Fusion Five’s Post

In honor of Black History Month, today's example of Black excellence in sustainability goes to an individual not in any of the fields officially related to sustainability. Henry Louis Gates is a Harvard professor interested in African American literature and cultural theory. But he serves as the historian and advisor to the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund, which is fighting to preserve Black churches across the country. Not only is this a sustainable way of working within existing buildings, but it also preserves cultural, historical, and spiritual centers of significance to the Black community and the entire American community. This is one of the reasons sustainable architecture and city planning is so important, both for our planet, and for our people. Learn more at the link below!

🎉 Next month marks the 70th anniversary of the landmark Brown v. Board of Education decision, a pivotal moment in the fight for civil rights and equality in education. While this decision aimed to dismantle the "separate but equal" doctrine, its legacy is complex and far-reaching. I recently had the pleasure of teaching my students about this intricate legacy during our February Black History Month culture and diversity lessons. The immediate backlash following the decision led to the unjust removal of educators of color from the education industry for decades, perpetuating systemic racism and inequality. This is most evident in the persistent lack of diversity within the education sector. Before Brown v Board of Education, there were thousands of highly qualified Black and Brown teachers in segregated schools across the nation. However, following the decision, many of these schools were shut down, and there was a nationwide mass firing of Black and Brown educators. Despite their equal or even superior qualifications, they were often not hired in the newly integrated schools. Some districts even refused to integrate and instead closed all their schools for a few years. As with many aspects of society, representation matters. The absence of educators of color likely discouraged students of color from pursuing education degrees, further exacerbating the lack of diversity in the profession. This vicious cycle has been perpetuated for 70 years. As we celebrate progress, it's crucial to acknowledge and confront the ongoing echoes of this racist backlash that still reverberate today. Let's honor this anniversary by learning and sharing the accurate history, while also reaffirming our commitment to creating inclusive and equitable educational environments for all. #BrownvBoard #CivilRights #InclusiveEducation #EducationForAll 📚✊🏾

Excerpt from “Seventeen Ways” by Seibles Tim: Be here with them for a moment. Open your eyes. Try to remember what has been won, what it means after all the madness, to see the doors everywhere finally open. Check out our most recent VIA+ post to read more about the EOMR Memorial!

An important survey...

We have so much global conflict today under crushing debt & few economic resources to meet present needs. Senseless crimes are escalating and traditional values have no place in our homes today. Resolution comes with a massive dose of truth. We need to release primary sources to verify and confirm our true black history. American red Indians came from Mongolia 🇲🇳 in the 1800s and were never indigenous to America. The real American Indians were black when a black Columbus showed up from black Europe in 1492. Blacks lived in America over 2,000 years. Equally, blacks lived in Europe for over 2,000 years. The Black Hebrews occupied Europe and Scotland. Ben Franklin's Essay of 1751 on the increase of mankind par.24 is the clearest statement on race with an extremely small white population tied to the Caucasus but housed in England mid 1700s when the global population was 600 million. Today of 8.2 billion souls UN /CIA report 5 % is considered pure white. How can history be accurate? In North Africa this summer I was called a Berber blue man but quite content with the genetically proven black bin Yahya Hebrew / Al Ali label. Blacks managed the planet as leaders for 5,800 years going back to a black Adam in BCE 4000. Today blacks are assigned to Africa which appears much smaller on a real map of the world, and is the only continent owned & controlled by other nations. In the Western hemisphere there are no known communities speaking an African language or dialect yet we are called African. There are many European languages spoken to this day in the West by black islanders. Why? Their black ancestors came from Europe. So sad we are living in an extremist and white supremacist world influenced by twisted theories penned by Johann Friedrich Blumenbach b. 1752 and Georges Louis Leclerc b. 1707. But after closer inspection I find it extremely hard to accept these two whitewashed Euromoors had anything to do with racist ideologies conceived in the mid to late 19th century which influenced Darwin, and gave birth to Eugenics and Zionism. The DNA, i.e. fraudulent Haplogroups R, J and I assignment to Europe and MENA, and primary sources like the Anglo Saxon Chronicles based on copies of unknown and unverified material need to be tossed out the window to make way for the real story of black mankind and humankind (not the same thing and read the writings of EG White along a timeline of circa 6,000 years). Our black leaders and black academics have failed 95 percent or 7.79 billion melenated souls on our planet. They are either too lazy to read / think for themselves OR lack the courage to speak out ! As to primary sources I have over 5m records, 30k DNA matches, over 90 kits managed on both sides of the family. Incredible insights from my wife's Polish family with Haplos R, J, I, and H with strong matches among modern Jews & modern Western Europeans. Always remember black history is inextricably linked to Biblical Hebrew history. Shalom.

Art and music have long been powerful tools for protest, serving as vehicles for expressing dissent, challenging authority, and galvanizing social movements. They transcend cultural, linguistic, and geographic boundaries, making them uniquely effective in raising awareness and inspiring change. Their emotional and symbolic power allows people to connect with complex social, political, and economic issues on a deeper level, often when words alone are insufficient. Why Art and Music Are Powerful Forms of Protest: 1. Emotional Impact and Resonance: Art and music have the ability to evoke strong emotions, creating a visceral response that facts or arguments alone may not achieve. Songs, paintings, and performances can convey the pain, anger, hope, and determination of those fighting for change, making them relatable and emotionally engaging. 2. Universal Accessibility: Music and visual art can communicate across language barriers, allowing protests and movements to reach global audiences. They speak in symbols, images, and sounds that can be understood and felt by people of different cultures and backgrounds, often spreading a message far beyond its origin. 3. Cultural Identity and Unity: Music and art often become part of the cultural identity of social movements. They provide a sense of unity, bringing people together with shared symbols, anthems, or imagery. For example, South African protest songs during apartheid or civil rights anthems like “We Shall Overcome” became rallying cries for collective resistance. 4. Challenging Authority and Exposing Injustice: Protest art and music are often subversive, challenging authority in ways that are difficult to suppress. They can critique oppressive systems, highlight corruption, and mock power, creating a space where resistance thrives. 5. Lasting Legacy: Unlike speeches or marches, which are often temporary, music and art create enduring records of dissent. They are preserved in history, continuing to inspire future generations long after the original protests have ended. The works of Gil Scott-Heron, Sam Cooke, and Bob Marley, among others, continue to inspire activism today, decades after their original release. Conclusion: Art and music have the extraordinary ability to distill complex political and social issues into emotionally resonant forms that reach wide audiences. As forms of protest, they inspire, unify, and motivate action, becoming symbols of resistance that persist through time. By tapping into the universal language of creativity and emotion, art and music make protest more accessible and impactful, helping to shape public discourse and bring about social change. We need more art and music to bring us together now.

Using the Toward Liberation guide, we've helped leaders explore how the Cultures of Liberation and Dominance handle discomfort differently. The Culture of Dominance often encourages us to suppress and ignore our emotions, leading to unconscious reactions. The Culture of Liberation urges us to recognize and reflect on our emotional response, responding with purpose and integrity. This awareness is crucial for leaders (with power and authority) working to align their values of justice and equity to their everyday actions.

Keep thinking about this. If as we know from endless reports, that the cultural, creative and museums sectors are woefully unrepresentative as regards the spectrum of diversity, then how can these “leaders” reflect this country in all its glorious diversity.

Check out this interesting festival in China! They celebrate by blackening everyone’s faces, including outsiders, and whoever looks the blackest wins a special black statue. Have you heard of this unique tradition before? Don’t forget to like the video! #ChinaFestival #UniqueTradition #CulturalCelebration #FaceBlackening #FestiveFun #OutsidersWelcome #SpecialAward #TravelDiscoveries #CulturalExperience #LikeTheVideo

Happy Juneteenth! On June 17, 2021, President Biden signed legislation making Juneteenth a federal holiday, marking a significant step in acknowledging the historical and cultural importance of this day. This decision came a year after the largest social protests in U.S. history, reflecting a nationwide call for justice and equality. Recognizing Juneteenth as a federal holiday underscores the importance of acknowledging and owning our public memory. It is a day to celebrate freedom and a moment to reflect on how the United States continues to evolve towards its ideals of democracy, freedom, and justice. Although the U.S. is a work in progress, it is through the relentless efforts of countless individuals that the nation strives to fulfill its promise: to be a place where all people can realize their unalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. To achieve this, we must ensure that the American narrative includes the collective journey of African Americans, particularly those descended from enslaved ancestors. One person dedicated to preserving the public record of Black lives in America, from Barack Obama to Colin Powell, is Julieanna Richardson. As the founder of The HistoryMakers, she oversees the largest collection of African American testimonies since the Works Progress Administration. I had the honor of interviewing her during the 64th annual Fulbright Association Conference, where she delivered a moving and poignant case for the necessity of documenting the Black narrative in America. Listen to our discussion about the impact of an incomplete public record of the Black experience in America. Happy Juneteenth! Let's continue to celebrate, reflect, and work towards a more inclusive and equitable future for all.