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.
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?
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.
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
Today alone I spent $12 bucks on food…and I haven`t even had dinner yet. Falafel and tabouli at a local cafe cost me 7 bucks. Coffee and a donut at Tim Hortons cost me another $2.57. There goes my money..down the drain (after passing through my digestive system)
I decided to write a quick blog before I rummage through my girlfriend`s food pantry. So check this: seeing how Root.ED is going to be taking 8 Montreal youths to Senegal next summer, and since we are going tbe on a tight budget…I thought it would be worthwhile to see how much people across the world spend on food.
Check some numbers
Let`s start off with our close cousins:the USA: This North Carolina family spends $341.98 on food per week. Real talk though..can a brotha get some greens up in here? Cheez on bread! Smiling with big pizza in hand, this is not a game boss!
Next up..let’s take it to Kuwait:
This family spends $221.45 a week on food. More than 100 bucks less than the American family…and double the family size.
Moving on to South America:
This family is from Ecuador and they spend about 32 bucks on food.
This Chinese family spends $155 on food.
And last but definitely not least…I&I people from the Continent. This pic is of a Sudanese family in a refugee camp in Chad. They spend $1.23 a week on food.
Note that these are just examples…the differences in how much people spend on food in a week can be drastic even within the limits of a city like Montreal.
Different realities..but we all got to eat. Stay updated with Root.ED as our participants explore the many complexities of food security as they embark on this enlightening journey from Montreal, Canada to Dakar, Senegal.
*this info is from the book Hungry Planet by Faith D`Aluisio
Root.ED
