I don`t even have much to write on this one because the video speaks for itself on so many levels. Laurenie, member of Root.ED`s Senegal 7 speaks honestly about her views on the initiative. One of many more to come! Big shout out to MusWa of Innovative Visions! The community is behind this and that is a powerful force! don`t forget y`all the SEND OFF PARTY is coming up real soon..this Friday June 3rd at 3720 du Parc. Come meet the whole team before we embark on this amazing journey! Bless up!
Less than three months left. I feel the team is getting tired. The preparation is demanding..both on the individual level and as a collective. The stress cloud of raising the money hovers above our head. The uncertainty of Senegal is creeping in. We have lost 3 members and gained 2 others and group dynamics since the get go have been a challenge.
and I love every second of it.
Senegal 7: If there ain’t no sweat, blood and tears….well something nah right! The learning curve is steep but enriching and worth it. Relish in the pressure and enjoy the tension. Claim your weaknesses and identify your strengths. Let’s do this properly.
Anyhow, I was at my mom’s house the other day and found my journal from my trip to Mali in 2009. If our suscribers like it and show us some love (both through comments and through a little financial support !) I’ll write some more entries..including my memorable stay at the Malian Clinic. Enjoy!
June 16th , 2009
Paris- De Gaule Airport.
A young mother swings her baby over onto her back and in an effortless motion wraps the child firmly around her body with a colourful piece of fabric. She then pics up her two bags and walks towards the boarding line. I am going to Africa. A young boy holds his little brother’s hand firlmly and gives him the ‘keep quiet’ frown. The youngest obeys and they both stand in line wine with their ticket in one hand, carry-on in the next, all dressed up in their Sunday best. I am going to Africa. A dread hails the I; his skin clean and dark, his hair and eyes a light brown of experience. I hail him back and he nods. I am going to Africa. The long line dwindles down and the intercom politely says that it is this is the final boarding call. I am going to Africa.
So January 21st and the 29th, members of RootED went out to J2K, a controled hangout spot/activity center for youths in NDG, and cooked meals to support.
About J2K: Head and Hands, in collaboration with the City of Montreal and the Black Community Association, operates a youth drop-in centre. As part of the Jeunesse 2000 program, this youth centre caters to teenagers between the ages of 12 and 17 and offers a secure and welcoming environment free of charge, all year long.
I gotta say, seeing all their facilities, this is one place that I would consider hanging out myself if I weren’t so old . check it out!
just your ‘usual’ music magic happening place, you know…
They have videogames. I like videogames. I don’t see no console in MY home.
They also have a pool table, a fooz-ball table, computers with internet and of course an entire kitchen for people to cook them free food.
Amda, the chef of the day, connives his masterplan
Um… Kind of jealous? So basically us RootED Senegalites went in and cooked these kids a meal (and we got a grant in return that goes to our ongoing fundraising).
The process was fun, and since J2K fed me, I wasn’t dying taking these pics (thank you J2K!)
Kim chops ‘em yummy veggies!
the meal of the night: pasta and veggie stirfry with cheese
the whole is mixed together and spices were added…
and voila! the food was served, the children were fed and after they cleaned their own plates (bless them)… they went on having their fun at J2K
and kim and amda got to clean the pots… and eat their own concoction!
I took an Economy class a few years ago and although I could not retell most of the information that was given, I do remember the teacher saying one thing. He said it very matter-a-factly as though he was quoting Adam Smith himself (and maybe he was) but he goes on to say: ” Economy is the study of Well Being. Period”. Then he took out his ipod and connected it to the class speakers and played Kanye’s “Wait till I get My Money Right.” and walked out of the classroom with the hardest gangsta lean.
That latter part was a slight embellishment but did say the quote..and it stuck with me till this day.
Ujamaa, fourth day of Kwanzaa, is the day where we uphold the principle of Cooperative Economics. Supporting Black business in our community. All Black Everything (Yup, I quoted Soulja Boy in my blog!) E-ver-y-thang? (Yup, quoted Katt Williams..)
Here is a video of a couple who decided to commit one year of their lives to only supporting Black owned businesses. From buying shoes to gas to groceries, they made a serious effort to make sure that their money was going to support black owned stores and businesses. There website is www.EEfortomorrow.com and here is a clip of how their Empowerment Experiment came to existence.
Impressive! A pioneering endeavour albeit a few wrinkles (in my opinion) that need to be ironed out. In the effort to help out Black businesses, there is an importance to integrate “The Green Factor”..which really in a sense, is just being aware of the how much you consuming is costing your community, your environment, your health ( Ecological Footprint much?) etc.. For example, doesn’t feel too right to support a Black-owned Clothing company in Montreal that gets its product from a sweatshop somewhere in Asia and then the product has to travel all the way here via ship etc… It’s even more of a challenge, but as consumers we need to be more knowledgeable of these things. Buying Black means that its not just the consumer’s responsibility to support Black businesses, but the Black businesses responsibility to support Black communities and show transparency and accountability in their business practices. In the long run, this will not only create more jobs and business ventures for our communities..but jobs and businesses that are conscious and promote healthy and aware lifestyles!
Amazing book by Van Jones Jr called The Green Collar Economy. He discusses two main problems in the States (which we can extrapolate to Canada). One being the draining consumption of energy and the need for a eco-aware economy. And second, the fact that there is a whole bunch of people that have been laid off (recession or otherwise) in low-income coloured urban communities who not only are the first to feel the stab of environmental racism but are in desperate need of jobs and to re-establish a healthy economy in their hoods. Check it out!
Finally…an encouragement to support some Black businesses in Montreal. Here’s a few to start off with.
Jean’s Restaurant. My Gosh…if you don’t know this Trinidadian restaurant in NDG..you are missing out! Good food, great service, my favourite is The Pumpkin Potato Roti..you can tell Val that Chris from Head&Hands sent you…it won’t get you a discount or anything..but hey..maybe it’ll get me a discount for reffering clients!
Conscious sistren Odessa Thornhill manages Cultivate Your Own, her practice is based on well-being and natural solutions to your aches and pains. I go to her for both her amazing hair locking skills and her amazing and informative massages. I don’t know how she figured out that that I had jaw tension issues by massaging my feet..let’s just say the woman knows what she is doing!
I need to also big up my soap dealer, Waahli Yussef! This talented musician from Nomadic Massive makes some serious home-made soaps! Got that Oregano Soap, that Tea tree, that Lavender..whachu need son? Support good business
A bit of inspiration to get us through the day. Zibz Black Current of Kalmunity Vibe Collective drops the knowledge. My video camera was acting up…battery dying..so some parts have no audio..but you can see it in his eyes! Plus the trees said it! Root.ED will be posting up videos like these more often..so look out for them! It’s great to see that the community is really backing this project up.
This past weekend root.ED’s SENEGAL 7 went to Quebec City for Les Journees Quebec Sans Frontieres; an informative weekend put on by QSF,the main funders of this project. We headed out on an old school bus with the Alternatives crew, and it was the first time that the entire Root.ED team got to bond as a collective. Don’t worry…bios will be coming soon so you’ll get to know the team real soon.
Other news, a big thank you to all those who came out to our THROW IT BACK fundraiser event…we raised an honest $400 and change that we split with Montreal United, a basketball program in NDG. Not bad for our first fundraiser. Plus a special shout out goes out to the beautiful sister who wrote out a $200 cheque to Root.ED. That’s love right there and the team really appreciates it..you know who you are!
What else what else…forgive me it’s late and my mind is quite scattered. Head&Hands had it’s 40th Gala on Saturday…raised more than $10 000 all in the name of youth empowerment. How blessed are we to have determined organizations like this in our community! Shameless plug!! I don’t even care! Head&Hands all up in it!
Oh ya..me and my empress came back from Barbados. Stop hatin!! Here are some pics! Trust…looking at these pics make me wanna leave the shity…the trees said it.
and voila! the food was served, the children were fed and after they cleaned their own plates (bless them)… they went on having their fun at J2K
Root.ED
