Re: USA Africa Dialogue Series - Re-Gaddafi'sdonations to Sierra Leone

Brother Segun,

Your post jogged my memory about another significant event in the struggle against institutional racism. In 1951, Black radicals charged the US government with genocide and presented the document to the United Nations. Signatories included: Paul Robeson, William Patterson, W.E.B. Du Bois, Claudia Mitchell and others. Over a decade later, Malcolm X would take up a similar strategy only to be assassinated before he could get the proposal off the ground. So, again, this document speaks clearly to the pervasiveness and perniciousness of white supremacy in the US, even as many Americans, especially white Americans downplay the pervasiveness of institutional racism.

kzs
===
kwame zulu shabazz

email: kwameshabazz@gmail.com

cell: 336-422-9577
skype: kwame zulu shabazz
twitter: https://twitter.com/kzshabazz
===
THE NEUTRAL SCHOLAR IS AN IGNOBLE MAN. Here, a man must be hot, or be accounted cold, or, perchance, something worse than hot or cold. The lukewarm and the cowardly, will be rejected by earnest men on either side of the controversy." Fredrick Douglass, "The Claims of the Negro, Ethnologically Considered" (1854).
===
EVERY ARTIST, EVERY SCIENTIST MUST DECIDE, NOW, WHERE HE STANDS. He has no
alternative. There are no impartial observers. Through the destruction, in certain countries, of man's literary heritage, through the propagation of false ideas of national and racial superiority, the artist, the scientist, the writer is challenged. This struggle invades the former cloistered halls of our universities and all her seats of learning. The battlefront is everywhere. There is no sheltered rear. The artist elects to fight for freedom or slavery. I have made my choice! I had no alternative! - Paul Robeson, speech about the Spanish Civil War at the Albert Hall, London,on 24th June 1937

On Tue, May 26, 2015 at 4:13 PM, Segun Ogungbemi <seguno2013@gmail.com> wrote:

Gloria and Kwame,
I want to appreciate your definitions of institutional racism. A few minutes after reading your own Gloria, I read that of Kwame's own and both are definitive explanations of how institutional racism is and how it manifests itself.
It is rooted in the western history to justify the enslavement of Africans. African Americans and Africans in diaspora have gone through the long chain of institutional racism.  If African Americans had not fought for their rights in the US most of you living in the US today would have returned to Africa. The police brutality against the Blacks with impunity is the worst institutional racism to date.
If African leaders have been serious in getting read of institutional racism all along they would have developed  their countries much better than Europe and America. If that had been done since independence, it could have contributed to the dismantling racial prejudice.
If African leaders have shown in their foreign policies equal treatment of black race in Europe and America amounts to equal treatment of whites  in Africa the stereotype would have stopped. But what do we get from most of African leaders, servitudes, sellouts, collaborators etc.
I admire the courage of the few African Americans who fought the institutional racism all the years even till now which has brought some respite but there still more to be done.
Yes, institutional racism is cowardly demonic and spiritually sinful. We must not give up in fighting it intellectually, legally, spiritually,  morally and otherwise.

Prof. Segun Ogungbemi

> On May 26, 2015, at 4:40 PM, "Emeagwali, Gloria (History)" <emeagwali@mail.ccsu.edu> wrote:
>
> "....How do you now define institutional racism?" Ogungbemi
> Although this was directed at Kwame, let me give it a try -  although he may do a better job,
> and I look forward to his definition, should he choose to give one.
>
>
> Institutional racism is a multi-pronged, multifaceted system of discrimination and exclusion
> propped up and sustained  by overt and covert rules, laws and regulations that give preference to
> and  perpetuate the political, cultural and economic advantage of  a  dominant  racial group or coalition of groups.
> A few agents and agencies from outside the dominant, hegemonic entities may be recruited to perpetuate
> the system. Some of the recruits may or may not be aware of their role,  in this regard.
>
> Institutional racism  may manifest  itself in  the academic arena through  curricula content and orientation,
> systems of    recruitment,  evaluation ,  tenure,  promotion and retention.
> In Africa and the Academy: Challenging Discourses on Africa (2006),
> the "hostility index" I created,  looked at tone, style and methodology in various world history textbooks.
> We can extend this 'hostility index' measurement beyond  history  textbooks. I  have since looked at a few
> geography textbooks,  for example, and saw similar hostilities and   exclusionary,  biased tendencies
> that converge with the dominant value system associated with institutional racism in the American context.
>
> In  law enforcement this may be through a complex system of racial profiling; legislation to entrap certain groups;
> differential  punitive laws etc.
>
> Institutional racism  may manifest itself in religious institutions, whereby certain icons and symbols of the religion,
> tend to favor,  or represent,  a particular dominant racial group,  to the exclusion of others-  thus perpetuating
> the 'outsider syndrome' for the majority of its believers,  and feeding into the dominant system.
>
>  To give an example, in  Christianity, a dominant  representation of Christ is that of a blonde,  blue- eyed  Germanic or
> Scandinavian  figure- a trend  that defies historical accuracy,  given the geographical region associated with
> his alleged birthplace. So, too,  are most of the  religious icons associated with that religious system. The representations
> play into certain stereotyped expectations that institutional racism  perpetuates, deliberately or accidentally.
> Aspects of Christian   theology may actually challenge institutional racism,
> but its powerful  iconography and organizational and systemic structure,  may do  the opposite.
>
> As academics,  if we want to overcome  institutional racism, we have to understand it in its various manifestations,
> in a scholarly way, and move forward.
>
> Anyway this is my little contribution to this discussion. Criticisms are welcome.
> In fact I look forward to modifications, additions, subtractions, corrections etc.
>
>
>
> Professor Gloria Emeagwali
> History Department
> CCSU. New Britain. CT 06050
> africahistory.net
> vimeo.com/user5946750/videos
> Gloria Emeagwali's Documentaries on
> Africa and the African Diaspora
>
> ________________________________
> From: usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com [usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Segun Ogungbemi [seguno2013@gmail.com]
> Sent: Tuesday, May 26, 2015 2:57 AM
> To: usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com
> Subject: Re: USA Africa Dialogue Series - Re-Gaddafi'sdonations to Sierra Leone
>
> Okay my colleague. How do you now define institutional racism?
>
> Prof. Segun Ogungbemi
>
> On May 25, 2015, at 11:59 PM, kwame zulu shabazz <kwameshabazz@gmail.com<mailto:kwameshabazz@gmail.com>> wrote:
>
> Segun, I have never claimed on this forum or anywhere else that all white people are racist. In fact, on this thread I said that institutional racism does not require a gang of racist white people to function.
>
> kzs
> ===
> kwame zulu shabazz
> email: kwameshabazz@gmail.com<mailto:kwameshabazz@gmail.com>
> cell: 336-422-9577
> skype: kwame zulu shabazz
> twitter: https://twitter.com/kzshabazz
> ===
> THE NEUTRAL SCHOLAR IS AN IGNOBLE MAN. Here, a man must be hot, or be accounted cold, or, perchance, something worse than hot or cold. The lukewarm and the cowardly, will be rejected by earnest men on either side of the controversy." Fredrick Douglass, "The Claims of the Negro, Ethnologically Considered" (1854).
> ===
> EVERY ARTIST, EVERY SCIENTIST MUST DECIDE, NOW, WHERE HE STANDS. He has no
> alternative. There are no impartial observers. Through the destruction, in certain countries, of man's literary heritage, through the propagation of false ideas of national and racial superiority, the artist, the scientist, the writer is challenged. This struggle invades the former cloistered halls of our universities and all her seats of learning. The battlefront is everywhere. There is no sheltered rear. The artist elects to fight for freedom or slavery. I have made my choice! I had no alternative! - Paul Robeson, speech about the Spanish Civil War at the Albert Hall, London,on 24th June 1937
>
>
> On Mon, May 25, 2015 at 5:17 PM, Segun Ogungbemi <seguno2013@gmail.com<mailto:seguno2013@gmail.com>> wrote:
> I think we seem to be beating the issue of racism like a dead horse. In an attempt to make us believe that racism cannot be generalized in all cases in the US, Ken has become the sacrificial lamb. I agree with Ken that not all whites are racists in the US. I had many whites as friends when I was at Southern Methodist University in the late 70s and early 80s and some of them and their parents we still communicate till today. I spent my holidays in their home and went on ice skating together to have fun.  They have at no time given me the impression that they were/are superior to me and I never presented myself as someone inferior or superior to them. You see, some of these things depend on our attitudes.
> There may be a few whites who are chronic racists like the KKK. They are abnormal individuals.
> Among Africans, my experience in some African countries that  I have visited or worked is not different from the US. I was warmly received and treated with respect and dignity.
> Given my own experiences as an example just like some of us might have had, Ken who has traversed the length and breath of Africa, Europe and Americas cannot be seen or understood as an alien in the world of racism.
>
> Prof. Segun Ogungbemi
>
> On May 25, 2015, at 9:17 PM, kenneth harrow <harrow@msu.edu<mailto:harrow@msu.edu>> wrote:
>
> hi kwame
> if there were racial incidents at msu, does that mean the university is an instrument of white power? if a racist students scrawls an ugly word on a black student's door in a dorm, does that make the university an instrument of white power?
>
> if thousands of students respond to these incidents, if faculty make points of discussing those incidents, if the administration comes out with statements reaffirming principles of anti-racism, does that not count?
>
> why do you want to totalize, take an event, or even more, which i could tell you about, and then attribute white power and racism to everyone and the whole institution?
> when i said we read events or texts differently because we are framing them different, that is an example.
> for you it is reducible to the privilege of white power? for me it is the case that racial positioning is not an absolute, not all white, not all black--and it is clear that the vast majority of students, faculty, and administration, are deeply opposed to racism.
> if you want to claim the white and black students, faculty, administration, see things somewhat differently, i would agree.
> but you are erasing the word "somewhat" too much, and putting in something that feels like "totally."
>
> lastly, i am not at all sure how my "white privilege" speaks. you seem to know it better than i, but you don't know me or the situation here. if i were to say, you say that because you are black you have the "privilege" to speak for the black community and perspective, as if it were automatic? is it, really, for everyone? who defines these racial markers? are you aware of how our committees work, how judgments are made, what does into hiring decisions, tenure decisions, reappointments? i am pretty sure it isn't what you imagine or that anyone would be able to call these processes "instruments of white power." they aren't.
>
> the problem i have is that by making it all or nothing it makes it all the more difficult to struggle for racial justice and equality, it undermines the struggle against biases or racist assumptions.
>
> that's how it seems to me.
> ken
>
>
> On 5/25/15 1:30 PM, kwame zulu shabazz wrote:
> <mime-attachment.png>
> ​
> Ken,
> When you claim that Michigan State is not an instrument of white power, that's your white privilege speaking.  I'm betting many in this room full of black Michigan State students (see image above) and allies would disagree with you. The story is below:
> Michigan State University rocked by racial intimidation
>
> http://thegrio.com/2011/10/06/michigan-state-university-rocked-by-racial-intimidation/
>
>
> Here are a few more to help you along -
>
> 1. "No Niggers Please" Sign Posted At Michigan State University
>
> http://hiphopwired.com/2011/10/07/no-nggers-please-sign-posted-at-michigan-state-university/
>
> 2. International students deal with social media racism
>
> http://statenews.com/index.php/article/2012/07/international_students_deal_with_social_media_racism
>
> 3. End the Racist Attacks at Michigan State University!
>
> http://www.bamn.com/affirmative-action/racist-attacks-michigan-state
>
> 4. Racial Intimidation on the Rise at Michigan State
>
> http://www.bet.com/news/national/2011/10/04/racial-intimidation-on-the-rise-at-michigan-state.html
>
>
>
> kzs
> ===
> kwame zulu shabazz
> email: kwameshabazz@gmail.com<mailto:kwameshabazz@gmail.com>
> cell: 336-422-9577<tel:336-422-9577>
> skype: kwame zulu shabazz
> twitter: https://twitter.com/kzshabazz
> ===
> THE NEUTRAL SCHOLAR IS AN IGNOBLE MAN. Here, a man must be hot, or be accounted cold, or, perchance, something worse than hot or cold. The lukewarm and the cowardly, will be rejected by earnest men on either side of the controversy." Fredrick Douglass, "The Claims of the Negro, Ethnologically Considered" (1854).
> ===
> EVERY ARTIST, EVERY SCIENTIST MUST DECIDE, NOW, WHERE HE STANDS. He has no
> alternative. There are no impartial observers. Through the destruction, in certain countries, of man's literary heritage, through the propagation of false ideas of national and racial superiority, the artist, the scientist, the writer is challenged. This struggle invades the former cloistered halls of our universities and all her seats of learning. The battlefront is everywhere. There is no sheltered rear. The artist elects to fight for freedom or slavery. I have made my choice! I had no alternative! - Paul Robeson, speech about the Spanish Civil War at the Albert Hall, London,on 24th June 1937
>
>
> On Mon, May 25, 2015 at 10:53 AM, kenneth harrow <harrow@msu.edu<mailto:harrow@msu.edu>> wrote:
> kwame
> i think it is ok if we can establish our differences, and not necessarily come to agreement. it is productive to be clear on the different readings we have. i think you are using "global white supremacy" too absolutely. my university is not an instrument of "white power," as i see it. and death and destruction did not always follow europeans.
> that's how i see it. in each instance of your critique, i would look for the very things you want to dismiss: relative domination, relative racial politics, relative negative or destructive practices, but alongside positive ones, alongside the absence of real power, and so on.
>
> before we assess the impact or meaning of louis armstrong's visit, or any of the other incidents or features we've been discussing, there is the way we each frame our understandings differently. even when i want to condemn a given practice which you are also condemning, our different frames, different way of seeing the "conditions of possibilities" lead us to positions that are somewhat at odds with each other.
>
> i have mentioned mouffe and laclau before, whose work i read some time ago and liked a good deal: they talk about coalitions of different critical groups, with hegemony a shifting feature of coalition politics--Hegemony and Socialist Strategy: Toward a Radical Democratic Politics. i think they are still good guides for those of us who share some similar goals, but have different priorities or readings.
> ken
>
> On 5/25/15 11:24 AM, kwame zulu shabazz wrote:
> who share some similar goals, but have different priorities or readings.
> ken
>
> On 5/25/15 11:24 AM, kwame zulu shabazz wrote:
> Ken,
>
> I said that Armstrong did not always follow the white supremacist script so my point was not made in a "deterministic frame." However, the US did promote Armstrong's trip for deterministic (read soft imperial) aims. This is documented in many places including American Africans in Ghana<http://uncpress.unc.edu/books/T-4966.html> by Kevin Gaines.
>
> I have noted that you have a consistent habit of deflecting the perniciousness and pervasiveness of global white supremacy and that is unfortunate. Your university, in fact all American universities, are instruments of white power. That power was explicitly challenged by Black students in the late 1960s and early 70s. That battle is still being fought. Your consistent denials only serve to reinforce the racist system.
>
> Wherever Europeans went in the world, death and destruction followed. That is an indisputable fact. America is a racist belligerent nation founded on the annihilation of indigenous people and the enslavement of Africans. Today, in the USA, black people are still second class citizens (the plight of Native Americans is arguably worse). That is the point of the Black Lives Matter movement.
>
>
>
>
> kzs
> ===
> kwame zulu shabazz
>
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