Kwanzaa Principles versus Black on Black Crime 2013
Ironically prior too as well as on Christmas Eve more violence was perpetrated within Little Rock's Black Community with another yet unsolved murder. From this vantage point, it seems that the Black community continues to be overtly paralyzed in addressing the continuation and rampant nature of this senseless killing. This also comes amidst our ever growing gun culture framed by numerous mass killing from Denver's movie theatre mayhem to the more recent mall shooting. Although a few local ministers and assorted others ranging from local activist Benny Johnson to the Black on Black Coalition comprising many note worth citizens with hopes of producing programming and prevention initiatives that obviously have had mixed outcomes.
In a August 2003 Arkansas Democrat Gazette piece, coalition member Mr. Michael Steele was quoted as saying, "We have a problem here in Arkansas...greater than the AIDS epidemic. The problem is Black on Black Crime. We need to create an environment where it is not tolerated." Since then there has been a constant uptick of such crime throughout the central Arkansas area despite city wide funding and a recovering economy. Nationwide, blacks were six times more likely to be murdered and seven times more likely to commit homicide than whites, according to 2000 statistics from the U.S. Department of Justice. In 2010 a total of 45 homicides were committed in Pulaski County, 54% of which were committed by blacks against blacks according to the Center for Healing Hearts website (www.hhscenter.org ).
Although limited in scope locally, the commemoration of Kwanzaa and its tenants should be emphasized at the intersection of dealing with many of the ongoing roots of social determinants that have a "cause - affect" impact among Black males 15-24. The holiday was created to introduce and reinforce the Nguzo Saba (the Seven Principles.) These seven communitarian African values are: Umoja (Unity), Kujichagulia (Self-Determination), Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility), Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics), Nia (Purpose), Kuumba (Creativity), and Imani (Faith). This stress on the Nguzo Saba was at the same time an emphasis on the importance of African communitarian values in general, which stress family, community and culture and speak to the best of what it means to be African and human in the fullest sense. And Kwanzaa was conceived as a fundamental and important way to introduce and reinforce these values and cultivate appreciation for them.
Kwanzaa was created in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga, professor of Africana Studies at California State University, Long Beach, author and scholar-activist who stresses the indispensable need to preserve, continually revitalize and promote African American culture.
One suggestion could be as Black History Month 2014 scales up, maybe the emphasis should be on "Black and Black Crime" month instead. This could be a follow up to the 2004 version that COP 24/7 desperately believes needs to be repeated.
Ringing in the New Year
When this post arrives, there will be approximately 5 days left in 2013. Where did the year go and why do they seem to be slipping away so quickly or am I just so damn busy that I don't have time to notice? Any way, local venues are sending out their notices and we will try to get as many up for your FYI. COP 24/7 does its best to stay on top of breaking news, updates, trending buzz and more of what we think you are looking for! Keep it locked and loaded to the leader in the LGBTQ community and beyond. Got info to share, let us hear about it first. Hit us up in the comment section today!
Error Codes to COP 24/7
I have noticed that a few of video post seemed to have had issues. COP24/7 has troubled shoot and double trouble shot on all levels but there seems to be other gremlins at play. Be mindful that all efforts are put into play to ensure privacy of our subscriber and visitors. Note that you can translate COP 24/7 into numerous languages and we check out our links, allies, and affiliates to make sure that they are functioning correctly. If you notice anything or receive any notices that may warrant our attention, please don't hesitate to reach out!
Ironically prior too as well as on Christmas Eve more violence was perpetrated within Little Rock's Black Community with another yet unsolved murder. From this vantage point, it seems that the Black community continues to be overtly paralyzed in addressing the continuation and rampant nature of this senseless killing. This also comes amidst our ever growing gun culture framed by numerous mass killing from Denver's movie theatre mayhem to the more recent mall shooting. Although a few local ministers and assorted others ranging from local activist Benny Johnson to the Black on Black Coalition comprising many note worth citizens with hopes of producing programming and prevention initiatives that obviously have had mixed outcomes.
In a August 2003 Arkansas Democrat Gazette piece, coalition member Mr. Michael Steele was quoted as saying, "We have a problem here in Arkansas...greater than the AIDS epidemic. The problem is Black on Black Crime. We need to create an environment where it is not tolerated." Since then there has been a constant uptick of such crime throughout the central Arkansas area despite city wide funding and a recovering economy. Nationwide, blacks were six times more likely to be murdered and seven times more likely to commit homicide than whites, according to 2000 statistics from the U.S. Department of Justice. In 2010 a total of 45 homicides were committed in Pulaski County, 54% of which were committed by blacks against blacks according to the Center for Healing Hearts website (www.hhscenter.org ).
Although limited in scope locally, the commemoration of Kwanzaa and its tenants should be emphasized at the intersection of dealing with many of the ongoing roots of social determinants that have a "cause - affect" impact among Black males 15-24. The holiday was created to introduce and reinforce the Nguzo Saba (the Seven Principles.) These seven communitarian African values are: Umoja (Unity), Kujichagulia (Self-Determination), Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility), Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics), Nia (Purpose), Kuumba (Creativity), and Imani (Faith). This stress on the Nguzo Saba was at the same time an emphasis on the importance of African communitarian values in general, which stress family, community and culture and speak to the best of what it means to be African and human in the fullest sense. And Kwanzaa was conceived as a fundamental and important way to introduce and reinforce these values and cultivate appreciation for them.
Kwanzaa was created in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga, professor of Africana Studies at California State University, Long Beach, author and scholar-activist who stresses the indispensable need to preserve, continually revitalize and promote African American culture.
One suggestion could be as Black History Month 2014 scales up, maybe the emphasis should be on "Black and Black Crime" month instead. This could be a follow up to the 2004 version that COP 24/7 desperately believes needs to be repeated.
Ringing in the New Year
When this post arrives, there will be approximately 5 days left in 2013. Where did the year go and why do they seem to be slipping away so quickly or am I just so damn busy that I don't have time to notice? Any way, local venues are sending out their notices and we will try to get as many up for your FYI. COP 24/7 does its best to stay on top of breaking news, updates, trending buzz and more of what we think you are looking for! Keep it locked and loaded to the leader in the LGBTQ community and beyond. Got info to share, let us hear about it first. Hit us up in the comment section today!
Error Codes to COP 24/7
I have noticed that a few of video post seemed to have had issues. COP24/7 has troubled shoot and double trouble shot on all levels but there seems to be other gremlins at play. Be mindful that all efforts are put into play to ensure privacy of our subscriber and visitors. Note that you can translate COP 24/7 into numerous languages and we check out our links, allies, and affiliates to make sure that they are functioning correctly. If you notice anything or receive any notices that may warrant our attention, please don't hesitate to reach out!
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