BUJU BANTON ON THE MAROONS IN JAMAICA

Like many colonised and enslaved territories, Jamaica fronted strong resistance against imperialism. Listen to legendary Jamaican singer Buju Banton explain the role the Maroons played.

The Maroons, enslaved Africans who escaped from Spanish and British plantations, formed independent communities in the island's mountainous regions. Over time, they established well-organised societies, drawing on African cultural traditions for survival. Known for their staunch defiance of British rule and their resistance to slavery, they played a crucial role in the fight for liberation on the Caribbean island.

In the First Maroon War, Africans used guerrilla war tactics to defend their freedom and disrupt British plantations. Maroons' extensive knowledge of Jamaica's terrain challenged colonial forces, and so, after years of conflict, Britain was forced to negotiate peace treaties in 1739 and 1740.

Video credit: @revolttv

Continued... The terms recognised Maroon autonomy and the right to own land. In return, the Maroons agreed to stop raiding plantations.

However, tensions persisted despite the treaties, leading to the Second Maroon War in 1795. The war ended in December of that year, with the Maroons agreeing to lay down their arms, return runaway enslaved Africans and be relocated to another part of the island in exchange for being spared repercussions. The British, as usual, broke the agreement.

They deported many to Nova Scotia in Canada, and later to Sierra Leone upon demand due to Canada's hostile climate. This marked the end of large-scale Maroon resistance to British colonial rule.

Maroons hold a cherished legacy in Jamaica to this day. Communities, such as Accompong and Moore Town, still celebrate their heritage, preserving rich African cultural practices. Remembered as early freedom fighters, Maroons played a significant role in Jamaica's storied struggle for liberation.

‘BLACK IGNORANCE IS A MULTI-BILLION INDUSTRY’

In this April 2023 clip, Thau-Thau Haramanuba (@thauthauharamanuba) discussed the decolonisation of the African psyche and culture with Gogo Simenjalo (@gogo_simenjalo) on the AfroSavvy podcast (@afrosavvy).

The president of the Rastafari United Front denounced the Black community for spending almost $7 billion a year on artificial hair and nails in the United States. He argued Africans must move away from consumerism and realise that ‘what we need, we must make ourselves.’

According to Cheryl Thompson's research in 'Black Women and Identity: What's Hair Got to Do With It?' in 2008, 70 per cent to 80 per cent of Black women in the US chemically straighten their hair.

Video credit: @afrosavvy

Continued... Yet, attitudes appear to be changing as 40 per cent of Black women said in 2021 that they would wear their hair naturally without using hot tools, such as flat irons, according to Mintel. The marketing firm added that chemical relaxer sales had dropped by about 22 per cent since 2016.

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WEAPONISING BLACKNESS IN ELECTIONS IS WRONG

Both the Republicans and the Democrats understand the importance of winning over Black people in the race for US president.

However, many of our people have long found common cause with Palestinians. We see the 11-month-long Israeli military onslaught in Gaza not just as a modern attack but also in the historical context of Zi*nists driving 750,000 Palestinians off their land. We feel for the Palestinians as people whose ancestors underwent and continue to live through slavery, segregation, oppression and dehumanisation. This shared historical experience has created a division within the Democratic Party, which has traditionally enjoyed strong Black support.

Video credit: Breakfast Club Power 105.1 FM (@breakfastclubam)

Continued...
However, in this viral clip, Green Party vice-presidential nominee Butch Ware argued on 'The Breakfast Club' that it would be a betrayal to our ancestors and ourselves if we allowed politicians to weaponise our collective blackness to continue arming Israel.

Indeed, a CBS poll in June showed that 61 per cent of Americans, including 77 per cent of Democrats and 38 per cent of Republicans, want the US to stop arming Israel.

However, Black politicians who've listened to the people have seen the door. For instance, a pro-Israel contender, Wesley Bell, used more than $8 million from the pro-Israel lobby group American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) to beat Cori Bush, a Black pro-Palestine Democratic congress member. Similarly, Jamaal Bowman lost his seat to an AIPAC-backed candidate.

Do you agree with Ware's assessment? Let us know in the comments.