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!

On Africana Scholorship

Yesterday I was at the library checking e-mails and reading the newest book in my personal collection: Mattias Gardells "In The Name of Elijah Muhammad, Louis Farrakahn and the Nation of Islam" when something caught my ears. I noticed that a younger black man had asked the librarian for assistance in locating a "good book on Malcolm X". I noticed that she took him over to the biography section (which is close to where I was seated) and they began going through the different selections. He picked up Malcolm Xs autobiography and asked her about it. She told him that their might be better books on him and showed him a number of the other books in the libraries collection, it was at this point I felt the need to intervene as I personally believe that The Autobiography of Malcolm X should be mandatory reading for all Black males in particular. I informed him of my personal recommendation and he chose to listen to me. Maybe it was the fact that I happened to also be reading a book on Malcolm X, the Nation of Islam and the Honorable Elijah Muhammad, maybe it was the fact that I am currently a student at Howard University: "The Mecca for Black Education", whatever the case is this situation led me to the to write these words on Africana Scholarship.

As a member of the Kwame Toure Society for Africana Studies I have pledged my life and my work to the development of the study of Africa and her people. Had I not been present the young man in question would have surely found himself reading another persons thoughts on Malcolm X when he could have been reading Malcolm X's thoughts on himself and the issues he dealt with. It is time for those of us who are aware of the scholarship to begin the process of taking back our schools so that our students are aware of the many wonderful books in circulation and we must also give them the tools to know what is proper and what is not. The question then must be asked "What is Africana scholarship?"

Based on my reading of the topic (See Dr. Asa Hilliards article: "To Be an African Teacher") Africana scholarship is not only a recitation of facts, names, dates and locations but it also seeks to talk about African people in ways that African people talk about and view ourselves. This principle can be seen in my recommendation of the Malcolm Xs autobiography over the writings of another offer on what they think of Malcolm X. Although some in academia may argue that objectivity is key in studies of political and social movements and figures it is my belief that while there is an aura of truth to that philosophy it is also true that African people in the Universities across America and abroad have tried to be objective about African people, African history and African problems for far too long. Too many of the so-called scholars are busy trying to translate and explain African issues in Eurocentric terms and inso doing make Eurocentric ideals appear to be the philosophical frame through which African history should be viewed. While part of the reason for these actions is that they are apart of the "intellectual warfare" on the Africana tradition and methodology, it is also true that in many instances the historical, political, social, philosophical and sadly the theological grammar is, (while in many cases heavily written about in works by Dr. Chancellor Williams, Dr. Asa Hilliard, Dr. John H. Clarke and others) not readily available to the average student in America.

As the year 2009 approaches and Barack Obama will become the first President of recognized African descent in this countries
history, let us not allow this historic moment to mesmerize us and inso doing blind us to the fact that he is but one in a long line of African rulers. Furthermore let us also not allow our students to continue to be brainwashed by Eurocentric ideals in "schools". Instead I believe it is time for us to not only give them the tools but also to create our own independent institutions that not only educate African students but that are also created with the purpose of being the houses of tangible, measurable, qualitative and quantitative change in not only the African world but in every space and position that Africa's children find ourselves in.

www.vote.com

In the 2008 Presidential race the internet is proving to be an invaluable tool to reach millions of people. Young voters are blogging, and chatting there way into political conversations in ways never before imaginable. More and more young people are turning off the television and turning on the computer to get there news and then post there own opinions. Even I a Radio TV and Film major at Howard University am not immune to this phenomenon. There are two televisions in my dorm room that do little more than collect dust. My Macbook however is constantly being used to check e-mails from the Barack Obama campaign, watch podcasts and read or write articles. The question many are asking now is "Why?".

On a computer a person has the ability to manipulate and be apart of the media. T.V. and Radio alone use one way communication whereas a computer can be used to take in messages and then immediately respond. Youtube.com, one of the most influential websites of our time has gone from being an underground hit to being used to connect candidates with voters directly. Internet sites with millions of users are slowly but surly replacing CNN and Fox news networks. The only thing that these news media giants can do now is put the power into the hands of the people. Although Anderson Cooper may be a popular news anchor, our generation seems to want to become the reporters and not be reported too.
The internet is allowing us to do that.

Myspace and Facebook Losing Friends?

According to a recent article on Wired Magazines website the two major social networking websites have finally found a weakness in there online empires. Myspace.com and Facebook.com are both websites that have taken the internet and our generation by storm. They allow for people from across the planet to meet and share stories, information, pictures and events with a variety of people on a variety of topics. However now as other networking sites are slowly popping up advertiser and investors are starting to ask are these two gigantic websites a little too general?

According to this article myspace alone boasts 225 million members. These people (including myself and probably you too) come from many different backgrounds. The fact that the creators of Myspace and Facebook found a way to get so many sets of eye balls to repeatedly come to there websites of course got audience hungry advertisers interested in these sites. However, now it seems they are asking themselves if these sites are truly able to connect them with the intended audiences. Just in a short visit to my own myspace page i found an ad to see the Jonas brothers perform live. Anyone who knows me or visits my page (www.myspace.com/jblack919) will clearly see that I and those who visit my page will not be going to see them.

This is what matters in the world of advertising. In recent weeks I have noticed an upsurge in niche social networking websites. Although these sites maybe small in membership advertisers are taking notice. Don't you think that the advertiser in charge of the Jonas Brothers event would be much more satisfied if they put that same ad on a website dedicated to there genre of music. Although the ad may not reach the millions of people it will reach on a Myspace or Facebook they would be able to rest easily knowing that a higher percentage of people would come out and support the event.

Niche websites like Conscious Africans connected (http://consciousafricans.ning.com/), Linkedin (www.linkedin.com) and YSN.com are all connecting advertisers and audiences in a much more focused way than Myspace and Facebook are capable of. However do not think that the two networking behemoths are to be outdone. Facebook has tried to combat this with its decision to show users when their friends patronize a certain business or ad however this strategy has proven to be more of an annoyance to the average user like myself.

Ultimately I feel that the social networking site is here to stay as are its two flagships. However the days of there whole sale market dominance are numbered. What we are seeing now is that the floodgates have been opened. The concept of social networking is backfiring on the creators of these two sites but in reality they are not going anywhere anytime soon. What I foresee happening is that they both will eventually fall into the background as more niche sites begin to appear. In any case nobody can argue that Myspace and Facebook have connected out generation like never before.

Heart Break in Hardcore Hip-Hop: Are Rap And R&B Ruining Your Relationship? Pt 1

Recently as I have been going through a break-up with my newest ex-girlfriend I began doing what many heartbroken people do which is turn to my favorite recording artists for comfort. This is when an epiphany hit me: "I am apart of the Hip-Hop Generation!!!" Although many rappers and R&B artist may create chart topping hits about heartbreak I must admit that typically the most listened to artist on my ipod are of the grittier style in the hip-hop genre.

However today after I turned on my itunes and began to listen to my new "heartbreak mix" I realized that the majority of the material that I was listening to was telling a similar story of the mind of young men of the hip hop generation. I realized at that moment the power that music has in the socialization of men and women. I have been going back and forth with my ex these past few days. Something that struck me was that she was not the one hurting (at least not externally) but I was. I began to hypothesize that maybe one of the reasons that I was taking the breakup so bad was because I had not been taught how to deal with the concept of having my heartbroken.

As I thought about this idea of hardcore hip hop having a heart I recalled a video clip I had seen of Tupac Shakur from when he was seventeen years old. In this video interview we find the future icon talking about how when he was dating a young lady and she stopped the relationship because he was "too nice". Tupac goes on to recount how this "nice guy" behavior got him a lot of friends but was not helping him in the romantic relationship department. Shakur then decided that he was going to "be like them" (other young men) because in his mind they seemed to get the girls by calling them the "B word". Then the video cuts to Tupac during his years on Death Row records saying "Bitches aint shit".

What is the psychology behind this behavior i wondered as I sat in my dorm room thinking of how young men view women in modern culture. I then thought of a more contemporary and in some aspects even more controversial artist then Tupac. The individual I speak of is Marshall Mathers aka Eminem. On his album Encore I listened to a song called "Spend Some Time". This song featured Eminem, Obie Trice, Stat Quo and 50 Cent. While listening to this track I was able to observe how these men handled heartbreak or "protected" themselves from it by degrading women with there language.

Whether it is the members of the Shady/Aftermath empire, a dead Hip Hop legend who keeps dropping albums every year or Kanye West and Jamie Foxx I kept on hearing the same things over and over again. Is this what we are dealing with? Is it possible that all of the bitches and hoes we have heard in rap lyrics over the years are the results of some of these men not knowing how to handle heartbreak? Could it be that the male recording artists have been trained to be (and are training) an army of drug dealing, gun slinging, bitch slapping young thugs who don't know how to deal with there emotions? In the next piece we shall delve into this matter a little deeper as we allow the female artists perspective to be heard and analyzed but for now take a second thought before turning to your favorite playlist of heartbreak songs. The time you take to think about it might save you some heartache.

To Be Continued.....