The Politics of Princess Tiana

I will start this post off by saying that I have not seen Disney's new animated feature film The Princess and the Frog and therefore must also say that this writing is not meant in any way to be a review of the film because obviously at the time of this writing I am in no way qualified to review it. Instead what I would like to discuss in this article is the political, social, and racial discussion surrounding this film even prior to its release and hopefully bring some clarity to the discourse at hand. If one simply sat down and read a portion of the thousands of different bogs and thread discussions on the internet or if one simply googled the films title one would find a wide variety of opinions most of which along the line of "finally Disney has created a Black Princess". My question is "Why is the Black community waiting for Disney to do something we should do ourselves?" Time and time again I have read comments from people claiming to be African American parents (mothers in particular) who say that although they have some quarrels with the film still feel that racial progress is being made and that Disney's latest animated feature is a sign of that. As a matter of fact the comment that prompted me to write this article was one that stated "Finally I can tell my daughter that she is a Princess, just as good as any white one, and she will have an image to connect to." Upon reading this comment and the many others like it I became perplexed, but not at all surprised, as this discussion has been going on, even in my classes at Howard University’s John H. Johnson School of Communications.

The African race were the first to establish royal titles and positions, why then must we wait for a fictional account from Disney in order to make ourselves feel validated? There is a small but growing contingency of filmmakers and artists who are creating cartoons targeted at children of African descent but can be enjoyed by a child of any racial background. This year I became a fan of Kirikou, originally a Francophone animated film that has made it's way stateside via DVD release and Youtube. All over the world Africans are re-inscribing cultural ways of meaning and our own historiographies without any interpreters nor are we waiting on Walt Disney's estate to do it. Why then has this films gained so much of a following, even before it has been released? I understand that Disney films have a certain cultural value in the United States, however the true use of symbology that is used in the film, even based off of what little bit I have seen is enough to make at least one eyebrow raise, even if that eyebrow has to be my own. A topic, which has been less talked about with regards to this film, is the fact that Princess Tiana's suitor in this film, Prince Naveen, is not Black like she is. Granted the film is mainly set in New Orleans which has a high concentration of people who don't racially identify along the lines the rest of the United States would recognize, (Creoles for instance) however according to a recent article entitled Parents: Disney's 'Princess' is a hop toward progress from CNN's website by Breeanna Hare notes Ms. Kimberly Coleman, a blogger who runs the Mom In the City Blog (http://mominthecity.com/wp/) asked an unnamed Disney executive about Prince Naveen's racial makeup who responded in a very generic way but never exactly answered the question of the Prince's racial identity. This is part of where the real discussion should begin I feel

Even if Prince Naveen were meant be a Black man he is still very much lighter than his love interest is in the film, which in the racially tense environment this film has been produced has raised some eyebrows. In 2009 one would have difficulty identifying feature length, major motion pictures that showed a Black love story, be it animated or other wise. Why is it that in the era of Barack Obama and the supposed racial paradise that America is allegedly in, does Disney decide to create not only it's first Black princess but also decide that they will pair her with a racially ambiguous Prince when part of the draw of the film is it's portrayal of the African American woman? I admittedly do not know the answer; I will leave that question to be answered by my readers and those who see the film.

I Just Graduated... Now What?!

For the recent college graduate and the graduating class of 2010, its apparent that life may not be as our parents told us. The United States faces an economic crisis and an unemployment fiasco the likes of which have not been seen in America since the great depression of the 1930s. The question I and many other college age people are asking at this point in time is "How am I going to be able to sustain myself and make my degree work for me?"

With the nation's unemployment rate hitting 10.2% in October of this year its hard to believe that as a young person there will be a preferred position in a preferred firm upon graduating from an institution of higher learning. In a November 30th New York Times Article, In Job Hunt, College Degree Can't Close Racial Gap, the author Michael Luo points out that the unemployment rate of Black men with college degrees is actually twice that of their white counterparts (8.4% and 4.4% respectively). I decided to sit down with Mr. Runako Galstone an employee of Harlem Children's Zone and a recent 2009 graduate of Howard University to discuss this trend.

Mr. Galstone stated that while he initially struggled to find employment he did indeed find a position. "The key is to be creative in your approach when seeking employment but to also understand the political and economic situation this country is in right now." Mr. Galstone believes being a Howard University alumni gave him a leg up on his competition. "The institution that I came from was a definite help, it not only prepared me for what was to come but also helped nurture me even after graduation". When asked what was his biggest concern he stated "The fiscal security of this country and a lot of big companies is uncertain at this time, I would like to make sure that I am able to provide for myself and my family no matter what is to come". There is a definite universality to Mr. Galstone's statement. Despite the current economic outlook, it is my hope as I am sure it is yours that we are all able to finance our own security and that of those we care about. What happens after graduation? Life. And for me, and many Black men like me, life is about finding a way to reach your goals no matter what.

God and the Divine?!: A Redefinition for African People and Humanity

Earlier this week I was listening to the newest digital release by 50 Cent (Curtis Jackson) entitled "Forever King". On his track " Michael Jackson Freestyle" 50 says a verse that to some could sound disrespectful, to others a reality and still to those who have what I view as a higher and more scholarly understanding of the African relationship with history and the divine, a true work of of the dormant Pan-African genius of practitioners of the hip hop lifestyle. In the song he says "They act like they know God better than me, I know God-Allah, he used to pump crack up the street." Some who read this may be confused by the scholarly title of this article and the usage of one of the biggest capitalists our community has produced in the introduction, but I ask you to hear me out and then decide for yourself. It is no secret that African people all over the world are a very spiritual/religious people. We gave the world spirituality and its first vocabulary to describe the divine source of existence. Sadly thanks to an almost 1,000 year philosophical and political campaign many inside and outside of our community are conveniently choosing to neglect or ignore this fact. This is the reason for this documents creation.

In the above alluded to verse to the unfamiliar reader there exists a pseudo-pro Islamic identity that could be mistakenly construed as being rebellious against Americas seemingly default Christian identity. However to those who are true students of history, they recognize that Mr. Jackson is in fact alluding to the 5% movement also known as the Nation of Gods and Earths which is a very popular movement with young inner city Blacks, especially those who like myself are from the North Eastern Coast of the United States. When looked at with the scholarly lens of Black Liberation, one can recognize this verse as an example of the modern worldwide African need and attempts to redefine the concept of the divine which I (not being an atheist) believe is essential to the forward movement of African people and the broader humanity. To quote the famous fictional Jedi Master, Yoda "You must unlearn what you have learned" This is essentially what The Honorable Marcus Garvey meant when he stated that Blacks should "Look to the Gods of Ethiopia" and what the Honorable Elijah Muhammad was echoing when he taught members of the Nation of Islam that "There is no mystery god".

On an intellectual, spiritual and in many instances physical level both men and movements are declaring all out warfare on Western European concepts of the divine, which I as taught by my teachers believe is needed in order to liberate our people. One of the biggest historical errors ever fabricated in the many houses of worship in the Western hemisphere and the so-called middle east is that Africans needed to have God and his religion (be it Judaism, Christianity or Islam) brought to them because we had no concept of theology and philosophy in any way shape or form. Bigger historical errors may exist but they are indeed few and far between. Those who are truly students of history working toward liberation do not have to be followers of Elijah Muhammad's Nation of Islam but I do believe must still recognize that for African people there has never existed a "Mystery God" nor a mystery to God as was decreed at the birth of the Catholic Church and is likewise taught in so-called "mainstream" versions of Western religious thought dating back to the Greeks.

In his written response to Dr. Henry Louis Gates' "Black Demagogues and Pseudo-Scholars", Dr. John Henrik Clarke notes, as the historical record shows that whatever religion African people choose to or are forced to practice we bring practicality to it because after all, if God is real than God really works. Dr. Clarke notes that on American slave plantations, our ancestors would sing songs showing an identity with the Hebrews in the Biblical book of Exodus. Although this was certainly not the intention of European monks when they introduced or reintroduced Christianity to the Africans held in bondage it was a phenomenon that they had absolutely zero control over. Although admittedly there have existed many Africans who chose (and still choose) the Bible or Quran over our true ancient home land there are yet and still Africans who have chosen to step outside of the Abrahamic paradigm or use it to further the cause of African liberation. In either of the two latter cases I believe that those individuals and institutions should be supported as long as the unwavering cause is as mentioned above, and the party in question is willing to practice 100% historical scholastic accuracy.

How do we begin to redefine the concept known to us in the English language as divinity? We must start by redefining the concept central to divinity "God" or more broadly "The Creator". If the Creator or even more abstractly "A Creator" exists than what is the nature of that Creator? As we know Africa being the birthplace of humanity, I believe it is best we start at the beginning and move forward. In prehistoric Africa (prehistoric meaning prewritten record) as well as when Africans began to write the Divine way of life, what the Ancient Kushites (Nubians/Ethiopians) and there later offspring the Kemites (Egyptians) called Ma'at and the Creative being or force that brought existence into being were one of the most written and talked about things, and the historical record shows this beyond a shadow of a doubt. Although these beings/forces were viewed as having external and natural manifestations they were also viewed as having manifestation existing in part or in the whole existence of human beings. This is an undeniable historical fact. Therefore when Dr. Wesley Muhammad (aka True Islam) titles his book "The Book of God: An Encyclopedia of Proof That the Black Man is God" he is historically accurate in most cases.

The issue that I believe has risen with the advent of the Abrahamic Faiths is the issue of language. The vast majority of those in the Academy and the Houses of Worship do not have the vocabulary to understand what our ancestors were teaching in ancient times and in our contemporary cycle of history. The signs and symbols of these primordial African people offers to us the blueprint and framework from which all other theological and philosophical ideologies emerged be they positive or negative. I admittedly hesitate to even use the term "God" because of its historical origins and the misrepresentation of it. Before we can begin to discuss theologically with ourselves or others we must define this essential concept for ourselves and stop looking externally for the definition. The historical record shows that whenever a religion was imported into the African mind that although some good has been done, confusion surely follows.

White Sex=Good, Black Sex= Bad? Sexual Double standards in American Media

Normally when I wake up in the morning after I have groomed myself and had my breakfast I check some of my favorite internet sites to get updated on the newest events in the world like most people these days. For me this regiment includes checking out CNN, the New York Times, the Final Call, my Facebook inbox and All Hip hop.com. One of my favorite sections of All Hip Hop.com is the Illseed rumor section in here I find some of the latest rumors and gossip in the Hip Hop industry that even if the information is not 100% accurate it will always make me have a morning chuckle. However today I saw something that to me was no laughing matter and I believe that you will agree.

This morning I noticed a video that was posted from an interview of Karrine "Superhead" Steffans in which she was promoting her newest book "The Vixen Manual". Anyone familiar with the hip hop world over the past four or five years is undoubtedly familiar with Ms. Steffans reputation as she has written about her past sexual encounters in her two previous books and many others may have even watched some of the adult videos that have been put out with her in some precarious positions (no pun intended). To my knowledge although she has not lived what some may call the most sexually moral of lives, she has utilized her new found fame and fortune to try and warn younger women about the dangers of the entertainment industry for young women who don't recognize their true value and worth in society.

What offended me most about this particular interview is the initial naivete of the interviewers. The anchors on "Good Day Sacramento" were initially a little naive as to what the book is actually about and although I admittedly have not read the book either I would make it a point to read at least a section of it before I interviewed the author on television in front of potentially the entire world. After the initial question was asked I believe the entire interview went down from there. The issue I have is not just that the anchors had very little journalistic integrity but that they began to judge her. Marianne McClary noticed the band that comes with the book to prevent people from reading it before purchasing, mocking Ms. Steffans all along. After the former video vixen gave the interviewers a piece of her mind Co-Anchor Nick Toma cut the interview and afterwords he proceeded to say "she was a rump shaker in a bunch of videos, enough said". This poor excuse for a journalist failed to mention the fact that she is also a New York Times Best Selling Author. The whole incident lasted less than four minutes.

I posted the video below so that my readers can watch it and call me on any inconsistency in this article. When it comes to sexuality it is no secret that America and this interview operate on racial double standards. In the interview Ms. McClary states the book should be in the adult section of book stores but fails to acknowledge that as Karrine maintained that it is a book intended for women in their twenties, committed couples and married people. The book may have some sexually explicit depictions and information in it, and some material may not be suitable for readers under a certain age but again the book was not intended for everyone to read.

This leads me to why I decided to write about this topic in the first place and the title of this blog post. I believe there is a sexual double standard when it comes to Black women. The anchors indicted her for her book and failed to mention that Cosmopolitan Magazine and many other publications aimed at women has an entire section of its website dedicated to sexual wellness, positions, and intimate relationship advice. The fact is no matter what your racial or political background sex is in some way a factor in your life.

While writing this post I made my first ever visit to Women's Health Mag.com where on the sex in relationships section one of the headlines read "Get it on outside". One could construe this as the magazine encouraging readers to break the law and partake in lewd acts in public places, but is there an outcry from those with power in the media? Of course not. The fact is that in the eyes of the American media it is acceptable for white (so-called) mainstream women and men to express and share information about sex and relationships but for a Black woman to step out and do the same is worthy of her being degraded to a "rump shaker in a bunch of videos". In some odd way I believe as Dr. Frances Cress Welsing teaches this is the so-called mainstream white american sick fascination with Black sexuality and fear of genetic annihilation. While I do not believe that Karrine Steffans sexual past and deeds make her worthy of her being compared to Harriet Tubman, I do believe that she has something very important and powerful to say when it comes to Black male/female relationships and wealth in America. It is sad that CW31 is too dumb to see it.

To Kill a Lion, Become the Lion: The Need for Rites of Passage Programs

As I continue on my journey from young adulthood into full maturity, there is one experience that I have that I think about almost everyday, in a seemingly religious manner, participating in an African Centered Rites of Passage Program. Often times the elders in our community, educators, and politicians ask the question "What is wrong with the youth today?". I believe that through my own experience and learning I might have identified one of the problems plaguing the Black youth of America today. The question that should be asked is "What does it mean to be a man/woman and how do we bring our youth to that point?".

In Kenya and Tanzania exists a group known as the Maasai. They have gained a lot of notoriety for many different reasons one of which being there elaborate and well organized rites of passage ceremonies. In this and many other traditional African cultures we find that there are certain rituals, and personal character traits that identify one is on the path to complete adulthood, after which point they are identified as an active mature member of the society entitled to all of the benefits but also inheriting the responsibility. In a recent conversation I had with a friend of mine we got into a debate over what it means to be a child and an adult due that I refer to my 16 year old younger brother as a man. I was explaining to my friend that there are certain things that I and my family expect from him now that he is entering manhood and her perspective was "he is only 16" he doesn't need those responsibilities. My question throughout this whole ordeal was "When will he be a man in your eyes?" at which point I got a collage of answers that to me seemed symptomatic of the overall African experience in America.

When a rapper like 50 Cent says he is a man he is putting a definition on it that is attached in large part to the material wealth he has amassed and the amount of women he has gone to bed with. Is this Black manhood? I believe not, and I also believe that the time has come for us to redefine what it means for one to be on the path from childhood to maturity and that markers should be established to let the individual and the community know that the individual is on the path to reaching adulthood.

The above statements in the mind of this writer are proof positive that African centered rites of passage programs are gravely needed in our community. As a product of New Jersey's S.T.E.P (Striving Together Equals Progress) organization I have witnessed firsthand the wonders such programs can do for our youth. Dr. Kmt Shockley of George Mason University points out in his research essay "Africentric Education Leadership:Theory and Practice" that all throughout the United States and the broader world other cultures and religious groups have educational institutions that use that particular groups principles, history and culture as a foundation and ongoing framework for learning. As I am also a product of a Catholic High School, I am also a witness to how such an education can empower people to be more confident and knowledgeable about the history of whichever group to which they belong. Why then should people of African descent not use a culturally based methodology for the education of out children, especially when such a diverse group of scholars such as Dr. Asa Hilliard, James Lowen, Dr. Ivan Van Sertima and others have proven time and again that the American education system is actually miseducating students?

This is my challenge to myself, my peers and our community, we must save our youth from the many challenges they face. I believe that one way that this can be done as part of a multi-pronged solution is by utilizing culturally relevant rites of passage programs so that our young men and women realize that they have a mission to better themselves as human beings and to contribute to the advancement of the community. I would like to add an addendum to the old African proverb "It takes a village to raise a child", and say that "A child who is raised properly can raise the village". It is my hope that we begin and, continue this task. Our ancestors would have it no other way.

Homegrown Terror or Marooned Chickens Coming Home?

Note: This writing is in no way intended to be an endorsement of the actions described. It is merely intended to find the root cause of this growing issue of public safety and Black male image, and worldview. I am also seeking to present a balanced view on a trend I see growing before the mainstream media and the government begin presenting it in a false and ideologically slanted light. This writing is also inspired by my reading of Michael Gomez book “Black Crescent: The Experience and Legacy of African Muslims in the Americas”.

First it was the disappearance of a number of mostly Somali immigrant, and first generation American teenage boys from their Minnesota homes and Mosques. Next it was four men in the Bronx, New York, and now a young man in Little Rock Arkansas. Oh! Let us not forget the two Beltway Snipers from 2002 and, "just for kicks" we will include the "Somali Pirates" (a number of whom happen to be the same missing young men described above). It seems like every so often there are Black, Muslim men and boys turning against America and joining up with the jihadist or attempting to insight there own jihads right here in the United States. The question I ask is why?

At the time of this writing I feel like I am the only person who has noticed this trend although I certainly hope that I am not. Why does it seem that Black men (born in America and abroad) are joining up with jihadist? My theory is that even in the age of President Barack Obama the African population (continental and Diaspora included), males in particular are still alienated by American domestic and foreign policy. Although there are Black faces in high positions in America the over-all agenda still seems to not be one where Black people can live on our own terms.

I feel that even though Soledad O’Brien has done her first and second Black in America specials, even though white women all over the country are fawning over Michelle Obamas ebony arms and even though Barack Obama is currently the second most popular Black man behind Jesus of Nazareth (Yea, I said it) there is still a section of Black identity that the rest of the world cannot look in the eye. In my Africana Studies classes at Howard University we would call this sub-section "Maroonage".

Although there exist many different perspectives for this term for the purposes of this writing I will define it as "the ways in which an oppressed people attempt to live on there own terms and/or bring about a quality of life they see as being just". When many people in America and abroad see these acts of violence (which on the surface seems indefensible) they see murderous madmen obsessed with a cult dedicated to the unjustified end of the American way of life. That's what they are, right?

Wrong! As stated above I am not here to defend or endorse the murder of anyone, however I am here to ask questions, give possible solutions and pose possible reasons why so many Black men have been taking part in these types of actions. Increasingly, it has become apparent to me that many in the public sphere, outside (and even inside) of the Black community do not understand what, why and how the global African community identifies itself with politically and culturally. While our community is no monolith there are certain trends that can be seen if our community is viewed correctly. America owes undeniable debts to both Africa and her children that have not been paid, even though we have sent plenty of notices.

The African immigrant community and the African Muslim community are two of the most ignored demographics in America in the opinion of this author. On September 11, 2001 when many people thought about Muslims and Islam they saw images of Saddam Hussein and Osama Bin Laden, however I saw (and still see) Malcolm X, the Nation of Islam. I also saw, and still see my own Muslim friends and family whom I have known literally my whole life. All religious studies that I am aware of show that Islam is by far the fastest growing religious affiliation around the world (the western hemisphere included). However what does not always get publicized is the fact that literally half of all practicing Muslims and Muslim converts in the western hemisphere are of African descent. To my non-Black, non-Muslim reader I pose a question: "Can you imagine what it is like to be a Black, male, Muslim in 2009, especially with the political climate the way it is?" Can you imagine what kind of alienation one can feel, especially if one does not live in a very tolerant community?

I argue that if America continues on the course it has been on (which I hope it will not, taking into account President Obamas background) that it will be dealing with a much more radicalized population both here and abroad. While I do not defend the actions of these individuals, I do not believe that they were completely unfounded or illogical. America has to wake up and ask itself a question "Should the Black community be loyal to America?" An honest answer to this question is one I feel, that many in the American public sphere fear. To my reader of African descent I ask you to look into the history and current status of our people worldwide and ask yourself "Are we loyal to America out of general love for this country or out of a state of political and economic duress?” An honest answer to this question may scare you most of all.

The Conservative House Is On Fire!!!: The Apparent Death of the Republican Party

The Conservative House Is On Fire!!!:
The Apparent Death of the Republican Party
By
James Morgan
OH NO!!! The House that Reagan built is on fire!! Everyone run for the hills!!! Before I get into the meat of this blog, I would first like to state that I am not a member nor am I affiliated with the Democratic Party or the Obama Administration. Nor am I an “Obamaholic”. I am simply a Black man in America who follows politics. My political ideology can neither “conservative” nor “liberal”. I am an African scholar and nationalist, and I am proud to be in that intellectual genealogy.

Now that I have gotten that out of the way, let me start by reminding the reader that over the past few weeks conservative politician and former U.S. vice president Richard “Dick” Cheney and conservative commentator Rush Limbaugh have been making headlines for a number of reasons. Conservatives are up in arms about the so-called liberal agenda that the Obama administration is pushing through. Between the time of my writing my last blog, I have been watching these and other “neo-cons” very closely and it seems to me (and seemingly everyone else not in their movement) that the conservative house on fire.

My question is “why?” I think that the past year during the McCain, Palin presidential run is like a symbolic montage of the GOP/Neo-Con movements overarching problem. This movement is clearly outdated, and constantly representing an ever decreasing percentage of the American population. What are the so-called values that the Republican Party represents in 2009? What did they represent on November 3, 2008? No offense to Senator McCain (who I think is an exception to a lot of what I am writing in this article, but not all) but during his campaign he was constantly being embarrassed by people claiming that they wanted him to win because “Obama is an Arab” or “Obama is a Muslim” etc…. The question that republican strategists have to ask themselves is why do they appear to be so xenophobic and out rightly racist? Oh… Wait, it is because a lot of them whether they admit it or not are. Once again I am not affiliated in anyway with either party, I am just stating the facts, as I understand them.

After President Obama’s election the Republican party elected Michael Steele to be the Head of the GOP, however any honest observer can tell that he is a symbolic figurehead who was placed there so that the party could say “We like Negros too!” However as I am sure many readers will remember the moment he came out against Rush Limbaugh he was quickly reminded of “his place”. Rush Limbaugh, if nothing else is an excellent voice for the angry white man that feels that he is losing the battle for the heart and soul of politics.

It is the opinion of this writer, that to the casual observer it would seem Colin Powell is the only Republican in the public sphere with any common sense. This would explain his portrayal as a “Democrat” by former V.P. Cheney, and others. Now with President Obama’s nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court, conservatives are playing the race card because she stated that a poor Latino woman would be able to relate to certain situations that a lot of white men can’t. Simply put, she stated a fact.

What we are seeing is the apparent fall of white America as an idea and, while I do not agree with this apparent wholesale liberalization of America and the world, I do agree that it is time that other perspectives are taken into account in the public discourse. While O’Reily, Hannity, Limbaugh the rest of their neo-con cronies may be playing the perpetual cry-baby role everyday over the airwaves I would like to remind them and the rest of the world that they have had their chance to rule and have their opinions heard but that in the 21st century it is time that we have some old and new voices heard in the spirit of the Afrikan-centered concept of Sankofa.

In closing, I would like to say that if asked which political party closest represents my views it is “The Black Panther Party For Self Defense”. However, I feel it is also my duty to remind all who read this article that “the greatest trick the devil ever played was tricking the people into believing he didn’t exist”. Therefore it is my hope that we as African people stay focused on our goal, which is the total and unconditional liberation of our people and all other oppressed people around the world.

Hands Off Assata!
Free Mumia Abu Jamal and all Political Prisoners!