WHITE LIBERTY GOOD BLACK LIBERTY BAD?

Here's a quote from American-born African writer James Baldwin: "When any White man in the world says, 'give me liberty or give me death', the entire White world applauds. When a Black man says exactly the same thing, he is judged a criminal and treated like one."

Baldwin was speaking on The Dick Cavett show in 1969. And it highlights the hypocrisy underlying Western society that many of us know and feel.

Africans growing up in the United States and other imperialist countries are educated on the brave struggles of Western 'freedom fighters', from George Washington to Joan of Arc. However, when it comes to the question of the emancipation of African people who have been subjected to hundreds of years of oppression, all of a sudden, fighting for freedom is unacceptable.

Continued…. Baldwin gives two examples: The treatment of Nat Turner, who led the famous US slave rebellion in the 19th century, and the backlash against human rights activist Malcolm X around a hundred years later.

Baldwin also talks about Israel in this video but later made clear he's anti-Zionist, saying: "I don't believe they have the right, after 3,000 years, to reclaim the land with Western bombs and guns on the biblical injunction."

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ARE YOU BLACK OR AFRICAN?

Pan-African scholar Dr. John Henrik Clarke breaks down the reason why he prefers to refer to himself and his people as ‘African’ rather than ‘Black.’ He may have been born and raised in the United States like his parents and grandparents before him, but as an African whose ancestors were forcibly brought to the Americas during the European slave trade, he understands that identity is a crucial part of Pan-African politics and liberation. He notes that most people of the world are referred to by names tied to their geographical origin. For example, a Chinese person born in the United States will still be called ‘Asian,’ after the Asian landmass - even if his parents, grandparents or even great-grandparents were born in Chicago.

What do you think about this? Do you prefer to identify as Black or as African (or African-American, say)? Why? Let us know in the comments below.

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RACIST ALGORITHMS IN MEDICAL AI: WHAT’S THE CURE?

AI chat bots are everywhere - but would you trust one with a medical issue? Worrying new data suggests that the algorithms running artificial intelligence in health care are based on racist stereotypes - including false assumptions about Black tolerance for physical pain. With AI having the potential to revolutionise medicine, we look at the dangers involved - and the need to include Black-African perspectives from the get-go.

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RWANDA: LAND OF HIGH JUMP

The high jump is a sport dear to Rwandans. It used to be an integral part of the culture, eagerly watched by Rwandan royals - with participants pulling off feats fit for modern-day Olympics. Unfortunately, the sport declined with the monarchy in Rwanda - but government-backed efforts are now underway to make it a thing of national pride again. Bring on the medals!

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MEET CHEDDAR MAN

Blue eyes and dark skin? You might remember the news breaking about Cheddar Man. That’s the name scientists had given an ancient human being whose remains were discovered in Gough’s Cave in Cheddar Gorge, Somerset, in southwestern England, UK. Unearthed in 1903, Cheddar Man’s almost complete skeletal remains date back to the 9th millennium BC, in the Mesolithic period, making him one of the oldest human skeletons in Britain.

What sets Cheddar Man apart is his estimated age and the ground-breaking genetic analysis performed on his remains in 2018. Scientists proposed he had dark skin, blue eyes and curly dark hair. The unexpected revelation challenged previous assumptions about how ancient Brits looked.

Continued….But it should really come as no surprise that the first ancient human being discovered in the UK was Black, as all human history originated in Africa. One museum scientist described Cheddar Man as ‘indicative of the population of Europe at the time.’ However, the UK’s far-right population lost its collective mind when this story broke back in 2018, so it is always nice to remind them ;-)

Cheddar Man’s striking looks transcend borders and challenge our preconceptions about the evolution of human physical characteristics. It’s a reminder that our history is rich, complex, and often filled with surprises that connect us in unexpected ways.

Were you surprised by the news? Please leave your thoughts below.

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THE MOST DANGEROUS AFRICAN!

Leading Pan-African figures have responded after Ghana authorities cancelled their event at the last minute.

Convention 2024 was due to be held at Independence Square, in Accra, on January 7th, but police intervened. However, leading guests due to speak held a press conference shortly after and didn’t hold back.

Dr. Arikana Chihombori-Quao called out presidents for having a ‘colonised mind’ and urged us all to look in the mirror and ask serious questions about the continued imperialist exploitation of Africa.

PLO Lumumba called on the continent’s youth to embrace the ‘spirit of personal sacrifice’ for the general good. Have a listen. Are you up to the challenge they describe?

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KINGDOM OF KUSH

Egypt may hog much of the limelight when it comes to ancient civilisations, but it too was influenced by a powerful sub-Saharan dynasty.

The Kush Kingdom also build pyramids and developed its own form of written texts. And its rich history helped shaped a regional landscape that can still be admired today.

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‘WE BLEW UP MOSQUES, UN OFFICES’ - ISRAELI RESERVIST

An Israeli military reservist told @TheGrayzoneNews that he was part of operations that bombed mosques and United Nations offices in the Gaza Strip. The unidentified person acknowledged UN offices had assisted Palestinian families since 7 October.

This clip is part of an exclusive video report that shows illegal settlers at the Kerem Shalom and Nitzana border crossings in the Gaza Strip blocking trucks carrying humanitarian aid from Egypt. The Israeli military appeared to aid protesters’ efforts, while Egyptian forces did not respond to provocations.

Reports in January said Israel had destroyed 1,000 out of 1,200 mosques in the 41-kilometre-long enclave since the 7 October escalation. The UN said the highest death toll among its staff members worldwide has occurred in the Gaza Strip, where Israel’s military operation has killed more than 100 workers.

Continued…. The UN Security Council passed a resolution on 25 March for an immediate ceasefire, to allow the flow of humanitarian aid and for the release of Israeli hostages held in the Gaza Strip during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, which ends in two weeks. Further, the International Court of Justice ruled on 26 January that Israel must avoid genocidal acts. However, Israel’s strikes and a blockade have continued.

Should the so-called international community impose economic sanctions on Israel for its continued disregard for the ICJ ruling and the UNSC resolution?

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MAMA BURNA TO AFRICAN ARTISTS: FOCUS ON LEGACY

Legacy. Building one, and leaving one. That’s what it’s all about - according to Bose Ogulu (aka Mama Burna Boy), who recently gave the key-note speech at the UK’s Best of Africa Awards.

There, she scooped the History Maker 2023 gong - and used the occasion to urge African and diaspora artists to be methodical in their creativity, striving not just for short-term success, but aiming at contributing to culture in a lasting and meaningful way. As she puts it, there’s no “shortcut” through the hard work that’s required in building up an artistic legacy.

Continued…. Moreover, Ogulu - a businesswoman and a talent promoter - says that people like her singer-songwriter son have shown that African talent can break through globally, with international appeal that sells out stadiums the world over. Far from gloating, she wants this to be an inspiration to budding young artists from the continent and diaspora.

Have a watch and let us know if you think she’s as much of a legend in her own right as we think!

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MEET SENEGAL'S NEW FIRST LADIES

Meet Senegal’s new First Ladies: Marie Khone Faye (left) and Absa Faye (right).

While there’s been much excitement about 44-year-old Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s becoming Africa’s youngest elected head of state, his two wives are also stealing the limelight.

Marie is described as pious. She is the mother of four children (three boys and a girl) and has been with the new president for 15 years (they come from the same village). Their relationship appears to embody tradition and family values.

Continued….. Absa is described as elegant and classy. She has not yet had any children with Faye - their union perhaps indicating a modern twist to the traditional practice of polygamy.

Polygamy is common in 94%-Muslim Senegal, where it is legal to have up to four wives. 32.5% of registered marriages in the country are polygamous, a figure that excludes the large number of unrecorded customary marriages. The practice is more common in rural areas compared with cities.

How many wives - or husbands! - do you think are ideal?

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WINNIE VS NELSON

Today marks six years since South African liberation icon Winnie Madikizela-Mandela passed away at 81.

Too often, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela is remembered as ‘Nelson Mandela’s wife.’ That is only one part of her legacy. Winnie Mandela was a freedom fighter and organiser who was, in many ways, more uncompromising than Nelson. Winnie, too, was a political prisoner during the anti-apartheid struggle, including a brief sentence she served while pregnant. Her position was that African people must free ourselves by any means necessary. Winnie unwavered on oppressed peoples having a right to use revolutionary violence in the face of colonial exploitative violence. This led to a growing distance between her and the African National Congress (ANC) during the 1990s. She also believed that land in Azania (a name to describe parts of southern Africa, including South Africa) and Zimbabwe must be redistributed to African peoples.

Continued…. Winnie spoke out at a time when Nelson Mandela felt the need to compromise on the land question, which has led to perpetual inequality and prolonged settler colonialism.

In her own words, ‘I have a good relationship with Mandela. But I am not Mandela’s product. I am the product of the masses of my country and the product of my enemy.’

In this 29 November 1993 lecture given at Kean College in New Jersey (USA), Pan-Africanist and former Nation of Islam leader Khalid Muhammad railed against Nelson and expressed his support for Winnie.

Let us know what you think of Muhammad’s remarks.

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ISRAELI POLICE ASSAULT JEWISH PROTESTER

For decades, Israel has cast itself as representing all Jews.

While the media just started covering it, a section of Israeli society, especially Haredi Jews, have opposed Israel's military operation that has killed more than 32,000 Palestinians since 7 October. For years, these ultra-orthodox Jews have called for a free Palestine. The state's response has been violent, as exemplified in this clip—one of many online—of militarised Israeli police assaulting protesting Haredi Jews.

Despite this and an Israel official admitting Israel has been sterilising Ethiopian Jews, the West insists Israel is the 'only democracy in the Middle East.'

Continued…. The United States, Canada and some European countries have used that argument to provide Israel with funds, arms, and diplomatic cover in the form of ceasefire resolution vetoes at the United Nations over the past almost six months.

Leaders such as US President Joe Biden have referred to Israel as a Western outpost or 'beachhead' in West Asia. We also cannot forget that immediately after 7 October, Israel began launching attacks into neighbours Jordan and Lebanon under the guise of rooting out militant group H*m*s.

While some say Israel is the only safe home for Jews, this video shows US/EU-backed Israel will assault some of its own population to maintain its settler-colonial project.

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MOTHER OF THE NATION

On 2nd April 2018, Winnie Mandela breathed her last. Many South Africans remember the radical anti-apartheid activist as the mother of the nation. Today, we take a few moments to remember her efforts towards the emancipation of her people and why she is still referred to as the mother of the nation.

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