Bless Up, You Mighty Man - Remembering Marcus Garvey

Up, you mighty race, accomplish what you will. - Marcus Garvey

Look for me in the whirlwind or the storm, look for me all around you, for, with God's grace, I shall come and bring with me countless millions of black slaves who have died in America and the West Indies and the millions in Africa to aid you in the fight for Liberty, Freedom and Life. - Marcus Garvey

We MUST remember. His birthday was yesterday, August 17th.

The Amen Corner: Remembering James Baldwin ...in his own words

Remembering James Baldwin

His birthday was August 2nd. He was one of the greatest writers and thinkers of the 20th century. In his honor..and for our benefit....we should hear him ...in his own words.


If you have a free hour (lol), this is MUST watch video. James Baldwin's message in this and The Fire Next Time becomes even more powerful given today's political climate...and eerie in its accuracy (foreshadowing). All should really peep this...

http://mediacatalogue.blogspot.com/2008/08/debate-james-baldwin-vs-william-f.html


Get to know James Baldwin...and the understanding he communicate in the last few minutes is why he is so important to know...



“Take no one’s word for anything, including
mine – but trust your experience.” – James Baldwin

James Baldwin on What's Important




“Color is not a human or personal reality; it
is a political reality.” – James Baldwin

“This is why the most dangerous creation of
any society is that man who has nothing to lose.” – James Baldwin

“If we do not dare everything, the
fulfillment of that prophecy, re-created from the Bible in song by a slave, is
upon us: God gave Noah the rainbow sign,
No More water, the fire next time!” – James Baldwin


Excerpt of speech from my film James Baldwin Anthology
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N7Of0Abi10A



in his own words...and for our benefit...if we listen.

“But it is not permissible that the authors
of devastation should also be innocent.
It is the innocence which constitutes the crime.” – James Baldwin

Who is the Nigger? -James Baldwin (clip)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0L5fciA6AU



We are capable of bearing a great burden, once we discover that the burden is reality and arrive where reality is. – James Baldwin

History Matters

History Matters...and in the last year we have lost three important truth tellers of the U.S. experience marking an end of an era: John Hope Franklin (March 2009), Ronald Takaki (May 2009), and Howard Zinn (January 2010). if you have not read their work, I recommend you do...and start today.

Read them in the order listed...those that know me will know why :-)

To evolve, we must take the baton from them...and run.

The Relaunch...You Got It!

I Know You Got Soul - Eric B. & Rakim

Apologies for the long hiatus. I hope to keep this blog active again, if not with essays like i did in the past, with at least short posts for contemplation that will hopefully generate ongoing dialogue. My FT jobs as mother and teacher keep me very busy, but i will try not to abandon this blog for such a long period of time again. I appreciate all the support and love :-)

Back Again....

Dilated Peoples- Back Again

it's the people....the people....the people...the people.

Citizen vs. Citizenship by Brandon Greene

Sharing a blog by Brandon Greene, Hip Hop Congress leadership council member.

The recent passage of the controversial legislation in Arizona along with the premiere of the History Channel series, America the Story of Us has gotten me to thinking about what exactly it means today to be a citizen in the United States.

From the beginning of our country we have depended on the talents of "outsiders" to make our country great. Long before there was an United States we were a community of immigrants. The gateway to citizenship in the context of the first years of our republic was simply hard work as expressed by a willingness to show a bravery and tenacity in seeking the very best life for one's family.

For full text:
http://changeworthbloggingfor.blogspot.com/2010/05/citizen-vs-citizenship.html

SUPPORT THE URBAN TEACHERS' NETWORK (UTN)!

Please share with teachers, youth mentors , and arts education advocates!

We want all teachers, youth mentors, and arts education advocates to support the Urban Teachers Network!




LINK = http://www.facebook.com/pages/Urban-Teachers-Network/10150095772260206?ref=ts


Supporters:
1. Become a Fan of Urban Teachers Network FB page!
2. Spread the word!

UTN active participants:
1. Become a Fan of Urban Teachers Network FB page!
2. Spread the word!
3. Start or join a regional UTN network.

We will also need regional facilitators to organize UTN support groups in their communities.

Regional Organizers:
Contact us at UTN@hiphopcongress.com to express your interest in organizing a UTN support group in your community.


INFO:
Hip Hop Congress (HHC) is a 501 (c) 3 Non Profit Corporation representing the merger of artists and students, music and community. The Hip Hop Congress mission is to use Hip Hop culture to inspire young people to get involved in social action, civic service, and cultural creativity.

As a national and international organization dedicated to its mission, Hip Hop Congress has chosen Education as a central initiative promoted by its artists, chapters, partners, and donors. As the educational system continues to fail American students (particularly low-income and students of color), alternative curriculum and solutions are needed.

From this emphasis, HHC is working to organize and support an Urban Teacher Network (UTN) where educators and youth mentors can form networks to share ideas, curriculum, and build after-school extracurricular and mentor programs for the youth they teach and reach. The UTN is also designed to be a space where teachers facing the daily challenges of their field can find comfort in the company and support of colleagues with similar experiences. UTN members will create regional support groups and meet regularly in order to build alliances and power in like-minded educators wanting to connect and build a movement to enrich the lives of urban youth inside and outside of the classroom.

Objectives include:
1. Creating an ongoing database of educators and mentors working directly with the youth in our communities.
2. Promoting urban arts education and hip hop pedagogy.
3. Sharing effective ideas: curriculum, extracurricular activities etc.
4. Creating digital classroom resources online where ideas can be shared with UTN members across the country.
5. Creating regional support groups where UTN members can meet on a regular basis.
6. Organizing UTN events outside of the classroom for
students’ enrichment and ongoing mentoring.

Our urban arts education and outreach program offers the following components:

1. Hip Hop History. Classes and workshops on Hip Hop history as well as the social and political importance of hip hop to youth of color and urban communities.

2. Media Studies. Classes and workshops on critical media analyses, examining the images of people of color and women in media, specifically the hip hop industry. In analyzing media carefully, educators teach youth to be more critical consumers of media.

3. Performances and Interactive Workshops - Hip Hop Elements. HHC artists perform shows for youth as well as offer instructive workshops in various hip hop elements (emceeing/rapping, poetry, deejaying, graffiti art, and break-dancing). Through artistic expressions, youth will learn to express themselves creatively and constructively through positive outlets.

4. Community Activism. HHC members serve as mentors to youth promoting community activism and involvement in social and political issues affecting their lives. As well, existing HHC chapters will serve as advisors to youth wanting to start HHC community chapters.

5. Urban Teacher Network. Educators and mentors of youth in urban communities can form networks to share ideas, curriculum, build after-school extracurricular and mentor programs for the youth they reach.


We look forward to working with all dedicated to youth in need of mentoring and an education relevant to their lives. We are sure the youth will not only be enriched by these programs, but will be inspired by the teachers and mentors organizing on their behalves.

Stay Black and Die - Listen to the Single!

NEW DLabrie single from upcoming MR NETW3RK- Stay Black & Die ft M1 of deadprez,The Jacka, Adisa Banjoko , Shamako Noble, SaikoDelic RADIO EDIT http://tinyurl.com/yhu6smt ALBUM http://tinyurl.com/yko64gu

Tour & Video Coming Soon