Empower Ourselves: the moment has arrived for us to dismiss the bs, stop the whinning, move beyond the complacency and pick up the baton that was carried by previous generations and complete the task of restoring dignity and grace to our people. Frankly, there is too much work to be done, so we do not have the luxury of time nor resources to talk about redherring issues such as the Hispanics and how their homeownership rate has surpassed Blacks, how our African brothers are coming to this country and succeeding, will Barak Obama become the first Black president or what is happening in Hollywood. We need to stop the charade that we desire self determination. If you can honestly look in the mirror and say you are sincere about creating success in the Black community and finally achieving the goals of the Million Man March, let us do it TODAY. To paraphrase Dr. King, change does not roll in on the wheels of inevitability, we must assert ourselves: create and implement our strategy for collective action. Our strong spiritual tradition which helped us to survive slavery, now haunts us because we are secretly waiting for deliverance by some leader who will be raised from amongst us. This is evident in our willingness to embrace almost any charismatic figure who purports to be a vindicator of our interest, even after that self-proclaimed leader clearly demonstrates their only interest is self-interest. Your savior has arrived in the form of a million Black men ready, wlling and able to work together on a comprehensive plan that will define this generation's contribution to the journey that began in Africa. I am calling every Black man who attended the Million Man March to take their post and let us move forward. I can be reached at (703) 946-0986 or lwynn123@comcast.net.
defiant
January 21st, 2007, 12:41 PM
Excellent analysis of our situation as Black people. We like every other group need to learn how to empower ourselves and one another. The OOBAU would like to work with you in this effort. We can only pull ourselves up by our own boot straps if we learn to work together in the Black community, absent always needing or receiving assistance from other ethnic groups;or the government. We as The Messenger Elijah Muhammad put it: " Must learn to do for self.":D
Your sister in the cause for Black & African Unity,
Tonia Renee Lee
lwynn123
January 21st, 2007, 02:48 PM
Tonia,
I look forward to the day when you and I are working together with the other committed Brothers and Sisters to rebuild Black America. I truly believe we must take this matter upon ourselves instead of looking and waiting for others.
Peace and Blessings
Lloyd Wynn
Thuso
January 22nd, 2007, 12:47 AM
Lloyd,
Thanks for issuing the call to arms here at iZania. We are committed to all descendents of Africa who are prepared to act in our self-interests.
African Americans are drowning in rhetoric and lofty ambitions. The time to act is upon us. We have reached a point of analysis paralysis. Everyone has a theory about what is wrong, and a cure that closely follows. With so many remedies, we are all paralyzed into inaction. Just more talk.
Cosby speaks, and the noise that follows hasn't produced any notable "actions" to solve the problems many of us acknowledge, just more book sales for those who are critics. Tavis calls us to a covenant with each other, and there is more noise, and little action to formulate formal or informal covenants to solve the problems identified, just more accusations about Tavis' self-interests versus our self-interests. Then there is Oprah, whos generosity is unquestioned, but her commitment to poor children in South Africa comes with criticisims about her comments regarding African American urban youth.
I hope those who visit iZania, come with a view toward looking for positive actions that can be taken. Many of those who have joined our community are running inner city progams fo youth develpment, leading Africentric schools, speaking out and standing up for justice, striving to build viable businesses that offer competitive goods and services from African American entrepreneurs, and sharing ideas to help with personal finances, capital formation for business investments, marketing tips, and business development services to mentor and coach those who want to act in our self-interests.
Our goal is to gather more people who are serious about empowerment and to become the cossroads of the Virtual Black Community -- where ideas, and purpose, and will come together -- and result in actions you can take with other members of the community, or information that you can take away to share with others.
The Zulu word for strength is amandla. When Nelson Mandela was in prison, the clarion call to empower the oppressed Africans punctuated all their gatherings and communications. Once again, thank you Lloyd for issuing the call. More resources are being gathered each day to empower us to act in our self-interests. Let us not fail to take advantage of the strength in this community.
Amandla!
WarrenG11
January 26th, 2007, 01:50 PM
Peace and blessings. Empowerment of ourselves starts with the empwering self. I wrote the below to start the process.
Action Steps for Building Black, African, African-American, Muslim, Christian, Hebrew, Moor, Nubian, Rastafarian, Afro-Descendant Unity
by Warren G, Founder, BMCEF
First giving praise, honor and worship to the Most High for the unlimited blessings on the people who brought true human civilization. Knowing that the human Mother originated in the lands called Africa (Eden) places a very high spiritual calling of those descendants of this Mother. It is our time to turn this world back to its original self. We must work consistently to love, heal and unify unconditional. To live our beliefs and truths and present our true greatness back to the entire world. May the Creator continue to bless you and your loves ones and never give up. One Love.
ACTION > RESULTS OVER RHETORIC
Each individual within or without any group or organization should have clearly defined vision of the present and the future with specific tasks and assignments. Identifying specific actions, times to be present, duties and responsibilities, etc are key to empowerment and unifying with others structurally and systematically. Those who profess to be the leaders, initiator, convener, or facilitator must make strategic planning a serious aspect of their position. Those who take on this positions should be able to be evaluated in their progress towards their goals and objections on an organizational and community level. The ability to be transparent and fully open is a major cornerstone in building partnerships with other individuals, groups and organizations within the community. A quarterly and/or yearly evaluation should take place to reevaluate and reassess your personal and/or group vision and direction to ensure accountability and real impact on the problems and challenges. These assessments should be put in written form for personal and community viewing.
Each group or organization should develop a comprehensive media outreach plan to keep the community informed. Key media and information distribution systems should be developed. Person-to-person, telephone, emails, flyers, press releases, street work, having a presence at community events, etc. must be at least 25% OF TIME AND RESOURCES because information is a critical aspect of empowerment.
Be attentive to each person’s needs towards being apart of your group or organization. Make sure you take time to bond and heal with your family, friends, partners, associates, etc. Healing is a key component of any community organizing. Prayers, mediation, call to ancestors, expression of love by embracing each other, men and women, congratulating students and youth, etc. are very important to the spiritual, emotional and physical healing needed to build solid unity and empowerment.
Being a self-organized individual also give unity more bang for the effort. When you get involved with others, ask that the program, event, gathering have a focus and ensure results at its conclusion. Be apart of mapping out the agenda and logistics of programs, meetings, gatherings, events, etc well in advance so that progress and action can result. Make sure everyone involved knows the agenda for the day. Be as accurate as possible. Order is the first law of the Universe. There can be no unity unless order is the foundation PERIOD.
It is very important to keep the mass community informed of your activities well enough in advance so that they can properly plan themselves to have impact.
Look at CONNECTING WITH groups and organizations outside your own political, social, economic or religious views. A key aspect of unity is to show that you are willing to reach out unconditionally. Afrikans are a very diverse people and cover many different aspects of life and living, however, a unity framework must respect all those who take their time and resources to do the work that is important to them. As we might think that some of us are misguided, misdirected or miseducated, we are still our brother and sisters keepers.
Look at your image and visual presentation to the community. African people are very visual. Let’s take the time to develop and create positive and affirming images and wording. Let’s stay away from negative affirmations, actions, interactions, partnerships, relationships, etc. Ensure yourself that you are doing the most to be a uplifting spirit to all those who come in contact with you. We as a people spend too much time on the negative aspects of situations. Let solutions and actions be at the forefront of your unity framework.
In closing, when spider webs unite, they can tie up a lion.
www.bmcef.com (http://www.bmcef.com)
Thuso
January 27th, 2007, 12:44 AM
Warren,
Thanks for the guiding principals.
One of your principals is a guiding foundation for this community:
A key aspect of unity is to show that you are willing to reach out unconditionally.I believe that empowerment is manifest in actions -- guided by principals such as those you have articulated. Let us know more about your business and how we can work together toward our mutual success.
I look forward to getting to know more about how we can "act together."