Don EnzoDark Brown
“I have Indian in my family” is something that I’ve heard black people say since I was about 7 years old. I never quite knew what it meant though. The American media often gives the impression that all Native Americans: 1) were killed off with the settling of America, 2) all live on reservations disconnected from American society, or 3) live off casino money and are unreachable to the majority of tax paying American citizens. It’s almost as if a museum is the only way to see what “real-Iife” Native Americans looked like. Mainstream media’s representation seems to purposely misrepresent the phenotype of so-called Indians. The American media is largely responsible for Indians being portrayed as caricatures (Redskins logo, Pontiac logo, Cleveland Indians logo) that misleads the public about who these people actually were. To make matters worse, a type of “red-facing” has been done throughout the media, where natives are not even able to represent themselves in places like Hollywood; instead they are represented by europeans who depict their culture and personalities inaccurately. Examples of this are in movies like Last of the Mohicans, the legend of walks far woman, and outrageous fortune. There seems to be a wide range of visual depictions and descriptions of “Indians” as well. Not different from how Hollywood and the American mainstream media represents Egypt with an inaccurate European twist. This same type of white washing seems to be ever so present with native people from the Americas. So, what do the natives of America look like? On a quest to find out what indigenous peoples of North America looked like, I took into consideration stories that I have heard, photos I have seen, and accounts people whom are older than myself have told. These findings led me to my grandfather who is in his 80’s, and whose mother was an Indian. What I extracted from him about how Indians and blacks inter-married can be summed up by a few key points: Indians come in all shapes in sizes, there are Indians that have dark brown skin, or a very earthy red clay complexion, although he did note that the women in our family who were Indian had light brown to high yellow complexions. My grandfather also explained how the inter-mixing of Africans and Native people typically resulted in the loss of culture by the natives because they would take on the dominant American culture. This was especially the case with native women who married African American men. Believing I had extracted as much useful info from my grandfather as he had available, I searched on and found a book called Portuguese Voyages 1498-1663: Tales from the Great Age of Discovery edited by C.D Ley. In it the Portuguese explorers through letters to the king, describe the native inhabitants of Brazil, India, and Africa using a lot of descriptors. This terminology was applied to indigenous Africans, Indians, and Americans almost inter-changeably. Terms like dark-skinned, Moor, negro, tawny, dark brown, ruddy, and reddish, are used to describe melanated people seemingly indiscriminately of where they were originally from. Distinctions are hard pressed, and the…
Candace Paul
- Entertainment , Opinion
- October 28, 2021
- 0 views
“Colin in Black and White” gets us back to Black issues
I didn’t know what to expect from the limited series, Colin in Black and White. Lately, I’ve been very careful about what I watch or read regarding “thought” pieces on Black culture. I’ve noticed that the Black American struggle has become trendy, lucrative, and in many ways, hijacked by other agendas that are not our own. Black movements today Ironically, what starts out as a movement to bring attention AND reform for systemic black issues, quickly becomes a self-interested attention grab for some of those involved. What happens next is shameful. Those who have been unjustly killed end up becoming tag-lines, while their faces sell over priced tee-shirts, and their tragedies boost social media “likes”. Meanwhile, things stay relatively the same. Or worse, “Black issues” are reduced to “one issue” while everything else is underplayed or overlooked. So, after the marches, the photo-ops, and moments of silence…things go back to “normal” and the same injustices like clockwork happen again. Colin’s important role By taking a knee, Colin Kaepernick was arguably the catalyst that helped bring real attention to Black issues in modern times. His decision to take a knee was marred in controversy, misinterpreted, and spun into something negative when objectively it was not. Kaepernick was clear from the beginning: His aim was to bring attention to black injustice, police brutality, and to finally see change. The world watched as a man put his career and reputation on the line for Black issues. For that reason alone, the bar was set high for this series. I was really hoping Colin in Black and White didn’t miss the mark – especially since Colin Kaepernick was part of it’s creation. Thankfully, the series did its job very well. What to expect from the series The series touches on hair, micro-aggression, subtle racism, black “exceptionalism”, colorism, white beauty standards, white approval, and how Colin navigated through all of this to walk his own path. What the series highlights more than anything else, is that his experience is very similar to many Black experiences in America. While we are not a monolith (and shouldn’t be viewed as such), Black people often deal with the same struggles. Overall, it was a really good series that touched on so many issues that are worthy of thoughtful discussion and consideration. I laughed many times, teared up a few times, but was glad that time and care was taken with Colin’s story, because in many ways it is a story all Black Americans can understand. Colin in Black and White premieres October 29, 2021!
Juanita Headley
- Opinion , Spotlight
- September 10, 2021
- 1 views
Juanita Headley: Prison held me, but it couldn’t keep me
“Bang, click, slide,” were the sounds of the jail cell door being secured with attorney Juanita Headley on the inside. This is not simply a line from my new book, Attorney Behind Bars/One Smooth Stone, but this was my lived experience on June 17th of this year. When I was arrested that morning, and taken before the Serious Offences Court Judge in my nightclothes, what followed could only be described as a nightmare.Being thrown into prison was most definitely not part of the plan that saw me quit my job on August 14th and get on a flight to St. Vincent on August 19th. However, since God had given me the gift of speaking, and an anti-human trafficking ministry, it was only natural for me to share my message wherever I went. The problem with that, was I had unknowingly chosen a location where my message was getting me the wrong kind of attention. First, I was accused of not being a lawyer, next, that I was on the run, and worst of all, that I was a human trafficker. In tears I turned to The Searchlight newspaper for vindication. This backfired when their sensational reporting lost me friends, the support of the church, and turned an entire nation against me. I felt alone, rejected, and abandoned, and for the first time in my life I could truly empathize with Jesus in Luke 22:42, when He asked God to take the cup from Him. Despite my ability to identify with how He was feeling, one of the major differences between us, was that Jesus never once contemplated suicide, but instead took his purpose to the cross (Matthew 27:32-56). My purpose for this season was to endure imprisonment, and just like Paul and Silas (Acts 16), every day of my incarceration I sang. Two days before my unexpected release, the Lord brought to my remembrance the “prison break” hymn, “He set me free one day, He set me free, He burst the bars of prison for me. Some day in glory His face I shall see, glory be to God, He set me free.” God set me free, just as He did for Joseph, and Paul and Silas before me. This was my cross to bear (Luke 14:27), but I was not carrying it alone. Just as He stood with the three men in the fiery furnace (Daniel 3:23-25), He was right there beside me. Until this happened, I had never known or truly experienced the tremendous power of worship, because when everything was taken from me, all that I still had were hymns. Everyday was a concert before God, my audience of one, and I was the prison thermostat changing the atmosphere. Just as Joseph told his brothers in Genesis 50:20, “You meant evil against me, but God used it for good,” I could likewise echo his words. I knew that my experience was not wasted, and would propel me further into my destiny. My decade long passion for ex convicts was no accident, nor was successfully passing the N.Y. Bar exam on my 3rd attempt. God had a plan…
- Entertainment , Opinion
- April 12, 2021
- 2 views
College Cheating Scandal Part II
I published my initial take on “Operation Varsity Blues” – commonly known as “the college cheating scandal”, back in 2019. I intentionally planned to wait until after the court rulings before I published Part II. I had a slight hope that justice would be served in this case – since this was the first time we were able to peek behind the veil and collectively witness how privilege and resources converge to manipulate our educational system. I predicted that the parents involved would get slaps on the wrists (no real punishment) – and that after the dust settled, things would return to how they’ve always been: Wealth buying access to undeserved spaces. Unfortunately, my initial pessimism was spot-on. No new outcomes (I could have published this piece a year ago). Still, a few good things came out of waiting to publish this piece. I not only had the opportunity to watch failed celebrity PR strategies, but I also had the chance to see the eye-opening documentary, “Operation Varsity Blues: The College Admissions Scandal” on Netflix. Now, I can speak on ALL of it! via GIPHY Damage control 101: pretend to care… When news broke about this scandal, the big names involved were scrambling to figure out what to do next. Retaining legal counsel was of course the most important, but immediately after was image repair – especially for the children involved who claimed to be totally unaware of what was happening around them. Lori Loughlin’s Daughter, Olivia Jade Giannulli, was of particular public interest because: 1) her mom played Rebecca – Uncle Jesse’s love interest on “Full House” and in recent years starred in a popular Hallmark TV series; and 2) Olivia Jade was somewhat famous in her own right as a social media make-up influencer. By all accounts, Olivia Jade was already well on her way to being a successful business woman in high school. Prior to all the bad publicity, she managed to secure a brand deal with Sephora, an internationally renown beauty company. Ironically, it was her social media presence that helped bolster the prosecution’s case. She would often lament about having to study or do school work in YouTube videos – never hiding her strong disinterest in academics to millions of followers. So when Olivia Jade and her older sister were accepted to the prestigious University of Southern California (USC), it raised more than a few eyebrows. via GIPHY While her mother was preparing for trial, Olivia Jade asked to be a guest on the popular Facebook Watch series, Red Table Talk, hosted by Jada Pinkett-Smith. During the interview, there was only one thing I wanted to know: Did Olivia Jade know what her parents were doing to get her into school? She doesn’t admit to that – and I don’t think the question was directly asked. But, she had to have known something, or at the very least, was willfully ignorant about the admissions process. She took pictures on a rowing machine which was added to her college application, and her acceptance letter stated that she would be on the rowing team. Olivia never rowed…
Negetee Hawkins
- Opinion
- April 10, 2020
- 0 views
COVID-19 and the connection to Revelations
And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over a fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth. (Revelation 6:8) There are some believers who say we are currently living through the Book of Revelation; there are others who say the events in Revelation are still future. I am one who believes we are still awaiting for the Prophecies of the book of revelation to be fulfilled in future times. When the Pale horse and its rider are released, it will culminate with sickness and disease on a global scale. We know the judgements revolve around sickness and disease , because of the color of horse that is ridden and specifically, its rider which name is Death. When we see or hear the word “Pale”, we tend to think of something or someone who lacks color due to some form of sickness or disease. The background or etymology of the word (pale) is defined as such : early 14c., of human skin or complexion, “of a whitish appearance, bloodless,pallid,” from Old French paile “pale, light-colored” The underlining text of the New Testament is Greek. The Greek word used here in Revelation 6:8 for Pale is Khlo-ros according Strong’s Concordance5515; it is defined as pale or green. To be pale can result from the lack of sunlight. But in the reference used here in the book of Revelation and it’s conjunction with “death” , it is to emphasized that this color (pale or green) is due to some form of sickness or disease. Jesus stated that before the end of the world, we would see an increase of wars, rumors of wars, earthquakes, famines and pestilences. “For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall befamines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in diverse places. (Matthew 24:7) The key word here is Pestilences; it is defined as a deadly or virulentepidemic disease. The fact that the word is pluralized should be startling. What Jesus is saying here, is that there will be a rise in infectiousdiseases in various places around the world simultaneously. From the time Jesus made these predictions two thousand years ago unto today, there has been an influx of infectious diseases over time. So many that it is hard to keep up with the numbers. The main thing to remember here is what Jesus specifically said. “These are the beginning of sorrows”. Sorrows has a tendency of increasing with frequency and magnitude (effectiveness) over a period of time. Much like a woman who is giving birth and her contractions are increasing with magnitude and frequency as the baby is ready to breach the birth canal. Let me also point out How the rider of the pale horse is also given a sword to destroy a fourth of mankind. If we have a combination of pestilence and a sword, the only other explanation would be the weaponization of sickness and disease. In other words,…
Ann Lenaers
- Opinion
- April 8, 2020
- 0 views
The State of Things
I live in South Dakota where we have the fewest Covid-19 cases in the whole country and social distancing can be a natural part of small populations. While New York has 16,000-25,000 people per square kilometer, we would have 4-18 people in the same amount of space. I live in one of the largest cities in the state where we have a decently sized airport bringing us a bit closer together, but that still does not make it massive. That being said, there are no shelter in place orders yet. We are being instructed to use common sense (definition – having good sense and sound judgment in practical matters), keep gatherings under 10 people, stay home as often as possible, only send one person to the grocery store, parks and non-essential businesses are closed, etc. Schools are doing home-based remote learning until May 1st at a minimum, but that could extend as things progress. As a devout Christian, my heart has been leaning on passages like “Blessed is he who considers the poor; Yehovah will deliver him in time of trouble. Yehovah will preserve him and keep him alive.” (Psalm 41:1-2) So many Americans are running around in fear right now focusing on how to preserve themselves, but my heart has been laser focused on helping who I can and trusting God to empower and protect me in doing His work. A crisis reveals our true nature. If you want to know my nature – Love compels me to serve. I can serve. I will serve. Love is a verb. That doesn’t mean I’m planning birthday parties or ignoring social distancing. We are still being smart and safe about it. It means while I may not be a doctor or nurse, there are other places I can help keep things afloat to get us through this crisis. In times like this, I have to remind myself I cannot help everyone alone, nor is that my responsibility. God will guide me where He wants me to be useful just like a single cell in the body works with millions of other cells to create the functioning whole. Where He guides me, He will protect me. Recently that has put me at The Banquet, a Christian mission giving free, quality meals to the homeless, hungry, and impoverished. These people need to eat, virus or no virus. The Banquet does not accept any government money so they can avoid all the restrictions of red tape and be able to pray and serve freely, and they rely on volunteers and private donors. They are still open as an essential service. A normal dinner would feed 250-300 people. Right now they are feeding 400-450 people each night and growing as people are being hit hard financially due to this pandemic. (Click here to learn how you can help.) In light of the virus, they are doing everything they can to prevent spread while still providing an essential service, but they need help. When I show up for my shift, I wash my hands thoroughly, put on gloves, sanitize everything, help them pack each styrofoam container,…
Nkozia Bethune
- Opinion
- February 20, 2020
- 0 views
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
- 0 views
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
- 1 views
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…
Tyrone Brackens
- Opinion
- July 31, 2019
- 2 views
The “Expert Testimony” of Social Allegiance: Building a foundation for “Social Interconnectedness” in our youth
The “Expert Testimony” of Social Allegiance: Building a foundation for “Social Interconnectedness” in our youth Without going outside his race, and even among the better classes with their ‘white’ culture and conscious American manners, but still Negro enough to be different, there is sufficient matter to furnish a black artist with a lifetime of creative work. ~Langston Hughes In 1892, Jane Addams presented a speech titled “The Subjective Necessity of Social Settlements” as part of a symposium concerning the theme of philanthropy and social progress; and it reflects an idea that is needed even now in this 21st century. The settlement movement in a sense creates the narrative for interpreting a democratic idea in terms of a social context, the progression of a race, and the promotion of a Christian ideology concerning charitable endeavors. It is a fundamental idea that I believe could rejuvenate our creative aspirations and liven our moral sentiments as we share our gifts with the world. There has been a growing sentiment in the black community for building programs of significance (daycare hubs, learning centers, libraries, healthcare centers, and music programs, etc.), as a means of expanding the artistic expression and economic advancement of our rise. Although, we have suffered at the hands of those who sees our “Social interconnectedness” as a threat, we are just getting started in the turn of this century. Although, the black mind wasn’t allowed to soak up information or read for the first two hundred years into this country, we somehow never really complained about the lag. That’s an achievement gap for you to digest – yet, we never seemed to fully disassociate from the ideology of group consciousness. Group consciousness in this instance refers to “Social Allegiance”, or an attitude towards self-identification with a particular group that shares the same philosophies or theological interjections (i.e. gangs, brotherhoods, social groups, business circles, cliques, and or mastermind alliances). Navigating this social world alone isn’t an option for the black mind. We need our allegiance to a particular social order which grants us an identity that we can unite towards our moral, economic, social and political benefit. Although, the African American spiritual heritage provides the most comprehensive and lasting mental structure for our existence, it isn’t always well received by those who see the Pastor as a drug dealer, con artist, womanizer and pimp. Driven by a longing for excellence and a social home the “Social Allegiance” to communal structures is more about fitting in rather than standing out. Nobody likes to be an outsider. Nobody likes to be the martyr for his or her race. It’s those rare individuals (Malcolm X, Martin Luther King Marcus Garvey, Medgar Evars, Bobby Seals, Assata Shakur etc.) that embrace the calling to revolutionize the historical narrative of our dynamic communal forces. History calls these individuals rebels, black sheeps, loners, outcasts and rejects. Yet, it’s these same individuals who refuse to bury their gifts by the mainstream hands of fate and allow their struggles to become reduced to sand. Again, it’s all about the collective narrative of a power used in tandem with the primal force…