Africa has so much meaning for humanity and particularly for African descendants spread throguhout every corner of our globe. Africa though, is a complex continent for many to comprehend, with a complicated history, burdened by mis characterization, prejudice and exploitation.

In 2003, I was fortunate enough to travel to Africa as a student learning about Human Rights. It was a journey that had many meanings for me. On one hand it meant reconnecting with the land and the people on the continent where my father’s descendants lived. It also meant being actively connected with young people struggling for progress in their respective nations in the spirit of Pan Africanism. Lastly, it meant an incredible summer as a 20 year old fortunate enough to have the opportunity to travel abroad for the first time.

I remember watching a scene in the movie, Belly, where Nas’ character, Sincere, announces to his friends that “I’m going to Africa!” In this scene he explains how he is getting his life together, moving away from his past lifestlye and reconnecting with his roots and his motherland.

Personally, I have always felt this type of affinity and connection with Africa. I am sure that being raised by a Pan-Africanist father has a little something to do with that. Anyway, Africa is a complicated continent and it is important that people of the African Diaspora in particular become knowledgeable about Africa’s history ancient and more importantly the history colonization and decolonization. This documentary published by Al-Jazerra English effectively provides a snapshot of Africa’s experience with colonization and its sturggle for decolonization.

The film highlights the glorious period of the fall of colonization, the subsequent failed governments, the coups and the modern struggle with the exploitation of neocolonialism. If you are interested in learning more about the current state of Africa, I would suggest that you begin by learning which countries were colonized by which European nations. Then I would begin meeting different people from the continent and discussing some of their history with them. When did your country get Independence (be careful though Ethiopia was never colonized)? Who are your famous leaders? What are some of the major ethnic groups in your nation? What is the name of your capital city?

Many times growing up in the inner-city environments we are surrounded by people who have recently immigrated from Africa. Often times its the classmate, the sister braiding hair or the brother driving a cab that can help us learn more about Africa. We just need to take the initiative and ask. I am sure that if we can work to avoid judging, keep an open mind and sincerely try to learn, our questions will be appreciated and our knowledge will increase. It is my hope that you are or will be inspired by Africa, the great continent, the cradle of humanity, the wounded land, the hopeful l. Hope you enjoy, share and comment.

Related articles

• Are African-American Investors Missing the Boat On the New Global Scramble for Africa  (globalfusionproductions.com)
• Presidents of Africa (africasacountry.com)

Get the full interview at http://husslingtonpost.com/danielagomes/

Get the full interview at http://husslingtonpost.com/danielagomes/

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• Daniela Gomes’ Blog: AFROatitudes (afroatitudes.blogspot.com)
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Lupe Fiasco was recently on The Stream, which is a  daily television show and web community created by Al Jazeera English. In this episode, Lupe Fiasco shares his thoughts on the Occupy movement. For those who didn’t know, Lupe Fiasco is not only an incredibly talented Hip Hop artist, he is one of the United States’ most outspoken celebrity activists. Amazingly, Lupe Fiasco is proving to the music industry and other artists that your art can have strong political and social overtones and still be commercially viable. As the Occupy movements continue to galvanize support around the nation and the globe, it is important that we pay attention to Lupe’s thoughts and insights on the movement. I hope you find this show informative and empowering.

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With the 2012 Presidential Election approaching and the Republican Primaries right on the horizon, Herman Cain, an African American Republican presidential candidate,  has been the talk of the town. Herman Cain, a Morehouse College alumni, has seemingly shown the ability to weather the recent storms of a questionable campaign ad with his campaign director smoking in the spot and the potentially explosive accusations of sexual misconduct with multiple women. Despite these situations and other shocking comments Cain has made, his poll numbers have continued to have him as the front runner for the Republican nomination. In this 40 minute discussion below, Mr. R. Lee Cook  analyses the politics of Herman Cain’s candidacy. In this video he forecasts how  Cain’s presidential aspirations will manifest in him being nominated as the Republican’s candidate for Vice President. Mr. Cook also discusses the intricate racial dynamics that have made Herman Cain the favorite of Tea Party Republicans. He also warns Democrats and Liberal Media about aggressively pressing Cain on the allegations of sexual misconduct, which could backfire and actually strengthen Cain’s candidacy. This analysis also covers the current politics of Cain’s sexual misconduct accusations with those of the Clarence Thomas and Anita Hill sex scandal in the early 1990s. This video is a must see for all political buffs and those wishing to enhance their understandings of the current political landscape and  Herman Cain. Feel free to share your thoughts by leaving a comment or share this post on Facebook or Twitter.

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#OccupyWallStreet

The world needs to know that there are incredibly talented artists out there like Greg G. I am a big fan myself and it is a pleasure to introduce those who don’t know to this young musical genius, hailing from Texas! This brother produces, writes, sings and raps! He has worked with industry heavyweights like Bun B, Slim Thug, Toni Braxton and others.  Greg G is a renaissance brother for this modern 21st Century Renaissance Era that we’re  in. Not only is the brother creatively gifted, he knows where his gifts come from, “The Most High.” Greg G went live to Occupy Wall Street to film this, his latest video and the footage is stunning! He not only filmed his video there, he had the courage to get up and deliver some powerful words and a scripture at the end! Check out the world premiere video below, it ‘s time to “Wake Up!” . You can also check out some of Greg G’s other video’s below and if you didn’t hear me the first time, know that he is one of the hottest up and coming producers in Hip Hop! Watch him work his magic live on the Heartless Remix video below as well. Check out Greg G’s site and let’s support this brother as he climbs to the top, right where he belongs! Oh I almost forgot to mention Greg G will be releasing his latest album, the Gold Rush on November 17…Make Sure You Check It Out!

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• Greg G’s Official Website (GoldenChild210.com)
• Greg G’s YouTube Channel (YouTube.com)

I recently read an article entitled “It’s a hip-hop planet”  by Akala, an award-winning Hip Hop artist and the creator of the Hip Hop Shakespeare Company from England. In this article, Akala discusses the global impact and importance of hip hop music and culture explaining how Hip Hop serves as “a news network of the downtrodden, oppressed and the socially conscious across the globe.” This article was so well wrtiten and spot on in its analysis of the meaning and significance of Hip Hop that I had to find out who wrote this compelling piece. I saw the profile picture of the author, sporting a matter of fact no nonsense expression in his profile picture and a powerful Afro that expressed very similar sentiments.

Upon further investigation, a click on his profile picture, I was forwarded to another page with  link to the Akala’s own website akalamusic.com. I quickly shuttled to this page and saw a YouTube video posted there entitled “Akala – Fire In The Booth” and naturally my curoisity led me to click play. I apprehensively waited to hear this Hip Hop generation writer and educator get busy on the microphone, hoping that I was not going to hear a mediocre rap that would lessen the esteem Akala had garnished from the article I had read just moments earlier. As I listened, I was blown away with the nearly nine minute lyrical and politically charged rap. Only 45 seconds into the rap, I was convinced that I was going to watch for the entire nine minutes of the video. I was not disappointed in the least! On this one track, Akala spoke on issues like discrimination, self-hatred, for-profit prisons, lynching, Marcus Garvey, African history, false patriotism, consumerism, racism, education and the list goes on. These subjects, which are so often dodged by mainstream Hip Hop artist and the media, were championed by MCs of the “golden era of Hip Hop.” Akala has definitely not forgotten about the roots of Hip Hop and he has proved he is here to drop Hip Hop’s most potent formula on a world desperate for change.

Akala – Fire In The Booth Video

In the vocal booth and on the written page, Akala tackles “race, politics, self-deception and social conditioning.” Akala’s official bio clearly states that the goal of his art is “breaking down the culture of cliché and stereotype that smothers the genre he loves…” Not to mention, Akala is no rookie in the Hip Hop world. This brother has been turning out singles since the early years of the new millennium and he has released his third album, Double Think, this past year. Below is Akala’s Fire In The Booth version with the lyrics, in case you wanted to get every single jewel he dropped. It is clear that Akala is going laying down the foundation to become a legendary name in Hip Hop, not only due to his lyrical ability but for his commitment to uplift the consciousness and social condition of oppressed people and youth worldwide. It definitely is a Hip Hop planet and Akala is definitely what this planet needs right now!

Akala – Fire In The Booth w/ Lyrics

Related articles

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• Double Think by Akala
• Follow Akala on Twitter @Akalamusic
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With the impending 2012 Presidential Election coming into focus, it is of critical importance to consider one of President Barack Obama’s significant achievements, helping create a global political climate where organic democracy could arise throughout the Islamic World, in what everyone is calling the Arab Spring.

The Arab Spring is an ongoing movement throughout the Muslim and Arab world for democracy, good governance, dignity, human rights and an end to the authoritarian rule that has been commonplace in the region. Although the Arab Spring officially began in Tunisia on December 18, 2010 and subsequently spread to Egypt, Libya, Bahrain, Syria, Yemen and other nations, the Arab Spring is intimately connected to that midnight on November 4,2008, when the people of the United States declared their selection of Barack Obama as the 44^th president of the United States. The election of Barack Hussein Obama, whose name can be literally translated in Arabic as “Good Blessing Obama” not only embodied change on the national landscape but also on the international scene.

Following the events of September 11, 2001, under the leadership of President George W. Bush, our nation further developed and cultivated a deep seated mistrust and suspicion about the people of the Arab world, their religion, Islam, and the threat ‘they’ posed to America’s safety. As a result, the United States initiated two foreign offensive military campaigns and infringed on domestic rights to privacy, widely referred to as the “War on Terror”. This “War on Terror,” no matter how well intentioned, had the effect of demonizing and dehumanizing over a billion Muslims and hundreds of millions of Arabs around the world, and millions here in the United States. President Bush’s aggressive bomb-first-ask questions-later approach to the “War on Terror” was supported when he was reelected in a highly-contested battle against the Democratic candidate, John Kerry, in 2004. With the reelection of Bush in 2004, it appeared that the American people supported the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and gave a green light to the global and domestic “War on Terror.” Bush’s reelection further validated the “War on Terror” and delved our world deeper into a climate of fear, cynicism and hostility.

The 2008 presidential campaign in many ways involved a choice over America’s foreign policy direction. Was America going to continue support a president who would aggressively push for the “War on Terror,” or was America going to elect a president who would seek peaceful coexistence with the world, without sacrificing our safety? Well, in early November of 2008, the American people loudly proclaimed an affirmative to the latter.

Almost instantly, the view of America changed around the world. Rhonda Habib, a Jordanian writer, was quoted by the L.A. Times on the impact of the 2008 election, “Obama can make you once again respect the U.S. for its values and democracy and all those things we had forgotten about over the last eight years.”[1]  Undoubtedly, a member of an ethnic minority rising to the position of president in arguably the most influential nation on earth, with a lengthy history of domestic racial and ethnic oppression, was truly historic on many fronts. I am certain that millions of people, particularly in the Middle East and the Arab World, outwardly celebrated or privately and cautiously expressed their repressed feelings of hope and optimism about what changes might result from Obama’s election. President Obama began immediately changing the dialogue around the “War on Terror,” he preferred to paint America’s enemies with a much finer paintbrush instead of a one-size-fits-all paint roller.

Once in office and less than a month after his inauguration President Obama began his outreach to the people of the Muslim World. First, Obama granted an interview to Al-Arabiya television; he then delivered a speech directed to the people of Iran. He gave a speech in Ankara, Turkey, and then in June of 2009 he orated an impressive and well received speech in Cairo, Egypt entitled, “A New Beginning.” The international world and the Norwegian Nobel Committee were the first to recognize President Obama’s contribution to the global political climate by awarding him the Nobel Peace Prize in 2009 stating in a press release, “Obama as a President created a new climate in international politics.”[2] Unfortunately, many at home and abroad challenged his worthiness of this honor. Nonetheless, a year and a half after President Obama’s “A New Beginning Speech”, on January 25^th, 2011, Cairo, which had served as the backdrop to Obama’s speech, would command center stage, as the most populous and influential Arab country toppled their authoritarian and undemocratic government, officially confirming the Arab Spring.

The Arab Spring is clearly an organic revolutionary movement that is long-overdue and well-deserved for the millions of people who have suffered under the fallen, falling and soon to fall regimes. President Obama has not claimed and can in no way be made to appear, solely, responsible for the Arab Spring. This credit and acknowledgement must go to the thousands and millions of individuals who risked their lives to challenge their oppression and repression by their governments. That being said, President Obama does deserve a great deal of credit for taking many unpopular and politically risky stances towards the Muslim world even before the Arab Spring. Remember that many opponents of President Obama during the 2008 presidential election falsely and continuously accused him of being a Muslim, playing to the fears that he was going to be more sympathetic with the Muslim world and Middle East. President Obama, weathered those false characterizations of his faith and then did exactly what his opponents feared most, he began reaching out to a part of the world that our previous foreign policies had left feeling alienated, vilified and angry towards the United States.

President Obama was able to develop this inclusive and humanizing approach to the Muslim and Arab World because he himself was the son of a Kenyan, with generations of relatives who practiced Islam. He spent some of his childhood living in Indonesia, the most populous Islamic nation in the world, with his American mother and his Indonesian and Muslim step-father, Lolo Soetoro. These intimate connections between the Muslim world and himself allowed President Obama to see through the crusade like rhetoric against the Muslim and Arab world at a time when many in leadership in America were only adding fuel to the fire.

The indirect, if not direct, correlation between President Obama’s approach to foreign policy and the Arab Spring has conveniently been ignored by many political observers around the world on both the left and the right. The U.S. media has been so caught up in the political turmoil that is Washington D.C. and the economic crisis that they have failed to observe this monumental accomplishment of our 44^th President.

Likewise, many international observers who for years have been waiting for meaningful and progressive U.S. involvement towards resolving the Arab-Israeli conflict, have been unimpressed with Obama’s tactful and tempered leadership. Many in the Middle East, who are eager for a resolution to the Arab-Israeli conflict, will undoubtedly say Obama has not done enough or taken a hard enough stance against Israel. This may be the case but President Obama has taken a huge step in the right direction by changing the discourse of America’s foreign policy towards the region. President Obama has shown himself to be the best equipped and most astute U.S president on foreign policy in recent memory and at a critical time for our world.

During President Obama’s historic “A New Beginning” speech in Cairo he addressed the previous approach to the Muslim World, explaining that:[3]

 “The attacks of September 11th, 2001 and the continued efforts of these extremists to engage in violence against civilians has led some in my country to view Islam as inevitably hostile not only to America and Western countries, but also to human rights. This has bred more fear and mistrust…I have come here to seek a new beginning between the United States and Muslims around the world; one based upon mutual interest and mutual respect; and one based upon the truth that America and Islam are not exclusive, and need not be in competition. Instead, they overlap, and share common principles – principles of justice and progress; tolerance and the dignity of all human beings.”

President Obama went on to challenge the regimes of the region: :

There are some who advocate for democracy only when they are out of power; once in power, they are ruthless in suppressing the rights of others. No matter where it takes hold, government of the people and by the people sets a single standard for all who hold power: you must maintain your power through consent, not coercion; you must respect the rights of minorities, and participate with a spirit of tolerance and compromise; you must place the interests of your people and the legitimate workings of the political process above your party. Without these ingredients, elections alone do not make true democracy.”

 

President Obama has undoubtedly brought about a significant shift in the global political climate, where vilifying people in the Muslim and Arab world has stopped being viewed as en vogue by the United States government and as a result the people of this region have been able to direct their attention towards the “coercion” they experience at the hands of their own governments. President Obama needs to continually be pressured to do more to address the Arab-Israeli conflict but he also needs to be praised for the change in tone and tenor of America’s foreign policy. More broadly, President Obama has shown the ability to improve the connections between peoples and communities once thought unable to be connected. He has helped connect the youth to the elders, the Islamic and Arab world to the Western world, the Hip-Hop generation to the Civil Rights generation and the political right to the political the left. Maybe President Obama is not the change we wanted, but maybe that has prevented us from seeing that he has brought about some of the change we needed.

Working with young people in the Juvenile Justice System has been incredibly rewarding for me. I am always learning new fashion styles, slang words, trends and rising rap artists. A few years ago, I began hearing about an underground rapper from Philadelphia named, AR-AB. I was somwhat familiar with the big figures of Phialdelphia’s Underground Rap scene, including Cassidy, Tone Trump, Gillie Da Kid, Meek Mill, Joey Jihad, Qwilly Mills and others; so I was in no rush to look up some obscure rap artists I had never heard of.

It also didn’t help that although I am a fan of Hip Hop I often times feel at war with the messages and influence of the “streets” that is typically the focus of these underground artists’ music. I refused to look up AR-AB on the internet, content that I basically knew what his rhymes were going to be about, hustling and riding on enemies. I felt uncomfortable and ignorant each time that a new youth would mention him as one of the best rappers in Philly.

After months and months of hearing scores of young people recommend AR-AB, I finally broke down and pulled him up on YouTube. I wasn’t surprised about his style and his demeanor. However, I was surprised with the blatant and over the top references he made when it came to selling drugs and violence. He spoke with malice, hatred and rage towards his real and perceived foes out there. He spoke of a lucrative underground illegal economy and the significant amounts of money he was making. He also spoke of how his street fame and credibility made women flock to him.

As I listened more and more to AR-AB it became clear how appealing the lifestyle is for many young people and males in particular, growing up in impoverished and disadvantaged inner city neighborhoods as they struggle to find their identities. AR-AB calls himself the “Top Goon of Philly”! His world is a world very different from the average American. His world is a world where one’s capacity and propensity to commit violent acts either overtly or covertly earns you respect and makes you many enemies in the process. Pulling young people into an endless pyschological state of heightened awareness of friend and foe, life and death and freedom and incarceration.

Through listening to AR-AB’s music, I actually began to understand what I was up against even more as a person trying to help young people get out of the justice system and move away from a life of crime. I already know that it is challenging trying to reach young people, who have many times been alienated by the wider society, seduced by the lure of the streets with its quick money, power, fame and respect. Hearing AR-AB allowed me to realize that his voice was louder and more respected by young people in the streets than my own and I needed to respect his, if mine is ever to be respected.

Despite living under the administration of the first African American president, a seemingly hopeful time, many young people have experiences and views of their world that are more closely aligned to rappers like AR-AB. It is time for Professionals, academics, parents and concerned community members to listen. Although we should still be concerned about the lifestyle AR-AB discusses in his music,  his voice should be used to draw attention to the hopelessness, desperation and anger of our most marginalized youth and provide some thoughtful discussions about solutions to issues of manhood, the drug economy, violence, mental health, misogyny and hyper masculinity in Hip Hop Culture and urban life.

Coincidentally, AR-AB was shot 10 times in late September. Miraculously, AR-AB survived and is currently recuperating. It appears that he should be able to make full recovery given the small caliber of the bullets that hit him and the non vital areas where he was struck. It is my hope that this event in his life will help him recognize the damaging impact of violence in the community and create more positive and inspirational songs. This incident may only further validate his “Top Goon of Philly” status and propel him to the success of another street rapper who was shot 9 times. It is clear that AR-AB and the life he speaks of is not going anywhere. We all need to pay attention and get innovative in developing solutions to our problems. As always, leave a comment and share your thoughts!

Below are some additional videos of AR-AB rapping. In NO WAY do his lyrics and these videos represent my views and perspectives.

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