Bklyn Honorees: Mama Alma Carroll & Baba Jitu Weusi Memorial Tribute: Brother James Cherry. Drum and Dance Lessons, Award presentations, Homage, Prayer, Honoring, Respect, Love, Drumming. Libation and naming ceremony for those who have made Their transitions to the ancestral lands. Opening prayers & libation ceremony between 2-3pm. Host: Akwesi Munir Asante.
Eyewitness: Beautiful Black Brooklyn
Photography Workshop: Art of Collecting Photography Restoration Corporation
African Drums to Roll Like Thunder In Brooklyn
To describe the emotions stirred by music is a task which goes beyond words. To put the magic of drum music into words is an even more daunting task. Drums of Thunder is a unique musical experience which, for the first time in New York City, puts the spotlight on the African drum in an all-day festival. The event- though a celebration of the wonders of African-influenced drumming- is also a unique competition. It is designed to give an opportunity to drummers from across the Diaspora to showcase their musicianship and artistry.
On Saturday, August 21, the sound of the drums will roll like thunder when the event kicks off at the Boys and Girls High School in Brooklyn. A production of the Brotherhood of Man Youth Connection and C.A.R.E (Concerned Americans For Racial Equality). Drums of Thunder has attracted audiences from Boston to Washington who are expected to come by the busloads to support their favorite drummers. In Drums of Thunder, master drummers and drum ensembles from across the Diaspora will compete for cash prizes and a challenge trophy making this the veritable “World Cup” of drumming.
The daylong competition will feature ensembles from Trinidad & Tobago, Ghana, Haiti, Guyana and the United States. Ensembles will be required to play a piece of choice which incorporates the beats of three nations. Participants will be judged by a panel of expert drummers who also reflect an eclectic Diasporan mix.
The event is the brainchild of Rev. Andy Edwards, who is the leader of the Brotherhood of Man Spiritual Baptist/Orisha Church. “This idea was born out of a desire to replicate the Emancipation celebration which takes place annually in Trinidad & Tobago,” says Rev. Andy. “Though we hope to one day have a full-scale festival like in Trinidad & Tobago, we felt that African drumming – which is the cornerstone of that celebration- was the most transportable segment and hence Drums of Thunder was born. “I believe that it is incumbent upon us as Caribbean people living in the United States to engage in a meaningful celebration of the abolition of chattel slavery in the region,” he adds.
As part of the celebration, there will be lectures on the history of the African drum, drum-making workshops and demonstrations, poetry and dance workshops. Audience members will not be left out of the winnings as there will be opportunities to win a free djembe, among other giveaways.
In addition to the ensembles competition, there will be a category for individual male and female drummers. Prizes will be awarded to the three top place finishers in the ensemble category and the best overall drummer in the male and female individual categories.
A special prize will also be awarded for the best percussion section in the competition and the oldest and youngest drummers.
The celebration kicks off at 1:00 p.m. with a libation and a street drum call. Competition begins at 3:00 p.m. For tickets and information call 917-512-9778 or 718-623-8514.
Parents Notebook: Empowering Children at Home
Power is synonymous with authority, control, influence, supremacy, clout or dominance. Gubernatorial candidate Charles Barron articulates the mission of the Freedom Party as accessing power for the masses of people. Gaining power on the political front will require unity and unity depends on individuals’ ability to exchange capitalist-honed values from “What’s in it for me?” to “What works for all?” If African-American parents can take the lead, empowering our children rather than raising them to fit into the current value cycle, we will add energy to the Freedom Party while ensuring its sustainability by preparing empowered individuals to continue the work. It’s time we took responsibility for changing the systems that impact our lives.
Regent Adelaide Sanford’s report, “Perform or Perish”, challenged parents, children, teachers, administrators, school boards and elected government officials to contribute to achieving excellence in education for all children. Each group was given a “to do” list. In her wisdom, parents were numbered one on the list. According to Regent Sanford, “Parents letting children know every day that they are capable of success and ensure that their children set high expectations.
In a sane and orderly society, parents are responsible for the well-being of their children and that responsibility is accompanied by influence and power. In this society, parents are virtually rendered powerless as they are made the needy component in an agency’s profile. The first step in empowering your child in education and life is taking responsibility, an attitude that “the buck stops here”. Making a distinction between responsibility and blame gives rise to power.
Being a parent is a challenging task in a capitalistic culture which must have needy populations to survive. Children and parents are separated early by parents having to work and time spent nurturing family cultures diminish and relationships are strained if not downright antagonistic. We are faced with the task of reaching into the rubbish, healing our wounds so we can take deep breaths and allow our children to express their innate gifts. The lesson we adults must learn is that we have been programmed to “Not know who we really are”. We’ve been programmed to look outside ourselves for some material sign that we’re okay and we pass that on to our children. In short, we’ve turned our power over to others. Human beings are never more loving and free than in infancy and early childhood. And they learn to crawl, stand, walk, talk, feed themselves without classes, so I think that says a lot about children’s innate ability to learn. So let’s begin the steps to empowerment.
Step 1 – Accept your connection to Source – whatever you call it. We’re all unique expressions. As you accept your own uniqueness and uncover your purpose and passion, you’ll automatically create space for your child to explore and discover theirs.
Step 2- Accept the fact that people see things differently. While you and another may be observing the same thing, each of you are viewing it through personalized lens and perhaps giving it a different meaning. That goes for your child, as well as others. We’ve been programmed not to tolerate differences. From family squabbles to International wars, the core cause is intolerance of differences. If we can accept, tolerate and communicate differences with our children while seeking a common goal, we heighten their self-esteem by letting them know their opinions are valued.
Step 3 – Include them in home management. Hold family meetings, assign or allow them to choose duties for one-or-two week periods. Depending on age, they can feed pets, wash dishes, inventory and write shopping lists, in stores, find items on list; examine sales papers to find best prices, at Checkout, making sure the price shown on shelf and the one rung up are the same. Include them in family-and-school related problem-solving. These are many ways to allow children to participate and by participating they gain a sense of making a difference..something they will take into the classroom and all other areas of life – “I am capable”. Remember, Nelson Mandela herded sheep at the age of five.
PN Alerts!!!!!!
From Councilman Vann
**Free Community Tennis Program – on-site registration – Foundation Academy, 70 Tompkins Ave. – Mon., Wed, Fri. 9-12. Call 347-417-8154
Funded by Council member Al Vann and Speaker Christine C. Quinn
**LIU’s Liberty Partnership Program for High School rising Juniors and Seniors. Call now 718-488-100,0 ext. 3056-Bklyn residents only.
Primary Stands in 10th Congressional Race: Towns Withdraws Challenge to Powell’s Petitions
What a difference a week makes! In the past seven days, Kevin Powell’s tax problems were revealed, Ed Towns’ returned from a congressional delegation overseas, and both parties found themselves in court.
First things first: Congressman Ed Towns campaign withdrew a challenge to Kevin Powell’s petitions on Wednesday. Bernard Alter, attorney for the Towns campaign, stood before Honorable Michelle Weston and said, “Your Honor, on behalf of my client, we wish to withdraw this matter.” Judge Weston asked Powell campaign attorney Ezra Glazer if he had any objections. “No, Your Honor,” said Glazer. With those few words, the case was dismissed.
The Towns campaign change-of-heart came after grueling testimony solicited from two young Powell campaign volunteers on Tuesday afternoon. “It was a tough moment for our volunteers, who are in their 20’s. They were shaken up,” said Dan Campanelli, Powell campaign manager. “We didn’t pay anyone. They are volunteers, young people trying to get involved with democracy.”
Gene Johnson, Deputy Campaign Mgr., braced himself for hours of testimony on Wednesday morning. After a welcome break in court proceedings, Johnson was visible relieved.
After the decision, Alter made this statement: “We tried and didn’t succeed. We will now put it in the hands of the electorate. We will let the voters decide.” Asked why the Towns campaign withdrew, Alter said, “It is in the interest of democracy.”
Campanelli said, “Kevin Powell is pleased justice has been served. We are looking forward to focusing our campaign back on the streets where we need to be.” Powell gave this statement: ” This failed fishing expedition was nothing more than an attempt to distract the good people of the 10th Congressional District from what isn’t happening here in Brooklyn and hasn’t happened in 27 years under Congressman Ed Towns: a discussion about how the government can work with the people to bring jobs, education and community healing to those most in need.”
On Sunday, Congressman Towns arrived fresh from a whirlwind delegation to Afghanistan, Turkey, Germany and Israel. On WWRL Monday, Towns stated the trip’s purpose was to “visit with the troops and look at the contracts. There are a lot of contracts. There should be some question as to whether they are providing the services they are supposed to provide. Also, it seems people are getting the contracts and not providing the work or doing what they are supposed to do.”
November 2009, Chairman Towns wrote a letter to Secretary of Defense Robert Gates requesting “a list of all current Department of Defense contracts that have been awarded for work being performed in Iraq and Afghanistan.” There is no indication the Oversight Committee received the requested information. Yet, upon his return, Towns expressed optimism about the U.S. mission in Afghanistan. He stated, “It is only a matter of time before General Patraeus has things under control.
This is in sharp contrast to Towns’ vote in favor of a March 2010 resolution put forth by Rep. Dennis Kucinich calling for President Obama to end the U.S. involvement with Afghanistan by years end. Towns was one of 65 U.S. Representatives who voted in favor of a withdrawal from Afghanistan. On WWRL, Towns admitted voting against the war, but said, “After going and seeing it, I sure don’t know what victory means, but I think they should make life better for the people of Afghanistan.” C
Last Friday brought news of Kevin Powell’s tax issues. Published reports stated Powell owes the IRS an estimated several hundred thousand dollars. In a published statement, Powell explained how he got into financial trouble and said he is negotiating with the IRS regarding the actual amount due.