Revolutionary Education!!!

FYI. This blog was originally created for one of my grad classes at SJU, so pardon some of the educational jargon. I know it may be a tough read, but trust me it will be worth it. This particular blog may take a bit longer to get through, but don't trip out. Most of you are wasting time at work while reading this anyway, so what’s a couple extra minute to help create LIBERATION EDUCATION? I am writing the education platform for a city council candidate in Queens, NY. If anyone has any applicable ideas that will help establish a Liberation Education in Queens NY and elsewhere, PLEASE holla back? We can change the world through dialogue; being connected is one of the best things that could have happened in our struggle for humanity. Please contribute to the education platform that can and will change the face of education. Please post this in every forum, e mail this info to everyone your contacts, call and text everyone you know and spread the word to as many people as possible. We have an opportunity in Queens, NY to set the pace for the new face of education in our community. If any of you have any questions, e mail me or leave a comment!!! Your input will be invaluable.

Pedagogy is defined differently by different educational philosophies and opinions. Pedagogy is defined by Webster Dictionary as the art, science, or profession of teaching, especially education. Pedagogy has also been defined as “the broader and more generalized notion of social education which arises from the influence of the educative society where we are educating through using community influence.”[1] The term pedagogy in this text is a collective definition but most specifically defined as a “deliberate attempt to influence how and what knowledge and identities are produced within and among particular sets of social relations.”[2] Paulo Freire’s Pedagogy of the Oppressed explores the dynamic of education as it relates to the oppressed sectors of the world. Freire text focuses on how the oppressed will free themselves and the oppressor from a repressive society through a critical pedagogy. Critical pedagogy is an academic discipline which involves the critical study of education as it relates to human liberation. The goal for pedagogy as it relates to the oppressed is to restore lost humanity and thereby liberate both the oppressed and the oppressor. The philosophy of freeing the oppressed through a liberated education has implications that continue to resound today. An in depth study and proper implementation of Freire pedagogy, along with others revolutionary educators, is necessary to truly liberate humanity.

Many classrooms across America and the world are occupied with students who fit the characteristics of the oppressed as defined by Freire. It is the responsibility of the “humanist, revolutionary educator”[3] to implement the strategies of Freire (and others) in order to ensure a liberated future. Freire states that the praxis, the proper equilibrium between theory and action, the balance between reflection and active attempts at transforming our world, is a necessary component for true liberation through education. It is the duty of the educator to do away with the concept of Banking Model of education[4], the current form of education, and implement what Freire defines as Problem Poising Dialogue. The teaching implication of this process is revolutionary, but also necessary for both the oppressor and oppressed to truly be liberated.

Freire states that oppression consists of any act which results in hindrances upon individuals (the 'oppressed') to articulate and pursue their own dreams. Freire's goes on to state that:
"Any situation in which 'A' objectively exploits 'B' or hinders his and her pursuit of self-affirmation as a responsible person is one of oppression. Such a situation in itself constitutes violence even when sweetened by false generosity; because it interferes with the individual's ontological and historical vocation to be more fully human.”[5]

The exploitation of ‘A’ by ‘B’ is clearly displayed, historically, in the relationship between the colonizer and the colonized. Freire understands the parasitic colonial relationship and his opinions are reflected in his extension of the educational philosophy of Franz Fanon’s Wretched of the Earth. Freire expounds upon Fanon’s ideology that emphasized the need to provide native populations with an education which is simultaneously new and modern (rather than traditional) and anti-colonial (not simply an extension of the culture of the colonizer)[6] Freire writes that the colonized had become mere vestiges of their living history, serving as “hosts” for Westernized values, dispirited by an internalized sense of inferiority, dehumanized by regimes of dismissive exteriority. “Freedom,” he wrote, “is acquired by conquest, not by gift. [7]

Freire writes from a Marxist position, but often not exclusively, fails to realize that the parasitic relationship between the colonized and the colonizer will exist regardless of political economic philosophy. The economic system of capitalism allows the factors of production: land labor and capital, to be owned privately[8]. Socialism allows for the factors of production to be owned publicly[9]. Both Adam Smith’s explanation of capitalism in An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations and Karl Marx idea of socialism articulated in the Communist Manifesto are rooted in the oppressive systems of colonialism and imperialism.[10]

Capitalism and socialism are economically rooted in what Marx classifies as primitive accumulation or original accumulation and Smith defines as previous accumulation. Regardless of the political economic affiliation, both systems acknowledge the fact that the economic base for their system is found in the oppression of laborors and the exploitation of resources of an external starting point.[11] Neither capitalism nor socialism could exist in Europe without an accumulation of starting wealth. In fact an accumulation of wealth was mandatory in Europe for either capitalism or socialism to exist in the reality of which Smith and Marx wrote their text. Consequently, a relationship of oppressor and oppressed, colonizer and colonized, had to be established, from a European (Western) point of view, in order for the systems of capitalism and/or socialism to be viable political economic ideas in the: political, social, and economic conditions of Europe. It is of no consequence if that accumulation of wealth is reflected in the exploitation of labor or the theft of resources from other places, the result will be the existence of an oppressor and oppressed. The relationship of oppressor and oppressed is established worldwide through the system of colonialism and then imperialism.

In order for any political economic system, based in an oppressor and oppressed relationship, to maintain itself, intuitions must be created to support the relationship created by the system. Freire argues that the education system is designed to support an oppressive social, economic, and political system. Freire describes an educational practice called the Banking System, which is the primaray facilitator of the maintainance of the oppressive relationship. The Banking System of education isolates the learner from the content and process of education. It assumes that the teacher knows everything and the students know nothing. The teacher narrates, prescribes and deposits information which the student then must mechanically receive, memorize and repeat. This transfer of information becomes a symbol and an instrument of oppression that reduces inquiry, creativity and dialogue[12]. Freire makes it clear Banking Education dichotomizes consciousness and the world, thereby domesticating reality. While the teacher acts as bearer of all knowledge, this static and naturalistic conception of consciousness "...transforms students into receiving objects."[13] Consequently, the students are integrated into the world of the oppressor, a world that is based on the dehumanization[14] of the oppressed.

Freire argues that the Banking System does not acknowledge the prior learning experience of students and also treats the world as a static, fixed environment to which students simply need to adapt.[15] This reality supports the continuation of the status quo, where the oppressor is on top and the oppressed is on the bottom. Freire writes:

“Oppression is necrophilic; it is nourished by the love of death, not life. The banking concept of education, which servers the interest of oppression, is also necrophilic. Based on a mechanistic, static, naturalistic, spatialized view of consciousness, it transforms students into receiving objects. It attempts to control thinking and action, leads women and men to adjust to the world, and inhibits their creative power.[16]"

Freire continues to write, that in order to develop an education dedicated to a liberated future, the revolutionary teacher, must adopt a new form of education. Freire writes,

"From the outset, his efforts (the revolutionary educator) must coincide with those of the students to engage in critical thinking and the quest for mutual humanization. His efforts must be imbued with a profound trust in men and their creative power. To achieve this, he must be a partner of the students in his relations with them.[17]”

Freire proposes a different form of education he coins as Problem Poising Dialogue. Problem Poising Dialogue is Freire's answer to the Banking System Model of education. Problem Poising Dialogue is a pedagogical approach of question-posing and dialoguing. This system of education is based on ancient methods of education often accredited to the Socrates, but originally finds its beginning in the educational facilities of African antiquity.[18] Evidence of this is found in an article title “Pedagogy of Ancient Africa” when Asa Hillard III writes that: “In order to explain the culture and particularly the education system of Egypt, we must appeal to the manifestations of the core African culture, not only in the Egyptian part of the Diaspora, but in the rest of continental Diaspora, and later the intercontinental Diaspora.[19] Such an progressive approach to education includes requires the teacher/learner to:

a) Acknowledge and make use of learner's prior knowledge/experience

b) Allow for a more open-ended curriculum that is co-created within the classroom

c) Acknowledge the learning that goes on by all involved-the teachers/facilitators in
addition to students.[20]

Freire believes that the Problem Poising Dialogue form of education is crucial to the true liberation of the oppressed from the oppressor.

Freire encourages students to adopt a curious, questioning, probing stance in exploring educational issues. Freirean education demands a deep commitment to the goal of building a better social world, and requires active resistance against oppressive structures, ideas, and practices. Freire’s challenge to educators has had a profound and resounding affect. In a sense he is challenging educators and students a like, to disregard their position, in order to create the learning environment necessary for liberation. This concept is radical, yet provides the bases for an education system that will produce a world where the balance of power is level and where everyone will have the opportunity to “purse their own dreams”, without a system designed to ensure that those dreams do not come into fruition.

The implication of Freire’s Problem Posing education presents itself in the ideology of conscientization (conscientizacao in the original Portuguese). The goal of liberation education is judged by dialectical relationship, namely that of the world and human consciousness. The concept of conscientization or critical awareness is the foundation to Freire's critical pedagogy[21]. Critical awareness is made possible through praxis which Freire defines as "...reflection and action upon the world in order to transform it"[22].

Freire connects reflection and action (praxis) together, as part of the process in the recognition and transformation of social, economic and political contradictions through a liberation education. Liberation education is designed to interrupt then transform the reality in which the oppressed finds oneself. Freire’s, politically-motivated literacy work served as a "profound learning process" that became the foundation for the formulation of his critical pedagogy of conscientization.[23]

Conscientization is the process whereby individuals develop a greater ability to think critically. The fostering of this critical consciousness, the ability to read one's world more deeply and to ask meaningful 'why' questions, is at the center of Freire's theory of education for human liberation. Freire developed several famous methods for achieving conscientization beside Problem-Posing Dialogue. Codifications, and Generative Themes are two other strategies Freire developed in order to facilitate liberation education[24].

A. Codifications- A codification or code is simply a visual representation of one thing for another. Freire famously used these codes in Brazil-most famously, drawing them with rural peasants in the dirt with a stick--as a way of developing not only literacy but also political consciousness.

B. Generative Themes- generative theme is a single word or phrase that Freire would famously use to start problem-posing dialogue as part of his critical literacy method. Freire would choose a theme very relevant to the people to the lives of the people with whom he was working. For example, he would start with the word 'shovel' if he was working with miners. This theme would be the first word learned within the 'lesson' and be the launching off point for various questions concerning the implications of the theme within the community. Thus, these themes were developed so as to develop ownership among the learners not only of the words themselves but also the political situation surrounding them. [25]

The concept of conscientization is crucial to the revolutionary development and of the current school system. The concept if conscientization is most critical in schools where the population fit the characteristics of the oppressed as defined by Freire. In America the characteristics of the oppressed are most easily revealed in the race and class of certain sectors of American society. This phenomenon of oppressor and oppressed creates the fundamental break down in education along racial and class lines. The class lines were created by the racial lines of which colonialism and imperialism were drawn[26]. Countries where resources and market were available for the expansion of industrialization were generally nations of color.[27] This phenomenon, consequently forced the imperialistic goals of Europe, America, and others to vest itself in the creation of an oppressor and oppressed, colonizer and colonized relationship along the lines of race. Therefore, it should not be a question why many of the schools where the level of educational delinquency is at it highest are inside of schools where the racial and/or class sub group of America has been subjected to the role of the “oppressed”.

Following Freire’s argument one could conclude that it is by design that many of America’s schools are purposely forced into objectivity, hidden inside to confines of “democracy”, in order to maintain the hierarchy of society. Often the poor conditions of majority Black, Latino, and/or poor schools are blamed on parent involvement, poverty, or some other subjective reality. These reasons may be true to a degree, but none of those reasons supersede the base of the educational contradiction America finds itself. The base of the contradiction is that the oppressor, those that benefit from the oppressed being the oppressed, need the system to maintain itself. The oppressor needs the system to maintain itself, at the expense of the oppressed, in order for the oppressor to continue to hold his position in the world and most specifically America. It is the intent of the oppressor to continue the system as it exists, in order not to threaten his livelihood.

Friere goes on to argue that the oppressor’s maintenance of this oppressive system is also harming the oppressor as well. Freire writes:

“As the oppressor dehumanize others and violate their rights (the oppressed), they themselves also become dehumanized. As the oppressed, fighting to be human, take away the oppressors power to dominate and suppress, they restore to the oppressor the humanity they had lost in the exercise of oppression.[28]”

Consequently, the oppressed are not engaging in conscientization, by way of liberation education, in order to switch places with the oppressor. The oppressed engage in conscientization in order to liberate all of humanity from the physical and mental shackles of oppression.

It is the responsibility of revolutionary educators to help develop this process to its revolutionary end. Problem-posing education, says Freire, is

"Revolutionary futurity…affirms men as beings who transcend themselves, who move forward and look ahead, for whom immobility represents a fatal threat, for whom looking at the past must only be a means of understanding more clearly what and who they are so that they can more wisely build the future.[29]"

The act of gaining an understanding of the world around oneself, critically analyzing the situation, conscientization, is only possible in conjunction with dialogue. Freire insists that dialogue is essential to the resolution of the teacher-student contradiction. Through dialogue and communication, students assume responsibility for their own learning process and thus become "...critical co-investigators in dialogue with the teacher". Furthermore, Freire asserts that dialogue is an essential component to the process of conscientization. Freire highlights the potential of dialogue and defends the power of language as a tool that is capable of cultivating dominance or freedom, oppression or liberation, colonialism/imperialism or self determination. Dialogue allows people to name the world and, therefore, to force social transformation and liberation through revolution. Freire's writes: "To exist, humanly, is to name the world, to change it".[30]
Teachers dedicated to truly educating their student, and also dedicated to being lifelong learners will find ways to effectively implement the strategy of liberation education. They will believe and truly internalize the reality that everyone is connected to saving humanity from an oppressive relationship. The collective, both oppressed and oppressor will change the dynamic in which they exist, through true generosity[31] (on behalf of the oppressor) and a self determining spirit (on behalf of the oppressed). Revolutionary educators must be careful not to replace the “oppressors” world view for their own, by simply using the same methods as the oppressor to facilitate its world view. Revolutionary education must transcend the current tyrannical relationship for a solution that makes sense for all of humanity. Freire contributes to this reality, but does not complete it in Pedagogy of the Oppressed, or any of his other text. Freire outlines his premise and then presents in an academic format for the implementation of his educational philosophy. Freire understood that his work in conjunction with other progressive ideas will ultimately liberate those that have been most adversely affected by the current world system.

Dialogue is the first
Step toward liberation,

Marvo

[1] Karl Mannhein and W.A.C Stewart. An Introduction to Sociology of Education. (Lodon: Routlede and Kegen Paul, 1964) p.20
[2] H. Giroux and R Simon, “Popular Culture and Critical Pedagogy: Everyday Life as a Basis for Curriculum Kwoledge” in H Giroux and P. McLarens, eds. Critical Pedagogy, The State, and Cultural Struggle New York SUNY, 1989 p. 239
[3] Paulo Freire. Pedagogy of the Oppressed. (New York: Continuum, 2007), p. 75
[4] Banking Education will be discussed further in the body of the paper
[5] Paulo Freire, Pedagogy of the Oppressed. (New York: Continuum, 2007), p. 55
[6] Frantz Fanon, The Wretched of the Earth. Trans. Constance Farington. (New York: Grove Press. 1961, reprint ed. 1986)
[7] Ibid, p 52
[8] Adam Smith, An Inquiry in into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations (London: W Strahan, and T cadell) [1] B.I, Ch.6, Of the Component Parts of the Price of Commodities in paragraph I.6.9.
[9] Ibid
[10] Omali Yeshitela. The Dialectics of Black Revolution: The Struggle to Defeat the Counterinsurgency in the U.S .(St. Petersburg: Burning Spears Uhuru Publications, 1997) p. 4
[11] Ibid. p 7
[12] E.W Eisner, From Episteme to Phronesis to Artistry in the Study and Improvement of Teaching and Teacher Education, 18 2002 p375-385
[13] Paulo Freire, Pedagogy of the Oppressed. (New York: Continuum, 2007)
[14] This concept is borrowed from existentialism (a self-determining agent responsible for the authenticity of his or her choices) of Jean-Paul Sartre. It refers to an act that causes one (literally) to become less human. Dehumanization, in other words, is any act that physically or mentally injures human beings, turns them into objects, or in any other process that puts obstacles in people's path as they attempt to articulate and pursue their own dreams.
[15] Paulo Freire, Pedagogy of the Oppressed. (New York: Continuum, 2007), p 73
[16] Ibid, p 77
[17] Ibid, p 75
[18] George GM James, Stolen Legacy: Greek Philosophy is Stolen Egyptian Philosophy. (Trenton, New Jersey: Africa World Press, 1992).
[19] Hilliard, Asa G. "Pedagogy in Ancient Kemet." Kemet and the African Worldview: Research, Rescue and Restoration. Edited by Maulana Karenga and Jacob H. Carruthers. Los Angeles: University of Sankore Press, 1986: 131-50.
[20] http://www.ukzn.ac.za/cae/pfi/fd.htm#Critical (accessed 4/13/2008).
[21] Rich Gibson, The Frozen Dialectics of Paulo Freire, in NeoLiberalism and Education Reform, (Hampton Press, 2006.)
[22]Paulo Freire, Pedagogy of the Oppressed. (New York: Continuum, 2007), p 36
[23] Ibid, p.41
[24] http://www.ukzn.ac.za/cae/pfi/fd.htm#Critical (accessed 4/13/2008).
[25] Ibid
[26] Omali Yeshitela. The Dialectics of Black Revolution: The Struggle to Defeat the Counterinsurgency in the U.S .(St. Petersburg: Burning Spears Uhuru Publications, 1997)
[27] Ibid
[28] , p 32
[29] Ibid, p 72
[30] Paulo Freire, Pedagogy of the Oppressed. (New York: Continuum, 2007), p 76
[31] True generosity consists of an act of sacrifice on behalf of the oppressor which attempts to free the oppressed from their condition. Such an act consists not of a temporary, meaningless 'hand-out' meant to sooth the conscience of the oppressor but instead a conscious effort to work alongside the oppressed in order to reduce their dependence and allow them to take up work that transforms the social conditions of this world.

UNITED WE STAND, DIVIDED WE FALL

I got FIRED folks; http://www.globalgrind.com/ couldn’t handle the heat I was bringing. I went at the bosses head and they gave me the axe. Actually, they gave (I can't say for legally purposes) the axe, and I kind of got caught up in the mix. Globalgrind.com wanted (can't say for legal purposes) to kow tow to their philosophy and we weren’t down with that. I called that I would't be over at globalgrind.com for long last month and lo and be hold, I am not. I guess when you call out Russell Simmons that’s what happens. Russell released two videos trying to rebut the information about ALL diamonds being blood diamonds. You can find the videos here http://youtube.com/watch?v=ptAnISBsOv0 and here http://youtube.com/watch?v=2jlOpBqVWBA. He tries to cover his tracks with charities and other nonsense to help confuse the people. I think it is important to paraphrase Malcolm X and say that you can’t put a knife in my back six inches pull it out four and expect me to be happy. Russell Simmons has done many great things for our people, but his philanthropy does not absolve him for being criticized for exploiting Africa. If that means I will loose a ton of clicks on my blog than so be it. If you didn’t get a chance to peep the power point presentation, entitled Russell Simmons Exposed, you can check it out here http://www.slideshare.net/marving2/blooddiamonds2.

This month I think it is important for me to discuss an important topic to my credibility as a writer on the side of liberation. I try to always support the ideology that DIALOGUE is the first step toward liberation, today I am sure to write something that will cause DIALOGUE from coast to coast. Many of you out there know that I am a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc, many of you may not. With that being said, some of you may have some reservations about the role that black fraternities play in the development of a liberated future. I got into a really progressive conversation with a good friend of mine which inspired me to set the record straight for all that may have questions about the Africaness of Black fraternities, and most specifically, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated.

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated (Alpha) has a DEEP history as it is related to its connection to Africa. In fact, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. set the precedent for all future black collegiate organizations to invest their efforts into an African based philosophy/world view. Alpha also contributed greatly to a lot of African centered thought post 1906. The racial make-up of the ancient Nile Valley and the people of Kemet (Egypt) in particular, continue to be a topic of controversy in many circles. Within the media and scholarly world, there has been and continues to exist an attempt to make the ancient Kemetans (Egyptians) anything but the Africans they were[1]. Alpha has contributed greatly to combating this ideology. Alpha’s history is clear, but often misrepresented by those that do not have the proper information or wish to confuse.

Alpha, utilizes themes from Ancient Kemet/ KMT (Egypt), images and songs depicting the Her-em-akhet (Great Sphinx of Giza), pharaohs, and other Kemetic knowledge and symbols to represent the organization. Kemet can be roughly translated as the "Land of the Blacks.”[2] It was the Greeks who would rename Kemet, Egypt.[3] Alpha uses these symbols because it is important to Alpha to preserve the history from which we have come. The ideology of the Sankofa is exactly what Alpha embodies. We understand that it is important to study the continent from which we came, in order to be best prepared for the world in which we live, and for the future in which we will meet.

This is in contrast to other fraternities that traditionally echo themes from the golden age of Ancient Greece. Alpha's constant reference to Athopia/ Aksumite (Ethiopia) in hymns and poems are further examples of Alpha's mission to imbue itself with an African cultural heritage. The Edfu Text is an important source on the early history of the Nile Valley. This famous inscription, found in the Temple of Heru-sa-Aset/ Heru-ur/ Heru-pa-khart (Horus) at Edfu, gives an account of the origin of Kemetic (Egyptian) civilization. According to this record, civilization was brought from the south under the leadership of King Heru-sa-Aset/ Heru-ur/ Heru-pa-khart (King Horus)[4]. Charles H. Wesley, Alpha’s greatest historian, wrote:

"To the Alpha Phi Alpha brotherhood, African history and civilization, the Her-Em-Akhet (Sphinx), and Athopian/ Aksumiteian (Ethiopian) tradition bring new meanings and these are interpreted with new significance to others. As Americans of European parentage point with pride to the ancestral history of their people, so Alpha Phi Alpha would have the Negroes of America look with pride upon African civilization with its kingdoms, its governments and its laws, its social institutions, its buildings and roads, and its evidences of indigenous progress, unaffected as it was, by outside influences [5]”

Alpha understands clearly that the root of African civilization lies in Africa; Alpha also understands that our root as a people has been skewed by those who wish to confuse. (The region we now call “Ethiopia” is much smaller than the ancient layout of “Ethiopia”. When I say “Ethiopia” I am referring to the land south of what is now called the Sahara.[6])

Alpha often uses terms like Sphinx, or Egypt in order to create a sense of familiarity among people that have been led astray. Our people were not led astray by Alpha, but by centuries of disillusionment by sectors of European society. We could use other terms to describe or African roots, but the climate during the time Alpha was created (1906), and the current consciousness of our community (2008) does not allow this, in most circumstances.

I participate in a reading group that is an example of this phenomenon. It has been stated that our reading group is not for everyone looking for a sense of consciousness. We have suggested that one should start by reading text like the Autobiography of Malcolm X or The Souls of Black Folk. Certain text should be the pre requisite to text like Marimba Ani's Let the Circle be Unbroken or any of Naim Akbar’s writings. Should everyone read Akbar’s body of work? YES! Is everyone initially ready for Akbar? NO! Is it Akbar’s fault that his body of work cannot not be absorbed by the consciousness of some of our people? NO! For that same rationale, Alpha should not be blamed for some of the language that it uses. We are a lifetime organization trying to bring young colligate minds into a view of Africanism that they may not be aware. We ALL need to work toward building the consciousness of our people; I believe Alpha has done this for many Black and Brown young men.

Alpha sometimes use “Greek” terms similar to how the masses of Black people use the term Africa. Africa is not the original name of the continent, but it is the name most associated with the continent. Scipio Africanus is where Africa gets its name, a Roman, who allegedly won many battles in “Africa”[7]. Names like Akaluba, Nubia, Ethiopia, or countless other names would be more of an “African” name for the continent. Confusion has been caused by certain sectors of European society, resulting in names like Akaluba being lost or not often used. Alpha did not create this confusion, but we try our best to serve, despite the confusion.

The Great Pyramids of Giza symbolize the foundation of our African knowledge for African people all around the world. Alpha is no exception to this reality. Alpha understands clearly that the “Greeks” received their information from Kemet, whose father is Athopia/ Aksumite “Ethiopia”. George GM James wrote in Stolen Legacy:

Greek philosophy is somewhat of a drama, whose chief actors were Alexander the Great, Aristotle and his successors in the peripatetic school, and the Emperor Justinian. Alexander invaded Egypt and captured the Royal Library at Alexandria and plundered it. Aristotle made a library at Alexandria and plundered books, while his school occupied the building and used it as a research centre. Finally, Justinian, the Roman Emperor, abolished the Temples and schools of philosophy, i.e., another name for the Egyptian Mysteries, which the Greeks claimed as their product, and on account of which, they have been falsely praised and honored for centuries by the world, as its greatest philosophers and thinkers. This contribution to civilization was really and truly made by the Egyptians and the African continent, but not by the Greeks and the European continent. [8]

I read Stolen Legacy when I was first introduced to Alpha. George GM James (The man responsible for popularizing the reality that the Greeks benefited from the knowledge of Kemet) is strongly suggested reading for every aspiring ALPHA. In Stolen Legacy James proposed that the origins of Greek philosophy lay within Kemetic (Egyptian) theology, what the Greeks called the Mysteries. His objectives, as he clearly stated, were as follows:

1.) To prove that Greek philosophy was a misnomer
2.) To demonstrate the African origin of the Mysteries Schools
3.) To create a social reformation through the new philosophy of African redemption.[9]

Whether Greece truly "stole" Kemetic (Egyptian) knowledge is debatable. Some argue that in Greek society there were Black people. As a consequence of the knowledge that they (African’s in Greece) brought with them out of Africa, the Greeks benefited. It is probably better stated that what we know about Greek or Hellenist culture was influenced GREATLY by African culture to the point at which Africa deserves more recognition than which it has been given[10].

What can also be understood is that it is from the great African societies that the modern “Greek” lettered fraternities and sororities were founded. Like George GM James stated of Greek philosophy, the Greek letters used by Black fraternities and sororities is a misnomer. For though the letters used were “Greek”, the founders of these organizations understood well their African lineage and origins. Thus the letters masked an even deeper meaning rooted in Africa itself[11].

All Alpha Men, just like members of other organizations, that want to learn about a deeper sense of his/her humble responsibility to the world, can find it, within their organization. It is up to the individual to make that journey, the same journey that many other organizations encourage. Becoming an Alpha is just the first step forward, but is often where the buck stops with too many Alpha Men. Alpha as an organization needs to do more to encourage our young brothers to continue the journey they started when they joined Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. Reading a few books while “on line/pledging”, “intake” or during “rights of passage”, isn’t enough. I am sure there are members of every progressive collegiate organization that can find members that may not be as involved in their journey as they should.

Charles H. Wesley, Alpha’s greatest historian, wrote that:

“I have stood beside the Her-Em-Akhet (Sphinx) in Kemet/KMT (Egypt), Akaluba (Africa) in July on my third visit there, and I brought greetings to this silent historical figure in the name of Alpha Phi Alpha and I crossed the continent to Athopia/ Aksumite (Ethiopia).[12]”

Alpha’s foundation is rooted in our connection to Africa, and it is reflected in our membership. Adam Clayton Powell, Norman Washington Manley, Fredrick Douglas, Martin Luther King Jr., Dick Gregory, WEB Dubois, and many other great men all are distinguished members of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. Folks like Steve Cokely, who I often disagree but respect greatly, have their opinion on the Garvey/Dubois debate. Cokely likes to highlight the Boule/Sigma Pi Phi to support his argument against Dubois, but that’s another topic). There are countless other pillars of the Black and Brown community connected to Alpha, all reflecting the light that Alpha carries http://www.brown.edu/Students/Alpha_Phi_Alpha/famous.html .

Being a pillar of the community is not limited to members of Alpha, but to all who carry on the legacy of our African heritage. Whether you want to call that legacy the light, or the flame[13] all of us are carrying the legacy that is firmly rooted in Mother Africa. Alpha has a mix of political philosophies and opinions, but they all fall under the same umbrella. Alpha is not an organization of monolithic thought or philosophy, but where we all do agree as Alpha’s, is our responsibility to help the community in which we have pledged to serve.

I try to explain the dichotomy of Alpha by comparing Malcolm and Martin. They both had the uplift of the Black community in mind, but initially had different opinions on how the process should be facilitated. Both Malcolm and Martin would have had space to exist inside of Alpha (although Malcolm was not a member of Alpha), because they both meet the aims of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. “manly deeds, scholarship, and love for all mankind.” Africa brought the light to the world, Alpha’s among many others, have continued to carry this light that began with mother Africa.

I clearly do not agree with the way some Alpha’s express their dedication to our community, in fact I stand in complete opposition to some of the political positions of some Alpha’s. I recently SLAMMED Andrew Young on my blog http://marvinthinks.blogspot.com/2008/01/thanks-to-all-folks-that-have-followed.html for some of the comments he made about Barak Obama. Does that mean that I hate Young or call for his removal from Alpha? Absolutely not! I am a firm believer that DIALOGUE is how we move forward as a community. Dick Gregory is another ALPHA who slammed Young, live on Warren Ballentine’s radio show http://youtube.com/watch?v=xDVajxU80EU. From the outside it is hard to explain how two men in the same organization can take two very different views. Upon proper analyses it becomes clear how this can and will continue to happen. This dialogue that often goes on inside of Alpha and our community as a whole is important for the forward movement of the organization and our community. Don’t get me started on Charlie Rangle he felt the raft of MARVO a couple of times you can check it out here http://marvinthinks.blogspot.com/2008/01/new-day-or-same-ole-song.html .

Alpha’s 21st General President, Thomas W. Cole said, "Alpha Phi Alpha must go back to her ultimate roots; only then can she be nurtured to full bloom.[14]" I agree with Alpha’s 21st president. Alpha’s roots are grounded in African philosophy, and that root is the heart and soul of the organization. With that being said, I applaud an organization like Malika Kambe Umfazi Sorority Inc. (MKU) and other more recent Black/Brown fraternities and sororities that have embraced an African world view as well. I would also say that it is important for all our, to understand the foundation in which WE stand in 2008. We all stand on the foundation of Mother Africa.

MKU (Black, Orange, and Gold) and Alpha (Black and Ole Gold) share the two of the same colors. Black and (Ole) Gold, is this a coincidence? Is it a coincidence that both of our organizations were started in upstate New York (Ithaca and Buffalo) and that our second chapters were both located in DC, the root of Black collegiate life in America. Is it a coincidence that both of our official shields (not to be confused with Alpha’s crest which is found on Alpha apparel) have symbols reflecting our African roots? I don’t think so. I believe that at our base, both organizations share the same values, and dedication to our Africaness. What I will also say is that sometime the Africaness that we both embrace is expressed differently. Furthermore, I would also argue that many other organizations share this base as well. I don’t raise MKU to criticize the sisters. I am using MKU as an example, because the conversations that inspired this blog was with a sister from MKU. I could easily replace MKU, with Alpha Kappa Alpha, Delta Sigma Theta, or Lamba Theta Alpha (Latina sorority). My point is that WE all should understand our responsibility to our community. I believe the sisters of MKU to be true warriors on the front line of our struggle. I would suggest any young lady interested in joining a soroity to look into MKU, along with all the other progressive soroities. (Shout out to the sisters of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporatred, the sisters of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated)

One would be hard pressed to find an Alpha that disagrees with MKU’s principles of: From what I have researched the official principles of MKU are:

Mahatma: High-mindedness and selflessness
Kinship: Relationship based on race, culture, or background
Utilitarianism: Usefulness above beauty[15]

In fact, most Alphas would encourage the sisters of MKU to keep up the good work. A good Alpha Man would share in the vigor in which the sisters of MKU embrace the responsibility to the African/Latin community. All Alphas, at some point, have engaged in everything that MKU is about; I would also say that ALL Alphas should be currently engaged in the work to improve our community. It is exciting for me to see ideals that were started on the college level in 1906, manifest itself inside the principles of organizations designed for students of color in 2008.

MKU has dedicated itself to working with ALL organizations that are rooted in helping move the Black/Brown community forward. I believe that we ALL need to take a page from these sisters and put aside some of our petty differences and work together to improve the community which we all have pledged to serve. Regardless if that organization is Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc, or the Queens of Malika Kambe Umfazi Sorority Inc., whether you are a member of the Divine 9 or any other Black/Brown fraternity/sorority. We are ALL dedicated to the uplift of our people!

We are ALL in this boat together. We are all “fighting the good, fight”, and need each others support to move the work of uplifting our community forward. I think WE all need to take a step back and evaluate how we will work together in order to create a brighter future for ALL of us, both Black and Brown. The fighting and bickering that goes on between our organizations is shameful. We are all supposed to be in this together, yet we act at times, like we want to tear each other apart. No one organization is absolutely correct although we ALL are grounded in our African roots. It is our responsibility, as decedents of Mother Africa to create an environment for our children that is greater than when we came. I believe, Alpha, MKU and many other organizations have the same sentiment in mind. If you find an Alpha that disagrees with anything I just wrote, you can send them my direction.

There is no room in 2008 for any further misappropriation. We have a responsibility to do and be examples of our GREATNESS. I hold myself and others to that same standard. Yes, we will we slip at times, in the face of adversity! What we cannot do is let the fact that we slipped stand in the way of always moving forward. WE must continue marching onward and upward towards the light. My prayer is that we ALL wake up and realize that there is a world outside of our “organizations” that is dedicated to the destruction of our community. It would be in ALL of our best interest not to attack, but understand the position that we all take, and find a way to use the best of our organizations to move OUR community forward. We must remain dedicated to the philosophy of "Forwards ever, backwards never, TOGETHER in bond and struggle"

I truly believe that
Dialogue is the first step
toward liberation,

Marvo


PS If any one still has some concern about the connection Alpha has with the community look at our 100 year report. Then ask yourself can you name many other organizations that have been so dedicated for so long. Our connection with OUR community goes beyond the African symbols we use. Our dedication has been reflected in the work that Alpha has been doing for the last 101 years. 111111-9-06!!!!!!
http://www.alpha-phi-alpha.org/Resources/ImageFile/File/image/WPC06-WEB.pdf


ENDNOTES

[1] Cheikh Anta Diop, The African Origin of Civilization, edited and translated by Mercer Cook, Lawrence Hill Books, Chicago 1974
[2] J. Gardner Wilkinson, The Ancient Egyptians. London: Guernsey, 1994, p. 302
[3] Ibid
[4] The Temple of Edfu: A Guide by an Ancient Egyptian Priest By Dieter (sp)
[5] Wesley, Charles H. [1929] (1981). The History of Alpha Phi Alpha, A Development in College Life, 14th edition, Foundation Publishers.

[6] Richard Pankhurst, The Ethiopian Borderlands: Essays in Regional History from Ancient Times to The End of the 18th century (Asmara: Red Sea Press, Inc., 1997), pp.5, 7, 9.
[7] H. H. Scullard, Scipio Africanus: Soldier and Politician, Thames and Hudson, London, 1970.
[8] Stolen Legacy: The Greeks Were Not the Authors of Greek Philosophy, But the People of North Africa, Commonly Called the Egyptians. 1954
[9] Stolen Legacy: The Greeks Were Not the Authors of Greek Philosophy, But the People of North Africa, Commonly Called the Egyptians. 1954
[10]African Roots http://www4.wittenberg.edu/student_organizations/greek/alpha_phi_alpha/AfricanRoots.html
[11] Ibid
[12] Wesley, Charles H. [1929] (1950). The History of Alpha Phi Alpha: A Development in Negro College Life, 6th edition, Foundation Publishers.
[13]like Malika Kambe Umfazi Sorority Inc. History http://www.geocities.com/delphiniabrown/2welcome.html
[14] Mason, Herman "Skip" [1997] (1999). The Talented Tenth: The Founders and Presidents of Alpha, 2nd edition, Four-G Publishers.
[15] http://www.angelfire.com/ny3/sankofa/purpose.html

Russell Simmons Exposed

As an introduction to my presence at globalgrind.com I have decided to take a stab at the creator of the site Mr. Russell Simmons. Why would I take a stab first time around at the boss man…who knows? Maybe he deserves it, maybe he doesn’t, but the bottom-line is that you are going to get it today. I know many of you have been waiting all month for this analysis, and I apologize. I have been extremely busy, and I didn’t want to just throw to together anything.
It is only right to take a stab at Russell Simmons, seeing that he has used every avenue possible to exploit the cultural of Hip Hop. Don’t get me wrong I have a huge amount of respect for Russell Simmons. We have what “they” call a love/hate relationship. I must admit he does have a number of programs to help the community that he funds both publicly and privately. I know firsthand the philanthropy of Russell, because I live in Southeast Queens the home of Run DMC, LL Cool J, Ja Rule, 50 Cent, and the in/famous Russell Simmons. Just because we are from the same neighborhood doesn’t mean that he can’t be called out when he is on some BS. Most would praise Russell Simmons in their first blog on his site, but I have decided to take the road less travel. There are a number of issues I could attack in regard to Russell: sweat shops, over priced clothing, slave record deals etc etc, but today I will simply be talking about his diamond deals.
The term blood diamonds and/or conflict diamonds is a word that has been thrown around recently, that doesn’t necessarily reflect the true nature of the diamond trade in Africa and the Diaspora. The term blood diamond/conflict diamond denotes the idea that there is a reciprocal to the ideology of these specific diamonds from Africa. One could come to the conclusion that there is a “blood free” or “conflict free” diamond. This rational is inherently false, there is no such thing as a bloodless or conflict free diamond. Every diamond that is taken out of Africa is a Blood Diamond. Instead of writing five pages on Russell Simmon’s and his relationship to DeBeers and the diamond trade, I have decided to create a PowerPoint presentation. They’re limiting my words at globalgrind.com, so I figure a presentation would help me get around that hump. Hopefully you guys like my new format, and I look forward to bring you the REAL from the mind of MARVO.

Follow this link to the powerpoint, then click “full” in the bottom left hand corner of the screen that reads Blood/ Conflict Diamonds Russell Simmons Exposed:
http://www.slideshare.net/marving2/blooddiamonds2

Everyday Struggle

Hey All,

Febuary 5th WE will be able to make the same statement they made out in South Carolina. Be sure you are playing your part in creating the space neccessary for a libeated future. You can start right from your PC or Mac by signing the petition at http://www.petitiononline.com/obamaqns/petition.html Please forward the link to EVERYONE you know.

Before I get into commentary about Febuary 5th and the tatics of the white power structure, I have a couple of quick comments about the blog in general.

I would like to thank all the folks that have followed the blog over the last six months. Thanks to your loyal following and comments I have been able to expand my audience by leaps and bonds. Consequently, I will be changing the format of the blog slightly. There is a new website created by the Russell Simmons called http://www.globalgrind.com/ . I was approached by the content manager of http://www.globalgrind.com/, to potentially write a weekly blog for there website. I agreed, and will begin posting there the first week of February. When better to start with a new platform than Black History Month? I don’t know what http://www.globalgrind.com/ was thinking when they approached me, but you can guarantee I will turn it upside down over there. For all of you who like the long version of the blog at http://www.marvinthinks.blogspot.com/, I will still be writing them. But, I am sure some of you would also like the read a short 250 word column once a week as well. You can check out Russell Simmons talking about http://www.globalgrind.com/ here at about the 4 minute 20 second mark http://youtube.com/watch?v=tbXC46KNo-I .

In the clip Russell Simmons is trying to convince his brother, Rev. Run, to invest in globalgrind.com. Globalgrind.com has asked and they will receive my services. And, in honor of my introduction to globalgrind.com, I will write a brief synopsis on why Russell Simmons needs to get called out for his investments in the diamond trade in Africa. I think it is a very important issue that affects Black people all around the world. A clear picture of the situation around the diamond industry in Africa, needs to be painted. Why not use my introduction to globalgrind.com as a means to step on my boss’s toes in my first article. LOL Before I move on PLEASE fill out and tell others to fill out the petition at http://www.petitiononline.com/obamaqns/petition.html .

Last week I gave the Uncle Tom award to Bob Johnson with an honorable mention going out to Charlie Rangle. My premise in giving them the award was not based on there support for Hillary Clinton, but for there overt attack on Obama’s Blackness. I thought after the Clinton’s pulled out the “boys” to take care of the racial issue with Obama going into South Carolina they would “chill” in the word of Rep. Rep. Clyburn . Check his comments here http://youtube.com/watch?v=rFe3TgmBCl0 .

Of course the Clinton machine didn’t “chill” and continued there assault on the Blackness of Obama. So in defense of Obama’s Blackness, I will send a couple more shots at the “boys” the Clinton’s send out to say what they politically can’t say. My first shot goes out to a man that I respect a great deal. He is a member of the GREATEST fraternity ever to exist on earth, and a pillar of the Civil Rights Movement. Despite his alliance with greatness I, as a defender of the principles of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., must rebut the comments of Andrew Young. Checkout what he said here http://youtube.com/watch?v=breSVtVYSmo&feature=related . On what plant is a white male, more black than a Black man. Only the extremely confused would make such a ridiculous comment. Only an even more confused individual would make a joke about a white man fornicating with numerous Black women. Especially, given the history of white male slaveholders and the women held hostage on plantations. Young’s comment sits right up there with Toni Morrison comment about Bill being the first Black President. (Toni Morrison has since come out as a supporter of Obama you can read about her endorsement here http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/01/28/614795.aspx )Toni Morrison original comments are in sharp contrast to Alice Walker who has come out in support of Obama. Check out her comments about Obama here http://youtube.com/watch?v=W3-9gq_htUo .

What exactly makes Obama less Black than any other Black male? Because he went to Harvard? Because grew up in various place around the world? Because he spent a number of years in Kansas and Hawaii? Because his father is African? What makes Obama less Black? NOTHING!! What makes Clinton Blacker, because he slept with Black women? Because he cheated on his wife? Because he plays the saxophone? Andrew Young comments are a vivid signal of self hate. The comments from all these gentlemen: Rangle, Johnson, and Young are disgusting and a shameless example of how the white power structure will do anything to maintain it position. It also is an example how some Negros will dance, just because "masa" says so.

The Clinton’s need Negros to attack the character of a Black man, as the try to steal Black votes in South Carolina. They use the men to make the most vicious attacks, then use the women to make the subtle attacks. I love and respect Maya Angelo, but check what she said here http://youtube.com/watch?v=T45O9q_BQKA . In comparison to some of the comments coming from the men this OK, but it is an obvious attempt to coerce Black women to vote for Hillary. The Clinton’s are pulling out all there “big dogs” in an attempt to railroad South Carolina. The Clinton's attempts failed and Barack Obama won South Carolina in a landslipe victory, 2 votes to 1!!!!

The media, in conjunction with the white power structure, is trying to spin these attacks by these Negros as some sort of generational gap in the Black community. I believe this to be a farce, and a blatant attempt by the white power structure to divide the community. I believe the only split in the Black community is between field Negros and house Negros. This fact is seen clear in the opposite positions of Alice Walker and Maya Angelou. You can be any age, sex, height, weight, or complexion, to fall on either side of this phenomenon. Check out what Malcolm X says about this issue in the Black community here http://youtube.com/watch?v=znQe9nUKzvQ&feature=related .

I am not quit ready to call Obama a field Negro, but I do know that Obama is more of a Black man than Bill. For some of these house Negro to get that confused is a sign that some of our leaders need to “respectfully” get out the way. I know some of you will read that and grind your teeth, so let me reiterate the fact that I write now because of the work of many of the people I criticize, including Andrew Young. With that being said, it is my duty, based on the work that they engaged, to continue the progress of our people. You can tastefully disagree with Obama’s politics, I do all the time, but to attack Obama’s Blackness makes a mockery of the “change” that the old guard (not old people) implemented. Belittling Obama’s Blackness in the shadow of a white man is clearly the work of the white power structure and anyone, fraternity member or not, that engages in that type of behavior needs to be called out. I don’t write this based on my own knowledge, but on the knowledge of those before me.

In order for the community to move toward a liberated future we need to continue our discussion about our future as a people, and let the people decide the direction we should go. The vote in South Carolina is a sign of the direction the Black community wants to go. A wise man once said the white folks are the cause of our oppression; WE need to be the cause of our liberation. The good people of South Carolina made it completely clear the direction they want to go. Obama may not be the key to liberation completely, but one thing I know for sure is that the LIBERATION that I speak WILL NOT be found in the hands of the Clinton’s and the white power structure.

On to more madness. Another major issue I had this week comes as a consequence of Huckabee saying that he agreed with the fact that South Carolina uses the confederate flag as there state flag. Watch the clip here http://youtube.com/watch?v=DvENHC1pX_8 It is impossibly illogical for anyone to defend the confederate flag, that is not CLEARLY racist. The confederate flag represents an insurrection by section of the United States which in short was designed to overthrow the United States government. The confederate south in many ways is similar to the current position of Al-Qaeda. Not from a religious point of view but in the effect that they are/were both dedicated to the overthrow of the US government.

On top of the flag representing a terrorist organization in side of the United States, the flag represents hate and extreme in justice in the mind of Black people in this country. Why make mention to confederate flag at all, if you were seriously concerned about issues that affect the Black community? He wasn’t asked a question, he interjected his opinion, because he understands quite well the “code words” that we discussed in New Day same Ole Song the last article written on http://www.marvinthinks.blogspot.com/ . (This same reality will be pointed on again when I discuss Bill Clinton) I don’t think anyone was confused about the position Huckabee takes as it relates to the Black community.

Moving on to a “friend” of the Black community Bill Clinton. He is often held in high esteem by the Black community and is campaigning very hard for his wife Hillary Clinton. After writing the article last week about Bill I got some backlash from you Clinton supporters, past and present. You guys mentioned his voting record and all the great things he did for the Black community while he was President. I agree, and even made mention to his relationship with the Black community in my last article. Although he did allow for 2 million Black people to die in Rwanda under his watch and he did create stiffer laws that where and have been used to incarcerate Black/Latino males at an alarming rate, no one is perfect...right? I also understand the President has a lot of hard decisions to make, and is not going to hit a homerun all the time…right? I also don’t think it is a coincidence that our elected officials tend to strike out a lot when it concerns Black people all around the world. With that being said I understand in the overall spectrum of his Presidency, one could make the argument, without sounding completely ridiculous, that he did right by the Black populous that helped get him elected…right? This in no way is a reflection of my feeling on the democratic process as a whole, as it relates to Black/Brown people. I believe we should use the democratic process as a means to a liberated end, not in an effort to create a bigger crumb for us to feed.

With that out the way I can get to why I brought up Bill Clinton in the first place. Last week there was so much controversy around Hillary’s comments about LBJ vs. MLK that everyone would be watching the Democrat debate, and the various MLK events that where going on all around the county. At a televised MLK event Mr. Bill fell asleep. Check the video here http://youtube.com/watch?v=BpEckWHSvXk . If the fist clip isn’t clear enough check this one out http://youtube.com/watch?v=HYpbBWhwcMk&feature=related . What type of respect does this show. How can anyone of you Clinton supporters see this and still hold the Clinton’s in the same regard, especially after all the racial rhetoric that he and his “boys” put out last week. After his wife gets stomped in South Carolina Bill then compared Obama to Jesse Jackson. Check the clip and the commentary here http://youtube.com/watch?v=te6RmXTlhY4 . This goes right back to those code words we discussed earlier. The reporter didn’t even ask him about Jesse Jackson, he like Huckabee, just decided to throw in there own answers. Which in turn contribute to the white power structures attack of Obama. Hillary then has the nerve tell Obama to stop calling Bill racist check the clip here http://youtube.com/watch?v=te6RmXTlhY4 . Why shouldn’t anyone call out someone who is clearly engaging in racist behavior? Is is impossible for Bill to be engaging racist rhetoric? Checkout Obama’s response here http://youtube.com/watch?v=te6RmXTlhY4 . It isn’t a revolutionary answer, but he does talk about differences in “frame of reference” which is code of me that some white folks just don’t get it. There world view is completely different from mine, and that it doesn’t make sense to try to convert these folks regardless of how “down” you believe them to be.

The Clinton are clearly showing their allegiance to the white power structure. There mission is to de rail any momentum Obama will have going into the February 5th primaries. It is clear that they can’t compete with Obama as it relates to politics, so they will resort to race. This is not an uncanny characteristic of the white power structure. We as Black and Brown people need to realize the righteousness in our vote, and understand that the rightness of our existence is the ground in which we politically stand. This terrifies the white power structure (NOT all white people) to its core, and that the attack that we have witnessed is just the start of the attack that we will see. The attack on Obama is nothing more than a reflection of attack that we have seen our entire existence in the Western world. It is up to us to make sure that our history guide or steps toward a liberated future.

Marvo


PS

Don’t forget to visit http://www.petitiononline.com/obamaqns/petition.html in order to sign the petition to get Barack Obama to come out to Queens, New York. You should sign even if you aren't from Queens. Southeast Queens has the largest Black/Latino voting block in the state. This area has all the potential in the world to shave off some of Clinton's delegates that she will win in New York. Since New York is not a winner take all the delegates state, EVERY VOTE COUNTS. Lets help Queens, NY make the difference in New York.

New Day or Same Ole' Song

Uncle Tom is a term I rarely use in a discussion around political issues. In many aspects I believe that people have the right to their own opinion even if I strongly disagree with their opinion. Many that have followed the blog over the last six or so months know that I engaged in an all out diatribe against Bill Cosby and the comments that have consistently come out of his mouth. At no point in the discussion around Bill Cosby did I ever allude to the fact that I thought he was an Uncle Tom. Uncle Tom is a term often used to describe an individual whose political views or allegiances are considered by their critics as detrimental to Black people as a group. I believe this term should be used with extreme discretion, and kept in reserve for times when it really needs to be used to describe an individual. This should be common practice so the community can know that when someone is labeled an Uncle Tom its serious matter.

Yesterday I witnessed one of the worst display of “Uncle Tommism” on a national political stage that I have seen in a long while. Not that there hasn’t been displays of Uncle Tom like behavior on a national level, in fact, it happens on a daily bases. What separated yesterday’s incident from the other Tomlike behavior, which comes along with politics, is the calculated, overt, and shameless display of “Tommism”. There are a couple candidates for the Uncle Tom Award of the Month. Our first nominee is Charlie Rangle, and our final candidate is Bob Johnson. Based on their Tom like behavior this week both of these gentlemen have been nominated for this award. The winner for the 2008 Uncle Tom of the month award goes to… Imagine a drum roll… Bob Johnson. Check the comments out for yourself http://hiphop.popcrunch.com/bob-johnson-barack-obama-slam-video/ .

Let me be clear from the jump, Johnson, and Rangle can endorse Hillary Clinton if they want, even if I don’t agree. The Clinton’s impact on the Black and Latino community has been significant, especially when we put into perspective the twelve years prior to Clinton’s election was pure hell for most Black and Latino people in this country. I don’t say this to over glorify the Clinton years, but to highlight why someone may feel some sense of loyalty to the Clinton camp regardless of how ridiculous it may seem. My beef with Johnson and crew stems from the personal attack against Obama, not their allegiance to the Clinton’s. At first glance this might not seem as dramatic as I am portraying it to be, but upon analyses it is. Let me do a little back ground information as a reference in order to properly display how the Clinton machine is waging a silent war against Obama based on his race not his politics.

The Clinton’s attack began with comments by Bill that portrayed Obama’s presidential candidacy as a “fairy tale”. Check the clip here http://youtube.com/watch?v=K1Ytbr-7VaE . I don’t want to get into the whole "code word" discussion, but white people use them all the time, and Bill has become a master at this practice. Terms like “urban” or “ghetto” are the most obvious code words for Black and Latino people. They also like to use comments like “he/she speaks/writes so well” as code for I am surprised that they are intelligent. It seems like the Clinton’s are pulling out there Tom’s of the month to interject the code language they like to use so much. Check out Charlie Rangel calling Obama “stupid” and “articulate” all at the same time here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHcd0QB2_9k .

Clinton knows very well when he uses the word “fairy tale” he is referring to the fact that you Negros must be living in a dream world if you think Obama has a shot at winning. This is a clear attempt to coheres the 50% Black voting populous that their vote in South Carolina will be better suited with a real candidate versus a “fairy tale” candidate. Visions of the Disney film Songs of the South, where Disney displays a “Happy Negro”, walking through the field singing and shuffling represents the language of a “fairy tale” that Bill Clinton decided to use. With all the controversy Disney caused with this type of imagery last year I am sure the Clinton machine knew exactly what they where doing when Bill referred to Obama candidacy as a fairy tale. Check the Disney clips here http://youtube.com/watch?v=LcxYwwIL5zQ&feature=related & http://youtube.com/watch?v=47ak4vjiNzw and commentary why Songs of the South was controversial here http://forum.gorillamask.net/archive/index.php/t-42125.html .

The second push inside of the Clinton attack came last week when Hillary Clinton made these comments. Check the clip here http://youtube.com/watch?v=v9LhWUsrJnM . Obama wasn’t mistaken when he said that Clinton was trying to down play the significance of Martin Luther King Jr., by passing some of the credit off to the lily white Texas boy President Lydon B. Johnson. Clinton gives credit to the same LBJ who is responsible for the creation of the “Projects” and clearly, based on his previous voting record, was most likely not in favor of the Civil Rights Act. Most people who are familiar with history would agree that the Civil Rights Act was passed because of the intense pressure the Civil Rights Movement lead by MLK (but really run by the women of the movement) put on the white power structure of America. The world was looking at the treatment of Black people in this country and the US government, lead by LBJ, had no choice but to sign the legislation. LBJ didn’t go looking for a Civil Rights Bill to sign into law. LBJ shouldn’t get any credit for being some sort of visionary based on the signing of the Civil Rights Act. In fact if you really look at the picture when the Civil Rights Act was signed MLK looks like he has a smirk on his face solidifying for me that he knew quite well that LBJ didn’t want to sign the Civil Rights Act. Check the picture here http://www.civics-online.org/library/formatted/images/civilrightsactphoto.html and judge for yourself.

The Clinton machine would like to try to make us believe that the Obama camp is trying to interject race into the campaign. But anyone who has been following Obama knows full well that he has not. In fact he has gone out of his way not to interject race. I personally disagreed with Obama’s strategy, but Obama made it clear from the jump that he wasn’t going that direction. So for Clinton to make this argument is crazy! What started this whole MLK discussion came as a consequence of the speech Obama gave after he won the Iowa Caucus. Check the speech here http://youtube.com/watch?v=cNZaq-YKCnE . After hearing the speech many people around America compared the speech to the MLK “I have a Dream” speech. This sent the Clinton machine into a frenzy double time: one because he won Iowa, and two they understood quite clearly that winning Iowa would give him a boost in New Hampshire and South Carolina. Especially in South Carolina, where the voting populous is 50% Black, and that population was looking for signs that voting for Obama wouldn't be a wasted vote.The Obama race attack didn’t move into full swing until after the New Hampshire primary because they understand they would need to throw some type of road block in a 50% Black voting populous. On a side note Obama won Iowa in a 95% white state, why would he need to play the race card in a 50% Black state? Logic says that Clinton if anybody will need to play the race card, in order to divide the Black vote in South Carolina. The Clinton camp is bringing out there biggest Tom’s to make this happen.

In short, if Johnson and others want to support Clinton at least inform us why in a way that doesn’t attack Obama. When they attack Obama, especially around issues of race, it looks like you are siding against your own people. Obama is a Black man, just like you!! In fact Obama is the perfect reflection of what Bill Cosby and the like stand for. Obama in many ways has embodied and stands in support of many of the issues that the “old” Black guard has raised. So while you are going around doing all you can to undermine Obama and his presidential election they are calling both of you boy in the background.

This week did show some promise of reform for Colin Powell, who for many years has been at odds end with many in the Black community. The root of Powell’s disconnect from many in the community stems from his decision not to run for president in 2000 and his decision to serve as Secretary of State in the Bush administration. Many believe that he sold himself out to the Bush administration. When the guilt of starting an unnecessary war got to heavy he decided to back out of the Bush administration. The Bush administration then went and got another “Happy Negro” to take his place, her name is Condoleezza Rice. Subsequent to Powell leaving the administration Powell has come to his senses and has gone on record in support of Obama, and didn’t say one negative thing about Hillary. Check out his comments here http://youtube.com/watch?v=E1MJJFI5HXA It is not surprising that the once the former Republican “Black Guy” says something positive about Obama, the powers that be inside of the Republican party make their own statements about Obama, calling him lazy. Check out Karl Rove’s comments here http://online.wsj.com/article/SB119992615845679531.html?mod=opinion_main_commentaries in the Wall Street Journal. Lazy, has historically been another one of the infamous code words of the white power structure. Karl Rove, like Bill Clinton, knows this quite well the language he is using.

Back to Bob Johnson. Johnson has been on the fence as it relates to Black issues with me for a while. The programming over at BET has always been questionable, and the cancellation of BET Nightly News pretty much solidified BET's political position in my mind. I think that is clear that the Clinton’s are using certain Black figures to try and steer the Black vote the way they want it. I hope they don’t believe the we are “Stupid” enough to fall for their trap. In my family we have had very intense conversations about Hillary vs. Obama especially as it relates to the women in my family. My argument has always been that if you support Hillary because of her politics fine, but if you are supporting her because she is a woman you should re think your position. It is important for all people of color to remember that we were going to be born with melanin before our sex was determined. Consequently, when making a decision solely based on gender or race, your race must come first, it is the natural progression of life. I think the Clinton’s understand this concept quite well and will do anything to find a way to further divide the Black vote, in order to propell their intrest. Which is not the Black community. This can be dubbed as a new version of the Willie Lynch letter. The concept of dividing the Black community is as old as our existence in the Western world. We must stand united on this issue and be clear that we support our community, and that we will not fall victim to the tricks that the Clinton’s and others will try to use to manipulate our vote.

The next stage in the Clinton machine’s attack, which is nothing more than the liberal expression of the white power structure, will be to pit the Black and Latino vote against each other. There are mumbles of this already taking place, but as the western states begin to come into play you will see more of the Black vs. Latino conversation engaged by those who understand the Neo-Willie Lynch ideology. All of this is designed to marginalize us as a voting block, and perpetuate the status quo in both communities, which in many communities around America is the same community. BET, by way of Bob Johnson and crew, will contribute to this as well, but that is whole different topic that will be discussed latter.

IN conclusion, calling out the folks that engage in this behavior is essential to a liberated future. Obama being elected president may not contribute greatly to this liberated future, but it definitely won’t take anything out. In fact, Obama becoming president will open up some space for the conversation of liberation to breath. Anyone who stands in opposition to the space neccessary for a liberated future needs to be called out and BOB JOHNSON is my number one candidate for the week.

Marvo

PS
This may be old to some but many of you may not know about it. Two Black and Latino males where attacked by group of white males, the two men of color where the only charged in this clearly racist attack. The Black male was charged with a felony. Judge for your self. Check out the clip here http://youtube.com/watch?v=fvCl8-WwM8Q

PSS

I heard about an interesting story out in St. Petersburg Fl. Apparently there is a company named Boley that handles the housiong vouchers for the city of St. Pete. The company has decided to target the Black community, and evict a number of people from their homes for "non compliance". A sector of that group has specifically been targeted for there work with the Black community in St. Pete. Below you will find a clip of a young lady speaking about her experience and a clip from Chairman Omali Yeshitela the leader of the Uhuru Movement, which seems to be the direct target of Boley assult.

Clip of young lady explaining the situation

http://youtube.com/watch?v=hP7o2mA4I-M

Clip of Chairman Omali Yeshitela leader of the Uhuru Movement

#1
http://youtube.com/watch?v=2SiiSv71HYQ&feature=related

#2
http://youtube.com/watch?v=V5uuMuicUZA&feature=related

#3 Checkout what Chairman Omali has to say about Uncle Tom's!!
http://youtube.com/watch?v=_Uds1EhIK7s&feature=related

Stay Involved!!!

It’s been a few weeks since I have written anything for the blog. I have been SUPER busy and haven’t had the time to write much of anything that wasn’t related to my job or graduate school. There are a number of issues that I want to hit so just bare with me if it seems like I’m all over the place. Trust me when I say that it all will come together at the end.

The first issue I would like to discuss has to do with Black films. A friend of mine asked me to write about the heavy bootlegging of Denzel Washington’s movie American Gangster and Tyler Perry’s Why did I get Married. To start, I planned to watch both movies in the theater. I am a huge fan of film, and take advantage of anytime I can see a good movie. I believe firmly that it is important if we want “quality” Black movies to come out we need to support the movie with our dollars. In the event that we don’t support these movies in the theater the only Black movies that come out will be movies like Soul Plane and other coon-like films, that cater to a crowd that is confused or stand in opposition to the self determination of the Black community. I think it is also clear that these movies were illegally released by the film companies. The quality was not of a random person filming the movie while sitting in the back of the theater, the quality was crystal clear DVD quality. The American Gangster copy even had a PLAY option at the start, instead of just beginning like most bootlegging DVD do. I think most people realize this fact and made a conscious decision that even if they watched the bootleg they still where going to eventually see the films in the theater or buy the DVD when it is released.

I have beefs with both movies as far as content, and other “quality” Black films that have been released since these movies. (The only Latino person in This Christmas was the Latina maid. Situation like this only lend itself to supporting stereotypes that we should protest at every junction. White folks type caste Black folks in their movies for years. We should not follow behind their ridiculous example!)I could list a number of things that could be improved upon in an effort to lift the community, but that would be beside the point. In short, although Black films have a long way to go, they have come along way throughout its history. In order for the movies that are a reflection of our community to continue to grow we need to support them with our dollars. The bootleg of American Gangster and Why did I Get Married are simply an extension of Black films that Hollywood tried to sabotage.

Historically, movie houses have given movie tickets to patrons of color with different movies from the one in which they purchased. (Movie sales are tracked the stubs that are printed when you purchase a movie at the box office.) This same process has been used in the music industry to curb the sales of our artist. This is a game the “industry” has played for years. To combat this we have to be diligent in our criticism of films that display our community, we need to support these films with our dollars, and be aware of the tricks Hollywood uses to sabotage the success of art that reflect our community. Before I conclude this issue I want to plug another Denzel/Forrest Whitiker film titled The Great Debaters. For all of you that went so hard to see American Gangster you need to make sure you support this film check out the clip ht tp://youtube.com/watch?v=8tP1bEIHRQo .

Moving on to topic number two. In May of this year there was a shooting in Brooklyn, NY. This shooting resulted in the death of a young man. The death of this very popular young man brought hundreds of teenagers from the surrounding areas of Brooklyn and Queens. The police where at the funeral in an attempt to monitor what they classified as a potential meeting of the alleged gangs involved in the shooting. At the funeral the police arrested scores of young men and women. They eventually let the young women go, but kept all of the young men for 40 hours. The young men that were detained for seemingly no real reasons have become known as the Bushwick 32.

Many of the young males that where arrested are students at Bushwick Community High School in Brooklyn. An associate of mine, Brian Favors, is a teacher at the school. Being the supportive and engaged teacher that he is, he attended every court date of the young men. On Friday December 1st Favors attempted to let the Public Defender of the boys know that she should move to get the cases against the young men dismissed in the light that the District Attorney was not ready to present their weak case. The Public Defender got annoyed with Favors and asked the Court Officer to remove Favors from the court room. The Court office mistook Favors for another young man in the crowd that looked “similar” to Favors and asked him to leave. (You all know how that goes, we all look alike.) Nkululeko Sechaba objected to leaving the court room initially, but soon realized that the court officers behavior was getting more aggressive. He decided that it would be best to leave and explain his case in the hall. Favors followed behind in support of Nekolulako. Favors attempted to tell the court officer that it was he who the Public Defender felt should leave the court. In the mist of the conversation a scuffle ensued after the police shoved Nkululeko Sechaba for trying to re enter the courtroom. A couple of students of Bushwick High School who saw the incident came to the aid of their trusted teacher. In the end all parties involved where beat up, and arrested. One of the high school students even ended up with a severe scare on his nose from being smashed into the wall.

Immediately after the incident occurred a number of e mails, phone calls, and text messages where sent to people around the city in order to rally support for the four brothers. The men where scheduled to be arraigned on Saturday morning at 9 am. It was essential that we showed the judge that these men had community support. Needless to say the courtroom was packed and all for men where released. I say all that to say this. It is important that we show support for not only Black films, but for real issues that are going on in the streets of all of our cities. Just like we can keep “quality” Black film in the theaters by supporting the film, we can keep Black men out of jail with community support. It is essential that we apply this concept to all aspects of our lives. Our numbers and dollars are enough in most cases to make the immediate adjustment to issues that affect us. Brian and Nkululeko both spoke of a sense of calm knowing that their where people on the outside that where in support of them. They knew that we would be working toward there release and that there would be hell to pay if they were not. We understand that getting them released the next morning is a small victory seeing that they have future court date, the point I am trying to make that it takes a united front, in order to make the moves toward a liberated future.

Any judge across America would think twice about holding our community in jail on trumped up charges if they knew there where thousands of people in support of the individual. Often, the judicial system works the way it does because they know in many aspects of our community we are not organized. The tide of this trend of un-organization is beginning to change dramatically. There are a number of grassroots organizations that are helping our community every day. The International People’s Democratic Uhuru Movement, the Malcolm X Grass Roots Movement, the December 12th Movement, The New Black Panther Party, The Zulu Nation, The Sankofoa Community School Program, etc. etc. all represent organization that are on the ground everyday in support of our community We need to take a stance and be apart of this collective of organizations that are working together to liberate the Black and Brown community. (Ironically the men that where arrested on Friday represent a number of different grassroots organizations in NY, this is a beautiful sign that we all are working together toward one goal of liberation).

On a side note, subsequent to the arrest of Brian Favors he was suspended from his job. The NYC public school system would rather have a dedicated teacher like Brian out of the classroom, then in the class showing through his actions the same resistance that he gets paid to teach about.

Moving on to topic number three. A very good friend of mine recently ran into some racial issues at work. I think most of us, who are fresh to the work force, are reaching the point where we are starting to see a lot of the crap that comes along with a “good” job and a “good” education. My friend is by no means a “revolutionary” type guy, he is all about the progress of Black people, but he isn’t all about the movement either. He’s a hard working young man, who handles his business day in and day out. No felonies, no baby mamas, nice “American” name, high school and college graduate the whole nine yards, the quintessential Bill Cosby approved type of guy. (This info was provided for all of you that believe you need the proper qualifications to avoid injustice). He works for the federal government in one of the more labor intensive jobs.( I don’t want to say what he does exactly, but you see these guys trooping up and down the street providing theirs services rain, sleet, snow, or hail).

A couple weeks ago while my friend was completing his daily routine he was accosted by his supervisor. After completing his probationary period on the job, they moved his to a new office. His first day at the new office, he was trying to get himself acclimated to the new station and neighborhood. He went out that day to complete his daily duty, but ended up spending more time in route than he originally had anticipated. When he returned, about an hour after his allotted time, he explained to his supervisor that a lot information they provided him was inaccurate. The manager decided to use this opportunity to berate my friend for his lateness. The supervisor said that this is what happens when they start to hire monkeys. (This is not a direct quote, but you can get the picture, about her comments) My friend was so taken back by her comments that he didn’t know what to do or say.

No diss to my friend, but the same person who doesn’t really follow the politics of Black people, or involve himself in the movement at all is ready for some sort of rally about the supervisor’s comments. All of us are guilty of this same behavior. We all are concerned about the state of Black people, but we don’t take any action until it affects us personally.

I say all that to say this, issues involving race are easy to ignore or justify when it isn’t happening to you. It’s easy to say pull your self up by the boot straps, when your boot straps are pulled up. The problem is when issue like the one mentioned above take place we all should be ready to take action. Not just the individual involved in the situation. In short I told him that he should write a letter to the station manager and his union rep explaining to them the situation. I also suggested that the most important thing he should do is professionally ( not politely) approach the supervisor about her comments. I am a firm believer that people talk crazy, because they are certain that there won’t be approached for their behavior.

In the event that they knew that they (white, black, brown, or other) would be held accountable for their behavior toward our people, they would be less likely to take such a ridiculous stance. The same vigor that we should take to the theater in support of our movies, or in support of our men and women who are being jailed at an alarming rate, should be institutionalized in our places of work and community. We need to create an environment where we are carving out the political space to move our community forward.

The final issue I would like to discuss is the issue surrounding a police shooting out in Brooklyn. The police shot and killed a mentally disturbed teenager after the mom, out of complete desperation, called the police to help her with her child that was having a mental break down. There is no real need to re hash the whole story you can read about it here http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/11/19/another-fatal-police-shooting-in-brooklyn/ . The contradiction of the police shooting another young Black male is clear. I have discussed it a number of times in the blog, and I don’t want to make it seem like this situation isn’t worthy but I think this situation raises a less discussed contradiction.

What is going on in our community when a single mother has no other option but to call the police to help her with a child that is out of control? Where is the since of community that is common among all people of African descent. We as a community in order to survive in a world where we are under constant attack, have to band together. That young man was not only assassinated by the police, but the community as well. We cannot always point to the immediate contradiction for a solution, sometimes, we need to point all the contradictions that created the situation. The contradiction of the police in the community is clear, but the reality of the breakdown in community is reflected vividly in this situation.

A break down in our collective effort is contributing to the demise of our community. We have signs of greatness (The National Black Out Day), but we have to keep our effort sustained. One day of resistance is not enough. In some cases a lifetime may not be enough, but we must be diligent in our effort to see change. Whether that change is at the theater, in the courts, at our jobs, in our community or elsewhere, we have to be proactive in making that change. Apathy is the tool of the oppressor and we ALL must say no longer are we going to fall for this trap.

Marvo

PS I want to send a BIG 11111906 the brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. On Dec 4th we turned 101 years old. I know some of you revolutionary brothers out there are saying to yourself, Marvo is tripping shouting out those bourgeois Negros. All I have to say to that is check our resume!!! There are tons of brothers among our ranks that have contributed to the benefit of Black folks. Some of which you may agree and others you may not, but what cannot be denied for over 100 years the brothers of A Phi A have been at the front of our struggle. Just check the blog; I’ve been a member since Spring 03. A Phi A doesn’t represent one collective thought, what is collective is our dedication to the improvement of our community and working in the arena that you feel is the best way to lift our community. So I say with pride 111111906!! I want to send a shout out to all the Black “Greek” letter organization, non “Greek” letter organizations, and grassroot organization that have dedicated themselves to the onward and upward progress of OUR community. ’06!

NBD, Noose outside School, Dog the Bounty Hunter, Halloween costumes, and a broken wrist. How can I keep up, when everyday there is a new attack?

National Blackout Day (NBD) was a SUCCESS! All the major media outlets covered NBD, and all of them are trying to figure out how we all knew about the boycott. They assume since they didn’t cover it, we wouldn’t be aware. They are completely shocked that we were able to corral major sectors of the community into one cohesive movement. The internet, text messages, and radio (BLOGS also LOL) all played a major role in getting the information out to the community. I know the white power structure is having a meeting right now, trying to figure out how to combat our ability to communicate with each other. The NBD has the potential to send shock waves to the greater community of Black people. The spirit of NBD was felt from LA to NY. I know many of you may have spent a few dollars on lunch or coffee, but the NBD was on your mind, and that’s the first step. We need to continue to create the dialog, which will create a consciousness that permeates throughout the community. The collective thought of the community is the most powerful expression of our ability to create a future where we will be able to determine our own destiny. Thank you for all that participated in NBD both action and spirit.
Switching gears a bit CNN ran an excellent documentary about nooses last night. If you get a chance you should check it out. Here a clip from the show (http://youtube.com/watch?v=bkqjiXRqvtk ) you can check cnn.com for scheduling in your area.
Since we are on the topic of nooses, check this out. http://img218.imageshack.us/slideshow/player.php?id=img218/8060/11940485279t2.smil These photo where taking across the street from my job. I was disgusted, as I drove into work, that the nooses were allowed to swing from the trees. I found myself even more upset when I was one of the few who was upset about the nooses.
Before I get into my opinion, I want to give you a little back ground on the noose situation in NYC. If you have been reading the blog over the last month you are aware of the climate in the NYC, but if you haven’t been reading there is some info you need to form your own opinion. NYC is a powder keg which will eventually erupt, if (when) the series of events continue to proceed in the matter in which they are currently progressing. There is a serious amount of tension between the community and the police; who at the core and surface represent an extension of the white power structure in every city across America. There have been a number of events where the police have attacked, both Black and Latino young men. The height of the tension stems from the murder of Sean Bell, and the attempted assassination of Juan Guzman and Trent Trent Benefield.
NYC was already on pins and needles in regard to the Sean Bell assissination, before word about the Jena Six began to circulate around via e mail, radio, and BLOGS. The Columbia University noose situation followed the Jena Six rally, and 11 other nooses incidents followed Columbia in NYC. Coupled with the nooses, an off duty NYC police office killed a young Puerto Rican man in a clear cases of road rage (http://www.newsday.com/news/local/newyork/ny-nyrage23vr5428313oct23,0,5078644.story ). All of these situations and many I have not named has all lead to the tension in NYC. The series of events has created an environment so thin that it will eventually snap.
Moving forward to the nooses outside of my school (http://img218.imageshack.us/slideshow/player.php?id=img218/8060/11940485279t2.smil ). I don’t believe that the people who hung the nooses meant any harm. ( I’m sure that the liberal voice inside of me saying that) I believe they where trying to make their home look festive for the Halloween season. I really believe they didn’t think that there actions could create a firestorm in the heart and mind of people that passed their home. What I can’t understand is how they didn’t think that someone may take offense to nooses hanging out side of their home. The fact that it is clear as day to me that someone may take offense, but it isn't to other is scary. This provides evidence that these people are living their lives creating situation, but are unaware of their action. I rather deal with the klan, than that, at least you know what your getting. The people across the street probably view themselves as nice, stand up, Christian people.
I know this sounds like a contradiction, but it’s a futile attempt on my part to rationalize the mind of some white people. For those that may think I’m just over re acting, ask your self what would be the reaction of a Jew if you put a sticker in your car window that displayed a swastika with a heart drawn around it in February in celebration of Valentine’s Day. Both, Halloween and Valentines Day have similar pagan roots, and are not regarded as “real” holidays by most people. Would your sticker cause a reaction of insensitivity and anti Semanticist ideology, or would it be looked at as an attempt to promote the spirit of Valentine’s Day? I believe the answer to that is simple.
The fact that a noose can be displayed in any capacity and we can just brush it off as if it’s nothing is amazing. The symbol of the swastika didn’t kill anyone directly, but the noose killed thousands of Black people. In fact the noose, by many estimations, has killed more people than the Holocaust. Yet the swastika evokes a reaction out of the people that was influenced by its meaning. The reciprocal would be the reaction that the noose creates. Why is a noose any less significant? Why is the demise of Black people any less import than the other? Both the noose and the swastika have a history outside of the people most often affiliated with there use, but the swastika’s impact as it relates to the symbolism that it infers, is much grander than the noose. I don’t get it. Needless to say the nooses where gone after some of the neighbor saw me out their taking pictures. I wonder what happened. I guess the Halloween season is over. We need to take a proactive approach to our struggle in order to combat all attacks, both conscious and sub conscious, on our spirit.
We need to get to a point as a community where we don’t let things like this settle or even happen. If we don’t speak up about these things or think there important no one else will. If you think hanging nooses out side of your house is OK, then every one else will also. If you think nothing of nooses hanging from trees, then your children will think nothing of nooses hanging from trees. We will take initiative as a community, and defend ourselves from attacks both purposely and accidental. Our reaction to the variety attacks may be different, but the reaction that there should be some sort of action will be automatic. Apathy has contributed to the condition of our nation; no longer will we allow this type of inactivity plague our community.
Moving on to something a little more cut a dry. Dog the Bounty Hunter re affirms my position that many white people carry a deep seeded hate of Black people, but hide it in there daily lives. (http://youtube.com/watch?v=5MVjNVI6RzI ) Most white people support the white power structure in ways they don’t even understand, or try not to understand. Dog’s comments about his son’s girl friend are perfect reflection of this reality. How can you not mean to say nigger in a derogatory way, then use it in a derogatory way in the next sentence to explain you point? “I don’t care if she is a Mexican, a whore… I’m not loosing everything because some f*** nigger heard us say nigger”. Listen to Dog try to say that he said nigger, like some Black people use “nigga.” (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2S85DVq6Kw ) Does Dog sound like he is using it the same, does he really thinks we are stupid enough to believe him? I think his rational behind his comments made me even more upset. Once again the white power structure tries to put the blame for there actions on Black people (see Tell them why you mad Son, Tell them why you Mad from October). He even said that he use to say that he is Black, so he thought it was OK for him to say “nigger”. How? He isn’t half Black, no one in his immediate family is Black, and even if he there where it wouldn’t excuse his actions as a man who is clearly white. He was yelling at his son about not dating a Black girl, because they use nigger in the house. Not nigger in a friendly way (if that is possible), but nigger in the most horrible capacity it could be used. He is now trying to say he uses it like a brother, how many ways can he insult our intelligence. The sad part about it is that some of you reading this will continue to blame Dog’s obvious racism, on some Black people’s use of “nigga”. On a side note according to Micheal Eric Dyson the broader sectors of the Black community don’t use the word “nigga” (at least not in public), in fact the comparison between the two show the number of Blacks that do use “nigga” regularly is a very small sector of the community.
For those that still follow that logic I don’t know what to say, other than I pray you wake up one day. I don’t care what Dog says about how cool he is with Snoop, or how much respect he thinks he gets in the community, or how many time I say nigga in a week, there is no rational argument that can be made that Dog used “nigger” comes as consequence of Black people use of "nigga". I don’t think any logical thinking person can come to that conclusion. My conclusion, as a self proclaimed logical and forward thinking individual, is that Dog is a racist, that just like all other racist, try to find a way to blame their behavior on the actions of Black people. Evidence of this is found in this clip (http://youtube.com/watch?v=Tpy15Gzo1OM). (See The Battle of N's Pt I and II for more on this topic.)
No need to dwell on this one its pretty clear. All those that like to watch the Dog chase after folks, will have to find something else to watch. What disturbed me even more than Dog’s comments about his son’s girl friend, and his attempt justify his comments by saying that he felt he had some sort of respect in the Black community is the comments made by his Negro preacher Pastor Tim Storey. ( http://youtube.com/watch?v=x3uW5hh3cro ) I can’t believe some of the things that come out of the moths of the Negro community. They find all type of ways to defend the white power structure, at the expense of the sanity and the reputation of “us” as a people. I’m sure Pastor Storey doesn’t want to loose the healthy offering that Dog puts down every Sunday, so he is willing to sell himself out to a rationalization that doesn’t make any sense. No one in their right mind should mount a defense for Dog. His comments where clearly racist, and should be taken as such. I don’t care if that was a private phone call, between family members. The only thing that is solidified in my mind is what Dog, and others, feel about Black people is vividly displayed in the phone call. Dog’s inner thoughts about Black people are put on blast in his conversation, and I believe that his thoughts are nothing more than a microcosm of the larger community in which he represents.
For Pastor Storey to say that he hopes that Dog doesn’t loose his TV show, is a sign that he is insane, and he should be exposed for the sellout coon, that he is. I know some of you a saying that my language is harsh, but we can no longer stand for obvious traitors of our community. In order to create an environment of a liberated future we have to shed the dead weight. We have to draw the line of what is, and is not acceptable in our community. (Drug dealers, pimps, etc. etc. are also examples of dead weight) Those that justify or rationalize the comments of people like Michael Richards (http://youtube.com/watch?v=U3RjiVcIlhY ), Don Imus (http://youtube.com/watch?v=RF9BjB7Bzr0 ), Emily from Big Brother (http://youtube.com/watch?v=rlcKmsGzL6o ), Bill O’Reilly or any of the other millions of attacks on our humanity need to be exposed for the traitors that they are.
Moving onto other news, the White House’s Homeland Security department had a Halloween party where they awarded the most creative costume to a man that wore dreadlocks “brown face” and an orange prison outfit (http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/11/06/ice.costume/index.html ). I would normally add a link for the pictures but they removed them from the net, as soon as they become available again I’ll put them up. The award winner wasn’t the only person dressed in racist garb, there were a “few” others that where wearing “racially offensive” outfits. This type of behavior is happening at the highest levels of this government. The people that are in place to allegedly protect America from attack are the ones doing the attacking. I think the award that they gave this guy is a form of terrorism. They released a statement saying that they apologize for the “offensive” nature of the outfit. What about the racist nature of the outfit. He was clearly mocking the Black and Brown community in America. The same people locking us up are the same ones laughing about it in public at the higest levels of this government. What type of attitude do you have to carry in order to think that coming to a “government” party dressed as a blackened prisoner, is appropriate? What kind of mind set do you have to be in order to think giving that person an award would be acceptable? I tell you what mind set you have to be in, the type of mind set that supports the white power structure. The American government has clearly demonstrated over the years which side of righteousness and justice it falls. It is our decision to decide which side of righteousness and justice we want to fall.
The final issue I would like to draw attention to is a situation at a school out in LA. A school security guard broke the wrist of a student, and called her nappy head. The young man who took the video then was assaulted, along with another young lady who was with him. (http://youtube.com/watch?v=DZ4sEX31tyw ) The girl’s mother was then arrested and fired from her job for speaking out against the brutality that her daughter had to endure. There have been some reports that her arm was not fractured, but a deep bruise, I believe that to be beside the point and an attempt to undermine the entire situation. This event is more evidence of the attack that our community endures on a daily bases on all fronts of our life. This security guard, assaulted three students, and attempted to conceal evidence. This is something that I would expect the LAPD to be involved. The security guard handled her similarly to the police officer out in Florida that stop a young lady for being out after curfew (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1sIiFAPYRF4 ). I don’t know how many more examples I have to give to display that we are under attack!!!
As long as we don’t have our own schools, our own police, security guards, our own media we will continue to be under attack, by a system not designed in our favor. We have to build institution where we are able to determine our own future. Until then we will continue to see the white power structure attack our livelihood. We will also continue to see folks like Pastor Storey defend the white power structure, and we will continue to see a government that clearly thinks the condition of our community is worthy of a Halloween costume and have neighbors that put op decorations that reflect our demise.

Marvo