When two elephants fight, it is the grass that gets trampled. ~ Swahili saying
2 | A fight between grasshoppers is a joy to the crow. ~ Lesotho proverb
Knowledge without wisdom is like water in the sand. ~ Guinean proverb
12th Anniversary of National Caribbean-American Heritage Month In June 2005, the House of Representatives unanimously adopted H. Con. Res. 71, sponsored by Congresswoman Barbara Lee, recognizing the significance of Caribbean people and their descendants in the history and culture of the United States. On February 14, 2006, the resolution similarly passed the Senate, culminating a two-year, bipartisan and bicameral effort. The Proclamation was issued by President George Bush on June 6, 2006. Since the declaration, the White House has issued an annual proclamation recognizing June as Caribbean-American Heritage Month. This year marks the eighth anniversary of June as National Caribbean American Heritage Month. The campaign to designate June as National Caribbean American Heritage Month, was spearheaded by Dr. Claire Nelson, Founder and President of the Institute of Caribbean Studies. Through the commemoration of this month, we hope to ensure that America is reminded that its greatness lies in its diversity, with Caribbean immigrants from founding father Alexander Hamilton, to journalist Malcolm Gladwell, who have shaped the American dream.
Meet 5 World Renowned Caribbean Scientists 1. The Hon. Prof Anthony Chen, OM – Atmospheric Physics “As a professor, Chen conducted extensive research in the areas of Atmospheric Physics & Meteorology, Environmental and Energy Studies and General Physics.” 2. Prof. Louis Grant, M.D., C.H., M.P.H., DIP BACT., FAPHA, F.C. PATH, F.A.A.N “his work led to the isolation of the dengue virus which ravaged Jamaica in the 1960’s. The results of such instigations and research lead to global acclaim as scientists all over the word began taking note and adopting Grant’s findings, innovations, and methodologies.” 3. Dr. Marcia Roye, Biochemist “Through her research she has tackled the origins of numerous infectious diseases in an effort to develop control strategies as well as curing agents.” 4. Roger S. Pulwarty, Atmospheric Physics “Pulwarty is known for his work as a contributor to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) which earned him the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007.” 5. Dr. Ivan Chang Yen, Analytical Chemistry “well-known for his research on heavy metals and for pioneering work on the fingerprinting of crude oils in land and marine environments.”
(continue reading more on http://issuu.com/visitblackhouston)
A man who uses force is afraid of reasoning. ~Kenyan proverb | 3
A wise person will always find a way. ~ Tanzanian proverb
CARICOM Reparations ten-point plan
Ten Point Action Plan Introduction
In 2013 Caribbean Heads of Governments established the Caricom Reparations Commission [CRC] with a mandate to prepare the case for reparatory justice for the region’s indigenous and African descendant communities who are the victims of Crimes against Humanity [CAH] in the forms of genocide, slavery, slave trading, and racial apartheid. This document, prepared by the CRC, proposes the delivery of this mandate within the formulation of the Caricom Reparations Justice Program [CRJP]. The CRC asserts that victims and descendants of these CAH have a legal right to reparatory justice, and that those who committed these crimes, and who have been enriched by the proceeds of these crimes, have a reparatory case to answer. The CRJP recognizes the special role and status of European governments in this regard, being the legal bodies that instituted the framework for developing and sustaining these crimes. These governments, furthermore, served as the primary agencies through which slave based enrichment took place, and as national custodians of criminally accumulated wealth.
THE CRC ASSERTS THAT EUROPEAN GOVERNMENTS: • • • • • • • •
Were owners and traders of enslaved Africans Instructed genocidal actions upon indigenous communities Created the legal, financial and fiscal policies necessary for the enslavement of Africans Defined and enforced African enslavement and native genocide as in their ‘national interests’ Refused compensation to the enslaved with the ending of their enslavement Compensated slave owners at emancipation for the loss of legal property rights in enslaved Africans Imposed a further one hundred years of racial apartheid upon the emancipated Imposed for another one hundred years policies designed to perpetuate suffering upon the emancipated and survivors of genocide • And have refused to acknowledge such crimes or to compensate victims and their descendants
Context
The CRC is committed to the process of national international reconciliation. Victims and their descendants have a duty to call for reparatory justice. Their call for justice is the basis of the closure they seek to the terrible tragedies that engulfed humanity during modernity. The CRC comes into being some two generations after the national independence process, and finds European colonial rule as a persistent part of Caribbean life. The CRC operates within the context of persistent objection from European governments to its mandate. The CRC, nonetheless, is optimistic that the CRJP will gain acceptance as a necessary path to progress. The CRC sees the persistent racial victimization of the descendants of slavery and genocide as the root cause of their suffering today. The CRC recognizes that the persistent harm and suffering experienced today by these victims as the primary cause of development failure in the Caribbean. (continued on page 13)
4 | Wisdom is not like money to be tied up and hidden. ~ Akan proverb
Knowledge without wisdom is like water in the sand. ~ Guinean proverb
A man who uses force is afraid of reasoning. ~Kenyan proverb | 5
A wise person will always find a way. ~ Tanzanian proverb
6 | Wisdom is not like money to be tied up and hidden. ~ Akan proverb
Knowledge without wisdom is like water in the sand. ~ Guinean proverb
A man who uses force is afraid of reasoning. ~Kenyan proverb | 7
A wise person will always find a way. ~ Tanzanian proverb
8 | Wisdom is not like money to be tied up and hidden. ~ Akan proverb
Ears that do not listen to advice, accompany the head when it is chopped off. ~African Proverb
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A wise person will always find a way. ~ Tanzanian proverb
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A man who uses force is afraid of reasoning. ~Kenyan proverb | 11
A wise person will always find a way. ~ Tanzanian proverb
12 | Wisdom is not like money to be tied up and hidden. ~ Akan proverb
Knowledge without wisdom is like water in the sand. ~ Guinean proverb It calls upon European governments to participate in the CRJP with a view to prepare these victims and sufferers for full admission with dignity into the citizenry of the global community. The CRC here outlines the path to reconciliation, truth, and justice for VICTIMS AND THEIR DESCENDANTS.
CRJP: Ten Point Action Plan
1. FULL FORMAL APOLOGY The healing process for victims and the descendants of the enslaved and enslavers requires as a precondition the offer of a sincere formal apology by the governments of Europe. Some governments in refusing to offer an apology have issued in place Statements of Regrets. Such statements do not acknowledge that crimes have been committed and represent a refusal to take responsibility for such crimes. Statements of regrets represent, furthermore, a reprehensible response to the call for apology in that they suggest that victims and their descendants are not worthy of an apology. Only an explicit formal apology will suffice within the context of the CRJP. 2. REPATRIATION Over 10 million Africans were stolen from their homes and forcefully transported to the Caribbean as the enslaved chattel and property of Europeans. The transatlantic slave trade is the largest forced migration in human history and has no parallel in terms of man’s inhumanity to man. This trade in enchained bodies was a highly successful commercial business for the nations of Europe. The lives of millions of men, women and children were destroyed in search of profit. The descendants of these stolen people have a legal right to return to their homeland. A Repatriation program must be established and all available channels of international law and diplomacy used to resettle those persons who wish to return. A resettlement program should address such matters as citizenship and deploy available best practices in respect of community re-integration. 3. INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM The governments of Europe committed genocide upon the native Caribbean population. Military commanders were given official instructions by their governments to eliminate these communities and to remove those who survive pogroms from the region. Genocide and land appropriation went hand in hand. A community of over 3,000,000 in 1700 has been reduced to less than 30,000 in 2000. Survivors remain traumatized, landless, and are the most marginalized social group within the region. The University of the West Indies offers an Indigenous Peoples Scholarship in a desperate effort at rehabilitation. It is woefully insufficient. A Development Plan is required to rehabilitate this community. 4. CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS European nations have invested in the development of community institutions such as museums and research centers in order to prepare their citizens for an understanding of these CAH. These facilities serve to reinforce within the consciousness of their citizens an understanding of their role in history as rulers and change agents. There are no such institutions in the Caribbean where the CAH were committed. Caribbean schoolteachers and researchers do not have the same opportunity. Descendants of these CAH continue to suffer the disdain of having no relevant institutional systems through which their experience can be scientifically told. This crisis must be remedies within the CJRP. (continue reading the entire article on http://issuu.com/visitblackhouston) A man who uses force is afraid of reasoning. ~Kenyan proverb | 13
A wise person will always find a way. ~ Tanzanian proverb
HAITI MAKES HISTORY BY HOSTING THE LARGEST TECH EVENT IN THE CARIBBEAN Haiti makes history by hosting the largest annual gathering of innovators at the Haiti Tech Summit Port Au Prince, Haiti- January 4, 2017- In an effort to accelerate startups from emerging markets, the Global Startup Ecosystem will be hosting major summits in developing countries across the globe. Haiti will be the first within this 13 year initiative, hosting the largest annual gathering of innovators addressing humanity’s grandest challenges with over 100 global speakers. The central theme of the global summit is to “catalyze startup ecosystems in emerging markets”. Day one is centered on “Drivers of startup ecosystems” with a deep dive look at the contributions of VC fund managers, angel investors, accelerators, incubators and media reporters on tech innovation hubs around the world. Day two is centered on “Disruptors of startup economies” with an analysis exponential technologies in transforming future industries via Ai, virtual reality, genomics, robotics, space, etc. The event announcement was made on the eve of Haiti’s 2010 earthquake anniversary and was shared by over 423,000 supporters within 24 hours. (read more on
http://issuu.com/visitblackhouston)
Chronological List for Independence of Caribbean Countries Country
Haiti Dominican Republic Cuba Jamaica Trinidad and Tobago Guyana Barbados The Bahamas Grenada Suriname Dominica Saint Lucia St. Vincent and the Grenadines Belize Antigua and Barbuda St. Kitts and Nevis
Date of Independence 01 January 1804 27 February 1844 20-May-1902 6-August-1962 31-August-1962 26-May-1966 30-November-1966 10-July-1973 7-February-1974 25-November-1975 3-November-1978 22-February-1979 27-October-1979 21-September-1981 1-November-1981 19-September-1983
14 | Wisdom is not like money to be tied up and hidden. ~ Akan proverb
Previous colony of France Haiti Spain United Kingdom United Kingdom United Kingdom United Kingdom United Kingdom United Kingdom The Netherlands United Kingdom United Kingdom United Kingdom United Kingdom United Kingdom United Kingdom
No one gets a mouthful of food by picking between another person’s teeth. ~Igbo Proverb
An abundance of food at your neighbour’s will not satisfy your hunger. ~Bayaka Proverb| 15