A Collective Response To Recent Suspensions Of Labour Party Members For Alleged Anti-Semitism

Copied below is an Africans For JC Values-led letter recently delivered to the Labour Party HQ. The letter is co-signed by Labour Party members and non-members, Africans and non-Africans, Jewish and non-Jewish people, united in view that the selective use of suspensions is unhelpful.

Delegation hand over letter at Labour Party HQ. Photo by Kwaku

Africans For JC Values
Africansfor@gmail.com

For the attention of:
Iain McNichol, General Secretary
Members of the National Executive Committee
and Compliance Unit Head
Labour Party
1 Brewers Green
London  SW1H 0RH 

 

Hand delivered on 14^th June 2016

Dear Mr McNichol,

Re: A collective response to recent suspensions of Labour Party members

We, the undersigned, affirm our faith in true Labour values and therefore support the leadership of Jeremy Corbyn and the refreshing politics of the Alternative he has brought back to the Labour Party.  

We  are, however concerned about the recent suspensions of committed Labour Party members for alleged anti-Semitism which undermines serious discussion and thinking.  We are particularly concerned by the selective use of suspensions, most recently the suspension of Marlene Ellis, a hard working activist with a track record of fighting racism and supporting the local community, for an online post made on behalf of Momentum Black ConneXions which called for Ken Livingstone to be reinstated. 

We also register our concerns about the suspensions of Ken Livingstone, Simon Hinds, Tony Greenstein, David White and others. We are disappointed that the appalling behaviour of John Mann MP, haranguing and insulting Ken Livingstone, a senior citizen, and calling him a liar and Nazi apologist in front of cameras, has not led to reproach or censure from the Labour Party and its Compliance Unit, even though the behaviour brought the Labour Party into disrepute. John Mann MP is an elected representative of the Party, and his behaviour fell far short of the standards expected of elected representatives.

It appears allegations of anti-Semitism are being used to stifle the sharing of information on some of the uncomfortable events that took place during the Shoah, the Maangamizi (African Holocaust) and free speech. Allegations are also being made to silence criticisms of Israel, hamper the work of Momentum activists, and undermine Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn.

We are uncomfortable with the parallel between the suspensions and what took place during the McCarthy era in the United States.

It is worrying that comments that do not please a section of the population are deemed anti-Semitic, whether or not statements are made in the course of rational or factual discussion, and there seems to be undue haste to suspend.  Some members of the Party appear to have exploited a somewhat hysterical atmosphere which has been allowed to develop. This is reminiscent of the Salem Witch Trials in Massachusetts, rather than of calm, rational consideration. African tradition teaches us to value the lessons of the past in the spirit of Sankofa, so that we do not repeat mistakes. 

We also note that there isn't the same level of indignation when anti-African comments, or Islamophobic comments linking Muslims to ISIS, are made. All communities should be treated with equal respect.

The current suspensions are perceived as a tool to intimidate activists on the Left which is inimical to the progress of the Labour Party.

The recent lifting of Jackie Walker's suspension supports the view that the suspensions are being applied and publicised in haste, without due consideration.

We call on the General Secretary of the Labour Party, the Compliance Unit and the NEC to make a full response to the points raised in this letter and not use the Chakrabarti Inquiry as an excuse to avoid addressing the serious points raised.

Yours sincerely,

Awula Serwah, Africans for JC Values
Chris Jones, Africans for JC Values
Kwaku, Africans for JC Values
Nana Asante, Kilombo UK, Momentum member

Abu Akil, GACuk
Adotey Bing-Pappoe
Alexis Shepherd
Beverley Wong, Momentum Black ConneXions (MBC)
Camille Sahiri
Cathy Bolore
Delia Mattis Momentum Member
David Prichard-Jones, Labour Party Member
Dr David Muir
Dr. Ricardo Twumasi, Labour Party Member
Eddio Calpan
Esther Stanford-Xosei, Global Afrikan People's Parliament (GAPP)
Explo Nani-Kofi, Kilombo Centre for Civil Society and African Self Determination
Glenroy watson, GACuk
Ian Malcolm-Walker, Momentum NC and LRC EC both in a personal capacity
Jackie Walker, LRC, Labour Briefing Editorial Board
Jan Pollock, London Disabled People for Momentum member, UCU London retired member
Kayanja Tunya
Kofi Mawuli Klu, Pan-Afrikan Reparations Coalition in Europe (PARCOE)
Leandre Sahiri
Linda Musoke
Martha Osamor
Mary Goffore
Mary Sithole
Master Mo Monty
Michael Kalmanovitz, International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network (U.K.)
Mike Cowley, Edinburgh North and Leith CLP in a personal capacity
Natoya Smith
Nechamah Bonanos, Streatham CLP member Brixton and Streatham Hill ward
Nubian Emperor, Global Afrikan Congress
Orvil Kunga
Pauline Muir
Raj Gill Ealing, Momentum member 
Richard Clarke
Sam Weinstein, Payday Men's Network
Selma James, Global Women’s Strike
Sara Calloway, Women of Colour, Global Women’s Strike
Shemi Leira
Simeon Stanford
Simon Hinds
Steve Tomlinson
Tony Greenstein, Brighton Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Brighton & Hove Unison LG, Jews 4 Boycotting Israeli Goods
Yvonne Sahiri

Open Letter From 40+ African Signatories Sent To Labour Party's Chakrabarti Inquiry On African Liberation Day

 

PRESS RELEASE:

London, UK

May 25 2016

Call It By Its Name: Afriphobia Is Racism Against African People

A group of African political, equality and community activists, and academics within and outside Britain have signed an open letter (copied below) to the Labour Party’s Chakrabarti Inquiry into ‘Anti-Semitism and other forms of racism’.

They are of the view that the Inquiry’s remit is discriminatory in that it highlights one form of racism but does not name anti-African racism, Afriphobia, which is ingrained in society and results in the over-representation of Africans in all indices of social deprivation.

The group has made suggestions for the Inquiry to consider with regards to its focus and language.

On the 53^rd anniversary of the African Union’s African Liberation Day (ALD) initiative, they advocate the use of the term Afriphobia to specifically identify anti-African racism, and AAME (African, Asian, Minority Ethnic), instead of BAME (Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic), which excludes the African identity.

One of the co-signatories KB Asante, a former aide of President Kwame Nkrumah and Ghanaian High Commissioner to the United kingdom said: “As a member of the Ghana delegation at the birth of African Liberation Day in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on May 25, 1963, I support the sentiments expressed in this open letter challenging the structural racism and Afriphobia ingrained in society.”

The open letter, initiated by Africans For JC Values, a Momentum movement organisation, is in response to recent suspensions and censuring of Labour Party members on allegations of anti-Semitism.

Ends

From Awula Serwah
Africans For JC Values Secretary
via africansfor@gmail.com

Some of the Open Letter co-signatories with seated L-R KB Asante and Matilda Asante. Photo by Toyin Agbetu

OPEN LETTER:

Call It By Its Name: Afriphobia Is Racism Against African People

An Open Letter To Labour Party’s Chakrabarti Inquiry From A Group Of Africans Concerned About The Inquiry’s Focus & Language

May 25 2016

We the undersigned note that the Labour Party has set up the Chakrabarti Inquiry (Inquiry) to investigate “Anti-Semitism and other forms of racism”.

We are of the view that the terms of reference: ‘Anti-Semitism and other forms of Racism’ are unwittingly discriminatory, as racism against Jewish people is set apart from racism and prejudice against other peoples, particularly Africans (Afriphobia) and Muslims (Islamophobia). 

Even though there is only one race, the human race, a more appropriate title could be on the lines of ‘Investigation into Racism, which includes Afriphobia, Anti-Semitism, and Islamophobia’.

We note that over the years there have been allegations of racism towards Africans (Africans from the continent of Africa and Africans from the Diaspora) and Asians within and outside the Labour Party, but no independent public inquiry has been set up to investigate these allegations.

Undoubtedly  the Jewish holocaust (properly known among the Jewish people as Shoah) is a terrible blight on human history, but we must remember that there were holocausts before and after. The Congolese holocaust in the name of King Leopold II, is said to have claimed 10 millions lives.

The holocaust perpetrated on Africans, also properly known by African people by the Kiswahili words Maafa or Maangamizi, led to the deaths of tens of millions of Africans in holding cells on the continent of Africa, in the process of capture and kidnappings, in the Middle Passage, in enslavement and plantation systems in the Americas, Caribbean, and in the German-governed death camps in Namibia.

The survivors of the Middle Passage suffered unimaginable torture and hardships at the hands of enslavers and plantation owners, and their descendants continue to suffer acute deprivation and are the object of discrimination and racism in America and in the UK, where they are under represented at every level of public life, including in the Labour Party, and over-represented in all indices of social deprivation and criminalisation.

It is for this reason that pan-African Reparation organisations continue to work on repairing the damage to Africans and Africa caused by the trafficking of enslaved Africans, colonialism and neo colonialism. This damage is still being experienced by people of African heritage today.

How is it that commentators can freely blame Africans for the atrocities they suffered with little understanding of the context of the Maangamizi or Maafa without any public uproar? In addition, the school curriculum does not currently teach sufficiently about non-European civilisations, the contributions of non-Europeans to world civilisation or the uncomfortable truths about the British Empire. This in itself contributes to the structural racism which is in society in general, including the Labour Party, where ignorance of the history of the peoples of Africa pervades.

Anti-Semitism and Islamophobia are recognised as challenges that need to be addressed, but Afriphobia is so ingrained in our society that it is not acknowledged as an issue that needs to be challenged, or called by its specific name.

People of African heritage can be vilified and even blamed for the genocide they suffered without any public inquiry or calls for a public inquiry. However when comments perceived to be negative are made about Zionism or the state of Israel, this is perceived at times to be anti-Semitic by those who do not like the comments, whether or not these claims are supported by evidence. This often results in suspensions from the Party and other unfair censures. 

We reject the idea that opposition to Zionism or the Israeli government is necessarily anti-Semitism.

The United Nations has declared 2015-2024 as the International Decade for People of African Descent, and has recognised that Africans represent a distinct group whose human rights must be promoted and protected.

We therefore call upon the Inquiry to investigate and accord equal importance to Afriphobia and its manifestations within and outside the Labour Party. 

We also ask the Inquiry not to unwittingly promote discrimination by the exclusion of the Afriphobia* terminology, and advocate the use of the AAEM (African, Asian, Ethnic Minority) terminology instead of BAME (Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic) which excludes the African identity.

* We  define Afriphobia as: The prejudice or discrimination against; fear, hatred, or bigotry towards people of African heritage and things African.

Awula Serwah

Africans For JC Values secretary

Kwaku (RE:IMI (Race Equality: In Music industry))

Dr KB Asante
Matilda Asante

Adekayode Oke (AFRIKAATUUU Convention for Afrikan Networking (AFRIKAATUUU-CAFRINET), Nigeria)
Adwoa Oforiwaa Adu (All-Afrikan Students Union Link in Europe (AASULE))
Althea Gordon-Davidson (Pan-Afrikan Community Educational Services (PACES))
Beverley Wong (Momentum Black ConneXions)
Blema Etrey
Boucka Stephane Koffi (Pan-Afrikan Fora International Support Coordinating Council (PAFISCC))
Chris Jones (Africans For JC Values)
Esther Stanford-Xosei (Global Afrikan Peoples Parliament)
Darla Migan (Vanderbilt University, US)
Delia Mattis (Momentum member)
Dr Barryl Biekman (Europe-Wide NGO Consultative Council on Afrikan Reparations (ENGOCCAR), Holland)
Enigye Adjoa Ayebea, Grassroots All-Afrikan Women's Internationalist Solidarity Sisterhood (GAAWISS), Ghana)
Explo Nani-Kofi (Kilombo Centre for Citizens' Rights and African Self-Determination, Ghana)
Glenroy watson (RMT London Transport Regional Council, Global Afrikan Congressuk)
Jackie Walker (Momentum, South Thanet Labour Party (suspended), LRC Executive and Labour Briefing Editorial Board)
Kofi Mawuli Klu (Pan-Afrikan Reparations Coalition in Europe)
Kwame Adofo Sampong (Trade Unions and the Pan-Afrikan Community Link (TUPACOL))

Kwame Dede Akuamoah (NKRUMAHBUSUAFO Kwame Nkrumah Convention Family Movement, Ghana)
Leanard Phillip
Linda Bellos (Linda Bellos Associates)
Maatyo Dede Azu (ADZEWAGBETO Pan-Afrikan Women's Liberation Union (ADZEWAGBETO-PAWLU), Ghana)
Marlene Ellis (Momentum Black ConneXions)
Mawuse Yao Agorkor (VAZOBA Afrika and Friends Networking Open Forum (VAZOBA-AFNOF), Ghana)
Nana Asante (Africans For JC Values, Momentum member)
Omowale Ru-Pert-em-Hru (Pan-Afrikan Society Community Forum)
Nehemie Zeguen Toure (Mouvement Social Panafricain pour le Development Integral (MSPDI), Cote d'Ivoire)
Ngoma 'Silver' Bishop (Bema Arts)
Opeyemi Araromi (Pan-African Congresses-United Kingdom Organising Committee (PACs-UKOC))
Professor Lewis Gordon (University of Connecticut, US, Rhodes University, South Africa, Birkbeck School of Law, UK, Université Toulouse Jean Jaurès, France)
Professor Paget Henry (Brown University, US)
Prophet Kweku & Jendayi Serwah (Afrikan Emancipation Day Reparations March Committee (AEDRMC))
Samantha Asumadu (Media Diversified)
Shemi Leira (Momentum Black ConneXions)
Simeon Stanford (Afrikan Reparations Transnational Community of Practice (ARTCoP))
Sumana Nandi (Grassroots Women's Internationalist Solidarity Action Network (GWISAN), India)
Toyin Agbetu (Ligali Organisation)
Wedam Abassey (Forum of Nkrumaist Thought and Action (FONTA), Ghana)
Xolanyo Yawa Gbafa (EDIKANFO Pan-Afrikan Youth and Students Internationalist Link (EDIKANFO-PAYSIL), Ghana)



BACKGROUND LIST 

African Liberation Day on May 25 is an annual holiday in various countries in Africa, and the world, coinciding with African Union's Africa Day. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/African_Liberation_Day

Afriphobia is the prejudice or discrimination against; fear, hatred, or bigotry towards people of African heritage and things African. Africans For JC Values. www.bit.ly/AFJCCInq

Anti-Semitism is hostility to or prejudice against Jews. Oxford Dictionaries

Hearing On Afro(i)phobia In The EU. European Union. http://greenmediabox.eu/archive/2014/02/20/afrophobia-in-the-eu/20140220_afrophobia-in-the-eu_en.mp4

Herero And Namaqua (Namibia) Genocide. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herero_and_Namaqua_genocide

IDPAD 2015-2024 Understanding The UN's Int'l Decade. Kwaku. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=489rcX2lJLE

International Decade For People Of African Descent. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Decade_for_People_of_African_Descent. United Nations. http://www.un.org/en/events/africandescentdecade/

Islamophobia is the hatred or fear of Muslims or of their politics or culture. Collins Dictionary

Maafa (or African Holocaust, Holocaust of Enslavement, or Black holocaust as alternatives are terms used to describe the history and ongoing effects of atrocities inflicted on African people. The Maafa includes the Arab and Atlantic slave trades, and continued through imperialism, colonialism, and other forms of oppression to the present day. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maafa

Maangamizi is the intergenerational white supremacist racist mind-set which fueled the Transatlantic Traffic in Enslaved Afrikans (TTEA), Maangamizi (Hellacaust of chattel, colonial and neo-colonial enslavement) from the 15th century to the present day. SMWCGE. https://www.change.org/p/stop-the-maangamizi-we-charge-genocide-ecocide

‘Maangamizi’ Video With Lyrics. Akala. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9X0McxAWm8

The Hidden (Congo) Holocaust. The Guardian. http://www.theguardian.com/theguardian/1999/may/13/features11.g22

When You Kill Ten Million Africans You Aren’t Called ‘Hitler’. Walking Butterfly. http://www.walkingbutterfly.com/2010/12/22/when-you-kill-ten-million-africans-you-arent-called-hitler/

Africans For JC Values Conference Provided An Illuminating Experience

Africans For JC Values Conference Provided An Illuminating Experience

May 4 2016

   
The Africans For JC Values Conference had an action-packed programme which went beyond drilling down Jeremy Corbyn's 'Standing To Deliver' 10-point plan.

Africans For JC Values (AFJCV) secretary Awula Serwah preceded her welcome address by asking the early attendees to give a quick introduction.

Among the early attendees were Brent Councillor James Allie, political commentator Ayesha Hazarika, and reparations activist Kofi Mawuli Klu

Unite union executive Kwasi Agyemang Prempeh provided a brief introduction, followed by solidarity salutations from a number of social and community groups.

Esther Stanford-Xosei of GAPP (Global African People's Parliament) provided an incisive and succinct address, which covered reparative justice. Sally Callaway of Camden Momentum and Women Of Colour Global Women's Strike emphasised the importance of addressing refugee and migrant issues within African (or "people of colour") led organisations

Jan Pollock of London Disabled People for Momentum Caucus reminded groups to look to the past, when self-organised groups co-operated with other groups across different equality interests. Raj Gill of Ealing Momentum urged the audience to join the Labour Party in order to support the socialist fight.

Glasses or no glasses, community activist Beverley Wong managed to pack a lot into her golden minute, whilst one of the many points raised by Mary of the All Africa Women's Group was the right for refugees to be able to work in order to contribute more meaningfully to society.

For Zita Holbourne, a co-founder of BARAC (Black Activists Rising Against Cuts), it was not rocket science that the Conservative government's austerity policy was going to have a dis-proportionate impact on African and Asian  workers. Hence the need for a campaigning organisation such a BARAC.

The presentations began with equality campaigner Linda Bellos making a quick presentation on the importance of understanding the Equality Act 2010. She advocated that parliamentarians and councillors familiarise themsleves with formal training on the Act.

AFJCV chair and former councillor Nana Asante, with the help of two short videos, took us through the Explaining How The Parliamentary System Works/How Does One Become A Councillor Or Parliamentarian? presentation.

She also helmed the key presentation, Digging More Deeply Into 10 Points Jeremy Corbyn (JC) Is Standing To Deliver. But before that, there was a whirlwind round of a mixture of serious and light-heartedness.

History consultant and conference chair Kwaku picked up the pace with the Importance Of Language & Quiz. Using African instead of "black", African History Month instead of Black History Month, enslaved instead of slave, were some of the points highlighted in the Language session, which was culled from the 'Look. How Far We've Come: Race/Racism Primer'. Though the Quiz was inspired by the Marcus Garvey quote on history reproduced in the accompanying image, there were light moments and contemporary music questions.

During the Young-ish Person's segment, Destiny read out two quotes by Barak Obama, whilst Rochelle read a Desmod Tutu quote, which comes from the 'African Voices: Quotations By People Of African Descent' book co-edited by Kwaku & Ms Serwah.

Ricardo Twumasi, a BHFNC research officer who's also defending his doctoral thesis this week, spoke on 'Why I Joined The Labour Party’, and Momentum.
   
Social commentor and political activist Patrick Vernon spoke in his capacity as chair of Labour Party's Race Equality Advisory Group on Where Is The Labour Party At With Is Racial Equality Strategy?. "Race is back on the agenda under Jeremy Corbyn," he said, before urging the audience to get involved in the party's consultation, so that they can influence Labour's race equality processes and commitments, and key policy areas such as health, housing and international affairs.

Vernon also quoted a tweet sent earlier by Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn, which is reproduced below. Fine words, but expect to hear the case for incluson of Afriphobia!

Former Black Sections chair and journalist Marc Wadsworth spoke on What Lessons Can We Learn From The Labour Party Black Sections? What one can learn from the LPBS experience is to self-organise, then set out policies and aims - a manifesto - before looking for people to fill roles or representation, to move the manifesto forward.

He admitted that a lot of the gains made in the 1980s/90s have been lost. "We need to be vigilant" urged Wadsworth, in order to regain some of the lost ground, He even showed an old anti-racist T-shirt produced by NALGO (National and Local Government Officers' Association now part of UNISON)  and pointed to trade unions as one of the key stakeholders that can "help fix" things.

Mr & Mrs KB Asante, who came from the Gold Coast (present day Ghana) to Britain in the late 1940s to study mathematics and statistics, and nursing, respectively spoke on Students & Politics In The 1940s/1950s. Although active in the Gold Coast Students Union (GCSU), Mrs Asante recalled how she and others from other countries would express solidarity with students from any colonial country, such as Kenya, which was fighting for independence.

Mr Asante ponted out that whilst studying at Durham University he engaged with students and locals of the mining town. It was natural for him to join the Labour party and he became secretary of the Socialist Society. Having read the Socialist rites of passage - Harold Laski's 1925-published 'A Grammar Of Politics', in addition to attending meetings in the university and studying political issues, he travelled to Yugoslavia and Sweden to help with community projects.

He joined the Socialist group which demonstrated against the imposition of a charge of one shilling (5p) on medical prescriptions by the embryonic National Health Service. Upon qualifying, they returned home, where they served their country for many years, and continue to do so. Mrs Asante rose to become a senior public health professional, whilst Mr Asante worked in diplomatic service and politics included working as an aide to Ghana's first prime minister and president Kwame Nkrumah and Secretary for Education.

Although the Discussion segment was cut short in order to end on time, not only were the main points touched upon: Importance of joining the Labour Party and helping it to reclaim its socialist roots, so that the onslaught on Jeremy Corbyn and John McDonnell is reduced and focus is on challenging unfair Conservative policies; and a Labour win for a fairer Britain. With all the presenters being on hand, attendees were able to have their questions or comments responded to within this segment, or in the impromtu post-event networking in and  out of the premises.

Whilst the general consensus was that the conference had been an illuminating experience, with a broad theme of activism running through the programme, attendees did not seem to be in a hurry to leave after Awula Serwah's rounding up Vote Of Thanks!

AFJCV's first meeting was on Dec. 10 2015 in Brent. In Jan. 2016 it organised a networking dinner in Croydon, and officially launched in Feb. at the Houses of Parliament with John McDonnell MP as our host.

This is what McDonnell said at the well-attended event: “This is what the media and others don’t get. Yes, we're trying to get the Labour Party to be the next government, of course we are. That’s important, but we're trying to build a social movement that will support that progressive government, because if you don't do that, they’ll destroy us.”

He pointed out that it was through the launch of AFJCV and the building of other grassroots social movements that their plans can come to fruition.

AFJCV aims to galvanise Africans, be they from the African continent or the Diaspora, who believe in a new kind of politics and society, subscribe to the Jeremy Corbyn (JC) 10 point plan, which was explained in detail at the conference. AFJCV provides a platform for Africans to have a voice and highlight issues of particular concern to them.

“We want to create a society that is radically fairer, more equal, more democratic, that is based upon prosperity, but a prosperity that is  shared by everybody." continued McDonnell.

“So Africans For Momentum I think is a really good initiative, because if you look at our work over the years, it's been about confronting racism, discrimination in all its forms in society, but also argue not just for equality, but for social justice as well. 

“As many of you have been involved in this over the years, it is making sure that in addition to securing that social justice  for ourselves, making sure that we assist others in securing that social justice. It’s on that basis of solidarity that we’ve come together. So I really welcome this initiative. I think there’s a real opportunity.” 

He also urged support for the Corbyn leadership in order to weather the onslaught from the establishment, press, other political parties, and some within the Labour Party “who hadn’t yet come to terms with Jeremy being the leader.”

   
“A Labour government with Jeremy Corbyn as Prime Minister and John McDonnell as chancellor offers the best prospects for a better Britain for the majority of the population, and not just for a few,” asserts AFJCV secretary and conference organiser Awula Serwah.

“It will be a government committed to investment and growth, not austerity, ending zero hours contracts, and strengthening the National Health Service, which we all rely on, rather than dismantling and privatising it. Which ever way you look at it, the majority of the population, including most Africans, will benefit from the ten points Jeremy Corbyn is standing to deliver.

“But it’s not going to happen, if we don’t rally round the Corbyn-McDonnell leadership. We cannot afford to lose this unique window of opportunity,” adds Serwah. “As John McDonnell pointed out in his speech at our launch, they are facing an onslaught from sections of the media and others outside and within the Labour Party.”

If you have any ideas and can help with the organising of what should be the next AFJCV event, please let us know by contacting Awula Serwah via africansfor@gmail.com.
We'd like to commit more to the AFJCV work, so to improve our human and financial resources, we'll soon launch a crowdfiunding appeal to cover one full-time worker and admin. Of course if you have deep pockets or connections to donations, you're welcome to get in touch!




AFJCV background video: http://bit.ly/AFMVid
AFJCV launch video: https://youtu.be/tx6ncg0GGHg

AFM/AFJCV Launch Harrow Times coverage: http://www.harrowtimes.co.uk/news/14318946.Young_people_from_Harrow_discuss_Africa_in_Westminster/?ref=mr&lp=14

Croydon networking article: http://www.the-latest.com/uks-africans-declare-support-labour-leader-jeremy-corbyn

A New Name For The British Honours System?

January 1 2016

It's that time of year when the new British New Year's Honours List of those who've mainly impressed the monarchy, government and major political parties, and Big Business, is published.

Whilst the Honours system has its critics, spare a thought for a suggestion proposed by Brent South (now Brent Central) MP Dawn Butler, who in seconding the 2007 Queen's Speech suggested the Honours be modernised by awarding it for British Excellence:
https://youtu.be/COZtEbBfuM

Perhaps Excellence, instead of Empire, may sit better with some people, like poet Benjamin Zephaniah, who famously turned down the prospect of an OBE in 2003:
http://www.theguardian.com/books/2003/nov/27/poetry.monarchy.

Names on the latest Honours list include the likes of musician/DJ/actor Goldie, and actors Idris Elba and David Oyelowo.

However, now that the Daily Mail, of all newspapers, has lambasted the Honours system (click here), and there's apparently an investigation going on as to how a list of some who've quietly refused the Honours (click here), one wonders whether Butler's Excellence suggestion will be taken up in future deliberations on the Honours system.

Kwaku
TAOBQ co-ordinator

August 31 Declared African History Reflection Day

Press Release
September 1 2014, London, UK
IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 31 Declared African History Reflection Day

The centenary of the founding of the Universal Negro Improvement Association and African Communities League (UNIA) by pan-African champion Marcus Garvey in Kingston, Jamaica has been marked by a motion declaring August 31 as African History Reflection Day (AHRD).

The motion, which was proposed by the African Histories Revisited and TAOBQ (The African Or Black Question) community organisations, was carried at the UNIA @ 100 presentation by history consultant Kwaku entitled ‘Marcus Garvey, Economic Empowerment And Relevance To Ghana’, which took place at the Ghana High Commission in Highgate, north London.

AHRD is inspired by articles of UNIA’s Declaration Of The Rights Of The Negro Peoples Of The World, which was adopted on August 13 1920 at a UNIA convention in New York.

AHRD is about setting aside August 31 as a day to reflect on African history with a focus on African empowerment and enterprise, and engaging children wherever possible in any aspect of the global African experience and history. Children in this case include anyone young at heart and still interested in learning.

It is proposed that August 31 should be observed as a holiday, in that whether as individuals, families, or community groups, we suspend the ordinary business or routine of the day for however long is deemed practical to highlight and deliberate on the relevance and lessons learnt from global African history, and how to move forward as empowered and confident people.

ENDS

Kwaku
Co-ordinator
African Histories Revisited TAOBQ (The African Or Black Question) editor@BritishBlackMusic.com

Notes 
a) Articles of the Declaration Of The Rights Of The Negro Peoples Of The World adopted at the UNIA Convention in New York on August 13 1920, which inspired African History Reflection Day:

53. "We proclaim the 31st day of August of each year to be an international holiday to be observed by all Negroes.”

49. "We demand that instructions given Negro children in schools include the subject of 'Negro History', to their benefit."

b) AHRD update/amendment of Declaration’s sentiment and language:
NEGRO = African

NEGRO HISTORY = African History

REFLECTION = careful or long consideration or thought

HOLIDAY = a day fixed by law or custom on which ordinary business, routine or curriculum is suspended in commemoration of some event or in honor of some person

CHILDREN = children includes anyone young at heart, irrespective of age, still interested in learning

THEIR BENEFIT = Attendees of AHRD programme should see relevance of information provided and deliberated upon, opens their minds, and empower them in going forward. Programmes should consist of delivery of bite-sized historical facts, and dialogue that offers deliberation upon the facts, its relevance to contemporary times, and how it can be used to empower and move people forward

c) Additional Declaration articles worth noting:
11. "We deprecate the use of the term 'n****r' as applied to Negroes, and demand that the word 'Negro' be written with a capital 'N.'”

39. "That the colors, Red, Black and Green, be the colors of the Negro race.” The Red, Black and Green are the UNIA tri-colours adopted in 1920. It’s pre-dated by the Green, Yellow and Red foundation tri-colours Ethiopian flag of the 19th century. Both sets of colours are now recognised as pan-African colours as they inspired the colours of the flags of several countries in Africa and its Diaspora following the independence movements from the 1950s. A combination of the UNIA and Ethiopian colours, making the Red, Black, Yellow and Green four-colour combination provides another  choice

40. Resolved, that the anthem 'Ethiopia, Thou Land of Our Fathers' ('The Universal Ethiopian Anthem') shall be the anthem of the Negro race: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDvJGw58V_M. Ethiopia in this case means the African continent, rather than just the country Ethiopia

TAOBQ unveils a top 10 list and a new concept for identifying people of African heritage

Jan 14 2014

TAOBQ unveils a top 10 list and a new concept for identifying people of African heritage

A new year, a new concept and a new word for affirming African heritage!

The TAOBQ (the African Or Black Question) campaign revealed its araning concept and its first ten 10 subjects yesterday.

“Araning is the act of giving one’s self or someone else an African name in order to unequivocally assert their African heritage,” explained TAOBQ co-ordinator Kwaku at the Xtra History & Reasoning Session presentation entitled ‘Araning: The Importance Of African Names In History & Our Daily Lives’, which took place at the Harrow Mayor’s Parlour.

Aran is made up from African Reclaimed And Named, a concept that encourages Africans, particularly those of note who’ve contributed to world history, to be given African names, so that there’s an obvious connection of their achievement to their African heritage.

Whilst individuals are welcome to aran themselves, TAOBQ will only aran posthumously.

The person at number one of the top 10 list is William Kofi, the 19th century Chartist leader. The araning concept was born as a result of a young person saying they had learnt about the Chartist at school. But with his surname spelt Cuffay or Cuffe, it was not obvious to her that he had African heritage, until she saw his image at a community history event.

Kofi is a Ghanaian name for a male born on Friday. Kofi’s grandfather was taken into enslavement from Africa, possibly from the area now known as Ghana.

At number two is the Maroon leader and Jamaican national hero known as Nanny, which we contend to be a corruption of Nana, a Ghanaian title for a king, queen, chief or revered elder. Her brothers, apart from Johnny, had typical Ghanaian day names such as Cudjoe and Quao.

The African-American inventor Kwadwo Lewis Latimer is accorded third place. Kwadwo is a Ghanaian name for a male born on Monday.

Elsewhere on the list, at number four is the African British classical composer Babatunde Samuel Coleridge-Taylor. His name is Yoruba for “father returns”. Although he never met his doctor father, who never returned from Sierra Leone, one can imagine the composer might have longed for his father’s return as he gravitated towards Africans from the continent and the US, and infused his compositions with African sensibilities.

A hundred years ago, the first African mayor in London was in post. Kojo John Archer is at number five. His is a Ghanaian name for a male born on Monday.

At number six is the first wife of Marcus Garvey, who was able to trace her lineage to Ghana on account of the history provided by her grandmother who had been enslaved in Jamaica. Yaa Boahimaa Amy Ashwood Garvey’s name was given to her by her royal family during a soul searching trip to Ghana.

Very few Africans were able to speak for themselves during the 19th century Abolition period. Asante Ignatius Sancho, who’s placed at number seven, did just that. Asante is a Kiswahili word for “thank you”, in recognition of  his giving Africans a voice at such a critical time.

At number eight is the little known, English-born scientist Dr Buyisele Alan Goffe. His name stems from a Xhosa term meaning “he has retrieved what was lost”.

Coming in at number nine, as we commemorate a century of the founding of Marcus Garvey’s UNIA (Universal Negro Improvement Association), is the once top UNIA recruiter and fundraiser in the Florida chapter: Laura Adorkor Kofi. Her last name is variously spelt as Kofey, Koffey, Cofey, or Cuffy. Adorko is a Ghanaian name for a second born female, whilst Kofi is usually that of a Friday day born male.

And at number 10, is someone who did more for espousing African pride and self-worth globally than anyone else in modern history, another Jamaican national hero: Akoben Marcus Garvey. His name stems from the Adinkra symbol for war horn, and a warning to be vigilant and wary.

For those interested in investigating araning themselves – and one does not have to go the whole hog like Kwame Kwei-Armah, as adopting a single African name can be sufficient, there are books such a Julia Stewart’s ‘African Name’ and numerous internet resources.

The semi-monthly Xtra History And Reasoning Sessions take place on Mondays 6.30-8.30pm at the Mayor’s Parlour in Harrow Civic Centre. For more details or to book: www.XtraHistory.eventbrite.com.

ENDS

Kwaku

editor@BritishBlackMusic.com

The Pioneering Araning List:

1.William Kofi (Cuffay, Cuffee) - Chartist leader

2.Nana (Nanny) - Maroon leader

3.Kwadwo Lewis Latimer - Inventor

4.Babatunde Samuel Coleridge-Taylor - Composer

5.Kojo John Archer - Politician

6.Yaa Boahimaa Amy Ashwood Garvey - Activist

7.Asante Ignatius Sancho - Abolitionist

8.Dr Buyisile Alan Goffe - Scientist

9.Laura Odarkor Kofi (Kofey, Coffey) - Pan-Africanist

10.Akoben Marcus Garvey  - Pan-Africanist

© 2014 TAOBQ

TAOBQ (African Or Black Question (TAOBQ) is a British-based campaign focused on African history and identity. It advocates people of African heritage should be described as African, instead of black.

It was started in 2011, as a response to the UN declaring 2011the Year For People Of African Descent. In a randomly filmed documentary, entitled ‘The African Or Black Question’, majority of the respondents were not aware of the UN initiative, whilst just over half described themselves as Africans rather than black. Parts of the film can be accessed at the top of http://www.taobq.blogspot.co.uk/p/multi-media.html.

TAOBQ suggests the following recommendations:

1. People of African heritage be described as African, instead of black.

2. The opportunity for study of African history be made more accessible.

3. People of African heritage consider adopting African names in order to assert their African identity

Its blog can be found at www.TAOBQ.blogspot.com

August 28 2013 - Dealing With Hands Off Syria Demo, Martin Luther King, Paul Stephenson And The Bristol Bus Boycott, Look How Far We've Come!

This video captures the Aug. 28 2013 Hands Off Syria demonstration in front of Downing Street which featured speakers including Jeremy Corbyn MP, Diane Abbott MP, Tariq Ali, Sean Oliver, etc opposing what was a seemingly imminent war/strike on Syria. 

It’s also a reminder that the Con-Dem Government defeat on Thursday is not the end of the matter. Immediately, US intentions are of concern, hence the No Attack On Syria demonstration this Saturday August 31, 12noon at Temple Place near Temple (For more information contact: John Rees 07951 535 798 Chris Nineham 07930 536 519). Also, a picket of the London US embassy is planned for Tuesday September 3 at 5.30pm. For more details: http://www.stopwar.org.uk.

Oh gosh – my first vblog (well, of sorts)! Wednesday August 2013!, London, England…

 I knew I was going to be bombarded with Martin Luther King ‘I Have A Dream’ 50th anniversary stuff all day! Started the morning listening to Henry Bonsu and Juju on Colourful Radio. I was so glad the interviewed Paul Stephenson OBE. Because I’m on a mission to let people know that we’ve had, and continue to have, African British led civil rights activism in Britain!

And if we’re going to talk about MLK’s ‘I Have A Dream’ and the March On Washington For  Jobs And Freedom, at least let’s make one important link to England – the day the Americans marched, and MLK made that famous speech – August 28 1963, was the same day the Bristol Bus Boycott officially ended!

What boycott? I hear some ask – well, check out 2013 history focus Paul Stephenson & The Bristol Bus Boycott (the other is John Archer – London’s First African Mayor): http://npsbbb50.blogspot.co.uk.

I’m also conducting video interviews for the Look How Far We’ve Come… project, which aims to map our African British histories from the lens of racism. Henry Bonsu has already been interviewed. Earlier in the afternoon, I interviewed trade unionist and maverick politician Kingsley Abrams in Brixton. From that interview, I dashed to Downing Street, only to find the organizers were setting up.

So I took a leisurely walk across the Thames into the Southbank Centre to catch some of the Apples And Snakes/Architects Of Our Republic’s organized MLK ‘I Have A Dream’ inspired poetry and performance. I was asked by the young Mellow 9 production crew filming the event my views on MLK’s speech.

I made them know that it was meaningless just spouting out whichever bits we remember, if it makes no difference to lives. If we are having problems getting jobs, accommodation, or feel there’s no equality, then it  doesn’t mean much.

Of course, I couldn’t help pointing out that was a British civil rights moment worth celebrating too – not surprisingly, the Bristol Bus Boycott did not register immediately, though the got the point of exposing that link to the American seminal moment.

Went back to Whitehall, where things were about to kick off with Stop the War Coalition chair Jeremy Corbyn MP about to introduce his comrade in the House Diane Abbott, who wore her left badge with pride. Her short, but on-point speech was followed by Tariq Ali, and a succession of activists of various shades and union bods.

Keep off Syria, and the call for parliamentarians, particularly Labour’s leadership, not to back PM David Cameron’s desire for military action against Syria, was the common thread. But no sooner had civil disobedience been urged by Sinn Féin representative Sean Oliver than those who wanted more than just talk, took over one side of the street, and the seeming no-action by the police emboldened other to take over the other side. The end result was traffic being directed to do a U-turn in either side of the demonstrators.

We were reminded to get on to our MPs make sure they did not vote for war on Thursday (this I did, except my MP apparently was investigating the situation, so could not declare an unequivocal position as of Thursday morning!)

I decided I would go on the No Attack On Syria demonstration convened by CND and Stop The War Coalition for this Saturday August 31, 12noon at Temple Place near Temple tube station. We’ll be passing Parliament and Downing Street on the war to central London. Join, if you can! 020 7561 4830, http://www.stopwar.org.uk/events/national-demonstration-no-attack-on-syra.

Rounded off the evening by returning to the Southbank, where there were more poetry performances, and a mini march from Jubilee Gardens to the front of the Royal Festival, where the poetry performances went up notch as the evening got darker, and was superbly wrapped up by veteran socio-political spoken word dons The Last Poets!

On the way home, tired as I was I scanned the day’s Evening Standard. Sure enough, nothing on the Bristol Bus Boycott, but there was three MLK articles, including a leader piece.

I managed to catch ‘Martin Luther King And The March On Washington on BBC 2, followed by MLK: The Assassination Tapes on BBC 4. The Beeb at least had a decent Bristol Bus Boycott piece on the previous day’s Newsnight, and the best online article on the boycott I’ve read thus far: Jon Kelly’s BBC News Magazine ‘What Was Behind The Bristol Bus Boycott?’: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-23795655

Done. Finito!

Kwaku

TAOBQ (The African Or Black Question)

http://www.TAOBQ.blogspot.com

Postscript. Paul Stephenson is one of the subjects of the NARM (Naming And Role Model) project, which I produced for pan-London voluntary organisation BTWSC. A trailer can be found at http://vimeo.com/19954320. Last year, the Harrow BHM group brought him down to London as a guest speaker. A had the pleasure of leading the Q&A session, where I probed a bit more in order to get a better grasp of the boycott. Some of the videos will be posted soon at http://npsbbb50.blogspot.co.uk.

Earlier this year, we were back in Bristol to interview Mr Stephenson for my on-going project. The full title’s self-explanatory – ‘Look How Far We've Come: Racism, The Bristol Bus Boycott,  Black History Month,  The Black Sections,  And Where Are We In Today's Union Jack?’. Look out for Look How Far We’ve Come… Exploring African British Histories late October: http://lookhowfar.eventbrite.com, and Harrow African History Month’s ‘African British Civil Rights Since The 1960s’ launch on September 30 @ Harrow Civic Centre: https://harrowbhm.eventbrite.com.