Music As A Weapon For Change (Samples)

A group of young African artists came together to sing about saving the children of Africa. The song is so powerful and the beat is tight!



Here's another cool song, the price of silence, featuring Ziggy Marley, Emmanuel Jal & a bunch of other international artists. By the way Jal has been promoting his music and new movie based on his experience as a child soldier in Sudan. The movie is called Warchild. Saw a screening today in Harlem. It's a very touching film. I love the refreshing and optimistic tone at the end. He will be performing at the Apollo, I believe, on the 22nd of feb. I hope I can get to talk with him in person and take a picture or something. Besides the fact that dude is so inspiring and talented with his music (a fusion of soul, afrobeat & hip-pop) he is kinda cute too. :)

Amandla!

Really cool movie about how music played a role in South Africa's liberation struggle against aparthied. Found this while playing around on youtube. :)I've always loved S.African music and culture. Mariam Makeba also appears as well...awww....she was so lovely!

Africa's Songbird & Freedom Fighter Passes On

She was so beautiful, her face, her voice-those pure looking eyes. The distinctiveness of her vocals and her fight against aparthied made her one of Africa's most beloved songstress. She endured 30 years of exile due to her anti-aparthied activities only to be allowed permission into her country once again by the newly freed and elected freedom fighter, Nelson Mandela. Words cannot describe the type of gem she was to me and millions of fans all over the world. I looked forward to attending her concert in Prospect Park, Brooklyn (NY) earlier this year, but the concert was cancelled due to her failing health. She died in Italy this past sunday while on stage. May this beautiful, black, heroic sister and MAMA! find peace in the Lord. Thank you Mariam Makeba for sharing your wonderful talent and gracious presence and for fighting for the rights of fellow africans. Nakupenda!

One of my favorite clips of her...

Congo-heart of Africa

Africa is the heart of the world (I like to call it the pulse) and many watch/partake of its destruction by greedy power elites within and outside its borders. Congo is the heart of Africa, and coincidentally also happens to be a place with one of the worst human rights abuses/exploitation of natural resources anywhere. Congo, since the arrival of Leopold II has suffered immensely from one form of "abuse" or the other. It was under Leopold II that Africans were mutilated and enslaved during the late 1800's -all because of rubber. 10 million Congolese are said to have died in the process! Since then Congo has seen no rest. From the extinguished flame of hope due to Patrice Lumumba's death by western forces post independence, to the 30+ years dictatorship of Mobutu Sese Seko, another puppet leader implemented and supported by the U.S-this same man, by the way, is reported to have had business dealings with CBN (Christian broadcasting network)television evangelist, Pat Robinson, but that's a different story for another day.

Due to a very complicated turn of events following the Rwandan genocide in 1994 that resulted in the migration of Hutus, and other ethnic/political ramblings, Congo has been the center of conflict that has resulted to millions of deaths and the illegal exportation of natural resources like coltan (to say the least) used to make cell phones. This conflict has benefited many western cooperations who get these resources relatively cheap in the black market, and in turn sell thier products for profits. However, neighboring african nations have also benefited from the conflict. This is evidenced by the fact they have been very slow in ending this war. The Congo crises is something that needs to end soon, so that the country can move on and heal from its wounds. Having natural resources should not be a curse on innocent people trying to lead normal lives. Greed as a means of fueling and continuing a war ought to be a crime with those responsible deserving of punishment.

For the western world and other powers to cease exploiting us, we need to begin by loving our brothers and sisters. Discrimination by ethnicity, gender, nationalities etc, must end. The period of blaming the west for all our problems is over. African leaders must stand up and fix things. They must hold each other responsible, and we must hold them responsible.

Another clip of displaced Africans due to conflict (sigh). I look forward to the day when this type of images are rare, and better yet, non-existent.
Peace.
http://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/up/player/popup/?rn=3906861&cl=10497818&ch=4226714&src=news

Malcolm X-Son Of Africa

A scowl behind thick glasses- the words “By Any Means Necessary” -Malcom X. He was the civil rights leader of the 1960’s whose message of self defense for the black man (in the case of constant attacks of the psychological, sociological and physical type by the white majority) was interpreted by the media as “militant” and “violent” rhetoric. It is easier to understand Malcom X when you place yourself in his shoes. He was a black man in an extremely racist society who, in prison(where many black men still end up) discovers the history of his people and the conditions that plague them. His heightened awareness instilled in him a sense of purpose and self worth. It is easier to understand Malcom X, when you read his autobiography as penned by Alex Haley (the author of “Roots”) simply titled, “The Autobiography Of Malcom X.” My ideas about Malcom were transformed after reading this book. He was no longer the “violent” leader that I was programmed to view him as, but instead, a strong, passionate black man who loved his people and wanted them to experience the dignity and self-respect that the world was not giving them. His travels to Africa, his warm reception and his appreciation for the people of the continent revealed a man who was truly in touch with his African roots. His belief that Africa held the key for the liberation of the black race all over the world was not only ambitious but necessary back then as it is today. It meant that Africa had/has a big responsibility to the rest of the world.


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

It was sometime during the late 50's or early 60's. He had just had a fall out with his mentor and spiritual advisor, the then leader of the Nation of Islam, Elijah Mohammed, over Mohammed’s scandalous activities. Subsequently, he was no longer in good terms with friend and heavy weight boxing champion, Mohammed Ali, who because of his close association with the Nation of Islam, also kept his distance from Malcom. He was searching and looking for answers and meaning outside of what he had been taught to believe in the Nation Of Islam. His search led him to two of the most important travels of his life. His travels to Mecca and the Motherland. So what exactly did Malcom X discover in Africa? According to his autobiography, Malcom visited Nigeria, Ghana, Egypt, Liberia, Guinea and other places. In Nigeria, he met and dined with Professors and other professionals and discussed the problems of black Americans. He discovered Nigerians knew a lot more of the civil rights struggles than he had anticipated. He received plenty of press coverage and was given the opportunity to clear up some slanderous rumors around him, including that he had been indirectly responsible for the killing of a white woman in Harlem (p.402). He spoke in the Ibadan University’s Trenchard Hall urging Independent African states to bring the African American’s case to the United Nations (p.403). In Malcom’s exact words:“I said that just as the American Jew is in political, economic and cultural harmony with world jewry, I was convinced that it was time all Afro-Americans to join the world’s Pan-Africanists” (p.403).

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

It's no secret that one of the biggest problems Black people all over the world face is lack of unity. Black on black crime is rampant in the states just as ethnic conflicts are rampant in Africa. Even though our struggles across the board are similar, we have still failed to unite as one people, fighting for the common goal of dignity and liberation of the mental and economic kind. Just as the Jews have been able to unite and gain prominence in world affairs, blacks need to do the same. It’s been my personal experience to observe Africans look down on African-Americans as not “real” Africans and African Americans to look down on Africans as “primitive.” I have also been told by many African Americans that Africans are arrogant towards them. This is something that needs to end if “black power” is to become a reality. Malcom X saw the importance of the integration of black minds all over the world. He was in an idealistic frame of mind. African countries were gradually breaking free from their European “masters.” The possibilities that an independent, liberated and resource filled Africa would bring seemed infinite.There was an enormous interest in the civil rights affairs of Black Americans in Nigeria. Malcom admitted that Africans asked him “politically, sharper, questions than one hears from most American adults” (403). Africans are still very much attuned with current events since the education system and media informs them on these issues. With knowledge, however, comes responsibility.Malcom also enjoyed his visit to Ghana. He said this about Ghana: “ I think that nowhere is the black continent’s wealth and the natural beauty of its people richer than in Ghana, which is so proudly the very fountainhead of pan africanism” (p.404).

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ghana has proven over the years to be a uniting force for Africans and African Americans.

According to an MSNBC article:
For some, Ghana offers incentives to stay: It is the only African country to offer black Americans "right of abode," allowing those who qualify to work and own property, said Janet Butler, president of the African American Association, a support group for expatriates. Applicants must live in Ghana seven years before fully qualifying. They are also granted instant citizenship in Ghana. This experience for African American creates a sense of connection to the motherland.

The Ghanians were extremely receptive of Malcom. Every detail of his life and struggles were recorded. He gathered his largest African crowd in the University of Ghana. There, (in typical Malcom style) he condemned the white people in the audience for hypocritically being friendly with Africans in their own land, but yet treating them with much less dignity in the United States (409). Malcom later addressed the Parliament and even had the opportunity to discuss with then President, Kwame Nkrumah (410). Malcom made other stops in Africa including Senegal and Morocco. The entire experience (coupled with his discovery of true Islam in Mecca) would transform his thinking and attitude towards the handling of the race problem in the States. This was a man on a mission-a Prophet sent to the black people to lift them from their mental and physical bondage and to unite them. Sadly, before Malcom could fully utilize all he had learned from his travels, he was killed. Black people all over the world, not just African Americans, did indeed lose a true visionary. In Nigeria he was given the name, Omowale, which means “the son who has come home.”

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Resources: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6818533/
Autobiography of Malcom X by Alex Haley.

Malcom X speech on western influence in Africa.
http://www.malcolm-x.org/speeches/spc_021465.htm
The Realplayer audio version:
http://www.malcolm-x.org/media/aud/malcolmdetroit.ram

The New Type Of Charitable Organization:

Caters to peoples’ spiritual, psychological and physical needs. Depending on the circumstances of the individual, certain areas are handled first before proceeding to other stages. For example, a person who has just survived a war (a refugee), natural disaster or a famine, is provided with basic necessities such as food, clothing, medicine etc. Once that individual has proven that he is physically capable of carrying out daily tasks, he or she can then be nurtured on a spiritual and/or psychological manner, depending on the person’s state of mind, culture, beliefs etc. In assisting an individual psychologically and/ or spiritually, the ideal organization does not seek to control or manipulate the person’s thought process. Subjects are treated with respect and dignity and their ability to make choices are embraced. However, what is imperative for a person who has suffered/suffers through intense difficulty is to be empowered. In other words, they need to believe in themselves and their ability to change their circumstance. Whatever spiritual messages are delivered to this individual is a message that must emphasize the innate power of the individual mind and spirit. Personal responsibility is key. Waiting for a savior or God to come down from heaven for deliverance does very little for the subjugated mind. In fact, the notion is disempowering because it diminishes ones’ abilities and natural/innate powers. This, I believe, is the reason why many Africans are still oppressed mentally and physiologically even after the departure of the colonialists. Many Africans, especially of the Christian fold, spend a lot of time, money and energy in churches asking God for assistance with different aspects of their lives. In many African cities, it is common to find churches in every block or neighborhood. Many pastors manipulate these people’s hunger for physical blessings by draining them off their monetary offerings and spiritual/ mental energies.

There is nothing wrong with going to church, prayers and asking God for blessings. In fact, for some people it is the boost they need for inspiration to emerge and proper action to take place. It becomes only a problem when we give so much of ourselves in such situations and expect an automatic change of circumstance in return. That is laziness, and lazy people get nothing accomplished. So the important point is to spread the message that we are responsible for our circumstances. And even in such cases where it seems there is no direct link between our circumstances and past actions, we are still responsible for the way we react to them. I write this because I see a lot of organizations that spend a lot of money catering to people’s physical needs to the point where the people become dependent on the system for survival. They stop trying or attempting to progress themselves. This type of stagnation becomes a burden to the system and to the people directly or indirectly responsible for the functional abilities of the organization or government entity . It is also disempowering to the individual, reducing them to perpetual victims instead of potential victors in life. Of course, as aforementioned, there is a time when providing for the physical needs of others is the most necessary and urgent thing to do. But there must also come a point where these people, either through financial assistance (eg, lending programs) and/or psychological/spiritual empowerment, are able to create opportunities for themselves and their communities. I believe that is the goal of every person’s life- to contribute to the welfare of ourselves and our planet. And no one, either purposefully or otherwise, or in the name of compassion (which is a wonderful quality if expressed properly) should be deprived of that ability and/or opportunity.

What Would Fela Do?

I attended the off broadway show, "Fela!" last friday. Let's just say it provided more returns for my $51 investment than expected. Some of my favorite Fela hits, including "water no get enemy," "Suffering and Smiling," and "zombie"-a sharp, gritting satire on the Nigerian terroristic-like military was played by a band that one could have sworn was sponsored by Fela himself. The show was equally visually appealing; girating females in colorful gear, men moving spontaneously and widely to the rhythm of the drums, trully capturing the spirited dance moves of Africa. And all these performed by people of mostly African american descent. Fela has become more popular after his death and will continue to remain so until his uncomprising vision for liberty and justice for Africa is realized.

Part of the theatre package included a postcard with information about Chevron's trial this October as a result of aiding the nigerian military in the shooting, injuring and killing of unarmed villagers. The subheading on the card stated: "What Will Fela Do?" We all know what he would have done but the question becomes what will we do?

To find out more about the lawsuit, visit: http://www.earthrights.org/
To sign a letter to Chevron CEO, David O'Reilly asking him to respect human lives and the environment, visit: www.ChevWrong.org/letter

And by the way, after doing that, go see the show before its closure on September 21st. It may inspire you! ;)

Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf-Woman President

Cannot talk of freedom fighters without talking about Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, the President of Liberia. She appeared on Oprah some months ago and her graciousness, humility and the realistic expressions of what was required to build Liberia touched me. This woman was brave to carry on this task! After decades of civil war and finally the indictment of Charles Taylor (former president and human rights abuser), she's the one person people look up to fix the country. She's the first female president in Africa and with her education (a strong background in economics) and feminine touch (why not?) many support and encourage her in the huge responsibility of nation building. The following info is from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberia

Daughter of the first indigenous Liberian to be elected to the national legislature, Jahmale Carney Johnson, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf was born in rural Liberia. Widely celebrated for being the first elected female head of state in Africa, Johnson-Sirleaf’s election focused much international attention on Liberia. A former Citibank and World Bank employee, Johnson-Sirleaf’s career also includes heading the U.N. Development Programme for Africa [1]. Johnson-Sirleaf was jailed twice during the Doe administration before escaping and going into exile. As president, Johnson-Sirleaf hopes to bring her credentials as an economist to bear and enlist the help of the international community in rebuilding Liberia’s economy and infrastructure. Her efforts to have Liberia’s external debt of $3.5 billion cancelled were at least partially rewarded on November 12, 2007, when the IMF agreed to begin providing debt relief.[9] She has extended a special invitation to the Nigerian business community to participate in business opportunities in Liberia, in part as thanks for Nigeria’s help in securing Liberia’s peace. Exiled Liberians are also investing in the country and participating in Liberia's rebuilding efforts.
In addition to focusing her early efforts to restore basic services like water and electricity to the capital of Monrovia, Johnson-Sirleaf has established a Truth and Reconciliation Commission to address crimes committed during the later stages of Liberia's long civil war.[10] She is also working to re-establish Liberia's food independence. Johnson-Sirleaf also requested that Nigeria extradite accused war criminal and profiteer Charles Taylor. Addressing graduating students at the 2008 commencement ceremony at Dartmouth College, Johnson-Sirleaf stated that Liberia is on "a new path" and pledged to "build the institutions of justice, human rights and participatory democracy, strong systems of governance in which rights are respected and institutions serve the public good and natural resources are used for the benefit of all.[2]"

Fela comes to broadway!

Human rights activist and musical pioneer, Fela Kuti, will be celebrated on broadway this fall. I'm excited to see descendants of Africa in America celebrating this man that meant so much to Africa and its struggle for justice, equality and basic human rights. I encourage everyone to check it out. I look forward to it myself!

Pan Africa: Mere Rhetoric Or Potential?

The 1960’s saw a wave of hope for the African continent with the insurgence of independent states. One man in particular came to embody Africa’s liberation from its colonial past. His name was Kwame Nkrumeh, and he became the face of the Pan Africa movement. Kwame Nkrumeh was Ghana’s first head of state, securing Ghana’s independence from British rule in 1957. His “victory” over what he considered western imperialism in the Gold Coast (present day Ghana) brought a wave of inspiration and awe in Africa and the rest of the world. His famous speech, “I speak of Freedom” became a synopsis of Africa’s ugly past under colonial rule, its shaky present and promising future from the shackles of its “oppressors.” According to Martin Meredith’s “The Fate of Africa,” in 1958 Nkrumeh gathered a group of student unions, political parties and trade unions from across the continent in an attempt to coordinate the African non-violent revolution. They discussed revolutionary tactics. A few years later, other African countries would follow suite on the road to independence.

In 1963 the Organization of African Unity (OAU) was formed as a means to bring African nation states together and as a force against western control. There was indeed a strong sense of hope for Africa. The fact that many nation states had undergone similar experiences of oppression, economic equality and exploitation under European rule created a sense of unity that on the surfaced seemed unshakable. However, the advent of freedom from the “masters” became a catalyst for many of Africa’s problems to emerge. The growing discrepancy between the have and have-nots, political and ethnic conflicts in places like the Congo, Burundi and ultimately the first civil war to emerge out of Africa, the Nigeria/Biafra war in 1967 were just a few examples. It became apparent that at the end of the nineteenth century when the European powers mapped out Africa, they had no consideration for the differences among ethnic groups. These would lead to various conflicts throughout the region that still persists today. Also the fact that numerous dictators and tyrants began to emerge from Africa creating governments besieged by corruption, greed and oppression stunted the hopes of a liberated Africa for many. Examples of such cases were Abeid Karume’s regime in Zanzibar, Jean-Bedel Bokassa’s regime in Central Africa republic and Idi Amin’s brutal rule in Uganda. Political instability as a result of numerous coups in places such as Nigeria and Ghana created questions in people’s minds about the ability of Africans to rule themselves. Pan-Africa appeared to be mere rhetoric which had no evidence in reality.

Even though there are success stories in some areas in Africa, there are still many cases of ethnic conflicts, poverty, oppressive governments and in some areas full scale wars that have lasted for many years, example the Congo. The issue now is whether Pan Africa can ever become a reality in the face of evidence that shows a clear division among ethnic and economic lines. Obviously the founders of the Pan Africa movement and the OAU held a positive vision for Africa-an Africa united by the cultural and historical aspects that bind us. A united Africa is a necessity if we intend to be viewed by the rest of the world in a positive manner. The reality of Pan Africa will strengthen our resolve to be taken seriously in the world stage. After all, Africa has contributed immensely to civilization and global culture in the areas of music, arts and the birth of the sciences. Ancient civilizations such as Kamit (now referred to as Egypt), Ethiopia, Nubia and Timbuktu set the stage for modern day Mathematics, Philosophy and Medicine. A sample reference is Chancellor William’s “The Destruction of Black Civilization.” There are also many other books on the subject.

Africa’s unity will inspire its descendants all over the world (especially in places like North and South America and the Caribbean were they continue to be exploited and treated like second class citizens) to come together as a force worthy of recognition. The revolutionary ideas of our founding fathers must detach itself from the position of ideology to become a vision, a goal and ultimately a reality. However as they say charity begins at home; with a number of nations needing to clean its own house first.


References:
Meredith, Martin: “The Fate Of Africa.”
http://www.encyclopedia.com/

Confronting Mis(Representations) of Africa In The U.S Media

Found this article on africaaction.org:

In my line of work there is a well-worn maxim which holds that the media do not tell us what to think; they only tell us what to think about. By that measure, it is hardly surprising that so few Americans ever think about Africa at all. And when they do, the images that come to mind are not of a vast and varied continent – the world’s second largest, home to some 700 million people in 54 different countries spread across an area three times the size of the United States. They are not images of a continent rich in history, culture and natural resources, the cradle of human civilization. Nor does our mainstream media coverage reflect the history of how the western powers systematically underdeveloped Africa for centuries. And rarely is there mention of the scandalous exploitation of Africa’s human and natural resources that persists to this day through an imbalanced and immoral global economic order based on corporate greed and imperial expansionism.Rather, the dominant images of Africa in American mainstream media are of a dark and desolate continent, riven by tribal conflict, beleaguered by pestilence, poverty and disease, a place of fear and futility. They are images of despair and depression, of a lost people languishing in a lost land somewhere beyond the edge of modern civilization.The global economic and political forces that conspire to disadvantage the African people are not unknown to media managers in America. Neither are the considerable accomplishments of many African states in the face of these structural impediments. Yet our media provide scant coverage of these issues, with little or no context to aid our understanding of the story. We are told, for example, that HIV/AIDS is rampant in sub-Saharan Africa but rarely is it explained that the ability of these nations to combat the pandemic through public health and education services is crippled by debilitating and arguably illegitimate debt. Seldom are we told that the ability of African nations to fend for themselves is frustrated by corporate welfare subsidies totaling nearly $1 billion a day to keep western agricultural exports dominant on the world market at the expense of small farmers in developing countries. It goes without saying that for these and other reasons, many African nations are indeed trapped in profound crisis. But instead of comprehensive coverage that examines the full spectrum of cause and effect, we are inundated by one-dimensional images that dwell exclusively on the effect: stark, skeletal images of suffering that feed upon themselves to produce in our minds a misleading stereotype that becomes the face of Africa. Alhaji G. V. Kromah, former assistant professor of International Communication and Media Law at the University of Liberia, summarized the frustration of many when he told students at University of Indiana, Bloomington, that “the problem of Western media reporting on Africa goes beyond professional inadequacies and structural bias. Socio-cultural factors have continued to account significantly for the stereotyping archetype, which has remained a hallmark of western collection and dissemination of information about Africa.”He decried the western reliance on “fatalistic and selectively crude images of Africa to prove to their already misinformed audiences that they have visited the continent or are knowledgeable about its activities.”“Ordinary people, including elders and children, must know that along with the huts, crocodiles and famine, African countries also have skyscrapers, multiple lane roadways and other manifestations of modern life,” Kromah said. “The reciprocal entrapment between the media and their western audiences on perceptions of Africa can only be dissolved if journalists and their institutional owners wake up and hear members of the same audiences expressing knowledge of Africa” beyond the overblown stereotypes and caricatures of African life.

For the continuation visit:
http://www.africaaction.org/resources/page.php?op=read&documentid=723&type=9

This article speaks a lot of truth. And it doesn't help either when celebraties go to Africa, return and only re-enforce the negative aspects as already depicted in the media. The continent is just way too big and diverse for that.

An Inspiring Darfur rally event

A darfur rally was held in front of the U.S mission to the United Nations on May 23rd 2008. The event was organized by Africa Action, African Services Committee, American Jewish World Service, Armenian National Committee of America, Chadian Association of North America, darfur intervention network and many others. There were also speakers from secular and non-secular backgrounds. For a list of speakers follow the africaaction link below.

The message was the same, that the U.S needs to put more pressure on the Khartoom regime to end the killings and displacements of innocent people that has left about 400,000 dead and millions without homes.

I have to admit that I used to be a cynic of rallies. I thought they were events of all noise with little effect until I learned that when innocent civilians were being slaughtered during Nigeria's civil war from 1967-1970, people were protesting in the United States and Europe, urging thier governments to do something to end the war. Money that was raised by many kind hearted individuals in campuses, churches and organizations all over the world provided hope for the starving children of Biafra ,which the Nigerian government sought to exterminate with the weapon of hunger. As I have already mentioned elsewhere my parents survived the genocide led war, and I have these people to thank. Rallies were also instrumental for the civil rights movement and cessation of aparthied.

I have decided to do for others what others did for my parents and millions of innocents. The rally was my first experience of speaking up with hundreds of like minded individuals for justice in Darfur. It was truly touching to witness young and old, black, white, asian (you name it) come together for such an important and life saving mission. I was inspired by elementary and high school children chanting, "We Want Action, Now!" . There is indeed hope for the future!
For more information on this event and others coming up you can visit: http://www.genocideintervention.org/ and http://www.africaaction.org/. Here are the pictures I took.


The group saw the Sudanese ambassador walk into a building and sought to get his attention. Unfortunately he disapeared before I could aim my camera at him. Instead I focused on the banners instead.

These people mean business when they say bring peace to Darfur.

I wish I could recall this lady's name for she was such an amazing singer. Her lyrics and tone of voice was laced with the pain of what the people of Darfur are experiencing and also filled with hope for a better tomorrow.

As you can tell from the picture it began to rain but that did not deter the group from chanting thier slogans and listening to the speakers.

The rain began to subside. In a short while it was back to sunshine, but either way, rain or shine, they...we....weren't deterred.

Genocide As A Global Issue

Derived the following from genocideintervention.org :
To prevent genocide from continuing to occur in the
twenty-first century, we have a responsibility to
protect civilians who are being victimized by
countries unwilling or unable to halt ongoing
atrocities.
Samantha Power, in 'A Problem from Hell': America and
the Age of Genocide, highlights five examples of
genocide in the past:
·Armenia: More than 1,000,000 deaths (1915–1917)
·The Holocaust: 6,000,000 deaths of Jews; 5,000,000
deaths of Poles, Roma, communists and other
"undesirables" (1938–1945)
·Cambodia: 2,000,000 deaths (1975–1978)
·Bosnia: 200,000 deaths (1992–1995)
·Rwanda: 800,000 deaths (April 6 through mid-July of
1994)
·Darfur: Hundreds and thousands of deaths (2003
through today)

The following link provides details on the causes and duration of each incident. Warning for the sensitive: There are disturbing images displayed as well.
http://www.genocideintervention.net/educate/genocide

Unfortunately I used to think genocide was an African
problem. However, I have come to learn that it is a
world problem. Better yet it is a low consciousness
issue. When the consciousness of humanity is raised to
a certain level, genocide will be considered by all to
be an abomination, and it will have not even a fraction
of space on this planet. However it's left to us to ensure this.

Never Again Becomes Again & Again

Never again. That's what many said after the Holocaust in which 6 million jews were exterminated in WWII. After those horrors ended there was Bosnia, Rwanda and now Darfur. And some time between the jewish holocaust and Bosnia events, a genocide which is considered to be the first to occur in Africa was perpetuated against the Ibos of Nigeria. This led to a civil war that endured from 1967-1970. Rescently I came across Chimamanda Adichie's fictionalized novel set during that time, and the description of the atrocities committed on innocent civilizians left me anguished. My parents were only teenagers at that time. They went through the war. They survived, but each lost family members and friends. The horrific details of the genocide led war; brutal killings, displacements, rape and starvation is similar to what is currently going on in Darfur. People rallied in the U.S, london and other european countries in support of Biafra. Unfortunately not much attention was given to the Rwandan genocide in 1994 which left 800,000 people dead in only a few months. And now there's darfur, and there are rallies, blogs, articles, images, books, celebrity activism-all aiming to raise awareness about a genocide that has left between 200,000-400,000 people dead since 2003. Sometimes the idea of what one can do to end this war seems overwhelming. But I am the type of person who believes individuals and communities can make a difference. There can never be too much awareness about an issue like this. The bigger the awareness the greater the impact.

In november the presidential elections begin. As genocideintervention.net rightly explains, the future of darfur is dependent on the next President's agenda for this region. To watch clips showcasing each candidate's view on the issue, please visit:

http://www.askthecandidates.org/

For more information about Darfur and ideas on what you can do to make a difference please visit:

http://www.genocideintervention.net/ This site also contains information about rallies, lectures and fundraising events taking place in cities across the U.S. Another great site is : http://www.savedarfur.org/

Lets mean it this time when we say never again!

Flora Nwapa/Womanist(1931-1993)

I remember reading Flora Nwapa's novel, Efuru, at age 11 and being enthralled by the beautiful, financially independent female protagonist who suffers many tragic events. Efuru had it all except it seems, the inability to keep a man and to raise a child. The only child she had died at infancy.

It wasn't so much the tragedy that seemed to surround her that fascinated me, it was her strong spirit and her ability to take responsibility for herself. She was the epitome of the modern woman. Efuru's cultural background, the world surrounded by spirits and other mystical elements was African. Her independence was a reflection of who she was as an African woman. Many people assume that all African societies were patriarchal or male dominated before the Europeans came, but this is not true. When one does a thorough study of the history of different African socieites, they will discover that many of them had a high regard for women. They believed in the Masculine/Feminine polarity, what the East calls Ying/Yang . The genders had their different roles but they viewed each other as equal.

As a child my mother told me stories of our cultural heritage. How a woman for example could get a divorce whenever she wanted to just by saying the word and that she had the choice to keep the children or let her husband have them with little complications. She also said women held jobs, mainly trading jobs (just like Efuru). They had thier own societies where they could voice thier concerns freely. Women were not only protected, they were also highly respected. Domestic abuse was not tolerated and if reported had severe consequences for the man.

This sort of cultural fact (which has remained unchanged in many areas) is not often talked about. Many are focused on areas in Africa were women are victimized and treated like second class citizens. This is not authentic African culture. Flora Nwapa's book which was published in 1966 and was the first novel to come out of Africa by a woman allowed people to take a peak into the authentic african woman, what she was, what she has the potential to be and what she is once again becoming. She is definitely my hero =)

Kwame Nkrumah/I Speak of Freedom

Kwame Nkrumah is considered by many to be the face of the pan african movement. He was born in Ghana (then the gold coast) in 1909. In 1945 while furthering his studies in England, he helped organize the pan-african congress. He returned to Ghana and formed the Congression People's Party otherwise known as CPP. He was jailed after his positive action campaign was cited as a disturbance. He was freed however, when the CPP swept the 1951 elections. He was then able to lead Ghana towards independence from British rule in 1957. He died in 1971.

"I Speak Of Freedom"

For centuries, Europeans dominated the African continent. The white man arrogated to himself the right to rule and to be obeyed by the non-white; his mission, he claimed, was to "civilize" Africa. Under this cloak, the Europeans robbed the continent of vast riches and inflicted unimaginable suffering on the African people.

All this makes a sad story, but now we must be prepared to bury the past with its unpleasant memories and look to the future. All we ask of the former colonial powers is their goodwill and co-operation to remedy past mistakes and injustices and to grant independence to the colonies in Africa….

It is clear that we must find an African solution to our problems, and that this can only be found in African unity. Divided we are weak; united, Africa could become one of the greatest forces for good in the world.

Although most Africans are poor, our continent is potentially extremely rich. Our mineral resources, which are being exploited with foreign capital only to enrich foreign investors, range from gold and diamonds to uranium and petroleum. Our forests contain some of the finest woods to be grown anywhere. Our cash crops include cocoa, coffee, rubber, tobacco and cotton. As for power, which is an important factor in any economic development, Africa contains over 40% of the potential water power of the world, as compared with about 10% in Europe and 13% in North America. Yet so far, less than 1% has been developed. This is one of the reasons why we have in Africa the paradox of poverty in the midst of plenty, and scarcity in the midst of abundance.

Never before have a people had within their grasp so great an opportunity for developing a continent endowed with so much wealth. Individually, the independent states of Africa, some of them potentially rich, others poor, can do little for their people. Together, by mutual help, they can achieve much. But the economic development of the continent must be planned and pursued as a whole. A loose confederation designed only for economic co-operation would not provide the necessary unity of purpose. Only a strong political union can bring about full and effective development of our natural resources for the benefit of our people.

The political situation in Africa today is heartening and at the same time disturbing. It is heartening to see so many new flags hoisted in place of the old; it is disturbing to see so many countries of varying sizes and at different levels of development, weak and, in some cases, almost helpless. If this terrible state of fragmentation is allowed to continue it may well be disastrous for us all.

There are at present some 28 states in Africa, excluding the Union of South Africa, and those countries not yet free. No less than nine of these states have a population of less than three million. Can we seriously believe that the colonial powers meant these countries to be independent, viable states? The example of South America, which has as much wealth, if not more than North America, and yet remains weak and dependent on outside interests, is one which every African would do well to study.

Critics of African unity often refer to the wide differences in culture, language and ideas in various parts of Africa. This is true, but the essential fact remains that we are all Africans, and have a common interest in the independence of Africa. The difficulties presented by questions of language, culture and different political systems are not insuperable. If the need for political union is agreed by us all, then the will to create it is born; and where there's a will there's a way.

The present leaders of Africa have already shown a remarkable willingness to consult and seek advice among themselves. Africans have, indeed, begun to think continentally. They realize that they have much in common, both in their past history, in their present problems and in their future hopes. To suggest that the time is not yet ripe for considering a political union of Africa is to evade the facts and ignore realities in Africa today.

The greatest contribution that Africa can make to the peace of the world is to avoid all the dangers inherent in disunity, by creating a political union which will also by its success, stand as an example to a divided world. A Union of African states will project more effectively the African personality. It will command respect from a world that has regard only for size and influence. The scant attention paid to African opposition to the French atomic tests in the Sahara, and the ignominious spectacle of the U.N. in the Congo quibbling about constitutional niceties while the Republic was tottering into anarchy, are evidence of the callous disregard of African Independence by the Great Powers.

We have to prove that greatness is not to be measured in stockpiles of atom bombs. I believe strongly and sincerely that with the deep-rooted wisdom and dignity, the innate respect for human lives, the intense humanity that is our heritage, the African race, united under one federal government, will emerge not as just another world bloc to flaunt its wealth and strength, but as a Great Power whose greatness is indestructible because it is built not on fear, envy and suspicion, nor won at the expense of others, but founded on hope, trust, friendship and directed to the good of all mankind.

The emergence of such a mighty stabilizing force in this strife-worn world should be regarded not as the shadowy dream of a visionary, but as a practical proposition, which the peoples of Africa can, and should, translate into reality. There is a tide in the affairs of every people when the moment strikes for political action. Such was the moment in the history of the United States of America when the Founding Fathers saw beyond the petty wranglings of the separate states and created a Union. This is our chance. We must act now. Tomorrow may be too late and the opportunity will have passed, and with it the hope of free Africa's survival.

From Kwame Nkrumah, I Speak of Freedom: A Statement of AfricanIdeology (London: William Heinemann Ltd., 1961), pp. xi-xiv.

Bob Marley/Jamaican born Prophet

Bob Marley was born in 1945 in Jamaica. He was a raggae singer, songwriter and activist who spread the message of love, redemption and unity for people of African descent. He also preached love and tolerance for all humanity with the hit song, "one love" being an example. He became very popular in the 70's until his death in 1981 of cancer. He was only 36 years old. Bob Marley is especially popular in Africa because of his message of pan africanism which was often revealed in his lyrics. One song (out of many) in particular depicts a clear vision for Africa. The message is so important now as it was then. Let the lyrics speak for itself.

Africa Unite.

Africa, Unite'Cause we're moving right out of Babylon
And we're going to our father's land

How good and how pleasant it would be
Before God and man, yeah
To see the unification of all Africans, yeah
As it's been said already let it be done, yeah
We are the children of the Rastaman
We are the children of the Higher Man

Africa, Unite 'cause the children wanna come home
Africa, Unite 'cause we're moving right out of Babylon
And we're grooving to our father's land

How good and how pleasant it would be
Before God and man
To see the unification of all Rastaman, yeah

As it's been said already let it be done, yeah
I tell you who we are under the sun
We are the children of the Rastaman
We are the children of the Higher Man

So, Africa, Unite, Africa, Unite
Unite for the benefit of your people
Unite for it's later than you think

Unite for the benefit of your people
Unite for it's later than you think
Africa awaits its creators, Africa awaiting its creators
Africa, you're my forefather cornerstore
Unite for the Africans abroad, unite for the Africans a yard
Africa, Unite

A ray of hope for Uganda

In Uganda thousands of people have been killed and more than a million people displaced from thier homes in a war that has lasted for more than two decades. The war is between the Lord Resistance Army and the Ugandan government. The war began as a result of a group of people from the north who felt they were exploited by another group of people who reside in the south. This sentiment was heigtened as a result of the current president, Yoweri Museveni 's sucessful coup which was backed by southern supporters in 1986. The Lord Resistance Army was formed by a man named Joseph Kofi who claimed to be a spiritual messenger fighting for the marginalized people of the north. Sadly, the army has terrorized locals utilizing the most brutal methods on thier victims. One of the tragic circumstance of this war is the use of child soldiers by the LRA. These are children abducted from different places and forced to kill. Abducted females have been victims of sexual abuse as well.

Good news #1: The use of child soldiers has dwindled. The U.S state department recently urged Joseph Kofi to sign a peace deal. There has also been demand from the international court that Kofi be indicted for war crimes. Those involved in the peace process are waiting for Kofi to sign this deal even though he is currently giving the excuse that he needs to know how the international community intends to indict him before he signs. Kofi's signature is a big step to ending a reckless war that has lasted far too long. The sooner the war is over, the sooner the victims can move on with thier lives. One of my main concerns are the child soldiers who have been psychologically and emotionally scarred by the atrocities they were forced to witness and in many cases, forced to commit. Africa's future depends on the well being of her children for they are the leaders of tomorrow.

Good news #2: People are making a difference in the lives of some of these children by placing them in centers that provide psychological counselling. To learn more about the efforts being made to re-integrate former child soldiers into society, please visit:
http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/uganda_40339.html It is obvious a lot of work still needs to be done but a step in the right direction is a good step.

Also to learn more about the war in Uganda, the efforts being made to end it and what you can do to help please visit: http://www.resolveuganda.org/

Even a simple act like raising awareness can make a difference in the lives of our brothers and sisters-and children. We can all be freedom fighters on this one.

Fela Kuti/Hero & Prophet

Out of Africa have risen several Prophets. By Prophets I mean people who were unafraid to speak for the oppressed. They had no fear for the establishment and in some cases, were willing to die for thier convictions. When we think of Prophets our minds go to Biblical heros like Elijah, Moses and even Jesus. However, in my opinion, Prophets appear in different guises and not always in the mold of organized religion. Our Prophets have been (and are) Politicians, Musicians and ordinary men and women who were able to see a positive vision for Africa and mobilize the rest of us to do the same. Some of them were destroyed because of their unwillingness to surrender their convictions while others passed away too soon. Yet there are many still living, silently fighting and speaking up against injustice.

One of our heros/prophets is a musician and Afrobeat pioneer. His name is Fela Anikulapo Kuti. Fela sang about the corrupt and oppressive regimes of his home country, Nigeria but even by listening to his lyrics you will observe that he was a pan-africanist. He gained popularity in the 70's until his sudden death in 1997 by AIDS. He was only 58 years old. Fela was often beaten and jailed by the police for speaking against injustice. That however, did not deter him. Fela is greatly missed by millions of fans in Africa, Europe, Asia and the Americas. He affected Africans and non-Africans alike with his music and his vision for a better life for all. Below is one of my favorite songs by him. It is titled, "U be Thief" and I dedicate it to all the corrupt leaders that are still ravaging Africa till date.
May your soul rest in peace freedom fighter!