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KOLA NEWSLETTER Black Knight Communication January 2007 Issue No. 4
In this issue: BIG BROTHER IS
ñ Big Brother is WATCHING YOU! watching you! Page 1 ñ Editor’s comments Page 4 What compulsory ID cards ñ A tribute to our hard working means for us all Mothers and Fathers Page 5 ñ Abolition of Slavery Bicentenary 2007 Page 6 ñ KOLA’s Roll Call of Honour Page 7 ñ Dates to remember in Black History (January) Page 8 ñ Prayers and salutations Page 11 In Spring 2006, legislation for compulsory ID cards became law in Parliament. Is there ñ Walking the Tightrope of anything to worry about? Today, we already Respectability Page 11 possess many photo ID’s (e.g. Passports, ñ When ‘Negro’ never Driving Licences, security passes). Having a meant ‘Black’ Page 12 new ID card should not make any difference whatsoever.
Unfortunately, the Government didn’t reveal ñ Bah Humbug Series! the full scope of its ID card scheme and ñ Part 1 – Religious Objections to what it means for the general public. The ID Christmas decorations Page 14 card is unlike any other card. It will be connected to a central database called the ñ Part 2 – Muslims against National Identity Register (NIR). All your Christmas? Page 14 personal details will be stored there. It will ñ Part 3 – Anti-Christmas politically contain your fingerprints, retina scan (taken correct propaganda from your eye), DNA and photograph. You will be issued with a unique number. exposed Page 15
ñ Movies to watch Page 17 ñ Health & Safety alert - Cleanliness is Godliness Page 18 ñ Your letters Page 19 ñ What does KOLA mean? Page 20
Retina scan
It will hold your name, address and date of birth. It will possess details of your religious
affiliation, residential status, financial records, health records, prison record (if you
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have one), and many other private and personal facts about you. There will be unlimited space for other details of your life, which could be expanded by the Government with or without any future Acts of Parliament. Transport For London’s Oyster Card
The same applies when getting a new telephone line, a mobile phone or an internet account. Oyster, DVLA, British Telecom and Nectar run their own detailed databases. They could access the NIR Old fashioned Database meaning private businesses can thumb/fingerprint store and access your unique number in their own systems, placing all your travel On the surface, the register appears information, telephone records, driving harmless. The new ID card will be used to activities and detailed shopping habits under check your identity against your entry in the your personal unique NIR reference number. NIR register at the time of presentation to prove who you are. Every newsagent, off- These databases, (which can fit into a hand- licence and supermarket selling alcohol held storage device), could be sold to third and/or cigarettes, every post office, parties either legally or illegally enabling pharmacy, supermarket and bank will have non-government organisations (even an NIR Card Terminal (similar to Chip & Pin organised criminals) to create their own readers). ID cards will be 'swiped' to confirm detailed dossiers of all your activities. The your identity. A record will be created at the Government can access them all. They will Database at the time and location where you have complete records of your movements. swipe your card. They will know your financial status, the medication you take, the kinds of food you eat - all this data is accessible via your unique number.
Through the Database, the Government will have a record of every time you withdraw cash from your bank account. When you George Orwell’s1984 must prove you are over 18, your card must Winston Smith’s ID Card? be swiped, and a record sent to the Database. All babies, infants, children, and This is a major leap from administering a adolescents (regardless of age) will be simple ID card system showing your name issued with ID cards. Restaurants and off- and face. Most people are unaware of the licences will demand your card is swiped to potential dangers behind the proposed ID prove that sales of alcohol are made to card scheme. However, when details are customers over 18, that it was confirmed fully explained, attitudes among the general when they accessed the Database, thus public will quickly change. The Government indemnifying them from prosecution. Private will compel you to enter your personal businesses will get access to the Database. details into the NIR Database. You must comply and you must carry your card Your card must be swiped when applying for everywhere you go. If you (or your children) jobs. It must be swiped when using London require (or need to renew) a passport, you Underground’s Oyster Card, or obtaining a must have your DNA and fingerprints taken, supermarket loyalty card, or driving licence.
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and your eyes (retina) scanned for the Database at designated centres. Maxie Hayles, Chair of the Birmingham Racial Attacks Monitoring Unit, echoed An ID card will be issued to you, whether Professor John's view. "Black communities you want one or not. If you refuse to be fingerprinted and/or eye scanned, you will not get a new passport. Even though you will be expected to pay for them, ID cards (like passports), will remain the property of HM Government. The Home Secretary will have power to revoke or suspend them at any time and for any reason. Should this occur, you cannot withdraw money from your bank Maxie Hayles account, nor buy food, nor pay for medicines. You cannot travel, nor pay your are already discriminated against," he said. bills, nor do anything else that requires the "There are other ways the Home Office presentation of an ID card. What will this could approach this. We already see Black mean for Black people or poor people people treated unfairly by police with stop- generally who are usually the subject of and-search and singled out by Immigration police suspicion? officials at airports. Introducing ID cards will only add to this and have a bad affect on race relations in this country."
Further opposition was voiced by the Society of Black Lawyers and the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants (JCWI). Tauhid Pasha, Legal Policy and Information Director at the JCWI, added: "The cards could be UK Passport used against anyone who looks different or anyone who looks like their immigration According to leading race campaigners, ID status is in doubt. Essentially that will be cards will become a form of "state racism" Black people and Ethnic Minorities.” and could cause more problems than they are intended to solve. Professor Gus John (a consultant on race and diversity and a race adviser to the Home Office), said "One of the reasons these cards could be introduced is to stop illegal immigration.
Professor Michael Levi
Professor Gus John Michael Levi, Professor of Criminology at the University of Wales, said that the "This will have a detrimental effect on Black Government might "run the risk of producing people who have been targetted in the past the same kind of backlash that individuals for all sorts of reasons. These cards are a faced under the police operation of stop- form of state racism. They are deeply and-search powers. In the immediate worrying and extremely dangerous. You situation, the people most likely to be can't be committed to combatting social stopped will be Asians, those who look exclusion and promoting social cohesion if Islamic and Black people." Furthermore, ID at the same time you are putting particular cards are likely to cause problems for sections of Black and minority communities babies, infants, children, adolescents, continually under the microscope."
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people with disabilities, the elderly and people diagnosed with mental ill health. For further information regarding compulsory What if they lost their ID cards? Will they be ID cards visit the following websites. fined? Will they have to pay for a www.no2id.net/getInvolved/idCentres.php ; replacement? Will the Government go one www.homeoffice.gov.uk/passports-and- step further and impose their controversial immigration/id-cards/ biological microchip implants on these sections of the human population as a long term solution? Editor’s comments Well folks, here we are at the start of a new The arguments supporting ID cards can be year. Many thanks to the editorial team and easily disproved. They will not stop KOLA Newsletter staff for yet another terrorism; Spanish citizens already have excellent edition. We have set quite a high compulsory ID cards, as did the Madrid standard which keeps on getting better. We Bombers. They will not deter crime, nor will hope to have a full programme of events they 'eliminate benefit fraud,' which is tiny during 2007. compared to the cost of this scheme, estimated to cost £billions according to the Thank you for your continued support and London School of Economics. This scheme excellent feedback. KOLA’s external is designed to exert total surveillance and network is working hard at putting together a control over ordinary British Citizens, and PA interactive training CD package and line the pockets of those companies (and other packages that can help our members shareholders), contracted to create the at work. Watch this space. We will soon computer systems and software at the have details on how you can obtain your free expense of our freedom, privacy and money. training discs and CDs. Please remember, do not use them on departmental The Bill became legislation in 2006 and equipment. Anyone requiring audio/hard should come into effect in 2010. This all copy version should make contact happened in the absence of extensive public immediately. debates nationwide as well as the lack of accurate and complete information being 2006 was a very interesting year. KOLA made available to the general public. turned adversity (banishment and exile from HMRC) into a successful external network thanks to our newsletter and weblog. With reference to the question raised in the letter to PCS dated 11 October 2006, the answer is ‘No!’ We have not received a copy of the HR audit document that incorporates the union’s consultation process, nor have we received a reply from the PCS President to our last letter dated 11 October 2006.
Big Brothers All Seeing Eye
Please pass this article to friends, family, colleagues in your community. If you don’t Mohamed Al Fayed know all the facts about ID cards, write to There is an old saying that you cannot go to your local MP. Question them regarding the Harrods and ask Mr Al Fayed to pass a impact that this legislation will have on your bottle of class from the top shelf. Real class freedoms, your democratic rights, your (in our opinion) is having the good grace to human rights and your civil liberties. Please acknowledge when you are wrong. When it make sure you do this before it is too late. comes down to it, you either have class or
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you don’t. We have it in abundance as Stanley Windrush eventfully lodges with the demonstrated by the professional and Kite family and samples authentic working coherent responses we put back to PCS, class life. Whereas Stanley could walk away backed up with hard documentary evidence. at any time from his make believe world of playing a working class factory worker, the Our view is that we must build on this Windrush West Indian immigrant community newfound independence. We are really could not. encouraged to have received more requests from first time readers to be added to our My father experienced the Fred Kite rebuke external e-mailing list. It is far more from a foreman/union official for working too liberating and productive than being hard in his formative years in this country. dependant upon a group of people at PCS More specifically, he was told that he was who are neither willing, nor qualified, nor letting the side down. Ironically despite this able to understand the issues facing us. principled solidarity of being all one Their lives are simply not touched by the workforce, racism was rife on the factory st reality of being Black in the 21 century. We floor in the 1950’s and 60’s. As an must accept this whilst fortifying our self- alternative protective measure (in dealing help motto/credo ‘Championing our Own with the daily use of the ‘N’ word and other Causes’ and move on. Happy New Year to racist comments directed at immigrants), my you all. Editor father alongside his Polish and Irish immigrant colleagues formed a network. With these three immigrant groups forging a A tribute to our hard bond they represented a stronger unit which deterred the racists. working Mothers and The debt we owe these men and women is Fathers beyond measure. Due to their immense One of my favourite films is John Boulting’s courage and fortitude, very few of us, thank 1959 classic starring Peter Sellers as Fred God, have had to run the daily gauntlet of Kite, the trade union official in ‘I’m All Right the N word and other racist comments. The Jack.’ It seemed to encapsulate the whole word ‘Hero’ is banded about so liberally concept of union solidarity with Fred Kite’s these days that it has lost its true meaning to character symbolising the ‘dyed in the wool’ the point of becoming ‘Zero.’ However, these highly principled and traditional trade early immigrants (beyond a shadow of unionist who would strike over the most doubt) were in fact genuine Heroes and minor infringement as a matter of principle. Heroines. They stood up to the racist nonsense without any Commission for The line that resonated most was Peter Racial Equality or Race Relations Act. Sellers telling off the ‘well to do’ Stanley That’s what I call flying solo without a safety Windrush (played by Ian Carmichael) for net or support and that is real undeniable working through his tea break stating ‘Where courage. do you think you are? We don’t work like Blacks here?’ A true hero or heroine is one who fulfills the definitions of what is considered good and noble. It is also someone who places the willingness to sacrifice themself for the greater good as the most important defining characteristic. The early Windrush immigrants did just that when they soaked up the daily racist abuse in order to create a better working environment for us all. To our mothers and fathers, you are no longer the unsung heroes. We recognise your sacrifices made on our behalf and we salute you.
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had trodden 450 years before. When I first Abolition of Slavery stood on African soil, I made a silent prayer of thanks. Whilst my forebear’s journey away Bicentenary 2007 from Africa would have been made under the most horrific circumstances imaginable, the return to my homeland marked a brilliant testament to their strength of character and their instincts for survival.
Colin Jackson
When watching Colin Jackson researching his family history recently on the BBC television programme ‘Who do you think you Prime Minister Tony Blair are?’ I was filled with pride. My cousin tried to trace my family history and discovered All the hullabaloo in the press recently about th that my maternal grandmother’s maiden the 200 year anniversary of the abolition of name was Jewish and her father (my great slavery and Prime Minister Tony Blair grandfather) may have been a White man. offering his regrets (but no apology) has left Whilst I have always felt a strong affinity to me feeling cold. In 2014, (seven years th Jews, I had no desire to delve any further. away), it will be the 100 anniversary of the Why? Because I suspect my grandmother Great War. Notwithstanding the fact that was not the product of a love match and that Black soldiers from Africa, Asia and the would have troubled me deeply. Caribbean fought, bled and died in that war, could you imagine the hue and cry if Black I also found BBC newsreader Moira Stuart’s people today told Caucasians that it is too journey (in the original series) equally far in the past to reflect on this, or if the poignant. Like Ms Stuart, I would have German people only offered their regrets for broken down whilst reviewing the slave’s what had happened with no apology? journals. It was so poignant because she was desperately trying to connect with her It seems to be a remarkable double ancestors, not knowing who they where, but standard. If 200 years is too far into the past hoping that by touching their names with her for us to reflect upon this, why must we sit fingertips she would have made some through other people’s history lessons in spiritual connection to them. school and remember King Richard and the Crusades, King John and the Magna Carta, Tudor Kings and Queens, and all the other monarchs to the present Queen Elizabeth II? History is not an à la carte menu where the most comfortable triumphant events are remembered and the more shameful episodes are suppressed. We must never forget our history because it has a strange way of repeating itself. As defined in French law in 2001 ‘slavery is a crime against humanity.’ Moira Stuart However, this shameful period of man’s When in Africa, I walked along the breaches inhumanity to man, was repeated during the repeatedly where the slave routes had been World War II with the mass extermination of in the hope that I too, would touch the same Jews and the creation of Arbeitslager (labour ground that my unknown African forefathers camps). Who would have thought a failed
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Austrian artist Adolph Hitler, the product of British governor signed a treaty promising an incestuous relationship between an uncle the Maroons 2500 acres (10 km²) in two and niece, could give rise to the locations, because they presented a threat unimaginable horrors of the holocaust to the British. Maroons played an important through his prison cell racist journal, ‘Mien role in the histories of Brazil, Suriname, Kemp?’ Puerto Rico, Cuba, and Jamaica.
Have you heard of William (Willie) Lynch? KOLA’s Roll Call of Honour Lynch (an Englishman) drafted the infamous Every slave that survived and those who blueprint document for slave owners. The perished during the journey we salute you. chapter instructing them how to break the Negro slave (as if one were breaking a horse), is particularly disturbing. Yes, the bicentenary must be celebrated. Does it concern me that we have only received regrets over what has happened and not a full apology?
No! I do not want an insincere apology or one that is full of resentment by those who neither want to make any apology nor wish to reflect back. Any meaningful apology must come in the form of reparations for all who suffered past and present. Unless the apology includes wiping away all of Africa’s Paul Bogle world debt (for having stripped the continent 1822 - 1865 of several generations of its youth), then spare me the false platitude. Paul Bogle - born into slavery in Stony Gut, St. Thomas, Jamaica. Bogle became a What I want to see (in addition to spokesman for his people. He led a series of remembering the courageous efforts of protests to speak to the Governor at Spanish William Wilberforce et al), is that we equally Town and Morant Bay. A skirmish broke out celebrate the achievements of our Black leading to the Morant Bay Rebellion where Brothers and Sister who fought for their Bogle's followers and chapel were burnt. He freedom. Their names are not quoted in any was eventually caught, arrested and school history books and that is something hanged. His movement continued and that needs to be addressed. culminated in the formation of Trade Unions and political parties that would one day be Returning to the television programme ‘Who led by the Jamaican people in a land they do you think you are?’ like Colin Jackson my would call their own. father’s family are direct descendants of the Maroons and I’m very proud of that fact. When the British invaded Jamaica in 1655, large numbers of enslaved Africans (captured by the Spanish), escaped to the hilly, mountainous areas to live a life free from slavery. They joined with others who escaped from the Spanish and lived with the indigenous Arawaks. Granny Nanny or Queen Nanny of the They were called the Maroons. There were Maroons two main groups; the Trelawny Town Maroons - led by Cudjoe - and the Windward Granny Nanny, famous female leader of Maroons - led by Queen Nanny and later by Jamaican Maroons. Quao. The Maroons were skilled hunters and warriors. Hard as they tried, the British Frederick Douglass, abolitionist writer and Army could not control or defeat them. A speaker.
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Enrique (the slave of Ferdinand Magellan), became the first man to circumnavigate the globe.
Dred Scott, a slave who attempted to sue for his freedom in Scott v. Sandford.
Olaudah Equiano 1745-1797
Olaudah Equiano also sometimes called Gustavus Vassa, prominent African/British author and figure in the abolitionist cause.
Toussaint L'Ouverture 1743 – 1803
Toussaint L’Ouverture led the independence of Haiti (1804) slave revolt after being freed.
Nat Turner 1800-1831
Nat Turner, escaped and led revolt in Southampton County, Virginia
KOLA salutes you all and in the words of the great Muhammad Ali: ‘A rooster crows only when it sees the light. Put him in the dark and he'll never crow.’ I have seen the light and I'm crowing.
Dates to remember
Harriet Tubman in Black History 1820 - 1913 (January)…… Harriet Tubman, nicknamed Moses because of her efforts in helping other slaves escape 1 January through the Underground Railway. Emancipation Proclamation 1863;
Zumbi, in colonial Brazil, escaped and joined African Benevolent Society the Quilombo dos Palmares, the largest ever (Education) 1808; settlement of escaped slaves in Brazil, later becoming its last and most famous leader. Haiti Independence Act 1804.
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8 January Fannie M. Jackson, pioneer and educator, first Black woman college graduate in US born (1836 - 1913).
10 January James Varicick, first A.M.E. Zion Bishop, born 1768;
William Lloyd Garrison 1805 – 1879
2 January William Lloyd Garrison began publishing The Liberator,’ Abolitionist newspaper, in Boston Mass. 1831.
John Hope Franklin, historian, born 1915. Edward Brooke 4 January The first Black baseball league, National Edward Brooke, Mass. Senator takes office Negro Baseball League, organized 1920. 1967.
5 January 12 January George Washington Carver, scientist, died Congressional Black Caucus organized in 1943. 1971; Mordecai W Johnson, educator, born (1890 - 7 January 1976). W.B. Purvis patented the fountain pen 1890; 13 January Convention of the Coloured National Labor Union, the first Black labour convention, 1869.
Marian Anderson 1897-1993
Marian Anderson, first Black person to John Oliver Killens appear in Metropolitan Opera in Verdi's 1916-1987 Masked Ball 1955. 14 January John Oliver Killens, novelist, born 1916.
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Ernest Just, a Black biologist, served as as Secretary of Housing and Urban Affairs, Vice President of American Zoologists, 1966 (President Johnson Administration). 1930.
Dr Martin Luther King Jr. 1929-1968 Rev. W R Pettiford 15 January Dr Martin Luther King Jr. Civil Rights leader 20 January born 1929–1968. W.R. Pettiford, Founder of Alabama Penny
Savings Bank born 1847. 16 January Lucius D Amerson sworn in as first Black 21 January sheriff of the South in the 20th century Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. (Macon County, Alabama). Freedom Journal, first Black paper 1827.
17 January 22 January Paul Cuffee, merchant, shipbuilder and Nat Turner born 1800. Black nationalist, born 1759.
18 January Dr Daniel H. William performed first successful open hear operation, born 1856.
Dr Daniel Hale Williams 1856-1931
23 January Dr. Daniel Hale Williams founded Provident Hospital in Chicago, 1889. Pioneer of open heart surgery.
Paul Robeson, athlete, lawyer, singer, died in Philadelphia 1976. Robert C. Weaver 1907-1997 24 January Martin Delaney, ethnologist, died 1812-1885 Robert C. Weaver became first Black presidential cabinet member when sworn in Jackie Robinson, first Black man elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame, 1962.
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30 January William Wells Brown published first Black drama, "Leap to Freedom" 1858.
Prayers and Salutations
Dear Heavenly Father, we pray that Your spirit remain with us this morning and that You will be revealed through Your truth and word. Open our hearts that we may see You in our past, that we may know You in our present and believe in You in our future.
Sojourner Truth Help us to celebrate the victories of our fore- 1797-1883 bears, as we symbolically light a candle to remember all those who gave their lives as a 25 January sacrifice, so that the world we inhabit would Sojourner Truth addressed the first Black be a fairer, more just society. Women's Rights Convention, Akron Ohio, 1851. Lord, make us worthy of their love and faith as we seek the courage to fight injustice 26 January wherever it blights the Earth. We ask this 54th Regiment (Black) infantry formed 1863. and Your many blessings.
Executive Order 9981 to end segregation in In Jesus’ name. US Armed Forces signed by President Harry Truman 1948. Amen.
28 January John Brown organized raid on Arsenal at WALKING THE Harper's Ferry, 1858. TIGHTROPE OF Philadelphia's Free Africa Society organized, 1787. RESPECTABILITY I recently came across an excellent article 29 January written by Erin Aubry Kaplan, associate Francis L Cardoza elected State Treasurer columnist for the Los Angeles Times. The of South Carolina, 1872 article entitled ‘Speaking Truth to Power’ questioned the fact that despite the gains made by African Americans over the last 40 years, why Black women still had to struggle to walk to tightrope of respectability. The article was written against the backdrop of the infamous rape allegations that in March 2006, three White male students of the prestigious Duke University lacrosse team, allegedly raped and racially abused a Black exotic dancer.
Ms Kaplan drew a direct comparison to the 1995 OJ Simpson case observing that this case had drawn none of the same notoriety nor was being elevated to the same level in the media. She further questioned whether William Wells Brown this was because the accuser was a Black 1814-1889 female, single mother, who was asking the same criminal justice system (that tried OJ Simpson), to prosecute three White men.
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available, and loose are assumptions locked Simpson succeeded in a criminal justice into the history. system where traditionally Black males do not fair well. Remember Rodney King and the acquittal of the police officers whose actions were caught on video camera? The question is whether this alleged rape victim would face an equally insurmountable task, if and when the District Attorney’s office decides they have enough evidence to prosecute?
After the rape charges were reported, American conservative talk show host Rush Limbaugh referred to the alleged victim as a R Kelly ‘Ho!’ Such inappropriateness did not stop Whilst the articles main feature was this there. Limbaugh’s fellow conservative Neal alleged rape, the article also threw up other Bootz, thought it was perfectly alright to issues. It was not so much about White comment that veteran Georgia injustice against a Black victim nor was it congresswoman Cynthia Mc Kinney hairdo about the precarious historical/sexual made her look like a ‘Ghetto Slut.’ The dynamic of White male and Black female. remark was made shortly after Ms McKinney This article was a reflective examination on accused a police officer of inappropriately the unjust sexual objectification of women of touching her after he had detained her. colour.
Ms Kaplan observes that the scantly clad, booty shaking video vixens featured in the many hip-hop videos are today’s modern media incarnation of the slave wench. She considers that matters are made more complex and by watching these videos we are condoning this imagery. As a consequence she considers this helps to compound the stereotypical sexual imagery that has existed around women of colour for centuries.
It is timely with the bicentennial celebrations for the ending of slavery to reflect on the tragic tale Saartjie (Sarah) Baartman also known as the (Hottentot Venus). Sarah was paraded around in carnival freak shows and circuses during 19th century Europe. When
US Congresswoman she died in 1815, aged 25, Dr. Georges Cynthia McKinney Curvier, a scientist, took her body and carried out experiments to determine Ms Kaplan also compares the very different amongst other things the libido of women of media treatment given to R & B Artist R African lineage. She would become the icon Kelly who stood accused of having sex with of racial inferiority and Black female a minor and 21 counts pornography. R Kelly sexuality for the next 100 years. not only went on to receive a National Association for the Advancement of I have never been persuaded for example, Coloured People (NAACP) image award that that violence in films and TV contribute to a year but he also achieved a top selling more criminal society. I have always album. Ms Kaplan also throws into the brew believed that the individual is too strong to the stereotypical mountain a Black female be so easily manipulated. However, Ms victim has to climb. A high libido, sexually Kaplan’s article made me think. Am I passively contributing to creating the
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tightrope of respectability that my sisters find The strangest thing of all is that such images themselves having to constantly walk? Am I prove how little we have come collectively equally being desensitised to the sexual when you consider that it was the size of objectification of our women as I frequently Sarah Baartman (the Hottentot Venus) rear watch MTV base where these videos that brought the European gentlemen in their featuring these scantily clad video girls are droves to see her in those carnival freak constantly featured in rotation? shows all those years ago.
When ‘Negro’ never ever meant ‘Black.’ Where did the word Negro originate? Where does this word (that offends so many Black people) come from? The key to understanding what the word Negro means, is to understand its definition and origin. The word Negro is Spanish for black. The Spanish language comes from Latin, which In my own local newsagents I have seen a originated from classical Greek. The word subtle increase of the middle shelf of King Negro, in Greek, is derived from the root Magazine and top shelf Asian Babes. King word Necro, meaning dead. magazine and Asian Babes) are the Black equivalent versions of FHM and Penthouse. What was once referred to as a physical Whilst FHM etc seems preoccupied with condition is now regarded as a state of mind women’s breasts, page 3 style, the Black for millions of Black people in the western male magazines always seems to have the hemisphere as people who became over the shoulder come hither looking spiritually and mentally dead to the true beauty with her buttocks pushed out as the knowledge of themselves. Historically, when main focus. the Greeks first travelled to Africa 4000 years ago, the Egyptian civilization was already ancient. The Great Pyramids were over 2,000 years old and the Sphinx was even older. Writing, mathematics, science, art, medicine and religion were integral to Egyptian civilization.
The Pyramid and the Sphinx
The Greeks came to Africa as students (e.g. Herodotus, Plato, Phythagoras, Socrates, and other Greek philosophers). They sat at
Saartjie (Sarah) Baartman the feet of their Egyptian masters to study 1789-1815 the knowledge that Africans already knew. Egyptians (like other African communities),
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understood that life existed beyond the African legacy stolen, but also the wholesale grave. Ancestral worship was a way of theft of African people soon followed. acknowledging the lives of the people who preceded them, and their ability to offer Europeans manufactured the word Negro guidance and direction to the living. during the American slave trade. The term Negro was introduced to obscure the original African-ness of the classical Pharaonic civilizations. These Euro-centric determinations alienated and distorted the historical achievements of African people. When the word ‘nigger’ was devised, the meaning it implied was of a totally debased, ignorant, or very low animalistic person.
The word itself has no meaning, but in reality it has become useful for those who The Dead before Osiris deliberately perpetuate the negative The Egyptian Book of the Dead stereotypes of Black Africans worldwide. The Egyptians built hundreds of temples to The enslavement of Black African minds worship their ancestors and dedicated was born out of the European/American several holidays (Holy Days) for that educational system. It was strictly forbidden purpose. The Greeks thought the Africans for America’s Black slaves to pass on their were obsessed with death. The act of history and knowledge of self to their ancestral worship became known as offspring. They were not permitted to use ‘Necromancy’ or ‘communication with the their own names. It was punishable by death dead.’ The root word Necro means dead. if they spoke their own language. It was Another term for Necromancy is ‘original forbidden to learn to read and write. Black Magic’ practiced in Ancient Africa. Such knowledge was the key to liberation When the Greeks returned to Europe, they and was placed firmly out of reach. Later, as took their distorted beliefs with them and the Black people became more educated, they word Negro evolved out of their great sought to redefine themselves. The misunderstanding. education of Black people became a perfect The Greeks planned to destroy and pillage device for control by the European/American Egypt and the remaining African empires. slavemasters. The evolution of the word Less than 300 years later (after the first Negro from coloured, to Black, to African Greeks students came to Egypt), their represents a progression of self-awareness. descendants returned as conquerors. They Today, we have a responsibility to educate destroyed the cities, temples and libraries of ourselves and rediscover our true identity. Egypt and stole the original Black African knowledge claiming it as their own. To justify enslaving the Egyptians, it was culturally necessary for the Greeks to believe that Africans were inherently and naturally less than human; sub-human or non-human.
An example of this attitude exists in the written words of the United States Constitution. Article 1, Section 2, paragraph 3, refers to Black Africans as 'three-fifths' human beings. With the birth of the Knowledge and history of self are the keys American slave trade, Europeans to unlocking the door to the future. So there dehumanized Africans. They devalued their you have it, the word Negro (Necro) means historical worth as people in order to ensure a race of dead people with a dead history their value as slaves. (Today this role and no hope for resurrection as long as they continues courtesy of the news and remain ignorant of their past. This is a triple entertainment media). Not only was the
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death blow - the death of the mind, the body, decorated or even the word Christmas being and the spirit of the African people. used during Christmas. In response, Nick Ferrari of London Broadcasting Corporation We must educate ourselves to understand (LBC) Radio held a radio phone-in inviting this negative word. When we study its members of the community to express their history, origin and purpose we can then rise own personal views. above our emotions. By doing so, we no longer give power to others to control us. The overwhelming majority of people from The name that you respond to determines Hindu, Muslim, and Jewish communities the amount of your self worth. who telephoned the radio programme could
Bah-Humbug Series!
Part 1 – Religious objections to Christmas decorations
On 5 December 2006, BBC News reported the findings of a survey that revealed 74% of office managers would not deck the halls and walls of their offices with Christmas decorations as they believed it offended staff Nick Ferrari belonging to other (non-Christian) religions. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6210532 not understand what all the fuss was about .stm and expressed that they had no objections to anyone enjoying or participating in the However, the truth of the matter can be Christmas celebrations. In fact, Nick Ferrari found in an article published in the Daily Mail invited Muslims from the community to sing (online) dated 23 November 2006 entitled Christmas Carols. This brought about the ‘Christmas decorations banned for safety formation of the Nick Ferrari Muslim reasons.’ This article reported that “Office Ensemble and they released a CD album workers at Tower Hamlets council (East entitled ‘A Very Merry Muslim Christmas,’ London) have been banned from hanging up comprising of several world famous Christmas decorations at work in case they Christmas Carols. get hurt. Staff who have just moved into a http://lbcnews1152.co.uk/Article.asp?id=303 newly-opened office building next to the 334&spid= Town Hall were barred from climbing to the ceiling to put up paper decorations in case Therefore, to all who believe the Local they injured themselves and then sued the Government Politically Correct Propaganda council. Media Machine, there is no truth in any of the rumours being circulated throughout “Fairy lights have also been banned in a bid television, radio and newspapers that to cut power bills and ensure safety Muslims are offended by Christmas standards. Mini-Christmas trees, tinsel and celebrations or anyone (including Christians) baubles are still allowed - provided there are who choose to participate in them. no lights. The Council insisted it had not cancelled Christmas, however, it was intended only for staff not to climb on to desks to put up decorations for fear they would fall. Staff could still celebrate Christmas with tinsel, baubles, and other decorations, the council said.”
Part 2 – Muslims against Christmas?
In late 2005, the news media reported that Muslims objected to Christmas lights being Muslim Christmas Choir switched on, to high street shops being
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There is no truth whatsoever that Muslims communities. The approach of some is to believe that Christmas should be banned exclude mention of any specific religious either. However, the real danger appears to event or celebration in order to avoid be an attempt by unknown forces to create offending anyone.’ divisions between the Christian and Muslim communities.
Part 3 – Anti-Christmas politically correct propaganda exposed
A campaign to save Christmas from politically correct Town Hall interference was launched by a coalition of Christian and Muslim leaders on 3 December 2006. Leaders of these two faiths warned that attempts to suppress Christmas bring a backlash and Muslims always get the blame. They said that Christmas causes no offence to minority faiths, but banning it offends almost everybody.
Town Hall attempts to eradicate Christmas Dr Ataullah Siddiqui include Birmingham City Council's decision to rename its seasonal celebrations ‘The result of such a policy ends up 'Winterval' and Luton Council's attempt to offending most of the population.' The letter change Christmas into a Harry Potter festival added: 'Any repetition of public bodies and renaming its festive lights 'Luminos.' The local authorities renaming Christmas, so as angry rebuke came from the Christian not to offend other faith communities, will Muslim Forum, (set up in 2006 and tend, as in the past, to backfire badly on the endorsed by the Archbishop of Canterbury Muslim community in particular. Sadly we and Prime Minister Tony Blair). The Forum have seen it is they who get the blame - and sent a letter to Town Halls in the name of for something they are not saying.' Anglican Bishop of Bolton David Gillett and senior Islamic cleric and Government The warning from the Council came as adviser Dr Ataullah Siddiqui. public organisations appeared to be redoubling efforts to obliterate Christmas from the calendar or at least remove any Christian element from the celebrations. In 2006, the Royal Mail removed any Christian references from its Christmas stamps.
Bishop of Bolton David Gillett
The Forum pleaded for an end to the suppression of Christmas and the The Christian Muslim Forum restoration of its Christian meaning. Council leaders were told: 'There seems to be a The letter from the Forum to Town Halls secularising agenda which fails to comes at a time of great anger over understand the concerns of religious attempts by powerful organisations to ban
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any public references to Christianity. In 2006, British Airways was forced to back Blood Diamond – down over banning its employees wearing a Christian cross. Its order to check-in worker blooddiamondmovie.warnerbros.com Nadia Eweida (that she must wear a cross Stars Oscar nominees Leonardo Di'Caprio underneath her uniform), received furious and Djimon Hansou and Oscar winner reponses from the public and provoked an Jennifer Connelly outcry from bishops, MPs and Government ministers. Set against the backdrop of the chaos of Sirrea Leone 1990s civil war blood diamond Alarm over attempts by police and other is the story of Danny Archer (Leonardo Di public bodies to force Christians to accept caprio), an ex mercenary from Zimbabwe, gay rights rules have produced a major and Solomon Vandy (Djimon Hansou) a political row between churches and the Mende fisherman. Both men come from Government over the latest laws that, entirely different backgrounds and could not Anglicans fear, would compel priests to be further apart from each other until fate bless same-sex partnerships. causes them to join forces in pursuit of a rare pink diamond and to rescue Vandy's The letter to councils from the Forum said: kidnapped son from the perils of becoming a 'We are conscious that all in public life, wish boy solider. to be similarly inclusive, but some seem to believe, for instance, that talk about Christmas is offensive to those of other faith communities. This is something which we Deja Vu have looked at together on the national Christian Muslim Forum and all of us, both Official movie website Muslims and Christians, wish that people in dejavu.movies.go.com public positions would take another look at Starring two time Oscar winner how they deal with religious festivals.' Denzil Washington.
The two leaders added: 'It is important for the 77% who claim affiliation to one faith or another that these festivals should be seen and recognised, rather than banished from the public sphere.' They cited several festivals which were 'most commonly in evidence across much of the country' and which should not be suppressed: Christmas and Easter; the Muslim Eid, the Hindu Diwali, and the Jewish Hanukah.
Movies to watch
Everyone at some time in their lives has experienced the phenomenon of deja-vu but what happens when that feeling is a warning or premonition that something bad. AFF agent Doug Carlin (Denzil Washington) is about to discover when he is brought in to investigate the aftermath of an explosion and find that what people believe is in their heads is far more powerful. This triggers a mind bending race to save the lives of
hundreds of innocent lives.
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It is extremely important to ALWAYS carefully rinse off the tops of canned products and packaged food, wipe off Catch-a-fire bottles, pasta packaging and cereal boxes. starring Derek Luke and Oscar winner (Tim Almost everything bought in a supermarket Robbins) –official movie website was once stored in a warehouse, and some www.catchafiremovie.com of these supermarkets often have rodents. Most of us remember to wash vegetables A powerful story of a South Africans journey and fruits but never think of wiping bottles, to freedom. Political thriller take place during boxes and cans. The truth is, even some of the country's turbulent divided times of the the most modern, high-class, supermarkets early 1980's. Derek Luke portrays real life can have vermin as do their warehouses. hero Patrick Chamuso.
When you buy canned soft drinks, make Health & Safety Alert! sure you wash the top with running water and soap or, if that’s not available, drink it Cleanliness is Godliness with a straw. The investigation of canned A stock clerk was sent to clean a factory drinks by the Center for Disease Control, storeroom. On his return he complained that Atlanta USA, discovered that the tops of the storeroom was filthy. He noticed dried cans can be encrusted with dried rat's urine, mouse/rat droppings. A few days later, he which is so toxic it can be lethal. Some suffered from stomach flu. He complained of containers can be exposed to rodent sore joints and headaches and began infestation and then transported to retail vomitting. He went to bed and never really outlets without being properly cleaned. You got up again. Within two days he became can never be sure where the food items you severely ill. His blood sugar count purchased came from, or the conditions they decreased. His face and eyeballs were were stored in. Therefore, for your own yellow. He was rushed to hospital and health and safety and your family, do the diagnosed with massive organ failure. He safe and sensible thing - wash all food items died shortly before midnight. and packages with soap and water, and dry them with paper towels. No one made the connection between his job and his death, except a doctor who specifically asked if he was in a warehouse WASH GARMENTS or exposed to dried vermin droppings at any BEFORE WEARING THEM time. There is a virus (similar to the Hanta virus) that lives in dried rat/mouse Make it a habit to wash your just purchased droppings. Once dried, these droppings are undergarments before wearing them. This is like dust. When airborne they are easily very sensitive. Our undergarments are made inhaled or ingested if protective gear is not in different parts of the world. They sit in worn or you fail to wash your face and hands boxes in dirty sheds and warehouses. They thoroughly. An autopsy was performed and pass through many hands, various modes of the doctor's suspicions were confirmed. transport and exchanges before we purchase them for ourselves. Wash all bras, underwear and other clothes you purchase before wearing them. We do not know what parasites may be living in our clothes when we buy them. After anthropologist Susan
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McKinley came home from an expedition in cuts. I think for the first time in my career I South America, she noticed a very strange am voting against going out on strike. rash on her left breast. Nobody knew what it was and she quickly dismissed it believing that the rash on her skin would leave in time.
As the pain intensified, she saw a doctor. The doctor, (not knowing the exact severity of the disease), gave her antibiotics and special creams. As time lapsed the pain would not subside. Her left breast became more inflamed and started to bleed. She bandaged her sores, however as Susan's pain grew more unbearable she sought help from a specialist doctor. Dr. Lynch could not I am sick to the back teeth of PCS calling for diagnose the infection and told Susan to solidarity strike action, yet failing to consult seek the aid of a colleagues who specialised Black members over equality issues such as in dermatology whom was sadly on vacation. the networks for the remaining 364 days of She waited for two weeks and finally was the year. I am loathed to give up a further able to react to the dermatologist. days pay to the PCS, just after Christmas, when I am already struggling to see what Sadly, a life-changing event was about to they have done for me in respect of my unfold during her appointment. To Miss monthly subs. McKinley's surprise, after removing the bandages, they found larva growing and I recall before Customs & Excise London squirming within the pores and sores of her Advice Centre closed (October 2005), Group breast. When purchasing new clothes, do officials swooped in (like the Queen Mother) not put them on straight from the packaging. for a meet and greet chat with members. We may not know the conditions that they There was quite a large percentage of ethnic were stored in at the warehouse. It is minority staff working there. Shortly after, the important to wash or dry clean them before inevitable happened; the Advice Centre bringing them into skin contact. Failure to do closed. What were the lessons learnt? this could result in a skin rash or infection especially where any new born babies are Back in March 2005, in what I believe was concerned. PCS’s response to the Lyon and Gershon proposals, PCS posted their website titled ‘Negotiation Guidance on relocation–Equality Your letters and diversity issues.’ PCS listed the following action points on their checklist: The Angry Silence 1. Ensure that diversity and equality issues Dear Editor, are included in all levels of consultations; I wanted to congratulate both you and your 2. Consult and check with the workforce and staff on the excellent newsletters. At last, other users; and something for ethnic minorities by ethnic 3. Use the CRE Race Impact Assessment minorities. It is a quality product with really model to check and challenge the proposals interesting articles. Your responses to the preferably in conjunction with management. PCS President have been excellent – keep the pressure up. It is clear to me she does What are the equality and diversity issues not have any answers because her officials that have been incorporated into all levels of failed to consult. consultations? Which affected ethnic minority staff members have been Has the PCS President produced the HR canvassed for their views because it missed audit document regarding the network? The me? I have heard that one of our Sisters on reason I am asking is that I recently received the PCS HMRC Black Members Advisory a mailshot letter about a strike ballot over job Committee has had to fight tooth and nail in order to be trained to carry out the Race
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Impact Assessment when it is a so-called excellent newspaper article! But, possibly priority on PCS’s action checklist. you might have concerns that it may be hijacked by the mainstream media and taken It seems PCS had a strategy in the shape of out of context etc. this re-location document but failed to follow MB Essex it through and is now calling for strike action. I am not happy with the whole business over the networks. It has taught me how low down on PCS’s priority list we really are. I feel so strongly about this that if the ballot is in favour of a strike, I will not be coming out. It is my version of a ‘strike within a strike’ if only so that PCS will finally learn that its ethnic minority members will not be taken for granted or ignored. NK London What does KOLA mean? Dear Reader KOLA means ‘Keeping Our Links Alive.’ The answer to your question is ‘No!’ We KOLA was first started in 1992 as a Support have not received the HR audit record. It Group for Black (African, Asian and would also be true to say we were no more Caribbean) members of staff in the (former) expecting to see this document as to equally Customs and Excise who were concerned see Lord Lucan riding Shergar. The non- with their personal career development, their production of this audit document represents training needs and many other Equal the final piece in the jigsaw that disproves Opportunity issues. From a Support Group, PCS’s overall claims and invalidates the KOLA soon developed into a Black arguments put forward by the President. It member’s staff network. simply does not add up that one can okay the original job specification for the Race KOLA identified the needs of its members Co-ordinator role on the one hand and yet and developed its own appraisal workshops claim to object to setting up the Staff to enable Black staff to fully understand and Network for Race on the other. appreciate how the appraisal system can benefit their career paths. KOLA has also In short, PCS’s failure to respond is no organised skills seminars with the aim of surprise. With regards your intended action enhancing the life skills of its members. over the strike ballot we are truly saddened that you feel so un-represented that you KOLA is an external organisation and wish to register your upset in this way. intends to Keep Our Links Alive. However, it is your right of choice and we have to respect that. It would be highly inappropriate for KOLA to comment beyond FEEDBACK this point. Whatever you decide we wish you KOLA Newsletter welcomes constructive well. Editor feedback. If you would like to make a positive contribution to your Newsletter, Madonna please send your articles, comments, letters, etc. to the editor at the following e-mail Dear Editor address: [email protected] I have found the newsletters very interesting KOLA also has a weblog at the following and "alive". How utterly different to the address: http://kolanetwork.blogspot.com present input from here (HMRC)! I was very moved, to read such an open hearted and Finally……… non-hostile approach to the subject (re To avoid any threat of disciplinary action, adoption of an African baby by Madonna). I please do not circulate the contents of this expected a blast!! Newsletter on any of the Department’s e- mail systems. That article was immensely moving to me. I wonder if it could be made known to the wider community? It would have made an
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