NEW ORLEANS AND NEWS FROM ANU:
Hello everyone,
Last night I did a short performance, a monologue of a civil rights leader, Unita Blackwell, recalling her days in the movement. At the end of the piece, her voice breaks into song, "Will you die for your freedom? Certainly, Lord, certainly, certainly, certainly, Lord."
It left the audience completely quiet, after which they broke into loud strong applause.The piece was in honor of the Indian guest workers currently on hungerstrike here in DC as I write this.
Over one hundred workers walked off their jobs in March, in protest of the essentially forced laborcamps they were subjected to upon reaching the US under the very controversial H-2B guest worker program.
They marched from New Orleans and arrived here, demanding, among other things, a case investigation by Congress.http://nolaworkerscenter.wordpress.com/
You can help by simply stopping by to say hello if you live in DC.They love visitors, it boosts their morale. That's what I did onMonday. It left me humbled and inspired. You can also help by spreading the word to folks you know in the media, students, churchgroups, anyone and everyone.
Below are details about their case, their current schedule and what you can do to help out if you so choose.Thanks for reading and be well.
Anu
SCHEDULE
Rally: Weds, May 21st NoonCapitol Reflecting Pool(3rd St between Maryland and Pennsylvania Ave, NW)
A second wave of workers will join the hunger strike, and allies will join in a solidarity fast.Community-wide Meeting with the Alliance of Guestworkers for Dignity Thursday, May 22nd 7-9pm, All Soul's Unitarian Church,1500 Harvard St, NW.
Interfaith Worker Justice Prayer CircleFriday, May 23rd:NoonCapitol Reflecting Pool, 3rd St between Maryland and Pennsylvania Ave,NW
There will be another major action on Wed, May 28th.
DONATIONS CURRENTLY NEEDED
List of items:Blankets (10)Pillows (15)Hats (for the cold, 10)Umbrellas (10)Sleeping bags Jackets,Woolen cloth. Groceries (bags of rice, spices, water etc.)Rice cookerBed/mattress.
E-NOTES: WHEN THE NEWS IS NOT ENOUGH. THE BLOG OF E. ETHELBERT MILLER
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
More about Winston Napier:
http://www.clarku.edu/offices/publicaffairs/news/press/articles/napier2008.cfm
http://www.clarku.edu/offices/publicaffairs/news/press/articles/napier2008.cfm
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Blues and Tunes too Sad to Blow:A.L. Nielsen just sent me a note about Winston Napier leaving this space. Blue Notes?
Too many people departing before they complete their 5th inning.
Winston Napier - speaking in that voice that made you wonder if he was James Earl Jones or maybe the real Othello.
Winston always the intellectual. His death makes me want to discuss theory with him.
How do we explain it? Why is the world so empty? Where did our friend go?
Why so soon?
BIO: WINSTON NAPIER
B.A., William Patterson College, 1974
M.A., Howard University, 1977
Ph.D., Howard University, 1991
Professor Napier specialized in critical theory, 20th-century African American literary culture and African American philosophical thought. Former editor of the Howard University Journal of Philosophy, he published in Literature and Psychology, The Massachusetts Review, New Literary History, and The Village Voice Literary Supplement. He was the editor of the critically acclaimed African American Literary Theory: A Reader (New York University Press).
Politics: SuperDuper Black People:
Click here:
The black superdelegates: A guide to the 100+ African Americans who may decide the election -
The Daily Voice - Bl
Click here:
The black superdelegates: A guide to the 100+ African Americans who may decide the election -
The Daily Voice - Bl
Is that John McCain or Tommy Burns?
100 years ago, Jack Johnson defeated Tommy Burns to become the first black heavyweight champion.
Will Obama win a political knockout in November?
Johnson defeated Burns in 14 rounds on December 26, 1908, in Sydney, Australia.
If Obama wins will there be celebrating in the streets? Will folks turnover cars and set fire to trashcans?
Will there be organized violence by hate groups to try to turn the clock back?
Will some folks begin a four year search to find the next "Great White Hope" to win back the White House?
Oh, somewhere the ghost of Jack Johnson is shadowboxing with a smile on his face, eating eels and thinking distant thoughts.
100 years ago, Jack Johnson defeated Tommy Burns to become the first black heavyweight champion.
Will Obama win a political knockout in November?
Johnson defeated Burns in 14 rounds on December 26, 1908, in Sydney, Australia.
If Obama wins will there be celebrating in the streets? Will folks turnover cars and set fire to trashcans?
Will there be organized violence by hate groups to try to turn the clock back?
Will some folks begin a four year search to find the next "Great White Hope" to win back the White House?
Oh, somewhere the ghost of Jack Johnson is shadowboxing with a smile on his face, eating eels and thinking distant thoughts.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Not Just Disturbing but Disturbing to the Mc:
http://bravenewfilms.org/watch/25742564/39179?utm_source=rgemail
http://bravenewfilms.org/watch/25742564/39179?utm_source=rgemail
POETRY:
We Begin Here: Poems for Palestine and Lebanon
Recorded at Canio's Books last June was broadcast on May 15 on WPKN 89.5 and WPKM 88.7.
Readers include Kathryn Levy, Kathy Engel, Naomi Lazard, Margaret Gibson and Rev. Osagyefo Sekou.
Here is a link to the audio file of the broadcast.We Begin Here: click here
We Begin Here: Poems for Palestine and Lebanon
Recorded at Canio's Books last June was broadcast on May 15 on WPKN 89.5 and WPKM 88.7.
Readers include Kathryn Levy, Kathy Engel, Naomi Lazard, Margaret Gibson and Rev. Osagyefo Sekou.
Here is a link to the audio file of the broadcast.We Begin Here: click here
WAR -WHAT IS IT GOOD FOR?
So the US is holding about 500 juveniles in prison in Iraq. Why is this a surprise? Look around the world and all you see- nation after nation are juveniles either with guns or stones in their hands. Several years ago on a talk show I remember someone blaming the entire Middle East conflict on juvenile delinquency. I thought the person was crazy! What happened to the political and historical reasons for the conflicts? Yet, if we stop for a moment, we have to acknowledge that a serious problem are child soldiers. In fact we might have to discard the terms childhood and adolescence. They just don't apply to every culture. In the old days when I traveled to socialist countries I was always laughing when I attended the "youth" meetings. I found myself (back then) sitting in a room with folks in their 40s and 50s.
So after we get beyond the media alarm that America is holding juveniles in Iraqi jails - what do we do? Just release folks back into society? If you were locked up for a year in poor and who know what conditions, are you kissing your guards upon your release? How "bitter" (remember that word) might some of these young kids be now? How many of these juveniles have lost loved ones? How many have families to return to? This seems like a sad situation gone sour. It might even smell of serious human rights violations.
One idea might be to turn the jails into schools. Key to the curriculum would have to be Iraqi history and the teaching of the Quran. How do we help a "lost" generation rediscover the teachings of Islam that can establish a true community of brotherhood and love? Not an easy task - but Medina was not built in a day - or maybe if McCain is right - we have 100 years to figure out what to do. It looks like we need to make plans not for juveniles but instead old men.
So the US is holding about 500 juveniles in prison in Iraq. Why is this a surprise? Look around the world and all you see- nation after nation are juveniles either with guns or stones in their hands. Several years ago on a talk show I remember someone blaming the entire Middle East conflict on juvenile delinquency. I thought the person was crazy! What happened to the political and historical reasons for the conflicts? Yet, if we stop for a moment, we have to acknowledge that a serious problem are child soldiers. In fact we might have to discard the terms childhood and adolescence. They just don't apply to every culture. In the old days when I traveled to socialist countries I was always laughing when I attended the "youth" meetings. I found myself (back then) sitting in a room with folks in their 40s and 50s.
So after we get beyond the media alarm that America is holding juveniles in Iraqi jails - what do we do? Just release folks back into society? If you were locked up for a year in poor and who know what conditions, are you kissing your guards upon your release? How "bitter" (remember that word) might some of these young kids be now? How many of these juveniles have lost loved ones? How many have families to return to? This seems like a sad situation gone sour. It might even smell of serious human rights violations.
One idea might be to turn the jails into schools. Key to the curriculum would have to be Iraqi history and the teaching of the Quran. How do we help a "lost" generation rediscover the teachings of Islam that can establish a true community of brotherhood and love? Not an easy task - but Medina was not built in a day - or maybe if McCain is right - we have 100 years to figure out what to do. It looks like we need to make plans not for juveniles but instead old men.
Politics:
Mike Huckabee wants to run with McCain. I guest Huckabee knows a joke when he sees one. He is a very funny politician. One thing about Huck is that he brings his own music. The concern I have is that folks will laugh and dance and ignore the policies the guy supports. Another concern is how Huckabee will respond to the Islamic Revolution that continues to spread around the world. The last thing we need is a return to the Crusades. I still think if the Republicans want to hold the White House for another four years they will have to place Condi Rice on the ticket. This is something I bet Lee Atwater would do if he was alive. Rice running with McCain cuts into the black vote that is going to support Obama. White women upset with Clinton being defeated for the Dem Nomination might jump into the McCain/Rice camp - this would let them support a woman who might one day be president. Of course the media will find pundits to debate whether white women support black women. bell hooks -we haven't seen you lately.
Meanwhile across the country soccer moms tell Curious George jokes and wave bananas - there is no longer fear of a black planet.
Mike Huckabee wants to run with McCain. I guest Huckabee knows a joke when he sees one. He is a very funny politician. One thing about Huck is that he brings his own music. The concern I have is that folks will laugh and dance and ignore the policies the guy supports. Another concern is how Huckabee will respond to the Islamic Revolution that continues to spread around the world. The last thing we need is a return to the Crusades. I still think if the Republicans want to hold the White House for another four years they will have to place Condi Rice on the ticket. This is something I bet Lee Atwater would do if he was alive. Rice running with McCain cuts into the black vote that is going to support Obama. White women upset with Clinton being defeated for the Dem Nomination might jump into the McCain/Rice camp - this would let them support a woman who might one day be president. Of course the media will find pundits to debate whether white women support black women. bell hooks -we haven't seen you lately.
Meanwhile across the country soccer moms tell Curious George jokes and wave bananas - there is no longer fear of a black planet.
MS. BLACK WORLD DOES THE FUNKY BUTT:
So I get this email message informing me of an upcoming conference (November 19-23, 2008) that will be held in New Orleans. As you know, November 20th is "BertDay" so I have other plans. But hey - check the title of the conference:
The Institute of The Black World 21st Century State of the Black World Conference II.
Oh, boy. I checked the list of invited speakers and it looked like an Old Timers Game or a benefit for the 9th Ward without The Harlem Globetrotters. Why do we keep having these types of events? Don't we know the state of the black world yet? Geez, the fact that the Mayor of New Orleans is invited to this gathering is an indication that we are a world in need of borders and boundaries.
What is going to happen in New Orleans in November? Is this going to be one big party with folks wearing African garb and counting down to Mardi Gras?
Well, I'm going to stay in DC in November and watch the women do the Funky Butt on Bert Day. I thought I heard Buddy Bolden say....
So I get this email message informing me of an upcoming conference (November 19-23, 2008) that will be held in New Orleans. As you know, November 20th is "BertDay" so I have other plans. But hey - check the title of the conference:
The Institute of The Black World 21st Century State of the Black World Conference II.
Oh, boy. I checked the list of invited speakers and it looked like an Old Timers Game or a benefit for the 9th Ward without The Harlem Globetrotters. Why do we keep having these types of events? Don't we know the state of the black world yet? Geez, the fact that the Mayor of New Orleans is invited to this gathering is an indication that we are a world in need of borders and boundaries.
What is going to happen in New Orleans in November? Is this going to be one big party with folks wearing African garb and counting down to Mardi Gras?
Well, I'm going to stay in DC in November and watch the women do the Funky Butt on Bert Day. I thought I heard Buddy Bolden say....
Update:I completed work on my second memoir - THE FIFTH INNING.
Many thanks to VCCA who made it possible.
http://www.vcca.com/
Thanks also to Denise, Jasmine-Simone, Nyere-Gibran, Jina Ortiz, Julia Galbus, and Gail McCulloch.
TODAY IS THE BIRTHDAY OF LORRAINE V. HANSBERRY: May 19, 1930.
http://web.csustan.edu/english/reuben/pal/chap8/hansberry.html
http://web.csustan.edu/english/reuben/pal/chap8/hansberry.html
TODAY IS THE BIRTHDAY OF MALCOLM X: May 19, 1925
Official site: http://www.cmgww.com/historic/malcolm/
".I always had a deep affection for Malcolm and felt that he had a great ability to put his finger on the existence and the root of the problem. He was an eloquent spokesman for his point of view and no one can honestly doubt that Malcolm had a great concern for the problems we face as a race."
-- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in a telegram to Betty Shabazz after the murder of Malcolm X. More quotes...
Official site: http://www.cmgww.com/historic/malcolm/
".I always had a deep affection for Malcolm and felt that he had a great ability to put his finger on the existence and the root of the problem. He was an eloquent spokesman for his point of view and no one can honestly doubt that Malcolm had a great concern for the problems we face as a race."
-- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in a telegram to Betty Shabazz after the murder of Malcolm X. More quotes...
Sunday, May 18, 2008
MY MOTHER MUST BE A HILLARY DEMOCRAT
When I talk about Obama she changes
the subject or says nothing. I know old
folks set in their ways. If something new
tastes like freedom they won't taste it.
Nothing is going to change their ways.
When change becomes chains you just
hope for the best. So I change the subject
and my Mom and I talk about Jesus. I think
about water turning into wine and pray
for other miracles.
- E. Ethelbert Miller
When I talk about Obama she changes
the subject or says nothing. I know old
folks set in their ways. If something new
tastes like freedom they won't taste it.
Nothing is going to change their ways.
When change becomes chains you just
hope for the best. So I change the subject
and my Mom and I talk about Jesus. I think
about water turning into wine and pray
for other miracles.
- E. Ethelbert Miller
HELL: DANCING WITH THE JINNS?
What country is going to be hell this week? So sad to see those pictures coming out of Beirut. Hezbollah back in the news. Sunni and Shiite conflicts just seem to be spreading.
Dancing with the jinns?
The view from outer space is one of nothing but men running around the streets with guns.If I was a woman why would I give birth to another man? This world is either trapped in Lord of the Flies or Clockwork Orange. Take your pick.
We seem to be living in either a new feudal period, a time of gangs, or an era of mutation. Might the human race be mutating? I like that one. A new species struggling to be born. When will we reach the butterfly stage? I would like to possess beautiful wings and dance from flower to flower. I prefer that to dancing with the jinns.
What country is going to be hell this week? So sad to see those pictures coming out of Beirut. Hezbollah back in the news. Sunni and Shiite conflicts just seem to be spreading.
Dancing with the jinns?
The view from outer space is one of nothing but men running around the streets with guns.If I was a woman why would I give birth to another man? This world is either trapped in Lord of the Flies or Clockwork Orange. Take your pick.
We seem to be living in either a new feudal period, a time of gangs, or an era of mutation. Might the human race be mutating? I like that one. A new species struggling to be born. When will we reach the butterfly stage? I would like to possess beautiful wings and dance from flower to flower. I prefer that to dancing with the jinns.
Is Walter White still passing and are the coloreds still being lynched?
What year is it? More than Harlem on my mind.
It's nice to see the NAACP electing a young Ben Jealous to be their new leader. What will this mean? Can this guy become "Big Ben" and change the structure of this old Civil Rights organization? A smaller board should be the first step. How much does this organization spend each year on lunches?
The NAACP needs a case or issue to put them back on the front burner. Does Jealous have a vision for the 21st Century? Can we begin to move beyond DuBois?
How "advanced" is this organization going to be? Will black people form working coalitions with the other coloreds? Is the problem of the 21st century a problem of religion, class and maybe not just the color line?
My advice to Jealous is to stay away from Black Summits and radio talk show hosts. Avoid reading back issues of The Crisis.
The NAACP should build strong chapters on black college campuses. Howard University with a new president coming in is a good place to begin. We need to advocate and call for a Talented Majority and not just a talented tenth.
The NAACP needs to tackle the issue of poverty. Material and spiritual poverty.
It must be a Pan-African organization and have very aggressive policies that will help us solve problems in Haiti as well as Somalia and Sudan.
An open drive on line to make folks life-time supporters of the NAACP might be a good project. Borrow some fundraising tips from Obama and Company.
Bring back Negroes with suits. Play Ellington's sacred music...
Are we people on the march again, or do we just want to attend a march?
Ben - please stay away from The Mall and the Lincoln Memorial.
Somewhere there is a young Langston Hughes out there waiting to write another history of the NAACP. I'm so jealous.
What year is it? More than Harlem on my mind.
It's nice to see the NAACP electing a young Ben Jealous to be their new leader. What will this mean? Can this guy become "Big Ben" and change the structure of this old Civil Rights organization? A smaller board should be the first step. How much does this organization spend each year on lunches?
The NAACP needs a case or issue to put them back on the front burner. Does Jealous have a vision for the 21st Century? Can we begin to move beyond DuBois?
How "advanced" is this organization going to be? Will black people form working coalitions with the other coloreds? Is the problem of the 21st century a problem of religion, class and maybe not just the color line?
My advice to Jealous is to stay away from Black Summits and radio talk show hosts. Avoid reading back issues of The Crisis.
The NAACP should build strong chapters on black college campuses. Howard University with a new president coming in is a good place to begin. We need to advocate and call for a Talented Majority and not just a talented tenth.
The NAACP needs to tackle the issue of poverty. Material and spiritual poverty.
It must be a Pan-African organization and have very aggressive policies that will help us solve problems in Haiti as well as Somalia and Sudan.
An open drive on line to make folks life-time supporters of the NAACP might be a good project. Borrow some fundraising tips from Obama and Company.
Bring back Negroes with suits. Play Ellington's sacred music...
Are we people on the march again, or do we just want to attend a march?
Ben - please stay away from The Mall and the Lincoln Memorial.
Somewhere there is a young Langston Hughes out there waiting to write another history of the NAACP. I'm so jealous.
Politics:
You can always tell when the Democratic Party begins to obtain a little more power (back?). As soon as Republicans begin to get voted out of office a word slips back into the media -bipartisan.
Do Republicans think about being bipartisan? Not really, they think about pushing their agenda without compromise whenever they get elected. The Democratic Party continues to run (and govern) from a position of weakness. Is it an intellectual weakness? Does the Democratic Party have new ideas or do they simply have half-baked bipartisan ones? Stay-tuned.
You can always tell when the Democratic Party begins to obtain a little more power (back?). As soon as Republicans begin to get voted out of office a word slips back into the media -bipartisan.
Do Republicans think about being bipartisan? Not really, they think about pushing their agenda without compromise whenever they get elected. The Democratic Party continues to run (and govern) from a position of weakness. Is it an intellectual weakness? Does the Democratic Party have new ideas or do they simply have half-baked bipartisan ones? Stay-tuned.