Post Round UP- Afro Europe Style

Last week I sung the praises of We Are Respectable Negroes!  More from the respectable ones soon..  However in this post round up Afro-Europe is in the spotlight.  Created by Eric K. Afro-Europe describes itself thusly,


"I am Erik K and I write Afro-Europe International Blog, since 2008, to explore the politics, people and culture of black communities in Europe. Prior to Afro-Europe I wrote for an Amsterdam local newspaper, a Dutch Caribbean magazine, and an E-zine. I was born and raised in Amsterdam and I am of Surinamese/Dutch Caribbean descent"


Afro-Europe is intelligent, well written, well researched and culturally conscious.  This blog truly helped me construct a culturally relevant and insightful context for living in Europe.  The concept of being Atlantic, Afropolitan or cosmopolitan is truly represented in Dutch culture. The Post Modern Netherlands are as representative of the cultural,melting pot phenomena of nations enriched by the Atlantic slave trade. 

Speaking of Holland, one of my favorite countries to visit, Afro-Europe has a message for, Dutch Queen Beatrix  who must remove an offensive slavery painting on the side of the Golden Coach, wrote two Dutch MPs in an opinion piece yesterday.

I first read about Slavery, the video game, another product of Holland at Afro-Europe....

"The trailer shows how gamers may trade slaves, conquer countries and even choose their means of torture and their personal burning marks....." 

France now has a Black TV station.  I am sure it will be an improvement of BET but I bet their music videos won't be as good. Not qutie BET, but BeBlack TV is the new black TV channel in France. The channel will broadcast black culture programs for families and young adults. The channel was launched January 20the in Paris by the founder, Guadeloupe-born and French Guianan, Gadjar Sebastian (30). 

Lastly, in England Afro-Europe reports on a collection of monarchs, in this case a pair of Queens.

Miss Sarah Forbes Bonetta, was a West African Egbado Omoba of royal blood, who was orphaned in a brutal massacre in her home country at the age of eight.She was captured and later given to Queen Victoria by Captain Fredrick. E. Forbes of the Royal Navy who received Sarah as a gift from King Ghezo of Dahomey. Mr Forbes then gave her to Queen Victoria as a present "She would be a present from the King of the blacks to the Queen of the Whites, he later wrote in his journal.

"The Queen was immediately impressed by the girl's natural regal manner, exceptional intelligence and gift for academic studies, literature, art and music that she gave her an allowance for her welfare with Sarah becoming a regular visitor to Windsor Castle." 

For an insightful and intelligent view of European culture and history, head on over to Afro-Europe.  

Ghost Writer

The apparition haunting the interwebs known as Chauncey DeVega is another Afropolitan or Atlantic person who seemingly reaches out to us from the small group of Islnads known s Cabo Verde or Cape Verde.  He describes himself as "a race man in progress and occasional polemicist. He is also a resplendent purveyor of negro wisdom and collector of Black wit. Holder of the sacred chalice of the Ghetto Nerds. A believer in Black Pragmatism and the glories of the Black Freedom Struggle.  Chauncey DeVega is a speaker for the tribe known as We are Respectable Negroes...folks who are just a little angry (and you know what happens when we get angry). It may appear that we are the same, but as you will see, we are actually quite different.  He remains anonymous for now. But there will be clues, tasty morsels of information, that friends (and perhaps enemies) can use to find out his gov't name."

                    

This post about black politicians who pander to ambiguously racist political factions, was almost a counter to our Identity Politics and Relics post.  In it we questioned the appearance of  'connectedness' of black pols in Britain while we asked you to harken to the past  to remember influential black British political trliblazers.  In no way am I suggesting that any British black political player is anywhere close to the level of tom foolery displayed by the ones displayed in the following link, however Tom foolery, and buck dancing are behaviours that require vigilance.

Nouveau Blaxploitation: A Buckdancing Rogues Gallery of Black Conservatives Pledge Allegiance to the Flag of White Populist Tea Party America

Is everyone here familiar with Tomming and Buck Dancing (which is so Atlantic as it combines Irish dance with African, most likely evidence of multicultural working class slaves and indentured servants on plantations.  Buck Dancing is an also An African American metaphor for pandering to white power structures.)?  Illustration of each here and after the jump..  Confederate Veterands Buck Dancing and
Buck Dancing for Confederates.....


Lastly Black people in England, please be concious enough to not wear the confederate flag on shirts or hats.  You must be aware of its meaning..

You were not raised that way! We are respectable negroes

It is difficult to explain the high level of awesome in which We are Respectable Negroes exists. It is the place for happy, non-threatening, coloured folks. It's clever, informative and fun.  Most of all, I have to acknowledge a blog that recognises that Frylock is clearly a respectable Negro pack of flying fries.

They also do a great job of providing context.  This article,
We are respectable negroes: How Pulp History Matters: Of Smedley Butler, the Wall Street Coup, the Liberty League and the Tea Party GOP reminds us of how some of the spectres from the past show themselves in myriad ways. 

Post Round Up

Post Round up is a quick review of the internet's delicious black tid bits.  From Acting White's My black Cousin Passing as White article we are treated with the all to applicable term, 'Incognegro', love it. Hey, New England, Stop trying to pass for white..

When are black people coolest?  What do black people need more of?  Good art, that's what!  African Digital Art provides sweet artistic weekly, in their African Weekly Inspiration feed.  This week provides interesting commentary on The G-Man.

What else is out there?  Pure awesomeness that is a podcast and a great tumblr site, called Nerdgasm Noire Network. That's what.  Five geeky women who love comics and nred stuff, internet yummyness.  Five geeks, five opinions one podcast tastier than bacon.  Dustdaughter provides a great review.  Finally in a truly afropolitan critique, Adisa Vera Beatty questions why black people have issues volunteering in Africa in Clutch magazine online.

That's your round up enjoy...

Identity Politics and Relics

In an attempt to stay connected to current events in America one relys on podcasts, online newspapers and blogs in order to consume sweet American awseomeness. This clip from the Rachael Maddow Show was thought provoking.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Sat in the UK watching this I was forced to become reminiscent for home and my deceased grandfather.  My grandfather was somewhat of a groundbreaking individual. My grandfather was an Omega Man, he attended a Historically black Union University.  He moved to Boston in the 1930's to attend Boston University graduate school.  He was admitted to the school only to be told the quota for black students was full. Not to be deterred, he became the first black man to run a national chain grocery retail store where he employed Malcolm Little who later be known as, Malcolm X.  He was the head of the Massachusetts NAACP and Urban League successively. While head of  the NAACP he debated the Nation of Islam at Boston University, the religious groups representative was Malcolm X.  Malcolm opened the debate by stating, "Mr. Cooper, you gave me one of my first jobs, I am going to take it easy on you."

My grandfather also was the first black man to run for Mayor of Boston Massachusetts as a Republican (This was in political protest of a oppressive, Democratic party in 1950's Boston).  I remember being the only one in the family to have the honor of sitting in his chair in our livingroom.  Seated in that chair I was surrounded by copies of the Crisis, Ebony, Jet Essance Magazines as welll as the prototypical aspiring middle class badge of honour, complete sets of the western cannon.

Listening to the grown folks talk I often overheard conversations involving multiple political groups including Congressional Black Caucus.  When I was still very young, Senator Ed Brooke was the  black senator from the Massachusetts Republican party.  Political banter and critique played a major role in my childhood, actually being board to death hearint it was a clearer view into my childhood memories. Listen to “Forerunner: Edward Brooke, Black Power, and White Votes.”  by historian, Dr. Jason Sokol.  (Aired: 4-17-11) here

Senator Ed Brooke

Currently in the UK, I question who among any political players at the Council level or seated in Paliment have the cultural, political and social skills to garner the over whelming support of black constituticancies.  In class struck Britian is a politiation able to speak both to the middle class and working class (although no one claims the working class moniker any longer in ol' Blighty)?  Specifically which Black politico's are able to connect to voters both ideologically and verbally.  Do all black professionals  the fear of apperaing uncooth in both general society and politics?

How does one speak to the folks in private and to the country in public?  In what ways do politicians navigate political parties and use their standing in their local communities as leveraging votes or a political party as well as having the ability to push policy that is beneficial to their constituency economically and socially.  This is a much more difficult course to navigate here in England than in America.

In The North East corridor of America identity politics used to revolve around race and ethnicity.  Big cities split recources unevenly along lines of colour, ethnicity and religion.  These lines crossed strata of class but ethnicity played a large role.  In England is class the determing factor in politicial identity? Have the English bought into the idea that this is a classless society?  We are all middle class, as we are in America, amen.  Or as current events point out is there a Janus faced outlook in Blighty?  Are divisions in society drawn between racial identity in multicultural Britian or does the spectre of class mark socitial divisions?

How does the black politition garner the public support wielded by the CBC or even President Obama?  How does a politician acrew the support of a significant percentage of the electorate?  To whom do they speak?  What do  they talk about and who do they talk to?  More importantly what obstacles are before the democratic process here in England?  A concerted effort to make the democratic process difficult for some exists in America.  With the political clout that some blacks enjoy the ghosts of the apartheid past still roam the corridors of Washington DC.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Exercising ones rights of citizenship are paramount for any democracy.  A legacy of both the tireless pursuit of civil rights as well as apathetic attitudes define the civil rights or voting rights struggle for black voters in America.  From the civil rights movement Blacks in America were able to forge a political identity and gain leverage within the system.  Like everything else that governs black identity in America the black political representative had to adopt what WEB Dubois dubbed a dual conciousness.

WEB Dubois

I am well aware of the dual conciousness psyche required of black British political players.  How can these players draw upon on England's civil rights struggles?  Or does black England need its own Harlem Renaissance or Nigritude movement?  There seems to be a need for self definition, and reckoning among blacks in England as well as greater Europe. 

I believe my exposure and induction to the world of politics was special, but perhaps not unique.  As my grandfather was active in civil discourse, England also has a legacy of black forefathers who have sacrificed for our current freedom and citizenship.  I understood that dual conciousness is a requirement for  maintaing sanity in the modern era.  The Legacy of African survival in the west also required a secure sence of self rooted in admiration for the legacy of sacrifice of my fore fathers and mothers.   This legacy pre-dates America's by centuries.  Black presence in Britain has helped to establish institutions and shape the country we love today.  It is time to celebrate ourselves, it is time to remember our black heroes from England.  It is time to remember our grandfathers.  It is time to fully celebrate our Pan-African roots, our Atlantic roots?

William Cuffy

Is there any use for the term "Afropolitan"? - Afri-love

Is there any use for the term "Afropolitan"? - Afri-love

Rioting in London, Black or Young?

The author of this blog in no way endorses the recent riots in London, or any public displays of violence, theft or assault.    Condolences to all who experienced any fear, intimidation or injury.  The rioting in London was hard to watch.  


This author remembers the Rodney King riots in Los Angles and witnessed the public displays of gun and gang violence of the 1990's in East Coast America.  I also am a student of American and British history.  As a knee jerk reaction, when I hear the word riot, I think Nat Turner.  Perhaps it is genetic memory, black man's paranoia or a product of my upbringing, none the less,  Nat Turner is somewhat of a folk hero among some African Americans and his violence is interpreted by many as necessary for his time.

The rioting throughout England has little in common with rioting in Hampton Roads Virginia.  The 2011 rioting in England was multicultural, wide sperad and young.  In 2011 violence between police and working class populations of Tottenham sparked violent outbursts that spread in a seemingly unrelated fashion.  Was this violence necessary in this time?  Was this violence black?   

The most recent uprisings of "urban" violence in London took place are twenty six years apart. The two London riots, the Tottenham riots in 2011 and the Broadwater Farm riots  in 1985 definitely have a few commonalities.  Both were a form of protest or unrest from a seemingly working class population of a major city.  At the heart of each was the theme of not only working class unrest, but black working class unrest.  A larger theme also appeared in the media shortly following each uncomfortable period, the concept that black, working class citizens of the city are somehow more prone to violence, looting and disorderly conduct.  


Unlike similar riots, like the Battle of Bow street, where animosity between Metropolitan Police and a multicultural, poor general public escalated the mood to high levels of hostility, the UK string of riots in 2011 was much larger in size and involved rioters who were not united by geography, ideology or cause, but they were tangentially conjoined by electronic social media.   

While looters were comprised of various ethnic, cultural, social and economic backgrounds one major theme that emerged from the upheaval, was that black citizens of urban areas are violent and in need of discipline.  The thesis involves painting urban violence as black. This is not only emerging from the more conservative media, but the left leaning, politically correct Guardian, has also given slight nods to this meme.

Note this video was published on youtube on 31, July 2011

Although Tottenham, a neighborhood within Haringey Council,  has a huge Turkish, White working class and Asian communities it seems the film makers could only find Black people seemingly aged 18 and under, fluent in London slang, innit. They even found the one Latina that lives in Tottenham who is also Bare fluent in slang, innit, bruv. My larger point is that it seems the British media is taking a page from American media in attempting to paint urban violence black, disparate, and oddly,hispanic.  

Hackney MP Dianne Abbot provided some context to her interesting perspective on the cultural environment in Tottenham, she describes a, "tinder box waiting to explode,".She explained that, "it was police-community relationships that provided the spark for the riots".  The news also seemed to repeatedly refer to operation Trident's involvement in this case.  Trident officers were in persuit of the young man killed in gun violence.  He died due to a police bullet.  The Trident connection serves as a direct link to Black and urban violence in the media. The setting was set for yet another test of resilience for multicultural Britain in the age of austerity.

While a lot has been said about austerity measures as a catalyst, I believe the rioting in Tottenham is a result of a long festering sore that exists between the working class and the first line of establishment force, the police.  Following the disruption in Tottenham, London boroughs and urban outposts in the Midlands and further points North, commenced further brand snatching and looting. 

While the connections to the seminal events in Tottenham are underreported, it is clear that a broad swathe of people across the country thought it was an opportune time to smash and grab for material goods.  The psychology of the looters became a widely discussed topic in the media.  Zoe Williams wrote a well thought commentary in the Guardian on how class and aspiration play a role in the contemplation of rioting.  This analysis echoes similar findings from The Kerner Commision.  The American commission was appointed by the Johnson administration in 1967 in response to the ongoing rioting in mostly black, mostly urban neighborhoods.  


The Kerner Commission found that America was split between a self-interested, white working class and middle class and a poor disenfranchised black underclass. These findings stated, "Our nation is moving toward two societies, one black, one white—-separate and unequal." It seems the analysis is hauntingly similar to the de facto consensus that began to emerge in Britain, there is a split between a poor disenfranchised youth and a self interested population born before 1980.  The list of negative characteristics of London rioters included economic status and race, now it included age.


When the rioting had seeming come to an end it seemed that the public, however entrenched in opposing ideology on the causes of rioting, was ready to discuss reconciliation and closure.  A large number of citizens took to the streets and organised various clean up crews via social media.  


In a sence multiculturalism was somewhat alive in Blighty.  The public was ready to heap scorn on its youth with only a slight nod towards race. Until, out of the steamy decompression of the disturbing events came a battle cry that seemingly implied, "There could be no grosser misconception of the realities than is entertained by those who vociferously demand legislation as they call it "against discrimination".  This epic rant from David Starky,

This event along with the aftermath of the rioting have made me ponder, the meaning of "black" or "blackness" in Britain.  Which elements have shaped and formed the concept of Blackness in old Blighty?

American Round up

Hello it is good to be back.  After a brief hiatus and a few riots in London, The Only African American Guy in London has returned.  Oh, I have so much to share with you.  My thoughts on the London Riots are forthcoming, I am still processing information.

In the meantime lets take a look at some Atlantic issues.  Cornell West and Travis, er, Tavis Smily are on a National Poverty tour on a posh bus.  Dr. West has a thorn in his craw about the American President and things are not going well for our beloved doctor.  Joan Walsh reports on his tiny tempa tantrums.

Next the Afri-Blog teaches us a new word, Afropolitan (that’s me) and Racialous provide a sound discussion on interracial dating in America. Enjoy.

From Joan Walsh at Salon.com

A few fair complaints about Obama drown in a sea of personal racial attacks. Is this how identity politics ends?

Cornel West's tragic meltdown - Joan Walsh - Salon.com

From the wonderful Afri-Blog


The concept of being Afropolitan, I feel like I am living it.


"Going back to the "meaning" of the word, "African" + "cosmopolitan" = "Afropolitan." Nowhere in that make-up is a specification about just where those cosmopolitan locations are."
Is there any use for the term "Afropolitan"? - Afri-love

From Racialicious, a blog about the intersection of race and pop culture. 

On Interracial Dating – The Asian Panel (1 of 3)

On Interracial Dating – The Black Panel (2 of 4)

On Interracial Dating – The Black Panel (3 of 4)

How do we Handle the Post-Modern Other in the Multicultural Era?

In the continuing chronicle of how race and conceptions of identity are malleable and so different in America and the United Kingdom I am continually astonished how such similar societies have constructed utterly different realities in the post modern era.  While it is acceptable in both countries to critique multiculturalism along the lines of religion, in the UK it is politically incorrect to critique along lines of color.  In the United States that is not the case.

In the American blog Public Policy Polling Tom Jenson posted an article entitled Barbour, Bryant lead in Mississippi.  In the article Jenson provides some insight into not only the  highly coded language of American political discourse, but also a reality check of how antiquated attitudes on race are a significant vestige of the American body politic. 

He writes,
We asked voters on this poll whether they think interracial marriage should be legal or illegal- 46% of Mississippi Republicans said it should be illegal to just 40% who think it should be legal. For the most part there aren't any huge divides in how voters view the candidates or who they support for the nomination based on their attitudes about interracial marriage but there are a few exceptions.


I would even venture to speculate that the reported attitude on race would hold true for both blacks and whites in Mississippi.  However far right politics is riddled with coded language on race and supporters seem to cluster around candidates and policy that support socially conservative or racially conservative ideology.  Jenson continues to state,


[Sarah]Palin's net favorability with folks who think interracial marriage should be illegal (+55 at 74/19) is 17 points higher than it is with folks who think interracial marriage should be legal (+38 at 64/26.) Meanwhile Romney's favorability numbers see the opposite trend. He's at +23 (53/30) with voters who think interracial marriage should be legal but 19 points worse at +4 (44/40) with those who think it should be illegal. Tells you something about the kinds of folks who like each of those candidates.


I would contend that the Cloward-Piven conspiracy crowd would rally around Palin supporters and the racially conservative.  There has been a recycling of far right John Birtch Society style ideology in mainstream political discourse, High profile candidates like Palin who ride the crest of lassie faire media ethics and practice, give new life to the ghosts of conservative racial ideology. 
Web 2.0 fueled reader comments may or may not tell a different story of exorcism of evil spirits. 

Rosie Q said...

It's a question that shouldn't HAVE to be asked. But clearly, there is a need to expose the truth about these so called "small government" hypocrites.

APRIL 7, 2011 10:30 AM

Anonymous said...

Zack,

The poll covered the legality of marriage, not dating. I could not immediately find data via Google that was specific to Mississippi or to Democrats, but regional data for the South (Altman & Klinker*) indicates that, even ten years ago, 86% of whites and 98% of non-whites supported legal interracial marriage. If that's representative of MS, too, and only 40% of MS 'Pubicans support it, ISTM the percentage of Dem supporters probably approaches 85-90%. Which makes it uninformative to poll it.

What's your point?

*http://maltman.hmdc.harvard.edu/papers/MeasuringRacialDiffs.pdf

APRIL 7, 2011 12:31 PM

Dustin Ingalls said...

BTW, we did ask this interracial marriage question of everyone, not just Republicans, but we'll be releasing the full results on that at a later date.

APRIL 7, 2011 1:42 PM

Anonymous said...

UNETHICAL POLLING. This is a cynical poll conducted by a Democratic polling organization to smear the Republican Party. PPP asked this poll with motive and knowing the response they would get. Democratic operatives will use this poll to frame a racial narrative to the upcoming election and scare minority voters and urban educated voters away from the GOP. It's pure cynical politics.

APRIL 7, 2011 2:50 PM

Take a look for yourself.. Link

Later that day 

This gem appears...Link

The argument against interracial marriage

Black People Moving to Suburbs as White People Move to Cities

Black Flight in America

Black People Moving to Suburbs as White People Move to Cities

Black consciousness (South Africa): The debate starts

From the self proclaimed, "unashamedly elitist website", The Daily Maverick, Sipho Hlongwane offers his perspective on black  consciousness, a South African perspective.  He questions how social justice brings the debate on consciousness to the fore.

Happy Independence Day

Tuggstar the Poet:

Happy Independence day Ghana.  Please construct your own meaning in the post-colonial, global era.

Fear and Hope in the UK

Searchlight Educational Trust commissioned the polling organisation Populus to explore the issues of English identity, faith and race. TheFear and HOPE survey gives a snapshot of current attitudes in society today. It explores the level of fear, hate and hope. It details what pulls us apart and what brings us together. With 5,054 respondents and 91 questions it is one of the largest and most comprehensive surveys into attitude, identity and extremism in the UK to date.

Miscegenation Ball by The Atlantic's Ta Nehisi Coates

TA-NEHISI COATES on what we here in England call mixed-race:

link: http://www.theatlantic.com/miscegenation-ball

The following Postbourgie podcast entitled 

The Beijing of America.  is a great follow up to the article.

The Elephant In the Room Post Update

Further updates to the update....... Frances Piven is tough.  From NANCY GOLDSTEIN at the american Prospect.

Frances Fox Piven: Still Tougher Than Glenn Beck

Update to the update:

Spotlight From Glenn Beck Brings a CUNY Professor Threats

and from the excellent blog "We are are respectable Negroes",

Reflections on the Use and Abuse of Eliminationist Speech: Do Conservatives Really Want to Kill Liberals and Progressives?

Glenn Beck continues to rattle on about Frances Piven.  The coded language, thinly veiled bigotry and class-ism is palpable.   See the original Elephant in the Room post below for further clarification on the Cloward–Piven strategy. 


P.S.
The linked video from youtube contains wing-nut banter

Getting to the seminal point

The Huffington Post described the above comments as "eye brow raising".   Beyond eyebrow raising Rick Santorum's comment,

"Well if that human life is not a person then I find it almost remarkable for a black man to say 'now we are going to decide who are people and who are not people.'"


This comment is indicative of a deeper psychological rift that has bifurcated the American psyche.  The chasm exists between Americans who are willing to have a person of color leading their country and those who tightly cling to a vestigial white supremacist ideology.  Santorum's unveiled bigotry serves as dog whistle politics for many on the right who trade in the politics of fear.  However, the brand of fear Santourum is peddling is white supremacy.  


The comment is forked.  On one prong, Rick states that, "it is remarkable for a black man to say WE are going to decide who are people."..  Left tacit in that phrase is the concept that black people are not human.  This is a founding theme in the American apartheid system.  The 3/5 compromise was not only a canard for census data but it is also a pillar of racist ideology, it promotes the idea that Africans do not have the stature, intellect or indeed the characteristics of human beings.  The other prong is the personal pronoun we, it connotes a group of people in America who are fundamentally unlike the standing President of the United States.  This has been a theme of the right, The President is not like "us" or "we" or "we want our country back".  Again Rick is alluding to the fact that Barak Obama does not have two white parents and is not of the social or perhaps mental status of the unnamed "we". This group of individuals called we is a group Santourum seemingly claims membership of.  Is this a social group or a cultural group?  


Clearly Santourum is borrowing a page from politics from past centuries, sadly much of the critique from the right revolves around the politics of bigotry.  Santourum likely understands and supports the ignorance of his message.


Perhaps Elon James White frames the discourse more effectively  
Video Update: