apffc february 2013 newsletter issue 8

7/29/2019 APFFC February 2013 Newsletter Issue 8

1/16

www.apffc.org

WEARETHESOLUTION

TOOUROWNPROBLEMS

Issue8February1,2013

crippling impact of high-powered waterholes. Those that endured the Middle

Passage and those that chose not to,

choosing death before dishonor, in the icywaters of the Atlantic. Each of them,

collectively or individually, is a part of

this celebration.

We commemorate, celebrate and

remember the tortured souls of the

countless black women who gave birth to

the children in the cotton fields of the

south, or the cane fields of Jamaica, and

in the same breath demonstrated theintestinal fortitude to hold together their

families. We commemorate and honorthem.

We celebrate a man named

Marcus with a mission, a man named

Muhammad with a mission and a man

named Martin with a dream. Each of

these icons in our collective history are

on this day celebrated and honored, for

each of them were drum majors in themarch called Black History.

Miles Davis, Winston Marcellus,

Jesse Owens, Carlos Smith, Jack Johnson,

Sugar Ray Robinson, Arthur Ashe,Serena Williams, Althea Gibson, Venus

Williams, Thurgood Marshall and Johnny

Cochran -- Black History marches on. A

boy king named Tutankhamen and a

biblical queen named Sheba, Chaka Zulu,

Toussaint L'Ouverture, Jean Dessalines,

and Henry Christopher -- Black Historymarches on. From southern Sudan to

South Central, from the slums of Sowetoto the suburbs of Atlanta, from the dreams

of his father, spring the audacity of hope,

to the presidency of the United States --

Black History marches on.

Black History. That living,

breathing, self-perpetuating cultural

experience, it marches on. Black History,

pregnant with the passion of our

forefathers and the promise of our youthmoving forward. Unfettered, unafraid,

battered but never beaten, hobbled, but

never halted. Bloodied, but unbowed.Against the headwinds of adversity,

Katrina and the Klan, bullets and

bayonets, still it marches on. For it matter

not how strait the gate. How charred withpunishment the scroll, we have been the

captains of our fates, the masters of our

souls. Black

history

marches on.-Akbar

Pray

This month we celebrate a

unique history, a history of struggle, yet

of triumph. A history of pain, yet

perseverance. A history of a people who

even during their darkest hours, somehow

retained the belief that all hope was notlost. Black history in all of its dimensions

is a celebration of our heroes and heroines

-- a celebration of the sung, as well as theunsung.

For every Paul Robinson, Ida B.Wells, W.E.B. DuBois, Malcolm X and

Martin Luther King Jr. that we celebrate,

there yet remains countless others, whos

courage and some time quiet strength

history has failed to note.

In the same breath that we

celebrate Hannibal as he marched acrossthe Alps, and Ali as he danced across the

ring, the soaring oratory of Barbara

Jordan, the sense of purpose of Shirley

Chisholm the pride and passion of Patrice

Lumumba and Kwame Nkrume, there yetremain others, whose name you will not

find in any history book, others for whom

no day has been set aside or statute

erected in their honor.

So, today we also

celebrate those that endured the viciousblows of Billy clubs, of rabid dogs and

Black History Marches On!

IFNOTYOU,THENWHO?

IFNOTNOW,THENWHEN?


2/16

loremipsumdolor issue,date

An Open Letter

To My Homies, Brothers, Bloods, Crips, and Five Fifties

I remember reading somewhere once that those that do not learn the lessons of history are destined to repeat them. I am writing this

letter in an effort to help you avoid repeating some too costly lessons. To that end I am writing this open letter to share with an insightthat many claim can only truly be learned, understood, or appreciated from behind the restraints of a prison wall.

It is my near prayer that you might learn this costly lesson without having to bump your collective heads, for some lessons my

brothers are far too costly to learn from experience. Some lessons are so costly, that they will not allow you a second chance at bat. It

is these type of lessons that I pray this open letter may help you avoid.

On November 1, 1987, the United States Federal Government, through an act of congress, instituted a new sentencing program that

would come to be known as the New Sentencing Guidelines. Simultaneously to the New Sentencing Guidelines, the United States

Sentencing Commission decided to change the ratio of crack cocaine to powdered cocaine to a ratio of 100 to 1. What this meant in

practical terms was that a person arrested for possession with the intent to distribute 1 gram of crack cocaine would be sentenced as if

he had possessed 100 grams of powdered cocaine.

By now most of you are familiar with this change and no doubt familiar with the direct consequences it entailed for those that would

be sentenced under it. However, in 1987 no one could have envisioned the havoc this new sentencing law and the crack to cocaine 100

to 1 ratio would have on those still trapped in what have come to refer to as the game. Many of us were blind sided, caught

defending against a right cross, only to be punished by a left hook.

On April 28, 2004, while many of you sleep, gangbanged or parties, the 108th Congress quietly passed a bill that is destined to have a

more devastating effect on your generation then the Crack Law and New Sentencing Guidelines had on mine. This bill or law is nowknown as the ANTI-GANG ACT.

It is been often said, ignorance of the law is no excuse. What that means for present purposes is that whether you are aware of the

existence of a law or not matters little when you are in a court of law. In this regard my homies and brothers, let me lace you p. Underthe provisions of the ANTI GANG ACT, you may be sentenced and punished as follows for the following violations:

SECTION 102 CRIMINAL STREET GANGS (b) PARTICIPATING IN A CRIMINAL STREET GANG

It shall be unlawful for any person

(1) To do any act with the intent to affect the criminal activities of a street gang.

(2) To commit, attempt to commit, aid or abet the commission or conspire to commit a predicate gang crime.a. In furtherance or in aid of the activities of the street gang;

b. For direct or indirect benefit of the criminal street gang, or in association with the street gang;

c. For the purpose of gaining entrance to, or maintaining or increasing position in the criminal street gang;While knowingly be a member of or participating in a street gang

Under the penalty of the aforementioned crimes, the ANTI GANG ACT provides as follows:(3) Who ever violates subsection (b)(2) or (b)(3) shall be fined under this titled, imprisoned not more than 20 years or both;

except

(A) Where the predicate gang crime is a serious drug offense, then whoever violates these subsections shall be fined under

this title, imprisoned not more than 30 years or both, or

(B) Where the predicate gang crime is a violent gang crime, whoever violates these subsections shall be fined under this

title, imprisoned for any term or for life, or both.

As you sit now reading this letter in the comfort of your home, car or across a restaurants table, the penalties outlines above, some

carrying life sentences, are no more than mere words on paper. However, and trust me my homies and brothers every time that you

www.apffc.org Issue8February1,2013

From the Editors Desk

Some lessons are so costly, that they will not allow you a second chance at bat. It is

these lessons that I pray this open letter may help you avoid. -Akbar Pray-


3/16


hear the words life sentence or continue to expiration and you are the subject being spoken of, itis like hearing it for the very first time.

My brothers, there is a sinister plan stirring, being implemented by unsmiling men in dark suits.

You are the hunted. The crimes and penalties were outlined with you in mind. Dont spring thetrap. If you consider yourself true to what you have mistakenly called the game then my

brother please know that the point of the game was never unjustified and wanton violence for

violence sake.

The game was meant as a jump-start from the poorhouse to the penthouse. If there was an idea or

motive behind many of our entries into, it was to stack dollars not bodies. When money is your objective

homie, violence is not a first resort; it is a last resort.

With members of the police department routinely killing innocent black men, boys and sometimes women, how can you in clear

conscious add to the misery index of your own communities with competing numbers. Drive by shootings, reckless gun-play has

turned many of our neighborhoods into virtual killing fields. In the game as it is currently being played out, the death of innocentyoung boys and girls are fast becoming acceptable collateral damages.

Now far more often that should ever be acceptable to any of us, the bullet meant for your supposed enemy invariably finds its way into

the spine of some six-year old, paralyzing he/she for life, or in the head, abbreviating a life that has yet to be fully realized.

My Blood Brothers IfBrother Love Overrides Oppression and Destruction, then you cannot infairness to the code you claim to live by be a part of the problem. You must become a vanguard for the

solution. Your own code demands nothing less.

My Crip Brothers IfCommunity Revolution In Progress is what you truly stand for, then you must

revolt against the senseless killings. You must revolt against the killing of young black children, whose

only crime is that they live in your hood. Like your Blood brothers, your own code demands nothingless.

My brothers, when mom-dukes or grandma-dukes steps out of her house and sees you she should feel a

sense of comfort, not fear and apprehension. If your sets and colors stand for anything, it was that you

were to be a guardian in your hood -- the person that the old folks and children could turn to, not run

from. That is supposed to be your calling. Step your game up.

On a more personal level, there is no clearer indication of the senselessness and futility of banging for the sake of banging andstacking bodies as opposed to dollars then to be in a state or federal penitentiary and six months into your bid for murder you can

barely make commissary and could not have made bail, if they had given you one. For that reason homies I ask you a question that

you should have long since asked yourself: what was it all for?

Lest my brother you get it twisted, Akbar Pray is not anti-money, nor am I anti-luxury. I am however, anti-nonsense, anti-foolishness,

and anti-wasted lives. Trust me when I tell you that I know your struggles and feel your pain. Ive been there. I know that all the

crimes that politicians often speak of, no one speaks of the crime of poverty; the crime of shattered dreams and dashed hopes; the

crime of limited opportunities for some in a country that is a horn of plenty for others.

Still yet my brothers and homies, I caution you that the Anti Gang Act has placed you in the cross hairs of a highly skilled and

proficient sniper a sniper that is armed with the law and backed by a gang far more ruthless than you could ever imagine. Through

his scope he sees neither red nor blue, neither soldier nor shot-caller. He only sees two colors, black and brown. You my brother, myhomies, are his quarry, his target, the hunted.

For that reason my brother I ask you to pump your brakes. Check your rear-view mirror. You will no doubtnotice that the object in the mirror is closer than it appears.

Your brother,

Akbar Pray

DonDiva Magazine www.dondiva.com Volume 7 Issue 27


There is a

sinister plan

stirring, being

implemented by

unsmiling men in

dark suits. You

are the

hunted.Dont

spring the trap.

From the Author of

Death of the Game


4/16


Jibaro My Pretty NiggaBy Felipe Luciano

Jbaro, mi negro lindo

De los bosques de caa

Caciques de luz

Tiempo es una cosa cmica.

Jbaro, my pretty nigga.Father of my yearning for the soil,The land,The earth of my people.Father of the sweet smells of fruit in my mothers womb,

the earth brown of my skin,

the thoughts of freedom that butterfly through my insides.

Jbaro, my pretty nigga.

Sweating bullets of blood and bedbugs,Swaying slowly to the softly strummed stains of a five string

guitarRemembering ancient empiresOf sun gods and black spirits and things that were onceSo simple.

How times have changed Man.

how Man has changed time.

Unnatural, screams the wind.

Unnatural.

Jbaro, my pretty nigga man.

Fish smells and cane smells and

Fish smells and cane smells and

TobaccoAnd oppression makes even God smell foul.As foul as the bowels ofthe shipThat vomited you up on the harbors of a cold metal city to die.No sun, no sand, no palm trees

And you clung,Yes, you clung to the slimy ribs

of an animal Called the Marine Tiger,

In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost Amen.

Jbaro, did you know you my nigga?I love the curve of your brow,The slant of your babys eyesThe calves of your woman dancing;I dig you!You cant hide.I ride with you on subways.

I touch shoulders with you in dances.I make crazy love to your daughter.

yea, you my cold nigga man.

And I love you cause youre mine.

And Ill never let you go.And Ill never let you go.(You mine, nigga!)And Ill never let you go.Forget about self.Were together now.And Ill never let you go!

Uhuh Never, Nigga.

GodHasaPlanForMe

by freakquency

Why didnt I speak of this before?

Why didnt I ever gather up enough courage to speak?Enough energy?

Why couldnt I ever gather the right words to jump off from the tip

of my tongue and spill out onto the floor like spilled milk?Why didnt I tell someone, anyone?

Why didnt I just say something?

Why?

The only answer I can find in my fucked up littered mind hidden in

the deep crevasses in the dark black shadows of my mind is

tremble.

I was afraid,

I was shaking like a frightened child after being awakened from anightmare

Only this was my reality,

I was afraid of my day-mare

I was afraid of allowing my family to know that I could havesomeone so monstrous violently battering my innocence like a

lifeless corpse after battle dropping on land minds.

I never said anything,

I never found the right words to say because I wasn't worried about

myself, I was carrying someone else's worry

But I don't regret it,

I dont regret anything because god has a plan for me.

He has painted a picture for meAlthough, my eyes are blinded at its vision I soon will see like

miracles.

I soon will see what lesson has been taught,

I soon will know that god makes no mistakes no, not even this oneI will soon will understand,

So as for my daughter although she was conceived in madness she

was no mistake.No. No mistake, no. None

Although I was impregnated by the devil an angel was made in

madness she was a rose in concrete.

She was heavens grace on a devilish plane.And although, I have deep hatred in the very depths of my soul, for

the man that did this to me

I will never hate you.

I will never be that type of parent.I could never be, I look at moms who have walked my path and

ask how could she?

It was never your fault.

No it was never.

Therefore, I could never direct any of my hate towards you...Only love as you were the angel that allowed me to speak.

I spoke,I spoke because of you,

I am free

I am free because of you and I could never repay you but baby girl,

I love you...

And I know that losing you was all part of gods plan.He planned this for me, and I'm so sorry we never met, but I know

we'll meet again somewhere along the lines of gods hands because

it is in his plans for me.

God has a plan for me

A glorious plan for me



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A PRISONERS PRAYER

Givemestrengthol'universeinthiscellofmine,thatImayendureallthatcomesduringthesehellacioustimes.Givemethemountaintopol'universethatImayclimbuntilmyvisionincreasestoseeallthatismine.Givemethecourage,hopeandastateofpeaceinthisjungleformedfromsteelandconcrete.LobutthoughIwalkthroughtheshadowsofthevalleyofdeaththeWarriorwhoismeprovesaBlackGodismanifest.Ileadmeupoutofthevalleyofbitterangeranddespair;withrenewedInnerstandingandDignityIbecomeaware.Iletmydreadsflowfrommyhair,andcursethosewhosatatmyfeastanddrankmywineandfledfrommewhenIcaughtmytime.Iblessthosewhohavebeenfamilytomeinmytimesofsorrowwhotoldme,"You'restrongyou'llshinetomorrow''.I-Self-Lordyou'vehelpedmetoescapethehellofprisonandjail,deliveredmefromtheanticipationofthreemealsandmail.You'veshownmethewaytohelpmyself,howtoeattolivetosustaingoodhealth.You'vegivenmethestrengthofmindtonotbuckleinthe''bellyofthebeast.''Sonowempowermetoslayalldemonswith

theswordfromtheeast.YoumademanandI'minyourimage-Ihavethepowertocreate,activate,andbeGodtothefinish.LetthisprayerbePEACEtoseemywaythroughthis-Letthisprisonbeadooronmywaytonewness.TheAnointed,Ankh"Heru"Ma'at,NebHu


OriginalPoetry

by

SemajThomas

This is dedicated to the greats who've helped pave my way,

Illustrating an understanding, using words as paint.

My granny is from the era where getting a good job was grand,

Well I'm from the era where I'm the 401(k) plan.

Owning land in lieu of renting; why settle for a pension?

My goal is Diplomatic plates with windows limo tinted.

Talented Tenth wishes - viewing life through mental prisms,

By wisdom, hushing society's criticism.My sweet Alma Mater, is Life University,

Majoring in History, success is of no mystery.

A sound body and mind with the heart of a lion,

Produces a destiny most would label as Zion.

Doing right by my blessing; which is the breath of life,

Is my way of honoring my ancestors stress and strife.

To the late, great Langston Hughes, I truly honor you,

You'd be proud to see what has become of us Ques.

I have been manufactured by Perseverance for Change,

Change coming from within, becoming priceless at age.

Moving forth strategically through the maze of present times,

Greatness, comes by way of actions birthed in ones mind.

To all of my Nubians who are reading this passage,

Know you hail from great stock - predestined to be masters.

Cease fearing tribulations; for they're Lifes furnace,

Purifying you as fleshly gold: Behold the earnest!

A bold soul, sculptured and refined by education

Can and will become an asset - enhancing ones nation.This passage is to impart encouragement to its readers,

Let this month incarnate the pride of our past leaders...

WEARETHESOLUTIONTOOUROWNPROBLEMS EducationexpertsarekeepinganeyeontheAfricanCenteredEducationCollegiumCampus(ACECC)inKansasCity,Missouri.The40-acrecampusthereservesmostlyprekindergartenthrough12thgrade

students.Teachersstressprideand"expectgreatness"asstudentsstriveforacademicexcellenc3.In2007altheschoolsoncampusmeettheAverageYearlyProgress(AYP)mandatedbytheNoChildLeft

Behind"Act.TheschoolisthebrainchildofAudreyBullard.


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AmericanshavebeenindoctrinatedtoseeLatinosasdifferentthanAfricanAmericans,althoughwesharethesameorigins,thesamestrugglesandthesameoppression.HereinAmerica,weareniggerstoo,justSpanishspeakingniggers,albeitlessofthatasourchildrenlosethemothertongueinourquestforassimilation.Tobecomemore

Americanwegiveupourownhistory,inlieuoftheAmericanmythofegalitarianismandsocialmobility,whichmis-educatesoppressedpeopleintothinkingthatourstruggleisnotagainstacommonfoe,butagainsteachother.Wearetaughtthatthereisonlyonerighthistory(theonetheymadeupforthetextbooks);indoctrinatedinthesuperiorityoftheEurocentricparadigmofcultureandmostdamagingtoalloppressedpeople,welearntodistrusteachother,feareachotherandevendestroyeachotherintheprocessofbecomingAmerican.IfthecultureofAmericacouldeverbecomeasrichasthemyriadofcolors,ethnicitiesandnationaloriginsofitspeople,wouldntitbehooveusto

knowourhistory? We,aspeopleofacommonAfricanorigin,shouldnotlimitthestudyofourancestors,ourtraditionsandculturestothemonthofFebruaryandtheaccomplishments

ofanotablefew.Wearemorethanthat.Wearenotacacophonyofdisparatecustoms,culturesandcuisines.Weareabeautifulsymphony,underscoredbythebeatingdrumsofourcommonancestry,abanquetseasonedbythehandoftheslaveswhofedourbelliesandraisedourbabiestobestrongbackedandstrongerofcharacter;weareaprayertotheOrishathatcontinuetoprotectusinthefaceofanindomitablefoe.Wearethesonsanddaughtersofthe11millionsurvivorsofthemiddlepassage.Diasporamaybeourdestiny,butneverourdemiseaslongaswehonorourhistory.

Afro-LatinosMoreThanaMatterofColor

By Milagros Milan Harris

Africans in Diaspora have shaped the culture of the Americas

for over five hundred years, yet we seldom acknowledge our

shared history or our common causes.

Is this by design?

MoreoftenthanIcaretomention,peopleaskme,Whatareyou?WhenIwasyoungerIwouldoftenrespond,Depends.Whatdayoftheweekisit?Thecolorofmyskin,thewaveinmyhair,thethicknessofmyfeatures,thelackofanaccentotherthanthetraceofNewYorkCityinthecadenceofmyspeech,confusespeople.Ifthequestioneriswhite,Irespond,Neuyorican.IfthequestioncomesfromanAfricanAmerican,Igivethemamini-historylesson.Mypeoplecameoffthesameboatsasyours,justahundredyearsearlierandalittlefurthersouth.Theresponsenevergeneratesdebate.

Moreoftenthannot,athoughtfulraisedeyebroworanodofacknowledgmentisreturned,attimesaccompaniedbyasmile.PerhapsAssataShakursaiditbestinthedocumentaryEyesofARainbow:

BeingAfricanisnotamatterofrace.Itisamatterofahistory,ofaculture,ofastruggleofapeople.Theimportantthingistobeabletorememberthat.

BeingAfricanisnotamatterofrace.Itisa

matterofahistory,ofaculture,ofastruggle

ofapeople.Theimportantthingistobeable

torememberthat.-AssataShakur


Destroying the Myths

" I will say that I am not, nor have I ever been in favor of bringing about in any way the social and political equality of the black and

white race. That I am not nor have I ever been in favor of making voters or jurors of Negros, nor of qualifying them to hold office, nor

to intermarry with white people, and I will say in addition to this that there is a physical difference between the black and white raceswhich I believe will forever forbid the two races on terms of social and political equality. And in as much as they cannot so live, while

they do remain together there must be a position of inferior and superior, and I as much as any other man, am in favor of having the

superior position assigned to the white race."

Abraham Lincoln (source, Brainwashed by Tom Burrell)Inhisbook"NotesontheStateofVirginia"ThomasJeffersonarguedthatblackspreferredthe"superiorbeautyofwhites"asuniformlyasisthepreferenceoftheOrangutanfortheblackwomanovertheirownspecies."


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history, but for doing it repetitiously. So

in this regard, we are repeat offenders

and career criminals. And then we havethe gall to sit around with our mouths

agape in shock and awe, wondering why

we seem to always lead the worldsmisery indices in almost every category

of misery, pain and suffering known and

unknown to man, and why we are so

hopelessly lost!

While there is all kids of

knowledge, the best knowledge is the

knowledge of ones self. So, how do we

acquire knowledge of ourselves? We

acquire it by tracing our history all the

way back to our origins... and beyond.

History is the source of ones

purpose and meaning in life, and ones

fate and identity. It is the source of the

greatness of our past, and our present, andour future.

By design, presently we only

know ourselves very superficially. Weveceased to be the physicists of the cosmos,

and the architects of the great pyramids,

that we once were in ancient Egypt and

Sumer. Worse, we have gone form being

the trustees and holders of the keys to the

Universe, to not knowing who we are

anymore!

KNOWLEDGE COMES IN DEGREES

A degree is one unit of a circle

and a circle has 360 degrees. Unless one

becomes a Mason, in the Western World,

four degrees of knowledge is all you canobtain. And AA degree (2 years), a

Bachelors ( 4 years), a Masters (7 years),

and a Doctorate (10 years). The

significance of a circle is that it

symbolizes mathematical and spiritual

perfection. (Leonardos Man Inside The

Circle). Scientifically, because everything

we know of goes around and around inendless cycles; the circle also represents

Natures universal processes. In the

Universe, everything is a cycle within acycle. Thus a circle is the alpha and the

omega of knowledge and wisdom.

Every point on a circle is its center, and

no point has a beginning or end.By studying the lions daily

cycle, a good hunter knows when to be

at the well to capture the lion. He does

not have to follow the lion around all

day. He can go about his business.

From years of marriage, a

wise husband knows when not to get onhis wifes bad side. Likewise, by

clocking 5.0 in the hood, even the

dumbest drug dealer in the business

knows when to close us shop and get

ghost.Therefore, we might say that in their

various but separate spheres, thehunter, the husband and the dumb drug

dealer each possess one degree of

knowledge. A top Mason is reputed to

possess a whopping 33 degrees ofknowledge. Wow, that is quite

impressive, isnt it? No, not at all,

compared to the 720 degrees that our

illustrious Egyptian ancestors once

possessed form studying the tow circleof the physical and spiritual realms.

33 degrees of knowledge is

not even one tenth of a circle! But since

we have fallen so far down on theladder of intelligence, today we allow

the caveman to rule us and the worldwith his puny 33-degree knowledge,

religion and deity. Now aint that a

@#$%?

So I guess that what they say

about the one-eyed man as king in the

land of the blind is true, huh?Damn that! The time has com

for us to repossess our heritage-surviva

manual from him, and use it to save

ourselves and the world from imminent

and total disaster, After all,

He has never made a single monthlypayment to us in 6000 years for its use

and abuse.

In closing, for Black History

Month the bookFrom Superman to

Man by J.A. Rogers would be anexcellent read, if you have never read i

and an excellent re-read, if you have.

BlackHistory:OurSurvivalManualHistoryisitsownrewardandourbestteacher.

KNOWLEDGE IS POWER

KNOW THYSELF.

-An ancient Egyptian precept


Manuals are essential toappliances because they provide clear and

concise details and instructions on not just

how to use the appliances, but also how tomaintain them. Manuals insure that

appliance users receive the optimal

efficiency and the guaranteed performance

and satisfaction promised by the

manufacturer. In effect, manuals aresimilar to maps and tour guides; they help

us to see and enjoy the forest and the trees,

without getting lost. What good is an iPad

without the operating manual? Who in

their cotton pickin mind would shell out

$500 for a smartphone if there were nosoftware on content for it? Without

programs, who would ever watch TV? I

certainly wouldnt.

Thus, I have often pondered how

mere man-made devices, come with amanual to tell us how to use them, and yet

the amazing human brain, generallyperceived to be the original and ultimate

computer does not!

Or does it?

It does!

Then what the hell is it? ItsHistory. But History isnt just the human

brains operating manual. It is also Our

Survival Manualif read carefully and

properly used.Black History in particular is

vital. Without it we are in fact mentally,

morally, emotionally, practically and

spiritually, BLIND.

Forgetting our history is akin to

buying a zillion dollar car and driving it

without reading the operating manual or

looking at the warranty! Now as crazy asthat sounds, probably 99.9% of us are in

fact, guilty of not just forgetting out


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African Hospitality

No Vacancy

The race is on to

build new hotels

in Africa

Nov 10th 2012The Economist

FEW 650-room hotels charge a minimum of $350 a night but dont

offer Wi-Fi in the rooms. The Hilton in Abuja, Nigerias capital, cancharge such hefty rates because it offers a more old-fashioned kind

of connection. It is the place where Nigerian Big Men schmooze, and

where supplicants come to beg favors from the oil-rich federal

government. Until recently, getting a bed there was often difficult at

any price.

Businessmen of all stripes mingle by the pool before seeking out oneof many nooks and crannies for confidential chats. Tony Blair

recently had fruit juice on the terrace with local religious leaders and

the central-bank governor. One of the Nigerian presidents

closest advisers, Oronto Douglas, has kept a room at the

Hilton for years. His sidekick, Ken Saro-Wiwa, son of a

tribal leader executed by a past military regime, paces the

lobby, trying to avoid a flock of job-seekers.

The owners have done very nicely. But competition is

stirring. New hotels are under construction in Abuja, and

across Africa. Marriott will have 50 hotels in Africa by 2020,a six-fold increase. Accor, a French hotel group, will addnearly 5,000 rooms in 30 hotels by 2016. Most international

hotel brands are scouting African capitals.

They are busy because Africa is growing fast and does not

yet have nearly enough hotels. Occupancy rates are sky-high,

and so are margins. Yet risks abound. A year ago, Boko

Haram, a Nigerian terror group, blew up, in quick succession

the national police command in Abuja and the UN head

office. Since then the group has expanded its attacks. TheAmerican government has issued travel warnings and cited

specific threats against the Hilton. A sense of siege has taken

hold in the capital. Checkpoints and security barriers are

everywhere.

The effect on the hotel has been dramatic. Once perpetually

full, its conference facilities have emptied out. Foreign

companies have taken their business to Lagos, the

commercial capital. International airlines no longer dare to

keep crews in Abuja. The hotel wont say how far its

occupancy rate has dropped. But taxi drivers at the front gateguess it is down by 60%. On the upside, Wi-Fi internet

access will it seems be installed in all rooms before the end of

the year.http://www.economist.com/news/business/21566017-race-build-new-hotels-africa-no-vacancy


AkbarPraysRecommendedReadingList

Medical Apartheid: The Dark History of Medical Experimentation on Black Americans from Colonial Times to the Present

by Harriet A. Washington National Book Critics Circle Award Winner (Nonfiction)

Medical Apartheid is the first and only comprehensive history of medical experimentation on African Americans and the shockingmistreatment as unwilling and unwitting experimental subjects at the hands of the medical establishment.

King Leopold's Ghost: A Story of Greed, Terror, and Heroism in Colonial Africaby Adam HochschildKing Leopold II of Belgium seized the territory surrounding the Congo River. He looted its rubber, brutalized its people, and

ultimately slashed its population by ten million--all the while shrewdly cultivating his reputation as a great humanitarian.

What's the Matter with White People: Why We Long for a Golden Age That Never Was by Joan Walsh

This book provides a unique window into the hearts, aspirations, anguish, anger, fears, and pride of white working class voters duringthe twentieth and twenty-first centuries, while giving context to current class and race relations in todays America.

Slavery by Another Name: The Re-Enslavement of Black Americans from the Civil War to World War II by Douglas A. BlackmonBy turns moving, sobering, and shocking, this unprecedented account reveals the stories of those who fought unsuccessfully against

the re-emergence of human labor trafficking, the companies that profited most from neo-slavery, and the insidious legacy of racism

that reverberates today.

Forty Million Dollar Slaves: The Rise, Fall, and Redemption of the Black Athlete by William C. Rhoden

New York Times columnist examines how black athletes still find themselves on the periphery of true power in the multibillion-dollar

industry their talent built. He details the conveyor belt that brings kids from inner cities and small towns to big-time programs,

where theyre cut off from their roots and exploited by team owners, sports agents, and the media.


9/16


OrganizationalstructureTheLatinKingshaveahierarchicalorganizationalstructure:theyhavenumerous"chapters"or"tribes"acrossthecountry,whichadheretoaregional,state,andanationalsystem.Officers(Inca,CasiqueandEnforcer)aresupportedbya"CrownCouncil"ofsevenmemberswhichsetrulesandregulationsandholdsdisciplinaryhearings.ThehierarchyleadstoregionalofficersandultimatelytotheSupremeIncarulerbasedinChicago.Thehead(orheads)oftheentirecriminalorganizationareknownas"Coronas"(crownsinEnglish).Oneretireddetectivesaidin2004:"WhenyoucomparethemtootherstreetgangsliketheBloodsandtheCrips,nonecomparetotheorganizationoftheLatinKings.".moreinfo....AccordingtotheManifesto,"TheNewKingistheendproductof

completeawareness,perceivingthree-hundredandsixtydegreesofenlightenment;hisobservationsarefreeandindependent;histhoughtsarenotcloudedbyanyformofprejudice...Forhimtherearenohorizonsbetweenraces,sexesandsenselesslabels",includingganglabelsforrecognition.TheNewKingnolongerviewstherivalwarriorasthecauseofhisills;instead,hefightsagainsttheAnti-KingSystem(socialinjusticesandinequality),asystemwhichseekstodenyandoppresshispeople:theOppressedThirdWorldPeoplesTheLatinKingsaremostlyofLatinodescent,withsomeBlack,White,AsianandMiddleEasternmembersaswell.

ByOmifalade

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IREMEMBERAsIreminisceonmypastIamoftentakenbacktowhenIwasayoungteenagerespeciallyduringMartinLutherKingsbirthdayshangingoutwithmycousins,youknowtheonesnoonewantedyoutoassociatewithunlessyouwereintrouble/theonesthatwerealwayshiddenandneveracknowledgeduntiltherewasatragedyoradeathinthefamilythecousinsthatalwayspromisedyounevertoworryaboutanything,soyoudidnt.Newark,mybirthplace,isnevertobediscardedorerasedfrommymindormyheart.Itwasthebirthplaceofmydemonsandtheplaceofrebirth.Iamoftentakenbacktoatimewhenlifewasmuchsimplerandthingswereappreciatedandoureldersrespectedmuchmore.IamremindedofhowIlearnedaboutrespectandloveformyelders;children;allpeopleofcolorandmyownculture.ManyofHispanicculturebackthen,aswellassomenow,didnotbelieveinthemixingoftheraces.Itwasoktosocializeandhangoutwithpeopleofcolorbutnevercorrecttodatethem.In1991,whenmyuncleswifediedinacaraccidentinSouthJersey,myunclesweretalkingtomycousinsoutsidethechurchbeforetheservice.Lateronthateveningtheygatheredoutsidedrinkingbeerandtalkingabouthowitwastakencareof.Iwasalittlenaveanddidnotquiteunderstandwhattheyweretalkingabout.Itwasjuststrangehowtheyjust

droveawaywithoutsayinggoodbye.Lateronthatsummer,mycousinJohnnyhadnoplacetogo.Mymombeingtheblacksheepofthefamilytookhiminwithopenarms.Hebecamelikemybrother.Ihadmanyquestionsforhim,amongthemwasaboutwhathewasdoingthatthefamilyneverspokeaboutordidnotwanttodiscussTheLatinKings.AsIlistenedtohisstories.Themostinterestingonethatneverescapesmymind,ishowhegavemeahistorylessononhowtheLatinKingswereformedtopayhomageandhonortheLatino,whichencompassedtheAfrican,theTainoaswellastheSpaniard.ItmemademeunderstandwhytheywalkedsoproudshowingsocietythatLatinosaswellasblatinosareasuperiorracebecauseofthemixtureinourblood.Itdoesnotmatterwhereyouwereborn,onlythebloodthatrunsthroughyourveins,andthatwhattheystandforisloyalty.ThatsthedayIbecameproudofbeingaffiliatedwithafamilymemberwhowasaking.


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10/16


1

AMessageToTheMontefiore-Einstein

MedicalCenterDoctorsofFamilyAnd

CommunityMedicine(MMCD)

ByDr.MutuluShakur

In extending great enthusiasm and support

for the objectives of (MMCD), we have kept

in mind that 45 years ago in the streets,community centers, Hospitals and mobile

experimental units, a army of committed andconcerned have-nots have taken a realistic

look at the state of the undeserved health

population in the city of New York, andfrom all angles tried to apply a predictable

skill, and alternative modalities in which to

give some predictability and healing for our

community.

What (MMCD) have decided to do to

resuscitate/professionalize and apply the

same theory in these days and times could

not have come at a more crucial stage in the

role health care is playing or not playing in

the political theatre of the United States

political paradigm. The awareness of the

masses to the motives of the state will berevealed by an astute politically aware,

medically deprived population. The

revealing stage of the objectives of theAmerican Medical association and the

pharmaceutical companies of 45 years ago

was revealed when the collaboration of the

state, city and national political apparatus

made an attempt to convince thepopulation that the war on drugs could be

won and controlled by the introduction of

a deadly chemical methadone. Using all

the powers at their disposal to force the

victims of the drug plague to submit to

extraordinary doses of medication just so

they will not be a part of the criminal

class. We called it then, as i t was,chemical warfare, and chemical

Genocide.

Today we have tons of research and great

practitioners, such as doctors, nurses,

acupuncturists, midwives and activists

that are trying to make up for the lack of

consistent consciousness of the masses as

to theeffectivenessofalternativemedicine.Thetaskwillbehard,andtheoppositionbythepharmaceuticalcompaniesandthemedia,willbesevere. I salute you, the cadres of theBlack panther party, The young lords

party, peoples free health centers,

Lincoln Detox, The republic of new

Africa, salute you as well. I am glad to

see the day that the work of those pastcomrades has been carried on by the

work of (MMCD) and others. Many of

those comrades are underground, in

prison, martyred or in exile. They

suffered tremendous damages and

casualties because of their effort toprovide health care to the masses. If

there are those who doubted then they

should join me in calling for a Truth

and Reconciliation Commission on the

cointel-pro low intensity warfare wagedagainst alternative health care in the 60',

70's, and 80's. Thank you for giving me

the opportunity to resurrect the work of

Lincoln Detox, and I am proud that the

municipal hospitals in the city of New

York , make available alternative

acupuncture treatment that we started atLincoln Detox and carried on in Baana

for the victims of the Drug plague and

Post Traumatic Stress, and secondary

conditions. I congratulate Montefiore-

Einstein for his innovation.

Aim High and Go all out

Long lived the spirit of Lincoln Detox

and Baana

Stiff resistanceDr. Mutulu Shakur

Using all the powers at theirdisposal to force the victims of

the drug plague to submit toextraordinary doses of

medication just so they will notbe a part of the criminal class.

We called it then, as it was,chemical warfare, and chemical

Genocide.


"Wannagetover?Raisethebar!"Realsuccesscomesfromextraeffortandgenuineaccomplishment.

"STEPUPYOURGAME!"

"AccordingtoEducationTrust,amere12percentofAfricanAmericasfourthgradersreachproficientor

advancedlevelsinreading,whileaheartbreaking61percenthavenotachievedevenbasiclevels.The

EducationTrustalsonoted,thatafteryearsofgains,blackshavebeenslippingbehindinalllevelsof

education:

Bytheendofhighschool,African-Americanstudentshavemathandreading

skillsthatarevirtuallythesameasthoseofeightgradewhite."


11/16


Segregation Linked in Study

With Lung Cancer Deaths

BySABRINA TAVERNISE

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/17/health/study-links-segregation-and-

lung-cancer-deaths-in-blacks.html

African-Americans who live in highly segregated counties are

considerably more likely to die from lung cancerthan those in

counties that are less segregated, a new study has found.

The study was the first to look at segregation as a factor in

lung cancer mortality. Its authors said they could not fully

explain why it worsens the odds of survival for African-Americans, but hypothesized that blacks in more segregated

areas may be less likely to have health insurance or access to

health care and specialty doctors. It is also possible that lower

levels of education mean they are less likely to seek careearly, when medical treatment could make a big difference.

Racial bias in the health care system might also be a factor.

If you want to learn about someones health, follow him

home, said Dr. Awori J. Hayanga, a heart and lung surgeon

at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, who was the

lead author of the study.

The study, published in JAMA Surgery on Wednesday,

divided all counties in the country into three levels of

segregation: high, medium and low. It found that lung cancer

mortality rates, a ratio of deaths to a population, were about

20 percent higher for blacks who lived in the most segregated

counties, than for blacks living in the least segregatedcounties.

Lung canceris the top cause of preventable death in theUnited States. Blacks have the highest incidence of it and are

also more likely to die from it. For every million black males,860 will die from lung cancer, compared with 620 among

every million white males. The rates were calculated over the

period of the study, from 2003 to 2007.

The study drew on federal mortality data from that period, and

segregation data from about a third of United States counties

that had African-American populations large enough to

measure. About 28 percent of Americans live in


28 counties with low segregation, 40 percent in counties with

moderate segregation and 32 percent in counties with high

segregation.

The gap in outcomes persisted even after accounting for differences in

smoking rates and socio-economic status, Dr. Hayanga said.

For whites, high levels of segregation had the opposite effect, a

finding that surprised the authors. Whites who lived in highlysegregated counties had about 6 percent lower mortality rates from

lung cancer than those who lived in the least segregated counties,

though researchers pointed out that the difference was slight enough

that it was not clear whether it was meaningful.

Dr. David Chang, director of outcomes research at the University of

California San Diego Department of Surgery, who wrote an

accompanying editorial, said he hoped that the study would focusattention on the environmental factors involved in the stark disparities

in health outcomes in the United States because they lend themselves

to change through policy. Medical researchers tend to focus on factors

that are harder to change, like the genetics and the behaviors of

individuals.

We dont need drugs or genetic explanations to fix a lot of the health

care problems we have, he said.

In , by Arline T Geronimus, a professor at the University of MichiganSchool of Public Health, revealed that the " stress of living in a racist society causes AfricanAmericans to age faster and experience greater health problems at an earlier age than their

white counterparts These disparities, Geronimus argues, are a direct result ofinstitutionalized, structural and economic conditions. "

About70percentofoffendersandex-offendersarehighschooldropouts

andaccordingtoatleastonestudy,abouthalfarefunctionallyilliterate.


12/16


1

Explorethehuman-rightsimplicationsofthe

countrysleastwinnablewarthewarondrugs.

Considerthestatistics:Morethan40yearssinceit

began,itisthelongestconflictinAmericanhistory.It

hasresultedinmorethan45millionarrestsandmade

theUnitedStatestheworldslargestjailer.Ithas

fueledarmedconflictoverseas,devastatedpoor

communitiesanddisproportionatelytargetedpeople

ofcolor.Andyet,drugsarecheaper,strongerand

moreplentifulthanever.TheHouseILiveIn

Students Participate in National Screening of

Award Winning Documentary Film

On January 18, 2013, the APFFC in conjunction with

Central High Schools Social Justice Academy in Newark, NJ,

hosted a screening ofThe House I Live In, the award-winning

documentary by acclaimed documentary filmmaker Eugene JareckThe film exposes how the war on drugs has failed to reduce the use

and availability of narcotics, while increasing the number of

prisoners in America by 700%. The screening was part of a

national event for secondary schools; a thought provoking film

followed by a riveting panel discussion. The panel consisted of

members of the foundation, Qasim Abdul-Kareem and Akmoon

Pryor, along side special invited guests, Harlem legend, Jazz

Hayden and Munirah El-Bomani, Founder of WomenBuildtoo

Education and Trades Foundation. The discussion was led by a

student moderator, and included eight members of a student

panel.

Following the film and discussion, the student audience

wrote letters to their recently elected Congressional Representative

Donald Payne Jr., regarding the Souder Amendment to the Higher

Education Act. This amendment excludes anyone with a felony

drug conviction from attaining Federal Financial Aid for higher

education. The law has a disproportionately negative effect on

people who do not have the means to pay for college. Without

Financial Aid, a person would be excluded from the economic

opportunities that come with higher education. Studies have clearly

indicated that higher education increases changes for gainful

employment and thus reduces the rate of recidivism.


APFFCNEWSALERT!Wiseupaboutdumbingdown.Itsnotcool,nottoknow.

In California v. Acevedo, Justice in dissent noted as follows:

In the year from (1982 to 1991), the Court has heard arguments in 30 Fourth Amendment cases involving narcotics. In all bit

one, the government was the petitioner. All save two involved a search or seizure without a warrant or with a defective

warrant. And, in all except three the Court upheld the constitutionality of the search or seizure. In the mean time the flow of

narcotics cases through the courts has steadily and dramatically increased. No partial observer could criticize this Court for

hindering the war on drugs. On the contrary, decisions like the one the Court makes today will support the conclusion that the

court has become a loyal foot soldier in the Executive's fight against crime. "

In the war on drugs, the enemy is racially defined.

The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander


13/16


1

February 2, 2013

Greetings to

all,

Revolutionary

Love to all my freedom fighters struggling for

their Human Rights behind enemy lines. I want

you all to know that there are folks outside whowill never forget about you and the injustices

that go on while being lock down. My comrade

associates and I will do all we can to raise

awareness and expose this CRIMINAL

SYSTEM by all means. This is my first time

writing for APFFC newsletter, it is truly a honorto have the opportunity to share testimonies, my

experience and resources, as well as offervarious solutions. My name is Munirah El-

Bomani, a Female Freedom Fighter and

formerly incarcerated female who will be

sharing some Community and Political Newshope you would want to hear. Stay tuned!!!

Allow me use the opportunity to share with you

all a Call to Action that took place today, To

Protect and Organize women of African

Descent, and to Defend and Organize the

African community, COINTELPRO and the UScapture of our Freedom Fighters/Political

Prisoners and Prisoners of War and A Message

To All Urban Youth: The World is Yours so

squash all beef and Defend and Protect your

community from Police/GovernmentalOccupation and Terrorism. It was an honor to

be invited to present on the panel. These are

issues I am very much concerned about and have

committed myself to addressing them by all

means. All the invited panelists spoke very well

about their topic of discussion, providedknowledge/research and tangible solutions to

those interested in learning and doing the work.

There is more than just hosting a communityspeak out.....Its about talking that talk and

walking that walk. I noticed in my days in thestruggle that history rewards great speakers, but

not those DOING THE REAL WORK!!!

Believe me, the organization who hosted this

African Resistant Convention-Newark NJ, The

International People's Democratic

UHURU(FREEDOM)Movement is indeed a

movement on the rise and a force to bereckoned. For more research about them go to

www.inpdum.org

BlackHistoryMonth365Days


The panelists included:

Bro. Sadiki "Shep" Ojore Olugbala

Is a veteran of the original New York

State Chapter of The Black PantherParty, former Co-Chairperson of the

Free Mumia Abu Jamal Coalition, Co-Founder of the Safiya Bukhari-Albert

Nuh Washington Foundation and; The

National Community Outreach

Coordinator for both The Peoples

Survival Program & The Universal

Zulu Nation.

Sis. Pam Africa

Is the Coordinator for TheInternational Friends & Family To

Free Mumia Abu Jamal and; A longtime community organizer, lecturer &

political prisoner activist for the

Philadelphia based MOVE

Organization,

Bro. James Tarik "Gunnie" Haskins

Is a veteran of the original New York

State Chapter of The Black Panther

Party, political writer, community

organizer for The NYC PeoplesSurvival Program and; A former 17

year United States Governmentcaptured Black Liberation Army

Prisoner of War.

Sis. Dequi Kioni Sadiki-Odinga

Is an alumni of the NY/NJ Black

Panther Collective, Co-Host of

WBAI's "Where We Live" radio show,

Co-Chairperson of the Malcolm X

Commemoration Committee and; Thewife of and coordinator for 38 yearlong Black Panther/Black LiberationArmy Political Prisoner of War Sekou

Odinga's Sekou Odinga Defense

Committee.

Bro. Ojore N. Lutalo

Is a Revolutionary graphic artist,

lecturer, security expert, Black

Anarchist and former 28 year (22 in

solitary confinement for his political

belief and thoughts) United StatesGovernment captured New Afrikan -

Black Liberation Army Prisoner ofWar.

The invited panelists help strengthen

the force by building alliances and

committed to STEPPING UP our

efforts to raise public awareness,

Educate to Liberate and doing all we

can to provide SOLUTIONS. I am

very passionate about the plight of

Black Women, our youth and ourPolitical Prisoners/POW's behind

enemy line. As a proud member ofThe Million Woman Movement:

Black Women Defense League-

Newark Coordinator, I represented

on behalf of The historic Million

Woman March (MWM), the largest

gathering in the world of a women

anywhere ever, we will be hosting

the first of three major Summits that

will address the issue of HumanRights Violations of Africans

throughout the Diaspora.

As a part of this year's (2013)

International Human Rights Day

observance, MWM will issue in

international circles the concerns of

Gender Violations of Females of

African Descent and begin the

official filing ofGenocide in all

appropriate world courts and arenas

on behalf of enslaved Africans andtheir descendants in the US,

Injustices, Eugenics (forcedsterilization, systematically racist

contrived birth control, etc.), and

Human Rights Violations of

Incarcerated Citizens. The

International Summit on African

Diasporic Human Rights will take

place December 5-8, 2013 in Benin,

West Africa. Pre-Sessions on African

Diaspora Human Rights Reports andGlobal African Reconciliation willtake place, nationwide, now thruOctober, leading up to the MWM

"Sweet 16" Reunion that will take

place October 25-26, 2013.

There can be no change

without the voice of our

youth.

Take an active role in your

future!

Your world, your way!

For more information e-mail:

[email protected]


14/16


1

In this interview, Deborah Smith-Gregory discusses the

organizations role in the ongoing struggle for equality and

civil rights

APFFC: There is no question that for years the NAACP stood at

the epicenter of civil rights in this country. Founded in 1909 it is

one of the oldest, if not the oldest African American centered

civil rights organizations in this country. However, in what

many refer to as a post racial America, is the NAACP stillrelevant and why?

The NAACP has been on the forefront of the quest for equalityand civil rights. Civil Rights according to the dictionary is

defined as the rights of a citizen, especially those guaranteed to

all citizens of the United States, regardless of race, color or sex

by the Bill of Rights, the 13 th , 14th , 15th,19th, 24th and 26th

amendments to the Constitution and certain acts of Congress.

While much has changed, much has not. This "post racial"

America does not exist. While there have been advances racism

still exists in our country. It is not hanging people from trees asit was some 75 years ago; it is embedded in the fabric of our

workplace and policies that affect our communities.

Racism still exists and must be challenged on all fronts. Thiscountry will not be healed from the scars of racism until all

people are treated as full citizens of this land. If the NAACP

TheNAACPInTheNewPost-RacialAmerica

APFFCextends its congratulation to Deborah Smith-Gregory, on

her recent election asPresident of the NAACP's Newark Chapter.

was not here to raise the consciousness of our lawmakers and

those who vote, the current inequities would be even more direand perhaps there would be more "stand your ground"

assassinations . With the groundswell of back lash that many of

us are experiencing because of a President of color, the covers

have been pulled back and it is easier to see the raw, guttural

hatred and fear that permeates our society.

Yes we need the NAACP. We need the NAACP to turn up thevolume of relevancy, participation and education. The role of the

NAACP is to be an advocate, to sound a clarion call for justice of

the disenfranchised regardless of race or sex or creed. If you

read W.E.B Dubois, one of the architects of the NiagaraMovement which later became the NAACP, he demanded basic

rights that have still yet to be met: the right to vote, laws

enforced against the rich as well as the poor, justice even for

criminals and outlaws, the Constitution of the country enforced,

our children educated in a meaningful way who think, know,

aspire.

"How shall we get them? By voting where we may vote, by

persistent, unceasing agitation; by hammering at the truth; by

sacrifice and work." DuBois 1906

Yes we need the NAACP because while much has changed,much has not. The struggle continues and so do we!!



15/16


1

Today America, 5% of the worldspopulation, has 25% of the worlds

prisoners. Those prisoners have been

duly convicted of crimes and are

therefore slaves. There are presently 2.5

million prisoners in the United States of

America and another 5 million under thecontrol of the criminal justice system.

These numbers are unprecedented in the

history of human beings on the planetearth. There are more black men under

the control of the CJS then there were in

slavery in 1850, ten years before the civil

war.

African Americans continue to occupy

the base of the social and economic

pyramid. You can see them lined up

outside of the criminal courts in every

state in the country. You can go into

those courtrooms and watch themprocessed as though they were on a

conveyor belt into the prison system or to

the clerks office to be stripped of their

meager wealth by imposition of fines andsurcharges and sent to perform un paid

labor called community service.

What has changed?

This is African History Month. For the past

week I have been watching and re-watching

the Abolitionist, a two and a half hour

documentary on PBS, Channel 13. It covers

the Abolitionist movement from the early19th Century to the reconstruction period.

Watching the dynamics of that struggle for

the ending of slavery had me glued to thescreen and taking notes. The chief players

were William Lloyd Garrison (the printer

publisher of the Liberatoranti slavery

news paper); Nat Turner (led slave rebellionthat killed slave owners and freed slaves);

Harriet Beecher Stowe (who wrote Uncle

Toms Cabin); and Fredrick Douglas

(former slave, orator, publisher of the North

Star, and organizer). Oh, the mostprominent figure, Abraham Lincoln.

The Abolitionist is an historicaldocumentary about the struggle to end

slavery. The ending of the most brutal war

in American history and the passage of the

13th Amendment were supposed to be the

definitive ending of that period in American

history. However, when I look back from

the perspective of the present I am

confronted with the question--- what haschanged? I cant avoid the answer---very

little.

The 13th Amendment states, involuntary

servitude and slavery is abolished except forthose duly convicted of a crime. The

exception clause leaves slavery still in

effect for those convicted of crimes.

Work with Congress to close the 13th Amendment slavery loophole

Films like Lincoln, Django Unchained and The Abolitionist have sparked national conversations around slavery.Slavery in the USA has not been abolished as the 13th Amendment has an exception clause within it that allows slaveryas punishment for crimes. This could be the reason the USA has the worlds largest prison population and whyCorrections Corporation of America offered cash to take over state prisons.The majority of the enslaved are enslaved for non-violent so called drug crimes but that is not what this petition is about.In addition to closing the slavery loophole in the Constitution, all prisoners who work should be paid the federal minimumwage so that they might be able to contribute financially to their families.

We demand an end to this evil institution now!Sign the Petition at Whitehouse.gov

TODAYSUNFINISHEDBUSINESS

ByJosephJazzHayden

Byplacingusinthesecages

theyhavemanagedtodoall

ofthethingstheydidtousin

slavery,apartheid,andnow

How must WE change to address the unfinished struggle of

the Abolitionist movement of the past?


What has changed?

The struggle for change is unending,

something we must come to realize. The

new form of slavery (from private

ownership to state ownership) has thesame intent and purpose, to rob us of our

labor and to keep us powerless. By

placing us in these cages they have

managed to do all of the things they didto us in slavery, apartheid, and now mas

incarceration. They have taken our right

to vote, weakened the ability of our

communities to assert their interest in the

political process, fractured our families,

turned our schools into feeder systems

for their modern slavery, and turned our

communities into open air prisons.

The question now becomes How mustWE change to address the unfinished

struggle of the Abolitionist movement of

the past. The work I do in my roles asorganizer and community activist

requires me to stay in student/researcher

mode. My life experience has convinced

me that we live in a world of constant

change, perpetual change, and chaos.

This state of reality requires us to live inthe world as though we are students,

critical thinkers, always prepared forchange.


16/16


MISSION STATEMENTThe Akbar Pray Foundation For Change (APFC) is a not for profit grassroots organization, dedicated to redirecting the lives of our

urban at risk youth. It has been and remains our organizations mantra that " we are the solution to our own problems." It is our core

belief that there are those within our communities, if so engaged, who can help turn the tide of crime, delinquency and recidivism

which grips the lives of so many our inner city youth.

Operating from the premise that to effectively attack or address any problem you must start at its root, we have begun a program in

some of our citys schools and group homes, where we supply speakers, mentors, CDs and written material from the organizations

founder, which cuts to the heart of the problem experienced by many of these youths. Some times working with former gangmembers, inner city icons and others that have what is referred to as street cred, we have been able to achieve remarkable results.

Expanding on our mission, we continuously recruit individuals from various work disciplines to aid in educating young men andwoman with marketable skills.

To those ends we have engaged people both inside and outside our community to come to our classes and or workshops to share and

discuss the ups and downs, ins and outs of a wide range of work disciplines and careers. Never favoring one career path over any

other, we have invited professors, urban fiction writers, successful members of the hip hop industry, general construction contractors

and a Superior Court Judge to these open discussions and Socratic Circle seminars.

Again, it is our core belief that "we are the solution, to our own problems." In closing. We invite your participation in this noble

undertaking.

IF NOT YOU, THEN WHO?IF NOT NOW, THEN WHEN?


A Petition for aPresidential Commutation on behalf of Wayne Akbar Pray has been submittedto the Office of the Pardon Attorney. It is a request that his non-parolable life-sentence be commuted, makinghim eligible for parole in the near future. His success depends on the efforts and the voice of his community.Below you can find the numbers and addresses of those who are in possession of the Commutation Package. Acall to any or all of them on behalf of Wayne Pray could make the difference whether he is returned to his family

and community or spends the rest of his years in prison. Please make the call!

Attorney General Eric Holder

Correspondence to the Department,including the Attorney General, may besent to:

U.S. Department of Justice950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20530-0001

By Phone

Department of Justice Main Switchboard -

202-514-2000

Office of the Attorney General Public

Comment Line - 202-353-1555

By E-Mail

E-mails to the Department of Justice,including the Attorney General, may besent to [email protected]. E-mails will

be forwarded to the responsibleDepartment of Justice component for

appropriate handling.

Fax: (202) 225-7854

Congresswoman Maxine Waters

2344 Rayburn House Office BuildingWashington, DC 20515Phone: (202) 225-2201

Congressman Donald Payne Jr.103Cannon House Office Building

Washington, DC 20515

Phone: (202) 225-343

Newark Office

60 Nelson Place

14th Floor (LeRoy F. Smith, Jr. Publi

Safety Building)

Newark, NJ 07102Phone: (973)-645-32136

Correspondence to the Department of Justice,

Office of the Pardon Attorney, may be sent to:Ronald L. RogersOffice of the Pardon Attorney

1425 New York Avenue, N.W.Suite 11000

Washington, D.C. 20530

By Email

[email protected] (no

attachments)

By Phone

(202) 616-6070

Congressman John Conyers Washington Office: 202-225-5126 Detroit Office: 313-961-5670

Trenton / Downriver Office: 734-675-4084You can also visit me on Facebook at

www.facebook.com/CongressmanConyers.Why? Because it is

your right!

Let us know what youre thinking on our Facebook page!

Akbar Pray Foundation For Change

apffc february 2013 newsletter issue 8

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