Activism

The history of African-American publishing began in the late 1800’s with protest against the Civil War and slavery. Samuel Cornish and John B. Russwarm started the first African-American owned newspaper, the Freedom’s Journal. Numerous newspapers followed thereafter by Fredrick Douglass, with the North Star, W.E.B Dubious’, Crisis Magazine and Ida B. Wells Barnett who was the co-owner of The Freespeech and Headlight. Each of these publishers was seeking to inform and reform the dignity of its people. They published work about community-academic issues that effected Blacks and the poor on a local, regional, and national level. As the first publisher of an African-American Student Newspaper since 1991 at the University of Houston, I wanted to follow in the footsteps of these great leaders.

The official daily newspaper distributed on campus tailors to lackluster journalism and more right wing issues. Realizing since enrolled at the university that there was not an African-American newspaper focused on minority issues something had to manifest. Traveling to San Diego, California for a conference, I continued to think about starting the newspaper. Upon returning from the trip, I met two female students on campus who felt the same as I about minority issues voiced in print. We started the newspaper with no idea of how the money was going to come in to fruition.

The staff researched every resource for student funding for a newspaper. A professor and the Vice-Chancellor of Student Affairs assisted the paper with the first two issues to obtain supplies to ensure that the paper was in print. There were many issues on campus that needed addressing and it was now our turn and chance to make this a reality. Many students came on board to help with writing articles, editing, and getting the word out. In addition, to starting the newspaper, we created a film series in the honors college to compliment the newspaper and the issues focused on in the paper.

Now in print, Songhai News: The Black Collegiate Voice has published news pertaining to financial aid, student retention with professors (vice-versa), and the need for a minority voice in the daily collegiate paper on campus, etc. In addition, the newspaper received a publishing grant from Campus Progress to publish the newspaper on newsprint paper on a regular basis. The rest is history. Songhai News started out in March of 2007 and produced seven issues through the spring semester of 2008.

It took a lot of work to put the newspaper together and distribute on campus. A small idea birthed because a need had to be fulfilled. I am very proud of what we did, and believe that whatever you set your dreams to you can accomplish regardless of mountains. As Malcolm X stated, “Just as a tree without roots is dead, a people without history or cultural roots also becomes a dead people.” Not only has Songhai News produced news, the working staff are either graduating with degrees or have while working with the newspaper. I think that is the best accomplishment yet!

The newspaper produced its last issue in print for April/May 2008 this past week. If you are interested in receiving back copies of the seven issues email the newspaper before May 30, 2008 at songhainews@gmail.com.

By kYmberly Keeton, Founding Publisher

Songhai News: The Black Collegiate Voice

Poetry

On being asked if I Kinda Wanna –b- Nappy Again

I say the condition:

Kinky, Curly, Long, Strands

Now

Pressed,

With a slender comb placed on the stove

I say the heat was hot = creased tresses.

Mother pulled my head back heavily with her hands on Sunday mornings,

“Mama you burned me”--[Always on my ear]

She says, “Gurl shut yo’ mouf, Im’s almost finish!”

I say the style:

My hair was sandy-brown [not anymore],

She would section off four parts on the top of my head

Like a map, Directing you to the

North>South>East>West= ponytails, with pink ribbons.

I say the wash:

The chemicals started to seep in my brain at the

Age of ten she got married to this guy

I say he turned in to more guys

Therefore, [my ear was never burned],

I say again:

The tresses now are strands of splinted ends:

By way of chemicals purchased by her from

Sally’s Beauty Supply, Wal-Mart, Target, and The Discount Beauty Store

All for $5.99-- a boxed Perm

All to make MY HAIR straight: [Society told her to do that].

I say she burnt me again.

She says, “No’z I didn’t; sit back down!”

-Photo provided by naturalnaps.com

Politics

My Journey With Barack Obama...

“You know, they said this day would never come,” Barack Obama stated in his speech when he won Iowa earlier this month. This morning, the Senator from Chicago has won South Carolina by 55% of the vote--BLACK. I have dedicated this year to learning more about this man, that Caroline Kennedy-the Kennedy’s have endorsed this morning. I now interpret that opening quote as The Day Has Finally Come!

I went out and bought the first book written by Sen. Obama, Dreams From My Father, began reading it while traveling the past two weeks, and I’m literally smitten by the young democrat who is changing the face of my generation. As I read about his trials of learning his own fate, identity, and place in the world, I see myself doing the same thing.

I believe that The United States is ready for a Black President. I have to recant on my earlier statements in past entries that he could be hurt if he took office (which still haunts me). I believe that Black people would be his shield just as they were for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. –The shield that I’m referring to is the support that is swarming the country and the budding fact that we actually believe in his ideals, and the need for change in the White House. In addition, he is waking up a new generation of leaders to take a stand.

I can’t put his book down; I can't stop thinking about his intelligence, his brilliance, his tenacity, and realness. He is definitely the truth. I can’t say how he compares to John F. Kennedy because I was born in 1976... However, I do believe that he is the first person that I have watched bring an entire country together in the last four presidencies that include Regan, Bush, Clinton, and Bush. Hope has been a big word in his campaign speeches, and I believe that is appropriate. If we are not to believe that things can change then what are we really doing for our own country and livelihood as a people?

I know experience matters as a leader of the masses. Sen. Barack Obama does have that experience he has lived life, been up and down. He has climbed just as many mountains as the next man. If elected the Senator states that he will be, “...a President who will be honest about the choices and the challenges we face; who will listen to you and learn from you even when we disagree; who won’t just tell you what you want to hear, but what you need to know.”

I will end this brief excerpt this morning with a quote from Ralph Bunch, “I have a bias against war, a bias for peace. I have a bias which leads me to believe that no problem of human relations is ever insoluble.” Senator Barack Obama is the first man that I can say in my history who has created a revolution, a bias for peace, a bias against war, and believes that Human Relations is ever insoluble. Go. Obama. Go!

By kYmberly Keeton--Photo op provided by irregular times.com

Hip-Hop

N-Response: Thug Violence
and Hip-hop, the Bloody Beat...

Recently, I read an article in the New York Daily News about violence in hip- hop and its negative impact in society written by Errol Lewis. The verdicts of several African-American stars in the music industry were exposed and once again, it is no surprise to see that the art form needs a makeover. Rappers are now falling from their elitist platforms just like Goliath. Remy Ma jumpstarted the article, her quest for street credit ended in a possible sentence up to twenty-five years. Money, power, and respect have played a major force in the seduction of the fantasy world of hip-hop today. And, it all began with the pen.

Lyrics now written today are a major force in the seduction of watered down words that hip-hop fans bob their heads to twenty-four seven--today. Within the lyrics, rappers boast how big their house, car, and jewels encompass. They go on and state what is currently in their bank accounts, and protest that they are the baddest B*t** in the street. These elements have always been a part of the music but in a different way. I remember when I would watch male and female rapper-poets battle for the best lyricist crown. Today, you can reap fatal blows and bullet wounds for spitting verbs, wearing the same color shoes as your opponents, looking at a crew, etc. It looks like having street credit is more important than being able to convey an ill verse.

Remy Ma was convicted of assault, shooting a friend over two thousand dollars after suspicions of them stealing from her in March--2008. . Why would you have that amount of money on you in the first place? Not to mention, Ma sent a shout-out to her fan base after the verdict, asking that they write to the judge presiding over her sentence and plead that he be lenient--give me a break. Moreover, she is about to get married while in jail.

Next track...

Case in point with Clifford Harris, aka T.I. the self-professed “King of The South,” recently pleaded guilty to weapons charges and will serve one year in prison. Seems fishy, he proclaimed his innocence until he got a plea deal, then is quoted on the internet that God had leniency on his life. American Gangsta, the movie was a self-prophecy for the Grammy nominated rapper. In character, he portrays a young man who wants to be like his Uncle Frank (another gangster). Don’t get me wrong, I understand that this young man has invested in his community, built homes for the poor, etc., but what about his own soul?

Not getting to religious let’s take three steps back...

Trevor Smith, aka Busta Rhymes, the once highly regarded rapper from the Pharcyde who preached positivity, and knowledge of self back in the late 90’s, still has not came forth with information that could help solve his bodyguard’s murder. You would think that he would want to help the family of the deceased. Will he only rat when it is in the best interest for self or the crew? Lil’ Kim is the one to ask, I guess, on that one.

On to the next, Kaceon Taylor, aka The Game recently was convicted of gun charges and spent 60-days for possession of a gun on a school’s premises. Why would a rapper feel the need to bring a gun to a school? I mean these are elementary questions. Sadly enough I do not think things are going to change. Check out Common (you know the person that recorded “I use to love her—Hip Hop,” and see what type of character he portrays in his new movie out in theaters now.

Is it all about the Benjamin’s and street rep? Now as you think about that question, remember the peeps who are signed to the music (hip-hop) industry and booked in cells are Black people—the majority.

Now who has the last laugh?

By kYmberly Keeton-Photo Op provided by Filming Hip Hop.com