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    <title>Mekwitalk</title>
    <link>http://www.mekwitalk.net/index.php</link>
    <description><![CDATA[]]></description>
    <language>EN</language>
    <pubDate>Wed, 23 Jul 2008 12:20:21 -0400</pubDate>
    <lastBuildDate>Wed, 23 Jul 2008 12:20:21 -0400</lastBuildDate>
    <category>Mekwitalk</category>
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      <title>[Mekwitalk 'bout Ev'ryting] Mi Deh Pon a Rant</title>
      <link>http://www.mekwitalk.net/read.php?1,178294,178304#msg-178304</link>
      <author>rasslisa</author>
      <description><![CDATA[HARARE, Zimbabwe: Amid Zimbabwe's mind-boggling hyper inflation, a new 100 billion dollar bank note has more value as a novelty item on eBay than on the streets of the capital.

The note, launched this week, is worth enough to buy a loaf of bread — if you can find one on Zimbabwe's depleted store shelves. The biggest bakery in Harare shut down this month and sent 1,200 workers home on forced leave because flour stocks recently ran out. For years, the bakery donated free loaves every week to a home for the handicapped and charity-run hostels. Meanwhile on eBay, the bill was on offer for nearly US$80.

In the political and economic turmoil since disputed March 29 elections, prices have risen almost daily. Factories and businesses have shut down amid empty order books and chronic shortages of gasoline, power, water and spare parts for equipment repairs.

President Robert Mugabe and opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai signed an agreement Monday to hold talks about power-sharing to end the crisis and restore economic stability. But the news failed to move the exchange rate, since little cash is available.

House prices and lottery prizes are quoted in quadrillions — that's with 15 zeros. Zimbabweans says it's only a matter of time before big ticket items will be priced in the quintillions, which have 18 zeros.

Official inflation is quoted at 2.2 million percent but independent finance houses say it's closer to 12.5 million percent.

One major commercial bank said its automated teller machines are not configured to dispense multi-zero withdrawals and freeze in what it called a &quot;data overflow error.&quot; Software writers are busy writing programs to try to overcome the problem.

Urgent electronic transfers in trillions also take several days as electronic accounting systems grapple with transactions in 12 zeros.

Bank transfers command a special rate. A hundred billion dollars is worth US$5 at the official rate, US$1 at the black market rate — but just 30 U.S. cents in a transfer because by the time the funds are processed the Zimbabwe currency can be expected to be worth a lot less.

Zimbabwe has 27 denominations of bills and no coins. Lower value bills — 10 million Zimbabwe dollars — are all but obsolete, even in brick-sized bundles. Beggars rarely bother to pick up such bills dropped on the street.]]></description>
      <category>Mekwitalk 'bout Ev'ryting</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.mekwitalk.net/read.php?1,178294,178304#msg-178304</guid>
      <pubDate>Wed, 23 Jul 2008 12:20:21 -0400</pubDate>
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    <item>
      <title>[Mekwitalk 'bout Ev'ryting] Re: The Mbuya Nehanda of Zimbabwe</title>
      <link>http://www.mekwitalk.net/read.php?1,178294,178303#msg-178303</link>
      <author>rasslisa</author>
      <description><![CDATA[To say that what is happening in Zimbabwe is unfortunate is as ignorant as saying slavery was unfortunate. Taking the farms from the whites was one thing, giving it to cronies who didn't work them has been detrimental to all of Zimbabwe. The issue is not the retribution you all like to quote, the issue is an economy that is the worst in the world, totally the result of ZANU PF policies. They print bank notes with an expiry date, for God's sake. What other country does that? Inflation is at 2.2M%. The issue is waaay beyond black and white. The PEOPLE of the country are in crisis for their lives and you are going back over 20 years to blame people that have been booted. The destruction of Zim is at the hands of the power in Zim, Mugabe and his party and their policies and brutality to their fellow countrymen. THAT is the problem. Cut the blame the white people crap.]]></description>
      <category>Mekwitalk 'bout Ev'ryting</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.mekwitalk.net/read.php?1,178294,178303#msg-178303</guid>
      <pubDate>Wed, 23 Jul 2008 11:47:01 -0400</pubDate>
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      <title>[Mekwitalk 'bout Ev'ryting] Thank you!</title>
      <link>http://www.mekwitalk.net/read.php?1,178302,178302#msg-178302</link>
      <author>Queen Macoomeh</author>
      <description><![CDATA[..to those who helped out with the Haiti school supplies project.
You've done good!

See [url=http://www.commessuniversity.com/main/2006%20community%20events/supplies_for_haiti.htm]HERE[/url] for update.]]></description>
      <category>Mekwitalk 'bout Ev'ryting</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.mekwitalk.net/read.php?1,178302,178302#msg-178302</guid>
      <pubDate>Tue, 22 Jul 2008 13:16:05 -0400</pubDate>
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      <title>[Mekwitalk 'bout Ev'ryting] Re: Esmin Green dies from neglect at Kings County Hospital</title>
      <link>http://www.mekwitalk.net/read.php?1,178296,178301#msg-178301</link>
      <author>JudgeDred</author>
      <description><![CDATA[I visited Brooklyn sometime ago, and the Caribbean community there seems to be very active, as a community, unlike some other places.
It would be interesting to know what the statistics are on Mental Health for Caribbean people, particularly Jamaicans, in the United States. I am sure the statistics are not very good, and that there is a larger situation that is not being given enough attention. 
There have been a few people who I know personally, who have fallen victim to the malady, usually people who have suffered from experience of violent abuse, and neglected by people who they once knew, including relatives.]]></description>
      <category>Mekwitalk 'bout Ev'ryting</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.mekwitalk.net/read.php?1,178296,178301#msg-178301</guid>
      <pubDate>Sun, 13 Jul 2008 18:41:43 -0400</pubDate>
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      <title>[Mekwitalk 'bout Ev'ryting] Re: The Mbuya Nehanda of Zimbabwe</title>
      <link>http://www.mekwitalk.net/read.php?1,178294,178300#msg-178300</link>
      <author>JudgeDred</author>
      <description><![CDATA[Mugabe is a restorer of lands...that were stolen from the people of Zimbabwe, who had been previously forced to live on restricted areas called reservations, while the whites appropriated the rest of the most arable land to themselves. 


When blacks started to assert aspirations beyond what the whites of Zimbabwe were willing to allow, which was to elevate themselves to a level higher than simians, the white people proceeded to engage in a race-war, which eventually involved the frontier states, including Zambia. The then Rhodesian army was made up of almost solely of whites, which to me makes that a race war. Unlike the late Joshua Nkomo, Mugabe stayed in Zimbabwe, even when he knew it was likely that the whites would arrest him.


What is taking place in Zimbabwe today is unfortunate, but then Zimbabwe has always been a country of sorrow. Some former white residents thought Rhodesia was 'super', which one would expect since they were the only ones benefitting from an oppressive state, and no one was then advocating intervention to protect the interests of the blacks living there, strange that they would be so concerned now...]]></description>
      <category>Mekwitalk 'bout Ev'ryting</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.mekwitalk.net/read.php?1,178294,178300#msg-178300</guid>
      <pubDate>Sun, 13 Jul 2008 18:29:49 -0400</pubDate>
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    <item>
      <title>[Mekwitalk 'bout Ev'ryting] Re: Ackeeites.....Whappen the place like Morgue</title>
      <link>http://www.mekwitalk.net/read.php?1,177975,178299#msg-178299</link>
      <author>observa</author>
      <description><![CDATA[I am surprised that this post still on page 1, back in the day it would be in the section for older post. This site really going going and soon gone think ackee got something else going on dont know how it survive without posters and dont see no add pon this site that keep it going. what going on really.

Hail up all]]></description>
      <category>Mekwitalk 'bout Ev'ryting</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.mekwitalk.net/read.php?1,177975,178299#msg-178299</guid>
      <pubDate>Sun, 13 Jul 2008 03:40:53 -0400</pubDate>
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    <item>
      <title>[Mekwitalk 'bout Ev'ryting] Re: Urinelle.....</title>
      <link>http://www.mekwitalk.net/read.php?1,178297,178298#msg-178298</link>
      <author>Deelighted</author>
      <description><![CDATA[Lol Frankster yuh funny bad ! What is this world coming to eh? Men having babies, women pissing like men. Tell me where wifey get hers, cause I am finding it increasingly  harder to maintain a squatting position for any length of time.]]></description>
      <category>Mekwitalk 'bout Ev'ryting</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.mekwitalk.net/read.php?1,178297,178298#msg-178298</guid>
      <pubDate>Fri, 11 Jul 2008 08:22:17 -0400</pubDate>
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    <item>
      <title>[Mekwitalk 'bout Ev'ryting] Urinelle.....</title>
      <link>http://www.mekwitalk.net/read.php?1,178297,178297#msg-178297</link>
      <author>frankster</author>
      <description><![CDATA[Yes unnu get it at last,Now unnu can pee all over de place like man does, welcome to the stand up and pee crowd , Now is my time fi cuss unnu for not putting down the seat or worst sprinkling when unnu tinkle...]]></description>
      <category>Mekwitalk 'bout Ev'ryting</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.mekwitalk.net/read.php?1,178297,178297#msg-178297</guid>
      <pubDate>Wed, 09 Jul 2008 08:21:31 -0400</pubDate>
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      <title>[Mekwitalk 'bout Ev'ryting] Esmin Green dies from neglect at Kings County Hospital</title>
      <link>http://www.mekwitalk.net/read.php?1,178296,178296#msg-178296</link>
      <author>Maccajuku</author>
      <description><![CDATA[Friends,


Inviting your ideas and your work....

Here are some avenues of work that we discussed at a July 3 meeting in Brooklyn:


Areas for Immediate and Ongoing Work
I. Accountability of Political Representatives and Other Officials

o We will request and organize an emergency Town Meeting to hear from elected and appointed officials and from others affiliated with Ms. Green’s case. 

o We will demand that Caribbean officials organize regular Town Meetings that rotate to the boroughs with significant Caribbean populations to share highlights from their respective legislative portfolios. 

II. Education and Training
o The City Council should fund a community study to identify the landscape of mental health needs and access opportunities in New York City, especially among immigrant communities.

o In view of the specific cultural needs of the Caribbean-American community, we have to work to cultivate a cohort of professionals to respond to the needs. This response includes funding scholarships for undergraduate to professional tracks in psychiatric medicine, clinical social work, clinical psychology, public health, sociology of health, and psychiatric nursing, among others. These scholarships can be located within the CUNY-SUNY systems. 

o Education on the role of pharmaceuticals in mental health care. 

o Summit on health care, including mental health care.

o Community education forums on mental health, domestic violence, HIV-AIDS, etc. to encourage the Caribbean immigrant community to change cultural strategies regarding physical and social diseases. 

o Training for community leaders, including clergy, on recognizing critical needs among congregants and referral and support resources.

o Support for houses of worship and other community based organizations to take on more of the work of caring for the material needs of individuals and not just the spiritual. This needs to be at the level of an institutional plan, in-house program or full-fledged ministry. 

o Training for public safety and other professionals in our city to support proper interventions in cases where mental health issues may be present.

We noted the death of Trinidadian-American Khiel Coppin last fall at the hands of NYC police. Khiel was allegedly having a mental health crisis when he was killed. See the following link for details of that incident: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/13/nyregion/13domestic.html?ex=1352610000&amp;en=f6cefabdc25097de&amp;ei=5088&amp;partner=rssnyt&amp;emc=rss

III. Patient Advocacy Efforts
The committee will examine ways in which we might support greater integrity of health care service in city institutions. The first investment includes bolstering patient advocacy structures and protocols.

IV. Social Safety Net
o City Council representatives must develop a guide for immigrants on the city’s provisions vis-à-vis social welfare. This tool must be made available to the public. 

o The committee will look at mapping the social safety net services available to immigrant individuals and families, including nonprofit services. 

o The committee will make recommendations on how to ameliorate the crisis created by the lack of information and the suspected underrepresentation of services. 

V. Community Involvement
o The committee will examine community engagement opportunities – including media communication structures. 

VI. Cultural Response
The Afro-Jamaican community typically organizes Nine Night celebrations as a way of recognizing the passing of community members. This committee will work to organize a community celebration of Ms. Green’s life, including a community march. The NYCLU has offered services to support applications for street march permits, monitoring and other needs. Suggested routes include Flatbush Avenue and Bob Marley Boulevard in Brooklyn. A possible end point for the march and celebration may be the concert venue organized by the Boro President’s Office at Wingate Field. 

Post Script
These are questions and recommendations that were not entered into the July 3 conversation but – by my lens – are relevant and warrant placement here. 

What was not highlighted is the fact that Kings County Hospital is one of few critical care institutions that serves Central Brooklyn. How has overcrowding played a role in the current crisis as exhibited by the lack of attention given to Ms. Green? With the closing and downsizing of several health care institutions, including St. Mary’s Hospital, what does this mean for remaining institutions? What role does the current health insurance crisis play in trafficking higher numbers of clients to Central Brooklyn public hospitals? What are the special needs of new Americans? What are the special needs of undocumented immigrants? 

Further, there is a dependence on corporate media for news about the Caribbean community. How might we engage public and private structures to cultivate a more Caribbean-community oriented media landscape? 

Community Council on health where community members can register their problems, where there is a liaison from the local hospitals to address the issues.

Ongoing forums that educate Caribbean immigrants about how to be their best advocates in the health care system (also by extension, education and other sectors).]]></description>
      <category>Mekwitalk 'bout Ev'ryting</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.mekwitalk.net/read.php?1,178296,178296#msg-178296</guid>
      <pubDate>Sat, 05 Jul 2008 08:01:12 -0400</pubDate>
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      <title>[Mekwitalk 'bout Ev'ryting] Re: The Mbuya Nehanda of Zimbabwe</title>
      <link>http://www.mekwitalk.net/read.php?1,178294,178295#msg-178295</link>
      <author>rasslisa</author>
      <description><![CDATA[Interesting tale. many years ago on this board I was a lone voice against Mugabe while others hailed him as restorer of lands and punisher of white people. i knew that time would tell the story differently. to my surprise, it is I who see it differently. this is a story of tribal one-upmanship, with the wily cohorts of Mugabe inciting black people against each other using the white man as the bugaboo. this tribal warfare is why the other africans are reluctant to intervene. from before the days of Abraham tribes have warred against each other. it is deep rooted. in the meantime a country is wrecked, the blood of it's people spilled (ref. rawanda or sudan).

where are the grandmothers? who has stolen their power?]]></description>
      <category>Mekwitalk 'bout Ev'ryting</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.mekwitalk.net/read.php?1,178294,178295#msg-178295</guid>
      <pubDate>Sat, 05 Jul 2008 01:18:58 -0400</pubDate>
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      <title>[Mekwitalk 'bout Ev'ryting] The Mbuya Nehanda of Zimbabwe</title>
      <link>http://www.mekwitalk.net/read.php?1,178294,178294#msg-178294</link>
      <author>JudgeDred</author>
      <description><![CDATA[Zimbabwe
The Dainty Crew, suggests that what we now know as the Republic of Zimbabwe, was once part of a federation of Rhodesia, and Nyasaland, and was called southern Rhodesia, prior to the Unilateral Declaration of Independence (UDI) by Ian Smith, and the naming of the country Rhodesia. The name Rhodesia is derived from the name of Cecil John Rhodes, according to the Chimanimani Bushwalking Co. When, in 1980, Rhodesia was given majority rule, it changed its name to Zimbabwe, and The Dainty Crew claims that this name is derived from the term Dzimba reMabwe, literally meaning the House of Stones. Zimbabwe is made up of two societies, which speak two languages; Shona, and Ndebele.

The Shona Society
The Shona of Zimbabwe, to this day, believe that the spirits of their ancient ancestors, from generations ago, are still their supernatural protectors, according to Murungu. Among these supernatural protectors are especially powerful and respected spirits, called Midzimu Mikurukuru, who were also referred to as mhondro (or lions), who supposedly oversaw entire regions of different tribes, and were thought to reside in lions. It is believed that these spirits are among the most powerful, since they were responsible for rendering advice to several tribes, ensuring peace among the tribes, for one, as suggested by Murungu.

Mbuya Nehanda
It is thought, says Murungu, that one of these spirits was a woman by the name of Mbuya Nehanda, whose spiritual leadership spanned the entire country of Zimbabwe. This spirit possessed only women who were most respected, and had leadership qualities, and skills, and who would remain single, and given the spiritual name of Mbuya Nehanda, according to Murungu. The Dainty Crew claims that such was the respectability of the Mbuya (grandmother) Nehanda, that those with social concerns were not able to have audience with her directly, but had to seek intercession from an assistant, who was always called Nechombo, an honourable position, and whose duties entailed relaying messages from the people to the Mbuya Nehanda.

The arrival of the Europeans
At the time of European presence in Zimbabwe, according to Murungu, the Nehanda spirit medium was a woman by the name of Nyakasikana who lived in Northern Zimbabwe. She was believed to have been of the VaRozvi tribe, or also, possibly the VaHera tribe. Also, at the time of the mediumship of Nyakasikana, there was believed to be another great regional Shona spirit medium (Mhodoro Huru), called Kaguvi, that possessed a man by the name of Gumborehumba (which literally means the lion's foot), that spirit was affectionately known as Sekuru Kaguvi. This male medium, along with his female counterpart, led the first struggle against European domination, also known as the Chimurenga CheKutanga.

Chimurenga
The two leaders, according to Murungu, instructed all regional chiefs to arm and resist the intrusion, and domination, by Europeans, and it is in this period of resistance, known as the Chimurenga CheKutanga, that the great Shona warriors emerged, such as; Chief Mashayamombe, Chief Gondo, and Chief Zhanda. Dr. Zhuwarara claims that this Chimurenga CheKutanga, took place between 1896, and 1897. Also, when Mbuya Nehanda Nyakasikana was eventually captured, along with her male counterpart, she was claimed to have said, &quot;My bones shall rise again.&quot; This was thought to be the inspiration for the second Chimurenga, which occurred in the 1960's, and 1970's, when oppressed Africans came to see Nehanda as a larger-than-life figure, a living legend often cited by freedom fighters. Dr. Zhuwarara observes that Mbuya Nehanda's voice took on a tone which rebukes blacks for remaining blind and passive, and goes on to &quot;exhort the oppressed children of the land to rid themselves of the usurpers&quot;. The Dainty Crew states that Shona tradition, and culture, sees the Mbuya Nehanda as living in the body of a medium to this day.

Summary
Being of the Christian faith, I would tend to see Mugabe as an evil man, who is merely interested in power, for himself. However, when viewed from the perspective of the culture of Zimbabwe, in the Shona Society, one can see a new situation, where certain values, and traditions, are the driving force in the circumstances presently taking place in Zimbabwe today, which suggest that the mere removal of Mugabe would not necessarily end the present events.

References:

Chimanimani Bushwalking Co. (n.d.). Africa for the history traveller: Mbuya Nehanda Nyakasikana. Retrieved on July 3, 2008, from http://www.bushwalkingco.com/nehanda.htm

The Dainty Crew. (n.d.). Be Aware: Mbuya Nehanda. Retrieved on July 3, 2008, from http://www.daintycrew.com/nehanda.htm

Murungu, S., (2004). Mbuya Nehanda Gandangakadzi Guru reZimbabwe. Retrieved on July 3, 2008, from http://www.zambuko.com/mbirapage/resource_guide/pages/culture/mbuya_nehanda.html

Zhuwarara, R. (2002, March 21). The Role of Nehanda in Chenjerai Hove's Bones. Retrieved on July 3, 2008, from http://www.postcolonialweb.org/zimbabwe/hove/nehanda.html]]></description>
      <category>Mekwitalk 'bout Ev'ryting</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.mekwitalk.net/read.php?1,178294,178294#msg-178294</guid>
      <pubDate>Fri, 04 Jul 2008 11:58:28 -0400</pubDate>
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    <item>
      <title>[Mekwitalk 'bout Ev'ryting] Re: Ackeeites.....Whappen the place like Morgue</title>
      <link>http://www.mekwitalk.net/read.php?1,177975,178293#msg-178293</link>
      <author>SweetP</author>
      <description><![CDATA[lawd, mi can barely fine mi way bout di place yah..]]></description>
      <category>Mekwitalk 'bout Ev'ryting</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.mekwitalk.net/read.php?1,177975,178293#msg-178293</guid>
      <pubDate>Wed, 02 Jul 2008 16:24:00 -0400</pubDate>
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      <title>[Mekwitalk 'bout Ev'ryting] Predicting Jamaica's future...</title>
      <link>http://www.mekwitalk.net/read.php?1,178292,178292#msg-178292</link>
      <author>JudgeDred</author>
      <description><![CDATA[The leader to manage crisis:
The Right Excellency, Nanny of the Maroons, was a good example of selflessness, and a willingness towards self-sacrifice, for the good of her people. Her strongest qualities were in leadership, and she was the inspiration during the many crises that beset Jamaicans of this early, and turbulent period. She is described as having been &quot;a symbol of unity, and strength, for her people during times of crisis&quot; (JamaicaWay.com). The Dainty Crew credit Grandy Nanny with bravery and total commitment to her people, providing a spirit of strength and independence.

Hardships they were/are many:
The greatest test of her resolve occurred around 1734, when a Captain Stoddard of the British army, used cannons to bombard Nanny Town, and captured it. It was said that the Maroons escaped to a hide out near the Rio Grande, and despair soon set in, as all their cultivations had been lost. According to Jamaica's National Heroes, Nanny told her subjects not to give up the fight for freedom, she planted Pumpkin seeds that were in her pocket, in the hills of the Blue Mountain, six miles from Port Antonio, and the hills became covered with Pumpkins, and were to be then known as Pumpkin Hill.

The disappointment of the garrison community:
The communal nature of some of the Maroon communities that still exist today reflects that of an Ashanti village. Nanny encouraged the continuation of customs, music and songs that had accompanied these people from Africa, according to JamaicaWay.com. So the culture in these areas reflect what was wholesome about Africa, active communities, where the inhabitants were fully involved in day-to-day activities.
Contrast this with that of the modern community known as the 'garrison', which is divided from other nearby communities, and in which the community leaders are the so-called 'dons', who rule selfishly, and exploit their own people. They rape young girls, have their hench-men kill community members, support divisive politics, sell drugs to weaker members of the community, and amass 'loot' for themselves. One of the more famous dons, was known to have left DNA evidence in the buttocks of a man found in his community.

She acted with bravery:
The JamaicaWay.com, credits Nanny of the First Maroon War, as leading her people with courage, inspiring them to maintain their independence, and their freedom. Most of the leaders today can't make similar claims, they only claim to have built the very communities which has led to the savagery that we are becoming accustomed to today, and they boast with much 'beating of the chest.'
If only the younger ones today knew their history, and could see through the lies and deceit that these so-called leaders try to pass-off on a gullible public. If only the younger ones knew where their true culture came from, not from Britain, or Europe, but from ancient Africa, unspoilt.

Reflections on the good:
The examples of many communities, in Jamaica, that keep alive the spirit of communal lifestyle, are still in existence today, even with successive governments that do their best to leave them as unfortunate, and hopeless.
Meyler asserts that Grandy Nanny was an &quot;effective political organizer, and military leader, defeating the British in many battles.&quot; If only Jamaica's present leaders were as effective in political leadership, and willing to use their law enforcement authority for the betterment of Jamaica, and Jamaicans, not merely to support narrow political ambitions, and to make a show to a helpless populace.
Jamaicans need to take from Nanny's example, what is good, not necessarily embracing her religious practices, which she brought from her experiences in Africa, but emulating her strong leadership skills.

References:

Jamaica's National Heroes. (n.d.). Ministry of education, youth, and culture. Retrieved on June 21, 2008, from http://www.moeyc.gov.jm/heroes/nannycont.htm

JamaicaWay.com. (n.d.). Jamaica's National Heroe. Retrieved on June 21, 2008, from http://www.jamaicaway.com/Heroes/NannyPage.html

Meyler, D. (n.d.). The story of grandy Nanny: The woman who became one of jamaica's founding father's. Retrieved on June 21, 2008, from http://www.edunetconnect.com/cat/soccult/grnan.html

The Dainty Crew. (n.d.). Be Aware. Nanny of the maroons: Jamaica's national heroine. Retrieved on June 21, 2008, from http://www.daintycrew.com/maroons.htm]]></description>
      <category>Mekwitalk 'bout Ev'ryting</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.mekwitalk.net/read.php?1,178292,178292#msg-178292</guid>
      <pubDate>Sun, 22 Jun 2008 02:35:39 -0400</pubDate>
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      <title>[Mekwitalk 'bout Ev'ryting] Re: Frankster</title>
      <link>http://www.mekwitalk.net/read.php?1,178271,178291#msg-178291</link>
      <author>frankster</author>
      <description><![CDATA[Just fi pay fi de gas]]></description>
      <category>Mekwitalk 'bout Ev'ryting</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.mekwitalk.net/read.php?1,178271,178291#msg-178291</guid>
      <pubDate>Sat, 21 Jun 2008 14:58:07 -0400</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>[Mekwitalk 'bout Ev'ryting] Re: SNAP CONTEST</title>
      <link>http://www.mekwitalk.net/read.php?1,178255,178290#msg-178290</link>
      <author>Queen Macoomeh</author>
      <description><![CDATA[lol..the judge made his decisions so we abide by it..art is such a subjective thing.
Next round I hope to see your entry girlfriend!

How are things these days?]]></description>
      <category>Mekwitalk 'bout Ev'ryting</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.mekwitalk.net/read.php?1,178255,178290#msg-178290</guid>
      <pubDate>Fri, 20 Jun 2008 20:29:23 -0400</pubDate>
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    <item>
      <title>[Mekwitalk 'bout Ev'ryting] ANY JAMAICANS IN THE DAYTON, OHIO AREA...</title>
      <link>http://www.mekwitalk.net/read.php?1,178289,178289#msg-178289</link>
      <author>mstightgenes</author>
      <description><![CDATA[link mi....
http://groups.myspace.com/daytonohiojamaicans]]></description>
      <category>Mekwitalk 'bout Ev'ryting</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.mekwitalk.net/read.php?1,178289,178289#msg-178289</guid>
      <pubDate>Fri, 20 Jun 2008 16:33:16 -0400</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>[Mekwitalk 'bout Ev'ryting] Re: SNAP CONTEST</title>
      <link>http://www.mekwitalk.net/read.php?1,178255,178288#msg-178288</link>
      <author>Deelighted</author>
      <description><![CDATA[Well done Rasslisa. They say a picture says a thousand words and yours does just that. Queen cant say I dig your no. 1, but to each his own.]]></description>
      <category>Mekwitalk 'bout Ev'ryting</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.mekwitalk.net/read.php?1,178255,178288#msg-178288</guid>
      <pubDate>Fri, 20 Jun 2008 08:22:17 -0400</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>[Mekwitalk 'bout Ev'ryting] Re: SNAP CONTEST</title>
      <link>http://www.mekwitalk.net/read.php?1,178255,178287#msg-178287</link>
      <author>Queen Macoomeh</author>
      <description><![CDATA[The judge has ruled!
See results at the link.

[url]http://www.commessuniversity.com/main/2008%20Projects/Snap%20contest/results_snap%201_08.htm[/url]

Thank you and congrats to ALL contestants!!!]]></description>
      <category>Mekwitalk 'bout Ev'ryting</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.mekwitalk.net/read.php?1,178255,178287#msg-178287</guid>
      <pubDate>Thu, 19 Jun 2008 19:41:31 -0400</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>[Mekwitalk 'bout Ev'ryting] apparently Obama's not the first</title>
      <link>http://www.mekwitalk.net/read.php?1,178272,178286#msg-178286</link>
      <author>Deelighted</author>
      <description><![CDATA[stumbled on this from this week's Voice newspaper. It's all coming out in the wash, anything to rain on Obama's parade eh Rasslisa? 

&quot;If African-Americans knew the real story of their history, I wonder how many of them would be jumping up and down as if Obama was the second coming. He’s not even the third coming, or the fourth. In fact, if he kicks John McCain into touch come November, Barack will be the SEVENTH black president of the United. Yes, seventh. 


Remember, it’s racist America we’re talking about, where the one drop rule applies (one drop of African blood). In which case Dwight D. Eisenhower, the wartime general who became president in the fifties, is a bruvva. As one historian has recently pointed out, Eisenhower’s mum, Ida Elizabeth Stover Eisenhower, was black. 


Black historians have written extensively that Thomas Jefferson, Andrew Jackson, Abraham Lincoln, Warren G. Harding, Calvin Coolidge and Dwight Eisenhower had black ancestors. These historians include Joel A. Rodgers, Dr. Leroy Vaughn, and Dr. Auset Bakhufu. 


Black historians, however, were not the first to write about the five presidents' racially mixed families. White historians and political opponents also wrote about their black ancestors, but the books were either destroyed, went out of print or are hard to find. 



The difference between Obama and these presidents is that they all passed for white (which he obviously can’t do) and shunned their dark-skinned relatives to hide their racial backgrounds. 


In Thomas Jefferson’s case, there is even evidence that his daughter remained a slave during his presidency (check out the book The President’s Daughter by William Wells Brown). 


Jefferson, America's third president, had an Indian mother and a mulatto father. Jefferson destroyed all of the papers, portraits and personal effects of his mother, Jane Randolph Jefferson, when she died on March 31, 1776. He even wrote to everyone who had received letters from his mother to ask that they return them. 


Andrew Jackson, the nation's seventh's president, was the son of a black man and an Irish woman. His brother, according to articles and books, was sold into slavery. 


But the blackest of the presidents was Warren G. Harding, the 29th president, who served in office from 1921 to 1923. White historians claim Harding was of English and Dutch ancestry, but in truth both his parents were black. 


Harding's black ancestors escaped from the South to the North via the Underground Railroad. He even attended a college for fugitive slaves at a time when it would have been unthinkable for any white person to attend such an institution. 


Iberia College, in Ohio, was founded to educate fugitive slaves – it’s now called Ohio Central College. When Republicans asked Harding to deny that he was a ‘negro’, Harding said, &quot;How should I know whether or not one of my ancestors might have jumped the fence?&quot; 


Harding’s own brother and sisters were raised and treated like ‘coloured’ people. According to one historian, Harding used makeup to lighten his complexion. 


Abraham Lincoln, the 16th US president, was the illegitimate son of an African man. Lincoln's mother, Nancy, described her son as having very dark skin and coarse hair. 


Historians maintain that Thomas Lincoln was Abraham Lincoln's father, but William H. Herndon, Lincoln's law partner, disputes that assumption. 


After Lincoln's assassination in 1865, Herndon contacted everyone who knew Lincoln and documented his life. According to the book, The Hidden Lincoln, From The Letters And Papers Of William H. Herndon, Herndon argued that Thomas Lincoln could not have been Abraham Lincoln's father because he was sterile as a result of childhood mumps. 


Calvin Coolidge, America's 30th president, admitted that his mother, Victoria Josephine Moor Coolidge, was dark because she was of mixed Indian ancestry. By then of course (1800) New England Indians were not pure because so many of them married black folk. 


You see why Garvey said it was important to know your history before we start showing the world how ignorant of our past we are? That’s the Yanks taken care of. I haven’t even started on our black queen Elizabeth II and the other bruvvas and sistas in the royal family.]]></description>
      <category>Mekwitalk 'bout Ev'ryting</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.mekwitalk.net/read.php?1,178272,178286#msg-178286</guid>
      <pubDate>Thu, 19 Jun 2008 17:26:21 -0400</pubDate>
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    <item>
      <title>[Mekwitalk 'bout Ev'ryting] Re: We make Historyyyyyyyyy</title>
      <link>http://www.mekwitalk.net/read.php?1,178272,178285#msg-178285</link>
      <author>rasslisa</author>
      <description><![CDATA[hail up Justice ... an heverybaddy
Henry, u have to p on di man parade?
Obama needs all the support he can get, in our thoughts and words - especially if we can't vote. Would u rather McCain?]]></description>
      <category>Mekwitalk 'bout Ev'ryting</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.mekwitalk.net/read.php?1,178272,178285#msg-178285</guid>
      <pubDate>Wed, 18 Jun 2008 21:03:19 -0400</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>[Mekwitalk 'bout Ev'ryting] Re: Frankster</title>
      <link>http://www.mekwitalk.net/read.php?1,178271,178284#msg-178284</link>
      <author>rasslisa</author>
      <description><![CDATA[is money yu a look - steupse

the occasion came an went. nex time.]]></description>
      <category>Mekwitalk 'bout Ev'ryting</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.mekwitalk.net/read.php?1,178271,178284#msg-178284</guid>
      <pubDate>Wed, 18 Jun 2008 20:51:38 -0400</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>[Mekwitalk 'bout Ev'ryting] Re: We make Historyyyyyyyyy</title>
      <link>http://www.mekwitalk.net/read.php?1,178272,178283#msg-178283</link>
      <author>Deelighted</author>
      <description><![CDATA[Mi hear somebody calling mi ? Hail up Justice, how we doing. All the best for Obama, but personally with all his good intentions, I dont think he will be able to effect any significant changes.]]></description>
      <category>Mekwitalk 'bout Ev'ryting</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.mekwitalk.net/read.php?1,178272,178283#msg-178283</guid>
      <pubDate>Tue, 17 Jun 2008 17:12:16 -0400</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>[Mekwitalk 'bout Ev'ryting] Re: SNAP CONTEST</title>
      <link>http://www.mekwitalk.net/read.php?1,178255,178282#msg-178282</link>
      <author>Queen Macoomeh</author>
      <description><![CDATA[Contest closes at 12 noon, June 15th, Eastern standard time.

Best of luck to all participants!]]></description>
      <category>Mekwitalk 'bout Ev'ryting</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.mekwitalk.net/read.php?1,178255,178282#msg-178282</guid>
      <pubDate>Sat, 14 Jun 2008 20:57:47 -0400</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>[Mekwitalk 'bout Ev'ryting] Re: The causes of Haiti's poverty and misery</title>
      <link>http://www.mekwitalk.net/read.php?1,170741,178281#msg-178281</link>
      <author>JudgeDred</author>
      <description><![CDATA[Frankster said:
&quot;It sounds like you saying Haiti did nothing wrong?

WAS Dominica acting in co- operation with France(and Spain)?

Haiti was within its right as a sovereign nation defending itself from re-conquest, and its attack on Dominica Republic was Justified as the were in collusion with France.

Am I right in this assumption?&quot;

JudgeDred said:
I haven't heard, or seen, any evidence of the Dominican Republic being in collusion with France, although they did allow Spain to recolonize them for a period. So it is possible to suggest that they were potentially in collusion against Haiti, with France. So you are likely to be correct in your assumption.]]></description>
      <category>Mekwitalk 'bout Ev'ryting</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.mekwitalk.net/read.php?1,170741,178281#msg-178281</guid>
      <pubDate>Tue, 10 Jun 2008 01:01:19 -0400</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>[Mekwitalk 'bout Ev'ryting] Re: The causes of Haiti's poverty and misery</title>
      <link>http://www.mekwitalk.net/read.php?1,170741,178280#msg-178280</link>
      <author>frankster</author>
      <description><![CDATA[JudgeDred Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
&gt; Frankster said:
&gt; &quot;Well then, do you think that was wrong of
&gt; Haiti?&quot;
&gt; 
&gt; JudgeDred says:
&gt;  It depends on how you look at it, Haiti
&gt; supposedly was [b]acting in self-defence[/b] to protect
&gt; one approach to its borders, and France apparently
&gt; was effectively denied a landing beach on the
&gt; island of Hispaniola by the success of this
&gt; invasion.
&gt;  On the other hand this action, [b]which resulted in
&gt; the Dominican Republic being occupied for a number
&gt; of years, was an infringement on the Dominican
&gt; Republic's sovereignty, as an independent nation[/b].
&gt; It also lead to prolonged bad-blood between Haiti
&gt; and the Dominican Republic.
&gt; 
&gt;  Haiti's main problem is that they attempted to be
&gt; a free, independent, state in a world that tries
&gt; to project an image of the inferiority of the
&gt; black race. The success of Haiti could not be
&gt; allowed, whatever the cost, because it would have
&gt; shown up the weaknesses in the argument about
&gt; black inferiority. I suppose that's what happened
&gt; to Jamaica during the Manley era, too much
&gt; potential black power for some traditional
&gt; influences in the world.



It sounds like you saying Haiti did nothing wrong? 

WAS Dominica acting in co- operation with France[s](and Spain)[/s]?

Haiti was within its right as a sovereign nation defending itself from re-conquest, and its attack on Dominica Republic was Justified as the were in collusion with France.

Am I right in this assumption?]]></description>
      <category>Mekwitalk 'bout Ev'ryting</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.mekwitalk.net/read.php?1,170741,178280#msg-178280</guid>
      <pubDate>Mon, 09 Jun 2008 15:26:43 -0400</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>[Mekwitalk 'bout Ev'ryting] Re: Frankster</title>
      <link>http://www.mekwitalk.net/read.php?1,178271,178279#msg-178279</link>
      <author>frankster</author>
      <description><![CDATA[YES Lawd... mi hand middle a scratch me]]></description>
      <category>Mekwitalk 'bout Ev'ryting</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.mekwitalk.net/read.php?1,178271,178279#msg-178279</guid>
      <pubDate>Mon, 09 Jun 2008 15:17:22 -0400</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>[Mekwitalk 'bout Ev'ryting] Re: The causes of Haiti's poverty and misery</title>
      <link>http://www.mekwitalk.net/read.php?1,170741,178278#msg-178278</link>
      <author>tony</author>
      <description><![CDATA[??]]></description>
      <category>Mekwitalk 'bout Ev'ryting</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.mekwitalk.net/read.php?1,170741,178278#msg-178278</guid>
      <pubDate>Fri, 06 Jun 2008 07:03:37 -0400</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>[Mekwitalk 'bout Ev'ryting] Re: The causes of Haiti's poverty and misery</title>
      <link>http://www.mekwitalk.net/read.php?1,170741,178277#msg-178277</link>
      <author>JudgeDred</author>
      <description><![CDATA[Frankster said:
&quot;Well then, do you think that was wrong of Haiti?&quot;

JudgeDred says:
 It depends on how you look at it, Haiti supposedly was acting in self-defence to protect one approach to its borders, and France apparently was effectively denied a landing beach on the island of Hispaniola by the success of this invasion.
 On the other hand this action, which resulted in the Dominican Republic being occupied for a number of years, was an infringement on the Dominican Republic's sovereignty, as an independent nation. It also lead to prolonged bad-blood between Haiti and the Dominican Republic.

 Haiti's main problem is that they attempted to be a free, independent, state in a world that tries to project an image of the inferiority of the black race. The success of Haiti could not be allowed, whatever the cost, because it would have shown up the weaknesses in the argument about black inferiority. I suppose that's what happened to Jamaica during the Manley era, too much potential black power for some traditional influences in the world.]]></description>
      <category>Mekwitalk 'bout Ev'ryting</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.mekwitalk.net/read.php?1,170741,178277#msg-178277</guid>
      <pubDate>Wed, 04 Jun 2008 22:26:52 -0400</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>[Mekwitalk 'bout Ev'ryting] Re: Bolt</title>
      <link>http://www.mekwitalk.net/read.php?1,178270,178276#msg-178276</link>
      <author>swebber29</author>
      <description><![CDATA[yea nuff respect to Mr. Lightening Bolt, Jamaica deh pon di map sraight, something positive cause di crime a gwaan too bad star..]]></description>
      <category>Mekwitalk 'bout Ev'ryting</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.mekwitalk.net/read.php?1,178270,178276#msg-178276</guid>
      <pubDate>Wed, 04 Jun 2008 21:08:31 -0400</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>[Mekwitalk 'bout Ev'ryting] Re: Bleaching</title>
      <link>http://www.mekwitalk.net/read.php?1,178260,178275#msg-178275</link>
      <author>swebber29</author>
      <description><![CDATA[yuh mad massa, mi nuh do dem tings deh, mi a nuh browning but mi love mi complexion...]]></description>
      <category>Mekwitalk 'bout Ev'ryting</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.mekwitalk.net/read.php?1,178260,178275#msg-178275</guid>
      <pubDate>Wed, 04 Jun 2008 21:06:14 -0400</pubDate>
    </item>
  </channel>
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