What a time to be alive.

There’s a change in the air, yet the sensation can’t be felt physically, but rather metaphorically. The same way that we are currently witnessing a literal shift from winter to spring, we are also experiencing another transition; perhaps it’s a shift that even the sharpest minds of Black Society have yet to pinpoint. It is a slow death of what many of us have perceived to be the “conscious community”.

Before you, the knowledgeable reader of Melanoid Nation reaches an untimely conclusion about the context of this particular story, please be mindful of the fact that there can never be a true death of tried and true information, hard scientific data, and the efforts brought about by Melanoid people to evoke genuine change in our own respective ways. However, We’d be remiss to take note of the fact that there is a steady growing wave of frustration that is sweeping across Black Society. What is this frustration, you ask? The frustration that we speak of at the present moment is our collective “fed up” approach to many of the semantics, over promising/under delivering, and a vomit-inducing disgust with the overall theatrical production that has billed itself as the “conscious community”.

It was Yours Truly who, in 2014, wrote about essentially the same movement–with a much more heightened sense of optimism with this “conscious renaissance” that would surely shake Melanoid people worldwide at our cores to rally us to a call to action. While the same optimism and love for my people never waned, it has simply been re-channeled into more constructive outlets…but my outlook on the concept of the “conscious community” definitely has.

I am quite confident that the frustrations I have suffered with this once-promising movement are also shared with a substantial number of other progressive-minded individuals throughout Black Society, who at this point, want nothing more than just a tangible solution for remedying the ills brought upon African people worldwide by the lingering effects of racism/white supremacy. In spite of all of the vivid concerns expressed to this point, all hope is not lost on Melanoid people’s salvation. Certain individuals have stood the test of time, and used their God-given talents and resources to contribute to the repairing and uplifting of Black Society. Whether these people are business owners, activists, educators, or filmmakers, they have exemplified what it takes to bring about authentic change (for the better) for our people.

If I appear to be overly skeptical of the “conscious community”, then don’t take my word for it. For instance, just take a look at some of the recent dialogues occurring on your social media timelines. Black folks are asking questions, and demanding legitimate answers from (not all) the key figures associated with the “conscious community”, even using their platforms to openly express their own concerns with this ‘movement’ that was slated to bring about something that we haven’t seen in our lifetimes as Melanoid people.

The perpetual bickering among some of our most beloved Brother and Sisters in the “conscious community” would prompt many a person new to the information to feel as if they were better off ‘unwoke’. The “conscious community” has produced religious/spiritual sects that clique up and take sides as if both sides were preparing for an actual knockdown/drag out fight — all because of minor ideological differences. You might come across another person affiliated with the “conscious community” who will seek to shame the rest of Black Society through excessive dogmatic commentary and/or passive-aggressive preaching that would be fit for soapboxes everywhere. The foul stench of the “holier-than-thou” aroma has permeated its way throughout the “conscious community”, which has only hastened its demise.

Perhaps the most unfortunate–and downright terrifying–thing to consider as we witness the “conscious community” crumble to pieces is that all of this dysfunction is occurring in a time in which we can least afford to entertain such behavior. The current political and racial climate in this country has made no bones about its anti-Black agenda.

The so-called “conscious community” is even being denounced by some of the greatest minds that Black Society has ever produced. This is food for thought, and they aren’t the only ones escaping a burning building known as…the “conscious community”.

From this point on, here’s to a more practical and sustainable approach to Melanoid Empowerment.

What a time to be alive, indeed.

These two words most likely best describe the extensive body of work that the Late Dr. John Henrik Clark built over his illustrious career as a Master Teacher, and contemporary of other great Melanoid scholars of his day, such as Dr. Yosef Ben Jochannan, Dr. Amos Wilson, and many others. Today marks 17 years since his transistioning, yet his presence is felt stronger than ever before. What made Dr. John Henrik Clarke stand out from the Melanoid scholars who decide to compromise their integrity in order to have a seat at the table of the dominant society, he–like the aforementioned scholars and others not listed here–stood his ground and challenged white supremacy dead on.

Dr. Clarke, who adhered to the progressive nature of the Pan-Africanist school of thought/movement, was also a good friend of Malcolm X, was once asked if he would be open to debating with a member of the dominant society, Dr. Clarke replied, “I only debate my equals, all others I teach”. ‘Nuff said.

Enjoy some of the following video clips of Dr. Clarke’s lectures, and be sure to apply the nuggets of knowledge and information that he and other great Melanoid minds disseminated for us many years ago.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWs6hU-TqQI&spfreload=10

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-DMpQJmOTU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q__fdON-H_I

B. Clark

DETROIT, MICH. – “If we embrace the victim mentality, then we have given up our authority.”

That inspiring message left the teachers and administrators in silence as award-winning author and educator Chike Akua gave his African-Centered Education (ACE) presentation Saturday morning at Paul Robeson/Malcolm X Academy.

Principal Jeffery Robinson brought in Akua for professional development for his administrators after he was requested from some of his staff.

“I heard about Akua three years ago when my staff heard him speak in Chicago,” he said. “They wanted him here and we had to make that happen.”

As the Academy is known for having an ACE curriculum, Akua made sure that the teachers, both of Melanoid and non-Melanoid decent, understood what exactly ACE is and how to imply it to their students.

Akua simplified the eight essential elements of ACE:

1. Places Africa, African people and African points of view at the center of all things studied.
2. Helps students critically examine how the subject or object of study is related to the image and interest of Africa and African people.
3. Taps into the spirit of the children.
4. Requires a sharp orientation towards social justice.
5. Requires methods that are unique and indigenous to the nature and needs of African children.
6. Asks a simple question of all things: Is it good for African people?”
7. Requires a consciousness of victory.
8. Prepares children for sovereignty.

This was a collection of Chike Akua’s merchandise that was available at the event. To purchase these items and more, go to www.myteachertransformation.com

 When these elements are all used together, teachers and administrators will use the best of African culture to examine/analyze information, meet needs and solve problems in the African community.

“Usually when our children hear about Africa, they don’t hear about the best of Africa, but the worst,” Akua said.

Amari Akua, Chike’s 12-year-old son, was in attendance at the Academy while he sat and took notes of his father’s teachings. Amari enjoys the fact that his father is an educator and how it impacts not only his life, but the lives of people across the world.

“I feel so inspired to make change whenever I hear my father speaks,” he said. “The family could be relaxing in the house and my dad would begin teaching to us. Though I may not want to hear it at the time, I realize that my father has a gift and I’m thankful for his gift.”

Amari would like to follow his father in the teaching profession at some point of his career, but he would like to explore video game programming or the filming industry.

Akua harped to the teachers that the students must have a sense ancestral history and proceeded to showed the history of African people with pictures from his trips to Kemet (Egypt.)

As the presentation continued, he tied in African history and how the legacy was stolen to help build America. With side-by-side comparisons of American and African monuments, it was clear to the teachers where America got their ideas for their memorials.

“The Ramesu statue is the origin of the Lincoln Memorial,” Akua said with his presentation. “And there’s plenty more that were copied.”

Baba (David) Khari has been a teacher at the school since its second year in operation during the 90’s and teaches at the middle school level.

He assures that since he’s been teaching in all-male classrooms, he can definitely see a difference.

“The students, both boys and girls, function better,” Khari said. “The students are worried about the opinions of the opposite sex and that helps bring the best out of our students.”

Detroit originally had three separate all-boy schools: Paul Robeson, Malcolm X and Marcus Garvey Academy.

“Our former principal Dr. Clifford Dean Watson made sure we had African resources along with the Detroit curriculum,” Khari said. “Our schools were basically operating with two curriculums.”

The plan was to add three additional all -girl schools, but the plan was turned down during the planning stage.

Now that Detroit has downsized with ACE schools, Robinson is looking to empower his staff to ensure the best education for his students.

“We use to make the teachers take African-cultured training classes before they taught here, but due to the financial emergency and other things happening in Detroit we no longer had that authority to enforce that training,” he said. “It’s time for innovation and we’re making that step.”

For further information and products by Chike Akua, visit his website, www.myteachertransformation.com.

(EDITOR’S NOTE) The following video provides a brief background on Mr. Akua’s career as an educator.