Root.ED introduces: Laurenie

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!

Vaughn

Souris Mon Frère, Souris Ma Sœur

  Qui somme nous, d’où venons-nous?

Des questions reliées à notre existence sont parfois importante

Et pourtant, sont parfois ce qui nous retient,

Nous sépare et nous couvre les yeux.

Un tel voile, nous laisse aveugle à de tell merveille que ce monde nous offre.

Le croirais-tu si je t’aurai dit que tu es ma sœur,

Que toi mon frère qui souffre au japon ressens la haine de celui an Libye.

Toi qui écris une lettre d’espoir en bas d’un baobab,

Dans unvillage à l’extérieur du Dakar est recentie

Par celle rejeté d’une voiture dans une ruelle à Detroit.

Il existe encore cet instinct humain qui nous connecte.

Nous pleurons tous, nous rions tous, et oui un jour nous mourions tous.

Cependant la beauté de cette vie nous entour.

Alors prochaine fois que nos yeux croisent souri mon frère.

Un suicide de moins, une addicte de drogue de moins, une âme secourue de plus

remplie d’espoire, de confiance et de foi.

Sourris mon frere, Sourris ma soeur.

 

par Laurenie L.

History in the Making

Alfie Roberts and v. Daniels

Back in day to the young generation may seem like lifetimes ago but in fact..it’s really just…back in the day.  It’s so easy to feel removed from a history that is really closer than we let ourselves realize.  My dad was a grown man when Dr. King was assassinated.  That’s how close it is.  And Black Montreal has a strong and rich history if we just look around…and ask.

To check out:  Alfie Roberts Institute. I asked community organizer David Austin for some more insight on who Roberts was..and after a moment of reflection and a few anecdotes as testament to Alfie’s drive, passion and heart..Alfie was described as “A griot”.  It reminded me of the oral tradition of sharing stories and histories that we as Blacks removed from Africa need to hold on to for dear life. This weekend they had their exhibition at the U.N.I.A.  showing a series a photos and presentations on Black Montreal in the 60′s.  What was particularly impressive was the audio clips of testimonies from West Indian students, Black activists, domestic workers and concerned citizens from that decade.  This has really inspired to do a lot of audio recording when the team is in Senegal.  I have this second hand Macbook  and am trying to learn how to properly use the program.   But sometimes..you just gotta press record and let it happen by itself.

check out the doc

Give yourself an hour this week and watch this thought provoking doc by Professor Gates called
“Black in Latin America:  an Island Divided” and discusses how the use of race has had an impact on how the Dominican Republic and Haiti see themselves and each other.  I don’t want to say too much..but definitely worth watching.

Almost a month before we leave my people..to the readers, thank you for taking the time out to accompany us as we add our own chapter to the history of Montreal.  We still need financial support..please donate!!  Yuh’s gunna help deh revolution, or whua?

Stay blessed.

BLACK HISTORY MONTH FUNDRAISER!!!! SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2011

Levée de fonds pour le mois de l’histoire des noirs.
Les profits iront au groupe Senegal 8 de Root.Ed. Notre groupe est en partenariat avec deux organisations (Alternatives et Head & Hands) qui envoient 8 stagiaires Montréalais au Sénégal en Afrique pour 2 mois cet été afin de faire de la sensibilisation sur la souveraineté alimentaire ainsi que la sécurité alimentaire. Nous réaliserons également 3 documentaires sur ces sujets.
Visitez notre site : rootedmontreal.wordpress.com
Il y aura des performances par différents artistes (connus et pas (encore) connus, mais tous excellent. Ils seront annoncés plus tard), de la sensibilisation pour le mois de l’histoire des noirs et sur le stage.

50 Premiers billets à 5$
A la porte : 10$-$15 (votre choix )
LES GENS DE TOUS LES ÂGES SONT LES BIENVENUS (pour les enfants de moins de 10 ans, le prix est un dons à votre discrétion, OUI, pour une piasse votre enfant sera le bienvenu )

Il y aura de la nourriture, des performances, de la musique par les DJ (DJ Blaster & DJ Drunken Disciple), des drinks et un vestiaire OPTIONNEL.
Il y aura également un tirage avec prix ET un 50/50.
2 enchères auront lieu pour 2 prix provenant de 2 femmes d’affaires noires de Montréal.

A Sala Rossa. 4848 St Laurent (proche du metro Mount Royal)

Les portes ouvrent à 6pm
Le spectacle commence à 7pm

Plus d’infos sur la cause? rootedmontreal.wordpress.com
Plus d’infos sur la soirée ? Écrivez-moi votre numéro ou écrivez-moi à misterh@live.ca

J’ai aussi un groupe qui explique notre cause. (en bas)
__________________________________________________________

Black History Month Fundraiser. Proceeds go to Root.Ed’s Senegal 8. We are under 2 “tag-team” organizations (Alternatives and Head & Hands) sending 8 Montreal young adults to Senegal, Africa this summer for 2 months of raising awareness of food security and food sovereignty. We will also film 3 documentaries in Senegal for our cause.
site is rootedmontreal.wordpress.com

Performances from various artists (well-known and not-so-known, but ALL good and TO BE ANNOUNCED AT A LATER DATE) and awareness of Black History Month and the cause it is for.

1st 50 tickets : $5
At the door : $10-$15 (your choice )
ALL AGES ARE WELCOME (for children under 10 the fee is YOUR donation choice.. YES, if you drop a looney at the front, your child may come in )

There will be food, performers, music from the DJs (DJ Blaster & DJ Drunken Disciple), beverages and an OPTIONAL coatcheck.
Raffle tickets also being sold for prizes and a 50/50 draw.
2 Auctions being held for 2 gifts from 2 Montreal based Black businesswomen.

At Sala Rossa. 4848 St Laurent (close to Mount Royal metro)

Doors Open at 6pm
Show Starts at 7pm

info on the cause can be found on our website : rootedmontreal.wordpress.com
For more info;
Inbox me for my number
Or email me at misterh@live.ca

I also have a group for our cause on facebook if you would like to visit the link

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_166225716756754&ap=1

Time to get Root.ED!

Vaughn in small rural village in Mali 2009

Hey!

So..this is the first post!  Guess I should first off introduce myself ; my name is Chris Vaughn –people just call me Vaughn (too many Chris’ in this city)  I am a Montreal native, raised in NDG and love life, culture, music and all that good stuff.  After graduating from Bioresource Engineering at McGill last year, I did an amazing urban agriculture internship with a non profit called Alternatives.  We trained for 8 months, learning practical techniques of social equality, permaculture etc… and then we spent two months in Mali!

It changed my life (as you can see by the expression on my face!)

When I got back, I came back to my amazing job as a coordinator at Head&Hands; a non profit youth resource center in Montreal.  I saw all the youth at my drop in centre (J2K) and was like….these youth NEED to experience Africa.  They need to see what people who look  just like them are doing across the world to make their lives, communities and city and better place.  I am and most of the youth that come to the centre are visible minorities, coming from an array of different backgrounds.  Sad to say, that most of the people who apply and go through these life changing internships are white university students with financially stable families to back up on.  No hate…just reality.

So we started Root.ED.  A program for the new environmental and social leaders of Montreal; giving them a chance to help the well being of their community as well as learning through amazing work experiences overseas.

This project (and this website!!) is a work in progress…soon we will have the participants up and running..with their own blogs and experiences!

Stay posted for updates, pics, and ways you yourself can get Root.ED with us.

ONE LOVE,

VAUGHN