By Gloria Dulan-Wilson
Tune in to history in the making this Friday, December 2, as African Sun Times publisher, Dr. Chika Onyeani interviews Ambassador Dr. Dudley Thompson, QC., No.1 Pan-Africanist in the world. He defended late (great) President Jomo Kenyatta of Kenya during the Mau-Mau trials, and is President of the World African Diaspora Union (WADU). The interview is going to be live on "StraightTalk with Chika Onyeani on AllAfricaRadio," WPAT-AM 930, Friday night, December 2 at 12 midnight.
Kenya achieved her independence from British mis-rule on December 12, 1963, and will be celebrating their big 5-0 in 2013. For those of you who may not be totally aware, Kenya actively fought for her independence, by forming a fierce group of warriors called the MauMaus. Just the very word struck fear and a yellow streak down the back of many a British colonial monster. They had guns, weapons and a knowledge of guerilla warfare that put many a Viet Cong to shame. And they KICKED BUTT big time. Jomo Kenyatta, also called "Flaming Spear" was their leader, but truth be told, as with the Japanese, everyone was a leader unto themselves. Treachery met with death, especially if a Black person was caught fraternizing with the enemy (i.e. white, european settlers). They wanted them off their land and they meant to take Kenya back by any means necessary. And that's just what they did. they fought so hard and so consistently, that even when the Brits had arrested and imprisoned Jomo Kenyatta, they did not stop fighting, but became more and more intense and determined. For the MauMau, freedom was a non-negotiable item.
These are very exciting times for those of us in the 6th Diasporan Region of Africa, because we are in somewhat similar situations now. We have to make our reparations and our independence within this country a non-negotiable item. Not fighting, per se, a battle for the hearts, minds, spirits and well being of every Black man, woman and child in this country, and anywhere else we reside.
And what greater way of hearing about how it was affected first hand, than to listen in on the discourse between Drs. Onyeani and Thompson. So regardless of where you are, or how hard you're partying, if you are an ECLECTICALLY BLACK MAN OR WOMAN of CONSCIOUSNESS, you will definitely want to tune in to WPAT-AM 930, or log-on to www.wpat930am.com and listen live from anywhere throughout the world.
"StraightTalk with Chika Onyeani on AllAfriucaRadio," the most powerful voice for Africa in America, comes on every Friday night at 12 midnight. Call-in numbers: 212-219-9620, 212-219-9629 and 212-219-9634.
Kenyatta was definitely one of my personal heroes. As a kid we heard a great deal about his exploits. He was an African Superhero. And I have always had a great deal of admiration for my Kenyan brothers and sisters because they stood up and fought against european oppression. Kenyatta went on to be Kenya's first president.
The upcoming interview should be very interesting indeed.
One of the key sponsors is the African Sun Times, Africa's No.1 weekly newspaper in America, and acclaimed by the African Union (OAU 2001) as "Champion of the African Agenda in America." However, I'm sure they'd welcome more sponsors of color to help expand the programming. You can reach them to find out how to be a part of this great communication source at the following numbers: Tel.: 973-675-9919
Fax: 973-675-5704 or Cell: 917-279-4038. You can also get more information about the publications or the broadcasts via the following: African Sun Times: www.africansuntimes.com; All Africa Radio: www.allafricaradio.com
Per Chika A. Onyeani, Publisher/Editor-in-Chief: "It is not what you call me, but what I answer to, that matters most" - Capitalist Nigger: The Road to Success, Onyeani's internationally acclaimed No. 1 bestselling book.
Also if you haven't read either of Dr. Onyeani's publications, you must make it your business to do so:"The Broederbond Conspiracy," www.thebroederbondconspiracy.com or www.theblackjamesbond.com, or "The Capitalist Nigger" you really should. They have so much pivotal information of importance for us all.
Did I mention that I wrote for the African Sun Times for 12 years, and it's the best paper on Africa for Africans in America, ever!! I still do special features for them from time to time, but whether you're African from Africa or African American, there is something for everyone.
Stay Blessed &
Eclectically Black
Gloria Dulan-Wilson Blog/ ECLECTICALLY BLACK NEWS
For Eclectic Black People
VIP: Views . Interests . Perspectives
Showing posts with label Lagos Nigeria. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Lagos Nigeria. Show all posts
12.01.2011
5.23.2011
EVENT ALERT: Dance Africa at BAM Celebrates its 34th Year Memorial Weekend May 27-30
by Gloria Dulan-Wilson
The Saturday before Memorial Day, is the kick off for Dance Africa, when Baba Chuck Davis, founder of the African American Dance Ensemble, and his troupe land in Brooklyn to regale us with his latest gathering of talent from Africa and her Diaspora. And this week end was absolutely spectacular.
Davis who stands tall at 6’5” presided over the event from the sidelines, while locally based community groups presented their youth, attired in African regalia, dancing their hearts out to youthful and seasoned drummers, reminiscent of what it may have been like in traditional African villages. Local dance troupes were in great form. A young toddler with the spirit of a modern day baby-faced Sammy Davis Jr., played African drums in the manner of a seasoned drummer, to the pleasure and amazement of the adults in the audience. (I told you our children are born geniuses, when their talents and skills are nurtured, people call them prodigies.)
The Elders wore full traditional clothing - lapas, geles, bubas, grand bubas, and agbadas; wearing lekes of their traditional Orisha (or Gods); priests/priestesses were attired in all white, came into the tent in a stately procession and sat in seats set aside for them on the right side of the tented area.
Their clothing was somewhat rivaled by the audience, many of whom wore traditional African dress in respect for the event.
They were addressed by Assemblywoman Annette M. Robinson, who was there to both celebrate Dance Africa’s kick off, and Delta Sigma Theta’s annual event, which also takes place at Bed Stuy Restoration the Saturday prior to Memorial Day. The joint events showcase local talent and pays homage to the accomplishments of locally based community organizations.
Dance Troupes formed around the community performed both on the stage and on the ground - we were in Africa all afternoon - or was it that Africa was in us?
But it was the folkloric group from Cuba, Folklorico Cutumba, whose Priest had blessed the opening of the event, that really had the audience going. Anyone who had didn’t get the linkage between Cuba and Africa, certainly got it yesterday. From the chants to the Orishas, through the dances, through the music - all ours, all theirs, all Africa’s - and we were all one.
For those of you who are not totally culturally aware, let me explain - Cuba, Puerto Rico, and other islands (South America - esp. Brazil; the Caribbean - esp. Haiti) where those ships dropped us a few centuries ago, has some of the richest practices of Yoruba (primarily Benin and Nigeria) religion in tact, despite the efforts of the slave monsters and the Catholic church to wipe it. When necessary, they changed the names of their Orisha (Gods/Goddesses) to catholic priest names, and kept right on honoring them - and do so to this day. Santa Barbara is an alias for Shango (or Chango - my Orisha)
In order to preserve their authentic ancestral and traditional beliefs, the Lukumi people disguised their orishas as Catholic saints. When the Roman Catholic slave owners observed Africans celebrating a Saint's Day, they were so dumb they thought the slaves were actually worshiping their sacred catholic saints. The term Santería means "the Way of the Saints", but was was originally a perjorative used Spanish to mock the slaves.
Slavery in the US, however, was the most brutal, degrading and punitive of all the practices - anyone caught speaking in their native tongue, playing drums, or any form or remnant of our African culture was severely punished - castration, lynching, and other heinous practices, all but wiped out any remnants we had of our cultural ties to Africa. Notice I said “all but” wiped out -- we may not have maintained the forms, but the substance of who we are still remains, and has been growing ever more strongly daily. There are strong Yoruba centers in the US and parts of England. And while there is no move to leave the Christian faith, there has been more and more of a blending and understanding of the efficacies of many traditions that we were severed from over 400 years.
Perhaps this is why Dance Africa, which started at BAM 34 years ago, remains strong and popular in New York, with thousands coming from all over the US to participate one of the biggest, grandest African American celebrations of Africa. The dancers and performers are brought from all over Africa and the diaspora to perform at the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) for four days during Memorial Day Weekend, while on the streets surrounding the Music center a robust street festival with vendors, food products, performers, are likewise entertaining New Yorkers.
This also coincides with Fleet Week, when the Navy comes to New York, so there are a significant number of African Americans from the Navy who have traveled throughout the world, but have never experienced the likes of this event.
So if you think Memorial Day Weekend was a week end to go away, guess again. If you live in New York, you could find no better place to get away to than little old Brooklyn New York. Did I say “little“? There is definitely nothing “little” about Brooklyn. Brooklyn is actually the 4th largest city in the US. So, I strongly suggest you bring or wear comfortable (cute, but comfortable for the sisters) walking shoes; a shopping cart or big shoulder bag - because you will not be able to resist the bargains and the beautiful clothes and African art and crafts for sale; and be prepared to dance on the spot.
By the way, it appears that many of our very own African brothers and sisters, residing right here in Little Old New York City, are totally unaware of Dance Africa or the street festival. So do them a favor, and bring them to Brooklyn, so they can see the influence traditional Africa still has on people of African Heritage. We celebrate the home of our ancestors here big time. Sometimes we are living right next to each other, working side by side, yet they are totally unaware of these wonderful events. So take an African brother or sister by the hand and bring them to Brooklyn. Give them a Dance Afrika Brochure. We have to draw the circle around us so that it brings us together, not leaves us out.
That said, for my brothers and sisters from other parts of Africa, i.e, Kenya, Tanzania, Ghana, the Congo, South Africa, Namibia, The Gambia, etc; for my brothers and sisters from the Caribbean (actually little pockets of African-ness); South America or just the plain old USA South - south New York, South Carolina; Alabama, etc. - this is for all of us with one tenth of one per cent of Black Blood flowing through our veins - so don't get it twisted. It's for all of us. Come out and play
Concert Dates and Times are: Friday, May 27, 2011 at 7:30pm
Saturday, May 28, 2011 at 2 & 7:30pm; and Sunday/Monday, May 29 & 30, 2011 at 3pm. If you haven’t purchased you tix for the concert, go online for BAM at www.bam.org/view.aspx?pid=2655.
Africa is alive and well and living in New York City.
STAY BLESSED &
ECLECTICALLY BLACK
Gloria Dulan-Wilson
The Saturday before Memorial Day, is the kick off for Dance Africa, when Baba Chuck Davis, founder of the African American Dance Ensemble, and his troupe land in Brooklyn to regale us with his latest gathering of talent from Africa and her Diaspora. And this week end was absolutely spectacular.
Davis who stands tall at 6’5” presided over the event from the sidelines, while locally based community groups presented their youth, attired in African regalia, dancing their hearts out to youthful and seasoned drummers, reminiscent of what it may have been like in traditional African villages. Local dance troupes were in great form. A young toddler with the spirit of a modern day baby-faced Sammy Davis Jr., played African drums in the manner of a seasoned drummer, to the pleasure and amazement of the adults in the audience. (I told you our children are born geniuses, when their talents and skills are nurtured, people call them prodigies.)
The Elders wore full traditional clothing - lapas, geles, bubas, grand bubas, and agbadas; wearing lekes of their traditional Orisha (or Gods); priests/priestesses were attired in all white, came into the tent in a stately procession and sat in seats set aside for them on the right side of the tented area.
Their clothing was somewhat rivaled by the audience, many of whom wore traditional African dress in respect for the event.
They were addressed by Assemblywoman Annette M. Robinson, who was there to both celebrate Dance Africa’s kick off, and Delta Sigma Theta’s annual event, which also takes place at Bed Stuy Restoration the Saturday prior to Memorial Day. The joint events showcase local talent and pays homage to the accomplishments of locally based community organizations.
Dance Troupes formed around the community performed both on the stage and on the ground - we were in Africa all afternoon - or was it that Africa was in us?
But it was the folkloric group from Cuba, Folklorico Cutumba, whose Priest had blessed the opening of the event, that really had the audience going. Anyone who had didn’t get the linkage between Cuba and Africa, certainly got it yesterday. From the chants to the Orishas, through the dances, through the music - all ours, all theirs, all Africa’s - and we were all one.
For those of you who are not totally culturally aware, let me explain - Cuba, Puerto Rico, and other islands (South America - esp. Brazil; the Caribbean - esp. Haiti) where those ships dropped us a few centuries ago, has some of the richest practices of Yoruba (primarily Benin and Nigeria) religion in tact, despite the efforts of the slave monsters and the Catholic church to wipe it. When necessary, they changed the names of their Orisha (Gods/Goddesses) to catholic priest names, and kept right on honoring them - and do so to this day. Santa Barbara is an alias for Shango (or Chango - my Orisha)
In order to preserve their authentic ancestral and traditional beliefs, the Lukumi people disguised their orishas as Catholic saints. When the Roman Catholic slave owners observed Africans celebrating a Saint's Day, they were so dumb they thought the slaves were actually worshiping their sacred catholic saints. The term Santería means "the Way of the Saints", but was was originally a perjorative used Spanish to mock the slaves.
Slavery in the US, however, was the most brutal, degrading and punitive of all the practices - anyone caught speaking in their native tongue, playing drums, or any form or remnant of our African culture was severely punished - castration, lynching, and other heinous practices, all but wiped out any remnants we had of our cultural ties to Africa. Notice I said “all but” wiped out -- we may not have maintained the forms, but the substance of who we are still remains, and has been growing ever more strongly daily. There are strong Yoruba centers in the US and parts of England. And while there is no move to leave the Christian faith, there has been more and more of a blending and understanding of the efficacies of many traditions that we were severed from over 400 years.
Perhaps this is why Dance Africa, which started at BAM 34 years ago, remains strong and popular in New York, with thousands coming from all over the US to participate one of the biggest, grandest African American celebrations of Africa. The dancers and performers are brought from all over Africa and the diaspora to perform at the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) for four days during Memorial Day Weekend, while on the streets surrounding the Music center a robust street festival with vendors, food products, performers, are likewise entertaining New Yorkers.
This also coincides with Fleet Week, when the Navy comes to New York, so there are a significant number of African Americans from the Navy who have traveled throughout the world, but have never experienced the likes of this event.
So if you think Memorial Day Weekend was a week end to go away, guess again. If you live in New York, you could find no better place to get away to than little old Brooklyn New York. Did I say “little“? There is definitely nothing “little” about Brooklyn. Brooklyn is actually the 4th largest city in the US. So, I strongly suggest you bring or wear comfortable (cute, but comfortable for the sisters) walking shoes; a shopping cart or big shoulder bag - because you will not be able to resist the bargains and the beautiful clothes and African art and crafts for sale; and be prepared to dance on the spot.
By the way, it appears that many of our very own African brothers and sisters, residing right here in Little Old New York City, are totally unaware of Dance Africa or the street festival. So do them a favor, and bring them to Brooklyn, so they can see the influence traditional Africa still has on people of African Heritage. We celebrate the home of our ancestors here big time. Sometimes we are living right next to each other, working side by side, yet they are totally unaware of these wonderful events. So take an African brother or sister by the hand and bring them to Brooklyn. Give them a Dance Afrika Brochure. We have to draw the circle around us so that it brings us together, not leaves us out.
That said, for my brothers and sisters from other parts of Africa, i.e, Kenya, Tanzania, Ghana, the Congo, South Africa, Namibia, The Gambia, etc; for my brothers and sisters from the Caribbean (actually little pockets of African-ness); South America or just the plain old USA South - south New York, South Carolina; Alabama, etc. - this is for all of us with one tenth of one per cent of Black Blood flowing through our veins - so don't get it twisted. It's for all of us. Come out and play
Concert Dates and Times are: Friday, May 27, 2011 at 7:30pm
Saturday, May 28, 2011 at 2 & 7:30pm; and Sunday/Monday, May 29 & 30, 2011 at 3pm. If you haven’t purchased you tix for the concert, go online for BAM at www.bam.org/view.aspx?pid=2655.
Africa is alive and well and living in New York City.
STAY BLESSED &
ECLECTICALLY BLACK
Gloria Dulan-Wilson
1.27.2011
Are Africans and African Americans being measured by a shorter yardstick?
Gloria Dulan-Wilson
The following is a response to a letter that appeared in the recently published African Executive magazine. I read the commentary and agreed with the brother's summation. Since we are currently wrangling with the issues of the relationship between the 6th Diaspora (Blacks in the US) and Africa I think it extremely important for us to cultivate communications between our brothers and sisters here in the US and in Africa; as well as interact with those brothers and sisters who are here in the US. The excerpt immediately follows my response. Stay Blessed GDW
Habari! and Congratulations on the publication of African Executive.
Thank you for sending me a copy and for this thought provoking article on the ties that bind between Africa and the colonial monsters and former slave holders.
By bind, I mean they have Africa bound and gagged, and African Americans right along with it, in a miasma of bogus rules, lies, trickery and deceit. There is still the perception we seem to have pervasively that "the white man's ice is colder" (Johnnie Cochran) and that our best interests lie with them. Operative word in this sentence is "lie". Because it is a lie.
The fact that African Americans built America - African Americans being those Africans who were kidnapped from Africa and dragged kicking and screaming to serve as slaves in America - is evident of the fact that we can and have produced wonders. Not to mention the wonders that we have as Africans produced on the Continent - the Mother Land.
You see, we have long been under their thumb, from the Brits, Spanish, French and Portuguese who first started the trans-Atlantic slave trade, to the Americans (former Brits) who kept it going well into the middle third of the the 19th century. We have been subjugated to their standards. We have not made the paradigm shift to set standards of our own that would be universally recognized AND ENFORCED by Africans - at home, in the Caribbean/South America and in the US.
What is our criteria, where are our standards. How are we educating our people? Do we have some sort of mass program to help those who are among the most illiterate to learn to read, write, and a skill? Who is to do it and who is to implement it?
Africa was inundated by missionaries who brought in a religion that was basically Anti-African. Africans were considered "heathens" and were subjugated to all kinds of egregious acts. The same thing was happening in America to the kidnapped Africans now known as African Americans - only far worse. Not only were they taken from their homeland hundreds of thousands of miles away so they could not easily return; but their language and traditions were literally beaten out of them. Reprisals such as castration and lynching - not to mention rape and the lose of limbs, selling off of children, were the penalties for trying to hold on to any semblance of African tradition or belief.
No doubt you were enduring similar hardships in your own homeland, as interlopers had now come in and literally taken over your lands and marginalized you.
So do we now need to regroup and recoup? Do you thing we are owed a huge debt? Of course we are. But we are going to have to wean ourselves from having any intimate interaction with european money; we are going to have to begin manufacturing our own goods and providing our own services, regardless of whether or not the eurpoeans buy or value them.
We have to come up with a paradigm shift as huge and as effective as what Japan has been able to do to make them stand up, pay attention, and at the same time gain our own self respect.
Notice I mentioned Japan? Not China - who is only there to exploit Africa - after having been sold a contract for all our "debts" by the US (under Bush). Japan has a very high standard of quality. They started from as low a level as Africa currently faces. They introduced quality control - and made sure it was taught and adhered to from the most elementary and rudimentary endeavor to the most complicated and intricate job. They threw out antiquated methods that did not serve them, and learned how to retool their companies so that they would be able to produce products that were high quality.
Now I'm not going to pretend that the concept originated with Japan. They used to manufacture the crappiest products, that would fall apart before they got off the assembly line. It took a professor W. Edwards Deming, who was actually exiled from the US business industry, to help them make the change. But, oh what a difference he made. Americans were actually going to have this guy killed for his recommendations. He was literally sent to Japan to protect him from angry US manufacturers because he suggested that they build in quality to all their products, and introduce longevity so that they would hold up under any circumstances. American manufacturers, however, were going after "planned obsolescence", so that a product would not last more than 3 years, that would force the consumer to have to replace it and purchase a new one. It was Deming who was sent to Japan after WWII to work with them. Well they listened where the Americans wouldn't. And the rest is history. A Toyota is a better car than a Ford; a Cannon, Panasonic, Sony, or any other product produced in Japan will far out perform those of America, Germany, Russia, France, England - Africa - on any given day (I had a Toyota Cressida that had 250,000 miles on it when I purchased it, and it lasted longer than my neighbor's new car.)
Did the Japanese sell their newly designed products in the America/European market place? Not initially. They actually sold to themselves and each other. They taught each man, woman, child the value of quality and cleanliness. They began to tout to teach other the superiority of their own products, made by their own hands. Not in an ego-trip kind of way. Just in a proud of the product sort of way. They also opened the channels of communication so that a person could make a suggestion for an idea, no matter what their station or rank was; and if it was used they would be acknowledged and rewarded. In other words they got rid of the european standard of hierarchy and realized that every one had a contribution and a value.
The biggest lesson is also that once one person knew how to do something new and innovative, they made sure that everyone knew how to do it, or at least knew about it. Like Africa, Japan has a tradition of celebrating every victory or success, no matter how small.
I also want to applaud those amongst us who have worked diligently to keep the African spirit and history untarnished - Ali Mazrui, Leopold Sedar Senghor, Seiku Toure, Kwame Nkrumah, Jomo Kenyatta, Nnamde Azikewe, Frederick Douglass, Carter G. Woodson, Franz Fanon, among others. We have now to make it part of our curriculum, both in Africa and in the Diaspora to study and learn from and about these great ancestors. I especially want to recommend that you read Franz Fanon's "Wretched of the Earth" and "Black Skins, White Masks"; Carter G. Woodson's "The MisEducation of the Negro" (they used to call African Americans "Negroes").
One of our contemporary heroes, Congressman Donald Payne (D. New Jersey), has every year presented a forum on African/African American relations at the annual Congressional Black Caucus, held in Washington, DC in September. He brings leaders, businessmen, developers from Africa and the US together to begin impacting the issues in Africa.
Now why am I telling you this? Because we have a multiplicity of challenges: It all starts inside out. It starts with us. It starts at home. The perception the euro/Americans have of Africa is not as important as the perception we have of ourselves. We have to be taught to love who and what we are, while at the same time developing the skills and talents (of which we have an abundance throughout the Continent) while at the same time dealing with the hostile media depiction of Africa. We, by no means should be waiting for them to see us in a better light. We have to see ourselves in a better light.
In reference to the money that has been devalued between Africa and the rest of the world, we now have to decide whether or not Africa is really going to be contiguous nations or an United Continent. We have had the OAU, the AU, we now have to make the U - Unity part - work. We have to decide what our lingua franca (unified language) will be so we can communicate with each other -- that does not mean do not be multi lingual. We just need to pick a language that everyone has to learn regardless of what their mother tongue, or who their colonial monster (notice I never say "master"? - these people were monsters) were.
We have to begin to access and develop marketable skills and creative skills at all levels of our communities. And by all means begin to develop a means by which our cultural traditions are transitioned into modern times, in much the same way the Japanese have been able to do theirs - because we so much of beauty that we have developed throughout the centuries.
In terms of oil, mineral rights, cultivation of our agriculture, development of our own African Automobile (the East Indians have theirs, we need to be developing ours); educational system, banking system - we need a unified currency like the Americans have their dollar bills and the Europeans have their Euro) we need our own so that there is no more of this nonsense of what is valued against what.
And we need a mass training and education program to jump start the training of our people, in much the same way they used to do in the US when they were training people for the Peace Corp - they had a 6 to 8 week program that taught language, tradition, skills, etc. with thousands of participants at the same time, and one trainer. Yes it can be done.
BUT ABOVE ALL, we have to quell all these internecine wars (i.e. Tribal wars); and get those people either on the right side of the line, or incarcerate them until they see the errors of their ways. We really can't afford to be killing each other. Every drop of Black blood is heinous and egregious and against God. We are precious in His sight, and have to be precious to each other. (I keep interjecting that, because if we don't begin to develop that level of care and concern for each other and for human life, we will continue to destroy each other). You do know that the reason the US succeeded so well is that they developed a them (Blacks/Africans/Japanese/Indians, etc.) against us (whites) ethos, and made it against the law for anyone who was non-white to hit or waste one drop of white blood. We have to be as vigilent about Black blood being shed - and we have to stop Black on Black crime through intra tribal wars in Africa, and gang activity in the US.
I don't know what we're going to do about the hand-picked "leaders" we've been saddled with in different parts of Africa - but we can no longer allow puppets to run - ruin - the country. This is the 21st century - the era of the internet, cell phone, etc. We now can communicate with each other instantaneously - in ways we have never been able to before. With that said, we should never have a situation where we are not able to update each other about what's up. WE can actually put together whole educational programs; business systems; trade programs via the internet and work together. Likewise, when you have such technology, it should also be possible to inform and alert people when they are being subjugated to a straw dog, bought and paid for by a european backer to prevent them from moving forward. So there should be no deaths over an election. Just re-vote. An informed people won't willingly elect someone who is detrimental to them.(but that's a discussion for another day - we have been blessed with Barack Obama, and with that I think now all things are possible - so I'm an optimist for our future elections in Africa).
You were, of course, to call into question the measures euro/Americans are using against Africa. In America they actually said that African Americans were to be considered 3/5 of a man - in other words they never credited us with being whole or fully human. So to denigrate the Nigerian dollars; the products of Africa, African leaders has been going on since 1619 when they brought the first slaves to the US to work the plantations euro/Americans were either too lazy or too ignorant to work.
Time for a paradigm shift, and that's where I see your line of question leading to. I truly hope the rest of our brothers and sisters in Africa and the US are now listening and are ready to roll up their sleeves, make the sacrifices and get the job done.
THE FOLLOWING ARE EXCERPTS FROM THE ARTICLE THAT APPEARED IN AFRICAN EXECUTIVE. I THINK YOU'LL FIND THEM THOUGHT PROVOKING AS WELL:
Indices on Africa: Do they Hold Water?
Ejike E. Okpa II Dallas, Texas Commented:
"It is unfortunate that African leadership is trivialized using a scorecard developed by NMG - publisher of the East African Magazine relying in part on Mo Ibrahim Index and others to assign value. While I understand this type of scoring is to enlist and elicit reactions, hopefully positive by/from those who are at the bottom of the barrel, I find it dubious and suspicious. With Africa having some odd 53 nations all having various issues occasioned by former colonial lineages and continued remote control and Africans sheepishly toeing the lines of their former master, internal and intra-ethnic challenges, a parliamentary or congressional form of governance, population spectrum spotting wide and diverse expectations, and finally, religion - all foreign, it is basically a wide and wild guess to think this sort of ranking is objective. What keeps disturbing me is how African themselves have bought into same unusual formula the West and their donor masters have often used..."
"I unequivocally condemn the flight of stolen wealth making its way abroad. The dependency of African nations on foreign investment while refusing to aggressively improve their local economy leaves the nations impotent and overly dependent. Take the case of Coca Cola announcing that it will invest about $12b to expand its operation in Africa over the next 10 years. Africans jump up to that and dance. But consider this for a second: The value of the investment is only about $1.2b every year amounting to about $1.02 per African on the continent per year. And if one were to factor in the present versus future value of money, it may even be less. The way and manner the West gives $1 and tells $1,000 stories especially with Africa, makes Africans think what they get from the West is more valuable and crucial than what they can give themselves from internal efforts and production...
I guess the aftermath of slavery and colonialism that made the indentured servant believe whatever the master gives is more useful, continue to demean and devalue the African. Until Africa shakes itself off and effectively weans herself from foreign dependency especially on things that tend to further weaken their resolves to emerge from within, Africa shall forever and there appears no end in sight, be the ridicule of every nation and people on earth. The NMG ranking while it tells a story and points to areas of weakness, it must be discouraged. If corruption is identified as a bane for effective development, AU should issue a resounding resolution condemning such and going ahead to set up Anti-Corruption regime within its initiatives to curb and curtail this ugly conduct. The conduct and practice of leaders having homes outside of their country is a shame and sham. "
The African Executive - P.O. Box 135-00100 G.P.O. Nairobi KENYA Phone: 254202731497 - Cel: 254733823062 - Fax: 254202723258 - Email: editor@africanexecutive.com - Website: www.africanexecutive.com
There is an old saying: If no one else will save you, save yourself. (don't ask me where it came from, because I don't know). We all have a lot to say about Africa because we love her and we are pained to see that in the 21st century there are still efforts to stand on our necks: We all have a role to play in the future of Africa. We each can make a contribution of our time, talents, intelligence, love, money, creativity. Start with what you have and you'll be surprised how it all comes together. Africa has sent its brightest and best abroad to study and learn, now we need to make sure that what they have learned is shared and spread throughout the continent so all benefit. Then the measure of our increased greatness will be incomprehensible.
STAY BLESSED &
ECLECTICALLY BLACK
Gloria Dulan-Wilson
The following is a response to a letter that appeared in the recently published African Executive magazine. I read the commentary and agreed with the brother's summation. Since we are currently wrangling with the issues of the relationship between the 6th Diaspora (Blacks in the US) and Africa I think it extremely important for us to cultivate communications between our brothers and sisters here in the US and in Africa; as well as interact with those brothers and sisters who are here in the US. The excerpt immediately follows my response. Stay Blessed GDW
Habari! and Congratulations on the publication of African Executive.
Thank you for sending me a copy and for this thought provoking article on the ties that bind between Africa and the colonial monsters and former slave holders.
By bind, I mean they have Africa bound and gagged, and African Americans right along with it, in a miasma of bogus rules, lies, trickery and deceit. There is still the perception we seem to have pervasively that "the white man's ice is colder" (Johnnie Cochran) and that our best interests lie with them. Operative word in this sentence is "lie". Because it is a lie.
The fact that African Americans built America - African Americans being those Africans who were kidnapped from Africa and dragged kicking and screaming to serve as slaves in America - is evident of the fact that we can and have produced wonders. Not to mention the wonders that we have as Africans produced on the Continent - the Mother Land.
You see, we have long been under their thumb, from the Brits, Spanish, French and Portuguese who first started the trans-Atlantic slave trade, to the Americans (former Brits) who kept it going well into the middle third of the the 19th century. We have been subjugated to their standards. We have not made the paradigm shift to set standards of our own that would be universally recognized AND ENFORCED by Africans - at home, in the Caribbean/South America and in the US.
What is our criteria, where are our standards. How are we educating our people? Do we have some sort of mass program to help those who are among the most illiterate to learn to read, write, and a skill? Who is to do it and who is to implement it?
Africa was inundated by missionaries who brought in a religion that was basically Anti-African. Africans were considered "heathens" and were subjugated to all kinds of egregious acts. The same thing was happening in America to the kidnapped Africans now known as African Americans - only far worse. Not only were they taken from their homeland hundreds of thousands of miles away so they could not easily return; but their language and traditions were literally beaten out of them. Reprisals such as castration and lynching - not to mention rape and the lose of limbs, selling off of children, were the penalties for trying to hold on to any semblance of African tradition or belief.
No doubt you were enduring similar hardships in your own homeland, as interlopers had now come in and literally taken over your lands and marginalized you.
So do we now need to regroup and recoup? Do you thing we are owed a huge debt? Of course we are. But we are going to have to wean ourselves from having any intimate interaction with european money; we are going to have to begin manufacturing our own goods and providing our own services, regardless of whether or not the eurpoeans buy or value them.
We have to come up with a paradigm shift as huge and as effective as what Japan has been able to do to make them stand up, pay attention, and at the same time gain our own self respect.
Notice I mentioned Japan? Not China - who is only there to exploit Africa - after having been sold a contract for all our "debts" by the US (under Bush). Japan has a very high standard of quality. They started from as low a level as Africa currently faces. They introduced quality control - and made sure it was taught and adhered to from the most elementary and rudimentary endeavor to the most complicated and intricate job. They threw out antiquated methods that did not serve them, and learned how to retool their companies so that they would be able to produce products that were high quality.
Now I'm not going to pretend that the concept originated with Japan. They used to manufacture the crappiest products, that would fall apart before they got off the assembly line. It took a professor W. Edwards Deming, who was actually exiled from the US business industry, to help them make the change. But, oh what a difference he made. Americans were actually going to have this guy killed for his recommendations. He was literally sent to Japan to protect him from angry US manufacturers because he suggested that they build in quality to all their products, and introduce longevity so that they would hold up under any circumstances. American manufacturers, however, were going after "planned obsolescence", so that a product would not last more than 3 years, that would force the consumer to have to replace it and purchase a new one. It was Deming who was sent to Japan after WWII to work with them. Well they listened where the Americans wouldn't. And the rest is history. A Toyota is a better car than a Ford; a Cannon, Panasonic, Sony, or any other product produced in Japan will far out perform those of America, Germany, Russia, France, England - Africa - on any given day (I had a Toyota Cressida that had 250,000 miles on it when I purchased it, and it lasted longer than my neighbor's new car.)
Did the Japanese sell their newly designed products in the America/European market place? Not initially. They actually sold to themselves and each other. They taught each man, woman, child the value of quality and cleanliness. They began to tout to teach other the superiority of their own products, made by their own hands. Not in an ego-trip kind of way. Just in a proud of the product sort of way. They also opened the channels of communication so that a person could make a suggestion for an idea, no matter what their station or rank was; and if it was used they would be acknowledged and rewarded. In other words they got rid of the european standard of hierarchy and realized that every one had a contribution and a value.
The biggest lesson is also that once one person knew how to do something new and innovative, they made sure that everyone knew how to do it, or at least knew about it. Like Africa, Japan has a tradition of celebrating every victory or success, no matter how small.
I also want to applaud those amongst us who have worked diligently to keep the African spirit and history untarnished - Ali Mazrui, Leopold Sedar Senghor, Seiku Toure, Kwame Nkrumah, Jomo Kenyatta, Nnamde Azikewe, Frederick Douglass, Carter G. Woodson, Franz Fanon, among others. We have now to make it part of our curriculum, both in Africa and in the Diaspora to study and learn from and about these great ancestors. I especially want to recommend that you read Franz Fanon's "Wretched of the Earth" and "Black Skins, White Masks"; Carter G. Woodson's "The MisEducation of the Negro" (they used to call African Americans "Negroes").
One of our contemporary heroes, Congressman Donald Payne (D. New Jersey), has every year presented a forum on African/African American relations at the annual Congressional Black Caucus, held in Washington, DC in September. He brings leaders, businessmen, developers from Africa and the US together to begin impacting the issues in Africa.
Now why am I telling you this? Because we have a multiplicity of challenges: It all starts inside out. It starts with us. It starts at home. The perception the euro/Americans have of Africa is not as important as the perception we have of ourselves. We have to be taught to love who and what we are, while at the same time developing the skills and talents (of which we have an abundance throughout the Continent) while at the same time dealing with the hostile media depiction of Africa. We, by no means should be waiting for them to see us in a better light. We have to see ourselves in a better light.
In reference to the money that has been devalued between Africa and the rest of the world, we now have to decide whether or not Africa is really going to be contiguous nations or an United Continent. We have had the OAU, the AU, we now have to make the U - Unity part - work. We have to decide what our lingua franca (unified language) will be so we can communicate with each other -- that does not mean do not be multi lingual. We just need to pick a language that everyone has to learn regardless of what their mother tongue, or who their colonial monster (notice I never say "master"? - these people were monsters) were.
We have to begin to access and develop marketable skills and creative skills at all levels of our communities. And by all means begin to develop a means by which our cultural traditions are transitioned into modern times, in much the same way the Japanese have been able to do theirs - because we so much of beauty that we have developed throughout the centuries.
In terms of oil, mineral rights, cultivation of our agriculture, development of our own African Automobile (the East Indians have theirs, we need to be developing ours); educational system, banking system - we need a unified currency like the Americans have their dollar bills and the Europeans have their Euro) we need our own so that there is no more of this nonsense of what is valued against what.
And we need a mass training and education program to jump start the training of our people, in much the same way they used to do in the US when they were training people for the Peace Corp - they had a 6 to 8 week program that taught language, tradition, skills, etc. with thousands of participants at the same time, and one trainer. Yes it can be done.
BUT ABOVE ALL, we have to quell all these internecine wars (i.e. Tribal wars); and get those people either on the right side of the line, or incarcerate them until they see the errors of their ways. We really can't afford to be killing each other. Every drop of Black blood is heinous and egregious and against God. We are precious in His sight, and have to be precious to each other. (I keep interjecting that, because if we don't begin to develop that level of care and concern for each other and for human life, we will continue to destroy each other). You do know that the reason the US succeeded so well is that they developed a them (Blacks/Africans/Japanese/Indians, etc.) against us (whites) ethos, and made it against the law for anyone who was non-white to hit or waste one drop of white blood. We have to be as vigilent about Black blood being shed - and we have to stop Black on Black crime through intra tribal wars in Africa, and gang activity in the US.
I don't know what we're going to do about the hand-picked "leaders" we've been saddled with in different parts of Africa - but we can no longer allow puppets to run - ruin - the country. This is the 21st century - the era of the internet, cell phone, etc. We now can communicate with each other instantaneously - in ways we have never been able to before. With that said, we should never have a situation where we are not able to update each other about what's up. WE can actually put together whole educational programs; business systems; trade programs via the internet and work together. Likewise, when you have such technology, it should also be possible to inform and alert people when they are being subjugated to a straw dog, bought and paid for by a european backer to prevent them from moving forward. So there should be no deaths over an election. Just re-vote. An informed people won't willingly elect someone who is detrimental to them.(but that's a discussion for another day - we have been blessed with Barack Obama, and with that I think now all things are possible - so I'm an optimist for our future elections in Africa).
You were, of course, to call into question the measures euro/Americans are using against Africa. In America they actually said that African Americans were to be considered 3/5 of a man - in other words they never credited us with being whole or fully human. So to denigrate the Nigerian dollars; the products of Africa, African leaders has been going on since 1619 when they brought the first slaves to the US to work the plantations euro/Americans were either too lazy or too ignorant to work.
Time for a paradigm shift, and that's where I see your line of question leading to. I truly hope the rest of our brothers and sisters in Africa and the US are now listening and are ready to roll up their sleeves, make the sacrifices and get the job done.
THE FOLLOWING ARE EXCERPTS FROM THE ARTICLE THAT APPEARED IN AFRICAN EXECUTIVE. I THINK YOU'LL FIND THEM THOUGHT PROVOKING AS WELL:
Indices on Africa: Do they Hold Water?
Ejike E. Okpa II Dallas, Texas Commented:
"It is unfortunate that African leadership is trivialized using a scorecard developed by NMG - publisher of the East African Magazine relying in part on Mo Ibrahim Index and others to assign value. While I understand this type of scoring is to enlist and elicit reactions, hopefully positive by/from those who are at the bottom of the barrel, I find it dubious and suspicious. With Africa having some odd 53 nations all having various issues occasioned by former colonial lineages and continued remote control and Africans sheepishly toeing the lines of their former master, internal and intra-ethnic challenges, a parliamentary or congressional form of governance, population spectrum spotting wide and diverse expectations, and finally, religion - all foreign, it is basically a wide and wild guess to think this sort of ranking is objective. What keeps disturbing me is how African themselves have bought into same unusual formula the West and their donor masters have often used..."
"I unequivocally condemn the flight of stolen wealth making its way abroad. The dependency of African nations on foreign investment while refusing to aggressively improve their local economy leaves the nations impotent and overly dependent. Take the case of Coca Cola announcing that it will invest about $12b to expand its operation in Africa over the next 10 years. Africans jump up to that and dance. But consider this for a second: The value of the investment is only about $1.2b every year amounting to about $1.02 per African on the continent per year. And if one were to factor in the present versus future value of money, it may even be less. The way and manner the West gives $1 and tells $1,000 stories especially with Africa, makes Africans think what they get from the West is more valuable and crucial than what they can give themselves from internal efforts and production...
I guess the aftermath of slavery and colonialism that made the indentured servant believe whatever the master gives is more useful, continue to demean and devalue the African. Until Africa shakes itself off and effectively weans herself from foreign dependency especially on things that tend to further weaken their resolves to emerge from within, Africa shall forever and there appears no end in sight, be the ridicule of every nation and people on earth. The NMG ranking while it tells a story and points to areas of weakness, it must be discouraged. If corruption is identified as a bane for effective development, AU should issue a resounding resolution condemning such and going ahead to set up Anti-Corruption regime within its initiatives to curb and curtail this ugly conduct. The conduct and practice of leaders having homes outside of their country is a shame and sham. "
The African Executive - P.O. Box 135-00100 G.P.O. Nairobi KENYA Phone: 254202731497 - Cel: 254733823062 - Fax: 254202723258 - Email: editor@africanexecutive.com - Website: www.africanexecutive.com
There is an old saying: If no one else will save you, save yourself. (don't ask me where it came from, because I don't know). We all have a lot to say about Africa because we love her and we are pained to see that in the 21st century there are still efforts to stand on our necks: We all have a role to play in the future of Africa. We each can make a contribution of our time, talents, intelligence, love, money, creativity. Start with what you have and you'll be surprised how it all comes together. Africa has sent its brightest and best abroad to study and learn, now we need to make sure that what they have learned is shared and spread throughout the continent so all benefit. Then the measure of our increased greatness will be incomprehensible.
STAY BLESSED &
ECLECTICALLY BLACK
Gloria Dulan-Wilson
6.12.2010
EVENT ALERT: Life After Death: An Analysis of the Persona that Was/Is Fela Anikulapo Kuti
By Gloria Dulan-Wilson
If you loved FELA on Broadway, you will love this recently opened exhibit, being presented by the Santana Group, including Marilyn Nance, Al Santana, Ali Santana & Rafia Santana.
Their Opening Reception was Thursday June 10,2010, with continuing views from Friday, June 11 through August 6, 2010 at the famed Caribbean Cultural Center African Diasporic Institute (CCCADI)
408 W 58th Street between 9th and 10th Avenues, New York NY 10019;
Tel: 212-307-7420 ext 3008
Curated by Shantrelle P. Lewis & featuring the work of The Santana Group: Marilyn Nance, Al Santana, Ali Santana & Rafia Santana.
This exhibition pays tribute to one of the African Diaspora's most influential living ancestors as well as critiques the complexity of his persona.
Life after Death is a visual homage to a musical genius and one of contemporary history's most powerful protest artists including never before seen photography by Marilyn Nance of Fela at the Africa Shrine, Lagos Nigeria.
AL SANTANA: www.alsantana.com
http://www.facebook.com/pages/New-York-NY/Caribbean-Cultural-Center-CCCADI/38677036796
Marilyn Nance http://www.loc.gov/rr/print/video/nance/nance.html
These images are so striking, but my skills run to writing so I'm not able to reproduce them for you here. So you'll just have to go and see them for yourself. If you've seen the musical production, FELA, on Broadway, you have some idea of how wonderful, colorful, and poignant these can be. Make it your business to go, and while you're at it, take some friends with you.
Fela the man, artist, musician, activist was a force of nature!! I know, I met him when he performed here in New York at Studio 54. His energy was contagious. When he performed, if you were dancing to his music, it was like an endurance test. Songs could last as long as twenty to thirty minutes. He had a message to impart to the rest of the world that the powers that be in Nigeria and Great Britain did not want to be heard. He was a man on fire, AND a man of fire - literally! And for someone to capture that energy is truly a work of art, and something to be experienced first hand. Check it out for yourselves though.
An, oh yes, if you haven't gone to see FELA, the musical on Broadway, what are you waiting for - the sequel? It's one of the most dynamic, important pieces ever produced. Kudos to Bill T. Jones for having the insight, creativity and courage to bring it!
But I digress. Do your SELF a favor, make it your business to see this artistic homage to FELA. Have a wonderful summer.
Stay blessed &
ECLECTICALLY BLACK
Gloria Dulan-Wilson
If you loved FELA on Broadway, you will love this recently opened exhibit, being presented by the Santana Group, including Marilyn Nance, Al Santana, Ali Santana & Rafia Santana.
Their Opening Reception was Thursday June 10,2010, with continuing views from Friday, June 11 through August 6, 2010 at the famed Caribbean Cultural Center African Diasporic Institute (CCCADI)
408 W 58th Street between 9th and 10th Avenues, New York NY 10019;
Tel: 212-307-7420 ext 3008
Curated by Shantrelle P. Lewis & featuring the work of The Santana Group: Marilyn Nance, Al Santana, Ali Santana & Rafia Santana.
This exhibition pays tribute to one of the African Diaspora's most influential living ancestors as well as critiques the complexity of his persona.
Life after Death is a visual homage to a musical genius and one of contemporary history's most powerful protest artists including never before seen photography by Marilyn Nance of Fela at the Africa Shrine, Lagos Nigeria.
AL SANTANA: www.alsantana.com
http://www.facebook.com/pages/New-York-NY/Caribbean-Cultural-Center-CCCADI/38677036796
Marilyn Nance http://www.loc.gov/rr/print/video/nance/nance.html
These images are so striking, but my skills run to writing so I'm not able to reproduce them for you here. So you'll just have to go and see them for yourself. If you've seen the musical production, FELA, on Broadway, you have some idea of how wonderful, colorful, and poignant these can be. Make it your business to go, and while you're at it, take some friends with you.
Fela the man, artist, musician, activist was a force of nature!! I know, I met him when he performed here in New York at Studio 54. His energy was contagious. When he performed, if you were dancing to his music, it was like an endurance test. Songs could last as long as twenty to thirty minutes. He had a message to impart to the rest of the world that the powers that be in Nigeria and Great Britain did not want to be heard. He was a man on fire, AND a man of fire - literally! And for someone to capture that energy is truly a work of art, and something to be experienced first hand. Check it out for yourselves though.
An, oh yes, if you haven't gone to see FELA, the musical on Broadway, what are you waiting for - the sequel? It's one of the most dynamic, important pieces ever produced. Kudos to Bill T. Jones for having the insight, creativity and courage to bring it!
But I digress. Do your SELF a favor, make it your business to see this artistic homage to FELA. Have a wonderful summer.
Stay blessed &
ECLECTICALLY BLACK
Gloria Dulan-Wilson
ATTENTION COLLEGE STUDENTS: Fundraising/Special Events Intern Wanted For Summer Internship + BONUS EVENT ALERT FELA ON DISPLAY
By Gloria Dulan Wilson
This was sent to me by a good friend in the film and photography industry. If you have a college student in your family or in your community, please pass it on to him. I apologize for sending it after the date, but I just received it myself. I am making the assumption that it is still available, or he would not have sent it to me. So, give it a shot:
Fundraising/Special Events Intern for summer internship to work two to three days per week, twenty plus hours during Summer 2010. Looking for someone who is energetic, articulate with strong writing skills, highly organized and passionate about development and outreach for theatre and film.
Rico Workshop, a nonprofit production company in NYC is seeking a development and outreach intern to support its fundraising and outreach efforts for the upcoming production of Aime Cesaire’s A Season in the Congo, one of Cesaire’s most relevant works that explores themes of racism, colonial repression and political betrayal. The play will be presented in the Fall of 2010 as a multi-media production with projected film, video, soundscapes and choreography.
· Intern will report directly to project director and work closely with the producer and the development committee of the project, learning all aspects of organizing a successful outreach and fundraising campaign.
· Responsibilities include: donor research, event planning, grant proposal writing. Must be a strong writer, have excellent communication skills, work well under limited supervision and be extremely organized.
· Requirements: The intern candidate needs to be interested in the field of development, event planning and management, fundraising, communications and media relations. Helpful if candidate has knowledge or prior experience in theater and media production.
· This position is open from today, June 10 through August 31, 2010. Please consult your college or university to confirm that credit is allowed for summer internships. There is no pay; there is a small stipend of $75 per week for expenses.
· This internship will be a great opportunity to understand organizational challenges of producing edgy cultural programming. It will provide a rich experience working with a project that pushes the limits of cultural expansion, promotes creativity, and propagates political theater.
If you are interested or know anyone who may be interested, please respond to Rico Workshop Productions at ricosp8@gmail.com.
Thank you.
Al (Santana)
Process Is Everything
video sales
www.alsantana.com
Al Santana is not only a very dear friend and associate, but one of the leading photographers and producers in the world today. That said, anyone working with him,or one of his associates is truly "walking in high cotton." And to be working on a production by the great Aime Caesaire is truly a monumental opportunity. Hopefully this will launch a career for one of you, and a long standing relationship, as well. Actually, even if you don't get the internship, it would behoove you to maintain communications with these two great men for future reference and opportunity.
Just to clue you in on who Al Santana is, he just opened an exhibit that will be the buzz for quite some time to come, entitled:
Life After Death: An Analysis of the Persona that Was/Is Fela Anikulapo Kuti
© The Santana Group: Marilyn Nance, Al Santana, Ali Santana & Rafia Santana
Opening Reception was Thursday June 10,2010, with continuing views from Friday, View
June 11 through August 6, 2010 at the famed Caribbean Cultural Center African Diasporic Institute (CCCADI)
408 W 58th Street between 9th and 10th Avenues, New York NY 10019;
Tel: 212-307-7420 ext 3008
Curated by Shantrelle P. Lewis & featuring the work of The Santana
Group: Marilyn Nance, Al Santana, Ali Santana & Rafia Santana.
This exhibition pays tribute to one of the African Diaspora's most influential living ancestors as well as critiques the complexity of his persona. Life after Death is a visual homage to a musical genius and one of contemporary history's most powerful protest artists including never before seen photography by Marilyn Nance of Fela at the Africa Shrine, Lagos Nigeria.
I wish I could copy some of these images for you so you could see how striking they are, but my skills run to writing. So you'll just have to go and see them for yourself. If you've seen the musical production, FELA, on Broadway, you have some idea of how wonderful, colorful, and poignant these can be. Make it your business to go, and while you're at it, take some friends with you. Fela was a force of nature, and for someone to capture that in picture and on canvas is truly a work of art. Check it out for yourselves though.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/New-York-NY/Caribbean-Cultural-Center-CCCADI/38677036796
Marilyn Nance
http://www.loc.gov/rr/print/video/nance/nance.html
So respond to the Internship opportunity and make it your business to see the homage to FELA. Have a wonderful summer.
Stay blessed &
ECLECTICALLY BLACK
Gloria Dulan-Wilson
This was sent to me by a good friend in the film and photography industry. If you have a college student in your family or in your community, please pass it on to him. I apologize for sending it after the date, but I just received it myself. I am making the assumption that it is still available, or he would not have sent it to me. So, give it a shot:
Fundraising/Special Events Intern for summer internship to work two to three days per week, twenty plus hours during Summer 2010. Looking for someone who is energetic, articulate with strong writing skills, highly organized and passionate about development and outreach for theatre and film.
Rico Workshop, a nonprofit production company in NYC is seeking a development and outreach intern to support its fundraising and outreach efforts for the upcoming production of Aime Cesaire’s A Season in the Congo, one of Cesaire’s most relevant works that explores themes of racism, colonial repression and political betrayal. The play will be presented in the Fall of 2010 as a multi-media production with projected film, video, soundscapes and choreography.
· Intern will report directly to project director and work closely with the producer and the development committee of the project, learning all aspects of organizing a successful outreach and fundraising campaign.
· Responsibilities include: donor research, event planning, grant proposal writing. Must be a strong writer, have excellent communication skills, work well under limited supervision and be extremely organized.
· Requirements: The intern candidate needs to be interested in the field of development, event planning and management, fundraising, communications and media relations. Helpful if candidate has knowledge or prior experience in theater and media production.
· This position is open from today, June 10 through August 31, 2010. Please consult your college or university to confirm that credit is allowed for summer internships. There is no pay; there is a small stipend of $75 per week for expenses.
· This internship will be a great opportunity to understand organizational challenges of producing edgy cultural programming. It will provide a rich experience working with a project that pushes the limits of cultural expansion, promotes creativity, and propagates political theater.
If you are interested or know anyone who may be interested, please respond to Rico Workshop Productions at ricosp8@gmail.com.
Thank you.
Al (Santana)
Process Is Everything
video sales
www.alsantana.com
Al Santana is not only a very dear friend and associate, but one of the leading photographers and producers in the world today. That said, anyone working with him,or one of his associates is truly "walking in high cotton." And to be working on a production by the great Aime Caesaire is truly a monumental opportunity. Hopefully this will launch a career for one of you, and a long standing relationship, as well. Actually, even if you don't get the internship, it would behoove you to maintain communications with these two great men for future reference and opportunity.
Just to clue you in on who Al Santana is, he just opened an exhibit that will be the buzz for quite some time to come, entitled:
Life After Death: An Analysis of the Persona that Was/Is Fela Anikulapo Kuti
© The Santana Group: Marilyn Nance, Al Santana, Ali Santana & Rafia Santana
Opening Reception was Thursday June 10,2010, with continuing views from Friday, View
June 11 through August 6, 2010 at the famed Caribbean Cultural Center African Diasporic Institute (CCCADI)
408 W 58th Street between 9th and 10th Avenues, New York NY 10019;
Tel: 212-307-7420 ext 3008
Curated by Shantrelle P. Lewis & featuring the work of The Santana
Group: Marilyn Nance, Al Santana, Ali Santana & Rafia Santana.
This exhibition pays tribute to one of the African Diaspora's most influential living ancestors as well as critiques the complexity of his persona. Life after Death is a visual homage to a musical genius and one of contemporary history's most powerful protest artists including never before seen photography by Marilyn Nance of Fela at the Africa Shrine, Lagos Nigeria.
I wish I could copy some of these images for you so you could see how striking they are, but my skills run to writing. So you'll just have to go and see them for yourself. If you've seen the musical production, FELA, on Broadway, you have some idea of how wonderful, colorful, and poignant these can be. Make it your business to go, and while you're at it, take some friends with you. Fela was a force of nature, and for someone to capture that in picture and on canvas is truly a work of art. Check it out for yourselves though.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/New-York-NY/Caribbean-Cultural-Center-CCCADI/38677036796
Marilyn Nance
http://www.loc.gov/rr/print/video/nance/nance.html
So respond to the Internship opportunity and make it your business to see the homage to FELA. Have a wonderful summer.
Stay blessed &
ECLECTICALLY BLACK
Gloria Dulan-Wilson
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