PAID February 1994 UC San Diego's African-American Newspaper

U.S. POSTAGE PAID LA JOLLA,CA.

February 1994 UC San Diego’s African-American Newspaper

t. The People’sVoice Mission :. The. Voic_....__ee (based on "The People’s Voice Manifesto,’ ~ag...~, TPVVol. 15, ...... No.1, Feb.92) i,, Editorials... The People’sVoice ) Ourmission: Vol.16 No.1 New visions institutionallyracist, but there’s nothing anyone can thosethat do aregetting paid very well. Well maybe do aboutit becausechange is unthinkabletoday. We notthat much, but enough to keepthem complacent. By Paul Beaudry 1) We willeducate and uplift the African-American peoples in gen- needsegregation, blatant racism, and some2000 WAKE UPI!!I!!! lynchingsper yearagain before anybody will do eral.We planto reportpast and current news, and offer commentary on Editors PaulBeau&y, editor-in-chief YEAH,TPV IS IN THEHOUSE! ! ! ! Helloto allyou anything.In themeantime let’s ask the government Thisis a partof thereality that we facetoday and it’s thestate of African-American affairs. oldfans, and welcome for all you new fans. TPV is for anothersocial program so we can he more timeto start being pro-active about your attitudes (as We supportand uplift African-Americans in general, and particu- DeniseCarter backon theblock and we havea newstaff, new ideas, dependenton frees*#t. No, the plantation days are opposedto beingre-active after you’ve been jacked). larlythose on UCSD’scampus. In an eraof decliningenrollment of JamesPatterson andsome new directions we would like to pursue.It’s overand thosedumb niggers over there that are Howare our G.P.A.’s? How is ourenrollment in the African-Americansat UCSD and abroad, we arefully committed to in- greatto seebow many people wanted to seeTPV back studyingtheir heritage are running their mouths Universityof California? When was the last time we BusinessManager in fulleffect and supported us as we worked24-7 (or againabout doing something African. Africa is on encourageda high school student to attendcollege and creasingthe enrollment and retention of African-Americans.We are theother side of theplanet, I don’tknow anybody maintainhigh marks in school?When was thelast DeniseCarter at leastsome of us did)to get a paperout before the committedto educating students on theirhistory, heritage, and legacy. In end of BlackHistory Month (the shortest month of thatlives there, and I haveno plansof evervisiting, timewe read a book,saw a movie,or eventalked about anera of increasingracism, we stand as a bastionagainst further spread of theyear). If youcan believe it, this project came so who cares? a high-achievingBlackman or Blackwoman?When racismof any sort, and we are fully committed to educating all students StaffAdvisor togethervery quickly, and the staff and editors were wasthe last time we educateda non-black friend about concerningthe accomplishments andachievements of the Diaspora (the MarvilaMadrid ableto getthe newspaper re-chartered, a constitution Blacksaren’t unified, we don’ttalk to eachother, achievementsin Afri~lture?Or do we evenknow re-written,articles in, business contacts connected, a lighter-skinnedbrothers and sisters have it easy, they enoughto sayanything? peopleof African descent). networkestablished (homies and all), and a paperout aren’tpure African blood anyway, and nobody likes StaffWriters and Poets in recordtime. beingBlack except to complainabout what they Thetime to start learning about the real world is NOW. 2) We areagainst discrimination of all forms, whether it bediscrimi- HelaneAdams, Dean Felton, Charlie Glover, don’thave and whatthey can get whenthey’re Whilewe’re in a universityenvironment, we have nationbased on immutable characteristics, lifestyle, preferences, orcul- StephaanHarris, Gaye Johnson, Jill Logan, Mikey Justsix weeksago Jamesand I weresitting down sexuallyexcited. Black people are too damn lazy to accessto a numberof brilliantprofessors, supportive ture. hammeringout a planof attackfor our AASUAm- plananything like a revolution,because now that we facultyand staff, a hugeuniversity liberty, and a Printer bassadorspresentation we plan give for Spring quar- canwork in previouslywhite-only positions, we’re numberof on-campusclubs and local organizations (1)too busy trying to makeenough money to buy whoare dedicated to upliftYOU!!! (Yeah, I know Trident-WebOffset Printing teron theproblems facing the Blackman today. We 3) We aspireto makea differencein the state of affairs affecting wouldhit one topic after another and then go offona Europeancar or spendthat money on whitedesigner soundlike a UCSDcommercial, so I’ll quit while I’m African-Americans.We donot intend to bea reflectionof traditional news tangent.Every issue we talkedabout was deep and labelsso wecan look hip. Either that or we’re (2) too stillahead). The point I’m trying to make is don’tbe bias,but to bea reflectionofthe genuine achievements of African-Ameri- SpecialThanks we hada lotof strongexperiences tied to them.He’s busytrying to moochsome money and a placeto stay afraidto beginyour African education while you’re cans.We seeka morepositive and authentic portrayal of African-Ameri- AlethiaNancoo, Sean Banks, Victoria Valle, 100%and I’m Mulatto.I’m from ’Frisco and he’s froma tolerantrelative or friendto seehow long we stillhere. Don’t take these resources for granted; canget by withoutdoing anything. peoplebefore our time have died just so we canclaim cans,offering alternative interpretations totraditional media. MarciaStrong, Randy Wooter, Bik-na Park, fromOrange County. He transferredfrom a commu- nitycollege, and I transferredfrom a. university.I thatwe areuniversity students. That’s quite an honor AnthericaEmerson, Craig Dawson, Curtis Will- read constantlyand he’s a big TV man. But we There’sa third classification; they’re right in the anda responsibili~,whenyou think about it. We are 4) Understandingthat unity is requiredfor any goal involving any iams,Brain Slack, D.A., James Cheatham, George definitely,agreed on onepoint-- as a whole,today’s middle.They work at stealingfrom their own com- thenew future, the new leadership of our communities groupof people,we wouldlike to beseen and used as a toolto accomplish Lewis,Conley Major, Dr. John Warren, Chris youngBlacks in collegeare toocomfortable. Not munitiesand neighborhoods, so basically they’re a at home.We needto takethe opportunity to learn thatgoal. As a campusmedia representing students of color,African- Findley,Maureen Davis, God, all of thepast TPV exactlyfinancially, butmentally we’ ve alreadypicked moochthat forces their proposal, possibly at the whilewe stillhave the chance.There is a lotof expenseof yourlife (but occasionally they’ll shoot learningto do nowand a lotuplifting to do whenwe Americansin particular, wefeel obligated and take pride in amplifyingthe staff(back to 77), and all the staff at V_.Q/,..,F_I.Q.IIIg~ ourplace in society(be it highor low),and we expect thatwhen we graduate,it will be there. youanyway). And that’sthe Blackcommunity in graduate,so we needto getready and prepare our- "Voices of the People," thus e.~. nutshellladies and gentlemen, and they never lived selves. Notonly are we committedto destroyingthe ignorance which Someof us haveconstructed this perfect world where happilyever after, because first of all most of them blindfoldsmany of us,but we are especially concerned With the plight of everyoneknows exactly where to go; thoseheaded didn’tlive too long to beginwith. Whatdo youdo whenyour little brother says, "No, I African-Americanstudents. We wantto encourageself-confidence and Theopinions and views contained in forthe high places will get the high places, those in don’twant to go to college.You were black when you There’snothing we cando aboutit, because most of self-pride.This requires that you know who you are -- whereyou came Voiceare those of its authors and do not necessarily thelow places will get the low places, and those in the middlewill stay there, and Americawill remain us don’tknow our friendsfrom our enemies, and cont.on pg. 7 from,where you are at, and where you want to go. This will fulfill our representthe opinionsofTPV, ASUCSD, or the mostimport/rot mission. regentsof theUniversity of California. Thearticles andpoems contained herein may not be reprinted withoutwritten permission from the authors, c. Justin Time On thecover: 1994, ~ag..~. All rights reserved. By DeniseCarter I’m justas Americanasthe next guy. But no sales that untilwe get a handleon the"who" we arewe will never day.I wonderhow those not so celebratoryAmeri- be ableto influencethe "what" we are. THE PAN-AFRICAN ASSOCIATION EMBLEM has beenUCSD’s African- ThePeople’s Voice! --Just in timefor Black History cansfelt on thispast Martin Luther King Jr. holiday Americannewspaper since 1977 and is recognized Month! whenif it had not been for the holiday the death toll in Now,some of us,may have reached a level of success Los Angeleswould truly have been phenomenal. withinAmerican society that their only concern is to A.The silhouette ofAfrica is thecenter of ourspiritual, philosophical, and as anofficial campus print media by theAssociated intellectualperspectives, mission, and goal. Wellits hereagain folks, Black History Month. achievetotal assimilation. They may be embarrassed StudentsMedia Board of ~ Pleasea’d’dr"ess all ’ Timeto pullout that I canbear America’s indifference to our Black History andterribly "put upon" when coflfrofited withthe bulk comments,letters, manuscripts, or donations to ~ treasuredbut worn book of poetrywith the anger and month.I can even put up with quasi-cultural of BlackAmericans remaining that black knot that B.The lines of the triangle are the lines of timeencompassing ourpast, P_..~, Q-077, UCSD, La Jolla, CA, thefire of the"Movement" in the1960’s or maybe perfunctionaryevents that most institutional commu- refusesto dissolveinto the melting pot. I cansympa- present,and future that has always and will always bind us together. 92093,or youmay call u~ at (619)53’4~421~5.’ you’llsearch for that old calendar that told in bright nitiespresent. At leastthey make the effort. My thizewith that viewpoint. I am sureRodney King picturesquedetail of thefamous kings and queens consternationis focused on a moreintimate level. knowsexactly what they mean. The factremains, C. The "S" standsfor STRUGGLE:The continuousstruggle of African thatwas Africa’svain-glorious past. Maybe the How are African-Americansconnecting and commu- however,that most of us haveyet to achievethat peoplearound the world to better our conditions. This struggle is against morecontemporary ones will set up all nightand nicatingthe Black History Month theme on a indi- elusivegoal of acceptanceby the dominant culture Contents: watchMTV’s tribute to MichaelJackson ’er I mean viduallevel? Does it meananything personally. Has andwill not be ableto do so untilwe acceptthe ALLforms of oppression, be it slavery,colonialism, neo-colonialism, theJackson Five, and possibly,name four or five it ever?Will It ever?Just what is BlackHistory and dominantnature of ourown culture,Be Blackand apartheidor contemporarytyranny. historicalfigures like...George Washington Carver, moreimportantly, what does it haveto do withme, Proud. Editorialsp.3 HarriettTubman, Sojourner Truth, W.E.B. DuBois herein 1990at UCSD? D. The "C" standsfor COMINGTOGETHER: The effortof peopleof or MahaliaJackson. Oh, didI namesome one that What doesthat mean, specifically, at UCSD?We History:Special on BlackHistory youdon’t know about? Then you need to checkyour Well,I certainlydon’t have to go intoa prolonged standas thevanguards for our people. We areable to Africanorigin to come together inunity to re-define our histories and history. discussionof theimportance of knowing history. I attendthis institution bythe blood, sweat, and fearless- ourselvesin AFRICANCENTRICterms. Month p.4 meanwe studyEuropean history to the pointthat nessof ourancestors. Reflect on thecourage dis- Currentsp.6 Yes,it’s Black History Month, again. The time we’veaccepted that civilization began in Europe.We playedby a peoplewho knewonly too well the E. The "F" standsfor FUTURE:Through our workwe willensure that whenAmericans of Africandescent receive their knowabout William Shakespeare, Queen Victoria, precariousnature of a Blacklife to standand die for Africanpeople will rise to a levelof self-determination andeultdl’al enlight- Perspectivesp.8 officialrecognition from American society as a NapoleonBonaparte, Thomas Jefferson, George theirdignity. The people who joined Dr. King in hit; marchwere not a bunchof over-indulged,well fe0, enmentthat will be recognized,understood and respected bythe rest of peoplewhose sacrifice and contributions to America Washingtonand RonaldReagan. Don’t we draw Artsp.10 is as significantas any othergroup. (The UCSD prideand affirmation in our culture by knowingthe bored,college students. They were our grandmothers mankind. bookstorehas a 20%discount an all"Black History" Europeancontributions to the American society. andfathers, whom for all their lives lived in a world International:Focus on Pan- memorabilia)Yet, it is an recognitionthat is met thatdenied them their humanity. These were mothers F. UMOJA, taken from the NGUZO SABA means UNITY and is the withsome reluctance and more sadly than that, with Yetthe omission of onepeople’s contribution to life whoinstructed their sons to keeptheir heads down as fastprinciple of the NGUZOSABA. Africanismp. 12 indifference. on thisearth leads to an imbalancein thenatural theirbest remedy to keeptheir sons alive. These were environment.Allchildren must look to theirancestry fatherswho risked getting burned and lynched when Poetryp.14 I scanthe junk mail as it passesmy mailboxand I to findre-affirmation thatthey have participated and he daredto be a manby standingtoprotect his family. G. NGUZO SABA is the Swahiliterm for the THE SEVEN PRIN- Enlightenmentp. 16 noticethat it hasbecome a greattradition in the madecontributions andtherefore are a partof the Thesewere illiterate people who knew the value of an CIPLEScreated by Dr.Maulana Karenga. It is uponthese seven pillars of Americanconsumer market place to announceevery community.An endeavor in thesearch for one’s past educationand were willing to diefor their children’s Africanhuman cooperation that our positive works will stand the test of holiday’sas a "sale"and celebrate itin theAmerican is notfutile or pointless.Our current identity is dreams.Their blood cries out throughout theland that time. traditionof Consume,Consume, Consume! So where inextricablytiedto our past identity. Itis the founda- theydid notdie in vain.It is our obligationto wasthe Martin Luther King Jr. Day Sale? I ’rebeen tionof ourself-worth, ourself-validation, andour remember,our responsibility to be ourbest, and our waitingall year for my Nordstrom’s,K-Mart, Tar- self-preservationas participants in the human sphere. dutyto ensurethat our children will not have to fight get,a,d, yes, even Shelves and Cabint~ls MLK Day We Americansof Africandescent weren’t just put thesebattles again. Be Blackand Proud! Say it out "SELF-IDENTITY CANNOT BE COMPROMISEDI" Saleso I couldparticipate inthe tradition. After all, hereand things are not just happening to us. However, loud!!! 4 Peo Voice ’ 994 The Voice 5 SPECIAL BLACK HISTORY MONTH SECTION The TeachersTold Us... By Gaye Johnson

Theteachers toldus quietly that the way of experts hadbecome a tricky way. They told us it would always befatal toour arts to misuse theskills wehad learned. The MarcusGarvey: A Legacyfor the Future skillsthemselves weremere light shells, needing tobe filled outwith substance coming from our souls. They warned usnever toturn these skills tothe service ofthings separate fromthe By StephaanHarris way.This would be the most difficult thing, for we would learn, they told us, that no fundi could work effectively whentorn away from power, anyet power in these times lived far, immeasurablyfarfrom the way. This distance fromthe seats of power to the way, this distance nowseparating ourway from power usurped against ourpeople and our way. this distance toldof the achievements ofthe race and of the splendors ofAfrican culture. wouldbethe measure ofthe fundi’s pain. They told us there was no life sweeter than that of the fundi inthe bosom ofhis people ifhis people knew their way. But the life ofa fundi whose "Beas proud of your race today as our fathers were in the days of yore. Garveytaught that Blacks would be respectedonly when they economically peoplehave lost their way is pain. All the excellence ofsuch a fundi’s craft isturned totrash. Hisskills areuseless inthe face of his people’s destruction, andit is as easy as slipping on a riverstonetosee his craftmanship actuallyturned like a weapon against hispeople. Weehave a beautifulhistory and we shall create another inthe future that strong,and he preachedan independentBlack.~_pnomy within the frame- ...Ourway, the way, is not a randompath. Our way begins from coherent understanding. Itis a way that aims at preserving knowledge ofwho we are, knowledge of willastonish the world." workof whitecapitalism. To forward this cause, he createdthe Negro thebest way we have found torelate each to each, each to all, ourselves toother peoples, allto our surroundings. Ifour individual liveshave a worthwhile aim,that aim should bea purpose FactoriesCorporation. inseparablefromthe way. Thoughthese words were spoken by thegreat Black Nationalist leader ...Ourway is reciprocity. Theway is wholeness. MarcusGarvey in 1923, they are still extremely relevant inthese crucial Moreover,to advanceunification among Blacks here and abroad, Garvey --AyiKwei Armah, timesas we African-Americansfacemany adversities that not only launchedthe Black Star line, a steamshipcompany to link Black communi- TwoThousand Seasons threatenour present well-being but our future progress.. tiesin the United States and Caribbean. Inaddition, heestablished a chain ofrestaurants andgrocery stores, laundries, a hotel, and a printingpress. "Ourway begins from coherent understanding..." Armahsays - Thequestion is,what is it that we need to understand, whatkind of underlying knowledge Usually,this month is the only time most of us truly take Mr. Garvey’s isnecessary forachieving equality? wordsto heart.However, our history and experiences should not be Garveyreached the height of his power in 1920,when he presidedat an Blackpeople in this country have such a massiveagenda - so much to do, so much progress tomake. Because welive in and are educated bya system whoseintentions makeit virtually impossible tomaintain focus conducive toself-empowerment, weas students have an obligation tomaintain a peripheral vision, which thoughtof, learned about and remembered for only one month out of the internationalconvention inLiberty Hall, with delegates present from 25 meanskeeping obscure obstacles inas plain a viewas overt racism. Yes, racism, bigotry, sexism have all become obscure. year.we must not take our rich legacy for granted, but instead, utilize countries.Atthe forum, he was elected provisional president ofthe African- Therewas a timewhen we fought to overcome discriminatory legislation. Butthe latest structure ofdomination hasbecome insulting - politically and it to makeourselves knowledgeable, resilient, and confident. Mr. AmericanRepublic. intellectually.Nowadays, oppressive policies targeted atwomen and people of color are no longer justified bywhat some historians call"the classical form of Jim Crow Garvey’slife illustrates how important it is forAfrican-American segregation"(Manning Marable, 1991 ). communitiesto becomeactive members of societyand takepride in Garveywas known as the"Black Moses" among his people because of his Politicsandpeople alike have adapted with the times to produce a more sophisticated oppression; legislation passed, policies enforced, illsentiment made themse l ves. unabashedexpression and promotion of BlackPride. He gavemillions of activeinareas of law enforcement andhiring - easily justified byterms like "underqualified." African-Americans~,spiritual uplifting and emphasized active response to Hundredsofyears of oppression anddismantling ofeven small gains made by people of color have served as a sarcasticresponse toour endeavors for Garveywas born in St. Ann’ s Bay,Jamaica in 1887. From 1912 to 19 i 4, theinjustices served by American Life. He was a symbolof the Iongings and equality. hetraveled extensively inCentral America and lived in London. During aspirationsof many Blacks who were confined by a raciststructure. Toslander dominant culture oreven condone conniving strategies toward holistic independence isnot the purpose ofthis commentary; thatis truly a wasteof our time. Our focus should be understanding theimportance ofeducating ourselves andfinding ways of successful participation intoall aspects ofthis country thistime, he metmany Africans and developed a keen interest in the through,him, many Blacks gained confidence, pride, and, most of all, hope. motherland.He returned to Jamaicaand founded the Universal Negro withoutlosing our own sense of humanity. Because none of this oppression can touchus, none of the chosen ignorance wesee on a dailybasis at this campus can ImprovementAssociation (UNIA), which sought to buildin Africa In 1994,we facemany problems. Many of ourAfrican-American menare affectus, if we remain cognizant ofour objective, ofour way. Black-governednation. dead,incarcerated, or consumed by gangsand drugs, instead of being Lift EveryVoice and Sing Toachieve equal status in this country, wemust understand what leaders.We stillface an environment that seems largely prejudiced and ourancestors left for us -- those who educated themselves, andresisted inways He movedthe headquarters of the UNIA to NewYork City in 1916and "anti-cultural."Ourmedia images often display us in a negativefashion. Liftevery voice and sing, Till earth and heaven ring, sometimesvirtually imperceptible tosociety. But everyone’s contribution counts establishedbranched in Harlemand other predominately Black areas of We shouldtake the awesome,living example of MarcusGarvey, and inthe long run. We know that. Because what we have been given by our past allows Ringwith the harmony of Liberty, theNorth. The focus of Garvey’smovement evolved into promoting becomedetermined to change our communities for the better; Making them usto push on despite perpetual supremacist bureaucracies. Letour rejoicing rise high as the listening skies, empowermentand prideamong Black Americans. strongand self-reliant. They’veall said it in so many ways: Letit resound loud as the rolling sea. MalcolmX:"The best thing that young people can do today is to Singa songfull of the faith that the dark By19 ! 9 theUNIA boasted over two million members, largely due to the Ina speechgiven in Harlem’s Liberty Hall, Garvey stresses the "renewal" learnto think for themselves." pasthas taught us: publicationof Garvey’s weekly newspaper "Negro World." The paper ofthe Negro. Let us, follow his example before it is too late. CLRJames reminded usthat one of the most important achieve- Singa songfull of the hope that the present has brought us; mentsis the education ofall individuals inthe achievements ofmodern society; that Facingthe rising sun of ournew day begun, weshould understand andcontrol what we are doing. Letus march on till victory is won. Thinkingfor ourselves tounderstand andcontrol what we are W.E.B.DuBois: doing-- that is one of the key elements inthe struggle. Stonythe road we trod, Bitter the chast’ing rod, Butto form independent conclusions, toknow too much about Americanpolitical andeconomic trickery isdangerous: it~isolating Yetit’s Feltin thedays when hope unborn had died; The Fatherof Pan-Africanism emancipating,it’sempowering. Yetwith a steadybeat, Have not our weary feet. Wehave all heard what the knowledge ofdevious intentions can By DarronDorsey (from TPV_, Feb ’92) Cometo the place for which our fathers sighed? doto the character; it’sdebilitating. Whatcan make overcgming difficu!t isthe We havecome over a waythat with tears been watered; personalcommentary weare making within the broader political demands. Ifwe We havecome treading thro’ the blood of theslaughtered, trulywant to overcome, wemust realize that underlying theknowledge, underlying "Whenonce the Black of the United States, the West Indies, and Africa work and think together, the future Outfrom the gloomy past. Till now we standat last. thegains, implicit inevery speech, every action, every march, has been the of theBlack man in themodem world is safe." Wherethe white gleam of ourbright star is cast. preservationandassertion ofhumanity. Remember that gaining suffrage not only meantmore political influence, itmeant validation asa citizen ofthis coun!ry, and Theseare the words of thegreat Pan-Africanist, W.E.B. DuBois. Dr. DuBois, for over seventy years of Godof ourweary years, GOd of oursilent tears, moreimportantly, validation asa legitimateanddeserving human being. hislife, served the cause of Pan-Africanism inboth his theory and his action. This brilliant African scholar Thouwho hast brought us thusfar on theway; Itis so difficult tomaintain such resilience inthe face of modernizedbigotry. wrotecountless volumes of books, novels, short stories, poetry, and articles onAfrica and her scattered Thouwho hast by The might led us into the light, andsuffering people in thenoble struggle to awakena giantyet sleeping people. Butas sure as we have come this far, we can move forward, Keepus forever in thepath, we pray. understandingthatpeople have fought so we could think for ourselves, think for Lestour feet stray from the places, DuBoiswas born in GreatBarrington, Massachusetts, onFebruary 23, ! 868.He received his university ourselves,andhave what it takes to initiate positive action, a maintenance ofour our GOd,where we met Thee, humanity,ourlove, our resilience. Moving forward, overcoming, means holding trainingfrom Fisk, Harvard, and the University of Berlin. He also held honorary degrees from Howard, Lestour hearts, drunk with the wine of the world, we forgetThee; onto these virtues. Atlanta,Fisk, and Wilberfore Universities. Dr.DuBois taught Greek and Latin at Wilberforefrom 1894 Shadowedbeneath Thy hand,May we foreverstand. Weas students are in an excellent position toreinforce the to 1896and at theUniversity of Pennsylvaniain 1896 and 1897. From 1897 to 1910he wasprofessor Trueto ourGod, True to our native land. foundationlaidby our past leaders byvalidating theirstruggles witha dailytribute ofeconomics and history at AtlantaUniversity. toone, common goal. Nowwhen I say’daily basis’ I am notspeaking of som~. JamesWeldorl ,lohnson Oneof thefounders of theNational Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), DuBois was a memberof itsstaff as director perpetualcelebration ofBlack History Month. We can celebrate the legacy of publicationsandeditor of Crisis from 1910 to 1932.In ! 933,DuBois returned to Atlantaas chairmanof theUniversity’s sociology department, where he resiliencebyusing human resources tospurn change. Somuch of our society is remaineduntil 1944, when he rejoined the NAACP as head of its special research department, a position he helduntil 1948. In succeeding years, he was unnaturalinthe scheme of human interaction andtogetherness. Somuch of the vicechairman of theCouncil on AfricanAffairs and chairman of the Peace Information Bureau. "Black[people], you were once brutalityandmisguidedness ischanneled into oppression, making people forget inherentsources ofhappiness andturn to following patterns ofpain and falsehood. Despitethe many activities DuBois was engaged in, nothing occupied as muchof his life’s work as did the struggle for Pan-Africantsm. Heeither attended, great;you shall be greatagain. Toachieve equality wemust maintain contact with that collec- calledfor, organized, financed, or influenced each and every Pan-African Conference and Congress that took place from 1900until his death in’Ghana in tiveinner resource which has carried usthus far. And we must make sure it spreads. Becausewecan’t make a changeif we don’t have the heart. 1963,and under almost insurmountable odds. These Pan-Africanism meetings were very instrumental in bringing together African intellectuals and Loosenot courage, loose not Wehave never given up- imagine ifHarriet Tubman, Nat Turner organizers,andin fornmlatingthegoals of the African Revolution, which has been world-wide in scope ever since the first African was stolen from Mother couldsee us now - futureteachers, lawyers, doctors; individuals ableto make a Africa.DuBois was a staunchsocialist who believed adamantly that Africa must unite under a socialistsystem and that Africans throughout the wodd must faith,go forward." change.Let’s spread this potential toour younger brothers andsisters. They need bethe key actors in achieving this objective. Capitalism was doomed as far as he was concerned and had no merit whatever. Inhis own words, he demanded ourguidance just as we need the examples ofresistance tomove us forward. thatAfrica. "Put on the beautiful robes of Pan-African Socialism." Weare a strongpeople, and our strength stems not only from the Marcus wayof reciprocity andwholeness, butfrom our own beautiful African way. The ;’sVoice 994 The le’s Voice 7 Editorial(cont. from p.3) Cross-CulturalCenter (cont. from p.6)

left,but you’re white now. They brainwashed you. They messed you CrossCultural Present, don’tneed a sivimmingp0ol? For those of us thatare not athletically inclined, does this that By Paul Beaudry ...... ~+ allup." That’s a toughone if you’renot eeady for it. And if he theUniversity does not need a gymeither? Or if youdon’t know how to operatea computer, mentionedit, knowing how kids are, maybe he’s right -- youhave been doesthat mean that there shouldn’t be anycomputer labs on campus?However, if youneed brainwashed.But you need to knowfor yourself. Don’t get knocked tostudy the effect of swimmingas a meansof exercise,it may help to goto a swimmingpool. Thereseems to be qui a controversysurrounding the:~:~)r a Cross Cultural Center on the w downby a ! 2 yenr-oid.Be ready for all kinds of opposition.We’re here If youwanted to learn how to exercise, it may help to goto a gym.If youneeded to do a report formationof theCenterseems to be one of thehottest con~ial topics on thiscampus. I notonly to acquirea certain level of understandinginour respective on howcomputers are used today, it mayhelp to go to a computerlab. This is my second somelight of truthon thesubject. Most of thepeople rv¢~into who have strong feelings about the Center have majors,but also to thinkabout how we’re going to cleanup someour quarterat UCSDand I can’tbegin to explainhow many people have asked me whatits like abouttl~ historyofthe move for a multi-culturalcenter ~D. I hopethis article communitiesat home. to be Blackin America,or misrepresentedon a White campus, or what’shappening in (orto) I wouldlike to presentsome information for you to exparidyourknowledge on thesubject. "...... ¯ -....?::: minoritycommunities. I’vebeen asked to givepresentations, holdsessions, set up discussion A surprisingnumber of us (especiallyfrom the suburbs - I camefrom panels,I’m beginning tothink I’m the only resource in La Jolla for my friendsto findout this thiscategory) aren’t even aware of whatsome of thecommunity issues s. information.TheCross-Cultural Center can be a placefor non-minority students to inquire Histo][*~ .combinationof these and otherfactors which createsshiP ": ~: are.We don’tfind out until we’ve been crowned with a glassceiling anddo researchon racialissues in theirhome communities, inour nation, or in ourworld. It an unwelcomingand antagonisticenvironment at In 1984,a planningprocessbegan for a newUniver- fromour generous-enough-to-hire-usemployers, then we get mad. alsogives minority students, faculty, or staffachance (usually the only chance they’ve had UCSD. :’~ sityCenter. Included in theplanning was a space Littlelate though isn’t it? (If you don’t know what a glassceiling is, allday) to walkinto a roomfull of otherminority people. This sort of settingpromotes an designatedforan Intercultural Center. In thefall of you’llget one unless you find out NOW what they are and how to avoid atmosphereof multiculturalism. 1989,the Price Center opened without the proposed them.I’m not going to explainit to youfight now though because I want Theletter also mentions that the Cross Cultural Cen- proposed to serve+asamultipurpose.center providing an InterculturalCenter intact. Later in 1989UCSD youto findout from someone else who is thinkingprogressively so you It’strue that the Cross-Cultural Center may not be multicuituralinthe broadest sense of the ter,’would strengthen and createnew bondsbetween arrayofactivitiesandacademieserviees.:Anexanlpleof studentsand staffproposed a conversion of the aban- canstart building a network). After we findout what the issues ARE, term,but historically, at UCSD, non-minority students have not had a problemfinding a place donedUCSD TritonPub facilityfor the UCSD communitiesat UCSD and those outside UCSD." It someof theaims are to: develop a multi-eulturairesource thenwe needto startlooking at solutions. to congregateand share their similarities. I have yet to meet~awhite student who has left wouldalso, "supplement thebodyofknowledgethat library which includes newsletters, videos, historical MulticulturalCenter. Their proposal was rejected, UCSD(or any other university in California) because there weren’t enough white people thestudents and facultyaccumulate through their" .achieves, seholarship~grant information?sradt~eand A universityenvironment is an excellentplace develop, discuss, and interactwith. I havenot spoken with any non-white, non-underrepresented students who felt studies... which enhances students’ capacities to professional school’information, books,reference materi~ shareideas about being pro-active people. Get some ideas flowing and threatenedby the other student populations. However, many minority students do feelout- In thefall of1990, Chicano/Latino Concilio submit- becomebetter leaders in theircommunities." The als,etc.; develop a resourcedirectory and newsletter, conversationhappening. Failing to planis planningto fail.If wedon’t of-placeand disrespected bythe university community. Thepurpose of theCenter is celebrate teda proposalto ChancellorRichard Atkinson for includingprogram:documentation, contacts, c, ampus~re- convertingStudent Center Building B to theCer.tro letteralso reminds the Chancellor that, ’*the Univer- startplanning and acting now our kids will be nextin attemptingto theseunderrepresented cultures. sityand its members would be partiallyfulfilling sources,etc., to enhance:awarenessof existing programs Culturalde la RazaUCSD. The prollosal was rejected survivethe ’hood, and even more won’t make it. Going to collegewill UCSD’scommitment as a publicinstitution." The whichtarget students of coloron campus;centralize re- withouta writtenresponse. Conciliofollowed upon be muchharder for ihem, not just financially, butin termsof being I hopethis article has been informative, andthat your views foror against the Cross-Cultural theproposal during regular meetings with the Chin- lettercloses with, "It is ourhope that the UCSD sourcestoeducatestudents,faeultyand the community of mentallyprepared and retaining their BLACKNESS while attending a Centerare founded on moreconcrete evidence. Please write in toTPVto voiceyour opinions. administrationsharesour vision of a first-rateinstitu- multiculturalismand:diversity. Other aims inciude:: to ce|lorfor the next three years, whiteuniversity. Ourmailbox is locatedon the3rd floor in thePrice Center in thestudent organization tioncommittedtothedevelopment of an environmenthost,in conjunctionWith existing student organizations, maliroom,box B- 12. informationaland motivationalseminars for In’thespring of 1993,the StudentAffirmative Action conduciveto academicsuccess, cultural enrichment, Teachingabout African culture, values, and African-American history and communityinvolvement." underrepresentedhighschool students of colorwho are Committee(SAAC) submitted aproposal to theUni- cangive them a greatersense of self-respectthatsome of usdidn’t have consideringapplication or acceptance Of admissionsto versityCenter Advisory Board (UCAB) for a UCSD whenwe weregoing through high school and first few years of college. But UCSD;to providem~-ting space for support groups which we can’tdo thisif don’t know our own history orour PRESENT. Ifwe don’t knowour history orour present, then where does that leave our future? Have youheard the saying, "lfyou’re not part of the solution, thenyou’re part of the problem.’?"Guess what, case studies show that by the year 2000, 70% of all Blackmales will be either unemployed, ondrags, in jail, or dead. Isn’t that enoughto makeyou want to act?What we’re dealing with is nota racial genocideanymore, but a black-on-blackracialsuicide. Wemay not be around infifty years.

Ourmain enemy nowadays is ourown minds, not anybody else, but our own thoughtprocesses. Theoppressor hasopposed usso well that he doesn’t even needto oppress anymore. Weoppress ourselves, andwe’re good at it[!! Take a lookaround, or lookat our own report cards. What does it say? This month isBlack History Month, and l’d like to make a proposition--let’ssee if we can MAKEsome Black history instead of justreading about it. Let’s make Black Historysomething that’s in the PRESENT tense. I encourage youto interact withTPV. Write in, make comments and suggestions.join thestaff. Thanks foryour attention and1 hopeyou enjoy TPV.

Violenceasa way of achieving racialjustJco isboth imprac~’calandimmoral. Itis impractical becauseit is a descendingspiralending indestruction forall. The old im ofan eye for an eye leaves everybody blind.It is immoral becauseitseeks tohumilim theopponent rather than win hisundermnding: itseeks to annihilate ratherthan comert.

parity,Our definitionofparity i~:+!~at~|~s~dents of Present Violenceisimmoral because itthrives onha~ rather than UCSD shouldbe presentin num~tare propor- :~cpri0ritksandsocio-cuhural aslx,’cts of Atthe present time { love.Itdestroys community andmakes brotherhood tionalto thetotal population oftheir:.efl3nic groupi~i - their[y live.,andfeel a sense of belonging,and(3) an eight-personcommittee of thestate of Californiaandrealize tliat UCSD is at a a pl~thar~ provide supplementalstudent todetermine if there is a real.needfora impoe~l)kItleavee society inmonologue ratherthan ¯ ~..Thisfeeling of isolation... is amplifiedby crucialpoint inits own developmentregardingits Centerat UCSD.Last Wednesday (Feb. 16)di~ing mi+ii:i!~ dialogue.Violence endsby defeating itself. Itcrems studentpopu!attons of, theUniv¢~rsity:’S:~0us disinterest inissues of diver- AS meetinga proposal to supportthe Center was:t~i~:j!!i~l ing votedon. Instead, one college offered an unannouir~ed:i~!i inthe survivoni andIm~lity inthe destroyers. ~nst~:.~tbeCenter andStnted that:tlie at UCSD+

-IIIk~X 8 The Voice 994 The 9

A COLORED PERSPECTIVE: REPARATIONS By DeniseCarter Thefollowing information wasprepared by theNational Coalition of Blacks for Reparation in America (N’COBRA). The purpose of thisarticle is to presentto thepublic thegoals and reasoning of thegrowing movement for Black reparations in America. For more information you can contact San Diego’s N’COBRA chapter at (619)497- ITS A MATTER OF RESPECT: 6226.Please feel free to respondto TPVon howyou feel about Black reparations or how and which gained resources should be usedto betterthe community. Anydiscussion on the condition or Blackfolks in Americairreverently turns to community.The family and its breakdown as thecause of allthe troubles that plague Blackpeople today. Subtle messages are in-grained on our consciousness..."Slavery washorrible and people have not recovered from all the degradation. Blacks are WHAT ARE REPARATIONS ¯ a peopleto be pitiedbecause they are so "dis-advantaged."Theyhave been handicapped and require "special attention." Caution, handle with caret_ REPARATIONSis giving compensation to satisfy one who has suffered injury, loss or wrongat thehands of another. Well,Black folks, African-Americans, People of Color,or simplythose of youwho prefer the "Other" category, we havecome to thepoint where we areeither too complacentor,worst still, we’ve started reiterating therhetoric ourselves. Funny thing, rhetoric, it ends up beingrepeated so oftenthat-people ’think’ they’ve tuned it WHO IS ENTITLED TO REPARATIONS: out; yet,it hasthis amazing capability of becoming embedded in thoughtpatterns. Its most remarkable attribute, however, isthat it, oftentimes, hasa grainof truthto it. Theheirs (descendants) of all former slaves, their families and offspring, andall African-Americans whohave suffered the injustice of Jim Crow law, unequal justice and opportunity,dejure and de factoracial and economic discrimination. Havewe nowbecome so usedto therhetoric that we validateits truth ? If so,it is up to.usto turnand face that truth. Are our communities in danger and, thereto, our culture,contributions, andultimately ourway of life?Is therea breakdownin our family structure that would keep our children strong and enable them to copewith their WHY ARE AFRICAN-AMERICANS ENTITLED TO REPARATIONS? futures?Do theyhave a future? Thelaw of thisland requires that the estate, (the whole of one’s possessions) property and debt left by the deceased pass on tohis heirs. African-Americans arethe heirs Anycompassionate individual would have to acknowledgethe despair that is ourcommunity and, at least,ponder its solution. Just how can I helpmy people?What I ’ of theslaves that were the first labor force that built America and brought the first farming and animal husbandry technology that built America into what it istoday. Without cando, individually, to ameliorate the circumstances andwhy should I? By answeringthe what, I hopeto offeryou the how. The why is up to you. laborthere can be no wealth.Had there not been slaves, there would not be anyAmerica as we knowit today.Slave labor produced so muchwealth from the growth of cotton,tobacco, and sugar that the cotton gin, steam engine, and textile mills were produced to processthese raw materials. The surplus money produced by theslaves wentto financefarming in thenorth: iron foundries, steel mills, timber and saw mills, the railroads, settling of thewest, all the fishing, farming, manufacturing, mining First,tomy sistahs! andconstruction in all of NorthAmerica and most of Europe.The slaves were never paid. African-Americans suffered the most heinous larceny ever perpetrated on a peoplefrom the hands of thewhite man. Since slavery, a great collective American conspiracy has been conducted by the white man. Through unfair laws, law enforcement, Ouranswer begins with the question of familyand community. We must identify and solve the breakdown problem. Our families are breaking down for one reason. The segregation,denial of opportunity, intimidation andlynching, cruelty, brutality, inhumanity, chicanery, anddenial of education,thewhite man deliberately keptthe African- Blackman and the Black woman are breaking down! We’ are losing our family because we arelosing our men. We arelosing our men becausewe’ve lost respect for Americanaway from life, liberty, and pursuit of happinessas promisedby thisnation. him.How many times have you heard some sister"low-gradin" thebrothers by saying..."A Black man ain’t @#* ! ....Can’t trust him no furtherthan I cansee him." And thebeat goes on. We’ve gotten so used to it anduse it so oftenin ourdaily conversations thatone really has to be"into" the culture to makethe distinction between the Nowthe African-Americans cometo collectwhat is rightfully andlawfully theirs from the collective estates of allwho benefited from their toil and all who have and would insultand colloquialism. Eventhen, the distinction is not always clear. denylife, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

I askeda womanonce, "’What happened? .... Why do theguys talk so badabout us?" She replied, "’Its because we don’tmake them respect us likewe useto do!."Her WHAT ARE THE HISTORICAL PRECEDENTS? replycalled for some serious reflection. I asked myself, "What does one have to do toget respect?" Mama ai wayssaid,..."You haveto giveit toget it." So I startedchecking outmy sistersto seehow we weredoing at the"giving" of respect. Historicalprecedence is overwhelming in its presence. The legendary 40 acres,a muleand $50 was voted in forthe former slaves by thecongress in 1866and was then vetoedby PresidentJohnson. The vote to overridethe veto was short by onlyone vote. After WWII this country single-handedly rebuilt Germany, Japan, and western Themost prevalent things were readily apparent. A sister ain’t got nuthin if sheain’t got attitude! My, my, my, we aresome of theproudest creatures God ever made. Europereparations co our recent enemies. Numerous awards have been made to nativeAmericans for past white misdeeds. Just recently, the Japanese citizens were repaid (Hadto be thatway, though, he madeus first!)Ah yeah,sistahs are distinctive.! No one walks, talks, or evenenters a roomquite the way a sistercan ,especially, when fortheir internment during WWII. shegot her" tude" on. But Ladies, all this rolling of theneck and hands of thehips ain’t Ve en cute.! Matter fact, "It’s a realbummer dude; a totalturn off!" We’re not provinganything to ourselvesor to ourmen by challengingtheir egos. Men live up there,they are supposed to takeon life’sexternal issues of protectionand security. WHAT WOULD REPARATIONS BE USED FOR? Besidesthey like doing it. Essentiallyto right the wrong of slaver,Jim Crow, segregation, injustice, inequality, degradation and to giveAfrican-Americans theeconomic opportunity they have Now,I understandwhy you may be justifiedin youractions. After all, we’ve only had ourselves to depend on andit hasnot always been wise to putour trust in a Black earned.Equality in Americais measuredby equalityof opportunityto create and hold wealth. Life, liberty, the pursuit of happinessand the promotion of thegeneral man.However, we needto takea lookat ourselvesand examine our real needs. Do we reallyneed the prestige of independenceby showing everybody how strong we welfare,as promisedby ourconstitution is simply bought by dollarsin ourcapitalistic economy. Reparations should provide those dollars in cashor in kind.How the areor do we needsomeone to shareour world, replete with the life’s hills and valleys. Do youreally need to be outthere standing on thecorner loud-talking your man individualAfrican-American is disposed to usereparation, should be solelyup to himor her. andsignifying to the world about "how you do neednobody", or wouldyou rather have some strong black arms to holdyou close way late in themidnight hour whispering in yourear that "everythang gun’ be alright"?Be honest now, the truth will set you free. Reparationswill be an economicboom to thenation. When the wealth of reparationshits the market place, it willraise the standard of livingof allAmericans to a new high.Since the majority of themarket places are owned by whites,they will prosper proportionately. Allof Americawill prosper in oneway or another.¯ We needto askthe question, "Why do we do thesethings? Have you ever heard brothers say..."Why I got to kissyou @##just to talkto you.’?"or witnessedthis all too familiarscene .... the brother travels across the room to askfor a danceand is immediatelyputthrough the "head-to-toe" ritual before his ultimate and most consummate HOW CAN REPARATIONS BE CLAIMED? rejection(mostly on the criteria ofhis footwear). Then the pathetic humiliation of his asking every girl at thattable only to receivehis rejection one by one;usually tot noother reason than because every one else at thetable said no. (Hint, fellas they have to--it’s the rule). Every eye must be on himas he tracesback across the crowded By whatevermeans necessary ! By peaceor blood.By paperor steel.Whatever it takesbecause the cause is righteous. room.I betsome of themnever make it. Politicalaction is alreadyunder way. This may be themost prudent course. Congress is on themove. House Resolution Forty (H.R. 40)proposed by Congressman John Whatdo we win in thatexchange? Do we assumesome position of supremacyby provingwe can be coldand ruthless? Can we somehowjustify our actions of driving Conyers,D-Michigan, co-sponsored by some21 othercongressmen anotherstake into his male psyche by showinghim yet another avenue where he hasno power.Hell, I don’tblame them for getting discouraged and leaving your stuck H. R. 40 OVERVIEW proposesto forma federalcommission toconsider remedies for African- upbutt in thecorner all night and tripping the light fantastic with that white girl! At leastshe’s got sense enough to openher mouth and smile! Americans.This bill is nowin committeein theHouse of Representa- Yet,it hasn’talways been like that. My grandparents were married for death doyou part as weretheir parents before them. So whathappened to thatbond of trustand Historically,since 1952 reparations amounting to over$3.5 billion and more tives. cooperationthat held black families together even through the hardships oflife in America.Did it startwith losing the faith, or losingthe hope, or losingthe love. NO, than44 millionacres of landhave been paid by fourdifferent countries eleven times. WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP WIN THE CLAIM? IT STARTEDWITH RESPECT. Maybe it is theslow cruel death of hisself-respect which a manfeels when he seesthe hunger in theeyes of hiswoman and babies but Sevenof thosetimes reparations were paid by the U.S.A.The most recentpayment can’tdo anythingabout it. Maybe it is theshame and guilt in youreyes when you’ve had to do (orendure) something that was beyond your control. Or maybeit is the of reparationswas in ! 990when Congress voted to payover $ 1.2billions to Japanese- I. WRITE, PHONE, or VISIT YOUR CONGRESSMAN!Tell him painwhen he no longerbelieves he cangive her what she needs and she no longerbelieves he caneither. Americansfor Mistreatmentreceived during World War II. to supportH.R. 40 theReparations bill. Congressis currentlyreviewed abili concerning the feasibility of reparations Thismay well have been the start of things but the reality is clear!We will beingpaid to African-Amercandescendants of slaves.This bill wes originally Writeyour representative c/oU.S. House of Representatives,Wash.DC. introducedon November20, 1989 by Democraticcongressman John Conyersof 20515.Write both of yoursenators c/o U.S. Senate, Wash. D.C. 20510. neverbe ableto gainthe trust we seekuntil we canre-gain the respect we Are you beingbombarded with words? need.The onlyway to get thatrespect- which binds our unionsand Michiganas H.R.Bill 3645. It was reintroducedagain on April10, 1990as H.R.Bill Telephoneyour senator or representativesviathe U.S. Capitol switch- straightensour familiesthat builds our communities and enriches our 1684.And againin thisyear as H.R.40 whichstates in part: boardat (202)224-3121 ask to be connectedto the one you want. If you do notknow the name of yoursenator or representativetheswitchboard cultureso it maynurture our children and enable them to competein this Actionsspeak louder than words. society-istofirst claim it forourselves and then give it to ourmen. "To acknowledgethe fundamentalinjustice, cruelty, brutality and inhuman- willgive it toyou. ity of slaveryin the U.S.and the 13 Americancolonies between 1619 and ! 865 and 2. Talkto yourfriends and neighbors. Ask them to calland write their So whatcan you do rightnow to affecta change?Start by takingyour hand Jom us in volum e m, activkm, education,and to establisha commissionto examinethe institutionof slavery,subsequent de jure ’ ¯ ’ . . . congressman.Band together in a group. offyour hips and relax your neck. Lift your eyes and find a reasonto smile. m on-campusactivites. ,; .: and de factoracial and economicdiscrimination against African-American and the Openyour mouth and speak to him,in thegrocery store, at thelaundry mat impactof theseforces on livingAfrican-Americans; to make recommendations to the 3. Forma chapterof theAdam Clayton Powell Society (A.C.P. Society). or as you passby on campus.Acknowledge yourself and be acknowledged. . . .: t¢ Callor write.Information isavailable. Politicians listen to organizations Reachout, NOW, and begin building that bridge of respectone brother at Congresson appropriateremedies and for otherpurposes... ¯ morethat they listen to individuals.Tenor morein a chapterwould be a time. ActiveStudents forAIDS Prevention The Bill goes on to state the commissionshall be composedof seven great,however, as fewas fivewill do. Brutlmrs,you’re next! appointedmembers: three by thePresident, three by the Houseof Representativesand Meetings:Every Wednesdayfrom 7-gpm. Ask EDNA 4. Senda $5.00or moredonation to theAdam Clayton Powell Society one appointedby the Senate. or justwrite and let them know you are out there. You just may get 40 forthe location. Eachmember of thecorpmission shall be paidthe equivalent annual basic rate acres,$50 and a sturdymule or itspresent day equivalent. of a GS-18.The powersof the commissionare specificin nature,yet broadin authority.To carryout theprovisions of thisbill $8 millionhas been appropriated. I I February1994 ThePeople’s Voice 11 10 ThePeople’s Voice ARTS ARTS John Coltrane:Beyond the Thresholdof Melody Notesfor an AfricanWorld Revolution Africans At theCrossroads By Dean JamesFelton by JohnHenirk Clarke Theconservative conventions within a societyprovide protection from the unknown and asylum from failure. Through traveling along Publishedby AfricanWorld Press mainstreamsof society, one avoids the vicious currents of unacceptance andridicule. Those individuals whochoose to strayfrom the norm andnavigate the unknown are called Pioneers. Itis the responsibility ofthe pioneers to examineand chart the unknown so that their progress canbe replicatedand expanded. The innovative repertoire of John Coltrane revolutionized thejazz form. His accomplishments inmusic theory f "c W rl R v 1 ionis probablyDr. JohnHenrik Clarke’s greatest intellectual work in printbecause of the classifyhim as a truepioneer. comprehensivenature of itscontents. Itis the culmination ofhis years of observation about the social condition ofAfrican people worldwide andwhat African people have to do to empowerthemselves in a worldwhere information control and manipulation determine the haves from BomSeptember 23, 1926, John Coltrane transformed the melodic and harmonic conventions of the jazz world. His seventeen-year career thehave nots. creatednew avenues within the realm of freeimprovisation. Twenty-five years after his death, his works are still.aoled andrespected. His impacton contemporary jazzwas so indelible that musical conventions after his unexpected death are often referred toas being ’post Coltrane’. Dr.Clarke examines the lives of MalcolmX, MarcusGarvey, Kwame Nkrumah and W.E.B. DuBois to namejust a few.He putstheir livesin perspectiveandclarifies their philosophies, disagreements, shortcomings anddecisions while explaining how each fits into the developmentof an Africanworld union. Rather than pursuing the standard African-American theories of conflictand disagreement between Theunmistakable signature of Coltrane’smusic is created thesegreat figures,he separates their intellectual disagreements fromthe stories that have grown up around them, having no real confrontation. throughthe extensive use of theAfrican Natural Pentatonic Scales.This melodic framework was in starkcontrast with the In partfour of No e f r an AfricanWor Rev lution, Dr. Clarke asks the question "Can African people save themselves?" It is a Europeanmelodic and harmonic theories he learnedduring his frighteningquestion that Dr. Clarke answers concisely and without hesitation. Thereader is left with a lotof thinking to do and attitudes to brieftraining at EastCoast Conservatories. Coltrane recon- change.One thing is for certain this introduction tothe great contributors andconcepts ofBlack Nationalism andPan-Africanism is,probably, structedthe traditional functioned tonally. The resulting atonal thebest in the world. Bringing together over forty-five years of research and thinking Dr. Clarke is the scholar that all serious Black Nationalists mediumoffered Coltrane the unsullied environment in which he andPan-Africanists mustread before they can proclaim a clear understanding ofthe ideas, concepts and principles embodied in theevolution constructedhismelodic ideas. of unifyingAfrican people.

Thecreativeness of Coltrane is bestdefined by fellowartist ArchieShepp, "He (Coltrane) proved it wasnot impossible playan uninterrr,pted, constantly constructive, original and imaginativesolo for thirty top forty-five minutes. Itwas impos- siblefor anyone to listen to Coltrane superficially. Whether the performancewas slow and deep, or fierceand turbulent, the The Associationfor The Studyof powerof JohnColtrane’s musical intent seized mind and body. Somedid not likehis style, however, no one couldremain indifferenttoit." ClassicalAfrican Civilizations

Someof Coltrane’smost note-worthy achievements occurred in thelast eight years of hislife. Miles Davis, another pioneer in the jazzcommunity, brought Coltrane out of anonymityand propelledhim to the forefrontof the jazzstage. The two mastermindsdeveloped a deep friendship and the union spawned a musicalcomplexity not seen since Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie.

In 1960,Coltrane formed his famous quartet. Members included JimmyGarrison on bass,McCoy Tyner on piano,and Etvin InvitesYour Participation In Joneson drums.The quartet became_a!aboratory.ofcol!ective The EleventhAnnual improvisation,unparalleled in its expressive force. They re- NationalAncient Kemetic Studies Conference mainedtogether for five years. Its disintegrati0h" wasdue, in CaliforniaState University - Dominquez Hills 1000E. Victoria Street part,to Coltrane’sgrowing feeling that the piano had become a "ball-and-chain"tohis creative articulation. Carson,CA March 17-20,1994 JohnColtrane’s sudden death devastated the jazz community. In 40 briefyears, the dynamic and unprecedented advances he contributedto Repetitionof theBirth: thejazz world remain unsurpassed. Itwould be difficultto hypothesize thedirection oftoday’s jazz community if Coltrane were still amongst The Ten Years of CelebrationWithout Compromise us.Some of thetitles Coltrane gave his music: "Transition", "Ascension", clearly indicate Coltrane’s passion to transcendcontemporary traditionaljazz and ride the metaphysical edge. Coltrane was a shyindividual and focused on spiritualbalance. His life is eloquently characterizedby a quotefrom John himself: eventsinclude: - PLENARYSESSIONS featuring Afrocentric scholars and activists lecturingontopics central tofurthering Kemetic studies.

- WORKSHOPS/SEMINARSon education, research, creative "I wantto be a forcefor realgood. In other productions,science and spiritual development. words,I know thereare bad forces,forces that bring sufferingto othersand misery - THEFESTIVAL highlights talents, ancient ceremonies and rituals to the world. I want to be the opposite foryour enlightenment andinspiration. force.I wantto be theforce that is trulyfor - VENDORSwith a varietyof books, art works, crafts, garments, good." jewelry,andsouvenirs.

Presiding: Mrs. NzlngaR. Heru, ASCACNational President Dr. JohnHenrlk Clarke, Chairman, Council of Elders JohnColtrane: A Love Supreme; A Pioneer. fOr more informationcontact ASCAC at: (213)730-1155, FAX (213)731-4998 1994 13 12 ThePeople’s Voice Feb 1994 ThePeople’s Voice

g. INTERNATIONAL INTERNATIONAL

FOCUS ON PAN-AFRICANISM FOCUS ON PAN-AFRICANISM MALCOLM X ON GOING BACK TO AFRICA

JUST WHAT IS PAN-AFRICANISM? MALCOLM X WAS ASKED HOW HE THOUGHT AFRO-AMERICANS WOULD BE RECEIVED BY THE The followinginformation was providedby the Pan-AfricanAssociations of America AFRICANS IF THEY SHOULD BACK TO AFRICA.

MALCOLM:After lengthy discussions with many Africans at all levels,I wouldsay some would be welcome nitieswithin America. It is ourphilosophy that the fate of ALLAfrican Insimple terms Pan-Africanism is the ideal that ALL people of African andsome wouldn’t be welcome.Those that have a contributiontomake would be welcome,but those that have ancestryshould be unitedin theircommon human experience and should people(whether they live in NorthAmerica, Central America, South nocontribution tomake would not be welcome; I don’t think any of us, if we look at it objectively, could find fault worktoward the betterment of theAfrican continent and ALL of its America,the Caribbean, Europe, Asia, the Po!_Ynesian Islands or Africa) is withthat. offspring(the Diaspora) wherever they live in theworld! intimatelylinked together. Itis our belief that, only through a shared effort, canAfrican peoples in Americaand worldwide, solve the socio-economic AndI believethis, that if we migrated back to Africa culturally, philosophically, andpsychologically, problemsWE all face; solve the cultural-centered education problems our HOW LONG HAS THIS IDEAL BEEN AROUND? whileremaining here physically, the spiritual bond that would develop between us andAfrica through this childrensuffer from and advance the healthy internalized AFROCENTRIC cultural,philosophical, andpsychological migration, so-called migration, would enhance our position here, In spiritit hasalways existed where African people on the continent conceptof philosophy,ideals and ethics which are sacred and fundamental becausewe would have our contacts with them acting as rootsor foundations behind us. You never will have a createdcivilizations, empires and kingdoms. Italso came into existence to the processof SELF-DFTERMINATION(KUJICHAGULIA). foundationin America. You’re out of yourmind if youthis THIS government isever going to backyou and me in thewestern hemisphere where people, torn from the Motherland by upin the same way that it backed others up. They’ll never do it. It’s not in them. wayof the slave holocaust, fought against those who attempted todeny IT IS THE PAN-AFRICAN ASSOCIATIONS OF AMERICA’S MISS ION TO: themtheir dignity. The spirit of it was fashioned from those ancestors As an example,take the Chinese. You asked me aboutRed China. The Chinese used to be disrespected. whowould not let the memory of Africa die and maintained the tradition Theyused to us thatexpression in thiscountry: "You don’t have a Chinaman’schance." You remember that? --FamiliarizeAfrican-Americans with the document"The Black Agenda of resistancethrough stories, words, memories and rituals. Youdon’t hear it lately.Because a Chinaman’sgot more chance than they have now. Why? Because China is Up tothe Year 2000" and begin to targetthese goals within the African- strong.Since China became strong and independent, sherespected, she’ s recognized.Sothat wherever a Chinese Americannational community, and link the results of these goals to the The idealbecame more concrete with time as Africanpeople were persongoes, he isrespected and he is recognized.He’s not respected and recognized because of what he asan resultsthat the rest of the global African world are also working towards. educatedin theways of western civilization andas they experienced the individualhas done; he is respectedand recognized because he has a countrybehind him, a continentbehind him. indignityof slavery,colonialism, segregation, neo-colonialism and He hassome power behind him. They don’t respect him, they respect what’s behind him. apartheid. --Encourage,andif necessary,mediate between different African-Ameri- cangroups so that despite our different strategies andtactics, weare working By thesame token, when the African continent in its independence is able to createthe unity that’s Fromthis mutual struggle and the comparison of social notes emerged toimprove the conditions of African people whether they live in American necessarytoincrease its strength and its position onthis earth, so that Africa too becomes respected asother huge theidea that African people must band together to takecare of ALLof innercities or rural Africa. continentsare respected, then, wherever people of African origm, African heritage of Africanblood go, they will theirhuman needs and preserve the legitimate legacy of their ancestors be respected-but only when and because they have something much larger that looks like them behind them. With whilethey prepared a protected destiny for those yet to come, Out of this --Develop,encourage and nurturecommunity-based Pan-African organi- thatbehind you, you will get some respect. Without it behindyou, you can do almost anything under the sun in strugglewas born series of Pan-African international meetings, starting zationsthat are linked by a logicaland practical structure where ordinary society- pass any kind of law that Washington canthink of- and you and I willstill be trying to get them to enforce African’Americanscan begin to re-shapetheir communities, empower withthe one in 1900convened by AncestorSylvester W!l]i~s leading thatlaw. We’ll be likethat Chinaman [about whom] they used to say,"He doesn’t have a Chinaman’schance." to the 6thPan-African Congress which convened in Tan~iain 1974, themselveswhile also building real bridges of fellowshipwith ordinary Africanpeople in thecontinent, in the Western Hemisphere and Asia. Nowyou don’t have a Negro’schance. But with Africa getting its independence, youand I willhave more of a chance.I believe in that 100 percent. WHO IS THE FOUNDER OF THE MODERN PAN-AFRICANISM? ~Establisha UIS. Branch of theWorld Pan-African Priesthood. Andthis is whatI meanby a migrationof going back to Africa- goingback in thesense that we reach Dr.W.E.B. DuBois, who not satisfied with the efforts of theNAACP, movedon toconvene several Pan-African Congresses and influenced the reEstablisha U.S. Branch of the PanAfrican Account also known as the outto themand they reach out to us.Our mutual understanding andour mutual effort toward a mutualobjective willbring mutual benefit to the African as well as to theAfro-American. Butyou will never get it just relying thinkingof thegreat African leaders like Dr. Kwame Nkrum~and J0mo ZAWADIKWAFRIKA where African people may, if they choose,make Kenyatta.These African leaders went on to createliberation movements financialcontributions to the World Movement that will aid it inbringing on UncleSam alone. You are looking to the wrong direction. Because the wrong people are in WashingtonD.C., andI meanfrom the White House right on down.I hopeI don’tstep on anybody’s toes by sayingthat. I didn’t in Ghanaand Kenya that ended in independence.Ghana and President structuretoa permanent,non-government sponsored International African votefor him, so I cansay it. Nkrumahso honoredDr. DuBois that he wasgiven a stateburial in Ghana thinktank called the Pan-African Foundation. andis buriedthere today. To thisday his papers and concepts are Answerto question,HARYOU-ACT enshrinedinthe DuBois library in Accra, the capital of Ghana. reEstablisha new ethic based on the research or Atrocenlncscholars; a new forumfor Domestic Peace Corps socialmodel based on successful historical African social models; a renewed member,Harlem, December 12, 1964 WHAT IS THE STATUS OF PAN-AFRICANISM TODAY? .... Africanspirituality that transcends religion, political dogma and western intellectualism. Pan-Africanismis alive and well! There now existsthe World Pan- WOULD YOU LIKE TO BECOME A MEMBER? AfricanMovement. It is headedby theWorld Chair who is headquar- A BRIEF HISTORY: (Thisinformation also comes from the PAAA.) teredm Lagos,Nigeria. The Chair of theWorld Pan-African Movement is Mr.Naiwu Osahon. The movement is dividedinto ten world regions. ThePan-African Associations ofAmerica initially was an informalgroup of , , ¯ i Hereare some reasons why you may want to consider becoming anactive member of the Pan-African TheRegional Coordinator for the Pan-African Movement North America African-Americansin the San Diego, California area who began meeting in AssociationofSan Diego if you are of African descent orare an African living in the U.S. is~" Mr.Charles C. Roachof Canada.The president of themovement in 1988.As this group met consistently it began to realize that there was no :/: theUnited States is Bro. Duane B. Bradford.The headquarters ofthe formallocal, legal non-profit organization thatrepresented theneeds of ALL I.Because ifoffers you a forumfor exchange between African people of different experiences. U.S.branch is in San Diego,California. The U.S.movement comes Africanpeople locally, foremost and first. It thendecided to organize under the name PAN-AFRICANASSOCIATIONS OF AMERICA,and formallyand became state non-profit, tax exempt organization in April of 2.Because itoffers you the spirituality oftraditional Africa. ismade up ofstate associations throughout the country. 1990.In January1991 it becamean associatemember of theWorld Pan- / i. AfricanMovement and thePan-African Movement USA. In January1991, 3.It provides you with resources that include a clear understanding of~fro~ntricity. WHAT IS THE STATUS OF PAN-AFRICANISMIN THE U.S.? it becamean associatemember of theWorld Pan-African Movement and the 4.It can provide you with an understanding ofAfrican principles, symbols and values based on PanAfrican Movement USA. In January! 994it reorganizeditself as the Africanself-interpretation. li is experiencinga revival as moreAfrican-Americans in the nation nationalPan-African Associations of America, changing its name from the realizethat we mustform organized relationships withAfrica if we are Pan-AfricanAssociation ofSan Diego. It is presently seeking to establish 5.It can provide you with a differentperspective ofPan-Africanism basedon Afrocentric principles to realizeany kind of economicindependence and stabilityin our statenon-profit organizations throughout ofunity. communities.As African-Americans begin to reconnectwith African allfifty states. spirituality,collective work and responsibility, andthe need 6iit is not a pretentiousorganization bugoneof nurturing andpatience which encourages youto learn to buildan African World Union on principlerather than personality, AllAfrican people, regardless ofethnic origins, political affi!iation, profes- and.growin health,mind, body, ands0uU~~ ...... :", " Pan-Africanismwillonly sound better and better. sionalstatus, economic status, or religious preference are encouraged to becomepaid members of thenational organization so that we areable to 7.It willhelp you establish a p~ ~ork of African fellowship which will last a lifetime. IS THIS WHY THE PAN-AFRICAN ASSOCIATIONS OF AMERICA movea stepcloser to self-determination forordinary African people through- ..::’:. 8.It will encourage youto find practicalways ofinteracting withthe Motherland, whichwill result HAVE COME INTO EXISTENCE? outthe globe. For more information onjoining or establishing a branch call inexpanded personal, career, business, social, and cultural opportunities. (619)582-7149 or writethe organization at2325 Laconia Street, San Diego, , . YES!The Pan-AfricanAssociations of America have been founded to Ca 92114. ORGANIZATION IS OUR BEST WORLD DEFENSE! Youcan contact the Pan-African ~onof SanDiego by calling(619) 582-7149 or by visiting bringabout improved communications between ALL people of African ~:~:~:I: theiroffioe on 2325 Laconia Street in S~!~ego. ancestry,from throughout the globe and in ALLof our diverse commu- !i~!i~:iii! Februar 1994 ThePeople’s Voice 15

What makesme Mulatto?

women What makes me Mulatto? herskin Is it my stateof mind,over time, maonds Or is it a visualgame of somekind? Isit, I ask,the state of my soul, andcontours, Or is it theway I mustplay out a role? Can you see ME, throughyour educated eyes? shark. Eyeswhich may be well-trainedby lies. IfI havea label,which does it say? Black,White, Indian, Creole, OREO COOKIE? Childof a Blackwoman and a Whiteman. Underwhich flag do you thinkI stand? MalcolmX saysmy fatheris "theenemy." Whicheyes do I use to see my own family? [I am] The onlyWhite man in a Baptistchurch¯ [I am] Theonly Black man in a Catholicchurch. Neitherside worship the samegod, Andboth believe the otheris a fraud. We all competefor the same GuidingHand, So we may buildour CastlesMade of Sand. Only to see themwashed away in Time. Do we thencurse Truth and call this a crime? Or do we realizethat our educated eyes are full of lies? Then what makes me Mulatto? "TheT ,edin My Eye" I SAW A CHILD AT PLAY Wellde~:.:hips set offher slen~r waist A waistthdlhouses anegg that :is:~!~ ~swer -Paul Beaudry TODAY, I SAW A CHILD AT PLAY to theorigin of ourexis~il IN THE HEAT OF THE SUMMER’SSUN. . .[4. " " AS I WATCHED HIM LAUGH, I WISHED THAT HALF MY LIFE COULD BE SUCH FUN. TO GO THROUGH LIFE WITHOUT THE STRIFE Herarms are timer than gold ~:’ " FOR ALL THE DAYS TO COME- Herhands sweetas rose petals ::~?: :::: I FELT INSIDETHAT I WOULD CRY Handsthat possess thet0Uch ofsensuaI fn’e...... iL:::::.. AND TEARS BEGAN TO RUN. TH EY TRICKLED DOWN MY FACEAND CHEEKS ??’:i:¯ ":’T.": :: .. Itis because ofthese things,: that she, by nature : AND DRIPPED OFF OFMY NOSE personi~tlaeEighthwonderof theworld. .... ::::: AND FELL TO TINY PUDDLES THAT SANK INTO MY CLOTHES. THEY WEREN’T TEARS OF SORROW THOUGH MUCH MORE LIKE TEARS OF JOY, FOR THE IGNORANCE AND INNOCENCE .-.:..,.j THAT WERE THAT LITTLE BOY. NO JOB, NO RENT,NO BILLS TO PAY \ NO HEARTACHE AND NO FEAR. HE SAW THAT I WAS CRYING AND HE CAME TO WIPE MY TEAR. HE SAID TO ME, "HEY MISTER, WHAT’S WRONG WITH YOU TODAY?" I TOLD HIM HOW I WISHED THAT I COULD RUN AND LAUGH AND PLAY. ¯ o HE SAID, "YOU CAN" AND GRABBED MY HAND " AND OFF WE RAN !. ======:::..::~ ...... :.:.!::i:. ’: ANDNOW IT SEEMS I UNDERSTAND ..... " ¯ " - i .... "-"" THAT:DEEPINSIDE OF EACH OF US i ...... ,:...:::":.. i. " .. ...:: :.:..::...... IS A CHILD THAT NEEDS TO PLAY. "f":" ?’if:: ON DIFFERENT DAYS IN DIFFERENT WAYS ? ..:::!i¯:~:! ¯~ " WE MUST LET HIM HAVE HIS WAY. AND WHEN WE DON’T WE OFTEN FIND ¯ THAT~.ESS AND PROBLEMS 6"i:i PLA(~,r~OUR MINDS "CAUS~SOMETIMES"EIFEIS SO UNKIND SO PAY ATI’ENTIONTO THE SIGNS AND YOU’LL KNOW WHEN ITS TIME TO SAY, "IT’S:TIME FOR ME TO GO AND PLAY".

JUSTBE BACK BEFORE THE STREETLIGHTS COME ¯ .:’/¯ ON....

- MIKEY

.: 16 ThePeople’s Voice Februar~1994 AASU hosts High SchoolConference By Paul Beaudry

UCSD’sSAAC and AASU will host this year’s high school conference on Saturday, February 26. The main purpose of theconference is to encouragehigh school students to keepgoing up the road to highereducation. Yes, there ARE Black people and other people of colorin our nation’scolleges (not enough of us though).Hopefully, we can recruit some of thehigh school students to attendUCSD, but the primary aim ofSaturday’s conference is to get young Black high school students to beginthinking about college, regardless of where they go.

Letterswere sent out to highschools all over California. Over 150 high CulturalMusic Festival offers schoolstudents are expected to attend.A very exciting and information- packedday is planned for them. varietyof entertainment Afterthey register, former SDSU student body president and founder of By Paul Beaudry LeadershipExcellence, Daniel Walker, will be speakingabout the need for brothersand sisters to helpeach other. Workshops are scheduled through- TheCultural Music Festival looks like it willan eventworth outthe day, some of thetopics including: UCSD admissions criteria, career waitingfor. The concert is constructedto show a historical preparedness,male/female relationships~ andhow to getfinancial aid. progressionof African-American music. A localcomedian will Someof the other workshops will focus on the sciences, social sciences, or actas emcee.The first musical guests will be UCSD’sown, thearts. During lunch, there will be a talentshow and possibly a step show. ever-popularGospel Choir. Steel drummer, Anthony Akee, A closingdiscussion panel of Blackalumni will be sharingtheir college willbe performingnext before Craig Dawson’s jazz combo experienceswiththe students and be open for questions. Before the students takesthe stage. To close the event, a D.J. will be playingR&B leave,tours of the campus will be given by the participating UCSDstudents. andhip-hop music. Hope to seeyou there. DID YOU KNOW??? By DeniseCarter and JillLogan

Didyou know that...The Father of Medicine,hnhotep’s Ethiopian portraits show him as a Blackman. Didyou know that .... Richard Allen Iounded the Afi’ican Methodist Church. Didyou know that...The Black Manifesto was a shockingsermon, delivered in 1969,demanding almost $500 million in paymentto Blacks foreconomic injustices under which slavery was delivered. Didyou know that... Joe Louis was regarded as thegreatest heavyweight champion of alltime, and held the championship title from 1937 untilhis retirement in 1947, longer than any other heavyweight champion. Didyou know that... Madame C.J. Walker, manufacturer ofhalr preparations, isreported to be thefirst Black woman to become a millionaire; a pioneerbusiness leader. Didyou know that... Garrett Morgan invented the traffic light. Didyou know that... W.P. Purvis invented the fountain pen. Didyou know that... Paul Downing invented the mailbox. Didyou know that.., Martin Luther King was the 2nd American to be honoredwith a nationalholiday (George Washington being the first). NEXT ISSUE:

- A reviewof TheBlack Agendafor the year 2000. - A calendarofevents of Af- rican-Americanevents in San Diegoand abroad. - MoreAfrican-American history. - A discussionof Black reparations. - And muchmore...

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