Africa Speaks Reasoning Forum

I recently watched a cable movie called, " Rabbit Proof Fence," which is based on a true story. In brief, it is the story of 3 young aborigine girls in Australia who escape imprisonment by white colonialist who seek to " save the aborigines from themselves." The movie was very touching and thought provoking. I felt a strong kinship to those little girls who I consider to be Black Australians or even better Afrikans who migrated to what is now called Australians. There are some who may consider them as just native Austrailans who are dark complected. Is it me, or could it be that sometimes as Pro-Black as I scream, or as much as I emphasize working close knit with just my people until we are able to reach out to others - sometimes this humanistic creature creeps out and my compassion ventures,    

I also saw that movie recently. It was quite good. I think it is natural to feel solidarity with other oppressed and exploited people who suffer under the capitalist/colonialist system as African people do...Especially considering the Aborigionals are phenotypically African and therfeore also suffer under the racial/colour caste system that capitalism/colonialism/imperialism developed as an excuse or rationalization for the systematic exploitation of melenated peoples. I know you didn't mean it this way, but being pro-Black/African and humanistic are not mutually exclusive...Actually I think you have to be very humanistic to care about your people and shun the individualism this system fosters in us, and that communal and caring view of life automatically should extend to the rest of humanity.

Thanks for your response Oshun. At times I feel that with so much wrong happening in the world there will never be time to help everyone. I am especially worried about the youth, and where their concerns lie. The kids I speak with seem to be in a state of self-denial and are only moved by popular culture. Even the so-called grassroots youth movements appear to be nothing but the popular thing to do because it goes hand in hand with the so-called neo-soul movement. What do you think Oshun?

Thanks for bringing this up! Tell me about it. :o ::) I don't like ranting(but I'm about to...lol)

If I see one more person who doesn't know what the word Pan-Africanist means, let alone who Garvey is or what he did, but they are wearing the Red, Black, and Green,... or one more person sporting the Red Green and Gold that isn't even familiar with Rastafarianism outside of Bob Marley(and all they think he advocated was smoking...Beyonce was wearing it for God's sake!!)... or one more person wearing a Che Guevera T-Shirt when they don't know of or support a single thing he stood or faught for(JZ?...COme on now!)...I'm going to scream!!!

Unfortunately like everything else Revolutionary symbols and figures have been co-opted and commercialized. I personally think this was done on purpose by the corporate god's, not only so they could make a buck...but so they can diffuse interest of the youth in these symbols and figures of social change...making them into twisted Pop icons....a label of sorts...turning it into fashion...and then the youth never get past the surface to find out the depths of these symbols. The symbolic power gets nuetralized via consummerism and comercialization.

The so-called neo-soul...I wear my hair natural because it's the "style" movement erks me(to say the least). I'm young still or at least I like to think so ;)(I'm in my twenties) so I always get the "you must be earthy spiritual"..."I like your style" comments. I of course must explain...I'm a Pan-Africanist...and a Traditional spiritual practitioner...this is not a fashion statement!(which usually scares people off...lol) So many symbols of revolution and liberation are dissrespected...and it's happened before. I remember the last era of pro-Blackness in the U.S.(for lack of a better term)...The Africa medallion, Red Black and Green, "Happy to be Nappy" erra I grew up in, and never quite grew out of...was the same thing. I realized this only later on of course. I thought everybody was becoming conscious...I didn't realize it was fashion for most. I blame that on my age at the time...Luckily a few people like me never stopped "Fighting the Power" so hopefully a few of the new generation with stick with it and develop into activists...I know several who have. It's too bad more than likely it won't be the masses.

Rant as you feel fit Oshun. I have 2 stories to share.
  I was bartending at a restaurant in Motgomery Alabama while I was in college, and on this particular day one of the younger waiters commented on my dreads, then offered to share a blunt with me. When I told him I no longer indulged his response was, " Your not a real dread !" (hmm)
   Recently in Chicago I approached a young guy and asked where he purchased the t-shirt that he was wearing. He told me the location and gave me wonderful directions, including landmarks, how to get there. Forgive me, but I asked him who was the guy on his shirt and he had not a clue. The guerilla warfare specialist on his shirt was Che. I was appalled. For all he knew or cared the guy on his shirt could have been David Duke's right hand man. It would've struck me less hard if he had no idea who Che was/is, but to represent/sport something wthout even bothering to at least inquire is outright ungodly.
    One more thing, also taking place in Chicago. A young lady whom I forget how I met her acquaintance, invited me to what I thought was a celebration of Selassie. When I arrived at the designated area, which was an outside event, I quickly became fully aware that this was more of an excuse to smoke.
And please do not get me started on the spoken word crowd

ROFLOL!!!  I chose not to go there either, althought they came to mind...that analysis would have to be done on a entirely new thread!  ::)