I've been finding quite a lot of material about and by dr. John Henrik Clarke the esteemed Afrikan historian on youtube lately, so I've been having the pleasure of sharing it with my blog readers. You don't have to wait for me to post it here, you can just go to youtube, do a search under his name and you will find enough to keep you busy for a long time if your are truly interested in the history of the people of Afrika.
As ususal I believe dr. Clarke's message in this video to be relevant and timely. This particular lecture is directed to Afrikans on the continent and throughout the world. He has some suggestions about how we might use awareness of some of the old ways in order to improve our circumstances in the world. Our relationship to a particular part of the globe does not change the fact of our being Afrikans dr. Clarke points out. Even in Afrika there is so much that needs to be done that the likelyhood of it happening will increase with the participation of all of us. None of us have been left untouched (in very similar ways), by the ravages of transatlantic slavery and colonialism He stresses economic unity, productivity and sacrifice throughout the diaspora, as a means to work our way to a more stable position among people of the world. I would suggest watching this and then taking a close look at the present day map of Afrika, then the news reports of the past year in Afrika and then your local news, about the people belonging to the Afrikan diaspora in your part of the world. What do you see?
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Dr Yosef Ben Jochannan VS Rabbi Arthur Seltzer
This is a very informative debate, a must see really.
Rabbi Seltzer thought he was out for a walk in the park with dr. Ben, perhaps he didn't realize that dr. Ben is jewish and certainly no less informed than he.
Rabbi Seltzer thought he was out for a walk in the park with dr. Ben, perhaps he didn't realize that dr. Ben is jewish and certainly no less informed than he.
Sunday, April 22, 2012
Leonard Braithwaite, Canada’s first black parliamentarian, dead at 88
April 5, 2012 5:30 PM
Leonard Braithwaite October 23, 1923 – March 28, 2012
Today Premier Dalton McGuinty released the following statement on the death of Leonard Braithwaite:
"I was saddened to hear of the passing of Leonard Braithwaite. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends -- especially his sons Roger and David.
Leonard lived a long, remarkable life -- one that was characterized by his strong convictions, passion for public service and powerful sense of justice.
He proudly served his country and fought against oppression during World War II as a member of the Royal Canadian Air Force. After the war, he became the first black Canadian to be elected as a member of provincial parliament. As an MPP, Leonard spoke out against racial segregation in our schools and called for the admission of female pages in the legislature. His determination to see Ontario do what was right and just by all its citizens helped make our province the open, diverse and caring place it is today.
We have lost a trailblazer, a champion and a friend -- but he leaves behind a tremendous legacy in the strong, diverse province he helped build."
Leonard Braithwaite
Image: Leonard Braithwaite (courtesy Ontario Black History Society)
Leonard Braithwaite was the first African Canadian in a provincial legislature when he was elected in Ontario in 1963. He served as a Liberal member of the Ontario legislature from 1963 to 1975. In his first speech to the legislature he spoke out against racial segregation in Ontario schools. Soon after, the Ontario government repealed the law that allowed school segregation.
Braithwaite was raised in the Kensington Market area of Toronto during the Depression and served in the RCAF in the Second World War. He attended the University of Toronto, where he earned a Bachelor of Commerce degree. He earned a Master of Business Administration from the Harvard Business School, graduating in 1952, and graduated from Osgoode Hall Law School in 1958, followed by a career in law. He was the first Black lawyer elected as a member of the Governing Council of the Law Society of Upper Canada.
Braithwaite began his political career in 1960 as a member of the Etobicoke board of education. Two years later he was elected as an alderman on the Etobicoke council and ran in the provincial election in 1963, defeating the Progressive Conservative candidate. He was re-elected in 1967 and 1971, serving as the Liberal Party Critic for Labour and Welfare. As a politician he fought for gender equality and the rights of minorities.
In 1998, Braithwaite was invested as a Member of the Order of Canada. He was appointed to the Order of Ontario in 2004.
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Dr. Ben and Dr. Clarke Teach Afrikan World History and Culture
I posted this back in 2009 and happened to notice in my archive that the youtube links had been discontinued and it had received no hits at all which is a shame because these are some outstanding Black History/ Consciousness talks by 2 of our most compelling Black Historians. I'm reposting this now. If you have the time watch and share these most important video documents.
I lost interest in history at the time I found out that all that was to be said about my heritage was that my ancestors were slaves and before that heathen savages and cannibals and such. Our contribution to American Culture was Negro Spirituals. What a snow job. I remember we used to play the "you be such and such a character" in school and I wanted to be Cheyenne, a favorite cowboy character of a TV program by the same name but my classmates were like you can't be Cheyenne, Ray can be Cheyenne you be the Kingfish ( an Amos and Andy character). Hell, Ray couldn't even ride a horse and I rode broncos (for real!) Since I was raised in the rural Northeast, went to a predominately white school , and didn't have anyone teaching me otherwise, that was our history. I didn't go to college or University or have access to big city libraries so I had to wait for "The Internet" to come to my rescue and did it ever.
Now it's my pleasure to share with you some of the treasures I find for example if I had known about the story of "US deputy marshal BASS REEVES I wouldn't have even wanted to be Cheyenne. Reeves was a Real Black Hero but I'll save that story for another time.
Meanwhile you enjoy listening to Dr Clarke and Dr Ben all you have to do here is click the play button on these youtube videos and your adventure will begin.
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I lost interest in history at the time I found out that all that was to be said about my heritage was that my ancestors were slaves and before that heathen savages and cannibals and such. Our contribution to American Culture was Negro Spirituals. What a snow job. I remember we used to play the "you be such and such a character" in school and I wanted to be Cheyenne, a favorite cowboy character of a TV program by the same name but my classmates were like you can't be Cheyenne, Ray can be Cheyenne you be the Kingfish ( an Amos and Andy character). Hell, Ray couldn't even ride a horse and I rode broncos (for real!) Since I was raised in the rural Northeast, went to a predominately white school , and didn't have anyone teaching me otherwise, that was our history. I didn't go to college or University or have access to big city libraries so I had to wait for "The Internet" to come to my rescue and did it ever.
Now it's my pleasure to share with you some of the treasures I find for example if I had known about the story of "US deputy marshal BASS REEVES I wouldn't have even wanted to be Cheyenne. Reeves was a Real Black Hero but I'll save that story for another time.
Meanwhile you enjoy listening to Dr Clarke and Dr Ben all you have to do here is click the play button on these youtube videos and your adventure will begin.
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2
3
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5
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Sunday, April 15, 2012
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