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On Wed, Apr 8, 2015 at 10:16 AM, Yaya Fanusie <futatoro@gmail.com> wrote:
Let me breach my Personal Protocol by piggyback on your post.Wambara Live would like to feature/present both Mary Bialose and Yonas Biru at Wambara Live 6pm-10pm @ Fire Station 1 Restaurant in Silver Spring today. See billboard below. we have a segment called Clusters of Public Concerns and we would like you to appear in it-510-459-5395. For example the Protect The Sierra Leone Constitution Movement will be in this cluster . Also the Free & Fair Elections-Africa Roundtable will be in this cluster.We would be happy to present your concern. We believe we can help you with the campaign inside Africa to get support for your issue.Yaya Fanusie, Producer, Wambara LiveOn Wed, Apr 8, 2015 at 9:44 AM, <msjoe21st@aol.com> wrote:
Hello Community and Civil Rights Groups:
Please read below. I spoke with Mr. Yonas Biru yesterday. I deleted his number since I am sending his information out. I also communicated with Mary, one of the organizers of the DC Coalition to end Racism at the World Bank. I have spoken to Sister Binta who is a staff at the IMF and fights injustice tooth and nail. Public sensitization is key. The World Bank is not invincible with a license for impunity.
Just few notes: The former top mangers at the IMF ( Dominique Strauss-Kahn -DSK in 2011) and World Bank (Paul Wolfowitz in 2007) would have been happier bon vivants if their peccadilloes did not hit the press. Both had "women issues." In the case of DSK who was seen as a future president of France, in one of his shenanigans, he dallied in a lousy act with an African from Guinea. The woman at the center of Mr. Wolfowitz's fall was a staff at the Bank whom he converted into his sweetheart and gave her raises. She is half African with a Libyan father and Turkish mother. It seems when it comes to "panties," these dudes who control the Bretton Woods institutions don't mind the darker color - no racism. The late US Senator Strom Thormond persecuted blacks with Jim Crow laws while his first child was black and secret.
People, the few notes are to indicate that racism and bigotry are not inherent (natural) traits; they are learnt (nurture) behaviors and will continue to erode humanity when decent people say silent.
During the last Spring Meeting in 2014, the World Bank President Kim literally walked out African Ministers when some questioned why there are fewer or no Africans in senior management position. Can anyone this happening to European Ministers? It is normal that the African Finance Ministers would be more supportive and vocal if they experience an active and empowered Africa Diaspora and see evidence of constructive engagements. It is enough to protest and say no. What are we doing that they can say Yes to? Where are the organized institutions that can deliver the goals of a self-reliant and prosperous Africa?
The Africans Finance Ministers would be in Washington, DC next week. Africa Diaspora contribute billions of dollars, at least $60 billion annually, which is considered half of the estimates in remittances, not to talk of socioeconomic projects undertaken by home town groups. African Americans with the knowledge and skills want to do business in Africa. Let us also facilitate opportunities. It enables civil rights to be protected.
Ordinarily, one would wonder why the staffs, especially from Africa, who earn decent salaries never bother to support any community programs that address opportunities for the larger community. They should know that while a staff at the IMF/World Bank, the group's ability to do anything serious is limited even if they are conscientiously concerned. They cannot even criticize the blunders of the World Bank in Africa. One would think supporting external groups without conflict of interests make sense.
Let me recall a Press incident. The late former President of Nigeria met with President George Bush. Whether the conversation was based on African-ise or Texan-ise is unclear but the respective understanding broughtsome Press gymnastics. The White House said Yar'adua had accepted Africom in Nigeria and to exported elsewhere in Africa. The Press, and notably Pan-Africanists, wasted no moment and Yar'adua was soon on VOA denying he said such a thing to Bush. Really, the Press and activists need to ask the World Bank whether these things are happening and why, if so, in the 21st century. I am sure Mr. Kim will appreciate civil and amicable resolutions.
I had reservations because it can be difficult to address the concerns of a target group that is not connected to the community as a group. However, personal perspectives should not be such that override the bigger goal. Redressing institutional racism is the goal here. So please, at least 15 signatures from organizations and voices wrestling discriminations are needed by the end of the week. Support the cause.
But do not forget to build vital African/Black socio-economic bases. Power does not listen to those who only throw stones (metaphorically) and cry foul; not build bricks for empowerment.Now, read from our African brother Yonas.
MsJoe
-----Original Message-----
From: Yonas Biru <biruyonas@yahoo.com>
To: msjoe21st <msjoe21st@aol.com>
Sent: Tue, Apr 7, 2015 3:39 pm
Subject: Fw: Last Call
Dear Ms. Joe,
I hope that you will excuse the liberty I tool in contacting you. My name is Yonas Biru. I am the founder and co-chair of Justice for Blacks at the World Bank. I am also a victim of racial discrimination. My story is what is highlighted in the Civil Rights' Coalitions Proposal as a poster case. Mary sent me the email below. I am writing to appeal to you to sign the petition and also help us reach out to other NGOs to add their names. My phone is (xxx-xxx-xxxx)if you have any question.
Just to give you a short version of my story, I was the deputy global manager (GM) of one of the high profile projects at the Bank. When I applied to become the GM of the Program I was told the Bank cannot appoint me GM because "Europeans are no used to seeing a black man in a position of power." The consolation the Bank gave me was to allow me to manage the program if I would accept a white consultant fronting as GM to the outside world. When I rejected that and took my case to the Tribunal the Bank got into my HR file, deleted my management experience, removed my title from World Bank publications, posted false information on their website claiming that I was never a manager in the Bank. Having done ha they said I had no experience to be GM. The Tribunal ruled for the Bank. Adding insult to injury, the Bank terminated me when I refused to withdraw my claims. The Tribunal found my termination "unlawful, capricious, an abuse of discretion and a violation of due process." But still ruled that the Bank should not reinstate me because I "had criticized [m] managers." I has been five years since my termination and still cannot find employment in international organization because the Bank will not confirm my experience and what is on their website is irreversibly damaging defamation. The proposal has six pages of my story (a summary of 2300 page long case)
The following lines are taken from a complaint that an African woman who was fighting breast cancer and racism a the same time.
Racial discrimination in the World Bank is both "entrenched and systemic." This much is acknowledged by several World Bank and Staff Association reports. What has not received due attention is the cruelty with which Blacks are treated. Human beings by nature sympathize and emphasize with the emotional and physical sufferings of fellow humans. However, when a group of people are branded as members of an "inferior" race the very essence of their humanity and the emotional connection with them as fellow humans is be breached. Those who are viewed as sub-human are denied not only basic human rights, but also human empathy and sympathy for their sufferings. Even those who are stricken with cancer are treated without human compassion and without access to justice because of the color of their skin.This is what we are fighting against. We need every help we can get.
Yonas
-----Original Message-----MB
From: Mary Bialose <mbialose@gmail.com>
To: msjoe21st <msjoe21st@aol.com>
Sent: Tue, Apr 7, 2015 10:00 am
Subject: Re: DC Civil Rights Coalition to End Racism at the World Bank -- See Statistics and be the judge!
Dear Ms. Joe,
I know that you have reservations about this initiative. We still hope that you can join us and help us give Blacks voice in international organizations. A victory against the Bank will have a far reaching consequences in terms of giving Black people in international fora. We hope that you will find it possible to support us despite your reservations.
To Lead You Must be a Servant
-----Original Message-----
From: Binta Terrier <binta@allafr.org>
To: Evelyn Joe <msjoe21st@aol.com>
Cc: USAAfricaDialogue <USAAfricaDialogue@googlegroups.com>; africanforum <africanforum@googlegroups.com>; Camnetwork <Camnetwork@yahoogroups.com>; africa-oped <africa-oped@yahoogroups.com>; mwananchi <mwananchi@yahoogroups.com>; Africans_Without_Border <Africans_Without_Border@yahoogroups.com>; kenyaonline <kenyaonline@yahoogroups.com>; nigerianworldforum <nigerianworldforum@yahoogroups.com>; net-tanzania <net-tanzania@yahoogroups.com>; kenya-diaspora <kenya-diaspora@yahoogroups.com>; Mary Bialose <mbialose@gmail.com>
Sent: Sun, Apr 5, 2015 12:53 pm
Subject: Fwd: DC Civil Rights Coalition to End Racism at the World Bank -- See Statistics and be the judge!
Dear Sister Evelyn,
I fully understand your points in email below. It is unfortunate that those of us who have never worked in these international institutions (World Bank, IMF, IFC, UN groups, IDB) have no idea of what those of African decent have to go through.
As Mary noted below, throughout the years, many of us have taken a strong stance against the way black people are being treated but these actions and results have never reached you and the rest. As a matter of fact, the reason why there are many Africans today in these institutions is because of these internal movements since the mid-1980s asking for changes. But for things to change at the managerial/directorate levels, it will require the entire Board of Directors endorsement and that is the reason for the coalition.
The more people we have at the managerial levels in these institutions, the more positive impact they will bring to some of the policy decision that are constantly been made on behalf of Africa without full consultation with our leaders back home. And at time, they commit to projects that do not necessarily benefit our people yet, end promoting the initiator of the project that the World Bank.
It is therefore, critical to have Africans at top management levels else, how can the World Bank Group and the IMF effectively contribute to Africa' s economic development strategies? There are 50+ African member countries of the Bretton Woods.
There are what I have coined " the invisible African diaspora" who quietly and/or openly challenge the status quo in these institutions. As you rightly mentioned, take me for instance, do you think that it was easy for a UN official to convince her superiors to keep her job at the IMF while running an NGO to advocate for the entire African continent? Moreover, to garner their support as "friends of Africa?" My sister, that would not have been possible if I didn't muster the courage and armed with the right arguments (non emotional) to stand up for our people just like the Jews, Latin Americans, Europeans, Asian staff have been doing.
You can rest assured that staff in both institutions are supportive of PLAD.
Plead read below some of the insight provided by Mary. Hopefully, this will help clarify some of the miss-conceptions and join this coalition full heartedly.
Please read below and share with your contacts.
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Mary Bialose <mbialose@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, Apr 5, 2015 at 5:40 AM
Subject: Re: DC Civil Rights Coalition to End Racism at the World Bank -- See Statistics and be the judge!
To: Binta < binta@allafr.org>
Hi Binta--Please forward response below to sister Evelyn and those copied, on our behalf:
I read you message with interest. Some of the issues you have raised
have merits and you are not alone in raising some of the issues you
have flagged.
The civil rights coalition's proposal that I sent around raises two issues:
1. The violation of the human dignity and rights of all World Bank
employees (African, African American, and Caribbean) because of the
color of their skin, which I think should be condemned regardless of
what one thinks of the attitude of Africans in the World Bank. The
petition is not only about the rights of African staff, but also the
rights of African American and Caribbean staff.
2. The impact of institutional racism on Africa and the Caribbean
region as a continent that is well articulated in the petition, which
I hope you would agree with.
I would like to share with you a letter that Justice for Blacks issued
yesterday to the World Bank Board. On the front page of the letter you
would see members of the executive committee of Justice for Blacks. Of
the seven whose names are shown, five are African and two are African
American. All of them were Open Ended Staff. All left the Bank (some
were terminated) after mounting a fight against institutional racism.
Of the four current staff whose names are withheld, I am told that two
are Africans, one is Caribbean and one is African American.
The letter is signed by the co-chair Yonas Biru (an Ethiopian citizen)
and Phyllis Muhammad (an African American). Yonas was the deputy
global manager of one of the Bank's high profile projects. Phyllis, a
Harvard trained lawyer was staff counselor. Yonas was terminated after
he filed discrimination suit. Phyllis left the Bank to fight the
injustice. Both Yonas and Phyllis were open ended. You can googles
Yonas Biru's story and see how much he has sacrificed fighting the
racial injustice. His case is presented in the Civil Rights Coalitions
Proposal.
Justice for Blacks has strong support from America's civil rights
organizations, including NAACP, NAN, National Urban League, Rainbow
PUSH, ect. The Coalition is led by Rev. Jackson and the petition I
sent around is a petition that was issued by the leading American
civil rights community.
Mary
>>
>>
>> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
>> From: < msjoe21st@aol.com>
>> Date: Sat, Apr 4, 2015 at 8:41 PM
>> Subject: DC Civil Rights Coalition to End Racism at the World Bank -- See
>> Statistics and be the judge!
>> To: binta@allafr.org, admin@allafr.org,
>> USAAfricaDialogue@googlegroups.com, africanforum@googlegroups.com,
>> Camnetwork@yahoogroups.com, africa-oped@yahoogroups.com,
>> mwananchi@yahoogroups.com, Africans_Without_Border@yahoogroups.com,
>> kenyaonline@yahoogroups.com, nigerianworldforum@yahoogroups.com,
>> net-tanzania@yahoogroups.com, kenya-diaspora@yahoogroups.com
>>
>>
>> Hello Binta:
>>
>> Racism is a scourge in any comity of the civilized. As we mark the 47th
>> anniversary of Martin Luther King's death, the ideals of Civil Rights ring
>> true today as they galvanized to actions decades ago. In deed, the Civil
>> Rights Movement championed and broke barriers from education to the work
>> place. The quest continues.
>>
>> Normally, the marginalized and affected populations demonstrate civic
>> awareness for the greater good. They are vested in initiatives and links to
>> communities. Within this realm of reality, it is difficult to appeal to the
>> sense and sensibility of the community to address whatever Africans at the
>> World Bank are experiencing. Why? As an adult group with guaranteed
>> paychecks, it has no history of support for the Civil Rights programs or
>> initiatives in the wider Africa Diaspora community or giving back to
>> anything beyond self. Whether it is due to nouveau arrivé! syndrome,
>> poverty of the mind, coming from backward places or not, the attitude is
>> really inconsequential. It influences nothing. If a group is irrelevant to
>> the wider community and members feel at the bottom of considerations at
>> their smaller place of work, or not climbing up, I think the issue is
>> personal need or unease; not a matter for Civil Rights attention.
>>
>> For example, besides you, where can we go and read about the injustice
>> they decry in Africa or support for programs that foster opportunities for
>> Africa Diaspora(ns)? At least people can read and judge before knowing the
>> kind of people they want to support.
>>
>> The outgoing Chair of the Africa Society at the IMF/World Bank, Beldina
>> Auma, was very helpful in giving information about processes, which was a
>> notably good experience.
>>
>> When the incident with the President of the World Bank Group Jim Yong Kim
>> and African Finance Ministers occurred during the IMF/World Bank Spring
>> Meeting in 2014 (with Mr. Kim allegedly walking out on African officials who
>> asked why there are relatively few Africans at senior management positions),
>> I was also concerned as others who learnt about it much later. I made
>> inquires and spoke to some Civil Rights veterans.
>>
>> However, when we understood the disposition of the African group to not
>> care about community initiatives, which is a contrast to Asian and
>> Caribbean staffers, whatever is happening, I am not sure where community
>> concern or support fits in. They have grievance procedures or they know
>> where lawyers are - as long as they do not jeopardize their temporal but
>> renewal contracts and visas because the World Bank can simply let the visa
>> expire.
>>
>> Those who have open ended contracts or more secure jobs can spend their
>> lunch time venting at an open space at the World Bank. At least the Bank
>> acknowledges the right to vent and allocate an area for that. But how many
>> Africans have dared? You see? Why cry for those whose sense of self
>> preservation can outfox the crier? That is not what civil rights virtues
>> are all about. They are for the truly marginalized who are willing to walk
>> the mile, which accrues to the benefit of all.
>>
>> As a staff at IMF, hello, make sure you are not a victim of the
>> treacherous who may behave like "House Negroes" and report you or others
>> to the bosses at the World Bank Group for causing trouble, declare that they
>> do not need civil rights help from external quarters, and ask any African
>> who has complained about discrimination at the World Bank to withdraw their
>> publicized statements - pronto.
>>
>> Don't mess with new Negroes. When push comes to shove, they will deny
>> that they can collaborate with the civic conscious African Americans at the
>> World Bank. Why does anyone think Africans are less respected?
>> It is time for serious Africans to learn how not to entertain petty
>> personalities and primitive things.
>>
>> Sis, talk about the land grab issue and opposition to Bill Gates "Seeds"
>> in Africa. Those are more deserving civil rights issues.
>>
>> Stay Blessed
>> MsJoe
>>
>> To Lead You Must be a Servant
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Binta Terrier < binta@allafr.org>
>> To: PLAD Communications < admin@allafr.org>
>> Sent: Sat, Apr 4, 2015 12:12 pm
>> Subject: With Attachment - DC Civil Rights Coalition to End Racism at the
>> World Bank -- See Statistics and be the judge!
>>
>>
>> Dear all -- attached document is worth your time.
>>
>> How can this institution help develop a race that it is discriminating
>> against?
>>
>> Does the world really want peace and Democracy in Africa? Then, it must
>> start with the World Bank management.
>>
>> The following troubling World Bank statistics have just been brought to
>> the attention of the African Diaspora. PLAD is sharing these data with
>> you--friends of Africa and African diaspora.
>>
>> These statistics are damning! and serious in our time. A summary of these
>> data in a simple and concise table is below.
>>
>> Are these numbers surprising? Not to us the "well" informed. But we were
>> under the impression that something was in the works to try and address this
>> racial bias that has plagued the World Bank since it was created.
>>
>> Is anything going to be done about this? Yes. And it is about time. (see
>> attached document)
>>
>> Why now? Africa's younger generations in the United States of America,
>> Europe, Asia and on the continent have finally awakened.
>>
>> Bravo! Generations Y and X.
>>
>> For instance, last Fall, at the Oakland Institute (battling to stop World
>> Bank Business ranking) meeting at the headquarters of the World Bank in
>> Washington D.C., a World Bank official's response to the African land grab
>> problem highlighted by Oban Mateo was that:
>>
>> the "Bank's concern is to feed the world." Basically, it was not
>> concerned about food scarcity in Africa.
>>
>> When PLAD asked: "Who owns Africa's resources?" for the World Bank to
>> solemnly decide on how to dispose of them? No answer.
>>
>> Now, the World Bank will have to accept the answer to the PLAD question.
>>
>> Africans - Black Africans, white Africans, Asian Africans are the owners
>> of their African continent's resources: mines, agricultural land, rivers,
>> mountains, forest etc....
>>
>> The rightful owners are the current and future generations of Africans.
>> Not the billionaires and millionaires in the Western world nor their former
>> leaders.
>>
>> We are seeking a "true" partnership not new form of colonization--telling
>> us what to farm, where to farm, which seed to use, how to market our product
>> etc.....
>>
>> This is why: The Y, X generations will not put up with the treatment of
>> their elders.
>>
>> They are highly educated abroad and back home. They are informed and will
>> fight back.
>>
>> And that battle has began.
>>
>> Will Mr. Kim start to seriously address the apparent World Bank Blatant
>> discrimination before things start to fall apart. Or believe that it will be
>> business as usual?
>>
>> High time for the World Bank to listen to Y, X generations' demand for
>> inclusion, appreciation, respect and consideration.
>>
>> Equal treatment of engagement in Africa. This can only happen when
>> Africans--Black Africans are also at the decision making level.
>>
>>
>> Please see statics below and summary. As for PLAD we are talking to our
>> leaders!
>> More to come.....
>>
>> Do you want to join this coalition?
>>
>> Contact Mary Bialose at: mbialose@gmail.com
>>
>>
>> Since took a firm stance against the Bill Gates genetically modified
>> "seeds" that are to be imposed on Africa in exchange for more foreign
>> aid--aka debts, PLAD website has been experiencing vicious daily attacks.
>> PLAD must be doing some good! :-)
>>
>> Binta
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> =========================================================================================
>> World Bank : High Level Staff
>> Year 2015
>> Grand Male Women 2/
>> Total Caucasian Black Other 1/ Total Caucasian Black
>>
>> Directors (excl. country Directors) 102 34 6 30 32 31 1
>> Percent of Grand Total 100.0 33.3 5.9 29.4 31.4
>> Lead Experts 525 358 25 140
>> Percent of Grand Total 100.0 68.0 5.0 27.0
>> Lead Economists 2.0
>>
>>
>>
>> *World Bank believes 2 groups--women & Other are underrepresented so, to
>> be increased at following levels:
>> Directors (excl. country Directors)
>> 1/ Others, also referred to as Part II people (30 managers) to be
>> increased by 45.5% managers.
>> 2/ Women managers (31 white and 1 black) to be increased by 36.4%
>> (i) Black managers (6) not targeted for increase. 6% of total managers of
>> the World Bank is conceived as sufficient.
>> (ii) Targets for Black is 12.5% at the entry level. Keep them at the
>> bottom as matter of corporate policy.
>> Lead Experts
>> Note: on Lead experts, 358 are all non black experts (white, Asian,
>> Latino etc.)
>> 1/ Women to be increased by 27%
>> 2/ Other to be increased by 33.3%
>> (i) Black male at 5% is good enough
>> Lead Economists
>> (i) Black targeted to be increase by 12.5% at the entry level. Keep them
>> at the bottom as a matter of corporate policy.
>> They are not even fit to be qualified for technical positions at the World
>> Bank.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> Binta
>> 301-802-2233
>> http://allafr.org/
>> Founder, Executive Director of PLAD
>> IRS 501(c) (3) Registered EIN: 45-4524929
>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> Binta
>> 301-802-2233
>> http://allafr.org/
>> Founder, Executive Director of PLAD
>> IRS 501(c) (3) Registered EIN: 45-4524929
>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> Binta
>>
>> 301-802-2233
>>
>> http://allafr.org/
>>
>> Founder, Executive Director of PLAD
>>
>> IRS 501(c) (3) Registered EIN: 45-4524929
>
>
--
IRS 501(c) (3) Registered EIN: 45-4524929-
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