Thursday, May 24, 2012
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Should the diaspora continue looking toward Africa?
"It is only when man becomes master of his fate, able to determine his destiny, that he can
be free from fears and inferiority. Such an individual or a nation stands respected by all."
H.I.M. Haile Selassie I
A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of attending a seminar, for lack of a better word, on Africa from a Pan-African perspective. Given my determination to see 'all things African', as my eldest says, I was very enthused to attend. And I certainly was not disappointed. I met several peoples there in attendance who, like myself, though born in the west, had Africa and 'all things African' emblazoned deeply on their hearts and souls.
So it is with that testament that I found myself more than a little disappointed by yet another story from African shores, from in the land, my land once long lost but never forgotten. One more story of how some of the family back home just doesn't take to some of us who were either stolen or forced out, and who presently find ourselves ascending from that lineage.
be free from fears and inferiority. Such an individual or a nation stands respected by all."
H.I.M. Haile Selassie I
A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of attending a seminar, for lack of a better word, on Africa from a Pan-African perspective. Given my determination to see 'all things African', as my eldest says, I was very enthused to attend. And I certainly was not disappointed. I met several peoples there in attendance who, like myself, though born in the west, had Africa and 'all things African' emblazoned deeply on their hearts and souls.
So it is with that testament that I found myself more than a little disappointed by yet another story from African shores, from in the land, my land once long lost but never forgotten. One more story of how some of the family back home just doesn't take to some of us who were either stolen or forced out, and who presently find ourselves ascending from that lineage.
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Rastafari through the Arts 2
“Whatever they grow up to be, they are still our children,
and the one most important of all the things we can give to them is
unconditional love. Not a love that depends on anything at all except that they
are our children.”
Rosaleen Dickson
“Children begin by loving their parents; as they grow older
they judge them; sometimes, they forgive them”
Oscar Wilde
Okay, so I may be a little bit biased. After all, the few poems I have selected, even the artwork from the previous blog of this name, are from ones and ones that I know personally. Though from my perspective, who better to showcase. I'm sure they are many more artists that I could sample, even amongst my same very circle and in time I will do just that. But right now, I present just another small sampling of poems written by an acquaintance who just so happens to be Rastafari. Notice that the topics are as diverse as the members of the Rastafari nation are varied.
Monday, May 7, 2012
Rastafari through the arts
"To control a people, you must first control what they think about themselves and how they regard their history and culture. And when your conqueror makes you ashamed of your culture and your history, he needs no prison walls and no chains to hold you."
Dr. John Henrik Clarke
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| Laura James: Black Madonna |
I just wanted to take a brief moment and highlight some poetry from an associate of mine whose blog I also follow. Though they may not be in the pantheon of great poets from time immemorial, I thought the work to be good enough to support. Given that there have been recent calls for artistic works from all throughout the Rastafari Diaspora, for a proposed exhibit in Ethiopia in 2014, I feel secure in my doing so.
Friday, May 4, 2012
Universal heart of celebration: Ethiopia's Patriots Victory Day
"The tribulations and afflictions which befell us during the past five years and which cannot be recounted and numbered in detail will be a great lesson to us all, and with industry, unity, co-operation and love engraved in your hearts, will be a great incentive to you to be my helpers in the affairs of Ethiopia which I have in mind. In the New Ethiopia I want you to be a people undivided and endowed with freedom and equality before the law. You will have to join me in my efforts for the prosperity of the country, for the riches of the people, for the development of agriculture, commerce, education and learning, for the protection of the life and resources of our people, and for the perfection on modern lines of administration of the country."
H.I.M. Haile Selassie I, May 5, 1941
H.I.M. Haile Selassie I, May 5, 1941
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Shown here: Ethiopian patriots gathered in Addis Ababa to celebrate Victory Day on May 5
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An Open Letter to Simon Cowell and "THE X FACTOR, USA"
Sometimes we get thrown the unforeseen curve-ball though of the broken family and no matter how much life has prepared you for the systematic quagmire, it can be the most devastating thing to manifest within a family unit. Without going into my own storied past, and present for that matter, I felt a gut punch when I happened across a good friend's post on Facebook earlier this evening. Never expecting to read such heavy subject matter on this day, flashes of my day, earlier this very day, danced lazily across my computer screen blurring words but not the message.
Thursday, May 3, 2012
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
On the porch with my Elders: A conversation with Dr. Leonard Jeffries
"I only debate my equals. All others I teach"
Dr. John Henrik Clarke
"...the student's obligation was to build upon the previous generation's work, to find what is missing, omitted (intentional or not), neglected, and flat out incorrect, so we can make the necessary changes for the following generation."
Dr. John Henrik Clarke
Sunday April 22, was a very special day for me this year. A strength (week) before my earthday and I had been blessed with the opportunity to hear, in person finally, and eventually meet a man who had peppered the television screens and newspaper headlines when I was still a teenager. I'm speaking of the incomparable Dr. Leonard Jeffries.
For those who have not heard of him, I will say that you really must try and take a minute of your future moments to glean for yourself a bit of the knowledge, wisdom, and understanding this young and spirited 75 year old has to offer. For all those that have, well you may already know the depths of which I write here today but nevertheless, feel free to read on.
Dr. John Henrik Clarke
"...the student's obligation was to build upon the previous generation's work, to find what is missing, omitted (intentional or not), neglected, and flat out incorrect, so we can make the necessary changes for the following generation."
Dr. John Henrik Clarke
 |
| Dr. Leonard Jeffries |
For those who have not heard of him, I will say that you really must try and take a minute of your future moments to glean for yourself a bit of the knowledge, wisdom, and understanding this young and spirited 75 year old has to offer. For all those that have, well you may already know the depths of which I write here today but nevertheless, feel free to read on.
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