Cultural and Historical Information.

2019 hasn't ended yet, and we see tons of historic developments in America plus throughout the world from Presidential campaigns (among the most diverse field of Democratic candidates in American history) to the pro-democracy Hong Kong protests. This time allows us to see an opportunity to promote courage. When black people are victims of hate crimes plus being falsely accused of crimes, when immigrants are demonized by far right extremists (and murdered by a cowardly gunman in El Paso, Texas. The murderer wrote that he wanted to murder Latino people), and when overt extremists like Ken Cuccinelli lies about the words found in the Statue of Liberty in order for him to promote limits on legal immigration, then we have to show forthrightness in resisting evil. It is important to point out that as a black person, I believe in promoting the interests of my black people. This does cause me to empathize for others who are oppressed too. Evil is global, and we must defeat oppression internationally not just nationally as Malcolm X has accurately stated. This is a battle between the oppressed and the oppressor, and we are on the side of the oppressed. We know who Donald Trump is. We know about his racism, his sexism, his xenophobia, his abhorrent character, and his lies. The Washington Post recorded about 492 lies from Trump during his first 100 days in office alone. That is why we we must not only encourage those who agree with us. It is our duty to try to convince those who can change to wake up and reject the nefarious agenda of Donald Trump. Stephen Miller is one person who has influenced the development of most of the most evil, callous policies of immigration to even limit legal immigration. Reasonable gun safety reforms is never equivalent to gun disarmament regardless of what the NRA says. Not to mention that we have racial injustice in America. Many poor and working class African Americans are demonized not only by white racists but they by the bourgeoisie (including some of the middle class) among every color via elitist disrespect. The truth is that those suffering poverty deserve investments, opportunities, adequate housing, living wages, and justice not scapegoating. Rejecting the system of white supremacy and all of its manifestations is key in freeing your minds and being truly free.

This historic series about america is completely. Yet, the journey of America continues. After 400 years since the 1619 arrival of enslaved Africans to our time in 2019, we have witnessed tons of events from Juneteenth to slavery revolts. Americans of every background have made great contributions in history and culture. America has not lived up to the principles of equality and justice at many occasions, but many Americans (then and now) desire those goals. We have to be honest about America too. America's foundation was birthed by the 2 great crimes of the genocide of the indigenous peoples (and the theft of their lands), and the enslavement of African human beings. Freedom is worth fighting for. That is why progress never comes in the Universe without struggle. I was born in Southeastern Virginia, so I know fully about American society. I am a black American, and I love my Blackness. Americans have traveled into space, built skyscrapers, led progressive social movements for generations, and many of us believe in justice. Resiliency and an earnest to fight for positive change is with the souls of numerous Americans. Ideals are important as they can stir up the soul. Not to mention that we believe in solutions as well. In other words, neglected communities ought to be invested, our infrastructure need to be funded plus updated to meet 21st century needs (in the midst of massive automation in a growing post industrial economy), and affordable, universal health care should be available to all people irrespective of race, sex, income, creed, or background. America is part of us as our souls relate to the total American experience. America survived the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, two World Wars, and other social changes. We are unlike any other land in human history. We are the most diverse nation in human history. We have no official language as our diversity is part of our strength. For the record, we shouldn't have an official language either. We have our issues too. HUD being gutted and expensive housing are serious problems (many people and families struggle to get apartments, since tons of people have to work 2 to 3 jobs just to make ends meet). We have a 1968 Housing Act for a reason. America exists as one country being our of many people to become one nation. The goal of us being united under the principles of equality, liberty ,and justice is a legitimate one. The problem is that that goal isn't realized yet. We have to recognize our imperfections, and willing to criticize policies in America which are wrong in order to make the Dream real.


Many people already know about the important issues or problems in the world from climate change to economic deprivation. Subsequently, dedicated human beings legitimately want specific policy positions in getting things done that benefits all people. We have to support young leaders as young leaders always matter. Many Civil Rights leaders were young men and young women. SNCC was led by men and women being under 40  like Ruby Doris Smith-Robinson (SNCC was mentored and inspired by the late, great elder Ella Baker). Black lives Matter was created originally women under 40 years old. There is no solution long term without addressing the wage gap (including income gap) between African Americans and white Americans. This gap is an American problem caused by centuries of slavery, Jim Crow, redlining, gentrification, discrimination, racism, etc. This is an American issue, because when black Americans improve in society, all people succeed by default. We have structural problems including oppression that must be reckoned with. Centrism isn't going to solve these complications. The greatest progressive legislation in American history wasn't moderate at all. They were bold and progressive. I agree with those who want us to set up our own institutions and our own power internationally (among people of black African descent). Yet, a radical redistribution of economic and political power is a must, because we have tons of poor and homeless people in the world. Private assistance alone is not enough to rectify this situation. You need public investment too. They need emergency help before fulfilling their total human destinies. We need policies that are in favor of the common people, not the 1% alone. I don't believe in respectability politics (as a man or a woman's clothing or speech doesn't determine his or her true character), but I do believe in self respect and. In other words, we embrace ethics, integrity, and morality. Black women and black men shouldn't be degraded or disrespected. We honor the contributions of our elders, we fight injustice, we reject bigotry of any kind, and we build in our own communities. There shouldn't be nihilism, and an adherence to the truth makes a real difference in the atmosphere of our world.


Africa is within me, since I am of black African descent. I was born in the United States of America in Virginia, but my ancestors existed from Africa. Studying Africa requires respecting Africa too. Folks have to have a love of learning a myriad of information of African societies. Africa is never monolithic. Advanced technologies, different nations, and diverse flora plus fauna flourish in its lands. Hundreds of languages are spoken in Africa, and multifaceted cultures exist in the continent of Africa too. Also, we believe in democracy and freedom. Tons of Africans and those of the African Diaspora are engaging in the fight for the freedom of the press, for governmental accountability , and for the rights of the people in general (in Africa plus worldwide). This is a long journey to liberation, but let it be known that we are the original people as black people. We are the first people on Earth, and that truth can never be eliminated. We respect our elders and our neighbors. We honor hallowed traditions and cultures. Likewise, we will never take any mess. In rejecting injustice, we incorporate in our lives a sense of profound destiny and a fidelity to honor the truth.


The Yoruba people live in the Western African countries of Nigeria, Benin, Ghana, Togo, and the Ivory Coast. They are of the some of the largest ethnic groups in Africa. They are in the population of about 44 million people. Most of them live in Nigeria. Most Yoruba people speak the Niger-Congo language of Yoruba. They are culturally diverse too. Most of them are Christians and Muslims. The Yoruba culture has the traditional Yoruba religion, spiritual concepts, and various ceremonial participations. In the Yoruba religion, there is the concept of Orisa. Orisa are terms to describe the manifestations or avatars of God in the Yoruba religious views. Ogun is the god of metal, war, and victory.  Sango deals with justice. Olorun is one of the principal manifestations of the Supreme God of the Yoruba pantheon, the owner of the heavens, and is associated with the Sun known as Oòrùn in the Yoruba language. The two other principal forms of the supreme God are Olodumare—the supreme creator—and Olofin, who is the conduit between Òrunn (Heaven) and Ayé (Earth). Oshumare is a god that manifests in the form of a rainbow, also known as Òsùmàrè in Yorùbá, while Obatala is the god of clarity and creativity. The Yoruba culture deals with concepts like respect, peaceful co-existence, loyalty and freedom of speech. The Yorubas were one of the first groups in West Africa to be introduced to Christianity on a large scale. Islam came into the Yoruba people centuries before Christianity came into the region. Yoruba terracotta sculptures are known in Yoruba culture. Stone culture has been created by them including metal bracelets. Many festivals take place in the Yoruba culture.

Music, dance, and drums are found in these ceremonies. The Yoruba people and their descendants are found in the United Kingdom, Canada, the United States, Cuba, Brazil, Latin America, and the Caribbean. They exist in South America and Australia via Yoruba communities. It is no secret that many African Americans (if not the majority of black Americans) are descendants of the Yoruba people.  Brazil, Cuba, and other places are influenced by Yoruba culture. The Xhosa people live in Southern Africa primarily. Some live in Zimbabwe too. They speak Xhosa, Zulu, English, etc. The Xhosa people honor their ancestors, use rites of passage, and have a division among people based upon age and work. The purpose of these actions was to give Xhosa people a sense of identity and culture. Traditional foods include beef (Inyama yenkomo), mutton (Inyama yegusha), and goat meat (Inyama yebhokwe), sorghum, milk (often fermented, called "amasi"), pumpkins (amathanga), Mielie-meal (maize meal), samp (umngqusho), beans (iimbotyi), vegetables, like "rhabe", wild spinach reminiscent of sorrel, "imvomvo", the sweet sap of an aloe, or "ikhowa", a mushroom that grows after summer rains. Xhosa have a diverse amount of fashion for men, women, and children.

There are drums, whistles, flutes, and other instruments in music. There are songs for various ritual occasions; one of the best-known Xhosa songs is a wedding song called "Qongqothwane", performed by Miriam Makeba as "Click Song #1". Besides Makeba, several modern groups record and perform in Xhosa. Missionaries introduced the Xhosa to Western choral singing. "Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika", part of the National anthem of South Africa is a Xhosa hymn written in 1897 by Enoch Sontonga. The Oromo people are one of the largest ethnic groups in Ethiopia being 34.5% of the total Ethiopia population. They speak the Oromo language which is part of the Cushite branch of the Afro-Asiatic language family. They live in Kenya, Somalia, Australia, Canada, and other places of the world. They follow their own traditional religion. Many are also Muslims and Christians. Diverse fashion, a governing system, and other customs are part of the Omoro culture. In the 5000m women Tirunesh Dibaba of Ethiopia set a new world record time 14:11:15. The Omoro people have fought against human rights abuses against their people in Ethiopia as well. Oromo track and field athlete Maryam Yusuf Jamal, Oromo distance running champion Kenenisa Bekele, doctors, political leaders, lawyers, and other great people are part of the Omoro community.

The Igbo people is found in Nigeria with 49 million people. Traditional Igbo political organization was based on a quasi-democratic republican system of government. In tight knit communities, this system guaranteed its citizens equality, as opposed to a feudalist system with a king ruling over subjects. Mathematics is heavily involved in the Igbo society. They created their own calendar system, a week had four days, a month consisted of seven weeks and 13 months made a year. In the last month, an extra day was added. Many people of the African Diaspora are related to the Igbo people. Bussa or the Bardbaian slave revolt leader, Edward Clyden, Aime Cesaire Martinquis, and Paul Robeson are of Igbo decsent. The Igbo were dispersed to colonies such as Jamaica, Cuba, Saint-Domingue, Barbados, the future United States, Belize, and Trinidad and Tobago, among others.

Elements of Igbo culture can still be found in these places. For example, in Jamaican Patois, the Igbo word unu, meaning "you" plural, is still used. "Red Ibo" (or "red eboe") describes a black person with fair or "yellowish" skin. This term had originated from the reported prevalence of these skin tones among the Igbo but eastern Nigerian influences may not be strictly Igbo. The word Bim, a colloquial term for Barbados, was commonly used among enslaved Barbadians (Bajans). This word is said to have derived from bém in the Igbo language meaning 'my place or people', but may have other origins. Igbo culture relates to using their language to create literature and grow their culture. In 1789, The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano was published in London, England, written by Olaudah Equiano, a former slave. The book featured 79 Igbo words. In the first and second chapter, the book illustrates various aspects of Igbo life based on Olaudah Equiano's life in his hometown of Essaka.  The Igbo use musical style in percussion instruments like the udu to express themselves. Masks, architecture, and rites of passage are found in the Igbo tradition too. Most Igbo people are Christian. 56 percent of them are Roman Catholic and 43 percent of are Protestant/Evangelical. Some follow Judaism. The Igbo traditional religion is known as Odinani. The supreme deity is called Chukwu ("great spirit"); Chukwu created the world and everything in it and is associated with all things on Earth. They believe the Cosmos is divided into four complex parts: creation, known as Okike; supernatural forces or deities called Alusi; Mmuo, which are spirits; and Uwa, the world. Great cuisine and music is part of the Igbo tradition. The Kongo people or the Bakongo live in Central Africa. 10 million people make up the Congo ethnic group in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Republic of the Congo, Angola, and Gabon. Many of them are CHristian and follow traditional African religions. They are a Bantu people. The Bakongo society include farmers and other people involved in endeavors.  Some are farmers who grow staples and cash crops. Among the staples are cassava, bananas, maize, taro and sweet potatoes. Other crops include peanuts (groundnuts) and beans. The cash crops were introduced by the colonial rulers, and these include coffee and cacao for the chocolate industry. Art, music, and other great cultural developments exist in the lives of the Kongo people.


By Timothy