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Obama Watch. Barak Obama receieved the democratic nomination for president, making political history.



Ramadan Mubarak! As a practicing Muslim, I am obliged to observed the holy month of fasting which begins September first this year. I will chronicle my experiences here, on my blog, Inshallah (If God wills).

Book Review: 'A People's History'

I recently completed a fascinating read. Howard Zinn is the author of A People's History of the United States (1492 - Present). I count it among the most important books I have read. And I claim that it is essential reading for the re-education of the American public -- whom mostly posess only a cursory knowledge of history. Zinn is a known personality in the world of academia, he has been "a historian, playwright and social activist" for many years. In this edition (2003) of 'A People's History' he retells major events in the maturation of this country from [the invasion of] Christopher Columbus to the Bush "war on terror." He reveals obsure events like precolonial rebellions by Davis Bacon, counter expansionist battles by Native Americans, the Ludlow Massacre of 1914, the vacillations of President Lincoln on the issue of slavery, and the many campaigns (wars) for American industrial markets -- many executed without the consent of the public (i.e, un-Constitutionally).

I recommended 'A People's History' for all who claim to value American citizenship. Whether you are on the right or the left -- or like most of us, somewhere in between -- your perspective on the history of United State's will be reshaped.

Marcus Mosiah Garvey

I have been eager to write a comment about the early 20th century Negro (Black) leader Marcus Garvey for a long time. I always defer, however, because I am never confident that I can do a just commentary on his contribution to the maturation of Black people for [these] modern times. I recently read a selection from a book I keep near my bedside -- "Selected Speeches and Writings of Marcus Garvey." His speech on unemployment from that book is what motivated this installment.

Garvey was certainly a man of his times. He was a "race man." His speeches are colored with the racial vanacular of that period -- when 'Jim Crow' was dominant throughout all of America. As a result those who are unfamiliar with his many comments on race and economy may well be put off at first. However, one must note that Garvey was reacting to the prevalent racial attitudes of his time, not fomenting them. Indeed, Garvey was controversial among Black people and among Whites. He chastised the leaders of Black people for not responding more effectively to the many afflictions facing the masses of African-Americans, such as mob violence and poverty. His platform -- like that of his idiological mentor, Booker T. Washington -- was primarily economical when the established leadership among Blacks were concerned with social equality and academic achievement.

A very good example of this was his speech on unemplyment given in New York City on February 11, 1921. Garvey gives a brilliant analysis of the tendencies of [White] employers and [Black] employees that could very well be given today, and with almost as much accuracy as it had then. I have often mused that a thorough education for black people -- indeed all people in a capitalist economy -- must include a lesson on fundemental economics, at least.

In some measure, Garvey was a forerunner to, among others, Elijah Muhammed, Tony Brown, Malcolm X, and Earl Graves. His stance on race relations, economic mobility and cultural pride have been vindicated by the publications, exhortations and commentaries of such diverse contemporaries as the National Urban League, Tavis Smiley, Ebony magazine, Louis Farrakahn and many more.

HBO's 'Black List'

The documentary 'Black List' on the thoughts of Black people in today's society currently appearing on HBO is excellent. The film -- essentially a series of plain interviews with accomplished African-Americans -- is marvelously poignant, yet effective in its simplicity. 'Black List' hits the mark that CNN missed by a mile.

Watch it for yourself. Find a way to download it. Show it during Black History month, Kwanzaa or the "King Holiday." This is one holds enduring value.