Afrakaltural Heavyweights

Habari Gani, April was a prodigious month full of challenges and achievements for PKDG. We had the opportunity to go to a community forum entitled Blueprint for a Safer Philadelphia, which was held at First District Plaza on April 6.

Dr. Richard Cooper, host of The Karamu on WURD, moderated the forum which consisted of Dr. Molefi Kete Asante, Dr. Haki Madhubuti, Dr. Asa G. Hilliard III, and Dr. Carl Bell. We consider this to be a panel of Afrakaltural heavyweights.

In regards to the topic of stopping violence in the community Dr. Madhubuti had this to offer: "If your community is toxic, you've got to change or get out of that community. To decrease gang violence and so on you've got to change your community. In Chicago, come join with me. In Philadelphia, join with Dr. Asante...join positive institutions."




Dr. Asante made a good point about self esteem that should be heeded as well. "There is cultural esteem and there is self-esteem. Cultural esteem is the glue that holds it all together...high self esteem is not enough." To that Dr. Madhubuti added that we need institutions that promote a collective mentality, such as his Institute for Positive Education in Chicago. "Violence in the community is a symptom of self-hate and a lack of Afrakanity," added Dr. Asante.

"Self esteem is based on a sense of power. We're confused about if we control our destiny or do white people. Not knowing results in a lack of a sense of power. Being connected to somebody powerful is one way of decreasing or eliminating this powerlessness," said Dr. Bell very earnestly.

The clear cut edict of the night was the development of institutions. Not just any, but institutions that are based on Afrakan culture, which serves as the glue to hold families and communities together. Institutions are key, as they offer infrastructure, hierarchy, and dictate which issues and agendas are relevant to the livelihood of the community. "We have to have strong institutions," said Dr. Madhubuti. "We have to be a model of that which is clear, correct and just...a model of growth."

Dr. Haki Madhubuti has long been an inspiration to me and should be heralded as one of our preeminent leaders for his ability to go from concept to reality, from plan to planet. For his ability to define the clash of races, making us aware of the earthquakes while preparing for the sunrise. In developing life sustaining institutions, he himself has become an institution and a shining example of what can be accomplished should we dedicate ourselves to the completion of our goals.

Dr. Asante has been exemplary, his "Afrocentricity" bringing to light the continuance of our heritage and legacy with a comprehensive understanding of the responsibility we have to future generations.

This panel is a prime example of the benefits of study, application and dedication to the Afrakaltural imperative.

Uhuru hetep enen a Neter,
Atef Ture' and Sekayi Khita-Hetep

For more info on:
Dr. Asante - asante.net
Dr. Madhubuti - thirdworldpressinc.com
Dr. Hilliard - ascac.org
Dr. Bell - cyberpsych.org
Blueprint campaign - phillyblueprint.com