Greetings All,

I have an idea and I was wondering if anybody knew how to sew, especially flags. I don't know the first thing about it. The Creator has given me an idea I want to put into action.

Ase!
Blackbird

Brother Blackbird, I can't wait to read about your idea. I USED to sew but haven't in years and still consider myself a novice. I hope someone else is a master of that craft so we can see what your idea is all about! :jumping:

Brother Blackbird, I can't wait to read about your idea. I USED to sew but haven't in years and still consider myself a novice. I hope someone else is a master of that craft so we can see what your idea is all about! :jumping:

Yes, Queen. Thanks. It's a simple minute marketing ploy to impact Afrikan consciousness - hoping to inspire a renewal of Afrikan national identity and Black solidarity. My former business partner, who was a marketing major and a top pharma sales rep, would always say the objective is "not to place the product on the people's minds, but the people's minds on the product."

The plan is to create these products and go on an aggressive nationwide marketing campaign, especially in the inner-city urban markets. My background is anthro so we had to study semiotics (the study of symbols and signs) and it is this knowledge that remains the centerpiece of the project.

So does anyone know how to sew? Hint: Become the next or the Afrikan "Betsy Ross."

Ase!
Blackbird

Is there anyone out there in the community that can sew or at least want to learn how to? I hope this isn't a dying craft among our people.

Blackbird, you've peaked my curiousity about a flag. Please tell me if you know. How does a country select the colors and design of their national flag? I never thought of this before until you started this thread.

Queenie :spinstar:

as i was growing up i was a momma boy i learn how to sew // clean house and
I have my mom sewing machine a (singer) i learn how to zig zag //cross tie and a few
other ways i've help my mom make my little sister prom dress with a pattern my mother use to sew for a living at a clothing store call coupon , i also use to wash hair for her in her beauty shop so i can braid and curl hair too ..it was some of the trades i learn but forgot the major one how to cook !!!! funny how a man can sew clean do hair but can't cook .....yes i can sew..

Is there anyone out there in the community that can sew or at least want to learn how to? I hope this isn't a dying craft among our people.

Blackbird, you've peaked my curiousity about a flag. Please tell me if you know. How does a country select the colors and design of their national flag? I never thought of this before until you started this thread.

Queenie :spinstar:

Queen, I hope not. We have so many wonderful traditions and special craftspeople in our communities. We have grandma quilt-maker, brother iron-worker, uncle jewelry-smith, auntie painter and so much more. I think we need to form apprenticeships so these things will not become dead crafts for our people. In this vein, I envision, maybe through some of our more wealthy funding, an Institute of Afrikan-America Craft or Black Americana. We must keep these things alive. I think they help to form and shape the pulse of our people. No nation passively allows the unique skills of its people to fade into eternity.

On the flag, I'm no expert, but basically, from my understanding, the colors and design represent the ideals and values, as well as, the cultural ikons eluding to some sense of the mythic origin of a people. The flag is the cultural and social glue of a nation if you will.

Have you noticed most European flags have a similar color scheme. The flags usually draw a combination of red, white and blue or red and white or blue and white. Red is usually "valor", white is "people or nation" and blue is related to the skies or "freedom."

The Japanese flag is a red circle in a white background. The circle represents the sun and the Japanese call it "Hinomaru" or "circle of the sun." The symbolism is associated with the rising sun and also the sun at its highest potency. The Japanese ideal is to become the "light of the world", progressive in their outlook and advancing in their orientation.

Correctly, a flag is intended to promote national history and to invoke the citizen's emotion and advance solidarity. A flag must also be aesthetically appealing. I remember attending the Million Man March and seeing the different flags flying. I felt a strong emotion inside of pride and worth. I was like "these are the flags of My people and they are beautiful." "My people, beautiful Black people."

Color therapy is especially important. The effect or impact of color upon one's consciousness is well-documented. We add to this culturally-relevant symbols and we have a powerful conveyer of messages that speak on a person's subconscious level - below the radar. Think about the Red, Black and Green. But, mostly paramount, the effectiveness is its visibility to the principle, people or nation it represents or symbolizes. The American flag would have no cultural value in Americana if it was stuffed in a desk and only came out or flown on the presidential inaugaration. However, the flag is pervasive. It is flown at every governmental building in the country, at all places of national and international travel, is associated with a holiday, is used as a color scheme for major businesses (especially franchises), worn on clothes (even designer name-tag ikon) - well basically the flag is everywhere - constantly reinforcing America and what it supposedly stand for in your consciousness clandestinely. The American flag is so powerful that it is used in marketing and advertising. Imagine the Japanese flag used in this country for such - can you imagine the backlash and they are supposedly allies.

I hope this suffice - as you know I write forever.

Ase!
Blackbird

Yes, I can imagine the backlash. Let's recall the recent controversy around the Confederate Flag and African Americans who are vehemently opposed to it being flown outside government buildings because it symbolizes a time in America when Africans and their descendents were legally discriminated against. Just seeing that flag reverberates intense emotions among those who are among the oppressors and among those who are oppressed.

Queenie :spinstar:

By hand...I guess I'm what they call a professional. I have been sewing leather and cloth for 15 years now...and it's quite possible that you may have seen my work and not knew it was mine. I've done ankhs, stars and cresents, five percenter flags and anything tha could be sewn and stuffed. One work I'm very proud of is "THE UTCHET". But to reconfirm...yes I sew.

By hand...I guess I'm what they call a professional. I have been sewing leather and cloth for 15 years now...and it's quite possible that you may have seen my work and not knew it was mine. I've done ankhs, stars and cresents, five percenter flags and anything tha could be sewn and stuffed. One work I'm very proud of is "THE UTCHET". But to reconfirm...yes I sew.

Hello all,

I decided to revisit this thread. The idea I have is creating, once again, asafo-inspired flags using a concept known in some hermetic traditions as "flashing colors." What I envision are flags, governed by the Nguzo Saba principle Kuumba. These flags would use Adinkra symbols, signifiying "ethical existence and generativity." Below each adinkra symbol would be emblazoned the word/concept each symbol reflects/represents. The idea is to fly these flags in conspicous places in our communities with the intent that as passer-bys travel past them eventually the symbolic representation and concept will began to penetrate their consciousness. These could be used as socialization tools for the young, inculcating them into the principles of a healthy Afrikan nationhood. Black people in America represent a nation, in the strictest sense of the word, and it is my belief that we should began to see ourselves as members of said nation. The United Sates is not a nation; it is a state. A Nation means a collective group of people that share a common origin, history, language and culture. A State is a political entity with the means to enforce its power. Any anthropologist will tell you there's a big difference between the two terms and what they represent. Currently, there are many more nations than there are states. States can be composed of many nations, as such is the case in the U.S.

The concept is developed with the idea of impacting and affecting consciousness. Before we begin anything, reminiscent of nationbuilding, we must realign and center the consciousness of our people into that of a national consciousness. This springs forth from a national identity that has been defined. Flashing colors is a concept that says when two complimentary colors are placed together, they momentarily produce what seems like to be a flash. The mystical traditions believe this can attract or pull in the respective energies conducive to a stated purpose or task. In this manner, blue corresponds with orange. Emerald green corresponds with a scarlet red. Placing colors like these, "flashing colors", together also increases the attractiveness of an object to the human eye, thus making the object noticeable and memorable. Placing a word written in neon green on a background of hot pink can burn the message into the mind. The effects of this are subtle, however, so is advertising and many other forms of marketing. The results of such an endeavor are what validate its worth and measure the feasibility of its use. Again, in conjunction with this, there would be a simultaneous effort of canvassing the targeted communities of its introduction, where initmate discussion would be focused on the social problems of each respective community and the possible remedy for these ills. As those who are in the "know" or "consciousness", visibility must be crucial to provide that alternative solution, at the level of grassroot identification, involvment and participation. Many times I've noticed how some so-called "conscious" people tend to alienate the people they live with and by. We need to actively integrate the worlds, without losing the voice and integrity that is needed to enhance and improve the quality of life and vision required to be thriving enterprising and engaging communities.

Lastly, if at the very least, I believe these flags can provide color to otherwise colorless environments. Let's bask in Kuumba, using our creativity to resurrect consciousness among those that have been zombified and devise crafty solutions to the socio-economic problems confronting us.

Ase!
Blackbird

No, Blackbird I don't sew; but I wish that I knew how.
I think that your idea is a great one.
There are many Blacks here in the south who do crafts; I never forgot this older guy who used to take strips of metal and stones and make rings for people.

I paint cards that depict Our lives-- inspirational things like that...
I think your idea is great.

Now how to We implement this?

No, Blackbird I don't sew; but I wish that I knew how.
I think that your idea is a great one.
There are many Blacks here in the south who do crafts; I never forgot this older guy who used to take strips of metal and stones and make rings for people.

I paint cards that depict Our lives-- inspirational things like that...
I think your idea is great.

Now how to We implement this?

Good evening Happy,

I appreciate your response because I've been trying to get feedback on this. This idea was inspired by "what do I see my community looking like." Eventhough, I've been in the New York area for about 3 weeks, I'm based in Louisiana and locally there, I'm involved with a community group that has created the 1st black owned and operated health food co-op store in my city. What we are doing is using some of the proceeds generated to develop the concept of these flags and have them created. Our goal is to create 7 different Adinkra-inspired flags that we will hang along the Black "main" (commerce) streets in our community, conveniently located around marketplaces. Our mission is community healing and our motto is "changing the landscape in our community."

The concept was also motivated by local billboards. The advertising company owning billboards, in effort to get prospective clients, have some billboards throughout the city reading "Who reads Billboards anyway? You just did!" I was impressed. I drive pass billboards everyday and didn't think I actually noticed the message on them, but on a subconscious level, my mind is always reading the message - whether it be billboards selling liquor, cigarettes, cars or what have you. So thinking heavily on this, I thought the same effect could be used by us and our community for use and consumption. Would have been nice to obtain billboards with conscious messages, replacing the ads for community destructive products, but its too expensive so the idea of flags was the next logical step.

The idea for a Institute of Black Americana is I think important, especially if it has a component built in to retain the arts and crafts of our people, in the form of apprenticeships. It can be billed as a folk art repository, documenting the history of Black folk art and craft. There's a phrase some say: "Lest we forget." A few people and I are talking about doing a documentary to highlight these things and possibly get funding to get this ball rolling for an Institute of this kind.

Ase!
Blackbird

Hi. I lived in New York for about 11/2 years in the mid-90's. I've been back home for a few years--Baton Rouge. I love New York and Boston; they have so much culturally going on for US; but We don't use it! But after a while I always find myself yearning for home- where for the most part I know who is on my side and who is not...and can tell the difference... and real, basically strait-laced folk who knows too. What part of La. are you from?

Yeap, I like your vision... I have visions of community runs, and health fairs...I have visions of having a place for Us and Our kids to come and exchange ideas... poetry, stories, math, science and spelling bees...community tutoring services....art shows...using all of Our Creative and Intuitive juices etc... community gardens where We grow Our product and sell it for a very nominal fee-like $1 to each other or give it away free to those who may be in need of it (or not- I think people want to feel as if they are doing for themselves). I want Links in the communities... I want each community to take pride in themselves and hold onto what ever they may have. I want to make kind of a competition... with each other, on Our own terms I think that it could be healthy.

I was in California; San Francisco to be exact, and I went looking for the folks, cause I couldn't find them where I was--well I found a few there- they were either begging on the streets or fighting with imaginary people; and hearing "Thank you Sister," after giving them a couple dollars or so...all I wanted to do was cry. So, a cousin took me to where the folks were... all gentrified and marginalized out... and once my tears cleared, I looked around, and looked past the shanty-style abodes and saw the mountains and the lakes surrounding these now depressed areas... and saw the empty buildings that could be made into businesses... and I said aloud to my cousin, if Blacks would hold on to this, this is prime etc... all I got for him was "Cuz, you just wasting yo' time N's don't want nuthin'."

I am trying my best with a few others to come up with some way to make sure that this does not happen in my neck of the woods! For the first time I am actively trying to put together a proposal for a grant--partial really, because I think that it is a mistake to rely on them -again, We are setting ourselves up to have to deal with "peoples" whims; and frankly We know all too well what that means when it comes to Us... We can have everything that We do want; and all We really need is Us trusting and loving Ourselves enough to do it.

I like your vision. I really do, and would really like to hear more.

We have made up some signs, that We will be putting up around the areas that are of interest to Us at the moment; they are negative on purpose- sad to say, but sometimes getting Us angry is the only way to wake Us up... and I don't think that We are angry enough yet!

I love quilts-- African-American quilts that are conscious- I saw a show of some in North Carolina-it was amazing! I wish I knew how to sew; I can sew like hems and stuff; hmnn, does that count? (Okay, you can laugh!)

Happy,

From down home, too, huh? I'm from Shreveport, but lived in Baton Rouge for 4 years by way of Southern University. I like your ideas, as well. You got vision, fa sho! Earlier this year, the community group I belong to broke ground on a community garden. It was amazing. We, brothers, worked to till the ground with love, comraderie, and intent. It was back-breaking work and I learned a new respect for our ancestors and elders, how they would do this every year with purpose. It taught me the resiliency of our people.

One brother stated, while we were breaking ground, that there was lesson in this. He said, "This ground is hard and tough to penetrate, we are finding rocks and stones to remove with each dig - the same is true with working with our people, but we can't give up." He continued, " The ground must be tilled, and hard work and perservence must be in it, because once we turn over the topsoil the ground is primed to plant the seeds and eventually bear fruit." He added, "One person could not do this along, when one brother hit a rock, another was there to remove it - we worked together and in unison. It takes a community effort, with each person doing what is assigned to them; all have a role to make this happen." He concluded, "We must get dirty and work with the earth, return to the earth and the harmony and rhythm of it." We started our ground-breaking with a dedication ceremony to the Creator, the Earth, the four directions and the ancestors in the name of our people for positive growth and definition. We invoked these entities (energies) to be with us, guide us and give us the strength to carry out the task at hand and I believe we were elevated and reinvigorated because of it.

It is a labor of love and we reap the fruits of our labor that we love so much. What essentially defined our work was commitment, faith and dedication done with cheerfulness and vision of what can be. So many of us want the fruit of the garden, the rewards, but we are too lazy to toil and labor for those rewards.

Since then, one elder brother pledged to allow us to use some of his land, on which he has planted peach trees. He sells his peaches to local grocery stores. He said he is getting older and has no one to leave his 80 acres to. He said we could sell some of his peaches and the money we acquire from sale, we can then use it to purchase his land from him. This elder taught me something and that is the passing on things, a legacy, to benefit the people. We plan on naming the peach tree farm in memory to him once he transitions to the land of the ancestors. To this brother, we are truly appreciative and honored.

I see everything you suggested because my mind's eye, inspired by the Creator, has seen similar things. I see "sacred groves" in our communities, planted with beautiful flora and dedicated to our communities. Old buildings renovated with things essential to our well-being - physical, mental and spiritual. To change a situation, we must change the energy within it - learn how to manipulate the energies to affect a positive and expansive environment in tune with the essential nature of the universe - empowerment!

Ase!
Blackbird

Oh, the sistas were out operating the bookstore and cleaning up the old building we purchased for the health food store, while we were breaking ground. I mentioned before that the health store is nice. It is done with a unique aesthetic appeal, using bamboo stalks for borders, raffia floor mats, Egyptian hierogylphs meaning "transformation" painted on the walls, and wicker baskets. It has yet to open, but on opening day, we want to bill it as "Black Family Day" with entertainment and a health fair.

Our youth organization, in conjunction with other youth organizations, is planning on doing Saturday neighborhood beautification projects and hopefully, next year, we will begin our "Neighborhood Gateway Art Pieces" project once we develop a decent rapport with members in our communities. We have another building that some are talking about using as a community after-school tutorship center.

If it is the Creator's will and ancestors appeasement, we will achieve our stated objectives and initiate an element of community healing, bringing empowerment and pride, as well as, a sense of community ownership.

Ase!
Blackbird

Blackbird, if I may, I think in the deepest regions of my heart that God is speaking to me, from within You. Just when I think that I need to let things go; and sometimes I don't want to think, sometimes I want to be able to walk around as if nothing bothers me. I want, I want, I want.

Thank you so much, this tells me that this can happen! I know that I am asking you a lot, but when you have time; you have to tell me how you got it started; who or what was the catalyst? What was the brain child for your idea?

Please continue to share. Please do. Sometimes I meet people who want the same things and yet, they get frustrated and then they want to quit; or do quit-and I can admit what some older ladies were telling me just last week, "[I] don't know how to ask for help."

Just to know that you are doing it. God! I know that there are others all over doing too, I have posted articles where it is happening; with older people and with some of Our Young people; who have it within them to work together. But, you rarely, if ever get to talk to them.

It is time for Us to just do it; let Us just throw all Our disagreements and mistrust and what-have-you to the wind- and for once, take a chance on Us.

Blackbird, when you have time--continue to talk, tell Us or me how, tell Us about your progress. I hope that you all are documenting this...this is so important.

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you.

http://www.communityarts.net/readingroom/archive/prh69.php

great ideas.

And

http://delray.bizland.com/loopcommunity/id4.html

Yes, please keep this thread going, it's starting to take on a life of its own and I'm finding it to be very inspiring. I, too have similar ideas as happy and Blackbird and so this discussion is giving me ideas as well the inspiration I need to organize my thoughts and make this happen.

I have a question and I'm wondering if anyone here at Destee.com knows the answer. What's involved in starting a bank?

Queenie :spinstar:

[Happy,

Good day! Thank you for the kind words. I appreciate them. Yes, we all should be there to inspire one another because we do this for the love of our people. You all keep the flame going for me too. Modupe (Thank you).

I thank the Creator and the ancestors for allowing me to meet with people who have such fresh ideas. Everything that's beginning to happen in Shreveport was started from meeting at the local bookstore. We would gather and share ideas, many of which we all shared. We begin to organize and formulate. It took time, but by having vision and devotion, things started coming together. At the beginning of the year, a few of us welcomed the so-called new year in with a community ritual using the four elements. We created a bonfire with candles and then walked to a local lake. On a pier over the lake, we all said positive things and spoke into existence the things we saw happening, as fireworks were popping in the background. The distraction did not disturb our serenity and we continued with conviction. Afterwards we came back to the bonfire and put it out with water. Vapors began to rise, the pine and other woods within the former bonfire raised to heaven like a giant incense stick. We prayed that our words of positive change would rise high, on the intoxicating entrancing scent, into the atmosphere and create its own distinct vibration. We circled the dying bonfire 7 times, each time becoming more smitten by the spirit world. A deep and abiding kinship was formed between all that participated and we began this year renewed and reinvigorated.

What I really love about our small intimate group is we are diverse, some are elders and some, like me, are in their late 20's. Various religious viewpoints are also represented, however, we recognize the commonality of our respective beliefs and rise above petty doctrinal differences. The group is actually a church membership called the Paradigm Temple. We come together to learn, grow and enhance our own spirituality. A couple people are Hebrew, a few are Kemetic practitioners, one is gnostic Christian, others espouse a self-spiritual path and I am initiated in an ATR. In this diversity, we look for our common thread and seek to thicken that thread as titles and names are erased and reality is examined.

Who or what was the catalyst? The main catalyst was the plight and situation of Black people, especially those in Shreveport. Also, last year, a brother holding a cell phone was gunned down by SPD, shot 8 times in the back. The DA, the police chief, and the mayor commented that the shooting was justified. Black folks didn't buy it and began to hold protests. The police chief eventually resigned due to Black community pressure for his resignation. Many "community leaders" championed the cause, but in the end, they were only in it for the money and the deals they could get brokered. They understood "closed mouths don't get fed." The situation's still unresolved - it's being reviewed by the U.S. Department of Justice - but things quieted down quickly. This embolden us. The time was/is right for change, besides one of the sisters had dream that if we don't do nothing now, we may never have the chance again. We may lose it forever. We can not wait on future generations to do what we know we should being doing. We must lay down some foundation for them to stand on and take our efforts further. We must begin to infuse a national identity into our young, implement social services for our elderly and more unfortunate; we must take back our neighborhoods and re-institute the concept of "village." We operate from a concept of "village", each of us see each other as family and will do what we can to help each other reach our potential. We are an unit. Most in the group have paid their dues and have shown that, indeed, we are family. I refer to my elders as either "Baba" or "Mama." If Mama Charlene wants me to go to the store to get some flyers printed, I'm no questions asked - I go. Also, generally, we eat together on some days and what not. We family fa real. We support each other.

Ase!
Blackbird

http://www.communityarts.net/readingroom/archive/prh69.php

great ideas.

And

http://delray.bizland.com/loopcommunity/id4.html

Thanks for the articles. They were very warming and motivating. I have really learned the value of arts over these past two years. I try to include art with everything concerning community development. One of my sister-friends in Shreveport has been very valuable and influential in that realm. Last year, she created this arts series known as The Sankofa Series which included a genealogy workshop (of which yours truly was a panel member, weeee!!!), artistic apprenticeships, community dance and drumming classes, a play and a spoken word barbershop/beauty salon tour.

Ase!
Blackbird

Yes, please keep this thread going, it's starting to take on a life of its own and I'm finding it to be very inspiring. I, too have similar ideas as happy and Blackbird and so this discussion is giving me ideas as well the inspiration I need to organize my thoughts and make this happen.

I have a question and I'm wondering if anyone here at Destee.com knows the answer. What's involved in starting a bank?

Queenie :spinstar:

Queen, we will continue this thread, trust me. It's all about Kuumba, using your creativity to enhance and inspire. Happy, asked how we got started - well, like this - with like-minded individuals sharing their vision of the future, presenting their ideas to be formulated and tweaked. My former business partner and I had an quasi-organization known as CEGAT - Committee for Equity in Gaming and Tourism and we would just throw out ideas all day, getting the creative juices working. So join in, chime in or what have you...

Amos Wilson provides an introductory discussion of bank formation in his "Blueprint for Black Power." I would recommend his book as a start and you can just build on from there.

See we will document. We will also film documentary.

Ase!
Blackbird

Thanks Blackbird. This is excellent. I have been talking to some of the folks and We got around to how We all felt about Reparations; of course I still feel the same: I think that the fight is righteous; I don't know how We can implement it; but I am very cynical when it comes to Government doing anything and for Our government to do the right thing-and I never ever want to hear the words," We paid you for that..."

I am not ashamed that We came from slaves. How can I be? I am proud that We came from slaves; that those slaves paid heavy dues for me to breathe... I am proud of Our people who said, "No" and rather to die
than to even fathom that I could still be enslaved or under Jim Crow and his minions (many still living and breathing and being replicated as we speak).

America progressed because once We rather die than be subjugated... Black America can progress for once, if We rather die and starve, than be subjugated. Right now, too many of Us are too afraid of death and hunger.

If it doesn't come from Our country. If Our country doesn't ever look at itself in the mirror-that is on them; the ones in charge to deal with. To me, this should be a catalyst for Us to start. Each time "they" hate on Us by trivializing the pain that they caused and continue to cause; it should be a stimulus for Us to say; okay, then **** it, I'm going to give myself; what you owe- and, to me, if We look at it like that, and take appropriate action; We would holdon to what We have and learn to cherish that which We create. There are so many of Us, who say,We need to be separated from them; We need to rely on self and forget them...Okay, then let's start there; because really, if one thinks about it, if We give Ourselves reparations in the form of coalitioning With each other and working for Ourselves and each other; and vowing to never let the bond be broken... that can and will last forever; and are not subject to the whims of indifference and hate.

Love is powerful. We know that We have it. Will We ever use it, now that's another question of it's own.