I've come across a really interesting book that I thought would be fitting to introduce into my blog because...well, it is Black History Month. We have all seen pictures of probably the most recognizable landmark in the United States...definitely the most prestigious place to live. Most of us have never really thought about the Black History of this historic piece of real estate...which is truly unfortunate.
So, I am recommending a valuable, and enlightening read. I may make this a regular thing...a book of the month, if you will. NPR interviewed the accomplished author, Clarence Lusane. You can check that out here and also read an excerpt from the book.
A little about Detroit native, Clarence Lusane, Ph.D. - He is an author, activist, lecturer, and journalist. Lusane has lectured at about a dozen of the most prestigious universities in the United States. He has also lectured about U.S. race relations in about a dozen foreign nations. He has written for over 30 years on national and international politics, race-relations, policy, human rights, and social issues.
Please pick up this book and read it this month. There is no reason that we should remain ignorant of an important part of the history of such a monumental symbol of American dignity.
On June 6, 2010, a businessman named Khaled Said, 28, was dragged out of an Internet cafe and brutally beaten and tortured to death in the public streets of Alexandria. Said was a middle-class businessman that allegedly had a video, that he intended to make public, showing police dividing the spoils of a drug bust. Said's barely recognizable face was posted on Facebook. Millions of Egyptian Facebook users were enraged...and sparked a slow uprising that began in the cyber world. As the slayings continued, the revolution slowly made its way to the streets.
Khaled Said
Note that the autopsy report sited the cause of death as asphyxiation. Police say that he swallowed a bag of marijuana when approached at the cafe. Witnesses in the cafe said that Said was abused in the cafe and then dragged out into the street where he was beaten to death as he begged for mercy.
Ahmed Saaban, 19, was murdered at the same police station (Sidi Gaber) where Khaled Said was murdered about five months prior. On November 7, 2010, Saaban was taken into police custody. On Novemebr 11, 2010, his family was notified that his body had been found in a canal. The father of Ahmed Saaban had this to say, "Shouldn't the police protect us? Is their mission to treat us justly or to murder our sons and daughters?"
Mohamed Bouazizi, 26, was a street vendor that sold fruits and vegetables. He had held odd jobs from the age of ten. His father died when he was three years old, and his uncle worked to help support the family. Bouazizi left high school just before graduating to work full-time to support his mother and five younger siblings after his uncle's illness prevented him from working. Only earning about $140 per month, Bouazizi supported his mother, uncle, siblings, and sent his sister to a university. Police would periodically confiscate his wares and fine him--saying that he did not have a permit to sell. He had been targeted for years... However, there is no law that states that a permit is required to sell from a cart.
On the morning of December 17, 2010, Bouazizi had gotten goods to replace his confiscated inventory on credit, which placed him in debt of about $200. When the police came by, Bouazizi was slapped by a female officer before she spat on him and made a slur about his deceased father. Her partners beat him while she destroyed his cart and weighing scales. He went to the governor's office, but was refused a listening ear, let alone assistance in rectifying his abuse and humiliation. Less than an hour after the altercation, Bouazizi returned to the front of the government building, doused himself with flammable liquid, and self-immolated. Before he set himself aflame, he said, "If you don't see me, I'll burn myself!"
Bouazizi did not die. He was taken to the hospital which sparked public interest. He was later visited by then-President Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali. Bouazizi died eighteen days later on January 4, 2011. Approximately 5000 people participated in his funeral procession, which police would not allow to pass the place where the self-immolation took place.
Mohamed Bouazizi
President Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali visits Mohamed Bouazizi
Having personally watched my father being pulled from a car and abused by police when I was a small child, and seeing his bruises and the clothes he wore during that event make me proud of the Egyptian public for standing up for themselves as a people.
A few years ago, my mother was wrongfully arrested and abused by a chief deputy after being attacked in a courthouse by a female sheriff's deputy- who just happened to have been the chief's wife. Needless to say, bogus charges were brought against my mother, she was tried, and found guilty. Let me remind you... I did say that my mother was the one who was attacked. After appeal, judgements have been overturned.
On one occasion in particular, my mother called the police because a driver tried to run her off the road. The police let the young man go, and labeled my mother as the offender in the police report... Go Figure.
At the age of 16, I personally was wrongfully arrested, detained, and never even charged with anything. In 2009, My mother and I were both arrested because a state official asked me questions and did not get the answers that he wanted. I'm still not sure why my mother was arrested...perhaps just because she was there. There were news headlines everywhere for weeks, on TV and in print, saying that we had committed crimes. The charges were dismissed...and we were never tried. That alone proves our innocence. There was no crime, no evidence, and therefore nothing to take to trial. But, you can probably guess that our innocence was not disseminated to the public at all.
I applaud the Egyptian public for their fight for human rights. My family has experienced a fraction of what these people have come to regularly experience, and the experiences of my family with police I would wish upon no one. Of course, I am not saying that all police officers are bad-- there are police officers in my family that I absolutely love. In fact, I have love for all police officers who carry out their duty to protect and serve. I support Egypt for their proactive approach to demanding changes to the justice system...changes that I would argue need to happen right here in America.
It's February 1st - The first day of Black History Month
Although there has been much controversy over the monthlong celebration of the history of one race of people, Black history is an important part of American history. Black history is a distinct part of a whole. The notable continued progress of an entire race of people--many lives lost in the process--deserves to be celebrated whether they are Black, blue, purple, or yellow. Tracing history from the time large numbers of Blacks began to live in America to present-day 2011 can reveal quite an impressive list of accomplishments and notable names. I hope that educators will this month encourage and provide opportunities for students to explore this unique part of history. History lends guidance and clarity in the present and the future. I think that first people should recognize that Black History Month did not just come about recklessly. What is the History of Black History Month?
The second Black American to earn a Ph.D., Carter Godwin Woodson, was one of the first scholars to study the impressive Black contributions to humanity and the beginnings of a legacy. In 1926, he founded "Negro History Week" during the second week of February to coincide with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass, two (debatably Black) prominent abolitionists and equal rights activists. In February of 1976, President Gerald Ford officially observed the month of February as Black History Month. In 1986, Congress passed Public Law 99-244 which designated the month of February as "National Black History Month". (In the United Kingdom, Black History Month is celebrated in October.)
It is my hope this month, that people all over America will heed this snippet from Public Law 99-244:
"...the observance of Black History Month provides opportunities for our Nation's public schools, institutions of higher learning, and the public to gain a deeper understanding and knowledge of the many contributions of Black Americans to our country and the world..."
So, I am recommending a valuable, and enlightening read. I may make this a regular thing...a book of the month, if you will. NPR interviewed the accomplished author, Clarence Lusane. You can check that out here and also read an excerpt from the book.
