy. It has natural resources, financial infrastructure, communications, transport sectors, etc. According to Citigroup, Nigeria will get the highest average GDP growth in the world between 2010-2050. It has increased its democratic power and economic reforms. It has the second largest economy in Africa following South Africa. Nigeria's telecommunications markets are one of the fastest of such markets in the world. Literature, art, music, films (Nollywood is popular in the world today), and other parts of a culture can all be found in Nigeria. As brother Malcolm X said of Nigeria: "...I arrived in Accra yesterday from Lagos, Nigeria. The natural beauty and wealth of Nigeria and its people are indescribable...it is time for all African-Americans to become an integral part of the world's Pan-Africanists, and even though we might remain in America physically while fighting for the benefits the Constitution guarantees us, we must "return" to Africa philosophically and culturally and develop a working unity in the framework of Pan-Africanism..."
"The Europeans are not yet willing to acknowledge that the world did not wait in darkness for them to bring the light, and that the history of Africa was already old when Europe was born."
African Updates
Of course in African culture, there is diversity. There is a diversity of ethnic groups, nations, languages, histories, religions (as Africa is the origin of human spirituality), and other basic parts of the human experience. Thousands of ethnic groups exist in Africa including hundreds of languages. The diverse geographic areas in Africa make Africa rich culturally as well. Culture is not always going to be static permanently. Evolution in culture is a normal anthropological reality. African culture is very colorful and interesting. Yet, there are some uniform principles in African culture though. African culture is heavily communal beyond the archaic ideology of rugged individualism. That means that in African culture, there is a high emphasis on the importance of the family in assisting the community. There is an organization of tribes, families, and communities in the maintenance of societal structures. Spirituality, music (even Diaspora black people expressing jazz, soca, hip hop, dance, the blues, etc. have elements from African traditions. Ge'ez from Ethiopia, Swahili in Eastern Africa, and Igbo language from West Africa offer a great explanation of the unique culture of Africa. The cultural spirit of Diaspora Africans is from Africa period. Ge'ez is the oldest African script still in usage today), intellectual growth, family development, and other component consist heavily of African culture. Even in a technological age, cultural preservation is a great means where human beings can grow confidence and extend freedom throughout the world. Now, we should have a sense of not only black consciousness, but cohesion among our people. That means that we should be free socially and intellectually in order for us to better unite with our black brothers and black sisters living in the globe. This unity relates to growing our community. The concept of a functional community is a pristine portion of black African culture. Africaness is when you have a cultural understanding of African peoples links and interconnectedness to development and civilization. For us to be pan-Africanist, we have to respect African culture and our black African heritage. This culture can be found in the places of : [Conakry, Guinea], [Dar es Salaam, Tanzania], [Ibadan, Nigeria], [Kano, Nigeria], [Accra, Ghana], [Lagos, Nigeria], etc. (all of these locations have over 1 million people living in the cities). In the final analysis, I am a black African and my culture is beautiful.
There are tons of interesting news in Africa today. There is a record number of women sworn in as legislators as Senegal's new parliament was inaugurated on Monday. 64 women have seats in the West African nation of Senegal. They reside in the 150 member National Assembly, because of a law that deals with gender parity. Macky Sall from the Benno Bokk Yaakaar coalition (or the BBY) won the Presidential election in March of 2012. The Parity Law was passed in 2010. The law required all 24 parties and coalitions to put equal numbers of men and women on their candidate lists. The government and the women's organization made a major awareness campaign about the law before the legislative elections. "Our objective was to see women take 40 to 45 percent of the seats," said Fatou Kiné Diop, president of the National Parity Observatory (ONP), which was set up under the presidency in 2011. The campaign would seem to have been a success, with the proportion of female legislators jumping from 22 percent in the previous parliament to 43 percent for the incoming session. "The Parity Law has been decisive. It has been a big boost for women," Diop told IPS. "The critical mass of women elected – thanks to the Parity Law – should allow us to make some important changes in the National Assembly," new MP Elène Tine told IPS. The new female political figures in Senegal are experts in other arenas too. Sokhna Dieng Mbacke is a journalist and former journalist. Mama Mbayame Gueye is a doctor. Fatou Thiam is a health worker and Elene Tine was trained as an archivist and long time spokesperson for the Alliance of Progressive Forces (or an opposition party). These women are strong candidates. The newly elected women are fighitng for equal access to decision making. The National Assembly in Senegal is becoming more progressive and that is a great development in the overall inspirational history of Africa. The constitution of Kenya made it so in 2010 that no more than 2/3s of the members of elective public bodies should be of the same gender. There is still more work to be done, but systems are changing in Kenya.
African Proverbs
In life, it is normal for us human beings to have reflection and relaxation. Don't get me wrong, we should fight and fight we must. Although, a temporary time of reflection can recharge our energy levels, so we can fight even harder for justice, equality, liberty, and balance. One of the greatest gifts of black people is our spirituality and our philosophical/cultural links to our African people in the world. Proverbs can be a motivator, so a person can carry forward in life despite tribulations. Proverbs can cheer up human emotions and they can be our personal mottoes. I will never front on expressing real jewels. The African proverbs outlines credible, excellent jewel that we can take to heart. It is better to have reconcillation instead of narrowmindedness and peace without savage warfare. These proverbs exists in numerous tongues of Africa. Enjoy:
"Baat bin'a buetsh bua shin'a many. "(Kuba)
A Zulu proverb reads the following: "...A tree is known by its fruit..."
– John Henrik Clarke, "Education for a New Reality in the African World" (1994)
African Updates
Of course in African culture, there is diversity. There is a diversity of ethnic groups, nations, languages, histories, religions (as Africa is the origin of human spirituality), and other basic parts of the human experience. Thousands of ethnic groups exist in Africa including hundreds of languages. The diverse geographic areas in Africa make Africa rich culturally as well. Culture is not always going to be static permanently. Evolution in culture is a normal anthropological reality. African culture is very colorful and interesting. Yet, there are some uniform principles in African culture though. African culture is heavily communal beyond the archaic ideology of rugged individualism. That means that in African culture, there is a high emphasis on the importance of the family in assisting the community. There is an organization of tribes, families, and communities in the maintenance of societal structures. Spirituality, music (even Diaspora black people expressing jazz, soca, hip hop, dance, the blues, etc. have elements from African traditions. Ge'ez from Ethiopia, Swahili in Eastern Africa, and Igbo language from West Africa offer a great explanation of the unique culture of Africa. The cultural spirit of Diaspora Africans is from Africa period. Ge'ez is the oldest African script still in usage today), intellectual growth, family development, and other component consist heavily of African culture. Even in a technological age, cultural preservation is a great means where human beings can grow confidence and extend freedom throughout the world. Now, we should have a sense of not only black consciousness, but cohesion among our people. That means that we should be free socially and intellectually in order for us to better unite with our black brothers and black sisters living in the globe. This unity relates to growing our community. The concept of a functional community is a pristine portion of black African culture. Africaness is when you have a cultural understanding of African peoples links and interconnectedness to development and civilization. For us to be pan-Africanist, we have to respect African culture and our black African heritage. This culture can be found in the places of : [Conakry, Guinea], [Dar es Salaam, Tanzania], [Ibadan, Nigeria], [Kano, Nigeria], [Accra, Ghana], [Lagos, Nigeria], etc. (all of these locations have over 1 million people living in the cities). In the final analysis, I am a black African and my culture is beautiful.
There are tons of interesting news in Africa today. There is a record number of women sworn in as legislators as Senegal's new parliament was inaugurated on Monday. 64 women have seats in the West African nation of Senegal. They reside in the 150 member National Assembly, because of a law that deals with gender parity. Macky Sall from the Benno Bokk Yaakaar coalition (or the BBY) won the Presidential election in March of 2012. The Parity Law was passed in 2010. The law required all 24 parties and coalitions to put equal numbers of men and women on their candidate lists. The government and the women's organization made a major awareness campaign about the law before the legislative elections. "Our objective was to see women take 40 to 45 percent of the seats," said Fatou Kiné Diop, president of the National Parity Observatory (ONP), which was set up under the presidency in 2011. The campaign would seem to have been a success, with the proportion of female legislators jumping from 22 percent in the previous parliament to 43 percent for the incoming session. "The Parity Law has been decisive. It has been a big boost for women," Diop told IPS. "The critical mass of women elected – thanks to the Parity Law – should allow us to make some important changes in the National Assembly," new MP Elène Tine told IPS. The new female political figures in Senegal are experts in other arenas too. Sokhna Dieng Mbacke is a journalist and former journalist. Mama Mbayame Gueye is a doctor. Fatou Thiam is a health worker and Elene Tine was trained as an archivist and long time spokesperson for the Alliance of Progressive Forces (or an opposition party). These women are strong candidates. The newly elected women are fighitng for equal access to decision making. The National Assembly in Senegal is becoming more progressive and that is a great development in the overall inspirational history of Africa. The constitution of Kenya made it so in 2010 that no more than 2/3s of the members of elective public bodies should be of the same gender. There is still more work to be done, but systems are changing in Kenya.
African Proverbs
In life, it is normal for us human beings to have reflection and relaxation. Don't get me wrong, we should fight and fight we must. Although, a temporary time of reflection can recharge our energy levels, so we can fight even harder for justice, equality, liberty, and balance. One of the greatest gifts of black people is our spirituality and our philosophical/cultural links to our African people in the world. Proverbs can be a motivator, so a person can carry forward in life despite tribulations. Proverbs can cheer up human emotions and they can be our personal mottoes. I will never front on expressing real jewels. The African proverbs outlines credible, excellent jewel that we can take to heart. It is better to have reconcillation instead of narrowmindedness and peace without savage warfare. These proverbs exists in numerous tongues of Africa. Enjoy:
"Baat bin'a buetsh bua shin'a many. "(Kuba)
"Wanawake ndio msingi wa fumbo kuu la uhai duniani; ni wao wanaojua siri ya maisha mema." (Swahili)
In English, these proverbs mean the following: "...Women are part of the origin of life's big mystery on earth; they know the secret of a good life..."
"A wise man who knows proverbs, reconciles difficulties." (Yoruba)
"A house that is built by God will be completed." (Ethiopia).
A proverb from the nation of Cameroon reads: "...He who asks questions, cannot avoid the answers..."
"Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far." (West african proverb)
In English, these proverbs mean the following: "...Women are part of the origin of life's big mystery on earth; they know the secret of a good life..."
"A wise man who knows proverbs, reconciles difficulties." (Yoruba)
"A house that is built by God will be completed." (Ethiopia).
A proverb from the nation of Cameroon reads: "...He who asks questions, cannot avoid the answers..."
"Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far." (West african proverb)
Africans in Europe
There are a lot of black Africans in Europe. Now, this doesn't mean that I support European imperialism then or now. The first brother and the first sister (including all blacks then and now) on this Earth inherently have a peaceful nature. This means that our people (or black people) traveled into Europe. Their stories, culture, and beautiful insights ought to be made public for all people to understand and comprehend. Our people's journey has a long historical significance, because Africans are ever resilient. Our black brothers and black sisters in Europe need to know that we love them, we appreciate them, and we respect them as equal human beings (from us black people from the Diaspora & Africa).
The Afro-French or black people in France have a great, long history. The evolution of my thinking is great on this issue. A high percentage of Afro-French human beings come from the Caribbean. I have some Caribbean ancestry myself. There are anyway from 1.5 to 5 million Afro-French. Most live in Paris, Marseille, Toulouse, Barodeaux, Lille, Nantes, Strasbourg, etc. Some groups want data collection on minority group. One is the Representative Council of Franche's Black Associations (or the Conseil représentatif des associations noires de France, CRAN). One documentary talks about black people in France called "Noir de France." It's a documentary in French. The documentary proves that the history of black people in France is extensive. The first black mayor of France was elected in 1929. His name was Raphaël Elizé. His city was in Sablé-sur-Sarthe, the same city where the current Prime Minister François Fillon was mayor for eight years. The history of the Afro-French came about during the immoral French colonial era, the Independencies of African nations after Word War II, and the migrations from the West Indies and Africa. African Americans regularly live in France all of the time too. This doesn't mean that French is a peaces and cream nation. Discrimination is still very real in France like in America. If you're black period, you will know about oppression. The Afro-French thrive in art, politics, engineering, althetics, construction, and other arenas. You can talk about African history involving France without learning about Toussaint L'Ouverture. He was the leader of the Haitain Revolution. He defeated the imperialist Napoleon Bonaparte and liberated human beings from oppression. Back then, many African Americans like painter Henry O. Tanner came into France in order to escape the Jim Crow oppression that existed in America. Henry O. Tanner was a famous painter. He created his famous "The Rising of Lazarus" peice. It was featured in the world famous Louvre museum and his worked was seen by numerous African Americans. Just because Tanner, WEB duBois, and others visited France doesn't mean that France was colorblind. A lot of blacks entered France after 1632. Afro-French leaders in the 19th century abolitionist movement include people like Adzée Louisy, Lois T. Houat, and Mondésir Richard. In 1834 Revue Des Colonies was publish, the first literary journal devoted to black culture, founded by Cyril Charles Bissette. In 1851, he received the "Legion of Honor" from the French government. France emancipated all slaves in their colonies by 1848, because of the production of sugar from sweet beets in France. Immigrants were typically blacks and Afro-Arabs born in France. In 1984, SOS-racisme was formed by Blacks, Jews, and Arabs. Led by Martinican, Harlem Désir, the organization staged anti-discrimination, anti-police harassment rallies. When the 2005 rebellions came in France, I and my brothers agreed with the legitimate greivances of protesting the French government's discrimination and evil racial profiling that occured in France (against the Afro-French and Arabic populations). Now, it's our job to defend the rights and liberty of the Afro-French and all immigrants currently living in France. Many of the Afro-French are hidden in stories in the world. So, Afro-French human beings are always blessings in the world.
One African American sister Dana Saxon talked about black people in the Netherlands. She exposed the evil black face imagery shown by some Dutch people. It's proven that racism in the states is just as harsh as racism in Europe (it's just shown sometimes differently in both areas). I promise to God, I will never be assimilated to oppression and I will publicly fight against racism wherever it is found. I will defend my family, my people, and my blood forever more. Yet, many places in Europe have great black people and they love their black African identity. I want to make that clear. More information is being shown worldwide about the Black People in Turkey or the Afro-Turks. I heard of the Afro-Turks years ago, but now I am learning more about these special human beings as times travels along. The Turkish photographer named Ahmet Polat published images of the Afro-Turkish people in his photo book entitled, "AFRO-TURK." This work presents images of black African Turks who reside in the region of Izmir. The Ottoman Empire immorally took black slaves from Kenya and Sudan and placed them into Turkey. Some black sisters were used as the Sultan's harem, which is disgraceful on the part of the Ottoman Empire. The Ottoman Empire reaped what it has sown by being gone from the face of the Earth, thank God. The abolition of slavery came about in Turkey. Ahmet Polat in May of 2011 shown his newest publication on the Afro-Turkish community at gallery Liefhertje in the Hague. One image of Ahemt Polat shows an Afro-Turk man Melik wrapping a virginity belt on his daughter's waist. Afro-Turkish Jazz singer Melis Sokmen talks about her African heritage before. Sait Sokmen is a ballet dancer. He's the son an Guinea mother and Turkish father. Esmeray was an Afro-Turkish female singer. Most Afro-Turkish people live along the Aegean coast. Tons of Afro-Turkish people are strong and are fighting against racial discrimination that is found in Turkey too. Mustafa Olpak formed the organization of "Afro-Turks" in the end of 2006 (in the North Aegean city of Ayvalik). Olpak wrote an autobiography about his black ancestry via his book entitled, "Slave Coast." He met 2,000 Afro-Turks in recent years. Olpak is bringing awareness to the celebrations and rights of the Afro-Turks like reviving the traditional Calf Festival. Many Afro-Turkish human beings live in poverty. There is the football Afro-Turkish person named Hadi Turkmen. The Afro-Turkish people are researching their history more. Now, brothers like Olpak are doing their best to fight for the rights and the interests of the Afro-Turkish people. White supremacy (which is from their father, the Devil) hasn't changed and the leaders of it haven't. White supremacists are responsible for the enslavement and conquering of continents (mostly among people of color) including using atomic weapons against civilian populations. It isn't the just some of the Europeans harming our people, but the orchestrators of the Maafa aren't off the hook though. This is the real world. If you want to be real, show the truth. It's our job to destroy white supremacy from the face of the Earth (via productive methods, activism, love for our people, and real solutions without indiscriminate, unjust violence. Although, I do believe in self defense. In this imperfect world, we have no choice but to advocate self defense. Our enemy uses bigotry and I reject bigotry) as the original humans on this Earth. This is more than enough for us to promote the beauty and intellectual strength of black African peoples.
By Timothy
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