South

Remembering the African Holocaust

Black Jewish Relations Under Obama:Reopening Old WoundsPaul ScottApril 21st is Holocaust Remembrance Day, a day set aside to remember the the Jews who suffered under the Nazi regime. No one can fault an ethnic group for honoring the deaths of millions of its brothers and sisters. However, as a descendant of those who experienced their own African Holocaust I find myself, selfishly, asking "what about us ?"My feeling of unapologetic, self centeredness has become more pronounced in the aftermath of the Obama Administration's bowing to Jewish pressure and deciding to boycott the UN World Conference Against Racism, an event that would have, initially,allowed issues important to African Americans such as reparations and the Trans Atlantic Slave Trade to be presented on the world stage. This was especially hurtful to a black community that had the misconception that the nations first African American president would give their issues a fair hearing.For many blacks, this opened up an old wound; Jewish issues taking precedence over African American concerns.Very few people argue over the death toll of six million Jews during their Holocaust, however, for African Americans it is much different. The number of African people who were brought to America is conservatively estimated at 40 Million. How many Africans perished during the 400 years of the slave trade and the following years of European colonialism the world may never know. Reason being, the concern for people of color pales in comparison to concern for people with white skin.There is only room for one "most persecuted" group and the Jews aren't sharing that spotlight with anyone.Some of the best critiques of Black-Jewish relations were written by Harold Cruse in his books "Crisis of the Negro Intellectual" and "Plural but Equal." Cruse points out that contrary to popular belief, there was no real African American-Jewish alliance prior to 1913. It was not until the trial of Leo Frank, a Jewish man, convicted of murder based on the testimony of a black man and later lynched by a white mob that Jewish Americans developed any solidarity with the plight of black people. Prior to that the Jews were just as ambivalent towards the plight of blacks as other white folks.But this fact is not discussed for fear of being labeled an anti-semite. Black anti-semitism is , in itself, a misnomer. If you look at the actual definition of a Semite, it can apply to members of many ethnic groups of the Afro-Asiatic world; a fact that is conveniently left out of discussions.If anything, African Americans are Jew phobic. There is a fear, whether real or imagined that if you say anything against Jewish people, something very bad is going to happen to you.Part of this fear is theological.Since the enslaved Africans in this country were forbidden to read the Bible, they were unable to develop a theology that placed their struggle in the context of the Divine Being's master plan. Therefore, any group that claims the title of "God's Chosen people" is readily accepted by African Americans, without question. This places them at a distinct disadvantage when dealing with other cultures which have historically made their culture synonymous with their religion.The fear has also been socio-politically based.There is a fear among African Americans that being labled an "enemy of the Jews" could result in anything from losing a political office, getting evicted from one's home to being blacklisted by any industry having a high Jewish ownership.Whether real or imagined, these fears are not, totally, without precedent and the animosity over the control that many believe Jews exert over black lives remains.Despite the good that Minister Louis Farrakhan and the Nation of Islam have done cleaning up drug infested, black neighborhoods any positive comments about the ministry are blocked by charges of anti-semitism.In the political realm, Rev. Jesse Jackson had his presidential runs of the 1980's severely impacted by the charge. Also during this period, politicians such as former Chicago political aid, Steve Cokely, lost his job because of charges of making anti-Jewish statements.Black entertainers have been affected, as well. At the top of his popularity, "the King of Pop" Michael Jackson was dethroned by Jewish activists for mouthing the lyrics "Jew me, sue me" on the controversial song "They Don't Care About Us." Also, many believe that it is more than a coincidence that the top rated Arsenio Hall Show was canceled shortly after the appearance of Min. Louis Farrakhan on the program.As uncompromising as Hip Hop claims to be, even it has been impacted. During the late 80's, the rap group Public Enemy came under intense scrutiny for comments that group member Professor Griff, allegedly, made that offended Jewish leaders. Even Sean "Puff Daddy" Combs had to censor the lyric "stack chips like Hebrews" from the hit record "All About the Benjamins." The irony being that calls from African American women for rappers to stop recording misogynistic lyrics fall on deaf ears.While the calls often go out to open channels of dialogue between the black and Jewish communities, this cannot be done without open and honest communication. Before we can move forward, we have to heal the old wounds of the past. This can only be done by cultural education which must begin with an African American community that has little knowledge of its own history.Unfortunately, the African American scholars who have been capable of bringing historical clarity to the issue like Dr. Tony Martin and Dr. Leonard Jeffries have,themselves, been demonized as anti-semites.On April 21st millions of Jews will repeat the phrase, "never forget!"Unfortunately for African Americans, we cannot forget that which we have never been allowed to learn.Paul Scott writes for No Warning Shots Fired.com. He can be reached at info@nowarningshotsfired.com or (919) 451-8283
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  • West
    Great discussion and educated and aware perspectives , ladies and gentlemen ; ( In my, humble opinion ) .... AND , with comments like these , that comport very nicely with that which I have realized , in my own journey of Historical discovery , I think that we are moving along , and forward very , 'smart-ly' . Peace .
  • Africa
    We must not discuss African holocaust as a thing that happened in the past when it is still happening now. In as much as we remember and grieve. we must also look inwards and watch what is happening now. What about Sudan? What about Nigeria? We grieve and we crave for reparation for the evil done to Africans during slave trade in places like America and the unthinkable evil the Jews suffered under the Nazi regime. Isreal is not responsible for the enslavement of women in Sudan. What about the chaos in Nigeria? Can somebody tell why there will never be peace in the Niger Dela? Do we talk about injustice? Do we talk about unfairness. I will leave politics to politicians, but I am human and I am mostly concerned when there is an injustice to humanity.
  • South
    Here we go again. This is not rocket science. It is not an accident that all of a sudden we see crocodile tears and outright lies every day single in all of the African media about Darfur. It as if a chorus of evil is being orchestrated from Tel Aviv.

    Lie #1:
    “The African Holocaust is going on right now in SUDAN.”

    This is simply not true. The African Holocaust is the transatlantic slave trade. Never before in history nor since has humanity suffered as much. For 300 years, the population of Africa did not increase. Assuming a normal rate of population growth, Dr. Walter Rodney estimated about 300 million African deaths. Yet, we have crocodile tears about a few white folks dying under Hitler, another white man. Even these Semites are not a separate holocaust from the African holocaust because Semites, both Arabs and israelis, have a biological link to Africans. It is suspected that NAZI racism was and is the very same racism that saw the Spanish Inquisition and numerous pogoms in the history of Europe. In other words. Europeans hated and still hate Jews, not so much because they are Jews; rather it is because they are Africans, or at least have African blood in their veins. Their idea was to keep the so-called white race “pure”.
    As for Sudan, the truth is it is outside powers that is responsible for the suffering in Darfur. OIL.( https://theblacklistpub.ning.com/group/whoamiforafricaandafricans/fo...) Read the posts in this forum on the subject of conflict in Sudan. It did not start in Darfur. In fact, it did not start in Sudan. It started in Nigeria. And, the reason behind the conflict in Nigeria was exactly the same as it is in Sudan. There is no race issue. Both sides in Nigeria were so-called Black Africans. One side was mostly Christian and the other was Muslim. Millions died.
    The conflict over oil in Sudan began in southern Sudan. It was the Islamic government who spent decades to bring about a Comprehensive Peace Agreement in the south. It is also the Islamic government that is working begging and pleading for peace in Darfur. But, instead of accepting peace offers, the thugs who call themselves rebels have consistently refused to accept peace. When the African Union intervened to protect the civilian population in Darfur, the thugs responded by attacking the peace keepers. (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7497708.stm)
    And, Comrade Morgan’s wife recently died in Zimbabwe under suspicious circumstances. The holocaust is by no means limited to Sudan or any other one African country. Africans die all over the world every day, due to white racism and Uncle Tom/Aunt Jemima treachery. In the news today, we see attacks on the Youth Party of Somalia. (http://www.upi.com/Top_News/2009/04/20/Islamic-groups-battle-in-Som... and http://africanchat.ning.com/forum/topics/questions-about-usa) Nobody ever knows for sure exactly who is behind these crimes. But, if we are not wise, we allow ourselves to be drawn into unnecessary conflict simply by reacting to such attacks and crimes before we stop to think and ask the question of why do so many co-incidents occur whenever we make progress towards among Africans. We must ask who is benefiting from the conflict. It sure is not any of the Sudanese, being they Arabs or non-Arabs.

    Lie # 2:
    “The Arab world is responsible for it.” Both sides in the conflict in Darfur are Muslims. Both sides are African with Arabic cultural and racial ties. The truth is His Excellency Brother Umar Al-Bashir is of Nigerian ethnic stock. Even so, he does not appear to be nearly as bloodthrist and brutal and the patriots of the Nigerian Civil War (http://www.africamasterweb.com/BiafranWarCauses.html and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nigerian-Biafran_war) Maybe I am jaded. But, anyone who lived during the Nigerian Civil War is not impressed with the conflict in Darfur.

    Lie # 3:
    “The African Holocaust is going on in Somalia and Nigeria, right now.

    The Arab and Muslim nations are responsible for it.”

    All sides in conflict in Somalia are Somalis, not what is known to us as Arabs. The causes of the conflict in Somalia are similar to the causes in Nigeria, namely colonialism and the west’s insatiable greed for African resources, especially oil. Oil is the common denominator in all of these conflicts. Somalia has not been able to develop its oil resources due to prolonged conflict and the absolute resistance of the Somali people to outside interference. But, the vultures are swarming around Somalia waiting for every opportunity to rush in and steal the Somali nation blind, including steal tuna and other seafood from the seas off the coast of Somalia.
    That is exactly what I meant to say: the Somali nation. Somalia is over 99% Muslim, all speak the4 Somali language. They all have a common ancestor Samaal, hence the name Somali. Instead of being the cause of the conflict in Somali, Islam is the the most potent unifying force in Somalia because no other nation in the world has a larger percentage of Muslims than Somalia. Nor, does any nation in the world have a longer history of Islam. Somalia was the very first Muslim country in history, predating even Mecca and Medina, Saudi Arabia which is the center of the Muslim World.

    Lie #4:
    When are you going to stop all the B.S. with Israel and turn your attention to the evils committed right now against African people by the entire Arab world?

    The war crimes committed recently in Gaza is also part of the African Holocaust. These crimes were committed right under our noses and I heard not one Uncle Tom or Aunt Jemima complain even though Gaza shares a common border with Africa’s third largest country, Egypt. The people of Gaza and all of Palestine are exactly of the same ethnic and racial stock as the people in every other African country, namely what we know as Arabs and so-called Black Africans. I meant to say exactly what I said: many Palestinians are so-called Black. All of them have so-called Black bood.

    Lie #5:
    “Israel is not the one enslaving Sudanese women in Syria, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Yemen
    and Palestine.”

    Islam is the first culture and civilization in history to emancipate woman and codify Women’s Rights (http://www.submission.org/suras/sura4.htm)

    Lie # 6:
    “Are you also unaware that Israel is the one who tried to defended and protect the South
    Sudanese and the Darfur victims by giving them guns and ammunition to defend themselves
    against the Arab oil companies pulling the strings and "Black" Arab militias?”
    Exactly. I am glad you said it before I did. Israel is behind not the conflict in Sudan, but Somalia, as well. Djibouti, which is a part of the balkanized Somali nation, is a cesspool infested with Israelis and other assorted misfits and Zionists. Israel is also deeply involved under the cover NGO’s and civil society organizations in Puntland, another balkanized part of the Somali. As for Somaliland, I do not have any specific proof of Israeli involvement. But, I do know that Somaliland is such a corrupt and pathetic experiment that it is impossible not to suspect Israeli involvement. Perhaps you could enlighten us.

    Lie #7 (Please note that I am not covering all of the lies in this garbage. I am only covering a few of them):
    “Why are you guys such cowards when it comes to the evils being committed by the Arab and Muslim world against millions of Africans?”

    The truth is Israel was forced on us in 1948.( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1948_Arab-Israeli_War ) But, what id known to us as Arabs have been in Africa for not less than 200,000. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berber_people ) Who do you consider to be the trespassers in this situation? The Israelis or the Arabs?

    Lie #8:
    “Why do you waste all this energy on Israel when in fact there isn't a nation on earth that
    didn't take part in enslaving African-Americans including the American Indians and all the
    Africans themselves?”
    No country in Asia has a history of participating in the slave trade. That alone is over half the world’s population. Plus, Russia and Eastern Europe did participate. Furthermore, it was Africa that dominated Arabia, not the other way around. (http://www.africaresource.com/rasta/sesostris-the-great-the-egyptia...) That makes logical sense. I have never known a tail to wag a dog. Do you really have such low opinions of your fellow Africans as to think that we have always been at the bottom in every situation in history? Can you not imagine that it is possible that Africans can relate to others in ways other than African slave/white master relationship? Even to this very day, the elite ruling classes in every Arab country is more Black than brown. (http://www.saudiembassy.net/Country/Government/BandarBio.asp and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anwar_El_Sadat) Even the Asain deity Buddha was a so-called Black African. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anwar_El_Sadat) We know this because we know that Monotheism which includes Buddhaism comes from Africa. In other words, Judaism, Christianity, Islam and Buddhism all originate in Africa. It is insane to assert that Islam is somehow against Africans because Allah gave us Islam before he gave it anybody else. Muhammad (Peace and Blessings be upon him) was part so-called Black African. And, all of his close companions, including two of his wives were either all Black or at least partially Black. The third Caliph of the Muslim Ummah was an African. This is one of three founding caliphs of the Islamic Empire. There are many other Black rulers of the Muslim world. History is our best teacher. If I am incorrect, provide evidence to prove it.
    African, we need to get our act together and have our heads screwed on straight. We are no longer slaves who can rely on israelis and white folks to think for us and “take care” of us. Allah gave Africans as much brain capacity as Euroepans or any other people on earth. But, it is up to us to use our brains and know what is true and what is not true in the white dominated news media and educational system. If all we can do is repeat what the whites tell us without even thinking, have their lies and propaganda pass through our heads and not even touch our brains, we are worthy to be called adults and responsible citizens of the USA, any other country in the world and especially not Africa. Think.
  • West
    ... the three previous posts are stating some importants issues , so where does one begin (??) ... there are plenty of very aware brothers and sisters 'out-there' who are , daily , it seems , realizing that 'they are not alone' ... many of 'us' are blowing our horns in/on the blogosphere , while others my have already developed a following ... what took centuries to construct by the european slaver , must now be deconstructed with the collective re - education of black minds , spirits and communities ... god - speed .
  • Chicago-Midwest
    Wow!
    all the slinging of perfectly good shit that could be used as fuel or fertilizer in the process of learning from past errors, eras, fuck ups and just general flubs makes it difficult for me to see a child wanting to sit on the lap of any one presenting these facts.

    One thing I know about guns is, there is always a paid subscription for the ammo.

    I'm emotionally ready to go join the Somali Volunteer Coast Guard, but the truth is I'm deathly afraid for my children and grandchild, here. Simply because without my physical presence, what I most strongly believe will not be a part of their lives.

    I don't mind being called a coward, when I know the costs of not being here is understanding that the community I dwell in will continue to advance towards becoming a "Barter town" where only steatopygia (an excessively fat ass) and a desire to be exploited is an admission key to the love and comfort desired by our most influential sources of inspiration. American women of all ilks vacillate between being fag hags lusting after fast talking effeminate men of leisure, harlots that desire little more than the individual comforts of some warlord's harem and paid mourners waiting for the resurrection of idealized club re-mixes of Jesus, MLK, Garvey, Malcolm X, Tupac or Biggie.

    The part that we missed out on from the "I Have a Dream" speech was the content of our character. American women don't like men of any shade that they can't use simple sexual tactics on to insure personal gain. Girls make boys stupid, women make men great. American women don't express sexual fantasies about "great", especially "thinking" men. Check the list on one of these forums addressing great living black folks. You'll find that shit is all too common. You ain't got no flowers for the living. Just Prayers for the Dying. I know what ya'll want and you ain't gonna get it from me.

    The arguments about Ashkenazim, Sephardi, Mizrahim, Ahl as-Sunnah, Shia, Sikh, Christian, Catholic, Chaldean, Coptic and whoever else claims or is claimed to have the true teachings or blood lines that allows them to speak for Your God and Your People will continue while the words of the true teachings will continue to go unheard and unheeded. Partially because there are countless interpetations of the "holy" texts and infinite commentaries on the actions and inactions of key people in those texts, but very few that are encouraged or even allowed to study those "holy text" and learn to apply them to their "real lives".

    It's like that decorative Bible in people's homes beneath pictures of some model portraying Jesus, JFK and MLK, opened to the 23 Psalm and coated in a quarter inch of dust.

    I would greatly enjoy a woman that claims someone like me as her ethnic counter part's expression of love to inspire to motivate a nation of people to do a great and lasting work that might out shine the Taj Mahal in its purpose and aesthetic beauty. [The surrounding grounds were originally covered with fruit bearing gardens and orchards. An express message of hope to the god of the man that commissioned it, that no one in his realm ever go hungry. Every man that worked on it's construction agreed to have their right hand cut off up on it's completion.] Perhaps it is the present President's wife. but with less than 100 days in office and his having failed to address each of our personal agenda's and desires. I don't know if we'll allow or encourage him to even try. I'm certain we won't produce an individual Lebron James, Sean Combs or 50 cent for every black woman that wants to be the bound concubine of one like them in the next 100 days. Still brothers die trying.

    It's true, people with close ethnic and geographic ties are still abusing and eradicating the weaker people of their neighboring communities and all we've been able to offer is talk and money and humanitarian relief packages, but no real solutions to the conditions that cause these things to occur.

    Why not send these http://www.organitech.com/index.php?page_id=39s, along with wind turbine electric generators, PV solar panels, clean water solutions and instructors along with the famine relief kits to both sides of these "regional" conflicts. After that you'll be able to clearly sort out who is doing what to whom. Until then they all see themselves as victims of something.

    Because under the religious conflicts are still the same fights for food, water and mating rights that have been going on sense the last ice age.

    But I'm just doing a logic problem.
    trying.it
  • NYMetro
    What a crock, Minister Paul.

    The African Holocaust is going on right now in SUDAN.

    The Arab world is responsible for it.

    The African Holocaust is going on in Somalia and Nigeria, right now.

    The Arab and Muslim nations are responsible for it.

    When are you going to stop all the B.S. with Israel and turn your attention to the
    evils committed right now against African people by the entire Arab world?

    Israel is not the one enslaving Sudanese women in Syria, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Yemen
    and Palestine.

    Are you people really not unaware and ignorant of what's going on TODAY?

    Are you also unaware that Israel is the one who tried to defended and protect the South
    Sudanese and the Darfur victims by giving them guns and ammunition to defend themselves
    against the Arab oil companies pulling the strings and "Black" Arab militias?

    Why are you guys such cowards when it comes to the evils being committed by the Arab
    and Muslim world against millions of Africans?

    Why do you waste all this energy on Israel when in fact there isn't a nation on earth that
    didn't take part in enslaving African-Americans including the American Indians and all the
    Africans themselves?

    This is why I don't listen to men like yourselves.

    You aren't fair and you don't honestly care about "black" people. You mainly want to
    service your Rhetoric, hear yourself talk and do nothing in the modern world but bitch
    about the past and other things you can't change.

    If you really hate and deplore the "African Holocaust", then do something about the one
    occurring right now.

    Do something about the Arab world's enslavement and genocide of Darfur and South Sudan,
    Somalia and Mauritania.

    EDUCATE YOURSELF!

    You sound like an idiot.
  • Hotep, Brother Paul! Continue to educate, Reparations is/are the cross-road solution to our human capital development. We must use an inside/outside education strategy. First educate our people,and they will educate the representatives of enslaving institution and the general public. Parallel-wise engage the discussion for reparations in the main-stream media as often as we can. The pib square is where this battle will be won. Let's keep on fighting for our historical memory!
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