Nkozia Bethune
- Opinion
- February 20, 2020
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Black/Indigenous Woman Vs. White Supremacy
As a self-identified black woman born in America, I can shamefully say that I have discounted the contributions of black/indigenous women in history and I can only hope that the following writings can help attest to the power, strength, and potential of black women. It is critical to note that when speaking of black women, it is implied the corporation of indigenous, native, non-white women as well. Unfortunately, in today’s age, black women have forgotten their history presumptuously losing their power and strength in this patriarchal society. The Afro consciousness of man and women have been compromised because we do not recognize the true nature of our ancestors. We have adopted the behaviors and mannerisms of our captors and in the process lost the matriarchal society. The Afro people have either been taken from their history or indoctrinated by their colonizer’s deception of education. This society has distorted many truths of history but especially for women. Black women were once protectors of land and society, seen as sacred to the balance of life and death. However, black women today have subconsciously chosen subjugation and allowed over-sexualization of their bodies – not understanding the the full spectrum of sex, and the power it has to create life. Black women have been the bearer of humanity and it has been a hidden truth because of the fear of black women. Black families have been strategically targeted by colonizers and Europeans because it bestows the psychological trauma of the descendants. A prime example in America during slavery, the Black man was stripped of his ability to produce and protect the family and the Black woman was stripped of her duty to be in control of reproductive rights. However, it is much larger than this because the black woman solidifies the black family as she nurtures not only the children but the men. We begin to recognize mestizaje as the first attempt to dismantle the unity and peace amongst indigenous/black households. Mestjzaje is the romanticization of rape and sexual assault as a foundation for people but it was also a tactic to create social hierarchies, therefore, creating psychological tactics towards self-hatred. Nevertheless, I am stating that black, indigenous, native and non-white women must bear arms to begin the battles to end white supremacy. Women are oftentimes discounted, abused and mistreated, becoming the primary victims in this unjust world and it would be and injustice not to take a vital role in our own liberation. When the women liberate themselves, the families, communities and nations will simultaneously become liberated because we are the bearer of humanity. (Can you dig it?) From this understanding, we can attest that if the women are oppressed, their families, communities, and nations are also oppressed. Race and racism are often a common discourse but we fail to recognize that this social construct is created by white men and is only voiced by them. Our colonizers have created social structures to divide and conquer routinely. This includes constructing institutions, concepts, credentials which benefits their delusions of superiority out of FEAR of the indigenous woman and man. Negative emotional psychological states such…
- Opinion
- October 9, 2019
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Constituency for Afrika
An Organization Trying to Rebuild Afrika The Constituency for Afrika (CFA) held a stakeholders’ reception hosted by Nixon Peabody LLP, a Washington D.C. based law firm. The purpose of the evening was to celebrate the excellent contributions of the diaspora in helping to shape U.S. policies toward Afrikan nations. Kendal Tyre, an esteemed partner of Peabody LLP, extended a warm welcome to participants bridging the gap between Afrikans and Afrikan-Americans. In his opening remarks, Tyre described his connection to Afrika “by way of slave ship, which landed in South Carolina.” Although Tyre was born in New York, his statement demonstrated that he recognizes and acknowledges his Afrikan roots. The audience was not only moved by his words, but it changed the atmosphere. Many of us – who were just meeting for the first time, saw each other as long lost family trying to work towards the protection and advancement of Afrika as a whole. In addition to his work with Peabody, Kendal Tyre is also a member of the Trade Advisory Committee on Afrika (TACA). This organization is a U.S. federal advisory committee that makes recommendations to the United States Government on U.S. policy in Afrika. Tyre’s work behind the scenes has been instrumental in helping to define relations between Afrikan-American citizens and Afrikan leaders in order to enact necessary change and to advocate for trade and investment in Afrika. Our Economy Stands on Afrika Americans should understand that our economy is run on the exploitation and theft of resources from Afrikan countries. For example, Guinea has abundant natural resources – including 25 percent or more bauxite reserves, diamonds, and gold, than many parts of the world. Currently, researchers are examining Guinea’s potential for hydroelectric power. The CFA is sponsored by George Washington University, an institution fostering necessary grassroots mobilization efforts to encourage U.S. legislation that promotes fair trade with Afrika. We should all be familiar with the impact the U.S. and Europe has had on the motherland and our home, Alkebulan. The CFA is a perfect opportunity to establish relations with necessary leaders in Afrika and black citizens to ignite positive, expedited, and progressive change for black and brown people all over the world. Instead of investing our resources in a society built for white imperialists and white citizens, we can begin investing in our own society for future generations. But it starts with us. We must start being intentional with the events we attend and begin asking hard questions to generate wealth for our people across the globe. Afrikan Leadership Spoke Speakers included leaders in the tech and energy world fighting to accumulate capital for their countries. Most notably, Alpha Conde, President of the Republic of Guinea spoke on behalf of the current initiative to get black citizens to invest in and see possibility in Afrikan countries. He spoke about reaching out to his extended families on other continents because of his desire to unite and rebuild not only the Republic of Guinea, but Afrika as a global force. Alpha Conde was passionate about the opportunity to utilize the opportunity of black being the majority and wanted black…
- Opinion
- August 29, 2019
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Call to Action for DMV Afro-Residents
By our unpaid labor and suffering, we have earned the right to the soil, many times over and over, and now we are determined to have it. — anonymous, 1861 The core of the Earth would be shaken if the Afro diaspora would unite and arise seeking justice for mankind by demanding reparations and restitutions of the land. To advance economic prosperity within the Afro community it is vital that a sustainable society of businesses that promote agency in our communities be established. Revolutionizing Afro communities with knowledge and strengthening our economy would break capitalist chains. The Nation’s Capital, Washington D.C., is the ideal place to evoke change against bias policies in order to empower Afro businesses. In order to end the depravation of black wealth by which the elitist or majority (Matthew 11:12- taketh it by force) we must create a system and utilize our local and Federal rights to the fullest potential (i.e. Declaration of Independence). The allocation of land in South Carolina, Georgia, Florida Coast and Sea Islands was protected and dominated by Afro people in 1863 during the Civil War as a result of land confiscation and reselling from the U.S. Government. However, the same land that was given to us by the government was stripped from us. This is one of the many reasons that the Afro community must join unions and organize to develop their own system which develops their own communities. The allocated land was auctioned at a discount of $1.25 per acre compared to the $40-$60 per acre that it was worth. Freed Afro Americans took advantage of land ownership and acquired autonomous power for quite some time. Modern-day Freedmen Arising in D.C. A renewal and commitment to the “Freedmen’s Home Colonies” is essential to developing economic autonomy from a government system we cannot depend upon. This freedmen’s bureau was even capable of guarding their land and securing their livelihood by a regiment of the Unites States Colored Troops (USCT). The mobilization of Afro men or women is the only plausible solution to reaching economic and social equity to ensure security- if the lands are not protected it will be stolen. 1865 marked the year the War Department disband all black regiments raised in the North. In a year, this became the catalyst of the number of Afro troops dropping from 85,000 to 13,000 members. These lands were stolen from us by the same government system which gave it to them and for this reason the Afro community must join unions and organize to develop their own system which develops their own communities. We must have protection of our systems and in this way we are reaching equitable rights. Until we reach economic and psychological freedom we will remain enslaved and assimilated in a system which destroys not only a biblical lost race but this planet. It is imperative that we focus on revolutionizing our minds to expedite the process of economically dominating current decapitating systems of government. This exploitive system not only damages human relations and well being but the Earth. The empire of America and Europe has created a…
- Opinion
- July 24, 2019
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Spike in Home Value & Crime in D.C.
High Crime in DC is Overshadowed by High Housing Value Urban areas across the country have become strategic opportunities for wealthy investors and developers to convert housing in impoverished communities into high-priced homes and condominiums for wealthy buyers. A recent study cited the District of Columbia (D.C.) as having “the highest intensity of gentrification of any U.S. city.” Therefore, in order to keep attracting wealthy outsiders, true crime statistics are going unreported. It’s no surprise that publication of criminal activity affects the home values of low-income areas targeted in the gentrification takeover. The crimes of D.C. are not formalized, documented or publicized for the communities which are exceedingly affected by violence. Moreover, there is not a centralized platform for local communities to meaningfully fight against the increasing crime and the continuous incompetence of police entrusted to protect them. The more law enforcement keeps crime rates out of the news, the better image the D.C. Metropolitan area has for international investors buying property. Statistics on the Rise of Crime Crimes are not publicized because of this: The majority of homes are bought without the knowledge of the increase in homicide rates, spiking to 4 percent since 2018, according to the Metropolitan Police Department: CRIME PERCENTAGE % (Increase since 2018) ROBBERY 4% AUTO THEFT 3% ALL THEFT 10% ARSON 100% PROPERTY CRIME 6% HOMICIDE 8% Homes are bought by international and foreign business people, many of whom were able to take advantage of the recession period in 2007-2010 to purchase homes at a low rate and generate high revenue from the home investments. Another Child Dead from Violence & No One Knows May 27th, 2019, a 15 year-old boy was killed just 7 minutes away from the police station in the Congress Heights neighborhood. There were four people fatally shot among 20 injured in the three day span of constant violence in the area. I’m of the belief, the media failed to report this influx in criminal activity, in order to maintain what has come to be viewed as a progressive and “changing” urban area, which encourages gentrification. When crimes are publicized housing values are lowered drastically. In many ways, it becomes an intentional act of concealment from the public by the news media not to report these crimes that are affecting the dynamics of long-standing communities and youth. D.C. residents are ill informed of the dangers that plague the D.C. area due to the lack of information reported in attempts to advance the city’s aggressive gentrification craftiness. Interestingly, these acts of communal eugenics is uncanny to the Tasmanian indigenous people of Australia, whom were pushed out of their communities and exterminated for the interest of white Europeans. Gentrification: Fight Against Eugenics This information supports the constant complaint among many groups that gentrification is becoming genocide for the Afro-American community. We need to begin encouraging the development of organizations within these communities to fight against gun violence, gentrification, and the lack of publication of vital information within community news. According to the Fire and EMS District of Columbia Time Metrics, it takes law enforcement more than 13 minutes to respond to a call.…