Watching ROOTS 2016

It is difficult to watch history at times, even historical fiction. Our 2016 class watched the latest version of ROOTS, and, judging from the responses I heard from the class, it was impactful, if nothing else. It 'dove-tailed' well with our in class study. We had the opportunity to see a more truthful characterization of precolonial Africa. We could clearly see that Africa was not just jungle and Timbuktu isn't a fictional mystical place but an actual city of academia, advanced culture and technology.

Be warned, ROOTS 2106 is graphic, violent, and real. This isn't a negative rather, it is important to show. In this day and age these historical situations must be brought into a real and serious light as 'revisionist history' is popular in an attempt to reduce the culpability of certain segments of our society. The benefits, assets and liabilities of the European Slave Trade are still evident in today's society.
Although many students came and discussed how hard it was to watch the mini-series, I expressed to them that I'm sure it was more difficult to endure the hardships than to watch them.

The ROOTS story is particularly close and relevant to me as I am a descendant of the 'Under Ground Railroad'. This is not only the story of 'African's in the Americas' but my family history, which I share openly with my students.

As a history enthusiast I would really recommend this new ROOTS as a way to engage the concept of slavery, that being said, it is a heavy engagement. You have to plan for a certain amount of equity in the process. Be ready to debrief and decompress.

Understanding the Results of History in the African Canadian Community

Kaishawne,
A very bright student in my 2016 African Studies class, wanted more clarification on some of the aspects of today's assignment.  There were some topics that were a little ambiguous and I will clarify them in a post right now...
1) The Concept of Cool,
This, in many ways, is exclusive to the Western Black Male. It is the Socio-psychic armour that a Black male learns to wear to protect himself from the 'slings and arrows' of a mainstream white society. It is 'staying cool' that protects him from reacting and over-reacting to negative situations that only Black males seem to end up in. A black male may need to stay cool when stopped by the police, confronted in an educational setting or in stores etc.
If the Black male reacts when these situations present themselves, whether they are in the right or not, they may find the situations turns negative fast. Many of these occurrences are triggered by the young man being nothing more than Black.

2) The Commodification of Black Male Death
Today's society seems to use the negative circumstance of the Black community as a money making venture. The amount of money many major record labels make and have made from the sales of 'Gangsta Rap' and it's secondary and tertiary properties is highly significant. They exploit 'Black Male Death' as the engine for their revenue. Most of these companies aren't Black owned and sell to up to 80% of their product to White college aged males. The music isn't really made by or for the Black community but has the greatest impact within it.

I hope this helps.

The Book of Negroes

This is the first time that I've watched the Book of Negroes in class. This book , written by Lawrence Hill, is a historically based, fictional account of a women, Aminata Diallo, an African who is captured from her village off of the coasts of Africa and lives the horrific adventures of the slave experience in the new world. Lawrence's story demonstrates the evils of slave trade as well as the evils of the players involved. Although I have usually watched the 70's mini-series ROOTS, this was a different take on the same theme, a little more current and modern in its production. 

I'm not sure I liked in any better. 

Rise of Imperialism

With the rise of Imperialism came the need to fuel these Empires with resources. This need prompted the push to explore. Explorers soon colonized many 'new' worlds and started sending resources back to their homelands. This started the need for more workers and cheap labour, and there's no cheaper labour  than slaves. 

Since the White labour and indigenous workers didn't work out (White slaves were, well, White and the indigenous workers often fell sick and had a knowledge the land, good for escape) Europe turned to their partners in trade Africa. 

Europe wanted Africans because:

1) They were visibly different. 

2) They had a predisposition towards farming. 

3) Were unfamiliar with the land. 

It seemed they were 'tailor made' to be exploited. 

Remembering the three stages of Storytelling.

Jim Shuter (a famous comic book writer) once told me that every good story ever had three components:

1) What was? status quo

2) What happened to change it? Catalyst 

3) What was the result ? Well...the outcome. 

Since History is nothing more than the story of humanity I can assume that it (history) would share these 3 components. 

We've studied 2 of the three four regarding African history in the West. 

The result would be our present day situation, the status quo would be our study of ancient Africa. 

Since there is such a difference between the two situations.  Differences that would be considered almost reciprocal scenarios one has to ask...What happened to change the Status quo?

My answer to them is...Slavery and Colonialism. 

Writing an Essay

These are notes from the lecture on 'How to Write an Essay'. Use these as a springboard for proper essay protocol and an easier writing process. 

City of God

One of my favourite movies. City of God is masterpiece out of Brazil. It documents gang  life in the slums of Brazil and it's effect on the people living there. Why is it relevant for the class? Well. It demonstrates that life for displaced Africans is similar in most parts of the world. Their situations and lives are similar. Oppressed people behave in similar ways all over the world. It highlights the devastation and  futility of gang life. It is a very powerful film and a must see. 

African Studies Class Culminating Activity

The African Studies Class Culminating Activity brings us full circle from the beginning of the course to the end. One of the first questions asked was 'What is being Black in Canada?'.  Now that you've had the opportunity to gain a greater understanding of the cause and effect of history perhaps your answer may be more detailed and nuanced. 

Can you honestly defend Bill Cosby??

I have been a Bill Cosby fan from before I can remember. My dad's Bill Cosby records entertained the family for years. The Cosby show was a favorite in my house and gave rise to a new Black consciousness. That's why I find his situation so sad. I can't defend him. One person may be a ' money grab'. Thirty-five and counting can't be defended; at least not by me. 

Read this for more:

http://nymag.com/thecut/2015/07/bill-cosbys-accusers-speak-out.html

Chris Rock and Good Hair

One of our most contentious classes is about Black women and their hair. For the last few years I've used Chris Rock 's documentary Good Hair. I've learned that messing work a Black woman's hair will cause discussion (to say the least). It's a complicated issue that deserves a nuanced examination. Here are some of the questions I asked today's class :

Use the documentary 'Good Hair' by Chris Rock as reference for the following questions. Answer the questions in sentence and paragraph form where needed:

What is considered Good Hair?

Why do you think the term Good is used to define hair of that nature?

Why is Chris Rock interested in this subject?

Who does he interview about this subject?

Is Black hair a 'money maker' in the U.S. 

What are some of the complications in the Black hair care industry?

What is a relaxer? How does it work? Is it healthy?

What do they mean by allowing the permanent to burn?

What is a weave? How does it work?

Why do Black women get weaves?

Is getting a weave affordable? Explain? 

Where does the hair come from?