To Be Afrikan By Marimba Ani

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

The article "To Be Afrikan" by Marimba Ani can help aid us to realization that we are an Afrikan people and help uncover our roots. Many African-Americans believe our roots began in the period of slavery and remain oblivious to our African culture and tradition. In this essay I will answer the question, What does it mean to be Afrikan?

According to Marimba Ani we loss all real since of culture and tradition of our roots during slavery, due to the process of dehumanization. Dehumanization is a psychological process by which opponents view each other as less than human and thus not deserving of moral consideration. During slavery they refered to Africans as 3/5 of a human because we had no nationality or names. Europeans were merely trying to strip us of our roots and succeeded. They tore us of from the tree by which our roots were connected and hat left us with a false identity.

As a result of dehumanization, African-Americans act upon the stereotypes that are said about our race. We believe that we are ignorant, have no knowledge, and no common sense. But, that is all a lie, we are scholors, archictectures, and mathmatitions. Our ancestors built the Great Pyramids and created the first calender, this is what it is to be Afrikan and this is who we are.

What does it mean to be Afrikan? Well, I can sum the answer up in one word "Art". We are the art of the world. Our tradtion, culture, values, and beliefs are practiced by the world. When I say "art" I define it as the quality, production, expression, or realm, according to aesthetic principles, of what is beautiful, appealing, or of more than ordinary significance.

In Conclusion, The answer to the question, What does it mean to be Afrikan is "art". I have learned a lot from Marimba Ani just by reading an article and I believe she is correct. Afrikan is aesthetic and that is all it ever will be. This is what it means to be Afrikan.

Evolution Of Black Music

The Youth today don't often times realize the "copy-cats" our people stood off against in the music industry of yesterday. I will examine the evolution of black music, frauds,and music presently.

The art of music started with Africans in Africa. During the period of the slave trade Africans gradually lost their since of culture leading to the development of Field songs. Field songs eventually became gospel or race music. After, gospel became blues since slaves had a better use of instruments. Blues was then heard by the European ears and was called "Rock and Roll". It was from these songs African-American people got R&B, and Rap music.

Etta James, James Brown,Ray Charles,Marvin Gaye, and Big Mama Thorton were artist of the past and some of the greatest. They all also have something in common, all of the artists were victims of fraud from the European music industry. For example, the song "Tutti Frutti" was stolen from African-American artist Little Richard and sung by Elvis Presley,which he received credit for.

Presently, music doesn't even have music anymore and is pointless. In the past, African-American people had something to sing about and it always had a message. Today, the so called "artist" are making a fool of what African-Americans use to stand for. The "artist" today are probably the most despicable artist of all time.

In Conclusion, African-American music drastically evolved from good to Bad. People of the world need to learn the truth about "Black Music" and learn something from it. Thus, clearing the vision of all that portray African-Americans as dumb and ignorant.
- Asanti Sana

In Defense Of Pirates

Monday, April 27, 2009

The views of this journalist are different from others in mainstream media becauise, Kilkenney is in defense of the so caled ''pirates''. Kilkenney is not in the viewpoint of the mainstream media, via the U.S. government. Kilkenney is examining and sharing the problems that are occuring in Somalia. Kilkenney calls them ''Coast Guards'' and mainstream media calls them ''Somalian Pirates''.

My view of the ''Somali Piirates'' are that,they have every right to do what they are doing. Their food sources are being dominated by the west and thier waters being poisoned. I believe, their country is in desperate need of food and money. So, they have to do what is necessary for the survival of their country,home,resources,and families. I agree with the article,although hostage-taking isn't necessary.

Understanding Stress

Stress is physical, mental, or emotional strain or tension. Stress causes people to act in a manner in which they are usually angry,scared, or depressed about one thing or another. People dealing with stress can handle it in many different ways. But, are either positive or negative ways of dealing with it. Stress is very complex in the development of a child to an adolecent.

People who are stressed are usually anry,scared, or depressed. An example of someone that is angry because of stress intentionally or sometimes unintentionally have a negative atitude and vibe that they give off. They become bullies or just violet,offensive,and defensive. The people that are scared because of stressed can be paranoid and just very fearful. People that are depressed because of stress are usually mentally and emotionally unstable and those are the people that end up hurting themselves.

There are 100s of ways to deal with stress and they are either positive or negative. Examples on positive ways of dealing with stress is having just someone to talk to, or having something as simple as a stress ball. This way you can't hurt yourself or anyone around you. Examples of negative ways of dealing with stress are hurting yourself or somebody in the release of your stress. This can negatively effect you in the future.

Srtess is complex in the development of a child to an adolencent because it usually determines the way a person acts. Someone that you see that is constantly yelling and screaming, being violent or just rude are under stress,negatively. These people never had an alternative way of dealing with stress beside being negatively. Or, stress can help a person better themselves and can help them in the future. They can be inspired positively and help inspire others.

In conclusion,stress causes people to act in a manner in which they are angry,scared, or depressed about something. People dealing with stress can handle it in many different ways. But, are either positive or negative ways of dealing with it. Stress is very complex in the development of a child to an adolecent.

Talking Eqaulity

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

I think the article "Talking Eqaulity" acknowleges the fact that Caucasion and Asian students are surpassing students that are African-American and Latino academically. The article states that the percentages of Asian and White students are more than doubled when in the issue of advanced placement classes and High school population. These diffences in the School Board is called the "Achievment Gap". The gap the School Board wants to close, but needs the help of black and latino students. Although, there are other problems such as schools not having a lot of of teachers of good quality, and not having textbooks to take home. But I basically think it is up to black and latino students to fill the gap in academics.

Anti-Colonial Leader

The Anti-Colonial Leader I'm researching was Jomo Kenyatta of Kenya. Jomo Kenyatta was a Kenyan statesman and the dominant figure in the development of African nationalism in East Africa. His long career in public life made him the undisputed leader of the African people of Kenya in their struggle for independence. Kenyatta was born October 20, 1891 (the birth date is ununsure; other sources might say 1890, 1893, or 1897), in Ngenda, Kiambu District, British East Africa Protectorate. Which is now Kenya. Kenyatta took the name Johnstone Kamau,in 1914. He was later known as Jomo Kenyatta. Jomo attended University College,in London and studied in Moscow. Kenyatta was a postgraduate studying anthropology,in London School of Economics,in 1937. Kenyatta was a christian. Kenyatta was a Store clerk and water works maintenance employee for Nairobi Municipality,from 1921-26. He was also a Kikuyu Central Association, secretary,starting 1928-40. In addition,a KCA representative in England intermittently between 1929 and 1945. He also worked as a teacher, farm laborer, and lecturer, co-organizer of 5th Pan-African Congress,Independent Teachers' College vice principal, president of Kenya African Union party.
Kenyatta was later imprisoned by British Government for alleged role in Mau Mau terrorism,from 1953-61,and most importantly became president of Kenya, December 12, 1964 to August 22, 1978.
Kenyatta made his opinion on the murder clear: he warned that further opposition would bring further bloodshed after A courageous and popular politician named Josiah Kariuki began to speak out against the corruption surrounding the aged president. "Kenya does not need ten millionaires and ten million beggars," he declared in a speech quoted by the London Times in 1975. Soon afterwards, Kariuki was kidnapped from the Nairobi Hilton, tortured, and murdered, his body lying unclaimed in a mortuary for a long time before one of his wives identified it.
Jomo Kenyatta died in his sleep on August 22, 1978,on Mombasa, Kenya. Vice President Daniel arap Moi, gained control of the government. Kenyatta still holds the title of "the father of Kenyan independence" and a figure for the battle to promote black rule and throughout Africa. Kenyatta wrote books like "Facing Mount Kenya" (1938), "My people of Kikuyu and the life of Chief Wangombe"(1944),"Suffering Without Bitterness" (biography 1968),"Kenya: The land of conflict" (1971),and
"The challenge of Uhuru;: The progress of Kenya, 1968 to 1970" (1971).

The Black Caucus

The Black Caucus is an African-American organization made the office of congress. The African-Americans in the group are not fully African. with many other types of. The caucus was established in 1969.Founders include: Shirley Chisholm, Bill Clay Sr.,John Conyers,and George W. Collins.It was not the Congressional Black Caucus until, 1971.
The Black Caucus nows has 42 members. Congress members are the only people that can become a member of the organization. There are no Cacausion members in the caucus because it's rules are that you have to be of African ethnicity The Leader of the organization is Barbara Lee.
Obama's meeting with the blcak caucus most likely was not one of giggles and laughter, but one of a more serious nature. The meeting was about the cuts they had in their organization. The group loss billions on certain issues because of the new stimulus bill. The meeting also examined issues that the caucus would like to hear Obama speak more about.
The caucus wanted Obama to hire more minorities to federal jobs and help minority jobs get government contracts. The Caucus also,wanted Obama to improve the education in communities that are of poor quality. The Caucus then,wanted Obama to plan a health care for the minorities.
I think that Obama is going to have a good relationship with The Black Caucus as long as he meets their needs. But,if Obama ignores their wants he will have a negative relationship with the Black Caucus.