In observance of Black History Month and the International Year for People of African Descent, the National African-American Art Examiner in 2011 will periodically report on and explore a variety of issues pertaining to these subjects. Reports will include profiles of contemporary figures, trending developments, and teachable historic moments. The series begins now:
With the United Nation’s proclamation of the year 2011 as the “International Year for People of African Descent,” the annual Black History Month observed by African Americans for nearly a century will reflect a deeper significance when it kicks off next week.
The proclamation was first issued by the United Nations General Assembly on December 18, 2009, and launched December 10, 2010. As quiet as it may have been kept thus far, the International Year for People of African Descent officially started January 1.
In thewords of the resolution adopted by the U.N. General Assembly, the proclamation was made “with a view to strengthening national actions and regional and international cooperation for the benefit of people of African descent in relation to their full enjoyment of economic, cultural, social, civil and political rights, their participation and integration in all political, economic, social and cultural aspects of society, and the promotion of a greater knowledge of and respect for their diverse heritage and culture.”
An Upgrade in Perspective
Black History Month has traditionally functioned as a means of highlighting the first-time individual achievements, landmarks events, and cultural trends associated with African Americans. And no one has suggested that should not happen in February 2011. However, an International Year for People of African Descent suggests individuals expand their awareness beyond the United States to embrace knowledge regarding “Afro-descendents” on every continent.
This leap in global consciousness is a major one for many Americans because citizen of the U.S. have long been accustomed to thinking in terms of African Americans or Black Americans. But few outside specialized academic or political circles are likely comfortable or even familiar with the following terms, which represent only a sample:
- Afro-Brazilian
- Afro-British
- African-Caribbean
- Afro-French
- African-German
- Afro-Guyanese
- Afro-Italians
- African-Nova Scotian
- Afro-Russian
- Afro-Venezuelan
Speaking at an event supporting the launch of International Year for Peoples of African Descent, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon noted that the impact of the transatlantic slave trade is one that continues to have negative consequences for Afro-descendants and Africans across the globe:
“The international community,” said Ki-moon, “cannot accept that whole communities are marginalized because of the color of their skin. People of African descent are among those most affected by racism. Too often, they face denial of basic rights such as access to quality health services and education. Such fundamental wrongs have a long and terrible history.”
NEXT: Report on 2011 International Year part 2 the French quest of Patrick Lozes
by Aberjhani, National African American Art Examiner
founder of Creative Thinkers International
and co-author of Encyclopedia of the Harlem Renaissance
Discover the International World and Legacies of Afro-Descendants
Comments
Keep telling that history:
Read the greatest fictionalized 'historical novel', Rescue at Pine Ridge, the first generation of Buffalo Soldiers. The website is: rescueatpineridge.com The greatest story of Black Military History...5 stars Amazon, and Barnes & Noble. Youtube commercial: youtube.com/watch?v=iD66NUKmZPs
Rescue at Pine Ridge is the story of the rescue of the famed 7th Cavalry by the 9th Cavalry Buffalo Soldiers. The 7th got their butts in a sling again after the Little Big Horn Massacre, fourteen years later, the day after the Wounded Knee Massacre. If it wasn't for the 9th Buffalo Soldiers, there would of been a second massacre of the 7th Cavalry. This story is about, brutality, compassion, reprisal, bravery, heroism and gallantry.
Visit our Alpha Wolf Production website at: alphawolfprods.com and see our other productions, like Stagecoach Mary, the first Black Woman to deliver mail for the US Postal System in Montana, in the 1890's, spread the word.
Peace.
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