Religion & Spirituality

Author George Lamming, a paragon of anti-colonialism, dies at 94

By HERB BOYD

Special to the AmNews

It was a festive occasion at City College on Nov. 20, 1998 when the great writer George Lamming was saluted with the Langston Hughes Medallion, a tribute to his remarkable literary career. Only a few of the younger students in attendance were fully aware of this éminence grise whose wide-ranging speech centered on the history of anti-colonialism, but they were riveted by his lyrical voice that retained a certain West Indian twang.

That melodious voice was silenced on June 4, but his words are forever with us, most rewardingly in his novel, “In the Castle of My Skin,” published in 1953. He was 94. According to another famed scribe, C.L.R. James, a close friend and associate of Lamming, his colleague’s “novels are permeated by the sense of the role of different classes in West Indian society. His work is an expression of Barbados,” James cited in “Spheres of Existence.” And that was perfectly logical because Lamming was born on the island nation in 1927 and never lost a probing and enlightened intimacy with it, despite spending part of his early manhood in England.

His first novel was imbued with a broad mix of genres—it was part roman à clef, an extended epigraph, an amalgam of experiences that taken together captured the essence of a people determined to obtain their liberation from oppression. Again, James summarized a portion of Lamming’s style, intensity, and his singular quality by quoting the author himself. “Free is how you is from the start, an’ when it look different you got to move, an’ when you movin’ say that it is a natural freedom that makes you move.”

Lamming indeed moved with a natural unbridled freedom and it resonated from each of his books, particularly, “The Emigrants” which followed on the heels of his first novel; “Of Age and Innocence” (1958); “Season of Adventure” (1960); “The Pleasures of Exile” (1960); “Water with Berries” (1971); and “Natives of my Person” (1972). These books were interspersed with numerous essays and lectures, many of which engrossed students at Duke, Brown, Cornell, and other prominent academies. In one interview he stated that “I became a West Indian in England,” and some of that coldness, both from people and the weather, flows without apology from “The Emigrants” and “Season of Adventure.”

When the news of Lamming’s passing reached the students and faculty at the University of the West Indies, said Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, the university’s vice chancellor, “It punctured the peace of mind of the academic community…where he was professor in residence at the Cave Hill Campus. It was there in his office at the George Lamming Pedagogical Centre, that we last met and occupied ourselves for a few hours with one of Miles Davis’ last statements: that time is never enough to exhaust the ever giving, producing, creative imagination of the dedicated intellect.

“George was a phenomenal philosopher,” Beckles continued, “who erupted in the literary world early in life with the publication in 1953 of a classic novel of anti-colonial consciousness—“In the Castle of my Skin”—written during his 23rd year of life. From his Bridgetown Village, he traversed the intellectual universe and provided it with pedagogy of liberation that underpinned Pan-Africanism, socialism, and a 20th century humanism that included feminism, dialectical materialism, and the Caribbean Cultural Revolution. His embrace of Cuban socialism became a template for his support of Maurice Bishop and Walter Rodney in their quests to detach the neocolonial region from the scaffold of rejected imperialism.”

Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley echoed Sir Beckles’ sentiments, noting, “Wherever George Lamming went, he epitomized that voice and spirit that screamed Barbados and the Caribbean.”

And that scream, that undeniable rebel yell that characterized his activism will be unceasing so long as his books are read, his poems recited, his lectures quoted and passed on to future generations.

Black Rob’s Harlem street sign is like Woah!

By MAL’AKIY 17 ALLAH Special to the AmNews

On his 54th physicalday anniversary, June 8, Harlem hip hop legend Black Rob was honored with a street sign in his old East Harlem stomping grounds. The northwest corner of 115th Street and First Avenue now bears the co-naming “Robert ‘Black Rob’ Ross Way.” After enduring some severe health issues for many months, he transitioned on April 17, 2021.

Several hundred attended the street sign unveiling ceremony as some of his classic tracks blared out a speaker. Many childhood friends from the Thomas Jefferson and Robert Wagner Housing Projects reflected on the native East Harlemite who was initially known as “Robi O,” and “Bacardi Rob” while being featured on many underground mixtapes prior to signing to Puffy Combs’ Bad Boy Records in 1995.

“I remembered seeing Bacardi Rob back then wearing a Bad Boy jacket while he was in Jefferson,” recalled neighborhood associate, Big In. “He used to tell us stories about being in the studio and smokin’ blunts with Biggie Smalls, and it was great to see someone from our ‘hood get on.”

After Biggie Smalls’ March 9, 1997, murder in Los Angeles, Black Rob was one of the primary artists who carried Bad Boy’s success.

Memorable feature appearances on label mates’ Ma$e (“24 Hours To Live”), Faith Evans (“Never Knew Love Like Thisremix”), 112 (“Come See Me-remix”), and Total (“What About Us-remix) recordings during the late-1990s introduced him to an audience for his 2000 debut album “Life Story,” which was RIAA-certified platinum. It featured his smash hit single “Woah!” produced by D.I.T.C.’s Buckwild which reached No. 43 on Billboard’s Top 100 in 2000, while becoming a hip hop anthem during the early 2000s. He’d continue releasing new music throughout the years, including albums “The Black Rob Report” (2005), “Game Tested, Street Approved” (2011), and “Genuine Article” (2015).

At the unveiling ceremony, DJ Chill Will played some of his classic tracks including his duet with Biggie Smalls “Jeans & Sneakers”; his singles “I Dare You,” “You Don’t Know Me,” “Ready,” “Can I Live,” and of course his classic hit “Woah!”

A few of his relatives were also present, including his mother, sister and children; as well as some local aspiring artists. Prior to the ceremony those in attendance sang “Happy Birthday” Stevie Wonder-style, and chanted “Black Rob,” “B.R.,” in call and response. As the street sign was unveiled, some in the crowd began chanting “It’s like Woah!” amongst the cheering and clapping.

Black Rob’s children posed for flicks with replica signs afterwards.

Then on the evening of Saturday, June 18, a dual tribute was conducted at Thomas Jefferson Park (112th St. and 1st Ave.) for Black Rob and fellow East Harlem-native DJ Kay Slay who passed exactly one year later, April 17, 2022.

(Photo by Mal'akiy 17 Allah)

that federal oversight was no longer needed, helped clear the way for multiple states to enact new rules around voting in recent years. Now, local governments or school districts with a record of discrimination in New York must gain approval from state officials in order to pass certain voting policies, said the AP.

The law includes protections against voter dilution, voter suppression, voter intimidation or obstruction through deception. It also expands language assistance programs for non-native English speakers and preclearance, which requires any changes to important election-related policies be reviewed before they’re implemented in historically disenfranchised areas.

An effort in the U.S. Congress to revive parts of the Voting Rights Act failed to make it through the Senate, said the AP.

“Throughout our history American heroes like John R. Lewis put their lives on the line to secure and defend our rights—not just their own, but yours and mine as well,” said Myrie in a statement. “They didn’t do this because our country was perfect, but because it was imperfect. They saw a future where all voters and all voices count. That torch has now been passed to us, and this is why I’m so proud to have sponsored the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act of New York.”

Myrie said he was grateful to Hochul for signing this legislation and standing strong for voting rights. He thanked his co-sponsor, Assemblymemer and Election Law Chair Latrice Walker, for also leading the fight with him.

“Just last week, several important races around the country were won by people who deny the validity of elections and who will work to reduce access for voters,” continued Myrie. “It does not have to be this way for any American. By enacting the strongest voter protections of any state in the nation, New York is leading the way to a more secure democracy that defends our rights and respects the dignity of everyone.”

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and over again, because they have a conviction record.”

According to Wilkey, there are roughly 750,000 New Yorkers with convictions. And 80% of them are Black or Brown. So while it’s illegal for property owners to deny housing based on race at a local, state and federal level, criminal history serves as a heavily racialized barrier for renters.

But it’s not just those with criminal histories finding it hard to rent in New York City. With “COVID-deal” leases expiring and rents rising, income discrimination in general becomes an issue. Last Tuesday, Adams held a press conference for his new housing agenda. The mayor did not mention the aforementioned protections for those with criminal histories, instead focusing on a simple message: house as many people as possible.

“If you say [I house] 30,000 [people] and you have 50,000 that are homeless, then what success is that—I got 20,000 people that are not [housed],” said Adams. “So I’m not at this magic number. I’m going to get as many people, in my four years, to get into housing as possible.”

Additional reporting from Ariama C. Long, a Report for America corps member and writes about culture and politics in New York City for The Amsterdam News. Your donation to match our RFA grant helps keep then writing stories like this one; please consider making a tax-deductible gift of any amount today by visiting: https://tinyurl.com/fcszwj8w

Tandy Lau is a Report for America corps member and writes about public safety for the Amsterdam News. Your donation to match our RFA grant helps keep him writing stories like this one; please consider making a tax-deductible gift today by visiting: https://tinyurl. com/fcszwj8w and communities that need him most. He is not afraid to take on anyone, at any time, anywhere. At this point in time our state needs a leader like Jumaane Williams; one who will stand not only with us, but by us, and for us. And that is why we endorse Jumaane Williams for Governor of the state of New York.

Lt. Governor

Antonio Delgado

Antonio Delgado didn’t expect to be Lt. Governor, he was busy in Washington, D.C delivering for his upstate district when he was appointed by Governor Hochul after she ascended to her role. Representing parts of Ulster, Delaware, Greene and some other counties he had won his congressional seat in an area that Trump won by over seven points. But he did not just jump into politics, he took a more indirect path, one that took him through academia, music, law, entrepreneurship and struggle.

Prior to holding his congressional seat, this Rhodes scholar and Harvard law school graduate moved to the West Coast to become a hip hop artist and tried to use hip hop to effect change with his label Static Entertainment. To pay his bills he had odd end jobs. He learned what it is like to be hungry. It wasn’t until several years later that he came back East, got a job as a lawyer and then dipped his toe into politics running for a congressional seat firmly held by republicans. As a congressman he got 18 bills signed into law. The American Rescue fund was his formula.

He sees the role of Lt. Governor as a gateway into that space that can help people see what the future can hold. Empowering Black and Brown communities. Elevating the level of intentionality of how money is being spent and helping tailor the utilization of those funds. He knows that neglecting our communities gives rise to crime. While in congress he held 67 town halls. Raised in the Black Baptist church, he understands the power of overcoming and carrying on our legacy. For this reason and many more we endorse Antonio Delgado for Lt. Governor. Footnote: We were very impressed with Ana Maria Archila, both her cleareyed vision for New Yorkers throughout the state and her willingness to be a voice independent of the governor when required. Her time as a community organizer and nonprofit leader at both Make the Road and the Center for Popular Democracy have prepared her well for elective office. We hope to see her again soon as a candidate on the ballot in New York.

Assembly 43rd–Brian Cunningham

After winning the 43rd in a special election in March, Brian Cunningham is working hard to keep his seat. Born in Flatbush and raised by a single mother, he knows what the community needs firsthand. He went to NYC public schools and his under-resourced community languished in times of prosperity for other communities. That is why he went into the field of economics and social justice, fighting for the community and people that nurtured him. He has worked in the non-profit sector, the public sector. He knows the ins and outs of Albany and has made his mark in the short time he has already been there. This is just the beginning for this young man. And that is why we endorse him as Assemblyman in the 43rd and expect great things from him.

Assembly 55th–Latrice Walker

Latrice Walker was originally elected in 2014. She has proven herself as a legislator. She has stood up for her community when it counted and has been a leader in the assembly. During the most recent budget battle Walker went on a hunger strike for over two weeks over rollbacks that were proposed. She won some of those fights and vows to keep fighting. Born and raised in public housing, she went to NYC public schools. She has never forgotten her roots and uses her experiences to guide her in her actions everyday. She makes the assembly better by her presence and her leadership and we endorse her for another term.

Assembly 60th–Keron Alleyne

You can find him in the garden growing veggies for the community. You can see him working alongside his neighbors in East New York, fighting for affordable housing. He went to Boys and Girls High school where he grew up under the watchful eye of Stanley Kinard who was one of his mentors. He worked in the offices of Charles Barron, another one of his mentors, where he learned the ins and outs of Albany. He currently holds the role of deputy district manager of Community Board 5 in Brooklyn. Alleyne is the future of the New York State Assembly and we endorse him.

Assembly 70th–Inez Dickens

Public service is in Inez E. Dickens’ blood. She has served her community tirelessly for years. In her time in Albany she has served her constituents well. She has fought for affordable housing and secured funding for small businesses. She has fought for equal rights and equal justice for all. Dickens is a tireless leader and once again we endorse her as she runs for re-election in the 70th Assembly district.

District leaders in the 60th–Charles Barron, Inez Barron

We endorse Charles Barron and Inez Barron; both are true champions of their community and will continue to fight for the needs of their constituents day in and day out.