Comrades, Let's Build!

[DreadedBliss]

I would really like to start work on something for the community. Specifically, the community that I grew up in. I'm being moved to do this. I must act. We need a community center, hell, a room will do, just something. I'm watching my young, Afrikan Brothers and Sisters destroy themselves and the next generation. I cannot be still!

What I want to work on is too much for me to attempt on my own in the present. Would anyone be interested in pooling our knowledge so that we can come up with some ideas and plans of actions on how to reach our people?

I also want to contact InPDUM to see what we would need to do to get a branch going in Atlanta (I see one for Savannah but that's kinda far for me ).

Or what organizations are you apart of? How are you building in your communities?

Anybody feel me, holla black through PM. Asante sana!

[DreadedBliss]

What do ya'll think about trying to start a brand new organization?

[Fenix]

I'm not in or from Atlanta but it doesn't take much to start mentoring the youngsters at all. You don't necessarily need a venue to get a positive force going.

[DreadedBliss]

Originally Posted by Fenix

I'm not in or from Atlanta but it doesn't take much to start mentoring the youngsters at all. You don't necessarily need a venue to get a positive force going.

Very true Sister! I'm feeling like if I can set up something central, the being grounded would really attract at least some people to start. Maybe I should crawl before I walk but I feel like I'm sitting on my hands and it doesn't feel right. I've got this fire in my bones and I'm trying to figure out how to handle what's been going on with me. What is the path I'm supposed to be taking? I'm listening for the Creator to point me in the right direction!

[Jalili]

You don't necessarily need a organization as much as a movement to make things happen.

You need to be organized of course but you need to have people ready to do something just because its what needed to be done not because a leader is leading them there.

Lead by example and like minds will lead themselves in that direction.

[DreadedBliss]

Originally Posted by Jalili

You don't necessarily need a organization as much as a movement to make things happen.

You need to be organized of course but you need to have people ready to do something just because its what needed to be done not because a leader is leading them there.

Lead by example and like minds will lead themselves in that direction.

I'm feeling you. It's starting to come together for me. I think on of my fears is that I can let feeling so alone in my endeavors cloud my judgment. I think to myself "I've watched these things go on for years, walking around just as , just in a straight coma. I see highly intelligent Afrikans doing some WTF type of isht constantly. I've been that Afrikan! Can I get through? Me, who is still breaking down my own barriers and cleaning my mind/soul." Meditating on things, it's coming though, I feel it...

[DJ RBG]

Warrior Queen check your PM box

[Fenix]

Originally Posted by DreadedBliss

Very true Sister! I'm feeling like if I can set up something central, the being grounded would really attract at least some people to start. Maybe I should crawl before I walk but I feel like I'm sitting on my hands and it doesn't feel right. I've got this fire in my bones and I'm trying to figure out how to handle what's been going on with me. What is the path I'm supposed to be taking? I'm listening for the Creator to point me in the right direction!

Start slowly. Mentoring programs are hit or miss. I know in my experiences, whenever I asked for use of a venue, I was told to show that I would be putting it to good use, meaning do you even have kids who are going to participate in the program.

That's always the first question. Are the kids going to come. I can't tell you how many venues I got kicked out of because only one or two kids were showing up for the programs. Until I got the membership up, nobody was allowing me to use their space for free (NOT EVEN CHURCHES!!!). And I was starting with no money so I couldn't rent any space. (Maybe you have the cash).

I just know how tough mentoring has been for me (I've been at it since I was 14). Putting the program out doesn't always mean the people will come. My ideas were so big and complex (ah, youth!) and I really had nothing to stand on so for a long time I wondered if it was even worth it.

I cried to an elder once and all he offered was this: "Patience. Persistence. People." At that time, I had none of the three. Building is a process so make sure you have the proper foundation first.

If you need any help that I can offer from a distance, let me know.

[DreadedBliss]

Originally Posted by Fenix

Start slowly. Mentoring programs are hit or miss. I know in my experiences, whenever I asked for use of a venue, I was told to show that I would be putting it to good use, meaning do you even have kids who are going to participate in the program.

That's always the first question. Are the kids going to come. I can't tell you how many venues I got kicked out of because only one or two kids were showing up for the programs. Until I got the membership up, nobody was allowing me to use their space for free (NOT EVEN CHURCHES!!!). And I was starting with no money so I couldn't rent any space. (Maybe you have the cash).

I just know how tough mentoring has been for me (I've been at it since I was 14). Putting the program out doesn't always mean the people will come. My ideas were so big and complex (ah, youth!) and I really had nothing to stand on so for a long time I wondered if it was even worth it.

I cried to an elder once and all he offered was this: "Patience. Persistence. People." At that time, I had none of the three. Building is a process so make sure you have the proper foundation first.

If you need any help that I can offer from a distance, let me know.

Blessed Sister Queen, I hope you know how much your words mean to me. How much ya'll are helping me to come to my center with this.

I don't have much, definitely no money (but I feel all this will change, I speak it into existence!). Mostly a need to do what my soul is crying out for me to do. "Patience. Persistence. People." Feeling you Sis, feeling you. I will definitely let you know if you can help. I know I will need it . It will be important for me to draw from your experiences. Bless up Queen!

[Abasi]

Uhuru Sis!

I understand completely the struggle you face. I'm from Kansas City, MO., and throughout the development of my political life, I used to feel like an island unto myself. There was almost no place for me to go with my desire to be engaged in the kinda of political/community development work I wanted to be a part of.

My stance is that you should join an organization first. Work the organization and struggle to be the best member of the organization you can be. If the organization falls short, find another one, and continue to struggle to unite with the best organization you can find. If you come to a point where there is no organization for you to join based on what you desire to make happen, then start something on your own. The key here is political education. You have to deepen your own understanding of the conditions of our people in general, and specifically in your neck of the woods. This kind of thing gives you a growing understanding of things and allows you to make increasingly more effective decisions that will result in you being able to improve the conditions for our people where you are.

In terms of the Uhuru Movement, you should try to contact the I.E.C., which is their top level leadership, and a brother by the name of Kobina Bantushango in particular is their top Membership Coordinator. He is based in Huntsville, AL, and would definitely want to make contact with people like yourself. If that fails, and because of the workload of InPDUM it is possible that a response could be late in coming, I would suggest contacting the Baltimore Branch President Nnamdi Lumumba. This is a good brother who has earned a high level of respect and influence in the organization. Talk with him regarding your interest in InPDUM and he will be able to help you by either getting you in touch with the right people in the organization directly, or advising you on how go about building organization on your own. Either way, he'll be of invaluable assistance to you.

Lastly, sistah, if all else fails, start with what you have, right now. Do what you can, right now, and build on that.

I hope Malcolm smiles on your efforts sis.

In the spirit of revolutionary unity,
Abasi S. Baruti
Uhuru!