SOURCE: BBC NEWS

Could we – now in Black History Month 2011 – bear witness to the birth of a new African nation based on the self-determination of African people? It looks that way.

With much interest, I’ve had my eyes on Sudan for the past 6 years – using this blog as a vehicle to educate, organize, and share my experiences while advocating alongside the Sudanese people principally in light of government-sponsored violence in Darfur. And while the conflict in that African nation is much more intricate than I initially realized (there are religious, ethnic, and cultural disputations in the mix of the discord and violence), recent events are far simpler to understand. Namely that Africans in the southern half of the country have made a stand for self-determination.

After nearly 20 years of conflict between North and South Sudan – the people of the South voted in record number to secede from the North and become their own nation. Moving on a 2005 peace agreement with the government in Khartoum (in the North), the people of South Sudan decided that they were tired of being neglected by the North-based government, tired of attempts to impose arab cultural ways upon their decidedly African community, and tired of living in extreme poverty despite being literally on top of oil fields.

Nearly 4 million people in South Sudan voted for independence from the North to the tune of 99% in favor. If all continues in this direction, South Sudan will become a new nation in July 2011.

Even as the winds of revolution seem to be blustering through the African nations of Egypt and Tunisia, I am excited for our sisters and brothers in Sudan who took an important step toward self-determination this year. My hope now is that the people of South Sudan will keep a wary eye out for imperial-opportunists like the United States. The U.S. and other imperial nations would like nothing more than to swoop into that undeveloped nation rich in oil and lacking in infrastructure to begin laying the groundwork to privatize services and prop up government leaders loyal to their national interest. In fact, China is already in the country positioning itself to benefit from the new-found freedom of South Sudan though it helped finance and support military attacks upon these same people via its partnership with President Omar Al-Bashir in the North. The scramble for imperial expansion has begun.

I pray that the children of Africa throughout the Diaspora would pray for, support, and prepare to advocate alongside our sisters and brothers in Southern Sudan as they take an important step in their history – which is by extension an important step in our history as well.

While I admittedly expressed tepid support for the campaign of presidential-candidate, Senator Barack Obama, that cautious engagement was not because of my disdain for him as an individual. I think that he is a brilliant mind and man who took the cards that were dealt him and made the best out of it. I think there can be little debate around the question of his intelligence. My hesitation with then-presidential candidate, Sen. Barack Obama, was rooted in my belief that the political powers of this world are far more entrenched then any one man’s personality. Meaning: the unjust policies of the American Empire felt the world over, would not just vanish because of a historic presidency. They may be dressed up, eloquently spoken of, or passionately described, but the corporate powers that-be would not allow them to magically disappear. Though we have a hugely popular president, there are some topics that even for him are now off limits. You don’t hear much talk of Genocide in Darfur anymore. You don’t hear much about civilian casualties in Pakistan because of American drone attacks. The list really could go on, but you get the picture. These are issues that have made it among the “untouchable” category. I’m sure that many of you could add on to my short list.

That notwithstanding, I am thankful by our President’s willingness to at least open the door to dialogue with those who, in my estimation, have been found unworthy of presidential attention for far too long. If communication is the key to the prospect of healthy diplomatic relations, then President Obama is at least showing effort – infinitely more than his predecessor – to extend a listening ear to those who have been given the quite dubious distinction of being labeled “Enemies of America.” For this I am cautiously thankful.

President Obama displayed this new chapter of American diplomacy at the recent Conference of the Americas in Trinidad & Tobago. The president was photographed shaking hands and laughing with Venezuelan President, Hugo Chavez, one of America’s harshest foreign policy critics. While this has created a stir among some of his political opponents, many seem to put it in proper perspective and context, thinking it to be just a polite greeting that should be expected of world leaders.

That’s right Mr. President. It’s not just good policy, but it’s a sign of strength and maturity to reach out to those who hold different views than one’s own.

That’s why I was quite perplexed to learn that the Obama Administration will be boycotting the Durban Review Conference on Racism, etc. which will be evaluating progress on the goals set forth at the World Conference on Racism hosted by the United Nations in 2001 which the U.S. also boycotted. The reason why the U.S. is once again boycotting the conference? It basically comes down to this sentence that is found in the 2001 document:

Concerning the Middle East, the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action (DDPA) expresses concern about the plight of the Palestinian people under foreign occupation and recognizes the inalienable right of the Palestinian people to self-determination and the right to an independent state. It also recognizes the right to security for all countries in the region, including Israel, and calls upon all governments to support the peace process and bring it to an early conclusion.

According to this South African newspaper article, the Israeli and Jewish lobby worked feverishly to get the United States and other Western Nations to boycott the conference held this week because of the implied criticism of Israel in the statement. In fact, there is no criticism, just a statement of fact. Israel is an occupying force causing great injustice and oppression of the Palestinian people. Yes, it is unpopular to say that, but any rational human being who engages even in elementary research will find it to be true.

But, the Israeli Government (and I do make a distinction between the government and the people, knowing that there are many dedicated Israeli citizens and Jewish organizations like Jewish Voices for Peace who sacrifice much to take an unpopular stand against the unjust practices of their government) and their very powerful lobby that has its hands deep in the pockets of the American Government, have persuaded an American President to boycott the conference altogether! An American President, who is naturally inclined to seek out common sense paths to shared objectives with those from differing ideological camps.

Dear Mr. President. You can’t have it both ways. If you’re going to be the president who reaches across the aisle to those whom you are “not supposed to diplomatically engage,” then you’ll do far better in that regard when being consistent in that practice. In a matter of seven days, you have both encouraged and disappointed those who thought it was truly a new day in at least one aspect of American foreign policy – something as simple as presence and conversation. Prayerfully, Mr. President, you will reconsider your unfortunate decision to boycott a conference committed to standing against racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related intolerance. One would imagine that your administration would be able to significantly contribute to this conference in ways that no other American president could.

Of course the segment that they centered on Darfur caught my attention. I have been writing about Darfur for years on this blog and have tried to do everything I could to raise awareness and mobilize on this issue. There is yet more that I need to do. (Like following up with the State Comptroller’s Office about Maryland’s Darfur Divestment Bill)

One of the things that I will continue to do is pressure the Presidential Administration on meaningful action on Darfur. I am hopeful that President Barrack Obama will have a deeper commitment to Darfur. One of the things that he touted repeatedly during the presidential campaign was his judgement on the issue of the War in Iraq. While his opponnents supported a war without strategy nor sound footing, he had the aptitude to step back, look at the facts, and stand as a dissenting voice while the war drums beat across the nation. For that I applaud him.

However, it was discouraging to me to watch as even mention of Darfur faded as the presidential election progressed. While the situation in Sudan seemed to leave the spotlight of national attention, it is my ardent hope that President Obama still has Sudan on his agenda coupled with a comprehensive strategy to address the unrest there. It is my prayer that President Obama will display just as much eagerness for intelligent action in Sudan as he as shown willingness to send more troops to Afghanistan.

To those who would say: “Give President Obama a chance to get into office before you start pressuring his Administration on big issues such as this one.” I would say that current events do not afford President Obama the luxury of getting settled before he starts leading. I have no doubt that he is able to lead in ways that President Bush did not on Sudan, but the question is – will he?

I join Enough, Save Darfur, and the Genocide Intervention Network in sending a clear message to President Obama that his leadership on this issue is sorely needed and there is no time to waste. The people of Darfur have waited long enough.

A Sudanese government air strike on a school in Darfur has killed at least seven children, according to the aid organisation Darfur Diaries.

The group’s spokeswoman says six more people were killed when a market was bombed during the same attack on the village of Shegeg Karo on Sunday.

A rebel group says there were four air raids in total in North Darfur.

The Sudanese air force has made no comment. Under a UN resolution, all offensive flying is banned in Sudan.

Since the conflict began in Darfur five years ago, the UN estimates that some 300,000 have died and two million have been displaced.

The UN and African Union Mission to Darfur (Unamid) said the reported bombings were “unacceptable acts against civilians”.

Its peacekeeping force of 26,000 has yet to be completely deployed to Darfur, and officials say it is unlikely to be up to full strength this year.

‘Surveying’

Shegeg Karo’s primary school was bombed as the pupils sat in classes on Sunday afternoon, according to Darfur Diaries, one of the organisations that funds the school.

Darfur Diaries spokeswoman Jen Marlowe said the youngest victim was five years old.

Two more children were seriously hurt, another 30 received minor injuries and one classroom was completely destroyed, she said.

Twenty shops were destroyed in the market bombing, she added.

Eyewitnesses told Ms Marlowe that an Antonov aircraft flew above the village for a long time before attacking.

A spokesman for the rebel Justice and Equality Movement said the attacks in North Darfur started early on Sunday and went on throughout the day.

Unamid said its helicopters and medical teams were ready to evacuate casualties.

A Unamid statement condemned “the total lack of commitment shown by the government and movements to the peace process”.

It urged all sides to cease hostilities immediately.

On Thursday, April 10, 2008 I was invited to give a brief presentation to Morgan State University students about Genocide in Darfur Sudan. As my regular readers know, this has been a primary issue for me for the past three years. After more than 500 emails, a stack of sermons, a folder full of articles, a handful of rallies, advocating for two important divestment bills, and organizing a local Baltimore for Darfur event (Thank you Pastor Qismat Alim of Payne Memorial AME Church), I’m not tired yet. There is so much more that needs to be done on this issue.

And while I’m cognizant of some of the valid concerns that some African Americans are raising in reference to the flurry of activity on this issue by non-Africans; I am not content with doing nothing just because those that are waving the biggest banner on this issue may have ulterior motives. If you want to criticize the Jewish-led Save Darfur organization – fine. Yes, they have some problems, but don’t waste precious energy on critiquing them. We Diasporan Africans must put our hands to the plow in mass on this issue – taking the lead while welcoming all sincere offers of assistance.

The Morgan State University Deltas are great. They packed the room with about 50 students – mostly young ladies – all there to hear more about what is happening in Darfur and how they can help. (Shout out to Kiana Buckson – Chair of International Awareness & Involvement!) One of the most pointed recommendations that I gave the group of attentive students was to petition Morgan State’s Board of Regents with a request to have the University divest from Sudan like Howard University has done. (H.U. was the first Historically Black College or University to divest from Sudan.)

The MSU Deltas’ focus on this issue is right on time. This AP Report reveals that the United Nations believes that the Darfur conflict is worsening. According to the UN, there is no prospect of a political settlement, a new peacekeeping force won’t be deployed until 2009, and the UN World Food Program will have to cut in half the amount of food they are delivering to the needy because humanitarian convoys are being attacked! I’ve just about lost all faith in the international community of nations. They have willingly failed miserably on this issue choosing to vomit up words like “never again” again and again while our Sudanese sisters and brothers suffer.

I pray that Morgan students and all students in this nation will commit themselves to this issue. History has shown that students have often led the way in bringing about the radical realities of justice with peace that most adults only have strength to speak about.

Come on youth and young adults! History is once again beckoning us to the forefront!

Click here to read my piece and feel free to comment.

I preached at the Baltimore County Ministerial Alliance Advent Service at my church.  It was a platform service with 5 associate ministers from various churches preaching on some aspect of John 3:16.  (The scripture was cut up into 5 pieces)  I’m always a bit leary of platform services because they can turn into competitions between preachers and that type of stuff nauseates me.  But the spirit of last week’s worship experience was pure and God blessed us.

The article I wrote for the Baltimore Examiner was about Darfur and the recent divestment legislation passed in Baltimore City and DC.  “The Black Eagle” Joe Madison from The Power (WOL 1450AM in DC & channel 169 on XM Radio) forwarded an email that I sent him to about 60-some odd people.  One of the people who received it was an editor of The Examiner in DC.  They forwarded it to the editor of the Op/Ed pages of the Baltimore Examiner and she emailed me requesting an article.  The article should run sometime soon in the Baltimore Examiner.  I’ll let you know when they publish it. 

I’ll be needing more of that creative energy tomorrow morning because I have a BIG opportunity.  Tomorrow morning I’ll be hosting the Larry Young Morning Show on 1010AM from 6AM – 10AM.  I’m doing the full morning show – 4 hours on 1010AM.  For those of you not in the Baltimore Metro Area or not familiar with the show; it’s one of the most popular morning talk shows targeting Black folk in this area.  I remember when I first started listening to the show and now I’m hosting it!  God is doing some amazing things in my life.  Please pray for me. It’ll be me and Coach Butch McAdams.  (Coach is like the “bad guy” on the show.  I’m time enough for him though:)

Also a historic REPARATIONS HEARINGis taking place in Congress tomorrow before the House Judiciary Committee.  Ms. Kibibi Tyehimba, Co-Chair of the National Coalition of Blacks for Reparations in America (N’Cobra), Professor Charles Olgetree from Harvard Law School and many others will be there speaking to the “legacy of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade”.  Chairman of the Judiciary Committee, Congressman John Conyers, has been putting in legislation (H.R. 40) since 1989 to study the issue of reparations for Afrikans in America.  Click here for more information about the hearing.  For more information about reparations for Blacks I HIGHLY recommend Dr. Ray Winbush’s book – Should America Pay?

Okay folks.  That’s all I can quickly share at the moment.  More thoughtful indepth posts later.  I have MUCH to share and there are some pretty significant changes coming to this site just in time for the new year. 

I’m proud to announce that the bill passed and was signed into enactment by the Mayor on November 27, 2007!  YOU MADE A HUGE DIFFERENCE!  I especially want to thank Tanae and Adam (all the way from Ohio!) for sending emails to City Councilwoman Helen Holton in regard to the bill.  [if you sent an email as well let me know and I'll be quick to publicly give you your props.]  See that – right from your keyboard – at work, home, or school you helped to pass a bill to support the people of Darfur.  Don’t you feel empowered?!  You should. 

I just received an email from Joe Madison as well informing me that DC just passed its own Sudan Divestment Bill!  The avalanche is growing and pressure is mounting on the government of Sudan to end this tragedy.

So what next?…you did know there was a next right?  This is not a 40 yard dash people.  This is a marathon.  So now we have got to make sure that Baltimore, the state of Maryland, and DC make the legislation come to life.  No equivicating!  Don’t just have the press conference legislators! Divest the money! 

I’ll be making a list and checking it twice, E-ACTIVISTS, to make sure the legislation is really enacted.  If it isn’t, you know I’ll blow the trumpet. 

FYI: I’ve learned that last month a new documentary starring Don Cheadle called DARFUR NOW came out.  This can be a great tool in raising awareness and encouraging action on this issue.  Here’s an idea: Get a group of your friends together and go see the movie.  You might just win over some new Darfur Activists.  Great idea right?  There’s only one problem

I CAN’T FIND ONE MOVIE THEATER ANYWHERE NEAR ME PLAYING THIS FILM!

As is the case with far too many meaningful films, they are often thrown to the side with preference given to the insanely stupid, mind-numbing films like White Chicks and Soul Plane.  So here’s our plan of action…huddle up.

Call your local movie theater’s management company and let them know you want to see Darfur Now…Now!  Who are they to determine what movies the general public can see or not see.  Yea – it’s there building, their seats, their screens, their sticky floors, and their over-priced condiments, but if we don’t show up, they don’t make $$.  And these days with online movies, youtube, and downloadable films, the brick-n-mortar theater should be going out of its way to appease its customers.

Call the management company of your local movie theater. Tell them to play Darfur Now and let me know what happens.  We’ll collect their responses, report them in future posts, and then strategize on what should be our next steps.

We’ll take meticulous notes and refine the strategy if need be, because I suspect that we’ll have to do this again for Denzel Washington’s The Great Debaters…I don’t know – we’ll see.  Denzel may have enough “juice” to get his film across the country…especially given the fact that Oprah is the producer.  “They” just might let it play.  But we’ll have our hands at the ready just in case. 

Alright folks – call the management company of your local theaters and report back what they say.  Don’t be discouraged if they very nicely say “No”.  We have the power to change their “No” to a “Yes.”

Do you have another idea on how to get this film in the theaters?  Let us know.  All ideas accepted.  Let’s get to work.

The Struggle Continues…No Time to Rest….

Please take 30 seconds to send Councilwoman Holton an email.  No matter where you are in the world, you can do this.  I’ve written the email for you and I’ve provided a clickable complete with Holton (and others) email addresses already written in the “To” field.  All you have to do is click that link, copy/paste the email that I wrote in the message box and click “send.”

I just found out that I can’t go to the hearing today because I will be speaking at a local middle school for American Education Week activities.  While I’m disappointed that I can’t make the hearing, I’ll feel better knowing that people came to my blog and sent the Baltimore City Council a note encouraging them to pass this important bill.

Please Please Please go to my TAKE ACTION PAGE and follow the simple directions.  If you have any problems sending the email let me know. 

No matter where you are in the world, you can make a difference here in Baltimore and thousands of miles away in Darfur, Sudan.

Tomorrow – Thursday, November 8, 2007 10:30AM, I will be testifying before the Taxation and Finance Committee at Baltimore’s City Hall chaired by Councilwoman Helen Holton.  

They are hearing bill 07-0591; an ordinance that would prohibit the investment of public pensions or retirement funds in Sudan or in companies doing business in Sudan.  This type of legislation is designed to put pressure on the government of Sudan in Khartoum to become a good faith partner in brokering peaceful relations with the dissatisfied segments of Sudan’s population in the nation’s Darfur region which is still reeling from the vestiges of genocide and perpetual unrest.  I’ll be testifying in support of this bill and invite you to email or call Councilwoman Helen Holton expressing your support as well. (Her number is 410.396.4818)

There’s no need in me re-hashing my long history of advocacy on this issue.  I will say though that I experienced a bit of “advocacy fatigue” on this cause because it seemed like nothing that the grassroots/tops community was doing was making a difference.  I took a break from this issue, but I’m preparing to step back into it now and I’m glad that my city is considering such a proposal.  I’ll be there making the argument for this ordinance as strong as I can using the opportunity to educate those in the room who may not know what’s going on there as well.  My testimony will be derived from these Africa Action talking points and my personal experiences. 

Interestingly enough, while I’m in City Hall testifying in support of this legislation, Doc Cheatham, president of the local branch of the NAACP, will be outside the building with a coalition of others protesting the partial awarding of city contracts that far too often exclude minority businesses while showing preference to corporations controlled by the dominant culture.

Such is the paradoxical nature of politics.