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Susan
Mangatal - susan@ariousentertainment.us
Greetings
On-Line Family:
This
past Tuesday, November 11th, 2008, America paid tribute to its
veterans.
We
honor and respect those who are living and also those who gave up their
lives while serving this great country - The United States
of America.
Millions
are currently serving, and we at Arious honor these brave men
and women for their contributions, their dedication and
loyalty. They have indeed made some ultimate sacrifices to
benefit many. Certainly, they have courageously committed
to working towards extending freedom and advancing peace to many
around the world; and for which they are greatly respected and
appreciated.
Veterans
day to me is very solemn. So even though we honor these
great men and women, I am deeply saddened by the human cost of
the wars they serve in, especially these wars on
terror. To date, approximately 4,197 lives have been
lost in the Iraq war, and hundreds more in the Afghanistan
war. As for the injured, there is approximately
30,793 plus, which is very painful to absorb. I
find myself often thinking about the families of those who are
in foreign lands serving in these wars on terror, and I'm sure
the worrying about their safety by their loved ones must be
maddening.
However,
continuing on with the positive side of this issue, I must say
once again we truly thank these brave men and women for their
dedicated service.
Incidentally,
Veterans
Day cannot be recognized without mentioning the "Buffalo
Soldiers". The details below are courtesy of www.buffalosoldiers.com.
"Buffalo
Soldiers" were African-Americans who were former
slaves, freemen and Civil War Soldiers who fought in
military conflicts since colonial days.
They
participated in many military operations such as: The
Spanish American War, the Philippine Insurrection,; The
Mexican Expedition, World War I, World War II and the
Korean Police Action. Buffalo Soldiers are known
for the unsurpassed courage and patriotism they fought
with distinction an all of this country's military
engagements.
However,
some of their most notable contributions and sacrifices
came during the Civil War. During that conflict, more
than 180,000 African-Americans wore the Union Army
blue. Another 30,000 served in the Navy, and 200,000
served as workers on labor, engineering, hospital and
other military support projects. More than 33,000 of
these gallant soldiers gave their lives for the sake of
freedom and their country.
For
Additional Details click the following link: http://www.buffalosoldiers.com
or http://www.buffalosoldier.net/
0r http://www.buffalosoldiermuseum.com/
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The
story of the name "Buffalo Soldiers" is as
follows:
"Throughout
the era of the Indian Wars, approximately twenty percent of the
U.S. Cavalry troopers were Black, and they fought over 177
engagements. The combat prowess, bravery, tenaciousness, and
looks on the battlefield, inspired the Indians to call them
"Buffalo Soldiers." Many Indians believe the name
symbolized the Native American's respect for the Buffalo
Soldiers' bravery and valor. Buffalo
Soldiers, down through the years, have worn the name with
pride."
As I did some research, I came
across some "Buffalo Soldiers" that I hope you would
find interesting, as I have. Click on the following link to
learn about 9 men "Buffalo Soldiers" who served in the
Army's Italian Campaign in World War II. http://www.loc.gov/vets/stories/ex-war-buffalosoldiers.html.
They are: sham G. Genton; William C. Gryant, Elvin V.
Davidson, John C. Foster Jr., Luther E. Hall, Robert P. Madison,
A. William Perry, Rothacker C. Sith and Roscoe T. Spann.
Victory...Victory...Victory!
President
Elect
Barack
Hussein Obama
The
44th President of the United States of America
Victory...Victory...Victory!
Quietly,
many of us are still celebrating the victorious milestone that
was reached by President Elect Barack Hussein Obama last week
Tuesday, November 4, 2008. Being elected the First
African-American President of the United States of America is
historical and awesome.
As
historical as this is, I understand many are having an awful
time accepting this important fact across the country.
obviously, race is still a major factor in this nation, which is
horrifying. Nonetheless, over the past week we went back
to our daily routine and tuned into the conservative talk radio
shows. Sure enough they were back at bashing President
Elect Obama, his wife, his family and his team. This irked
me immensely, and what made me even sicker was when one of the
idiot talk show hosts while talking about Michelle Obama acted
as if he was about to vomit by the mention of her name. So
hateful huh? I was extremely appalled, but had to
"sock it up" and accept the fact that race continues
to rule in this nation. Undoubtedly, it will be a
difficult road ahead for President Obama, not only with the mess
he inherits, but with the hateful people who dislike him because
of his race. [With this in mind we must certainly keep
President Obama and his family in our prayers always.]
Additionally,
I heard some black talk show hosts making some crazy statements
against the newly elected President which was extremely
disturbing. This had me thinking about the "crab in
the barrel" mentality we have exhibited throughout time,
and how much it's beginning to show it's nasty head already -
only a few days after President Elected Obama's
winning.
After
"letting off some steam" to my colleague Ms. Gerri,
and expressed my fears and disappointments, she spent some time
discussing this serious issue with me and succeeded with
reassuring me that everything will be fine! Soon after Ms
Gerri departed my office, she e-mailed me the following
statement, which I feel sums up what needs to be done.
"Now that we have
arrived to this era in history, we must all remember to show the
same respect to Barack Obama, our new president, as we have our
past presidents. Just remember, throughout many of our
past presidents’ trials and tribulations we continued to serve
them well. We should at least show President Obama the
same support, especially with all of the many new tasks that
await him; we must advocate together not to become the Achilles’
heel in this new administration by dissecting every word or
action. Most importantly, we must be mindful that he was
supported and elected by ALL cultures and races."
Additionally, we must
realize that President Elect Obama owes us nothing!
Personally, I feel he has already done a lot by becoming the
44th President of the United States. He showed me, and
many across the country especially our children and grand
children that "Yes...we can do it - "Yes, we
certainly can achieve all we aspire!"
I feel he may not be able
to do a lot to directly changed our lives. However, he
will indeed be able to help overall with some things getting
better on a whole, but it's truly up to us to (1) stop pulling
one another down, (2) stop losing out in the economic race; (3)
our youths stop with the taking of each other's lives; (4) stop
with us being incarcerated; etc. We must begin to UNITE,
RESPECT AND LOVE each other; and most importantly, for every one
of us that achieve success we must learn to help 10 others
achieve what we have achieved. Power will positively be
achieved this way...economic power and our voices will be ever
louder and heard clearer.
As I think back to the
Million Man March I fondly recall the "Million Man
Pledge" that black men were to use on a daily basis to help
bring change in their lives. It may be something we need
to begin to say as a people to help with bringing change in our
immediate lives. I have added it below. so check it out.
Million
Man Pledge
I pledge that from
this day forward I will strive to love my brother as I
love myself.
I from this day
forward will strive to improve myself spiritually,
morally, mentally, socially, politically, and
economically for the benefit of myself, my family, and
my people.
I pledge that I
will strive to build business, build houses, build
hospitals, build factories, and then to enter
international trade for the good of myself, my family,
and my people.
I pledge that from
this day forward I will never raise my hand with a
knife or a gun to beat, cut, or shoot any member of my
family or any human being, except in self-defense.
I pledge from this
day forward I will never abuse my wife [husband] by striking
her [him], disrespecting her [him] for she [he] is the mother
[father] of my
children and the producer of my future.
I pledge that from
this day forward I will never engage in the abuse of
children, little boys, or little girls for sexual
gratification. But I will let them grow in peace to be
strong men and women for the future of our people. I
will never again use the B word to describe my female,
but particularly my own Black sister.
I pledge from this
day forward that I will not poison my body with drugs
or that which is destructive to my health and my well
being.
I pledge from this
day forward, I will support Black newspapers, Black
radio, Black television. I will support Black artists,
who clean up their acts to show respect for themselves
and respect for their people, and respect for the ears
of the human family.
I will do all of
this so help me God.
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 "We
may not get there in one year or even in one term,"
"But, America, I have never been more hopeful than I am
tonight that we will get there. I promise you, we as a people
will get there."
President
Barack Obama
It's 66 days
before President Elect Obama is sworn into his new position -
The President of the United States of America.
 Mariam
Makeba the "Mama Africa"
Many around
the world is mourning the death of the legendary singer Mariam
Makeba "Mama Africa" on Monday, November 10th,
2008. Ms. Makeba died at the age of 76 of a heart attack
directly after leaving the stage in Italy! Photographer
by Jurgen Schadeberg
Ms. Makeba, was born in
Johannesburg on March 4, 1932, and was one of Africa's best
known singers. She was well known for her hits "Pata
Pata" and "The Click Song". In her dazzling
career, Ms. Makeba performed with musical legends from around
the world; jazz maestros Nina Simone and Dizzy Gillespie, as
well as Harry Belafonte, Paul Simon, and she even sang for world
leaders such as John F. Kennedy and Nelson Mandela.
Ms. Mekeba was known for speaking
out about the abuses of apartheid, and expressed this through
her music. Her distinctive style which was a combination
of jazz, folk and South African township rhythms, eventually got
her banned from South Africa for 3 decades. The South
African white regime revoked Makeba's citizenship in 1960 and
even refused to let her return for her mother's funeral. The
singer spent these three decades in exile, living in the United
States, Guinea and Europe.
In 1960 Ms. Makeba
married black power activist Stokely Carmichael, later known as
Kwame ture and moved to Guinea. In 1962, due
to her close relationship with Harry Belafonte she performed for
President Kennedy at his birthday party. In 1963,
she appeared before the U.N. Special Committee on Apartheid to
call for an international boycott of South Africa, which led to
the South African Government to ban her records. In
1966, Ms. Makeba along with her good friend Harry
Belfonte received a Grammy Award for Best Folk Recording for
"An Evening With Belafonte/Makeba" which dealt with
the political plight of black South Africans under
apartheid. Ms. Mekeba also worked with Simone and
Gillespie, and in 1987 appeared with Paul Simon at
his "Graceland" concert in Zimbabwe. In
1990 Ms. Makeba was invited back to South Africa by
Mandela shortly after his release from prison.
Ms. Makeba continued singing and performing
all across the world for all these years, and in 2005 announced
her retirement, but despite a series of farewell concerts she
never stopped performing. When she turned 75 last year, she said
she would sing for as long as possible.
Ms. Makeba is survived by her grandchildren,
Nelson Lumumba Lee and Zenzi Monique Lee, and her
great-grandchildren Lindelani, Ayanda and Kwame. Her funeral
will be held in South Africa To the family, friends and
fans our sincerest condolences are sent to you. May the
fond memories of Ms. Makeba forever live on within your
soul. She indeed left a legacy of music behind.
Check out the
following Christmas Parang performed by Eric Powder for
President Elect Obama by CLICKING
HERE!
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Foundation
Reggae Artist
Coco
Tea
"Barack
Obama"
Powered
by YouTube
(Click
the picture below to check out the song and video!)
www.myspace.com/cocotea |
Legendary
Calypso Singer Mighty Sparrow
"Barack
The Magnificent"
Powered
by YouTube
(Click
the picture below to check out the song and video!)
www.mightysparrow.com |
Barack
Obama Song By JFC
and Featuring SAMO
Powered
by YouTube
(Click
the picture below to check out the song and video!)
Watch out for
SAMO's new HOT reggae release -- coming soon!!!
www.myspace.com/samosings2008
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam'O |
 Thanks
to the many who have sent me e-mails in
response to my past E-Newsletters and lots of important
information to use for our future E-Newsletters. Most importantly, I thank you for your
encouraging words! So until next week... please enjoy, and
be safe this Weekend and the upcoming week!!
 
     
Also
to all of you, thanks for reading, sharing your thoughts
and comments with us, and for always supporting
us. As you know without you there would be no us, so thanks very much for your support and One Love!
For All Events
Go To
Our "Events"
Page
Check out our
"Featured Events" listed below.
Also, there are
several events taking place this weekend, next weekend and beyond, so to view all the Events please log on
to our "Events" Page above!
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North
Brentwood,
Maryland
For
Thanksgiving - November
25, 2008
DC
Caribbean Carnival, Inc. invite
you to begin TODAY DROPPING
OFF YOUR NON-PERISHABLE ITEMS
FOR A
NEEDY FAMILY
TO ONE OF THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS BY
11/21/08
CROWN
BAKERY –
PANMASTERS (DePanyard)
4559
RHODE ISLAND AVE.,
N.
BRENTWOOD MD
(301)
864-2610
 (Fridays
~7:00pm-9:00pm))
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November
15, 2008
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Washington
DC
November
16, 2008
There
will be a memorial service for the late Miriam
Makeba
on
at the South African Embassy at 3:00 pm. The
address is 3101
Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington D.C. 20008.
as
well as for
Dr.
Ezekiel Mphahlele
Es'kia Mphahlele
(December 17, 1919 - October 27, 2008) was a
South African writer, academic, arts activist
and Afrikan Humanist. Named Ezekiel at birth, he
changed his name to Es'kia in 1977.
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or Click
Here
