The Leeds Black Awards Bog

LBA WINNERS 2012

March 26, 2012, 1:25 am

BLACK PEOPLES DAY OF ACTION 2012 - A PERSONAL PERSPECTIVE

March 8, 2012, 9:01 pm

Greetings, its been a while since I have done one of these, but as usual I feel compelled to put my thoughts down for you.

March 2nd 2012 saw the 31st Anniversary of the original Black Peoples Day of Action which came about because of the tragic passing of 13 (now 14) young Afrikans in a racist arson attack in New Cross (London).

This year saw the second 'Name it and Claim it' event in pursuit of Nation Building under the slogan of "Commemorate, Evaluate, Organise to Liberate"

The key objective being the formation of a National Afrikan Peoples Parliament (NAPP).

The day began with a march where people were encouraged to take the day off work, school etc. and make the day our own National Holiday. It was well attended even though the day was bitterly cold, but certainly could have been better attended (as I witnessed many Brothers and Sisters going about their daily business as if NOTHING was happening!) which made me wonder if the message is REALLY getting out there.

Following the march, there was a conference in Forest Hill which focussed on the formation of NAPP as a 'Matter of Life and Death' and on NBPDA 'Its Historical Significance and Contemporary Lessons'. These topics were led by Sis. Ekua Stanford-Xosei and by Bro. Cecil Gutzmore.

In their presentations they spoke of the need to create wealth (as opposed to money) and the need to look at jobs and professions that would be tied to enhancing us as a Nation. Mentioned were jobs that were tied to the land as this would assist in us becoming more productive (How many Afrikan Farmers are there in the UK?)

We looked at the need for Co-Operative economics (a Kwanzaa principle) and how Co-Ops would also assist in our 'wealth-creation'. We looked at the way in which the first NBPDA came about and how we mobilised the 'Nation' WITHOUT the use of Twitter, Facebook and all the other networks that exist now (which further compounded my disappointment at the attendance).

There were obviously things that we were getting right at that time which we can, and should carry forward; at the same time learning from mistakes that were made also.

There have been (and will always be) 'vision killers' and 'nay-sayers' whose mindset could destroy our vision before it has even started; be mindful of them and put strategies in place to combat them.

Sis Ekua spoke of the 7 Generations principle, whereby anything that we put in to place NOW should be of benefit 7 generations from now otherwise we would be complicit in our own demise.

NAPP is seen as a unique and historic opportunity to put into place the mechanisms that would see us return to our rightful place in this world. However this is greatly dependent on us getting ourselves 'right'.

At one point it was mentioned that we should take responsibility for the relationships that we form, as there is evidence that the lack of a 'stable' family unit can be attributed to much of the behaviour that we see on our streets today. There were a few murmurs from some of the Sisters in the audience at this time, but the truth has a way of doing that........

Our history shows us the importance of 'family' (biological or otherwise) and we MUST take steps to reinstate these basic principles. If we can't get it right at the very foundation of our community (the Home), then how could we possibly hope to establish a Parliament which would be an extension of these principles?

Part of the lessons of history would be learning to work collaboratively with 'egos' as there will always be that element. Also, as shown at this event, there MUST be respect for all denominations as religious differences should not be allowed to slow the journey to freedom.

It is also imperative that we show faith and trust in our Young People, they have much more to offer than we sometimes allow them. Include them in all planning processes since essentially it is their future that we are trying to secure.

Understand the power of Word and Music, as was in evidence at this event from Bro. Akala and Sis. Maskelah and some powerful drumming from the A.R.M.Y. (Alkebulan Revivalist Movement Youth), acknowledging that it is a tool that can be used against as well as for us.

Unfortunately time constraints meant that I had to leave before the close of the event but I would like to acknowledge those who made it there and in particular those who are committing themselves to the task of securing our future: Black History Studies, Alkebu-Lan Revivalist Movement, Sis Ekua Stanford-Xosei, Bro Cecil Gutzmore, Bro. Kofi Mawuli Klu, Sis. Lorna Campbell, Sis Afryea Adofo, Sis. Maskelah Baht-Gavriel, Bro. Eneka Quamina-Ouagadou and Sis. Lola among others.

In closing, I would like to state that at an event called a 'Day of Action' it is only our inaction that can hold us back. We are not all based in London but it is imperative that those who are not find a way to link in to what is taking place, and at the same time set up some kind of positive initiative wherever you might be.

We live in a time where millions can be 'emotionally manipulated' by a viral video into supporting oppressive forces to 'move' on an Afrikan in Africa whilst placing their moralistic judgements on him and labelling him 'Monster'.
If he is indeed guilty of crimes then he MUST pay, but I'm not sure that we should pay the price that will be imposed on him/us by these 'Invisible Forces'

I mention this because I would like to see the same passion and outrage and call to arms for atrocities which we KNOW are real, because they are happening RIGHT HERE!

I could mention the names Smiley Culture, Mark Duggan, Kingsley Burrell or ANY of the young Men only recently 'murdered' but because we don't have a slickly produced video these things seem not to evoke the same feelings.

The more things change.....

Remember, COMMEMORATE, EVALUATE, ORGANISE TO LIBERATE

and further,

GET OUR PRIORITIES STRAIGHT!

DJF
 

TURN A BLIND EYE

February 12, 2012, 9:54 pm

So often in this life we turn a blind eye to things that we KNOW are wrong either because we have a vested interest or because we don't want to make the effort to affect change.

We have friends who say or do wrong and we don't check them because they are our friends, sometimes going further and making excuses for them.

We might know a person who is selling drugs that have contributed to the destruction of themselves and/or others, but we say nothing because we might be partaking of those drugs ourselves; or they might break us off a little change when we are broke. So we turn a blind eye to whatever they are doing.

We support a team or individuals that are part of a system which has done NOTHING but oppress us, and is now openly oppressing others LIKE us. But we say nothing because it is OUR team and we've ALWAYS supported them; and of course the game is bigger than Life!

We consume music and images that are detrimental to us and move us away from our true centre, but say nothing because the beat might be 'bangin' or the purveyor of the image might be 'hot'. So any negativity is ignored in favour of the 'beauty' of what we see and hear.

We spend so much time hoping for things to get better and waiting to see Positive change that we fail to see that the first step that we need to make is to OPEN OUR EYES in order to see where we came from and where we need to return. If not physically, then spiritually, for THAT is where we will find our moral centre.

We were ALL born with an instinctive knowledge of right and wrong and it is our subsequent inaction when in the midst of what is wrong that has caused far too many of us NOT to act right.

As Brother Bob once said, "Open your eyes and look within, are you satisfied with the Life you're living?"

If you REALLY want to make a change, don't turn a blind eye, take ACTION

DJF

THE INTERRUPTERS - A LESSON

December 5, 2011, 4:05 pm

I watched a documentary last night about a group of people who got together in Chicago to try and tackle their growing problems with gang violence.

This group of people called themselves 'violence interrupters' and would basically step in and intervene where they thought there might be an issue or incidence of violence.

This intervention would take whatever form was necessary to save the lives of potential perpetrators, be it physically putting their bodies on the line, visiting, reasoning, comforting and engaging in meaningful conversation.

This could take place either BEFORE an escalation of violence or following a violent incident (in order to quell reprisals). In fact, one of the most memorable moments in the documentary for me was when one of the 'Interrupters' was speaking to a group of people at the funeral of one of their 'homies' (over his 16 yr old dead  body as it lay in an open casket) admonishing them to check their behaviour; even as some of them stood there in their gang 'colours'.

This took not only great courage, but showed a great desire and passion to save further young lives from being lost.

At one point in the documentary, there is a plea from the Police for people in the community to work WITH them in order to eradicate the situation, however, (justifiably) mistrust of Police is a worldwide phenomenon, as is the solution to our ills.

The key message in my opinion, is that we actually need to police OURSELVES and protect and support our OWN communities and not look for anyone else to do this. The Interrupters encounter some extremely negative and desolate souls yet somehow find a way to show (most) of them that there is an alternative.

They have a well structured organisation and utilise skills that can be found in EVERY community; what is required is courage, commitment and especially, LOVE.

Love for your Brothers and Sisters which manifests itself in action to elevate lives and support positivity.
The Interrupters showed me that this is achievable and I am encouraged by the thought that there are pockets of people here in the UK with that same commitment and passion to make a change.