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Another year, huh?

At this point it’s pretty much common knowledge that adults break New Year resolutions about as quickly as children break Christmas toys.

So let’s try something different this time around; something more relevant let’s say.

Let’s not even bother with New Year resolutions. After all, even if we do keep them, and we don’t because we’ve somehow grown convinced that intention alone is a victory…even if we do keep them, they generally don’t really make us a whole heck of a lot better as individuals.  And they certainly don’t do a damn thing for our collective condition.

So how about this: let’s pick one thing (a task, a commitment) one thing to accomplish with and for other Black people by next Kwanzaa.  That is, let’s actually have a harvest to celebrate.

Too broad?

All right, how ‘bout some basic guidelines:

1)   Speak positively about Black people.

We know some folks is trifling.  We know some folks is downright whack!  But if the only thing you can find to say about us is how we ain’t worth this or how we can’t to do that, chances are you the one with the problem.  Keep talking bad and that’s exactly what you gonna get.  Redirect that energy into making us better.

That leads to number two:

2)   Be solution oriented.

Quit complaining!  State that it’s whack once (twice if it’s particularly whack), then commit yourself to changing it.  Broadcasting how such and such ain’t did this or that aint helping it get done no quicker.  It’s unfortunate, but it’s true.  If you truly about the liberation of African people, you gonna need to accept that you’ll most likely be doing more than your fair share.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly:

3)   Love yourself and the rest of us.

Yo, we a sick people.  We oppressed and suffering. We got all kinds of issues.  Keep that in mind when working with others.  Patience and understanding.  Use these two words like a refrain, a woo-sah, if you will.  Some folks count back from 10.  We’ll say “patience and understanding.”  Matter fact, throw in a “Mama Africa” for good measure.

i know it gets mad frustrating, but what greater work?  And i ain’t tryna sit on no high horse.  i struggle with these same issues myself.  Baba Malcolm knows i struggle!

So with that, i dedicate this year to the development of righteous character.  May my word and deed be twin, my feet remain grounded, and may the Ancestors guide my heart, mind, and hands.

It’s gonna be a powerful year, ya’ll.  Let’s just make sure that power is working for us.
-brother amari

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Self determination; Southern Sudan vs Khartoum

It seems the new year will commence with the happening of a historical event. ON january 9th 2011, Sudan will hold a referendum that will potentially set the Southern part of the nation as an independent and separate nation from the rest of Sudan. While this might be welcomed with much optimism in the South, it is perceived negatively from Khartoum and some members of the world, who are concern that this might ignite a wave of succession movements in the continent. The Southern population of Sudan has faced constant attack of islamization from the northern Khartoum and has consequently suffered enormously, in terms of human lives and economic factors.  What will it mean for the rest of Sudan if the Oil rich and neglected south is to become an independent nation? What will it mean for the rest of the continent and the ‘international community’?

In the west, in the Darfur region, civilians are scared to participant because of what the government might do to them. Some are leaving and heading back to their hometown or moving to other areas where they feel safe from the Khartoum government.  In fact, one will not be wrong in assuming that Sudan is at a moment where it could easily break into  a devastating civil war as a consequence of the referendum.

Making matters even more complicate, what of the displaced population or refugees in Uganda and Kenya; will they participate? This leaves an enormous proportion of Sudanese whose voices will not be heard because they fear for their lives.

With the requirement of at least 75% vote in favor of independence, Southern Sudan’s hope of self determination seems an impossibility; and agreement between both parties is that turn out needs to be about 60% for the outcome to be valid, which makes sense as it will be the majority.

There is also the risk of the Khartoum refusing to recognize the result of the referendum ( this is in the case that it looses) and this might escalate internal conflicts in the country. That is to say that, although this referendum is important in its timing in that it halted the conflict, the chances of civil war erupting is also higher, given the heated nature of this debate.

The referendum also has the potential to create more conflict in terms of which areas are to be given to which government, etc. Given that natural resources is part of the war perpertuated by Khartoum, it will be in its interest to make sure that it gets the richest areas in terms of resources, especially oil (the south is rich in oil production, which happens to be Sudan’s main source of foreign income as it sells most of its production to China)

The south has received little gain from this oil extraction even though they have at times have to relocate so oil extraction can be increased.

In the case that the referendum becomes a success a new African nation will be born. And similar to the poorest of African nations (although rich in resources) it will be characterized by mass hunger of people, unavailability of services, even as basic as health care, unequal distribution of income that they encounter even from the wealth made from oil production.

At least Southern Sudan needs its chance at self determination. It needs what is not receiving from Khartoum and it seems the only way t get this, is independence. The only fear is that the outcome will not result in separatist movements in other African nations  (such as Nigeria) that face internal divisions.

Well, are we?

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Podcast: Play in new window | Download

During the early 1990s there was optimism over the “ new generation” of leadership in Africa. This optimism was soon concluded as premature as this “new generation” of leaders went back to the old ways of the independent leaders. That is because most of them resorted back to some form of dictatorship rather than having multiparty elections. This obviously was not only a disappointment to young Africans aspiring for a more liberal governance but was also devastating to the North. But this disappointment soon shows its true face as the double nature of the liberal agenda” writes Tina Mbachu Continue Reading