Black History Films

Spent Saturday afternoon watching another excellent Black history presentation by Tony Warner at the Imperial War Museum. To listen to my interview with him from last October, visit the Success Strategies Radio Show.

On Saturday, Tony showed a film of interviews with African Caribbean war veterans, talking about the way they were treated when they settled in Britain after the war.

He then screened another film, titled "Playing the Race Card", about how successive Labour and Tory governments brought in legislation to prevent immigration from Africa and the Caribbean in the '60s and '70s, but did nothing to support the Black people living here.

The film pointed out thtat there were not measures to slow down or curb immigration from Ireland, which was not a member of the British Commonwealth.

In the 1970s, many people who had originated from India but had been living in Kenya and Uganda settled in the UK after receiving pressure from Idi Amin and Jomo Kenyatta. Although they held British passports, many Kenyan Asans discovered that the law had suddenly changed to prevent them from settling in Britain.

Tony pointed out that, although there were huge labour shrtages at the time, African, Caribbean and Asian people were still being discriminated against in employment.

The presentation finished with a short film celebrating some of the many contributions African women have made. I strongly recommend it. Click here to watch it.

Tony's site, Black History Walks, lists future events he will be offering.

I made a decision that this year, I would focus more on the positive. Even though, oppression, discrimination and pain feature largely in our history, alongside this, it is important to focus on the positive. Hence, my article on Black History International.

I therefore add the following comments:

(1) Knowledge is power. I'm sure President Obama has told his children about the way his Kenyan grandfather was treated during Britain's occupation of Kenya. For more about this, see Obama's Inauguration.

Gloria J. Browne-Marshall told me that some of her students in New York from Caribbean backgrounds were not even aware that slavery had happened. Tony Warner told me on Saturday that he had encountered this himself. This kind of ignorance renders us more vulnerable to manipulation by those who would exploit and oppress us. To listen to my interview with Marshall, go to Success Strategies Radio Show.

(2) Tony Warner and I have both heard Black people (who should know better) say that too many immigrants are coming to this country now. These Black people need to be educated to know that they are behaving the same way white people behaved towards their ancestors one or two generations ago.

(3) Along with these stories of oppression and discrimination, there are always stories of courage, of resistance, of African brothas and sistas who have stood up against evil, and fought for their rights and the rights of others. These stories continue to inspire me.

(4) Most importantly, we need to remember that white people are not the enemy (although they often seem to be). The enemy is group mentality. Another example of vicious group mentality and its consequences is the Rwandan genocide as portrayed in Hotel Rwanda. A very small number of people were courageous enough to stand up to the group and behave as individuals in that situation.

I talk more about group mentality and the need for individuality in The Key to Confidence, and in my book What They Don't Want Us to Know.

Video Budget Message from President Obama

I enjoy receiving emails from the President. No message from any previous President has ever landed in my inbox.

Having said that, what is President Obama saying? We have a long road ahead of us, we have a lot of work to do. We have to work together.

I could be cynical and say “same old, same old”. But it’s a message that bears repeating. Especially since the previous administration seemed to be intent on communicating a very different message: Get all you can for yourself, forget about everyone else.

Obama is talking about putting money into affordable healthcare, education and investing for the future. He is even talking about tax cuts for low-income families. I can get behind all of these aims.

Click here to watch this Obama video.

Click here for the Key to Financial Prosperity.

Obama's whole style is different from that of the politicians that went before him. I've said this before. His style is about inclusion. I find this very inspiring. Don't know if it will work yet, but one thing is sure: we have to learn from history or we will be condemned to repeat it.

Building Wealth: Learn from Experience

Did you know that John H. Johnson, founder of Ebony magazine and the Johnson publishing empire, studied biographies of Black achievers and freedom fighters such as Booker T. Washington and Frederick Douglass? It was important to him to follow their examples as he climbed from poverty to wealth and business success.

For more about the importance of positive role models, see Do You Think Like a Success?

For more about John H. Johnson and other African American achievers, see Black Wealth.

Here's to your success!

The Courage of One Man

As I'm sure you are aware, Hotel Rwanda is the story of the courage of one man, Paul Paul Rusesabagina, who stood up as an individual at a time when group mentality threatened his life, and hundreds of thousands of people were killed. Rusesabagina saved the lives of hundreds of people during the Rwandan genocide. There are other stories of individual courage we have not yet been told.

To read more, see Hotel Rwanda.

See also Black History International.

I talk about the individual vs. the group in my ebooks What They Don't Want Us to Know and The Key to Everything.

Black History International

This year, with the election of President Obama, we have more to celebrate than usual. Check out this article about Black History International.

It includes

• Harriet Tubman


• Harriet Jacobs


• Rosa Parks


• Malcom X

African and African American freedom fighters, writers, entertainers and more.

President Obama is aware of the history of Kenya and how it affected his family. To read more, visit Obama's Inauguration.

Check it out: Black History International.

Articles Wanted: Michelle Obama as a Positive Role Model

I am seeking articles on Michelle Obama. For more info, see Is Michelle Obama a Positive Role Model?

You may also be interested in:

Ebony Intuition: Michelle Obama Covers Vogue March 2009

African American Relationships Guides

Is Marriage for White People?

Personally, I don't think marriage is for a particular race, culture or group. It's for anybody who wants it. Many people see marriage as a sacred trust. I certainly do. I was brought up in the church. However, being a Buddhist challenges this. For us, marriage is not a sacrament.

To me, marriage is different from any other type of relationship. It is different from living with someone (I've done both). It is a commitment acknowledged publicly by one's friends and family.

Anyway, check out this somewhat distubing article on "Marriage Is for White People".

Clearly, marriage is a choice. It'snot something anybody has to do. I'm looking to explore this more in my forthcoming African American Relationships Guides. Please submit an article if you would like to. I want to know what you think.

Black History Virtual Book Fair

Ella D. Curry of the Black Authors Network has launched her second annual Black History Virtual Book fair, which celebrates African American cultural heritage.

Storytellers, librarians, historians, teachers, parents and motivational speakers are invited to participate in this event, the theme of which is "Give the Gift of Knowledge".

To read more, visit: http://www.edc-creations.com/blackhistorybookfairthemes.html

Today Only: Launch of Love Letter to Black People

Today - Tuesday, February 10, 2009 - is the official online book launch for the powerful new book by Brian McClellan entitled A Love Letter to Black People: Audaciously Hopeful Thoughts on Race and Success. You are invited to join the party and purchase you copy of "Love Letter" at the following URL:
http://www.readerviews.com/Launch-McClellan-index.html

What they are already saying about Love Letter

Brian has truly created a masterpiece -- meticulously researched, beautifully written, uncompromisingly insightful, and 'get-out-of-your-chair' motivating. - André Taylor, Entrepreneur and Author of You Can Still Win!

I strongly recommend this book to anyone - of any race - whether as an interesting sociological study or an inspiring handbook for success. - Kristen Galles, BookClubClassics.com A Love Letter to Black People

When you buy A Love Letter to Black People TODAY (Tuesday, February 10, 2009) by visiting the following URL (http://www.readerviews.com/Launch-McClellan-index.html), you will get it at a great discount and receive many gifts and bonuses with it such as exclusive excerpts of books from Larry Coleman, Judy Lubin, Hillary Roy and Rose Mitchell - and me. Also, your purchase will automatically enter you into a drawing to win one of 20 autographed copies of books from critically acclaimed author Gary Unger and even Brian McClellan's first book, The Real Bling. Get your bonus chapter on "Achieving Success" from my ebook What They Don't Want Us to Know.

So I strongly urge you to check it out and claim your free bonuses.

Elvis Costello and Smokey Robinson

Channel surfing the other day, I came across a programme in which Elvis Costello was interviewing Smokey Robinson on stage at the Apollo Theatre in Harlem. Two music legends in conversation.

It was a magical moment. Smokey told the story of when he met Ray Charles for the first time and Charles helped him out of a difficult situation. In fact, it would have been a disaster had it not been for Charles's intervention. Read all about it at Celebrating the Legend that Is Motown.

Smokey also talked about working with Marvin Gaye and how he "Marvinised" every song he sang - he made every song his own.

In this Black History Month/African Heritage Month, we may be very aware of the suffering we have endured and our fight for survival. It's also important to remember and celebrate the good times.

Then I saw the end credits. And who produced this TV gem? Among others, David Furnish and Sir Elton John.

New Respect for Ainsley Harriott

I love Ready, Steady, Cook. It's a great show.

And I gained new respect for the presenter, Ainsley Harriott, yesterday after his appearance on The Wright Stuff. While professing his respect for Carol Thatcher, he also said, "people think because they [gollywogs] are cute and cuddly, it's okay to use that word. It's not on".

See also: Carol Thatcher and the Gollywog Remark. She has been sacked from one of her shows on the BBC after refusing to apologise for comparing someone's hair to that of a gollywog. She insists this was not a racist remark.

Carol Thatcher and the Gollywog Remark

Apparently, Carol Thatcher made a remark at work, at the BBC, comparing someone's hair to that of a gollywog. This was being discussed on The Wright Stuff this morning. Carol Thatcher is a frequent panel member on the show. Remember, this is the same show on which Henry Bonsu used to be a panel member before they got rid of him with no explanation. He talks about this in my book Black Success Stories.

The panel pretty much agreed that this is a storm in a teacup, as Thatcher's remark was made privately. Sanjeev Bhaskar is making jokes about it.

These kinds of grotesque images were widely circulated in the African colonies to reinforce negative stereotypes about African people, as the the late Len Garrison, founder of the Black Cultural Archives explains in Black Success Stories.

I don't think anyone should have to work in a workplace where these kinds of remarks are being made.

One of the key areas in which Black people were taught to have negative thoughts and feelings about ourself was around our hair. To read more about this, read The Key to Confidence and Self-Esteem. See also What They Don't Want Us to Know.

We Need to Heal

Once again, I find myself involved with a Black organisation in which people are sniping at each other, launching personal attacks and generally undermining one another.

As people of African heritage, we were taught to hate ourselves. That's why we often find so much conflict within Black groups and organisations. It's why there is sometimes so much distrust between African people. When you see Black people tearing each other apart, and when we engage in that kind of behaviour ourselves, this is one of the reasons. We are very wounded and we need to heal these wounds.

To read the rest of this article, visit The Key to Confidence and Self-Esteem.

Obama: The View from Brixton

Obama Signs Order to Close Guanatanamo - brilliant news to wake up to. Our new President appears to be a man of action who is starting as he means to go on.

Obama's Inauguration Day: I have added a link to a video made in Brixton, on "Obama, the new American Zeitgeist?" Please read my article and add your comments.

Obama's Inauguration Day Today

On Tuesday 20^th January 2009, Barack Hussein Obama will be inaugurated as the 44^th President of the United States.

Inauguration parties will be held all over the world. In London, the Democrats Abroad ball is sold out, but you can celebrate at various TGI Friday’s, as well as Madame Tussaud’s or the Tricycle Cinema in Northwest London. Free events include Rich Mix in Bethnal Green Road, East London and the “Dare To Dream, Yes You Can” event at Bernie Grant Arts Centre in Tottenham, North London. These events include live screenings of the inauguration.

Where will you be celebrating the inauguration? To read more and leave your comments, visit: Obama's Inauguration Day. See also Barack Obama: African American Success Story and Celebrating Barack Abama.

What Inspires You about Obama?

President Obama’s campaign was characterised by unity and inclusion. Similarly to Nelson Mandela, he gave a clear message that he would be President for all Americans. This followed in the tradition of Martin Luther King, who gathered support from many different segments of the American public, including poor whites, and Jesse Jackson’s Rainbow Coalition. For more on Martin Luther King’s legacy, visit Daddy B Strong’s blogs on The Gift of Dr. King and Are There Any Drum Majors in Here?

Many African American people were strongly moved and inspired by the vision of an African American President. Obama’s election was truly groundbreaking. He mobilized sections of society which are notorious for failing to vote, e.g. young Black people, who often feel marginalized and disenfranchised.

On the day we celebrate the inauguration of the first African American President of the United States, I ask: What inspires you about President Obama?

What inspires you about President Obama?

Celebrating Barack Obama

People all over the world are still celebrating Obama's victory.

His picture is on the covers of Essence and GQ.

Ebony have devoted their entire issue to him as their first-ever "Person of the Year".

And Pride, a UK Black women's magazine, feature Barack, Michelle and their girls on the cover.

To read the rest of this article, please visit:

http://www.squidoo.com/Celebrating-Obama

Here is a list of some of my other recent Obama blogs:

Polling Day

I went to the doctor's this morning and he said, "Make sure you get it right this time. I've emailed all my American friends and told them to get it right this time." He also said, "It would have made a huge difference if Al Gore had won". And he is a white Englishman.

Happy Birthday, America!

This truly is a new day. A new dawn. On a level, I realise, I never thought I would see this in my lifetime. A Black man in the White House. Now anything is possible. Whole new possibilities have opened up. Things that were not conceivable yesterday can happen now. I felt like this when apartheid ended in South Africa and Nelson Mandela was elected. I feel it even more strongly now.

I Keep Crying – Great Post-Election Videos

Message from President Obama

It is so important for us as people of African heritage to celebrate our successes. To read my article, "Do You Think Like a Success", visit
http://www.squidoo.com/Do-You-Think-Like-a-Success

Have a great day!

Financial Prosperity + Positive Changes in 2009

Happy New Year, everybody!

I've only recently gotten back from a two-week Buddhist retreat. It was brilliant. What a way to start the year. It's difficult being back home in London, however. The noise, the dirt, the aggression of the people, the stress. I wish I were back in the clean, fresh air and peaceful environment of the Welsh hills.

But enough about me.

Are you serious about improving your life in 2009? If so, you need my book, Success Strategies for Black People.

In these troubled times, we need to find new ways of achieving success, both financially and in other areas of our lives. Download a free chapter on “Achieving Success” from my ebook What They Don’t Want Us to Know at: http://tinyurl.com/96vtx5

Check out my article on Financial Prosperity at http://www.blacksuccess1.com/keytofinancialprosper.htm

For more articles, and for ongoing advice and support, join my free Nurture Success online community at http://nurturesuccess.multiply.com/

Barack Obama: African American Success Story

Barack Obama is one of the most important African American successful role models in history.

What can people of African heritage learn from his success? How can we apply this to our own lives?

You can read the rest of this article here:
http://www.squidoo.com/Barack-Obama---African-American-Success-

Have a great day!

Positive Cultural Reinforcement for African American Parents

How do African American people shop for gifts?

Probably the same way everyone else does.

But on top of all the other considerations, African American people often want to find gifts which are culturally relevant for us and our children.

Christmas and Kwanzaa provide excellent opportunities for positive cultural reinforcement.

Click here to read the rest of this article.

Click here for my free guide to Black holiday gifts.

Barack Obama: African American Success Story

Barack Obama is one of the most important African American successful role models in history.

People all over the world are still celebrating Barack Obama's election victory. Of course, for African American people, this success has particular significance.

What can African American people learn from his success?

To read the rest of this article, click here.