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Raising Awareness & Sharing Information
News Issue 47
BE LIKE FTSE 500 by Vinette Jackson
JUSTICE DELAYED is Justice Denied Richmond Quarshie
neglected parents by Kristy pearce
THE RISE OF THE NEW KINGDOM
Kings and Queens like Amenhotep IV (aka Akenhaten), Tutenkamen, Nefertiti, Tuthmose, Cetewayo, King Hannibal and King Mansa Musa 1, to name a few. The media perpetuates a black history of slavery, because it is the only way they can control the masses, which is why it is important that we associate ourselves with our regal ancestors. At this juncture, I find myself imagining how I would behave if I lived in the 1400s. I sense I would have felt indignation whenever my ancestral status was challenged, which makes me believe that I would have been in the realm of female freedom fighters like Harriet Jacobs (a Black feminist writer who was born a slave and escaped to become an abolitionist writer and speaker); Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti (the Nigerian Feminist activist and mother of Fela Anikulapo Kuti); Ella Baker (who revolutionalised black leadership and dedicated her time and energy to empowering people); Assata Shakur (a Freedom fighter with the Black Liberation Army and the Black Panther Party); Rani Velu Nachiyar (the first queen to fight against the British in India); Nanny of the Maroons (who led slaves from the plantations) or Nana Yaa Asantewa (who challenged the Ashanti Chiefs and said ‘if you won’t fight for our dignity, I will get all the women together and we will fight them”).
Editorial - Rebelling Against Slavery! Why do I squirm with unease when films like Roots, Django Unchained, 12 years a Slave, Amistad, Goodbye Uncle Tom or Birth of a Nation are broadcasted on TV, when other people can watch them completely unmoved by violent interjectors, lynchings, rapes and other forms of cruelty? I am constantly reminded “…it’s only a movie” but is it ‘only a movie’ to someone who is threatened by it? Maybe it takes me back to a period I once lived in, otherwise, why would I get such an adverse physical reaction to it, and why do the sensations feel so real? For those who scoff: “it’s just a film”, they might want to remember that some slavery films are based on true accounts and that film directors use their imagination, biographies and other writings to step into the psyche, soul and body of the slave-master and the slave, in order to produce a catalogue of events that create either a superiority or inferiority complex depending on the mindset of the person watching.
I know I would have revolted and rebelled against slavery and other forms of exploitation. My arm would have been outstretched similar to the arm on the statue of liberty, symbolising forwards, onwards and upwards. “Logic will take you from A to B, but the imagination will take you everywhere” – Albert Einstein
I find it difficult to disassociate myself from the pain of slavery. While a sympathetic person could argue that I have a strong sense of empathy and compassion, my karmic memory tells me that I lived among predators, perpetrators and ancestors at one point in time, which is why I have an emotional response to replays of the event.
When I look at my reflection in the mirror, I admire my long regal neckline. I find myself unconsciously lifting my chin up with pride because I feel unique and beautiful, but then conditioned response reminds me that holding my head up is unbecoming and arrogant. I have glimpsed occasions when I have had an air of austerity. I have made commands without realising it and have had to apologise for speaking with authority, because echoes of slave mentality remind me that ‘I should know my place’.
This begs the question, does the constant intrusion on the psyche of black people, make us feel empathy for our ancestors, or do we self-protect by disassociating ourselves from them? Throughout our dark history, when limp shadows lured beneath the masters’ hand, we were not allowed to acquaint ourselves with the traits of
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Sometimes, I recognise traits of nobility, but then I recall being told that my gait must be submissive, deferential and respectful when I stand in
WHAT’S INSIDE...
front of white people, and anyone else of a higher status than me.
3. T J SOUL FOOD
6. JUSTICE DELAYED
8. BE LIKE FTSE 500 There are times I feel a empowered, until subconscious reminders of insults and criticism during adolescent years, disempower me and I convince myself that professional development is inappropriate and a waste of time. However, despite the media and historical attempts to mask my/our greatness, it is my belief that since we all come from a long lineage of African Kings and Queens, we have the right to denounce any claims that do not celebrate our greateness and lineage, and act accordingly. Black history means different things to different people. For me, it has little to do with our history as slaves, and more to do with our lineage with influential Kings and Queens, hence even today, I play my role as an advocate against moden slavery.
10. AKENHATEN
Myrna Loy
Blackbright News
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ISSN No. 1751-1909
11. THE RISE OF A NEW KINGDOM
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Blackbright News is a not-for-profit Publication
12. 21st CENTURY SLAVERY
Myrna Loy, Founder & Managing Editor (Photos extracted from Stock Photos/Google Images, except where supplied)
13. NEGLECTED PARENTS
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T.J. Brown Soul Food FOR THOSE WHO LIKE THE NOSTALGIC FEEL OF BLUES & SOUL FOOD
(Note from the Editor. When using the search engine, you must put the ‘.’ after the ‘T’.)
T.J. ‘Lion on the Keys’ Brown, is a swing, jazz and blues artist from London, England. The talented singer/songwriter T.J. is affectionately known as a bit of an eccentric. He has had a varied and interesting career which led to his award winning status in Spain.
The band’s original style combined incredible psych-rock dance floor fillers - notably ‘Dr. Vazquez’, which was written by T.J. and packed with fuzz guitar, Hammond and Det Ferring’s impressive vocals, with more introspective rock.
T.J., a man of many moods and talents, is also well known for his hypnotic presence which is the highlight of his exuberant stage performances.
Throughout his career, T.J. has had many successes including two number one singles and a top ten album in Spain with “Evolution”.
A maestro from the band Evolution for over two decades (70’s – 90’s), they had the fans from Germany to Spain rocking and rolling from floor to ceiling!
The “Evolution” was highly featured in the ‘History of Rock’ and at the end of the 70’s decade in Barcelona and became the city’s hottest soul act.
Born Vernal Adolphus Brown, T.J. (Lion on the Keys) hails .from Nine Turn in Clarendon, Jamaica
After leaving “Evolution” he became a disc jockey with his own weekly radio show, as well as designing clothes for a top fashion boutique and did his first solo album ‘Brown Is Brown’ which was released on Zartos label.
He honed his skills as an organ and piano player during the late 60’s in England, where he formed his first band “Revolution led by Sir T.J.” playing for Tito Simon and Dandy Livingstone. Where they did all the backing tracks for the album ‘Follow The Donkey’. The band also did backing sessions with other artists on tour from Jamaica and Desmond Dekker, with whom he also did two tracks, ‘To Sir Love’ And ‘Fu Man Chu’. T.J. then played with “The Links” for a short period.
In the early 70’s T. J. and the band “Revolution” went to Spain, working the club circuit but unfortunately broke up. He made connection with the “Evolution” a band from Germany formally known as “Los Vampires.” They released some singles including, ‘You Don’t Love Me Baby’ and a top ten album ‘Evolution’ in the 70’s, including ‘Fresh Garbage’ and a ‘21st Century Schizoid Man’ cover.
He returned to England in the early 90’s and recorded an album ‘Dance To The Music’ for top producer, Sonny Roberts. His third album was produced by himself and entitled ‘I Could Never Love Another’.
Now T.J. ‘Lion on the Keys’ (organist), has agreed to bless us with his fourth album ‘Soul Food’ due to be released in the summer of 2015, featuring some of his own compositions, a few covers and some phenomenal finger-works. This album exposes the genius within the man T.J. Brown... with his crooning voice that thrills your soul! Two songs have already been released on a compilation album ‘Reggae Diversity’ from which we are getting great response.
3 Contd/...
The producer H. ‘Guvernor Shyne’ Morrison, has worked with some of the best musicians and audio engineers in multiple genres; to capture and still maintain that signature sound. This album reflects the unique fusion of a journey from genre to genre.
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It promises to be a classic crossover, bridging the gap between genres. T.J. is not only the singer and songwriter/composer behind the tracks, he also plays most of the instruments you will hear, except for some drums by Dave ‘Fluxy’ Heywood. Bass: Leroy ‘Mafia’ Heywood & Kenton ‘Fish’ Brown. Lead and rhythm guitars: Tony ‘Ruff Cutt’ Philips & Ivan Christie. Trombone: Henry ‘Matic Horns’ Tenyue. Flute & Saxophone: Sarah Tobias & Laselles ‘The Sax Man’ James. Backing vocals: T.J. Brown, Richie Davis, Nana Genesis & June Daley (Cuckoo Birds).
Bedfordshire Fire Cadets are open to all young people aged between 14 and 17 years old (school years 9 – 13). Fire Cadets gain an excellent knowledge of the Fire and Rescue Service’s and learn the skills that full-time firefighters use to save lives and protect the public such as running out hose, climbing ladders and first aid.
As part of the national Fire Cadet scheme, Fire Cadets will have the opportunity to work towards a recognized BTEC Level 2 Award in Fire and Rescue Services in the Community. They will also have the opportunity to travel up ranks and train as a Junior Instructor.
All songs were mixed by Carl ‘Dillie’ Mcleod, Calvin ‘So So’ Francis and Harry ‘Guv Shyne’ Morrison at various locations. As a solo artist, T.J. presents a collection of warm, touching and relaxing love songs. So sit back and enjoy the mellow, mellow tones of T.J. . . . the man and his music, which will be available in leading record stores and online.
Fire Cadets are treated like full-time Firefighters with their own free uniform and are expected to show a certain amount of discipline and commitment. They have the opportunity to train with operational Firefighters, providing an exciting and unique insight into what modern Firefighting is all about and the opportunity to develop both personal and social skills by promoting self-discipline, team work and citizenship.
Like Firefighters, Fire Cadets also play an important role in their community by delivering advice on home fire safety, water safety, road safety and arson prevention as well as supporting local initiatives and charities. Fire Cadets meet from 19:00 – 21:00 during school term time on the following days
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After about 3 hours, the flurry of words subsided, I put down the pen, gathered all the pieces of paper, and put them in the office, and went to bed exhausted. On reflection, I should have kept what I wrote on to see if I had adapted,
changed or improvised on the words, and if so how much but at the time, the papers and cardboard were ‘rubbish’ that once transferred to my PC, they no longer served any purpose.
The amalgamation of poetry was put into book form immediately. Luckily for me, I run a magazine, so I knew how to format using Quark Express, export it into a PDF format, proof-read it and the final step was to send it off to the printers and got the printed editions back within 7 working days!!!
WHERE THE SPIRIT LEADS - I WILL FOLLOW The poems in Spirit of Queens came to me as a block of information, which at first led me to believe that the poems were borne from past life regression. However, after evaluating what had happened, it was clear that I had been the portal through which my spirit guides entered. Shortly before I had this surge of creativity, I had been asking the universe “What is my purpose in life - which one of my gifts should I focus on?” I was a writer, a visual artist, a DJ, a magazine publisher and a poet, and I just didn’t know which genre to concentrate on. With the exception of the visual arts, my other talents satisfied me.
Within 24 hours ‘the Spirit of Queens’ title came into my head and ‘Thy Queendom Come’ followed. Shortly after a flurry of unusual poetry. As I found a piece of paper to write down one poem, I had to find another piece for another poem - and then another. I was unprepared, so I found myself writing on the back of invoices, in fact any blank space I could find, from the inside of book covers, to the outside of a cardboard box. I wrote the words illegibly, so I was conscious that I would need to memorise the contents of the scrawl. I can only say I am fortunate that I have experience in taking minutes, and therefore write very fast, otherwise, the moment and this book could have been lost or its importance minimised.
Amazingly, everything was in place for publishing the book. I had self-published before so I had ISBN Numbers; I knew how to register it with the publishing establishments and legal depositaries and I even discovered during my express journey, how to put my book on the Amazon Marketplace, so I now have a kindle edition!! I don’t care what anyone says what I accomplished in 7 working days was not normal – and no-one can tell me otherwise! Hard copies of the book can be ordered via artowngallery@aol.com - just put Book Purchase in the subject, or via Amazon (Kindle – KDP).
The Author
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JUSTICE DELAYED IS JUSTICE DENIED Rather than rationalising the principle of justice, the issues are hunched on assumptions about the consequences. But as the humility displayed by relatives of the civilians who were fatally shot on Bloody Sunday to the conclusions of the Saville Report underlines, the truth goes a long way in matters of this nature even if in reality there may be no closure. On this score, there are no reasons politically or otherwise to doubt the integrity of ‘custody death’ campaigners in holding their corner. Nonetheless, justice is what matters not ideological debates about what might or not happen.
Justice Delayed is Justice Denied The case of UK custody deaths Many refer to the publishing of the Saville Report in 2010 which exonerated the13 civilians who lost their lives on Bloody Sunday as a watershed moment. The same can also be said of the recent developments with the Hillsborough disaster in which 96 Liverpool fans died. On both occasions, government in particular has been able to come out with judicious words to offer hope for those still fighting for justice. Even with the latest moves, the pieces do not stark up when one considers custody deaths which are still ongoing by the way. Indeed, there are so many loose ends to suggest that ‘justice delayed is justice denied’.
As things stand, answers to the fundamental questions have not been forthwith. The study of ‘deaths in custody’ by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC), for example was not able to break the deadlock. As a rule, justice is not founded on ‘half-baked’ measures or shortcuts. In this case, the exaction of a full, transparent and just account of how the victims died remains a must. If it is that this process ends up opening a can of worms, society has to brace itself for the consequences given that it is the loss of lives at stake.
Maybe at one time, terms like ‘whitewash’ or ‘cover up’ would have seemed absurd but today’s society is a different place. ‘Bloody Sunday’ and ‘Hillsborough’ are not the first in their genre to attest such sentiments. In the case of custody deaths, the allusion of a ‘great wall of silence’ has not wavered. Despite the broad definition given to the term, the unease over its likely impugnation of the authorities still remains. The longer it takes for justice to prevail, the more this is reinforced. For the victims, their families and those campaigning on their behalf, it has been a ‘merry-go-round of excuses’.
Whilst the focus, here, is not about individual cases, that of David Oluwale springs to mind for its conviction of the police officers involved in the brutality that allegedly led to his death in 1969. But going on what is available as fact, many will struggle with this outcome as justice. So far, it seems like the courage, openness, political will, working-structures and so forth that are most-lacking on custody deaths, which does not help irrespective of where one stands. Given that justice remains the most civilised form of protection that civilians have from unaccountable power, this is unacceptable.
Looking at the stalemated situation of custody deaths, common logic asks; ‘how can this be?’ Particularly the loss of lives in often extremely violent or dubious circumstances is duly questionable. Yet time and time again, the victims, relatives and campaigners are left with a situation that feels like a ‘kick in the teeth’. Even more so, UK society marches on as if it has a monopoly on justice, freedom, rights and so forth. The revelations of ‘Bloody Sunday’ and ‘Hillsborough’ show this ‘moral high ground’ to be wishful thinking hence the questions on custody deaths that refuse to go away. .
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AN INSIGHT INTO THE EGO’S CODE
Those who are worried about the growing mistrust of the police or wider legal authorities must know that there is ‘no smoke without fire’. Moreover, those reservations are not helped by making an ass of justice and piling on the unimaginable burden for the relatives of the victims. Time is of the essence, hence, the sense of urgency that this piece is also keen to emphasise. In the case of ‘Bloody Sunday’, as reported, all but one of the parents of those killed had died before the names of their loved ones were cleared. Must society allow this to happen again?
(The Ego’s Code is written by Clayton John Ainger)
The Ego’s Code, came to me at a time when I needed it. I don’t believe in coincidences - I got the book through ‘deception’ - it landed in my hands to review but I think I was meant to read it for my own development. It was my time for Clayton John Ainger to cross my path and teach me a few things.
The Ego’s Code has a magnetic quality – I haven’t been able to put it down since it was mailed to me and even then, it dictates how much I should read at a particular time. It is as though the pages say: “that’s enough now... meditate on that and come back to me later..”
Justice, as the saying goes, is a stream that eventually finds its course. For this reason, many remain hopeful that the victims of custody deaths will have their day. Even without the specifics of how, this undoubtedly calls for a concerted effort from all the stakeholders. This process may not guarantee society a comfortable ride but its arrival at the truth is fundamental to emulsify the point that all lives matters. Moreover, it the only reassurance owed to the victims, families and campaigners in particular. On this note, justice delayed in the case of UK custody deaths does not help their cause.
The Ego’s Code is for anyone on a journey to find themselves; who do not understand their negativity; who have reached that point in their lives when they need the last few pieces of the puzzle to complete something they feel is missing.
The writer Richmond Quarshie, is a social justice campaigner, educator and musician.
I enjoyed reading the book, but it is like the words went inside me and dispersed into my consciousness to do their work. I can’t find much to say, but each reader will get something different from it. It’s addictive, it’s informative, it’s interesting, it’s relevant, it’s beneficial, it’s uplifting and it is everything you need if you are ready - I called it ‘my daily bread’.
A couple of days ago I mislaid it. I was frantic. After the second day of being without the book, I threw my hands up in exasperation and in desperation and appealed: “God, please help me find the book!”, and within seconds (or minutes) there, in a place I had looked several times, was the book.
It didn’t surprise me though, the book instructs you how to make things happen - it put me in tune with my spirit guides, who I have since developed a strong relationship with. The Ego’s Code was instrumental in me completing the Spirit of Queens in 7 days! I am not sure what it will do for other readers, but I would strongly recommend reading this book, and whether you start reading it immediately, or put it down and wait for a day when you have an overwhelming desire to reach for it - it will be the right time.
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The Editor
Live Life Like A FTSE 500 Company!
or a bin man?” They gave the correct answer but it was a priceless moment to see the realization in their eyes. The truth is, the neurosurgeon with all his brilliance is only important if you are ill and need his services, whereas the bin man is always needed as we produce garbage daily. If he ever goes on strike, within a week he will certainly be missed.
What makes some companies successful while others fail? Depending on who you ask, you will get a range of viewpoints, each expressed with undeniable conviction. Whatever the reason or reasons, no one can deny the need for ‘good, reliable and trustworthy’ employees. Without the right employees the best vision, strategic planning, financial security becomes useless. The wrong person in a job can cause a company to go into liquidation, become bankrupt and eventually cease to exist. Most successful companies employ similar type of people, albeit with different titles but the job descriptions are pretty similar. The main roles in successful companies are as follows: Chief Executive Officer, CEO
The CEO has responsibility for the overall success of an entire organization. The CEO has the ultimate authority to make final decisions for an organization.
The Marketing Manager
The main duty is to help promote a positive image to customers. It’s all about selling the company to increase the customer base. Marketing is an ongoing process to establish the brand. It is said that Bentley do not need to advertise because they have established their brand and made it synonymous to reliability, excellence and style.
Receptionist
Chief Financial Officer, CFO A CFO is responsible for bringing important financial controls to a company. Those controls should include the effective management of cash flow and overhead expenses. Like it or not, money makes the world go round. Failure to control; or monitor your finances will inevitably lead to failure regardless of the effort or work put in. Human Resource Manager, HR
As a manager, s/he is the one who will act as Chairperson on disciplinary hearings and he will have to do the hiring and firing. This is a very complex and highly important role because it deals with the selection of staff, the backbone of any business. Cleaner
Cleaner help with general house cleaning. Many might overlook this vital role within any successful organization. I once asked my Year 9 students “who do you think impacts on more people - a great neurosurgeon
A receptionist is often the first business contact a person will meet in any organization. It is an expectation of most organizations that the receptionist maintains a calm, courteous and professional demeanor at all times, regardless of the visitor’s behavior. Some personal qualities that a receptionist is expected to possess in order to do the job successfully include attentiveness, a well-groomed appearance, initiative, loyalty, maturity, respect for confidentiality and discretion, a positive attitude and dependability. At times, the job may be stressful due to interaction with many different people with different types of personalities, and being expected to perform multiple tasks quickly You’ll also often be the first person that employees and potential clients see, so you’re always representing the company. Operations Manager
The operations manager has to handle a lot of duties: work flow, purchases, supply, inventory management and many more, often over the course of one day. This is the person who deals with all the day to day issues.
Believe it or not, your life is like a company. On a daily basis you sell yourself without realizing it. You are scrutinized and assessed at work. You need to use your financial skills to budget, pay bills and save. You constantly meet new people in all walks of life.
Be careful what the public see and in some cases use to judge you. Your attire, speech, actions help to form an opinion of you before they get to see the real you. The image you are presenting should be the one you want others to see. Sometimes in life we believe we are one thing and get a rude awakening when others share how they perceive us. What message are you sending to others?‘ Your most important sale in life is to sell yourself to yourself’, Maxwell Maltz, American scientist.
For most people these tasks are done without any deep thought. But what if you actually think about yourself in a different light? Try, if you can, to separate each role. Know when you are required to act as a Chief Executive Officer as opposed to an Operations manager and act as such.
Strive for financial stability in all you do. Remember you should work to live and not live to work. Be sensible in all financial decisions. Napoleon Hill, author of ‘Think and Grow Rich ‘says Money without brains is always dangerous.
Who is the CEO of your life? Who makes all the decisions and hence decides your success. Everyone needs to make sure they are in charge of their lives and have a strategic plan. ‘Where are you going? What is your mission statement? What are your goals? These questions should be answered without hesitation. US motivational speaker and author Earl Nightingale says ‘’ We can let circumstances rule us, or we can take charge and rule our lives from within’’
From the moment you wake up you must always be aware of your actions as they have great significance in determine your day, your week, year or life. One bad decision can change the course of history. Be aware of the role you are playing and try to live your life like a FTSE 500 company!
Be open to consult with other experts in this area of management or adopt a mentor; prayer and God may be a source of inspiration for you .
Vinette Hoffman
Motivational Speaker Vinette is an extremely positive individual who strongly believes that everyone has a purpose in life. She believes that identifying that purpose is the key to success. Self belief can propel you to another realm and enable anyone to be a positive contributor to the society in which we live. (Linkedin)
Who do you allow to take up a space in your life? Are they fulfilling their role and helping you to achieve your goals? If they are not, you may need to ‘fire’ them. Don’t be afraid to ask someone to leave your life if they are preventing you from achieving your purpose on earth. Learn to tactfully disengage from people who don’t share the same vision. Ensure you clean up daily. Are you hoarding physical and mental garbage? When was the last time you threw out or donate clothes you no longer wear? Are you still thinking about that friend that hurt you many moons ago? Maybe it’s time to clean up. 9
Akhenaten elevated Nefertiti to divine status. Scholars suggest that she may have been only 12 when married to Akhenaten.
Akenhaten
Akhenaten halted foreign military campaigns and dramatically scaled down Egypt’s military defenses. He is noted for abandoning traditional Egyptian polytheism and introducing worship centered on the Aten. Akhenaten claimed, “There is only one god, my father. I can approach him by day, by night.” Akhenaten could have been the first monotheist in all of history. According to Egyptian Mythology he descended from the gods who arrived on Earth at the time of Tep Zepi. Even today people still believe that this Pharaoh did in fact come from “The Stars”. Akhenaten, upon becoming Pharaoh ordered all the, the iconography of previous gods to be removed.
1380 BC
According to writings by Akhenaten and poems that were written about him later on, he was visited by beings that descended from the sky, these beings told Akhenaten what he needed to do and how he needed to rule over his people.
Akenhaten - AKA Neferkheperure Amenhotep IV. 1380 BC – 1334BC Akhenaten was one of ancient Egypt’s most influential and controversial pharaohs. He is considered as one of the world’s most important religious innovators. He was a Pharaoh of the Eighteenth dynasty and he was the father of Tutankhamun, husband to Queen Nefertiti.
Akhenaten claimed to be a direct descendant of Aten and regarded himself to be divine, he was a God, but not only did he believe himself to be a god, the whole nation worshiped him like one.
Akhenaten known before the fifth year of his reign, as Amenhotep IV, was a pharaoh of the Eighteenth dynasty of Egypt who ruled for 17 years. Akhenaten was known as the “great heretic”.
Akhenaten ordered the construction of a new capital city which he called Amarna and he dedicated it to the sun. Akhenaten instituted changes in art and culture and on of the most notable changes were how he would be publicly depicted, not as a strong “untouchable” Pharaoh, but as he really was, “weak” , elongated skull, long neck, sunken eyes, thick thighs, long fingers, backward-turned knee joints a potbelly and female-like breasts.
Known before as Amenhotep IV, he changed his name to Akhenaten to reflect his close link with the new supreme deity. Akhenaten was married to Queen Nefertiti, one of the most famous of all ancient Egyptian women. Nefertiti was one of the most influential queens. Paintings show here conducting religious ceremonies with Akhenaten as an equal.
After his reign the city of Amarna was abandoned and temples to the sun were destroyed, images of Akhenaten were deliberately defaced.
Nefertiti’s mummy was never found. Archaeologist June Fletcher claimed she found Nefertiti’s badly-mutilated mummy in a side chamber of the Tomb of Amenhotep II in the Valley of the Kings. Most scholars are not convinced.
In 1907, the actual body of Akhenaten was discovered in Egypt’s Valley of the Kings by British archaeologist Edward Ayrton. http://www.ancient-code.com/20-facts-about-akhenathen/ 10
customary; here funeral services were held, and later priests went here to make prayers and offerings to the dead pharaoh buried next door. Since the valley did not offer enough room for these chapels, they were now built at the valley’s entrance. This may have seemed inconvenient, because it forced the kings’ spirits to travel a lot, so the pharaohs made up for this by lavishing upon them nearly as much wealth and labour as they had on the pyramids. Many of these chapels, like Deir el-Bahri, the Ramesseum, and Medinet Habu, became major temples in their own right, and are must-see items for today’s tourists who journey up the Nile from Cairo. Amenhotep I does not appear to have left any sons, because the next king, Thutmose I, was the husband of his daughter. We can clearly trace the Egyptian royal family from the XVII dynasty’s Queen Tetisheri to Amenhotep I, but Egyptologists disagree on whether Thutmose I had any royal ancestry. If he didn’t, we have a dynastic break here, because Thutmose’s claim to the throne was by marriage, not by blood, and in other times and places (e.g., England’s King George I), historians have marked such a succession as the beginning of a new dynasty. However, Ahmose is both the last pharaoh of the XVII dynasty and the first pharaoh of the XVIII dynasty. In the author’s opinion, Thutmose I was the real founder of the mighty XVIII dynasty, about forty years after the start of the New Kingdom, but for more than a century Ahmose has appeared in history books as the dynasty’s founder, so it is probably too late to change that now.
The Rise of the New Kingdom For most of its ancient history, Egypt cared little about what happened in the rest of the world. Egyptians rarely visited other parts of the Fertile Crescent; those that did were either merchants on government-sponsored expeditions or fugitives like Sinuhe. Military expeditions were even less frequent; the first one recorded was that of Pepi I of the VI dynasty, which got as far as a point of land shaped like “a gazelle’s nose” (Mt. Carmel?). The second campaign took place under Senusret III, and involved a battle at Shechem; it may have been the same affair as the funeral procession for Jacob recorded in Genesis 50 (at least the dates for both events seem identical). That changed when Ahmose liberated the country from the Hyksos. Now they realized that their desert frontiers would no longer keep all invaders out, and that for security’s sake they might have to conquer the lands of their enemies. Several militant pharaohs followed Ahmose, and under their leadership, Egypt became great in a new way, as an empire. Before they stopped, they claimed control over an area 2,000 miles across, from the fourth cataract in Nubia to the Euphrates River in Syria, and nearly half of modern-day Libya to the west.
Anyway, the first three Thutmoses were short men with large noses (royal statues are becoming more realistic), and the first one had the same aggressive streak as Ahmose. Thutmose I saw plenty of potential enemies in Asia, especially Mitanni, a state run by Indo-European charioteers in northern Iraq and Iran. We don’t know for sure how far he went, but he reported that he defeated his enemies soundly, and “countless were the captives whom the king carried off in his victory.” Yet while Thutmose’s scribes wrote that “the whole earth is under his two feet,” the campaign did not conquer any territory. Thutmose did not establish any permanent military bases or colonies, and when the Egyptians went home, the local princes stopped paying the tribute they had pledged. One amusing highlight of the expedition is the Egyptian reaction to a river they saw before turning back. The only river the Egyptians had ever known, the Nile, flows from the south to the north, but this river, either the Jordan or the Euphrates, ran in the opposite direction! Back in Egypt Thutmose’s soldiers never got tired of telling about “that inverted water which flows southward when [it ought to be] flowing northward.”
Ahmose thought he could bring back the good old days by building for himself a small pyramid at Abydos to house his royal remains. However, pyramids were the cause of Egypt’s problems in the past (tomb robbing, bankruptcy caused by their building, etc.), so the next pharaoh, the pious Amenhotep I, started a new tradition. He had a secret cave carved in an isolated valley west of Thebes, and decreed that his mummy and treasures be hidden there. This was clearly done to thwart the thieves who had long been a bane to Egyptian cemeteries, and most of the New Kingdom pharaohs followed his example until the cliffs of the so-called Valley of the Kings were full of tombs. Building a mortuary chapel at the base of each pyramid had also been
Thutmose may have ignored Asia after that because Nubia was a more pressing matter. The country to the south, still organised as the kingdom of Kush, 11
had resources fit for an empire, especially gold, and because it was in the Nile valley, the pharaohs saw Kush as a challenge to their rightful hegemony. The annexation of Wawat (lower Nubia) under Kamose encouraged the Nubians to stage a rebellion right at the beginning of Ahmose’s reign. Amenhotep I had advanced 90 miles beyond Heh, the most distant Egyptian frontier fort in the past, and built a new one at Shaat. Now Thutmose I continued all the way to the third cataract, stopping barely eighteen miles from Kerma, the Kushite capital. Another expedition bypassed Kerma by cutting directly through the eastern desert, thereby capturing the richest gold mines. It returned to the Nile at Kurgus, between the fourth and fifth cataracts. There Thutmose established his authority by leaving this threatening inscription on a boundary stone:
Human Trafficking - The 21st Century Slavery http://www.acpet-parc.blogspot.com
“If any Nubian oversteps the decree which my father Amen has given to me, [his head?] shall be chopped off . . . for me . . . and he shall have no heirs.”
The phenomenon of slavery, no doubt, dates back to the ancient times when victorious armies and tribes in Europe and Asia found it more profitable to use as slave people they caught in wars than to murder them just like that. In many Asian countries, likewise in Israel, slaves were bought and used for various domestic and farm labor. In the 14th century Europe, these unfortunate men and women caught at wars were known as serfs, a title that classified them as members of the lowest order and are “owned”, in most cases, by the lords of the manor. They attended to his mundane wishes, work in farms and depended solely on him for their livelihood.
The new lands were so important that Egyptian government administered them through a special viceroy, known as the “King’s Son of Kush and Overseer of the Southern Lands”; he had as much power as the viziers did in Egypt proper. The Nubians were so thoroughly indoctrinated with Egyptian ideas and customs that in later years, when Egypt had fallen again to foreigners, the Nubians would act more Egyptian than the Egyptians themselves.
Going by the history, the Portuguese started kidnapping and poaching human beings as far back as 1442 in the west coast of Africa particularly in countries like the Gold Coast (the present Ghana), Togo, Benin, and Nigeria while in 1517, they encouraged Spain to embrace the “lucrative” inhuman market. The English followed in 1553, France in 1624 and soon after the Dutch, the Danes, and America. Africa, in 1650, had a population of about 100 million (20 per cent of the then existing world), 90m million in 1800, 95 million in 1850 and 120 million in 1900.
http://xenohistorian.faithweb.com/africa/egypt2.html
Our Queendom Come
The soul of my embryo Is linked to African Queens That is why my long regal neck Is coveted in dreams. The nobility within Is where my life began, Among lions and castles And mountainous terrain…
Taking into account the high profitability of the illicit trade in which human beings were the fiscal wares, many crude methods were employed for the security of the diabolical ventures. Cases were reported whereby houses in villages and hamlets were irrationally set ablaze in the middle of the nights just in order to catch hapless individuals including women and children for sale in open market like common household commodities
Memories of a Queen… Living upstream In a place where opulence Builds self-esteem. But I have to lie low Because nobody knows That I was born at a time When the Queendom was mine (Extracted from ‘Spirit of Queens by Myrna Loy)
The illicit trade was always a subject of many crude channels. European ships were chartered by the merchants to take manufactured goods to the coast of Africa and on reaching the destination, the commodities were exchanged for slaves who would be later taken to the West Indies and sold for huge profits. In this place, their merchants used their money to buy commodities like sugar, coffee and tobacco which 12
would be later taken back to Europe. Since the ultimate intention of the trade is to make huge profit, the ship captains loaded as much as healthy slaves for the lowest possible price. They normally had a system whereby the captains would bring a fewer number of slaves in their ships so that the chance of disease and death would be reduced to the barest minimum. Today, it is quite apparent that hundreds of thousands of African men, women and children are forced by ever worsening environmental, economic and social circumstances into situations of labor and sexual exploitation both within and outside the continent every year. Trafficking in persons – the modern day slavery is evidently a serious threat to human security and development. Right now, awareness of trafficking increases gradually because of the vigilance on vehicles conveying child laborers to markets and plantations in different places. In Nigeria for example, an International Labor Organization (ILO) report found that 40% of the street children and street hawkers were victims of trafficking. In March 2002 for example, it was said that eight million Nigerian children undergo the worst forms of child labor serving as domestic servants, street beggars, hawkers, agricultural laborers and prostitutes.
Are Parents the Ones who are Neglected? Kristy Pearce
Being a parent is never an easy role, regardless of how compliant the child maybe. It is important however to always bear in mind that it is how our children are nurtured and supported which has the real influence on how a child develops. But even the best of parents make mistakes and misjudgements - this would seem a natural occurrence in order to fine tune a parent’s approach to meeting their child’s individual needs. However, some parents question if they are being over scrutinised and put under unnecessary pressure.
At least 60% of foreign prostitutes in Italy are from African countries with the most of them from Nigeria. Nigerian and Italian authorities estimate that there are from 10,000 to 15,000 Nigerian prostitutes in Italy alone. Trafficking of foreign women into South Africa for commercial sexual exploitation from other areas of Africa, Europe and South East Asia is not only growing but appears to be controlled by organized criminal gangs from Bulgaria, Russia, Thailand, China, and Nigeria.
In today’s society, mothers, fathers and guardians face the difficult task of protecting their children from harm and ensuring they grow into healthy and happy individuals. However, with outside influences and peer pressures increasing, are parents being unfairly judged by their level of parenting by everyday community bodies such as doctors, teachers, other parents for example. We have to really understand the impact of modern times and how that manifests itself through our children. There are 12 year old girls aspiring to look like the impossibly polished celebrities of the world, believing cosmetic surgery is the key to status. As parents, how do you curve this trend? Where in the book of parenting does it hold insight into how a parent effectively raises a child or children, whom think they are adults? Parents have forever muttered the famous phrase, ‘I am the adult, you are the child’, however this passing statement has become an increasingly literal challenge with young children. Parents have a very small line to walk in order to ‘profile’ correctly as loving and nurturing parents and guardians. With such atrocities as the Baby P case being so poorly judged and handled, are parents being unfairly treated?
It is very clear that without serious and sustained political will at the top levels of governments and throughout societies; intervention will remain limited compared to the scope and magnitude of the problem. Traffickers will continue to victimize African men, women and children, depriving them of their basic human rights, depriving countries of critical human capital to compete in the global economy and also governments of the ability to establish law and order within their own borders. *I am Ade Adenekan, formerly a Conference Officer with the erstwhile Organization of African Unity (now the African Union) for over half a decade and now the Executive Director of Pan-African Reconciliation Centre. *PARC Journal is a journal Of The Pan-African Reconciliation Centre
Ade Adenaken 13
“In England and Wales, 75 children a week, some only newly born, are taken from their families after hearings in the family courts, which the British authorities say must be secret to protect the children’s identities. However, this veil means there can be no public scrutiny that leads to a truly unbiased and fair trial. In the normal courts, you are also innocent until proven guilty, but in the family courts this cornerstone of justice does not exist.”(Reid, 2009)
I, myself, have dealt with the strenuous fears of child organisation’s holding judgment over my children’s welfare, not of the nature that you would automatically assume, as my children and myself sadly experienced a domestically violent situation, whereby their father was physically abusive. More to the point in order to remove my children and myself from that toxic environment CAFCAS reports and non-molestation orders were put into place. As a mother I was fearful of losing my children and felt powerless. It was so invading having to be assessed as a parent, though it was all part of the procedure, I felt other people with no link to my children had more of a say than I did. It was the worst experience to deal with. How could I be being assessed when I was fighting to get my children away from this chaos. How could I also be under the spotlight?
Interestingly and more positively, when researching into commonly felt struggles parents experience when raising their children, an article by Pamela Gwyn Kripke in 2013, had suggested that traditional logistics regarding children coming from a single parent home, with low income and residing in areas of poverty are more likely to be involved in criminal activity and are at risk of being low achievers. However, in today’s modern and evolved society, children from these backgrounds are more resilient to struggle and understand the value of work. Single mothers in this day and age are also challenging the stereotype that a two parent family can nurture a child better then a one parent family. Women have become more independent and have shown their children that struggle can be a positive thing.
It is important for there to be a cohesive relationship between parents and other community organisations and authoritive bodies. It is also important not to discourage the parent from raising their children, their way. Understandably, it is any child carer’s duty to safeguard children as much as humanly possible, but there has to be respect for the position of the parent.
There have been extreme levels of injustice towards parents, some cases resulting in the child being put up for adoption and separated from the parents. Misdiagnosed injuries, in many cases due to a Vitamin D deficiency, which produces fractures and large amounts of bruising have played a major role in implicating parents for child abuse, and causing devastating outcomes, tearing families apart for no worthy reason. To highlight further, “In the UK today you can be accused of abuse on almost no evidence and without any proper witnesses to support the story”; a statement which was reported by Michael Gearson from the FASO in 2015.
Children from these backgrounds understand in order to succeed you have to work hard, and in order to maintain stability you need to be clever and responsible with finances. I do think it is important to understand how difficult it can be for parents to maintain the balance of a healthy and happy upbringing for their children. Nobody can predict what hurdles life will bring and it is only natural that parents make mistakes; it’s where (as parents) that we draw the line that really counts.
Kirsty Pearce.
The Daily Mail reported on the tragic story about baby Jason Wray who sadly died from a bone disease caused by a Vitamin D deficiency, commonly known as Rickets. As it is very difficult to identify early signs of Rickets, it is easy to mistaken the injuries sustained as the result of physical abuse. More tragically Jason’s parents were accused of abuse and were only cleared of the allegations after it was proven that the child’s death was the outcome and effect of Rickets. 14
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