An Evening With Black Agenda Report - 7th Anniversary

From BAR Website

As promised I am sharing my experience while attending Black Agenda Reports (BAR) 7th Anniversary on October 18, 2013 in New York City. It has taken sometime as my laptop no longer would allow WORD, Excel or my peripheral keyboard to work after I returned. How convenient. I went and purchased a Google Chromebook for reasons I will not discuss here. Now I am able to share my experience, what I was able to take with me and inspiration.

My Get on The Bus:

As with my attendance at the 1997 Million Woman’s March in Philadelphia, I had my real life experience as I chose to travel by bus. For the Million Woman’s March, when I got on the bus there was only one sister from Buffalo, New York. As I reached the Pennsylvania border and on into the state, it was filled with Black women going to the March. The number one topic was how White teachers treat our children. Yes I made it to the March. That is another post.

When leaving for the bus station this October 18, 2013, I chose to do so via taxicab. My driver was conveniently from Africa. Due to events of attention around my protest of the Iraq War, the possible invasion of Iran, bombing innocent people in Syria, being anti-capitalism and other activists activities I was a little suspect. Well before we reached the bus station I was not an African to him, I was westernized, lost my heritage, should not call myself an African and he was informed neither should he as he wore western clothes and had been brainwashed to hate his brothers and sisters here in America. Eyes opened with more information from me, we were good friends by the time we reached the station and we were both Africans.

Why I Attended:

For sometime I have been a faithful reader, follower and sometime commentator on Black Agenda Report. I am Radio Free America there as I am on NBC Newsvine. It is sarcastic contradiction of the Radio Free America airing pumped into the old USSR. It was not free but, propaganda by the other side. I seek for my airings to be free. On Google Plus I am E. Walker. As promised, I will also share this experience on Google Plus.

What Is In a Name – The New Coloreds

The importance of a name is demonstrated in the time parents dedicate to naming their children.  This is especially true with African American parents.  Unlike others America we seek more than a four letter word for a name for our children.  We use the creativity that is ours, and produce names that say you are not like everyone else.  You are an individual.  You can be different.  You have independence.  You are important.

When I replied to the question of a fellow White employee asking me my name, she replied that sounds made up.  I replied it took thought and creativity to come up with more than four letters.  Most White Americans do say it is a pretty name. 

I say all this in leading up to the naming of us a people ever since we were unloaded from the ships.  The process of naming us has played an important role in our positioning here in America.  First it was lowering in that the names were given to us by those who oppressed us.  Therefore the names are oppressing.  Also first it was a renaming that took away our sense of self, history and identity, especially with our motherland.  Second as freedom was taken and denied, our naming coincided.  As we supposedly graduated in position so did our naming.  Now we approach the recent naming and the under the current of Post-Civil Rights Reconstruction Era. 

Discrimination Called Diversity as It Attacks Affirmative Action

First was the watering down accomplished by the corporate avoidance term "diversity."  Title VII and state regulations address the real crime, discrimination.  Diversity or not is a symptom or part of discrimination.  Diversity sounds more corporate, pleasant.  Changing the term from discrimination to diversity is a subtle but, strong distancing by employers from the real crime addressed in Title VII.

Dismantling Affirmative Action is part of the current era post reconstruction of the Civil Rights Movement of the 50's and 60's. 

COINTELPRO Accusations of Terrorism Against Sister Assata Shakur

There are many writings on websites and blogs in support of Sister Assata Shakur. I thought it ample coverage but, then thought how could I on this Mother’s Day celebration, celebrate the motherhood of my Black sisters without addressing this affront against Black women all over the world.

Accusations of terrorism are the new COINTELPRO.  This accusation was sanctioned by America's First African American President and his African American Attorney General. This is an affront to Black women all over the world, including America’s First Lady. Accusations of terrorism are being used to stifle dissent as our government and its military complex has brought the wars home to roost against the American people.

Who Are The Who?

If a picture says a thousand words, than a poem paints a thousand pictures. Each time a poem is read, a new picture appears. Such is a poem I posted some time ago, yet few were able to see the pictures.

I would like to paint the pictures here though not quite with a thousand words. One major tool of poetry is the brush strokes of sound. In English classes we learn of the rhythmic beats of poetry. The other way sounds are created is by using certain words, e.g. words contain the sound make by the letter “S” The poem I am referring to, used the sound made by the word “who.” Thus the title of this article and an explanation of the use of the word “who” and who are the “who” in this particular poem and to make them visual.

The poem was first sent to me by my daughter along with links to its explanation. I went on to do further research.

The poem asks who at the same time by using the word “who”, it is making a statement. Instead of asking the poem is telling that the “who” did these things. One must understand who the “who” are before being able to understand the poem and appreciate its message. It is a message brought to its reader using the sound of the word “who.”