THE BLACKMAN. Issue #33. June 15th, 2009.

The Building Of A Community - What are you waiting For?
by Kamau Khalfani

We are in a time when it is important not only to take an accounting of what we have accomplished thus far but, equally important is for us to understand what lies ahead.

We are charged with remembering the struggle of our elders and holding up the name and memory of our ancestors.

We have had many discussions in the Black community about "how" to do what is needed. There are however times when we are so entrenched in the how that we forget the why and the who.

In this the first decade of the 21st centuary it is my opinion that the bar must be raised in the area of productivity. We must look at increasing the rate by which we are developing the institutions that will preserve our ethos and morales as well as our belief systems and the framework of our society that will be passed on to the next generation, thereby preserving the "continuity of struggle from one generation to the next."

We must implant the names and accopmlishments as well as the methodologies of those that came before us in the hearts, minds and heads of our young to serve as an reminder of what is possiable. It is imperative that we reconstruct a new brand of leadership...again. One that is bold fearless and dynamic but is not for sale ...aggressive and sensitive to the needs of the people. One that has vision to see into the next centuary and beyound...a leadership that rembers Africa is our mother. Leadership that knows our history is more than Slavery.

We must take the lead in the developmental process of building our community. That includes finding ways to generate revanue based on the people in the community. The money is there, getting the people to perfom in such a way that it is a constant reinvestment is the "trick" if you will.

There is no institution that exist that we can not create in our own image. We must create the schools and the banks and the transportation systems as well as the communication systems. We must use the human capital that is available to us...the elders who are in the twilight of thier life...the babies that must be trained from day one toward the idea of building thier community as part of a continium and obligation.

There is enough blame to go around because we have all failed. There is enough work to go around because we are all in need. If the truth be told we need a lot less talk and a lot more action. We need a lot more of a systems development and being able to gauge our progress. We should be tracking ourselves because we are responsiable for ourselves.

That should not be external...it should be internal, the challenge should be internal. Our race should not be against another, it should be against the internal self.

If we are using another to motivate us to run what happens when the other individual stops running? Is our fuel or reason for running or building of our society dead in the water?

What sense of community do our writers have...are they self publishing? If they are...are we supporting them? Where are the money people that have worked out the mechanics for bringing the money to our community? We know they are there because we see them working for other people.

If we must talk can we talk about the way in which we as a people are treating each other and can we talk about the tactics that are needed to change our behavior patterns,?

These are just a few thoughts to provoke your thought process because the real proof of the pudding is in the eating.

My suggestion is if you are not leading such an effort then become part of a support network for one. Don't wait for the next disaster...remember "you can't prepare for war in war"

JOIN THE UNIA-ACL NOW! MAKE A DIFFERANCE NOW!

This coming year we will be working with a number of groups in our network to "produce" results. We would love to have you with us.

Be at peace

Kamau Jah Jah Khalfani
3rd Assistant President-General
UNIA/ACL 1918&1929 Of The World

www.myspace.com/thelearningtree901

THE BLACKMAN Vol.2