Why don't people of African descent speak out...

[una nina]

Re: Why don't people of African descent speak out...

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[quote
TuffStuff, I am BLACK, of African descent, born in Amerikkka...(uh-oh!) [img]/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

Seriously thought, it's so disheartening to see things happening to blk ppl and blk ppl don't even seem to care... [img]/forums/images/graemlins/70361-embarassed.gif[/img]

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Secretary of State Colin Powell holds up a report documenting atrocities in Darfur while testifying before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Sept. 9, 2004.


June 30, 2004 · U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell is in Sudan Wednesday, focusing largely on the allegations of genocide in the Darfur region of the country. NPR's Alex Chadwick talks to Jill McGivering, a BBC correspondent in Sudan.

Public Radio

etc. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

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Indeed, Shandra...! Yes, I have been hearing bits and pieces of discussion for a few years, but no STEADY crucade. Anyway, every little bit helps! [img]/forums/images/graemlins/70409-waytogo.gif[/img] [img]/forums/images/graemlins/70409-waytogo.gif[/img]

I read today that Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo (and others) helped the gov't of Sudan and the biggest Darfur rebel faction (the Sudan Liberation Army) sign a peace deal Friday.

I know there have been MANY, MANY such deals signed, but we can only remain hopeful that something positive will come out of it.

...keep chipping away! [img]/forums/images/graemlins/70409-waytogo.gif[/img]

[Tuff Gong]

Re: Why don't people of African descent speak out...

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LOL! No one has the monopoly, obviously. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] [img]/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]

No matter how much the acclaimed "learned, cut & paste experts" fight with the "on-the-ground experts" go back and forth, accused one another and shout insults, the outcome will still be the same, "mind your own business". [img]/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif[/img]

We can only help others after we have proved successful in helping ourselves, no matter how much we "win" emotional battles - on line. The proof is in the pudd'n. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]

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I kinda can't figure out what you are trying to say?
Are you agreeing with me that Africans need to liberate themselves?

[sistacaf]

Re: Why don't people of African descent speak out...

I got this e-mail today:

Dear Caf,

I have some good news to report! Earlier today, the Sudanese government and two of the main Darfur rebel factions signed a peace agreement to end three years of fighting that has killed hundreds of thousands and displaced millions from their homes.

This is only the first step toward ending the violence in Darfur and putting a stop to the tragic genocide.

You and others have sent over 800,000 Million Voices postcards to President Bush. And just a day after over 50,000 rallied on the National Mall in Washington, and thousands joined rallies in cities across the country, President Bush dispatched Deputy Secretary of State Robert Zoellick to the peace talks.

You helped make the issue of genocide in Darfur a top priority for the Bush Administration.

The momentum is building and we can make a difference!

Click here to tell your friends and family about our campaign. And thank President Bush for his leadership so far - but let him know there is more work still to be done.

The peace agreement has been signed, but we must make sure that both sides live up to the terms. The millions of men, women, and children who have been displaced or have had their lives rocked by violence will not know peace until the government and the rebels live up to theses agreed terms.

The Bush Administration must continue to play a leading role.

On a more personal note, I am incredibly grateful to the Save Darfur Coalition staff, our volunteers, member organizations and all of you for your incredible efforts over the past weeks and months. Each of you helped us reach this historic point - but it is only the first step.

As we continue the fight, there will be many more opportunities for you take action and help make a difference.

Best regards,

David Rubenstein
Save Darfur Coalition

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

This is from the website I got from SoulHunter's picture post of the rally last weekend, same website I posted about sending a postcard.

on a side note - bigup to the writers on ER; they have been including Darfur in their storyline for 2 weeks now. At the end they put up a website to find out more info.

and yes its just a fictional TV program, but millions of real people see it every week and are hopefully learning something....

and Dr Pratt did not get 'banned' there, one of the other docs was supposed to go but he's about to be a dad so he sent Dr Pratt instead... in the story, he also thought it would be good for Pratt's 'attitude' to go there -

[Tuff Gong]

Re: Why don't people of African descent speak out...


....and in related news this just in from the cut-n-paste files:

Rastas want UN to intervene in Ethiopia

Saturday, May 06, 2006




One of the Imperial Ethiopian World Federation members who demonstrated yesterday in front of the Lady Musgrave Road offices of the United Nations in Kingston. The Rastafarian group says it wants the UN to lead an initiative for the restoration of a monarchical government in Ethiopia.
"The bankrupt Stalinist policies of the Mengistu regime are still present in Ethiopia today under the guise of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, headed by the cowardly dictator Meles Zenawi," the Rastafarians said in a letter to the UN. (Photo: Joseph Wellington)

Rastas want UN to intervene in Ethiopia

[una nina]

Re: Why don't people of African descent speak out...

SistaCalf, TuffGong! Yes, yes, yes! This is what I'm talking about! [img]/forums/images/graemlins/70409-waytogo.gif[/img] This is the kind of press and media we ALL need!

Sis, I checked out the ER site and watched the interview with Mekhi Phifer [img]/forums/images/graemlins/70377-loveeyes.gif[/img] [img]/forums/images/graemlins/70377-loveeyes.gif[/img] [img]/forums/images/graemlins/70377-loveeyes.gif[/img] , eh-hem....and I agree that even though it's a fictional program, any exposure the "dominate culture" gets RE: African struggles is a good thing!

Tuff, awesome! [img]/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

[sistacaf]

Re: Why don't people of African descent speak out...

oooh there's an interview with Mekhi? hot DAYUM! gotta check that out

[una nina]

Re: Why don't people of African descent speak out...

[img]/forums/images/graemlins/704555_dwl.gif[/img] [img]/forums/images/graemlins/704555_dwl.gif[/img] [img]/forums/images/graemlins/704555_dwl.gif[/img] Yes, hot dayum! He is definately a HOTTIE!!! [img]/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

http://www.nbc.com/ER/

[Tuff Gong]

Re: Why don't people of African descent speak out...

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SistaCalf, TuffGong! Yes, yes, yes! This is what I'm talking about! [img]/forums/images/graemlins/70409-waytogo.gif[/img] This is the kind of press and media we ALL need

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Please Una N. this is a joke, call on the white men to restore the Monarchy? Wasn't the Monarchy part of the problem?
And how are you going to call on the symbol of White Power that you cuss everyday to liberate your spiritual home?
...and whilst we are at it how come we don't here Rastas demonstrating against the human rights abuses in Jamaica?
What are we waiting for the Monarchy to be re-established on the Rock as well?

Anyway to keep the debate moving let me reach for another cut-n-paste...this one should be clip-n-save:

Of chalk and cheese: Comparing Jamaica with Nigeria

Patrick Wilmot
Saturday, May 06, 2006

People have queried details of Diane Abbott comparing the problems of Jamaica with Nigeria. A more sensible critique would have focused on whether it is possible to compare two countries of such different domestic structures. This is not an abstract issue, as most Jamaicans descended from the Yoruba and Ibo peoples of Nigeria.

In scale and structure Nigeria and Jamaica are like a second-hand bicycle in need of repair and a gigantic heavy goods vehicle with flat tyres and a dodgy engine. Nigeria is a million square kilometres in area, 100 times the size of Jamaica, and its population about 150 million, compared to Jamaica's 2.5 million. While Jamaica surpasses Nigeria in terms of per capita gross domestic product and position on the United Nation's Human Development Index, Nigeria is a powerful force in regional and world affairs by virtue of its size and population.

Jamaica's motto "Out of many, one people" is child's play applied to a country like Nigeria. Jamaicans divide primarily along economic lines with a small percentage of rich at the top, a significant middle class, and a base of poor people. The association of colour and economic position is a product of historical divisions derived from slave and colonial times. And religious division is mostly benign as Christian sects mingle with each other and the remnants of African religion in obeah and pocomania.

On the other hand Nigerians are divided into about 450 peoples, each with their own language, myth of origin, cultural practices, area, and sometimes appearances. They range from the Hausa, Yoruba, and Ibo, with populations like Britain's, to Ken Saro-Wiwa's Ogoni people with about half a million. There may be a hundred Nigerian peoples whose populations exceed Jamaica's, including the Tiv, Ijaw and Kanuri.

Despite their skin colour, the physical appearance of Nigerians is similar to types all over the world. In Plateau State there is a group called the Birom, called Dung, Jang and other Chinese-sounding names, and like the Chinese they are short, with round heads and slanted eyes. They are very black and their state of origin is in the middle of the country where no Chinese has ever visited.

Despite the claim that Islam and Christianity are colonial religions, Islam entered Nigeria over 1000 years ago while Christians first appeared in the last two centuries. Local religions have been around forever, and are still vibrant, even among advocates of the "World" religions. Nigerians take their religions very seriously. While Jamaicans are content to visit churches on Sunday, Christmas and Easter, Moslems pray five times a day, and Christians attend daily masses and prayer meetings.

In the last seven years of "democracy" over 20,000 people have been killed in religious clashes. Fewer are killed during military regimes because people fear the soldiers will kill them before they gather to kill one another. "Religious" fanatics on both sides mobilise people on trivial issues such as the Danish cartoons of the Prophet Muhammed, and retaliation follows swiftly whenever fellow worshippers are under attack. Mosques and churches are burnt at the drop of a Bible or Koran, defying the commandments of these holy books.

Given the complexity of its structure, Nigeria needs exemplary leadership. But its leaders, except the assassinated General Murtala Muhammed, have outdone most African countries in corruption, brutality and lack of vision. MKO Abiola, to whom I was speech writer and political adviser, won the freest and fairest elections in Nigerian history, with the widest margin of victory. He and his running mate were Moslems but were endorsed by the Christian Association of Nigeria. He defeated his opponent in his own state but his election was annulled by General Babangida. He was imprisoned by General Abacha, and died in jail.

Diane mentions corruption but her knowledge of its scale in Nigeria is rather thin. A politician is considered corrupt in Jamaica if he steals $20 million to buy or build a six-bedroom house. In my recent trip to Nigeria I saw 20-bedroom houses built by politicians for about $ 500 million. The deputy president of the Senate approved $20 million rent for his own house in which he lived plus another US$18 million to "furnish" it. The late General Sani Abacha stole US$5billion in five years while his predecessor, Ibrahim Babangida, stole an incalculable amount in eight years.

One point on the Sharia needs to be explained. The system was not introduced by Moslem scholars but corrupt politicians. The poor resent it because it's not applied to rich thieves who should have their hands chopped off but to poor people who should be exempt under Sharia law because poverty led them to steal to feed their families. Poor women especially resent it because they may be barred from public transport or beaten for not wearing "Islamic" dress.

But it's on the issue of adultery that their greatest resentments arise. While four witnesses are necessary to prove a man's guilt - almost impossible to achieve given the secrecy of sexual encounters - pregnancy is considered proof of a woman's. And corrupt men reject DNA tests as "un-Islamic", since they don't want to be stoned to death for going to bed with "adulteresses".

Dr Patrick Wilmot is a former professor of sociology at Ahmadu Bello University in Nigeria and writes out of London.
Of chalk and cheese: Comparing Jamaica with Nigeria

[una nina]

Re: Why don't people of African descent speak out...

After reading SistaCalf's post I was VERY excited. I just glanced your post and didn;'t even look at the pic...

**running to actually read the article**

(sorry, was too busy listening to DahJah's webcast and hanging out on that thread!) hehehe! [img]/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

[una nina]

Re: Why don't people of African descent speak out...

Yeah, but isn't Zenawi's reorganization of Ethiopia based on ethnic lines? Yeah, I doubt Rastas would want a monarchy - unless it was H.I.M. himself, but Zenawi? School me!!! [img]/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

[una nina]

Re: Why don't people of African descent speak out...

Jamaica and Nigeria...apples and oranges...the corruptionin Nigera is MIND BLOWING!!!! Diane Abbott is an idiot...but then again, to some we're "all alike" anyway... [img]/forums/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif[/img]

[una nina]

Re: Why don't people of African descent speak out...

[ QUOTE ]

....and in related news this just in from the cut-n-paste files:

Rastas want UN to intervene in Ethiopia

Saturday, May 06, 2006




One of the Imperial Ethiopian World Federation members who demonstrated yesterday in front of the Lady Musgrave Road offices of the United Nations in Kingston. The Rastafarian group says it wants the UN to lead an initiative for the restoration of a monarchical government in Ethiopia.
"The bankrupt Stalinist policies of the Mengistu regime are still present in Ethiopia today under the guise of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, headed by the cowardly dictator Meles Zenawi," the Rastafarians said in a letter to the UN. (Photo: Joseph Wellington)

Rastas want UN to intervene in Ethiopia

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Well...the sign the Rastas are holding reads: "UN Betray Ethiopian Monarchy from 1974 til 2006." In 1974, H.I.M. was taken from office by a group called the Derg...so maybe that is the reference.

Perhaps the monarchy they wish for is the line of H.I.M. himself? Seems these Rastas are a little misguided to want the U.N. to help them, although I "sorta" understand what they are trying to say...(lamenting the "loss" of the rule of Emperor Selassie)

Regardless, you are right! The U.N. is definately a symbol of White Power in a very COVERT way...TRUE-TRUE!!!

I don't know why Rastas don't speak out more in Jamaica...that could be a thread of it's own, no? [img]/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

THAT'LL TEACH ME TO R-E-A-D THE ENTIRE POST BEFORE RESPONDING! [img]/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]

[Tuff Gong]

Re: Why don't people of African descent speak out...

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Jamaica and Nigeria...apples and oranges...the corruptionin Nigera is MIND BLOWING!!!! Diane Abbott is an idiot...but then again, to some we're "all alike" anyway... [img]/forums/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif[/img]

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Di-ane should just do that!

[Tuff Gong]

Re: Why don't people of African descent speak out...

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THAT'LL TEACH ME TO R-E-A-D THE ENTIRE POST BEFORE RESPONDING! [img]/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]

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Well since you are in the public self flagellation mode I won't add to the beating.

[una nina]

Re: Why don't people of African descent speak out...

Tanks, Tuffy! [img]/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]