""The size of your dreams must always exceed your
current capacity to achieve them. If your dreams
do not scare you, they are not big enough.” — President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf , the 24th and current President of Liberia
Fear friends,
Starting back in the 1960s, young people of African descent began shedding the forms of identity that had been placed upon us like "Negro" and "colored". The term "Black" became the most popular moniker, while "Afro-American" and "African American" were used to some extent as well, as some of us were beginning to embrace both our historical roots and cultural evolution. Also and unfortunately to a smaller extent, a few of us, in the spirit of Marcus Garvey and Dr. W E.B. Dubois, began and have continued to insist upon the necessity of all people of African descent worldwide to see, think, and act in a way that will promote love and prosperity among us (called Pan Africanism).
Note: By the way, there are some of us who now refuse to use the term "African-American" for self-description. Of course, these are the exact same people who along with some of their brainwashed descendents refused to use "Black" as a way of identifying themselves well into the 90s. I have even recently been told that there is an entire Facebook page/club dedicated to those who claim that they are not African American, although the silly people who relate to that page are unaware of the possibility that someone from the Ku Klux Klan, for example, probably created that page. And unfortunately, at least in one instance, I met a seemingly educated African-American woman who calls herself a Negro, refusing to identify herself as either Black or African American.
In any case, during the past decade or so, usage of "African American" has gained far more prominence in our society than it once had. This is a good thing! However, simply calling ourselves that means little, at least to me, if we are unwilling as a people to strip away all of the vicious and decadent behavior to which we have been exposed by the Europeans and their offshoots in the Americas.
To be sure, many of us have been battling for decades, and in recent years many have joined us. Let us continue to move forward!
G. Djata Bumpus
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Showing posts with label African and African American affairs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label African and African American affairs. Show all posts
Monday, June 30, 2014
Saturday, March 1, 2014
From MWS Journal - Chokwe Lumumba passes...
"None but ourselves can free our mind."
--Bob Marley
"Redemption Song”
We are at the end of the month of February already—the short month from which Negro History Week began the growth of Africana studies, toward today’s recognition by many as African Liberation Month. (Yes, African-Americans, we are an African people, and our condition as a people worldwide remains one in need of emergence from the cultural dominance and outright political oppression of white power.) We in the USA today especially are in need of such awareness; we need to attend to it throughout each year...
The announcement of Chokwe Lumumba's passing this week came with a bitter bite. This great brother had just become the mayor of Jackson , Mississippi (last year) and had launched upon a program of crucial social reforms for the city. However, his remarkable life otherwise reveals much about our history that we must not ignore or neglect.
Chokwe Lumumba death notice--video and links to previous stories related to his life and works (DemocracyNow! Feb 26, 2014)
http://www.democracynow.org/blog/2014/2/26/breaking_jackson_mayor_chokwe_lumumba_has Read full post
--Bob Marley
"Redemption Song”
We are at the end of the month of February already—the short month from which Negro History Week began the growth of Africana studies, toward today’s recognition by many as African Liberation Month. (Yes, African-Americans, we are an African people, and our condition as a people worldwide remains one in need of emergence from the cultural dominance and outright political oppression of white power.) We in the USA today especially are in need of such awareness; we need to attend to it throughout each year...
The announcement of Chokwe Lumumba's passing this week came with a bitter bite. This great brother had just become the mayor of Jackson , Mississippi (last year) and had launched upon a program of crucial social reforms for the city. However, his remarkable life otherwise reveals much about our history that we must not ignore or neglect.
Chokwe Lumumba death notice--video and links to previous stories related to his life and works (DemocracyNow! Feb 26, 2014)
http://www.democracynow.org/blog/2014/2/26/breaking_jackson_mayor_chokwe_lumumba_has Read full post
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
Dr. Chika Ezeanya talks about US involvement in Africa under Obama
"Africans of the World must unite!!!" -Dr. Kwame Nkrumah
(originally posted 10/29/11)
Dear friends,
On the link below is a piece from one of Nigeria's premier journalists, male or female. Moreover, if we look at recent affairs going on throughout Africa, including the murder of Khaddafy that was brought about, so that the United States government and its multinational corporate bosses could install a puppet-leader in oil-rich Libya, we will see that the United States of America, now under the direction of the Obama administration, as it did under the Bush administration, continues to rape the Motherland.
"Africans of the World must unite!!!" - Dr. Kwame Nkrumah
G. Djata Bumpus
http://saharareporters.com/column/united-states%E2%80%99-looming-invasion-central-africa Read full post
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
A Letter from Eshu Bumpus who is in Senegal since Xmas, until mid-January 2013
THis is my latest Kickstarter update.
E
Goree Island is a place of which I have very stark, vivid memories without ever having been there. Yesterday, we went to Goree Island. I saw the point of no return.
It's hard to know what to expect going to a place so full of history and yet full of it's own present that may reflect very little of what an outsider might imagine that history to mean to people today.
Imagine going to visit your old neighborhood from when you were a child. Each building and street corner and store and playground may hold very significant meaning for you, but now there are new people living there. They understand that this place was special for you or someone like you, but every inch and every nuance of the place holds completely new meaning for the people who live there now.
We sat and had drinks with the Mayor of Goree. They have a delicious drink called Bissap which is made from Hibiscus and mint. The people, as all over Senegal, were friendly and welcoming. I didn't know what to expect so I tried to just keep an open mind and wait to see what we would experience.
We were there as guests of a wonderful music group made up of three brothers and their band. They are called Bideo BouBess (translates as New Sky).
They have been extremely generous in hosting us this trip. What was most meaningful for me was that I wrote a song many years ago called. "Land Called Freedom." Almost since I wrote that song I have dreamt of singing it on GoreeIsland and thanks to Bideo BouBess I was able to in their concert there. I'll post some pictures or video later, but it was an evening concert so the picture won't be great, but the experience was.
I'll post the lyrics here.
Love you all,
Eshu
Land Called Freedom
The ship was sailing on a western sea
I wondered what would become of me
They brought me to a land so strange
A land that they called Freedom
Separated from my wife and son
Worked as long as you could see the sun
Had to live among my enemies
In a Land that they called Freedom
I shed my blood just like I shed my name
I knew my life would never be the same
So I spend it struggling to be free
Don't want to pass on this misery
If you believe in things you cannot see
Make sure it's something that can set you free
Don't spend your time trying to pretend
You've found a land that they call Freedom
One day you'll realize you're not alone
Freedom's got to be for everyone
Each generations got to find a way
To build a land that they can call Freedom
Freedom doesn't come like a bird on a wing
You know it's got to be a hard won thing
To build a nation in a hostile land
Takes the work of every woman and man
Children will listen if you teach them to
Understand it's up to me and you
'Cause nothing ever comes easily
In this land that they call Freedom
To free yourself, you've got to think and plan
Then act it out with your own two hands
That's why we've got to work hand in hand
to build a land that we can call freedom
To build a land that we can call Freedom
To build a land that we can call Freedom
Sunday, May 20, 2012
Why is AFRICOM so vital to US interests?
“…while the US military/industrial complex, along with Big Oil, benefits from using taxpayer dollars to fill their coffers, how does that justify cuts in education and social services, for instance?”
Dear friends,
In an article thta appeared in Foreign Policy magazine last year, author Robert Moeller insists: One of the most serious criticisms leveled at Africom is that the organization represents a U.S. military takeover of the foreign-policy process. Huh?
What about the longtime push by a number of African nations to unify and declare a United States of Africa? Does AFRICOM agree with that perspective, and will it not try to influence the possibility of a united Africa?
Initially alleging that the issue was about the “war on terror", it became clear that the interests of "Big Oil", not "national security" were behind the whole existence of AFRICOM. Started by George W. Bush, Robert Gates was put in charge of the AFRICOM operation. Then yet another convenience for Big Business, Barack Obama kept Gates at his post after he won the presidency.
Nevertheless, the author continues: Let there be no mistake. Africom’s job is to protect American lives and promote American interests. That is what nations and militaries do. But we also have found that our own national interest in a stable and prosperous Africa is shared strongly by our African partners.
Of course, Moeller's assertion is contradicted in a recent article in The Nation, by Katrina vanden Heuvel called, "Around the Globe, US Military Bases Generate Resentment, Not Security". She writes, “The AFRICOM headquarters alone costs almost $300 million for operation and maintenance, with an additional $263 million for support and $200 million for the Camp Lemonier base with 1,800 US troops in Djibouti. Based on the FY 2010 budget requests, AFRICOM would receive approximately $1.4 billion...IPS took the lead in organizing the Africa Human Security Group, a coalition of faith-based and youth groups, African Diaspora groups, academics and Africa-based allies opposed to the development of the new US Africa Command. In general, African civil society is strongly opposed to AFRICOM and US military involvement on the continent. In large part due to widespread African criticisms, the US was unable to headquarter the command on the continent. It is located instead outside of Stuttgart, Germany.”
In any case, why is it so important to the “national interest” of this country to be concerned about what is going on in Africa, at the expense of the well-being of American citizens who need more funds directed towards moving millions of citizens forward?
After all, while the US military/industrial complex, along with Big Oil, benefits from using taxpayer dollars to fill their coffers, how does that justify cuts in education and social services, for instance?
Finally, Moeller’s mention of the USAID begs for the question, "What has been the real history of USAID in helping other countries?" For example, the African nation of Eritrea refuses aid from USAID or any other American group. Why is that? Because such "aid" alway comes with conditions.
On the link below, is the article by Robert Moeller that claims AFRICOM is good for Africa. What do you think?
"Liberation!" - Dr. Barbara Love
G. Djata Bumpus
http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2010/07/21/the_truth_about_africom Read full post
Dear friends,
In an article thta appeared in Foreign Policy magazine last year, author Robert Moeller insists: One of the most serious criticisms leveled at Africom is that the organization represents a U.S. military takeover of the foreign-policy process. Huh?
What about the longtime push by a number of African nations to unify and declare a United States of Africa? Does AFRICOM agree with that perspective, and will it not try to influence the possibility of a united Africa?
Initially alleging that the issue was about the “war on terror", it became clear that the interests of "Big Oil", not "national security" were behind the whole existence of AFRICOM. Started by George W. Bush, Robert Gates was put in charge of the AFRICOM operation. Then yet another convenience for Big Business, Barack Obama kept Gates at his post after he won the presidency.
Nevertheless, the author continues: Let there be no mistake. Africom’s job is to protect American lives and promote American interests. That is what nations and militaries do. But we also have found that our own national interest in a stable and prosperous Africa is shared strongly by our African partners.
Of course, Moeller's assertion is contradicted in a recent article in The Nation, by Katrina vanden Heuvel called, "Around the Globe, US Military Bases Generate Resentment, Not Security". She writes, “The AFRICOM headquarters alone costs almost $300 million for operation and maintenance, with an additional $263 million for support and $200 million for the Camp Lemonier base with 1,800 US troops in Djibouti. Based on the FY 2010 budget requests, AFRICOM would receive approximately $1.4 billion...IPS took the lead in organizing the Africa Human Security Group, a coalition of faith-based and youth groups, African Diaspora groups, academics and Africa-based allies opposed to the development of the new US Africa Command. In general, African civil society is strongly opposed to AFRICOM and US military involvement on the continent. In large part due to widespread African criticisms, the US was unable to headquarter the command on the continent. It is located instead outside of Stuttgart, Germany.”
In any case, why is it so important to the “national interest” of this country to be concerned about what is going on in Africa, at the expense of the well-being of American citizens who need more funds directed towards moving millions of citizens forward?
After all, while the US military/industrial complex, along with Big Oil, benefits from using taxpayer dollars to fill their coffers, how does that justify cuts in education and social services, for instance?
Finally, Moeller’s mention of the USAID begs for the question, "What has been the real history of USAID in helping other countries?" For example, the African nation of Eritrea refuses aid from USAID or any other American group. Why is that? Because such "aid" alway comes with conditions.
On the link below, is the article by Robert Moeller that claims AFRICOM is good for Africa. What do you think?
"Liberation!" - Dr. Barbara Love
G. Djata Bumpus
http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2010/07/21/the_truth_about_africom Read full post
Friday, May 11, 2012
the good ship Jesus
"I first heard about this enslavers' vessel a little over 30 years ago..."
Dear friends,
I first heard about this enslavers' vessel a little over 30 years ago, while reading the classic text, How Europe Underdeveloped Africa, written by the late, great Walter Rodney. Additionally, I remember that, as far back as those days, hearing from one of my chief mentors in life, the great Professor Lloyd Hogan, author of The Principles of Black Political Economy. has often noted that, "Black folks are always looking for Jesus". If we look way back, with Marcus Garvey, and later Martin King, and now Barack Obama, this theory still holds.
At any rate, on the link below, is a short article about the first of the enslavers' ships to be used by the British (who were the last of the Europeans to become involved in the Atlantic Slave Trading Operations), and how Sir John Hawkins was commissioned by Queen Elizabeth the 1st, the half-sister of Queen "Bloody" Mary (they were both daughters of Henry the 8th) to embark upon the heinous enterprise of what Professor W.E.B. DuBois called, "the hunting of Black skins".
"Liberation!" - Dr, Barbara Love
G. Djata Bumpus
http://www.nairaland.com/nigeria/topic-241597.0.html Read full post
Dear friends,
I first heard about this enslavers' vessel a little over 30 years ago, while reading the classic text, How Europe Underdeveloped Africa, written by the late, great Walter Rodney. Additionally, I remember that, as far back as those days, hearing from one of my chief mentors in life, the great Professor Lloyd Hogan, author of The Principles of Black Political Economy. has often noted that, "Black folks are always looking for Jesus". If we look way back, with Marcus Garvey, and later Martin King, and now Barack Obama, this theory still holds.
At any rate, on the link below, is a short article about the first of the enslavers' ships to be used by the British (who were the last of the Europeans to become involved in the Atlantic Slave Trading Operations), and how Sir John Hawkins was commissioned by Queen Elizabeth the 1st, the half-sister of Queen "Bloody" Mary (they were both daughters of Henry the 8th) to embark upon the heinous enterprise of what Professor W.E.B. DuBois called, "the hunting of Black skins".
"Liberation!" - Dr, Barbara Love
G. Djata Bumpus
http://www.nairaland.com/nigeria/topic-241597.0.html Read full post
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Why is Obama maintaining AFRICOM - and the war against Libya? (originally posted 8/3/11)
“He has an African name and purports to be African American. In other words, with such a ‘head of state’, I knew that that would be a strong basis for US multinational business to be able to open up markets in Africa.”
Dear friends,
Ever since he first started running for the presidential office, I have insisted that the only reason that Barack Obama was a good choice for the racist rulers of this country is: He has an African name and purports to be African American. In other words, with such a "head of state", I knew that that would be a strong basis for US multinational businesses to be able to open up markets in Africa.
After all, the days of European colonial rule are not that far in the past. Therefore, while China has opened up solid business relationships with a number of African countries, one can only imagine that some of the offshoots of the aforementioned European colonists, i.e., European American businesspeople, would find it difficult to meet welcoming arms there. I wonder why?
At any rate, after first using the flimsy excuse of fighting a “war on terror”, in early 2007, the person who was the president at the time, George W. Bush, instituted The United States Africa Command (USAFRICOM or AFRICOM).
However, Africans were not so lovey-dovey with the idea of having such a strong US military presence there. So, the headquarters of AFRICOM ended up being placed just outside of Stuttgart, Germany.
Nevertheless, AFRICOM has been involved in activities that make it apparent there is an ulterior motive for having military bases set up all over Africa’s 54 countries – oil.
Now, while some Black folks are concerned about the term “tar baby” being used in the same sentence as a reference to Barack Obama’s actions, at least to me, a much more important question is: Why is President Obama maintaining AFRICOM?
Additionally, why are Black journalists from around the country, who are meeting in Philadelphia beginning this week, wondering why, as a body, they are becoming more and more inconsequential, when African American people are not even informed about, for example, the actions of this president and inspired to demand meaningful representation from him?
Please check out the info on the link below. Cheers!
G. Djata Bumpus
http://peoplesworld.org/africom-and-the-libya-war/
Read full post
Dear friends,
Ever since he first started running for the presidential office, I have insisted that the only reason that Barack Obama was a good choice for the racist rulers of this country is: He has an African name and purports to be African American. In other words, with such a "head of state", I knew that that would be a strong basis for US multinational businesses to be able to open up markets in Africa.
After all, the days of European colonial rule are not that far in the past. Therefore, while China has opened up solid business relationships with a number of African countries, one can only imagine that some of the offshoots of the aforementioned European colonists, i.e., European American businesspeople, would find it difficult to meet welcoming arms there. I wonder why?
At any rate, after first using the flimsy excuse of fighting a “war on terror”, in early 2007, the person who was the president at the time, George W. Bush, instituted The United States Africa Command (USAFRICOM or AFRICOM).
However, Africans were not so lovey-dovey with the idea of having such a strong US military presence there. So, the headquarters of AFRICOM ended up being placed just outside of Stuttgart, Germany.
Nevertheless, AFRICOM has been involved in activities that make it apparent there is an ulterior motive for having military bases set up all over Africa’s 54 countries – oil.
Now, while some Black folks are concerned about the term “tar baby” being used in the same sentence as a reference to Barack Obama’s actions, at least to me, a much more important question is: Why is President Obama maintaining AFRICOM?
Additionally, why are Black journalists from around the country, who are meeting in Philadelphia beginning this week, wondering why, as a body, they are becoming more and more inconsequential, when African American people are not even informed about, for example, the actions of this president and inspired to demand meaningful representation from him?
Please check out the info on the link below. Cheers!
G. Djata Bumpus
http://peoplesworld.org/africom-and-the-libya-war/
Read full post
Friday, July 2, 2010
Update on Western media blackout of Exxon/Mobil's cirrent monstrous oil spill in Nigeria
"“The company is acting with impunity because there’s nobody holding them to account. Would they dare do the same thing in Europe or the US?” "
Dear friends,
This is an important point in world history. People from all over Africa are thoroughly in support of the team from Ghana, hoping that that productive African nation will win the World Cup. This is exactly the spirit of Pan-Africanism that Drs. W.E.B. DuBois and Kwame Nkrumah, two of the most recognizable original Black leaders to call for a United States of Africa, would have enjoyed. Now, if we can only get the same enthusiasm between African peoples, on all five peopled continents, to give attention to the horrific oil spills that continue to plague Africa without any notice from the Western media, including the USA with its “black” president.
We now have a great chance to connect, worldwide, with the Internet. Why not put pressure on Exxon/Mobil, a huge North American oil company, so that it is as isolated as BP?
On the link below, our Nigerian brothers and sisters at SaharaReporters.com provide us with an update of the current deadly spill that is spewing oil in the Niger Delta.
Long live African peoples – here and abroad!
G. Djata Bumpus
http://www.saharareporters.com/real-news/sr-headlines/6394-exxonmobil-nigerian-officials-blamed-for-akwa-ibom-spills.html
Read full post
Dear friends,
This is an important point in world history. People from all over Africa are thoroughly in support of the team from Ghana, hoping that that productive African nation will win the World Cup. This is exactly the spirit of Pan-Africanism that Drs. W.E.B. DuBois and Kwame Nkrumah, two of the most recognizable original Black leaders to call for a United States of Africa, would have enjoyed. Now, if we can only get the same enthusiasm between African peoples, on all five peopled continents, to give attention to the horrific oil spills that continue to plague Africa without any notice from the Western media, including the USA with its “black” president.
We now have a great chance to connect, worldwide, with the Internet. Why not put pressure on Exxon/Mobil, a huge North American oil company, so that it is as isolated as BP?
On the link below, our Nigerian brothers and sisters at SaharaReporters.com provide us with an update of the current deadly spill that is spewing oil in the Niger Delta.
Long live African peoples – here and abroad!
G. Djata Bumpus
http://www.saharareporters.com/real-news/sr-headlines/6394-exxonmobil-nigerian-officials-blamed-for-akwa-ibom-spills.html
Read full post
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