[Community News And Announcements]
“Remember Trayvon Forget Disney”
Go To This Link to Find Out Why
www.youtube.com/watch?v=LibK0SCpIkk
1. Board for the Education of People of African Ancestry (BEPAA)
347-907-0629 Contact: James C. McIntosh, M.D.
“FAILURE IS NOT AN OPTION”
15th Anniversary Celebration of the Legacy and Imperatives of Dr. John Henrik Clarke
During his lifetime of struggle and achievement Dr. John Henrik Clarke taught that failure was not an option. He was small of stature and huge of intellect, insight and vision. He challenged the lies of history and the distortion of facts relating Africa and people of African Ancestry so forcefully that his name resounds internationally 15 years after his death.
The Board for the Education of People of African Ancestry, BEPAA, the organization, which Dr. Clarke helped to found, operates the Dr. John Henrik Clarke House in honor of Dr. Clarke’s work. On Sunday, July 28 at 2:00 P.M, BEPAA is hosting this 15th Anniversary Celebration at Boys & Girls High School, at 1700 Fulton Street in Brooklyn. A host of activists, elected officials and educators including Dr. Adelaide Sanford, Vice Chancellor Emerita of the New York State Board of Regents, Newark Councilman Ras Baraka, NYC Councilman Charles Barron, NYS Assemblywoman Inez Barron, Nana Camille Yarbrough, and Boys & Girls High School, Principal Bernard Gassaway have confirmed that they will be there. Radio host Imhotep Gary Byrd, Lisa Noble, daughter of the late TV personality Gil Noble have agreed to moderate the tribute entitled “Failure Is Not An Option.”
Renowned for his thoroughness of research, his attention to references and details recounted from what seemed to be a nearly photographic memory, Dr. Clarke also possessed a wicked sense of humor. While teaching at Hunter College and Cornell University in the 1980s, the Schomburg Library asked for copies of his papers. Dr. Clarke obliged stating, “so that 50 years from now when people have a hard time locating my grave, they won’t have a hard time locating my lessons.”
Dr. James C. McIntosh, Dr. Clarke’s former student and current chair of BEPAA, said “This year’s main participants are people who embodied some aspect of Dr. Clarke’s teachings. In addition we are permitting many others who loved Professor Clarke to make brief tribute remarks.” McIntosh went on to say that at the program BEPAA will also present several awards to people who have assisted Clarke House in the past such as Attorney L. Londell McMillan, Retired Marketing Expert Madeline Moore Burrell and former Essence Magazine Editor Susan Taylor who have all confirmed their attendance. One surprise name among the awardees was former Heavyweight Champ Mike Tyson who was so impressed with Dr. Clarke’s work that he personally donated $10,000 dollars to Professor Clarke which Clarke promptly donated to Clarke House. “We have extended a special invitation to Brother Tyson and to those closest to Professor Clarke including his widow, Nana Sybil Clarke and his colleague and fellow scholar, Dr. Yosef Ben Jochannan.” Admission to this event is free. This activity is neither sponsored nor endorsed by the NYC Dept of Education or the City of New York.
Addendum: Sister Viola Plummer did not pick up her award for lifetime achievement at a recent CEMOTAP PROGRAM. This award will be presented to her by CEMOTAP at the JHC Tribute.
2. KOCH BROTHERS Have Spoken on Trayvon. Now Boycott to wipe off their grins. You must see the picture that goes with this.
Rbg Street Scholar http://www.scribd.com/doc/154802162/A-Boycott-Will-Wipe-Off-the-Grins-Justice-for-Travyon-Martin
In the wake of the senseless killing of Trayvon Martin … “The company known as Koch” which manufactures paper products is sponsoring and paying forZimmerman’s legal fees because they feel he had legal right to bare arms andshoot Trayvon we are asking that people everywhere ban together and pass thisinformation… on and not purchase any of the following items because yourmoney will be paying for Zimmerman’s lawyers and legal fees. Please do not purchase any of the following items: Angel Soft toilet paper, Brawny papertowels, Dixie plates, bowls, napkins & cups, Mardi Gras napkins and paper towels,Quilted Northern toilet paper, Soft and Gentle toilet paper, Sparkle napkins/papertowels, Vanity Fair napkins. Please Fwd this Very Important information to Allyour Family and Friends. Please Lets Help Get “Justice for Trayvon Martin. Needless to say, Kill those Disneyland Tickets too! If you don’t know why Disney, look at the video in 1A then remember Trayvon
THE 100 CITY “JUSTICE FOR TRAYVON” VIGILS SATURDAY, JULY 20TH AT NOON FOR INFORMATION ON THE 100 CITIES DEMONSTRATIONS BEING HELD Today, VISIT THE LINK BELOW. You can also register as a participant and as an organizer. Below are the NJ Locations, for your convenience.
Come out and live history. Camden, NJ Camden City Hall Plaza Concerned Black Clergy of Camden Tim Merrill – 8569641336 Micah Khan – 8565354100 12:00 Noon Jersey City, NJ William T. Brennan Courthouse 583 Newark Avenue Jersey City, NJ Contact: North Jersey Chapter National Action Network 201-737-4822 [email protected] Contact: Florence Holmes 201-333-1509 Newark, NJ Federal Building On the corner of Broad & Walnut St. Time: 12PM Contact: Steffie Bartley (908) 296-6786 [email protected]
3. WBAI In Crisis: Can We Save It?
Sat., July 20
from 2 pm – 5 PM
CEMOTAP CENTER
135-05 ROCKAWAY BOULEVARD
SO. OZONE PARK, QUEENS NY 11420
TAKE C TRAIN TO ROCKAWAY BOULEVARD THEN Q7 BUS STRAIGHT DOWN ROCKAWAY BOULEVARD
Sponsor: Coalition to Save WBAI (list in formation):
CEMOTAP (Committee to Eliminate Media Offensive to African People), CPRmetro.org (Community Progressive Radio), December 12th Movement, Free Mumia Abu-Jamal Coalition, International Action Center, Lynne Stewart Defense Organization, Pakistan-USA Freedom Forum, People’s Organization for Progress, Radio Vision, Resistance in Brooklyn, Sound Gatherers, Take Back WBAI Coalition, WBAI Justice & Unity Campaign
WBAI is in its most severe crisis ever. After years of cutting back programming by/for communities of color and working class people, as well as purging dissenting programmers, listener revenue is collapsing, fund drives are ballooning, debts are mounting, and all paid staff have received layoff notices.
We in the WBAI Justice & Unity Campaign believe that the only chance that the station has, if it is to be saved, is with the education and broad mobilization of listeners and engaged staff. Therefore we have led the call for a Coalition to Save WBAI that is sponsoring a series of community meetings around the broadcast area aimed at building a movement with the capacity to save WBAI by demanding new directions and engaging in the work of reconstructing the station. Come to the meeting on Saturday, July 20.
Speakers will include: former WBAI Program Director Bernard White; Pacifica National Board member Cerene Roberts; WBAI Local Station Board members Sharonne Salaam, William Heerwagen and Bob Lederer; and others TBA. There will be plenty of time allotted for public participation and the formation of action committees.
For more information, or if your organization would like to join the Coalition to Save WBAI, email [email protected]
WBAI Justice & Unity Campaign
http://www.justiceunity.org
(212) 591-2111
4. From Sistas’ Place
Greetings Banana Puddin’ Jazz Lovers,
The Jazz community’s very own TC III ( legendary jazz vocalist) while driving cab to supplement his family income was shot and though in the healing/ therapy stages he needs our financial support.
We are grateful he is alive because his demise would have been a sad loss to our community….So come out show your love (no contribution too small) and jam with us for one of our own…. This will be one of those rare times we will get to show our appreciation to who he is and what he has meant to the music…. TC will be in the house!!!
Rome Neal Banana Puddin’ Jazz presents Fundraiser/Jazz Jam for TC III
Monday, July 22, 2013 6pm- 8pm Suggested Doanation $20 at the world famous Nuyorican Poets Cafe 236 East Third Street (bet B & C Aves), New York, NY 1009. For further information contact Rome @ 718-288-8048
www.nuyorican.org
ALSO: Rome Neal Banana Puddin’ Jazz presents
Dr Mambo and The Experience Ensemble African Caribbean Jazz for your listening and dancing pleasure
Followed by an OPEN MIC JAZZ JAM
Saturday, August 3, 2013 9:30pm $15 ($10 for jammin’ musicians) (Complimentary Banana Puddin’ For All) at the world famous Nuyorican Poets Cafe
236 East Third Street (bet B & C Aves) New York, NY 1009.
For Reservations: 212 -780-9386 Advance Ticket Sales: www.nuyorican.org
Cafe information line: 212-780-9386
Banana Puddin’ Jazz Sponsors: Cobi Narita, Sheryl Renee, Laurence Holder, Eric Frazier, John D. Smith, Pure Jazz Magazine, Rustik Tavern, Malchijah Hats, Heights Bar & Lounge, George Turner, Elizabeth de Garcia, David V. Brooks
Rome Neal: 718-288-8048 www.romeneal.com
5. From: Makini Niliwaambieni: Sekou Owusu’s Arrangements
To: Greetings Family and Friends!!!
Thanks so much for your kind words and support.
Sekou’s memorial service is scheduled for Monday, July 22, 2013, 1 p.m., at Bell Funeral Home, 536 Sterling Place (on the corner of Classon Avenue), Brooklyn, NY, 11238.
We ask that you do not send flowers, but instead bring a plant (flowering or not) or an herb plant (dill, thyme, mint, sage, rosemary, basil). If you decide to bring a plant, please arrive with the plant by 12:30 p.m. Additionally, monetary donations will be accepted to the organization that Baba Sekou dedicated his life to. The Republic of New Afrika. A specific explanation will follow.
We are also asking, once again to highlight and honor Baba Sekou’s dedication and commitment to community development, that you bring a dish to share at the repast.
Thanks so much for your anticipated participation!!! We look forward to seeing you on Monday the 22nd.
In honor of, with respect for, in memory of, and with love to and for Sekou Kofi Owusu
6. STATEMENT FROM DR. MUTULU SHAKUR TO ABENAMAKINI OWUSU AND FAMILY
THE NEW AFRIKAN INDEPENDENCE MOVEMENT HAS LOST A VERY IMPORTANT, DEDICATED, AND TIRELESS FREEDOM FIGHTER. HE HAPPENED TO BE ONE OF MY OLDEST FRIENDS IN THE STRUGGLE. VERY FEW INDIVIDUALS DO YOU GO TO JUNIOR HIGH AND HIGH SCHOOL WITH IN THE SAME NEIGHBORHOOD, BECOME FRIENDS, AND JOIN THE SAME MOVEMENT AND BECOME COMRADES, THEN PURSUE A CAREER AND BECOME ALLIES. MY BEST FRIEND, THE ONE I GOT INTO ALL THIS TROUBLE, AND WHO I RECRUITED INTO THE REPUBLIC OF NEW AFRIKA (RNA) IN SOUTH JAMAICA, QUEENS AND HE NEVER LOOKED BACK. I NEVER HAD TO BE WITH HIM TO KEEP HIM MOTIVATED, HE EMBRACED THE IDEOLOGY, AND AT THAT TIME THE PRACTICALITY, THAT WE AS A PEOPLE MUST DETERMINE OUR OWN DESTINY LIKE ALL OTHER PEOPLE ON THE PLANET, AND STRUGGLE AGAINST OPPRESSION AND FOR SELF RESPECT. HE BELIEVED WE HAD TO HAVE A NATION THAT CONTAINED LAND, SO FROM 1967 HE WAS OUR NATION BUILDER. THIS MESSAGE CAN ENCOMPASS THE MANY JOYS, PAINS AND CAMPAIGNS THAT SEKOU OWUSU, MYSELF, AND MANY OTHERS SHARED IN THE BATTLEFIELD. THE VISUALS ARE COMICAL IN THEMSELVES – HE WAS AN UPRIGHT, BESPECTACLED, BUREAUCRATIC LOOKING KOSI, AND MORE FIT FOR A UNIVERSITY OR BETTER YET AN ACCOUNTANT’S OFFICE.
DEEP IN THE BACK WOODS OF MOUNT BAYOU MISSISSIPPI, HIS GLASSES BROKE WHILE HE WAS DRIVING THE VAN, MOLOTOV COCKTAILS LINING THE FLOOR IN PREPARATION FOR DEFENSE AGAINST THE MISSISSIPPI KLAN TRYING TO RUN US OUT OF TOWN. WITH THEIR PROMISES OF 6 FEET UNDER FOR US, WE FORGED AHEAD TO SECURE EL-MALIK, THE FIRST PIECE OF LAND WE HAD DEDICATED TO THE REPUBLIC OF NEW AFRIKA AS MEMBERS OF THE NEW AFRICAN SECURITY FORCE. A TRUE,TRUE, FREEDOM FIGHTER COMMITTED TO SACRIFICING IT ALL, WHILE AT THE SAME TIME COMPLAINING THAT WE HAD IT ALL WRONG. HE WAS NOT ONE TO LET CRITICISM GET IN THE WAY OF HIS ACTION ( HE COULD HAVE LEFT THE CRITICISM AT HOME). WE WERE A RAG TAG BUNCH, BUT WE BUILT A FOUNDATION WHERE SOME DOUBTED THE PRACTICALITY OF THE NATION, BUT THEY COULD NOT DOUBT THE DEDICATION AND LOVE HE HAD FOR OUR PEOPLE.I COULD IMAGINE WHAT HE THOUGHT OF CHOKWE BECOMING MAYOR OF JACKSON.
ALL DURING THE 70’S HE WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR ESTABLISHING A POLITICAL EDUCATION CLASS FOR ALL THE VICTIMS OF THE DRUG PLAGUE THAT WE TREATED AT LINCOLN DETOX IN THE SOUTH BRONX. HE INTEGRATED THE PRINCIPLES OF NGUZU SABA. HE PROVIDED THE POLITICAL FOUNDATION TO AUGMENT THE TREATMENT FOR THE VICTIMS OF THE DRUG PLAGUE WITH HIS NERDY SELF. FOR 10 YEARS HE FORMED A SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP WITH THE BOTTOM OF DESPAIR. HE WAS A KIND OF BROTHER WHEN YOU NEEDED SOME SMALL CHANGE HE WOULD DO THIS UNIQUE ZORRO SLASH TO HIS LEFT BACK POCKET, AND PULL OUT THAT DAMN WALLET OF HIS, THE ONLY ONE OF OUR CADRES THAT HAD ONE, AND OF COURSE A LONG LECTURE!!! IN THE MID 70’S I RECEIVED A PHONE CALL. SEKOU NEEDED SOME PEOPLE TO HELP HIM MOVE. MY FIRST QUESTION WAS FROM WHERE TO WHERE? I SAID GIVE ME THE ADDRESS AND ME AND THE BROTHERS WILL COME AND HELP YOU. HE GAVE ME AN ADDRESS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SOUTH BRONX DRUG MARKET, ON HOE AVE. THE BUILDING WAS ABANDONED, AND ON THE THE FLOOR WHERE HE WAS MOVING 8 APARTMENTS WERE BURNED OUT. THE WHOLE COMMUNITY LOOKED LIKE GERMANY AFTER THE BOMBING. WE HAD TO POST SECURITY ON OUR CARS. SEKOU WAS HELPING A SISTER IN TROUBLE MOVE INTO THE APARTMENT AND HE WAS GOING TO MOVE IN THERE WITH HER TO PROVIDE PROTECTION, AND SHE WASN’T EVEN A GIRLFRIEND OR A WIFE. BUT HE LOVED HIS PEOPLE, AND BOY DID HE TRY HARD FOR OVER 5 DECADES TO BUILD A BLACK FAMILY. HE CALLED THAT NATION BUILDING.
LAST STORY. AFTER THE FBI MILITARY SHOOT-OUT ON THE REPUBLIC OF NEW AFRIKA GOVERNMENT CENTER, BROTHER ALAJO CALLED IN REINFORCEMENTS FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY. SEKOU, WHO WAS THE RNA COUNSELOR, AND I AS THE MINISTER OF DEFENSE, ORGANIZED A (5) MAN CADRE TO GO AND REINFORCE, EXCEPT THAT SEKOU LEFT ME IN CHARGE OF NEW YORK AND HE TOOK THE CADRE SOUTH. HE TRIED TO PULL RANK – POLITICAL OVER MILITARY. IN THE 5 MAN UNIT THERE WERE A COUPLE OF NERDY COLLEGE DUDES FROM QUEENS, NOT FAMILIAR WITH COINTELPRO. AS YOU CAN IMAGINE, JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI WAS AN ARMED CAMP FULL OF FBI, LOCAL POLICE, AND KLAN MILITIAS, ALL ENCASING OUR CENTER. THE STRESS WAS SO INTENSE THAT ONE OF OUR CADRES FROM QUEENS HAD A NERVOUS BREAKDOWN AND POSSIBLE STROKE TRYING TO GET IN THE MIDDLE OF A ROAD BLOCK. SEKOU TOOK RESPONSIBILITY OF THE CADRE. HE TOOK HIM TO THE HOSPITAL AND TOOK CARE OF HIM. HE REFUSED TO LET THE FBI, JACKSON PD OR ANYONE ELSE TALK TO OR QUESTION HIM, AND IN THOSE NEW AFRICAN SECURITY FORCE UNIFORMS, WE STOOD OUT LIKE AN INVADING ARMY. HE HELD HIS POST FOR 2 DAYS UNTIL ALAJO SENT IN REINFORCEMENT – AND THEN HE FAINTED ON THE SPOT FROM EXHAUSTION. THAT IS OUR SEKOU. I JUST WANT A LOT OF PEOPLE TO KNOW HE IS A PART OF OUR FOUNDATION THAT BUILT THE RNA. AFTER YEARS OF STRESS HE SEEMED TO BE THE LAST ONE STANDING, HOLDING OUT FOR ALL HIS COMRADES OF THE PAST, AND FOR THAT WE LOVE HIM AND HONOR HIM. IT IS SAID THAT THE REWARD IS MORE REWARDING THAN THE TEST, SURELY HE HAS BEEN TESTED. I PRAY TO ALLAH THAT HE SEES FIT TO GRANT HIM SUCH REWARD WHEN OUR GOVERNMENT HAS REALIZED WE MUST HONOR HIM AND HIS FRUGAL NATURE.
I FEEL YOUR LOSS SISTER AYISHA AND BROTHER TAKARHARA
LONG LIVE HIS EXAMPLE, PRAISE HIS EFFORT, AND RECOGNIZE HIS SUCCESS.
STIFF RESISTANCE DR.MUTULU SHAKUR
“We Must Pick Up The Work To Free ALL Our Political Prisoners & Prisoners Of War!”
7. What Has Happened In Detroit May Warn You About What You May Soon Face.
www.zerohedge.com/news/2013-07-18/muni-retirees-face-90-loss-under-detroits-pending-free-fall-bankruptcy
Municipal-worker retirees are set to get less than 10% of what they are owed under the plan.
I’m not sure that if after a lifetime of working and putting away money for retirement that it gets any worse than this!
Joint Interview of Dr. Frances Cress Welsing and Dr. Marimba Ani
8. From B. Dupont Beatrice DuPont
Hello, Hope you are having as cool a summer as possible under the weight of our two recent heat waves. I have finally moved to Harlem from the Bronx which makes it easier for me to get to Brooklyn and other places.
Volunteers are needed for phone banking and other campaign activities at the campaign office. Please come to the campaign office on as many Saturdays as you can starting this Saturday, July 20, 2013 at 12:00pm.
The campaign office is located at 418 Montgomery Street, Brooklyn off Nostrand Avenue. #2 train to Sterling Avenue. Three blocks from the subway.
Hope to see you there.
9. FINISH STRONG
From Afrocentricity International: “We Must Mount the Fight Against Racism Again!”
Afrocentricity International predicted that the flawed American judicial system would probably set George Zimmerman free for the murder of Trayvon Martin. The reason this is too often predictable is because the system is dependent upon racial attitudes and prejudices of many whites. The United States has not moved beyond racism; in fact, we believe that racism remains the dominant myth of the American society, working its way into everything from education to religion, from politics to religion, and from economics to law.
There is no question in the minds of most freedom-loving people in the world that George Zimmerman profiled, stalked, and murdered the unarmed black teenager, Trayvon Martin. Zimmerman admitted that he killed the teenager with his gun. But when is killing someone who is unarmed and not bothering you considered innocence? We must not allow it to be when you find an unarmed African male walking home in the evening. What was in the mind of Zimmerman except the sly fact that he knew he could get away clean if he killed a young black male who was wearing a hoodie.
Afrocentricity International calls for the abandonment of the foolish talk of a post-racial America and suggests that we regroup with the proper contemporary understanding that racism is as American as corn flakes. It is in the diet of the ordinary American who sees the African as inferior to whites. This is the source of all racial stupidity and the origin of Zimmerman’s comments about blacks.
The fact that it took the authorities six weeks to arrest Zimmerman is estimation of the worth of the life of a black male child walking home at night through a predominantly white neighborhood. A brotherhood, almost religious in its attachment to a bad law, conspired to take the life of this young man without any shame. Even the FBI data reveal that only 3 percent of black-on-white homicides are ruled justified although 46 percent of the white-on-black homicides of the “Stand Your Ground” variety are called justified. In non-Stand Your Ground situations the percentage of cases ruled justified is still 29 percent for white-on-black homicides. White people can kill black people and be called innocent in nearly half of the “Stand Your Ground” cases.
Afrocentricity International will make the campaign to end the “Stand Your Ground” laws a part of its fight against the madness of gun violence in the United States. Every Zimmerman with a gun, a cowboy mentality, and a fear of black men will take that aggressive attitude into every confrontation with young black men. Racism is an authentic part of the American reality and any person who says different is usually a branch of the brainwashing that goes along with the idea that we have overcome racism. Consequently, racism breeds its own brand of insanity.
Afrocentricity International calls for action on the part of all decent people to organize and challenge the sick laws that give macho John Waynes the license to kill. If we are unable to challenge the laws then it is correct to ask all blacks to carry their own weapons so that they can defend themselves from violent predators who have no right to bother freedom-loving people. What madness exists when on one hand, you see black men turning in their guns to police and on another, white men rushing to arm themselves? If what is actually guilt can be turned into innocence so easily because a white jury believes a black man is not considered worthy to defend himself, then we must defend our own selves. Didn’t Trayvon have a right to fight, to whip the devil out of the man pursuing him with a gun? Why was Trayvon’s right to defend himself left unexamined?
This situation is not merely about laws but about a legacy of racism in America. The litany is long and tired, but the fact that a white jury found Zimmerman not guilty was not surprising to Afrocentrists who have long articulated the view that racism was endemic to the society and that the best thing for black people to do was to confront every instance and every circumstance where the snake raises its head. What wine of racism had the jury drank about black men to make them believe the story of the lone survivor in a confrontation started by the white predator? We reject all excuses and condemn a system that treats blackness as criminal. In fact, we are determined to raise our voices even louder against the forces of racial evil.
Per-aat Ama Mazama, Ph.D. Afrocentricity International
Molefi Kete Asante, Ph.D., International Organizer
www.afrocentricityinternational.org
