Our commemoration of the life, legacy and ultimate sacrifice of Omowale Malcolm X culminates in our annual observance taking place this coming Umoja-day (Sun) February 20th from 1pm at the Chestnuts Community Centre, under the theme: THE WOMEN WHO MADE MALCOLM, with a keynote address by Sis. Snr. Pnr. Kai Oaugadou-Mbandaka.
Of course, our Eminent Prophet and King was a master nationbuilder. So as we move towards our major series, 5 Steps To Nationbuilding, we continue our examination of our preparedness for it that was started in the previous show.
We cannot build a nation without a viable ovahstanding of what one is. Thus, Bro. Ldr. Mbandaka offered the Alkebu-Lan definition:
“A people who are organised as a sovereign entity with its own institutions, drawing on its own agency to promote, preserve and protect its own interests.”
He added that the idea of Afrikan nationhood must be grounded in Afrikan Spirituality because:
“Spirituality is the centre and foundation of Afrikan culture, the core of Afrikan consciousness and the the essence of the Afrikan personality.”
Yet any move towards sovereignty must give consideration to the factors that have hindered it in the past. A major issue cited was the near total lack of accountability within the community such that there is nothing in most of our lives that compels us to serve our community and work for our liberation – in contradistiction to the penalties (and “rewards”) that the system of oppression imposes to ensure our compliance. Therefore, most of are living without any Afrkan authority in our lives.
We ask the question:
Are we ready for NATIONBUILDING? Part 2
1) Why is it important to commemorate the life, legacy and ultimate sacrifice of Omowale Malcolm X every year?
2) How can facilitate more accountability in our community?
3) Can our Nationbuilding efforts ever succeed if they left up to personal choice or inclination?
4) Do we have a problem with “Afrikan authority”?
5) What role do spirituality and culture play in Nationbuilding?
Our Special Guest:
Bro. Ldr. Mbandaka: Resident guest who is Spiritual Leader of the Alkebu-Lan Revivalist Movement and an Afrikan-Centred Education Consultant. Bro. Ldr is a veteran activist of almost 40 years standing, a featured columnist in The Whirlwind newspaper and author of Mosiah Daily Affirmations and Education: An African-Centred Approach To Excellence.