‘THE MORALITY OF CHINA IN AFRICA’ BOOK LAUNCH
Speakers: Prof Stephen Chan, OBE (SOAS); Dr Hong Bo (SOAS); Prof Daniel Large (European University). Chair: Mimi Ajibade (SOAS).
We attended the London launch of the ‘The Morality of China in Africa: The Middle Kingdom and the Dark Continent’, a series of essays edited by Prof Stephen Chan, OBE (SOAS) that explores what role traditional Chinese morality plays in their current economic expansion in Afrika.
Prof Chan had been involved as an adviser to Afrikan governments in the Trilateral Dialogues with China and America that took place in South Africa, Beijing and Washington. He pointed out that Chinese overseas trade policy is determined by a combination of the People’s Liberation Army, the Chinese Communist Party and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Little has been written about trade between Afrika and China and this dearth is redressed here as all of the contributors are either Afrikan or Chinese, even if they are currently living or working outside China. The book analyses the relationship through the Confucian values of reciprocity. There is an assumption that throughout all this trade Afrikan actors are always passive being taken advantage of.
The Chair pointed out that trade with individual Afrikan countries - and not an overarching pan-Afrikanism trade plan - are of critical importance to China. So there are questions as to whether there is a single Chinese agenda.
Dr Hong Bo, an economics specialist, pointed out that China is not a traditional-style donor but neither is it a colonialist in the typical western mould. She pointed out that while other countries are making a profit out of exploiting Afrikan resources the Chinese policy of front-loading trade arrangements so that Afrikan countries start seeing financial and infrastructural benefits early on mean that it is running a portfolio risk.
Prof Daniel Large raised the spectre of ‘Orientalism’ as outlined by Edward Said. He felt the growth in China’s trade in Afrika is the most important development in Afrika in the 21st century. He queried whether there was a morality in trade or just naked interest and pointed out that there is continuing western anxiety over future Chinese plans for Afrika.
In the Q&A section Prof Chan pointed out there is a paranoia about China’s role in Afrika. He pointed out that there are Afrikans in the west, especially in Washington, who are following and parroting the party line of western governments about Chinese trade.
Dr Hong Bo explained that China is investing in Afrikan universities and banks and sending doctors and nurses.
Mimi Ajibade remembered the history of Chinese support for Afrikan liberation movements and that independence days and significant anti-colonial and pan-Afrikan landmarks were celebrated in China.
We raised the point that the west missed their chance because when they did build any infrastructure in Afrika it was only so that their ex-colonies could service the metropolitan centre and that is why after all these centuries of their overexploitation there is still so much poverty on the continent.
Prof Chan said there are no Chinese multinational corporations working in Afrika. The Chinese tend to work with governments and avoid warlords and other independent entities. Western companies rarely have such scruples. The Chinese have no direct interest in talking about human rights in the Afrikan countries where it trades and invests seeing this as the preserve of the national governments. As a result Afrikan governments can escape the triumphalism of the West and gives Afrikan countries choices outside the ‘Washington Consensus’. He ended by pointing out that the father of Jean Ping, the former head of the African Union, moved from China to Gabon. [NB: See Nubiart Library below for book review.]
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NUBIART: Focus on arts, business, education, health, political developments and the media.
JUNE PROMOS
~ ‘FANGNAWA EXPERIENCE’ - Fanga & Maâlem Abdallah Guinéa [Strut – Out Now] This six-track album of extended workouts links the Gnawa ritual and ceremonial music and West African Highlife and Afrobeat through a cross-cultural musical fusion undertaken by French collective Fanga and Moroccan master musician Maâlem Abdallah Guinéa. The album grew out of a collaboration at the Détours du Monde festival in Montpelier in 2011 and here Fanga’s Burkinabe-born singer Korbo and Guinéa share lead vocal duties, with Guinéa building his trademark ‘Fusion Trance’ through spiritual evocations, and rolling, hypnotic rhythms on the gimbri (three-stringed lute) on tracks such as ‘Noble Tree’, ‘Gnawi’, ‘Dounya’ t. Korbo’s lyrics serve up food for reflection, touching on the right to be different and promoting harmony between man and nature whilst denouncing the social injustices that result from an economic system out of control and designed to benefit the few. ‘Kelen’ has a groove straight out of The Shrine.
NUBIART LIBRARY – JUNE MEDIA
We will only review books we have read and DVDs we have seen and that are available at reasonable prices online or in shops or libraries. However, given the nature and current state of Afrikan publishing and film production there may be books and films on this list that are worth the extra effort to track down.
~ ‘THE MORALITY OF CHINA IN AFRICA: THE MIDDLE KINGDOM AND THE DARK CONTINENT’ - Edited by Prof Stephen Chan [Zed Books. ISBN: 978-1-78032-566-8]
“Western colonialism appropriates both land and labour for the material benefit of the metropole at the expense of the colony, while setting up a cultural and institutional hierarchy of race, gender and regime. And if Others fail to ‘comply’ with conversion to this ‘universal standard’, then they are subject to the ‘discipline’ from the ‘international community’.” (p74-75)
The reason for this book is that much has been said in the West and there have been many scare stories about China moving into trade with Afrika. Little has been widely reported of the views of either the Afrikan or Chinese and this dearth is redressed here as all of the contributors are Afrikan or Chinese, even if they are currently living or working outside China. The book analyses the relationship through the Confucian values of reciprocity. Afrika provides 25% of China’s oil needs and 15% of the US’s. There are 800,000 Chinese working, living and running businesses in Africa and 800 businesses that are involved in manufacturing and construction at competitive prices with cheaper labour costs than anything that can be achieved in the West.
“Deng’s idea was to purchase foreign industrial plant and machinery.” (p10). Former Chinese Premier
Deng Xiaoping’s four great economic modernisations of 1978 is based on the Chinese Three World Theory originated with Zhou Enlai in his 1956 speech to the Bandung Afro-Asian summit and developed from Mao’s 1946 interview with Ann Louise Strong – US and USSR; other developed countries; China and other countries in Afrika, Asia and Latin America. Mao ascribed the final formulation of the theory to former Zambian leader Kenneth Kaunda during his visit to China in 1974.
Afrikans trained in guerrilla warfare carried Mao’s Little Red Book and Chinese-made AK-47s yet there were few Maoist movements in Afrika. Zambia’s Kenneth Kaunda and Tanzania’s Julius Nyerere wore the Chinese-cut suit with Afrikan-style yet few Afrikans took up Chinese academic scholarships - they favoured the West and the US Peace Corps were able to heavily penetrate Afrika. There are prominent Chinese in Afrika such as Fay Chung, a Zimbabwean nationalist and Cabinet member while the father of Jean Ping, the former head of the African Union, moved from China to Gabon.
The Non-Aligned Movement was founded in 1961 and from those times the majority of Afrikan countries have stood by China over Tienanman Square, Taiwan and Tibet. China has dealt not with the AU but with individual states through the China-Africa Cooperation Forum (FOCAC) founded in 2000 to avoid embracing an organisation that also has diplomatic relations with Taiwan. Only four Afrikan countries currently have direct relations with Taiwan - Swaziland, Sao Tome e Principe, The Gambia and Burkina Faso. Malawi had maintained links with Taiwan during Hastings Banda’s rule. In 2007 they broke with Taiwan and received a $260m concessionary loan from China. Trade rose to $100m and a new parliament was built (cost $41m) and a five-star hotel (cost $90m).
China built the African Union HQ with its statue of Kwame Nkrumah which opened in Jan 2012. It was designed after a nationwide competition in architecture schools across China and cost about $200m but was given as a gift on land donated by the Ethiopian government under Haile Selassie in 1963.This is a continuation of major Chinese infrastructure projects in Afrika such as the 550km Somali border road and the TAZARA railway between Zambia and Tanzania which allowed Zambia to bypass apartheid ports. For a short period in the mid-1970s China found itself on the same side as the US and South Africa in supporting UNITA in Angola while the countries of the OAU and Russia were supporting the MPLA. China soon abandoned its position and this was the template for its policy of non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries in Afrika. However, the Three World Theory was further contradicted by the Chinese invasion of Vietnam and the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, which the Chinese refused to aid despite their historic antagonism to Soviet expansionism.
The fall of apartheid in the 1990s was a bigger blow to the Western economies than many recognised at the time as it meant a source of resources previously considered secure was now open to trade with whoever it chose. It also meant that across Afrikan political efforts could move away from its focus on opposition to apartheid to growing their economies in a hoped-for period of unity and prosperity.
The Chinese are governed by concepts such as weizhing yide (to rule by virtue) and renzhi (rule of) benevolence. Tienhsia is the Confucian ethos of benevolence, virtuous rule and non-aggressive Chinese internal /external relations. Confucius proposed five sets of binaries: emperor and subject; husband and wife; father and son; older and younger siblings; and friend with friend. Only in the last was there the possibility for horizontal reciprocation but all are natural and thus even the emperor had to engage in reciprocation. China is happy to front-load benefits to Afrikan countries with which it does business as ‘the older sibling’ – in this case the more economically developed - must provide. There is also the realpolitik that when China was a pariah state Sudan was the fourth country to grant it diplomatic recognition, Thus China ‘officially’ sees its role in Afrika as repaying a debt of loyalty. Chairman Mao proudly asserted, “It is our African brothers who carried us into the United Nations.” (p67)
“Four foreign-policy elements inform China’s African discourse: (1) the ‘three worlds’ theory; (2) ‘five principles of peaceful co-existence’; (3) ‘peace and development’; and (4) the Chinese view of a new world order.” (p62)
Indians started buying Zambian copper mines but tended to asset strip them whereas when the Chinese got involved they revived productivity to take advantage of a rise in commodity prices. However, In October 2010 Chinese supervisors shot 13 workers at the Collum coal mine. This went down badly in the country as Zambia is considered to have a good record of signing up to ILO legislation. The Chinese also engaged in cheating, late payment of salaries, unreasonable working practices and racism.
“The West is not providing aid to develop a competitor.” (p35) Reform of Bretton Woods institutions and the UN for more equitable exchange over global finance, trade and investment, is essential to enhance prospects for development and peace in Afrika. In 2008 China pledged $9bn to DR Congo with Sinohydro Corp, Gecamines and Chinese railway Engineering Corp playing major roles. The Chinese were to get copper and cobalt and DR Congo was to get help with transport infrastructure, 32 hospitals, 145 health clinics, schools and two universities. Through the IMF the West reduced this to $6bn meaning valuable much-needed infrastructure projects were lost. However, this highlighted the fact that the Chinese, like most Afrikans, recognised the prestige of university education whereas the West has always prioritised primary education eg the Millennium Development Goals make no reference to universities. The West prefers ‘Assured Subsistence’ for Afrika – clean water, housing, etc. The goals are a target but they have also become a ceiling so that Afrikan countries cannot challenge the West. The processing of coffee and cocoa would destabilize processing plants in Europe. While petroleum refineries and steel plants would require shared senior management. So China represents the right to manufacture products of a nation’s choosing.
There are many things Afrikans can learn from Asian countries: communist North Korea - treated as a basket-case pariah state in the West - has a cradle-to-grave welfare system that is state managed without the need for a civil society. Afrikans could also look at the role of India’s Green Revolution in boosting food security, IT and democratic politics to cope with internal strife. China has a two-decade strategy for growth as opposed to the short-termism of the West where a quarter’s figures are considered crucial. Chinese leadership visit Africa more regularly than Western leaders. However, China’s long-term time frames for loan repayment exposes them to volatilities, defaults and repudiations. Front-loading assumes a country’s absorptive and operational capacities. What about maintenance, upgrade, co-ordination, criminal or rebel damage? “…the entire Chinese expectation in Africa, repeated from country to country, is that either the governments with whom they deal will be sustained, or any successor government will sustain good relations with China. There seems to be no scenario plan that deals with being pre-emptorily asked to leave.” (p40)
Is Chinese non-intervention fostering and harbouring dictatorships and threatening Afrikan democracy? Does providing non-conditional aid and interest-free loans contradict Western efforts for the promotion of ‘good governance’ in Afrika? Chinese power plants, industry and construction neglect environmental standards and cause ecological damage and Chinese criminality is also being exported to Afrika.
Currently the Chinese economy is growing at 9% per annum. Trade with Afrika was $122bn in 2011 – 4% of Chinese trade worldwide and 10% of Africa’s total trade while FDI totalled $5.4bn. China does competes with Africa producing cheaper, processed goods – textiles, foods, refinery and timber products and one of the contributors, Patrick Mazimhaka, suggested Afrika should shift to automotive and aircraft manufacturing and maintenance and IT.
Stephen Chan was present as an adviser to the Afrikan governments at the Trilateral Dialogue meetings in Tswalu (South Africa), Beijing and Washington DC and the report from the Afrikan participants is included as a chapter here. NEPAD signalled the beginning of a new era in continental politics – a search for unity of action and a desire to seek principled strategic partnerships with the rest of the world. Major economies such as Brazil, India, Turkey, Canada, Cuba and Mexico all have diplomatic relations with the African Union. It is unlikely Afrikan development will come from high volume manufacturing. Afrikan development goals are underpinned by the following strategic tenets: access to technology and global markets, creation and maintenance of social peace, the establishment of environmental standards, transport bidding and institutions, promotions of governance and sound economic management, transparency in aid giving, the maximization of revenues for African governments and electorates, and maximising the effect of local conflict resolution and peacekeeping.
Afrika will need access to money markets as aid has no long-term place in the scheme of things as it stunts local initiative eg with food aid assisted families are reluctant to return to farming as long as the food aid remains available, Across Afrika governance is so lacking that even private sector investors seek government guarantees. Areas for improvements include: institution building and legal reforms, in relation to taxation, public markets and protection of investments. Afrika needs to protect the rights of women, children and minorities. There are also problems arising over the renting of Afrikan lands, displacement and the resettlement of peasants. Afrikan states are still vulnerable to violent change of regimes and therefore investment ratings are low. Tunisia was top of the World Bank ‘Doing Business’ indices immediately before the revolution of 2010-11. Corruption is costing Afrika $150bn a year and around 40% of Afrikan capital has fled the continent giving foreign investors scant confidence.
Africa exports mainly energy to Asia while Asia exports manufacturing and consumer goods to Afrika. For Afrikan trade to grow it is essential for Asian countries to lower high mutual tariffs. Looking wider than China there is also a chapter on India’s investment in Afrika. There is a long history of Indian business in East Africa. Gandhi’s satyagraha movement emphasized the relationship between India and Afrika should not be based on conventional trade and exploitation but on human exchange – ideas and services. Sumit Roy claims the Indian’s have five mantras in dealing with Afrikan countries: of economic cooperation; engaging the persons of Indian origin; preventing and combating terrorism; preserving peace; and assisting the Afrikan defence forces.
The India-Africa Delhi Summit in 2008 pledged to double trade to $50bn by 2012. There was a second India-Africa Forum Summit in Addis Ababa in May 2011 where they aimed to boost trade from $45bn in 2011 to $70bn by 2015 and provide additional aid of $500m alongside the $5.4bn already promised. Also outlined were plans to enhance capacity-building through setting up regional centres of excellence, training centres and skills training over the next five years, discussions on curing piracy and terrorism and mutually supporting Indian and Afrikan seats on the UN Security Council.
ONCC Mittal Energy Ltd negotiated a $6bn infrastructure contract with Nigeria in exchange for two offshore oil exploration rights. “India has also set up a pan-African e-network (IT). This links fifty-three African countries to Indian universities and hospitals to facilitate the development of critical human capital – health and education.” (p136)
Overall, this book makes for fascinating reading not least because it breaks out of the one-dimensional eurocentric analysis of Afrikan trade and development and highlights the importance of not just who wins but who’s story wins. “More intriguing is that Chinese stories about Africa do not reach the West any more than Western stories of Africa are told in China.” (p62)
~ ‘PORTUGUESE INFLUENCE IN THE EAST’. With Dr Shihan de Silva (Senior Fellow, Institute of Commonwealth Studies, University of London). On Tues 4 June at 7pm at Tate South Lambeth Library, 180 South Lambeth Road, London, SW8 1QP. Tel: 020 7926 0705. E-mail: readersandwriters@lambeth.gov.uk
~ LEWISHAM BFSG PRESENT ‘DJANGO UNCHAINED OR TARANTINO UNRESTRAINED?’ FUNDRAISER. A film breakdown with Bro Hakim and Dr Lez Henry. On Thurs 6 June at 7.30pm at St Andrew’s Church, Brockley, London, SE4 2SA. Adm: £5 / £2 – BFSG members. [NB: This presentation is not suitable for under-16s or adults of an over-sensitive disposition.] Web: www.bfsg.org.uk
~ KUSH PROMOTIONS PRESENTS THE LAUNCH OF THE FILM BOUTIQUE (LUTON) & THE UK PREMIER OF ‘THE LAST FALL’ (12a). ‘The Last Fall’ tells the story of Kyle Bishop, a journeyman professional football player who retires broke at age 25 with no idea what to do next with his life. Forced to move back home and reconnect with his loved ones, Bishop struggles to deal with life’s complexities after his professional career is over. In America 78% of all NFL players are bankrupt, divorced or unemployed two years after retiring from the game. The average career of an NFL player is three and a half seasons. Harrowing statistics that shows that life as a professional athlete is not always what it seems. Written and directed by former NFL wide receiver Matthew A. Cherry. Starring: Lance Gross, Nicole Beharie, Vanessa Bell Calloway, Darrin Dewitt Henson, Obba Babatunde’, Harry Lennix, Keith David, Michael Moss, Yaani King, Ellis Williams, Sinorice Moss, Trisha Mann. With a special Q&A with producer Scott Hebert; Live Performance from Angee Massiah; and Music by EJ the DJ. On Fri 7 June at 7pm at the UKCCA (UK Centre for Carnival Arts), 3 St Mary’s Road, Luton, Bedfordshire, LU1 3JA. Film + After-party: £8 /£6 (concs). Ticket Bookings: 01582 437100. Kush Tel: 0203 070 3200. E-mail: info@kushfilms.com Web: www.kushfilms.com
~ WISDOM & VITALITY NATURAL HEALTH AND WELLBEING FESTIVAL. Speakers / Workshops: Bundu Dia Kongo on ancestral spiritual values; Dr Derin Bepo on melanin the key to health and longevity; Fatou LeFeuvre on techniques for harmony calm and inner well-being; Magnus Agugu on African Healing Massage; Lucy Bennin and Michelle Yearwood-Grazette on raw food. Natural hair & skin care products, holistic living, books & education, vegan and raw food on sale. On Sat 8 June at 11am–6pm at Ithaca House, 27 Romford Road, Stratford, London, E15 4LJ. Adm: £15 / £25 for two adults / Under-16s - Free / MOTD. Tel: 07929 152 379. E-mail: adwoa@wisdomandvitality.com / exhibitor@wisdomandvitality.com Web: www.wisdomandvitality.com / http://wisdomandvitality.eventbrite.co.uk/
~ THE POWER OF DEFINITION TEAM PRESENT
- ‘How The Moors Developed Europe’. On Sat 8 June at 7pm at Bernie Grant Arts Centre, Tottenham Green, London, N15. Adm: £10. Tel: 020 8365 5450 / 07508 903 634. Box Office: http://www.berniegrantcentre.co.uk/index.php?plid=506
- ‘Obeah Cases in Caribbean Courts’. On Sat 15 June at 3-5.30pm at Brixton Town Hall, Brixton Hill, Brixton, London, SW2 1RW. Adm: Free. Tel: 07508 903 634. E-mail: windrush.event@gmail.com Web: http://obeahcases.eventbrite.co.uk/#
~ AFRICAN BEAUTY: A PHOTOGRAPHIC EXHIBITION BY JOHN KENNY. Seven years in the making, John Kenny has travelled through a myriad of Afrikan countries to create a powerful collection of photographs. The exhibition illustrates the remarkable ways that people in traditional communities engage with material culture to express their identity. From the fringes of the Sahara to the Great Rift Valley, and south to the arid communities of Angola and Namibia, Kenny’s photographs are an important journey into social status, creativity and sense of identity that lies behind the powerful and unique aesthetic of traditional village life. Until Sun 9 June at the Africa Centre, 38 King Street, London, WC2E. Adm: Free.
~ BLACK HISTORY STUDIES IN ASSOCIATION WITH PCS LEARNING CENTRE
- ‘Definition Of Freedom: The Revolution Will Be Televised’ (12). On Mon 10 June at 7pm. Throughout South Africa’s history, young people have played a pivotal role in the country’s struggle for democracy. In 1976, young students in Soweto and other parts of the country stood up and challenged the apartheid state’s policies. Hundreds died and thousands fled the country. This period saw young people fighting for the liberation of a free South Africa. In the 1980s, a movement was born that reflected the harsh and violent realities of ghetto youths in South Africa. Pioneering this movement were groups like Prophets of the City and Black Noise who used Hip Hop as a rebellion against the oppressive apartheid regime. Produced and Directed by Kurt Orderson & Sharmin Mackay.
- ‘Strange Fruit’. On Wed 19 June. ‘Strange Fruit’ is the first documentary exploring the history and legacy of the Billie Holiday classic. The song’s evolution tells a dramatic story of America’s radical past using one of the most influential protest songs ever written as its epicentre. The saga examines the history of lynching, and the interplay of race, labour and the left, and popular culture as forces that would give rise to the Civil Rights Movement. The tale of ‘Strange Fruit’ - its genesis, impact and continuing relevance - is an amazingly complex one that weaves together the lives of African Americans, immigrant Jews, anticommunist government officials, civil rights leaders, radical Leftist teachers and organizers, music publishers, record company executives and jazz musicians.
- ‘Soundtrack For A Revolution’. On Wed 26 June. Free Screening. ‘Soundtrack for a Revolution’ tells the story of the American civil rights movement through its powerful music - the freedom songs protesters sang on picket lines, in mass meetings, in paddy wagons, and in jail cells as they fought for justice and equality. The freedom songs evolved from chants of enslaved Afrikans, the labour movement, and the Afrikan churches. The music enabled Afrikans to sing words they could not say, and it was crucial in helping the protesters as they faced down brutal aggression with dignity and non-violence. The infectious energy of the songs swept people up and empowered them to fight for their rights. The film features new performances of the freedom songs by top artists, including John Legend, Joss Stone, Wyclef Jean, and The Roots; riveting archival footage; and interviews with civil rights activists, including Congressman John Lewis, Harry Belafonte, Julian Bond, and Ambassador Andrew Young.
All events at 7-9pm at the PCS Headquarters, 160 Falcon Road, Clapham Junction, London, SW11 2LN. Adm: £5 / U-16 – Free (unless otherwise stated). Tel / Fax: 020 8881 0660. Mobile: 07951 234 233. E-mail: info@blackhistorystudies.com
~ NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BLACK SATURDAY SCHOOLS AND BLACK HISTORY WALKS PRESENT QUEEN NZINGA LECTURES. Queen Nzinga was an Afrikan Queen who fought against the European invasion of southern Afrika (Congo / Angola). The Queen Nzinga lecture series will feature Afrikan female academics / holders of expert knowledge, speaking on topics of their choice on a monthly basis. The Nzinga lecture series will provide a regular platform for women of Afrikan descent to highlight important issues in an academic setting. As a result of these lectures a Black Women in Academia Support Group has been set up.
- ‘Queen Nzinga Lecture 7: ‘Urban’ Music, Society and Religion’. On Sat 15 June at 7.30-9.15 pm in Rm B36, Birkbeck College. ‘Urban’ Music, Society and Religion Connecting the Dots Hallowed be thy Grime?’ A musicological and sociological genealogy of Grime music and its relation to black Atlantic religious discourse’. In the 90’s we had jungle whereas now Dizzee Rascal, Tinie Tempah, Tinchy Stryder, Scorcher. Dot Rotten and other young Afrikan musicians have infiltrated the Top Ten with what’s called ‘Grime’. What is Grime? Is it still Afrikan music? How is Grime connected to religion and the concept of Afrikan cultural transmission across the Atlantic over the last 500 years? Where’s the Afrikan history in Grime? This presentation by Phd candidate Monique Charles will explore ancient and modern music & its characteristics, the sociology of religion and how these are applied in the Afrikan diaspora to extrapolate religious meaning and emotion in a concert setting.
- ‘African Women Resistance Leaders: UK 1970’s / 80’s.’ On Fri 28 June at 6.30-9.15pm at The Blue Room at BFI Southbank, Belvedere Rd, London, SE1. Part of ‘Black Power Sisters Weekend’. In preparation for the Angela Davis film premiere Black History Walks present visual biographical details of Afrikan women from the UK and around the world who have resisted colonialism and racism. Women do not get the historical credit they deserve and quite often there is a focus on Afrikan Americans to the exclusion of local heroes. This event will give the audience video and documentary evidence of the who, what and why of 30 female fighters who used guns, pens or placards to fight for equality in modern Britain. Bring notepad and pen and be on time, latecomers will end up standing. Women include: Queen Nzinga, May Jemison, Dora Akunyili, Dame Jocelyn Barrow, Una Marson, Edna Ismail, Lieutentant Sanite Belair, Althea Gibson, Mavis Best, Fawzia Hashim, Dr Beryl Gilroy, Leyla Hussein, Gerlin Bean, Althea Lecointe, Stella Dadzie, Dr Patrica Bath, Professor Elizabeth Anionwu and many more.
- Queen Nzinga Lecture 8: ‘The Impact of Hip Hop on White Masculinities’. On Sat 29 June at 6.30-9pm at The Blue Room at BFI Southbank, Belvedere Rd, London, SE1. In the 1970’s Hip Hop music represented the voice of Afrikan-American youth in regards to racism, oppression, poverty and Afrikan urban life experiences. It also gave Afrikan youth a platform to address and celebrate Afrikan history, and challenge mainstream thinking. Today hip hop has changed somewhat. This lecture will explore the ways that hip hop has influenced white masculinities and will question whether hip hop encourages cultural diversity or reinforces racist stereotypical thinking. Veronica Mason is a Senior Lecturer and the Degree Course Leader for the BSc Youth Studies Programme at London Metropolitan University. As a professionally qualified Youth and Community Worker with over 10 years youth work experience, she holds a MA Degree in Applied Anthropology, Community and Youth Work, a BSc Degree in Sociology and Psychology and a Post Graduate Certificate in Teaching in Higher Education. Veronica has taught on modules across social science subjects but her specialist subjects include professional youth work practice, youth sub-cultures, ethnic & gendered youth identities (including hip hop masculinities) and the complexities around racism, discrimination and anti-oppressive practice. Veronica plans to start a PhD this year focusing on whether hip hop is still a source of empowerment for Afrikan young people.
Adm: Free to all events if booked via eventbrite. Web: www.nabss.org.uk / www.blackhistorywalks.co.uk
~ SHANTI-CHI FAMILY PRESENT SECOND SESA WO SUBAN AFRAKAN STORYTELLING FESTIVAL! Based on an ancient full moon solstice ceremony, from dusk to dawn. A great place to share love, celebrate Afrakan culture, reconnect with Mother earth through the healing power of storytelling.
On Sat 22 – Sun 23 June from dusk (9pm) until dawn (6am) at Oxleas Woods, Shooters Hill, London, SE18 3JA.Booking: Adults - £12; youth 8-17 years - £6; under 7 years – Free. Web: http://www.shanti-chi.com/#!__story-trail-blazer
~ YORKSHIRE SCULPTURE PARK PRESENTS ‘FABRIC-ATION’. Retrospective exhibition of Afrikan print fabrics and designs by Yinka Shonibare, MBE. Until Sat 1 Sep at Yorkshire Sculpture Park, West Bretton, Wakefield, West Yorkshire, WF4 4LG. Web: ysp.co.uk
~ NOH BUDGET FILMS PRESENT ACTIVE INQUIRY. Do you like being creative? Would you like to be part of a group who solve community problems through performing? ACTive Inquiry are inviting you to join our weekly participatory performance workshops exploring Current Affairs. The AI group carries out sketches, scenes, skits and other social commentary performances to raise awareness about problematic social issues. The stated goal of these performances is to make the public ‘think and ask questions’ and expose the lies around these injustices. Every Thurs at 6.30-9.30pm at Stockwell Park Community Trust, Crowhurst House, 21 Aytoun Place, Stockwell, London, SW9 0TE. Adm: £5. (Suggested donation to help cover room hire costs and refreshments but we would hate cost to be a barrier to participation so please pay what you can afford). Web: http://activeinquiry2013.eventbrite.com
Contact: Kubara Zamani, Afrikan Quest International, PO Box 35165, London, SE5 8WU. Tel: 07811 494 969. E-mail: afrikanquest@hotmail.com Web: www.southwark.tv/quest/aqhome.asp
External Links
Afrikan Quest International
Speakers: Prof Stephen Chan, OBE (SOAS); Dr Hong Bo (SOAS); Prof Daniel Large (European University). Chair: Mimi Ajibade (SOAS).
We attended the London launch of the ‘The Morality of China in Africa: The Middle Kingdom and the Dark Continent’, a series of essays edited by Prof Stephen Chan, OBE (SOAS) that explores what role traditional Chinese morality plays in their current economic expansion in Afrika.
Prof Chan had been involved as an adviser to Afrikan governments in the Trilateral Dialogues with China and America that took place in South Africa, Beijing and Washington. He pointed out that Chinese overseas trade policy is determined by a combination of the People’s Liberation Army, the Chinese Communist Party and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Little has been written about trade between Afrika and China and this dearth is redressed here as all of the contributors are either Afrikan or Chinese, even if they are currently living or working outside China. The book analyses the relationship through the Confucian values of reciprocity. There is an assumption that throughout all this trade Afrikan actors are always passive being taken advantage of.
The Chair pointed out that trade with individual Afrikan countries - and not an overarching pan-Afrikanism trade plan - are of critical importance to China. So there are questions as to whether there is a single Chinese agenda.
Dr Hong Bo, an economics specialist, pointed out that China is not a traditional-style donor but neither is it a colonialist in the typical western mould. She pointed out that while other countries are making a profit out of exploiting Afrikan resources the Chinese policy of front-loading trade arrangements so that Afrikan countries start seeing financial and infrastructural benefits early on mean that it is running a portfolio risk.
Prof Daniel Large raised the spectre of ‘Orientalism’ as outlined by Edward Said. He felt the growth in China’s trade in Afrika is the most important development in Afrika in the 21st century. He queried whether there was a morality in trade or just naked interest and pointed out that there is continuing western anxiety over future Chinese plans for Afrika.
In the Q&A section Prof Chan pointed out there is a paranoia about China’s role in Afrika. He pointed out that there are Afrikans in the west, especially in Washington, who are following and parroting the party line of western governments about Chinese trade.
Dr Hong Bo explained that China is investing in Afrikan universities and banks and sending doctors and nurses.
Mimi Ajibade remembered the history of Chinese support for Afrikan liberation movements and that independence days and significant anti-colonial and pan-Afrikan landmarks were celebrated in China.
We raised the point that the west missed their chance because when they did build any infrastructure in Afrika it was only so that their ex-colonies could service the metropolitan centre and that is why after all these centuries of their overexploitation there is still so much poverty on the continent.
Prof Chan said there are no Chinese multinational corporations working in Afrika. The Chinese tend to work with governments and avoid warlords and other independent entities. Western companies rarely have such scruples. The Chinese have no direct interest in talking about human rights in the Afrikan countries where it trades and invests seeing this as the preserve of the national governments. As a result Afrikan governments can escape the triumphalism of the West and gives Afrikan countries choices outside the ‘Washington Consensus’. He ended by pointing out that the father of Jean Ping, the former head of the African Union, moved from China to Gabon. [NB: See Nubiart Library below for book review.]
FORTHCOMING NUBIART PROFILES
NUBIART: Focus on arts, business, education, health, political developments and the media.
JUNE PROMOS
~ ‘FANGNAWA EXPERIENCE’ - Fanga & Maâlem Abdallah Guinéa [Strut – Out Now] This six-track album of extended workouts links the Gnawa ritual and ceremonial music and West African Highlife and Afrobeat through a cross-cultural musical fusion undertaken by French collective Fanga and Moroccan master musician Maâlem Abdallah Guinéa. The album grew out of a collaboration at the Détours du Monde festival in Montpelier in 2011 and here Fanga’s Burkinabe-born singer Korbo and Guinéa share lead vocal duties, with Guinéa building his trademark ‘Fusion Trance’ through spiritual evocations, and rolling, hypnotic rhythms on the gimbri (three-stringed lute) on tracks such as ‘Noble Tree’, ‘Gnawi’, ‘Dounya’ t. Korbo’s lyrics serve up food for reflection, touching on the right to be different and promoting harmony between man and nature whilst denouncing the social injustices that result from an economic system out of control and designed to benefit the few. ‘Kelen’ has a groove straight out of The Shrine.
NUBIART LIBRARY – JUNE MEDIA
We will only review books we have read and DVDs we have seen and that are available at reasonable prices online or in shops or libraries. However, given the nature and current state of Afrikan publishing and film production there may be books and films on this list that are worth the extra effort to track down.
~ ‘THE MORALITY OF CHINA IN AFRICA: THE MIDDLE KINGDOM AND THE DARK CONTINENT’ - Edited by Prof Stephen Chan [Zed Books. ISBN: 978-1-78032-566-8]
“Western colonialism appropriates both land and labour for the material benefit of the metropole at the expense of the colony, while setting up a cultural and institutional hierarchy of race, gender and regime. And if Others fail to ‘comply’ with conversion to this ‘universal standard’, then they are subject to the ‘discipline’ from the ‘international community’.” (p74-75)
The reason for this book is that much has been said in the West and there have been many scare stories about China moving into trade with Afrika. Little has been widely reported of the views of either the Afrikan or Chinese and this dearth is redressed here as all of the contributors are Afrikan or Chinese, even if they are currently living or working outside China. The book analyses the relationship through the Confucian values of reciprocity. Afrika provides 25% of China’s oil needs and 15% of the US’s. There are 800,000 Chinese working, living and running businesses in Africa and 800 businesses that are involved in manufacturing and construction at competitive prices with cheaper labour costs than anything that can be achieved in the West.
“Deng’s idea was to purchase foreign industrial plant and machinery.” (p10). Former Chinese Premier
Deng Xiaoping’s four great economic modernisations of 1978 is based on the Chinese Three World Theory originated with Zhou Enlai in his 1956 speech to the Bandung Afro-Asian summit and developed from Mao’s 1946 interview with Ann Louise Strong – US and USSR; other developed countries; China and other countries in Afrika, Asia and Latin America. Mao ascribed the final formulation of the theory to former Zambian leader Kenneth Kaunda during his visit to China in 1974.
Afrikans trained in guerrilla warfare carried Mao’s Little Red Book and Chinese-made AK-47s yet there were few Maoist movements in Afrika. Zambia’s Kenneth Kaunda and Tanzania’s Julius Nyerere wore the Chinese-cut suit with Afrikan-style yet few Afrikans took up Chinese academic scholarships - they favoured the West and the US Peace Corps were able to heavily penetrate Afrika. There are prominent Chinese in Afrika such as Fay Chung, a Zimbabwean nationalist and Cabinet member while the father of Jean Ping, the former head of the African Union, moved from China to Gabon.
The Non-Aligned Movement was founded in 1961 and from those times the majority of Afrikan countries have stood by China over Tienanman Square, Taiwan and Tibet. China has dealt not with the AU but with individual states through the China-Africa Cooperation Forum (FOCAC) founded in 2000 to avoid embracing an organisation that also has diplomatic relations with Taiwan. Only four Afrikan countries currently have direct relations with Taiwan - Swaziland, Sao Tome e Principe, The Gambia and Burkina Faso. Malawi had maintained links with Taiwan during Hastings Banda’s rule. In 2007 they broke with Taiwan and received a $260m concessionary loan from China. Trade rose to $100m and a new parliament was built (cost $41m) and a five-star hotel (cost $90m).
China built the African Union HQ with its statue of Kwame Nkrumah which opened in Jan 2012. It was designed after a nationwide competition in architecture schools across China and cost about $200m but was given as a gift on land donated by the Ethiopian government under Haile Selassie in 1963.This is a continuation of major Chinese infrastructure projects in Afrika such as the 550km Somali border road and the TAZARA railway between Zambia and Tanzania which allowed Zambia to bypass apartheid ports. For a short period in the mid-1970s China found itself on the same side as the US and South Africa in supporting UNITA in Angola while the countries of the OAU and Russia were supporting the MPLA. China soon abandoned its position and this was the template for its policy of non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries in Afrika. However, the Three World Theory was further contradicted by the Chinese invasion of Vietnam and the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, which the Chinese refused to aid despite their historic antagonism to Soviet expansionism.
The fall of apartheid in the 1990s was a bigger blow to the Western economies than many recognised at the time as it meant a source of resources previously considered secure was now open to trade with whoever it chose. It also meant that across Afrikan political efforts could move away from its focus on opposition to apartheid to growing their economies in a hoped-for period of unity and prosperity.
The Chinese are governed by concepts such as weizhing yide (to rule by virtue) and renzhi (rule of) benevolence. Tienhsia is the Confucian ethos of benevolence, virtuous rule and non-aggressive Chinese internal /external relations. Confucius proposed five sets of binaries: emperor and subject; husband and wife; father and son; older and younger siblings; and friend with friend. Only in the last was there the possibility for horizontal reciprocation but all are natural and thus even the emperor had to engage in reciprocation. China is happy to front-load benefits to Afrikan countries with which it does business as ‘the older sibling’ – in this case the more economically developed - must provide. There is also the realpolitik that when China was a pariah state Sudan was the fourth country to grant it diplomatic recognition, Thus China ‘officially’ sees its role in Afrika as repaying a debt of loyalty. Chairman Mao proudly asserted, “It is our African brothers who carried us into the United Nations.” (p67)
“Four foreign-policy elements inform China’s African discourse: (1) the ‘three worlds’ theory; (2) ‘five principles of peaceful co-existence’; (3) ‘peace and development’; and (4) the Chinese view of a new world order.” (p62)
Indians started buying Zambian copper mines but tended to asset strip them whereas when the Chinese got involved they revived productivity to take advantage of a rise in commodity prices. However, In October 2010 Chinese supervisors shot 13 workers at the Collum coal mine. This went down badly in the country as Zambia is considered to have a good record of signing up to ILO legislation. The Chinese also engaged in cheating, late payment of salaries, unreasonable working practices and racism.
“The West is not providing aid to develop a competitor.” (p35) Reform of Bretton Woods institutions and the UN for more equitable exchange over global finance, trade and investment, is essential to enhance prospects for development and peace in Afrika. In 2008 China pledged $9bn to DR Congo with Sinohydro Corp, Gecamines and Chinese railway Engineering Corp playing major roles. The Chinese were to get copper and cobalt and DR Congo was to get help with transport infrastructure, 32 hospitals, 145 health clinics, schools and two universities. Through the IMF the West reduced this to $6bn meaning valuable much-needed infrastructure projects were lost. However, this highlighted the fact that the Chinese, like most Afrikans, recognised the prestige of university education whereas the West has always prioritised primary education eg the Millennium Development Goals make no reference to universities. The West prefers ‘Assured Subsistence’ for Afrika – clean water, housing, etc. The goals are a target but they have also become a ceiling so that Afrikan countries cannot challenge the West. The processing of coffee and cocoa would destabilize processing plants in Europe. While petroleum refineries and steel plants would require shared senior management. So China represents the right to manufacture products of a nation’s choosing.
There are many things Afrikans can learn from Asian countries: communist North Korea - treated as a basket-case pariah state in the West - has a cradle-to-grave welfare system that is state managed without the need for a civil society. Afrikans could also look at the role of India’s Green Revolution in boosting food security, IT and democratic politics to cope with internal strife. China has a two-decade strategy for growth as opposed to the short-termism of the West where a quarter’s figures are considered crucial. Chinese leadership visit Africa more regularly than Western leaders. However, China’s long-term time frames for loan repayment exposes them to volatilities, defaults and repudiations. Front-loading assumes a country’s absorptive and operational capacities. What about maintenance, upgrade, co-ordination, criminal or rebel damage? “…the entire Chinese expectation in Africa, repeated from country to country, is that either the governments with whom they deal will be sustained, or any successor government will sustain good relations with China. There seems to be no scenario plan that deals with being pre-emptorily asked to leave.” (p40)
Is Chinese non-intervention fostering and harbouring dictatorships and threatening Afrikan democracy? Does providing non-conditional aid and interest-free loans contradict Western efforts for the promotion of ‘good governance’ in Afrika? Chinese power plants, industry and construction neglect environmental standards and cause ecological damage and Chinese criminality is also being exported to Afrika.
Currently the Chinese economy is growing at 9% per annum. Trade with Afrika was $122bn in 2011 – 4% of Chinese trade worldwide and 10% of Africa’s total trade while FDI totalled $5.4bn. China does competes with Africa producing cheaper, processed goods – textiles, foods, refinery and timber products and one of the contributors, Patrick Mazimhaka, suggested Afrika should shift to automotive and aircraft manufacturing and maintenance and IT.
Stephen Chan was present as an adviser to the Afrikan governments at the Trilateral Dialogue meetings in Tswalu (South Africa), Beijing and Washington DC and the report from the Afrikan participants is included as a chapter here. NEPAD signalled the beginning of a new era in continental politics – a search for unity of action and a desire to seek principled strategic partnerships with the rest of the world. Major economies such as Brazil, India, Turkey, Canada, Cuba and Mexico all have diplomatic relations with the African Union. It is unlikely Afrikan development will come from high volume manufacturing. Afrikan development goals are underpinned by the following strategic tenets: access to technology and global markets, creation and maintenance of social peace, the establishment of environmental standards, transport bidding and institutions, promotions of governance and sound economic management, transparency in aid giving, the maximization of revenues for African governments and electorates, and maximising the effect of local conflict resolution and peacekeeping.
Afrika will need access to money markets as aid has no long-term place in the scheme of things as it stunts local initiative eg with food aid assisted families are reluctant to return to farming as long as the food aid remains available, Across Afrika governance is so lacking that even private sector investors seek government guarantees. Areas for improvements include: institution building and legal reforms, in relation to taxation, public markets and protection of investments. Afrika needs to protect the rights of women, children and minorities. There are also problems arising over the renting of Afrikan lands, displacement and the resettlement of peasants. Afrikan states are still vulnerable to violent change of regimes and therefore investment ratings are low. Tunisia was top of the World Bank ‘Doing Business’ indices immediately before the revolution of 2010-11. Corruption is costing Afrika $150bn a year and around 40% of Afrikan capital has fled the continent giving foreign investors scant confidence.
Africa exports mainly energy to Asia while Asia exports manufacturing and consumer goods to Afrika. For Afrikan trade to grow it is essential for Asian countries to lower high mutual tariffs. Looking wider than China there is also a chapter on India’s investment in Afrika. There is a long history of Indian business in East Africa. Gandhi’s satyagraha movement emphasized the relationship between India and Afrika should not be based on conventional trade and exploitation but on human exchange – ideas and services. Sumit Roy claims the Indian’s have five mantras in dealing with Afrikan countries: of economic cooperation; engaging the persons of Indian origin; preventing and combating terrorism; preserving peace; and assisting the Afrikan defence forces.
The India-Africa Delhi Summit in 2008 pledged to double trade to $50bn by 2012. There was a second India-Africa Forum Summit in Addis Ababa in May 2011 where they aimed to boost trade from $45bn in 2011 to $70bn by 2015 and provide additional aid of $500m alongside the $5.4bn already promised. Also outlined were plans to enhance capacity-building through setting up regional centres of excellence, training centres and skills training over the next five years, discussions on curing piracy and terrorism and mutually supporting Indian and Afrikan seats on the UN Security Council.
ONCC Mittal Energy Ltd negotiated a $6bn infrastructure contract with Nigeria in exchange for two offshore oil exploration rights. “India has also set up a pan-African e-network (IT). This links fifty-three African countries to Indian universities and hospitals to facilitate the development of critical human capital – health and education.” (p136)
Overall, this book makes for fascinating reading not least because it breaks out of the one-dimensional eurocentric analysis of Afrikan trade and development and highlights the importance of not just who wins but who’s story wins. “More intriguing is that Chinese stories about Africa do not reach the West any more than Western stories of Africa are told in China.” (p62)
Nubiart Diary
~ ‘PORTUGUESE INFLUENCE IN THE EAST’. With Dr Shihan de Silva (Senior Fellow, Institute of Commonwealth Studies, University of London). On Tues 4 June at 7pm at Tate South Lambeth Library, 180 South Lambeth Road, London, SW8 1QP. Tel: 020 7926 0705. E-mail: readersandwriters@lambeth.gov.uk~ LEWISHAM BFSG PRESENT ‘DJANGO UNCHAINED OR TARANTINO UNRESTRAINED?’ FUNDRAISER. A film breakdown with Bro Hakim and Dr Lez Henry. On Thurs 6 June at 7.30pm at St Andrew’s Church, Brockley, London, SE4 2SA. Adm: £5 / £2 – BFSG members. [NB: This presentation is not suitable for under-16s or adults of an over-sensitive disposition.] Web: www.bfsg.org.uk
~ KUSH PROMOTIONS PRESENTS THE LAUNCH OF THE FILM BOUTIQUE (LUTON) & THE UK PREMIER OF ‘THE LAST FALL’ (12a). ‘The Last Fall’ tells the story of Kyle Bishop, a journeyman professional football player who retires broke at age 25 with no idea what to do next with his life. Forced to move back home and reconnect with his loved ones, Bishop struggles to deal with life’s complexities after his professional career is over. In America 78% of all NFL players are bankrupt, divorced or unemployed two years after retiring from the game. The average career of an NFL player is three and a half seasons. Harrowing statistics that shows that life as a professional athlete is not always what it seems. Written and directed by former NFL wide receiver Matthew A. Cherry. Starring: Lance Gross, Nicole Beharie, Vanessa Bell Calloway, Darrin Dewitt Henson, Obba Babatunde’, Harry Lennix, Keith David, Michael Moss, Yaani King, Ellis Williams, Sinorice Moss, Trisha Mann. With a special Q&A with producer Scott Hebert; Live Performance from Angee Massiah; and Music by EJ the DJ. On Fri 7 June at 7pm at the UKCCA (UK Centre for Carnival Arts), 3 St Mary’s Road, Luton, Bedfordshire, LU1 3JA. Film + After-party: £8 /£6 (concs). Ticket Bookings: 01582 437100. Kush Tel: 0203 070 3200. E-mail: info@kushfilms.com Web: www.kushfilms.com
~ WISDOM & VITALITY NATURAL HEALTH AND WELLBEING FESTIVAL. Speakers / Workshops: Bundu Dia Kongo on ancestral spiritual values; Dr Derin Bepo on melanin the key to health and longevity; Fatou LeFeuvre on techniques for harmony calm and inner well-being; Magnus Agugu on African Healing Massage; Lucy Bennin and Michelle Yearwood-Grazette on raw food. Natural hair & skin care products, holistic living, books & education, vegan and raw food on sale. On Sat 8 June at 11am–6pm at Ithaca House, 27 Romford Road, Stratford, London, E15 4LJ. Adm: £15 / £25 for two adults / Under-16s - Free / MOTD. Tel: 07929 152 379. E-mail: adwoa@wisdomandvitality.com / exhibitor@wisdomandvitality.com Web: www.wisdomandvitality.com / http://wisdomandvitality.eventbrite.co.uk/
~ THE POWER OF DEFINITION TEAM PRESENT
- ‘How The Moors Developed Europe’. On Sat 8 June at 7pm at Bernie Grant Arts Centre, Tottenham Green, London, N15. Adm: £10. Tel: 020 8365 5450 / 07508 903 634. Box Office: http://www.berniegrantcentre.co.uk/index.php?plid=506
- ‘Obeah Cases in Caribbean Courts’. On Sat 15 June at 3-5.30pm at Brixton Town Hall, Brixton Hill, Brixton, London, SW2 1RW. Adm: Free. Tel: 07508 903 634. E-mail: windrush.event@gmail.com Web: http://obeahcases.eventbrite.co.uk/#
~ AFRICAN BEAUTY: A PHOTOGRAPHIC EXHIBITION BY JOHN KENNY. Seven years in the making, John Kenny has travelled through a myriad of Afrikan countries to create a powerful collection of photographs. The exhibition illustrates the remarkable ways that people in traditional communities engage with material culture to express their identity. From the fringes of the Sahara to the Great Rift Valley, and south to the arid communities of Angola and Namibia, Kenny’s photographs are an important journey into social status, creativity and sense of identity that lies behind the powerful and unique aesthetic of traditional village life. Until Sun 9 June at the Africa Centre, 38 King Street, London, WC2E. Adm: Free.
~ BLACK HISTORY STUDIES IN ASSOCIATION WITH PCS LEARNING CENTRE
- ‘Definition Of Freedom: The Revolution Will Be Televised’ (12). On Mon 10 June at 7pm. Throughout South Africa’s history, young people have played a pivotal role in the country’s struggle for democracy. In 1976, young students in Soweto and other parts of the country stood up and challenged the apartheid state’s policies. Hundreds died and thousands fled the country. This period saw young people fighting for the liberation of a free South Africa. In the 1980s, a movement was born that reflected the harsh and violent realities of ghetto youths in South Africa. Pioneering this movement were groups like Prophets of the City and Black Noise who used Hip Hop as a rebellion against the oppressive apartheid regime. Produced and Directed by Kurt Orderson & Sharmin Mackay.
- ‘Strange Fruit’. On Wed 19 June. ‘Strange Fruit’ is the first documentary exploring the history and legacy of the Billie Holiday classic. The song’s evolution tells a dramatic story of America’s radical past using one of the most influential protest songs ever written as its epicentre. The saga examines the history of lynching, and the interplay of race, labour and the left, and popular culture as forces that would give rise to the Civil Rights Movement. The tale of ‘Strange Fruit’ - its genesis, impact and continuing relevance - is an amazingly complex one that weaves together the lives of African Americans, immigrant Jews, anticommunist government officials, civil rights leaders, radical Leftist teachers and organizers, music publishers, record company executives and jazz musicians.
- ‘Soundtrack For A Revolution’. On Wed 26 June. Free Screening. ‘Soundtrack for a Revolution’ tells the story of the American civil rights movement through its powerful music - the freedom songs protesters sang on picket lines, in mass meetings, in paddy wagons, and in jail cells as they fought for justice and equality. The freedom songs evolved from chants of enslaved Afrikans, the labour movement, and the Afrikan churches. The music enabled Afrikans to sing words they could not say, and it was crucial in helping the protesters as they faced down brutal aggression with dignity and non-violence. The infectious energy of the songs swept people up and empowered them to fight for their rights. The film features new performances of the freedom songs by top artists, including John Legend, Joss Stone, Wyclef Jean, and The Roots; riveting archival footage; and interviews with civil rights activists, including Congressman John Lewis, Harry Belafonte, Julian Bond, and Ambassador Andrew Young.
All events at 7-9pm at the PCS Headquarters, 160 Falcon Road, Clapham Junction, London, SW11 2LN. Adm: £5 / U-16 – Free (unless otherwise stated). Tel / Fax: 020 8881 0660. Mobile: 07951 234 233. E-mail: info@blackhistorystudies.com
~ NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BLACK SATURDAY SCHOOLS AND BLACK HISTORY WALKS PRESENT QUEEN NZINGA LECTURES. Queen Nzinga was an Afrikan Queen who fought against the European invasion of southern Afrika (Congo / Angola). The Queen Nzinga lecture series will feature Afrikan female academics / holders of expert knowledge, speaking on topics of their choice on a monthly basis. The Nzinga lecture series will provide a regular platform for women of Afrikan descent to highlight important issues in an academic setting. As a result of these lectures a Black Women in Academia Support Group has been set up.
- ‘Queen Nzinga Lecture 7: ‘Urban’ Music, Society and Religion’. On Sat 15 June at 7.30-9.15 pm in Rm B36, Birkbeck College. ‘Urban’ Music, Society and Religion Connecting the Dots Hallowed be thy Grime?’ A musicological and sociological genealogy of Grime music and its relation to black Atlantic religious discourse’. In the 90’s we had jungle whereas now Dizzee Rascal, Tinie Tempah, Tinchy Stryder, Scorcher. Dot Rotten and other young Afrikan musicians have infiltrated the Top Ten with what’s called ‘Grime’. What is Grime? Is it still Afrikan music? How is Grime connected to religion and the concept of Afrikan cultural transmission across the Atlantic over the last 500 years? Where’s the Afrikan history in Grime? This presentation by Phd candidate Monique Charles will explore ancient and modern music & its characteristics, the sociology of religion and how these are applied in the Afrikan diaspora to extrapolate religious meaning and emotion in a concert setting.
- ‘African Women Resistance Leaders: UK 1970’s / 80’s.’ On Fri 28 June at 6.30-9.15pm at The Blue Room at BFI Southbank, Belvedere Rd, London, SE1. Part of ‘Black Power Sisters Weekend’. In preparation for the Angela Davis film premiere Black History Walks present visual biographical details of Afrikan women from the UK and around the world who have resisted colonialism and racism. Women do not get the historical credit they deserve and quite often there is a focus on Afrikan Americans to the exclusion of local heroes. This event will give the audience video and documentary evidence of the who, what and why of 30 female fighters who used guns, pens or placards to fight for equality in modern Britain. Bring notepad and pen and be on time, latecomers will end up standing. Women include: Queen Nzinga, May Jemison, Dora Akunyili, Dame Jocelyn Barrow, Una Marson, Edna Ismail, Lieutentant Sanite Belair, Althea Gibson, Mavis Best, Fawzia Hashim, Dr Beryl Gilroy, Leyla Hussein, Gerlin Bean, Althea Lecointe, Stella Dadzie, Dr Patrica Bath, Professor Elizabeth Anionwu and many more.
- Queen Nzinga Lecture 8: ‘The Impact of Hip Hop on White Masculinities’. On Sat 29 June at 6.30-9pm at The Blue Room at BFI Southbank, Belvedere Rd, London, SE1. In the 1970’s Hip Hop music represented the voice of Afrikan-American youth in regards to racism, oppression, poverty and Afrikan urban life experiences. It also gave Afrikan youth a platform to address and celebrate Afrikan history, and challenge mainstream thinking. Today hip hop has changed somewhat. This lecture will explore the ways that hip hop has influenced white masculinities and will question whether hip hop encourages cultural diversity or reinforces racist stereotypical thinking. Veronica Mason is a Senior Lecturer and the Degree Course Leader for the BSc Youth Studies Programme at London Metropolitan University. As a professionally qualified Youth and Community Worker with over 10 years youth work experience, she holds a MA Degree in Applied Anthropology, Community and Youth Work, a BSc Degree in Sociology and Psychology and a Post Graduate Certificate in Teaching in Higher Education. Veronica has taught on modules across social science subjects but her specialist subjects include professional youth work practice, youth sub-cultures, ethnic & gendered youth identities (including hip hop masculinities) and the complexities around racism, discrimination and anti-oppressive practice. Veronica plans to start a PhD this year focusing on whether hip hop is still a source of empowerment for Afrikan young people.
Adm: Free to all events if booked via eventbrite. Web: www.nabss.org.uk / www.blackhistorywalks.co.uk
~ SHANTI-CHI FAMILY PRESENT SECOND SESA WO SUBAN AFRAKAN STORYTELLING FESTIVAL! Based on an ancient full moon solstice ceremony, from dusk to dawn. A great place to share love, celebrate Afrakan culture, reconnect with Mother earth through the healing power of storytelling.
On Sat 22 – Sun 23 June from dusk (9pm) until dawn (6am) at Oxleas Woods, Shooters Hill, London, SE18 3JA.Booking: Adults - £12; youth 8-17 years - £6; under 7 years – Free. Web: http://www.shanti-chi.com/#!__story-trail-blazer
~ YORKSHIRE SCULPTURE PARK PRESENTS ‘FABRIC-ATION’. Retrospective exhibition of Afrikan print fabrics and designs by Yinka Shonibare, MBE. Until Sat 1 Sep at Yorkshire Sculpture Park, West Bretton, Wakefield, West Yorkshire, WF4 4LG. Web: ysp.co.uk
~ NOH BUDGET FILMS PRESENT ACTIVE INQUIRY. Do you like being creative? Would you like to be part of a group who solve community problems through performing? ACTive Inquiry are inviting you to join our weekly participatory performance workshops exploring Current Affairs. The AI group carries out sketches, scenes, skits and other social commentary performances to raise awareness about problematic social issues. The stated goal of these performances is to make the public ‘think and ask questions’ and expose the lies around these injustices. Every Thurs at 6.30-9.30pm at Stockwell Park Community Trust, Crowhurst House, 21 Aytoun Place, Stockwell, London, SW9 0TE. Adm: £5. (Suggested donation to help cover room hire costs and refreshments but we would hate cost to be a barrier to participation so please pay what you can afford). Web: http://activeinquiry2013.eventbrite.com
Contact: Kubara Zamani, Afrikan Quest International, PO Box 35165, London, SE5 8WU. Tel: 07811 494 969. E-mail: afrikanquest@hotmail.com Web: www.southwark.tv/quest/aqhome.asp
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