I'm really getting tired of this crap....
First you had the Grand Jury in Ferguson, MO let off the killer of Michael Brown, and now recently in my hometown of NYC, they let yet another cop walk for killing an unarmed brother on the street, Eric Gardner.
I'm also sick of the hashtagging and street protests. Gathering and marching isn't going to change a DAMN thing! The marches don't scare, nor intimidate them. They see it as a nuisance...nothing more. As I said before, marching worked back in the day because it was something that was unexpected of us. They thought that we would remain docile and compliant, so when we did march, it was unprecedented.
FUCK MARCHING!!!!
I'm not going to march on Washington, City Hall, or wherever, and beg the government to do anything! They won't do anything...they never have! Even the Civil Rights Bills was ridiculously watered down and stripped of it's bite when it was finally passed. What we really need to do is organize, and FIGHT BACK!!!!
We need to bring back a lot of these fighting formations from our past. They won't stop wantonly shooting us down, and disrespecting our communities until we make some consequences for their actions. Hell...even the ANC (African National Congress) had their military wing, the Umkhonto WeSiswe (MK), so that they could fight on both fronts. We NEED to bring back the BLA (Black Liberation Army) and Deacons for Defense, and let the powers that be know that this WON'T be further tolerated. You can keep your nonviolent bullshit, and shove it where the sun don't shine!
"To be practicing nonviolence against a violent enemy is doing a disservice to your community"--Malcolm X
We NEED to start practicing self defense! Start forming RBG Fit & Training Clubs, organize ourselves, arm ourselves with political education, history, and military tacitcs, and FIGHT BACK!!!
In my 40 years of existence, I've been harassed and profiled by the cops. I've known other associates who have been brutalized by the police. This is systemic, it always has been. Cut the crap! If you're too much of a punk to stand up and fight, then sit down, STFU...and get the flying fuck out of the way, and let those of us that are willing to fight, fight. If you're too busy looking out for your own self interest because you benefit from this bullshit system, they you are as much a part of the problem as they are, and you also need to be dealt with.
The time is NOW!!!!!!
STAND UP!!!!!
Thursday, December 4, 2014
Juan Flores (1943-2014)
This blog is dedicated to a dear friend and mentor of mine, Juan Flores. Juan is/was a scholar, author, and activist, being the co-founder and co-director of the Afrolatin@ Forum. I've been fortunate enough to have had interactions with him, and be able to consider him my friend.
Juan passed away on the morning of Tuesday, December 2nd. I checked my email that afternoon, and saw the e-blast sent out by his organization about his passing. I was both stunned and hurt, having just seen him this past October at the Forum's Afrolatin@s Now! Conference, and having had the opportunity to talk to him. I was lucky enough to see him a few times this past summer at other Forum related events, and get to share some laughs and quality time with him. I felt better about seeing him, now that I was permanently back in NYC. This would give me the opportunity to, not only come out and support the Forum more, but also to work with him on any other projects that they were doing, or that I would like to do with them jointly.
This is a deep loss for me; I don't have too many people out there that I can truly count on as friends and comrades in the struggle. There are actually VERY few of us out there that are truly dedicated to instituting change, and fighting for the cause. I especially liked Juan because he is/was a very warm, friendly, and personable type of personality. I never felt like he was ever talking down to me, or that he didn't respect my opinion or ideological persuasion because of my age. I don't really get that from a lot of older people, especially those that want to claim the status of 'elder' in the community. To be considered an elder is a right that needs to be earned, not given just because you've reached a certain age. Juan was truly an elder in my eyes, and was just as vibrant as any youthful activist.
So, this is deeply dedicated to my dear friend Juan Flores. May you rest in power in the ancestral plane, and may I make you happy with all of my achievements and accomplishments.
Libertad ahora!!!
Uhuru sase, y paz
Juan passed away on the morning of Tuesday, December 2nd. I checked my email that afternoon, and saw the e-blast sent out by his organization about his passing. I was both stunned and hurt, having just seen him this past October at the Forum's Afrolatin@s Now! Conference, and having had the opportunity to talk to him. I was lucky enough to see him a few times this past summer at other Forum related events, and get to share some laughs and quality time with him. I felt better about seeing him, now that I was permanently back in NYC. This would give me the opportunity to, not only come out and support the Forum more, but also to work with him on any other projects that they were doing, or that I would like to do with them jointly.
This is a deep loss for me; I don't have too many people out there that I can truly count on as friends and comrades in the struggle. There are actually VERY few of us out there that are truly dedicated to instituting change, and fighting for the cause. I especially liked Juan because he is/was a very warm, friendly, and personable type of personality. I never felt like he was ever talking down to me, or that he didn't respect my opinion or ideological persuasion because of my age. I don't really get that from a lot of older people, especially those that want to claim the status of 'elder' in the community. To be considered an elder is a right that needs to be earned, not given just because you've reached a certain age. Juan was truly an elder in my eyes, and was just as vibrant as any youthful activist.
So, this is deeply dedicated to my dear friend Juan Flores. May you rest in power in the ancestral plane, and may I make you happy with all of my achievements and accomplishments.
Libertad ahora!!!
Uhuru sase, y paz
(Miriam Jimenez Roman <his wife>, myself, and Juan Flores; Baltimore, 2011)
(Juan at the recent Afrolatin@s Now! Conference in 2014)
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Tuesday, November 25, 2014
Aftermath--Ferguson Grand Jury Decision
Can't say that I'm surprised...
We've seen it happen time and time again. Hell, I've seen it happen in my own hometown too many times to count. Cop shoots Black/Latino person...DA takes it to the Grand Jury...cops get off scott free. Hell, I remember the Rodney King beating case, and you had video evidence of the cops wrongdoing, and they STILL got off. I'm basically going to reiterate what I've said before in this blog...
Forget the nonviolent marching crap. They don't care about us marching. It doesn't phase them, nor impress them. What we need to do, is start practicing SELF DEFENSE!!! This is going to continue to happen because they know that there will be no consequences for their actions; not by the legal system, nor by our community. There is no trust there because THEY'VE NEVER EARNED IT!!! Just because you wear a uniform DOES NOT mean you are to be automatically respected (if not, feared).
Again...to echo the ancestor El Hajj Malik El Shabazz:
"When you tell your people to stop being violent towards my people...then I will tell my people to put their guns away."
Even during the Civil Rights Movement, MANY who were actively involved in the movement questioned the use of nonviolence. Marching and protesting have their time and place; THIS AIN'T IT. These are not isolated incidences that occur; this is something that happens systemically in our communities TO US. The only way that it'll stop, is if we FORCE them to stop. You had the Deacons For Defense & Justice, the Black Panther Party For Self Defense, Black Liberation Army, Universal Africa Legion through the UNIA, and a few other formations that existed. Hell, even the ANC had their paramilitary wing, the Umkhonto weSiswe (MK). NOT having a defense stance is stupid. It shows that you know nothing about history, nor about political strategy. What we need is real unity, organization and direction, for proper mobilization of our people. WE know our neighborhoods better than they do; that gives us the tactical military advantage. A well organized resistance is the scariest thing in the face of an enemy.
"The single best weapon our enemy has, is a lack of consciousness among our people"--Osageyfo Kwame Nkrumah.
Study the past...
Study the elders and ancestors....
Study Sun Tzu...
Uhuru sase, y paz
We've seen it happen time and time again. Hell, I've seen it happen in my own hometown too many times to count. Cop shoots Black/Latino person...DA takes it to the Grand Jury...cops get off scott free. Hell, I remember the Rodney King beating case, and you had video evidence of the cops wrongdoing, and they STILL got off. I'm basically going to reiterate what I've said before in this blog...
Forget the nonviolent marching crap. They don't care about us marching. It doesn't phase them, nor impress them. What we need to do, is start practicing SELF DEFENSE!!! This is going to continue to happen because they know that there will be no consequences for their actions; not by the legal system, nor by our community. There is no trust there because THEY'VE NEVER EARNED IT!!! Just because you wear a uniform DOES NOT mean you are to be automatically respected (if not, feared).
Again...to echo the ancestor El Hajj Malik El Shabazz:
"When you tell your people to stop being violent towards my people...then I will tell my people to put their guns away."
Even during the Civil Rights Movement, MANY who were actively involved in the movement questioned the use of nonviolence. Marching and protesting have their time and place; THIS AIN'T IT. These are not isolated incidences that occur; this is something that happens systemically in our communities TO US. The only way that it'll stop, is if we FORCE them to stop. You had the Deacons For Defense & Justice, the Black Panther Party For Self Defense, Black Liberation Army, Universal Africa Legion through the UNIA, and a few other formations that existed. Hell, even the ANC had their paramilitary wing, the Umkhonto weSiswe (MK). NOT having a defense stance is stupid. It shows that you know nothing about history, nor about political strategy. What we need is real unity, organization and direction, for proper mobilization of our people. WE know our neighborhoods better than they do; that gives us the tactical military advantage. A well organized resistance is the scariest thing in the face of an enemy.
"The single best weapon our enemy has, is a lack of consciousness among our people"--Osageyfo Kwame Nkrumah.
Study the past...
Study the elders and ancestors....
Study Sun Tzu...
Uhuru sase, y paz
Tuesday, November 18, 2014
African American Women In Cinema International Film Festival (AAWIC) 2014
It is my honor to help promote this year's edition of the African American Women In Cinema International Film Festival (AAWIC)!!!!! I remember when I first volunteered for them back in 2003 (yes..I'm dating myself), and I had such a WONDERFUL experience. I volunteered for them for three years; '03, '04, and 2006. Since then, most of my support has been viral through emails and text messages to friends and fellow former volunteers. I'm happy to be able to come back this year and support them as a movie goer to their opening night reception. Hopefully in the near future, I can be there to have on of my screenplays finally produced and screened there.
Here is their schedule for this year's festival:
Much love to AAWIC's founder, Terra Renee, for creating such a wonderful platform for our sister filmmakers! PLEASE come out and support the festival!!! Spread the word!!!!
Here is their schedule for this year's festival:
Much love to AAWIC's founder, Terra Renee, for creating such a wonderful platform for our sister filmmakers! PLEASE come out and support the festival!!! Spread the word!!!!
Thursday, November 13, 2014
Puerto Rican Authors Book Expo
3rd Annual Puerto Rican Authors Book Expo
Saturday, November 22, 2014
12pm to 7pm
Bronx, NY
To be held at the
Hostos Center for the Arts and Culture
450 Grand Concourse
Sunday, November 9, 2014
Mosaic Literary Conference 2014
Looking forward to attending this year's Mosaic Literary Conference, taking place this weekend, on Saturday, November 15th. I am friends with the founder of the conference, Ron Kavanaugh, and I look forward to coming out, and supporting the brother. He4 also publishes a quarterly magazine called Mosaic Magazine.
The conference is FREE, and located at the Bronx Museum on Grand Concourse, in Bronx, NY. I registered ahead of time, and have been looking forward to this.
Hope to see you there!!! :D
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Friday, November 7, 2014
Dia Nacional de los/las AfroArgentin@s y Cultura Afro
Shared with me by an organization called Diaspora Africana de Argetina!!! National Day of Afro Argentinian African Culture!!!!
November 13, 2014!!!!
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