The Lashes of Slavery in the U.S., 19th Century

(Vol.1, Issue 4.)

I think remembering our past helps us to better understand who we as a people are. The reflection of our inner selves through the eyes of a historical journey on slavery allow us to reconsider what matters to us in our daily activities.

These reflections of self can be useful in distinguishing who we are as Afro-Americans/ Brazilians / English / French / Dutch / Spaniards / Haitians - from whatever part of the African diaspora we currently call home.

Throughout the African journeys across the globe I have seen that Africans adjust to living conditions in every society. Everywhere I turn in societies I see the African people adding to the culture of these new homelands.

Nonetheless it is important to turn our attention to the motherland of mankind. Africa is still in need of its sons and daughters. Perhaps we too, are in need of Africa.

Knowing ones past can be a key ingredient towards bettering oneself. It is up to us parents to explain to our children, their heritage. Our ancestors were survivors of acts of hatred, insanity, murder, rape and inhumanity.

Understanding this past can and must lead to a more enlightened African youth. It is said that to avoid the repetition of history one must first acknowledge its existence. Only when we and our children are ignorant of the facts will hatred prevail.

One Love, One Heart, One.

Turmoil

Turmoil
Originally uploaded by Earl of Le Mancha

Global Warming
Wars and Rumors of War
Humanity turning in upon itself
Man killing in the cause of religion
The earth dying under the hand of man
Greed, anger, hatred
Its almost hard to believe that all of these problems can be repelled by Love

But its true

Take time to love yourself and open to the possibility of loving others

happiness

happiness
Originally uploaded by evilcabeza

Happiness is the first thing we all thirst for once free of the mundane chains of a life full of slavery.

in our doldrums, even whilst in bondage was this feeling borne on the hope of freedom - happiness.

We look for happiness in the smile of a little one full of glee
We seek happiness from flowers or butterflies in a willow tree
It might be found in so small a thing as a grain of sand
or maybe within a happiness rock
It could be that if you look long enough and hard enough it already exists in the palm of your hand

Life is what we make of it so lighten your load with a smile and remember that everyday brings a new way to enjoy happiness

It is at every stop, every scent, every crossroads that we meet
happily

Dr Louis T Wright Dies - Jet Mag Oct 23, 1952

Dr Louis T Wright Dies - Jet Mag Oct 23, 1952
Originally uploaded by vieilles_annonces

I believe it is important to remember those who have come before us. It is necessary to understand our history before we can chart our future. Please support the photographer who is hosting these memories which I now share with you.

Adding a comment of encouragement to her site will let her know how much you appreciate her effort.

Click the picture in order to view the photographer's website and to leave comments.

Freedom

Freedom
Originally uploaded by tonton yoyo

A constant concept is 'freedom'.

Everyone wants to be free to do whatever makes one happy.

Remember to consider others who may be less fortunate.

Voice is the absence of void and the byway to other peoples, other cultures, other worlds and, eventually the awakening of ourselves.

God Bless!

Protecting oneself from intrusive telemarketers

Telemarketer
Originally uploaded by The Tonya Show

Following some investigation and a lot of ballooning in the size of the junk mail received it has been brought to my attention that Americans enjoy certain protections from unrestrained marketing efforts.

Here are a few tips:
If you do receive a sales call, ask the caller to "place this number on your 'Do Not Call' list." Under federal law, a company cannot call you again for a specified period of time [currently 5 years] once you make this request. If you have multiple phone lines, ask the caller to put those numbers on the company's Do Not Call list, too.

MOST PUBLIC U.S. LIBRARIES HAVE FREE INTERNET ACCESS

National Do Not Call Registration - FREE
https://www.donotcall.gov/default.aspx

STOP JUNK MAIL FOR 1$
https://www.dmaconsumers.org/cgi/offmailing

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS
Keep a log by your phone to document the companies you have told to put you on their Do Not Call list and the date and time of these calls. If they call you again, you have a right to sue them for up to $500 per call.

If you want to make telemarketers jump through extra hoops, request a written copy of their Do Not Call policy. They are required to mail this document to you if you request it, and you can sue them for $500 if they fail to do so.

Call 1-888-5OPT-OUT to bar credit rating agencies from sharing your information for two years. You'll need to provide your social security number when you call. Financial institutions are some of the worst junk-mail offenders.

Tips on dealing with email SPAM
http://www.privacyrights.org/fs/fs20-spam.htm

Prevent collection companies from harassing you with other peoples claims (not your own)
http://www.privacyrights.org/Letters/debt6.htm

Preparing to sue telemarketers (follow this script)
http://www.ucan.org/drupal/telecommunications/landline/anti_telemarketing_script

If this story sounds familiar it may inspire you to do something about telemarketers (http://www.panix.com/~eck/telemarket.html)

Which telemarketers you cannot sue:

• Charities
• Survey researchers
• Political campaigns
• Companies with which you have a business relationship
• Companies to which you have given written consent to remain on their calling list.

Companies with which you have an "existing business relationship" as well as their affiliates can call you within an 18-month window. And when you inquire about or apply for a service or product, that company can contact you within three months.

Script to halt telemarketing
1. What is your name?
2. What is the name and address of the company you represent?
3. What is the company number?
(company is subject to $500 fine if the answer to the first three questions are refused)

4. Are you an employee of this company, or do you work for a telemarketing service? (get the name, address, phone of telemarketing service)


5. Does your company have a pre-existing business relationship with me?
(if answer to number 5 then skip to question 7)

6. Do you conduct business or have other customers in my city?
(if the answer is yes this will help your case)

7. Does your company have a written call policy?
(company is subject to $500 fine if the answer is No)

8. Will you send me a copy of your "Do Not Call" policy?
(company subject to $500 fine if the answer is No)

9. Does your company maintain a "Do Not Call" list?
(company subject to $500 fine if the answer is No)

10. Will you put my name on your "Do Not Call" list?
(company subject to $500 fine if the answer is No)

11. May I have your supervisor's name and address?
(Note this to help expedite your claim against the company later)

Money and Vanity

What is this fascination with fame and fortune? Why do we; people in general and, African Americans also, crave fame, fortune, cars, bling and a myriad of other useless things? The answer may lie in the roots of slavery (?).

This is really an unknown answer. I mean I guess we could gather some sociologists to attempt to study this phenomena but I am not sure that the "professional" rationalizations as to the cause of this behavior would be any better than an opinion put forth by any member of our society talking about this issue. It seems clear that the answer may not be simple.

When folks acquire some small portion of wealth they immediately (or as soon as possible thereafter) seek to invest the money into an interest bearing account that will generate income for themselves or at least build interest on the original investment. Sound familiar? If not then maybe its time we examined ourselves and said "Why not?". Why not grow wealth using the interest that is being charged by banks? (a little known fact is that the Koran and Bible both indicate that usury is forbidden)

Well unfortunately this scenario is almost always never true. Found money is frequently lost again as a result of trying to put a good face on poverty(?).

History is Culture

A word today, friends on the notion of culture. It is firmly my belief that culture is based on family and an understanding of history. Despite a widely held belief that race impacts culture - I don't buy it.

Put anyone into a cultural society not their own and they will adapt to the societal norms to become a participating member of the new culture. Typically such new members of society will add their own cultural traditions and thus evolve the culture of the new society.

This is one of the secrets to the successfully merging of identities and cultures in New York City. It is the reason we celebrate New Years and then Chinese New Years. We also participate in a host of other cultural parades and activities throughout the year.

The Afro-American diaspora (link) is an example of such cultural integration. There is however a portion of the peoples for whom the mass dissipation has left it's original culture in tatters. I refer to those former slaves and their descendants (of whom I am one) who have had their original culture ripped away from them.

That is not to say that this removal process was either intentional or by any means complete. Nor has the lack of a historical binding to our original cultures hindered us from contributing new cultural idioms to the emerging society. Much of the stylized origins of popular culture originate from the Afro-American community.

Notwithstanding these contributions, it may be useful for the aforementioned community to reconnect with their historical roots. A re energized base of society, newly endowed with a sense of their original culture would no doubt add a new perspective to the self image of the community. It is out of this frame of reference that we now celebrate Kwanzaa (link).

But on to my main point. It should be well known if you read these pages (of the New Freedoms Journal) that I am a strong advocate of self-education. I cannot think of many things that are closer to understanding oneself than by the introspection obtained through a historical examination of one's culture in addition to the classics.

As it stands now we have access to the greatest information resource on the planet (the Internet). In addition to this resource there is a movement afoot to make available for free Education at the highest levels to anyone with access to the Internet (your public library will have free access).

Lastly I would like to direct your attention to the free resource of lectures and notes on the African American History (link). This resource is available to anyone free of charge from one of the nations top schools (The University of Notre Dame). There is a further collection of free Education materials at the Open Course ware Consortium (link) and Curriki (link). A search for free eduction on Del.icio.us (link) will yield many similar sites.

The River of Life

You are awash in a stream of waters
Sometimes turbulent and strong
Other times quietly tugging at your attention
Ahead is a rock that is firmly entrenched in the flow

Although the rock seems far away
It often almost seems to disappear
Like the tip of an iceberg it somehow remains true
Be assured this rock is your salvation
whilst the waters of life wash over you

When pulled to the left or right
Keep this solid rock of salvation in sight
No matter what your calling or hue
It lies waiting steadfastly just for you

May you reach a peaceful destination
With well wishes,
Tommie N. Carter, Jr.