[Comment]Revisiting The Black And African Festival Of Arts And Culture

...Read the full article.

[I Love Nigeria]

NAR I thank you for this article... You identified a challenge confronting continental Africans and peoples of African descent (Diaspora Africans) You did not stop at identifying the challenges, you analyzed them and sought ways in which these challenges could be tackled... quite unlike the other debate/thread in which most commentators sought to blame and blame and blame everyone but themselves.

AND, you wrote what I think is the crux of the matter between continental Africans and peoples of African descent

Africa and Africans in the Diaspora seem to share a unique and troubling emblem: We are considered at the bottom of the totem pole by the vast majority of the world

I suspect that continental Africans do not show enough respect to people of African descent (Diaspora Africans) because they are too frequently "considered" to be at the bottom of the totem pole .... Conversely, peoples of African descent (Diaspora Africans) do not show respect to continental Africans who they similarly "consider" as being at the bottom of the totem pole....

So, this mutual perception of powerlessness is exacerbated by the identical desperation for crumbs falling from the table of those who are perceived by both side as powerful (the "master" race the "superior" race) I guess therefore, that continental Africans come with the attitude of "he can't help me and I do not need him" and peoples of African descent also come with "he can't he me and I do not have to be polite to him"

I strongly believe that part of the challenges our peoples (continental African and peoples of African descent) confront is poverty, and then, the devalued humanity to which our peoples have been subjected.... all through history.... hence our collective image have been subjected to so much devastation and devaluation....

Poverty breeds desperation on both sides of the Atlantic and worse... poor people perhaps do not want to be friends with those who are equally desperate?

Instead of continually genuflecting before "the Whiteman" Continental Africans should conflate energies with peoples of African descent... so that we can become cohesive, coalesce synergies towards economic and political clout which will benefit continental Africans and peoples of African descent mutually. There is strength in numbers and there is imbued benefit in unity between continental Africans and peoples of African descent worldwide... this will be a wonderful way to get out of the bottom of the totem pole... as it were.

Thanks again.

[emj]

The need for an event that can bring the African (Black) people together is in my opinion a glaring necessity. Its could be one major way to eventually solve the increasing gulf between Africans, African Immigrants and its Diaspora peoples all over the world. It has advantages that I have not even touched on in this piece for example, promoting political development. Say for example, African American legislators have an avenue to sit down and meet with African Legislators. Have you ever imagined what a conversation would be like taking place between the Late Chief Gani Fawehinmi, and Rev Al Sharpton on civil rights? I hope the December 2010 Festival in Senegal does not get postponed again.

Hmmm, Late Chief Gani Fawehinmi conversing with who? He's too fiery for such.
With all due respect...Rev Al Sharpton is very good with words and all dramatics, whilst Gani has no time for all such finery speeches and show...he always had his bag ready, tooth brush, paste and singlet..he's more of a real Civil Rights Activist(if u get what i mean)than Al Sharpton

I remember the Festac 77 and the attempt to bring all together. Most African Americans this days prefer to go to Ghana...and they've been doing so in droves.

What do we currently have to offer(though some go to see the Osun groove)...when we cannot guarantee security of life talkless of property...u want them to be kidnapped?

It's only our Wifey Rose that we can at the moment guarantee safe passage when she chooses to come to Idanre to see the only Monkey left


PS>>.....There are opportunities....will it bridge the gap and bring about more understanding?

[I Love Nigeria]

emj I know your reputation for speaking tongue-in-cheek encapsulated in incredible mischief.... with much to be desired and not imagined.

You wrote "

Hmmm, Late Chief Gani Fawehinmi conversing with who? He's too fiery for such.
With all due respect...Rev Al Sharpton is very good with words and all dramatics, whilst Gani has no time for all such finery speeches and show...he always had his bag ready, tooth brush, paste and singlet..he's more of a real Civil Rights activist(if u get what i mean)

I cannot say that your comment about the Reverend Sharpton is beguiling or helpful

I know there are many, who would dismiss and are quick to dismiss, Rev. Al, as a rabble rouser which he is not...

Dig and you will find that the finest of mayoral candidates and presidential candidates know.... that Rev Al is a national icon/institution, and I as a New Yorker who repeatedly witnessed Rev Al's Herculean tasks... in Civil Rights matters... I take strong exceptions to anyone who attempts to castigate or portray Rev Al, anything less than the titanic giant that he is.... if you doubt me... just Google Abner Louimer, Patrick Dorsimond, Yussuff Hawkins, Ahamadu Diallo and many more... Abner Louimer and Patrick Dorismond are immigrants of Haitian origins... While Ahmadu Diallo was an African immigrant.... Reverend Sharpton fights for everyone.... he does thankless jobs! He confront injustices when others are willing to be quiet and unwilling to rock-the-boat... Rev Al, has fought countless oppression right before my eyes .... here in New York City. Kudos, to Rev Al!

Reverend Al is not all talk!

President Obama as candidate... paid homage to Rev Al, President Obama in the White House keeps in touch and uses Rev Al for good works

Mayor Bloomberg, Mayor Giuliani and other notable politicians in the United States with gravitas and savvy, seek the Rev Al's support, endorsement and advice....

Reverend Sharpton is not a freedom fighter for profits!!!!

[emj]

Originally Posted by I Love Nigeria

emj I know your reputation for speaking tongue-in-cheek encapsulated in incredible mischief.... with much to be desired and not imagined.

You wrote "

I cannot say that your comment about the Reverend Sharpton is beguiling or helpful

I know there are many, who would dismiss and are quick to dismiss, Rev. Al, as a rabble rouser which he is not...

Gad , i did not even call him a rabble rouser(thanks for drawing my attention to that)...neither did i have my tongue in my cheek...yeparipa.
http://www.raceandhistory.com/cgi-bi...rames/read/371

I remember the Ipi Ntombi Group....hmmm

YouTube - Ipi Ntombi - Shosholoza

[N.A.R.]

Originally Posted by I Love Nigeria

NAR

Instead of continually genuflecting before "the Whiteman" Continental Africans should conflate energies with peoples of African descent... so that we can become cohesive, coalesce synergies towards economic and political clout which will benefit continental Africans and peoples of African descent mutually. There is strength in numbers and there is imbued benefit in unity between continental Africans and peoples of African descent worldwide... this will be a wonderful way to get out of the bottom of the totem pole... as it were.

Thanks again.

ILN,
I missed your comments on the piece! I am going to say something very dangerous here that is possibly going to put me in a world of trouble. Here goes... Babangida and Abacha as bad as they were deserves Kudos for their actions via ECOMOG. When Liberia and Sierra Leone were burning, the world was just watching as lives were lost.

Maybe both sent the Nigerian Army there for own material gain, (I have no proof of this, but so I have read) but fact is the decision to send in troops into those countries were taken by the ECOWAS countries with little or no support from the West. As bad as they were, because at the end of the day they committed almost as many atrocities as the rebels, they made a diference in Liberia and Sierra Leone.

ECOMOG was / is an example of Continental Africans working together to solve their regional problem. ECOMG should hopefuly be restructured and become a model for military and peacekeeping intervention into troubled states. If the region can come together militarily, we can certainly come together economically and politically as well, as we very well have in any case. I recall the ECOWAS brown card, a simple ID card that allows West African to travel freely between West African countries.

I have not checked into other regional organizations like ECOWAS, but I believe ECOWAS is a good model for African intergration. Do not forget that they also have ECOBANK thats continues to serve all member states.

[N.A.R.]

Originally Posted by emj

Gad , i did not even call him a rabble rouser(thanks for drawing my attention to that)...neither did i have my tongue in my cheek...yeparipa.
http://www.raceandhistory.com/cgi-bi...rames/read/371

I remember the Ipi Ntombi Group....hmmm
YouTube - Ipi Ntombi - Shosholoza

Madam EMJ,
Ah, those were the good days in Naija!!! Ipi Tombi!!! I dance kokoma tire to those guys!!!! That was a good one, thanks.

Hmmm NAR, u think so? Something like a Vaccine?
I dont really see us at the bottom of the totem pole.

I think we are as a collective. The most upsetting fact is that our induvidual accomplishments as Africans and Africans in Diaspora are in many cases second to none! In all areas, Literature, and arts, science and technology. But even we do not know that, we are no longer taught that. Our nations are almost all failing states. I was suprised to learn some years ago that The French Canadians want their own country in the Quebec regions, but are there rebels operating in the area for that cause?

Look at Spain and the ETA. Despite their terrorism, the country made progress. And most of the time when the ETA wants to launch an attack, they give the cops an advance warning. Seldom have lives been lost in their attacks. Belgium, right now is in a governmental crisis, a part of the country want to seriously split up, one part is advocating to join France! The problem was so serious that a government could not be formed! But are there some rebels / freedom fighters killing people all around town? NO!

Look at a country as large as India. Was it not their citizens that taught all of us in secondary school in Nigeria? I will never forget my math teacher, Mr. Gupta. We nicknamed him: Mr "if I blow you" Today he may be one of the professors in a noted university in India. India seems to be gaining now from all the Indian Diasporans that were scattered all over the globe. India is now a nuclear power. We need to do the same and in many ways we actually are on a micro level.

The gap we might attribute to a Continent being in confusion and most nations therein at war for most part of 33yrs. What with Dictators all over the place or one coup or the other and devastation staring all in the face.

This is why I see the importance of the festival. We do not seem to have any celebration that allows our people to see and embrace each other. AU is a political organization. All African Games a sports competition. There is nothing that allows the people of Africa to interact with each other.

We can only be what we think we are...and healing can only start from within...from each before the collective.

I would love to agree with you here. But you and I are examples of why I probably can't, we are both in the Diaspora now, positively contributing to the development of another mans land, (and also ours in many various ways). We are successful and respectable members on the society we live.

Let me digress for a bit. For example, I read all the stuff about Police profiling and indeed it is true, but I have been stopped times without no number by the cops. Every single time when they come up to me, its starts: Do you know why I stopped you sir...I have never once had to get out of my car for any reason. I have been stopped in Maryland, Pennslyannia, New Jersey, New York, Montana and even Florida. And I have had a few unpleasant and annoying encounters, but never over the top.

But can I say the same when I go to Nigeria? Its a see-saw. One day: ranka dede Oga, how life now, your boys dey hia dey humgry sar!!! Next day: WHO ARE YOU!!!! Come down now from dat car!!! Where is ya paticulars??? Look at dis small boy!!! I guess my few grey hairs have spared me for that last one recently!

But back to the point... You and I as induviduals I believe are evidence that we have healed. We have progressed and we have by and large succeded by the grace of God and lots of hard work! The collective only needs to bring us together and harness this power within!!!

PS>>...btw, no ill feelings towards the Reverend gentleman and national Icon(monument)...he's very sharp...and like we say up north...no worries

I think Al Sharpton and Gani actually share some similarities. One major one, they both decided to run for the highest office in their respective lands, knowing they would not win, but to prove a point. Hence I think todays Rev is one who is much more thoughtful and tolerant and not just a man that puts up a show.

Finally, do not forget whom they both dealt with and the systems they operated under. Gani acting like the Rev, in Nigeria would probably have gone nowhere. And in the same vein, Gani in the US may have been likened to a guy like wait for it...Rush Limbaugh For example in the US a killing like Dele Giwas would have been automatically investigated. Gani would have the choice to sue the alleged guilty parties to court.

Anyhow, I begi allow for the Rev O! I thnk he is doing a good job now of making the African American community look inward to solve its problems and not blame it all on Oyinbo.