Rice gives "mandate" for African-American pastors to craft Africa policy

impactplayer · (#1 (**permalink**))

Story on link below

http://www.jifunza.com/jifunzaNaviga...ArticleID=1509

Rice says she wants more African-American churchs and organizations to get together and craft Africa's policies...AA pastors now see it as a "mandate" (uh oh)

umbrarchist · (#2 (**permalink**))

Code:

Some of the pastors said it was a matter of national security - that those orphans were susceptible to recruitment by Islamic extremists unless they could be exposed to churches such as theirs.

They MUST be propagandized into the RIGHT religion.

Code:

The Rev. O'Neal Dozier, pastor of the Worldwide Christian Center...and a longtime Republican, said Rice's decision...gave them a "mandate" to craft Africa policy.

And how far is this MANDATE going to extend?

Code:

...a natural step in an Africa policy that has gained heightened priority under Bush in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and in the face of the growing AIDS epidemic.

Of course these make great excuses for whatever Bush's ulterior motives are.

Code:

...pastors believe could make hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars available for the churches to combat AIDS and related social ills internationally.

And more black Cadillacs.

umbrarchist

COLTRANE · (#3 (**permalink**))

I think rice could have advocated the whole of AA community and not only Church groups

I believe that its a good move m#by miss rice but I fear if African Americans are not involved in the early stages most contracts will go to Europeans who Africans see as are more close with them in this

impactplayer · (#4 (**permalink**))

In a way I think this is exactly what we need and Condi Rice is on the right track. We need the flexiblity to do whatcan on thecontinent. But I hopeshe is not just getting right-wing parrots, I know TD Jakes has practically been in bed with Bush lately...

I know this agenda is primarily about fighting AIDS but these pastors are talking about bigger things...The terms of "mandate" and "Islamic extrimist" made me think of GWB...This could be the leverage that Bush needs to do what he wants inAfricawithout us complaining....

Baron_Samedi · (#5 (**permalink**))

Unfortunately the Church is the only structure in Black America with ties to the Masses; it is usually a top down approach in terms of leadership.

I think it is a start in regards to US policies but why not the Congressional Black Caucus or other Black NGO's?

I can't complain too much because at least she is doing something no matter how much I am against another crusade into the dark continent.

COLTRANE · (#6 (**permalink**))

not really as I know alot of AFRICA americans WHO are doing in in Africa and with few back of their govt

organisations like TRANS AFRICA by Randal Robinson and even jesse Jackson is doing something there

Personally I would be more comfortable with AA investing there than Europeans .. talking about TD JAKES i wonder even if he has been to Africa let alone being advocate but lets look on the positive side

eg: this:

http://www.sweetunityfarms.com/coffee.php

so some people are actually doing something

ShugAvery · (#7 (**permalink**))

another bad idea from the Bush administration. If history gives us any indication of how this effort will go... it will fail..ALL of the bush administrations initiatives have! Although I think it's good that the administration is promoting AA involvment in the fate of Africans, I'm very much afraid of what types of solutions these people will come up with. In the states they promote their ABSTINENCE ONLY initiatives... total bullshit! It's not working in the states or anywhere else where free societies are involved.

I don't think that people like Jakes will even fully appreciate the cultural issues that our african bros and sisters have to deal with. .. I will just say i'm LESS than confident, enthusiastic, or optimistic about the results of this

*** 1st time poster here.. hi everybody ***

The Mighty Mos Def · (#8 (**permalink**))

ShugAvery wrote:

Quote:

another bad idea from the Bush administration. If history gives us any indication of how this effort will go... it will fail.. ALL of the bush administrations initiatives have! Although I think it's good that the administration is promoting AA involvment in the fate of Africans, I'm very much afraid of what types of solutions these people will come up with. In the states they promote their ABSTINENCE ONLY initiatives... total bullshit! It's not working in the states or anywhere else where free societies are involved.

I don't think that people like Jakes will even fully appreciate the cultural issues that our african bros and sisters have to deal with. .. I will just say i'm LESS than confident, enthusiastic, or optimistic about the results of this

*** 1st time poster here.. hi everybody ***

[

Welcome to the village.

Your post was on point. While I'm happy to see African-Americans becoming more vocal in their support of Africa, the truth is, these conservative Black "leaders" tend to be some of the least worldly-wise people you'll come across. Unfortunately, they have the potential to embarrass African-Americans in Africa and harm our image even further, this worries me. I can see them offending non-Christian Africans with their ignorance of other religions; I can see them being laughed at because they don't grasp the nuance of the sociology of Africa. Hopefully this won't be the case; hopefully they make a good impression and study the situation before jumping in face first, but I have my doubts.

We know why this is being done: politics. More than likely, Condi is going to run for president, what better way to show you're pro-Black, and not a sellout, than helping Africa.

For the sake of Africa, and the perception of African-Americans abroad, I hope I'm wrong and my cynicism is proven unfounded.

impactplayer · (#9 (**permalink**))

@ Mighty Mos Def

Surely our pastors aint that bad. One thing about black churches is that they are organized as hell. I think its unfair to say that they will embarrass us. The civil rights movement was started in the church, dont you think this would be the natural next step? I think if this is successful we can have a real impact. Of course its allpolitically motivated but I do repect some aspects of the "religious right".. They've been getting a bad repin the media, but they are the biggest donors of African aid in America...I mean if blacks can't unite on this effort that Condi Rice is doing we wont be able to unite on anything.....

But I do agree with you on that fact that we shouldn't go on a "crusade" to christainize Africans which what the pastors in the article was hinting about..

The Mighty Mos Def · (#10 (**permalink**))

impactplayer wrote:

Quote:

@ Mighty Mos Def

Surely our pastors aint that bad. One thing about black churches is that they are organized as hell. I think its unfair to say that they will embarrass us. The civil rights movement was started in the church, dont you think this would be the natural next step? I think if this is successful we can have a real impact. Of course its all politically motivated but I do repect some aspects of the "religious right".. They've been getting a bad rep in the media, but they are the biggest donors of African aid in America...I mean if blacks can't unite on this effort that Condi Rice is doing we wont be able to unite on anything.....

But I do agree with you on that fact that we shouldn't go on a "crusade" to christainize Africans which what the pastors in the article was hinting about..

I agree that our pastors aren't "bad", they are great preachers, good businessmen, and, for the most part, great people, however, none of those qualities makes one sophisticated, especially when dealing with global affairs. I won't question whether their heart is in the right place, rather, I wonder if their minds are? Their hints at converting people is a huge red flag, although I'm sure it came from a good place. That alone, will turn off many of the people that they wish to connect with in Africa, from everyday citizens, to political leaders. We need to involve our brightest clergy, regardless of political affiliation, or we're in for trouble.

I respect and admire Dr. King and Malcolm X greatly, if both were alive today, which would you want representing us abroad? I would have to choose Malcolm. Why? Although King was more "educated" in the Eurocentric context, and genius in his own right, Malcolm had a complete grasp of the plight of the African/Black world, therefore, he could convey the reasons for the struggle to those of us in the west, while being immensely respected abroad for his keen insight into the various ills that afflict Africa. Many of our pastors, today, are like Dr. King, in that, they're great orators, educated, and have good intentions, for the most part, but they lack the depth to speak on issues of this magnitude, let alone lead the fight to solve them. The best thing they can do is let Andrew Young lead this; seek out the help of African-American and African intellectuals; and involve African born pastors living in the U.S..

impactplayer · (#11 (**permalink**))

The Mighty Mos Def wrote:

Quote:

impactplayer wrote:

Quote:

@ Mighty Mos Def

Surely our pastors aint that bad. One thing about black churches is that they are organized as hell. I think its unfair to say that they will embarrass us. The civil rights movement was started in the church, dont you think this would be the natural next step? I think if this is successful we can have a real impact. Of course its all politically motivated but I do repect some aspects of the "religious right".. They've been getting a bad rep in the media, but they are the biggest donors of African aid in America...I mean if blacks can't unite on this effort that Condi Rice is doing we wont be able to unite on anything.....

But I do agree with you on that fact that we shouldn't go on a "crusade" to christainize Africans which what the pastors in the article was hinting about..

I agree that our pastors aren't "bad", they are great preachers, good businessmen, and, for the most part, great people, however, none of those qualities makes one sophisticated, especially when dealing with global affairs. I won't question whether their heart is in the right place, rather, I wonder if their minds are? Their hints at converting people is a huge red flag, although I'm sure it came from a good place. That alone, will turn off many of the people that they wish to connect with in Africa, from everyday citizens, to political leaders. We need to involve our brightest clergy, regardless of political affiliation, or we're in for trouble.

I respect and admire Dr. King and Malcolm X greatly, if both were alive today, which would you want representing us abroad? I would have to choose Malcolm. Why? Although King was more "educated" in the Eurocentric context, and genius in his own right, Malcolm had a complete grasp of the plight of the African/Black world, therefore, he could convey the reasons for the struggle to those of us in the west, while being immensely respected abroad for his keen insight into the various ills that afflict Africa. Many of our pastors, today, are like Dr. King, in that, they're great orators, educated, and have good intentions, for the most part, but they lack the depth to speak on issues of this magnitude, let alone lead the fight to solve them. The best thing they can do is let Andrew Young lead this; seek out the help of African-American and African intellectuals; and involve African born pastors living in the U.S..

Quote:

Ideally I would also rather have Malcolm representing us abroad because he does probably have a better understanding of the plight.But I think realisticallyDr. King would be essiential in relating with whites inAmerica the injustice that goes on in the African continent because of his christain background...As we all know X just plain scared white people and Im convinced that they would never let millions of tax dollars funnel into his hands unlike Dr. King.....The same goes for Louis Farrakan, even though he probably has more influence in the black communityI dont think Secretary Rice could take him seriously because he so isolated himself from whites and Jews (the ones with all the tax dollars)..In other words, I honestly see no better black group in society representing us abroad than the Black churches...Idreadto see the daya delegation of 50 cent,Lil kim, The Game, andJay-Zdrapped in thier diamonds represent us in Africa talking about feeding starving children...Now that wouldtruly beembarrassing.