The Sandmann's Journal: Volume 5

1

FOCUS

ON GRENADA

Published on September 20, 2016

How can someone with an African backdrop qualify as the most prudent when it comes to matters of Arawakan antiquity? We must agree that there is a lot to discover. That is why we (you the reader and I the writer) should approach this subject as students. We are observers who marvel at the customs of the Aborigines. That curiosity is what leads us to make some necessary analysis. Like, how can a migrating people make their way to The Greater Antilles while avoiding the Lesser? Isn’t it safe to assume that the migration happened in succession?

As long as people moved from one location to another, we have to credit one group as the ancestors. That is because they are the couriers of the ethnic composition that their descendants currently manifest. When we look at religion, for example, we find that the majority of the modern inhabitants of the West Indies are Christian. However, some historians go by eccentric archaeological finds. They suggest that the religious beliefs of people from the West Indian culture have some elements of ancient Arawakan, Carib and African creeds as well.

According to oral tradition, some historians have used folklore, diaries, and old letters to understand Caribbean history better. Other historians suggest that the Taino people first inhabited the Caribbean Islands. We also know that a large number of people of ethnic origin usually come from various tribes or subgroups. There may have been a West Indian civilization that predates the Taino for there cannot be a people without an ancestry. If one lineage goes back to a people, in my opinion, there must be a point of origin that dates before them.

AFRICAN, TAINO,

ARAWAK, & CARIB ANCESTRY

As some archaeologists suggest, centuries ago, the Arawak people increasingly overcame the Tainos. That bit of information is very inspirational. These Aborigines also inhabited what we know as Canada and the United States. The Mayans, Aztecs, and Tainos occupied present-day North and South America. That made it safe to suggest that it is possible to assume the Aboriginal, Arawak, Taino, Aztecs, and Carib probably came from the same stem. As a freelance writer of biographical and documentary information, I cannot claim to have the ultimate answer.

There is evidence that shows that some present-day Grenadians may have come from Sierra Leone. With this bit of history, one could venture to suggest that many people from the West Indies have a West African or African lineage. If you analyzed this information through a sterile lens, one would find that there are still groups of tribal Temne people in Grenada today. There is cultural evidence that speaks to the presence of Sierra Leonean culture in Grenada right now.

Since the account is subject to various interpretations, one can also consider that the Arawakan and Carib cultures that the Africans met there still influence those who live there today. In Grenadian culture, they prepare a meal called Kalalu that is identical to Sierra Leone’s Cassava leaves. There is much to study about Grenadian heritage, so much information that historians have not uncovered. However, at this moment we can say Grenadians are descendants of Africans. They are also descendants of Taino, Arawak, Carib and Aboriginal settlers.

EUROPEAN INFLUENCE

Consequently, the Caribbean culture is a hybrid of an Aboriginal civilization that Africans inhabited but Europeans infused with Caucasian influences. By European, I am explicitly referring to Spanish, French and English colonizers. With confidence in my understanding of African heritage, I would say there is still a multitude of cultures and heritage from Europe that is present in Grenada and the West Indies at large.

Some of their customs and traditions originate from Africa, but those customs and traditions may or may not have remained the same over time. Let’s also note that the infiltration of European explorers had a fundamental effect on the cultural changes that took place in the West Indies. Africans added a mix to the customs there, but the infusion of various influences, form a perfect combination that gave rise to the cultures we see in Grenada today.*

2

THE ENDURING EFFORT

TO INSTILL FEAR IN OUR PSYCHE

Published on September 22, 2016

The current protests against police brutality in North America are at a stalemate. It is the notion of whom the law commands to yield to whom. The police are a force. Unlike the military’s capacity to establish global raids, police assaults happen nationally. The authorities expect the members of the public to submit to the cops or else they will force them to comply with their command. People believe that policeman and women are there for them.

The police only answer to their chief, judge, mayor or the governor. The police chief, judge, mayor or governor has the National Guard backing them. Therefore, the authorities have outgunned the public. Our officials are expected to work closely with legislators for the interest of the populace. But many have concocted policies that subjugate. These officials will even use deadly force against innocent people if they deem it necessary. That is the force we must protest.

The public believes that the police chief, judge, mayor or governor is a civil official who should never authorize deadly force against them. However, the courts or grand jury can justify acts of violence by the police because that murderer in their ranks, who has killed an innocent civilian, can also be the hero who confronted and neutralized a group of terrorists.

THE POLICE HAVE ORDERS TO KILL YOU

How can one explain this to a brainwashed person? To someone who does not view that hero as a potential murderer. What this means is, the police follow orders. There is an endless amount of cases where police used lethal force on an unarmed black man. It is easy to see that our public officials have trained the police to be murderous. They have tutored and instructed them to use deadly force against just about anyone besides themselves. The police have the authority to kill anyone who does not comply with their command.

The unwritten idea is to instill the fear of death, harm or the loss of freedom in the subconscious minds of the public. What I am saying is, we should direct all police brutality related protests at the Police Union. We should remove the mayor and the governor from office when there has been a police murder, and the said murderer is a policeman or a policewoman who has not faced justice. If we do not remove the mayor or governor from office, we should remove the district attorney, Member of Parliament, Congress, or local representatives and so on.

These are the people who write the laws and enforce them by representing us. They are the indirect murderers we protest. Many countries are already in a police state. Americans seem to be the only ones who are unaware that we (Americans) are also in a policed state. Our authorities do not follow the constitution anymore. Rights like freedom of speech or expression, freedom to bear arms and the pursuit of happiness are all measured. The rhetoric of justice and liberty is hot air. Consider slavery, the annihilation of the Aborigines, and the invasion of foreign countries.

TAXPAYERS FOOT THE BILL

For this reason, even after repeated calls to end police brutality, this type of killing is still happening. It cannot stop because we have given our authorities all the power. The public clings to a well-written constitution, but the police have orders to ignore it. Many officials no longer adhere to the law. It is dumb to riot against the police, destroy public property or protests in places unrelated to the authorities. That protest should target the people who give orders.

When a policeman or a policewoman murders while following the orders of their superior, the taxpayer funds the resources used and the consequences that follow. That could be a financial settlement, a repair, or replacement of equipment. That could be new police cars. It could be the renovation of the vandalized public property, or maybe the payment for new gadgets. When we destroy public property in a riot, we foot the bill as taxpayers.

Public property belongs to you and me, not the city or its officials. Although the authorities may use them against us, if we destroy them we sink ourselves deeper into debt. We are in a police state. Therefore we must change the focus of our protests. We should redirect the energy from those who follow orders and turn our attention to those who give them.*

3

COLIN

KAEPERNICK

Published on September 22, 2016

Since Mohamed Ali, it has not been common for mainstream athletes to take a controversial stand for the civil rights of Africans. Collin Kaepernick’s action is whether or not to stand up during the national anthem of the United States when the United States does not punish many of the law enforcement personnel who have murdered innocent black and brown people. When it comes to standing up in respect of the national anthem and the flag one must declaim cautiously. Racism and all, the United States has offered a blissful transformation to the lives of millions.

For my part, I firmly believe that I will not be where I am now without the United States. America did not only open large doors of opportunity for me, but she has also upheld me by putting money in my pocket. This country repaired my self-esteem so that today I live somewhat as a king would… in some countries. As a patriotic American citizen, you can always expect me to bleed red, white and blue. I glorify the life I live and the sacrifices that the veterans have made to allow that to be possible. I would also say the same for Canada.

I have always said that if the United States called me to defend it, I would answer that call. No doubt, the States has its enemies. I have personally had to protect myself against foreigners who assume that since I am an American, that means I am partly responsible for the government’s entire national and foreign policies that may be detrimental to other countries. That cannot be farther from the truth. Many American citizens believe that our government does not listen to the people. Many believe that the elections are rigged and that the officials do not follow the constitution. You will find many who estimate that the government has a secret agenda.

JUST LIKE DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.

That said, it is also essential for this generation to make a collective effort to finally destroy the barriers of racism, intolerance, and other injustices in the world. I am among those who had experienced racism when several times a racist Caucasian in America called me nigger to belittle me. If not because I wanted a job, I spoke up about something. I asked the wrong person out on a date or assumed that I deserve a high level of respect or privilege.

At first, I had not realized that those people belittled my race. I have often joked that I did not even know I am black until after I migrated to America. Granted, after visiting Europe, I also found racists there. When it comes to racial profiling in America, the police has stalked me on various occasions. Long before I recorded my first rap verse, they had pulled me over for bogus reasons, ticketed and summoned me to court. Moreover, it was at such an alarming rate that I became enraged. That is why I speak up, any chance I get. It’s a terrible experience.

JUST LIKE MUHAMAD ALI

My encounter with American law enforcement left me with the impression that they are insensitive bullies. Yes, I have seen white people get away with the same offenses that the police almost gave me a heart attack over. In America, something as simple as calling the police for help can lead to someone’s death. If they do not kill someone, they will most certainly disrespect and maltreat the person. Many of the charges that result from this corrupt policing end up on the criminal or credit record of their victims.

Those charges normally banishes the said victim to a life of low-income or an inability to escape a very flawed and cruel justice system.

Imagine living in constant fear of the police! Lose your temper once or make a silly mistake and you will end up dead, lose the already limited opportunities you seek or if lucky, pay a hefty fine? Also, the mainstream media, presidential or political candidates, major corporations and other major establishments always remain silent when a murderous policeman has walked free. They have policies for other injustices but none for police brutality. Many racists also rub this oppression in our (Africans) faces. That is a terrible experience!

In this context, I agree with Kaepernick’s viewpoint. Why stand up and show respect for a national anthem when the laws of the country do not provide for all of your human rights and dignity? Many African Americans do not trust the justice system in the United States. Policemen and policewomen commit murder and walk away free. The entire system is brutal and inhumane to people of a minority race. This injustice is also the case in Great Britain, Canada or other countries in the West but you never see the United Nations condemning them for that.

KNEELING

FOR WHAT IS RIGHT

America is a country where just about anyone can have the opportunity to become successful. One can earn a lot of money, enjoy some of the tastiest meals and wear some of the best clothing. One can also enjoy world-class entertainment. It is a place where you can get an excellent education, live in an impressive home, drive nice cars and be given the freedom to travel the world. How can this place be the same place where police brutality is incurable?

How can the country that stands as a world leader with notions of freedom, liberty, justice and the right to pursue happiness," be the same place where there is blatant injustice by the police? A place where your talent can cause you to become a millionaire, where human life is believed to be precious, how can it be the same place where the justice system does not hold murderers accountable for their crime especially if they come from law enforcement?

If a celebrity spoke up against these rampant double standards, the mainstream media taints that person is an anti-law enforcement reprobate. In this regard, we should applaud the San Francisco 46er quarterback for his call for justice for the victims of police brutality. Since the United Nations remain silent on the injustices that black people suffer in the western world, or stand boldly against crimes in centuries of American history. Yes, I would stand for the national anthem, but I also salute any athlete who decides to kneel to make this statement.*

4

SEXUALLY

RESTRAINED MEN

Published on October 10, 2016

Overall, this is a time for all men to