[Kunjufu]

**Long Tings Alert**

I have been asked by the admin team on the eve of Blacknet Village first birthday. T

o do a part retrospective, part thank you and part celebration of what was achallenging first year.

Although The Village is in fact eight years old, this version or should I say this reincarnation of Blacknet was reborn on 20th August 2003, after much too long in the doldrums..

From a very quiet beginning, where it was far from certain if Blacknet could regain its crown and reputationit had asthe home of the cutting edge of black opinion of the ordinary African and African/Caribbean.

One year on this village has surpassed all expectations, and surprised even those like myself who thought it would bounce back...

One year on we recently celebrated our 50,000 post milestone… and we are now well on our way to reaching 100,000 posts probably well before our second birthday next year....

We have more than 3000 registered members, more than 3000 posts ranging from political Iraq revisited debate to the light hearted word game which is still going very very strong..

From being a very distant poor relative to some of the other black forums, from a standing start we have now surpass those ahead of us, and without doubt have become the fastest growing and busiest space for All-Africans in the UK today..

Despite this spectacular success it is unfortunate (in my view) that the team behind Blacknet and Blacknet village itself has NOT been recognised for their undoubted consistent service thatthey have provided for our community, not just in the UK but globally.. I really hope that this is put right soon..

I am also sad that Blacknet is not recognised as the Godfather of Black message boards, for the trends it has set and the way it has createdthe blueprint for others to follow.. For that Kennedy, Dillinger, Raven & Menzer ought to be recognised and commended for their courage and commitment in this area.

I also need to mention Mafdet, apart from having a terrible year with the sad lost of her dear brother. she is celebrated now for giving this version of Blacknet its name, by coining the term Blacknet Village…So she must be honoured for that..

It is also a big strength of the Blacknet Village that its Moderation team is multinational, reflecting All Africans at its best… For those who always say African and African Carribeans, young and old, men and women can’t work together and can’t unify..this is proofthat this a lie!!!

This team more than anything else typifies the lie in that statement.. Over the last year we have demonstrated just how it is possible despite our many differences (and they are many believe me), to agree or disagree around common ground to work together and hold the line on consensus agreement.

The team has demonstrated teamwork, commitment and professionalism of the highest standard this last year. Remembering that the Moderators here are unpaid volunteers, this team in conjunction with the moral and physical support of Kennedy, Dillinger & Raven is one of the reason why being here is so special to many..and demostrates black people at its best!!!

A poster commented recently 'what is the use of talking the same ol same ol’, or word to that effect. to himtalking was simply a waste of time..

How wrong can you be, how wrong? As the longest serving member, I can see the visable changes in our community, the growth and the maturity in our discussion iswell documented inthe old versions of Blacknet...and here today..

We have moved on in so many different ways, from making everyone but ourselves the centre of our attention, we have moved on from defining ourselves by the actions of others outside our culture.We have definitely moved on from just having one or two contributers knowing their stuff to now having the strength in depth, where I would now say anyone here today, could hold their corner with anyone at any level.

When we or someone elsetalks about unity, or the lack of unityin black people. Pleasepoint them to this Village and show them Black unity in action.

We don’t get unity or consensus from shutting ourselves away, or from keeping our thoughts to ourselves in isolation. We get unity from forums like this, from sharing and testing our views and from voicing our views when there is nowhere else to be heard..

That to me is unity in action!!!

What is very very pleasing on a day when some idiot is talking about trouble with 'black' men.. is that today our youth are here in force onBlacknet Village doing well, intelligent andAfrican centredthis is a good sign for the future a very good sign..

So all of this effort and work would be nought and for nothing without the quality, the support and the input from all of you, the Villagers. Without you, thiswould not be the hilarious, sometimes frustrating, sometime infuriating, mostly intelligent and always lively debating platform it is today.

You made this place what it is, and you made the Blacknet Village one of the pieces of the jigsaw in a confusing and complex multimedia world.. So for that and on behalf of the Blacknet team, whom I’m authorised to speak on behalf of and the Moderation team a big big:

Thank You

On the Eve of our First Birthday in our new home..

Happy Birthday Blacknet Village….

[LadyDay]

Happy Birthday well done on getting the balance on black intellectual thought thinking humour entertainment etc

[AQ]

Here, here, absolutely HAPPY BIRTHDAY BLACKNET VILLAGE. Due to many circumstancesI don't always get the time to come on and really get my heels into some of the amazing topics that are generated here but I always, always come away feeling educated and enriched.

This is a forum that simply must not disappear, it's imperative that the young contribute and gain from this site and I certainly direct people to this site or cite it when having any form of discussion relating to issues concerning "us".

Best wishes alwaysbanana.gif

AQjamflagredkiss

Blacknet Village!

[runfromyourwife]

[align=center]Happy Birthday Blacknet Village [/align]
Hmm

read Kunjufus intro -

and would like to add, if I may be so bold, a few thoughts of my own.

I say this Blacknet has to lead Black Opinion and set the example for others to follow -

1)No slavery denial, dismissal ordisrespect should beallowed, and all "get over it" opinions should be deleted immediately.

2) A limit on threads aboutinterracial relationships.

3) instant deletion of all threads that are insulting to black men especially the ones started by people who "become members"the day they start their thread.

4) Special dispensation must be given to strong black menwhoarehighly creative in putting down fools.

These men should be given cartblanche todealanyway they see fit with the filthy scumbagswhoreartheir heads every so often in the forum.

5) Black Power should be promoted.

Black Power Black Supremacy

ower

:-)

[Maat]

What a wonderful thing to come back and see. CONGRATULATIONS on making it through this year, you know there... "aint no stoppin us now, we're on the move "banana.gif!! Here's to many more successful years to come. blkcheers

I wondered about Dillinger, Kennedy and Raven I know they are in the background but can you give us a littleinfoon what they do? Many of us see the names and perhaps like me, are not sure why we don't see much posts from them. I'm sure we can gather that they are working hard but lets make sure we big them up for all the right reasons .

@Dillinger,Kennedy, and Raven: Come on stop being modest and come big up yourselves for two minutes. It can't be easy keeping up.

I've been checking out some of the other areas of Blacknet and trust this set up is HEEEEAAAAVY niceone.gifbanana.gifbanana.gif



And of courseGwaaaannnn @Mods: Can we get a 'skin teet' acon please LOL ! blkrainbowfro

[JONHNCROW234]

HAPPY REBORN BIRTHDAY BLACKNET!

[fazuan]

Happy birthday and WELL DONE KUNJUFU!!

AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED IT'S BEEN A SOLO EFFORT AS FAR AS KEEPING SANITY, FAIRNESSAND PEACE IS CONCERNED AND YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO DISAGREE WITH ME.

THEN AGAIN THERES ONLY ONE OF A GOOD THING INDEED...........

[Sooofresh]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BLACKNET VILLAGEbanana.gifbanana.gif

you kept my summer hoildays interesting! and believe it I learned alot of issues, especially stereotypical views that has been smashed by the highest calibra of humans- the black people.



HOPE YOU LAST FOREVER AND EVER banana.gif

[Fredblack]

@All been thinking about this thread since I saw it.

Hmmmm. Got to laugh because I always have to big up the leaders and backroom boys and girls and those who support them ,without whom none of this could be possible. Sacrifice and leadership has made this all possible.

The brothers and sisters from the top leadership team, whose vision made this possible, right down to the Moderating team who run the shop front all deserve a massive thanks of appreication from all thinking black people for their efforts on our collective behalf.

The leader of the shop front team, Kunjufu must take a special thanks, because coal face leadership is often the most difficult and that which decides whether an army is victoriou or fails...The buck often stops there and is the focus for all the crap and few of the benefits.

Blacknet is a crucial piece or our strategic infrastructure that allows us to communicate globally with our extended family and is the type of thing people simply dreamed of a decade ago. Equally, it is the type of development which makes our enemies very very uneasy. So while we celebrate prepare for war.

Today we have brothers and sisters from all walks and ages who can communicate on a very challenging level and this is something we all should work towards taking even further.

I like many others can identify the numerous positive developments and improvements which have taken place in the Village on the technical and policy and content level and hope we all work hard in our various capacities from ordinary members to the generals to make Blacknet, to use RFYW's terms the most superior Forum of its kind second to none. Being second to me in important things in life, is simply not good enough.

Moreover and something that is dear to me. Next time our people talk about the lack of leadership, lack of black people, man and woman unity, across tribal and national distinction and being able to cooperate and work effectively under leadership. Send them here to learn and see a practical model in their life time.

Our people have plenty know how and are not sitting passively. So this Village serves postive examples on so many levels, I would not know where to start.

I get plenty satisfaction reading the comments of new members saying how good this site is compared to others, which I would not know but trust my instincts. We have the sweetest jokes and toughest arguments, because the Village allows our people to be themselves and if only for that we are all deeply grateful for that breathing space, when many want to suffocate and silence us.

By the way some of our IT people have asked me to BIG UP TO THE MAX all the brothers behind the scenes and Kunjufu . I am have been told that they met many of the key brothers and Kunjufu long time ago when Blacknet was only an idea and take plenty satification in seeing what it has evolved in today. So on their behalf. They are abroad and cannot do it themselves.

blkclapblkclapblkclapblkclapblkclapblkclapTo Mentzer, Kennedy, Raven, Kunjufu and anybody else who I have forgotten to mention.

Peace out and more power.

FBblkclap

[Mafdet]

Well said Kunjufu and well deserved to be said blkclapblkclapblkclapblkclapblkclap

Just passing through briefly but had to stopto join in the celebrations and say I have witnessed in my many many years here, blacknet going from strength to strength. What I particularly enjoy and keeps me coming back about thisforum is the willingness to learn. No one here is beyond learning capacity and I admire the majority who stop to think about their arguement/debate/opinions etc before taking the easy route out and storming off in a childish tantrum never to be seen again.These postersare not affraid to admitt if they got something wrong or learnt something new and are just asvital as theposters who continue to share their wealth of information/experience and knowledge. To me this is the heart of this forum and what keeps the vibes pumping it alive and that is why without a doubt in my opinion this is one of he best forums out there.

Kunjufu thank you I feel honoured to be mentioned for the term "Village" within this celebratory piece but the truth is although I may pass through other forums from time to time Blacknet will always be my home..............as without all the contributors on this forum there wouldn't be a village. So big praises to all the contributors and bigger praises to the Mod Squad and all those that make Blacknet what it is.

I particularly enjoy this version of Blacknet the most as the international input is at its best and continuing to grow.blk2cheers2Happy Birthday Blacknet!!!!blk2cheers2