When the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) established Afrika Liberation Day (ALD) in 1963 it was fuelled by the Pan-Afrikanist vision as articulated by the likes of Osgayefo Kwame Nkrumah and H.I.M. Emperor Haile Selassie. (1) However, successive governments more or less retreated into ‘continentalism’ where the colonial borders became paramount and the liberation vision diminished. (2) When the African Union (AU) succeeded the OAU, the designation of the Afrikan world community (“diaspora”) as the sixth region as part of its structure was a nod to those Pan-Afrikan roots:
“Calling on all people of African Descent in the diaspora, to come together under a single platform for the development of the continent. In light of the Union’s Agenda 2063, the retreat aims to mobilize its citizens in different formations, effective communication, and outreach as well as sustained and inclusive social dialogue among its people.” (3)
One of the ongoing challenges Afrikans in the Motherland and world community face is the effects of colonial education systems. As Nigerian educator Abdou Moumouni Dioffo observed: “colonial education corrupted the thinking and sensibilities of the African and filled him with abnormal complexes.” (4) Outside the continent, Afrikans were treated to this same education system at its source, compelling both its failures and even its successes to serve the agenda of global white supremacy. For as renowned education consultant Sis. Rosemary Campbell-Stephens notes: “Education has to be more than passing exams and we have to stop stifling the creativity that is in our DNA.” (5)
Most serious educators agree that the kind if imperative articulated by Sis. Rosemary is beyond the capabilities of a Eurocentric education system, necessitating the need for an Afrikan-centered approach, i.e. based on Afrikan traditions and culture. Mwalimu K Bomani Baruti cogently explains what this entails:
“Ma’at, the name our Kemetic Ancestors gave to the immutable universal order as determined and regulated by the Creator, was always considered indispensable to any education of self. Understandably, this was so because the most important function of the Afrikan education was to develop a person’s moral and ethical character in good way” (6)
These themes have been proactively been taken up by Warrior Scholar Sis. Dr. Sandra Richards, currently on protected leave from her role at the University of the West Indies “to embark on a Global Afrikan Research trod looking at the experiences of Afrikans in the sixth region and our educational experiences… in the Americas, the UK and Afrika.” (7)
Sis. Dr. Sandra is currently in the UK phase of her ‘Trod’ and has already engaged with a range of activists, educators and spaces including: The Black Cultural Archives, Nation of Islam, the Root’s Doctor on Omega Radio, Sis Jendayi Sewah and Bro Ajani on Ujima Radio, Hebrew Israelites IRT Public Information Class, alongside Prophet Newton on Sis. Rosalyn Reid’s Global Herbalista Show on UJR Talk Radio, Auntie Jean’s Afrikan Culture Market, Love Gift Caribbean Vegan Restaurant and the Alkebu-Lan Revivalist Movement’s Alkebu-Lan Academy of Excellence and Ma’at Academy of Excellence.
Sis. Dr.’s work is rooted in the principles of MA’AT and interested in equity. Her book ‘The Way We See It’ teases out uncomfortable historical links between school exclusion and British education policy; in it she calls for “difficult conversations” which requires moving beyond the discomfort of white supremacy to address the gap between the theory and practice of social inclusion and towards an Afrikan-centered pedagogy, one that:
- Legitimises alternative stores of knowledge
- Positively exploits and scaffolds productive community and cultural practices
- Extends and builds upon the indigenous language
- Reinforces communities and encourages service to family, community and the world
- Promotes positive social relationships
- Imparts a worldview that idealises a positive self-directed future without denying the self-worth and right to the self-determination of others
- Supports cultural continuity while promoting critical consciousness
- Promotes knowledge of self and heritage
- Recognises spirit as primary
- Acknowledges world history. (8)
The Global Research Trod, then is essentially a mission to join the dots within the Afrikan World Community, having identified the Afrikan-centered operational framework. In the UK there are some veteran advocates of the Afrikan-centred approach to education such as Bro. Ldr. Mbandaka who practicalizes this method through the Alkebu-Lan Academy of Excellence an Imani-Day (Saturday) school and the Ma’at Academy of Excellence a full-time home school collective. As a prescription for our children Bro. Ldr asserts that what Afrikan Heritage children need at best is “Afrikan Heritage schools with an Afrikan–centred curriculum.” The very least we can do, he argues is infuse an Afrikan–centred curriculum into the mainstream the British Education System. Thus, the challenge he puts to the community is:
“Do we have the courage and the integrity to demand THE BEST for our children?” (9)
To aid with this process the likes of www.hekaonline.co.uk and www.medukation.com have been producing Afrikan-Centred learning aids and Medukation has also just launched its Youtube channel (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEONbjOmAPc&feature=youtu.be) to extend this work.
However, beyond the education system itself the mainstreaming of Afrikan-centered concepts and practices throughout the community would provide a beneficial foundation. Some of this ongoing work can be seen at the upcoming Afrika Liberation Day events. For example the AAPRP/PASCF event on May 25th in London aims to “deepen our understanding that liberation involves our economics, history, politics, culture, spirituality, wellbeing and our relationships with each other and support and encourage our youth to participate in building our movement and take it forward for our future” and will include among its speakers, Sis. Verona Spence-Adofo the co-producer of Ancestral Voices documentary series and an ardent advocate of Afrikan spiritual traditions (https://www.eventbrite.com/e/african-liberation-day-ald-london-2019-tickets-60426639706).
Similarly the PACM observance on May 26th and 27th in Birmingham will feature Dr Ashra Kwesi speaking on African divinity and spirituality and the origin of Christianity and African history, spirituality and the origin of the Bible and Koran and Dr Kimani S.K. Nehusi on the reasons and occasion for reparations and African culture and African liberation (https://jus-tickets.com/events/pacm-africa-liberation-day/).
Ongoing work is also taking place through bodies like the newly formed England division of Afrocentricity International (AI) (https://www.facebook.com/pg/afrocentricityinternational.uk/about/?ref=page_internal), joining the many established chapters operation across the Afrikan world. Dr. Ama Mazama explains the founding mission of AI:
“Afrocentricity International supports the economic, cultural and educational elevation of African people in an effort to create cultural consciousness. Its method is Afrocentric and Pan African, participating at the national and international levels in the creation of an advanced cadre of individuals whose aim is to bring into existence an African renaissance. Its members are committed to do all that they can to encourage the rise of African consciousness and the creation of the United States of Africa in order to give back to Africa its greatness and sacredness. The motto of the organization is “Unity is our Aim, Victory is our Destiny!” May each one in the world be free from oppression and free to exist on their own terms for if a few try to oppress the majority, and try to suppress it, insanity and violence are bound to be present in the world. Afrocentrists, in the spirit of Maat, seek peace, harmony, justice, order, balance and truth.” (10)
AI England will be holding a pre-ALD event featuring a screening of Dr Joy DeGruy’s lecture on Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome on May 22nd at 7pm at the Maat Centre 366a High Road N17 9HT (https://jus-tickets.com/events/afrocentricity-international-uk-post-traumatic-slave-syndrome-ptss/?fbclid=IwAR1Yh7hL9aP4y0dmaEpEQx27jZQQeORYzvkzFk7NxGoGLe_c7H5gs6E8Eys).
In addition, the Alkebu-Lan Revivalist Movement will be emphasizing the spiritual element of ALD with its annual Alkebu-Lan Day of observance and celebration. As The MAA’HUTI, the Alkebu-Lan Day sacred text explains:
“Alkebu-Lan Day reminds us therefore that liberation starts with knowledge of self and with acceptance and reaffirmation of who we are. It reminds us that liberation is not just what we say and do but how we live our lives… It reminds us to return to the spirituo-cultural traditions of our Ancestors, as a vital pre-requisite for liberation. For MWARI is the greatest power and essence in the universe.”
Alkebu-Lan Day formalities take place at Alkebu-Lan HQ, 282 High Road Leyton, E10 5PW on May 24th from 1pm.
2019 ALD EVENTS
FRIDAY 24TH MAY
Alkebu-Lan Revivalist Movement presents Alkebu-Lan Day
It reminds us to return to the spirituo-cultural traditions of our Ancestors, as a vital pre-requisite for liberation.
Open House 11am, proceedings 1pm
282 High Rd Leyton E10 5PW
Info: 07908 814 152
Dr Ashra Kwesi – The African origin of Christianity
7PM – 10PM @ Maa Maat Centre, 366A High Rd, Tottenham, London, N17 9HT Info: 07415482167 / 07956052821
SATURDAY 25TH MAY
Organised by The All-African People’s Revolutionary Party (AAPRP) along with PASCF and in Collaboration with Sounds Systems Outernational – “Africa is ours! Let’s Mobilise and Organise to Take it!” The keynote speaker will be Dr Kimani Nehusi – Assoc. Professor at Temple University (USA). other Speakers Include: Michelle Yaa Asantewa, ‘The Investigator’ Andrew Muhammad and Dauda Barry. There will also be a Sistas’ Panel comprising Michelle Yaa Asantewa, Verona Spence-Adofo (Ancestral Voices), Vuyiswa Ngqobongwana (Yanga TV) and Win Afuah Oppong (Alliance of Afrikan Women).
Venue: 2pm to 8pm at Goldsmiths, University of London, 8 Lewisham Way, London SE14 6NW from
SUNDAY 26TH & MONDAY 27TH
Organised by the Pan-African Congress Movement. Theme: TOTAL LIBERATION OF AFRICA NOW! Speakers include Dr Ashra Kwesi (USA), Dr Kimani S.K. Nehusi (Guyana), Dr Erica Mapule McInnis, Professor Patricia Daley, Bro. Vasco Stevenson.
Venue: Saint Georges Community Hub, Birmingham, B19 3JG. Guest Speakers include Monday. Tickets in advance: £10 (One day), £15 (Two Days) Price on the door: £15 (One Day) £20 (Two Days) Under 16s FREE. (https://jus-tickets.com/events/pacm-africa-liberation-day/).
(1) Charles Quist-Adade (17/18/14) What African Liberation Day and Emancipation Day Have in Common http://www.thepatrioticvanguard.com/what-african-liberation-day-and-emancipation-day-have-in-common
(2) Igor Castellano da Silva (30/03/13) From OAU to AU: 50 Years of African Continentalism. https://www.mundorama.net/?p=11031
(3) The African Union (27/12/18) The African Union Representational Mission to the USA held its First Annual AU Mission Diaspora Retreat. https://auwashingtondc.org/index.php/news-events/news/88-the-african-union-representational-mission-to-the-usa-held-its-first-annual-au-mission-diaspora-retreat
(4) Walter Rodney (1972) How Europe Underdeveloped Africa. Bogle–L’ouverture Publications. p. 2273
(5) Jamaica Gleaner Online (23/10/16) New Head Of Leadership College Issues Challenge To Educators. http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/news/20161023/new-head-leadership-college-issues-challenge-educators
(6) Mwalimu Baruti (2019) To Educate A People: Thoughts From The Center. Akoben House. p. 51
(7) Sis. Dr Sandra Richards (22/04/19) Announcement of SisDrSandraRichards Global African Research Trod 2018 2019. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HqF2_NGNAe8
(8) Sandra Richards (2008) The way We See It. Trentham Books. p. 145-6
(9) Bro. Ldr. Mbandaka (2016) Education: An Afrikan-Centred Approach to Excellence. Soul Force Promotions. p. 20
(10) Dr. Ama Mazama (01/09/14) The Mission of Afrocentricity International. https://dyabukam.com/index.php/en/afrocentricity-en/mission
we ask the question:
Global Afrikan Research Trod: How do we move education towards MA’AT?
1) Has colonial/Eurocentric filled us with “abnormal complexes”?
2) Why is Afrikan-Centered education a “difficult conversation” for some?
3)? Does spirituality really have anything to do with education?
4) How can we ‘mainstream’ Afrikan-Centered thought and practice?
Our Special Guest:
Sis. Dr. Sandra Richards: is an African-centred scholar practitioner, author and broadcaster. She holds a Masters degree in Education and a PhD from Brunel University for her research in the area of education inclusion. She is currently on leave from her role as Senior Programme Officer at the University of the West Indies Quality Assurance Unit (Graduate Studies & Research) to undertake a “Global Research Trod,” looking at the experiences of Afrikans in the sixth region and our educational experiences.
Sis. Sandra also delivers workshops, lectures, talks and presentations on a range of subjects including: Rites of Passage, Overcoming Perennial Student Syndrome, Test-it Calls and You-into Us (Testicles & Uterus) and Triad Transcension. She also does Consultancy work and is the author of The Journey: A Journal Workbook for Personal Growth and Professional Development and The Way We See It. http://sisdrsandrarichards.com/home.html