Central African Republic Elects First Female President

Source: BlackAmericaWeb.com

Congrats are in order for Catherine Samba-Panza. This beauty has been elected as the first female president of the Central African Republic. Previously, Ms. Samba-Panza was the mayor of Bangui and became the interim president after beating rival, Desire Kolingba, son of the ousted president. President Samba-Panza is tasked with ending the sectarian violence that has been plaguing the Central African Republic for nearly a year.

Those are some pretty big shoes to fill, but President Samba-Panza is up for the challenge. During her acceptance speech, President Samba-Panza said, “I call on my children, especially the anti-balaka, to put down their arms and stop all the fighting. The same goes for the ex-Seleka – they should not have fear. I don’t want to hear any more talk of murders and killings.”

Seleka militia, a Muslim group, went on a killing and looting spree that led to revenge attacks by the anti-balaka, a Christian militia. President Samba-Panza is a Christian, but seen as politically neutral because she does not have ties to either group, said she would try to bring the country together. “Starting today, I am the president of all Central Africans without exclusion.” Many now hope that the election of Samba-Panza will help to bring calm to the nation of 4.6 million people. Here’s hoping President Samba-Panza has what it takes to lead her nation into a peaceful future.

Byts and Bytes

1. What I like about African men
2. I love Black men too, but do they love me back?
3. The Radicalization of Ray Richardson: Suspicion Still Surrounds Death of Black Activist TV Producer
4. Desmond Tutu is Wrong: The AU Should Quit the International Criminal Court
5. Steve Biko and the Quest for Black Power Today
6. The Folly of Empire

From Mis-education to Self-education: Taking Responsibility for our Mental Freedom

“Currently, it is the schools that are majorly responsible for socializing, instilling values, moralizing and instructing Black learners. I believe that in handing near total control over to the education system, we are allowing for the systematic annihilation of our intellectual and therefore future potential. We are inviting people whose best interests it is to keep us ignorant, docile and complacent to have control and dominance over our minds. We are permitting our children to be systematically and purposefully prepared to be “larger” society’s worker ants.

Why do we do this? Because during the civil rights movements we naively and ignorantly fought to assimilate our education along with those who did not want us on their school property let alone in their classrooms. Those who never intended “formal” education be extended to us and furthermore, we put the control of our “mind building” into the hands of people who did not know anything about us and had no interest in learning or sharing any knowledge with us in the first place. We know that this was a huge mistake and now it’s time to rebound from years of mis-education and mind control.”

My sister Rachelle aka Blacklit101, dropped some serious knowledge and enlightenment with her post a few days ago: “Eurocentric Brainwash: The Bain Of Black Existence In North America”. The above paragraphs which are from this post resonated with me as a father of two Black children who is personally involved in their education, particularly as a counter to the mis-education of the dominant culture’s educational system.

Not too long ago I was having a discussion with a friend about the lack of African/Black historical accomplishments and achievements taught to our children in schools. He stated that as a people, we should demand that the educational system teach this history. I asked him why as a people we don’t take the responsibility to do this ourselves!? Why as a people should we again… go with our hand out… and beg demand that the “white man” teach our children about our history!?

I personally know people of other cultures, who take on this responsibility themselves to teach (and therefore empower) their children about their history, language, religious beliefs, customs, etc. I know of Jews, East Indians, Muslims, even Polish people who send their children to “Saturday” school to learn about their culture.

Not us “negroes”. On Saturdays we sit our children in front of the tel-lie-vision to watch cartoons, watch BET to learn the latest songs and dance moves, or to play videos games all day or go play sports. Then when they fail or lag behind in their academic endeavours, we cry: “it’s racism… the school is racist, the teachers are racist, the educational system is racist…blah, blah blah”. Instead of pointing the finger at ourselves, taking the responsibility for failing as parents… we blame the “white man”. The same “white man” you turned your children over to teach them.

I can say that in my household, my wife and I have taken the responsibility to teach our children about African, African-Canadian, African-Caribbean and African-American history and culture. For example, when we went to Nova Scotia for vacation this summer, my wife and I took them to the Black Cultural Center to expose them to African-Canadian history. We then went to patronize a restaurant in the community and also attended one of the historically black Baptist church that Sunday. We do regular African/Black history lessons and read books by and about African/Black people. My son has been to Jamaica to visit family twice and we are planning to take him and our daughter there next spring to visit their great grandmother before she passes on… God willing. Every morning on the way to school, my son and I go through this ritual… it’s our daily mantra:

Me: Where were you born?
Him: Canada
Me: What is your heritage?
Him: Jamaica
Me: Where are you ancestors from?
Him: Africa
Me: Who you gonna marry?
Him: A smart, beautiful Black woman like mommy

Be forewarned! I became aware of this movement within the USA to challenge and ban books by and about African Americans. Check it out here. I have most of these books in my personal library, so my son and daughter will have access to them as they grow older. I am not aware that any of these books are apart of the Canadian educational system. However, I have no expectation that they would be. I have every expectation that my children will read everyone of them at home.

Eurocentric Brainwash: The Bain Of Black Existence In North America

As a Canadian following the US “Shutdown of non-essential Government” or the forced furlough of government employees, It’s been a rather interesting week to say the least. This article is not to get into a political discourse but, in writing about the aforementioned topic, I feel that it is of value to highlight that the resounding message to Black people living both inside and outside of the US is this: The “free world” is controlled by people who generally hate poor and middle class people and would rather see them stressed, sick, poor and dead than give them a fair and equal fighting chance for peace of mind through extending them the most basic of human essential needs, accessible and affordable healthcare.

This ought to speak volumes to Black people living in North America because although we make up an impressive spending group as a whole, we are non-essential in the realm of organized political and economic power and control.

We are marginalized because of our race, our generalized inferior social class and because of our lack of organization and solidarity as a people. Even with a Black man presiding over the “Land of The Free”, there is no symbolic resonating of a power gain or of a growing respect toward Black people. (I’m shocked that people thought that there even would be) In fact, it’s obvious that the GOP/Tea Party/Republicans or whatever they’re called this week hate their own president more than they care for average American citizens. Common sense tells me that they must generally hate all Black people and would rather see their demise at the detriment of an entire nation rather than see a Black man advance a progressive agenda for the betterment of ALL people living in the United States. Call me dramatic, it’s how I see it. Period.

When colonizing a particular group, in order to get them to secede to “new” beliefs and practices, control must first be exerted over three very important and influential branches of society: The education system, law enforcement and lastly, religious organization. Control is extended over the institutions which ultimately warp the human mind, body and spirit. Typically, I haven’t lent much “creative attention” to the ideology of white supremacy but in order to truly engage learners and reinforce that systematic racism is indeed a living and breathing thing, we know that we cannot ignore the reality of North American society and it must be consistently addressed and worked on to dispel and unfurl. For those who don’t know, white supremacy is the ideology that white people are superior to people of other racial backgrounds. White supremacy is the idea that if you are not white, then you are not right and white people naturally deserve to be dominant over you. It’s that simple. Do all white people fit into this ideology? Of course not but we aren’t concerned with that handful of people. Although we’ve been “physically free” for almost 200 years, through using systematic colonization tactics in North America, Black people are largely still in bondage of the most dangerous form; Mental slavery.

Currently, it is the schools that are majorly responsible for socializing, instilling values, moralizing and instructing Black learners. I believe that in handing near total control over to the education system, we are allowing for the systematic annihilation of our intellectual and therefore future potential. We are inviting people whose best interests it is to keep us ignorant, docile and complacent to have control and dominance over our minds. We are permitting our children to be systematically and purposefully prepared to be “larger” society’s worker ants.

Why do we do this? Because during the civil rights movements we naively and ignorantly fought to assimilate our education along with those who did not want us on their school property let alone in their classrooms. Those who never intended “formal” education be extended to us and furthermore, we put the control of our “mind building” into the hands of people who did not know anything about us and had no interest in learning or sharing any knowledge with us in the first place. We know that this was a huge mistake and now it’s time to rebound from years of mis-education and mind control.

For centuries, we have been brainwashed into believing that the natural order of humanity is the Eurocentric perspective and it’s this illusion that white supremacy is real which maintains the status quo. Living in Ontario Canada, we’re surrounded by a multitude of diversity and various ethnic groups have rightfully and responsibly taken it upon themselves to guard against this lie. The East Indian community works together to ensure that their languages, culture, heritage and various faiths are supported and maintained. The Jewish community to works together to ensure the preservation of their cultural norms, mores and values as do the Muslim, Ukrainian, Turkish, Middle Eastern, Russian and many of the other various communities. We must work cohesively to ensure that our Black children are also exposed to an alternate reality within our own respective communities now more than ever.

What factions of the US government is boldly and openly demonstrating is that the poor and subjugated deserve no voice. They deserve no benefit of communalism nor the sharing and fair distribution of resources. How long do you think it will be before Canada experiences something relatively similar? There is absolutely no guarantee that our future generations will have the security of a social safety net and therefore, it is our onus to ensure that they are prepared to be self-sufficient, useful and enterprising people. The resourceful and proactive thing to do is assume culpability for our own valuable assets as they do theirs.

Becoming aware of this reality is the first step in building a systematic approach to counter this oppressive phenomena. It’s worked hard and long enough to keep us stationary, stagnant and silent. It’s time to liberate ourselves and each other and to count ourselves as equal and deserving even when others would have us believe and behave according to the contrary popular belief.

Always –

Light reflected is enlightenment infinite.

~Rachelle

Guess who’s coming to dinner with a poisoned helping of racial discrimination? Part II

UPDATE & OUTCOME

So, a few weeks back I posted about our infamous incident at the Lone Star Texas Grill in Etobicoke. Now that the ordeal has concluded, it’s only fair that I tell the story to its completion.

The Lone Star Texas Grill has put a policy in place for mandatory annual S.H.A.R.P. training of all their employees which is a major step in the right direction. Understanding diversity and it’s multitudes of complexities is the first step in developing a natural sensitivity toward governing our actions in terms of how we treat other people.
They have made it very clear that they will help to support in any way they can BlackLit101 community education support initiative. I have been put into connection with management at the location closest to my community. Although I’m not yet sure how we could benefit from this, I know there is potential somewhere! The company has also expressed a real interest in helping us with our book drive which is also greatly appreciated.
Although I did not receive a personal apology from the individual who was directly involved in this incident, I no longer feel like I need one. I’m not sure that I would have fully accepted it anyway. The people that I subsequently dealt with expressed genuine concern with what happened and that simple display of humanity alone is enough for me. He still remains nameless; Like a fallen soldier, gone but never forgotten…
I was also given a $100 gift certificate which I will be using. Hey, don’t judge me! Prior to this happening, I loved eating at The Lone Star! The margaritas and fajitas are awesome and although I probably won’t ever return to the location this happened at but, I will be using it in my own community. My friend and our daughters will have a date night out and put this behind us. I’ll be leaving my baby boy at home that night, just to stay on the safe side. Just kidding! I don’t really feel the need to and the powers that be have reassured me that what happened to us will never happen again to anyone else under any circumstances.

Unfortunately, bad things happen every day. Racism is alive and well and even in 2013, many people still believe that Black people are inferior. It’s how we act upon it that truly matters and cooler heads usually prevail. Resolution never lies in retaliation but will only ever be found in the display of intolerance for intolerance.

I want to credit the GM, Dave Cunningham and the Director Of Operations Rob Martin with dealing with me in a prompt, concerned and committed way. They took the incident seriously and although they couldn’t undo what had happened to us, they have made every effort to make us feel heard, understood and validated. I appreciate that and I commend them on their efforts to turn this unfortunate incident into one of moral growth, public progression and social evolution. Their swift and sincere reaction to this was an honorable display of leadership.

The world isn’t perfect but, it’s when we can we can learn from and turn an unfortunate event into a learning experience and kill the potential for repeat offences that we see change actually happen. We must always remember to be the change we want to see in the world. In the end, although we were initially treated unfairly, collectively we stood up against it and we all live to fight another day.

Light reflected is enlightenment infinite.
~Rachelle

“Will Zuma survive his son’s ploy?” ‏by Nkwazi Mhango

Recent security scandal and flaw in South Africa exposed President Jacob Zuma’s weak spot. It’s reported that an Indian plane carrying a wedding entourage landed at a military base near Pretoria contrary to the norm and law. This act of aggression and transgression to the security of the country regarded as Africa’s big brother, miffed and irked many people in and outside South Africa.

The plane carrying the suspicious family of Gupta and their Indian guests was heading for a wedding between Vega Gupta and Indian born Aakash Jahajgarhia in the Sun City, left South Africa paralysed. Controversial as the Guptas have always been, enjoying special treatment thanks to being business partners to Zuma’s son Duduzane. Like any prince in a corrupt Africa, Duduzane is a source of wealthy for any con man that’s able to fix and use him. This is what the Guptas were able to do. Untoward Zuma-Gupta’s relationship is an open secret in South Africa since 1994. Just as his rape scandal of 2 November 2005, the Gupta scandal has galvanized Zuma’s dectactors who want to see a thorough investigation into the matter. Again, thanks to cronies and tribal politics Zuma has always survived.

One South African political analyst Fabian Scherer puts Zuma-Gupta’s marriage of convenience as thus, “The issue shows to what extent private businessmen, particularly with good relationships with the president and his family, have gained influence on South Africa’s parastatals.”

Fabian is not alone. Zuma-Gupta business baffled even other countries that once hosted him. In India, Mail and Globe quoted a source who was in Zuma’s entourage reporting how Indian authorities were shocked saying, “They were asked why the president is hanging around with these guys… they don’t have a great reputation in India.”

Despite all ire and the way the scandal has roiled South Africa, Zuma seems to remain unmoved. Even his son is scantly touched but the whole burden is on the shoulders of his officials and confidantes. His government jumped a smoking gun saying that it was “gravely concerned”. Justice Minister Jeff Radebe was quoted as saying, “Government is gravely concerned at this violation of the security protocol and total disregard of established practice for clearing the landing of aircraft in a military facility that is of strategic importance to the country.”

To show how influential and out of touch the Guptas are, one of them was quoted as saying, “I don’t know what they want…. The airplane had permission. No airplane in the world can land without permission.”  Who permitted the plane to land and not only to land but land in the military base?

A day after saying that there was nothing  wrong about the Jet landing, the Guptas were quoted as saying, “In light of what happened… the family would like to issue a general apology to all affected, including the South African and Indian governments, the local authorities, the South African public and especially our guests,” said Atul Gupta in a statement. You can connect the dots and see the big pictures Zuma-Gupta cabal does not want anybody to see.

Though all is left for the government-cobbled commission to investigate, some major question any person can ask are: “Is South Africa reliable security wise if anybody can just get into its territory and land at the military base without any detection?”

Why didn’t the Guptas want their plane to land at O Tambo International Airport? Did the plane have illegal items such as weapons, drugs, illegal immigrants and whatnot? Why taking such a risk which would have resulted into bringing down the jet had such a thing happened in countries like US or even in South Africa had the military decided to intervene?

Will South Africans keep on staying aside and look as Zuma-Gupta relationship is driving their countries to demise? Are Guptas the mere pawns Zuma uses to man his business as it has been the tradition of African corrupt rulers? Is Zuma being used due to being gullible? M&G ran a story in 2012 accusing Zuma of benefiting from the Guptas and wrote, “There is evidence that the Gupta family is helping first lady number four, Bongi Ngema-Zuma, pay off her R3.8-million home loan.” There was no logical rebuttal to these belittling allegations from Zuma. This means what’s alleged was taken as true.

Why haven’t Zuma and his son learned from the plights-cum-quandaries of Saddam Hussein, Muammar Gaddafi and Hosni Mubarak? Ask Guy Scott, Zambian vice president who was recently quoted as saying, “I quite like him, he seems a rather genial character but I pity him his advisers.” Will SA rid itself of the Guptas and their tick-like menace?

Nkwazi Mhango is a Tanzanian living in Canada. He writes regularly for “The African Executive” and also has a blog entitled “Free Thinking Unabii”. He is a regular contributor to AfroSpear.

Historical African American First

Greeting’s Everyone!

I appreciate the comments from a couple of week’s ago! I had a week off, but want to thank everyone for the patients. I was working on an academic paper in the field of business anthropology. I will be attending a conference in May of 2013 in Shanghai, China.

I got a little off the topic. This quiz is the Historical African American First Quiz. I have to admit that I did horrible! Wow! Learning never stops. Out of 10 questions, I only got 3 right. Yes, that is 30 percent! What will be your score.  Please click on the image above for the quiz or alternatively, please click on the following link:

Click her for the Quiz!

Enjoy!

Peace,

Adrian

Shane Sullivan, Tennessee Police Chief, Using Polygraph To Identify Racist Applicants

Greeting’s Everyone,

A few current events have been sad to read lately. It was especially sad to hear about Marco McMillian.

On February 20, 2013 our blog featured Asabagna’s story on what he went through at the police department.  A story, in my opinion, that was very powerful and needed to be shared. We have read or probably heard of various stories across the world.

The article by Sheila Burke has intrigued me. This is just one side of the story, but it is an interesting preventative measure. Although, “Polygraphs in and of themselves have a lot of problems,” Hedy Weinberg, executive director of the ACLU of Tennessee, said.

What do you think? Is this a small step in the right direction?

Click here or on the image above to go to article.

Peace,

Adrian