'Why I Don't See Colour' comments & Renewed hope for the diaspora

Being a brown girl of Afro Caribbean descent in western society comes with challanges on a daily basis that simply cannot be denied. For the most part, even when I try to deny them, it presents itself again and again glaringly in different ways. Through these difficulties, like being the only brown girl in the room, class or establishment. It is clear that wherever you look across the world darker skinned people are simply not given the same opportunities, resources and at times even respect, just because of what they look like. While the Arian, lighter skinned European nations do not suffer from these issues. Due to living in a colder climate, (which my tropical nature loving body has never really gotten used to). I have developed all of my characteristics from the original woman, my body shape, my hair texture, eyes and full lips, my beauty spots and moles even down to my personality, my health all derive predominately from my sub-Saharan genetics.


Anyone that knows me and even knew me well in the past could call me different, unorthodox or even misunderstood (personality wise), but never racist. That would be deliberately undermining the very nature of who I am, my lifestyle, the way I eat and live, and my fundamental beliefs.

In 2015 my 'Colourism vs Racism' blog post was in no way shape or form, diminishing my own heritage or that of my ancestors. My lineage were also slaves and potentially slave owners, they were also aboriginal people of the land. To insidiously undermine this notion would be denying and disrespecting my blended family and the many people that raised me. Essentially attempting to erode the very essence of who I am and my ancestors.


    It takes a village to raise a child


I know that anyone that knows and even knew me well in the past would never do that, as it would be completely fraudulent claims. Although at the same time I innerstand how politically and historically the present time we live in requires us to increasingly acknowledge the repercussions that colonialism and slavery has had on our family lives, education, history and our financial resources for those who have suffered and still suffer all varieties of different prejudice and discrimination for the way that they look and I do not want these things to ever be ignored.


   It is for these reasons we are the strongest people alive and unbreakable.

In my blog post about colourism it has come to my attention that my comments in the past of 'I don't see colour' may have been misinterpreted. For that I apologise, I obviously do see colour what I meant was I do not judge others stereotypically by their looks, features or colour and I should make it clear that it is because I myself hate to be stereotypically categorised and boxed into the labels, thoughts and narratives of other people, especially by people of European descent. I am sure most people can relate we all hate being judged before people get to know us.

I must also include that in no way shape or form do I ignore the difficulties, pain and struggles of the many nations of people throughout the diaspora that have African and Afro-Caribbean heritage (including my own), even more so in the UK and, Europe and  America. In my early years, teenage years and adolescents. The trans-Atlantic slave trade, colonialism and the general white-washing of African history infuriated me the more I studied it. A very big concept in my early life was trying to innerstasnd why we are not taught about afro inventors, leaders and history, why we only celebrate european holidays and why we are so severely punished and underrepresented.

    Most of all why to this day, we 're we never paid any reparations?

I have also always been a very passionate person, especially about my views and it made me angrier and eventually quite hopeless as many people around me didn't seem to care, the way that I did at the time. I created facebook pages and social media handles designed to share as much history and raise as much awareness as I could and it gained quite a bit of momentum. Although through difficulties in my own life, being quite young and unprepared, plus distractions and frustration against prejudice and discrimination in my own life that we're still prevalent.

I remember expressing this to friends around me at the time. Although eventually, I decided for the betterment of my own health and the way I see other people, I needed to take a less militant and more mature approach to it, plus I hadn't learnt enough to really do anything more about it. Little did I know I was thinking years before my time and looking into the future.

Being 24 now and knowing myself that much better, I know that it is truly an amazing time to be alive, with the all-black cast of Black Panther and even more representation for those of African and all mixed heritage. We're being given more opportunities, promotions and a better platform publically and this is so beautiful to finally see more of. I am not only confident in more African/Afro-Caribbean ambassadors stepping up to the plate in defense of our people's needs, requirements and voices but that the burdens felt by so many will now finally be naturally addressed with time, by assertive brothers and sisters that are better educated, equipped and suited to create a debate and discussion raising greater awareness about what really matters. The issues that our people face and what can be done about it. Working to make a change in this system without becoming part of it.

I will naturally gravitate to these efforts because it will be difficult, but it is and has always been close to my heart. Although I know now that my path and my purpose is different and that's just through knowing myself better, the struggles I have been through, my life circumstances and knowing my limitations.

My Path In Life

I have a natural interest in world history which can be translated as African or original history of the original humans. World theology translated as original African spirituality. Our ancestors knew things like science, mathematics, literature, metaphysics, herbal medicine, astrology and cosmology some being under different names. Holistic lifestyle translated as the way we originally lived as people eating and living naturally and sustainably. I am naturally passionate about embodying traditional and historical knowledge and ways of life with 21st-century living knowing that we are all taking part and shaping the future as we know it. This is my part and this is why it's a beautiful and dynamic time to be alive.

Be Happy

Be Healthy

Be Unified

Be You!

Thankyou for reading and thank you for your continued love and support!

It really makes a difference, please feel free to message me in the contact form with any feedback and more ideas for posts to write about and address.

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Desert Saxaphone

the desert heat in cool dry weathers
where the kindest of light is just a feather
let us turn these in the days we remain
the saxophone sings for the days we reclaimed
the wind whistles yearning twirling for you
of all the things most of all wish we could do
to turn the world upside down and shake it through
and let only beauty make its abide in you
and me too
01/18

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Shocking News Libya's Slavery In 2017

Hot Topic Of The Week: Libya's Modern Day Slave Trade - A Complete Atrocity

There are few greater violations of human rights and human dignity then this..

It was almost hard to believe reading the news featured on Al Jeezera and CNN this week. Which features video evidence of undercover reporters witnessing the auction of enslaved Africans being sold for money. CNN reports that there are on average 9 locations where these unimaginable auctions take place and many more across the country. 

Where over a dozen men we're being sold, like commodities..

It is said that since 2014 Libya has been struggling with the influx of migrants from the south of the continent. Attempting to travel through Libya to get to Europe with the help of 'smugglers', Migrants who flee Libya on overcrowded and unsafe rafts over the Mediterranean sea for fear of their life. When they arrive to European countries such as Malta and Italy they are terrified to share their ordeals of being beaten, kidnapped and enslaved. Reading about this and witnessing evidence of in 2017 is heartbreaking. With historical ties to such lawless and inhumane activities, perpetrated in the past, it is hard to believe that there are some people out there who believe human lives can be bartered and sold for money.

Since then. the Libyan authorities have launched an investigation into the slave auctions in the country and whomever is responsible for these inhumane acts. This was on the 17/11/2017.

Sources:

CNN Article

Libya - Malta 

Reports Questioning Authenticity

Since then the Libyan authorities have now questioned the authenticity of the secret footage recorded due to Donald Trump's allegations that CNN has some sort of political ulterior motive. While yes it is true that ALL news channels are controlled media, which have a secret political agenda of which all potentially work for the likes of Trump himself. I do not see how African migrants risking their lives ;are travelling in such harsh conditions from deserts, to the Mediterranean sea, just to evade capture and detainment from Libyan 'smugglers', who are promising them safe passage to Europe yet abusing them instead. Not to mention the turmoil in Libya since Mummar Ghaddifi who's death turned out to be caused by a political agenda/propaganda. Would these atrocities have been committed if Mummar Ghaddifi we're still alive? 

I am no expert in Libyan politics (Politricks). Although I do know that he had some rather remarkable plans for the future of Africa and Libya, his death was a great shock to many. Even if under his rule the country still struggled with human and drug trafficking.

It might be conclusive to also mention that Gaddaffi's 'regime' would have enabled Libya and other African heads of state to setup a central bank backed by gold and many other rich natural resources found in Libya and across Africa. That UN member states exploit to this day. The African Union would have used this natural wealth to back this new currency which in turn would have made one of the richest currencies on the planet. During Colonels government rule since 1969, Gaddafi had assembled, improved and established Libya from the ground up. For 42 years Colonel Gaddafi was a Libyan Politician revolutionary and political theorist, who most of his career had great ties with the western countries involved in his death. It could be argued that many Libyan's died due to NATO and UN member states demolishing Libya's infrastructure without proper evidence or discussion before military involvement, so that they could benefit from the wealth of Libya. 

The political system has been turbulent for years and is widely considered in western democracy as I quote 'a failed state'. So in no way do I believe that this story is just a smear campaign to tarnish the reputation of Libya. In fact looking at the bigger picture, this is tarnishing the reputation of the Motherland since Libya is in Africa, yet Africans are being sold and tortured technically in their own home. It seems that since the civil war, the Libyan authorities are somewhat helpless in controlling these crimes, which led to them spiraling out of control.

Recently the French ambassador of the United Nation's urged the security council to consider sanctions of the African slave trade and African Migrants.

The Bigger Picture

Yet looking at the bigger picture, the UN's  (United Nations) and NATO's (The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation) military involvement in the Libyan governments affairs, of crimes against the Libyan people seems to have done more harm then good. It seems the so called 'Humanitarian involvement' could actually have directly caused this crisis, since Gaddaffi's so called 'regime' was clearly misrepresented in the media and by these organisations themselves.

A time line of NATO's events as follows;

1. Feb 2011 - Peaceful protests in Benghazi meet with violent oppression. (No physical evidence of violence, only images of protest) UN Security council imposes weapons ban on trade and other commercial activity.
2. March 2011 - NATO deploys early warning airborne aircraft and battle ships in the Mediterranean to monitor the country. Imposes Resolution 1973, a no fly zone and encourages other member states to 'take all necessary measures' to protect civilians against attack or threat of attack. (only a month after peaceful protest - with no overwhelming evidence of genocide or mass slaughter) ( NATO/UN have their own 'political agenda')
3. March 2011 - Several UN member states take 'immediate military action'. NATO air and sea assets begin taking military action.
4. April 2011 - NATO agrees to carry out the UN Mandate (a so called peace keeping operation even though they had already initiated military action)
5. June 2011 - Operation Unified Protector was enforced 'for as long it takes to end the crisis in Libya' the 'civil war ended in just a few months on the 31st October  (The initiation of everything above including extended military action which was 'vital to the support of the rebel victory over 'forces' loyal to Gaddafi)

The timeline extends to October 2011 on the website, the whole process under the disguise of 'civil war' appears to have started and ended way before civil war even broke out (Civil war can last decades). NATO and the UN appear to have intervened in Libya's political affairs way to quickly. It seems there is definitely a political agenda here, which has clearly caused way more harm then good.

Sources:

Official NATO & Libya Report

Civilians from Libya report:

 that the country has not been stable since then, currently in financial crisis. The Libyan people have been suffering, human rights have not been at the forefront of issues for developing countries. Libyan citizens state that African migrants come to the city for easy access to Europe by a connected ring of smugglers who ask them for money at each stage of their journey. Smuggling migrants is not rare in this region, civilians believe this is a political game that the government have set this up. 

Our Humanitarian Effort

Even if it will be difficult to regulate and safely return migrants home, it absolutely has to be done.  Overall people are migrating to Europe for a better life, many of us are feeding these notions by our materialism and capitalism. Most developing countries wouldn't be developing countries if it wasn't for our constant need for more and more material things. We need to start showing our people that  wealth is abundant right where they are, they can build wealth right where they are and that there is a better life where they are with the right training and resources.

The International Organisation For Migration staff has since revealed shocking testimonies, using the social media tag #Libya many hundreds of thousands are signing petitions and even celebrities are calling for more action to raise awareness the topic of the Libyan Slave trade.

Is Modern Day Slavery Uncommon?

Unfortunately it is not, maybe there is lack of evidence to towards it. Potentially it goes unreported or we are simply not aware of it. Yet according to The International Labour Organisation (ILO) around 40 Million people worldwide are still victims of modern slavery. More then 150 Million minors are subjected to child labour, this would account for 1 in 10 children across the world. 

We can all admit that we turn a blind eye to where our clothes are made, what conditions the people assembling our furniture, technology and jewelry have to endure before it gets to us as consumers. At least some of these people are given a jobs, some form of free will and livelihood. That is something being a slave cannot provide for you or anyone. Slavery in any form is a complete disregard of human life, it is one of the most inhumane and abominable ways to treat another human being who has sentient life just as you do. The most high witnesses all.

I have attached links to petitions you can sign to help end this horrific treatment. I hope we all widen our awareness to the part we play in all of this through capitalism, I also hope we can widen our awareness to how this is happening in many other countries in Africa and across the world.

Petitions:
https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/205476
https://www.change.org/p/stop-migrants-becoming-slaves-in-libya-close-the-slave-markets
https://www.change.org/p/african-union-end-modern-slavery-in-libya
https://www.change.org/p/african-union-end-modern-slavery-in-libya

Demonstration Of Faith In Change & End Oppression At The Libyan Embassy London
9th and the 18th of December
http://www.africanlivesmatter.org/

Thanks for reading this weeks hot topic,

Sources:

CNN Report - Trump disregards as fake news

UN Considers Sanctions

Where Is Our Outrage?

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Dear Nubian Woman...

This is a letter to all Nubian women,
My Afro-Asiatic Women,
My Bantu Women,
To the African & Caribbean Diaspora, Residing Worldwide

We are all systematically underappreciated, undervalued and underrepresented. When I reflect on my past mistakes and my own self hatred I notice one thing in common. Why we do not value our Nubian mothers, teachers and queens enough. Why is it I have not celebrated the Nubian queens that we're in my life, the same way I celebrated the ones I read about in books at exactly the same time, why is it that when I look at my past mistakes, there's a continuing reoccurrence. Not all heroes wear capes, I have not appreciated all the beautiful Nubian queens in my life, I have sometimes judged them, sometimes complained about them and even at times said hateful things about them in vain, when I was unhappy and when I look to the root of it.

I can't explain why, except that I think a lot of us do

I valued things that weren't even there, but complained about what already was. The women that we're loving, praising and respecting me, uplifting and silently educating me without me noticing. Why is it I can only look back years later and really innerstand how even I didn't appreciate the Nubian queens in life, where I thought that just because they weren't saying or doing the things I wanted or expected that somehow what they we're already doing was not enough.

When I look back at some of my harshest words they we're directed at Nubian women, Melanated women. Women that loved me, praised me and we're doing there best to help me. Where did I learn that? Would I have treated other women like that? Why is it that in older age, I can see how subtle, caring and wise those diamonds we're to me regardless what teacher; mother, wife or treasure they have all been shining lights in my life. That taught me life lessons in parables, I only understand now and that truly is the power of the African woman. The most high created everything on the planet with the very same curves you find on a brown woman. True natural beauty. Brown women are truly made of the universe, in turn are versed with every lesson you need to hear when the time is right. We work very closely in Yahweh's way, tis why the darker the berry, really is the sweeter the juice. Nubian women teach universal laws, traditions you cannot learn from books. I'm so glad I never took that for granted.

With black only representing the unlimited depths of this universe we live in, with black representing the fullness, uncanny beauty and hope of our history, the kindness of our words elders words, with black only demonstrating all the great civilisations that came before us, with black representing the wisest sage, priestess and abundant creation that we would cease to exist without, with black meaning full of colour, richness, spice and curvaceous beauty, in that case, there is really nothing like the beauty and origins of what we call a black woman. (I prefer calling us brown but hey) 

Hazels have always been beautiful to me...

To all the Nubian teachers, mentors, mothers, aunties and sisters I have ever unappreciated, disrespected, complained about and not acknowledged truthfully, in the past out of pain.  I am truly sorry, coming from someone like me that is a disaster in itself because I really believe we are made in the image of the highest good. Systematic self-hatred will have you researching your history but disrespecting the history standing right in front you, dealing with you, giving you lifts home and somehow forgetting that because you've been hurt, just as society dictates.

Nubian woman, of the darkest glowing opal skin, the tightest curls, coils and spirals, to the yellow gold flowing metallic curls and spirals, our hair stands up against this worldly state. Most women desire your full lips and wide hips more then even you do. You are not represented or appreciated, half the way you should be in the media because you are one of the most beautiful living creatures on earth.

we need our women, life simply doesn't continue on without you.

Forgive me, my old friend, 'she's ugly, she's pretty for a....' Self-hatred of that kind is the most obvious cry for help, I have always loved my Nubian queens, but I see clearly now how society doesn't. African queens should be praised universally and unconditionally and we're simply not taught to even think about doing that.

So whenever idiots (I have been one of them at times) have attributed your value to your looks, you are not determined by other people's lack of the ability to appreciate you. If so it was and truly has been their loss.

It has only taught me to love all my brown mothers, sisters, teachers, aunty's and queens better.

Some of the most beautiful women I have ever perceived are women just like you,

Thank you for giving me good memories,

I am sorry, for anything I said or did because I was hurting,

I was wrong and you are truly appreciated.

Thanks for reading,

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