FEATURES

THINGS THAT BOTHER ME

This week I lay down my sword and take up my pen to salute greatness. This is altogether fitting for my last article before Black History Month 2007 ends. The life I present remind us that we can make our lives sublime and, departing, leave behind us footprints on the sands of time. I give you that sublime contralto Ms. Marian Anderson. If I were asked who the greatest American contralto was, I should have no difficulty answering that it is Marian Anderson. She was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania February 27, 1897 and died April 6, 1993. Her parents, John and Anna Anderson, were persons of modest means. When Marian was ten her father died from an injury suffered at work. Her mother moved to her husband’s mother with her 3 daughters. Marian’s mother had been a teacher before her marriage. However, after moving to her in-law, she could only find cleaning work.

Creating an Impact

SUCCESS MUST BREED SUCCESS

I keep saying that the basis of my articles are meant to provide motivation for us — the marginalized and suffering masses around the Caribbean and the rest of the world. Therefore, when Tony Dungy and Lovie Smith took their respective NFL teams to Superbowl XLI through victories on January 21st, they had reversed that clause that said " . . . Misery likes company . . ." and they were showing off that PROSPERITY can also have/carry COMPANIONSHIP(s). When Tony Dungy and Lovie smith embraced each other on Friday, February 2, in Florida, in front of the Vince Lombardi trophy, it was two (2) Black friends displaying that there could be friendly pursuit for an esteemed prize.

EDITORIAL

By GODFREY WRAY

A month of our own

There seems to be a fresh and invigorating wind blowing in the direction of Black consciousness throughout the United States of America. Each year over the last decade, Black History Month which is celebrated in the month of February, has taken on added significance and this year the euphoria seemed to have boiled over into the full realization that the potential is right there for people of color to reach for the stars.

Celebrating The African-American Contribution To Black History Blacks And Politics

Once They Were Republicans, Now They Are Democrats

By Michael Roberts

Politics in the United States has taken a serious swing to the ultra-right with the control of key sections of the United States Administration by a neo-conservative group of Republicans. Now the emphasis is on entrenching the power of the ruling oligarchs and fulfilling the old "Contract With America." As we celebrate another episode of Black History Month the political thrust of the Republican Administration led by President George Bush has been to balance the budget on the backs of the poor while giving big business and special interest groups generous tax breaks in the hope that the so-called "trickle down" effect would materialize.

Frederick Douglass: Black Orator

A Freedom Fighter Par Excellence, He Waged A Stubborn and Uncompromising War Against Slavery and Oppression

By Michael D. Roberts

The story of Frederick Douglass began in Maryland where he was a slave. Brave and tough, Douglass was a born fighter. When his master tried to beat him he fought back and even resisted the efforts of the professional "Slave Breaker" to teach him his place and to "learn him manners." Convinced that slavery was an abomination to humanity, Douglass harbored thoughts of escaping. On his first attempt at freedom he was caught and returned to his master, but on the second attempt he succeeded.Arriving in Massachusetts, Douglas looked for employment in the shipbuilding industry since he had learned that trade while a slave. But he ran into one major problem: white shipwrights did not want to work with or near him since he was Black. Undaunted, he started to do so-called "nigger work"- cleaning ditches and collecting rubbish.

We are now into the seventh week of the year; 42 days have gone galloping by. What are we doing this year that is different from last year in our quest for "Happiness – a way of mind and a way of life" to quote Pastor A. R. Barnard? What are we doing about our 2007 goals, are they self-centred or do we have plans to help others or both? Are we focused on increasing our assets, are we digging ourselves out of a hole, are we community service oriented? Are we judging others or are we examining ourselves? Are we effectively using the 24 hours per day - our most important asset? Are we selfishly craving for happiness at the expense of others? What a lot of questions! If you attempt to examine them diligently and take corrective action, where necessary, He may give you what your heart desires and fulfill your whole purpose.

Black History Month has grown into an important event in the international calendar. Originally, when it was Negro History Month very little attention was given to it as it seemed to be more than just the recording of the exploits and achievement of a few outstanding black men. All this has changed for the better. Black History Month is now an opportunity to put in perspective the contribution of the non-white races to global civilization and to offer countries such as Guyana the occasion to focus on the achievements of its own local heroes. And it is particularly relevant that Black History Month in Guyana or more precisely those who observe the event understand that it is taking place against the background of some rather disturbing developments in the race relations of this country.

Celebrating The African-American Contribution To Black History

. . . Blacks And Politics

Once They Were Republicans, Now They Are Democrats

Politics in the United States has taken a serious swing to the ultra-right with the control of key sections of the United States Administration by a neo-conservative group of Republicans. Now the emphasis is on entrenching the power of the ruling oligarchs and fulfilling the old "Contract With America." As we celebrate another episode of Black History Month the political thrust of the Republican Administration led by President George Bush has been to balance the budget on the backs of the poor while giving big business and special interest groups generous tax breaks in the hope that the so-called "trickle down" effect would materialize.

By BRENDA AARON

Year 2007 is merely a few weeks old. Experience tells me that many have so far been able to keep their resolutions intact and are maintaining their focus and determination to achieve their objectives. There are others who have begun to slacken on their resolve and with waning enthusiasm and doubtful minds are questioning their own abilities to realize their dreams. Then there is a third category of souls, who by now, have completely forgotten their silent but robust pledges and promises made regarding their own lives or that of others.

IN DEPTH

800 PAGES OF EVIDENCE, AN ALIEN, & THE 4^th AMENDMENT: ROGER KHAN’S NEXT BIG CHALLENGE

Shaheed Roger Khan might be shuffling through pieces of his legal puzzle, while the U.S. Attorney prosecuting his case, shuffles through 800 pages of evidence looking for smoking guns. Armed with a huge pile of evidence from wiretaps, testimonies of witnesses in Guyana and the U.S., and God knows what else, the prosecution is filing a superseding indictment against Khan.

Impact on literature

THE HISTORIOGRAPHY OF CARIBBEAN LITERATURE

ANGLOPHONE CARIBBEAN POETRY

The 20^th Century & Beyond (3)

As we continue our account of Derek Walcott’s contribution as a poet to Anglophone Caribbean poetry, we should note the following observation by Edward Baugh, "A full knowledge of Walcott the poet must include knowledge of Walcott the poetic dramatist and champion of poetic drama."(253) Those of us who have studied his plays would readily agree with Baugh’s claim that the history of Creole’s incorporation into West Indian poetry must recognize Walcott’s pioneering achievement in plays like Sea at Dauphin, Ti-Jean and his Brothers, and Dream on Monkey Mountain(in Walcott [1970]).

I CALL IT AS I SEE IT

My latest column from Tribune, London 25 January 2007

The arrival of Sir John Holmes at the United Nations will be a distinctly underwhelming experience for most of the United Nations staff and diplomats. They would have been much more excited if it were his namesake the porn star "Long John" Holmes, whose qualifications were touted at 13 inches plus.
On the face it, the actor's qualifications, even when adjusted for reality at a mere ten inches, still appear more appropriate for his career than Sir John’s c.v. makes him to be Under Secretary General for humanitarian affairs.

 

IMPACT ON YOUTH

Is there hope for the Guyanese young people?

By Timica Forrester-Eastman

With the recent launching of several revelers’ bands in Georgetown, Linden and other parts of Guyana, the temperature seems to be rising as the country and its people prepare to celebrate their 37^th anniversary as a Republic.

PLUG INTO ENERGY

President Hugo Chavez's nationalization plans have so unnerved many who have a vested interest in the affairs of Venezuela that some have started to sell off their Venezuelan stocks. Major energy companies are also coming together to map out new strategy to counter the moves as Venezuela follows Bolivia’s example of taking over top profit- making enterprises. Bolivia opted for this action to force growth of its economy because, despite having the second largest natural gas reserves, it remains one of the poorest nations in the Andean region.