Cartoon: Anthony Russo / The NY Times)
The (African) now stands at the cross roads of Human destiny. He is at the place where he must either step forward or backward. If he goes backward he dies, if he goes forward it will be with the hope of a greater life. Those of us who have developed our minds scientifically are compelled, by duty, to step out among the millions of the unthinking masses and convince them of the seriousness of the age in which we live." Marcus Garvey
Like the rest of the world, we were watching and listening for any and all information on Hurricane Katrina, the devastation of New Orleans, how it was allowed to happen, and the criminal lack of response by the U.S. government. Our hearts and the hearts of Afrikan people everywhere go out to the people of New Orleans, particularly our Black brothers and sisters, mothers and fathers, children, grandparents, aunts, and uncles. This is one more blow to us at a time when our numbers are decreasing all over the world, through sickness, disease, poverty, hunger, senseless wars and greed.
In view of the tsunami-like disaster that unfolded in New Orleans, perhaps it is time for those of us who are still unconvinced our survival as a race is in jeopardy to seriously look at the world through new eyes. Sixty-seven percent of the population of New Orleans is/was black. The majority of people who died were black and/or poor, old, young or sick. Did we ever think it was unintentional, an accident? The U.S. response to this "natural disaster" was a outright disgrace to supposedly "civilised" societies". These are the same people who set themselves up to bring freedom and democracy to less fortunate people around the globe. Makes you wonder what "freedom and democracy" is really about. Perhaps their response would have been more humanitarian if the recipients were white and rich. Why should we continue to support and build up tyrannical societies where black people are just the "hired help" equally found at the bottom scale of most countries around the world, including those on the Afrikan continent as there are no poor white people in Afrika. We were made to suffer in this land called Amerikkka from the time our ancestors were captured and brought there, stripped of their identity, their culture and our history. The Black people of New Orleans are our sacrificial lambs because they were being slaughtered while the whole world watched.
"You can't stop running water,
you can't stop the fire that burns inside.
Don't deny our flesh and blood,
don't forsake our sons and daughters.
No, you can't stop running water..."
- Angola Prison, Neville Bros.
The portrait of Amerikkka, like the portrait of the fictional Dorian Gray, is exposed for all to see. It's not a pretty sight. Hopefully, with eyes wide open, they will be able to see their government as the rest of the world does, as a thieving, lying, greedy, corrupt, dishonest, and murderous entity controlled by rich, white individuals, possessing the same characteristics.
It is time for Black people to seriously contemplate a collective plan to return to the Motherland. Afrika is an integral part of all of us whether we realise it or not. It does not take much intelligence to see that the US ship of state is sinking or it's time to get out of the burning building. The US economy, like New Orleans, is on the verge of becoming "third world". In spite of what we have been taught, Afrika is First World. Afrika has history, culture, identity, land and industries. Afrika is the "Black" continent and Black people as the first people on earth, as man and woman, are made in the image and likeness of the "Creator". Afrika is home and yes, Afrika has problems. Afrika also needs rebuilding. Remember Marcus Garvey's "Africa for Africans."
"It is hoped that when the time comes for American and West Indian (Blacks) to settle in Africa, they will realize their responsibility and their duty.... We want only those things that belong to the Black Race. Africa is ours. To win Africa we must give up America, we will give up our claim in all parts of the world, but we must have Africa... The thoughtful and industrious of our race want to go back to Africa, because we realize it will be our only hope of permanent existence. We cannot all go in a day, or year, ten or twenty years. It will take time under the rule of modern economics to entirely or largely depopulate a country of people who have been its residents for centuries..." Marcus Garvey
J.R. Stanton, a noted Black commentator states::
"If we are to actualize Garvey’s implacable confidence in African people, we must think as boldly as he did and on just as grand a scale. We must envision ourselves as capable of redemption, transformation and authenticity and actualize the greatness in our genes. Garvey set out to right egregious wrongs not by moral persuasion but through decisive action. He accepted the task of healing the wounded psyche of Africans world wide and exhorted us to greatness despite the ubiquitous cacophony of global white supremacy... If we are to authentically thrive in this world today and into the future, we must resurrect the Marcus Garvey within all of us. We must invoke the Maroon in us. We must resuscitate the indomitable Quilombo spirit deep within our souls until it energizes, captivates and overwhelms us. Time is of the essence. In his arrogance the White Man seeks to tyrannize the whole world and recast it to fit his pathology. Our divinely ordained destiny is to liberate and heal it! J.R. Stanton, www.positivelyblack.net
It is time for us to come full circle, join hands and become one. Some of us need to return to the land of our ancestors. Some of us need to come home. For those of us that can't, here is what we need to do about it.
Kiwanuka & Nakato Lewis
Blackherbals at the Source of the Nile
Kampala, Uganda
October 1, 2005
