tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16432147509873924422024-02-22T08:08:20.371-08:00THE SPICE ISLAND ATHEISTThinking past 133sq/m. Roaming the earth; exploring the known universe, and speaking out. (Forward Ever. Backward Never!)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02936527748350587828noreply@blogger.comBlogger82125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1643214750987392442.post-71492669487320251282016-08-10T15:00:00.002-07:002016-08-10T15:00:24.993-07:00My new Blog<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I now blog at <a href="http://seonlewis.com/">seonlewis.com</a> (The Spice Island Atheist). Please check out my new blog site for more </h2>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02936527748350587828noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1643214750987392442.post-41939382411896667592014-08-26T15:34:00.000-07:002014-08-27T05:23:01.064-07:00Constitutional Reform, How Should We Progress <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
This essay is published on <a href="http://grenadahumanistsociety.wordpress.com/2014/08/26/constitutional-reform-how-should-we-progress/" target="_blank">Grenadians for Secular Humanism</a> site. Please share your comments. Enjoy! </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02936527748350587828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1643214750987392442.post-72733617041381624192014-05-27T10:30:00.000-07:002014-07-12T13:37:11.632-07:00Don't Bring Your Ideas Here <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLTLpVfC7qB_MQm17wTDRQMWFlwcrUC73cmaMgjmVRLdaRjvaAEUYjcEqZ5rff41giCccAz2RytIGhvzfxnWnjYMJTKPO1zHjcWPFgyBnjK43XdAh4AifyBjHBrB68__7yHq8nZGBDFbeT/s1600/Fear.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLTLpVfC7qB_MQm17wTDRQMWFlwcrUC73cmaMgjmVRLdaRjvaAEUYjcEqZ5rff41giCccAz2RytIGhvzfxnWnjYMJTKPO1zHjcWPFgyBnjK43XdAh4AifyBjHBrB68__7yHq8nZGBDFbeT/s1600/Fear.jpg" height="183" width="200" /></a></div>
One of the most
basic human emotions is fear. It is a survival instinct we are
endowed with through evolution as a means to respond to dangerous
circumstances. Thus, there is no denying that fear is a helpful
emotion. With that said, however, the opposite is also true. Fear can also be dangerous. This danger, many believe, comes when the emotion
of fear is not controlled. “As a universal human experience,
anxiety [fear] is described as an apprehensive uneasiness of mind, or
even dread, over an anticipated but unidentified or uncertain
danger.” (Schumaker, 1992). Fear is manifested at all levels of
human society and in the lives of individuals. It is especially
visible, for example, when someone is confronted with new ideas and
information that does not conforms with his or her accepted
worldview.</div>
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<span style="line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></div>
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<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 200%;">The fear of
information that challenges one's worldview is pretty high among us, Grenadians. Well, at least, among the Grenadians I have come into
contact with. I am not directing this charge towards all Grenadians.
Most certainly not. I have not spoken to all Grenadians. But, in a
general sense, if we are truthful, one cannot dismiss the legitimacy of this assertion. Thus, I maintain it to be true; not only of
Grenadians on the island, but of many of us living abroad. </span></div>
</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 200%;">As an atheist, I am
constantly confronted with this fear whenever I speak to friends and
family. Ironically, these are individuals who, for example, despite
being very openly vocal about their faith, will fume with anger when
their worldview is being challenged. However, maybe it is just my
perception. Again, maybe I am wrong in my assertion. But, in the many
discussions I've held with Grenadians from diverse backgrounds, I have
found my perception to be on solid ground. I discovered that
Grenadians back home, for instance, are especially very hostile to
the suggesting of new ideas, be they political or social, especially
if these ideas and information are presented by Grenadians living
abroad. “Don't come here with your ideas, you guys get from
overseas,” I often hear, whenever I visit. They will make comments
like, “We, Grenadians home, know what is best for us.” Of course,
despite their position, Grenadians
abroad want what is best for Grenada too. It is our country,
regardless of where we live. Whatever affects the country, affects
all of us, and since political and cultural change are a constant
phenomena that happens both locally and internationally, the country
needs a constant flow of new ways of thinking to effectively address
these changes. Sadly, however, this basic truth is lost on many of us
because of this fear. </span></div>
</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="line-height: 200%;"><br /></b></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="line-height: 200%;">That's What the
Bible Say</b></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
What is it with us
that renders new ideas and information a threat? This is not
an easy question to answer. It is complex. I believe, however, that
there are clear periods of our history that speaks to why such fear
exist. On an individual level, many Grenadians I come into contact
with, push back on new ideas or information because it conflicts
with the ideas and information they already cherish. The fear builds
because the person does not want to learn that he or she may be
wrong, and thus, may have to change his or her mind as a result. Of
course, apart from being afraid to change one's mind, the cherished
knowledge is usually so ingrained within the individual psyche that it
becomes inseparable from the individual's identity. Thus, questioning
the validity of the individual's worldview is to question the
person's identity itself. To the individual, it is an attack on his
or her person. Although not unique to the religious, this behavior
is especially prevalent within the religious world. Religious people
most often associate their dogma with their identity and, as a
result, are most often close-minded and bias. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 0.33in;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 0.33in;">Grenada
is a young country, with a young education system. And after 40-years
of independence, it continues to struggle to prepare Grenadians to deal
with the inflow of new ideas and information. What do I mean by this?
Grenada's educational system, has been slow in equipping Grenadians
with the cognitive tools, such as critical thinking, for
instance, needed to be able to make sense of these new ideas and
information. Instead, however, the controllers have always sought to
reinforce the religious (Christianity) foundation upon which our
educational system has been founded. This is especially true after
religion in education was interrupted during the revolutionary regime
reign (1979 – 1983). According to the <i>World Data on Education. 6th
2006/07</i>, on Grenada, one of the objective of our education system is
to give student "the ability to apply principles of sound
spiritual health." What does this objective mean is vague and
undefined. However, the document shows that half-hour per day is
designated to religious education from grade one to grade six, at the
primary education level. This is indeed keeping in line with the foundation
of the system itself, which was mandated, from its inception by England, to
impart religious instructions to students in both the primary and the
secondary level of education. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 200%;">The fear of new
information, although not exclusively, happens when dogma is allowed
to control the workings of the mind. And religious dogma is of no
exception. Religion always seeks to guard itself from scrutiny. Thus,
through Grenada's education system, because of its strong urge to
impart religious (Christianity) instructions on its pupils, coupled
with the legion of priests and preachers we listen to every weekend, many of us, consciously or unconsciously, tend to guard our
education from scrutiny. In other words, we develop an uneasiness, a
fear and become anxious whenever confronted with new ideas and
information that challenge us to think differently. </span></div>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="line-height: 200%;"><br /></b></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="line-height: 200%;">Government as a
Reason</b></div>
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<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The education system
itself suffered severe setbacks throughout the country's history. The
most notable time of such educational setbacks happened during the
time of the Eric Matthew Gairy's regime [a topic discussed in my
forthcoming coming book, <i>Apostate! No More Bazodee: A Grenadian's
Quest to Think Outside the Box]</i>. Gairy, Grenada's first prime
minister, in his preoccupation with unilateral control over the
country, neglected the education system to ruin. The
revolution period, under the leadership of Maurice Bishop, is another period that contributed to stocking this fear and uneasiness to new ideas
and information. The regime vouching to eliminate illiteracy, which
was about 40 – 50 percent as Bishop assumed control of the country,
did not accomplish this goal. The regime fell apart within four
years. </div>
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<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 200%;">The revolutionary
period is significant in creating a “new sense” of fear and
uneasiness of new ideas and information. I use the phrase “new
sense” because the revolution was based on Grenadians accepting new
ideas, and in large numbers, we certainly did. During the revolution
there was a positive and well needed movement towards educational
growth, and thus, a somewhat health openness towards new ideas and
information. </span></div>
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<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 200%;">If this was the
case, what happened that reversed this forward movement? The answer
is in the failure of the revolution, but more so in the unnecessary taking of innocent lives during this period. This sad chapter, where innocent civilians, including school children, were gun down along with Prime Minister Maurice Bishop and others, I believe, can be attributed to why many
Grenadians today eschew new ideas and information. </span></div>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 200%;">The influx
of new ideas itself have been charged as the reason why the revolution
happened and thus, was accused of being responsible for why lives were lost.
The people were mortified after the incident, and the counter-revolutionaries used this very public sentiment to create even
more counter-revolutionary fervor among the population. The revolution,
they assured the grief-stricken population, was informed by ideas
foreign to the Grenadian people. Ideas influenced by the ideologies
of the Black Power movement, socialism and communism, which was
indeed true. Yet, there are many more nuances as to why the revolution
failed, than just the regime's ideologies. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 200%;">Even more, after the fall of the
revolution regime, the counter-revolutionaries sought, with the help of
the United States, to reverse and rid the country of any knowledge
connected to the revolution. As I argue in my forthcoming book,
</span><i style="line-height: 200%;">Apostate! No More Bazodee: A Grenadian's Quest to Think Outside
the Box, </i><span style="line-height: 200%;">the new regime has
sought to return to the old guard. They created institutions like the
New Life Organization (NEWLO) to “rehabilitate” young people
educated by the revolutionary regime. They also turned to banning
books from coming into the country, which, according to the new
regime, taught “foreign” ideas. Yet, these banned books were and
still are being used in the University of the West Indies. Regular
Grenadians were being barred, once again, from accruing knowledge and
new ideas. We were expected once again to guard ourselves from new
ideas and information. Sadly, thirty years after the revolutionary
regime and the United States invasion of the country, we continue to
be afraid of new ideas and information. </span></div>
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<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="line-height: 200%;"><br /></b></div>
</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="line-height: 200%;">Overcoming
the Fear</b></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
Here
is the question: do we need to overcome this fear? The answer to this
question is obvious. Yes, we do! The world, due to ongoing technological
development, is a much smaller place than it once was. Because of
social media like Facebook and Twitter, we are now crossing paths with people and culture that once had been hidden in hard to reach
enclaves. In the economic sphere, Grenadians are now having to
compete with people in the region and around the world. All of these
truths require us to be open to new ideas and information. God
certainly cannot help us. We cannot pray our way to prosperity. We
have to be open to new ideas and information, both as individuals and
as a country, if we want to keep up with a growing and changing
world. Education is the virtue not blind faith! </div>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 200%;">We
should note that new ideas and information were intrinsic to influencing the thinking of two great Grenadians: William Galwey Donavon,
the Grandfather of West Indian Federation, and Theophilus Albert
Marryshow (1887 – 1958), the Father of West Indian Federation, and
apprentice to Donavon. These two individuals not only lay the
foundation for the West Indian Federation, but were the ones who paved
the way for Grenada's independence and the independence of other
countries in the region. </span></div>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 200%;">How
then can we overcome this fear? The truth is that it will be a hard
road ahead, but it is an essential and worthy goal. Of course, the
first place one is most likely to look for fostering this change is
to the educational system, and we should. We should hold our law
makers responsible and demand that they adopt and implement the
best new ideas to improve our educational system. We should ensure
that there is a separation of church and state, and that our
educational system focus on granting our children an education that
promotes critical thinking and not focuses on religious instruction. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 200%;">Moreover, even
if we cannot be totally free of bias and preconceptions, as
individuals, we must be open to new ideas and information. </span><span style="line-height: 200%;">As we develop sports clubs, we should also create organisations that focuses on educational development and promote debates
and discussions of new ideas among our youths. Important also to achieving this goal,
in the light of the outrage over the proposed </span><i style="line-height: 200%;"><a href="http://spiceislandatheist.blogspot.com/2013/07/free-speech-under-attack-in-grenada.html" target="_blank">Electronic Crime Bill</a></i><span style="line-height: 200%;">, through which
dissenters charged the government of trying to marginalized voices opposed to the regime, we should be vigilant citizens in ensuring that our constitutional and human rights of freedom of expression is
protected. The free flow of new ideas and information is essential to
the educational growth of both the individual and the country. Thus, we
must bring our ideas here. </span></div>
</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02936527748350587828noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1643214750987392442.post-46913675365452688672014-04-08T11:58:00.000-07:002014-07-12T13:41:39.381-07:00Jab Jab: The True Essence<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigZC1F5AKa5tgw6iMkUPr5Wd4PE3QaRF1RMC0ss2ddXmoR0579hcdVn4JvFvrk2jZI-t0s7HyLqi2u4NdtgJfjxKZgb_MxL0HBRjVDSi8NuwANyOlIJh3cUUJI0g52i1Kpe8GUe2Gb7S5P/s1600/Grenada+Jab+Jab.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigZC1F5AKa5tgw6iMkUPr5Wd4PE3QaRF1RMC0ss2ddXmoR0579hcdVn4JvFvrk2jZI-t0s7HyLqi2u4NdtgJfjxKZgb_MxL0HBRjVDSi8NuwANyOlIJh3cUUJI0g52i1Kpe8GUe2Gb7S5P/s1600/Grenada+Jab+Jab.jpg" height="179" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grenada <i>Jab Jab</i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">Okay, I know. Carnival is still months away. Despite this truth, however, the carnival celebration context is not the only context in which the Jab Jab masquerade can be talked about. Jab Jab is much more than just masqueraders gyrating through streets during carnival celebrations. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">So, in what context am I speaking of Jab Jab? I am speaking of Jab Jab as consciousness in action. As an awareness, fueled by a passion, that can and should be channeled, not only as masqueraders on the streets of Brooklyn during Labour Day, or during the Trinidad and Grenada carnival celebration, but to inform us in the fight for positive world change. Think about it! Thinking of Jab Jab in this context, however, requires us to, not only rethink our modern view of the Jab Jab masquerade, it requires us to remind ourselves of the true historical reality of the Jab Jab.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">What is the historical reality of the Jab Jab? The word Jab, in English, simple means to strike with quick short blows. This is indeed an aspect of the Jab Jab masquerader. Armed with ropes and chains, [and snakes today, to frighten spectators] one has to pay compensation to the Jab Jab or else be jabbed with ropes and chains. Of course, this jabbing is a pretentious action, but it has a significant historical connection to the story of black human beings and their person-hood and humanity.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">As a word connected to the carnival celebration, the word jab has its roots in the French word “</span><i style="font-size: 13pt;">Diable</i><span style="font-size: 13pt;">,” meaning “devil.” Thus, in the Grenadian context, Jab Jab, as it is used, means “devil, devil” or “double-devil.” Certainly, the masqueraders are not the devils themselves. They are instead acting out the actions done by a people they believe to be devils. In this </span><span style="font-size: 17px;">context</span><span style="font-size: 13pt;">, the Jab Jab masquerade can be interpret as one group of people abusing another and forcing them into providing or performing some type of act [giving money to the Jab Jab in the carnival celebration context] against their will. </span></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">The question then is this: Who is the devil or devils, as demonstrated by the Jab Jab masqueraders? The answer can be found in the Jab Jab historical connection to the fight against slavery and the freedom that follows. There are different stories of how the Jab Jab masquerade in carnival came about. First, however, we have to remember that before the emancipation of slavery, the slaves were not allowed to partake in carnival celebration. After emancipation, however, the formally enslaved Africans were able to take part in the masquerade and began using, what is called, Cannes Brulees or “burnt cane” to paint themselves black and greasy as a commemoration of their freedom. </span></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">L.M Fraser, in </span></span></span><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><span style="background: #ffffff;">History of Carnival</span></span></span></span></em><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="background: #ffffff;">, gives this story as the origin of Jab Jab. Fraser writes that:</span></span></span></span></span></em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"> </span></span></span> </div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="FALINK_1_0_0"></a><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i> </i>“In the days of slavery whenever fire broke out upon an Estate, the slaves on the surrounding properties were immediately mustered and marched to the spot, horns and shells were blown to collect them and the gangs were followed by the <span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">drivers</span><span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"> </span>cracking their whips and curging with cires and blows to their work. After emancipation, the negroes began to represent this scene as a kind of commemoration of the change in their condition, and the procession of the “cannes brulees” used to take place on the night of the 1st of August , the date of their emancipation… After a time the day was changed and for many years past the Carnival days have been inagurated by the “Cannes Brulees”. [Traditional Mass Archive]</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">In Haiti there is the <i>Lanse Kod</i>, who are masquerading people that paint themselves as black and greasy as possible, to resemble the African slaves, and carries ropes and chain, as a representation of the brutality of slavery and the Haitian freedom in 1804. This very context is the essence of the Trinidadian <i>Jab Molassie</i>, [Molassie come from the French patois <i>Mélasse</i>, meaning Molasses] and the Grenadian Jab Jab. </span></span> <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Haiti <i>Lanse Kod</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijpjh4HpYmLBrTfe0PSqpAuTmaj9RQOTVOUVUtZd6S1awWUYtGUNSpQBhQ9wQnv3kjDucG3Y222cPyYuuXHS3NCnXq-NoD9UJXAQoPyLZlF8u4FMLX0t5AsHd-Of_9IHPwy8ugVdRqp9uF/s1600/Jab+Molassie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijpjh4HpYmLBrTfe0PSqpAuTmaj9RQOTVOUVUtZd6S1awWUYtGUNSpQBhQ9wQnv3kjDucG3Y222cPyYuuXHS3NCnXq-NoD9UJXAQoPyLZlF8u4FMLX0t5AsHd-Of_9IHPwy8ugVdRqp9uF/s1600/Jab+Molassie.jpg" height="320" width="256" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trinidad <i>Jab Molassie</i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">Yes, indeed. Jab Jab is an artistic metaphoric expression of freedom. That is the Jab Jab essence. Thus, as we celebrate the 20th celebration the <a href="http://www.unitedhumanrights.org/genocide/genocide_in_rwanda.htm" target="_blank">Rwandan genocide</a>, in the light of the Jewish Holocaust, the Albanian genocide, the ongoing actions of Muslim killing Christians and Christians killing Muslims, and other grave harms that we human beings have brought and continuing to bring upon each other, we must think of the Jab Jab in the context of a consciousness in action. In the context of an awareness that is informing our action towards promoting world peace, freedom and human rights for all. That is true Jab Jab.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">Sure the Jab Jab dramatization is the mockery of the evils visited upon our black Africans ancestors by the white colonialists. Thus, these colonialists were the devils. However, we cannot let the Jab Jab spirit begins and end there. There are many evils in today’s world and their perpetrators transcend “race” and color. Therefore, as a people who are the Jab Jab essence; a people who embrace the consciousness of the Jab Jab, we should not let that awareness remain in the historical past. Let it be active. Use it and promote it as the awareness in the continuing fight for freedom and human rights for the many, many people around the world. </span></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">The high intense energy that the Jab Jab family demonstrates during the carnival seasons should also be channeled into fighting against those who act on the urge to demonize and marginalized minorities at home and abroad. The Jab Jab awareness should not be limited to just a celebration. It should be a consciousness that is used to foster the rights for freedom of speech, self-expression, and others' human rights. It should be used as an awareness to promote and protect gay rights, lesbian rights, nonbelievers rights, believers rights, women rights, etc. Our Jab Jab calypso and soca songs should echo a call for those rights to be upheld and protected. To me, this is the true expression of the Jab Jab essence. </span></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">So my Grenadian people, my Caribbean people, next carnival, as we blacken our skin and conjure up the African awareness of the Jab Jab, remember its true representation, and let us together, in the words of Jab Jab singer Tallpree, “<i>play a wicked Jab</i>” for the protection and promotion of human rights for all human beings, rights for animals, and for all of nature. </span></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">Jab Jab!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13pt;">Here is a Jab Jab song. Enjoy!</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02936527748350587828noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1643214750987392442.post-16145310826697520832013-11-30T08:21:00.000-08:002013-11-30T09:22:59.691-08:00Where To and How Soon?: An Analysis<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I would like to believe that, as Grenadians, we are all concerned about our country's future. To many of us, however, the economic future of the country today seems desolate. Vast unemployment since the beginning of the economic down turn is ongoing. </div>
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Lately there has been chatter about the New National Party (NNP) administration and their attempt at fixing the economic problems the country is facing. One person that is out spoken about the economic problem and the NNP administration's ability to remedy it, is former Attorney General of Grenada, Lloyd Noel. He voiced his concerns in the Grenada online news forum NOW: (Article can now be found in <a href="http://www.caribbeannewsnow.com/headline-Commentary%3A-Law-and-Politics%3A-Where-to-and-how-soon%3F-18607.html" target="_blank">Caribbean News Now</a>). Mr. Noel expressed concerns about the moving forward of, what he termed, the old, but new political party, who is in, to use his words, “the driving seats.” “How the controllers are going about resolving the problems,” as we move forward, Mr. Noel asked, especially in the context of the NNP taking victory in a clean-sweep, having, according to him, “total control and no opposition to even question any of their actions of omissions.” As a result, Lloyd Noel sees the road ahead for Grenada as being bleak, and dangerous. </div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
My politics and Lloyd Noel's, I believe, comes from two different places. I share no affiliation with any political party. My loyalty lies with my country. However, as a concerned citizen, I too share Lloyd Noel's concerns, especially about the seemingly unchallenged position of the NNP. </div>
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Lloyd Noel reminds us that with the world economical down turn, the country was hard hit. He writes that “the general state of the Nation's economic affairs was in very serious shambles,” and this is what led the NNP to win with such mandates. In fact, many Grenadians hold the view that, not only the global economic down turn, but the NNP government, after their thirteen years tenure, was responsible for contributing to the economic problem the country is now facing. </div>
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It is certainly true that the National Democratic Congress' (NDC) administration was dealt a bad hand. However, as the nature of politics dictates, the country's problems became the NDC's problems the very minute they took office. Thus, even if we believe that the NDC administration was not allowed enough time to solve the problem, the fact is that they lost the latest election. The NNP team was able to make a narrative that showed the NDC rule as a failed regime, and the people bought the story.<br />
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<span dir="LTR" id="Frame1" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-style: solid none; border-top-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-top-width: 1pt; float: left; height: 0.94in; padding: 0.02in 0in; text-align: center; width: 3.36in;"><b>"... as the nature of politics dictates, the country's problems became the NDC's problems the very minute they took office."</b> </span></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">The table is now turned. The NNP administration is back in the drivers seat, and as Lloyd Noel states, “nine months have gone by since the total control started – and the hue and cry seem to be that things have gotten worse rather than better. A lot of people who were employed have since lost their jobs.” In fact, Lloyd tells us that in the midst of this economic hardship “the controllers upon taking over the reigns of power in February, added back the 5% of MP's salaries the NDC Government had taken away a year or so before the elections.” They even went farther, “giving themselves another salary increase of 6%,” and while they stuff money into their pockets, the controllers are looking to level tax increases on the economically strapped population. Here is a question: Are there any other ways the government can raise money to deal with the country's debt, other than pushing their hands into the pockets of unemployed people? I think there are.</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Indeed, these actions taken by the new controllers are troubling. These are things we all should be concerned about. I am pushed to ask, are these controllers really concerned about the country, and the people? I think that they are. However, people get blinded by the feel of power. </div>
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The main question we should ask, however, is: What can we do? Indeed, we may not have a political opposition. Nonetheless, it is we the people that employ these controllers, and it is we, the population, to be the opposition. We have to make our voices heard. March, protest and demand our government do the right thing. </div>
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There are, however, those who think that what I am asking for is futile. Because, my call for the population to be the opposition that Lloyd Noel is concerned about, demands the people to look at politics from a rational, nonpartisan prospective, and most Grenadians seem to view politics through tribalistic lens, which, by its very nature, is partisan. Politics in Grenada are highly sectarian. The supporters of one political party become the enemies to those supporting the other side. The House (NNP) vs. the Hart (NDC); Green things, t-shirts, handkerchiefs (NNP) vs. Yellow things, t-shirts, handkerchiefs (NDC). Whole political campaigns take the form of a gang warfare, to the expense of the real issues and concerns to be addressed. The political party with the most gang members wins the day. As a result, we end up voting into office people that are unable to solve the country's problems. Of course, I know that I am pushing it by using this gang warfare analogy, but, I think the visual imagery is warranted. </div>
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So, how then can we solve this problem? I believe that if we – via our educational system – promote and educate the people to be critical and rational thinkers, the ability to rationally analyze political issues will be much better off, and Lloyd Noel's concerns about not having an opposition, whether from a political party or from the populace, will be obsolete, hopefully.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02936527748350587828noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1643214750987392442.post-82820904917365221032013-09-16T21:36:00.000-07:002014-03-05T14:19:58.615-08:00Jab Jab vs. Zombie<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-00INfokMybI/UjfVStXNImI/AAAAAAAAAxo/5-f-3fjNcxw/s1600/Synnah-Jab+Jab.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-00INfokMybI/UjfVStXNImI/AAAAAAAAAxo/5-f-3fjNcxw/s200/Synnah-Jab+Jab.jpg" height="125" width="200" /></a></div>
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Who could have thought of a combination like this but a Jab
Jab. Jab Jab character has long been a
part of the Grenadian carnival celebration. <b>The Jab Jab character, to me, seems
to be a cool cross between an African Zulu warrior and the Norse mythological
character <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loki_(comics)" target="_blank">Loki</a>, Thor’s adopted brother</b>. The Jab Jab is portrayed as a being who install fear into the enemy, and with that power he or she can over-come anything. Jab Jab Soca artist <span style="background: white;">Earl Edward</span>, known as<span style="background: white; font-family: Arial;"> </span>Synnah in the Soca world,
takes this character from the carnival festival onto the pages – <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Zombie-Avengers-Jab-Zombies-Volume/dp/1491234679/ref=tmm_pap_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1379388580&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Zombie Avengers:Jab Jab vs. Zombie</a>. A children book series. </div>
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The book is set in Grenada, where some young boys decided to take on some zombies that is lurking in the tropical rain-forest of island<st1:country-region w:st="on">, and t</st1:country-region>o help them take on the Zombies, they sought the help of the mystical tribe called the “Jab Jabs,” who possess magical powers....</div>
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Synnah has now written two books in his <span style="background-color: white; border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;">Zombie Avengers series.</span><i><span style="background: white; border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #444444; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;"> </span></i>Great job Synnah! As one reviewer on Amazon by
the name of Greta ask, “<span style="background-color: white;">Please tell us more
about the Jab Jabs.</span>” </div>
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<span style="background-color: white; border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;">As
reported on <a href="http://spiceislander.com/">Spiceislander.com</a>,</span><span style="background-color: white;"> Earl Edward</span>
said<span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;"> “My books are written to make reading
and learning</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KcXPjQ7HqcI/UjfWA4GARiI/AAAAAAAAAx8/JDrSU7z755w/s1600/Jab+Jab+book.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KcXPjQ7HqcI/UjfWA4GARiI/AAAAAAAAAx8/JDrSU7z755w/s320/Jab+Jab+book.jpg" height="320" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W06wVFxeMKg/UjfVXSy5OcI/AAAAAAAAAx0/LLKej-LZGEg/s1600/Jab+Jab+book.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a>
fun for kids. The Zombie Avengers series is silly and fun,
but it allows kids to use their imagination with the action packed zombie fight
scenes. It takes place in the tropical jungles of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Grenada</st1:country-region></st1:place> so it opens kid’s minds and
exposes them to different cultures and customs—in a fun and entertaining way.”<br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">His first book in the series –
<span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Zombie-Avengers-Zombies-Trying-Volume/dp/1491227540/ref=pd_sim_sbs_b_1" target="_blank">Zombie Avengers: Slay the Zombies or Fart Trying</a></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; font-size: 10.5pt;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Zombie-Avengers-Zombies-Trying-Volume/dp/1491227540/ref=pd_sim_sbs_b_1" target="_blank"> </a></span></span></div>
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Jab Jab having fun during Carnival in Grenada...</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qufypYQz5ys/UjfYJARVtNI/AAAAAAAAAyE/to8IKrZEvck/s1600/jabjab+having+fun.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qufypYQz5ys/UjfYJARVtNI/AAAAAAAAAyE/to8IKrZEvck/s200/jabjab+having+fun.jpg" height="200" width="198" /></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02936527748350587828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1643214750987392442.post-47046486582735212912013-08-04T22:47:00.000-07:002013-08-05T05:59:50.445-07:00Where is the Outrage? <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sEEMx2Tc0i4/Uf9ABy9R0yI/AAAAAAAAAwI/y0Oettc_ovk/s1600/speak+up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="120" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sEEMx2Tc0i4/Uf9ABy9R0yI/AAAAAAAAAwI/y0Oettc_ovk/s200/speak+up.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
The hysteria that has engulfed my
nation over the dehumanizing photos of a 16-year-old girl posted on Facebook, I
posit, was deserved. However, there is a real problem associated with the photos
that has not received the outrage it should have. I am speaking of the sexual
abuse of our women and girls. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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The reactions to the
photos showing up on Facebook called upon the government to intercede and do
something about the photos being on Facebook, which they heeded. Immediately the government announced a Bill called the “<a href="http://grenadabroadcast.net/pastshows2/hor1" target="_blank">Electronic Crime Bill</a>,” which seeks to hold people
criminally liable for posting “offensive” material online – Electronic Crime
Bill section 6. </div>
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The Bill itself triggered a
backlash on the government. According to many Grenadians, the Bill appears to
be too vague and far-reaching. Many argued that it seems to attack our
constitutional right of freedom of speech; an attempt, by the government, to
silence dissent, and quiet media and journalists from critiquing the
administration. </div>
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Indeed, the initial outrage over
the photos on Facebook and the subsequent push back on the government’s attempt
to use the outrage to push through this ambiguous Bill is certainly warranted. </div>
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There is, however, the criminal
act of sexual abuse of minors that this child fall victim to, and needs to
receive the same, and/or even more outrage, and it has not. For that, I am
outraged!</div>
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A headline posted on January 24,
2013, in The New Today reads “Bus Drivers Charged with Rape.” The story went on
to point out that “Statistics provided to this newspaper by the Criminal
Records Office of the RGPF show that from January to October 2012 there were 24
cases of rape, 78 cases of incest, defilement of a female 43, and indecent
assault 77.” It went on to state that “From among the 25 sexual offenses that
were on the case list for October 2012 Criminal Assizes, there were 12 cases of
rape.” </div>
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I site these statistics to
demonstrate what our country is dealing with. Crimes against women, some
argues, are on the rise. It is known that Grenada has an epidemic of adult
males sexually violating young school girls, (boys too); committed mostly by
bus drivers (of course not excluding male school teachers and fathers).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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There is a story in Caribbean
News Now, posted June 19, 2013, that speaks of a ten-year-old girl child
sexually abused by her father, who, according to the story, was left in the
custody of the father by the Chief Magistrate, after hearing the facts of the
case. Yes, you heard right. The Chief Magistrate left the child in the hand of
the sexual deviant! Is this the justice we have in store for our minors? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
As I have mentioned in a previous
post on the Facebook photos issue, I engaged some Grenadians, home and abroad, in
an attempt to get different prospective on the issue. Quite interestingly, no
one brought up the issue of sexual predators preying on minors. I had to ask
the question, and I was taken aback by many of the comments I received. Like
the Chief Magistrate, it seems to me that no one (both male and female) was really
concerned about the minor, as much as they shown about the photos being on
Facebook for the world to see. In my understanding, the public image of Grenada was their
main concern; thus, the outrage. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Because of the deafening silence
concerning the abuse of the minor, one can only conclude that if the photos
were not posted on Facebook, then there would not have been any outrage. Which
brings me back to a Grenadian event I attended where a government official
literally asked Grenadians, who critique what they view as wrongs going on in
the country online, not to expose our dirty laundry to the world. His words
were that you are putting a bad face on Grenada.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
This position of course does not
speak for all Grenadians, and I hope not for the majority. But it does speak to
a much bigger problem in Grenada;
the ongoing concern whereby Grenadians remain silence about sexual abuse of
minors – and woman in general. Here we have a minor who has been sexual
violated by an adult man, who then thinks it was cool to take and post sexual explicit
photo of her on Facebook, and people is only upset about them being posted on
Facebook.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No discussion about the
elephant in the room, the sexual abuse of our woman and girls (boys and men
included).</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
As reported in the New Grenada on
May 1, 2013, “The Caribbean in general is grappling with an extremely high
prevalence of child abuse in our island. In Grenada, news media has reported
that the problem is grievous, and increasing.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Yes, abuse of minors is increasing
in Grenada.
As a result, our job is to aggressively push our government to crackdown on
these child predators, and women abusers. The outrage over these sexual
explicit photos on Facebook is deserved, and so to is the push back on the
government over the Electronic Crime Bill. However, this incident should have
also ignited a national outrage over the issue of abuse of minors and women.
Their concerns should have been part of the ongoing discourse; if not the
priority issue. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I conclude with this. Apart from
calling for the sexual violation of minors and women to be included in our
outrage, I am also demanding that my government respond rationally and
appropriately. Instead of using the public outrage to push through a Bill that
seeks to silence its critics, focus on the real issues. Protect our minors, and
women from these sexual deviants. The sexual explicit photos of the minor posted on Facebook were indeed a criminal act, but they are, in addition, more so a road sign
to the large criminal acts going on in the country. “Grenada
is being labeled dangerous for women and girls. This is evidenced by one third
of all criminal High Court trials, being for sexual offenses,” – Now Grenada.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><b> </b></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><b>WATCH:</b> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bkyfR2WDSOc&feature=c4-overview&list=UUpfmchoGre2Dbf6xIRGnmUw" target="_blank">Air Me Now: Violence Against Women - Taking Back Our Voices </a></span></span></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02936527748350587828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1643214750987392442.post-16019052790064952012013-07-13T12:22:00.000-07:002013-07-14T07:27:51.716-07:00Does Grenada Need This Electronic Crime Bill?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzZWbDqFqr1XEDj3aQUmn6xcs7-4Nr0jwnZ2f0wI5Tz-qVd_Zszh35hkmNKLu_1CfOAr5iTc9_KrPbwJws-t8eENyJUfOQAS9d_B46rhaow6WrMLm2FXVWNcxlLPXzV8BDzmXCM73LaBXO/s1600/scencored.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzZWbDqFqr1XEDj3aQUmn6xcs7-4Nr0jwnZ2f0wI5Tz-qVd_Zszh35hkmNKLu_1CfOAr5iTc9_KrPbwJws-t8eENyJUfOQAS9d_B46rhaow6WrMLm2FXVWNcxlLPXzV8BDzmXCM73LaBXO/s400/scencored.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
The Electronic Crime Bill has triggered a fire storm of discussion among Grenadians. What is most noticeable from
these discussions is how emotionally disturbed Grenadians are about the Facebook incident that
formed the pretext for the Bill. “Did you see the pictures on
Facebook,” I was asked by one woman. “Keith Mitchell is right,” she continued
with sincere conviction. To them, PM Dr. Kith Mitchell is the ‘knight in moral
shining armor’ riding to Grenada’s
rescue. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
These Grenadians are angered that
something so atrocious has happened to a fellow Grenadian. To them Grenada moral fabric
has been shaken. As a result, Grenada exploded into a barrage of knee jerk reactions, and “a
public outrage on talk shows with callers demanding that the law enforcement
take appropriate action” – (Now Grenada). Thus, in my conversations, almost all
with whom I spoke, agreed with the passing of this Electronics Crime Bill,
without displaying a tread of forethought. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
So, is Prime Minister Dr. Kith
Mitchell trying to employ a bit of what author Naomi Klein called “<a href="http://www.naomiklein.org/shock-doctrine">The Shock Doctrine</a>,”of his own? In that, did
Dr. Mitchell’s administration view the shocking situation on Facebook as a
pretext to pass this vague intrusive Electronic Crime Bill, for political
purpose? The answer we may never know </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Using situations that place
citizens in a state of shock to implement intrusive laws and policies that
would otherwise not be considered have been a long, standing tactic of many
governments. Klein argues that political leaders exploit crises,
pushing through controversial, exploitive policies while the citizens are busy
emotionally, and physically dealing with horrible situations. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Despite all this emotional outrage, however,
we have to stop and think, and as we do that, here are some questions we must ponder. Do we need such a Bill? Are there mechanisms already in
place that give our government the capable of handling criminal acts perpetuated online and offline? The answer seems to be yes. To all accounts, the person
responsible for, not just posting such despicable photo on Facebook, but also sexually violating a minor has already been apprehended and
charged. If not, this should be the government's priority. Ensuring that this criminal is of the streets. Not trying to censor free speech.<br />
<br />
According to Randall Robinson, who was a candidate for the
National Democratic Congress in last election, “We already have a remedy in the Civil Courts
that adequately compensates offended parties where they sue and win.” In addition, Facebook
and other online social networks have mechanism in place where individual users
can flag unwanted immoral posts and photos – <a href="https://www.facebook.com/communitystandards">Facebook Community Standards</a>.
Thus, as reported, “the matter was reported to Facebook as abuse and it was eventually
removed,” (Now Grenada). </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
According to Grenada’s
minister for legal affairs, Elvin Nimrod, the law was necessary “to protect
society, especially those who are vulnerable to modern technology.” This is certainly a noble thought, indeed. We do
this by holding people accountable, which we already can and have done; so why
do we need this intrusive law? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
As regular citizen of Grenada, we are
in the right place to show anger to such horrendous behavior displayed by this
individual who violated the young, teenaged lady’s humanity. However, we have
to pay more attention. “The law appears intended to address defamation not only
via social media, but also via user-generated content on news websites, usually
in “comment sections,” (Grenada Connection). Our right to freedom of expression is at stake from this Bill. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Despite, the public knee jerk
reaction that lead them to be in agreement with this far reaching Bill, many
Grenadians, most in the intellectual community, home and abroad, pushed back,
exposing the shortcomings and potential implications of the Bill, leading Prime
Minister Dr. Kith Mitchell to “asked his legislative team to review all
sections of the bill to ensure that it remains consistent with his commitment
of not just protecting open debate and dialogue, but to reflect the new
commitment to broaden patterns of democracy that will be reflective in other
upcoming legislation,” (Grenada
Connection). He said that his government is “committed to looking at the
segment to ensure that in no way free internet comment is either inhibited or
by any slightest measure, threatened," - (Nation News)
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
According to Prime Minister Dr.
Mitchell, “we are confident that at the end of the process we will have
legislation that will deal with issue of cyber crime, identify theft, child
pornography and electronic stalking without infringing, or undermining public
debate or any matters attendant to an open, free and democratic society.” (Now Grenada). </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
To some, however, this is a joke.
Not only should this Bill be squash, but as stated by one Grenadian blogger “given the very well-known fact that
literally NO ONE in the government or judiciary of Grenada – irrespective of
party affiliation – knows anything about computers, the internet, electronic
communications or social media, I am at a loss as to how they are going to
establish such legislation.” (Pam Northman's blog)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02936527748350587828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1643214750987392442.post-22642629630361779872013-07-04T10:08:00.002-07:002013-07-12T12:19:28.039-07:00Free Speech Under Attack in Grenada <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZl7Ql8L0QKWL4n-8m6lEdrzLYNoBE5dmbyBJnZA3ZJpp2wBRCBOhBVSqQOTQqJ8el8Ug9uOJOUNFylPaDTQqkHAqXvr6-0FqUgzvqzerfQeebfqdJ_G5Ugjca_Sz6Cqmwoz6HzZI0NsHC/s500/free+speach+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZl7Ql8L0QKWL4n-8m6lEdrzLYNoBE5dmbyBJnZA3ZJpp2wBRCBOhBVSqQOTQqJ8el8Ug9uOJOUNFylPaDTQqkHAqXvr6-0FqUgzvqzerfQeebfqdJ_G5Ugjca_Sz6Cqmwoz6HzZI0NsHC/s200/free+speach+1.jpg" width="141" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
When one thinks of natural
rights, for many, the freedom of expression stands at the top of the list. In fact, a
society cannot be free if the freedom of speech isn’t protected. According to our <a href="http://pdba.georgetown.edu/constitutions/grenada/gren73eng.html" target="_blank">constitution</a>,
Chapter 1 section 1b, Grenadians have the right to “freedom of conscience, of
expression and of assembly and association."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
However, this freedom of speech
which is guaranteed and protected under the constitution seems to again be
under attack. As per the new political administration, Grenadians can be charged EC $100,000 or
face three years in prison for what the administration termed “offensive”
speech, posted or transferred online, as part of an Electronic Crime Bill. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Of course, with the advent of the
internet our social interactions are now transferred from the real world to an online world. Thus, law makers have to rethink law making. In that, the
internet has to now be taken into consideration. But how can this be done while ensuring user protection? How can our free speech not be
infringed? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">This new Grenadian law that seeks to make it a criminal offense to insult someone online provides no guaranties. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
According to the Now Grenada online news network, the
legislation says that you can be charged for electronically transferred
“information that is grossly offensive or has a menacing character.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
The troubling thing with this
legislation is its vagueness and broadness. Who determines what “offensive”
means? It is left undefined, leaving it open to interpretation. “According to the
new law, complaints about offensive comments would be filed with the police,
and a judge would then decide if the message was offensive” (Grenada
Connection). This means that any “Electronic
Mail or an electronic message,” can indeed be viewed as being “offensive" and is
being transferred “for the purpose of causing annoyance or inconvenience.” There is no guard lines. It is all up to the person making the charge and the "judge" hearing the case. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Grenada has had a history with
political leaders’ infringement on the freedom of expression before. I am
speaking of the Eric Mathew Gary regime (1967 - 1979) and the Maurice Bishop and his revolution
regime (1979 - 1983). With this backdrop, many Grenadians fear that this move seems to be going
down the same road. In that, Prime Minister Keith Mitchell passed this law as a
way to curtail his opposition; to restrain the media, journalists and others
from speaking out against him and his regime. In fact, Keith Mitchell is no
stranger to such tactics. He, in his previous tenure as Prime Minister of
Grenada for thirteen years (1995 - 2008) sought to suppress the media. He, on many occasions,
brought criminal charges against media people and journalists with “intentional
criminal libel” for reporting stories that exposed his wrongdoings. He even
threatened Tillman Thomas, the then opposition leader, with prosecution for
criminal libel - (Grenada Connection).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
“In June 2004, the US-Based
Committee to protect Journalists (CPJ) wrote a strongly-worded letter to then
Prime Minister Mitchell, calling on him to “desist from any efforts to curtail
the work of the press.” (Grenada
Connection)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Indeed, Grenada has
a <a href="http://www.oas.org/juridico/spanish/mesicic2_grd_criminal_code.PDF" target="_blank">criminal code</a> “which established the offense of intentional criminal libel,”
as per Criminal code Section 252. There is, however, a growing call for the
elimination of this law. Tillman Thomas, as Prime Minister (2008 - 2013), had made
the “move to eliminate criminal penalties for defamation under Section 252 of
the Criminal Code, and was praised by the International Press Institute (IPI)
for his courage.<br />
<br />
We, however, in light of Prime Minister Keith Mitchell's apparent move to curtail the freedom of expression, have to take action. We most not sit back and crack jocks about this. It's not funny! As concerned citizens who want the
best for the country, we must stand up for free speech. We must protect our constitutional
rights, and push back on this encroachment. We must stand and protest not just
this Electronic Law, but also the “Criminal Libel” code. These codes most
often than not provide legal cover for political regimes to muzzle any
opposition, and Journalists from reporting their wrongdoings. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02936527748350587828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1643214750987392442.post-15838939313884636202013-04-22T09:35:00.000-07:002013-06-02T21:18:23.030-07:00Nothing Atheist About “Real” Black Atheists <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Nothing is wrong with the need to understand about one’s
distance past; one’s history. The eagerness to learn about ou<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a>r
African past is real and alive in Grenada. Africa’s
great past and contributions to civilization are discussed among many young
people looking for a new narrative that speaks to their nature. Their Africanness! No
educational institution, I know of, on the island, imparts such
education. Thus, organizations like Rastafari become an appetizing resource.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not only that, many of these young people
seek to sever themselves from the Euro-centric religions that continue to define
their cultural and religious experiences. Consequently, many of these young Grenadians
often find themselves part of black organizations framed within an Afro-centered
cultural and theistic worldviews, but are organizations as divisive and as
irrational as the ones they seek to leave. Take this black organization that
caught the attention of a Grenadian friend of mine.<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Amazing indeed! There is now a little known “Atheist” organization
(group), located in the US
state of Atlanta, Georgia, calling themselves the “Real”
Black Atheists. I learned of this when speaking to a friend of mine a couple of
days ago. My friend was interesting in my atheism. He also described himself as being an Atheist. However, he explained, there are
differences between us. You are a Black Atheist, but, I am a
“Real” Black Atheist. I was at a loss for words! Black Atheists
I get, but what is a “Real” Black Atheist?<br />
<br />
My friend went on to
enlighten my ignorance. According to him, he would break down the “science” behind
the name. The origin of atheism is from the Greeks/Romans, he explained. His
contention was the early Greeks philosophers had gone into Africa (Egypt – Khemit) to study, and upon their return
to Greece,
set up schools where they taught the African Knowledge they had acquired. These
African teachings, he explained, did not recognize the Greek gods. He
identified Greek philosopher Thales as one such person who journeyed into Egypt and upon his return to Greece refused
to reorganize the Greek gods as the center of his knowledge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thus, he concluded, Thales went “against the
god(s).” Who’s God(s)?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Greek God(s);
thus, he became an “<i>A</i>” (without/not) <i>theos</i> (God). One who rejects the
Greek/Roman’s God(s)?<br />
<br />
I had to acknowledge my friend was right to some extent. The
issue here, of course, is not whether some Greeks or Romans philosophers went
into Africa (Egypt)
to be educated. The issue is Atheism. And, viewing Atheism through its narrow
historical context means it does originate from the Greeks/Romans cultural experience.
I doubt, however, being skeptical about the existence of a God was purely a
Greek/Roman phenomenon.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
Theism was a fundamental aspect that supported the Greek and
Roman state. They believe the gods gave the state its divine right. Thus, its
citizen was obligated to believe in these gods, and anyone who did not, was
designated an “Atheist,” and an enemy of the state.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, the Christians, prior to being
designated the state religion by the Roman Emperor Constantine, were named an atheist
group because they too did not accept the pagan gods the Roman State
reorganized. (Murdock, 2009)<br />
<br />
This is the framework that informs my friend’s (and other
“Real” Black Atheists) understanding of Atheism. Thus, Atheism to them is
limited only to the rejection of the Greek /Roman God(s). Indeed, a faulty and
parochial view of Atheism. My friend is not only looking at the word atheist through
a narrow historical context, he is also applying atheism within a much closed
historical framework. No doubt a willfully chosen position; done for a purpose,
and an irrational one at that. Limiting Atheism to such a narrowed historical
context is an attempt to exempt the African gods and religions. Black people should certainly reject the white man’s God(s) and religions, but, must
accept the African religions and gods as objective truth. This, my friend
maintained, underlines the difference between a Black Atheist and a “Real”
Black Atheist.<br />
<br />
Atheism, however, is more far-reaching than the “Real”
Black Atheists’ supposed understanding. In effect, their unique understanding
of Atheism means they have missed the real issue. Atheism, as employed, covers
all religions and all God(s). Atheism is not simply rejecting a particular God
concept, from a particular race or culture, but all concepts. All deities!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
Indeed, what I have outlined thus far points to one conclusion,
“Real” Black Atheists are not Atheists. In that they do not have, as the word
Atheism outline, a “disbelief in the existence of God or any other deities.” They
are instead, “Atheists” in the same context Christians are “Atheists” to the
Hindu gods, or African God(s). Muslims are “Atheists” to the Christian God or
African gods, etc. “Real” Black Atheists are against (or without a belief in)
all God(s) except the African Gods. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Not Like the Greek/Roman God(s)</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
According to my friend, understanding that the African’s God
concept(s) is different than the Greek/Roman concept is important to
understanding oneself as a “Real” Black Atheist. African gods, he explained,
were human beings who ruled as kings and elders. In other words, what he is saying is these "divine"
rulers are religio-political leaders who were seen and accepted by their
subjects as incarnated gods. To the lay Africans man, women and children these
god rulers were mediators and agents to the inaccessible sacred, and after they
expired, elevated from human gods to ancestor gods. Incredible!<br />
<br />
Every religion makes different truth claims. However, to say
this means the African god concepts and religions are not constructed upon
unreasonable claims is a deliberate negation of objective facts. As the Greeks
and Romans, the African religions have a high God concept, for instance; a being, who sits on
high, responsible for the creation of the universe and all within it. Unlike
the Greeks and Romans, however, this high God, to the Africans, is normally
seen as removed from the regular life of the people. Thus, in the Yoruba
religious myth, for example, the pantheon of <i>Orishas</i> is the ones assigned to
carry out the work for the high God, <i>Olodumare</i>. Here, the pantheon of <i>Orishas
</i>are not unlike the Judaic pantheon of <i>Mal’ak</i> (messengers of Yahweh), the Muslim
pantheon of <i>mala’ikak</i> (messengers of Allah), nor the Christian Angels
(messengers of God), etc. Another common aspect to these religions are the
adherents appealing to these gods or dead relatives to literally affect the
condition of the living. The point then becomes not if the African God(s)
concepts are different from that of the Greek/Romans God(s) concepts, but
whether these concepts are actually objectively true.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">They are not. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
Even if these God(s), in the African concept, were first
humans, and were later elevated to ancestors, does not mean we have to
accept them in a dogmatic religious sense. Certainly, being a Black Atheist
does not mean that one does not appreciate his or her culture and
ancestors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just don’t accept them as
gods. Praying or presenting offerings to these dead relatives in an effort to
affect our lives, in a positive way or otherwise, in the real word is as absurd
as pleading to Jesus, Yahweh, Allah, and Zeus to the same ends. The Nigerian
philosopher Adebowale Ojowuro writes he “<b>used the Christian religion as a pilot
to indicate the numerous absurdities that altogether consist in the entire
religions of the world. The stacks of these outrageous absurdities are
similarly of equal magnitude in every religion, without any exception</b>,”
(Ojowuro, 2010). To this truth, however, my friend, and the rest of the “Real”
Black Atheists crew, made themselves deliberately blind and deaf.<br />
<br />
I agree, we (black people) must “reclaim our history and our
identity…,” (Ture & Hamilton, 1992). However, pseudo-science,
pseudo-history and superstitions should not be the culture and identity we reclaim.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Contrary to what some Afro-centric writers
believe, rationality, objectivity and critical thinking should be the cognitive
pillars defining us and our culture, and rejecting not only the Greek and Roman
God(s) and dogmatic theology, but also the Africans’ God(s) and dogmatic
theology are important in eradicating the pseudo-science, superstitions and the
many irrational beliefs that for far too long define us.<br />
<br />
My friend went on to define the word God, in the African
context, as meaning “ownership.” But who are the African gods/ancestors in
ownership of? It is the African people. In the words of Afro-centrism, African
culture is collective. In other words, one cannot maintain his or her individuality while being a member of her group; her identity must be wrapped up in group identity. Yet my friend went on to explain
he is against all non-African god concepts because they are a political
concepts designed to keep black people under control. Really! Didn't you just describe the
African gods/ancestors once human political leaders, who, as he defined the
word God, in ‘ownership’ of the citizen? Cognitive dissidence, indeed!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
Everyone being forced or willingly relinquishing his or her
body and mind to be molded by those in power. I am not saying community is a
bad thing. Humans are social beings and need community, but a community that
requires, or expects and/or indoctrinates (educates) its citizens to be
conformists to group identity dangerously borders on authoritarianism – thinking
of North Korea
here (Religious descriptions paint Heaven in similar manner). In fact, in the
African context, these authoritarians are placed as the intermediary between
the community and the gods/ancestors, who one must go through to be
considered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sounds like Catholicism to
me! Saying no to accepting these authoritarian human beings as gods and negotiator
on your behalf to the sacred is not rejecting your ancestors or your culture.
It is a rejection of irrationality.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="NoSpacing">
<b>Stuck in the Past<br /> </b></div>
<div class="NoSpacing">
“Real” Black Atheists seems to be frozen in time; bound to
ideas which haven’t evolved to deal with the new problems facing the black
population today. My friend described “Real” Black Atheism as analogous to
Black Power. Indeed, my friend’s belief seems to be grounded in the Black
Power, Black Nationalist movement worldview. Despite it might seem quaint to
ask what is Black Power, many today who chant the slogan has very little understanding
of the ideology and of its historical context. No doubt, Black Power is not
unknown to Grenada
and Grenadians, for the revolutionary leaders (1979 – 1983) were informed by
such ideology.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br />
<br />
Theodore G. Vincent writes “there are many shades of black
power.” He, however, listed these three. </div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>In the middle of the black power continuum are those who
believe that the injustices of discrimination and forced segregation can be
successfully challenged if blacks join with disadvantaged whites and reform the
system through interracial cooperation. </li>
<li>At one extreme are those who believe that since racism is
endemic to America
the black must accommodate himself to the segregated world that has been forced
upon him, avoid any challenge to white authority, and build power within the
segregated world through a combination of capitalist economics and white
philanthropy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></li>
<li>At the other extreme are those who believe the system is
simple unworkable, so far as the rights of black people are concerned. People
who hold this latter view refuse to accept force segregation, but they do seek
the right to build a society of their own. Independent black power, on a par
with white power, is their goal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Vincent, 1970)</li>
</ul>
<div class="NoSpacing">
Listening to my friend and watching YouTube videos (<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3asc_aCA24" target="_blank">Real Black Atheists vs. Black Atheist</a>) posted by
the “Real” Black Atheists adherents, they, I believe, fall within the context
of the third extreme. They appear not to be the Kwame Ture type Black Power
movement, where black people are called to work with other marginalized groups
and people to achieve social, economic and political justice. They appear to be
an organization promoting separation. In fact, they separate themselves from
Black Atheists and brand Black Atheists race traitors. “Real” Black Atheists
endorse a philosophy of race superiority, and as such, they are akin to
Afro-centrism, although they seem to have a problem with the word “Afro” in
Afro-centrism.<br />
<br />
Of course there is no such thing as ‘Black Atheism’ or ‘White
Atheism.’<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Simple Atheism! And one can
choose to be without all God(s) regardless of the culture, or choose to be
without/against only the God(s) outside one’s culture. The differences that can
be found between Black Atheists and White Atheists more or less lies in the
type of social justice struggles. Each ethnic group has problems that are
unique to its people. Black people are still fighting racial discrimination;
institutionalized racism, which shows up as socio-economic disparities,
educational disparities, police brutality, stop and frisk and the many other
faces in which white racism manifests, and these societal ills we must fight.</div>
<div class="NoSpacing">
<br />
As I end this polemic, I must agree, my friend is correct.
In that, “Real” Black Atheists is different from Black Atheists. They are
certainly unalike. Black Atheists promotes and supports moral justice for all
of humanity, within a secular humanist framework. Black Atheists are concerned
with building a better society for all of humanity. In fact, as a Black
Atheist, my world view is informed by this fact, “humanity is one,” (The Human
Prospect – V2; p.5).<br />
<br />
“Real” Black Atheists, on the other hand, have a theistic
philosophy which seeks to separate the world into US vs. Them, just like many
religions. Moreover, after listening to
my friend and the many “Real” Black Atheists on those YouTube videos, it seemed
clear that “Real” Black Atheists are not only stuck in the past, they support bigotry, intolerance, hatred, sexism,
homophobia, pseudo-science, irrationality, xenophobia, etc. Interestingly, “Real”
Black Atheism is not unlike the very Euro-centric (European) theistic
philosophy it claims to eschew.<br />
<br />
Note: In the words of the great
ancestor Frederick Douglass “I would unite with anybody to do right and with
nobody to do wrong.”</div>
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<br /></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02936527748350587828noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1643214750987392442.post-11120437377512954552013-02-23T06:35:00.001-08:002013-04-26T12:24:08.584-07:00Black History Month: The Lesson We have Missed <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MSJWABPtG3g/USjHZtgKm0I/AAAAAAAAAqg/8x5w5lCSo6s/s1600/BHM+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MSJWABPtG3g/USjHZtgKm0I/AAAAAAAAAqg/8x5w5lCSo6s/s200/BHM+3.jpg" width="136" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We are now in the middle of celebrating another Black
History Month, and again the failures and achievements of the black struggle are
discussed and debated in almost all arenas. These debates are waged between people some describe as Traditionalists, Fence-Sitters and Dissenters. However, despite these debates and the category one may be placed in, have we neglected an important lesson that for years has been staring us in the face? I believe we have.<br />
<br />
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One aspect of the black experience that is certain to capture the center
of these discussions is the black religion, or more correctly, the black church. One is certain to hear the statement, “Religion has always been a part of Black life in both
Africa and the U.S” (Karenga, 1993), made constantly. This statement is something of a mantra used by many people of color as
they defend the continuing need for religion as a viable institution in the
Black community.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Indeed, as one looks
back through antiquity, the many uncertainties that plagued our ancestors
explained why God and what became known as religion may have been needed. Thus,
in this context, God and religion seem, as supported by a huge body of evidence, to have been created by early humans
in an attempt to calm their fears.<br />
<br />
The statement that religion has always been a part of the
black experience both personally and collectively is indeed a true one. Not only to black life in Africa and the United States, but also to black life in Central and South America and the Caribbean.<br />
<br />
In this
essay, however, I am not interested in religion as a personal influence. I
believe that every individual has his or her right to worship whomever or whatever
he or she wants, and for their rights I will certainly defend. My concern here
lies in religion as an institution, around which people collectively form their
identity. This I believe is harmful to the collective harmony of a society,
since a society may not be homogenous in all respects.<br />
<br />
Nowhere else has a people’s identity been more tied to
religion than in the black world?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the
United States, for example,
“92% of African Americans identified themselves as Christians” – (Hutchinson, 2011). Of
course, there are the Afro-centrists who identify with the many Traditional
African Religions, the black Islamists, i.e. the Nation of Islam, the Moorish
Science Temple, etc. This level of religious adherents is also true for the
Caribbean region. Grenada’s population is identified as being 98% Christian,
for example. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the black world, theism
can be found in all forms, and not accepting one sadly places an individual in the absurd category of race traitor.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
Moreover, apart from arguing that religion has always been a
part of the black experience, another reason given for its continuing need is
its claimed use as a tool against oppression. From the African continent to the Americas our ancestors
engaged in struggles against the European colonizers, and in their struggles,
religion certainly played a role. In Haiti, for instance, the Vodoun religion played
a significant part in the Haitians’ struggle for freedom. The Black Church
in the United States
also played a significant role in the struggles of African Americans against
white discrimination. Here, however, is what I think is worthy to note, neither
religion itself nor its God/gods or deities were responsible for the success in
these human struggles. Instead, these
religions simple provided a safe <a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1643214750987392442" name="_GoBack"></a>space and community from which
revolutionaries were protected as they carryout their work. The fact is, “It was the human being who did the work,”
(Lewis, 2012). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br />
<br />
With this understanding, I believe that throughout the
continuing struggle for black liberation, self-identity, sociopolitical and
socioeconomic equality, we, the black population, has missed a noteworthy
lesson. This lesson, despite being virtually ignored, has been significant to
the success of the black struggle.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-05RrZXUlp5M/USjTRHcanyI/AAAAAAAAAq4/XNRW3OH8xmE/s1600/black++flag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="119" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-05RrZXUlp5M/USjTRHcanyI/AAAAAAAAAq4/XNRW3OH8xmE/s200/black++flag.jpg" width="200" /></a>To elucidate what I am talking about here, I am pointing to the
Marcus Garvey Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA), as a case in
point. The UNIA I believe presents us with an obvious, and maybe the best,
picture of my argument. No, I am not asking that we create today a UNIA type
organization. There is I believe no real benefit to racially homogeneous type
organization in a multicultural world. We are living in a global village, where
we are interconnected in diverse ways. However, I am arguing that there is an
intrinsic feature to the movement that allowed it to achieve the successes it
did; the largest mass movement in African history. Indeed, “the Universal Negro
Improvement Association was the greatest and strongest movement ever started
among Negroes” (UCLA African Studies Center).<br />
<br />
Even though Marcus Garvey was, to all accounts, a
religious (Christian) man, and placed his liberation philosophy within a god-based
theistic framework, adopting the motto "One God! One Aim! One Destiny!”
the movement itself embodied a feature of secularism. In that I mean, Marcus
Garvey, unlike the leaders of the many black movements that followed, did not
promote his movement as a religion. Marcus Garvey is recorded as saying that he
had “no time to teach religion” (UCLA African Studies Center). In fact, the
defeat of the UNIA’s Muslims members in 1922 and its Christians members in 1924
from trying to make Islam and Christianity the official religions of the
movement speaks to the intent of building a movement that embodied a secular
characteristic. Despite Garvey’s assertion that black people should view God as
being black, the UNIA members did not have to drop their religion to become a
member. As Garvey said, “our God has no color, yet it is human to see
everything through one’s own spectacles,” (Garvey, 1986).</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
There is no doubt that the massive growth and success of the
UNIA, despite how short lived it may have been, was a result of its secular
nature. If one surveys the black experience after the UNIA, we will notice that
all the liberation movements that followed, failed to eclipse the UNIA although
possessing almost the very same philosophy and goals; for example, Elijah
Muhammad and the Nation of Islam (NOI), Noble Drew Ali and the Moorish Science
Temple of America, Dr. Malachi Z York El and the Nuwaubian nation, and even the
Black Churches that feature Liberation Theology as their manifesto. The problem
here is certainly religion/theism as an identity for the community.<br />
<br />
As I have mention before, we are a diverse group of people. This truth cannot be denied. Thus, designing a
community/society with a specific religious ideology as its identity, be it Euro-centric or
Afro-centric is unhealthy for us and the world in general. Indeed, many of us are believers, but some of us are
not. Some of us are heterosexuals; some of us are not, and list of diversities goes on. We are certainly “<i>at the crossroads of freedom and equality</i>.” As a result, I ask
that as we reminisce on our pass struggles, achievements, and debate on how we
should move forward, remember that an unprejudiced society that embraces and
accommodates all human beings, regardless of sexual orientation, religious
belief, non-belief, color, sex, etc, is most certainly the best recipe for success,
and only a secular humanist society can, I believe, accommodate such a vision. This,
I believe, is the lesson we have missed.</div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-font-kerning: .5pt;"><b>Happy Black History
Month! </b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><b> </b> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02936527748350587828noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1643214750987392442.post-53121415408589080302013-01-06T12:44:00.000-08:002013-02-15T05:20:28.376-08:00Questions Are Not Welcome <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<![endif]--><span style="color: black;"></span><span lang="X-NONE" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">I was in a
conversation with some of my friends last week, and I was told to remember that
the “devil was very knowledgeable.” I was taken aback by this
statement as I had no idea what the devil having knowledge had to do with the
conversation at hand. As a skeptical person</span><span style="color: black;">,</span><span lang="X-NONE" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;"> however, I was curious. How did they know this statement to be true? But
understanding that my friends are believers</span><span style="color: black;">,</span><span style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;"> <span lang="X-NONE">and were </span></span><span style="color: black;">only </span><span lang="X-NONE" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">reiterating their religious beliefs as opposed to stating
objective truth, I was more so interested in understanding why did they make this
statement, in the first place. Interestingly</span><span style="color: black;">,</span><span style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;"> </span><span style="color: black;">and with
some level of expectation, </span><span lang="X-NONE" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">my inquiry into the meaning of the statement was not
met. As a result, I decided to present an explanation, on this forum, as to what I understand this statement to
mean, and why I believe </span><span style="color: black;">my friends opt for its
use</span><span lang="X-NONE" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">. </span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="X-NONE" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">This proclamation, as I have experienced, seems to be</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span lang="X-NONE" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">no stranger to the Grenadian thought process. It</span><span style="color: black;"> is</span><span style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">
<span lang="X-NONE">an assertion that will most likely raise its ugly head during
most discussions on religion and faith. It is normally thrown around
with no explanation, which seems to be a tactic used for psychological effect.
Of course, the assumption is that the participants, in the conversation, are or were believers and understand the meaning and context</span></span><span style="color: black;">.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="X-NONE" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">But, is there a specific time</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span lang="X-NONE" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">in a discussion one can expect this declaration
to surface? The answer is yes. In my experiences, it </span><span style="color: black;">will </span><span lang="X-NONE" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">suddenly come up when
one begins asking probing questions into the religious beliefs of the </span><span style="color: black;">believers. That</span><span lang="X-NONE" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">'s the time when the believers find it difficult to demonstrate their claims</span><span style="color: black;"> to be true, and </span><span lang="X-NONE" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">for th</span><span style="color: black;">is</span><span lang="X-NONE" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;"> reason, I conclude that the proclamation is designed to do these things</span><span style="color: black;">:</span><span lang="X-NONE" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<ol start="1" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">To<span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;"> guilt the person asking the questions
into thinking that he</span> or <span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">she is somehow morphing into an agent of the devil.</span> </span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">It is used in hope to </span>ignite <span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">fear </span>into the<span style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;"> <span lang="X-NONE">person </span></span>asking the probing questions <span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">to stop questioning</span>.<span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">
</span></li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="X-NONE" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">The first point is very important because through it the second point can be achieved..
</span><span style="color: black;">Of course, </span><span lang="X-NONE" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">the assumption here is not that
the person is literally becoming the devil. Instead, the belief is that the
person, by questioning the belief, he or she is displaying, characteristics
normative to the devil’s</span><span style="color: black;">. This is a concept that appears to have been derived from the Abrahamic</span><span lang="X-NONE" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;"> religions – Judaism, Christianity & Islam – </span><span style="color: black;">mythic</span><span lang="X-NONE" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;"> stories</span><span style="color: black;">. Not unlike
where the reasoning behind the concept of “original sin” came from. Eve convinced by a talking snake to eat an apple.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: black;">According to the myth,</span><span style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;"> <span lang="X-NONE">the devil, known as Haylal (The
Cresent/Lucifer) bar Shakhar (Dawn</span></span><span style="color: black;">/Morning</span><span lang="X-NONE" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">) – Lucifer Son of the
Dawn/Morning – aka Sammay’el (Samuel), </span><span style="color: black;">was </span><span lang="X-NONE" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">one of the </span><span style="color: black;">many </span><span lang="X-NONE" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">heavenly angels</span><span style="color: black;">. He</span><span lang="X-NONE" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;"> had possessed great levels
of knowledge</span><span style="color: black;">, and </span><span lang="X-NONE" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">because of his vast intellect, he
rose to number three in his order, behind </span><span style="color: black;">Angel
</span><span lang="X-NONE" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">Miyka’el
(Michael) and </span><span style="color: black;">Angel </span><span lang="X-NONE" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">Gabriy’el (Gabriel). As a result
of acquiring such </span><span style="color: black;">great </span><span lang="X-NONE" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">knowledge, h</span><span style="color: black;">is</span><span style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">
</span><span style="color: black;">ego also bloomed. He </span><span lang="X-NONE" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">became arrogant and wanted to rule
the spiritual (Heaven) and earthly realm</span><span style="color: black;">s</span><span lang="X-NONE" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">, and even going as
far as to question the authenticity of God (El) himself. </span><span style="color: black;">According to the myth, Samuel made claims that the
existence of a supreme ruler of heaven and earth was a fabrication made up by the
top angels to keep their control. </span><span lang="X-NONE" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">With that, he was evicted from heaven, but not before
corrupting 200 other angels, who were also cast out with him. Hence the name Sammay’el,
which means “poison those of El”. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Another
name he was given because of his rebellious nature was Ibliys, which means
“rebellious one</span><span style="color: black;">.</span><span lang="X-NONE" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: black;">This</span><span style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;"> <span lang="X-NONE">story is</span></span><span lang="X-NONE"> </span><span lang="X-NONE" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">without </span><span style="color: black;">a </span><span lang="X-NONE" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">doubt mythology, which seems to
have entered the Judaic </span><span style="color: black;">(and thus Christianity
and Islam) </span><span lang="X-NONE" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">narrative
from the ancient Canaanite myth</span><span style="color: black;">, which</span><span lang="X-NONE" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;"> tells of a minor god
Haylal (Halel) trying to dethrone the supreme god El. Indeed, this story shows that
the devil became such </span><span style="color: black;">not only </span><span lang="X-NONE" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">because </span><span style="color: black;">of his challenge to ruler, but</span><span lang="X-NONE" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;"> became </span><span style="color: black;">of his skepticism and his decision to challenge the status quo.</span><span lang="X-NONE" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">
Hence the connection between knowledge and the devil. The smarter you get, the closer to the devil you become because you are more likely to start asking questionings. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="X-NONE" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">This mythical story no
doubt also influenced the theology set in motion by<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>people like Thomas Aquinas, for instance. </span><span style="color: black;">These are the stories from which their theologies
are based. </span><span lang="X-NONE" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">Aquinas
argued for the assent to God via faith only. He argued that faith supersedes
human reasoning and intellect.</span><span style="color: black;"> Why, because
you can become like the devil by employing the intellect and reason.</span><span style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;"> In other words you will be following your own reasoning and not God's will. <span lang="X-NONE">Aquinas argued that faith (blind faith) is better than reason, and
asserted that blind faith – Christian faith – which is to be accepted without
question, is a far more virtuous action, than using the intellect or reason.</span></span><span lang="X-NONE" style="color: black;"> </span><span lang="X-NONE" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">Thus, apart from these two points mentioned above, </span><span style="color: black;">it is safe to say that another </span><span lang="X-NONE" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">goal of this declaration</span><span style="color: black;">, which I believe is not deliberate,</span><span style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;"> <span lang="X-NONE">is </span></span><span style="color: black;">its ability </span><span lang="X-NONE" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">to kill intellectual curiosity</span><span style="color: black;">, and herein my concerns rest. </span><span lang="X-NONE" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="X-NONE" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">In looking at Aquinas’
discussion of the ethics of belief, George H. Smith writes that “by attributing
unbelief (which is a position attributed to the use of reason and intellect) to
a sinful will, Aquinas stacked the cards against reason by assigning to faith a
superior moral status.” (Smith, 2000)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="X-NONE" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">“To believe requires choice – an act of will – so to believe in God
requires the voluntary assent of faith (blind faith), which is a meritorious
act. Christian belief is praise worthy because it requires that we give our
voluntary assent to doctrines that we cannot prove and, in some case, that we
cannot even comprehend”. (Smith, 2000)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="X-NONE" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">I certainly do not believe
my friends were saying that I should </span><span style="color: black;">kill</span><span lang="X-NONE" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;"> my intellectual </span><span style="color: black;">inquisitiveness</span><span lang="X-NONE" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">. </span><span style="color: black;">I suspect that </span><span lang="X-NONE" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">they too use
reason in other aspects of their lives. </span><span style="color: black;">However,
</span><span lang="X-NONE" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">what they
were certainly telling me </span><span style="color: black;">is </span><span lang="X-NONE" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">that when it comes to
God, I should blindly accept their </span><span style="color: black;">position</span><span lang="X-NONE" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">. However, </span><span style="color: black;"></span><span lang="X-NONE" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">despite their naiveté, by making this declaration, they are unknowingly
supporting, and promoting a view that can</span><span lang="X-NONE" style="color: black;">, </span><span lang="X-NONE" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">and certainly does quell intellectual curiosity. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="X-NONE" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">T</span><span style="color: black;">he statement</span><span lang="X-NONE" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;"> may have had no effect on me</span><span style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;"><span lang="X-NONE">. Imagine, however, the </span></span><i><span style="font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">psychological</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;"> </span></i><span lang="X-NONE" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">effects on young Grenadians – most who are likely to be from the
Christian faith themselves</span><span style="color: black;">. Young people whose
psyches have already been trapped by religious dogmatic teachings of fair.</span><span style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;"> <span lang="X-NONE">The fear of
becoming like the devil. The fear of being thrown into hell by a all powerful God,
for asking some lousy questions. </span></span><span style="color: black;">How can these
young people</span><span style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;"> <span lang="X-NONE">exercise their natural reasoning, and intellect</span></span><span style="color: black;">ual</span><span lang="X-NONE" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;"> abilities</span><span style="color: black;"> in such an atmosphere where bogeymen
runs rampant</span><span lang="X-NONE" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">?</span><span lang="X-NONE" style="color: black;"> </span><span lang="X-NONE" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">This fear of questioning</span><span style="color: black;">, despite being placed in a religious context,</span><span lang="X-NONE" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;"> will no doubt overlap into all other aspects of the</span><span style="color: black;">ir</span><span lang="X-NONE" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;"> lives, and as a
former teacher, the hesitation</span><span style="color: black;"> and/or </span><span lang="X-NONE" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">fear </span><span style="color: black;">exhibited by many of our</span><span lang="X-NONE" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;"> students to ask questions, I
believe, has a direct relation to this irrational thought process. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="X-NONE" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">No doubt, the Hayal story
above, despite being </span><span style="color: black;">a </span><span lang="X-NONE" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">myth, may speak some
truth to reality. In that I mean, some people's egos </span><span style="color: black;">become </span><span lang="X-NONE" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">enlarged as their education level grows</span><span style="color: black;">. They become full with pride; </span><span lang="X-NONE" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">our political systems seems to be populated with such
individuals. </span><span style="color: black;">However, </span><span lang="X-NONE" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">we should encourage
our people to question any and everything. </span><span style="color: black;">Not
blindly succumb to accepted norms. </span><span lang="X-NONE" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">Questioning is one of the most important steps we can
take in our endeavor to acquire knowledge, and in doing so, religion should not
be guarded from being placed on the witness stand. Moreover, remember that equating the acquiring of knowledge with that of being evil is an absurd </span><span style="color: black;">and
dangerous </span><span lang="X-NONE" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">declaration
that </span><span style="color: black;">kills the mind. This is an action that will, no doubt, </span><span lang="X-NONE" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">encourage the growth
of irrational</span><span style="color: black;"> thinking</span><span lang="X-NONE" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">. Something we don’t
need. </span></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02936527748350587828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1643214750987392442.post-40085041100017886112012-12-09T20:34:00.002-08:002013-01-02T10:45:40.831-08:00Too Many Chiefs: Not Enough Indians <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxv_Csz6KywQ4c2x3mREKs0iWixZdd3uGKzT4h2sndY2bpXlSB4zyyldnCXJc3HNTy3jRiItfjxsU_pBBYKobg52LLOPzLlJi7BQAz711TC9JEfIMsFeVg_tnOkPlxWNIssx0oTIbczNjR/s1600/the+boss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxv_Csz6KywQ4c2x3mREKs0iWixZdd3uGKzT4h2sndY2bpXlSB4zyyldnCXJc3HNTy3jRiItfjxsU_pBBYKobg52LLOPzLlJi7BQAz711TC9JEfIMsFeVg_tnOkPlxWNIssx0oTIbczNjR/s200/the+boss.jpg" width="163" /></a>Grenada's political world seems to be
populated with much more chiefs than Indians. Everyone who enters the
political realm appears to think that they are the one uniquely
qualified to run the country. Maybe even ordained by God. I make this
charge because Grenada's politics has always displayed a
characteristic that points towards this complex. This malady has
plagued Grenada in the past and continues to this vary day;
politicians with such narcissism to the point of not being able to
work with others for the betterment of the nation.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
From since the National Democratic
Congress (NDC) took office, there has been reports of infighting. Of
course, the conflicts between these men have always been reported as
“disagreement”, but when dug deeper, who has better ideas, who is
better to run the party and the country, seems to always be the main
underpinnings. My ideas are better than yours, therefore I should be
in control. Just over four years into their reign, Prime Minister
Tillman Thomas has had to sack seven members of his cabinet. The
Grenadianconnection.com reported that, “seven members of the ruling
National Democratic Congress (NDC) including General Secretary Peter
David and trade unionist Chester Humphrey...” According to the
report, cabinet Ministers Joseph Gilbert “was fired for writing to
American investors promising them a casino license without cabinet’s
approval”, while the former General Secretary, Peter David,
resigned from the cabinet citing differences with the Prime Minister
Tillman Thomas.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
What is known, however, is that there
were two factions within the NDC administration. One lead by Peter
David (the expel members), and the other lead by the Prime Minister.
Whatever the reasons for the disagreement between these “bright”
fellows, what happened next speaks to my theory. Days after these
men were sacked, reports came that they had formed a new political
party. “Expelled members of the ruling National Democratic Congress
(NDC) are forming a new political party ahead of general elections…”
reported the Caribbean360.com.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Reading these reports raised one
question in my head, does Grenada need a new political party. No,
really. Do we really need a new political party, and would it have
better governance, if should win the next election, than the one in
power now? I think not. Grenada has seen its fear share of political
parties, and the same idiotic governance always plays out. Indeed,
for a small country, Grenada has overflowed with political parties;
some still active and others went dormant over the years. All of
these parties formed out of “differences” from a previous
established party. Let us step back for a minute.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
There was the <b>Grenada National Party</b>
(GNP), which was established in 1956, headed by former Prime Minister
Herbert Blaize. The GNP was in power from 1957 – 1961, and again in
1962 – 1967. There was also t<span style="font-weight: normal;">he</span><b>
Grenada Federation Labour Party</b> (GFLP), which contested election
in 1957. It lost and lay dormant until 1984, after the revolution.
Independence came in 1974 and saw the ruling of the country go to Sr.
Matthew Eric Gairy and his <b>Grenada United Labor Party</b> (GULP),
which was founded in 1950, and won elections in 1951, 1961, 1967,
1972, 1976. Eric Gairy promoted his party as the party of the poor
people. He was then challenged, and in 1976 the GNP joined with the
<b>United People’s Party</b> (UPP) and the <b>New Joint Endeavor
for Welfare, Education and Liberation</b> (New JEWEL Movement or
NJM), founded in March of 1973 by Maurice Bishop as an apposition
party, to contests the 1976 election. GULP won, but the election was
branded as being fraudulent. Former Prime Minister George Brizan was
a member of the NJM. Also formed in 1973 was the <b>Movement for
Assemblies of the People</b> (MAP), founded by Maurice Bishop.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
In the late 1970s twelve members of the
NJM (AKA “the 12 Apostles”) formed the <b>National Liberation
Army</b> (NLA). Matthew Gairy and his GULP was overthrown by Maurice
Bishop and his NJM, which then become the <b>People’s Revolution
Government</b> (PRG), in 1979. The PRG was an amalgamation of the
NJM, NLA and MAP. The PRG ruled until 1983, when the country was
invaded by the United States. One year after the revolution came the
formation of the <b>Maurice Bishop Patriotic Movement</b> (MBPM),
headed by George Louisan and Kendrick Radix. Radix was an original
member of the NJM, and also a cabinet member of the PRG. The MBPM was
originally a fundraising organization used to raise funds for student
scholarship before becoming an active political party. Then came the
<b>New National Party</b> (NNP), formed in St. Vincent on August
1984, and won the election in 1984. It members included Herbert
Blaize, the leader, Francis Alexis, and George Brizan. The NNP was
a combination of three political parties; Herbert Blaize’s GNP,
<b>National Democratic Party</b> (NDP), headed by George Brizan,
former NJM member, and the <b>Grenada Democratic Movement</b> (GDM),
founded by Francis Alexis, in Barbados. Also contested election
during that time was the <b>Christian Democratic Labour Party</b>
(CDLP), headed by Winston White.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
In April 1984, the NNP formed the <b>Team
for National Togetherness</b> (TNT), which was its banner name.
Infighting led George Brizan and the NDP to defect. NNP then
reinvented itself and adopted the name <b>Team for National Unity</b>
(TNU). In august of 1987, Kenny Lalsingh and Phinsley St. Louis left
the party and formed their own. Then in April of 1987, George Brizan,
Francis Alexis, Tillman Thomas resigned the party. In October 1987
the <b>National Democratic Congress</b> (NDC), which is the party now
in power, was formed. It also ruled the country from 1990 to 1995.
The leader was George Brizan; other members were GDM’s Francis
Alexis, Kenny Lalsingh, Phinsley St. Louis and Tillman Thomas, our
now Prime Minister.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1643214750987392442" name="_GoBack"></a>In 1990 came the
<b>Good Old Democracy</b> (GOD), also known as the Good Old
Democratic Party; formed by Justin McBurnie. GOD is now led by
Francis McBurnie. It contested the 2008 election and received only 3
votes. Things did not stop there, former DGM and NNP member, Frances
Alexis, formed the <b>People’s Labour Movement</b> (PLM). The PLM
joined the GULP in 2008, forming the <b>United Labour Platform</b>
(ULP) to contest the election. Thy only received 0.84% of the vote.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Exhausted yet! I am! This brief time
line showing the advent of that many political parties in this small
island with an estimation of One Hundred and Ten Thousand people
(110,000 ) solidified my argument; “too many chiefs: not enough
indians”. Grenada's politicians have shown their inability to work
together. They are self-indulgent individuals, who see themselves
only as chiefs, rulers and nothing else. This is why they engage
in political party hopscotch; jumping in and out of parties, and if they
don’t get their way, create one.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Grenada has more political parties than
people. I am engage in hyperbole here of course. But I have shown the number of political parties we had or still have. Yet these expelled politicians think it is best to form yet
another. Folks, things will not get better with more political parties. Certainly not! Here is
what we need. We need Grenada's politicians to drop their fucking,
inflated EGOs. Yes, drop the gigantic EGOs they are nursing and learn
to work with each other. If these guys really want to take Grenada into a
better future, then work together. Differences will indeed exist, but forming new political parties is not the way to serve them. Enough political
parties already! SHIT!
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02936527748350587828noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1643214750987392442.post-30234475946982741102012-10-29T21:59:00.004-07:002012-11-03T11:28:19.243-07:00Changing Skin, From One Zombie to a Next <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaR1WA5_4kJrWxHBNIjdG6Afp4Z4vQGuHAwMbzqfgelmPZ-XMfDHi_-eaxWJc8SMd12b0A9Lg3mlhqzqNaGSJeVKtDG6IkNy58m-iTwVgKfR6awP3pOjxl81PSbN-8JdcohEYKW_cYz_JX/s1600/zombie+Jesus+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaR1WA5_4kJrWxHBNIjdG6Afp4Z4vQGuHAwMbzqfgelmPZ-XMfDHi_-eaxWJc8SMd12b0A9Lg3mlhqzqNaGSJeVKtDG6IkNy58m-iTwVgKfR6awP3pOjxl81PSbN-8JdcohEYKW_cYz_JX/s200/zombie+Jesus+1.jpg" width="199" /></a></div>
October is the month of dressing up in
costumes, especially zombie consumes, and “Trick or treating”
from house to house for candy and other treats. It is a fun and festive time especially enjoyed by
children. I am speaking here of Halloween, a celebration that has its roots in the
European Celtic culture, known as Samhain. In its
original form, Halloween marks the end of the harvest season and the beginning
of winter. Of course, Halloween is not a celebrated in the Caribbean, as far as I can remember. Certainly not in Grenada. However, the zombie aspect of Halloween do relates to two aspect of Grenada's culture. Its African past and its Christian present.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The Caribbean is filled with the
presence of Africa. This presence is shown through its people and
what became known as the Caribbean culture. Although Grenada is
virtually 100% religious, with Christians making up about 95% of the
population, the Afro-Grenadian cultural aspect is displayed all the
time, and often go unnoticed by the people. In fact the superstitious aspects of the African culture once
dominated our parents and grand parents minds, dominates the country’s
collective minds to this very day. In fact, they are still believe to be facts.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1643214750987392442" name="_GoBack"></a>Growing up in
Grenada, I witnessed how these superstitious beliefs literally shaped and
dictated the lives of people in my neighborhood. I witnessed, for
example, people being afraid to pass next to cemeteries for fear that
spirits – the deceased/zombies – would emerge from their graves and
cause harm to them. What was interesting, however, is that these fears were built upon
the knowledge that someone before them were taken by these spirits. Of
course, there were no facts or evidence to support these stories. The
fear was built purely on hearsay, and propagated down the line.<br />
The
fear of walking where little or no light shines griped most Grenadians
during those days, and like in the vampire movies, in which the cross
is portrayed as the kryptonite to the vampire, which repels and/or
vanquishes them when placed in front of these creatures, Grenadians developed
prayers, adopted biblical psalms and used curse words, which they
repeated in hopes that these mantras would vanquish away these terrifying
imaginary beings that lurked in these dark places – under large
trees, for instances – awaiting your arrival.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
One such being that dominated the
imagination of Grenadians was the Lougawou (Lugbawoo). This was a
being believed to have been human. However, these Laugawous are believe to be "humans of
questionable character accused of becoming vampires at night,
entering locked doors and assaulting victims while they sleep”- (Murrell, 2010; p.81). At
night these "questionable" humans are accused of removing their skin and take to
the sky looking to feast on the blood of other humans; blood drinking skinless flying
humans. Of course, back in the old days these beings were believe to be real. Everybody was certain that they existed, but no one ever really
laid eyes on one. Today, however, one may be inclined to believe that these
beliefs were left behind. Not so fast. Just last week I was in
conversation with some of my people who insisted that Lougawou,
not only existed then, but still does today; and who are the human
beings accused of being Lougawou. The elderly who is most
often living by his or herself with no family support? I was
surprised when one young lady ensured me that she was certain that her
father was one of these peculiar beings.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Indeed, Lougawou haunted the living in Grenada. However, this is so because Laugawou has always been an
integral part of our African religious past, Obeah. It was an aspect
of our ancestors’ faith that speaks to the belief in “Zombies”,
part of their mythic story. Most of us have come to understand that fact. However, for many Grenadians, this fact matters not. Although many Grenadians today believe that these creatures do exist, they certainly do not accept Lougawou as a benevolent being. Indeed, Laugawou may have been an inhabitant of the malevolent African spirit world, however, these sprites were not view as evil in the same context we have come to learn through Christianity. The dread that Lougawous visited upon the collective
minds of Grenadians was planted by the colonial masters, making “the
practice (of Vodou/Obeah) a primary target for legal regulations and control”- (Murrell, 2010; p.233). They
did not simply try to control Obeah, but they sought to eradicate its
practice because, like the use of the Black church to facilitate the
Civil Rights struggle in the United States, “Obeah facilitated
resistance and revolt among the slaves (in the Caribbean). It
provoked an ideological rallying point in sanctioning rebellion,
afforded meeting places and leaders, and formed a repository for the
collective of the slave by preserving African traditions which could
be opposed to the dominant colonial culture”- (Murrell, 2010; p.233). Thus, the European
branded the African religion evil, and, of course, planted another
zombie myth in its place; the myth of Jesus. And as we did with our African
belief, our parents and grandparents accepted the Jesus mythic story without asking for
any evidence. In fact, they digested the European’s Jesus story so
strong that even today some Grenadians will negatively brand you an
Obeah worker if you are seen with a book that has black images in it.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I remember, for example, being amused by a friend who
humorously informed me that if he did not want any Grenadians to go
close to his house, all he has to do is attach a black doll to a pole
and place it at the front of his house. They will not dare enter his yard. Obeah exists there, they are certain. This certainly sounds funny, but it is
true. Sadly!
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
In addition, most, if not all, Grenadians were obsess with capturing a Laugawo, so they will employ their time in a weird exercise in hopes to do so. Thus, like praying to
Jesus in hopes that he literally assists in changing their conditions, these Grenadians littered their steeps with sand, believing that this was
a legitimate way to capture these blood sucking skinless flying humans. The belief
claims that as a Lougawou approached your house, placing sand on your
steeps, distracted him/her from entering and instead become
preoccupied in trying to count every single grain of sand. As a
result of the Lougawou’s compulsive disorder, its insistence to count every grain
of sand, allows daylight to come upon the creature and thus the homeowner or a passerby to
capture and expose the creature’s identity to the community. This, however, never
happen. The Laugawou eludes us to this day. Why, because its a myth, and so too is the Jesus character. We have merely traded the position of two superstitions;
replaced one zombie story for another. And as we enter into “<b><i>All
Hallows’ Eve</i></b>” or “<b><i>Hallows</i>’<i> Evening</i></b>” (Halloween), which is
derived from the Christian's “<b><i>All Hallows</i></b>” or “<b><i>All Saints Day</i></b>”
(<b><i>Hallowmass</i></b>) celebration, remember that anyone that supposedly comes back from the dead/grave (Acts: 2:24) is a
zombie. However, since this also has never happened and most likely will not, it is safe to brand these stories as mythical stories. Indeed, both Lougawou and Jesus are mythic creatures of the imagination.<br />
Remember that, not only has Jesus came back from the dead, but he also "...said unto them (his followers), verily, verily, I say unto you, except ye eat the flesh of the Son of Man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you" - (KJV John: 6:53) - is this zombie behavior? You decide.<br />
<br />
<b>Happy Hallows' Eve....</b>
</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02936527748350587828noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1643214750987392442.post-66254224583676060532012-09-05T06:17:00.000-07:002012-09-06T08:09:14.582-07:00Wrong Direction<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs2t0_y_OIAE1FNdkrtmiYVIT87J7eyfjc9ujIUTnTdcsMbeI7JccTuwksntXjszjUJXisnDrFkEGHAblqHnd787hwJpYX3297Gn8pnAKddKdmMFEhXVQhdMXQIaeWaAlWTLrKhe4GU0oT/s1600/wrong+way.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs2t0_y_OIAE1FNdkrtmiYVIT87J7eyfjc9ujIUTnTdcsMbeI7JccTuwksntXjszjUJXisnDrFkEGHAblqHnd787hwJpYX3297Gn8pnAKddKdmMFEhXVQhdMXQIaeWaAlWTLrKhe4GU0oT/s200/wrong+way.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
The carnival season is over and, as far as I can tell, the fiesta was enjoyed without any major criminal incidents. As a result, for our safety, we commend the Royal Grenada Police
Force (RGPF) for doing such an outstanding job for keeping the
carnival revelers safe especially coming on the heals of the spike in violent crimes just weeks leading up to the festival.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Within this backdrop, we are reminded that, for a society to function properly, safety is paramount. Societies constantly improve their rules and regulations in an effort to meet
the best collective needs of its people. Since this carnival season has passed without any major incidences; this has pleased us so greatly, constantly sustaining such a safe society should be our major goal moving forward. No! I am not speaking of creating a utopia. I am saying the as a nation, we must find ways so that each citizen, without being restricted or being afraid, can explore and live fulfilling
lives.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Since, however, creating an ideal society with the perfect socioeconomic, political and legal system seems out of reach, societal problems will continue to be with us for sometime or forever. Knowing this means, that finding real solutions to the seemingly inescapable problems that will surface within our society must become one of our main concerns. But, how do we achieve such a goal? Certainly, appealing to pre-enlightenment, dark-ages solutions of appealing to a god or gods, for instance, is not an option. As I have alluded to above, we can accomplish this by each of us accepting our duty to be responsible moral agents - good citizens - and contribute positively to our immediate society and, of course, to the world at large. Kirani James has indeed demonstrated this to us during the past London 2012 Olympic games. This is indeed one way, and a very important one at that; being good for goodness' sake. However, despite each citizen, on an individual and community level, doing his or her part, acting on a national political level is also extremely important. We must seek to be informative citizens and exercise our voting rights in order to place the right people in the positions that are designed to solve the problems we face. Our elected officials must
have the ability to properly diagnose these problems. They must be able to
understand or at least be capable to identify the root causes of societal ills. Thus, we must critically evaluate actions taken by our elected officials at all times.<br />
Take the call put fourth by Her Majesty's Opposition Party, The New National Party (NNP), for National Days of Prayers, as a case in point. As a concerned citizen, I am very interested in knowing whether these elected officials sincerely believe that the prayer option is a real, viable solution to the problems they are trying to solve. In other words, do these officials actually believe, as objective facts, that praying will provide a change in our experience. Can they provide certainty of change. My vote is at stake here! Indeed, the fact that these officials are calling for prayer as a means to solve real problems appears to expose them as not having the slightest
understanding of the source of societal ills. To this position, however, I am desperately trying not to adhere. But this
knee-jerk reaction taken by supposed intelligent men and women in an effort to quell what appears to
be an increase in killings leading up to the carnival celebrations, seems to
confirm my fears. Society's safety must be among our ultimate concerns, but reverting to the old adage of appealing to God as a valid
policy to contend with very real problems isn't very reassuring. Therefore, as a citizen working for the best of my country, here is what I believe the source of some of these crimes are. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Taking the recent crime wave as the point of diagnostic
entry – and I am concerned here with what is normally classified as “crimes of
passion”, a category most of the crimes in Grenada seems to fall into – some
troubling characteristics become apparent. <br />
<br /></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal">The sexual relationship between adult males and teenage females. These relationships are normally built on male control. Indeed, much work is being directed into
preventing child abuse. However, many parents, who suffer financially, continually allow older men, who can provide them with well needed funding, to sexually bond with their underage daughters. As a result, these predators exhibit high level of control over
these young girls. However, if these young girls mature and gain an education
and sort to sever themselves from the illegitimate,abusive relationship, the men becomes angry
and act out in often deadly and gruesome ways. </li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Domestic
violence in almost all cases of these "crimes of passion" are a noticeable factor, and highlights the
relationship between many Grenadians – old and young couples alike. Take the
killing of Marsha Cherman of Pearls, St. Andrew, which happened in August, making her the 4<sup>th</sup> woman to be killed for 2012, as an example.
Her relationship appeared to have been riddled with instances of domestic violence. However, according to police “it’s a problem where we have the victims start the
process (of persecuting the abusers), we encourage them to continue by all means and then they decide
that they should not continue because they would ‘make up.’ (<a href="http://www.spicegrenada.com/index.php/new-today3/new-today-2012/aug-2012/aug-04th-2012/1455-another-woman-murdered" target="_blank">The killing of Marsha Cherman</a>)</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Insecurity. Many of these men exhibit lack of self-confidence, a problem that is
exacerbated when someone losses his or her means of income. This then means that his or her relationship with his wife/husband or girlfriend/boyfriend becomes strained. Indeed, women that find themselves in these situations normally revert to removing themselves from the situation by either getting rid of the husband/boyfriend or sometimes she will secretly cohabit with another, as it appears to have been in Marsh Cherman’s case. Thus, not being able to cope, many of these men because of their insecurities and
inability to cope with rejection react in extremely violent ways. </li>
<li class="MsoNormal">The abuse of alcohol. Grenadians are living in a society where the consumption of alcohol is pervasive. Alcohol use is vigorously promoted in Grenada, leading to its abuse, mostly done by men - both underage young male and adult male- creating a high amount of alcoholics, which contribute to the domestic violence, which certainly leads to other crimes. </li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I am not contending that the points highlighted here are the only aspects that contribute to crimes and other problems. The stellar job done by the RGPF this carnival by ensuring that everyone entering a celebration area was stopped and searched, revealed the melancholy nature of many Grenadians. Hundreds of weapons were found on individuals who certainly intended to cause harm on others. What this shows, is that the human being's ability to personify negative characteristic for no apparent reasons is certainly a factor. But these points I have pointed out here are obvious ones, which, I believe, are the major underpinnings for most of these “crimes of passion”. Moreover, they all seem to point to one common denominator - economics; the lack of sustainable living, and this, my friends, prayer cannot and will not fix. My argument, of course, is not that if we happened
to create a society where one hundred percent employment exists, crimes will
disappear. Certainly not! What I am saying is this; our elected officials are
looking in the wrong direction. I am certain that there cannot and will never be any direct causal effect of positive change on societal problems that can or will be, as a result of prayer. Calypsonian Elimus Gilbert - The Inspector - reminded us in 1989 that we were going the wrong way - the title of one of his calypsos that year. This is a warning, I will argue, is relevant here. This is, the wrong way; we are looking in wrong directions. These officials should stop the knee-jerk
reactions; refrain from engaging
in wishful thinking, and instead, take the time to properly diagnose and understand
the cause of our problems, then real
solutions can be developed. Certainly, as highly religious people, they are moved by their religious faith in their God. However, to invoke the word of the American inventor, journalist, printer, diplomat and statesman, Benjamin Franklin, "<b>the way to see by faith is to shut the eye to reason</b>". </div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02936527748350587828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1643214750987392442.post-56246651579695969432012-08-20T11:21:00.000-07:002012-08-30T12:03:20.201-07:00A Valuable Lesson From Kirani James <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTqvxrc3GrNwMHOr_r5Bze5bMSNX1sovGNYk6zRQS6cSQGtttWLk_n0dEwWXV3S8J3vvQISlGg6SQ_RiJ_ytZKpd0Iom198IRQwQBiS9zdVFXR8d_g_9buihcafnMGv6ieEHq1elS_LBTh/s1600/kireni.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="134" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTqvxrc3GrNwMHOr_r5Bze5bMSNX1sovGNYk6zRQS6cSQGtttWLk_n0dEwWXV3S8J3vvQISlGg6SQ_RiJ_ytZKpd0Iom198IRQwQBiS9zdVFXR8d_g_9buihcafnMGv6ieEHq1elS_LBTh/s200/kireni.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
The Olympics Games are a gathering. The gathering of people, from around the
world, in one place; the displaying of multiple colors that represent different
countries; the adrenaline rushes that
occupied our bodies due to the apprehension of us anticipating the athlete/s
that represented our country win gold, has subsided. The <st1:city w:st="on">London</st1:city> Olympic stadium is empty now, everyone
has headed home. The games are over.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
However, here are some questions I must ask. What is the purpose
of the Olympic? Is it just a gathering of men and women who trained for years
to compete against each other for the purpose of seeing who the best in their
disciplines are? Is it just for capitalists to rain in millions of dollars
after blocking out local entrepreneurs from cashing in on the flow of tourists?
Or, is it an arena designed for countries (the Superpowers) to demonstrate
their strength via human beings? Indeed, explicit from the <st1:city w:st="on">London</st1:city>
games, was the comparing of the <st1:city w:st="on">London</st1:city>
opening ceremonies with that of the Chinese’s (Beijing 2008). Mine (Democracy)
vs. yours (Communism). Also the counting of the number of medals won by each
country was what the media (CNN, MSNBC etc.) became occupied with. Is this what the Olympics are all about? Who
wins what, and how much, or is there something greater about the Olympic than just
individuals showing of their agility, their speed, and their strength etc. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The beginning of the Olympic Games is dated to 776 B.C.
(Before the Common Era), in <st1:country -region="-region" w:st="on">Greece</st1:country>.
The games were held in honor of the god <i>Zeus</i>.
It was a showground for the winner to confirm, his or her connection to the gods,
the Olympians. Women raced, for instance, to win a position as the priestess of
the goddess <i>Hera</i>, or to prove their
worthiness to participate in temple rituals. In addition, the Olympics were
used as an opportunity to spread the Greek Hellenistic culture. In essence, the
Olympics, in its early Greek years, was a politically, as well as a religiously
driven festival.<br />
Today, however, these athletes participating in the games do
not have to display their talents to validate their connection to gods or
goddesses, nor do they compete to secure participating in temple rituals. Despite
this, however, the politicizing of the Olympic Games remains today a reality. Over
the years of the modern games, the world has witnessed, in the 1930s, for
example, Nazi Germany’s use of this arena to promote its racist idea of Aryan
superiority. Despite women participating in the early Greek games, it became a
male dominated festival, women was deliberately restricted from participating.
It was not until the 1900 games women were allowed to participate. This 2012
Olympic Games has seen countries, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Brunei, that had
prevented women from participating in the games lift their restriction; a step
forward for women rights and human rights. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
These truths may have been the last things on the
minds of those who gather, in their homes or in the Olympic stadium, to view the
games. Instead, focus may have been on how spectacular the opening ceremonies would
have been; on the glitter, and the glamour of it all. Some spoke of how their
soul was moved by the opening ceremonies and the pre-show. Others may have been interesting
in the chiseled physiques of the male athletes’ and/or that of the well-formed
females’. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I too enjoyed the games. I was moved by the spectacular displays
of the opening ceremonies in London 2012 and also in the one held in Beijing 2008. Moreover, I
admired and enjoyed the athletes displaying their incredible talents in these
various disciplines. However, despite all of this, as I sat steering at my Tele,
I could not help but feel that I, and the many other people around the world, were
assembled, in person or via television, for one reason and one reason only; to
reaffirm something greater – which is humanity, and this, I believe, is the real meaning of
the Olympic Games. This is the message, I maintain, we should take away from the games. The message of Humanism. In fact, this very message is reaffirmed by the athletes themselves, via their camaraderie, and
love they display towards each other despite the competition. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So, what does humanism mean? In essence, “It (humanism) is
above all an affirmation of the greatest common value we human beings have: the
desire to live with dignity, to be good” (p. xiii Epstein, Greg), and this
desire to live with dignity and be good was fascinatingly on displayed during
the London 2012 Olympic games via the action of our very own (Grenadian) Kirani
James. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinkX6GzSzDCc90G7hyDns2CLzNyqipg1TkYZJn-pHg1FcYtyWQPhP09IxqL2XyTpo_6gOPq4WAkYA790pGpKxjKPCnWsvjWDdszVPolr8opml_p9eMW4-BnlAkiR1zAj4xfCOUiT2GfCgu/s1600/KERANI+EMBRACE++OSKAR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinkX6GzSzDCc90G7hyDns2CLzNyqipg1TkYZJn-pHg1FcYtyWQPhP09IxqL2XyTpo_6gOPq4WAkYA790pGpKxjKPCnWsvjWDdszVPolr8opml_p9eMW4-BnlAkiR1zAj4xfCOUiT2GfCgu/s200/KERANI+EMBRACE++OSKAR.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifV9zTQamiPT4a_lAOLU4lQlZcR91mFlz0iBspEcDXx6wpZEihtUqiXK4CZXGfP3RVEV_NmLQCwN1LUeakOWbx9Y7uFYMpbnM88jdv4jMDzwU4u5ZzTdausI8TDX5a0IeGFQUzkvnK9RVe/s1600/Oscar+Pistorius.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="141" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifV9zTQamiPT4a_lAOLU4lQlZcR91mFlz0iBspEcDXx6wpZEihtUqiXK4CZXGfP3RVEV_NmLQCwN1LUeakOWbx9Y7uFYMpbnM88jdv4jMDzwU4u5ZzTdausI8TDX5a0IeGFQUzkvnK9RVe/s200/Oscar+Pistorius.jpg" width="200" /></a>No doubt, Mr. James did himself and our country extremely proud,
indeed; winning, for the country, its first Olympic medal; certainly an
extraordinary achievement. It was a delight to witness this young 19-year-old
man displayed such talent. Despite showing the emotional energy that came with achieving his goal, as all athletes does, Mr. James, however, did not just become lost in the
moment of achieving the prize every competitor in the 400meters coveted, the
gold medal. No! Mr. James remained abstemious, clear headed and instead stepped over, and
congratulated by extending the warmth of love by embracing and shaking the hand of every one of the competitors. In
fact, the humanistic gestures extended by Mr. James to the South African
athlete, Oscar Pistorius – a double amputee – of, not only exchanging tag names
with Pistorius, but also embracing the South African athlete and hailing him the
motivator for Mr. James to continue on should certainly have a profound
influence on the world; certainly, a display of the Olympic ideal.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Kirani James has reaffirmed to <st1:country -region="-region" w:st="on">Grenada</st1:country> and the
world the spirit of love; the essence of humanity. He has demonstrated the true
essence of the human being; the drive to be good, the drive to love. He has
reminded the world that we must embrace humanity - each other - regardless of differences. Furthermore,
Mr. James has demonstrated that “we cannot afford to wait until tomorrow or
until the next life to be good, because today – the short journey we get from
birth to death, womb to tomb – is all we have” (p. xiii Epstein, Greg). Great job
Kirani James! You deserve the Olympic <i>Kotinos </i>- the Olive Wreath - of humanity (the <i>Kotinos</i>
was made from olive lives from sacred olive trees grown near the <st1:placetype w:st="on">temple</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename w:st="on">Zeus</st1:placename>
at <st1:city w:st="on">Olympia</st1:city> which was use to crown Olympic
winners in <st1:country -region="-region" w:st="on">Greece</st1:country>).
Thumbs up! </div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02936527748350587828noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1643214750987392442.post-66630880378087919742012-08-04T14:34:00.001-07:002012-08-07T05:04:20.063-07:00Prayer is Not What Grenada Needs<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbjeW-0ZvO32HiJwcZYCfH91KlINVOdF2nAyWfXpPBCAXUsu3l28ZBZ2DdMBq9FF4Z2MUzQBfGTARAXoRlxu-H7gR_2oFCuDpKHFaCX3LVc2Zyjtsr7qWFxngNIEopC1R77_SC8JVNm7Hw/s1600/prayer+hand.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbjeW-0ZvO32HiJwcZYCfH91KlINVOdF2nAyWfXpPBCAXUsu3l28ZBZ2DdMBq9FF4Z2MUzQBfGTARAXoRlxu-H7gR_2oFCuDpKHFaCX3LVc2Zyjtsr7qWFxngNIEopC1R77_SC8JVNm7Hw/s200/prayer+hand.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
Religion is a human invention. Originally developed, it
appears, to calm the fears of our early humans ancestors. It gave them a sense of security in
an insecure,and uncertain world. It was the end result of the attempt by early man and woman to answer pressing questions early humans had about the environment around them. Who is
responsible for creating the hurricanes, the monsoons, the volcanoes etc.?, and how
can they petition that person or persons to stop sending these devastating disasters their
way? Our ancestors thought long, and hard, eventually deciding that
communicating to the "God" or "gods" in charge via ritual, sacrifice and even prayer as the ideal ways to appease him or them. This, however, was then. We have now matured to gain understanding about the workings of hurricanes, tornadoes, volcanoes, etc.
Today we (humanity) have and continue to develop real solutions to many real dangers. Not that we are totally safe from these natural disasters, but we are
today better prepared to deal with them. For instance, we've created building
materials that can better withstand the natural weather and have come up with
ways to alert ourselves of arriving disasters. We now understand that sickness is not caused by evil spirits entering the human body and, therefore must be
exorcised or prayed over to be healed. No! We have developed medical science.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq5e8nKc1WzDUf5ZhqChjmO_vCCT1lq-T4kAbDaHCtENTb4y6_UHDadamugf6QMoCSvbdHAofv9DjB2Sbe5w_fveDa2twVVZQGRMRG0V79cyhuHElj5PXN3oDgnxyyYwNvKpqAOdDr4JWM/s1600/perayer+don%2527t+work.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq5e8nKc1WzDUf5ZhqChjmO_vCCT1lq-T4kAbDaHCtENTb4y6_UHDadamugf6QMoCSvbdHAofv9DjB2Sbe5w_fveDa2twVVZQGRMRG0V79cyhuHElj5PXN3oDgnxyyYwNvKpqAOdDr4JWM/s200/perayer+don%2527t+work.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
Yes, indeed, I say all this to establish this fact, prayer does
not work. Unless, of course, one views praying as a motivating tool; an energy
booster, which works not unlike how sport athletes using chants (or even prayer) to
mentally prepare themselves and focus on the task at hand before engaging in a competition. Praying for one’s
condition to be changed and not literally sorting out a real solution to the
problem, guarantees the problem to remain the same. As Christianity is concerned,
this truth is evident in the Faith Healing Christian community of today. Every
year innocent children are left to die by parents denying their children
medical attention because the parents are invested in an irrational belief that
says praying and having faith in God will ensure their children better health.
They never do heal if the truth be told. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In light of these facts, come Saturday August 4, 2012 and
Sunday August 5, 2012, the Political leaders of the New National Party, as
presented in an article published in the online Grenada news network <i>Spicegrenada.com</i>, entitled <a href="http://www.spicegrenada.com/index.php/politics/299-jul-2012/1446-new-national-party-calls-for-national-days-of-prayer-and-reflection" target="_blank">The National Party Calls for National Days of Prayer and Reflection</a>, are designating the mentioned days
as national days of prayer and reflection for our nation because of the recent
increase in violent crimes. Whether these people view prayer as the real
solution to the problem, I don’t know. It seems to be a stretch to conclude
that they do. On the other hand, they are, as the Faith Healing Community,
vested in their faith, and, based on the article, it appear to suggest that
they do believe that by praying God will be move to heal Grenada from the
crimes. In fact, to convince themselves and others that they are taking the
correct action, the outrageous claim that Grenada is a Christian Country was
made. As if by verbalizing this false aphorism, God is now required to help.
Hold up a minute. Do they mean that Grenada is a theocracy? The last time I
checked we had a secular constitution that protects the right of all Grenadians
to have “the right to freedom of c<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1643214750987392442" name="_GoBack"></a>onscience and religion.
This right includes freedom to maintain or to change one’s religion or beliefs,
and freedom to profess or disseminate one’s religion or belief, either
individually or together with others, in public or in private”. We are not a Christian nation, period.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Indeed, Grenada does have a problem with violent crime, and
this problem is increasing. We certainly cannot let crime become synonymous
with our lovely Spice Island. Real responses to the problem, by our leaders,
however, have been wanting. It is not so much that our political leaders lack
the ability to present meaningful solution to the problem. No! The problem
seems to be deeply rooted in their belief in a messianic savior. The belief
that someone will come that takes care of their problems. All one has to do is
ask; “pray for it”. In addition, we are direct, through the article, to Psalm
121:1, as if to guarantee that what they are proposing will certainly work.
“Truly, there is no better place but in the Lord to find deliverance”, the
article boasts. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Reading this article troubled me deeply. We are asked to
place our sureness in wishful thinking. More so to trust in a group of people
who believe that prayer can and will solve our country’s crime problems. I
don’t know about you, but I can’t. This is not a solution to the problems. This
activity is not unlike flipping a coin and trusting that the problem magically
vanishes. This strategy is not planted in reality.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Grenadian leaders have to stop the pussyfooting around and
really engage in developing real strategies to tackle the problem. Stop playing
politics and develop actual solutions to this very real problem. Of course, I
am not calling for these men clothed in long dresses not to engage in prayer in
the privacy of their homes or churches (in their closet), but for these
politicians to literally accept this as a genuine approach to fighting crime is
ridiculous. If this assertion is correct, then they are men and women not fit for public office. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Look, let’s be for real, Grenada’s crime problem did not
come about because people stopped going to church or stopped praying. It is
because of what you the politicians did or didn't do. Yes, you guys did and are doing a lousy job. The New National
Party (NNP) government (Yes, the prayer party) handed an almost bankrupt country to the incoming
National Democratic Congress (<st1:stockticker w:st="on">NDC</st1:stockticker>)
government. Today with a failing world economy, Grenada has seen huge job
losses adding to the already double digit unemployment. So instead of calling
for Grenadians to bow their heads and close their eyes to the problem, create
jobs, build an education system accessible to all Grenadians; create an
economic system that fosters social upward mobility. Step up and stop allowing
big business and big banks from operating unregulated.<br />
<br />
"Two government backbenches ... vote with members of Her Majesty's Opposition (The New National Party - NNP) to block an amendment to the Insurance Amendment Bill which seeks to protect the Grenadian population against fraudulent activity in the financials services sector." <a href="http://www.grenadianconnection.com/Grenada/ViewNews.asp?NID=8850&CID=15004&TC=192&EP=183&yr=2012&Cat=0000" style="font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">More</a><br />
<br />
Please do your job and protect
the people from being robbed by these "plutocrats and oligarchs"(in the spirit of Professor Cornell West). The problem is
not that Grenadians are not praying enough. On the contrary, Grenadians are
spending so much time with their hands clasped and eyes closed asking for a
messianic fairy godfather, sky daddy, to fix their problems, that they forget
they have the wits to solve their problems themselves. Let NNP know that Grenada does not need wishful thinking.
Grenada needs actual solutions.<br />
A proposed solution - <a href="http://spiceislandatheist.blogspot.com/2012/03/revolution-of-mind-way-forward-for.html" target="_blank">The way forward for Grenada and Grenadians</a> </div>
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02936527748350587828noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1643214750987392442.post-91899736738818984062012-07-19T10:33:00.001-07:002012-07-20T17:04:10.856-07:00Black Folk Don’t: “Do Atheism”–Really?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
This video presents some interesting views on black people and their relationship to atheism. It is indeed true that religiosity and black people seems to be inseparable. However, there is an deep free-thought and atheism history within the black experience. This truth has been written-out from our historical experience and the religious aspect became the one most loudly promoted. Now, people like professor <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthony_B._Pinn" target="_blank">Anthony Pinn </a>has been bringing back to light that atheistic and free-thought thought process, which has always been an aspect of black history. I am troubled, however, by Melissa Harris-Perry's equation of atheism to believing that nothing exist. Not only is this statement not true, it is ambiguous and promotes false assumptions of what Atheism is. I am also troubled by Pinn's description of Black Non-Theist Humanism as being <a href="http://spiceislandatheist.blogspot.com/2011/11/book-review-by-these-hands-documentary.html" target="_blank">RELIGIOUS</a> in his writing. </div>
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/DLF2H8jigPc" width="400"></iframe></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02936527748350587828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1643214750987392442.post-68814135062428795332012-07-01T07:30:00.003-07:002012-08-04T14:36:59.377-07:00Are The Poor Being Locked-out From Higher Education In Grenada?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglMXim-7TJLDbzKU6QeW8ThKtk3pLmFj6zLMI603NegXHDkHIvsw_YxMzb1qxi6vgCGssZDsrZbjjoq4S4AOLwnWgo1ZP_LipNsLL5fSZuAJCnxGjYoruhkbeTrMYsvGXowYrnrWdleRKc/s1600/gruadation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglMXim-7TJLDbzKU6QeW8ThKtk3pLmFj6zLMI603NegXHDkHIvsw_YxMzb1qxi6vgCGssZDsrZbjjoq4S4AOLwnWgo1ZP_LipNsLL5fSZuAJCnxGjYoruhkbeTrMYsvGXowYrnrWdleRKc/s200/gruadation.jpg" width="199" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There is no denying that that the
education level one receives from T. A <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Marryshow</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Community College</st1:placetype></st1:place>
has improved over the years, and it is true that as the quality of a product
improves, so too is the cost of acquiring it. The question is, however, why level
this tuition hike now, given the state of the economic condition of the
country. According to a survey completed in 1999, (<a href="http://www.pnuma.org/sids_ing/documents/National%20Reports/Grenada%20Final%20Assessment%20Report.pdf" target="_blank">Grenada National Report OnSustainable Development</a>) <st1:country -region="-region" w:st="on">Grenada</st1:country>
has an unemployment rate of 15 percent, and, among the poor, the unemployment
figure is as high as 20 percent. In fact, the experts believe that this 1999
poverty profile numbers have not improved, and is negatively affected by the
now global economic downturn we are facing, pushing the unemployment number
even higher. So, in light of these facts, what does this tuition hike means,
and how will it affects the country?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In her dissent to the hike, shadow
cabinet minister for education, Mrs. Delma Thomas, as reported by the online
news network, <a href="http://www.grenadianconnection.com/Grenada/ViewNews.asp?NID=8830&CID=15004&TC=166&EP=163&yr=2012&Cat=0000" target="_blank">Grenada Connection</a>, said that she is concern about, “the impact
that the increase will have on the ability for many parents to send their
children to the institution, and consequently on the access to higher education
by large numbers of the nation’s young people, particularly those who reside in
rural areas and whose parents will not be able to afford these new fees in
addition to the already high costs, including transportation, books, and
materials, food and other related services.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This is certainly not an
overstatement. Mrs. Thomas’ voice is certainly planted on real concerns.
College tuition was already high, locking out many students, most coming from
the countryside, from acquiring a higher education. I was one of these rural
youths who were unable to attend <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">T.A</st1:placename>
<st1:placename w:st="on">Marryshow</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Community
College</st1:placetype></st1:place>. Indeed, many of us wanted to. However,
the lack of funds prevented it. The 1999 Poverty Assessment Survey “analy[z]ed
the education sector and found that the educational attainment of the
population is generally low with correspondingly low-level educational
certification and socio-economic status.” “The data revealed that 64 percent of
the population has no form of education certification and the lack of
certification is higher among the poor than the non-poor.” These are real
issues the college should have taken into consideration before agreeing to this
hike in tuition. Mrs. Thomas is right that, “these increased fees will only
serve to increase the financial burden on the backs of many parents in a time
of economic recession”. Thus it will certainly decline the number of our young
people that is able to acquire a higher education. This will be bad for our
country.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<b>A SOLUTION </b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I am in agreement with Mrs. Thomas’
point, that in light of this tuition hike, the government must step in and do
something. We are speaking of the country’s future, here. Thus, some form of
assistance must be given to those students affected by this tuition hike. This
solution, however, I see as a short term fix. The college will, in the future,
most certainly hike its tuition price. So I am proposing a solution that I
think is a long term one. This step I think should have been taken a long time
ago. A plan that will, not restrict the college from hiking its prices, but
will, I believe, help students from poor families in rural areas cut back on
the additional cost they must pay in pursuit of higher learning. I am speaking
here of taking the college to the poor. I am calling on our government to build
a campus in the north of the country, St. Patrick, for instance, so that the
rural area students can cut the cost of transportation and/or housing. Indeed,
the traveling back and forth, and/or paying for housing in the city, adds
tremendous pressure on these poor young people struggling to obtain an
education. This I believe is of utmost important for <st1:country -region="-region" w:st="on">Grenada</st1:country> as we sought to improve the
condition of all citizens.</div>
<br />
<br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02936527748350587828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1643214750987392442.post-75859531274576664182012-06-17T19:23:00.001-07:002013-01-09T05:25:57.379-08:00Is The Church a Waste Of Time?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="background-color: white;">My Grenadian Christian friends wanted
to know what my thoughts on the Church were. Do I view the “Church”
as a waste of time, I was asked, in a recent conversation. Here is my
attempt to answer this question. First, however, let’s find out
what is a Church.</span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>WHAT IS A CHURCH?</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
What my friends actually meant by
“Church”, I do not know. Thus, my answer will be based upon what
I understands the common theological usage of the word Church to be,
and, keep in mind, that this also depends. The meaning of the word Church normally
depends on the context of use. As a result, this question, I believe,
cannot simply be given a yes or no answer. It depends on what my
friends meant to denote by the use of this word, and since I have no
idea, I will put forth a long answer, but hopefully a lucid one.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Here are some meanings Webster assigns
to the word Church.
</div>
<ol>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
All Christians regarded as a
spiritual entity</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
A building for public and esp.
Christian worship
</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
A congregation</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
A public religious service
</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
A Christian denomination
</div>
</li>
</ol>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
(<i>Webster’s II New Riverside
Dictionary – Revised Edition</i>).
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
There are two features to the word
Church presented by Webster. Only one, however, I think really speaks
to what my friends may have been referring to by posing this
question. First, the word Church is sometimes defined as the building
where Christians congregate for worship. This common held definition,
however, has its opponents amongst the believers. It is normally
criticized as not truly capitalizing the accurate essence of what a
Church is. The critics argue that a building is not and cannot be the
Church, nor can the Church be a location. On the other hand, the
definition that all believers appear to affirm as speaking to the
true essence of the word Church is embodied in what Webster termed,
‘a congregation’. What then does this means? It means that the
believers are speaking about people, human beings; a community of
people who share the same faith and/or worship together. This
community of people is often described as an assembly of believers
called out from the world by God to live under his laws; or simple,
the “Body of Christ”, as stated in Ephesians 1:3
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THIS “BODY OF
CHRIST”?</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Now that we have an understanding of what I
believe my friends meant by the word Church, one must ask, what is
the purpose of the Church. Indeed, understanding the Church’s purpose is
essential to answering the question posed. We are told that the “Body
of Christ”, which I will use interchangeable for the word Church,
does have a purpose. One that is twofold. We are told that one
aspect of the Church is to bring together people of the same beliefs
to experience religious ecstasy. In other words, it brings them together for worship.
The other is to spread the teachings of the Church; ministering to
the message of the “Body of Christ”, not only to the adherents of
the faith, but more so, to nonbelievers. As the Christian God (Jesus)
commands them, “follow me, and I will make you become fishers of
men”, (in other words, Jesus is sending them into the world to make
believers of those who aren't) – Mark 1:17.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
This twofold purpose of the Church open up a window into which one can take better look at the Church. The twofold purpose tells us that the Church is made-up of two layers merged together,
but are distinct from each other, as will be demonstrated. There is the
theistic layer. This is the ideological part of the “Body of
Christ”; the dogma. This is the layer that designs the Church’s
worldview, and influences how it relates to the wider world. Then
there is the community; the societal comradeship experienced by
people coming together. The important factor we must understand
concerning these two layers is that, despite making up one body, they
both flow from very different sources or stream. Thus, separating and
identifying these two sources is another essential aspect to
answering this question.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
With this in mind, I am arguing that,
in the context of community, the social comradeship aspect of the
Church is not a waste of time. It certainly help meets the social
needs of the people making up that congregation; family, community,
and this aspect of Church, contrary to what many believers may think,
does not flow from its theistic source. Instead, it most certainly
comes from the human being’s own humanity; our natural need to
socialize.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
On the other hand, it is indeed the theistic aspect of
the Church these human beings found common and thus, gather around it. Therefore, the idea that community is an aspect of religion, from which
unbelievers should learn, is certainly misleading, I believe. Think
about it, if the there is a devil (the concept of a being called a devil is also mythology), and there are people who adhered
to its ideology; then the devil and his buddies will certainly have
something in common to rally around, thus creating a community; a
community of like-minded people, in which they will also be looking
out for the benefit of each other. Thus, we will no doubt also see a
humanistic layer as a characteristic of this group. This means that we
are looking at something natural to the human being. We are social
beings and minus the religion, social comradeship will still be part
of humanity. Humans will always find something in common to socialize
around. Even though we act in our individual interest, humans do have
that need to socialize for many reasons – ensuring his/her gens
lives on, for instance. In fact, being a part of a larger community
enhances the individual odds of surviving. As a consequence, humans
tend to be inherently kind to each other, hence, the humanistic aspect
of the “Body of Christ”. The question, however, is, can this
humanistic aspect of the Church be extended outside of itself?</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>THE “BODY OF CHRIST” IN THE
COMMUNITY</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
This, I think not. Of course, there are
some individuals who normally break the cycle of fear and venture
across borders engaging in humanist work. This indeed gives me hope
that we can build a better society, inclusive of all. However, I am
speaking not of individuals but of the Church, as a whole. You know,
the “Body of Christ”. As I have shown, because religion is a
human construct, the humanistic aspect of it becomes evident.
However, it only serves the clan and most often does not cross
cross-pollinate. It remains hedged in within the particular faith.
As the “Body of Christ” began to internalize its theistic
doctrine, it normally suppress this natural humanist nature. In fact, the
believers, operating under the dictates of their God, often recoils at
whoever refuses to accept their worldview, typically becoming
verbally and/or physically abusive towards them.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The theistic aspect of the Church
generates an Us vs. Them environment. Those who refuse to conform to
the worldview of “Body of Christ” become the other; the enemy;
the devil. Religion creates fallacious competition for space, and
other resources, etc. Not unlike politics. It suppresses the innate
nature, in most cases, for the human being to be good. It takes
otherwise good people and makes them bad. For these reasons, I am arguing the Church to be a waste of time.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
In fact, the trouble with the Church
doesn’t stop there. The Church stifles the communities of economic
growth. For example, the Church operates tax free and normally occupy
the best real-estate locations, killing the prospect for start-up
business and tax revenue. In the United States, for instance, the
house (storefront churches) in which the “Body of Christ” meets,
literally litters each block. These storefront churches are
everywhere; three or four per block, yet the socioeconomic maladies
in these locations are chronic and are becoming ever more so (Read the
book, <i>Moral Combat – Black Atheists, Gender Politics, and the
Values Wars - </i>by Sikivu Hutchinson). “Some debate whether having so
many nonprofit, tax-exempt entities on commercial properties is
hurting the tax base and standing in the way of job creation”
(Moral Combat: Hutchinson, Sikivu, p. 71). In fact, “some storefront churches
adamantly oppose development that would lead to job creation because
it might jeopardize their low rent” (Moral Combat: Hutchinson, Sikivu, p. 71). In
addition, the power holders, who normally do not live in these
dilapidated communities, of the “Body of Christ”, operate much
like vacuums, sucking the last cent from the people’s pocket. This
is true of both storefront churches and the mega churches that teach
the doctrine of prosperity. Only the power structure really prospers.
Not the people, nor the community.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1643214750987392442" name="_GoBack"></a>As I conclude, I
must note that the “Body of Christ” does sometimes have common
goals with the larger community. There are indeed shortcomings that
affect the society at large, around which the Church and the
community both rally. Slavery, for instance, comes to mind. The Civil
Rights Movement in the United States is another. However, I must say
that these are mere flashes of an aspect of the “Body of Christ”
we would all like to be permanently displayed on the surface.
However, the Church is normally more interested in its dogmas, and
will often suppress its humanistic characteristic in favor for these dogmatic teachings. Doing this then
alienates those that is different, but are willing to work together
to help build a better community, inclusive of all. In fact, no where else is this alienation pervasive and overt than in the black
community. Dr. Pinn writes
that, “Humanism has been viewed as a hostile adversary, intent to
exterminating religion in general and black Christian’s theism in
particular, and it becomes clear why the black church would not be
anxious to nurture a potential serpent in its own household.”
(By These Hands: Pinn, Anthony, p.33)
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02936527748350587828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1643214750987392442.post-26923665854986057392012-05-26T11:36:00.000-07:002012-05-28T07:43:33.602-07:00Man Admitted to Hospital for Kidney Stone, Discovers He's a Woman<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="background-color: white;">A </span><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:state w:st="on">Colorado</st1:state></st1:place><span style="background-color: white;"> man who was admitted to the
hospital for a kidney stone received surprising news when the nurse came back
with test results revealing he was actually a woman</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<st1:city w:st="on">Denver</st1:city>
photographer Steve Crecelius said he's felt a little different all his life.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"When I was about 6 years old, I started having these
feminine feelings, but that was in the '60s. Wearing my mom's makeup, I thought
I looked pretty," Crecelius told ABC News.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So when he went to the emergency room five years ago, he
wasn't too shocked when the nurse told him she found traits of both genders in
his ultrasound results.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He was intersex, meaning he had both male genitalia and
internal female sex organs.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"The nurse is reading the ultrasound and says, 'Huh,
this says you're a female,' Crecelius said.”It was very liberating. I had spent
so much energy after the age of 13 constantly evaluating how people looked at
me and acted towards me."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">Steve, who now
goes by "Stevie," said his wife and their six children accepted his
new identity right away. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<span style="font-size: 10.5pt;"><a href="http://gma.yahoo.com/blogs/abc-blogs/man-admitted-hospital-kidney-stone-discovers-hes-woman-110057308--abc-news-health.html" target="_blank">Read the entire story </a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>COMMENTARY:</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This story is a testament to the reality of human life. It speaks
to the range of differences that lies between each human being. Our individual uniqueness. Each individual is different;
unique, in his or her own way, and that should be respected always. This story should serve as a reminder that we should not pass judgement. We should not assume, especially basing that assumption on
some ancient text, that what someone physically resembles (male or female) is
what he or she is. We should not base our assumptions on these so-called holy books, books that failed
to recognize actual reality. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Indeed, I must confess that reading Stevie's story jerked my memory back
to a young individual from my country. He was affectionately known as “Look-Up”. This individual, at a very
young age, used to dress in female clothing, lipstick, etc, and carried himself
as a female. Sadly, even the name "Look-up" was meant to poke fun on how his physical, and behavioral characteristics, for his face was always facing the sky. Who knows, this might have been an attempt not to face his tormentors face to face. Indeed, there were more individuals like "Look-Up" back home, who saw themselves as females trapped in male bodies. I could only imagine the pain these innocent youth had to endure. We, the community, ridiculed these individual and others like him. He was constantly
teased and make fun off, bullied. This is the evil, the insensitivity that stems from
ignorance. Worse yet, this ignorance is continually fueled by so-called “Holy” books, and their promoters. People who
claim to have special and privileged connection to the God that supposedly "inspires" the writings in these books. It is a shame! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If this story teaches you, those whose worldview is glued to the pages of so-called "holly" books, anything, let it be that you must stop basing your worldview on these primitive, narrow spectrum
books. Embrace a wider worldview of humanity and celebrate its rich diversities. Enlighten
yourselves and understand that people like “Look-Up” have not personally made a
choice to be who they are. They are naturally that. By Nature. It is biology. Not a personal
choice, made. Help build a better society, a world community that accepts and respects all of humanity. </div>
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02936527748350587828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1643214750987392442.post-25095731613758542322012-05-07T12:54:00.003-07:002012-05-09T11:49:22.041-07:00A Stimulus Package From The Angles<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I recently attended a lecture given by a prominent Afrocentric leader. It was my first lecture attended after being rejuvenated. Or after I had morph into becoming Kepra. By that I mean, after I had emerged, or risen into a new day, restored. Crossing Rasta. That is, I have crossed that imaginary line (or Rasta) that separate dogma and irrational thinking and steeped into the new world of rationality, reason and reality. So to speak. And man, was this lecture tedious to listen to. My head was about to explode listing to the mas pseudoscience and irrationality the audience was expected to accept as facts, and they did. The gullibility of the people in attendance was staggering. I never thought it was that bad. Indeed, I was to up-close before, as one who adhered to, at some extent, these ideas. I can see now why Afro-centrism writers like Marimba Ani forcefully argues that the Afro-centrism herd should not employ "objective" nor "critical" cognitive thinking skills (<i>Yurugu - An Afrikan-centered Critique of European Cultural Thought and Behavior)</i>. It is the white man cognitive mindset, Ani argued. Black people should not employ these cognitive tools in their thinking. Really! Well then, I gess that I will have to betrayed my people. In fact, this is the charge made against those that distance themselves from these absurd Afro-centrism ideas. Those who opt to ascent to rationality and reason. This same charge is made against those who reject the Euro-centric base Black church (Christianity in general). This charge is nevertheless a small price to pay. For if you choose not to employ these cognitive functions and side with people like Marimba Ani, you will definitely fall for the garbage peddled by these charlatans, as demonstrated in the lecture.<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Indeed, the lecturer did not have to try hard to convince the attendees of the absurdities he taught since, by observation, everyone in attendance appears to have been hardcore believers. They all agreed with the lecturer, for example, that science proclaim man to have had evolved directly from monkey. I don't see monkeys changing into man today, the lecturer scornfully joked. Everyone bust-out in laughter, convinced they all had it right. </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I did not stay for the entire lecture, however. I could no longer listen to these, to be quite frank, garbage. However, the intermediate period was even more hilarious. During this period, the lecturer, of course, had his products on sale. The charlatan move. The Snake-Oil salesman. Peddling his product after convening the audience that he was chosen my the ancestors, and, had been visited by their “spirits”, from another dimension. They gave him special knowledge to dispense to them, and armed with this new, never known before knowladge, their lives will improve for the better. They will make plenty money. Etc.<br />
One product the lecturer claimed to have had, was music. according to him, the music was very special. It was given to him by ancestors' spirits who are living in another dimension, higher than ours. They cross over from their higher dimension into this reality and drop-off the already packaged music. The music, however, was on cassette tape. That was indeed funny! Well, I gess the “spirit” population, from this so-called “higher” dimension, has not caught up with technology. Price of this "SPECIAL" music, twenty bucks. Yes, twenty dollars for music that supposedly came from another dimension and placed on cassette tape. Of course, no body saw anything wrong or even weird with that. No questions asked. The tapes were all sold out in a flash. I was amazed but sadden at the same time. I felt sorry for the people that was being taken advantage off or was allowing themselves to. I wanted to challenge the authenticity of these music tapes. However, I refused because, I realized, I was on hostile ground.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Other products were also on sale. They included pictures of Kemitic (Egyptian) and Hindu's gods and goddess. These postures of the deities were advertised as having the power to provide you with protections and, of course, earn you lots of money also. You have to buy them, of course. The lecturer also had a very interesting package on sale. It was the most important of all. It was a package he called the “<b>STIMULUS PAGAGE</b>”. Well, I'll just let him explain how this package work......<br />
</div>
</div>
<b>Video:</b><br />
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<param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always">
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<embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/TzNm0gtTriE&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&version=3" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="420" height="360"></embed></object><br />
<br />
<br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02936527748350587828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1643214750987392442.post-18179780090552934212012-04-09T17:47:00.002-07:002012-04-16T12:32:27.578-07:00Conservatism Links to Low Intelligence<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
In the free-thought community, religious folks especially
those that lean towards the conservative position, have always been charged with the
inability to think. Possessing closed minds, or choosing not to use it. This,
most people in the free-thought community attribute to the religious indoctrination,
which normally catches hold of one from childhood. <br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
There is certainly no doubt that religion creates an environment
where the believers’ ability to think is dampened as a child. You are taught
not to question the Pastors,Priests, Imams, Rabbi, etc, the Bible, the Qur’aan etc. It is "blasphemous"
to question God, they drilled these commands into children's heads. The freedom to think is
further eradicated by, for instance, the religious hierarchy insist that one should
have faith – blind faith that is; accepting the religious position without
questioning its validity. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Indeed, for most of us, describing these religious people
came from having conversational experience with them. You know, the Christian or
Muslim friend you have that always engages you in a discussion in which you find
yourself in an argument that takes you in a continuous circle with no exit point
– (circular arguments). Well, here is a study that says what you may have
thinking about you friend/s. Of course the study looks at Political
Conservatism. However, Political Conservatives tend to also be Religious
Conservatives. They are both directly related.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“…. recent studies linking conservatism to low intelligence
and "low-effort" thinking”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“A study published in the journal "Psychological
Science" showed that children who score low on intelligence tests
gravitate toward socially conservative political views in adulthood--perhaps
because conservative ideologies stress "structure and order" that
make it easier to understand a complicated world.” (<b>Source</b> – <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/07/conservative-politics-low-effort-thinking_n_1410448.html" target="_blank">Huff Post</a>)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Not only does the study show that adult conservatives are
the product of people who may have performed lower intelligence wise as a child
but another study shows that they appear to also be "low-effort" thinkers. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“The authors test the hypothesis that low-effort thought
promotes political conservatism. In Study 1, alcohol intoxication was measured
among bar patrons; as blood alcohol level increased, so did political
conservatism (controlling for sex, education, and political identification). In
Study 2, participants under cognitive load reported more conservative attitudes
than their no-load counterparts. In Study 3, time pressure increased
participants’ endorsement of conservative terms. In Study 4, participants
considering political terms in a cursory manner endorsed conservative terms
more than those asked to cogitate; an indicator of effortful thought
(recognition memory) partially mediated the relationship between processing
effort and conservatism. Together these data suggest that political
conservatism may be a process consequence of low-effort thought; when
effortful, deliberate thought is disengaged, endorsement of conservative
ideology increases.” (<b>Source</b> – <a href="http://psp.sagepub.com/content/early/2012/03/16/0146167212439213.abstract?rss=1" target="_blank">Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin</a>) </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Indeed, religion loves "LOW-EFFORT" thinkers and people who don’t
think at all. In fact, the Church father <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Aquinas" target="_blank">Thomas Aquinas</a> defines the people who are
willing to accept religious ideology without questioning as the most <i>virtuous</i>. </div>
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02936527748350587828noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1643214750987392442.post-33322169169292050732012-03-15T09:31:00.003-07:002012-03-15T09:36:33.281-07:00Why Is President Obama Keeping a Journalist in Prison in Yemen?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
On February 2, 2011, President Obama called Yemeni President
Ali Abdullah Saleh. The two discussed counterterrorism cooperation and the
battle against Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula.
At the end of the call, according to a White House read-out, Obama “expressed
concern” over the release of a man named Abdulelah Haider Shaye, whom Obama
said “had been sentenced to five years in prison for his association with
AQAP.” It turned out that Shaye had not yet been released at the time of the
call, but Saleh did have a pardon for him prepared and was ready to sign it. It
would not have been unusual for the White House to express concern about Yemen’s
allowing AQAP suspects to go free. Suspicious prison breaks of Islamist
militants in Yemen had been
a regular occurrence over the past decade, and Saleh has been known to exploit
the threat of terrorism to leverage counterterrorism dollars from the United States.
But this case was different. Abdulelah Haider Shaye is not an Islamist militant
or an Al Qaeda operative. He is a journalist. <a href="http://www.thenation.com/article/166757/why-president-obama-keeping-journalist-prison-yemen" target="_blank">Read the entire story</a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Source - <i>The Nation </i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Democracy Now</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/L9ku6-W6U1M" width="420"></iframe></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02936527748350587828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1643214750987392442.post-37234568134781083482012-03-11T12:56:00.005-07:002012-08-04T14:36:42.788-07:00A Revolution of The Mind; The Way Forward for Grenada and Grenadians<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
From the moment Cristoforo Colombo (Christopher Columbus)
appeared in the new world, <st1:country -region="-region" w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Grenada</st1:place></st1:country>
was destined to be in the fold of Paul-ism (Christianity). However, not only has the adherents of this
religion, maimed and killed all the island’s natives (Caribs and Arawaks), they killed and enslaved African
people they had kidnapped and brought to the island. Indeed, from its
inception, coming from its Judaic past, the legacy of this religion is written
in bloodshed and mayhem. Immoral activities God contracted hit men to carry
out, and/or, according to the book, physically descended and participated. Yet, the descendants of the African people who were so grossly abused maintains and continues to promote this religion.
Today, <st1:country -region="-region" w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Grenada</st1:place></st1:country>
describes its population as being ninety percent (90%) Paul-ites (Christians)
and the remaining ten percent (10%) as practicing some other form of religion.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
With that said, allow me to share my observation on the discussion that surrounds our nation's moral compass, while, at
the same time, present what I believe is the best possible solution to our societal problems. We have been complaining that crimes have been and
continue to damage our country’s image. Our country continues to be plagued
with men killing each other. Our men continue to abuse, disrespect
and/or killing women, and politicians (principalities in high places) committing
all sorts of corruptions while in public offices. Child abuse continues to
linger with us. Even the people we trust to police crimes constantly abuse
their power and engage in gross wrongdoings themselves. This, and other societal ills
the Grenada Conference of Churches and other religious bodies in the country,
contend is as a result of the Grenadian people have abandoned God and Church, and the
solution they say, is to revert to our past religious orthodoxy. We need
God! But, is that so? Do we really need to revert to God and the Bible as we
seek to create a better society? I think otherwise.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the backdrop of
what is laid out above, I am contending that the moral problems that plague our
society have its roots in the very religious foundation it has endorsed. In that, the country
embraced a worldview that breads antagonism. This is not to say that there are
not nonreligious factors that contribute to our moral shortcomings. However, it is
embracing ideologies that are rooted in religious dogmas that largely contribute
to societal breakdown. I submit that domestic violence, which has plagued the Grenadian society and continues today,
for instance, is informed by the Christian religious ideology that
fundamentally promotes a male chauvinistic worldview. Child abuse, although not
confined to just the religious world, has had and continues to have fertile
ground behind the stained glasses. Furthermore, A study concerning religion and
its effect on society, published in the <i>Journal of Religion and society</i> by
Gregory S. Paul, has shown that areas that display high religious conviction
have greater societal ills and crimes. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Indeed, Grenada has embraced a worldview that is not only
alien to them, as descendants of Africans, but one that promotes extremely
narrow-mindedness; one that suffocates an individual’s ability to think, and
breads gross ignorance. Thus, if the Grenada Conference of Churches is correct
in that the Grenadian people are abandoning their religion and faith, then
their call to regress back to a religious conservative worldview is a knee-jerk
reaction to that issue, and not, in a real sense, expected to address the ethical problem they contends the country is facing. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I can certainly hear the grumbling. Where would our morals come from if you do not accept God and the Church, you ask? I.e Christianity. Well, morality is not owned by any religion. It is shaped by society as it pursuits its best interest. Morals come not from an external supernatural being. An individual is in control of personifying his or her own actions, which can certainly have negative or positive effects on the social group she is a part of – humanity. You don’t need
a God/gods or a religion to achieve this. Grenadians’ lack of church going,
which certainly does not mean an outright abandonment of their religion, as
shown by the numbers above, did not and will not create a society of
lawlessness, as the Conference of Churches wants us to believe. This trend
instead, and despite having a long way to go, shaped a society that is more
predisposed to hold itself accountable for its moral failures.It create whereby more and more people are not neglecting their moral obligation by not placing it upon the shoulders of an unproven supernatural being. Today, despite
identifying as Christians, more Grenadians are less enthusiastic to view the
world via a narrow dogmatic ideology. Thus, more Grenadian men, for example,
are viewing woman as equals and not as lesser beings, created by God as helpmates and
property. Showing them much more respect. More people are reporting domestic
violence against women and vice versa. We are seeing an increase in our
citizens breaking their silence on child abuse, and the list can go on. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thus, understanding this reality and its implications, I, in speaking to my Rastaferi brothers, in my forthcoming book,
<i>From Mythology to Reality: Moving Beyond Rastafari</i>, argue for the adoption of a
different mode of thought. Of course, this new mode of thought is not presented only to the adherents of Rastafari, and to the people who are looking to
assent to this Pauline faith, but the book also asks that the nation of Grenada adopt
this new way of thinking, as we move
forward, as a nation, into creating a more humane and ethical society. However, what new mode of thought am I speaking off
here? Well, Grenadians, I will maintain, should not just
abstain from going to church. In that, I am saying that Grenadians should not
just divorce themselves from institutionalized religion. We should go farther. We need a revolution of the mind. Break
the spell of religious dogmatism that has been imprinted into our minds by religious theologians. In its place, develop a worldview that embeds the physical
world and a system of thought or action that is concerned with the interests or
ideas of people as its foci. One cannot, I believe, be inclusively humanistic
if one hedges his or her worldview in religious dogmatism. One must emancipate his
or herself. Indeed, another aspect that the
study mentioned above has shown is that secular societies have much lower rates
of violence and other crimes. Therefore, my call is that we free ourselves from
the clutches of religion and adopt a Secular Humanist worldview. As Tom Flynn, editor of the <i>Free Enquiry
</i>magazine put it, “Secular Humanism is emancipation” (Flynn, p. 4: <i>Free Inquiry</i> –
October/November 2010.Vol. 30 No. 6). To
him, it is, as he put it, emancipation from,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Divine scrutiny: “it is the ultimate release from
“parental” control. What real parent’s scrutiny could be as intrusive as that
of a deity who never sleeps, never looks away, and can never be deceived or
misled?” ( Free Inquiry, p. 4)</li>
<li>A worldview contrary to our senses-and common senses: “To my mind, the realization that existence
is purely physical…. It frees me to cherish this life on its own terms. No
longer must I devalue my existence as the eye-blink prologue to some boundless
perpetuity where, if only by dint of its incalculably greater scale, true
significance must lie.” ( Free Inquiry, p. 5)</li>
<li>From an often oppressive parochial community: “Beyond the
demands to assent to doctrine and fill the collection plate, congregational
life involved a larger web of social expectations. We are “free to stop centering our lives in
an insular community of the likeminded, free to anchor ourselves directly in
the culture at its broadest and its most diverse, free to seek the services we
desire from the-qualified providers without screening them through some
hidebound denominational sieve. Instead of restricting ourselves to a parochial
community’s straitened menu, to the extent our resources permit we may choose
from everything an abundant society has to offer.” ( Free Inquiry, p. 5) </li>
<li>From external command morality: “What secular humanism does
mean is that we need not accept some arbitrary moral code unrooted in our own
experience on the mere authority of, well, authority. Rather than freeing us
from morality, secular humanism frees us to develop a truly relevant morality,
one rooted in the real world and in the physical and social consequences of
life as humans live it. Instead of accepting unverifiable assertions, we can
come together with others to forge pragmatic values whose worth and value can
be intersubjectively conformed.” (Free Inquiry, pp. 5-6) </li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And so it should be to us also. For sure Secular Humanism
embodies much more than just these four points presented here. However, the
point is that by adopting a worldview that is informed by Secular Humanism we
are emancipating ourselves from depending on unproven supernatural being/beings
and instead depending on us – humanity – giving us an opportunity to bring real
positive change to <st1:country -region="-region" w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Grenada</st1:place></st1:country>
and Grenadians and the rest of the world. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As I conclude, I must say that looking at the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country -region="-region" w:st="on">Grenada</st1:country></st1:place>
I knew as a young “lord” verses the present, there are good societal things we indeed have lost. No doubt! Showing more respect for elders, for instance. However, for
the Grenada Conference of Churches and other moral police to argue that our
society has become worse, as a result, is misguided. Their reaction is base in the
fact that they are losing their grip on the mind of the masses’; people are
exiting the churches and looking elsewhere for realistic answers to their
problems. Thus, I believe that freeing ourselves and truly moving away from dogmatic religious worldviews is the direction we should continue as we develop
a society that fosters better and more humane relationships. Our education system should be secular; one
that nourishes modes of thought that includes, not only the freedom to worship
one’s God or gods, as our constitution guards, but it should also encourage and
nourishes Free Thought and Skepticism. We must encourage and promote critical
and rational thinking as rudimentary to our education process. If this is done, <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country -region="-region" w:st="on">Grenada</st1:country></st1:place> will have a much better
informed citizenry. We will certainly have the ability to be more objective and
inclusive. We will possess the ability to understand what it is to be a member
of the broader human family. We will understand and welcome the vast array of
diversity that builds humanity and not discriminate based on a worldview
informed by narrow closed-minded, inhuman religious ideologies. Emancipating
ourselves from this cognitive prison and promoting a Secular Humanist worldview
can certainly assist in alleviating the seemingly pervasive toxic interpersonal
relationship that plagues <st1:country -region="-region" w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Grenada</st1:place></st1:country>
and Grenadians. I submit that our police officers will indeed be more
predisposed to exhibit coherent and rational thinking. Solving differences will
be done on a more humanistic level that is informed by objective rational
thought. This, of course, will not create a utopian society, which, based on
human nature, I submit appears to be an unrealistic goal. That is not what I am
calling for. However, adopting this
humanistic mode of thought will certainly help us create the better ethical
society Grenadians has been calling for, for so long and all along.<a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=1643214750987392442&postID=3723456813478108348" name="_GoBack"></a></div>
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</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02936527748350587828noreply@blogger.com2