PrairieAFRICAN Issue #3 February 15-March 14, 2021 - understanding our roots, promoting our culture We Will Never Forget Frederick Douglass Harriet Tubman Carter G. Woodson Martin Luther King Jr. Malcolm X We Have Introduced Online Citizenship Test. - Dan Vandal

mmigration has always been a not a bad idea. But since the pandemic hit topical issue, as people continue to hard, federal and provincial governments, First US Imove across borders in search of in , had put in place restrictions to better living conditions elsewhere. Now, help limit the spread of the virus. One of Canada is no exception to that traffic, as those restrictions was to limit the number Female our country has opened up her arms to of people at gatherings as well as shut down receive immigrants from other parts of the government offices save for phone and world. Many of these immigrants quickly email communications. The private sector Presidential settle here as Canada affords them the quickly put in place measures and counter- opportunity to work and raise a family at measures to mitigate the stress caused to Candidate the same time. But a unique problem has their customers, by introducing novel ideas rooklyn-born Shirley Anita arisen, no thanks to the on-going corona- like free delivery for online orders as well Chisholm announced her virus pandemic, where immigrants to as curbside pick-up for goods. Many other campaign for President of the Canada are stuck and are unable to continue businesses simply relocated online. But B Shirley Chisholm , on January 25th 1972, on the path toward citizenship, due to a the government seemed to demonstrate and six months later, she became the first total halt on the citizenship process. For apathy to these new techniques of doing “Granny gave me strength, dignity, and African-American and female Presidential example, no accommodation was made business, instead focussing on some love. I learned from an early age that I candidate (in the Democratic Party) vying for immigrants to write the citizenship issues while neglecting others. We asked was somebody. I didn’t need the Black for the ticket of a major party in the United test online, a vital component to gaining Audrey Gordon, a one-time Deputy revolution to tell me that.” Chisholm was States. She received 152 first-ballot votes citizenship in Canada. We went out in Minister of Labour and Immigration, as a woman of significant firsts. She became at the Beach, convention. search of answers for immigrants caught well as Director of the Multiculturalism the first African-American woman elected An early childhood educator, Chisholm in the web of this beaurocratic negligence Secretariat and Director of Settlement and to congress in 1968, representing New overcame gender and race discrimination and spoke to two sitting MLA’s, Audrey Newcomer support, why the government York’s 12th Congressional District. And to become the first African-American Gordon and , to try did not introduce online testing to help served seven terms from 1969 to 1983, woman to be elected into the New York and find answers for members of the mitigate the hardship faced by applicants. holding the record for the longest-serving State Assembly, in 1964, and was then Black community for whom life seems She told us that “Citizenship is federally Black woman in congress. Awarded the elected to congress four years later. Born to be at a stand still. They are unable to regulated and provincially administered Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2015, Shirley Anita St. Hill to poor immigrant apply for the kind of jobs they will like for the Provincial Nominee Program, and the author of Unbought and Unbossed parents from Guyana and Barbados (dad to do, because they’re yet to complete cannot say why the federal government has graduated BA (Brooklyn College) in 1946, was a labourer, and mom, a seamstress), the citizenship process. It is important to not made available an online citizenship and MA (Columbia University) in 1952, Chisholm was sent back to Barbados where note that the only method provided for test.” She referred us to Dan Vandal, the and was a member of the Harriet Tubman she lived with her maternal grandmother applicants to complete a citizenship test, Member of Parliament (MP) for the riding. Society as well as the Delta Sigma Theta until she returned to the United States before the corona-virus pandemic, is the Uzoma on her part expressed frustration at sorority. A founding member of the in 1934. She said of her upbringing, in-person method of testing which was visit prairieafrican.com for full story. visit prairieafrican.com for full story. PrairieAFRICAN 2 - understanding our roots, promoting our culture February 15-March 14, 2021

Celebrating Black History Month

Brian Audrey Heather Eileen Cathy Cli Ralph Wayne Scott Cameron Kelvin Pallister Gordon Stefanson Clarke Cox Cullen Eichler Ewasko Fielding Friesen Goertzen MLA for MLA for MLA for MLA for MLA for MLA for MLA for MLA for MLA for MLA for MLA for Southdale Tuxedo Agassiz Kildonan- Spruce Woods Lakeside Lac du Bonnet Kirkfield Park Morden–Winkler Steinbach 204.489.0828 204.415.7397 204.487.0013 204.385.2469 204.334.7866 204.827.3956 204.467.9482 204.268.3282 204.889.0540 204.822.1088 204.326.5763

Sarah Josh Reg Len Derek Scott Bob Alan Shannon Brad Andrew Janice Guillemard Guenter Helwer Isleifson Johnson Johnston Lagassé Lagimodiere Martin Michaleski Micklefield Morley-Lecomte MLA for MLA for MLA for MLA for MLA for MLA for MLA for MLA for MLA for MLA for MLA for MLA for Borderline -Gimli Assiniboia Fort Whyte Selkirk McPhillips Dauphin Seine River 204.221.8881 204.324.8957 204.728.2410 204.717.0977 204.641.8525 204.615.6044 204.807.4663 204.482.4955 204.336.2068 204.701.0238 204.289.4545 204.253.4509

Greg Blaine Doyle Jon Ron R. Andrew Dennis Rochelle James Je Ian Rick Nesbitt Pedersen Piwniuk Reyes Schuler Smith Smook Squires Teistma Wharton Wishart Wowchuk MLA for MLA for MLA for MLA for MLA for MLA for MLA for MLA for MLA for MLA for MLA for MLA for Riding Mountain Midland Turtle Mountain Waverley Springfield-Ritchot Lagimodiere La Verendrye Riel Radisson Portage la Prairie Swan River 204.759.3313 204.745.2203 204.552.0130 204.261.7272 204.330.3353 204.416.7337 204.424.5406 204.615.5241 204.691.7976 204.641.2107 204.857.9267 204.614.7425 PrairieAFRICAN February 15-March 14, 2021 - understanding our roots, promoting our culture 3 Gill’s Furniture & Appliances

Sale!

Washer$499 & Dryer a set

121 Salter Street

HOURS OF OPERATION , MB Monday to Friday : 10am - 5 pm R2W 4J8 Sartuday : 10am - 5 pm Sunday : Closed 204-582-8726

New & Used Serving you since 1984 [email protected] The Man We Owe Gratitude For Black History Month. t is no surprise that the second African-American they would hold to receive a doctorate degree from Harvard, after their heads up Ithe eminent scholar W.E.B. Du Bois, would be the high irrespective man to bring about Black History Month. Carter G. of what they’ve Woodson, author, writer and historian, considered the been through. “Father of Black History,” dedicated his life to the study Woodson would of African-American history. Noted for his book, “The dedicate himself Mis-education of the Negro (1933),” Woodson worked to research and tirelessly to establish Black History Month. Born to Eliza methodology, and James Woodson, and the fourth of seven children, creating a whole Woodson was unable to attend high school until he turned new system to 20, because he had to work as a sharecropper, during the properly educate Carter G. Woodson day, and a miner, at night, to help sustain his family. When African-Ameri- he eventually attended school, Woodson’s talent was so cans in America. thing and trying to do it efficiently.” Still not satisfied that immense that he completed a four year programme in only He gathered a large collection of materials through his a week is enough to celebrate Black heritage and history, two years. He took a break from school, after attending study, believing that only Black people can tell their history Woodson started to agitate to extend the celebrations to Berea College, to work for sometime, during which he correctly, as mainstream historians at the time refused to a full month. And though he did not witness it until his worked in the Philipines as an education supritendent for do so. He declared that White people had no business death, in 1950, members of his Association for the Study the US government. A graduate of University of badmouthing Blacks as having contributed nothing to the of Negro Life and History (ASNLH) together with other where he earned his Bachelors and Masters degrees before advancement of mankind, rather concluding that racial Black Power movements extended it to a full month in proceeding to Havard, where he also earned a doctorate prejudice “is merely the logical result of tradition, (and) 1970, and since 1976, on the 50th anniversary of the in 1912, Woodson was an avid reader and researcher. the inevitable outcome of thorough instruction to the first Negro History Week, every US President, beginning Not satisfied that Black people were not taught about effect that the Negro has never contributed anything to with President Jimmy Carter, has designated February as the achievements of their ancestors, Woodson founded the progress of mankind.” With the help of his fraternity, Black History Month. Woodson also served as the Dean the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History Omega Psi Phi, he organized the first Negro History and of the College of Arts and Sciences, at Howard, and has (ASNLH), in 1915, to help educate Black children in Literature Week, in February 1926, after it was created many honours and tributes to his name, among them, the America. He followed up a year later by launching a in 1924. Woodson chose the month of February because Spingarn Medal, and a US Postal Service stamp issued in publication, the Journal Of Negro History, which is still it contained the birthdays of two prominent Americans his honour in 1984. The beautiful number, 50, is recurrent in circulation today, under a different name, the Associa- who were already being celebrated - Abraham Lincoln in Woodson’s chronology. First, in 1915, while taking tion for the Study of African-American Life and History (February 12th) and Frederick Douglass (February 14th). part in a national celebration of the 50th anniversary of (ASALH). He also founded the Associated Publishers The author of more than 20 books, including, A Century emancipation, Woodson founded the Association for the Press in 1921. Woodson did all he could to bring Black of Negro Migration (1918), The History of the Negro Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH). Again, at the history to the African-American, since conventional Church (1921), The Negro in Our History (1922) and his 50th anniversary of the first Negro History Week, Black education at the time omitted or outrightly suppressed most celebrated, The Mis-Education of the Negro (1933), History Month was born. And now, this is 50 years after the teaching of any Black history. It was his view that if Woodson would declare, “I have made every sacrifice for the birth of Black History Month. Let us celebrate the Black people knew the achievements of their forebears, this movement. I have spent all my time doing this one achievements of our forebears. Happy Black History Month folks. PrairieAFRICAN 4 - understanding our roots, promoting our culture February 15-March 14, 2021 PrairieAFRICAN lack History Month is here, and present snippets of various African and Black - understanding our roots, promoting our culture Bthere are a lot of activities lined up Our Mission people who continue to do us proud around is published by to mark the special occasion, irrespective of provided information, mostly sourced from the world, in spite of the discrimination Yeast Communications R the pandemic. Most of these activities are the internet, about the achievements of Black and rejection they sometimes face. But this virtual and online. Please avail yourself the people in America. month, we have substituted the content to Available at: opportunity to participate in as many as you And as we continue the month-long reflect important Black people who lived a Community Centers can. I know there is the activity associated celebration, we also want to remember the couple centuries ago. Local Libraries with Uzoma Asagwara as well as City White people who supported us in attaining Remember, “All that is necessary for Gas Bars Councillor, Markus Chambers. Of particular freedom in North America and the world. the triumph of evil is that good (people) do Local Sports Shops mention is the Black Stem Cells event which Some of them paid the ultimate price in nothing” (Edmund Burke). Let us all strive Hotels has been put in place by the Black Medical a world that didn’t make sense to them. to find something to do. There must be Grocery Stores Students Association of the University of People like William Lloyd Garrison, Michael something new that we can do to dissuade Convenience Stores . Details can be found on Instagram Schwerner, Andrew Goodman, James Reeb, racists amongst us. Racism is not a fight that as well as reproduced below on this page. and many more (please send me more names, one person can fight alone. I need you to (Winnipeg) I want to use this medium to thank all the world needs to know these White people think outside the box and come up with that Millad’s Supermarket who drew my attention to their inability to as well). They should be celebrated as we solution the world has been waiting for. Let’s Akins International reach me via email. Many called, texted, and celebrate Black History Month. help one another. De Luca’s messaged me on other social media platforms. For us, at Prairie African, Black History Finally, my gratitude goes to the many FoodFare It is my fault. A dot (.) appeared between my Month, is a monthly affair. Some of you Black and African businesses that continue Indian Spice first and last name, in the email I provided. can attest to the fact that we already provide to show their support for what we do. As Lucky’s Supermarket That shouldn’t be. The correct email address information about Black and African people usual, it is with much pleasure and pain that Lola’s is [email protected]. who are currently making history - like I salute your courage. Africans (Blacks) are a X-Cues In this issue, we bring to you some of the Audrey Gordon, and Uzoma great people, and great people communicate MySpiceHouse achievements of our forebears, before, during, Asagwara in our provincial legislature. through proverbs. “We desire to bequeath two African Food General and after slavery and segregation. Like Carter As usual, we have our “In case you things to our children; the first one is roots, Bharat Groceries G. Woodson would want me to do, I have missed it” column (see page 4), where we the other is wings.” We salute you. Dong Thai Abbeys Auto In case you missed it Royal Foods f all the stories of Black His autobiography Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an African Foodways people in slavery and American Slave (1845), received positive reviews, and circulated Rah Firdaus Osegregation, the story all over the US, and was translated into other European languages. Bura International of Frederick Douglass, the first Following the Civil War, Douglass remained an active campaigner Select 7-11 African-American nominated against slavery. However, the US Supreme Court decision on Scott Shopright C-Store for Vice President of the v. Sanford (1857) in which the Supreme Court held that Dred Scott Dino’s Grocery United States, an Intellectual, who had found himself, by providence, in the free state of Wisconsin Abolitionist, Speaker, Writer, after his owner, Sanford, had taken him there, was still a property of (Brandon) Journalist, Teacher, Social his owner angered abolitionists, and led Douglass to make a prophetic Tana Ethiopian Restaurant Reformer, and Statesman, is declaration that, “This very attempt to blotout forever the hopes Bombay Spices the most captivating to me, for of an enslaved people may be one necessary link in the chain of a number of reasons. Yes, there events preparatory to the complete overthrow of the whole slave Asian Spices Frederick Douglass Sangees Feb. 1818-Feb. 1895 are other prominent Blacks system.” And four years later, the North and South would go to war, Apna Bazaar like W.E.B. Du Bois, Marcus leading Abraham Lincoln to proclaim the Emancipation Act, in 1963, Garvey, Booker T. Washington, George Washington Carver, Printers Carter G. Woodson, Malcom X, and Sojourner Truth, but in ABBEY’S AUTO SERVICE Derksen Printers terms of leadership within the Black community, sacrifice for the cause of emancipating the Black man, and his approach 162, Dumoulin St. Circulation to the whole issue of slavery and segregation, Douglass Off Provencher Blvd George Ndungu is the man. After escaping from slavery in Maryland (a (204) 222-5854 Winnipeg, MB. R2H 0R1 Edward Ajayi 24 hour “walk” to freedom), Douglass became a national Kenny Amore leader of the abolitionist movement in Massachusetts and Naman Patel in New York. He believed in racial equality, and unlike Safety Inspections other activists, did not sideline the women in his fight, and Certified Photographer was also quick to mend fences with former slave owners Niyi Adetola as long as they crossed over to the other side. Douglass Safety AC Tune Ups was quoted as saying, ”I would unite with anybody to Center Creative Adviser do right and with nobody to do wrong.” A self-educated Douglas K. Wanyoike Douglass would go on to teach other slaves, in secret, Tire Changes because he believed that, “knowledge is the pathway from For Advert placement, slavery to freedom.” He wrote several autobiographies, inquiries and subscription, and established The North Star, an anti-slavery newspaper. call (204) 952-8578 NATIONAL CAMPAIGN or We are excited to share this event with you! Send an email to the editor Stem Cell Club Manitoba and the ’s Black Medical Students’ Association Richard Elendu are holding an event called Black Stem Cells Matter in [email protected] honour of Black History Month to educate Black donors on the need to have an ethnically diverse registry to help increase the chances of Black patients. Patients who need a stem cell transplant are more likely to find a suitable donor from someone of the same ethnicity. However, less than 3% of registered donors are Black. This means that Black patients who are in need of a stem cell transplant to save their life are less likely to find a match! Speakers: Dr. Craig Speziali & Dr. Warren Fingrut. To RSVP for the event, please click the link in @ stemcellclub_mb’s bio. You will then receive an email closer to the event date with the Zoom meeting Everybody talks about our friendly and courteous service Richard Elendu is an advocate for racial equality and social information. DM @stemcellclub_mb or email them at change in the community. [email protected]. Raffle prizes available! Thank you for your business February 15-March 14, 2021 PrairieAFRICAN 5 - understanding our roots, promoting our culture

Right Price hopright Right Place Harriet . . C-Store Right Choice 204-887-5966 Tubman hen we first hear the name, 833 Sherbrook St, Winnipeg, MB. R3A 1M6 Harriet Tubman, our mind Wquickly makes the connection Full-time Job Opportunity to the Underground Railroad, a Experienced Enset Derivatives Foods (Kotcho and Bulla) “network of antislavery activists and Processing and Preparation Worker. safe houses” designed to bring many slaves from the plantations in the Deep Harriet Tubman Job Description South to freedom. The remarkable story An experienced and reliable Enset Derivative Foods (Kotcho and Bulla) March 1822-March 1913 Processing and Preparation Worker. (40 hours a week) of Ms Tubman escaping but going back, multiple times, putting herself in danger, Job Requirements to rescue “approximately 70 enslaved the Union Army” during the Civil War. 1. Minimum of 3 years experience in processing Enset Derivative Foods, people,” including family and friends, Having endured the same kind of treatment including Kotcho and Bulla processing and preparations in a licensed and that Frederick Douglass endured (she was verifiable commercial setting. could only be compared with super-human or spirit beings, like Jesus Christ. “For often beaten and whipped by her various 2. Ability to process various Enset plant derivative foods with cleanliness and scarcely for a righteous man will one masters, even as a child), Tubman began consistency. die: yet peradventure for a good man experiencing strange visions and vivid dreams, which she ascribed to premonitions 3. The position may require sorting out different Enset Plant derivative some would even dare to die” (Rom 5:7 products. KJV). “Traveling by night and in extreme from God. These experiences, combined secrecy, Tubman (or “Moses,” as she was with her Methodist upbringing, led her to 3. Ability to lift 20 to 40 lbs packages frequently and on a regular basis. called) “never lost a passenger.”’ After the become devoutly religious. After the war, she retired to the family home, in Auburn, 4. The position requires attention to details and proper food processing and Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 was passed, handling. she helped guide fugitives farther north New York, where she cared for her aging into British North America (Canada), and parents on a property she had purchased. 5. The person must be willing to organize and clean the work area before, helped newly freed enslaved people to She was also very active in the women’s during, and after processing and preparing the food items and derivatives. find work. Born Araminta Ross, Tubman suffrage movement. Her legacy include, 6. This position is full-time (40 hours per week) with a starting wage of $12.35 became the first woman to lead an armed the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad per hour. expedition in the war, she guided the raid National Monument, Harriet Tubman at Combahee Ferry, which liberated more National Historical Park, Harriet Tubman 7. Must be willing to work various shifts, including overnight shifts. than 700 enslaved people, and helped John Underground Railroad Visitor Center, If interested, email your cover letter and resume to the Manager, Shopright Brown plan and recruit supporters for his Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad C-Store at: [email protected] raid on Harpers Ferry in 1859. She also State Park, and the Harriet Tubman “served as an armed scout and spy for Museum among many others. For inquiries, please call (204) 887-5966. PrairieAFRICAN 6 - understanding our roots, promoting our culture February 15-March 14, 2021 Thurgood Malcolm Marshall X mind behind the NAACP, establishing opular civil rights activist, el-Hajj its Legal Defense and Educational Malik Omowale el-Shabazz, Fund, and served as its first executive Pbetter known as Malcolm X, was director. Born Thoroughgood (which an African American Muslim minister he shortened to Thurgood) Marshall, in and human rights activist, who was a Baltimore, Maryland, to a railroad porter leading mind against segregation and dad, and a teacher mom, Marshall’s the subjugation of Black people all parents instilled in him an appreciation over the world. Malcolm X’s activism Thurgood Marshall for the United States Constitution and transcended the American political Malcolm X July 1908-Jan. 1993 the rule of law at a tender age. His spectrum, which saw him give speeches May 1925-Feb. 1965 mother had to pawn her wedding and in several countries around the world. amous for successfully arguing the engagement rings to pay for his tuition at Some of these countries he visited two or courted him to serve in their governments. Brown v. Board of Education case, Howard, and he graduated first in his class more times, placing him on the FBI watch He spoke in the Salle de la Mutualité, in Fwhich held that racial segregation with an LL.B. magna cum laude. Marshall list. Malcom X gave speeches in Egypt, Paris. On his second visit to Britain, in in public education is a violation of the first learned how to debate from his father, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Nigeria, February 1965, Malcolm X addressed Equal Protection Clause, civil rights who took Marshall and his brother to watch Ghana, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Guinea, the first meeting of the Council of lawyer, Thurgood Marshall, who also court cases; they would later debate what Senegal, Liberia, Algeria, Morocco, African Organizations in London. And successfully argued several other cases they had seen. The family also debated France, and the UK, where he participated visited Smethwick, near Birmingham, on before the Supreme Court, as a private current events after dinner. Marshall said in a BBC nationally televised debate, at February 12, where the Conservative Party lawyer, would later become the first that although his father never told him the Oxford Union Society, on the motion, candidate, Peter Griffiths, was accused of African-American justice of the Court. to become a lawyer, he “turned me into “Extremism in the Defense of Liberty is using the slogan, “If you want a nigger Some of his notable cases include, Smith v. one. He did it by teaching me to argue, No Vice; Moderation in the Pursuit of for a neighbour, vote Liberal or Labour.” Allwright, Shelley v. Kraemer, Chambers by challenging my logic on every point, Justice is No Virtue.” He also met with In Smethwick, Malcolm X compared the v. Florida, and McLaurin v. Oklahoma by making me prove every statement I leaders and officials, and gave interviews, treatment of ethnic minority residents with State Regents. Thurgood Marshall was made.” In 1967, President Lyndon Johnson as well as speak on radio and television. the treatment of Jews under Hitler, saying: an American lawyer and civil rights successfully nominated Marshall to In Cairo, he attended the second meeting “I would not wait for the fascist element in activist who served as Associate Justice succeed retiring Associate Justice Tom C. of the Organization of African Unity as a Smethwick to erect gas ovens.” Malcolm X of the United States Supreme Court, from Clark as an Associate Justice of the United representative of the OAAU, a Pan-African activism was firebrand. He called a spade October 1967 until 1991, when he vacated States Supreme Court, calling it “the right organization he had formed earlier. By the by its name and was willing to reconsider the position for another African-American thing to do, the right time to do it, the right end of his third visit to Africa, Malcolm his stance if he thought you had a superior justice, Clarence Thomas, upon retirement. man and the right place.” Recently, Vice X had met with essentially all of Africa’s argument. That was why he stood against Armed with a Law degree, from Howard, President Kamala Harris used Marshall’s prominent leaders; Kwame Nkrumah of racial integration one day and for it the in 1933, the Frederick Douglass High Bible at her inauguration, last January. Ghana, Gamal Abdel Nasser of Egypt, next. He could tell you “no” to your face to School trained Marshall became the legal and Ahmed Ben Bella of Algeria, who all visit prairieafrican.com for full story.

Jim Carr, MP Terry Duguid, Winnipeg MP South Centre Winnipeg South

Dan Vandal, Kevin MP Lamoureux, Saint-Boniface - MP Saint-Vital Winnipeg North

Celebrating the contributions and recognizing the resilience and strength of Black communities. PrairieAFRICAN February 15-March 14, 2021 - understanding our roots, promoting our culture 7

Celebrating Black History Month

WAB KINEW UZOMA ASAGWARA MLA for Fort Rouge MLA for Transcona MLA for Union Station MLA for Burrows MLA for St. Johns [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

MALAYA MARCELINO JAMIE MOSES MLA for Notre Dame MLA for St. Vital MLA for Wolseley MLA for St. James MLA for The Maples MLA for [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

Tupac WhitneyHouston Shakur singer. She signed her first recording upac Amaru Shakur, one of contract at age 19, and has sold over 200 Africa’s sons, was an apostle of million records worldwide. Whitney T“resistance and activism against refused to work with agencies who did inequality.” Born Lesane Parish Crooks, business with the then-apartheid regime to Afeni and Billy Garland, both Black in South Africa, and performed at Panther Party members, in New York, Wembley Stadium, in London, in 1988, Tupac had his name changed, by his to celebrate (imprisoned)Mandela’s 70th mother, at age one, to reflect the life that birthday, where she raised $1 million he was to lead on earth. She explains, for charities while bringing awareness “I wanted him to have the name of Whitney to apartheid. She also helped raise revolutionary, indigenous people in the Tupac Shakur 1963-2012 $250000 for the United Negro College world. I wanted him to know he was 1971-1996 Fund. Some of her hits were songs that part of a world culture and not just from any people do not remember were already recorded by other artistes. a neighborhood.” That revolutionary Coast hip hop, by 1991, after the release Whitney Houston as an activist Whitney could literally sing any song that leader was the descendant of the last Incan of his debut album 2Pacalypse Now. and freedom fighter. This is was presented to her. She takes a song and ruler, Túpac Amaru, who was executed He followed that up with Strictly 4 My M makes it better. Her rendition of “The in Peru, in 1781, after his failed revolt because her music career rubbed on N.I.G.G.A.Z (1993) and Me Against the everyone, be they Jews or Gentiles, slaves or Star-Spangled Banner,” at Super Bowl against Spanish rule. Tupac would lead World (1995) with its lead single, Dear free. Whitney Elizabeth Houston, the only XXV, as well as her performance for troops a revolution, and chose music as his Mama, achieving a world musical status artist to have seven consecutive number- returning home from the Persian Gulf War weapon of choice in his struggles against and commercial success with it. All Eyez one singles on the US Billboard Hot 100 remains indelible in the heart of veterans. oppression and inequality. He is considered on Me (1996) became certified Diamond chart, and certified the most awarded Houston released seven studio albums and by many to be one of the most influential by the RIAA. Named among the 100 female artist of all time, by Guinness World two soundtrack albums, all of which have rappers of all time. Tupac attended Greatest Artists of All Time, by Rolling Records, began singing in church as a child been certified diamond, multi-platinum, Baltimore School for the Arts, where he Stone magazine, and inducted into the and became a background vocalist while platinum, or gold by the Recording studied acting, poetry, jazz, and ballet, and Hip-Hop Hall of Fame, in 2002, Tupac in high school. Born to John Russell and Industry Association of America (RIAA). performed in Shakespeare’s plays - some is one of the best-selling musical artists Emily “Cissy” Houston, a gospel singer, And is regarded as one of the greatest of that influence showing up later in his of all time, having sold over 75 million Whitney was surrounded by a number of artists of all time. Some of her hits include, music. His poetry which often featured his records worldwide (that number is more successful singers and superstars while “Saving All My Love for You”(1985), friend, Jada Pinkett, was world-class, and than enough to win the presidency of the growing up, and this seemed to rub off “Where Do Broken Hearts Go”(1988), he won competitions as the school’s best United States). Five more albums have nicely on her as seen in the amazing career “I’m Your Baby Tonight”(1990), “All the rapper. Much of his work has been noted been released since his death, all of which that she had. Some of the stars include, Man That I Need”(1990), “I Will Always for addressing contemporary social issues have been certified platinum in the US. singers Dionne Warwick, Darlene Love, Love You”(1992), and My Love Is Your that plagued inner cities. Sometimes called In 2017, he was inducted into the Rock Aretha Franklin, her brother, Michael, Love (1998), some of which was certified Makaveli, Tupac whose contemporaries and Roll Hall of Fame in his first year of a songwriter, and her half-brother, Gary quintuple platinum by RIAA. Houston include, Madonna, Bigie Smalls, and eligibility. Tupac Shakur was also known Garland, former basketball player and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall Run-DMC became a central figure in West for his humor, and social influence. PrairieAFRICAN 8 - understanding our roots, promoting our culture February 15-March 14, 2021

Poetry “For a chance” Forty years in this wilderness Working for miracles Longed for a saviour the ‘tire stretch Wondered all alone Like a castaway Fugitive of all nations Bounded by the Red Sea and Kabalahs No dry land appeareth Chased by chariots No prophet to stretch out a rod I’m not undone, not yet Four hundred years I have shuffled I have seen what he’s done in times past I’m a believer Trudging along, hoping for a burning bush Any sense of life within this miserable desert But forward I must go For a chance. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Internalize them

1. Affirmative action ike his father, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was a Baptist minister and an activist in America. He would grow to become the arrow head of the Civil Rights Movement in the 50’s, at just 26, leading the movement until his death in 1968. Born 2. Desegregation Michael King Jr., in 1929, Dr. King earned a BA (Morehouse) at 19, and a PhD, from Boston University; and had taken L 3. Civil rights to his father’s vocation and resolve, on a much larger scale, for which he would eventually pay the supreme price. Dr. King. came to consciousness and awareness of himself when he ventured outside the segregated south, for the first time, in 1944, for a vacation job, in Simsbury, Connecticut, where he discovered that after “we passed Washington there was no discrimina- 4. Natural rights tion at all. The white people here are very nice. We go to any place we want to and sit any where we want to.”His father was an avid racial equality advocate and minister. He decided to change their names to Martin Luther, after a visit to sites associated 5.Human rights with the Reformation (Lutheran) leader, Martin Luther (1483-1546), while visiting Germany in 1934. He had witnessed and condemned antisemitism in its upshoot. Martin Luther King Snr. was an influential civil rights leader in Georgia’s political 6. Immigration space, and played an instrumental role in ending Jim Crow laws in the state. He advocated for “an educated, politically active black ministry” and led by example, educating his own children. He was instrumental in the rise of Jimmy Carter as presidential 7. Freedom nominee for the Democratic Party in 1976, and also held positions in the NAACP, and participated in the fight for equal salaries for teachers in . So, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was basically following in his father’s footsteps. He became the first presi- 8. Morality dent of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), in 1957, from where he launched many protest marches through nonviolence and civil disobedience. Among them, the Montgomery bus boycott (1955), Albany, Georgia (1963), Birmingham, 9. Non-violence Alabama (1963) and the March on Washington (1963), for which he is popularly remembered. There, he delivered, extempore, his “I Have a Dream” speech, and captivating the whole world with his grandiose eloquence. visit prairieafrican.com 10. Protest

Fame Hall OF Shame Dwight D.Eisenhower - US President (1953-1961) Orval Faubus - Governor of Arkansas (1955-1967) • Declared racial discrimination a national • Resisted desegregation in Arkansas. security issue. • Deployed Arkansas National Guard against nine • Used his authority to end segregation in the African-American students and prevented them Federal Government and the Armed Forces. from entering Little Rock school. • Integrated black and white public school • Shut down all high schools in Little Rock, in children. 1958, rather than permit integration. • Proposed and signed Civil Rights Act into law. Robert F. Kennedy - US President (1961-1963) Ross Barnett - Governor of Mississippi (1960-1964) • Supported racial integration and civil rights. • Resisted desegregation in Mississippi. • Appointed many blacks to office including • Blocked the admission of James Meredith into Thurgood Marshall to the federal bench. the University of Mississippi. • Assigned federal marshals to protect the • Ignored the US Supreme Court judgement in Freedom Riders rather than use federal troops favour of Meredith. • Signed Executive Order 10925 requiring • Arrested and imprisoned Freedom Riders. affirmative action in government positions. Lyndob B. Johnson - US President (1963-1969) George Wallace - Governor of Alabama(four terms) • Apostle of segregation in Alabama and America. • signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964 into law • Figuratively drew a line in the sands of Alabama • Used his faith as a moral compass in to derail desegregation. galvanizing support for civil rights. • Prevented four African-American students from • Passed the Voting Rights Act, allowing millions entering elementary school. of southern blacks to vote for the first time. • Physically stood in the doorway of a school to • Arrested and prosecuted members of the KKK prevent black students from getting in. PrairieAFRICAN February 15-March 14, 2021 - understanding our roots, promoting our culture 9 The Queen Of Soul retha Louise manager, at age 12, was And success would later Franklin, also somewhat a celebrity find Ms Franklin after Abetter known himself, and attracted the she signed with Atlantic as the “Queen of Soul,” was likes of Clara Ward, James Records in 1966. At the an American R&B artiste , Albertina age of 16, Franklin went who dorned many hats Walker, Inez Andrews, on tour with Dr. Martin and transcended multiple Martin Luther King Jr., Luther King, Jr., and platforms in her lifetime. Jackie Wilson and Sam she would sing at his One of the greatest artiste Cooke (who influenced funeral in 1968. In 1961, of all time, Aretha Franklin her to sing pop music) to Aretha had her first hit was a singer, songwriter, his home, even though single with “Rock-a- actress, pianist, and civil he was just a preacher. Bye Your Baby.” Some rights activist. Born in Dinah Washington, the of her other hits include, 1942 to Clarence Franklin most successful Black “Spirit in the Dark,” “I (a Baptist minister) and recording artiste in the 50’s Never Loved a Man (The Barbara Franklin (a pianist did prophesy that “Aretha Way I Love You),” “(You and singer), the young was the ‘next one,” and Make Me Feel Like) A Aretha started singing in during a performance Natural Woman,” and “I the church where her father at the Regal Theatre, in Say a Little Prayer.” She pastored, the New Bethel Chicago, in 1960, Pervis appeared in the 1980 film, Baptist Church, in Detroit, Spann ceremonially placed The Blues Brothers. Her Michigan. Young Aretha a crown on her head. This album, “A Rose is Still a lost her mother when she would be symbolic of the Rose,” which featured the was only 10, and signed for role that Aretha would song by the same name, Columbia Records when play in the field of music and produced by Lauryn she turned 18. Aretha had for the rest of her life. She Hill, was certified gold. Aretha Louise Franklin the opportunity to meet and performed many renditions Aretha won 18 Grammy be influenced by a number with a voice and spirit that Awards, snapping up the of celebrity artistes while was out of this world. Only first eight awards given growing up. Her father, a person prepared could do for Best Female R&B who also doubled as her the things she did in music. visit prairieafrican.com

Proud to celebrate the outstanding achievements and contributions of Manitoba’s Black community.

Dougald Lamont MLA St. Boniface

Dougald Lamont Manitoba Liberal Leader MLA River Heights MLA Tyndall Park MLA St. Boniface

MANITOBA LIBERALS [email protected] PrairieAFRICAN 10 - understanding our roots, promoting our culture February 15-March 14, 2021 Sports Heroes Of The Civil Rights Movement. bus when ordered to steals and a .297 average in just his rookie year alone, and do so by the driver. will go on to become the national league’s most valuable He wouldn’t stop at player, in 1949, winning the batting title with a .342 Jackie Roosevelt Robinson dreaming, but actually average. This is incredible for a player who wasn’t even took practical steps to welcomed by fellow players because of his skin colour. actualize his dreams. His accomplishments in Baseball put him on the nation’s here were many sportsmen who also contributed, If you only pray and map, and Jackie was called to testify before congress in in their own “little” way, to ending racism and dream, you can never get to your Eldorado. You also have 1949. Jackie Roosevelt Robinson contributed in no small Tdiscrimination in a racially segregated world. to back it up with actions, and that was what this iconic measure to the culture of non-violence in the civil rights Jackie Robinson (N0. 42) is one of those men. Common, Black figure did in baseball. Jackie’s story is a perfect movement that was to follow. He was inducted into the how can a Black man dream of playing Major League example of triumph over adversity, with him breaking Baseball Hall of Fame in 1962, and in 1967, the United Baseball in a racially segregated America? But Jackie the colour barrier, and by extension, racial segregation States Postal Service honored him by having his image was no ordinary Black man. He had been in the US Army in all of professional sports in America. Through the on a commemorative postage stamp. Jackie will forever and was a long ways coming. Jackie had fought racism in sport of baseball, he demonstrated that one could excel be immortalized by the number 42, his jersey number. the Army and had been honourably discharged after being and become a champion at what one does, in spite of It was rested in his honour across all Major League court-martialled for refusing to go to the back of an Army the opposition. Little wonder, Jackie had 12 homers, 29 Baseball teams in 1997. The NAACP honoured him with Good Choice Auto Centre 731 Ellice Ave, Winnipeg, MB. R3G 0B3 (204) 775-2886 Cell: (204) 997-4990 Email:[email protected] COMPREHENSIVE EYE CARE & EYE EXAM • Approved Safety Inspection • Foreign & Domestic Auto Repairs • Car Sales & Services • Foreign & Domestic Cars

Unit 9 -1500 Regent Ave W. Latest designer frames include: Winnipeg, Manitoba Burbery, Kate Spade, LAMB, Boss, R2C 3A8, Canada. Oakley, and RayBan (204) 421-8080 Promotions on eye glasses & contact lenses Email: [email protected] • Buy one, Get one FREE • 2 Complete Pairs starting at $299 Website:cresteyecare.com Single Vision & $399 Progressives Dr. Adetola Opejin (Optometrist) • Get 2X Air Miles Reward Miles Thank you for choosing Good Choice Auto when you spend $250+ ...See you soon! Your professional eye care Book your Eye exam today! PrairieAFRICAN February 15-March 14, 2021 - understanding our roots, promoting our culture 11 Muhammad Ali - “The Greatest” ohammed Ali’s story is one of remarkable success. Born Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr., in 1942, Ali, as he was fondly called, was an activist, Mentertainer, philanthropist, poet, and, an outstanding Heavyweight boxing champion, who captivated the world at such a young age. Born in Louisville, Kentucky, Ali began boxing at age 12, and at 18, he captured the gold medal, at the 1960 Olympics held in Rome. And upon turning professional, four years later, he won the world heavyweight championship. Muhammad Ali always referred to himself as “The Greatest” even before he won his world titles, and contributed his quota in the fight against racism and segregation in America. Ali was a towering figure during the civil rights movement, pitching tent with Malcolm X who supported racial integration. In 1966, when America was in the heat of prosecuting the Vietnam War, Muhammad Ali refused to be Muhammad Ali drafted to fight against the Vietnamese, calling it a senseless war. He said he wasn’t going “to shoot and kill people who have done him no harm,” and was convicted of draft evasion, stripped of his boxing titles, in 1967, and banned from the sport he loved for about three and half years, much of his prime taken away. Such was Ali’s prowess both in and out of the ring. He possessed so much power inside Ali would’ve spent 5 years in prison but for his appeal to the US Supreme Court. This the ring and backed it up with prophetic power outside of it. Before Ali faced Henry was a man who fought for what he believed in, winning his case against the American Cooper, he wrote, “If Cooper gives me jive, I’ll stop him in five.” Never was any man government in a long drawn out legal war that culminated in his victory at the Supreme so prophetic in the boxing ring like Ali, who, by the way, is the only three-time lineal Court. And this would make Muhammad Ali “a conscientious objector to the Vietnam Heavyweight champion, winning 14 unified title bouts in the process. Just before Ali War (and) an icon for the larger counterculture generation” of his time. I personally see became famous, after the shocking upset of reigning champion, Sunny Liston, Ali Muhammad Ali as one sent ahead of his time, a “sporting poet,” as I choose to call him. churned out a beautiful line of poetry that has come to define his boxing style in the eyes Ali is famous for his banter rhymes which he employed against opponents, in mind of pundits. Many youths may not know who Muhammad Ali is but they can sure quote games, before fights. For example, before his duel with Archie Moore, Ali wrote on the his most popular poetic rhyme: “Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee. His hands can’t chalkboard in his dressing room, hit what his eyes can’t see.” As a prized fighter, Muhammad Ali was ranked “World’s Best Heavyweight,” by BoxRec, a whopping twelve times, named The Ring magazine “ Archie’s been living off the fat of the land. “Fighter of the Year,” six times, and “The Greatest Heavyweight Boxer of all time,” I’m here to give him his pension plan. and “The Greatest Athlete of the 20th Century” by Sports Illustrated. Ali was also instrumental to the rise of pay per view tv as his notable fights with Joe Frazier, (Thrilla When you come to the fight don’t block the door. in Manila) and George Foreman (The Rumble in the Jungle) became Fights of the ‘Cause you’ll all go home after round four.” visit prairieafrican.com for full story T.S. AUTO SERVICE LTD 571 Sargent Ave (204) 505-7278 Winnipeg, MB. (204) 583-5374 R3B 1W6 Safety Inspection Engine Repair Transmission Car Detailing Tire Repair

2-1871, Pembina Hwy (204) 298-1608 Excellent quality, Excellent price (Behind ING Supermkt) (204) 470-7914 Guaranteed compatibility with your Oil Winnipeg, MB. R3T 2G7 vehicle. Reliable installation service Change 720, Nairn Ave Over 600 products in stock $29.95 Winnipeg, MB. (204) 963-6789 Authorized MPI financing program R2L 0X7 All Weather Tires Mr. Rim ... Serving Winnipeg and environs since 2012 Tires & Rims Visit us today! PrairieAFRICAN February 15-March 14, 2021 - understanding our roots, promoting our culture “Sports has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does. It speaks to youth in a language they understand. Sports can create hope where there was only despair.” - Nelson Mandela

UEFA Champions League Jets on the rise again. Feb 4 Flames 1 Jets 4 Feb 11 Senators1 Jets 5 Feb 15 Jets 6 “The Nigerian Nightmare” Oilers 5

showdown against former champion, Woodley, and has since African Proverbs UEFA Usman Retains successfully Tel: 204-925-5914 visit us online for more. defended the Instagram: prairie_african crown against Website: prairieafrican.com. Title Call me and I’ll tell you an Champions ast weekend saw the much anticipated African proverb. title bout, between Kamaru and Jorge Usman and , finally take Masvidal. Usman League L has also beaten place, in , Nevada. The fight which February 16th had been put on hold as a result of Burns testing the likes of Leon You can be Edwards, Rafael Leipzig vs Liverpool positive for Covid-19, back in July, was allowed to proceed after Burns was finally cleared to fight by dos Anjos, and a champion . Barcelona vs PSG the Nevada Athletic Commission. However, “The Nigerian Nightmare,” Kamaru Usman, defeated In another at breaking February 17th the Brazilian by , after just three of the development, the UFC Sevilla vs Dortmund scheduled five round match. It was a little surprising broom sticks, to see both fighters prefer the stand up game, middle-weight champion, Israel Porto vs Juventus giving that both are grapplers. Burns is a three- but God time Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu World Champion; Usman, Adesanya, will February 23rd a former NCAA Division II champion look to dethrone help you if Atletico vs Chelsea at 174 Ibs. Usman who retained his welterweight the new light- crown on the night, and now 18-1, is unbeaten in heavyweight Lazio vs Bayern his last 17 fights. If you recall, the UFC had quickly champion, Jan they’re bond drafted , who holds the fastest Blachowicz, at February 24th knockout in UFC history, at five seconds, to fill in UFC 259, which together. Atalanta vs Real Madrid for Burns, but Gamebred was unable to dethrone comes up March the Nigerian Nightmare, even on six days notice, 6th, at UFC www.kidsportcanada.ca Gladbach vs Man City going the distance against the champion. It will Apex, in Las Did you know you be recalled that Usman won the title in a one-sided Vegas Nevada. Take a front page ad on can actually put your Barber business in front 259 Vaughan St 204-415-3112 of your customers Game Day with a front page Braiding - refreshingly different ad on Game Day for less? Contact 204- Hair 952-8578 or email richardelendu@ Unisex RootsContinued on pg 6Salon Extension prairieafrican.com