Did You Know?
Did You Know?
Junious
Ricardo Stanton
“The
United States of America, unlike any other nation, maintains a
massive network of foreign military bases around the world. How was
this created and how is it continued? Some of these physical
installations are on land occupied as spoils of war. Most are
maintained through collaborations with governments, many of them
brutal and oppressive governments benefiting from the bases’
presence. In many cases, human beings were displaced to make
room for these military installations, often depriving people of
farmland, adding huge amounts of pollution to local water systems and
the air, and existing as an unwelcome presence.”
https://worldbeyondwar.org/no-bases/
Merriam Webster Dictionary defines the word empire as: a
major political unit having a territory of great extent or a number
of territories or peoples under a single sovereign authority
especially : one
having an emperor as chief of state. Contrary
to what we’ve been brainwashed to believe by our plutocratic
overlords, the United States is a modern empire by
every metric and definition of the word except there is no single
person (emperor) as its head.
Unlike
empires of old,
the United States Empire does
not
have a single ruler. Here the
real rulers are a plutocratic cabal, a combination of ultra-rich
individuals who
are
major
stockholders, asset managers, corporate
CEOs, and related old money families who
weld extraordinary power and influence not only in this country but
globally. This cabal
for the most part works in collusion to fashion policies and programs
that
enrich themselves, ensure they maintain their power and control over
the socio-economic-political system but
at
the expense of the rest of the world!
The
United States government was created by a clique
of wealthy men who intentionally fashioned a government with
themselves in charge. They were rich property owning white men, who
created a
government to the total exclusion of all others who were not like
themselves. They
purposely
omitted
poor
white males, all women, all indigenous people and all enslaved and
bonded persons regardless of race
and
gender! This group
always envisioned taking over the whole continent of North America.
They even waged a brief war with Canada
https://theweek.com/articles/473482/americas-invasion-canada-brief-history#:~:text=Frontier%20inhabitants%20were%20eager%20to,way%20of%20America%27s%20westward%20expansion.
and a war with Mexico. In
the Mexican-American War
which
they easily won, they
were able to acquire
vast swaths of territory which include modern day Texas, Arizona,
Nevada, Utah, New Mexico, California and Colorado.
The
United States leaders
always
had expansionist ideas and motives. They
knew they who have to eliminate, move or exterminate the indigenous
inhabitants of this land and elsewhere to accomplish their aims. They
always couched their predatory intentions in noble sounding words
like spreading freedom and democracy. They
popularized their imperialist agenda in the public calling it
“Manifest Destiny” to generate support and
to psychologically prepare the masses for their imperialist
campaigns.
It
wasn’t just North American land and resources the US elites
coveted;
they wanted much more and they set out to get it. Their strategy
was to pick a fight with a declining
European empire and take their possessions, in
1898 they
chose Spain. Cuba
was part of Spain’s holdings in the Western hemisphere. The
Cubans were in revolt against
Spanish colonialism and
the US used that as their excuse to go to war against
Spain.
An explosion on the USS Main was used by the media who were in
cahoots with the plutocratic
imperialist
warmongers. “Remember the Maine” was their war cry and they were
off and
running.
In that war which the US easily won, the
spoils
were
additional territory for the burgeoning US Empire. “The
Spanish-American War of 1898 ended Spain’s colonial empire in the
Western Hemisphere and secured the position of the United States as a
Pacific power. U.S. victory in the war produced a peace treaty that
compelled the Spanish to relinquish claims on Cuba, and to cede
sovereignty over Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines to the United
States. The United States also annexed the independent state of
Hawaii during the conflict. Thus, the war enabled the United States
to establish its predominance in the Caribbean region and to pursue
its strategic and economic interests in Asia.”
https://history.state.gov/milestones/1866-1898/spanish-american-war
The
US also
attended
the infamous Berlin
Conference in
1884 where Western
Europe
schemed to cannibalize the African continent, the
US was there
to protect its quasi colony Liberia and scout out ways to expand on
the continent vis a vis the other European colonial powers.
The
real deal is that the US oligarchy
is
just as imperialist as their European blood
relatives
and in many ways they
are
more ruthless and savage. The notion a
US military that has eight hundred and sixty-seven active bases
spread
around
the world is “a force for good”, that
they are protecting
“freedom and democracy” is pure propaganda and
pig poop!
The US military exists to seize, secure and protect raw materials and
resources, command
vital
Geo-strategic locations and project hard power as a global empire!
The only war the US fought that was truly defensive to protect itself
and its sovereignty
was the War
of 1812
all the others were wars of conquest, imperialist
expansion
or the result of blowback against US imperial policies like the
Japanese
attack
on Pearl Harbor.
Empires
are expensive to maintain and the US is feeling the strain of its’
empire. It takes money to operate eight hundred and sixty-seven
military bases around the world. The US spends more on its so called
“defense” budget than the top ten spending countries combined.
https://www.visualcapitalist.com/u-s-military-spending-vs-other-top-countries/.
The consciousness of imperialists also impact the citizens, the
plutocrats spend billion to promote their military in advertising and
propaganda. “ There
are several military advertising campaigns running at the same time,
on various platforms, thanks to
the military’s over $600 million advertising budget. Some months of
the year, YouTube appears overrun
by military ad campaigns with videogame-like graphics, appealing to
young Americans with the prospect of nationalistic heroism. They
present the military as a benevolent actor, a powerful force for
justice and salvation. But these ads reveal the failure of the U.S.
to address the problems facing young people (low wages, expensive
health care, underfunded schools); issues remain unaddressed while
the military’s budget increases.” Military spending reveals
America’s failure to support our generation
https://emorywheel.com/military-marketing-reveals-americas-failure-to-support-our-generation/
. The spending for empire and war takes resources that could be used
for peaceful domestic purposes like infrastructure improvement,
health care, research and development and a host of beneficial
projects! Empire has its consequences, which is why America is hated
around the world! Please
remember this the next time someone speaks
to you about “American Exceptionalism”, freedom
and democracy.
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2023 East Coast Black Age of Comics Convention
2023 East Coast Black Age of Comics Convention
Junious
Ricardo Stanton
The
East Coast Black Age of Comics Convention was held May 19-20,
2023 in Philadelphia at the Student and Alumni Center at Temple
University. This was the organization’s twenty-second annual
convention. The convention is a year round education, literacy and
arts project that brings together hundreds of comic book, graphic
artists, illustrators, writers, story tellers, enthusiasts and
entrepreneurs that showcases Black creativity and genius. ECBACC is a
pioneer in the genre of Black action and sci-fi comic books. Long
before the success of the Marvel Comics Black Panther comic
book, Black artists, storytellers and self-publishers were creating
their versions of action superheroes, Afro-futurism and sci-fi to an
ever expanding consumer and fan base and ECBACC Inc was in the
forefront of promoting and encouraging this art form and business
model.
These artists storytellers and publishers provided a way for
Black and Brown people to see themselves in comic books and graphic
novels as heroes, iconic characters in extremely imaginative
scenarios and fantasies that rivaled the better known mainstream
books like Marvel and DC. But unlike their mainstream counterparts
ECBACC and the conventionparticipants are inclusive, open and
welcoming to all.
The convention is a free two day or often two and a half day
event that is open to all ages and the public at large. The
convention features an awards program, the annual Glyph Comics
Awards which is the first of its kind in the country to recognize
and honor Black comic books, writers, creators, artists, Web comics,
graphic novels, giving awards for the best covers, best content, best
male and female characters. The annual convention features vendors,
games, workshops, panel discussions, children’s activities, while
at the same time promoting literacy, education and creativity.
Workshops on cartooning, digital marketing, writing, illustration and
panel discussion on images where held throughout the Saturday
session.
Comic book and graphic novel publishers, artists, graphic
designers, illustrators and writers come from around the country to
attend the convention to exhibit their work, attend the workshops and
participate in the panel discussions. Students also come to show
their own art work, network and meet others who share their passion
for the genre.
Yumy Odom is the founder of ECBACC and the co-convener of the
convention. He has seen a steady growth in Black Comics and credits
ECBACC as the prime inspiration for the genre. “We are at the
center of all of this. This year we have about forty-five vendors
here and about ten other guests are virtual. What you see today in
Black comics, all of that stems from ECBACC, right here.
I call it the bandwagon effect but it is a good bandwagon. I
started in nineteen eighty-six doing First World Comics then in
nineteen eighty-eight I came here. I worked for about a decade
working with artists then in two thousand two we had our first
convention right here at Temple University.
We’ve been underground but we’ve connected people that they
didn’t know existed from all over to this genre. We are a micro
convention but we’ve had mega impact. Anybody that is happening now
came through ECBACC. We have influenced hundreds of artists,
illustrators and storytellers over the years, even the ones who
haven’t come here. People have an idea, they come here or they
call. We have about five conventions all around the country that have
been spawned by ECBACC. People call me I give them information and
they start conventions and all of them are different. Our emphasis is
on independent Black creators although anyone can come here. All of
the people here have their own comic books even the ones who started
at DC and Marvel. Any time someone mentions Black comics they really
have come from ECBACC” Stated Odom.
ECBACC operates year round. They hold exhibitions and sponsor
events at libraries and they have a publishing company that recently
produced their first book. It is a compilation of illustrated short
stories, word games and puzzles. Their Website is www.ecbacc.com
and you can contact Yumi Odom the president at 908 334-1793.
-30-
The Legacy of Malcolm X
The Legacy of Malcolm X
Junious Ricardo
Stanton
As
we pause to commemorate the birth and life of Malcolm Little, aka
Malcolm X aka El Hajj Malik El Shabazz we have to keep in mind he was
a complex man of great intellect, integrity and courage who changed
and modified his positions on issues but never his love of Black
people and his desire to see us free. Malcolm Little was born on May
19, 1925 in Omaha Nebraska the son of Earl and Louise Little. The
family later moved to Lansing Michigan where his father a Baptist
minister and ardent supporter of the Pan-African leader from Jamaica
Marcus Garvey was killed when he was hit by a streetcar. Rev.
Little’s death, many suspected it was murder due to his Black
nationalist organizing and activism, plunged the family into trauma
and poverty. The stress caused his mother to have a nervous
breakdown, she was subsequently committed to a mental asylum, Malcolm
and his siblings were split up and sent to foster homes or to live
with family members.
Malcolm
was extremely bright but he was discouraged by white teachers and
subsequently dropped out of school. Malcolm got into difficulty in
Michigan and was sent to a juvenile detention center. Upon release he
moved to Boston to live with his older half-sister from his father’s
first marriage. In Boston Malcolm took to the street life engaging in
petty crimes, robbery, gambling and drugs. Eventually he was
arrested, convicted and sent to prison. Correspondence with several
of his sibling who were members of the Nation of Islam under
the leadership of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad led Malcolm to
eventually convert and join the organization.
Upon
his release from prison he went to Chicago where he met Mr. Muhammad
who was called by his followers The Messenger. Malcolm was
groomed and prepared for leadership by Mr. Muhammad and after
servings stints in Philadelphia as head of the local Temple and New
York’s Harlem Mosque, Mr. Muhammad elevated Malcolm to the position
of national spokesman for the NOI, which thrust him into the national
limelight. Malcolm distinguished himself by his eloquent oratory
skills, his keen mind, his insight into people, psychology, white
supremacy and his uncompromising support of Mr. Muhammad’s
teachings. Malcolm was influential in the creation of the NOI’s
newspaper and propaganda organ Muhammad Speaks.
However
Malcolm did deviate from Mr. Muhammad’s teachings which brought
him into conflict with his leader and some of the NOI upper echelon
leaders. Mr. Muhammad called for the total separation of the races
and advised his followers not to fret over the wickedness of the
devils (the term he used to define whites), he said their time or
power would soon come to an end and Allah would punish them for their
wickedness.
Malcolm on the other hand called for Blacks to arm and defend
themselves against the bombings and attacks whites were inflicting
upon them. He was especially vocal and adamant after the LA police
beat and killed several NOI members in a brazen attack on their
Temple. From then on, Malcolm railed against turning the other cheek
unlike what Martin Luther King Jr espoused and he focused his
attention on the strife the civil rights movement was engendering
while Mr. Muhammad called for non engagement with the US system on
any level.
While
that position was not in line with Mr. Muhammad’s philosophy,
Malcolm’s stance gained numerous followers and much respect
nationally from Blacks who did not have the discipline or the
inclination to join the NOI.
Malcolm
was extremely astute and tapped into the unrest, dissatisfaction and
growing resistance of the times. He was one of the first Black
leaders to denounce the US military presence in Vietnam, he equated
the status of Blacks in the US with colonized people around the
world. Malcolm internationalized the struggle. He was a fierce
debater who easily befuddled and flustered Negro and white apologists
for the system and status quo. He mocked and derided the major Civil
Rights organizations as tools of the white establishment calling
their leaders chumps and Uncle Toms. He even sent telegrams to US
Nazi and KKK leaders warning them against harming civil rights
activists and the Black community in general. That type of behavior
was unheard of at the time and it set Malcolm and the NOI apart from
the other civil rights organizations but also brought additional
scrutiny on him and the NOI by local police and the FBI.
Despite
the fact he lived a whirlwind life of travel, speaking boosting the
membership of the Nation of Islam, Malcolm was a devoted husband to
his wife Betty, dedicated father to his four small chlidren, a
vociferous reader with a keen insight in local and world events.
Some Black people liked the fact Malcolm was bold, he was articulate
and eloquent. But his forthrightness also got him into trouble with
Elijah Muhammad. He disobeyed Mr. Muhammad’s order not to say
anything publicly about the murder of President John F. Kennedy.
Malcolm’s disobedience led to a ninety-day suspension, his
subsequent estrangement from Mr. Muhammad and an eventual break from
the NOI.
Once
he left the NOI, Malcolm expounded his stance on human rights as
opposed to civil rights, he traveled, met with and lobbied
international leaders from the Afro-Asian block in the UN to support
his attempts to bring the United States before the World Court and
charging the US government with genocide and human rights violations.
He attempted to mend his relations with Civil Rights leaders and even
reached out to whites with his message of peace, social change and
human rights. He attempted to build a nonsectarian grassroots
organization to improve the conditions of Black people in the US and
globally. Malcolm’s activism, his increased engagement with world
leaders did not sit well with the US powers that be who were
monitoring and following him.
The
Deep State used/exacerbated the tensions and feud between Malcolm and
the Nation of Islam by infiltrating both organizations. On February
21, 1965 Malcolm X was assassinated in front of his family (just like
JFK was killed in broad daylight in front of the US public) during an
organizational meeting at the Audubon Ballroom in Harlem New York.
Several Muslim patsies were arrested, convicted and jailed, but a
great light was snuffed out that day. The government used the feud
between Malcolm and the Nation of Islam to “neutralize” Malcolm;
this served as a template for their subsequent COINTELPRO counter
insurgency campaigns against other dissident individuals and groups.
We
can learn much from Malcolm’s life, history and the times: his
resilience, his self-determination to cultivate his intellect, his
ability to adapt and evolve, his retention of the love of Black folks
his parents instilled in him (despite his taking maladaptive
antisocial paths) which helped him regain his moral and intellectual
compass and his uncompromising commitment to social justice and
change. He was fearless in the face of the immorality and corruption
of the US system.
During
these times of uncertainty, turmoil and upheaval we can apply these
lessons to our own lives, remembering Malcolm as a great man and
replicating his love and commitment to his people.
-30-
This Information is Vitally Important
This Information Is Vitally Important
Junious
Ricardo Stanton
WEF's Klaus Schwab
“The
intention behind the World Economic Forum’s Great Reset, Green Deal
‘Net Zero’ agenda is to completely block off the arteries of
sentient life on earth and replace them with an insentient artificial
construct. A
construct which, going under the heading ‘Fourth Industrial
Revolution’ demands that thinking man/woman is made redundant, to
be replaced by computer power directly accessed to the human brain.
The Transhuman agenda.” - Julian
Rose
https://www.globalresearch.ca/net-zero-transhuman-agenda-war-against-nature-humanity/5817770
I
have been attempting to warn folks for years about the impending plan
to turn us (humans) into cyborgs, chimeras, hybrids or augmented
beings directly linked to the cloud technology or worse, but without
traction. Some people believe this information is too far-fetched,
too science fictional, too improbable to take seriously. Others say,
so what, what can we do about it even if it is true?
Both
positions are dangerous and invite disaster by denial, disbelief,
indifference and passivity. The people who are incredulous are like
the proverbial ostrich sticking its head in the sand totally unaware
of what is going on around it; while those who are apathetic do
themselves a grave disservice by thinking they are powerless to stop
it!
First
off this is not science fiction, it is not flight of fancy or some
preposterous conspiracy theory, this is real. Not only is it real it
is diabolical in nature. The proponents clearly have a god complex.
Behind their thinking which is sometimes called transhumanism are
other philosophies and notions called extropy or extropianism. Go to
this Website to get some insight into what they believe:
https://www.highexistence.com/the-extropian-principles/
.
I call your
attention to what they say regarding their principles especially
these: 2.“Self-Transformation —
Affirming
continual moral, intellectual, and physical self-improvement, through
critical and creative thinking, personal responsibility, and
experimentation. Seeking biological and neurological augmentation
along with emotional and psychological refinement, and number4.
Intelligent Technology —
Applying science and technology creatively to transcend “natural”
limits imposed by our biological heritage, culture, and environment.
Seeing technology not as an end in itself but as an effective means
towards the improvement of life.”
The Extropian Principles- Jordan Lejuwaan
https://www.highexistence.com/the-extropian-principles/
They
expound upon it later in the article, “As
neophiles, Extropians study advanced, emerging, and future
technologies for their self-transformative potential. We support
biomedical research to understand and control the aging process, and
we implement effective means of extending vitality. We practice and
plan for biological and neurological augmentation through means such
as neurochemical enhancers, computers and electronic networks,
intelligent agents, critical and creative thinking skills, meditation
and visualization techniques, accelerated learning strategies, and
applied cognitive psychology. Shrugging off the limits imposed on us
by our natural heritage, we apply the evolutionary gift of our
rational, empirical intelligence as we strive to surpass the confines
of our human limits.” ibid
Read
what they say several times to get the full implications of what they
are about: transhumanism or what some call post-humanism for
them means
going beyond the natural order using technology to “augment” and
propel human “evolution”. My question is, whose definitions of
evolution are these people using and what do they mean by
augmentation and post-humanism? These creepy people clearly have a god complex.
The
people
promoting this
are influential people, they are plutocrats, shot callers,
billionaires, the high muckity-mucks are
manifesting this
as we speak “Previous
industrial revolutions liberated humankind from animal power, made
mass production possible and brought digital capabilities to billions
of people. This Fourth Industrial Revolution is, however,
fundamentally different. It is characterized by a range of new
technologies that are fusing the physical, digital and biological
worlds, impacting all disciplines, economies and industries, and even
challenging ideas about what it means to be human.”
The Fourth Industrial Revolution by Klaus Schwab
https://www.weforum.org/about/the-fourth-industrial-revolution-by-klaus-schwab
These
psychopaths use noble words and verbiage but their intent is not
necessarily beneficent towards us. We have to ask the question,
what’s in it for them? These people are not humanitarians by any
means; remember most of them gained their family fortunes by being
leeches, parasites, warmongers and exploiters. No one elected or
appointed them to “evolve” humanity on our behalf, unless I was
asleep when it happened. We need to be vigilant and stay on top of
this.
-30-
Regaining Our Full Humanity
Regaining Our Full Humanity
Junious
Ricardo Stanton
“Thus,
to the fundamental existential question ‘What is a human being?’
Africans respond: Bumuntu. This notion conveys the fundamental
African understanding of genuine personhood or authentic humanity. It
is indeed the Bumuntu that defines personal virtue, sacredness, or
gentlemanness. The distinctive characteristic of Bumuntu is the
feeling of humanity toward our fellow human beings. As John Mbiti
pointed out so eloquently, a genuine human being does not define her
or his humanity merely in the Cartesian ‘Cogito ergo sum’ terms.
Rather, he or she focuses on those thoughts of goodness and
compassion toward others. Thus, the Bumuntu is defined in terms of
hospitality and solidarity: ‘I am because we are, and because we
are therefore I am.’” Encyclopedia of African Religion Edited by
Molefi Kete Asante and Ama Mazama page 147
Last
week I shared how we are being deliberately desensitized via the mass
media. I cited studies that show an overwhelming percentage of media
programming is gratuitous violence. In the United States children
consume on average about five hours television which does not include
the time they spend watching films, playing video games and watching
streaming services. During this time they are exposing themselves to
hours and hours of violence. Once of the side effects of this media
consumption is they’ve become desensitized to violence in real life
and less empathetic and compassionate. “A
2010 review by psychologist Craig A. Anderson and others concluded
that ‘the evidence strongly suggests that exposure to violent video
games is a causal risk factor for increased aggressive behavior,
aggressive cognition, and aggressive affect and for decreased empathy
and prosocial behavior.’ Anderson’s earlier research showed that
playing violent video games can increase a person’s aggressive
thoughts, feelings, and behavior both in laboratory settings and in
daily life. ‘One major conclusion from this and other research on
violent entertainment media is that content matters,’ says
Anderson.” Violence in the media: Psychologists study potential
harmful effects
https://www.apa.org/topics/video-games/violence-harmful-effects
Humans
are emotional creatures we are extremely social by nature, we form
bonds and relationships to help ourselves survive. We have been like
this since homo sapiens emerged. In aboriginal socialites good
character, cooperation, harmony and mutual obligation/responsibility
were cultivated for practical reasons, it benefited the whole tribe
and clan. The West takes a different approach they focus on
individualism as opposed to a collectivist approach meaning the
greatest good for the greatest number of people. The West’s
approach is more self centered and ego driven.
The
last three years have resulted in massively induced trauma from the
fear mongering around COVID, the forced social distancing and
isolation and anxiety as society devolved socially and economically.
Now at a time we need more togetherness, connection, concern and
compassion to get through the health and financial crises and the
counter culture wars, we’re experiencing rampant polarization and
factionalism and the government deliberately shut us off from family
and friends.
When
you layer the escalating violence on top of an evolving dystopian
situation, we see a rise in maladaptive behaviors. The long term
solution to this problem is not more government programs, money or
police officers; the solution requires us to regain our humanity,
reestablish our sense of family, connectedness, humanity, harmony and
balance.
The
solution is what I call the Sankofa
Initiative.
Sankofa is an Adinkra word from the Akan people of Ghana West Africa
which means to return to retrieve that which is valuable and
important. To heal ourselves from the dis-ease, disequilibrium and
dysfunction tearing us apart, we have to recover our humanity, regain
our sense of Ubuntu
and reintegrate our spiritual and material selves. This means
rejecting the predominant values of the West: egoism, materialism,
selfishness and conflict.
Ubuntu
means interconnection, interdependence and mutual obligation and
responsibility. “In the cultures of African people sociality is
considered basic to human nature and most adequately expressed in the
community life. The community is regarded as a framework for
realizing the potential of every individual. Emphasis is therefore
placed on such communal values as solidarity, cooperation, mutual
helpfulness, interdependency and reciprocal obligations. At the same
time however due recognition is given to the claims of
individuality-individual initiative and responsibility.” African
Cultural Values An Introduction Kwame Gyekye page51
There is nothing wrong with technology, ancient Africans formed the
basis for much modern technology and culture shaping tools that are
still used in various forms thousands of years later. The prime focus
of our ancient ancestors was the cultivation and blending of their
spiritual and physical nature to maximize the benefits to both the
individual and the collective!
The
Sankofa
Initiative
will not be easy because it means purposefully and intentionally
exiting the Matrix which is a constant and long term process. It will
entail trial and error because we are not living in close proximity
to our families, we are separated from our families by space and
sadly by our indoctrination into an Eurocentric mindset. We have to
be willing to reject the Matrix’ vales, we have to become
determined to change and heal ourselves.
In the short term start scaling back on the consumption of electronic
and digital media, become more discerning and discriminating about
the media you watch and allow into your personal space! Be especially
firm limiting the media, gizmos and gadgets you expose your children
to, they are Trojan Horses and you need to be aware of what our
children are ingesting and watching. Media is a major culture
apparatus it promotes values, shapes lifestyles, behaviors and
worldviews, which all too often we do not share or agree with. Take
control of the media before we are literally desensitized and
lobotomized.
-30-
