The media blog that is not about famine, Bono, or Barack Obama. Contributors are: Sean Jacobs (he started AIAC), Brett Davidson, Gregory Mann, Will Glass, Neelika Jayawardane, Kathryn Mathers, Marissa Moorman, Lily Saint, Melissa Levin, Dan Moshenberg; Caitlin L. Chandler; Dylan Valley; Abdourahman Waberi; Boima Tucker, Anni Lyngskaer, Sophia Azeb, Tom Devriendt, Loren Lynch, Basia Lewandowska Cummings, Elliot Ross, Orlando Reade and Megan Eardley; Hinda Talhaoui; ‘kola (Bukola Jejeloye); and Mikko Kapanen. Pre-August 2009 posts are archived here.
As an African American I am very glad to read your publication. Most of the posts are very positive and informative, reflecting the best in us. African Americans have been Pan African since our time in the west. We are a mix of many African ethnic groups.We are also of Indigenous blood. Our solidarity with the Red peoples’ of North America in our collective struggle against white supremacy has produced a mixing of our blood and values. Indigenous people here(and most Latinas/o) are of African African American heritage, every African American is of Indigenous heritage. Bonding with our sisters and brothers of color throughout the world is paramount. Humility and respect for each other’s struggles is requisite.
Sometimes our sisters& brothers of color studying n the U.S. forget their own privilege, and overly criticize so called African American privilege. They often do the work of white supremacy by repeatedly attacking African Americans. They don’t seem to realize that when they do this they are carrying out the program of white supremacy which is to divide and conquer. I rarely hear them criticize the white American power structure.
America is reluctant to allow true radicals of color to study in the country, and even less likely to allow them to stay. And so on some level their conduct does not surprise me. However their lack of self awareness is disturbing. White supremacy seeps in to the minds of all of us. When you find yourself continually attacking African Americans, a people whose Civil Rights struggle opened the way for North African and Asian women to get visas to study here, it is time for an internal audit. African Americans need critique as much as any group. And we welcome intellectually honest exchanges. This is how we grow. I simply say, be clear about what you say and why you say it. If your have more harsh words for the people of color who labor under white supremacy here in the west than the American white supremacist power structure, you have lost your way somewhere between Egypt and here.(BTW until the Arab colonial invasions Khmt, Egypt was a Black country, not” brown.” )
To those of you doing intellectually honest work that truly builds solidarity , I say Asante Sana and A Luta Continua!
Jannet inspires me. I love what she is doing, and I wish i could contact her.
for those interested in beauty pageants in countries coming out of civil conflict, I recommend Maggie Fick’s post on the recent pageant in Sudan.
i was searching through the net for pageant information because tomorrow i will be representing Liberia in the Miss Africa pageant in New England . Janet has inspired me alot. Your story also capture my heart because i was born in Liberia and i also experience the 1990 war, i was lil by then. Keep on pushing on the little work you are doing will stimulate others o follow your foot steps.