Haitians Weigh In On Where to Give Resources
Haiti’s Cholera epidemic is the latest of several disasters to challenge the resources and the mettle of that nation. Claude Pressoir, co founder of Remember The Children Haiti, a not for profit based in Illinois that partners with grassroots organisations in Haiti, tells Christabel Nsiah-Buadi how groups like hers are responding to the most immediate challenges.
Then, former Haitian Prime Minister, Claudette Werleigh on why she believes the investment of time, rather than money, will be of greater help to the people of Haiti in the short and long term.
PLUS – Performer Gwyn Jay Allen on his musical hero Louis Armstrong and his latest album, ‘I Love Louis.’
Share on Facebook Read MoreElation At Cote D’Ivoire’s Historic Election
(From left: Precious Williams (photo by Lena Konstantakou) and a voter in the recent Cote D’Ivoire elections (UN)
This week – AllAfrica’s Cindy Shiner tells us why Cote D’Ivoire’s historic vote went to a runoff (set to take place in late November). Eloi Traore, an Ivorian living in the diaspora talks about the elation he felt at voting and why the people of Cote D’Ivoire are tired of being torn apart. us
Then — In the 1970′s thousands of West Africans sought English families to look after their children by placing adverts in magazines. How has this type of private fostering affected those involved and what protections are in place? Journalist, author and former foster child, Precious Williams gives her perspective. Her memoir is ‘Color Blind’ in the US (it’s called ‘Precious: A True Story’ in the UK).
Share on Facebook Read MoreRemembering Barbados’ late PM and Gregory Isaacs
After a three-week haiaitus, we’re back with a new-look show!
We kick off with news headlines from Africa, provided by AllAfrica.com
In our first segment, we remember the late Prime Minister of Barbados, David Thompson, with Marston Gibson his friend and former teacher. Mr. Gibson addresses rumours that he had been tapped to be the next Chief Justice of Barbados.
Then, Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond talks about the life experience that inspired her latest novel, ‘Powder Necklace‘, which Booklist described as “Far from the classic finding-your-roots story…so memorable and so surprising”
We also take a moment to play music from the late Jamaican music legend, Gregory Isaacs
Share on Facebook Read MoreAfro Brazil & The Elections PLUS Nigerian Reggae Singer, Ben Okafor
Also READ Afro Brazilian MC Eli Efi‘s take on his country’s election, and its impact on his community, HERE.
African Reggae Music star, Ben Okafor discusses the power of storytelling, how he thinks the Diaspora can heal internal wounds with Christabel. He also shares his experiences of the Biafra war.
Share on Facebook Read MoreAfro Brasilian MC, Eli Efi On The Presidential Elections & Its Impact
Brasil may have the largest Black population outside Africa, but how multi-cultural is it? Do all Brasilians live, work and play together? And what impact will the October 3 elections have on promoting equality for all Brasilians? Award-winning MC Eli Efi shared his thoughts on these questions and more with Home From Home.
Right after you read his thoughts, check out his latest video, ‘Propoganda’:
1. What economic and social issues are of greatest priority to Brasil — and to the Black community?
The greatest priorities in my opinion are investing in education, increasing transparency in the political process, decreasing taxes, and creating systems to punish corruption in our public offices. Money diverted by corruption is one of the main impediments to investing public monies in programs and policies that benefit the population. In terms of the black population, Brasil still functions on the basis of a camouflaged racism, which doesn’t recognize the lack of opportunities that exist for Afro-Brazilians. This situation keeps the black community living below the level of poverty and misery.
2. Do you think any of the candidates acknowledge these priorities?
I believe that it is important to continue what this current government began, so I think our best chance is with Dilma Rousseff (Workers Party). The current government acknowledged some of these issues and worked to address them. During this administration, the black community had more opportunities to participate in political discussions concerning the social, economic, and cultural development of our communities than ever before.
3. Lula ends his presidency as the most popular President in Brazilian history. presidency comes to an end, what, if any, changes for the Black community, have come into effect?
Lula achieved a high level of economic and social growth in Brasil. He worked to to re-distribute wealth and income, expanded educational opportunities, and developed several programs to combat poverty and help low income people. This administration was much more participatory than previous ones and there was a sense of a larger connection to the reality of everyday people. I strongly believe this had positive outcomes for the black community overall. Many of our friends and families have directly benefited from some of the programs that were established. I can give you a tangible example. Higher education for way too long was completely inaccessible to low income and black communities. During the past seven years, a record number of friends, colleagues, and family members have been able to enroll in universities. Again, I feel very strongly that education is a key component to improving the overall situation of poor Brazilians and particularly of black Brazilians.
4. It’s often said that Brasil has the largest black population, outside Africa. How are Afro Brasilians represented in positions of national influence?
Brasil is still an extremely prejudiced and racist country which limits black people’s access to positions of national influence in the political and economic sphere. We only appear on the national stage when its time to talk about music and sports. The election of Lula, a man from the Northeastern part of the country (which is routinely categorized as backwards and less sophisticated than the South), signaled some progress in terms of overcoming different forms of prejudice in the nation. There has also been an increase in the number of black people involved in public offices primarily on the local level. But racism remains a very serious problem for us, given the enormous size of the black population in our country.
5. Brasil has an extremely diverse population, on paper at least. How does this play out in real life, do Brazilians live, work and play together?
We definitely don’t live, work, and play together. Brasil is pretty divided along racial and class lines. Everyone has their place and as a black person your mobility is definitely monitored. Many people believe this idea that because poor neighborhoods in Brasil have white and black residents, that there is perfect harmony. The reality is far from that.
Even in the poorest neighborhoods, racism rears its ugly head. Darker skinned children get routinely mocked in schools and while two families may have lived next door to each other for many years, when the black child of one family starts dating the white child of the other, there are usually problems. These are some of the very basic social manifestations of racism among Brasilians of the same class. When one looks at the disparities that exist between white and black Brasilians in the areas of education and employment, it becomes clear that while racism in Brasil is undeclared it is quite systematic. The gaps in income and opportunities In order to change this situation, it will require a consolidated and earnest effort from all sectors of the country – from the people to the government.
Eli Efi is a hip hop artist, born and raised in São Paulo, Brasil. In 1988, he founded the politically charged, award-winning rap group DMN. He was DMN’s front man until he left the group in 2004.
Eli Efi has become well-known and respected for his hard-line stance against racism, poverty, and injustice. He was an educator for a series of arts and political education workshops sponsored by Zulu Nation Brasil in São Paulo. He continues is work as an educator in New York City.
Share on Facebook Read MoreAre We On Target To Eliminate Extreme Poverty by 2010? Plus Elizabeth Nunez
PLUS
A special report on the three day UN Summit On Millennium Development Goals, held earlier this week. Are targets being met? What is the impact? Bunmi Oloruntoba, of AllAfrica.com provides the news report from New York; Kathy Knowles and Joanna Felih, of the Osu Children’s Library Fund, in Ghana give us a view from the trenches.
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