Tag Archives for world peace

Why Are People Protesting?!

This seems to be the common question circulating as the amount of nationwide demonstrations are occurring in light of the decision not to indict officer Darren Wilson for the fatal shooting of teenager Michael Brown.

This question leaves me utterly speechless on all levels. This is not a racial issue, this is a humanity issue and we are allowing the distractions of race hide the real matter at hand. Life should never be taken by another human. There should not exist a need for murder to occur. Murdering another human disrupts the natural process of life. Law Enforcement should not be granted the right to carry deadly firearms. As for civilians, we also should not feel a threat from police and civilians should never pose threat to law enforcement officers.We need to have love for each other and we are filled with fear.

THIS IS WHY PEOPLE ARE PROTESTING!

10404295_778374375531357_9164730773100163627_n 10600542_805085322884221_6894666844974947726_n 1455193_10203245697845650_4709593433236238408_n 10636057_344510352374205_8169837345806619035_n

The System

The joy I felt watching this and having my very thoughts expressed. I have very strong thoughts about this video as it addresses the viewpoints that African-Americans have been trying to convey and the exact thoughts a great majority of the Caucasians have regarding how they feel Blacks are viewing them and this perspective immediately eliminates conversation as stated by the Caucasian gentlemen.

THERE ARE SO MANY THINGS WRONG WITH THIS SCENARIO!

  1. Speaking from a woman of color’s perspective, we as black people are not blaming the Caucasians of today’s society for our struggles. We are not saying it is deliberately being performed by all white people and there is a secret meeting that this occurs at. No, we are not saying that all. There is no need to be sensitive and defensive, we just want you to understand the system and take part in changing it.
  2. What is occurring is that the fact that there is a SYSTEM designed deliberately in the past to oppress the black race and the system is unknowingly ingrained in our minds today. So we are naturally racist and have carried out the same system for so long because we were unaware of it.
  3. Examples: When African-American began being featured in films they only were given servant and roles that implied black people were lazy, unintelligent, scary, inferior to whites, entered society as slaves, maid roles, chauffeurs, odd jobs like walking horses, elevator men and never in any roles that portrayed power. So this conditions us to believe the black race are associated with these characteristics and thus the cycle constantly evolves. Example 2: Rarely will you find information regarding the history of blacks predating slavery (and I have read many history books in school so I know). This sends an even worse message to whites about blacks and blacks about themselves and towards whites.
  4. The first thing we need to do is ADMIT WE ALL RACIST! If you’re not a racist then you are true child of God because the system is designed for you to be a racist. Once we all admit it and understand it, then we can talk about it and fix it.
  5. As an African-American, I feel as if my entire life has been a lie. I feel like my culture, history, religion, my overall identity was stolen and has been hidden from me. I compare the feeling to finding out you were adopted. Once you find that out, you question everything that you have known about your life and that is exactly how I feel regarding the oppression of my people and history. This makes you angry and so as black people we have the right to be angry but how we channel that is what matters. We have to be sensitive to each other’s struggles.

The True History of Slavery: Leo Muhammad

I find truth in many of the lectures conducted by Leo Muhammad. He is skilled in his ability to provide factual information regarding the social injustices regarding the Black race. Some of the material may be offense to opposing views but I urge readers to have an open mind and consider all facts. I am also aware of the lack of information provided to our youth regarding the real events of slavery. While some depictions are gruesome, there are plenty of resources to properly educate our youth on their history and American history.

I focused heavily on the details regarding the capture of slaves. I have always denied believing our race idly set back and watch our race be exterminated. I feel this is what my education taught me. However, it’s astonishing, liberating and refreshing to be absolutely sure of a different reality.

Video 1: Discusses how the Black race’s image was tarnished, the development of racism, oppression and the constant efforts designed to dismantle a race, the condition of Blacks, deception and initial tactics to enslave Africans, the creation of America at the expense of slaves all to fuel the capitalist society.

Video 2: Discusses the history of racism and its development, findings regarding the dominance of Blacks, scientific findings surrounding the evolution of Blacks and white.

I’d Rather Hug You

While holding a sign that said “YOU ARE KILLING US” on one side and “DON’T SHOOT” on the other, Sister Dragonfly approached a Ferguson officer and attempted to make eye contact. She implored him to look at her, and when their gaze connected, she asked, “Why do you all hate us so much?” The officer responded, “I don’t hate you, ma’am.” She replied with “I don’t want to hate you, I’d rather hug you.” And when he said, “Then hug me,” she promptly put her arms around him, and they embraced whole-heartedly for nearly a minute. From that moment forward, the gaze of the protest shifted from the cluster of clergy leading the protest to the officers surrounding them.

Photo Credit: Reverend Billy and the Stop Shopping Choir

Photo Credit: Reverend Billy and the Stop Shopping Gospel Choir

Never Forget Who You Are

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71_p8P_PVXo

One of the most important if not the most important scene in the entire film. The message it sends is powerful once it’s analyzed. Simba represents the black race, Rafiki represents our culture and history and Mufasa represents our faith. Once you are conscious of who you are mentally, spiritually and culturally, no one can tell you who you are. This is turn establishes intense confidence, high self-esteem, unity, peace, strength, love, pride, dignity, trust and everything we lack as a race.

Key Points:

  1.  “The past will hurt but you can learn from it or you can run from it.” We have been running from our past for far too long. WE must research our history, learn our true identity and LEARN from it. WE must also learn from this past as a whole as well as a race.
  2. “I’m not the one confused, you don’t even know who you are.”: Again, very important we have forgotten who we are as a race. We are confused, murdering each other because we don’t fit in the current system. We confused racially, emotionally, mentally and it’s time to become informed. Really informed. Watch Hidden Colors.
  3. “You have forgotten who you are so you have forgotten me.” Mufasa symbolizes many different things to me. In this instance, forgetting him I decoded as forgetting our history, our story, our culture, our land and most important our ancestors. We have forgotten our brothers and sisters laying at the bottom of the ocean, the ones who slaved in the fields, who encouraged a civil change in society. As Mufasa lives in Simba, our importance lives within us and we have to bring it to the surface and restore our image.
  4. We must remember who we are it’s important.

Rafiki: [singing] Asante sana Squash banana, wewe nugu mimi hapana.
Adult Simba: Come on. Will you cut it out?
Rafiki: Can’t cut it out. It grow right back!
Adult Simba: Creepy little monkey. Will you stop following me? Who are you?
Rafiki: The question is who are you?
Adult Simba: I thought I knew. Now I’m not so sure. 
Rafiki: Well, I know who you are. Ssh, come here. It’s a secret.    *I KNOW WHO WE ARE, DO YOU?*
[starts singing in Simba’s ear]
Rafiki: Asante sana Squash banana, wewe nugu mimi hapana
Adult Simba: Enough already! What is that supposed to mean anyway?
Rafiki: It means you’re a baboon and I’m not.
Adult Simba: I think you’re a little confused. 
Rafiki: Wrong! I’m not the one who’s confused. You don’t even know who you are! 
Adult Simba: Oh and I suppose you know?
Rafiki: Sure do. You’re Mufasa’s boy!

Rafiki: Look down there.

[Slowly Simba walks to the edge of the watering hole and peers inside. His reflection stares back at him]
Adult Simba: That’s not my father. That’s just my reflection.
Rafiki: No. Look harder.
[Rafiki touches the water which causes waves that change Simba’s reflection into Mufasa]
Rafiki: You see? He lives in you. 
Mufasa’s Ghost: [From above] Simba.
Adult Simba: Father? 
Mufasa’s Ghost: [He appears in the sky as a group of stars] Simba, you have forgotten me.
Adult Simba: No. How could I?
Mufasa’s Ghost: You have forgotten who you are and so have forgotten me. Look inside yourself Simba. You are more than what you have become. You must take your place in the Circle of life.
Adult Simba: How can I go back? I’m not who I used to be.
Mufasa’s Ghost: [Now fully formed in the sky] Remember who you are. You are my son and the one true king. Remember who you are.
Adult Simba: [Mufasa’s ghost begins to disappear] No! Please! Don’t leave me!
Mufasa’s Ghost: Remember.
Adult Simba: Father!
Mufasa’s Ghost: Remember.
Adult Simba: Don’t leave me.
Mufasa’s Ghost: Remember.

Script Credit: http://www.imdb.com/character/ch0000591/quotes

Hidden Colors

This blog is greatly inspired by the documentary Hidden Colors by Tariq Nasheed. Many of my references and comparison will be attributed to the findings of this documentary. I believe we have been left messages from our creators on our identity and it is waiting to be revealed. The Black/African/African-American race is a great race with a great history and a great story. We are not the minority. We do not know our history. I report what I consider to be facts and do my best to exclude any biases. I simply intend to provide you with the knowledge I am acquiring along my journey to explore my lineage, you decide what you want to do with it. I will find away to upload the documentary or post a link directing to the video, please stay tuned for the post.

 Moorish-Chess-A-depiction-of-Moorish-noblemen-playing-the-board-game-Book-of-Games-1283-AD

  Photo Credit: http://atlantablackstar.com/2013/10/07/when-black-men-ruled-the-world-moors