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Post by nebsen on Feb 15, 2012 22:45:12 GMT -5
This documentary aired on PBS Independent Lens earlier this month & missed it but I'm sure they will air it again ! What are your feeling about black History month ? Tell the forum !
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Post by anansi on Feb 15, 2012 23:44:25 GMT -5
This documentary aired on PBS Independent Lens earlier this month & missed it but I'm sure they will air it again ! What are your feeling about black History month ? Tell the forum ! I understand the complaint that black history cannot be fitted into one month,but we have to remember why it was necessary in the first place. Of course, if standard U.S. history curriculum did a better job of teaching both the tragic and triumphant aspects of the expansion of democratic freedoms on this continent and its inextricable link to Americans of black African descent, then a Black History Month would be wholly unnecessary.www.freemaninstitute.com/woodson.htmDO you think in today's society that the conditions have been met to make it wholly unnecessary.
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Post by truthteacher2007 on Feb 16, 2012 1:21:06 GMT -5
It's airing again on PBS in the NY/NJ area this Sunday at 11:00p.m.
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Post by nebsen on Feb 16, 2012 3:36:30 GMT -5
I found out that it is airing again 2/21/12 I will be sure to watch it. I did see a preview it looks really good ! My big complaint about Black History month is we need to include Africa & its history. Yes slavery along with the Civil Rights Era is very, very, important. In fact they just aired a most little know history called "Slavery By Another Name" it was excellent, if you want to know more, visit PBS they have a web site by the same name. Continuing with my compliant is that every other so called racial group when their months roll's around they always have programing that includes their country of origins ancient history , Like for China, Japan, for Asians; Mayans , Aztecs for Hispanics or l Latino Heritage Month . I did notice here in the Bay area where I live, the first week or so in February, (they my local PBS station) aired a three part series called "Egypt's Golden Age" about the New Kingdom & that was a first for February( Black History Month) ! I'm sure they did not mean it to be connected to Black History, but just regular programming , yah right !
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Post by anansi on Feb 16, 2012 21:28:25 GMT -5
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Post by nebsen on Feb 18, 2012 18:59:06 GMT -5
Thanks Anansi for providing the link to the' Slavery By Another Name" site. What this insightful documentary doe's at least for me is, connect the dots to the foundation for the " Prison Industrial Complex" that incarcerate very high numbers of Black men & now Black women along with Latino's in today's USA, more than any industrialized country in the world !
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Post by anansi on Feb 20, 2012 21:32:42 GMT -5
Thanks Anansi for providing the link to the' Slavery By Another Name" site. What this insightful documentary doe's at least for me is, connect the dots to the foundation for the " Prison Industrial Complex" that incarcerate very high numbers of Black men & now Black women along with Latino's in today's USA, more than any industrialized country in the world ! This is all the more telling by the increased privatizing of prisons. What is extremely painful is those ex slaves who rolled up their sleeves went to work were as industrious as any new comer immigrant community ,were forced or kept into poverty by laws meant to re-enslave them,they had their communities destroyed if they showed any sign of progress or independence (Black Wall Street) many of them ended up in ghettos abandoned called lazy and used as an example of an inferior human being,the reason why the black elites following the decades of reconstruction concentrated on the political was because they had no choice,if they wanted to forge ahead they had to try and change the system what was the use if they had money but at any moment Anglo Europeans could confiscate property at will for back then Black people had no rights White people were bound to respect, and what new comer communities need to understand, is because the African Americans fought for those changes they could come and concentrate on the economic or education,so knowing this pains me when I hear folks even from my own community pointing fingers saying look at these "yankees" who have been here so long and yet remain in poor and under educated.
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Post by nebsen on Feb 20, 2012 22:42:36 GMT -5
You are so right Anansi ! So many people Black White etc. don't know the full story which is one of the reasons I really liked this documentary ;for it tried to make the connection that so few people never make to why are African Americans still struggling. When most other immigrant groups in a very short time seem to being doing so much better than most African Americans !
I see it all the time here in the Bay Area with the " Mom & Pop" stores on the corner in Black communities, they are never owned by other A. A. but mostly Arabs Asians, & now Latino's !
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Post by zarahan on Mar 17, 2012 14:53:37 GMT -5
My big complaint about Black History month is we need to include Africa & its history. Yes slavery along with the Civil Rights Era is very, very, important. In fact they just aired a most little know history called "Slavery By Another Name" it was excellent, if you want to know more, visit PBS they have a web site by the same name. Continuing with my compliant is that every other so called racial group when their months roll's around they always have programing that includes their country of origins ancient history , Like for China, Japan, for Asians; Mayans , Aztecs for Hispanics or l Latino Heritage Month . I did notice here in the Bay area where I live, the first week or so in February, (they my local PBS station) aired a three part series called "Egypt's Golden Age" about the New Kingdom & that was a first for February( Black History Month) ! I'm sure they did not mean it to be connected to Black History, but just regular programming , yah right !
Any more balanced info out there is good, but let's not depend on white media outlets to do it. Too often, this is what I see time and time again- people complain there is not enough coverage of this or that. Why do we expect white media outlets to give in-depth coverage? Black folk spend hundreds of billions every year- enough "equivalent GDP" to put us collectively in the top 25 countries on earth. And yet why is it that Jews can have massive networks of thriving day, afternoon and weekend schools continually promoting Jewish culture among youth and black folk won't do the same? Why is it that Asians can create a massive network of afternoon "cram" or booster schools, continually improving themselves educationally but black folk aren't doing anything nearly equivalent? Why is is that black celebrities like P-diddy can drop over 100K on a booty party yet will not donate $5000 to say run a series of afternoon tutoring programs in hard-pressed black hoods, where real African history can be infused into what is being taught to the youth? Why is the mentality always to wait for someone else to do it- the schools, the media, etc. I used to run an after-school tutoring program and saw the crap time and time again. I see negroes walk in with expensive electronics- iPads, cellphones, portable DVD players. I see cell phone bills- $40, $80, $150 a month, yet negroes will not pony up $5 to go on a field trip to a historic spot or $5 for art supplies. Why is that? Why is the mentality waiting on white people someplace to provide coverage, or funds? Look at the book below- a handbook out out by committed Jews on how Jewish culture can be infused in daycares, day schools, afternoon schools, weekend schools, and special events. While geared towards early childhood venues, the authors note the techniques can be adapted for other venues. Jewish every day, books.google.com/books?id=gISQUw7XpVgC&printsec=frontcover&dq=jewish+every+day&hl=en&sa=X&ei=eeZkT-neE6Pa2AW1yezjCA&ved=0CD0Q6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=jewish%20every%20day&f=falseThis is the kind of thing black folk need to start doing without waiting for clearance, coverage or cash by some outside entity. Is the above critique overstated for ALL black hoods? Sure. There are churches and groups pushing things forward. The central thrust of the critique is not that such culture and community building projects are absent, BUT why black folk aren't doing MORE of it? The money is there. The youth are there. Note- this is no criticism of what you say Nebesen, just a general observation. We need to make our own documentaries. Places like Reloaded and EgyptSearch have a database in place that provides all that is needed. Just as rappers "sample" riffs from songs, we can likewise "sample" video clips from Youtube, pics from the web, and research study text and start creating a powerful culture engine. Some say there is "too much" information. I say there isn;'t enough being disemminated. WHy is it that so often on Black History month I keep seeing old research circa 1974, rather than up to date info.? Things have long since moved on since the 1970s. Again, we can't wait on, or rely on outside entities to do the job. And again note the crucial point is why MORE is not being done. Obviously there are ongoing efforts in place. We need MORE of them, much more.
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Post by nebsen on Mar 17, 2012 19:12:43 GMT -5
Zarahan,
I hear you loud & clear ! A while back I brought up the concept of cultural schools for our communities like in the Jewish & Asians communities. I live in the Bay Area & have been in China town many times, & see the cultural schools, & the Chinese children that attend them after regular school. I was watching (internet video)a panel of Black men & women & the same idea was brought up by the tech guru for Oprah,Omar Wasow , but he started I believe the site" Black Planet" & is biracial, Black & Jewish, & is well known Anyway, it seemed like the idea just flew over every ones heads when he said that being part Jewish he knew about these schools & felt we should have schools like this in our communities . I think it is an idea who's time has come.
Also, I was reading the other day that more Black families are now home schooling their children like no other time before. One of the reasons stated; to impart Black history that is not taught in public schools, for Black history did not start with slavery. When we have been told, brain washed, for hundreds of years that we had no real history, we are more brawn than brain , that we are only good at sports & entertainment I see why high achievements in academics like math , science & those people of African descent that do well in these areas are thought as the exception more than the rule in our communities . When you have black youth who feel that to be educated is" acting white" to be honest , is highly dysfunctional. The sad part, you have many adults who do not challenge this notion for they themselves in the deep recesses of their minds believe the same thing.
The reason I brought up PBS esp. here in the bay Area is they pride themselves in being so progressive , multi-cultural, in tune with the times, that they will not air anything out side slavery or Civil Rights era programming for Black History month. They are always begging for monies during pledge months , but can't seem to include historical documentaries such as Nubian Spirit : The African legacy Of The Nile Valley, by film maker Louis Buckley, who has won numerous awards for this wonderful documentary. Even if they aired it on off times, it would be better than not at all. They can air programming for other so called racial groups that gives ancient history, except for African American or Black people. That's because KQED is not that progressive like they want every one to believe, for when it comes to Black folks, it's the Status Quo !
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Post by anansi on Mar 18, 2012 0:50:06 GMT -5
My big complaint about Black History month is we need to include Africa & its history. Yes slavery along with the Civil Rights Era is very, very, important. In fact they just aired a most little know history called "Slavery By Another Name" it was excellent, if you want to know more, visit PBS they have a web site by the same name. Continuing with my compliant is that every other so called racial group when their months roll's around they always have programing that includes their country of origins ancient history , Like for China, Japan, for Asians; Mayans , Aztecs for Hispanics or l Latino Heritage Month . I did notice here in the Bay area where I live, the first week or so in February, (they my local PBS station) aired a three part series called "Egypt's Golden Age" about the New Kingdom & that was a first for February( Black History Month) ! I'm sure they did not mean it to be connected to Black History, but just regular programming , yah right !
Any more balanced info out there is good, but let's not depend on white media outlets to do it. Too often, this is what I see time and time again- people complain there is not enough coverage of this or that. Why do we expect white media outlets to give in-depth coverage? Black folk spend hundreds of billions every year- enough "equivalent GDP" to put us collectively in the top 25 countries on earth. And yet why is it that Jews can have massive networks of thriving day, afternoon and weekend schools continually promoting Jewish culture among youth and black folk won't do the same? Why is it that Asians can create a massive network of afternoon "cram" or booster schools, continually improving themselves educationally but black folk aren't doing anything nearly equivalent? Why is is that black celebrities like P-diddy can drop over 100K on a booty party yet will not donate $5000 to say run a series of afternoon tutoring programs in hard-pressed black hoods, where real African history can be infused into what is being taught to the youth? Why is the mentality always to wait for someone else to do it- the schools, the media, etc. I used to run an after-school tutoring program and saw the crap time and time again. I see negroes walk in with expensive electronics- iPads, cellphones, portable DVD players. I see cell phone bills- $40, $80, $150 a month, yet negroes will not pony up $5 to go on a field trip to a historic spot or $5 for art supplies. Why is that? Why is the mentality waiting on white people someplace to provide coverage, or funds? Look at the book below- a handbook out out by committed Jews on how Jewish culture can be infused in daycares, day schools, afternoon schools, weekend schools, and special events. While geared towards early childhood venues, the authors note the techniques can be adapted for other venues. Jewish every day, books.google.com/books?id=gISQUw7XpVgC&printsec=frontcover&dq=jewish+every+day&hl=en&sa=X&ei=eeZkT-neE6Pa2AW1yezjCA&ved=0CD0Q6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=jewish%20every%20day&f=falseThis is the kind of thing black folk need to start doing without waiting for clearance, coverage or cash by some outside entity. Is the above critique overstated for ALL black hoods? Sure. There are churches and groups pushing things forward. The central thrust of the critique is not that such culture and community building projects are absent, BUT why black folk aren't doing MORE of it? The money is there. The youth are there. Note- this is no criticism of what you say Nebesen, just a general observation. We need to make our own documentaries. Places like Reloaded and EgyptSearch have a database in place that provides all that is needed. Just as rappers "sample" riffs from songs, we can likewise "sample" video clips from Youtube, pics from the web, and research study text and start creating a powerful culture engine. Some say there is "too much" information. I say there isn;'t enough being disemminated. WHy is it that so often on Black History month I keep seeing old research circa 1974, rather than up to date info.? Things have long since moved on since the 1970s. Again, we can't wait on, or rely on outside entities to do the job. And again note the crucial point is why MORE is not being done. Obviously there are ongoing efforts in place. We need MORE of them, much more. The most long lasting and perhaps the most powerful institution in the African American community is the church,while that may seem to be a away to get information across and out there,it has obvious draw backs for when is Kemet not the bad guy,how do you deal with the whole complex issue of the origins of man,is it Okay to look with pride at a Muslim King?or go into details of voodoo rituals? Public Libraries when I was in BLKYN I saw work shops with volunteers having classes on African history and not just the thing with the peanuts either but covering topics such as Kemet for Kids Ghana,the book Blacks In Science Ancient And Modern was there,the great thing was it was only a three minute walk from the Brooklyn Museum so they would break up a Saturday/Sunday afternoon with a field trip. all that's needed is a dedicated army of volunteers versed in what we know and is Kid friendly.second parental involvement ,parents should sit in those work shops and accompany the volunteers and not expect them to baby sit. Home one of the tactic I discovered totally by accident on my part was leaving books around the house kids are generally inquisitive and when they saw me reading a book they want to know what I was reading if the subject matter seems too complex I got them books they can color and read in an African centered fashion,roller deck cards with African and African America historical figures,this is by no means perfect but it impart information they will later pursue on their own.
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Post by nebsen on Mar 18, 2012 2:33:17 GMT -5
Many Black churches I fear are in deep turmoil & as far as I'm concerned are in another time period ,or they( ministers) are busy being mega churches & warped in a theology of phoney prosperity & get rich schemes; or preaching fire & brim-stones & secretly lusting after the young women or men in their congregation ( pimping ). Also many have a retarded understanding of Africa & if they have an interest it is to do missionary work there in the Mother Land only to Save Souls for Jesus. Not all churches mind you, but far to many fit this pattern.
what I have done before is buy some Africa centered books for schools kids & donate them to branch libraries in the hood if they have any left.
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Post by anansi on Mar 18, 2012 2:41:08 GMT -5
Many Black churches I fear are in deep turmoil & as far as I'm concerned are in another time period ,or they( ministers) are busy being mega churches & warped in a theology of phoney prosperity & get rich schemes; or preaching fire & brim-stones & secretly lusting after the young women or men in their congregation ( pimping ). Also many have a retarded understanding of Africa & if they have an interest it is to do missionary work there in the Mother Land only to Save Souls for Jesus. Not all churches mind you, but far to many fit this pattern. what I have done before is buy some Africa centered books for schools kids & donate them to branch libraries in the hood if they have any left. A very good introduction to teens would be this two volume work by J.A Rojers Overview An eye-opening account of the great black personalities of world history. In this first volume: outstanding blacks of Asia and Africa, and historical figures before Christ — including Akhenaton, Aesop, Hannibal, Cleopatra, Zenobia, Askia the Great, the Mahdi, Samuel Adjai Crowther, and many more. World's Great Men of Color is a comprehensive account of the great Black personalities in world history. J. A. Rogers was one of the first Black scholars to devote most of his life to researching the lives of hundreds of men and women of color. This first volume is a convenient reference; equipped with a comprehensive introduction, it treats all aspects of recorded Black history. J. A. Rogers's book is vital reading for everyone who wants a fuller and broader understanding of the great personalities who have shaped our world. The companion volume covers the great Blacks of Europe, South and Central America, the West Indies, and the United States, including Marcus Garvey, Robert Browning, Dom Pedro, Alexandre Dumas, Joachim Murat, Aleksander Sergeevich Pushkin, Alessandro de' Medici, St. Benedict the Moor, and many others. www.barnesandnoble.com/w/worlds-great-men-of-color-j-a-rogers/1103476672
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Post by nebsen on Mar 18, 2012 13:26:09 GMT -5
Thanks anansi, very good picks by JA Rogers ! I read my first JA Rogers book in my late teens changed my life !
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Post by zarahan on Mar 24, 2012 10:54:10 GMT -5
Zarahan, I hear you loud & clear ! A while back I brought up the concept of cultural schools for our communities like in the Jewish & Asians communities. I live in the Bay Area & have been in China town many times, & see the cultural schools, & the Chinese children that attend them after regular school. I was watching (internet video)a panel of Black men & women & the same idea was brought up by the tech guru for Oprah,Omar Wasow , but he started I believe the site" Black Planet" & is biracial, Black & Jewish, & is well known Anyway, it seemed like the idea just flew over every ones heads when he said that being part Jewish he knew about these schools & felt we should have schools like this in our communities . I think it is an idea who's time has come. Also, I was reading the other day that more Black families are now home schooling their children like no other time before. One of the reasons stated; to impart Black history that is not taught in public schools, for Black history did not start with slavery. When we have been told, brain washed, for hundreds of years that we had no real history, we are more brawn than brain , that we are only good at sports & entertainment I see why high achievements in academics like math , science & those people of African descent that do well in these areas are thought as the exception more than the rule in our communities . When you have black youth who feel that to be educated is" acting white" to be honest , is highly dysfunctional. The sad part, you have many adults who do not challenge this notion for they themselves in the deep recesses of their minds believe the same thing. The reason I brought up PBS esp. here in the bay Area is they pride themselves in being so progressive , multi-cultural, in tune with the times, that they will not air anything out side slavery or Civil Rights era programming for Black History month. They are always begging for monies during pledge months , but can't seem to include historical documentaries such as Nubian Spirit : The African legacy Of The Nile Valley, by film maker Louis Buckley, who has won numerous awards for this wonderful documentary. Even if they aired it on off times, it would be better than not at all. They can air programming for other so called racial groups that gives ancient history, except for African American or Black people. That's because KQED is not that progressive like they want every one to believe, for when it comes to Black folks, it's the Status Quo ! Good points Nebesen. I think the idea of culture centers like you say is an idea whose time has come. It does not have to be a central building someplace. It could be, but not necessarily. It could be events held in churches, individual homes, or small group meetings and trips in parks, restaurants, fast food joints etc. As long as there is a group organized someplace pushing it forward. History, culture and character building is especially needed- like the rite of passage or age grade events in many African cultures. No exact duplicates of course, but adapted to local circumstances. Do you have anything similar going on in your area? I am organizing such myself this year, starting with a summer camp for youth. I agree when you speak of the sad state of affairs with many adults- the mentality that will not provide any leadership, but will rather pass things off to television, rappers, the media, and other negative influences. I share your irritation. When you look at Asians moving ahead, not doing anything special, no magic tricks, I feel glad for the Asians- more power to them is my attitude- go ahead and kick ass. Then TOO OFTEN (not saying all) to the contrary, I see negroes wasting time- will not pick up a book, will not apply themselves in school, will not do more than the minimum, will not show up on time. The same crap, time and time again. I see black celebrities, activists and other media hound types wailing and crying and preaching doom and gloom if some Republian is elected- eeekkkk, the sky is falling, the KKK rides again if so and so isn't elected. Asians must be just laughing- doesnt matter who gets elected with these people, Republican, Democrat, Naderite- it is all supremely irrelevant. They have put in places the structures and the efforts to move ahead regardless of who is elected. There is one plus out there though, black females. They are performing better academically, behaving better in school, graduating more, going to college and earning more degrees, taking jobs, even lower level jobs and holding them, establishing themselves economically. Black women are well on the way to becoming a "model minority." They are being held back because many black males (again this is not a blanket characterization) are not stepping up to the plate. ANyway it is good at least PBS is putting some decent info out there. But like you say- cant rely on them. We should ahve a network of places showing Nubian Spirit : The African legacy Of The Nile Valley. It has to be people at the GROUND LEVEL, LOCAL GRASSROOTS that will do it. Cannot rely on the white media, and cannot reply on black media figures like Orpah. The grassroots is where its at.
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