THANKSGIVING GREETINGS 

BY

GLORIA DULAN-WILSON

To all my Loved Ones, Associates and Friends

Know that my love for you never ends

And as we celebrate this great season

I give to you my special greetings

And The Blessings of Gratitude and Thanksgiving

For making it through to keep on living

Today we express our deep appreciation

For joy and love and inspiration

I'm grateful for you and all that I treasure

And it's deeper than any one can measure

Tho the holiday may have started from acts that were hateful

Today everyone can find some reason to be grateful

As we bow our heads and pause to say grace

In our heart we know blessings have nothing to do with race

Asian, Indian, Black and white, stressed or sublime

We all owe Thanks to God, Who is Good All The Time!!

Call it Gratitude, Blessing, Appreciation, Thanksgiving, or any other name

As long as you're counting your blessings it still means the same

So in conclusion allow me to say

HAPPY THANKSGIVING-GRATITUDE-APPRECIATION-BLESSING-INSPIRATION DAY!

Stay Blessed &

ECLECTICALLY BLACK from

GLORIA DULAN-WILSON & FAMILY

(c) PoeticLicenseGloriaDulanWilson/11/28/2013

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Pennsylvania Legislation entertaining bill to mandate teaching the Jewish Holocaust in schools: WHAT ABOUT THE AFRICAN HOLOCAUST??

By Gloria Dulan-Wilson

Brothers and Sisters:

 

I originally posted this article in November.  ATAC has been working to get similar legislation for mandatory teaching of Black History in Pennsylvania Schools.  It seems idiotic to me to mandate the teaching of history that occurred outside our country while not upholding the same for history that is part and parcel of the making of the United States.   I have been informed that the legislation passed the state, with all of the Black legislators voting in favor, without taking any stand whatsoever for Black History or the expanded education of the students.  Who is this history supposed to benefit - when you consider that Philadelphia is 68% Black, it appears that there is a major imbalance here.

 

It's definitely up to the citizens of Pennsylvania in general, and Philadelphia in particular, to put the State Legislators on notice that this is stupid and unacceptable.  

 

Below is a repost of the original article:  

 

 

Hello All:
When I received this email from a trusted source on November 25, it took me a couple of days to absorb it. I couldn't quite wrap my mind around why such an edict should be going through the Pennsylvania State legislation since, as has been noted, they have yet to enforce a previous mandate that has been on the books for quite some time now to teach African/American History in the schools.

 

...Carter G. Woodson has produced a definitive and constructive critique of the educational system, with special reference to its blighting effects on the Negro; and the term he used, Mis-education, was the most apt and descriptive word available. It is still, in 2013, equally as relevant and expressive."

 

In addition to Carter G. Woodson, and W.E.B.duBois, Dr. Charles Blockson, Molefi Kete Asante, Michael Coard are contemporary scholars who reside in Philadelphia, and can also shed some light on what the impact is at this very point in time - 80 years after Woodson first published the book -that are still hampering Black Philadelphians, as well as Black People.

 

It is patently clear that the Pennsylvania State Legislature, thus far, has no interest or investment in the education or well being of Black students in Philadelphia, or surrounding areas, or they would not have closed down 29 schools, under the guise of budgetary considerations, while at the same time proposing over $15,000,000 in allocations for a Holocaust museum; and simultaneously putting the shuttered schools up for sale - an obvious land grab and a way of throwing funds to contractors and developers to curry their favor and funding for future election runs. Many of these schools are hundreds of years old, should have been landmarked, and should have been assisted with their problems instead of being destabilized and destroyed.

 

It is up to each and every resident of Philadelphia, people in the surrounding states, Black people nationwide, to put a stop to this obvious attempt to further eviserate, denigrage, and humiliate Black people whether in Philly, New York, DC, Virginia, North/South Carolina, California - If you don't - you and your children are DOOMED to never ever have a place of significance, success, relevance or blessing now or in the future.

 

If we can elect a BLACK PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES - TWICE; we can determine and demand the educational destiny of our Black Children, whether in elementary, secondary or college education programs be positive, empowering, relevant, and as much about them as the STEM programs that are being fashioned as the required curriculum. Without an education that is culturally, intellectually, and educationally relevant, we will continue to be our own self marginalizers. We do not need to continue to be the ones who help the transducers (Woodson's favorite word) hold us down. We have to exercise our collective consciousnesses, and take action to make sure that we are not subjugated to others' need to control our minds.

Stay Blessed&

ECLECTICALLY BLACK

Gloria Dulan-Wilson 

 

NOTE: Rather than rewrite the email, I'm presenting it in it's entirety, along with some comments from others who are equally outraged at the affront on the part of the Corbett Administration to try and impose this heinous law on the Philadelphia school system, at this or any other time, while completely ignoring the plight their own residents and their descendants have suffered for over 400 years; many of whom are still grappling with post traumatic slave syndrome and other side effects of oppression:

WHAT ABOUT THE AFRICAN HOLOCAUST?? SMDH

(I am still withholding the name of the person who sent it to me):

Please check out the story below about a bill to mandate PA students are taught about the Jewish holocaust.  I'm glad its gone public because I couldn't talk about it before because of my job with the House.  I have big problems with this. First, that (the Jewish Holocaust) happened in another country on another continent. Second, all American students need to be taught about the holocaust that happened here for 400 years -- the African Holocaust that brought our ancestors to this god-forsaken land in slavery. That happened here and affects us directly. Third, the holocaust against the Indigenous people of America also needs to be taught.  The Philly school district was mandated to teach Black history several years ago and still hasn't implemented it. I was one of those students who participated in the citywide demonstration for Black history and dignity at the Board of Ed back in the 60s when Rizzo's mounted police beat us down with billy clubs.

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20131125_Nuremberg__Forget_it__They_don_t_even_know_Hitler.html

State Sen. Tony Williams, who wants to be mayor, is a sponsor of one of these bills and other negro politicians have co-sponsored various versions. Mis-Education criticizes the system, and explains the vicious circle that results from mis-educated individuals graduating, then proceeding to teach and mis-educate others 

 SMDH "I told my boss  he'd better NOT co-sponsor any of those bills without amending them to include the African Holocaust which lasted 400 years, dispersed enslaved Africans around the world, raped, lynched and tortured them, took the lives of millions of our ancestors  including those lost in the Middle Passage, took our languages, religion/culture and broke up families. "

The community needs to make it clear to the negroes that co-sponsored these bills that it's not acceptable unless the African Holocaust is specifically named and included.  

Vanessa Brown, the chair of the Black Caucus (what a joke) is on one of them and Cherelle Parker sponsored a resolution commending Jews for teaching at HBCUs SMDH. {Mis-Education criticizes the system, and explains the vicious circle that results from mis-educated individuals graduating, then proceeding to teach and mis-educate others}

Where is the voice of the caucus speaking up for our African ancestors?  Negroes still kowtowing to the Jews while ignoring their own history. There were Jews that owned slaves, and participated in and made big money off of the African Holocaust. The ship that b rought the Liberty Bell over was a slave ship owned by Jews from the Univ. of PA ("The LIberty Bell Era" by Charles L. Blockson) The powers that be associate the word "holocaust" with Jews and Germany only. SMDH That must change.

 
"The most imperative and crucial element in CARTER G. WOODON'S concept of mis-education hinged on the education system's failure to present authentic BLACK {Negro} History in schools and the bitter knowledge that there was a scarcity of literature available for such a purpose, because most history books gave little or no space to the Black man's presence in America. Some of them contained casual references to BLACK PEOPLE {Negroes} but these generally depicted them in menial, subordinate roles, more or less sub-human. Such books stressed their good fortune at having been exposed, through slavery, to the higher (white man's) civilization. There were included derogatory statements relating to the primitive, heathenish quality of the African background, but nothing denoting skills, abilities, contributions or potential in the image of the Blacks, in Africa or America. Woodson considered this state of affairs deplorable, an American tragedy, dooming the BLACK PEOPLE {Negro} to a brain-washed acceptance of the inferior role assigned to him by the dominant race, and absorbed by him through his schooling. " Intro to the Newest Edition of the MIS-EDUCATION OF THE NEGRO by Carter G. Woodson
Moreover, the neglect of Afro-American History and distortion of the facts concerning Negroes in most history books, deprived the black child and his whole race of a heritage, and relegated him to nothingness and nobodyness.

This needs to be discussed publicly with a public response from Black historians and others.  People at WURD Radio love some of these politicians so don't depend on them to bring it up. 

The people must speak out! If no-one says anything and one of those bills passes as is, then that's what we get. I don't want to hear anyone fussing about it after the  deal is done like Black folks usually do. 

Now is the time to let your views be known.  However, we do know that in 2013, Black folk are still scared of Jewish backlash, while no-one is scared of the Black backlash.

Below is a sample of some of the bills and the link to read the original documents.  

What say YOU?

 

When Rhonda Fink-Whitman decided to test college students' knowledge of the Holocaust, lugging a video camera to four local campuses, she discovered some amazing facts:  Adolf Hitler was the leader of Amsterdam. Josef Mengele was an author. And JFK led the Allies during World War II, assisted by an American Army general named Winston Churchill.  Hardly any students had heard of the Holocaust, the Nazis' systematic murder of six million Jews. And when her questions turned to the Night of Broken Glass, the Nuremberg Trials, or the meaning of the phrase the Final Solution, forget it.
Her 15-minute film, "The Mandate Video," is a powerful piece of advocacy, viewed more than 260,000 times on YouTube and helping drive a campaign to require Pennsylvania schools to teach children about the Holocaust. The effort has attracted passionate supporters (OBVIOUSLY THEY DID NOT CONTACT THE PEOPLE WHO ARE OPPOSED TO THIS - CONSIDERABLY TEN TIMES THAT NUMBER) but seems stalled in the legislature

Read more at http://www.philly.com/philly/education/20131125_Nuremberg__Forget_it__They_don_t_even_know_Hitler.html#E2IMHXH3EW0UkCEo.99

Document

House Bill 1424 P.N. 1940 of 2013 - 2014 Regular Session     9 Hits  

Prime Sponsor: Representative CLYMER
Introduced: May 23, 2013 Last Action: First consideration, Oct. 16, 2013
Short Title Extract:

An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in terms and courses of study, providing for Holocaust, genocide and human rights violations instruction....

First Keyword Hits:

...and parochial schools; amending, revising, consolidating and changing the laws relating thereto," in terms and courses of study, providing for Holocaust, genocide and human rights violations instruction. The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania hereby enacts as follows: Section 1 No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, is amended by adding a section to read: Section 1554. Holocaust, Genocide and Human Rights Violations Instruction.--(a) (1) Beginning with school year 2015-2016, each school entity may offer instruction

Hits Highlighted   Original Document

House Bill 176 P.N. 184 of 2013 - 2014 Regular Session     9 Hits  

Prime Sponsor: Representative B. BOYLE
Introduced: January 22, 2013 Last Action: Referred to EDUCATION,  Jan. 22, 2013
Short Title Extract:

An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, providing for Holocaust, genocide and human rights violations instruction....

First Keyword Hits:

...provisions applicable as well to private and parochial schools; amending, revising, consolidating and changing the laws relating thereto," providing for Holocaust, genocide and human rights violations instruction. The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania hereby enacts as follows: Section 1 No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, is amended by adding a section to read: Section 1554. Holocaust, Genocide and Human Rights Violations Instruction.--(a) (1) Beginning with school year 2015-2016, each public school student shall receive

Hits Highlighted   Original Document

Senate Bill 47 P.N. 16 of 2013 - 2014 Regular Session     8 Hits  

Prime Sponsor: Senator WILLIAMSIntroduced: January 4, 2013 Last Action: Referred to EDUCATION,  Jan. 4, 2013
Short Title Extract:

An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, providing for Holocaust, genocide and human rights violations instruction....

First Keyword Hits:

...provisions applicable as well to private and parochial schools; amending, revising, consolidating and changing the laws relating thereto," providing for Holocaust, genocide and human rights violations instruction. The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania hereby enacts as follows: Section 1 No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, is amended by adding a section to read: Section 1554. Holocaust, Genocide and Human Rights Violations Instruction.--(a) Beginning with school year 2014- 2015 and each school year thereafter, each public

Hits Highlighted   Original Document

House Resolution 156 P.N. 1163 of 2013 - 2014 Regular Session     8 Hits  

Prime Sponsor: Representative FRANKEL
Introduced: March 14, 2013 Last Action: (Remarks see House Journal Page 369),  March 20, 2013
Short Title Extract:

A Resolution recognizing April 7 through 14, 2013, as "2013 Days of Remembrance" and April 8, 2013, as "Holocaust Remembrance Day" in Pennsylvania in commemoration of the millions of innocent victims of Nazi atrocities....

First Keyword Hits:

...14, 2013 A RESOLUTION Recognizing April 7 through 14, 2013, as "2013 Days of Remembrance" and April 8, 2013, as "Holocaust Remembrance Day" in Pennsylvania in commemoration of the millions of innocent victims of Nazi atrocities. WHEREAS, The Holocaust was the state-sponsored, systematic persecution and annihilation of the European Jewry by Nazi Germany and its collaborators between 1933

Hits Highlighted   Original Document

Senate Resolution 68 P.N. 755 of 2013 - 2014 Regular Session     5 Hits  

Prime Sponsor: Senator STACK
Introduced: March 20, 2013
Last Action: (Remarks see Senate Journal Page 287),  March 20, 2013 Short Title Extract:

A Resolution designating April 7 through 14, 2013, as "Days of Remembrance of the Victims of the Holocaust" in Pennsylvania.

First Keyword Hits:

...MARCH 20, 2013 A RESOLUTION Designating April 7 through 14, 2013, as "Days of Remembrance of the Victims of the Holocaust" in Pennsylvania. WHEREAS, From 1933 to 1945 six million Jews were murdered in the Nazi Holocaust as part of a systematic pogrom of genocide, and millions of other people perished as victims of Nazism; and WHEREAS

Hits Highlighted   Original Document

House Resolution 161 P.N. 1185 of 2013 - 2014 Regular Session     3 Hits  

Prime Sponsor: Representative SABATINA
Introduced: March 15, 2013 Last Action: Referred to STATE GOVERNMENT,  March 15, 2013
Short Title Extract:

A Resolution declaring support for the State of Israel, recognizing the geopolitical challenges Israel faces and highlighting the special relationship that has existed between the United States of America and Israel since the inception of Israel as a nation....

First Keyword Hits:

...in the world; and WHEREAS, During the years of 1941 to 1945, the Jewish people suffered the horrors of the Holocaust, as nearly 6,000,000 European Jews died during the oppressive reign of the German Nazi Regime; and WHEREAS, The around the world including the United States homeland; and WHEREAS, Today, Israel is faced with the prospect of a second holocaust, as they are threatened by repeated public declarations of complete annihilation by neighboring countries which are hostile to the very

NOTE :BLACK IN THE DAY, before self-definition,  WE WERE CALLED "NEGROES" - It is not an acceptable term in contemporary usage, but I am not going to go through each and every statement and correct it.  Use your subliminal cognitive intelligence and every where you see that term from older treatises think BLACK.  To be called a "negro" in today's parlance, is to be on the level of an "uncle tom."  Before his passing in the 60's, Dr. DuBois has fully changed his commentary to Black or African American :   

In 1935 DuBois wrote:  ".. race prejudice in the United States today is such that most Negroes cannot receive proper education in white institutions ... many public school systems in the North where Negroes are admitted and tolerated but they are not educated; they are crucified ... certain Northern universities where Negro students ... cannot get fair recognition, either in classroom or on the campus, in dining hall or student activities, or in human common courtesy ... at Harvard, Yale, and Columbia, Negroes are admitted but not welcomed; while in other institutions like Princeton they cannot even enroll. "

 

In further development of his thesis that Blacks needed special education, Dr. DuBois made a       point-blank statement with respect to a constructive means of overcoming the mis-education to which they were subjected: "Negroes must know the history of the Negro race in America, and this they will seldom get in white institutions. Their children ought to study textbooks like Brawley's "Short History," the first edition of Woodson's "Negro in Our History," and Cromwell, Turner, and Dykes' "Readings from Negro Authors." Negroes who celebrate the birthdays of Washington and Lincoln, and relatively unimportant "founders" of various Negro colleges, ought not to forget the 5th of March,—that first national holiday of this country, which commemorates the martyrdom of Crispus Attucks. They ought to celebrate Negro Health Week and Negro History Week. They ought to study intelligently and from their own point of view, the slave trade, slavery, emancipation, Reconstruction and present economic development.    Dr. DuBois proceeded then to explain in careful detail that he was making no special plea for segregated schools, or mixed schools, but for education. To use his language:. "a separate Negro school where children are treated like human beings, trained by teachers of their own race, who know what it means to be black in the year of salvation 1935, is infinitely better than making our boys and girls doormats to be spit and trampled upon and lied to by ignorant social climbers, whose sole claim to superiority is ability to kick "ni--ers" when they are down. "  

Hits Highlighted   Original Document

Senate Resolution 100 P.N. 950 of 2013 - 2014 Regular Session     1 Hit  

Prime Sponsor: Senator DINNIMAN
Introduced: April 16, 2013
Last Action: (Remarks see Senate Journal Page 381),  April 16, 2013 Short Title Extract:

A Resolution commemorating the 65th anniversary of the birth of the State of Israel.

First Keyword Hits:

...1917 by the Balfour Declaration and later reaffirmed by the League of Nations; and WHEREAS, The atrocities of the Nazi Holocaust and the death of millions of Jews in Europe reestablished and refocused the need for an independent Jewish state; and

Hits Highlighted   Original Document

Senate Bill 680 P.N. 1517 of 2013 - 2014 Regular Session     1 Hit  

Prime Sponsor: Senator CORMAN
Introduced: March 13, 2013
Last Action: Act No. 85 Short Title Extract:

An Act providing for the capital budget for the fiscal year 2013-2014; itemizing public improvement projects, furniture and equipment projects, transportation assistance projects, redevelopment assistance capital projects, flood control projects, Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund projects, State forestry bridge projects, State ATV/Snowmobile Fund projects, Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission projects, Manufacturing Fund projects, Oil and Gas Lease Fund projects, Environmental Stewardship Fund projects, highway bridge projects and State Stores Fund current revenue projects to be constructed or acquired or assisted by the Department of General Services, the Department of Community and Economic Development, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the Department of Environmental Protection, the Department of Transportation or the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, together with their estimated financial costs; authorizing the incurring of debt without the approval of the electors for the purpose of financing the projects to be constructed, acquired or assisted by the Department of General Services, the Department of Community and Economic Development, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the Department of Environmental Protection, the Department of Transportation or the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission; stating the estimated useful life of the projects; and making appropriations....

First Keyword Hits:

...Base Project Allocation - $1,500,000) 12 (D) Construction, infrastructure and 13 other related costs for Albright 14 College Library Holocaust Resource 15 Center project 16 Project Allocation 500,000 17 (Base Project Allocation - $500,000) 18 (E) Renovation, restoration, 19

Hits Highlighted   Original Document

House Resolution 309 P.N. 1733 of 2013 - 2014 Regular Session     1 Hit  

Prime Sponsor: Representative SCHLOSSBERG
Introduced: May 8, 2013 Last Action: Referred to STATE GOVERNMENT,  May 8, 2013
Short Title Extract:

A Resolution commemorating the 65th anniversary of the birth of the State of Israel.

First Keyword Hits:

...1917 by the Balfour Declaration and later reaffirmed by the League of Nations; and WHEREAS, The atrocities of the Nazi Holocaust and the death of millions of Jews in Europe reestablished and refocused the need for an independent Jewish state; and

Hits Highlighted   Original Document

House Resolution 254 P.N. 1521 of 2013 - 2014 Regular Session     1 Hit  

Prime Sponsor: Representative PARKERIntroduced: April 17, 2013 Last Action: (Remarks see House Journal Page ),  June 25, 2013
Short Title Extract:

A Resolution recognizing and honoring the National Museum of American Jewish History in Philadelphia on the occasion of the exhibit "Beyond Swastika and Jim Crow: Jewish Refugee Scholars at Black Colleges" and its value to American history....

First Keyword Hits:

...at Black Colleges"; and WHEREAS, Created by New York City's Museum of Jewish Heritage - A Living Memorial to the Holocaust, this powerful exhibit depicts how Jewish professors emigrated from Europe and found employment at Historically Black Colleges and Universities in

Hits Highlighted   Original Document

You can go to the legislature's website and read the original bills with all of the co-sponsors on it.

http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/home/textSearchAction.cfm?allowCache=true&cmd=search&searchType=allwords&sort=Hits&sa=0&CiScope=20130txt&CiRestriction=holocaust&currPnOnlyBT=on

African Proverb: When you are playing with a dog, do not ever forget to keep a stick within reach.

COMMENTARIES THUS FAR:

COMMENTARY ONE:

1. Are we clear that the definitions they are using in the proposed legislation for Holocaust, Genocide and Human Rights Violations do not include the enslavement of Black people in the "Americas"?

2. Anybody interested in starting a "Move ON" Petition against legislation?

3.Has this been sent to the MKA Institute? 

4. Has Avenging the Ancestors (Michael Coard) organized around this at all?

5. Has NAACP (Philly or PA chapters) organized around this at all?

6. Where does the Parent school groups stand on this?

This sounds really crazy just from the standpoint of enshrining such a requirement in law. Is the precedence for this?

 COMMENTARY TWO:

I'm going to write letters of protest and concern to them and let them know how I feel. We always complain to each other instead of the people perpetrating this nonsense.  

 State Rep. Vanessa Brown -- chair of PA Black Caucusvbrown@pahouse.net

District Office Addresses:

1435 N. 52nd St. Philadelphia, PA 19131 Phone: (215) 879-6615 Fax: (215) 879-6616   Senator Anthony Williamswilliams@pasenate.com 2901 Island Avenue Suite 100 Philadelphia, PA 19153 (215) 492-2980 FAX: (215) 492-2990

 COMMENTARY THREE:

I say, "NOT BEFORE THE AFRICAN HOLOCAUST AKA THE AFRICAN ENSLAVEMENT AND MAAFA YOU DON'T!!! Not to leave out the salt in the festering wound of the absence of truth in whatever little to nothing that is taught about THE FIRST NATIONS of this land HOLOCAUST. The Jewish/Romany(Gypsy)/bi-racial (African-Germans) that took place in EUROPE can and should be taught in world history here in the U.S., along with all the other genocidal nightmares perpetrated by humankind that have taken place. That's not anti-Semitic by the way; that's just reality and logic. And by the way, anti-Semitism is inclusive of the Arabs who are also equally categorized as Semites.  NO NO NO NO NO!!!!! Indigenous and Africans FIRST. And if this wrong succeeds in Philadelphia, it will replicate all across the U.S.

 

 COMMENTARY FOUR: I suggest you forward this link to the legislators in Harrisburg, as well as any and all others who are not familiar with, or have forgotten the very impactful and salient teachings of Carter G. Woodson:

Download from Highspeed Mirror The Miseducation Of The Negro [FAST DOWNLOAD]

ADDITIONAL COMMENTARIES:

The (BLACK) community needs to make it clear to the negroes that co-sponsored these bills that it's not acceptable unless the African Holocaust is specifically named and included. MK Jewett

"HISTORY MUST RESTORE WHAT SLAVERY TOOK AWAY."

  _ Arthur  Alfonso Schomburg - Founder of the Schomburg Library

If we stand tall it is because we stand on the backs of those who came before us. Yorùbá proverb

"You are a unique expression of a divine will. You do not need permission for what you think.  You do not need permission for what you feel.  And you certainly do not need permission to be who you are, nor to do what you feel you were sent here to do.  The only person who needs to approve it is you_it has already been approved by higher forces.  James Weeks/Across The King's River

"I am learning all the time. The tombstone will be my diploma."  Eartha Kitt, Ibaye

“When consciousness is transformed things begin to happen, man begins to operate differently, see differently, feel differently. Seeing differently makes a big difference to what you become.” Ivan Van Sertima, ibaye

"...Wisdom comes from fundamental awareness.  Those capable of it hear only a word and comprehend complexity. Those still unable to achieve it hear years of instruction and still remain at base level....

 _Babalawo Fadare AmenSia

"All that you touch you change."Octavia E. Butler

NOW THAT YOU KNOW, WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO?  WHAT'S THE PLAN? 

Stay Blessed & 

ECLECTICALLY BLACK

Gloria Dulan-Wilson

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President Obama awards Oprah Winfrey with the Presidential Medal of Freedom on the Eve of Kennedy Assassination 50th Anniversary

By Gloria Dulan-Wilson

 
Oprah Winfrey was presented with the highest US honour by President Barack Obama. Photo: Reuters

US President Barack Obama awarded the highest award the US gives to a civilian, Presidential Medal of Freedom to Oprah Winfrey and Bill Clinton in a day of tributes to former President John F Kennedy.  Additionally, leaders from the realm of sports, entertainment, science and public service were honored.  "Today, we salute fierce competitors who became true champions," Obama said.  

President William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton

The ceremony marks the start of a day honouring Kennedy's legacy two days before the nation pauses to remember the 50th anniversary of his assassination.

Obama, the First Lady, and the Clintons paid a visit to the eternal flame that marks John Fitzgerald Kennedy's gravesite at the ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery.

Obama said that Bill Clinton's presidency had been only the start of his work to improve the world, crediting his post-presidency humanitarian works as helping to save or improve the lives of hundreds of millions around the world.

"I'm grateful, Bill, as well, for the advice and counsel that you've offered me, on and off the golf course," Obama said to chuckles. "And most importantly, for your lifesaving work around the world, which represents what's the very best in America."

Obama said the late Sally Ride, the first American woman in space, didn't just break the stratospheric glass ceiling, "she blasted right through it."

"Young girls need to see role models, she said. You can't be what you can't see," Obama said. "Today our daughters, including Malia and Sasha, can set their sights a little bit higher because Sally Ride showed them the way."

President Kennedy, who established the modern version of the medal,  was assassinated by Lee Harvey Oswald in Dallas on November 22, 1963, two weeks before he planned to honor the inaugural group of recipients.

As a teenager, Bill Clinton shook hands with Kennedy the summer before the assassination when he and other high school students in the Boys Nation program went to Washington.

In the evening, Obama spoke on Kennedy's legacy of service at a dinner at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History attended by current and past medal recipients, including baseball's Hank Aaron, astronaut Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin, singer Aretha Franklin, former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan, activist Jesse Jackson and former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger.

Kennedy's grandson, Jack Schlossberg,  introduced Obama at the dinner. Other Kennedy relatives attended, including Robert Kennedy's daughter Kathleen Kennedy Townsend and former diplomat Jean Kennedy Smith, a former medal recipient and John F. Kennedy's only surviving sibling.

Friday, November 22,  marks 50 years to the day since Kennedy was slain while riding in an open car in a motorcade during a visit to Dallas. Obama plans to meet privately at the White House on Friday with leaders and volunteers from the Peace Corps program, also established by Kennedy.  Vice President Joe Biden, another potential candidate, plans to attend only the White House medal ceremony.

Those of us of a certain age remember all too well where we were and what we were doing when we learned of President Kennedy's assassination in Texas.  President Obama was just three years old at the time.

On November 22, 1963, I was a freshman student at Hampton Institute. Ironically, I  was in my US History class, which was taught by Dr. Hyman Kuritz.  We were actually discussing the Bay of Pigs incident, which almost caused Hampton to be evacuated, since it was located near so many military bases (Langley AFB, Ft Monroe, Ft. Eustace and others).  We could hear a loudspeaker in the background, which kept getting louder and louder, practically drowning out Dr. Kuritz.  Finally, a teacher ran into the classroom and whispered in his ear.  He dropped his text book and immediately dismissed the class, after having made the announcement that someone had tried to kill the president.  It was approximately 3:30 in the afternoon.

Last Photo of Kennedy Alive

When we stepped out onto the quad, we saw that practically all of the students were gathered there.  Teachers were trying to keep us from panicking, while at the same time freaking out.  One instructor actually had a heart attack and died.  In the canteen speculation about who did it was all over the place.  When Malcolm X made the statement about "chickens coming home to roost," many of us who were long time Civil Rights activists were concerned that they would try to pin it on a Black person just to spark a backlash. 

Last Photo of Kennedy Alive

I remembered how I had met Kennedy when he was campaigning to become president.  It was in 1959, and we were staging a sit-in at the Skirvin Towers and Hotel in downtown Oklahoma City.  We were high school students, and the demonstration, one of many that we participated in, was led by the late Clara Luper, our local mentor, activist, and heroine.  We had positioned ourselves in front of the elevator doors, so no one could pass through.  The city managers were walking with Kennedy and tried to force us to move.  Kennedy stopped him and said he would not cross the picket line.  He smiled at us, turned and walked away.  

I remember noting that his hair was "really, really red."  My fellow classmate/sit-inners were completely in awe of him, since, during those days, to have white man to tell another white man that he was going to respect something Black people were doing was unheard of.  At that time I was too young to vote, but I remember telling my Dad that he should vote for Kennedy *(Blacks had the vote in Oklahoma before LBJ signed the Voting Rights Act).  At that time Dad was a Lincoln Republican, Kennedy was a Democrat.  (Isn't it amazing how the whole scenario has changed? Republicans used to be the good guys, Democrats/Dixiecrats were the bad guys.  Nobody wanted Kennedy because his family was Catholic; today they have a whole new set of issues).

When President Kennedy was pronounced dead, classes at Hampton were suspended.  We were all in our respective dormitory lounges, glued to the TV set as President Lyndon Baynes Johnson was sworn in, and watched as Jackie Kennedy bravely bore up under all the tragedy.  We watched as they apprehended Lee Harvey Oswald.  We watched as Jack Ruby shot Oswald at point blank range, while cameramen filmed it, not thinking to stop and say "he's got a gun."    We watched as Malcolm X was censured by the Hon. Elijah Muhammad.

But most of all, we watched as the horse drawn cart with Kennedy's coffin, led by the Riderless Horse,  marched through DC; as Kennedy's coffin was taken by train through all the major cities, as people lined up to pay their last respects. 

Riderless Horse

 

Funeral Procession With Horse Drawn Cart

Kennedy Family:  Jackie, Bobby, Caroline, John-John, Ted, Peter Lawford (in background)

We watched, we cried, we mourned - we knew that things were getting ready to make a drastic change.  We all knew if they could be so hateful as to kill a sitting President, they would have no compunction about leveling  that same hatred against us, who were taking stands against disenfranchisement, injustice, jim crowism, and all the other evils that had been visited on Black people for more than 400 years.  We watched, mourned, but we also dug in our heels because we knew we still had a lot of work to do.

Wherever you were, whoever you are, I'm sure you have stories to tell/share about that day, week, month following the Assassination of President John Fitzgerald Kennedy.  Make sure you do.  Your children, grandchildren, siblings - the world - needs to hear them.

November 22, 1963 is an auspicious and a sad occasion at the same time, since the 60's marks a period during which heroes on both sides of the line - Black and white - were murdered or assassinated for their beliefs and stance on the legitimacy of the liberation of Black people.

In addition to President Kennedy, Malcolm X (El Hajj Malik el Shabazz), Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Medgar Wiley Evers, and Robert Kennedy,  civil rights activists Schwerner,

Malcolm X

  

Martin Luther King, Jr

Medgar Evers

Robert Kennedy

Goodman and Cheyney, the four beautiful little girls in Birmingham (Bombingham), Alabama; Ralph Featherstone (Secretary of SNCC and a personal friend), George Jackson,  (among others) were victims of violent deaths.There will, no doubt, be many other ceremonies to commemorate these fallen heroes.  But on Friday, we salute the memory of John Fitzgerald Kennedy, the first modern day president to be felled by an assassin's bullet. 

May he continue to rest in peace.  

Stay Blessed &
ECLECTICALLY BLACK
Gloria Dulan-Wilson

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Berry Gordy Master of Transforming Obstacles into Opportunities Receives the Prestigious 2013 Marian Anderson Award

By Gloria Dulan-Wilson

Hello All:

Philadelphia's Kimmel Center was full of the who's who of society yesterday (November 19) as they turned out to celebrate the lifetime achievement of recording mogul and Motown founder, Berry Gordy. 
It was hard to say who the crowd was more excited about:  Berry Gordy, hitmaker extraordinaire, or the fact that his lifelong friend, Smokey Robinson was also going to be in attendance.  Either way, the turn out was tremendous.  

BERRY GORDY

Berry Gordy has been legendary in his recognition and nurturing of  raw Black talent, many of whom have become household names, including:  Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, Diana Ross, the Supremes, Michael Jackson, The Jackson Five, Martha and the Vandellas, Gladys Knight and the Pips, The Temptations, The Four Tops, Rick James, Stevie Wonder, among so many others.  He started out as a song writer, having collaborated successfully with Jackie Wilson (Lonely Tear Drops, To Be Loved), among other greats songs.  He established Motown in 1959, with the help of his sister.   It was the beginning a lifelong collaboration with then 16 year old Smokey Robinson.   Most of the aforementioned artists who would have never had a chance in the mainstream realm,  found the nurturing, mentoring and management style of Gordy to be the foundation that launched their careers.

In his acceptance speech, Gordy mentioned the principle of "overcoming obstacles" as what drove him  on, regardless of what was thrown in his way.  He stated he had grown up hearing about Marian Anderson, who was a legend in his family because of her many  accomplishments. "I viewed Ms. Anderson as the activist of my time because she overcame racial barriers during a time when things were so much more different." 

But he also said that his dream to do something great actually began as a child, when, at the age of eight, Joe Louis knocked out Max Schmelling, the the German heavyweight champion, symbolizing a blow for American democracy against Nazi imperialism.  "When Joe Louis fought, it was always a holiday for Black people back then.  When he knocked out Schmelling, the whole world called Joe Louis a hero, a champion.  I wanted to be viewed as a champion like my hero, Joe Louis."  And that's what he did, only in a different genre - the realm of music and entertainement.

He also attributed his vision of Motown to having worked at the Ford Motor Company.  He found the working on the assembly line a metaphor for what needed to happen to produce stars.  They come in like the car as raw metal, they go through different levels of transformation, including the design of the body, the engine type, the outer appearance, and when they emerge they are a beautiful car that everybody wants.  Gordy saw that in terms of the raw talent who came to Motown:  They were raw talent when they arrived, but were taught poise, how to dress, how to interact with the public, choreography, style, voice and diction; when they came out the other side, they were superstars - just like the assembly line.  The formula worked and took many a wannabe, mediocre talent from the sideline to stardom.

Berry Gordy Black in the day

He spoke humbly of how the board, as they called themselves, would meet, listen to a song or an idea; decide how to utilize it, showcase it; what the talent needed to become successful.  They worked as a unit.  They looked at the talent, the music, and everything wholistically.  This was not just a piece of talent, this was a whole person who had much to bring to the table, and whose very life was now about to be changed - they were all in it together.  Where others might have been discouraged, or turned away, Berry Gordy would take the leap of faith, make the investment, bring in the experts, and make magic. 

Berry Gordy With Diana Ross at the NY Premiere of MOTOWN THE MUSICAL

He acknowledged that he and Diana Ross had a romance, but his lifelong friendship with Smokey Robinson was what could be considered a  straight "bro-mance;" and that both had very special places and meanings in his life.

SMOKEY ROBINSON

Smokey Robinson, Gordy's lifelong friend, complimented him, prior to his acceptance speech, and cited his determination to overcome obstacles.  They met when Smokey, aged 16, was trying to pitch some of his "songs" to a local recording company in Detroit.  He sang a couple of them, but was given the boot.  Gordy, who was working with Jackie Wilson at the time, happened to have been there, and asked Smokey if he had any other songs.  Robinson had a looseleaf notebook with over 100 songs.  He stated that Gordy listened to every one of them patiently, and gave him constructive criticism for each one.  "He did not rush me, or ridicule me; he was very open.  He taught me how to write songs so that they had meaning.  I had so many songs that had two or three songs wrapped into one," the famous artist shared.  "This is a friendship of a lifetime.  I will admit to everyone that I love Berry Gordy - not in a gay way, but as a brother, mentor, and the best friend I ever had." He went on to state, "Berry is a champion when it comes to overcoming obstacles.  There is nothing that he will not take on, if he sees it as opportunity for something greater."  He further affirmed that for Berry, the bigger the obstacle, the more he welcomed the challenge to use his own creative - and often unorthodox - to tackle it. No was never an option; it was another opportunity forge a new path.  And that path has led to some of the most successful talents ever.

Smokey wrote a personal song for Berry that left the audience speechless, ending with how much he loved Berry for having been there for him for over fifty years, and how he considered him the best friend he ever had - for life.  Of course the audience melted.    

Marking the 15^th anniversary of the Marian Anderson Award, former Pennsylvania state governor Ed Rendell was honored as its founder and for his impact on the arts in Philadelphia, followed by a special performance by Tony Award nominee Brandon Victor Dixon, who stars as Gordy himself in “Motown The Musical.”


Keeping everything running smoothly was comedian, actor, philanthropist, Chris Tucker, who kept the audience in stitches with his zany adaptations of Motown hits:  Money:   "The best thing in life is free, But that don't mean a thing to me; I want my money - that's what I want."

Comedian/Actor Chris Tucker

Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, of the famed Gamble and Huff writing and production team, and the very underpinning of the Philly Sound, likewise congratulated Gordy on his accomplishments.  They spoke of the many times they had collaborated on work between Detroit and Philly, sharing each other's catalogues.  

Gordy later also affirmed that when he could not get acknowledged in Detroit, he came to Philadelphia and brought his music to WDAS-FM.  He was then doing his own promotions.  The DJ was on the air, and had Gordy wait outside while he previewed the record, while playing another hit of the day.  After previewing it, he got on the mike and told his listening audience that he had something great he knew they were going to love, and proceeded to play the first record by Smokey Robinson and the Miracles.  In overcoming obstacles, per Gordy, you have to be willing to travel outside your comfort zone, around the detours and cut your own path.  He also stated that when Motown was stuck for music for their talent, they would call on Gamble and Huff to see what they had that would work.  (Proving that the rivalry we now see between the various hip hop artists are totally unnecessary).

At 83, looking 60 or younger, Gordy also showed he could still make moves on the dance floor.   He had actually left the stage to return to his seat, when Kool and the Gang began playing their closing number. He jumped back onto the stage and began dancing like he was 25 years old.  Had some great moves too!! Stopped the retreating audience in their tracks as they watched in awe, this great man, whose love of music, talent and creativity, went whole souled back into the genre he loved the most:  Soul Music. 

Congratulations to Berry Gordy for an honor and acknowledgment well deserved. GDW

The Marian Anderson Award was established in 1998 by former Pennsylvania State Democratic Governor Ed Rendell, and has bestowed this award on those who have "used their talents for personal artistic expression, coupled with a deep commitment to the betterment of society.  In addition to Berry Gordy, the previous recipients are:  Harry Belafonte (1998); Gregory Peck (1999); Dame Elizabeth Taylor (2000); Quincy Jones (2001); Danny Glover (2002); Oprah Winfrey (2003); Ruby Dee & Ossie Davis (2005); Sidney Portier (2006); Richard Gere (2007); Maya Angelou and Norman Lear (2008);  Bill Cosby (2010); Mia Farrow (2011); and James Earl Jones (2012) * No awards were given in 2004 or 2009. 

The former recipients each have a major track record in their own right in playing major roles in mentoring and facilitating the underwriting of countless struggling youth, and programs designed to help youth realize their dreams of using their talent and creativity.  Over the past fifteen years the Marian Anderson Awards have provided more than $560,000 in support for free public programs, commissions and grants through the awards gala.  The program administers the Young Artist Study-Grant program, which benefits financially-challenged high school aged performing and visual artists from Philadelphia and the region.  Anderson was considered  an important personality to reckon with, due to her continuous support in the struggle for Black artists, to overcome racial prejudices in U.S. "Her life is a classic example for artists, who give up after meeting a few hardships in life, to get motivated and walk towards the path of success."  

The Marian Anderson Award also celebrated the inauguration of a new chair, Nina Tinari, who will be taking the organization forward, as Pamela Browner White, who chaired the organization for twelve years, steps down. 

For those of you who may have heard the name, but are not familiar with who Marian Anderson was, or why she's so significant, and why the particular individuals selected exemplify her spirit and energy, let me give you a brief biographical profile:

MARIAN ANDERSON

I will begin by saying that when I was in elementary school in Oklahoma City, we were taught about Marian Anderson, and were encouraged to sing like her.  She was the first Black woman to sing the National Anthem at a Presidential Inauguration.  Something that, Black in the day, was totally unheard of in uber-segregated Washington, DC. 

She was born and raised in Philadelphia, PA to poor but well educated parents.  Her musical talent became evident in childhood.  She taught herself to play the family piano as a child and got odd jobs, so that she could buy herself a violin. At age 6, Marian joined the choir at the Union Baptist Church, and at the age of 8 she gave her first solo performance. As a teen,  musical talent gave her opportunity to sing in assemblies and other school functions;  and her mother was encouraged by none other than the great singer Roland Hayes to get herformal training.   However, the segregated schools in the Philadelphia area would not admit her.  She eventually studied under Italian great Guiseppe Boghetti, who encouraged her to study in Europe.  For those of you who have never heard her, Ms. Anderson had a rich contralto voice that sent chills down your spine.

Sol Hurok, a great musician and producer, was impressed by her performance in Paris, and invited Marian on a U.S. singing tour. . Marian appeared for the 2^nd time in New York’s town house on 20^th of December, 1935, and because of the overwhelming success, was booked for 2 yrs in advance and her concerts were sold out across the States. In 1936, Marian became the first African American to perform at the White House, due to the enthusiasm of First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. In the year 1939, however, when Hurok tried to book a concert at Washington D.C Constitution Hall, owned by the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), who turned it down by the sisters because of their racist attitudes towards Marian.

First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, along with Walter White, the executive secretary of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored people and Sol Hurok arranged for a concert on the steps of Lincoln memorial,  on April 9, 1939.  More than 75,000 people came, and it was a sensational hit with more than a million national radio audiences. 

Marian Anderson Singing at the Lincoln Memorial, 1939

On 7^th January 1955, she became the first African-American to perform with the Metropolitan Opera in New York. In 1957, she performed for President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s inauguration; she later toured India and the Far East as a goodwill ambassadress representing her country. On 20^th January, 1961 she performed for President John F. Kennedy’s inauguration, and the next year in 1962 she performed for President Kennedy and the other dignitaries in the East Room of the White House. The same year she even represented her country in Australia. In April 1965, on an Easter Sunday, Marian Anderson gave her final concert at the Carnegie Hall, followed by a yearlong farewell tour.  A commemorative stamp has been issued in her honor:

Most don't realize that Ms. Anderson had a very successful and long lasting marriage, though it came late in her life.   On July 17, 1943 Marian Anderson she married  Orpheus H. Fisher, also known as the ‘King’ to become his second wife. The two got married in Bethel, Connecticut. By this marriage she had a stepson, James Fisher. In 1986, Anderson's husband, Orpheus Fisher, died after 43 years of marriage.  Ms. Anderson lived to the age of 96, and passed at the home of her nephew in Oregon.  Her legacy is unimpeachable.

Those who are interested in contributing to the Marian Anderson Award organization, may do so by  logging on to www.marianandersonaward.com for further information.  

Stay Blessed & 
ECLECTICALLY BLACK
Gloria Dulan-Wilson

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