Black Thoughts: A Political Ideological Perspective for Afro Latinos

[Moorbey]

Black Thoughts: A Political Ideological Perspective for Afro Latinos

By: Kevin Alberto Sabio

Many get confused when they hear the following terms being used as far as political ideology is concerned; Black Power/Nationalism,Pan Africanism, Afrocentrism, African Internationalism. Those that are uninitiated may feel that these ideologies are threatening and racist in some way, while others who follow those particular ideologies may feel that they are limiting, or are opposed to each other. In reality, it's all just semantics. They're all interchangeable with each other, and basically call for the same solution;unity, power, and respect for the people of African descent. Here on Blacktino.net, I will try to clear up some of the misconceptions about these ideologies, and hope to motivate my fellow Afro Latinos to join the cause. Because of recent conflicts that I've gotten into with online trolls, both on other websites, and here on Blacktinos.net, Ifelt it nessary to delve into this subject, and let it be known how these ideologies impact ALL African descended people.

Some may see Black Power/Nationalism as a strickly African American political manifestation, only concerning itself with African American issues. That is simply untrue. As thoroughly outlined in the Stokely Carmicheal/Charles Hamilton book,"Black Power", this stance calls for power to All Black People; not just African Americans. Seeing as how Stokely Carmicheal/Kwame Toure was of Afro Caribbean descent, I would HIGHLY doubt that he would call for a political ideology that wouldn't encompass or benefit people of his own national/regional background. That work was followed up by the ancestor Dr. Amos Wilson in his seminal work,"Blusprint for the Black Power". In theis heavily detailed dossier(almost 900 pages), He goes in -deph with his analysis of Black Power as a viable political concept, and the steps needed to be taken to make Black Power a reality and living entity. Wilson breaks down what power is, how it can be used(and misused), and how people can obtain power politically, economically, culturally, educationally, physically, and even spiritually to a certain extent. Demographically speaking, the African population in the United States(in total)has the size and capacity to become it's own self-sustanining nation-state, and would only be able to survive in the long run unless it begins to see itself as a nation within a nation. The African descended population in America can be seen as a catalyst for a strong nation state and provide empowerment, not only for themselves, but for a unified African Diaspora in both the political arena and economically.

This leads me to Pan Africanism. The greatest example of Pan Africanism was the work of the honorable Marcus Mosiah Garvey, and his Universal NeGRO Improvement Association. Having traveled across the globe at a young age, Garvey saw how Aficans/ Africans Descendents were treated throughtout the world. We were continuously on the bottom of the social ladder, and were suffering socially, economically, and politically. Garvey created the very first chapter of the UNIA in 1914 in his home country of Jamaica.The organization was to be a fully functioning government made to represent for all African people across the world.Chapters and divisions were set up ALL OVER the globe throughout the caribbean, and the United States, on the continent of Africa herself, and even in LATIN AMERICA. Even after his (illegal)explusion and deportation form the United States, Garvey still had an impact, influencing many of the continental African leaders who were to one day govern their countries into independance, such as Kwame Nkrumah, Sekou Toure, Jomo Kenyatta, and Julius Nyerre. His work and ideology is thoroughly outlined in the books "Race First", written by Tony Martin, and also " The Philosophy and Opinions of Marcus Garvey, Vol I-III", edited by Amy Jacques Garvey. Dr. Wilson even covers Garvey and his work in his own book, citing the economic and political success of the UNIA, and the blueprint that was left for a means of international trade and commerce throughtout the African Diaspora.

Afrocentrism has been considered the most controversial of these ideologies, considering that it takes on the system that we live in head on. It has caused many debates and mudslinging in academic circles, with the mainstream institutions denouncing it, not only in academia , but also on their campuses. In his seminal work "Afrocentricity", Dr. Molefe K. Asante outlines what Afrocentrim is, and why it's necessary. The only thing that causes afrocentrim to be considered controversial (at least to the Powers that Be and their neo-colonialist supporters) is the primacy of Africa in it's ideology. All things African are considered primary in thought, culture, education and mode of living. We are not not taught about our history and/or culture in mainstream society, or in mainstream educational system. To go against the status quo is almost considered blasphemy, and makes one into an outcast unless you confirm in the end. Why not be free embrace this part of our history and culture? Why should we be denied a part of ourselves just to fit into the so called mainstream? as it is, we exist in an oppressive,white supremacist system. We are still suffering the effects of colonialism and slavery. Think I'm wrong? ask yourselves these questions, as posed to Dr. Wilson about the effects of slavery and colonialism on society today:

What language do you speakin?
What clothes do you wear?
What religion/spiritual belief do you practice?
what foods do you eat?

Is this what your ancestors were doing in the past,or were any of these imposed upon them?
Makes you think for second, doesn't it? There are a few other authors that i could recommend concerning the ideology of Afrocentrism, but my library is inaccessible to me at the time of this writing, so I am unable to give you the titles. I would suggest researching certain authors and scholars such as Dr. Na'im Akbar, Haki Matubhuti, Dr. Maulauna Karenga, Dr. Jawanzaa Kunjufu, Dr. Marcia Sutherland, Wilson Jerimah Moses, Ivan Yan Sertima, Punoko Rashidi, Thomas Parham, Cyrus H. Gordan, and Robin Walker.


Afro Latinos

Now after having gone through all of that... what does any of this have to do with Afro Latinos? Everything. They are Africans, whether they admit it or not. This is not to in=mpose any political belief on them, it's just fact. Don't believe me? Do some historical research. One of my favorites is researching the work Of Dr. Eric Williams in his titles, "The Negro in the Caribbean", and "Documents of West Indian History". You can also try Richard Price's "Maroon Societies", as he discusses those Africans who were forcefully brought to these shores, and were able to escape from their enslavement, and create their own societies. The story of Yanga from Mexico comes to mind, as well as the Maroons from Jamaica lead by Queen Nanny. You also have the work of Dr. Arlene Torres in her book titled, Blackness in Latin America and the Caribbean", There's also other research available such as, patrick J. Carroll's, Blacks in Colonial Vera Cruz", Benga-In Nunez's "Dictionary of Afro-Latin American Civilization", Minority Rights Group's "No Longer Invisible: Afro- Latin Americans Today", Pedro Perez Sarduy's, " Afro-Cuba Voices: On Race and Identity
in Contemporary Cuba". I would als encourge the readings of articles written by such writers as Carlos Cooks, Karen Juanita Carrilloo, and the works of Prof. Victor Vega, and Dr. Marta Moreno-Vega. there are also other websites to peruse to get more information about Afro Latinos and our connection to the Afrikan Diaspora, such as AfroCuba Web.com, Afropresencia.com and AfroLatinoproject.org.With the jacking of ancestral Afro Latino lands by the respective Latin American governments, our unity within the African Diaspora is not only necessary, but essential. We cannot survive soley on our own. We are a part of the unified Black?African World.

Of coure,according to my troll on Blacktino.netI have my head up my ass, so what do i know? I guess the works by the authors mentioned above negates Everything that's supposedly known about the subject, the world according to him. But supposedly he's an expert, and I'm just a peon with a big mouth.Of course, there are so so many other scholars and activists,and other works works that I could mention to refute this Internet Tough Guy, but I think that this article would suffice.. Besides, that would take too long,and I have better things to do.. Idon't call myself an activist for nothing.


Uhuru Sase, Y paz

Disclamer this was posted at another site but have been give permission by the author to repost his work....

[Elisa Keisha]

Is there any possibility to find out if this article have been written in Spanish as well? if not, i think it would be very interesting to do so, for it addresses afro-latinos. If the author cant be reached, or if he cant do it, i can translate it.

[Moorbey]

Originally Posted by Elisa Keisha

Is there any possibility to find out if this article have been written in Spanish as well? if not, i think it would be very interesting to do so, for it addresses afro-latinos. If the author cant be reached, or if he cant do it, i can translate it.

Sista Elisa i get with the author this week and see if he will take the time and translate this into Spanish... Also there are to more parts to this as well so this is not yet a complete work.

[Elisa Keisha]

it looked like there was some more, thank you!

[Moorbey]

Originally Posted by Elisa Keisha

it looked like there was some more, thank you!

I will add the other two parts of the article just as soon as i have the extra time this week to get in it done but i will get it posted as soon as i can ...

[Jalili]

When you meet with the author would you ask him if I could post it at my site as well?

[Moorbey]

Originally Posted by Elisa Keisha

it looked like there was some more, thank you!

I will add the other two parts of the article just as soon as i have the extra time this week to get in it done but i will get it posted as soon as i can ...I am ceiebrating my b-day today so i am and will be in no condition to post those two parts until later in the week...

[Khalliqa]

Why do you believe there is resistance by "Black Latinos" to embrace themselves as Black solely?

[Moorbey]

Originally Posted by Khalliqa

Why do you believe there is resistance by "Black Latinos" to embrace themselves as Black solely?

I am not saying all Black-Latinos but there are those that will deny the truth and also there is plenty of information listed that can read and get some great information on the subject....And the author is a Black-Latino....

[Khalliqa]

Why do you believe there is resistance by some "Black Latinos" to embrace themselves as Black solely?

[Moorbey]

Originally Posted by Khalliqa

Why do you believe there is resistance by some "Black Latinos" to embrace themselves as Black solely?

I grew up around Latinos and some are known to deny their Afrikan roots and history. Understand as well that this piece was posted to share information and what you do with it after you read it is up to you... Like it,deny it. that is your right to choose..

[Moorbey]

BLACK THOUGHTS: A Political Ideological Perspective for Afro Latinos
Part II: Ways(s) of the Black Fist

By: Kevin Alberto Sabio


A mi guerrerita revoluccionista….you’ll never be alone in the struggle, not if I have anything to say about it….

In a person’s life, there are many instances that shape our being, and take us on a particular course in our lives. For some, it might be something that they’ve always had ingrained in them from birth, while for others it might be some sort of chance encounter with a particular person or event/experience to motivate them to travel down this path towards enlightenment and activism that they were seemingly destined to take. I never envisioned myself to be a voice of/for the people; merely another souljah fighting for the cause…a whole hearted believer just trying to do my part. Blacktino.net has allowed me this opportunity to be a voice for the voiceless, with me not initially realizing how far reaching my words can be and have been. Now knowing better, I plan to take this responsibility a lot more seriously.

About a decade ago, during the height of the so-called ‘Latin Explosion’, a comment was made about Latinos having surpassed, or about to surpass, African Americans as the new ‘majority’ minority here in the United States. A big stink was made about it in certain segments of the Black press, making it seem as if this was such a big travesty and calamity. The brothers and sisters who traveled within my social political circle gave a uniformed shrug and stated, “Well…so what? What has that status ever gotten us?” I had previously talked about this experience in my previous article series entitled “Black vs. Brown”, in which I tried to put the friction between the two communities in its proper historical and political perspective. Being a Latino of African descent (and VERY proud of it), it was felt that I would be able to provide a unique perspective to this situation. I caught the ignorance and animosity of it from both sides. I heard a lot of ignorance and racial animosity fly out the mouths of members of the Black community. At the same time, as a Latino of African descent, I was never fully accepted by Latinos, specifically if they were racist against Black people. It was a constant battle that I had to wage; battling the ignorance and stupidity of members from both communities. In “Black vs. Brown”, I talked about the many causes of these issues between our people, with many of them being deeply rooted in our collective histories. This time around…I want to be more solution oriented.

As far as Latinos being the new ‘majority’ minority in the country, where does that place someone like me? I’m not fully accepted by the ‘greater’ Latino community, nor are Afro Latinos in general. Our existence is denied to a certain extent. To be accepted into the ‘greater’ Latino community, we would have to assimilate, and deny much of our African heritage just to fit in. Hmm…why does this sound so familiar? I’ve suffered from prejudice and racism from ‘my own’, with examples too numerous to list here. Yet, this isn’t about bashing anyone; it’s about accepting and learning about who you are.

One third of Latino culture is derived from Africa. Slaves were transported from the continent to the ‘New World’ to provide labor for European colonists/imperialists for their own personal enrichment, and that of their mother country. The Africans were brought in when the numbers of the indigenous people who originally inhabited these lands were either being wiped out by war with, or diseases brought by the colonizers/imperialists. As an extension of the Slave Trade, it soon moved northward to what is now known as North America, with a part of the continent becoming what we now know today as the United States. Slavery was brutal in both regions, as it was throughout this entire hemisphere. Our ancestors suffered greatly at the hands of their oppressors and captors. But, unlike what we’re taught in the ‘mainstream’ educational system, our ancestors didn’t take their enslavement lying down. Many did fight back. Throughout Latin America and the Caribbean, there were those that fought and escaped to freedom, and formed their own free and independent societies. These ancestors were most commonly known as the Maroons. You also have those in North America that fought for their freedom. Everyone has heard about the warrior queen Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad, but how many of us have ever heard of the Black Seminoles out of what is now Florida? They fought three wars against the United States government, beating them back TWICE. There were also the many slave rebellions, like the Stono Rebellion in North Carolina in 1780. We should also mention our diasporic ancestors such as Yanga from Mexico, Carlota from Cuba, and Lemba and Touissant L’oveture from what’s now known as the Dominican Republic and Haiti respectively.

There is much that we can learn from each other. To a certain extent, those Africans from Latin American were able to retain more of their cultural heritage from the mother continent than those of their brethren that were sent to what eventually became the United States. It’s evident from those of us that are practitioners of Santeria, Lucumi, or Candombe; all believed to be sub sects or variations of the Yoruba faith. Drumming is still a part of Afro Latin culture, as well as certain African-based styles of dance and fighting arts that are taught and passed down from generation to generation. There is also much that we have learned from our northern brothers and sisters. We’ve learned from our fiery revolutionaries to be proud and accepting of our African roots and features. We’ve learned about organizing and mobilizing ourselves to fight for our rights as a people. We’ve learned that we are not alone in our struggle, and that there are those that we can call to help us in our time of need…especially in this day and time, with many Afro Latino ancestral lands being taken from them by their respective national governments.

I had gotten into an online spat a few months ago on another networking site, with the site being dedicated to authors of African descent. The forum posted on this site was about dedicating May as ‘Latino Book Month’, celebrating the achievements of Latino writers on the site. One particular troll had to post a negative reply, being highly disrespectful towards Latinos, and our history. This situation was quite sad and comical; sad because this person chose to expose his ignorance and prejudice towards a people that he obviously knows nothing about, and comical because of the fact that, this person was contradicting his online handle that was supposed to connote his high level of (supposed) intelligence, and his responses in our argument were written so atrociously that a third grader would have been embarrassed by his writing skills…and this person is a published author! Quite obviously, he was an idiot suffering from ITGS (Internet Tough Guy/Gal Syndrome), and he was thoroughly trashed. The site creator was thankful for my responses, having been quite upset with this poster’s comments. We’re not so far apart as others would want to make it seem. We are kindred spirits, brethren, long-lost cousins. We are a part of each other, connected on a deeper level, spiritually and culturally. You have suffered as I have suffered; have had blood shed as we have had blood shed. Let us share our pain and experiences, and take this to the next level.

To be continued…..

Author's Note: This is a re-post of the second part of the original article series written by the author for another site that the author is no longer associated with. Thanks to the assistance of the creator of BU, the first part of this series has already been posted on this site, and was encouraged to post the other parts of this series here as well.

Tags: afrolatino, article, black, commonality, culture, heritage, history, issues, series, solutions