A Community Summit: “A Call to the Best and Brightest!”

By Dariar Dihaan

This past year our community experienced a number of assaults and trials of adversity; Tops shooting by a young White racist that, in his words, sought to spark a race riot. Consequently, he came to where he believed there was the highest concentration of African Americans in the city, Buffalo's Eastside.

We also endured a record harsh, winter storm that resulted in the loss of power, heat and lives. In the mist of this natural disaster our community had to also endure the insane, plundering and looting of numerous businesses in the community by persons that looked like the many of the misfortunate's. In a savage sense it would be considered "cannibalism" when one preys on those that look like and are in fact themselves.

So you say, the Dollar Store, Right Aid or Aldi's is not "us" but those are essential services that provide to us and if gone we are without services, as in the case now. Many of those businesses are now closed and say they will not reopen. Consequently, we have crippled ourselves, our sick, our elderly and those that are without their own transportation .... why? This is a form of cannibalism. These were acts of pure ignorance and insensitivity that reflects a far cry from where we have come from James Brown's iconic song: "Say It Loud I'm Black and I'm Proud" and underscores Herald Melvin and the Blue Notes "Wake up Everybody."

These deplorable actions cry out for a response. We must be able to support and hold one another up where we can and hold one another accountable. We must guard and protect our family/community during good and bad times. We are our brother's keeper, not convenient sheep to be fleeced when it is convenient by the perverted minds of others.

Our spirit, and dignity are calling for a Community Summit to be held at the Frank Merriweather Library February 25 beginning at 10:30AM in the auditorium. You, the readers of this brief article represent our best and brightest hope for community empowerment. We need you to attend.

We need to come together, assess our experiences and plan our next steps for progress and stand together against future adversity.

We must revisit our values, our shared vision and how we wish to be treated. There is no substitution for decency and respect.

Remember, self definition is the first step to self control.

See you February 25!

Join Us for the 33rd African American Read-In

By BaBa Eng and Karima Amin

Once again, we are pleased to be attending the African American Read-In hosted by Kenneth and Sharon Holley.

] For thirty-three years, the Holleys, co-owners of Zawadi Books (formerly Harambee Books and Crafts), have hosted a read-in that honors Black History Month and our African American authors. This event will take place on Sunday, February 26 at the Frank E. Merriweather Library, 1324 Jefferson Avenue in Buffalo from 2:00 – 4:00pm. Adults and children are always invited to participate. Come prepared to read a passage (poetry or prose) from a book by an African American author. Your selection should be no more than two minutes in length. Only “family friendly” selections will be permitted.

The National African American Read-In (AARI) is a ground breaking effort to encourage communities to read together, centering African American books and authors. It was established in 1990 by the Black Caucus of the National Council of Teachers of English to make literacy a significant part of Black History Month. This initiative has reached more than 6 million participants around the world.

This year, hundreds of thousands of people will gather in libraries, bookstores, faith-based institutions, prisons, community centers and anywhere else that people gather to devote time to highlight the importance of our history through books. Choose something old or new and come with a willingness to share with folks who love books as much as you do.