Thursday, July 17, 2008

This week's class: Afrika Today: The Afrika You Don't See













We were happy to offer this beautiful gift basket from Organic Root Stimulator and posted a question for thousands of recipients of last week's email. The question was hard and we received many incorrect answers, but only one submitted the correct one:
Her name is Lynda Richard and she was a former student of Dr. Kwaku's Afrikan World Civilizations Class.

The question: What is the name of the pioneering professor who proved through research with mitochondrial DNA that the entire human race evolved from one Afrikan woman?

Answer: Rebecca Cahn


THIS WEEK's BLACK HISTORY QUIZ WINNER:
Each week there is a quiz from their book 365 Days of the African American Experience, donated by author Deloris Holt. This week's winner is DeVoux Grant who bested another student in a tie breaker. He is pictured as above with Jaaye Person-Lynn who taught the class on the History of Hip Hop.
DeVoux won a gift certificate for a free meal at Simply Wholesome.
For more about BH4YP, read Dr.Kwaku's Blog


This Week: Afrika Today with Isidra Person-Lynn

Last week, Jaaye Person-Lynn did an excellent job of pinch hitting for Dr. Kwaku, lecturing on the history of Hip Hop. If we are to speak to (and be heard by) this generation we are going to have to hear them and if they are to hear us they have to know we are listening. A few well worn words that we tolerate in entertainment movies and songs surely can be tolerated to talk about the history of this art form which has catapulted African Americans with no chance of making it to be box office draws, own basketball teams and own movie studios that have the genre of films we have long awaited like Stomp the Yard, Etc.
Saturday, July 26 is our last class and the parents and sponsors are invited to join us.
During that class, parents will have a chance to win the 2nd basket from Organic Root Stimulator. We will take the class picture then as well. The students and sponsors will be presented with a beautifully designed certificate.

Next Class (July 19): Isidra Person-Lynn teaches the class about Afrika Today. If you still think that when you go to Africa you will see a cheetah before you see a store you’ve been bamboozled. While some students have already been there, many more do not know of the sheer beauty, wonder, artistry , technology and yes, frustration that exists on today’s Afrikan continent.
She will show there is not much difference between Urban Afrikan teens from the Continent and those here in the class; demonstrate the custom of backwrapping babies, discuss rites of passage, Afrikan textiles, cooking , rites of passage and African businesses.)
At the time of this writing, this moment our son So Lynn is in Nigeria at a concert featuring Chris Brown and other popular acts. Sponsored by www.thisdayonline.com an Afrikan daily newspaper, the first concert featured Beyonce, Jay Z and Snoop. Like America, Africa is not all urban but it's not all rural. It’s different, but its us.
Dr. Kwaku is Back! The First hour of class he will focus on the following:
Looking at the Transatlantic Slave Trade










The trans-Atlantic slave trade was the most horrendous and longest human transport system ever conceived in world history. The class will be exposed to the intricacies of that vicious institution, see how it worked and visually visit the two largest slave castles in West Afrika: El Mina in Ghana; and Goree Island off the coast of Senegal.
The class will also get a sample of how certain cultural styles in hip hop are the same or similar to cultural styles among the Nubians in the Nile Valley.
Hope to see you in class:
Message to the Parents:

Dragging the Kids to a Black History Class
So, who is the boss in your house hold? Maybe it is time to take a stand.
Dear Parent is this your Saturday morning? You get up picking up after kids who are furiously wiping out some life form on the video game you worked hard to give them…You don’t want to fuss and they are on vacation. You want to take them to Dr. Kwaku’s class but they are shy, would pitch a fit, hang back and you don’t feel like the bother.
Correct me if I am wrong but this is NOT the way you grew up. You grew up with a list iof chores to do before you could play or watch TV or go outside (go-outside???What a concept!)

You picked up a lot of Black history because at Sunday Dinner that's what the entire family discussed. (Continue reading...)
Build Your Library for Half Price:
TWO WEEKS LEFT!
Dr. Kwaku is having a half price sale on selected titles of his DVD collection.
Each DVD will be sold for only $10 for a limited time
You may pick them up at class, or order them by mail. This offer is not valid for Paypal offers,
1. Afrikan World Civilizations – produced by Kwaku Person-Lynn - $10
A graphic lecture covering the history and culture of Black people all over the world.
2. Afrikan World Masters – produced by Kwaku Person-Lynn - $10
Interviews and lectures by: John Henrik Clarke, Ivan Van Sertima, Frances Cress Welsing and Fela Anikulapo Kuti
3. Autobiography of Malcolm X - $10 A feature documentary with the real Malcolm X produced by his wife Betty Shabazz
4. Cheikh Anta Diop – Afrikan Origin of Civilization - $10 His only interview in the United States
5. The Moors – Lecture by Ivan Van Sertima - $10 A history of the Moors and their accomplishments in Europe
6. Garifuna – History of the Afrikans in Belize - $10 A documentary on the history and culture of Black people in Belize
7. Afrikan Presence In Ancient Asia – Runoko Rashidi - $10 A graphic lecture on Afrikan influence in Asia
8. Blacks In The Bible Charles B. Copher - $10
The Afrikan ancestry from Adam to Jesus
9. A Great And Mighty Walk John Henrik Clarke - $10
The greatest Afrikan historical documentary ever made
10. Civilization Before Greece and Rome Ivan Van Sertima - $10 An essential lecture on the accomplishment of Afrikans before Europe
Your young people are learning, so you must stay a step ahead! Driving while listening to educational CD's makes you oblivious to traffic! Stock up now! Order Here

Now Posted--The Adult Class Starts September 19
We will post the Class Schedule and Registration Forms
by then!
Captions:
1)Lynda Richard won the basket from Organic Root Stimulator; 2) De Voux Grant won this week's 365 Days of the African American Experience Quiz, 3) Hannah Kirkpatrick browses through Eso Won Books during a tour in Leimert Park.

No comments: