©KASA• 1
http://www.facebook.com/myafricanastudies
http://www.facebook.com/myafricanastudies
2• ©KASA
©KASA• 3
http://www.facebook.com/myafricanastudies
Photo by SAMUEL ABOH JR.
Artwork by Andreea Niculae 4• ©KASA
http://www.facebook.com/myafricanastudies
©KASA• 5
http://www.facebook.com/myafricanastudies
http://www.facebook.com/myafricanastudies
6• ©KASA
©KASA• 7
http://www.facebook.com/myafricanastudies
http://www.facebook.com/myafricanastudies
8• ©KASA
©KASA• 9
http://www.facebook.com/myafricanastudies
A
s we begin a new year and think about all the resolutions we said we would attempt to keep, we have reflected a lot on what has been and what will be. We realize that our future lies in our hands and that one day, we will be making the big shots. For some of us, we have been living in that time frame for a few years now. Some call us ‘80’s babies,’ ‘echo boomers,’ ‘dot com’ or best of all ‘Generation Y.’ We were obsessed with the Mickey Mouse Club and grew up with VHS tapes and tape recorders. Played Nintendo 64 and Sega, knew how to jump rope and play outside. A generation that grew up reading Goosebumps, Sweet Valley High and a series of unfortunate events. We were the generation that watched Fresh Prince of Bel Air, Family Matters, Home Improvement and all of that in real time, not as classic re-runs. We were also the generation that grew up with some of the best Disney movies ever made, like The Lion King, Beauty and the Best and The Jungle Book to name a few. We could go on and on about all the good things we grew up with, but instead let us just highlight the new memories we are creating. For the most part, this generation has not had to go through major struggles like the previous ones. We did not have to grow up in a time when the color of your skin was the determining factor in anything. A time when you were forced to serve your country in a war with which you may have not agreed. A time having a coup attempt was the only way to be heard by the government. A time when we were forced to hide our sexual orientation or religious beliefs because it went against the norm. A time when being a doctor, engineer, lawyer and pilot were the only professions that were considered important and acceptable. Some say we are a generation that was handed life on a silver platter, and that we have not had to fight to get our voices heard. That is what they believe, but as a product of Generation Y, we definitely think otherwise.
Before this generation can be judged, let us highlight some of the achievements that have been made possible with the major force of this generation. We may have not had to fight long and hard to see the outstanding results of our efforts, but the fight was still there. We are the generation that elected President Barack Hussein Obama into office. In case anyone forgot; he is the first African American President of the United States of America. We are the generation that has geniuses like Mark Zuckerberg who founded Facebook and a few years later, the same generation that uses social media to over throw Mubarak a dictator who mercilessly dominated Egyptian politics for 30 years. This is the generation that has introduced older generations to new and simple technology like the iPhone, Blackberry and even iPad. The generation that has made it acceptable to be openly gay and even date interracially. This is the generation that appreciates the past and brings it back to life; like certain fashion styles like the Afro and straight jeans from the 70s and 80s, to remaking movies like Grease, Footloose and taking classics like Sister Act and Mary Poppins to Broadway. This is a generation that is only getting started on many more unthinkable things. So before we are written off for having celebrity icons from the casts of Jersey Shore, Basketball Wives or The Real World, cut us some slack and agree that when major life-changing decisions need to be made, we come together and stand as a united front. Thirty years from now, when they look back at certain generations, they will say Generation Y was the generation of change. The ones that believed in themselves and did not take ‘no’ from anyone. A generation where a large number of them have been college-educated. The generation that brought the biggest change the world has seen since sliced-bread. Watch this space. Generation Y is calling shots now. http://www.facebook.com/myafricanastudies
10• ©KASA
A
©KASA• 11
fricana Studies is central to the University’s mission for increased global presence. This means a greater sense of global awareness within our campus community and increasing URI’s involvement in world communities. URI in Africa should be included in this initiative. How do we build relationships across such a vast continent? There are three specific ways that we can engage African dynamism: First, by understanding the African Diaspora and the profound connectedness of all peoples of African descent.: This includes Africans from the continent and people of African ancestry, dispersed throughout the world. This understanding will make a difference in the lives of African Americans, ennobling our sense of identity and capacity for greatness and help people relate to Africans, not as mysterious, exotic and inaccessible, but as a people of ancient history and tenacious spirit. This will help all of us to understand that we cannot mistreat African Americans and insist that we are global citizens simply because we travel to Africa as tourists, smile in their faces and then return home and justify a refusal to live equitably as American citizens. There is something definitely awry with this proverbial picture. Second, through collaborative research at all levels of scholarship including faculty, graduate and undergraduate engagement: Specifically, the Africana Studies Program is proposing a request for support for two graduate fellowships. This will enable sustained research within the Program. Third, by building relationships through cross-cultural exchange: The Study Abroad programs are central to this goal. At present, among other options, URI in Cape Verde and URI in Ghana are available to students. The Africana Studies Program would like to extend the offerings to URI in Kenya. We must prepare our students to meet the challenges of living in a complex world by helping them to embrace international representation right here on this campus. In http://www.facebook.com/myafricanastudies
a sense, the college experience is a microcosmic one, giving students the opportunity to learn about themselves, learn about others and how to live with others collaboratively and productively. They will need to be conversant in world affairs and understand the interface between culture, politics, religion and economics. As we graduate yet another class, let us re-think our commitments to our students. They are world-citizens. Let us make sure that they will have all of the skills and sensitivities needed to thrive. Ultimately, the case for increased global presence at URI includes an embrace of all cultures, ethnicities,races and international understanding, my job as advocate for the Africana Studies Program is to raise awareness and consciousness about African and African American cultures. Toward that end, Africana Studies needs the support of the entire URI community. Our classes are for all students. The lectures, events, performances etc…are for everyone! As an example, our keynote speaker for Black History Month was Attorney Marlen Bodden, the author of bestseller, The Wedding Gift. She connected so well with the campus community that URI has invited her back to be our commencement speaker! Our Readers’ Theater performance was standing room only – a spoken word performance of African American poetry and prose by a cast of students – Spanish, Asian, Native American, White and Black! Judging by the enthusiastic applause of the audience, the performers connected very well with the audience. To celebrate our graduates, The Africana Studies Program will host our second annual Graduation Day Breakfast…May 20th, 9am, 2nd floor Multicultural Center and this year we will give three awards to three of our top students and a community award to one of the first African American URI graduates, Mr. Harold Smith Sr. who later became a special assistant to the President here at URI. You are all invited. Please let Lauren, our administrative assistant know if you plan to attend by e-mailing to L_Bauer@mail.uri.edu. Africana Studies is committed to bringing more African and African American culture to URI. That is a mission worth enthusiastic advocacy, indeed!
VANESSA WYNDER QUAINOO
Director, AFRICANA STUDIES
http://www.facebook.com/myafricanastudies
12• ©KASA
Photo by SAMUEL ABOH JR. ©KASA• 13
http://www.facebook.com/myafricanastudies
A
s we approach the May 2012 commencement ceremonies, I am reminded of the inaugural ceremony when Barack Obama became the 44th President of the United States . On that historic day, the dreams and hopes of millions of people, throughout America and around the world, were realized and nations united in celebration of one shining moment that forever changed the course of America history. For African Americans, the election of Barack Obama to the Presidency of the United States was the realization of a dream that begin in slavery, that endured 100 years of Jim Crow segregation, and that culmination in the belief that Americans “will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character” (King,1963.). As we reflect on Obama’s Presidential election, it becomes evident that the United States is truly a remarkable and wonderful country – a nation where education, honesty, hard-work, and self-confidence are only some of the personal qualities that can help make dreams come true. Over the years, the American Dream “has proven to be amazingly elastic and durable” (Cullen, 2004). While it still reflects traditional values that were once embraced by the Pilgrims, the founding fathers, enslaved Africans, and millions of immigrants, it has undergone a sort of metamorphosis. Extending well beyond the principles of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, the American Dream no longer reflects Eurocentric cultural values, from a white-male perspective. Shaped and internalized by every American, regardless of race, class, gender, and creed, the American Dream now represents an ever-expanding spectrum of possibilities, both collective and individual. In the book “The Epic of America ,” written in the early years of the Great Depression, James T. Adams wrote: “The American Dream is that dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement. It is a difficult dream for the European upper classes to interpret adequately, and too many of us
ourselves have grown weary and mistrustful of it. It is a dream of social order in which each man and each woman shall be able to attain to the fullest stature for which they are innately capable, and be recognized by others for what they are, regardless of the fortuitous circumstances of birth or position” (Adams, 1931). While some may perceive the election of President Obama as the ideal embodiment of the American Dream, we must not be fooled into believing that everyone who takes the traditional, proven, and longheralded path to success can become all they want to be! Unfortunately, we still live in a society where deep seated beliefs and behaviors can make an Obama-like success story very difficult to achieve. We also live in a society where some of our most cherished institutions continue to divert aspiring Americans - young and old, rich and poor, black and white - from advancing confidently towards their dreams or the imagined life they so desperately desire. So, as you prepare to take your rightful place among the many college students who will graduate this May, remember - you are among the lucky ones. You are among the many individuals who have been able to forge a portion of the American dream for yourself and your family. But, what can you do to ensure that a college education becomes a living and meaningful reality for all those who have the audacity to dream the American Dream? What can you do, individually and collectively, to help create a society where the American Dream reflects the level of happiness and success envisioned by every American? One possible answer to these questions can be found in the words of Bill Clinton, former president of the United States , who once advised: “We need a new spirit of community, a sense that we are all in this together or the American Dream will continue to wither. Our destiny is bound up with the destiny of every other American.” (Clinton, 1997). Reflecting on the words of Bill Clinton, it is clear to me that if the American Dream is to truly become a living and meaningful reality for all who have the audacity to dream, then as college graduates you must, from this day forward, go into communities: · where the consequences of racial segregation, http://www.facebook.com/myafricanastudies 14• ©KASA
social isolation, and economic depravation continues to create concentrated unemployment; · where culturally destructive behaviors and attitudes adversely affect not only the outcomes and life chances of individual Americans, but the very integrity of the American family; · where the hopes and aspirations of poor men, women, and children are shattered by despair and uncertainty; · where children must contend with failing schools plagued by overcrowded classrooms, inadequate facilities, and few teachers who have confidence in the ability of their students to achieve even a measure of success; · where the few and the many are still being denied the historic principles of the American Dreams. And once you get there, you must not forget the difficult struggles you have endured over the past four years. Nor must you be satisfied with simply sitting among the political leaders or the decision-makers of these communities. On the advise of Frederick Douglass, you must not: “sit still, remain quiet, and enjoy ease and comfort. Instead, [you] must turn [your] back upon the ease, comfort, and respectability that [you enjoy]. [You] must go [into those communities] for the sake of our brethren - to suffer with them; to toil with them; to endure insult with them; to undergo outrage with them; to lift up [your] voices on their behalf; to speak and write in their vindication; and struggle in their ranks for the emancipation which shall yet be achieved by the power of truth and of principle for [all] oppressed people” who dare to dream the American Dream. (Douglass, 1847). So, as you prepare to leave the University of Rhode Island, with your degree in hand, and the knowledge, experience, and valued friendships developed over the past four years, remember - you must resolve to work not simply toward the realization of your own dreams, but toward the creation of a society described by Adams, envisioned by King, realized by Obama, and shared by all who have the audacity to dream their own version of the American Dream.
©KASA• 15
http://www.facebook.com/myafricanastudies
References Adams, J. T. (1931). The Epic of America . Blue Ribbon, NY. Clinton, B. (January 20, 1997) Second Presidential Inaugural Address (Washington, D. C.). Cullen, J. (2003). The American Dream: A Short History of an Idea that Shaped a Nation. Oxford University. Douglas, F. (March 30, 1847). “Farewell to the British People. ( London , England ). King, M. L. (August 28, 1963). “I Have A Dream” speech ( Washington ).
http://www.facebook.com/myafricanastudies
16• ©KASA
©KASA• 17
http://www.facebook.com/myafricanastudies
http://www.facebook.com/myafricanastudies
18• ©KASA
I
t is important to note that most of the students did not know each other prior to this interview, but they clicked right from the get-go. One would’ve thought they’d been old friends separated by some terrible fate, but for the memories stoppage in their hearts, their bond never waned. We shall not go into details about our selection process, but thanks to Miss Alice Odhiambo; her insightfulness is legend. Elizabeth Gaston-Balogun, pronounced [baluh-goon], is a shy and reserved English and Africana Studies major with a minor in Writing and Biology. She is also president of Uhuru Sasa, the oldest of the multicultural student organizations at the University of Rhode Island which also celebrated its 40th anniversary in April. Erese Fair, the complete reverse of Elizabeth, is fulsome and blunt. A Sociology major and Business minor, Erese was also a one-time member of the URI Girl’s Soccer team. Also in their ranks was Marissa Norman, a Psychology major with minors in Kinesiology and Sociology. She is also a member of the URI Women’s Track and Field team. Then, we had Anthony Malhoit whose countenance is such that all concerns are suspended from thought the longer one is in his presence. He is a Psychology major with minors in Africana Studies and Women’s Studies, and a member of the URI Men’s Basketball team. Then, there’s Tim Quainoo, a communications and Africana Studies major, he’s also president of the Sankofa Christian Club on campus. But here’s the real doozy: whereas four is the norm and even up to six for some students, Tim will be graduating after only three years of college. Students of color who wish to earn a bachelor’s degree often tend to experience some frustrations at predominantly White institutions. Each of the five mentioned, however, have excelled gloriously in the various areas of their college careers. For our first annual Graduation Issue and as classes drew to their close, KASA sat down with them to find out how they’ve each managed to overcome the odds and what their formula was for success. SAMUEL ABOH JR: How does it feel, truly, to be graduating? ANTHONY MALHOIT: Great. ERESE FAIR: A little nerve-racking. ELIZABETH BALOGUN: Exciting. ©KASA• 19
http://www.facebook.com/myafricanastudies
MARISSA NORMAN: Scary, when I think about how fast college went by, but exciting. TIM QUAINOO: I am both floored and honored… [Everybody laughs. The scene quickly turns into that of a Baptist church with Anthony crying out, “Amen, and Amen,” as if overcome by the Holy Spirit] ABOH: Was there ever a time during your college career where you doubted yourself or felt like you couldn’t make it to graduation? FAIR: I never doubted I’d make it to graduation, there were some times, however I doubted whether or not I’d meet all the goals I set for myself. BALOGUN: I did, when I switched my major in my junior year from Pre-med Bio to the various ones I hold now. QUAINOO: There were those days when I woke up in the morning and thought, “Man, am I going to make it through today,” but overall I never doubted that I’d make it to the end. There was perseverance. You had your moments where you’d cry or whatever, but you’d push on. ABOH: Is there [one] accomplishment that you’re really proud of? NORMAN: Getting into graduate school and winning an A10 conference meet in the pentathlon. BALOGUN: Overcoming my fear of public speaking, being able to leave my room. I owe all of this to Uhuru SaSa. I am still shy, I think, doing all that Sasa needs of me behind the scenes, but Sasa really helped lure me out of my shell. ABOH: How do you determine or evaluate success? MALHOIT: When I wake up in the morning and am happy with whom I see in the mirror, that’s how I determine success. [Everybody bursts into laughter] BALOGUN: I don’t think one can measure success, but if you’ve accomplished your goals at the end of the day… Continued on page 21
Photo by SAMUEL JR. 20•ABOH ©KASA
http://www.facebook.com/myafricanastudies
ABOH: Is there any specific person (advisor, coach, friend or family member) you’d like to acknowledge or credit for helping to get you to the end of your college career?
done that for me. FAIR: There were certain things that I knew about my history, but not the details. For example I didn’t about how the spirits of the slaves were broken and how slavery affected their psyche and is still affecting our psyche FAIR: Jill Doner and my parents for being so patient today. The way we as a people are today, the way we bewith me. have and interact with each other is definitely connected to those people in the past; our ancestors, and Africana QUAINOO: I want to thank Jesus—just for being Jesus. Studies has really helped to open my mind to that. I want to acknowledge my parents, DRS. Norman Barber, Felix Okeke-Ezigbo, Donald Cunningham [Malhoit ABOH: In your opinion then, why do you think it is concurs], Dean Earl N. Smith, and Provost DeHayes. central that Africana Studies transcend from the mere program that it is, into a viable department? MALHOIT: Shout out to my family, friends, and Shanette Harris. FAIR: Africa has influenced each and every body here, and there is no sovereignty or country or government NORMAN: My family and friends, and Alice Odhia- that Africa has not influenced. There’s not one country mbo. Whoop, Whoop!!! that I can think of that doesn’t have a relation to the continent, be it slavery or trade or even culture, and to BALOGUN: My elder brother Emmanuel, Ph.D. candi- deny that is a gross affront. The longer it remains a “prodate at the University of Delaware, and my grandpa. gram”, the longer that affront is upheld. ABOH: In your own words, what do you think URI has offered you that no other institution can match?
MALHOIT: What better way for the university to show its commitment to multiculturalism? I cannot think of any. I think it will be a great message to put out there by NORMAN: Diversity! I think it still needs work, but I making it a department. like the diversity here and the example the university is making about what it means to be in a diverse com- QUAINOO: The state of Africana Studies as a program munity. is a gross understatement of its capabilities as a legitimate academic practice. One cannot expect scholarship QUAINOO: For a state school, one has a lot of freedom to rise out of a program that is underfunded, underdeveland opportunity to customize your education in a way oped, under recognized, underappreciated [neglected]. that is unparalleled, especially with all the restrictions So long as Africana Studies is confined by the limitaplaced on them by the government. tions and stigma of being a program, if we can’t honor that “Think Big” slogan of ours and commitment global ABOH: How has Africana Studies prepared you for the scholarship, no one is going to take this university serireal world? ously—if you can’t receive love at home, how do you expect to get it abroad? QUAINOO: Africana Studies gives you a global perspective where because we’re dealing with all things ABOH: And now my last question for you all: where do African –you’re talking Afro-Caribbean, Afro-Hispanic, you hope to be in five years? African American, of course, Afro-European—anything and all things deriving from and pertaining to Africa. FAIR: On my own (hopefully I’ll have my first house Having something that’s so global and so interconnect- by that time), with my Paralegal degree, working for a ed is a tremendous benefit and privilege. corporation that’s going to pay for my law school. MALHOIT: Touching on what Tim said, it is important, QUAINOO: Definitely in a position of service, to be I think, as a Black male growing up in the United States, able to serve people and working on my doctorate. to know your history, and not just that but to know your Continued on page 26 [own] history. I think Africana Studies has definitely ©KASA• 21 http://www.facebook.com/myafricanastudies
Photo by SAMUEL ABOH JR.
http://www.facebook.com/myafricanastudies
22• ©KASA
Photo by• SAMUEL ABOH JR. ©KASA 23 http://www.facebook.com/myafricanastudies
Photo by SAMUEL ABOH JR.
http://www.facebook.com/myafricanastudies
24• ©KASA
By SAMUEL ABOH, JR. Photo by• SAMUEL ABOH JR. ©KASA 25 http://www.facebook.com/myafricanastudies
Continued from page 21 BALOGUN: Developed as a person. NORMAN: Working towards graduating with a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology MALHOIT: Alive and happy. ABOH: Excellent! And there we have it. Exit interviews: check; Tassels, caps and gowns: check; diploma frames, college rings: Check. Come May 20th, 2012, as these five students and the thousands of other seniors get ready to cross that stage, remember what Orrin Hatch once said, “There is a good reason they call these ceremonies ‘commencement exercises.’” Graduation is not the end. It’s the beginning.” We, here, at KASA would like to take this time to say, ‘Go ahead. Pat yourselves on the back. All of you. Congrats, Class of 2012! YOU DID IT!
Photo by SAMUEL JR. 26•ABOH ©KASA
http://www.facebook.com/myafricanastudies
©KASA• 27
http://www.facebook.com/myafricanastudies
On
March 5, 2012, an online video released titled “Kony 2012” caused a wave of controversy that may or may not have intended for people to bark and wag their tails. Within a month, the video was viewed almost 90 million times. Since 2004, the non-profit organization, The Invisible Children, began to focus their work on bringing attention to the activities of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) in Central Africa and its notorious leader, Joseph Kony. This particular video, directed by Jason Russell, was part of the organization’s campaign in urging people to globally take action by essentially making Kony famous and bringing him and the LRA to justice. The 30-minute video advocated people to contact their local representatives to press more powerful institutions to do something and/or convince friends to post all sorts of signs everywhere in their local area. The problem? It’s collective action among mainly Westerners who may not even be aware of the real events and history of the going-on’s of those people living in these Central African countries. “Kony 2012” talks about Uganda specifically and the atrocious acts committed by the LRA who have been known to abduct, abuse, and force children into being soldiers. Many critics have come out and spoken of its simplified way of explaining to the world the situation in Uganda and its neighboring countries. There are two ways people can look at the controversy over both the complexity of the Kony issue and the (un)intended effects of the campaign video. First, the critics denounced the way the organization had presented the problems of Uganda. Its complicated matters cannot be espoused in a 30-minute video. The criticism stems from the idea that it essentially had created a cause that persuaded thousands upon thousands of people to jump on a bandwagon financially supporting issues that may inadvertently end up hurting the children and families back in Uganda. In addition, as if adding insult to injury,
the cause seems to be focused on issues that are not currently relevant to the people of Uganda. It appears that the LRA and Kony issue has subsided over the years. However, to state this is not to marginalize the horrid acts of the group, but rather put things into perspective in order to grasp a true understanding of what really affects the Ugandan people and its neighbors. One YouTube user recorded a video expressing her opinions specifically in protest of the Kony 2012 campaign. She summed up much of what the sentiments are from critics who are knowledgeable of the problems of Central Africa, particularly Uganda. Sanyu, a UgandanAmerican, posted a video of herself immediately after the release of the campaign video discussing her discontent with the controversy and the reasons for not supporting The Invisible Children organization. In her viral post, she describes herself briefly and tells viewers that she frequents Uganda as both her parents were originally from there. “The last time I visited was in 2010. Now, when I went there, we had problems with the al-Qaeda terrorist group—not the LRA terrorist group which Kony is the leader of.” After nudging her parents about the Kony 2012 video, Sanyu recounts her mother exclaiming, “Kony died five years ago!” Although the statement made by her very own mother may be debatable, Sanyu continues to say that the LRA was formed 22 years ago when her parents were still residing in Uganda, and that the group “did their worst over ten years ago and they haven’t struck in six years.” Hence, she questions the significance and the timing of the release of the video made by The Invisible Children. “I looked into [the organization]. They make over $13 million a year as a company and 31% of their donations actually go to the causes.” Further musing the situation and the financial connections, Sanyu with a bit of her own background research insinuates that the money going towards the Ugandan government and military may not even help http://www.facebook.com/myafricanastudies
28• ©KASA
since Joseph Kony and the LRA may have left the country long ago. In addition, she poses the question: If funds are going directly to the government of Uganda and its military but the LRA aren’t within Ugandan territory, what is the purpose of the money then since their military cannot cross country boundaries to find Kony and his group? It’s a fair thought to give. Thus, it leads to raise a myriad of questions, like ‘How do organizations handle their funds?,’ ‘Who are they targeting for donations?,’ and “Is information given to the public relevant to the intended country’s current state of affairs?’ There is complacency in the West. People dole out cash to supposedly help those who need it but they don’t do the research of where it really goes to and how it will affect the people they aim to help. Organizations like The Invisible Children may appear to many skeptics to be a scam preying on naïve, philosophical, go-getter mentality types of people but it may be a healthy skepticism. These targeted individuals who donate money would probably be comfortable sitting in their air-conditioned homes eating Doritos and let these big organizations like The Invisible Children handle the problem, because they are satiated with the idea of lending a “helping hand” (i.e. donating money) to the needy and suffering people. The second way to view this whole situation is that the organization may have truly caused people to talk—not necessarily reach for their pockets though. There is an unintended (or maybe it is intended knowing how political/ social agendas can be) effect. Critics have frantically penned articles and drew themselves to the airwaves to protest against this Kony issue. Media plays a great part of questioning and investigating businesses and organizations. This element in society does some good service to our citizens who may be naïve enough to believe every thing they see online. Practically, anyone can post videos on the Internet and spread some sort of message to the masses freely. It’s very ©KASA• 29
http://www.facebook.com/myafricanastudies
simple. However, in order to protect the unwitting people, the media has to do a very good job: raise fair questions about how these organizations are handling the funds and what type of impacts are they having based on independent research. For The Invisible Children, they have received both backlash and support. Just a month after the Kony 2012 video came out, the organization released another video, “Kony 2012: Part II—Beyond Famous,” despite the controversy surrounding director Jason Russell and the criticism of campaign legitimacy. It was a subtle response to the criticisms the organization received but undoubtedly, the cause already has been muddied by the controversy. The one definite thing that is largely positive is that the conversation still continues rather than allowing people to experience complacency. With technology at the hands of the youth nowadays, activism has diversified and magnified. If there is any real awareness to be made, it should be on the willingness for people to not only hear and see but to do their part in understanding how to truly help a cause. It is too simple to jump on a bandwagon and say, ‘I’ve helped out because I paid $30 for an action kit and now I will let everyone know about Kony.’ The importance of many social networking sites today coupled with a disastrous bombardment of news around the clock highlights how people have only obsessed with trying to do something but not actually doing it. Unfortunately, they have lost themselves in a stupor of mental masturbation over issues they read and hear about daily. In other words, it doesn’t help to just dwell on ideas but instead people should help evolve it to the next step in taking real action in order to have a wellinformed purpose with valuable outcomes. As good as this advice sounds, it’s probably too much effort for the majority of people. That’s why there is complacency in just handing out money, which really is almost like doing nothing at all. Reality check, please!
http://www.facebook.com/myafricanastudies
30• ©KASA
http://www.facebook.com/myafricanastudies
31• ©KASA
http://www.facebook.com/myafricanastudies
32• ©KASA
C
raciun (Christmas) is a time when many traditions take place in Romania. I attended a pig slaughtering for the coming of winter, looking on as they blow-torched the animal’s fur, removed its organs, and measured its spleen to see if we would have a long winter. The spleen was long and Romania received the most snow in over fifty years, the Danube River froze over, and some volunteers were not able to leave their sites for months. I traveled north to Singeorz Bai, watching in wonder as hundreds of children came to sing Christmas carols in the village—some arriving in goat masks, with candles, and all singing about Craciun. They were invited in by kind teachers who offered them Vin Fiert-spicy wine-, cookies, and drinks. After that, I took a train with a travelling band. Some of whom were bedazzled with jewels from head to toe, colorful goat heads with doilies, and dressed in bear costumes. “Sokares?” (How are you?) They greeted me in Tiganeshte (Romani), a language spoken by the Roma, an ethnic group of Northern Indian and European descent. Later, they would play accordions, drums, and trumpets for me as children made their way up and down the length of the train with a ceremonial Christmas stick with flowers, singing Sorcova, a holiday song: “Sorcova Vesela, sa traiti sa infloriti, ca un mar, ca un par, ca un fir de trandafir, tare ca piatra, ©KASA• 33 http://www.facebook.com/myafricanastudies
iute ca sageata, tare ca fieru, iute ca otelu, la anu si, la multi ani!” As the New Year’s time approached, I heard what sounded like fire crackers going off outside of my apartment. I ran outside and discovered that it was a bunch of men in large fir hats, what looked to be white skirts with clothes pins, cow bells, and red sashes tied around their heads like bandanas who were hollering Romanian rhymes while cracking the air with horse-hair whips. They were pulling a large wheel barrow with a Christmas tree in it that was covered with colorful strips of paper and a big star at the top made of aluminum foil. Sometimes, when they yelled rhymes loud enough, people from as high as 10-20 stories up would holler down at them and throw them money out of their bloc apartment windows. I was so excited at having learned about Romanian Holiday Traditions that I decided to teach my students some American holidays. The day we arrived back to school was MLK Day. Hence, I decided to give my students a lesson another Peace Corps Volunteer, Breanna Curry, had written on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., giving a brief biography and having them read the ‘I Have a Dream’ speech, in order to teach them about an American Holiday. My students had many questions such as: “What is race?”, “Why was segregation in http://www.facebook.com/myafricanastudies
34• ©KASA
America in the first place?”, “Why were White people acting that way?”, “Why didn’t Black people fight back?” What began as a simple lesson, turned into a series of discussions and explanations of Civil Rights History. Often times, in addition to discussing Civil Rights, we would also discuss other social issues in the world, such as how Romanians were viewed by Italian, French, and other Western European nationalities and how to go about coping with and changing prejudices towards Romanians by their Western neighbors. As snow turned cars to mere lumps in the drifts, wind wailed from the center of town into the neighborhoods and blocs, and dogs curled up beneath the piles so that one could only observe their noses breathing vapor out of the snow; my students discussed content of character, prejudices in their community, and how to make social change in the world. At one point, one of my students asked me what the Ku Klux Klan was. In order to make it culturally relevant, I responded that the KKK were kind of like what the Nazis were for Europe. Then I showed them a Civil Rights video of White policemen, firemen, and civilians attacking African-Americans in Birmingham, Alabama in order to illustrate what Dr. King was reacting to when he gave his speech. However, there must have been a mis-communication along the way because when reading the ‘I Have a Dream’ speech, one of my students said, “ . . . I have a dream that one day little black boys and little black girls will hold hand with . . . Hitler . . .” I, as a teacher, learned a lot about cross-cultural communication and exchanges through these discussions. During the discussions, I had some questions for my students as well about how Dr. King’s speech was relevant to Romania today. We discussed and debated over how various ethnic groups, such as the Roma, who were historically enslaved and stigmatized, were perceived in Romania. At certain points in the discussions, I could tell some of my students were uncomfortable and didn’t want to talk anymore. However, by the end, my students were interested in learning about people who were different than them and curious about social issues in their own country. As a final assignment for the lesson on Dr. King, I had my students write their own ‘I Have a Dream’ speeches for the class. Here are a couple excerpts from their writing: “ . . . Some societies evolve, other societies in©KASA• 35 http://www.facebook.com/myafricanastudies
volve . . . But I have a dream and no, dreams aren’t just in sleep. I have a dream of making change, of bringing a shy smile on poor children’s faces, of comforting broken hearts and healing people’s deep wounds. I have a dream of preparing a better world for the next generations, built on warm words and good intentions, on love, faith in God and sincerity. I have a dream of changing something, no matter [if] I’m just a child. I have a dream of making everyone smile. There are a lot of unlucky people in this world: people who are working everyday for some bread and milk, broken teenagers who are going to school and, in the same time, who are trying to get some food for their family, children who can’t go to school, poor orphans who smile like they are the happiest people alive when the receive a broken, old toy. All of them deserve love, no matter their skin, gender, age, religion, nationality. Of course, we can’t give them the things they lost for forever, but we can try to fill the blank space. I have a dream of acceptance. We are all humans, we have equal rights, we all have a heart and feelings, and we must respect each other. There are people who have had the bad luck of being born with a disability, with a handicap . . . they deserve the same respect like a successful businessman, like they deserve love, our help and our acceptance. Maybe we are different because of our gender, skin, religion, nationality, but we are still equal and, most important, we are brothers and sisters in God’s eyes. I have a dream of correctness. I want to see this nations leaded by correct, honest men, who should make us proud of being part of those states’ citizenships. I want to hear “Sorry.” and “I forgive you.” said from soul, I want to see lies disappearing slowly, I want truth to conquer. Maybe the listeners are thinking that I’m trying to build a utopia here, but this is impossible. I just want a better world, and I know maybe everyone wants this . . .” -Potocea Tanya, 8th Grade “I have a Dream. I have a dream [in] our country [things are going] to be otherwise. I have a dream [that] in this country things are different. This is because until now [it] was not good for anyone. Many people were tired, many people couldn’t live,
many people have suffered. All this is for the country’s leadership [because] it wasn’t right for us all, for the Romanian people.” – Stan Marius, 8th Grade. As we finished out section on Dr. Martin Luther King, the seasons changed. Winter ended and spring in Romania began when the first flowers, Snow Drops, peeped out of the snow heaped on the side of the road even as the last few blizzards raged around Ploiesti. I discovered more Romanian traditions as women received flowers and pins for good luck; people choose their personalities and decide whether their year will be good based on the weather; and eggs appeared for Easter, painted red in remembrance of when Christ’s blood dripped on the eggs Maria Magdalena (Mary Magdalene) carried as she saw him crucified. Now, as I write this article, Mourning Doves coo outside the window of my apartment, Daffodils, Daisies, and Tulips are in full bloom, the trees are full of leaves; the International Jazz Festival will be beginning in a week with performers from a myriad of countries: Burkina Faso, Cuba, Israel, Austria, Spain, Belgium, Poland, South Africa, and the United States, to name a few; and theatrical performances, celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Ion Caragiale, Ploiesti’s famed story teller, are fully booked at the local theater. Hearing of people coming from far and wide to Romania to play music gave me hope that the prejudices towards Romania would end as I began my own trip to another country that once epitomized the advantages of multi-culturalism and integration. I traveled east to Istanbul and Ankara in Turkey over the spring break and prayed in mosques so enormous they dwarfed the rest of the city which sprawled across both European and Asian continents, separated only by the Bosphorous Strait. The Blue Mosque, Basilica Cistern, and Hagia Sophia are among the many wonders of the city. “Marehaba” (hello) people greeted, in Turkish, while I explored their civilization, wandering through the spice bazaars, ancient ruins, and whirling dervish performances. As the historical trading center of the world, Istanbul became a multicultural Mecca where Africans, Asians, and Europeans met for business. Still, to this day, Muslims, Christians, and Jews grow up side by side in Istanbul’s neighborhoods down the street from the Topkapi Palace Museum where the teeth and beard of the prophet Muhammed, the rod of Moses, and the skull and arm
of St. John the Baptist can be found. Even in a time when holy wars were not uncommon, slavery was occurring in the Balkans, and kings slaughtered hundreds for imperial expansion; there were places where people of different nationalities, ethnicities, and religions could come together and hold power and influence by peacefully celebrating their diversity and exchanging knowledge. As I stood in the Hagia Sophia, a holy structure with Cathedralesque, Synagogue-ish, and Mosque-like architecture, influence, and paintings; I thought back to the ending of Dr. King’s speech, “And when this happens, when we allow freedom ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God’s children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual: Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!” In a city like Istanbul, the true magnificence of Dr. King’s Speech can be fathomed and gives me hope as an American and citizen of the world. Currently, my students and I are discussing the poem, ‘I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings’, by Dr. Maya Angelou and will be comparing it to songs by female rappers such as ‘Come into my House’ by Queen Latifah and ‘The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill’ by Lauryn Hill. We will discuss the expression of freedom, civil rights, and feminism for the end of the year. As the weather changes towards a summer heat that envelopes the city, I will be challenging my students to critically think about themselves, their community, and how to create a paradigm for freedom. In the Topkapi Palace Museum, I gazed upon the sword of Stefan Cel Mare, who once defended Romania from the invading Ottoman Turks with violence. It occurred to me that even now we are living in a world where peaceful leaders are only beginning to become celebrated, popularized, and taught to children. I am proud to say that some of my own children are among those peaceful leaders and I would like to end with the final lines from my student, Tanya Potocea, in her ‘I Have a Dream’ speech: “A dream supposes work to make it true. For this, we all have to unite, to hold hands and share love, to show off our good intentions and . . . yes, to make it happen.” http://www.facebook.com/myafricanastudies 36• ©KASA
.ABU BAKR.
KASA sits down with the Interim Associate Vice President for Community, Equity & Diversity Executive Assistant to the President of URI, as he ponders achievements, family, and what he most dislikes about life. Photo by SAMUEL ABOH JR.
ŠKASA• 37
http://www.facebook.com/myafricanastudies
What is your idea of perfect happiness? Perfect contentment and satisfaction with self OR Seeing and experiencing the happiness of another person. Satisfaction with self brings a smile within. Another person’s happiness can bring tears to my eyes. When were you at your happiest? Being with and watching my sons with their sons. Which historical figure do you most identify with? Probably not one but when asked I always think of Jackie Robinson, Sojourner Truth, Martin Luther King, and Malcolm X. What is the trait you most deplore in yourself? Tendency to make decisions in the best interest of others while denying my own. It is a dilemma (see 1st question). What is the trait you most deplore in others? Inflexibility. What is your biggest mistake? Not paying attention to my inner voice. What do you consider the most overrated virtue? If by virtue you mean what would generally be considered a desirable characteristic of a person then I would say physical beauty and wealth are most overrated. If by virtue you mean characteristics associated with high moral standards, then no virtue is overrated. On what occasion would you lie? To protect someone else’s feelings. Which living person do you most despise? I can strongly disagree with people, but I don’t despise anyone as a person. In spite of differences, I believe people have admirable qualities with which I can relate and find likeable. Which talent wold you most like to have? The ability to make music and to create a story with words. I had my opportunity to make music and now I would like to write. What do you dislike about your appearance? As a man gets older, the list gets longer, but so does self-acceptance. What do you respect about your enemies? Their humanity. What is love? There are many kinds. All emanate from an ability to accept someone for who they are. What is your current state of mind? Blissful. What is fear? Two kinds of fear for me. Being alone in a room with a lion with no possible escape, that’s one kind. It’s visceral. The other kind is a choice and a state of mind. What do you think is this country’s biggest mistake? Continuing to believe that the way to be successful and elevate oneself generally and in the face of adversity is to denigrate the humanity, dignity and prosperity (not material prosperity) of others. As a Black man, the legacy of racism is this country’s biggest mistake. As a man, it is the legacy of the subjugation of those less powerful by the people of power. What do you consider your greatest achievement? I haven’t achieved it yet. How and where do you find inspiration? It’s all around me like air – I just have to be open to recognizing it. Where do you go to find courage? Any person doesn’t have to search for courage. It is within our hearts and our convictions. Be true to your heart and convictions and courage will always be with you. What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery? I grew up poor but never poor in spirit. I have had moments of profound sadness but misery? No. To realize that I could never see or hug or kiss my family again, perhaps. I have not yet experienced that loss in my life. What is your most treasured possession? The love of my loved ones. How do you show others that you believe in them? To give them the space to succeed as well as fail on their own terms and continue to love and support them. Have you ever been hurt? Sure! Such is life. What is your weakness? Sweet, soft red candy. What do you do to challenge your underlying beliefs, paradigms and assumptions? Listen. If you could choose what to come back as, what would it be? A younger, wiser version of myself. What is your favorite occupation? The one I do now and will do next and not necessarily for money. What is the quality you most like in a woman? Understanding how to love and be loved. The courage and willingness to love herself. The ability to see, understand and accept the most important things from someone else’s point of view. What is the quality you most like in a man? Same thing. What does it [mean] to be a man? Same thing. What do you most value in your friends? Same thing. Who are your favorite writers? I try to read many different authors. Last year is was Melville; this year it was Toure; I’ve read King, Fanon, and Ludlum; I emulate Walter Moseley and have been mesmerized by Stieg Larsson. The written word is addictive and I like to experience as much and as many writers as I can. What is it that you most dislike about life? The older I become and the more beautiful life is, the closer and faster I come to the point when it must end. It is one hell of an irony. What is the best advice you ever received? Probably the advice that I did not follow and regretted it afterwards. I hope it comes again when I next need advice. I have gotten so much sage advice it’s hard to pinpoint one thing. Right now, I am remembering a good piece of advice I received from Carmine Calzonetti when I was playing professional basketball in France. Changed my career overnight. Also, I am remembering Wilhelmina Boyd, who was my instructor for a Black lit course at URI. She simply said, “you can do better,” and I did. And my father, as a responsible Black man, advised me that as a Black man in this country, that good is not good enough. He taught me to strive to be “twice as good.” What is your motto? I don’t have a motto. There are a lot of great words to live by. If I had to pick one, I would go with the Serenity Prayer http://www.facebook.com/myafricanastudies 38• ©KASA
http://www.facebook.com/myafricanastudies
39• ©KASA
http://www.facebook.com/myafricanastudies
40• ©KASA
http://www.facebook.com/myafricanastudies
41• ©KASA
http://www.facebook.com/myafricanastudies
42• ©KASA
http://www.facebook.com/myafricanastudies
43• ©KASA