Unbossed and unbought news and information you can use
Vol.
8 Issue 31…Dedicated to the Dialogue
on Race…August 5, 2005
Intuit’s Vibe
O’ Freedom!
O’ freedom! O’
freedom!
O’ freedom over me!
And before I'd be a
slave
I'll be buried in my
grave
And go home to my
Lord and be free
No more moanin'! No more moanin’!
No more moanin’ over
me
And before I’d be a
slave
I’ll be buried in my
grave
And go home to my
Lord and be free
There'll be singin'
There’ll be singin’
There’ll be singin’
over me
And before I’d be a
slave
I’ll be buried in my
grave
And go home to my
Lord and be free
There'll be shoutin'
There’ll be shoutin’
There’ll be shoutin’
over me
And before I’d be a
slave
I’ll be buried in my
grave
And go home to my
Lord and be free
O’ freedom! O’ freedom!
O’ freedom over me!
And before I'd be a
slave
I'll be buried in my
grave
And go home to my
Lord and be free
About Me: From Old Plantation Hymns by William E. Barton (1899),
Sarah Sheppard, mother of Ella Sheppard - the first pianist with the original
Fisk Jubilee Singers - is believed to have authored this and other famous spirituals
including Swing Low Sweet Chariot. (Sources: www.donshirley.com and www.negrospirituals.com
Black Mega-Church Disaffection
For much of the 1900s, the church was the
backbone of the black community. During the civil rights era, it was the only
place where blacks were allowed to congregate. Besides being a safe haven and
place of worship, it provided many of the movement's leaders that shaped the
black social and political landscape.
While the black church did not play as large an
economic role, it was generally the most successful enterprise in the black
community. As such, only it could provide vital services for the poor and needy
members of its congregation and the larger black community.
Today, mega-churches have replaced the black
church of the 1900s. With congregations numbering in the tens of thousands,
these large and impersonal organizations function like Wal-Mart and other
corporations. Pastors preach prosperity and act like CEOs obsessed with growth
and a larger profit margin. With little or no connection to the communities in
which they are located, mega-churches profit by preying on poor congregants --
slaves to a false message of redemption.
Disaffection, particularly among black men, with
these un-Christlike mega-monsters is reflected in University of Illinois
journalism professor John Fountain's article "No Place for Me: I Still
Love God, But I've Lost Faith in the Black Church" published in the July
15th online edition of the Washington Post at www.washingtonpost.com.
This article is a wake-up call, a must read for the entire black community; it
is especially important for black women that make up some three-quarters of the
congregants in black mega-churches.
Undine Smith Moore (1904–1989)
"Art preserves life in a very special way. Our memories die with us,
but art preserves the values and experiences." (Dr. U.S. Moore)
A granddaughter of slaves, Undine Smith was born in Jarratt, Virginia on August
25, 1904. The youngest child of James and Hardie Smith, Undine began piano
lessons at age seven. She attended high school in Petersburg, Virginia, where
the family moved in 1908. A graduate of the preparatory academy of Fisk
University in Nashville, Tennessee, Smith received the first scholarship from
the Juilliard Graduate School for the study of music at Fisk University. After
graduating cum laude (1926), she became music supervisor for public schools in
Goldsboro, North Carolina.
In 1927, Smith begin teaching piano, organ and music theory at Virginia State
College (now Virginia State University). She commuted to New York to study at
Columbia University's Teachers College, where she earned her Masters of Arts
degree (1931). Smith married Dr. James Arthur Moore in 1938. She remained on
the faculty at Virginia State University until 1972; she co-founded the Black
Music Center (1969), which brought leading composers, performers, and lecturers
to campus.
The "Dean of Black Women Composers," Moore began composing while at
Fisk. Her work is eclectic, ranging from solos for voice and instruments to
chamber ensemble and chorals, which include Scenes from the Life of a Martyr.
Based on the works of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Scenes, a 16-part oratorio
for chorus, orchestra, solo voices and narrator premiered at Carnegie Hall and
was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize.
Sacred and secular, Moore's best-known compositions include Afro-American Suite
for Flute, Cello and Piano, The Lamb, Lord, We Give Thanks to Thee, and Daniel,
Daniel, Servant of the Lord. For choreographer Barbara Hollis and the Modern
Dance Group, Moore composed Before I'd Be a Slave, a modern version of
the Negro spiritual O' Freedom. Moore's score includes the passage: "The
frustration and chaos of slaves who wish to be free - in the depths - being
bound - attempts to flee - tug of war with the oppressors - continued aspiration
- determination - affirmation."
Moore served as Senior Advisor to the Afro-American Arts Institute at Indiana
University, a visiting professor at Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota,
and at the College of Saint Benedict, Saint Joseph, Minnesota, and she was
adjunct professor at Virginia Union University in the 1970s. Moore received
numerous awards in recognition of her musical genius, including the National
Association of Negro Musicians Distinguished Achievement Award (1975) and the
Virginia Governor's Award in the Arts (1985). Moore was named Music Laureate by
the Virginia Cultural Laureate Center (1977) and received honorary doctoral
degrees from Virginia State College (1972) and Indiana University (1976).
As a direct result of her innovative and influential teaching, many of her
students have become celebrated musicians and composers. Undine Moore died on
February 6,1989 in Petersburg, Virginia. (Sources: www.leonarda.com/compm.html, www.aaregistry.com, www.lva.lib.va.us
and www.internationalopus.com)
National Council of Churches on Iraq
On June 30, 2005, religious
leaders representing the Governing Board of the National Council of Churches
USA (www.ncccusa.org) announced its declaration
urging George W. Bush to listen to a wider range of religious advisers and to
re-evaluate his policy on Iraq.
The National Council of Churches (NCCC) called on others to speak out and say
no to sending our sons and daughters to fight a dishonorable war, which has
cost many lives and injuries on both sides of the conflict, spawned prisoner
abuse that has shamed our nation, damaged our international reputation and
rendered our federal budget incapable of adequately caring for the poorest of
our own citizens. And, it is time to say no to theologies that demonize other
nations and religions while arrogantly claiming righteousness for ourselves as
if we share no complicity in human evil.
The NCCC statement is a resounding yes to foreign policies that seek justice
and an early fixed timetable for the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq. It is
time for true Christians to throw off the yoke of the conservative right and
embrace a culture of life, honor human rights and restore the US' reputation as
a nation of people committed to the rule of law. Embrace fiscal priorities that
put the poor first, restore truth telling in the public square and make war a
last resort rather than first strike as criterion for the use of force to
restrain evil.
Read the complete statement and endorse it online at http://ga3.org/campaign/endorsement.
Venue for an Artist
The Goodness of Whiteness
By Shabaka Tecumseh
I find the minds of white folk fascinating. I wonder if they really think the
things they do in this world are for the better or the greater "good?"
From taking this land from the indigenous people, because they did not farm, to
enslaving Africans because they were tropical and not "Christian," to
the invasion of Iraq under the premise of weapons of mass destruction, white
people justify such acts using queer terms like "manifest destiny,"
"curse of ham," "war on terrorism" or whatever the
justification de jure may be for the time.
Interestingly, I wonder do they believe it? I don't mean the rich and powerful
with their surrogate social systems, but the everyday Joe and Jane. Those
churchgoing folk, those 9-to-5er's who profess their love for
"freedom," "liberty," "justice," and the
"sanctity of life," and those who voted for W, do they really
believe?
If they do not believe or even have the slightest skepticism about such serious
matters, why don't they act or question their behavior in public? If they do
believe, then how do they justify the continuation of past colonial practice?
For example, if they took a cursory glance, they would see the historical
destruction of red, black and brown people's sovereignty extending to this day.
Whites are involved in countries from Zimbabwe to Iraq, to Venezuela, all
without reciprocity. If they do not see this, then is there something going on
that is deeper than the need for truth or ideals of fairness? I do not know,
but if Joe and Jane sincerely believe in justice, liberty and freedom, then
there is a serious problem. I would be hard pressed to pass this aggression off
as some past non-progressive naivety or ignorance because it has been going on
for too long and must have been a conscious collective effort for it to have
come this far.
The following can help with the confusion. Prior to Bacon's Rebellion*,
American blacks were not treated as the enslaved. They even conspired with
certain whites to attack the colonial white elite. But in 1691 after the
rebellion, Virginia enacted laws that designated "white" as a social
class and tightened the enslavement noose for blacks. Even though this law gave
new privilege to whites, it could not have been the only impetus that leads to
Joe and Jane's rationale today.
Historically, there have been too many conflicts between whites and blacks before
1691 for the legislated white privilege to be the catalysis for contemporary
thinking. It must go deeper into the psyche; and, I really would like for white
folks to examine this phenomenon, dissect it, and lay it on the table. I wonder
if they can or even want to understand that world conqueror and world saviors
are two sides of the same coin? For this reason, I think an open-ended
examination of their thoughts and behaviors would be a very good first step to
look seriously at the goodness of whiteness.
About Me: *Nathaniel Bacon (1647-1676) led a group that overthrew
Virginia governor William Berkeley. The group claimed it had the right to form
militia and lead unauthorized forces against Native Americans. Shabaka Tecumseh
can be reached at sunrisera@yahoo.com.
The Dark Knight-Batman/White Ninja/Zorro has learned more about swimming. He
advanced to the deep end of the pool and practiced treading. Freed from the
crippling fear of water, he climbed onto the diving board. Seeing this show of
bravery, his sidekick Ty-Boy Wonder/Robin yelled, "You can do it! I have
confidence in you!" The Dark One/Ninja/Zorro nodded in acknowledgment,
stuck out his chest, raised his arms, took a deep breath and made a huge splash
as he hit the water. He emerged with a grin and thumbs up for his fans that
cheered in approval.
Disgruntled
feels: Madness! In response to a question posed by an Orlando radio
host regarding a hypothetical terrorist strike on US cities tied to Muslim
extremists, Rep. Tom Tancredo suggested the US "could take out their holy
sites." On the eve of the sixtieth anniversary of dropping atomic bombs on
Hiroshima and Nagasaki, it is madness to talk of nuclear bombs. More disturbing
than Tancredo's remark is the news that the US has plans to nuke Iranian
nuclear installations in the event of another 9-11-type attack. It is sheer
madness!
Disgruntled wants to
know: "War is hell on Earth." We can employ fancy worlds to
glorify it, but war is never pretty. Because it costs dearly in lives and
treasure, war should never be entered into lightly. It is not a choice; it is a
last resort to protect national security. The reasons advanced for the invasion
of Iraq have all been proven false. As a nation, the US should hang its head in
shame. Instead, the US is building permanent bases, an act that begs the
question, why did the US go to war against Iraq?
Disgruntled says:
Ever noticed that George W. Bush does not spend much time in church. He claims
to be a born-again Christian and professes to be deeply religious. Of course,
his actions and policies make that claim dubious, but the public apparently
does not hold that against him. People like Bush are vested in the here-and-now.
He and his ilk are content to let those folks that fill the pews of
mega-churches worry about the hereafter.
Internet Buzz: Indictments?
According to an August 2, 2005 post at http://boston.indymedia.org/newswire
-- "TomFlocco.com -- U.S. federal prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald's Chicago
grand jury has issued perjury and obstruction of justice indictments to the
following members of the Bush Administration: President George W. Bush,
Vice-President Richard Cheney, Bush Chief of Staff Andrew Card, Cheney Chief of
Staff I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby, Attorney General Alberto Gonzalez,
former Attorney General John Ashcroft, imprisoned New York Times reporter
Judith Miller and former Senior Cheney advisor Mary Matalin."
The Internet is abuzz with what is most likely a hoax. Thousands will receive
this message; we all must await confirmation from Fitzgerald's office.
In the interim, we know it is foolish to think Karl Rove learned former
ambassador Joseph Wilson's wife worked for the CIA from reporters. No political
novice, rather a clever fellow skilled at behind-the-scenes manipulation to
destroy the opposition, Rove had access to the classified documents. A media
source, Rove gave reporters what he wanted printed and broadcasted.
We also know the grand jury has questioned current and former Rove aides. Susan
B. Ralston, who worked for Jack Abramoff, the K Street super lobbyist that
allegedly swindled Indian tribes out of millions of dollars with the assistance
of Ralph Reed, former head of the Christian Coalition, is a trusted Rove aide. The buzz is, Ralston is the tie that
binds Rove to the Indian casino swindle as tightly as U.S. Rep. Tom Delay
(R-TX). The other aide, Israel Hernandez has worked for Bush since 1994; he
currently works in the Commerce Department. Their grand jury testimony
concerned Rove's contacts with Times reporter Matthew Cooper.
Finally, we know the special prosecutor is looking at something beyond leaking
the name of CIA operative Valerie Plame. And, given the experience of Special
Prosecutor Ken Starr, who spent years looking into possible Clinton
administration corruption, taking the CIA leak wherever it may lead could wind
up with grounds for impeachment. After all, Starr got Clinton with a stained
blue dress and an unlit cigar.
Mailbox:
E-Mails, Faxes and Telephone Calls
Email www.nytimes.com
A sharp debate between scientists
and religious conservatives escalated Tuesday over comments by George W. Bush
that the theory of intelligent design should be taught along with evolution in
the nation's public schools. In an interview at the White House on Monday with
a group of Texas newspaper reporters, Bush appeared to endorse the push by many
of his conservative Christian supporters to give intelligent design equal
treatment with the theory of evolution. Intelligent design disputes the idea that
natural selection - the force Charles Darwin suggested drove evolution - fully
explains the complexity of life.
Email www.pej.org/html/print.php?sid=2812
The civil rights movement in the United States took a big step this past few
months with the Southern Poverty Law Centre (SPLC) listing the Christian Right
as an extremist group. The SPLC is known for their work in keeping people
informed and educated on the activities of the Ku Klux Clan and white supremacist
groups.
Email valojo@earthlink.net The REAL
SLAVERY is a state of mind, not necessarily your physical circumstances - and
if you are unable to liberate yourself from 300 years of brainwashing by Europeans
to look down on yourself and on your African ancestral cultures, to see
yourself as some weird product of nature to be civilized and enlightened by
everything Europeans have to throw at you, and without whom you and your
ancestors would still be cannibals feeding off each other, and making human
sacrifices and practicing sorcery and witchcraft, then you are for all
practical purposes, still a SLAVE. "Slavery damaged Africans indeed",
and the effects are still all around us for everyone to see today.
Email valojo@earthlink.net RE: Black
worshippers keep the Christian faith alive.. It figures! When the whites came
to Africa, they had only the bible, and the Africans had the lands and all the
resources thereof. Now the whites have the lands and the resources, while the
Africans are left totting a worthless book - in the hope of inheriting an
ILLUSIONARY HEAVEN, while existing in a REAL HELL here on earth.
|| 2005
Issues || The DISH ||