Africa USa Today MAGAZINE
Poliosocionomics of World Peace
www.africaustodaymag.com 312/880-7016 February/ March- 2015 U.S.- $4.99 Canada- $5.99 London- 3 Pounds
Black History/Women’s Movement Special
Chicago Auto show
The History of Black History Jamaican Jazz & Blue Festival Women’s History Celebration Why We Need to Study Black History Chicago Auto Show Africa News A New Hospital for Nigeria Book Club Washington, D.C. Chicago Music Awards Grieving Parents Wounded Deeply by Gang Violence
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Arise & Shine!
Publisher’s Editorial
I must first express my sincere profound gratitude to Ambassador Adefuye (Nigeria Ambassador to U.S.) for his eloquently delivered message at the NIDOA Ohio chapter recently. It was a very positive message that attempted to boost the image and morality of Nigeria. I equally thank President Obama and his administration for sending John Kerry, the Secretary of State to intervene in the Boko Haram's extremism in Nigeria. In light of the upcoming presidential election, this action will be very helpful. At least to show that super power nation(s) still care and monitor the fledgling democracy in African nation. In all practicality, and political correctness, they can still outlast the other system of government. Democracy can still prevail if patience is duly taken. And most importantly, to eradicate the insinuation of British Colonialist, prior to given independence to Nigeria in October 1, 1960. That, "No matter what system of government instituted, black people (precisely African people) are incapable of governing (ruling) themselves."
Olawale Idreez, Publisher
I humbly beg to differ. Looking at the way the Nigeria Ambassador, Professor Adefuye packaged and portrayed the image of the nation of 170 million inhabitants of the most populous black nation on the planet, to the potential investors (at the global economy symposium) in Ohio state. It makes lots of attendees which are comprised of academicians, lawyers, teachers, nurses, media gurus, and other high ranking caliber of people present there, proud to be labeled "NIGERIANS". Kudos to the NIDOA Ohio chapter. You see, there is always a positive message out of a negative situation in human lives. I just have to get that synopsis out of my humble mind before having my mourning routine of taking an extra large cup of Dunkin’ Donut coffee. Now, it has been said, "All politics are local; and there are no permanent enemies or friends in politics. You have to know when and how to wheel and deal; and don't get caught in your own game." The reason why I comprehensively labeled this editorial as above, just as it says, "There are a lot of issues confronting us, especially in the political arena. Chicago politics will play a very vital role in the upcoming 2016 presidential election. First of all, it is a homecoming for incumbent U.S. President Obama. A humongous number of experts (The Rocket Scientists) from every professional business and political organizations have been having lots of sleepless nights, trying to imaging what would become of the fate of the specific neighborhoods of south side Chicago. Secondly, you don't need to be a rocket scientist, to know that it will have a great impact on the economy, because of gentrification of the riches and power that be: The money bags. In a nutshell, it will certainly boost the economy, albeit it will favor some segment of people, and most likely displaced the poor and needy. This is the major reason why this mayoral runoff election on April 7, 2015 is seriously crucial for voters to troop out, and elect the next person that will be sitting on the 5th floor of the City Hall. In my humble opinion, I still have to agree with former U.S. President William Jefferson Clinton, that once said, "Chicago is a big city, and needs a big man to be the Chief Executive of this city. Rahm Emanuel may not be six feet tall, but he is the right man for this great city of Chicago. Vote For Rahm Emanuel." I agree because, Chicago is a model of world class city, that needs a strong person, selfless, high leadership vision, and every other positive ingredients to lead this beautiful city (Chicago) in the right way, especially in the areas of sound education for our youths, and good paying jobs for adults, better than $8.25 an hour. Also, If the police are paid good salary and benefits to serve and protect and risking their lives to protect the citizens, while we are sleeping and snoring comfortable at our respective homes, there's a good chance, violence will be reduced in our neighborhoods drastically. Lest I forget, in a political school of thought, there is no candidate smart or have enough wisdom to accomplish every promise written on his/her manifesto during the campaign for office. And every time I think about what's at stake in 2016, on the local and global scenes (the 50th NFL anniversary, Post-President Obama era, Nigeria's Boko Haram, the 2016 Olympic in Brazil, etc), I just have to pray, and run to the Dunkin’ Donut for an extra large cup of coffee. Please don't laugh! So, it only makes for political and economic sense to vote for the incumbent candidate, Chicago's Rahm Emanuel has a genuine vision and commitment for this great city. Vote for Rahm Emanuel! This is a matter of opinion. Olawale Idreez can be emailed at usafriglo@yahoo.com (Facebook.com/Olawale Idreez). www.issuu.com/jesmithphoto
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Africa USA Today Magazine
DARLENE HUMPHREY
VERA GILES-NORRIS QUEEN BUNMI AJIBADE CONTRIBUTING EDITOR BARBARA KENSEY MEDIA CONSULTANT TORNU PRYNCE ARMAND J. AZAMAR
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS REV. ROD REINHART JUANITA CREAR-PRICE, MS CYNTHIA HENDERSON
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Robert L. Scott Sr. Photography
Contents Why We Need to Study Black History
JOHN E. SMITH JR. EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Celebrating Black History & The Women’s Movement
4 The History of Black History
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Celebrating Women in History
2015 Chicago Auto Show
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Marcus Garvey
This issue celebrates the contributions of Black people who have made a difference in the world and helped America to become a great country despite surmounting incredible odds.We also celebrate the Women’s Movement. Learn, understand and celebrate!
Women’s International Unity Forum
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March is Women’s Hist ory Mont h The Library of C ongress, National Archives and Records Administration, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service, Smithsonian Institution and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum join in paying tribute to the generations of women whose commitment to nature and the planet have proved invaluable to society.
About Women’s Hist ory Mont h Women’s History Month had its origins as a national celebration in 1981 when C ongress passed Pub. L. 97-28 which authorized and requested the President to proclaim the week beginning March 7, 1982 as “Women’s History Week." Throughout the next five years, C ongress continued to pass joint resolutions designating a week in March as "Women’s History Week." In 1987 after being petitioned by the National Women’s History Project, C ongress passed Pub. L. 100-9 which designated the month of March 1987 as “Women’s History Month." Between 1988 and 1994, C ongress passed additional resolutions requesting and authorizing the President to proclaim March of each year as Women’s History Month. Since 1995, Presidents C linton, Bush and Obama have issued a series of annual proclamations designating the month of March as “Women’s History Month.” From the Law Library of C ongress' guide to the legislative history of Women's History Month.
Execut ive and Legislat ive Document s The Law Library of C ongress has compiled guides to commemorative observations, including a comprehensive inventory of the Public Laws, Presidential Proclamations and congressional resolutions related to Women’s History Month.
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BLACK HISTORY
Long Road to Freedom, a Tribute to Nelson Mandela
I have walked that long road to freedom. I have tried not to falter; I have made missteps along the way. But I have discovered the secret that after climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb. I have taken a moment here to rest, to steal a view of the glorious vista that surrounds me, to look back on the distance I have come. But I can only rest for a moment, for with freedom comes responsibilities, and I dare not linger, for my long walk is not ended.
Nelson Mandela AFRICA USA TODAY 13
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Why We Need to Study Black History The Rev. Rod Reinhart St. Clement’ s Episcopal Church, Harvey IL When I was down in Florida last week, visiting my family, I had the wondrous experience of visiting the Florida State Fair. The most interesting part of the fair was a reproduction of an authentic 1840’s Florida pioneer village called Cracker Town. They had brought together old fashioned buildings from all over the state to show how Floridians may have actually lived in the 1840’s. There was a church, a school, a general store, a rail road station, a sugar cane mill, and a smoke house. There were also lots of traditional homes. It was all very lovely and very old… but I was disturbed about one thing… There were no slave quarters. There was not even a mention of all the slaves who had probably built the place… and who probably did most of the work. It seemed that they had sanitized and cleaned up the history of that time not so long ago. It seemed that they wanted us to remember only the good times… and not the bad times. But that is what people tend to do. Politicians and leaders in the south… and some in the North as well… have worked hard to cover up the history of slavery… of segregation… of cruelty and brutality. They have tried to make slavery look as genteel and nice as Mammy’s kitchen in Gone With the Wind. But that is just as bad as Germany telling the history of World War II and forgetting to tell about the concentration camps or the murder of six million Jews. This is my Black History Month Sermon… and Black History Month is important for America… because it helps us to remember some of the painful parts of American history that many important people want us to forget. America is a rich, historic and wonderful land, filled with noble and courageous people. But we must remember that America has a hard and cruel history of enslaving… brutalizing and oppressing entire races of people. And we must also remember that, in many parts of America, that cruelty and oppression still goes on today. That is the reason we need Black History Month… to remember the sins and cruelty of the past and to know how to work together so that cruel past is not repeated today. There are three versions of African American History that get taught in schools, broadcast on TV, or mentioned in churches. The first is the traditional white version of history where the evils of slavery and racism are never mentioned at all. This White version of history can teach us about the founding fathers… the revolution… the Civil War… World Wars… but never really say much of anything about slavery and the history of the Civil Rights Movement. Then there is the sanitized and cleaned up version of Black history that gets taught in far too many schools and talked about by far too many broadcasters and politicians today. They may teach about slavery… but they will say it was nowhere near as bad as everyone says. They may mention the underground rail road, Frederick Douglas… Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, George Washington Carver, Jack Johnson, Miriam Anderson, Ralph Bunch, Jackie Robinson, and Martin Luther King. But they will make them sound like wonderful middle class heroes who stood up for conservative American values and who never would have broken any law of any kind.
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Why We Need to Study Black History (Contd. from pg. 15) They won’t mention the hundreds of thousands who died on the Middle Passage on ships coming from Africa. They won’t mention the hundreds of thousands who died of starvation and torture on plantations across the South. They won’t mention the Fugitive Slave Act… the law that forced Americans all over the north to either help the slave owners hunt down escaped slaves or face many years in prison. They won’t mention Medger Evers, Emmitt Till, Shwarmer, Goodman and Cheney, and the many thousands of people of all races who gave their lives in the struggle for freedom and civil rights. The sanitized, cleaned up version of Black History may be very pretty and very nice… but it is not the real history and it is not the real truth. But then there is the real version of Black history… the one that all of us should know. This is the version that fully accounts for the massive cruelty, murder, humiliation, torture, forced labor, and family destruction that happened during the times of slavery. This is the version that fully accounts for the lynchings, the Ku Klux Klan terrorism, and the loss of voting rights, the burning of churches, the loss of human rights and the loss of freedom before and after the Civil War. This is the version that fully accounts for the suffering of Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, George Washington Carver, Miriam Anderson, Ralph Bunch, Jackie Robinson, Martin Luther King and so many other outstanding leaders in the great movement for freedom and justice…. For all of them received some kinds of violent, cruel and disgraceful treatment at the hands of the overseers, the police, and the wealthy and powerful white establishment. This is the version that fully accounts for the violence and murder against the civil rights workers who simply marched together, sang together and proclaimed together… “We want to be free.” This is the version that fully accounts for all of the young black men who have been murdered… and will be murdered in all those states where Stand Your Ground laws gives frightened white men full permission to pull the trigger. This is the version that fully accounts for the marvelous ways that Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, George Washington Carver, Miriam Anderson, Jackie Robinson, and Martin Luther King… and thousands of courageous heroes… and millions of active supporters, both black and white, worked together, suffered together, and sometimes died together over four hundred years, in the long struggle for freedom, equality, justice, economic empowerment and civil rights. This is the real version of Black History … and we should make sure our schools, churches, TV and radio broadcasters, and even our politicians know it and teach it. Religion has always played a vital role in the struggle for freedom and equality. From the old slave preachers gathering their fellow slaves in the woods or behind the barn… to tiny wooden churches out in the rural south… to the big city pastors of churches that sprung up after Reconstruction… to the thousands of preachers who followed Dr. King in the Civil Rights Movement… The Black men and women consecrated as Bishops in the Episcopal Church…to the powerful and faithful big-time inner city and urban pastors and preachers today… Religion has always played a vital role in the historic struggle for freedom and equality. If you saw the movie, Twelve Years a Slave, you will know that, long ago, the slave owners brought their own white preachers… orthey preached themselves… to teach the slaves that God wanted them to obey their masters, work hard and simply accept their lot in life. They were taught that the sin of Adam and Eve and the Sin of Cain fell especially hard on the African people because they had been designated from the beginning of time to be slaves. They were taught that African people had, in ancient times, succumbed to the temptations of Satan… the kinds that Jesus avoided in the desert… and thus, they must spend eternity hewing wood, drawing water and serving the wishes of their masters. They were taught that the Ten Commandments demanded that they honor their masters… don’t lie… don’t steal, submit to their suffering, and don’t covet or desire anything beyond what their owners want to give them. But the slaves often had their own preachers… and the old slave preachers did not simply accept everything their owner said. They learned how to read the Bible too, and they found other commandments… like the ones in Leviticus 19… where God commends us… “You shall not keep for yourself the wages of those who labor for you”…” You shall not be cruel to the poor”… “You shall not profit from the blood and suffering of your neighbor”… “But you shall love your neighbor… especially those who work for you… as yourself.” 16 AFRICA USA TODAY
Why We Need to Study Black History (Contd. from pg. 16) And the slave preacher found Isaiah Chapter 61 where the prophet says… “The Spirit of the LORD GOD is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;”
And the old preachers found that Jesus quotes these same words from Isaiah at the very beginning of his ministry and tells the world that he has been sent by GOD “to proclaim liberty to the captives and to open the prisons of those who are bound.” They even read the Book of Exodus and found that GOD began his great work of redeeming the world by sending ten plagues on Egypt to set his enslaved people free from bondage and tyranny. Religion has always played a vital role in the historic struggle for civil rights, justice and equality because African American churches… and many progressive white churches as well… always knew that the Bible is filled… from Genesis to Revelation… with the great message that we must set slaves and captives free… treat poor and working people with fairness and dignity… and build a world of justice, freedom and equality for everyone, regardless of race, gender, social class, sexual orientation, handicap, nationality or education. When Dr. King marched in those steaming cities of the south, and especially when he marched through Selma, he knew that religion would always play a vital role in the movement. So he invited pastors, parishioners, priests and nuns from every church and every race to come and march with him. And over and over again, great bus-loads of faithful people, both black and white, answered the call. King’s ability to mobilize people of every race, and class, gender and nation, forced all of America to move, ever so slowly… even unwillingly… toward a new era of liberty and justice for all. Sin has always been a problem for Christians. There is a big contradiction in how black and white churches and preachers view the problem of SIN. The majority of conservative white preachers have always condemned people to hell for sinful bad habits, such as smoking, drinking, adultery, or taking drugs… or tolerating GLBT people. But they seldom condemned people who cheat their employees, close down factories, steal employee pensions, hate people of other races, take away food stamps from the poor, and even abuse their children and their wives. Meanwhile, Black preachers, and most White liberal and progressive pastors, have almost always preached that sin was much more about racial hatred, religious prejudice….. Cruelty to families, neighbors, and friends… stealing from workers… Colonialism…. Enslaving other races and nations…. killing innocent teenagers…. False imprisonment… making vast profits by destroying the economy…. and stealing the lives, the homes and the freedom of poor people and minorities. The Bible calls us to repent for our sins, and these are sins which far too many people refuse to recognize as sins… and they would never repent for them, even if they did. Black History Month has always been very controversial. Many powerful politicians and preachers and big time conservative broadcasters have always opposed teaching the lessons of African American History in our churches or schools, because it reminds the world of historic sins, cruel realities and heroic struggles that the politicians would prefer that everyone forget.
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Why We Need to Study Black History (Contd. from pg. 17) But Black History Month is vitally important to African American people… Even though it is the shortest month of the year…. Because it allows them to remember, teach, and learn from and use their own history. This month enables people of good will to work together so that prejudice, hatred, and the desire for power do not allow the high and mighty to take away their right to vote… steal their jobs… kill their children… or oppress and destroy the victims of bigotry and discrimination. And Black History Month is important to all the people of America… and all the people of the world… people of every race and ethnic group…This month should help us all to remember the terrible sins committed by our ancestors… and to make certain we do not allow ourselves… or future generations… or other nations around the world… to fall into those same sins again. It is important to see that the Civil Rights struggle is a struggle in which we all share. Dr. King reminded us that, when we set free the victims of racism and oppression, we set free the racist and oppressor as well. King carefully and poetically showed the rich and powerful majority of Americans that slavery, racism, bigotry and discrimination were our great unrepented and unforgiven sin…He showed us that we, as a nation and we, as Americans… were in danger of God’s eternal judgment for those sins for which we refused to repent or seek forgiveness. And we are all aware of the terrible dangers that lurk in the world today. Crime, poverty, income inequality, unemployment, drug abuse, violence in our cities, and religious war around the world… All of these stem from the abiding and universal sin of racial and ethnic prejudice, greed, and pride. Dr. King, and great preachers, of all races, all across this land, taught all Americans that we must turn away from the cruel sins that lead our nation and the globe into destruction, violence and despair. They taught us that we must change the racist attitudes, systems and behaviors that support violence and racial inequality. They taught us that we must build a nation that offers social and economic justice and equality for everybody. Then God’s grace and favor will be on every person in that nation and we all shall be free. When America truly repents of the sins of racial inequality, economic destruction, laws that target black and Latino youth, voter suppression, and legalized oppression of the poor, then God will do great things. We have made real progress toward justice and equality. Laws have been changed and hearts have been changed. America is not the country it was fifty years ago. But this society is far from perfect and the battle is not yet won. “Jim Crow” is knocked off his horse, but he is still crawling around making trouble. We must still work together… blacks and whites, people of every race, to assure that racial hatred, religious war, and ethnic violence are left behind in the dust of history. Sadly, in spite of all our progress, the soul of this nation is still wrapped and warped in the chains of bigotry, hatred and fear. We have been held hostage by our endless desire for power, privilege and wealth. God wants to set free this sinful nation and all the people in it. When America truly repents of its wicked past and turns from its cruel ways, then this nation will be free to receive God’s gift of freedom, forgiveness and salvation... the gift Christ won for us on the cross. The celebration of this historic and important month calls us to bravely and courageously seek to do the work and will of God today. This month calls us to preach the message of repentance… forgiveness… social transformation…Freedom… Pride… and equality and dignity for all. Let us bravely go forth together and do God’s great work…every day and every month of the year.
The Rev. Rod Reinhart St. Clement’ s Episcopal Church Harvey IL 18 AFRICA USA TODAY
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John E. Smith Jr. Photography
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Conversation with Amy Crawford, 46th Ward Candidate I first met Amy Crawford while serving as Board member at the North Side Credit Union in Uptown Chicago. From my humble perspective, she doesn’t look like someone who is in politics or political affairs. Other than the fact that she loves to serve people. I always noticed that trait in her, because when the Chicago weather was so terrible, and a majority of the members called absent, she always appeared. In politics, scholars will rightly argue that, almost every aspect of our life is politically connected one way or another; either spiritually, physically, mentally, or even our family life. I have to agree with that school of thought. Based on that fact, I flipped for joy when I saw her name on the social media, campaigning for 46th ward alderman. The 46th ward encompasses much of Uptown and the northeast part of Lakeview. The 46th ward seat is currently occupied by Mr. James Cappleman, who took office from another power-house woman politician named Helen Schiller during former Mayor Richard M. Daley. It is worth noting that, “All politics are local, and there’s no permanent friend, or permanent enemy”. I take the privilege to say, it does not take a political rocket scientist to know that whatever happens in the local election in this 2015, will greatly affect 2016 presidential. We also know that 2016 election is not kids play. If you cannot take the heat, please, please, and one more please, stay out of the 2016 political kitchen. In other words, there are lot of serious issues at stake, including 50th Anniversary of NFL Super Bowl, or Foreign issue of Islamic, Extremist, that always have find a way to involve the U.S. (directly or indirectly); the issue of whether Chicago’s own mayor, Rahm Emanuel will run on the same ticket with Hilary Clinton as VEEPEE; or President Obama’s presidential library whether Chicago should lay low, and allow the New York money-bags to spend crazy money to out-bid both Chicago and Hawaii combined. I should guess that issue has been resolved already, nevertheless, I still keep my ears to the ground. I just needed to get that out of my system. I cannot help it! Enjoy the conversation that ensued between Amy Crawford and Olawale Idreez, for Africa-USA Today Magazine (AUTM). 1. AUTM: Hello Amy, and thank you for granting the interview out of your hectic schedule. Amy: Thank you for having me, Olawale. 2. AUTM: Could you please briefly tell our readers who is Amy Crawford? Amy: Sure. I’m an attorney, an active volunteer in 46th Ward, and a parent. I’m a partner at a large Chicago law firm, and in addition to representing business clients, I’ve worked for LGBT marriage equality and represented clients with disabilities and mental illness. I’ve had the good fortune of serving with you on the board of North Side Community Federal Credit Union, which as you know offers people financial education and alternatives to predatory lending products. I’m a youth mentor, and in the past I worked for Christopher House, an early childcare agency. I’m a fellow of Leadership Greater Chicago and participated in the Illinois Women’s Institute for Leadership (IWIL) program. I’ve lived in the Uptown and Lakeview neighborhoods for the last 15 years. My partner and I adopted a baby boy last year. 3. AUTM: Why did you decide to vie for this position? And what are you hoping to achieve? Amy: I have been bothered by the fact that our ward continues to be very politically polarized. When I’m out talking to voters in Uptown, everyone talks about how much they love the diversity here, but the ward continues to be divided over the wedge issue of affordable housing. I think this divisiveness is damaging and unnecessary. We should be focusing on the things we can agree on: we need to stop violent crime and work on the economic development of our neighborhoods. I believe it is important to keep the vision high so we’re focusing on our true priorities. AFRICA USA TODAY 27
4. AUTM: How many candidates are contesting in this ward? And what distinguish you among them? Amy: I am one of three candidates. I’m different from the other candidates in a few ways. First, I’m the only candidate with business and finance experience. I think this makes a real difference when it comes to bringing more small business here and being able to engage in the difficult budget issues facing our city. Second, I have a track record of success at some of the top institutions in this area. I attended the University of Notre Dame and the University of Chicago Law School, and I have had a very successful career at my firm, Kirkland & Ellis LLP. Third, the other two candidates are closely associated with the divisiveness I mentioned -- which I think we need to move beyond. They are bogged down in the details of the affordable housing fight over the last several years. I realize that affordable housing continues to be an issue in our ward, but I also know that people are mostly concerned about making our ward a safer place for their families. I’m a pragmatic leader who will not be distracted from our true priorities. I will listen to everyone and build relationships across the ward so that we can take our ward to the next level. 5. AUTM: Precisely, why should the voters in this ward vote for you? And what changes do you expect to see in the next 5 to 10 years down the stretch? Amy: I think the voters in the 46th Ward are ready for a smart, competent, and effective leader. I will get things done and I’ll be an independently minded person on City Council. There’s no question that the development we see in the 46th Ward in the next four years (including the redevelopment of the Wilson Red Line stop) will shape the next 50 here in Uptown. But if we don’t address the issue of violent crime and we don’t maximize the opportunity we have with the Wilson Red Line Stop redevelopment occurring over the next couple of years, we will have missed our chance to develop our neighborhoods to their maximum potential while also retaining diversity. 6. AUTM: On a state-wide election recently, a republican candidate named Mr. Bruce Rauner won the gubernatorial seat over the democrat governor Pat Quinn. Do you have any opinion about the newly-elected governor Bruce Rauner? Amy: I supported Governor Quinn because he fought for working people and championed civil rights. Now that Governor Rauner is in office, he has a tough job ahead of him to live up to his promises to fix our state’s fiscal problems. We’ll see if he is up to the challenge. For the sake of our state, I hope so. 7. AUTM: We cannot talk about alderman race without relating it to mayoral race. If you are elected, or I should say, when you are elected 46th ward alderman. What do you actually intend to bring to this one of the most diversified ward (among the 50 wards in the city of Chicago), in terms of unemployment, violence, and one of the best summer fun place in the city of Chicago, that accommodates ethnic and cultural differences? Amy: Your question sums up so much of what is great about the ward -- our diversity and lakefront location -- and what we still need to work on -- violent crime and economic development. On crime, I’ll call for the return of the more than 20% of police that have been cut from our area and I’ll look for ways to bolster programs that provide local youth with alternatives to gangs. On economic development, I’ll work to maximize the Wilson el stop redevelopment and make Uptown an entertainment district -- a place people all over the city will seek out for great cultural offerings large and small, not just a place they go when they have tickets to the Riviera or the Aragon. 8. AUTM: On a lighter mood, what is your favorite hobby? Amy: I love playing softball. For many years I’ve played in a league along the lakefront -- in the 46th Ward, of course! 28 Africa USA Today
9. AUTM: On a serious note, if you are to meet with President Barack Obama today, what advice would you give him (and his cabinet) specifically on two major issues: President Obama’s foreign policy in relevance to sanctioning the Russia; and Islamic Extremists pertaining to U. S. Homeland security. Secondly, President Obama’s challenge with the republicans occupying both Upper and Lower Houses (i.e. Senate and House of Reps)? Amy: Of course, I’m not in a position to give our president advice on foreign policy. That said, I support the sanctions against Russia and Islamic extremists. As far as Congress goes, I support the President taking the Republicans to task when they are being obstructionist and failing to act in the best interests of the American people. 10. AUTM: On a more serious note, what is your opinion on female president in the White House in 2016 presidential election? Amy: I think we are overdue to have a female U.S. president and I will be incredibly excited if we elect one in 2016. 11. AUTM: On a positive note, where do you see yourself, and Uptown community (God willing) in the next alderman election? Amy: As I mentioned before, I think that this election can set the stage for this ward and its direction over the next 50 years. I hope I win this election, and if I do, I will be working hard every day on issues like crime and economic development. If I’m elected, I would expect that four years from now, we will have made progress on these issues and moved our neighborhoods closer to being the best in Chicago. 12. AUTM: Can you give any advice to our readers and fans, particularly the youths who might be thinking of dabbling into political arena, as their scholastic career, like you? Amy: Well, I’m just starting out on this political path, so I’m probably in a better position to take advice from others rather than offer it. However, one thing I can say is that studying hard and working hard have been the keys to my success so far. If there are young people who are interested in politics, the best thing they can do is volunteer or intern for a campaign or an elected official. 13. AUTM: On behalf of Africa-US Today Magazine, we thank you, Amy; and we wish you best of luck in your endeavors. Amy: Thank you so much for having me. 14. AUTM: We also wish you Happy Black History Month in February, and Happy International Women’s Month in March respectively. Amy: The same to you and your readers. Olawale Idreez is the publisher of Africa-US Today Magazine, and can be reached at usafriglo@yahoo.com
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Africa USA Today Magazine 312/ 880-7016
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Washington, D.C.
John E. Smith Jr. Photography
Washington,, D. C. is known as the capital of the the United States of America, the center of the most powerful country in the world. What may not be known as widely is that Black men built most of Washington, D.C. That includes the Capitol Building where Congress sits. Even the statue on top of the rotunda of the Capitol was cast by a skilled Black craftsman. 34 Africa USA Today
Washington, D.C.
John E. Smith Jr. Photography
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Women’s History Celebration
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by Carmen Perez
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Africa News
SOON---A NEW HOSPITAL FOR NIGERIA BY CYNTHIA HENDERSON Images provided by the GEANCO FOUNDATION THEY WILL SUFFER NO MORE ON MY WATCH. These are the passionate words that gave birth to the GEANCO Foundation and its staunch commitment to build a hospital in southern Nigeria to address the medical needs of the less fortunate. The Foundation is spearheaded by Dr. Godwin Onyema, a celebrated and award-winning obstetrician gynecologist, who hails from Nigeria and who now resides in Chicago. Godwin’s drive emanated with a pledge to his father, whose rearing afforded him the belief that through hard work, all things in life are possible, and to whom he promised to build a hospital for his community. Academy Award Winner Forest Whitaker, an active GEANCO supporter, with Nche Onyema, Afam Onyema and Dr. Godwin Onyema.
Augustine Onyema, Godwin’s father and a man with a modest eighth grade education, instilled the importance of education in his children. As he sacrificed, he vowed that his children would be educated to the highest levels possible. Augustine’s determination paved the way for him to send Godwin to the prestigious Dennis Memorial Grammar School in Onitsha, Nigeria. It was in this nurturing environment that medicine touched Godwin and inspired him to pursue a medical career. After graduating from medical school in 1972, Godwin interned at the University Teaching Hospital of Nigeria in Enugu. Upon completion, he and his wife, Josephine, came to Chicago’s Cook County Hospital for his medical residency in obstetrics gynecology. The couple now have four adult children who are sharing in their father’s promise to their grandfather, Augustine. Gozie, Afam, Ebele and Nche all possess the same resolve to bring Godwin’s dream to reality. It is the first letter of their family’s names that compose the GEANCO name and each member contributes time, effort and energy to fulfill GEANCO’S mission. To develop a world-class medical facility, as well as educational and athletic facilities in the African country of Nigeria and to make these available to the poorest and most vulnerable citizens is the steadfast purpose of the GEANCO Foundation.
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Africa News Jesse Jackson with GEANCO family members, Josephine, Afam and Dr. Godwin Onyema at a Foundation fundraising gala.
Together with their mission partners Zimmer Holdings, the largest orthopedic equipment manufacturer in the world, Ernst and Young Accounting, Mayer Brown International Law Firm and the Nigerian State of Anambra, GEANCO has led three orthopedic medical missions to Nigeria. A fourth is scheduled for this year in April. Again, GEANCO will take a United States orthopedic team to perform numerous hip and knee total joint replacements for ailing Nigerians. Through the good grace of the Anambra State, and approval by local community leaders, 200 acres of land have been donated for the Augustine Memorial Hospital. Ultimately, orthopedic surgeries, such as those mentioned above, women and children’s care, infectious disease treatment and education with a focus on HIV/AIDS and malaria will be available in the new hospital. In addition, a cancer center, a cardiac center, radiology and other medical capabilities will be incorporated into the facility.
Site of the future Augustine Memorial Hospital in Nigeria. Currently, fundraising is the chief initiative for GEANCO. The Foundation is seeking only private donations. There will be no government funding. With a growing contingent of strong supporters, such as Academy Award Winner, actor Forest Whitaker, GEANCO is adhering to that goal. They regularly hold creative fundraising events throughout the United States as they strive to raise the estimated $2,000,000 in projected start-up costs for the hospital. Dr. Oneyma says, “Once we have the money we can start hiring consultants and begin construction”. He also says, “With the Augustine Memorial Hospital I want to impact medical health care in Nigeria. I want to live up to the principle that you don’t have to travel thousands of miles for adequate health care. Additionally, I want to deliver high-class, quality medical care to the doorsteps of the people in that region.” To donate to the GEANC0 Foundation and support their mission click on: https://app.etapestry.com/hosted/TheGeancoFoundation/OnlineDonation.html OR Contact: The GEANCO Foundation 350 S. Grand Avenue, 25th Fl. Los Angeles, CA 90071 Afam Onyema Chief Operating Officer 708-439-1462 AFRICA USA TODAY 43
Grieving Parents Wounded Deeply by Gang Violence Little Children Cried in the Street
Juanita Crear-Price
Wounded deeply by gang Violence, Parents are holding onto Family Pride. Gang Violence destroys families hope and dreams. Parents meet regularly in churches and other venues to share a grief so deep that only those who have walked in their shoes can understand.
Parents your child life is important and you must appreciate their lives.You must live for your child. You must speak for your child. You must not allow your child voice to be silent. Speak out! You must go to court to seek resolve against the person or persons who took your child life… your life. Please, continue fighting.You must continue to fight until the powers to be understands your pain. They must appreciate why you are fighting for children lost to violence. Children’s children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers. Proverbs 17:6 (King James) Fathers’ trains up your children, spend time with your children. If you train up then and only then there will be no children crying in the Street. Remember your children had hopes, they had dreams but their hopes and dreams destroyed, destroyed by violence by death. Little children cried in the streets Parents thank you for not wearing a “Mask” to hide your pain. Thank you for not hiding your pain. Thank you for dealing with your grief and providing emotional support to others even though their child was a member of warring gangs. Thank you.
A child is a child no matter what. Salute your home with memorials to your child let the world know your child hopes and dreams lives. Do not allow your child hopes and dreams escape from you. Work harder to disseminate the news.Continue working with other to stop the violence, to stop the heartaches, to stop the tears and to stop the crying. Develop yourself, feel the necessity to ask for help, you have an obligation to your child and to other children of violence to speak out against violence. Your tears and voice matters develop yourself develop the public. “Children at play are not playing it should be noted that children at play are not playing about; their games should be seen as their most serious-minded activity”.Montaigne 15531592 “As long as he lived, he was the guiding-star of a whole brave nation, and when he died the little children cried in the streets”. John Lothrop Motley 1814-1877
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Little Children Cried in the Street
(Contd. from pg. 44)
Fathers train up your children, spend time with your children and if you train up there will be no children crying in the Street. Do not let your child cry in the streets stop the violence. By: Juanita Crear-Price, MS Part II Parents to what extent are we Training Our Children to be Perpetrators and Victims. Unwittingly Children learn aggression from their families and villages. Families and villages where there is training, love and trust there is no violence, there is only love and togetherness. No, love is not supposed to hurt! Historically, African American Villages decrease villager’s social standards silently by committing organizational and nonmilitary violence. Unwittingly families and villages create a safe haven for some villagers to commit violence. Domestic violence is one among the many types of organizational and nonmilitary violencethat men and women have historically used against each other. Constantly families and villages are silence. They have created a substantial cultural consensus regarding the use of domestic violence toward each other. The systematic destruction of a love one or love ones has characterized a number of village’s collective behavior. The proliferation of domestic violence has increasingly destroyed the nucleolus of the African American family. Individually and collectively, families and villages have accepted domestic violence as a way of life. Big Daddy and Big Momma states, “She is hard headed and she needs her butt whipped” or “There is nothing wrong with a woman getting a whipping from time to time!” How many times have you heard “Kick a woman butt to keep the fear of God in her?” Domestic violence reinforces the tendency toward disorder in the family and village. Quantitatively we must stamp out violence and domestic violence in the family and village. Families and villages must value social structures. Families and villages must value the moral judgments. Families and villages must create a society that is devoid of violence. What is important to the families and villages? To engage in a long-range establish internal system, to transfer families and villages social modernization, economic modernization and transferring power from the individual to a collective society. To advance from domestic violence African American must stabilize their beliefs. The perpetrators and victims must learn from their families and villages how not to become a perpetrators or a victims. Families and villages must grapple with a number of questions and the families and villages must take actions on the answers of the questions: 1. What makes one man or one woman dominant over another? 2. To what extent are we? 3. Should we develop focus? 4. What mechanisms must we employ? By: Juanita Crear-Price, MS Part III coming in month publication AFRICA USA TODAY 45
HANGIN’ OUT AT THE JAMAICA JAZZ & BLUES FESTIVAL By Barbara Kensey It’s a misnomer to call what we experienced in Montego Bay, Jamaica the Jamaica Jazz & Blues Festival. It would have been more appropriate to name it the Jamaica Reggae & R&B Festival. From the ska, reggae and rock steady that dominated the opening night - a spirited tribute to late songwriter and singer John Holt epitomized in a mad performance by bandana-wrapped Reggae artist Errol Dunkley, to a dynamic and thoroughly entertaining performance by Charlie Wilson on the closing night, it was Reggae & R&B all the way! Saxophonist Arturo Tappin who has played for both Presidents Obama and Clinton, brought the only jazz of the entire festival, a smooth, first class act. The most highly anticipated star of the weekend, the Diva herself Mariah Carey didn’t quite live up to the huge hype with a lukewarm performance that included what appeared to be lip-syncing on a few songs. That aside, the Jamaica Jazz & Blues Festival, now in its 19th year, is as good a reason as any to come to Jamaica. And lots of people did, coming from destinations as far away as Canada, Europe and the USA. It’s three nights of good and sometimes great entertainment both on-stage and off (a festival vendor peeling sugar cane with a machete, eyes closed), among some of the most photoready people in the world. There’s nothing “soon come” about this festival. Production qualities are excellent, accommodations comfortable in the 25,000 seat Trelawny Stadium, and the evenings lovely mistresses of ceremonies kept it moving. Since the festival doesn’t begin until evening, you can either spend your afternoons lounging by the pool or take in some of the sights. We visited Croydon in the Mountains, a pineapple and coffee plantation and birthplace of the national hero Samuel Sharpe. The tour features an introduction to the medicinal properties of certain fruits and plants and a sampling of fresh pineapples, coconuts, oranges and other in-season fruits. I was given very strong raw ginger and a leaf of lemongrass to settle my motion sickness from the long ride up the mountain. (www.croydonplantation.com ) We also toured the Rose Hall Great House, a 1770 mansion allegedly haunted by the cruel mistress Annie. Known as the White Witch by her slaves, she ruled over the plantation with a cruel hand and murdered three husbands before she herself was murdered by her slave lover. (www.rosehall.com ) If you’re the adventurous type, you’ll enjoy Chukka Good Hope. Zip lining , river tubing and dune buggy driving over treacherous terrain got our blood to pumping. Sitting on 2,000 acres, Good Hope began in 1774 as a sugar estate and grew into a village to support the workers after emancipation. IThe property was once owned by one of the largest slave owners in Jamaica. (www.chukka.com ) Last stop for us was the Montego Bay Cultural Centre, a small, sunshiny museum and gallery. Located downtown in bustling Sam Sharpe Square, it’s worth a visit to learn more about Jamaica’s fascinating history of a people whose motto is “out of many, one.” (www.facebook.com/pages/Montego-BayCultural-Centre) Back at the festival, I managed to miss two very special families. Morgan Heritage, considered “The Royal Family of Reggae” and the 70s R&B group The Pointer Sisters. Unfortunately they were the closing acts on Friday and Saturday nights and as much as my heart cried yes, my body said no nightly around 1:00 am. For information on the 2016 Jamaica Jazz & Blues Festival, visit: www.jamaicajazzandblues.com or email info@jamaicajazzandblues.com.
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Come out to celebrate & honor some of Chicago’s best entertainers in all genres of music!
Hosts Presenters Participants DORIAN GREGORY
FRANK PELLEGRINO
JACKIE CHRISTIE
NIA PEEPLES
RHONA BENNETT
DJ STEVE 'MIGGEDY' MAESTRO
HELEN WOOTEN
AMARYLLIS (THE LATIN PHOENIX®)
Life Changers Awards: Walt Whitman, Soul Children of Chicago & Mike Jones, The Professional Theatre and Dance Youth Academy Humanitarian Award: Common & the Common Ground Foundation
ABOUT CMA It’s the beginning of another 34+ years of highlighting and celebrating some of Chicago’s best musical talent in all genres. The next generation of the Chicago Music Awards team has taken shape. Executive Director, Dr. Bob L. Scott and Producer Stan Stubbs and the C.M.A. team have a mission of enhancing, rebranding, and delivering a communityconscious event. The 34th Annual Chicago Music Awards will bring a fresh perspective to the lasting impact Chicago has on the music industry. “Bringing a new fire to the music scene of Chicago and recognizing the enormous talent that is cultivated from the city of Chicago is the main focus of this historic show,” says Dr. Scott. Honoring entertainers in Pop, Gospel, Country, R&B, Hip Hop, Jazz, Blues, Rock, Polka, Reggae, House, Opera, Classical, Spoken Word, and more, plus live performances by a host of Chicago’s favorite artists and bands. With 38 categories and close to 200 nominees, this will be an event that Chicago will not soon forget.
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Book Club Features Strong Women only IntImIdate Weak men
Copyright: John E. Smith Jr. Photography SHARE THIS BOOK WITH 10 OF YOUR FRIENDS
Michelle Duster, great grand-daughter of Ida B. Wells (reknown activist & author), has written and published books entitled “Ida In Her Own Words” and “Ida From Abroad: “ The timeless writings of Ida B. Wells from England in 1994”.
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