He was one of the very last Africans to be taken into slavery in the United States and the only known African Muslim who left an autobiography in Arabic about his years in captivity as a slave. His name was Omar Ibn Said. He was an African scholar and this is his story.
What do you think of Ibn Said’s experience? Let us know what you think in the comments.
What do you think of Ibn Said’s experience? Let us know what you think in the comments.
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AFRO-VENEZUELANS TARGETED BY OPPOSITION
Venezuela’s opposition is often portrayed by the media as the victim of an ‘oppressive’ government. And coverage of the current protests over President Nicolas Maduro’s recent election win is no different.
However, what’s often not covered is the opposition’s aggression towards Venezuelans of African heritage. For the last two decades, Afro-Venezuelans have backed successive socialist governments that have stood up for their rights. Former leader Hugo Chavez even designated May 10 as Afro-Venezuelan Day, to celebrate their culture and history. But that staunch support for him, and now Maduro, has caused tension, with many reports of violent attacks by opposition members.
One of the most gruesome incidents happened in 2017, when 21-year-old Orlando Figuera was stabbed and set on fire by a mob after he passed near their opposition protest. He later died from his injuries.
African Stream’s William Sakawa delves into the history behind the hatred.
Venezuela’s opposition is often portrayed by the media as the victim of an ‘oppressive’ government. And coverage of the current protests over President Nicolas Maduro’s recent election win is no different.
However, what’s often not covered is the opposition’s aggression towards Venezuelans of African heritage. For the last two decades, Afro-Venezuelans have backed successive socialist governments that have stood up for their rights. Former leader Hugo Chavez even designated May 10 as Afro-Venezuelan Day, to celebrate their culture and history. But that staunch support for him, and now Maduro, has caused tension, with many reports of violent attacks by opposition members.
One of the most gruesome incidents happened in 2017, when 21-year-old Orlando Figuera was stabbed and set on fire by a mob after he passed near their opposition protest. He later died from his injuries.
African Stream’s William Sakawa delves into the history behind the hatred.
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Thanks to a kind of linguistic branding by colonial powers, the majority of African nations fall into one of three camps: Anglophone (English speaking), Francophone (French speaking) or Lusophone (Portuguese speaking).
However, with at least 200-million speakers, Swahili is quickly becoming one of the world’s most-used languages - one that that could rival and edge out the colonial legacy languages to become the continent’s lingua franca (minus the ‘franc’ bit!).
In its heartland, Swahili and its dialects stretch from parts of Somalia down to Mozambique, northern Madagascar and across to the western parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Its rise, development and spread make it the only African language used as a working language in the African Union.
However, with at least 200-million speakers, Swahili is quickly becoming one of the world’s most-used languages - one that that could rival and edge out the colonial legacy languages to become the continent’s lingua franca (minus the ‘franc’ bit!).
In its heartland, Swahili and its dialects stretch from parts of Somalia down to Mozambique, northern Madagascar and across to the western parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Its rise, development and spread make it the only African language used as a working language in the African Union.
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Continued…. It’s important to note that the growing world status of Swahili neither competes with nor invalidates the importance of any other African language. The idea of Swahili as a pan-African language was pushed in the 1960s by Tanzania's first President Julius Nyerere, who used the language to unify his nation after independence. Despite Swahili’s high profile, currently, English is the official or second language in 27 out of the 55 countries in Africa (counting Western Sahara), and French is the official language in 21 of them. If Swahili is to become truly pan-African, it will take political will and financial investment to reach all regions.
This week’s Facts of the Week provide a comprehensive overview of the Swahili language, highlighting its importance not only in East Africa but across the entire continent and beyond.
Tupe maoni yako kuhusu matumizi ya Kiswahili kama lugha rasmi ya Afrika!
This week’s Facts of the Week provide a comprehensive overview of the Swahili language, highlighting its importance not only in East Africa but across the entire continent and beyond.
Tupe maoni yako kuhusu matumizi ya Kiswahili kama lugha rasmi ya Afrika!
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RULING CLASS TRIES TO ERASE AFRICAN IDENTITY
With the election of the first Black US president, Barack Hussein Obama, African people’s relationship with US politics changed forever. The US ruling class’ tactic of providing us with representation within the imperialist system had won over hearts.
In this clip from the livestream of last year’s National Black Radical Organizing Conference in Atlanta, Onyesonwu Chatoyer, a Pan-African organiser with the All-African People’s Revolutionary Party (@aaprpinternational on IG and @aaprp on X) and editor of @hoodcommunist (IG), explained the power of the ruling class’ narrative.
Ideologically and politically, Obama shares much more in common with previous US presidents, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, Ronald Reagan, and Donald Trump than he does with Malcolm X and the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Yet, we see Obama lumped together with MLK and Malcolm X on all sorts of paraphernalia.
With the election of the first Black US president, Barack Hussein Obama, African people’s relationship with US politics changed forever. The US ruling class’ tactic of providing us with representation within the imperialist system had won over hearts.
In this clip from the livestream of last year’s National Black Radical Organizing Conference in Atlanta, Onyesonwu Chatoyer, a Pan-African organiser with the All-African People’s Revolutionary Party (@aaprpinternational on IG and @aaprp on X) and editor of @hoodcommunist (IG), explained the power of the ruling class’ narrative.
Ideologically and politically, Obama shares much more in common with previous US presidents, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, Ronald Reagan, and Donald Trump than he does with Malcolm X and the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Yet, we see Obama lumped together with MLK and Malcolm X on all sorts of paraphernalia.
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Continued….. Obama drastically expanded the US Africa Command’s footprint, increased the drone bombs raining down on Somalia, led the NATO invasion of Libya that destroyed the country, split it into three parts and led to the proliferation of terrorism across the Sahel. He then told African leaders to stop making ‘excuses’ about challenges rooted in the legacy of colonialism and slavery when talking about their countries’ problems.
‘Our hope is in a strong Africa,’ Malcolm X said. ‘When Africa is strong, our position in America will be one of respect. If Africa is weak, we will never be in a position of respect in America.’
Do you see how Malcolm X and Barack Obama are starkly different?
And it looks like the Democratic Party is up to it again, with another Black face, Kamala Harris, vying to represent the US empire.
Do you think Obama and Harris are following in the righteous line of our revolutionary ancestors? Let us know in the comments.
‘Our hope is in a strong Africa,’ Malcolm X said. ‘When Africa is strong, our position in America will be one of respect. If Africa is weak, we will never be in a position of respect in America.’
Do you see how Malcolm X and Barack Obama are starkly different?
And it looks like the Democratic Party is up to it again, with another Black face, Kamala Harris, vying to represent the US empire.
Do you think Obama and Harris are following in the righteous line of our revolutionary ancestors? Let us know in the comments.
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CHICK-FIL-A VS. POPEYES: WHAT’S IN THE CHICKEN?
Brother Nuri Muhammad (@brothernuri on X, @nurimuhammad on IG), a prominent figure within the Nation of Islam and an author, activist, mentor, life coach and entrepreneur, breaks down why many Black people in the United States are emotionally attached to fast-food restaurants, like Chick-fil-A and Popeyes.
In this August 2023 clip, the 49-year-old explained that the chemical composition of these companies’ products acts as addictive substances and destroys our health.
What do you think of Muhammad’s remarks? Let us know in the comments.
Video credit: @ineverknewtv (YouTube)
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Brother Nuri Muhammad (@brothernuri on X, @nurimuhammad on IG), a prominent figure within the Nation of Islam and an author, activist, mentor, life coach and entrepreneur, breaks down why many Black people in the United States are emotionally attached to fast-food restaurants, like Chick-fil-A and Popeyes.
In this August 2023 clip, the 49-year-old explained that the chemical composition of these companies’ products acts as addictive substances and destroys our health.
What do you think of Muhammad’s remarks? Let us know in the comments.
Video credit: @ineverknewtv (YouTube)
Please follow us on Telegram, Link in Bio
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The baobab tree is an iconic symbol in Africa, known for its immense size, strength and deep roots.
Our African proverb this week is a reminder that we need to know our limits: it’s futile to waste time and energy on impossible projects - not just futile, but worse, may make us look silly.
What do you reckon? Wise words of realism and pragmatism - or negative thinking that puts a damper on our ambitions?
Our African proverb this week is a reminder that we need to know our limits: it’s futile to waste time and energy on impossible projects - not just futile, but worse, may make us look silly.
What do you reckon? Wise words of realism and pragmatism - or negative thinking that puts a damper on our ambitions?
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ISRAELI COMMANDER’S CHILLING WORDS
‘We will not know victory until we destroy Gaza,’ said David Portal, an Israeli major commander under the Gaza division, in this chilling video posted online shortly after the 7 October escalation began. ‘The moral thing is to destroy them. The moral thing is to expel them. How the [Jewish holy book] Torah says not to leave anyone remaining?’
So far, Israel has k*lled more than 40,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. However, a Lancet medical journal report estimated in early July that the death toll was more than 186,000 people.
‘We will not know victory until we destroy Gaza,’ said David Portal, an Israeli major commander under the Gaza division, in this chilling video posted online shortly after the 7 October escalation began. ‘The moral thing is to destroy them. The moral thing is to expel them. How the [Jewish holy book] Torah says not to leave anyone remaining?’
So far, Israel has k*lled more than 40,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. However, a Lancet medical journal report estimated in early July that the death toll was more than 186,000 people.
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Continued….. In the video, he repeated the claim often used to support Israel’s occupation of Palestine and its current onslaught on the Gaza Strip: All Palestinians in the Gaza Strip are related to H*mas militants, and, therefore, everybody in the enclave is guilty.
Such words coming from someone directing troops on the ground in Gaza explain why international laws that protect civilians are not being applied. Reports of r*pe, ab*se, t*rture, illegal imprisonment and prison k*llings abound.
Video credit: @david_portal19 (IG)
Please follow us on Telegram, Link in Bio
Such words coming from someone directing troops on the ground in Gaza explain why international laws that protect civilians are not being applied. Reports of r*pe, ab*se, t*rture, illegal imprisonment and prison k*llings abound.
Video credit: @david_portal19 (IG)
Please follow us on Telegram, Link in Bio
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MALEMA LAUNCHES NEW ATTACK AGAINST RAMAPHOSA’S CABINET
Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) President Julius Malema recently said the claim that South African President Cyril Ramaphosa had no choice but to form a government of national unity with the white-led Democratic Alliance (DA) and other right-leaning political parties is baseless.
The African National Congress party failed to win a majority in the 29 May elections, requiring it to ally with other parties to secure a majority to govern.
Addressing students at South Africa’s Rhodes University earlier this month, Malema (@julius.malema.sello on IG and @Julius_S_Malema on X) said Ramaphosa should have found a way of working out a deal with leftist political organisations, such as the EFF and the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party.
Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) President Julius Malema recently said the claim that South African President Cyril Ramaphosa had no choice but to form a government of national unity with the white-led Democratic Alliance (DA) and other right-leaning political parties is baseless.
The African National Congress party failed to win a majority in the 29 May elections, requiring it to ally with other parties to secure a majority to govern.
Addressing students at South Africa’s Rhodes University earlier this month, Malema (@julius.malema.sello on IG and @Julius_S_Malema on X) said Ramaphosa should have found a way of working out a deal with leftist political organisations, such as the EFF and the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party.
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