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Harlem Hellfighters

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Charles Calvin Rogers (September 6, 1929 – September 21, 1990) was a recipient of the highest military decoration in the United States, the Medal of Honor, for his actions during the Vietnam War. A lieutenant colonel at the time, he became the highest-ranking Black soldier in the U.S. military to receive this honor. A career officer who entered the service as a second lieutenant commissioned by ROTC when the military was still racially segregated, he retired after 32 years in the United States Army with the rank of major general.

THEY ARE TRYING TO ERASE HISTORY.

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The Impact of African Heritage in European Culture: A Garveyite Perspective

The influence of African heritage on European culture is undeniable, yet often ignored, erased, or downplayed by Eurocentric narratives. From music, language, and art to philosophy, science, and architecture, Africa’s imprint on Europe runs deep. However, from a Garveyite perspective, this relationship is not a story of cultural exchange but rather one of exploitation, theft, and systemic denial of African contributions.

Marcus Garvey believed that African people must reclaim their historical and cultural legacy, rejecting the whitewashing of their achievements and resisting the continued economic and political exploitation of African identity by Europe. This analysis will explore the historical and contemporary impact of African heritage on European culture while also highlighting why Garvey’s teachings demand that Africans stop enriching Europe and instead invest in Africa’s own cultural and economic revival.

1. Ancient African Influence on European Civilization

European history often presents itself as separate from or superior to Africa, yet Europe’s very foundations were shaped by African civilizations.

A. Kemet (Ancient Egypt) and Its Influence on Greek and Roman Thought

The philosophers of ancient Greece, including Plato, Pythagoras, and Aristotle, studied in Kemet (Ancient Egypt), which was an African civilization.

The concept of Ma’at (balance, justice, and truth) influenced Western philosophy, but Greek and Roman scholars never credited Africa for these ideas.

Mathematics, medicine, architecture, and spiritual systems that were developed in Africa were later appropriated by European civilizations.

Example: The Great Library of Alexandria, often credited to the Greeks, was built in Kemet (Egypt) and housed African knowledge stolen by Europeans.

B. Moors and the African Golden Age in Europe (711–1492)

The Moors, who were Africans from North and West Africa, ruled Spain for over 700 years, bringing advanced knowledge in science, medicine, astronomy, mathematics, and agriculture.

They introduced street lighting, running water, universities, and libraries, pulling Europe out of the Dark Ages.

European elites later erased this history, downplaying the role of Africans in shaping European progress.

Example: Alhambra Palace in Spain, built by the Moors, is one of the most advanced architectural structures in European history, yet Western narratives rarely acknowledge that it was designed by Africans.

Key Takeaway: African knowledge and innovation built the foundations of European civilization, but history books erase these contributions to maintain the illusion of European superiority.

2. The European Appropriation of African Culture

After the enslavement of African people and the colonization of the continent, Europe began to steal, commercialize, and profit from African cultural, artistic, and intellectual property.

A. The Pillaging of African Art and Artifacts

Thousands of African artifacts were stolen during colonialism and are still held in European museums, including the British Museum, the Louvre (France), and the Berlin Ethnological Museum (Germany).

African art forms, including sculpture, textiles, and architecture, inspired European Modernist movements, such as Cubism, Futurism, and Abstract Art, without credit.

Even today, African nations are demanding the return of their stolen heritage, but European governments refuse, proving their continued colonial mindset.

Example: The Benin Bronzes, some of the most sophisticated metal artworks in history, were looted by the British in 1897 and are still displayed in British and German museums.

B. African Contributions to European Music and Fashion

Jazz, Blues, Rock, and even Classical Music owe much of their foundation to African rhythms and traditions.

African fabrics like Kente, Ankara, and mud cloth have been appropriated by European designers, who profit from African culture while African nations remain economically underdeveloped.

Afrobeat and Caribbean music have shaped European pop culture, yet Black artists still face systemic racism in the European music industry.

Example: European designers use African textiles in high fashion, yet African weavers and artisans see little to no financial benefit.

Key Takeaway: Europe continues to steal from African creativity and culture while ensuring that Africans do not profit from their own heritage.

3. The Economic and Political Exploitation of African Identity

Even in modern times, Europe continues to extract wealth from Africa while pretending to “honour” African culture.

A. The “Ethnic” Market: Selling African Culture for European Profit

European corporations profit from African art, music, fashion, and even spiritual practices, turning them into commercial products.

White-owned businesses market African spirituality, African aesthetics, and “Afro-futurism”, but Black people see little economic return.

Many African artifacts in European museums generate billions in tourism revenue, while the descendants of those civilizations remain impoverished.

Example: European wellness brands profit from African herbal medicine and rituals, yet Africa’s natural resources remain controlled by European corporations.

B. African Talent Drained into Europe Instead of Africa

European nations attract African intellectuals, athletes, and artists, keeping African talent working for European economies rather than developing Africa.

Many African scientists, doctors, and engineers are recruited by European institutions, leaving Africa dependent on foreign aid.

Example: African football players generate millions for European teams, while African sports infrastructure remains underfunded.

Key Takeaway: Europe benefits from Africa’s people, resources, and culture, but Africa remains underdeveloped because European control never truly ended.

4. The Garveyite Solution: Stop Enriching Europe, Build Africa Instead

From a Garveyite perspective, African people must stop fueling European economies and culture and instead invest in Africa’s own development.

A. Reclaiming African Heritage and Economic Independence

Africans must demand reparations and the return of stolen artifacts from European nations.

Black people in Europe must redirect their wealth into Black-owned businesses, not European corporations.

African nations must control their own resources instead of letting Europe dictate trade and production.

B. Strengthening Pan-African Identity Over European Influence

Afro-Europeans must embrace African identity and reject white validation.

Black artists and intellectuals must build Black-owned platforms and stop seeking acceptance in white institutions.

Repatriation to Africa, whether physically or economically, is necessary for true liberation.

Example: Garvey’s UNIA (Universal Negro Improvement Association) aimed to create a fully independent Black economy—Europe cannot be the Black world’s future.

Final Takeaway: African people must stop enriching Europe and start enriching Africa—economically, culturally, and intellectually.

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Today, 2/26 is the anniversary of when George Zimmerman murdered a 17-year old Black boy in 2012.

Much love to Sybrina Fulton and Tracy Martin, his parents and to the rest of his family. You all are hurting far more. Never forget this day.

This should always fill you with outrage knowing that Black children are viewed as inherently dangerous, that anyone can freely murder Black people as they see fit and will view Black children as adults.

It should be enraging that not only is this allowed of citizens it's expected and supported by the state. We've only had increased spending on policing since 2012.

It should be blood boiling that within that, police target Black trans and Black disabled people at even higher rates and both are routinely ignored or downplayed.

Black trans and disabled communities are consistently abandoned. Black trans people often get misgendered and deadnamed even in coverage discussing them.

It is so exhausting.

For Black Lives to Matter, that means all Black lives. It includes Black trans lives, Black disabled lives, Black unhoused lives, Black Sex Worker's lives, Black women, Black children, everyone.

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Following your point, I’d also recommend Heather McGhee’s The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together.

The fact that this is 80 fucking years ago but still just as relevant is terrifying.

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Idc how many executive orders Donald Trump puts his signature on, Black History Month is here to stay!

We invented EVERYTHING, including White people!

Where's the lie?

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👑🕊#ArtIsAWeapon

Wow! Peaceful journeys to the regal trailblazing dancer #JudithJamison, who transitioned today at age 81. She was stunning and showed us the power of dance and beauty of Black bodies in rhythmic motion! Soar Queen!

Her passing ends an already unusually awful week that started with #QuincyDelightJonesJr also leaving this realm and the death of democracy with the re-election of a demon as the next U.S. president. Sheesh.

VIA @NYTIMES: Judith Jamison, Alvin Ailey Dancer of ‘Power and Radiance,’ Dies at 81

She became an international star as a member of the company and later directed it, guiding it out of debt and boosting its popularity.

Judith Jamison, a majestic dancer who became an international star as a member of #AlvinAiley American Dance Theater and who directed the troupe for more than two decades, building it into the most successful modern dance company in the country, died on Saturday in Manhattan. She was 81.

Her death, at NewYork-Presbyterian Weill Cornell Medical Center, was announced by Christopher Zunner, a spokesman for the Ailey company, who said she died “after a brief illness.”

At 5-foot-10, Ms. Jamison was unusually tall for a woman in her profession. “But anyone who’s seen her onstage is convinced she’s six feet five,” the critic Deborah Jowitt wrote in The New York Times in 1976.

“I was the antithesis of the small-boned, demure dancer with a classically feminine shape.” Ms. Jamison (pronounced JAM-ih-son) wrote in her 1993 autobiography, “Dancing Spirit.”

Read more:

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/09/arts/dance/judith-jamison-dead.html?smid=nytcore-android-share

Photo credits (©) Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation, Inc. and Smithsonian Institution:

1.) Judith Jamison in Geoffrey Holder’s The Prodigal Prince (1967), photo by Jack Mitchell

2.) Judith Jamison in Alvin Ailey's Cry (1971), Photo by R. Faligant

3.) Judith Jamison in Alvin Ailey's Cry (1971), photo by Jack Mitchell

4.) Judith Jamison in John Butler's Facets (1972), photo by Jack Mitchell

5.) Judith Jamison photo by Andrew Eccles.

#DancingSpirit

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Kamala Harris takes over the Sphere! 💙💙💙

#VoteHarrisWalz2024

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Rest in Power, History Maker Quincy Jones

Dionne Warwick, Stevie Wonder,❤ Quincy Jones, Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie pose together backstage at the Grammy Awards show in Los Angeles, on February 26, 1986.

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A Blessed Manisfesting

The queenly return of Anok Yai to Howard University’s homecoming.

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Here is a little history for individuals who are fans of the movies Top Gun and Top Gun: Maverick.

The first Top Gun competition was held in 1949.

The caucasian pilots competed with the latest state of art aircraft, while the African-American pilots were forced to compete with the much older, obsolete planes.

After 3 days of competition, the Tuskegee Airmen team of : Captain Alva Temple, 1st Lieutenant Harry Stewart, 1st Lieutenant James Harvey, and 1st Lieutenant Halbert Alexander (alternate) were announced the winners.

There was dead silence in the room.

Not one of their (hypocritical) colleagues applauded this accomplishment.

The victory was swept under the rug, and the trophy was not seen by the public for 55 years.

Introducing the real Top Guns

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Queens native and Harvard student Lauren Scruggs secured Team USA's gold medal in team fencing.

She is the first Black woman to win an individual fencing medal! 🤺