Gloria Dulan-Wilson
Hello All:
I just received an email in reference to the January 17 press conference convened by the National Newspaper Publishers Assn.(NNPA), Black Church, and Historically Black College and University (HBCU) Leaders to Announce A New Anti-Hazing Initiative. The conference should be broadcast nationally.
If you can make it, it would be a good idea to be in attendance to show solidarity and support.
My response to the "anti-hazing" concept follows. If you agree (or disagree) please comment with your ideas and concepts:
Dear Brothers and Sisters: First of all, my profound condolences to the Champion family on the loss of their son, Robert, Jr. There is nothing anyone can say or do to take away the pain and agony of the loss of a child. But my prayers are with them as they go through this horrific period.
When we are confronted with the horrors of "hazing" as some poor student falls prey to the overzealous (or, in some cases mean spirited) behavior of their fellow students, or peers, who are apparently lacking in proper supervision, values, or priorities, we are horrified. And each time either a sorority or a fraternity (and in this instance a marching band) comes under scrutiny and fire for the tragedy that ensues such banal activities.
I must admit I never heard of bands having rites of passage. I always thought membership was based on whether you could actually play an instrument or not and march to the music sufficiently not to cause problems with other members of the marching band. When it became necessary to initiate someone into a band is beyond me, and somewhat ridiculous on the face of it. Either you're a musician or you're not!
Most of us who are members of our Black fraternities and sororities have fond memories of having "survived pledge week," and are prepared to regale each other with how "tuff" the dean of pledgees was, and how we handled it (or not). Many of us have decorated paraphenalia from the initiations of Black in the day. We had no reports of anyone dying or being beaten to within an inch of their lives while going through an initiation process.
I have often stated that our Black fraternities and sororities (also called the Divine Nine) are the last bastions of our lost African "rites of passage" from childhood to man or womanhood; and I still maintain that stance.
However, given the fact that we, as adults no longer (by law) have the tools to discipline our children during their formative years, so tragedies like these don't happen; and since so many of our kids have been exposed to a daily overdose of violence - at least from the tender age of three - via TV, movies, so-called gangsta rap music, etc., I think we now need to review and come up with a better plan for our initiations and pledging rites.
And, notice, I did not say discontinue them -- no one "joins" a Fraternity or Sorority - they must pledge. Our rites have reason - to bring about loyalty, discipline and tradition. We are not a club -- we are a society; a social organization. For the most part we have each been a source and a force for good in the Black community for over a 100 years (Delta Sigma Theta just celebrated our 99th Founders' Day Anniversary), and plan to continue to be so. And we will not have our names or reputations sullied by the taint of over zealous individuals who take out their internal hostilities against their brothers and sisters through the forms of brutal hazing.
You realize of course, however, that with the mindset of many of today's youth, you can't just tell them that "hazing" is bad. And you can't just tell them to stop "hazing" either. Unfortunately, in many instances, it's hardwired into our premordial human DNA (regardless of whether we're white, Black, Asian, Indian, etc). It's as old as the "new kid on the block" who has to prove him or herself worthy of being a part of the group or the neighborhood.
Instead of the tired old m.o. of verbally condemning their actions, or preaching them away from our guidance, we need a paradigm shift: Perhaps they should have task oriented initiations in a way that benefits the organization (Fraternity, Sorority, Band, or other group) and at the same time forges a bond between the new initiates. It can be fun or it can be serious; or a mix of both. It can exist over a prescribed period of time (3 to 6 weeks). Perhaps the "pledgees" can perform - dance, sing, act, or do something quirky (which is what we had to do in the early days, anyway) for their fellow brothers and sisters.
Or perhaps they can be required to perform a series of some sort of community service, for which they will be rated in terms of delivery and impact (which is what is done on the grad chapter level of Delta Sigma Theta).
You can't just be against something, without giving them something positive to replace it with; and without the mature adult guidance and mentorship to make sure it is implemented appropriately.
As Black people, we really are in the position of saving our youth, and ourselves in the bargain. We just have to think outside the white box, and look at all the creative, innovative, multicultural Best Practices, and unique ways we have, so that we can reinstate our culture of cohesiveness and progress at the same time (you know that unity that helped us survive and surpass enslavement, racism, and ignorance?).
Again, my condolences to the Champion family. For those who are interested in providing further assistance, contact www.savethefamily.com; or Trice Edney Communications
Stay Blessed &
ECLECTICALLY BLACK
Gloria Dulan-Wilson
Posted by Gloria Dulan-Wilson
Long live the memory and the lessons of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
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Showing posts with label Center for African Education. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Center for African Education. Show all posts
7.22.2011
Event Alert: Meet Jean-Jaques Ekindi Camaroun Presidential Candidate Saturday
By Gloria Dulan-Wilson
By Gloria Dulan-Wilson
My sister/friend P. Sylvie Yonke sent me this information, and I am sharing it with you, because we African Americans need to be just as aware of what's happening on the Continent (a/k/a Mother Africa) as we are here.
On Saturday, July 23, there will be an opportunity to meet Jean-Jacques Ekindi, presidential candidate to Cameroun, who from what I can see is a very dynamic, stalwart and might I add, brave brother. He has run for president of his country on several occasions. These attempts are by no means to be construed as failed attempts, but more a study in perseverance, determination, and commitment. The Center for African Education (CAE) will be hosting the event, which takes place at Dodge Hall, from 5PM to 10PM in Room 179, 525 W. 120th St, between Amsterdam and Broadway.
Ekindi, who is known affectionately as “The Lion Hunter” is running for President in the upcoming election, but is taking the opportunity to interface with Camerounian students here in the US who have ties, interest and influence in the upcoming election. He will also be autographing his book entitled: Politiques du Cameroun et 'Afriqu La Defis
According to the CAE, “Cameroon and the Presidential candidates rely on the Diaspora to engage in the process of participatory democracy, and use their power to bring about progress and development at home. Don't miss this important event! “
What was compelling for me, however, was the bio Sylvie sent me in reference to this dynamic man. With just the little bit I’ve already read, I could see it making one heck of a movie - it’s got conspiracy, intrigue, pathos, success, failure, murder, betrayal, and resurrection, as our hero comes back from the depths of despair and try again at his goal to become the leader of his country.
Growing up in the US, we’ve seen movies set in Africa where the youth has to go out and kill a lion in order to prove his manhood - it’s a rite of passage we’ve all become familiar with (whether that actually ever happened, or still happens, I don’t know - but it’s part of our romance about African men). And those are the images we tend to conjure up when we hear the nickname “The Lion Hunter.”
According to his biographers, he received that nickname because he is smart and patient, bides his time, and never stops looking at his prey! He is a politician in a noble sense of the word!”
Ekindi evolved from vice president of the National Union of Kamerunian Students (UNEK); became information officer and Chief Editor of The Student of Kamerun Magazine, trhough which he expressed his opinions. He was and is an activist, starting in 1968, and continuing to the present date.
Like many African American brothers and sisters who have been incarcerated indefinitely because of their opinions, influence, and potential for leadership, Ekindi was arrested and “detained” indefinitely for a political speech made at the session of the National Commission for Scholarships in Younde` in 1970, for alleged “subversion and endangering the security of the state.”
Like the South Africans, and some US municipalities, the French regime sent him to jail without trial, using an arrest warrant to throw him into prison for an indeterminate time (sound familiar?).
Over the past 40 years, Ekindi has been involved in the political landscape of the Cameroun in one way or another. I could give you the whole story, but I think you’d get more mileage from attending the reception and reading his book.
Let’s just say that these last few elections have been full of trial and tribulations - from his being silenced by the prevailing government to his business wrecked, tottering on bankruptcy; from his wife, body guard, driver all dying mysteriously (??); to his having to leave the country more than one time in exile; to his being betrayed by those who pretended to be his allies. And he has still not let up! That's determination!!
The most recent 2009 election has turned out to be most propitious indeed, and he currently holds dual positions as Municipal Counselor, Representative, and Secretary of the Inter-parliamentary Finance Committee. Since 2009, he is the founder and organizer, with the support from the government, of the Douala International Fair for Development.
Poised to run for President, I am sure you are going to want to meet, greet and support this dynamic man, Jean-Jacques Ekindi, and applaud him for his intrepid spirit.
CAE's mission is to promote research and teaching about education, broadly defined, in Africa and the African Diaspora. Its central aim is to create a community of students, faculty, staff, and New York residents with common interests and commitments to the fields of Education and African Studies. www.tc.columbia.edu/centers/cae/ 212-678-8139 - Please call the above captioned number for additional information and directions. Free admission, but contributions and donations aare accepted.
Stay Blessed &
ECLECTICALLY BLACK
Gloria Dulan-Wilson
By Gloria Dulan-Wilson
My sister/friend P. Sylvie Yonke sent me this information, and I am sharing it with you, because we African Americans need to be just as aware of what's happening on the Continent (a/k/a Mother Africa) as we are here.
On Saturday, July 23, there will be an opportunity to meet Jean-Jacques Ekindi, presidential candidate to Cameroun, who from what I can see is a very dynamic, stalwart and might I add, brave brother. He has run for president of his country on several occasions. These attempts are by no means to be construed as failed attempts, but more a study in perseverance, determination, and commitment. The Center for African Education (CAE) will be hosting the event, which takes place at Dodge Hall, from 5PM to 10PM in Room 179, 525 W. 120th St, between Amsterdam and Broadway.
Ekindi, who is known affectionately as “The Lion Hunter” is running for President in the upcoming election, but is taking the opportunity to interface with Camerounian students here in the US who have ties, interest and influence in the upcoming election. He will also be autographing his book entitled: Politiques du Cameroun et 'Afriqu La Defis
According to the CAE, “Cameroon and the Presidential candidates rely on the Diaspora to engage in the process of participatory democracy, and use their power to bring about progress and development at home. Don't miss this important event! “
What was compelling for me, however, was the bio Sylvie sent me in reference to this dynamic man. With just the little bit I’ve already read, I could see it making one heck of a movie - it’s got conspiracy, intrigue, pathos, success, failure, murder, betrayal, and resurrection, as our hero comes back from the depths of despair and try again at his goal to become the leader of his country.
Growing up in the US, we’ve seen movies set in Africa where the youth has to go out and kill a lion in order to prove his manhood - it’s a rite of passage we’ve all become familiar with (whether that actually ever happened, or still happens, I don’t know - but it’s part of our romance about African men). And those are the images we tend to conjure up when we hear the nickname “The Lion Hunter.”
According to his biographers, he received that nickname because he is smart and patient, bides his time, and never stops looking at his prey! He is a politician in a noble sense of the word!”
Ekindi evolved from vice president of the National Union of Kamerunian Students (UNEK); became information officer and Chief Editor of The Student of Kamerun Magazine, trhough which he expressed his opinions. He was and is an activist, starting in 1968, and continuing to the present date.
Like many African American brothers and sisters who have been incarcerated indefinitely because of their opinions, influence, and potential for leadership, Ekindi was arrested and “detained” indefinitely for a political speech made at the session of the National Commission for Scholarships in Younde` in 1970, for alleged “subversion and endangering the security of the state.”
Like the South Africans, and some US municipalities, the French regime sent him to jail without trial, using an arrest warrant to throw him into prison for an indeterminate time (sound familiar?).
Over the past 40 years, Ekindi has been involved in the political landscape of the Cameroun in one way or another. I could give you the whole story, but I think you’d get more mileage from attending the reception and reading his book.
Let’s just say that these last few elections have been full of trial and tribulations - from his being silenced by the prevailing government to his business wrecked, tottering on bankruptcy; from his wife, body guard, driver all dying mysteriously (??); to his having to leave the country more than one time in exile; to his being betrayed by those who pretended to be his allies. And he has still not let up! That's determination!!
The most recent 2009 election has turned out to be most propitious indeed, and he currently holds dual positions as Municipal Counselor, Representative, and Secretary of the Inter-parliamentary Finance Committee. Since 2009, he is the founder and organizer, with the support from the government, of the Douala International Fair for Development.
Poised to run for President, I am sure you are going to want to meet, greet and support this dynamic man, Jean-Jacques Ekindi, and applaud him for his intrepid spirit.
CAE's mission is to promote research and teaching about education, broadly defined, in Africa and the African Diaspora. Its central aim is to create a community of students, faculty, staff, and New York residents with common interests and commitments to the fields of Education and African Studies. www.tc.columbia.edu/centers/cae/ 212-678-8139 - Please call the above captioned number for additional information and directions. Free admission, but contributions and donations aare accepted.
Stay Blessed &
ECLECTICALLY BLACK
Gloria Dulan-Wilson
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