Surinam Meets Ghana

A Kromanti Maroon from Surinam communicates with a man from Ghana.  The Maroons have maintained their African language for over 400 years.  Very touching.

Black History: DuBois the Great

Dr.William Edward Burghardt DuBois, educator, Pan-Africanist, historian, author (the list goes on), was born on this day, February 23, 1868 in Great Barrington, Massachusetts.  In 1895, Du Bois became the first African American to earn a Ph.D. from Harvard University. DuBois spent his life writing and fighting for the rights of African Americans. His views often angered and baffled opponents because DuBois was not willing to wait for the freedom that was due every American despite creed or color.

President Kwame Nkrumah invited Dr.William Edward Burghardt DuBois to Ghana in 1961. Dubois would never set foot back in the United States. In 1963, The US government refused to give Dubois a new U.S. passport. Therefore, Dubois and his wife, Shirley Graham Du Bois, became citizens of Ghana. Dubois' health declined that same year and he died in Accra, Ghana on August 27, 1963; he was 95 years old. Ironically, this was just a day before Civil Rights Activist, Martin Luther King Jr.,  would give his historic "I have A Dream" speech.

Source info:  africawithin.com
Photo Source:  National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution

Obama's headed to Ghana

US President Barak Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama, and daughters Sasha and Malia are set to arrive in Accra, Ghana late Friday evening. On Saturday, July 11, the Obama family is scheduled to have breakfast with Ghanaian President, John Atta Mills. Afterwards, President Barack Obama will address the Ghanaian parliament on development and democracy. The Obama family will then fly to visit the Cape Coast Castle (aka Slave Castles), which holds the dungeons that are connected to many African Americans and Africans in the Diaspora. It is the former headquarters of the British slave trade in West Africa.

So, this will be a very important trip for the Obama family. Yes, it is official US business, but a trip like this has to especially touch the First Lady, Michele Obama, who is a direct descendant of Sub Saharan Africa. I’m wondering how she will handle facing the horror that her ancestors faced with the Cape Coast Castle dungeons? There are many who have passed out in grief or simply sobbed at the sight of the place.

Well, nevertheless, this should be a nice trip for the president and his family. It will also be a great visit for the people of Ghana. They are very excited for the arrival of America’s first African family. Go see…

Historical confetti:

Here is a link to the Cape Coast Castle in Ghana.

Sources: ecadforum.com, thisislondon.co.uk, and theviproom.com

Baba Notes: A Second Chance

Hello MC family. Most of you know about my other blog, Baba Notes. Please visit there when you get a moment and check out an article I wrote about my Pastors new book, A Second Chance. I had the pleasure of editing it. Otherwise, thanks for continued support and I'll see you here again real soon. Peace~

Akuaba, Jena and Me

This image is a replica of the Akuaba doll of Ghana. The Akuaba is found among the Akan people and represents fertility. As a matter of fact, a woman would carry this doll on her back to assure pregnancy and to assure the attractiveness of the child. This is my own Akuaba doll that acts only as a model for my photo. Besides, my wife has not agreed to carry it on her back.

I've been working on a few things lately and they are all keeping me busy. Teaching is great. I learn so much as a teacher. Actually, I would be better described as a "lead student." I hope that you all are doing well. My prayers go out to the six young men and their families down in Louisiana. I also pray for all who went there to support them and for their journey back home to be a safe one. Peace~

Photo credit: Stephen Bess

Sources: wikipedia.org and democracynow.org

Ghana: The Black Star of Independece in Africa

Kwame Nkrumah (September 21, 1909 - April 27, 1972)
Led Ghana to Independence on March 6, 1957.

He emerged as one the most influential Pan-Africanist

of the 2oth Century.

Today marks the 5oth anniversary of Ghana's Independence from British rule. The achievements of Dr. Nkrumah and the support from the people of Ghana remains to be a Black Star in the history of liberation and freedom on the African continent. Ghana is known today as the first African country to gain it's independence. Egypt, Sudan, Tunisia, and Morocco became independent in previous years before Ghana in 1951-1956. They are not considered predominantly "Black" countries by the West so Ghana is considered the first "Black" African nation to achieve it's independence. However, the achievements of all of these African nations created a fervor and determination that spread throughout the continent.

Note: I had previously referred to Ghana as the first "Black" African nation. This term was something that I adopted in my research of this subject. However, as my best friend pointed out to me, the term "Black" African is redundant since Africa is just Africa. Yes, I know there are white, yellow and brown Africans, but I will just say African for the sake of Black Liberation.

Chronological History of African Independence

Liberia~1847

Egypt~1951
Sudan, Tunisia, Morocco~1956

Ghana~1957

Guinea~1958

Chad, Benin, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Madagascar, Central African Republic, Mali, Niger, Senegal, Burkina Faso, Mauritania, Togo, Zaire, Somalia, Congo, Gabon, Cameroon~1960

Sierra Leone~1961

Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda~1962

Kenya, Tanzania~1963

Malawi, Zambia~1964

Gambia~1965

Botswana, Lesotho~1966

Equatorial Guinea, Mauritius, Swaziland~1968

Guinea-Bissau, Libya~1969

Angola, Cape Verde, Comoros, Mozambique, Sao Tome~1975

Seychelles~1976

Djibouti~1977

Zimbabwe~1980

Namibia~1990

Honorable mention: From the 26th to 29th of April 1994, the South African population voted in the first universal suffrage general elections. The African National Congress won the election and Nelson Mandela became the first native South African president to be democratically elected by the "people" on May 9, 1994.