#can say the apartheid government was in the wrong and no one considers mandela a terrorist. think about that the next time you take in what

[silenceismychoir]

you read history books and wonder how the fuck regimes and governments got away with war crimes, genocide, apartheid. you watch the news channels and realise just how

[iol247]

Opinionista • Ismail Lagardien • 15 March 2021

Fifteen years along the road to nowhere, and the worst is yet to come

We are at a point, now, where instead of pointing to the perversity of misguided distribution, corruption, theft, maladministration, tenderpreneurs, and State Capture, discussions are deflected – and the spectrum of opinion has been narrowed.

In 2015, Justice Malala published his book We Have Now Begun Our Descent. Without having read the book I sat down to consider South Africa’s future, and concluded that there was little to no hope for the country. I was in Bonn, Germany, at the time, after four or more years in the secretariat of the National Planning Commission. Although the Covid-19 pandemic has had a dreadful impact on South Africa’s political economy and society – as it has on almost every country in the world – the country’s problems took a turn for the worse at Nasrec at the end of 2017, and Malala’s “descent” gained momentum. 

I want to break with orthodoxy, and say that it is the politics, not “the economy,” as the old canard goes. Homo economicus might believe that the economy is everything, and everything is the economy, but “the economy” is those millions of transactions that humans make every minute of every day, and the personal and public political decisions that enable or disable those people (from making those transactions).

A collapse that preceded democracy

Before I continue, I want to share a passage I wrote between 1991 and 1993, when I was the southern African correspondent for the New Straits Times of Malaysia. I don’t have the exact date of publication, because the person who decided to make a “portfolio” of my work neatly trimmed my reports and columns but failed to include the date. I was going to save it for my memoir, but here it is – written at a time when the apartheid government was losing its grip on power and state institutions in the early 1990s:

“It is as if a villainous character had every day, over the years, gone to the Union Buildings, the seat of government in the capital, Pretoria, and methodologically and systematically undone every single screw, bolt, nut and nail of government. Every day, now, for months on end, a section of government in South Africa is coming apart. It is difficult, now, after a spate of scandalous exposes in recent months to say exactly when the disintegration first started, or when the first door, window or desk in the Union Buildings collapsed. What has become evident, however, is that the state is collapsing bit by bit, in slow motion, while its powers of rehabilitation [are] dissipating with its political might.”

It has been reported, over and again, that the democratic government inherited a state that was on its knees. As the Afrikaner historian Herman Giliomee wrote, a decade ago, March 1985 marked, “the day apartheid started dying”. 

Wrote Giliomee: “Pik Botha recalls: ‘I will never forget the night of July 31 when [Minister of Finance] Barend du Plessis phoned me… [He said]: ‘Pik, I must tell you that the country is facing inevitable bankruptcy … The process has started.’”

We had growth, and increased social spending, but the thieves saw opportunities

The first democratic government of South Africa, led by Nelson Mandela, was fully aware of the terrible state of the economy. They managed, within a decade or more, to provide utilities and access to public goods and services (including social grants) to millions of people across the country (all necessary for a stable, progressive social democracy), while managing the country’s finances, avoiding profligacy – and through it all, produced growth and a Budget surplus. 

This demonstrated that you can reduce poverty, provide social services, deliver public goods and services, as well as manage the country’s finances. The problem that emerged, after the first 12-15 years was not lack of growth, or a contraction of the economy, it was about distribution – much of the growth did, indeed go to social spending, but a lot more began to go into the wrong pockets. Corruption, maladministration, cronyism, nepotism and prebendalism took root – what good was the ANC-led state, if it did not line the pockets of its leaders, and members who were deployed to state agencies, and boards across the country?

Fast-forward to a few years later, and we are at a point, now, where instead of pointing to the perversity of misguided distribution, corruption, theft, maladministration, tenderpreneurs, and State Capture, discussions are deflected – and the spectrum of opinion has been narrowed. Somewhat simultaneously rose the politics of identity (the ugly version), and instead of policies focusing on social problems, they focused on contortions of language, the politics of revenge, populism, scapegoating, and the speeches and statements of leaders were increasingly laced with words like “bloodshed,” and all the while xenophobia, aimed mainly at Africans and Asians, has spread. 

A careful read of Carl Niehaus’s eight-page submission on likely policies of the ruling alliance, suggests we are expected to choose between Radical Economic Transformation by policy (ANC), or Radical Economic Transformation by force (EFF). At what point do the ANC’s radical forces join the EFF? Impossible, but not improbable. 

Are we there yet?

Let’s take stock, briefly, of where we are. We know that “the economy” is in the pits. But what makes an economy stable, expansive, progressive and able to secure social justice? Don’t ask an economist. To them it’s all cost-benefits, assumptions, laws and models which they mistake for truth. And anyway, people who are so sure of their own predictive powers belong on the beachfront with fortune tellers. What makes an economy work is everything else: the people, the institutions, the policies, ethics, food, water, shelter, clothing and, well, energy. If we start just with energy, consider the fact that we may have load shedding  for at least the next five years. 

This week, Eskom’s Chief Executive Officer, André de Ruyter, confirmed that “there will be a shortfall in supply of electricity of approximately 4,000 megawatts over the next five years as announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa. We welcome further interventions announced by the president, which will include a further request for proposals for a further 2,600 megawatts from wind and solar energy.” 

Using non-economic rationalist orthodoxy, us ordinary citizens know, intuitively, that you cannot run a shop, a workshop or any heavy industry without a stable source of electricity. We also know that you cannot get to work without commuter trains running. We also know that we place our lives in danger with every taxi ride. While us mere mortals don’t travel abroad much, if at all, we know that planes belong in the air; that the public broadcaster is meant to serve as, well, a public broadcaster; the police are meant to serve and protect; our military personnel should be able to march in straight lines, and its hardware has to be up to date (you can’t have stockpiles of ammunition that is outdated); along with the police and military, the state security system ought to make us sleep better at night, and criminals need to be prosecuted – even if they are among the highest office-bearers in the ruling alliance. 

A woman walking to work is not safe. A family sitting at home watching TV is not safe. A farmer working his or her fields is not safe. The driver stopping at a red light is not safe. Do we really expect someone to invest in an existing or new industry or fund innovation if a faction of the ruling party calls for “the mass nationalisation of industries including mines, insurance companies, steel and chemical companies”? The future of work is changing, but our major union leaders, supported by barbarous professors, want our workers to stay in the bondage of assembly lines – instead of retraining them for new, more innovative means of production.

All of these represent the life world of everyday people in South Africa. Every time anyone buys a loaf of bread or a bag of oranges they comprise “the economy”. Speaking of oranges, you can return the land to “its rightful owners” and (with the help of the former white owner) farm citrus products, but if individual oranges have a fungal disease you may not be able to export your produce. That’s not a racist conspiracy. (I use this one example because I have some insights into a related domestic issues case, and about the way the World Trade Organisation works.) 

This can go on and on if we can’t guarantee: the safety of investments; a reliable stream of energy; community and personal safety; trains that run; a reliable justice system – with judges who are unimpeachable; a postal service that is functional; public servants who do the jobs they’re paid to do; teachers who teach; nurses who are paid well, and don’t sign in for one another when they want to escape parts of night duty; and if we don’t play our part, as active citizens.

The government can build schools, but parents must make sure their children attend school, and show an interest in the child’s education. The government can provide trash cans, but people must use them. Visit downtown Johannesburg and you may get a sense of how filth has built up – it’s not quite at the levels of Naples, but give it time. While we hold the state and political parties to a high standard, we need to, also, report on citizens who refuse to pay or steal electricity and water, then cry foul if they are brought to book. That, is largely, the result of ANC promises. With another election in a couple of years, do we really think the ANC, or any political party is going to tell people to pay their electricity bills or get cut off? And so, it’s not “the economy” it’s everything we do, and say, every day, that makes the economy work. 

We may have started our descent, as Malala, wrote almost six years ago; my loss of hope has deepened – helped along by #statecapture revelations. But let me turn to the observations I made in the early 1990s, with regards to the National Party:

“What has become evident, however, is that the state is collapsing bit by bit, in slow motion, while its powers of rehabilitation [are] dissipating with its political might.” 

https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/opinionista/2021-03-15-fifteen-years-along-the-road-to-nowhere-and-the-worst-is-yet-to-come/

Submitted by TT

[olaluwe]

You can say it again that these definitely are not the best of times between Nigeria and South Africa.

Threatening the several decades of cordial relations that cut across diplomatic, cultural, educational, and more importantly economic are the reported deaths of Nigerians in their numbers either in the hands of ordinary South Africans or officers and men of its police.  

So far, close to two hundred cases of what can be described as extra-judicial killings have been documented by relevant stakeholders in Nigeria. You can say that is quite alarming.

In a way, this is quite surprising, for two countries whose relations started during the struggles against the white minority rule.

It would be recalled that Nigeria and Nigerians contributed significantly in terms of moral, political and financial supports towards the emancipation of their sister African state which culminated in the release from the prison and ascension to the presidency of the country by the now late quintessential freedom fighter Nelson Mandela.

Mandela would go on to prove to be exemplary and an embodiment of what a true Pan-Africanist should be and he was loved, adored and literally worshipped not only by the continent’s political leaders and hoi-polloi alike but by the same world over. He was a powerful point of reference in leadership.

He scored many first, arguably. This is a man who completely forgives his arch-tormentors. He even appointed elements from his adversarial race into office as a deputy among others. He never used the presidential villa during his one-termed tenure of office.

And when he retired from active politics, he moved into true statesmanship providing the much-needed rallying point for internal social cohesion and international respect.   

In fact, many of his continental-wide compatriots suffered from what can be described as a Mandela syndrome with many trying to be like him but failed.

    The relations blossomed further in the post-apartheid era when Mandela held sway in the areas of diplomacy and economy with many South African businesses making landmark incursions into the Nigerian economy. Today, we have them in their numbers and doing really good.

In a sudden twist, all the goodwill that Africans and Nigerians especially living in South Africa have enjoyed over the years seems to be fast evaporating. Xenophobic attacks and killings by South Africans have now replaced the old order of communally mutual respect for their fellow Africans.

But the signs have been there for the discerning. There were times when Mandela himself had put down firmly any act of reciprocal evil by South Africans towards the white minority.     

And concerns were openly expressed in several quarters about not only how to manage the cult of Mandela but what becomes the fate of people South Africans considered as their enemies.

And truly that is how things have played out because of the killings of Nigerians and the maltreatments meted out to immigrants from other African countries started immediately after the demise of Nelson Mandela.

Clearly, to me, this is a modern-day re-enactment of the biblical tragedy involving Israelites in Egypt captured in the damnable line: “And another king reigns over Egypt who does not know Joseph”.

And I’m not surprised one bit. After all, we have been told by the political savvy that interest is the only thing permanent in political calculations.  

All that Nigerians and indeed other African countries did for South Africa during their trying times have become historic relics belonging in too distant past that remembering them has proved to be an uphill task for both the South African political class and their followers.  

And like their Egyptian forbearers, they take pleasure in scorning, maiming and killing their Nigerian benefactors whose singular misfortune is daring to brave the distance to come and share in the South African dream and prosperity.

  The recent intervention by the NANS is coming after these spates of killings of Nigerians in South-Africa and the perceived lack of political will on the part of the government to engage its South African counterpart.     

After repeated warnings by the NANS, South African businesses in Nigeria were reportedly picketed a few days ago across the country.

And it also issued a 7-day ultimatum for same businesses to vacate the country or face the wrath of the Nigerian Students.

Depending on what the analyst in each and every one of us chose to see, the militant actions or posturing, if you like of NANS, have attracted commendations and condemnations in equal measures.

Those who commend it see their action as a step in the right direction because the government has not deemed it fit to take the bull by the horn and call the bluff of South Africa. 

Successive governments to them have been complacent about the welfare of Nigerians scattered around the world.

To add salt to injury, the South Africa foreign minister in a recent statement regarded the claims that Nigerians are being killed in South Africa as false. This could only indicate one thing and that is what the media is reporting is a figment of their imaginations even where a piece of video evidence is available.

Those who have condemned the actions of NANS see it as complicating the situation. To them, South African businesses in Nigeria are employers of labour who are mostly Nigerians.

And to halt their operations could jeopardize the employment of these Nigerians and at the same time send the wrong signals to other would be foreign investors.

While both sides of the argument are valid; I believe, however, strongly that NANS should take the battle rather to the doorsteps of government and ensure that the needful is done to highlight the premium it placed on the life of every Nigerian regardless of where they live. 

International diplomacy from what I know is an extension of domestic politics. Nigerians don’t take themselves serious hence they are not taken seriously in the diaspora.

All that will change if only there is a deliberate re-calibration of every socio-economic policy and program of government with a view to guaranteeing meaningful life to every Nigerian at home.

And when we go abroad it would be as investors and not as desperate economic scavengers willing and ready to do just anything to survive including criminality.  This over the years has demeaned our humanity and makes the country the laughing stock in the comity of nations.

We can put South Africa and South Africans to shame if we work on our areas of strengths and deepen our comparative advantages in international trade. Our businesses too should think of trans-continental expansionist models being vigorously pursued by South Africa and South Africas.

They do not have a monopoly of wisdom or trade acumen. It is just that we have been complacent over the years and the side effects are just catching up with us. It is high time we march forward boldly into the realm of the Nigerian dream. If there is none, we should not hesitate to craft one. 

[makesensenl]

CHAMPION OF THE UNDERDOG : PAMELA J. OAKES

Sometime back in the 1980’s, one young but very clever girl named Pamela was going for a car ride with her mother by her side. During so, a popular song titled “Free Nelson Mandela” came on the radio. Young Pamela, who has never heard of Nelson Mandela before –perhaps because apartheid related international news was extremely limited- has turned to her mother and asked her who he was. After her mother explained he was a political activist who has been in prison for several years, Pamela became even more confused and carried on with further questions. At the end, her mother finally said “he is in prison because he is black”. That very moment has stirred many emotions inside young Pamela, who herself is black. It has driven her into promising herself that one day she will go to South Africa to prove everyone that does not believe in her brothers and sisters wrong, and take action in the steps of Nelson Mandela. Nearly ten years later she was able to make good on that promise.

This time last year I was in Amsterdam performing my intern journalist duties at MakeSenseNL. During that time, I have had the pleasure of interviewing so many wonderful souls face to face. However, there was this one person I kept hearing so many great things of from my boss and co-workers. She had came to the Netherlands, met with our MakeSense team, stole their hearts then left just shortly before I had arrived to Amsterdam. However, this did not stop me from reaching out to her and requesting an interview, as I felt her story of how she has been dedicating her entire life being the champion of the “underdog” needed to be shared. Miss Pamela has since agreed to answer my questions in hopes of inspiring even one person to start making a change.

MEET PAMELA OAKES – HER WORK IN AFRICA AND MEETING NELSON MANDELA

Seattle, Washington born and raised, Pamela is the 2nd oldest of a family of six. Her parents are originally from the South, but given the intense racism against people of color at that time, they immigrated to the northwest in the 40s in search of a better life. She attended the University of Washington where she majored in Political Science. Her professional career began when she joined her father at his real estate agency. Working in real estate was a good experience for Pamela; however, she knew she was meant for bigger things!

Pamela has always been a person who bristled at injustice and unfairness and who considers herself to be a spirited advocate for the disadvantaged and underprivileged. This may have originated from the fact that her parents grew up during segregation in the U.S and made sure to instill in their children a sense of pride, value and self-worth.  Or maybe it was the years of private Catholic-school education that drilled into her the Golden Rule of ‘doing unto others as you would have them do unto you.’ Whatever it was, she knew she was destined to dedicate her life to helping others.

After she had left the real estate industry, she started attending conferences and participating in social events in hopes of meeting like-minded people. She then began working as a consultant travelling extensively throughout the southern African countries of South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Swaziland. There she conducted workshops and training seminars for government, corporate, faith-based and community agencies in the areas of diversity, affirmative action, employment equity, gender equity, HIV/AIDS awareness and organizational and personal transformation.  During this time she had the honor of meeting and shaking hands with Nelson Mandela, and was even invited to a private audience with her royal highness, Queen LaMbikiza of Swaziland.  

                         Pamela with the Queen of Swaziland, Queen LaMbikiza

It was also during her time in Africa that Pamela became better acquainted with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.  Although during the early days of the foundation a very low profile was kept, as Bill and Melinda wanted to aim all the spotlight on their actual work, in the continent of Africa the foundation was widely known.  The foundation was heavily involved in water sanitation projects as well as HIV/AIDS prevention. Pamela then determined that when she returned to the states, she would work for Bill & Melinda!

THE BILL AND MELINDA GATES FOUNDATION

“To whom much is given, much is expected” is the motto by which Bill and Melinda, as well as everyone at the foundation strive to live by every day.

                                          Copyright: One Coast Magazine

Bill and Melinda Gates had the idea to initiate their own foundation right after their honeymoon, which they spent on an African safari. When they saw the harsh living conditions of some of the rural communities, they were immediately inspired to help and compelled to use their wealth to make a difference.

They chose to work in four specific areas; poverty, health, education in the U.S. and global policy. The program areas chosen by the foundation are those about which Bill and Melinda are personally passionate.  They felt that is where their money can have the biggest impact, because of the  “gap” in existing funding.  For example, other very important areas like cancer research does not receive funding  from the Gates Foundation, because there is already a huge amount of money allocated to that cause.  The Gates Foundation, however, funds programs to eradicate diseases that lack funding and are affecting huge populations, such as River Blindness and Guinea Worm.

Pamela’s work at the organisation compiled of very crucial steps; first she looked for cases where their funding can make the most impact (large populations being adversely affected, lack of current funding, personal passion of Bill & Melinda, etc.) Then, she forwarded the project or issue to the strategy teams and asked them to devise a strategy to combat the problem. Next, they all together looked for collaborative partners already working in the geographic region on the same issue and worked with them to implement the strategy. The foundation does not DO the work, it only funds it. Progress were measured routinely and adjustments were made to the strategy and/or implementation methodology, as needed in order to achieve the desired outcomes.

The biggest accomplishment the foundation has yet achieved is coming so close to the eradication of polio, which Pamela says they are very excited about.  Working with partners like WHO, UNICEF, Rotary and others, they’ve witnessed India becoming polio-free, Nigeria not having a case for over a year, and there have been barely more than 50 cases worldwide in 2015! In fact, Bill and Melinda’s wisdom behind deciding to spend 90% of their wealth to good causes now before their death is one of the reasons why Pamela was so inspired to work with them.

“They want to put the money to work and make a difference NOW not after they are dead. Unlike many large foundations that exist in perpetuity, the charter of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation stipulates that all the money must be spent within 15 years of their death.  The goal is that the foundation will ultimately cease to exist and will only have a lifespan of about 80 years or so.  Generations from now, people will be able to read about the great things that were done, but because I work here, I get to be a part of that history being made.”

THE PROFITABLE NONPROFIT AND FUTURE PLANS

As much as Pamela loved working for the foundation and being inspired every day by the people who work there, she has just recently decided to focus on her own project, “The Profitable Nonprofit”. She has always been motivated to help smaller nonprofits and social entrepreneurs, and be more directly involved in their work. Thus, this past May she has said goodbye to long, fruitful eight years at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and is now working full time as the head of her own organisation.

The Profitable Nonprofit is a consulting business which works with nonprofit social enterprise clients to achieve their funding goals. The objective is to ensure that every nonprofit social entrepreneur who wants to change the world for good has the funding and resources to do so.

Up until now, the organization has collaborated with various NGOs and social enterprises that focus on topics such as; homelessness, health care, poverty alleviation, women empowerment, young leadership and so on. The Profitable Nonprofit has helped better the governance structure, efficiencies, revenue generation, and overall development of every project they have worked with. In addition, clients have been continually requesting Pamela to lead and be the keynote speaker of many important conferences they hold, which she gracefully accepted and successfully accomplished.

Pamela will be in South Africa at the ends of this year, attending a conference and collaborating with a local nonprofit community to build and mobilize resources to improve their lives and create long term social change.

words from PAMELA

“It does not make sense to wait until TOMORROW to make an impact with your time, wealth, resources or support when people are dying, starving, and hurting TODAY.”

[differentmediums]

Can political violence ever be morally justified?

The phrase ‘one man’s terrorist is another man’s freedom fighter’ is one that has been cited since 1945. If so, what sets the two apart? Are violent actions of freedom fighters justifiable, or were political revolutionaries actually ‘terrorists’?

Al Quds day is an annual event traditionally held on the last Friday of the Muslim month of Ramadan, first practised under the Iranian Government post-Islamic Revolution. The aim of International Quds Day is to express support for the Palestinians and oppose Zionism and the state of Israel by protesting in major cities internationally. In 2017, Mayor of London Sadiq Khan called British Home Secretary Sajid Javid urging him to outright ban Hezbollah, and its Palestinian ally group Hamas,  and to officially name them a ‘terrorist’ organisations so that their respective flags were not flown at these non-violent protests. So why is it that the Israeli Defence Forces (responsible for more civilian casualties than both Hezbollah and Hamas combined) are in arms relations with 32 (known) nation-states worldwide? Who and what defines the term ‘terrorism’?

Terrorism is very broadly described as ‘the unlawful use of violence and intimidation, especially against civilians, in the pursuit of political aims’. If we were to look at this statement in its essence, it would seem that admired historical figures throughout history fall under this definition yet aren’t deemed ‘terrorists’. To see how far people defined actions of renowned people of influence as ‘terrorism’ as opposed to ‘freedom fighting’ I did what most 21st Century girls would do- I created a twitter poll during a bout of insomnia. (The thread is here for those who would want to access it: when is something terrorism? .) The results of these aren’t as informative as I would want to be due to the ‘I don’t know’ option (which, however, is completely understandable as most of my followers are not as aware of the details of these people’s lives), but provided interesting insight. Hamas are deemed freedom fighters, and Nelson Mandela and Malcolm X were both categorised as terrorists. The question that I was most intrigued to see the answers for were ‘if these violent stances encouraged societal progression in the past successfully do you think they can work in today's day and age/contemporary issues?’ and ‘can 'terrorism', then, be justified?’. Both these questions were met with a ‘no’ with a large margin, but it is important to examine why millennials voted so considering the same voters believed Malcolm X’s ideas endorsed terrorism but were justified.

Well, the first thing to point out is our definition of terrorism, while stated above, is viewed differently in practice. It was, after all, within our lifetime that George Bush declared the ‘War on Terror’ and we were first seeing the implications of terrorism in the Western world. Terrorism truly had served its purpose to ‘intimidate’- it had not only taken innocent lives but challenged the very hegemony of the world’s most powerful state, and in turn, threatened every developed Western ally. Terrorism previously had never operated on such a global scale- it was contained within borders and regions; even ISIS, who by name operates in Iraq and Syria coordinated and took responsibility for violent attacks worldwide. This leads our perception of terrorism to hit closer to home and associate it with unadulterated mass bloodshed. We are quick to undeniably label ISIS, the Taliban and Al-Qaeda as terrorists, but the lines are blurred when looking at individuals like Mandela because we are not aware of the mass attacks he not only condoned but orchestrated under the MK wing of the SACP. We are aware, however, that Mandela went to prison in his lifetime- but do not recognise that this is because he pleaded guilty to 156 acts of public violence. It is undeniable that Mandela’s movement led to the eradication of the apartheid. Would this be achievable without his political violence, however?

Palestinian writer Dr Azzam Tamimi states that diplomacy is only a viable option when two parties are willing to negotiate (understandable) but also when the opposing force accepts that they are in the wrong. His view on the Israel-Palestine conflict is one that he compares to Mandela and South Africa- in order for there to be peace negotiations, the Israelis need to accept and admit that they did occupy and colonise rightful Palestinian land, the way the white minority eventually accepted the violence and racism during the apartheid. In the meantime, he states that Hamas will continue its armed resistance, and indiscriminate violence will take place because ‘grievances are never addressed’. Hamas’ political violence is because they are not being paid attention to by major outside governments, let alone the one they are opposing. 

It’s simple to say that blood does not move the wheel of history forward. It undeniably does, but considering it the most moral and efficient way for us to move forward is a mistake. After all, the common man holds some knowledge of the suffragette movement, but only some recognise the suffragist movement. The suffragists were peaceful and wrote letters to the Houses of Parliament requesting voting reform. The suffragettes acted out, with hunger strikes and riots, and it was their behaviour that pushed the British government to give women the vote. It is not to say that it was the best way to do so, but British parliament didn’t take suffragists seriously and became aware of the divide the suffragette movement was creating in society. It was after the cooperation on both sides (the government for releasing prisoners who advocated suffrage, and suffragettes for recognising the need to end their aggressive methods) which lead women to have the vote in 1918. Violence is a natural reaction to injustice, human beings often don’t behave rationally when they feel they have been treated badly- but the only way to gauge a positive outcome out of such campaigns is to identify mistakes on both sides and to engage in discourse. 

I am back and trying to write shorter sentences! yay! progression! - Kanza

[122154-blog1]

The Importance of Addressing Terrorism

By: Mikayla Emerson May 14, 2018

It is the twenty first century and with every passing day terrorism is becoming a heated topic in modern media. With attacks like the Paris attacks on November 13, 2015 and the Manchester concert bombing on May 22, 2017 gaining large amounts of public attention the line that determines what exactly terrorism is is becoming blurry. So what separates terrorism and freedom fighting? What is the difference between being a terrorist and fighting for the greater good? What distinguishes Al Qaeda’s public executions from Nelson Mandela's revolt against the government? When examining history and proposed definitions one can begin to draw the boundaries of what makes an act of terrorism different than a fight for freedom. Different organizations define it in varying ways. For instance the United States Federal Criminal Code explains terrorism as violent activities that are a violation of the criminal law, the United Nations General Assembly explains it as criminal acts intended to provoke a state of terror in the general public for unjustifiable reasons, and the European Union explains it as acts that may seriously damage a population with the aim of compelling them. Nonetheless, all of these definitions have a common tangent. By integrating them, along with past research of South Africa’s Apartheid and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, I would define terrorism as violent, irrational acts meant to provoke a response from a population. Freedom fighting or terrorism, both can be violent and both are meant to instigate some sort of response. The difference is the intention and the execution of the intention. For example, in the Israeli Palestinian conflict, I would not consider Palestinians to be terrorists because they are revolting against the Israeli government for equal rights, which should be granted to them. Israel continuously ignores their pleads and so it has influenced them to take action. Due to the occupation in Palestine, Palestinians are being forcefully displaced from their homes, made unable to attend school and jobs, and denied a say in the government that rules them. This goes against their human rights, and since Israel is not making any moves to accommodate these right revolt is reasonable and they are not terrorists.

In addition, I have recently conducted a case study of the Japanese Red Army (JRA) and their eligibility to be considered a terrorist organization. The JRA was formed in the pursuit of revolutionizing Japan in 1971 and unite the world through communism according to the Marxist-Leninist ideology. This ideology is centered around the concept of destroying the exploitation of people under capitalism and instead creating a society free of classes. When making this determination of whether this organization should be considered a terrorist organization it is vital to research the roots of the JRA. The economic growth of Japan during the early 1970’s had a significant impact on the formation of the group. During this time Japan was experiencing a major increase in industrial manufacturing. Influenced by Western capitalism, Japan’s production in goods like automobiles, computers, and other electronics skyrocketed. In addition, this era followed World War II which caused Japan to have to reestablish their declined economy. This increase in manufacturing allowed some people to acquire immense wealth, but it also caused populations of the working, middle class of Japan to become extremely exploited. During the 1970’s, when the JRA was formed, more than 85% of the Japanese population was in this middle class category according to the US Department of Commerce’s census.Those who founded the JRA wanted to destroy this class system by converting the nation to communism. One of their major attacks was the Lod Airport Massacre on May 30, 1972 in which the JRA killed 26 people and injured 80 others in a bombing at Lod Airport in Israel. This meets my definition of terrorism because the attack was immorally violent. It was aimed at innocent people who had nothing to do with the JRA’s ideals. It did nothing to benefit the JRA’s goal of spreading communism or revolutionizing Japan. Therefore it was a terroristic act, not freedom fighting, making the JRA eligible to be considered a terrorist organization.

As mentioned previously, terrorism is a major concern to the general public because of its impact on our lives. Many aspects of our lives have been altered in response to past terroristic events. For instance security at airports has significantly increased following the Twin Tower Attacks on September 11th. Prior to these attacks somebody could board a plan with little security checks whereas now it is required to go through thorough security checks before even entering a terminal. Terrorism has also caused different stigmas concerning different groups of people to develop. The stigma associated with muslims is one of the most prominent examples of this. Islamophobia has infected a population of people to misjudge muslim people despite them not doing any wrong. On a more direct note, terrorism has impacted millions of lives in the form of collateral damage of terrorist attacks. Millions of people have been impacted this way whether it be themselves who are injured, or even murdered, or a relative, friend, or colleague being hurt. The violence in some places has grown so intense that people have fled from their homes in search of safety. This has caused an extreme displacement issue for refugees. They are fleeing their countries but other countries are not accepting them. Problems like the Syrian Refugee Crisis are directly caused by this. It is important to solve this issue of terrorism to prevent the deaths and injuries of these people and this forced immigration. If it is addressed effectively there will be no reason for these people to leave their homes and there will be less fatalities in relation to terrorist attacks. People will be able to live peacefully without the fear of being a victim of terrorism. If it is not addressed the problem will only magnify. More people will be killed from terrorism and more people will feel provoked to leave their homes in search of new ones. Overlooking the issue would be like accepting terroristic organizations, like the JRA, to proceed in their pursuit of whatever gain they get when performing terroristic acts.

One of the things the US government is doing to combat terrorism is increasing security and limiting freedom of the people. This is a vital step considering that terrorism is right in front of us. It is not something overseas. It is here in the US. It cannot be dealt with indirectly. Reasonable search of possessions when entering airports, stadiums, or any other public gatherings is logical and moral. It does not only promise the protection of you but those around you. However, when these searches become unreasonable that is when the line should be drawn. Security checking a person based on their nationality, religion, etc is an example of this. Muslims are selected more often than almost anyone else at an airport because of the stigma with muslims and terrorism, which is unjustifiable. I support the Patriot Act here in the US because it abides by the ideal of reasonability. The government cannot directly monitor your internet usage unless it has a reason to, and thus it still respects your freedom. However, once an individual’s internet usage becomes suspicious the government has the right to look further into the suspicion. Potentially this could stop a terrorist attack, that would cause damage to the American people, and so it is completely reasonable.

When regarding economic imperialism and political intervention, it is our job to improve the lives of others around the world only if the intentions are genuine and if we completely follow through with assisting these lives. Of course, the prosperity of the world is a goal we all share. Nobody wants to see the end of humanity, and so self preservation is vital. However, there have been many instances when the US has attempted to help countries only to cause more conflict. An example of this is the role the US played in the Korean War. The US helped take Korea back from Japan following World War II. The US then helped South Korea form a governmental system like the US’. They then specifically did not arm South Korea in fear that they would overpower North Korea, and thus North Korea invaded South Korea capturing the capital in days. This initiated the entire Korean War, which ended in the official divide of the two counties. The US’ intention to help South Korea was genuine, but the US lacked dedication to ensure the people’s safety by not letting South Korea possess adequate weapons. Another conflict the US is only worsening is the Israeli Palestinian conflict. The US is backing Israel but not for genuine reasons. They are doing this because of their interest in the fossil fuel Israel possesses. In cases like this the US should not assist a side in a conflict because the US is not interested in the actual conflict but their own benefit from the conflict. The US has excused Israel using illegal weapons on Palestinians not because they approve of the atrocity but because they care about their relation with Israeli. This is extremely corrupt, and in cases like this the US should withdraw from the conflict. Any country that wants to partake in an international conflict should only do so if their intentions are genuine and if they properly dedicate themselves to resolving it. In any other case a country should not interfere because more often than not it will make the conflict worse.

Works Cited

Journal, The Asia Pacific. “Class and Work in Cultural Capitalism: Japanese Trends−− | The Asia-Pacific Journal: Japan Focus.” Launching the U.S. Terror War: the CIA, 9/11, Afghanistan, and Central Asia9.11 | The Asia-Pacific Journal: Japan Focus, 1 Mar. 2AD, apjjf.org/-Yoshio-Sugimoto/3419/article.html.

NPA. “Movements of the Japanese Red Army and the ‘Yodo-Go’ Group.” 警察庁Webサイト, 17 June 2012, www.npa.go.jp/archive/keibi/syouten/syouten271/english/0301.html.

Red Phoenix. “Marxist-Leninist Ideology.” The Red Phoenix, 8 Apr. 2017, theredphoenixapl.org/2008/12/08/marxist-leninist-ideology/.

[alllivesmatterseries-blog]

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday 2017

Peace and Justice need Truth

State sanctioned violence ain’t New

Black Lives need All Lives

To Protect from Red, White & Blue

Boycott Bully Billionaires Brandishing Bombastic Bull

How will I celebrate and illuminate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.?

Hold Hope High Happily Helping Healing Happen

Do we understand evil that killed the man sits set to systematically sabotage all the good Dr. King Jr. dreamed would stand?

Connect The Dots announced planned protest at schools across the country at 7am Thursday, January 19th alerting our communities of the potential jeopardy of public schools if Betsy DeVos is confirmed as United States Secretary of Education. I’d prefer a dialogue even debate at every school regarding all the nomination’s of President elect Donald Trump.

Why?

Even today as we recall and recognize Dr. King’s impact on American society, particularly in light of an incredibly accomplished 8 years of the first African-American President one can  analyze the extent of our Nation’s progress in practicing compassionate civil rights considering these cabinet nominations.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said ,”Question the capitalistic society.” And he said, “America must be born again.” Anyone familiar with the tradition from which “born again” comes understands that the phrase is far from “great again”. I do pray Mr. Trump’s meeting with Dr. King’s son results in “born again” and not just free government photo id cards. Perhaps an ultra- capitalistic President with an exceptional black surgeon leading the Housing Urban Development, being “born again”, and encountering the living JAH in you, a talking mule, the talking drum of Jazz, Roots & Rock, Hip-Hop, or Dr. King’s lasting words will heed the Spirit. The Spirit singing, “A host of positive psychological changes will inevitably result from wide spread economic security. The dignity of the individual will flourish when decisions concerning his own life are in his own hands, when he has means to seek self improvement. Personal conflicts among husbands, wives, and children will diminish when the unjust measure of human worth on a scale of dollars is eliminated.”

Can we expect massive reparations to African-Americans from President Donald Trump? Maybe?

Trump’s Secretary of Education nominee is a billionaire that desires to eliminate public education in favor of vouchers, for-profit charters, and school choice. Check out her views in consideration of your protesting. I’m not endorsing the nominee. I am recognizing vouchers means money to families. And I know many educators that would with good intentions and results launch schools in their communities. But starting a school takes resource. Thus there must be more than vouchers for communities to work at improving education. Reparations?

Obviously not all agree. Not so obvious is why some do and some don’t. For example, President of Interfaith Alliance, Rabbi Jack Moline says, “Americans can always send their children to private schools and religious schools but raiding the public treasury to subsidize private businesses and religious organizations runs against the pubic trust and the Constitution.” But countless Jewish day schools receive plenty, and lobby for even more, tax credit programs, i.e. subsidies.

The community at Beit T’ Shuvah in Culver City reflecting on “Shared Legacies: Honoring The Black/Jewish Civil Rights Alliance” with great food and a trailer of a film so titled, reiterated the importance of not keeping silent when witnessing the abuse, persecution and oppression of others. As well, repeated references to Nelson Mandela and Apartheid reminded us of our need for truth and reconciliation. Appealing to an urgency for decency, a guest Rabbi suggested that Dr. King’s “Letter From The Birmingham Jail” be read at every Seder ceremony. And Christ Our Redeemer pastor, Rev. Mark Whitlock passionately recommended that anyone wishing to do something useful come out of themselves and into the fullness of God to love one another.

Peace and Justice need Truth

State sanctioned violence ain’t New

Black Lives need All Lives

To Protect from Red, White & Blue

Perhaps more Colin Kapernick type responses in more fields of employment and more areas of society to injustice anywhere for everyone is what we need. From everyone, particularly the youth, like in the civil rights movement or struggles against Apartheid, as John Lewis said, “Find a way to get in the way to stop wrong”. Amazingly, well not so amazingly when one honestly reflects on our history but still, it is wild how “self-declared” Christians, same faith as Dr. King rebuked Colin for his compassionate action. Jim Denison, for example, says Colin’s mistaken interpretation of the flag’s meaning as justice rather than freedom makes his protest misplaced. Should one celebrate freedom in this place at this time as this people face acts of genocide?  

Dr. King warned of the three-headed evils of racism, economic exploitation and war. The Malcolm X Grassroots Movement calls it Operation Ghetto Storm as black and brown communities find themselves under siege from their own government. Every 28 hours being killed by law enforcement without significant cause with total impunity are African- American, Native-American and Latin American communities at war for economic exploitation. And a tenacious government prosecutes those with the audacity to pursue justice, i.e.. Marilyn Mosby and the only person to be arrested in the Eric Garner choking, Ramsy Orta.

The economic exploitation evil head often blinds people to the existence and devastation of the other two, war and racism. People’s love for money allows them excuses or ignorance of the sickest devaluing of other human beings. College football coach Dabo Swinney, being asked about the Black Lives Matter movement and his response if his team followed Kaepernick’s lead said, “It is so easy to say there is a race problem. But we have a sin problem” Can he not see that the sin is racism? Coaching on a former plantation that now as a University will make millions each game, and himself making multi-millions per year coaching primarily black players in a most violent game says if college players ever get paid, “I’ll go do something else as there is too much entitlement in this world as it is.” Ain’t that the pot calling the kettle black.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was not killed because he had a dream of racial solidarity and social harmony but because he had an idea of what it would take for that dream to be realized. Power! He said, “Power is the ability to achieve purpose. The ability to bring about political, economic, and social change.” Money can certainly provide power in our society but so can organization, knowledge, art and compassion. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. started asking people to ask why America had so many poor, he talked about the need for America’s restructuring. Why must we pay for water in a world that is 2/3rd water and who owns the oil are questions he asked people to ask.

Questions that got King shot are hot topic again as Ex-Exxon Executive Rex Tillerson looks set to become US Secretary of State. Did Trump pick him or did Rex and Putin pick Trump? Drill baby drill in Russia’s Arctic territory? All I know is we gotta stand with our Native American family in the Dakotas against devastation of the water and wildlife just like we must stand with our family in Flint, Michigan and Gardena, California.  

Has Dr. King’s dream been deferred? We are facing police killing kids and district attorney’s prosecuted for daring to pursuing justice for the people against the police. And Trump’s nomination for Attorney General, the country’s main prosecutor, Eric Holders old job, is a man already deemed too racist to become a federal judge, a fan of the Klu Klux Klan until he discovered they too smoke herb, and a proponent of cruel, inhuman, and degrading punishment for prisoners, staunch anti-immigration legislator, Jeff Sessions.

Truth and reconciliation is going to take time and conversation to achieve progressive action, more than protest. Rabbi Sharon Brous, staggered by Black Lives Matter’s platform’s inclusion of Israel’s treatment of Palestinian peoples and the sharp language with which the nation was included as abusers, had to empathetically consider the truth from another’s perspective.  Even remaining in disagreement with the BLM platform, Rabbi says, “the bottom line: we are teetering at the edge of the abyss. We must not walk away- from,  the work or from each other,” says the Rabbi.

Though so many of our questions today seem like no brainers, I beg we think about em. Think about how to do everything in Love. Think about how to love your enemies as well as love your friends and family and self. Dr. King’s most critical legacy is his profession of faith.

I John 4:7-10 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is Love. In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him”

Peace and Justice need Truth

State sanctioned violence ain’t New

Black Lives need All Lives

To Protect from Red, White & Blue