Join Us on the Radio Again

I hope you were able to listen to the broadcast on Saturday. If not, you can still listen. Click here for the Waking Passions Show.

We talked about Black success, the importance of loving ourselves and helping others, and taking responsibility for transforming our lives.

To hear more about transformation, see Healing Our Communities.

Click here for more radio interviews.

President Obama's First Year in Office

President Obama has been compared with FDR many times. Like Roosevelt, President Obama has come to office at a time of great economic upheaval. Unlike Roosevelt, President Obama and his administration have decided that in order to rescue the economy, it is necessary to bail out the banks financially.

However, Obama is very aware of history and he has taken a page from FDR's book. (Of course, he is being criticised for this as well.) To read more, see: Rescue from the Brink of Economic Collapse.

Many people in the media have been criticising Obama. This is nothing new. They say he has reneged on his campaign promises. But I remember what he actually said. To read more, see: President Obama's Inauguration Day.

Join Me on the Radio: Understanding Black Success

I hope you will join us on the radio this Saturday, 6th February, when I will be interviewed on Waking Passions on the subject of Understanding Black Success.

Just click on this link to listen in: Understanding Passions.

Please join us in the chatroom or feel free to phone in with any questions. The show will air at 2:00 p.m. EST, 7:00 p.m. UK time.

The Black Queen, Charlotte Sophia

Happy Black History Month/African Heritage Month, everybody!

Of course, some people say every month is Black History Month.

What was the relationship between the Black Queen, Charlotte Sophia, and Queen Victoria?

I will be publishing Black history questions and answers over at Black History International. I will update these frequently, so please keep coming back.

More Help for Haiti - African-Led Initiatives

For African-led initiatives to help Haiti and donate for relief, supplies and more, see:

More News from Haiti

Haiti Grassroots Initiatives

For more ways to donate to Haiti, see:

Help Survivors of Quake in Haiti.

150,000 Reported Dead in Haiti

The current death toll in the Haiti earthquake disaster is 150,000 people. Many more are still buried under the rubble. Click here to read more.

Many more are at risk of death due to

• starvation
• thirst
• serious injuries
• lack of medical care and supplies.

Many people are having to have limbs amputated. There is a lack of anaesthesia and other medical supplies. Many people all over the world are raising money to help the victims of this devastating earthquake. There are many initiativef from Black/African communities all over the world.

Click here to read more about grassroots organising for Haiti.

Click here for more about how you can help.

A lot of the devastation was preventable - the infrastructure of Haiti has literally been crumbling for many years. Let us work together to bring about a more positive future for our brothers and sisters in Haiti.

More News on Haiti + Grassroots Organising

The Hairoine Haiti Fundraiser tomorrow, Sunday 24th January

The Hairoine shows you how you can help Haiti : Due to the devastating earthquake which hit Haiti , our Hairoine Expo event is now a charity event. When you buy a Hairoine product, all profits will go to the Haitian earthquake relief effort. The Hairoine Founder, Angie (originally from Haiti ) and her husband will also match every Franc / Euro / Dollar raised on the night with their own funds. On Sun 24 Jan at 3pm at The Hairoine HQ, Paquis, Geneva , Switzerland . Tel: 076 414 5456. If you would like to make a contribution go to: www.thehairoine.ning.com

My fellow AfroSpear member African American Political Pundit (AAPP) on his Political Slugfest radio show asks some key questions including:

• Is the U.S. doing enough to help Haiti?
• What are the Black churches doing to help Haiti?

Doctors have been turned back in order to let in the U.S. military.

He makes the point that the response to the Haitian crisis mirrors the response to Katrina.

Alkebulan are organising via Voice of Africa Radio.

Wyclef Jean argues that food aid to Haiti must be sustainable.

People being treated in hospital have been lying in beds without being fed for four days or more. Many of them have had to have limbs amputated. And when they leave hospital, they will be homeless. Click here to read more and to watch the videos.

For more videos on the Haiti crisis, see Africa and Africans on Film.

United Haitins UK (uhuk.org) are organising on the ground. They have sent a representative to Haiti who has a wide grassroots network. People in the UK will be liaising with them.

They report that there is a need for wind-up radios so that people can remain in communication.

The people of Haiti are largely unaware of how strong the response has been around the world. The need to be aware of the love and care that is coming from African people everywhere.

The Israeli response has also been phenomenal.

Feminine hygiene products are also needed.

Next Saturday, 30th January, there will be a follow-up meeting to the press conference last weekend. The meeting will be held at Southwark Town Hall in South London.

Help at Last for Haiti

At last, some aid is getting through to the people of Haiti.

The U.S. armed forces are dropping supplies. This has been criticised as the supplies are not necessarily reaching the people who need them most. At least, this is a start, although some say this will lead to riots as people fight over food and other supplies.

Click here to donate blood for Haiti.

Click here for more about how you can help.

The current death toll is reported as 200,000 but this is sure to rise due to shortages of water and other supplies, as well as medical help. Many people are suffering serious injuries.

Historically, Haiti has been impoverished from slavery onwards. However, the people of Haiti have always fought back against oppression. Check out this video posted on All about Race, in which the Haitian Ambassador to the United States describes how the Haitian Revolution liberated South America. Simon Bolivar travelled from Haiti.

The whole region and the European powers, which held colonies which were worked by slave labour, as well as the United States, were all shook up by the Haitian Revolution. The country has been used as a political football ever since. To read more, see Two Films about Haiti. See also, African People's Self-Liberation.